Find Yourself in art- Free Print!

Quote by Thomas Merton
Art by me!

I've been preoccupied with my birthday, a beta of my online course, and now my anniversary! So blogging has taken a backseat. I'll return soon, with fun stuff for everyday! Until then, please help yourself to this free printable! Print it out, hang it up, share it...whatever you want. I hope you enjoy, free art sure makes me happy!

How You See Your Truth

 One of the paintings I was working on the other day was on the coffee table when some folks came by. A lady picked them up and was looking at it when my son said "that's one of mama's Goddesses!" The lady replied with a "yeah, she always paints this face." Completely harmless statement...but for some reason every bit of wind went out of my sails and I completely deflated. She had absolutely no idea that what she said affected me. No one was aware that anything happened at all, I however, haven't painted, sketched or written since then.

 And then I realized- Duh, that's her opinion - not your truth!

 Yes, I paint the same face over and over, that's my STYLE and also, that's what I look like. I paint myself: sad eyes, wonky teeth, happy heart. It's me, over and over...and i'm okay with that. Had I not thought long and hard about this as quickly as possible, I could have been left in an artistic slump and spiral for a really long time. Some folks are always going to say things that deflate your soul. The ability to surpass that, move on, and create even more is where the challenge lies. You are the only strength that you can lean on in this creative journey. No matter how much praise you receive from the outside world, if you don't believe in yourself and your own abilities, nothing else is going to matter.

PS-That lady was my mom... 

Cantaloupe and Kale?

Smoothie Time!
My lady friend and (unbeknownst to her) yoga guru Rachael told me that I should start using Kale in place of spinach in my drinks/smoothies because it would be more cooling to my fiery pitta nature. Well ding dong if she aint right! Now that I've started using Kale I feel as if it IS cooler and more soothing, and maybe I'm jumping the gun a bit, but it seems as if my skin is not quite so pinky. (Being a natural redhead, I have a pink on the verge of red complexion, Depending on how hot my body is at the time).

So today, I thought I'd share my delicious newfangled to me recipe for a Cantaloupe and Kale Smoothie!

1c Kale (washed, but i didn't even chop it)
1c Cantaloupe
a handful of Goji berries
1/4c of Chia Seeds
1/2 a banana ( for a bit more sweetness)
2c Ice

I just threw everything into the blender and pressed liquefy! It made enough ( 3c or .75L) that I drank it throughout the evening and then had the rest for breakfast.
 The main difference in the kale and the spinach is texture. The Kale tends to be pretty crunchy, or toothsome; while the spinach smooths out a lot more and becomes more 'liquidy'. But the overall flavor is usually masked by the sweetness of the fruit. Bananas and apples almost always over power so use them sparingly if you are trying for a balance of flavor.

Make More Art

The world needs more creativity and less negativity...so I'm gonna do just that- today starts the ass bustin making week...i'll post picks of all of the FINISHED stuff I make! Did you hear that? FINISHED?!? 

Release That Inner Child!

 Fingerpainting For Grownups is a new 'local' workshop that I'm planning for August. I love to be creative and messy, and sometimes I don't have a project in mind, I just want to play with color. So this workshop will be all about releasing your inner child! That carefree feeling you had when you were young, scribbling and splashing color for colors sake, with no end result in mind. I feel my most creative when I just let myself go and splash color around, scribbling away. Afterward, I can look deeper into the painting and find the imagery that wants to be found...but this is the first step- the one that gets those creative juices flowing and makes me want to create forever!

 I haven't planned an online version yet, because I have a lot of 'releasing' questions that I ask as others are working. Questions that may make you look into yourself and figure out what inside of you is holding your 'inner child' back. and I can't quite wrap my brain around how to get live to you to work together and question you at the same time...chat and live stream? I'll figure it out, but for now it will be in Gastonia NC in August, more details to come soon!

Happy MAY!! FREE PRINTABLE!

Copy and save and print and share!!

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!

My Ladies of Blue

Acrylic and pencil on 98lb paper


This is one of my journal pages. I've been working in the journal more than on canvas, but I want to make Prints of this for my Etsy Shop. I have really been on an artistic roll, I think it's because of the early darkness of winter a'comin'.

 My Husbands birthday was to day and he took the kids to participate in a parade and LET ME stay home and paint...YAHOO! I got a lot done, and I always do, thanks to one of the most amazing and beautiful men that has ever existed.

My hubby of 10 years!

He's a super talented musician and artist- you should check him out!
The Menders are his latest band- that is their Facebook page, really cool bluegrass/blues/soul music...you'll want to dance your booty off!
I'm off to paint and love up the moon- enjoy yourselves, and make something!

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!!

The Fire Within

My fire is burning bright today. Being fed ideas like fuel, and fanned by the long ago false notion that I had ruined my life. I am an

  UNTEACHER.

I take every thing you have every been told about rules and throw them out the window. You don't need rules.

You need to LISTEN. 

Listen to your heart, your soul, your gut...

that's called

Intuition.

We all have it, some just hear it louder than others. 

I'm here to show you how to turn it up!! 

The Fire Within Intuitive Painting Workshop

Reclaiming your magic and opening your heart through paint and journaling.

I will be unschooling the whole workshop. There are no rights or wrongs or rules. Just Paint and Passion. We will relearn the art of creativity through process and intuition. Letting color splash and play on canvas. Creating BIG and BOLD. Artists and creatives of all levels and backgrounds are invited to join.

We will...

meditate, journal, move

and...

Paint our heART out. 

For those of you who like an itinerary- 

We will begin at 10am on Saturday December 1 at Arts on Main in Gastonia NC by joining a circle and setting our intentions. We will then  journal and meditate followed by 2 hours of passionate painting. We'll break for lunch and then reconvene to continue to paint, alternating painting, movement and writing our souls out. We will be ready for clean up by 5!

Cost is $140 

All supplies and lunch will be provided, as well as a playbook to take home.

Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a journal, we will have some for sale if you'd like to purchase one. Plenty of fun and surprises are in store!!

FAQs

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

We offer plenty of free and safe parking behind the gallery/studio in a secure parking lot. 

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

please contact Anastasia Boswell at happysappytrees@gmail.com

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No. I will have a copy of attendees.

What is the refund policy?

It is necessary to pre-register for all workshops in advance. Fees are returnable if your cancellation is made at least 1 week prior to workshop date (less a 20% service fee)

If the class is canceled by HappyTrees Studio for any reason, your fee is completely refundable. Fees are due at the time of registration. Sorry, no exceptions. No refunds after the one week deadline.

The name on the registration/ticket doesn't match the attendee. Is that okay?

That's fine! In fact I encourage you to purchase a ticket for someone you know who will benefit from this workshop!!

I'll be sending out more information about the class after you register...and you can register here...The Fire Within

Confidence from the Universe

It's not the steps that matter, anastasia, but the path.

All is well,
    The Universe

I receive these emails from the universe every couple of days , and let me tell you....they're almost always on time!I need these confidence boosters as much as I second guess myself sometimes, and they always make me smile! To start receiving some universal love into your inbox go to Mike Dooley's website at TUT and sign up, while your there peruse through everything and be amazed at the positivity that seeps through your computer!

Peace Peace Peace

Oṁ asato mā sad gamaya

Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya

mṛtyor mā amṛtaṁ gamaya

Oṁ śānti śānti śāntiḥ 

From ignorance, lead me to truth;

From darkness, lead me to light;

From death, lead me to immortality

Om peace, peace, peace

This is my mantra and prayer today, all day...