Ding Dong Style

 Weird title, but there's a place called Pinky's and they have the best burgers and such, ever- if you get it 'ding dong style' it comes with crunchy peanut butter, sriracha, and honey cilantro slaw...it's crazy good- and things that you would never imagine putting on your burger...together. That's how I live, I mix anything and everything that I like all together and give it a try. Usually it works out for the best! Writing, painting, fiber, collage, fashion, music and life...everyday, all day. That's my ding dong style. I like to take chances- and sometimes i need a little self motivation...I tend to drag my feet...but when I finally try that something new, I'm so happy i did! It is always an adventure...and what else is there, really? 
 Today's adventure went like this...
I was invited to join Lisa Rough's awesome hullabaloo-" GREAT BIG SUMMERTIME BLOG HULLABALOO, an intimate and sometimes vulnerable celebration of the human spirit.  I like to imagine us all sitting in a circle together, perhaps around a crackling fire….  bearing witness to one another’s stories that display such breadth of courage, tenacity, and hope.  It’s not too late to grab a seat and share your story (or art, love letter, bucket list, etc.)–  there’s nothing else I would love more! " (grabbed Lisa's words from here)

I of course, drug my feet, and I wasn't even sure what I was going to write about, other than my love of expression and the joy of being female...when I finally settled down and began to write- I couldn't turn it off...words like water poured out of my fingers! What came out of me was a testament of authenticity...or, be yourself dammit!...and then

I SENT IT IN!

 To be read by people who know nothing of me and have never read my writings and ramblins'- who may or may not understand my ding dong style. And guess what? I'm okay! It was painless, and if no one gets it or likes it- I won't be hurt- because, I did it for me! It was what I was feeling, and I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels that way. And if i even affect one woman with my true self for the good, then hot diggity, i'm on to something! I will have made a difference. And that is my ultimate adventure. 

Get over to Lisa Rough's blog Sacred Circle- she has a summer-full of amazing creatives posting daily on her blog, and it's spectacular!

Make More Art

Make it! Quit thinking about creating for someone else or to sell or hang or for a show...Make art because it feels good. Make art because you want to, have to. The process is the art...the end result is just another object. Run, now, and get something to make your mark with. NOW. 

Create for Woman

I am so doing this!!! I think women everywhere should sign up and create for equality!!

Not my entry, but something like it(I'm still working on the boobies)

~PROSPECTUS: UniteWomen.org is looking for art that speaks to, examines and explores the social, political and economic issues related to women's activism. We are seeking art (all media) that expresses the women's perspective on issues of women's rights, political rights, reproductive rights, the ERA and issues of societal control which can range from literal to poetic, abstract to representational, and psychological, to social and political commentary. Submit work that explores the concepts of being a woman in today's global society and how social constructs define your experience whether internal, external, imagined or imposed, and how it defines and shapes our identities, relationships, ideas and politics. Artists are encouraged to interpret this theme broadly; submit works that have resonance and meaning to you. UniteWomen.org will present these issues in visual form, creating a public forum for action, reaction, and informed discussion.~ 

I'm So Awesome, You Are Too!

So it's not always pretty, this life you live. MAKE it pretty. Own it, decorate it and live it. Open your own doors and get on your soapbox. Shout from the rooftops about how awesome you are. Make yourself happy- the rest will follow- I PROMISE.

I wear tutu's and tiaras-
So what I'm 37 and not royalty. That's in your reality. In mine, I know that I looked damn cute dressed as a princess ballerina,and it makes chores so much more fun! Stop doing what you think others approve of and do what you approve of! Now I'm not giving you free anarchist reign- we have laws and ethics and morals for a reason. What I am saying is- who made it a rule that you can't wear pink hair at 50? Who says forever 21 is only for those under the age of 21? Why- Why is it frowned upon to have fun and act a little kooky?
I could give a seminar dressed in a monkey suit and I bet my words would reach you just the same. We put to much emphasis on adult hood and being stodgy. I refuse to be of the mindset that I need to wear a pantsuit to be accepted,or taken "seriously",  make your silliness acceptable! Prove that you can be professional, efficient and damn good at what you do- even if you are carrying a Jem lunchbox for a purse. Have fun with your life- It's yours and you may not get to come back...enjoy yourself while you can.

Positivity breeds.....more positivity!
And negativity does the same. So drop the Debbie downer act. Look on the bright side- there's always a bright side if you look for it. And if you're always looking for the downside, waiting on the other shoe to drop, sad sacking it around town, or wallowing in misery...you're going to get more of the same. You are wasting your life, if you are being down and out about everything-always. QUIT IT! Your bumming yourself out, and probably everyone within earshot...booo, NO FUN.

Forgive the asshole-for you, not for them.
Humans do stupid things. Some because they're assholes, some because they're mean, and some are really accidents. Regardless- forgive them, and move on. If I held a grudge against everyone who purposefully or not had hurt me in the past, I'd have to pull a wagon behind me, my grudge would be that big. But you're not the only person that's been wronged, or deceived  or hurt. You are, however, the only one that can make yourself keep going. Release your sadness and anger- and focus on making yourself happy.

I'm easygoing- but I'm no ones doormat.
I forgive and  move on, and I release. But I'm no sucker. I choose my arguments and let things slide. But- when you are blatantly being harmed- FIGHT BACK. Don't allow anyone ever to bully you, hurt you, cheat you- or just generally screw you over. Get away from those situations, and LEARN. REMEMBER. And don't fall for that shit again. You are not a bad person for expecting respect and speaking up for yourself. And you don't have to be violent to get your point across. But, get your point across. Make sure others realize you are a good, honest, open, and loving person- that takes no shit from nobody. That won't make you less of a good person, it'll make you better.

My life's awesome.
Because I say so. Because I make it so. Sure I have poopy days, and my husband and I argue, and my kids get wacky from time to time. But those are small compared to the fact that I'M ALIVE. I get to experience something new everyday and change and grow and learn. How awesome is that?!? Get your ass out there and live, breathe, love. Quit floating through life like a ghost...don't just exist-  create the life you want and make it freakin colorful and bright! LIVE!

Be Creative Everywhere!

Monkey Joe's- an indoor bouncy haven for bubba's!

My travel studio!

Look what I created while the bubba's were playing!

I try to find pockets of time everyday, not such an easy task with 4 bubba's and a husband who's pretty cute. I'm always distracted and procrastinating. One of my goals for 2013 is to create EVERYDAY. Sounds like a large project, but it's totally manageable!

1. Sketch, doodle, write for 10 minutes a day.

2. Paint a background, walk away, come back and add elements throughout the day. You don't have to finish today, just work on it daily.

3. A little TMI, but I always take a note pad in the bathroom with me, it's really the only place in the house that I can get a bit of privacy.

4. I always have a sketchbook and some colored pens on hand, so if I'm waiting in line, or waiting on the kids, I can be productive!

It's easy to make time to be creative, you just have to do the work. If you create a daily practice, you'll start getting that artistic corner of your brain all juiced up and it will be ready for creation always!

Saturday Project- Hand Carved Stamps

I've been hand carving stamps for my art journal, and I freaking love it sooo much! Making something with my hands and then being able to replicate it on all types of surfaces is so cool! Lately,  I've been working on one of a kind stationary- greeting cards, postcards, bookmarks, and stamps just work perfectly with them. I love little letters of affirmation, and I get so excited when I receive something in the mail- It's my favorite.

  I'm actually using a woodcarving set and some of my pottery tools to carve into the carving block. I just drew an image on a regular piece of paper, turned it over and scribbled on it- creating a transfer. Then I took an Exacto knife and cut the image down to a more manageable size on the block

 - then just trimmed the bulk of the block away...carefully(!)... with the scoopy tool. When I finished I tapped out all of the crumbs and stamp away! So easy! The block was only 2.97 from Micheal's but you can order it here too.

As you can see from the images, I still lack a little practice at taking my time and getting crisp edges. But that will come the more I carve. And this is the third stamp out of 1 4x4 block! I'll keep at this one and perfect it! I hope this will help you see how easy this is to do, I was so intimidated till I finally tried! Easy Peasy!

Let Your Soul Ring True

 It's so easy to...

get caught up in competition

care too much what others think

scan online and 'wish' you could do that

spend more time on the computer than creating

Spend all of your time thinking up ideas not making

be terrified of rejection

think you are not good enough

second guess yourself

Here is what I've decided.

No one in this whole ding dang world is you. NO ONE thinks like you or shares your soul. If you have the same idea as someone and you put it out there it will still radiate of you, in the best way possible. Your artistic thumbprint will be all over it- your energy vibrating off of it. It's a piece of you! Sometimes I see someone else's work that kinda resembles mine, we were obviously working off the same creative universal wave length- no biggie, it happens.

( I am in no way saying it's cool to rip people off, in fact- ewww you lazy jerkface if you can't come up with your own ideas- the universe is huge and creative energy is everywhere- don't be a thief- or an ass)


Dang-i'm rambling...what I'm trying to say is you need to create. No matter what you think others will think or say about your piece. You need to create for YOU. Not for money, or status or peer accolades. FOR YOU.  The reason the Universe gave us creative ability is so we can express ourselves in a way that is visual and beautiful to us. The thing is, what's beautiful to us may not be beautiful to someone else, it may be crap. But who cares??? Did you feel good making it? Do you love it? Then everyone else can bugger off!

The more love and soul you put into each piece you create, it will show. Someone will notice that a certain piece you are creating speaks to them for some reason, and they will want it. Your job as an artist, is not to worry about that. Don't worry where the money will come from. CREATE from the heart and the Universe will take care of the rest...I promise. Quit worrying and wasting all of your precious energy on anything worrisome- CREATE from your heart and all will be okay.

Let your soul ring true.

Positive Living

Notice my amazing lotus spare tire...not so cute- but it will be gone soon...what do you think about that?!?

Make EVERY DAY a SPECIAL DAY!!

I've totally been creating my NEW and IMPROVED life plan; and I've been implementing new things daily. Since Fall is my favorite season, I'd thought I'd start something new and hopefully feel better and more magical every day. 

1. Enjoy each day- I've been drinking my tea out of my wedding china, drinking my water out of a wine glass, and wearing my 'good' panties every day! Why wait for a special occasion? Isn't being alive today special enough?!?

2. Slow Down- I always rush rush rush to everything, which, in turn, stresses me out so much I start sounding like a screech owl! I've started to chill, and start getting ready or get going a few minutes earlier so I can get places and do things on time...no more late Ana! (hopefully)- I make sure I enjoy the sights and sounds of all environments that I enter, and stop for deep breaths constantly.

3. YOGA- everyday...yes, EVERYDAY. I'll do an A'sana practice anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour or so. I then follow up with 20 minutes of seated meditation. It's not about tiring your body out or competing with anyone, it's about FEELING GOOD. Stretching feel good! And after I meditate I'm so peaceful and clear, work and daily activities are super easy to concentrate on.

4. Madhu Vidya- What's that? It's waking up every single day and having a positive thought about the day. "today is going to be great!", "I love to be alive!", " Life is amazing!"- Thinking positively first thing in the morning will create a positive path and schedule for the rest of the day. Good energy attracts Good Energy, bad attracts bad, it's that simple.

5. UNPLUG- I'm as addicted to Face Book and twitter as well as checking my emails as much as the next person. But since I've been cutting off the computer and putting the phone to the side, I've been more creative! And less lazy! I can actually live without knowing what you're cooking for dinner and without telling you that I'm at the bookstore. I check my emails and such in the a.m. and once in the p.m. and try to create my blog posts in my head or on paper so that I'm not staring at the computer for new ideas to just come to me. 

Just starting with one or all of these things will help you feel more motivated and centered. I feel better physically and mentally! What better day than today to start ? It's all about kindness and living...get to it!!

Full

This is the time for rejuvenation!

Fall brings shifts in weather, more love, more family, and a lot more time spent indoors. What better time than now to re-organize things? Now is the time to get everything back in to order for the fullness of your soul. 

Why not...

 Unclutter your home, throw out things that you know you don't need anymore! I've been the worlds worst at keeping clothes for ever...I literally still have undies from ten years ago. There is no reason to hold on to things from a decade past!! Go through everything, but make it manageable- split everything into small tasks, room by room, or pile by pile. Make it manageable and then DO IT! Donate your old clothing and items to your local Salvation Army or Kidney Foundation. I'm sure someone there will appreciate it more than you do,  shoved away in some closet.

Replenish yourself, body and soul. Restart that forgotten meditation regimen. Start a daily A'sana practice. Eat more fruit! It's really easy to take care of yourself and once you get into the habit of doing things differently and daily you'll actually start wanting to do it! I've made myself start eating more fruit everyday, fresh not packaged. The added benefit of fiber has been keeping me full longer too which is awesome cause I'm not starving all the time! Which means less crazy bad snacking. 

Start a Collective of like minded people. Gather like souls and just spend time with them, enjoying their energy, their intellect. Laugh! Find people you never thought you'd enjoy and give them a chance! I love to create art with a group of people. I seem to create more freely when I am surrounded by the energy of other creatives.

Start small-but start today. Enjoy the fullness of the moon tonight- gather that beautiful energy and harness it! Use it to inspire your new change, and then

 Begin.

Mandala's

"Mandala art has been used throughout the world for self-expression, spiritual transformation, and personal growth. Mandala is the ancient Sanskrit word for circle and is seen by Tibetans as a diagram of the cosmos. It is used by Native Americans in healing rituals and in Christian cathedrals the labyrinth is a mandalic pattern used as a tool for meditation. An archetypal symbol of wholeness, the mandala was used as a therapeutic art tool by psychologist Carl Jung, who believed creating mandalas helped patients to make the unconscious conscious"

 Mandala - Journey to the Center. Bailey Cunningham

The bubba's and I are drawing, painting, and creating some inspirational mandala's today to help us on our ever growing and flourishing path of self and artistic discovery! I'll post pics this week...if you are inspired why don't you post links to your mandalas as well?!? I'd love to see your art!

 A mandala is a complex abstract design that is usually circular in form. In fact, "mandala" is a Sanskrit word that means "circle". Mandalas generally have one identifiable center point, from which emanates an array of symbols, shapes and forms.

Describing both material and non-material realities, the mandala appears in all aspects of life: the celestial circles we call earth, sun, and moon, as well as conceptual circles of friends, family, and community.

"The integrated view of the world represented by the mandala, while long embraced by some Eastern religions, has now begun to emerge in Western religious and secular cultures. Awareness of the mandala may have the potential of changing how we see ourselves, our planet, and perhaps even our own life purpose." 

From Mandala: Journey to the Center, by Bailey Cunningham

Carl Jung said that a mandala symbolizes "a safe refuge of inner reconciliation and wholeness." It is "a synthesis of distinctive elements in a unified scheme representing the basic nature of existence." Jung used the mandala for his own personal growth and wrote about his experiences.

And it is said by Tibetan Buddhists that a mandala consists of five "excellencies":

The teacher • The message • The audience • The site • The time

~Visit  these art and Mandala links~

June Moon

Mandalas of the World

Art is Fun

Today I Believe

If you pull back my skin this is what you would see.

 Today is the day I make a move...I have to decide which path at the fork in the road to take. And it looks like its going to be the one overgrown with weeds and briars, potholes everywhere. But i'm sure I can forge through and create a beautiful path with flowers along the sides and no feral animals in the wooded areas, it's just going to take me actually DOING the work. I tend to plan and dream and start...and fizzle...so my goal is to finish everything I set out to do today...and for the rest of my life! I need completion, but when you finish something- then it's open and bare and available to be criticized and judged...and that's something i'm still not comfortable with...the non-attachment to my work, my life, me...I think I've held the thought tight in the back of my mind, that if I'm always a work in progress, I can never feel the sharp sting of the criticism that's sure to follow. And who says there going to be criticism? Well, I can only assume my inner critic; that jerk that tells me constantly i'm NOT good enough, he's the ass that's been fueling my fears for 37 years. And I'm putting a stop to his whiny sniveling voice TODAY. 

I AM ENOUGH

I AM AN ARTIST

I AM BEAUTIFUL

I AM A GOOD MOTHER

As I write these mantras statements, I KNOW that they are true, I own them, but then, right when I'm about to finish a project, I feel the fear creeping up on me, and I find something else, "more important" stuff to work on, procrastination...it's a hell of a crutch.

So no more!

I WILL BELIEVE...

in me

in my art

in my life

in my abilities

I'm awesome, I just sometimes forget it!

Process Not Product

If you asked a student of the fine arts to define my works I bet they would call it juvenile, immature, or just plain ugly. But the thing I have so much trouble trying to convey, is that I don't create art to hang and admire. I'm not in a competition to win awards or ribbons, and I'm not wanting to take part in the fine arts groups who snub other creatives. I paint and make to improve me. I work through mental issues or times on paper and canvas. I disassemble my dreams and thoughts through paint and ink. 

I PAINT FOR PROCESS

If more folks painted because it feels good, instead of trying to make money or be admired at how 'talented' they are, I think the stress levels of the world would decrease exponentially. I'm happiest when i have paint on my hands or words flowing through me onto paper. You can't fake the kind of freedom and joy I feel when I create. And you cant buy that feeling either.

Making art IS the art.

 The final piece is just a material thing to collect dust and be seen. When you teach someone how to create, you don't use a finished painting or object and say "copy this". You talk about the processes you used when creating the piece, how you approached it, and what you did. Anyone can create. Teaching the ins and outs of art is an amazing craft and with practice you could create an image so fine it can look like a photograph.But is that FUN? Are you enjoying recreating a replica of an object already in existence? Wouldn't it feel better to start a painting or poem or song or drawing, and being a lighter and better person when you finished that piece? What if you could solve a personal dilemma just by painting? 

YOU ARE A CREATIVE SOUL

Don't let the fact that you "can't" draw keep you from scribbling or doodling or drawing. Make something! There is no difference between you and Van Gogh or Warhol or Kahlo. They were humans, who had a vision, and the confidence to follow through with it. They believed in their creativity and art regardless of what others thought. And you should too! Believe in yourself, trust the process, all will be 

AWESOME!!

Sacred Souls Gathering

I've started a monthly gathering of women- a place where we can re-calibrate our intentions and as a community flourish with love and creativity...I'm excited about all of the strong and independent women that will gather at one time and the amount of power that will be present! If you are in the area please join us...

~A gathering of women remembering their innate power~ Please come and enjoy the power and affirming energy of the Sacred Souls Women Circle. We will open with cleansing the environment, breathing, meditating, journaling, and a bit of music, food- and then closing with a silent circle and three rolling om's... (we would appreciate if everyone would provide some sort of covered dish, dessert, or beverage. I'll provide plates cups cutlery etc) Please bring your journals and an open heart! ~Namaskar~ Anastasia

Friday Sept. 28 7-10pm

212 W. Main St.

Gastonia NC

28052

Prints For Sale!

I've finally gotten around to making prints- Comment here if you'd like to purchase one and help a starving artist out!! Free handmade with love gift with every purchase!!! More prints to come soon!

She Runs Too-(WIP)

Intuitive Painting using Acrylic and ink- Still not finished!!

Goddessing

Spurred by centuries of male dominated organized religion (or a supreme deity referred to by masculine pronouns i.e. "he"), some women embraced the idea of a female deity that was more in keeping with feminist beliefs and the inherent value of women. A unifying theme of the movement was that the gender of deity characterizes the political gender-bias of the religion, so a Goddess Worshipping religion is held to be matriarchal and a "God" worshipping religion is held to be patriarchal.

Goddess beliefs can take many forms; some people in the Goddess movement recognize multiple goddesses. Some also include gods. While others honor what they refer to as "the Goddess", which is not necessarily seen as monotheistic, but is often understood to be an inclusive, encompassing term incorporating many goddesses in many different cultures. The term "the Goddess" may also be understood to include a multiplicity of ways to view deity personified as female, or as a metaphor, or as a process.

• Goddesses refers to a local or specific deities linked clearly to a particular culture and often to particular aspects, attributes and powers.

One can regard a goddess (in this sense) as an aspect of the Great Goddess as well as a specific goddess with a particular role within a pantheon.

• The Goddess or the Great Goddess is a female deity that is regarded as primary. When Goddess is spoken of as a personal guardian, as in 'my Goddess' it usually means 'my worldview in Goddess spirituality.'

• Goddess Spirituality is sometimes used as a synonym for Goddess Movement and sometimes as the spiritual practice that is part of the Goddess movement.

• Goddessing means Goddess culture, Goddess way of life, Goddess practice, or 'my goddessing' as in my individual interpretation and experience of Goddess.

(Found on Wikipedia)

My love of women has only within the past 10 years been renewed. I was always the girl with all the guy friends because other girls were too bitchy or high maintenance. I considered myself a feminist and wanted nothing to do with ladies in lipstick or fancies and frills. And then it hit me- Feminine is the Meaning of Feminism- you can't have one with out the other. It's not degrading in any way to love to cook, or knit, or breed, or mother, or be pretty. And why dislike other women? They are just as unsure or insecure as I am. I don't do anything in this life to please anyone else but myself. And the thing that pleases me most is to help others find the magic within themselves. And help them bring it out into the open. I want to be TRUE and I want others to find their truth too. 

I AM A GODDESS~ AND SO ARE YOU!

This does not mean that you are going against you're religion, or that you feel like you're better than others. Or even that you are more 'enlightened'. It just means that you can except the fact that you are a creative and unique woman with the power to do anything you set your mind to. And you are not afraid of you're own power. Let's believe in ourselves and share our power with our sisters. Give love!

Mad Hatter Paint Party

My dear friend and artistic partner Rachel and I have started a weekly adventure in painting. We get to drink wine and translate paintings for people of all backgrounds to understand. And everyone gets to go home with a masterpiece of their own! It's been a pretty amazing experience so far. If you're interested in taking one of our classes please check us out at Eventbrite or on Facebook. And don't forget- I have crazy awesome stuff planned for the near future!!!

GLOW

LOVE IT???

Print it out!

Hang it up!

Share it!

Rooted

-WIP Acrylic on canvas-

I'm really into the idea of healing my root chakra and being more grounded...and all of these lovely earthy ladies are coming out of my head and flowing all over the canvas!!

I've got so many amazing projects a buzzin' everywhere! The minute I set my faith and trust into the Universe things have been happening at an accelerated speed! GOOD things! 

My friend Rachel and I are hosting Mad Hatter Paint Parties every Wednesday at Arts on Main in my hometown Gastonia NC. Please stop by and see us! We have a new painting every week and we also both offer private classes.

I still need quite a few votes to be eligible for the grant being offered by Chase and Living Social... Just go to Mission:Small Business log in and vote for HappyTrees Studio. Please! You would really be helping me create an amazing community in my beloved hometown.!!

Be Yourself

This is the best advice I've ever received or given.Who AM I, you might say...

 The way I've really begun coming in to ME, and finding ME, is through meditation, yoga, journaling, and intuitive painting. A daily meditation practice twice a day has been so enlightening, and pressure free. I just sit comfortably, and open myself unto the universe before I begin, then I close my eyes and begin to breathe...a four count in a four count out...when my thoughts start to wander I gently pull them back to my breath. Your mind is made to wander...you are training it with every session to be still and focused. It's a PRACTICE. I also MOVE. Stretching and doing a light yoga practice daily is good for getting my creative juices a flowing! Which moves me straight into stream of conscious writing, then going back through my journal and underlining the most meaningful things...or taking notes on what stands out TO ME. When I paint, I move, write, meditate and paint all at the same time. When I get stuck, I write, or meditate, or move.  I remind myself daily to create...and that the creating is all in the process, not in the product. Color, flow and movement are amazingly freeing. All of these things together have helped me understand who I am and how I fit into my skin. And they may help you too! Begin your daily practice and start finding YOU, today!