Reflection and Inspiration from Nature

 

 I was sitting on my comfy couch today with a glass of wine of course and reflecting. Reflecting on life, my non existent job, overall satisfaction, and my desire to grow my creative business. As I was thinking, I started to become aware that although I am very thankful for everything and satisfied with my life, I am unsatisfied with my career. Since I graduated college at the end of December 2010, I have not been able to obtain a descent job. This bothers me. I worked so hard (as most people do). I remember working 12 hour shifts at night at the Naval Hospital Portsmouth as a corpsman and then going to school during the day and back to work at night. There were days that I was up for 30 hours. All this while I was raising two young kids with my husband. Oh and I tried so hard to get really great grades. All A's an just one B. I thought that with my stellar grade point average and my Navy experience I would be sure to get a job. Well that was Wrong.

Anyway 3 years later and still no job. I have to confess, I stopped looking a while ago. It's just too discouraging. But during this time of hopeless searching, I started working on art more. I would like ultimately to make a living from my art. Right now I am still in the beginning stages but working really hard towards that goal.

When I get in a funk or feel down I like to go outside and experience the beauty of nature. I especially love to walk outside. Its sort of a walking meditation and it really clears my mind. Anyway since its too cold here in Kansas and dark outside, I started looking at images of nature. I took the images below a few years ago while taking a photography class. Nature was always one of my favorite subjects to photograph. Hope these inspire you too!!

Bohemian Interior Spaces

I love how the design of a space can ignite a specific mood. A long time ago, when I was oh so young and a new mother, I did a lot of daydreaming about what my ideal space would be like. The problem was that I did not have much money and I thought that it just wasn't possible to decorate a space without money. But now.....many years later, I realize that through the art of creativity a space can be transformed with little money. All one needs is some creativity and I do believe that everyone is creative.

Looking at magazines, Pinterest, design blogs or just being outside in nature gets my creative juices flowing.

Etsy Mermaid Vibe

Fun Mermaid Creations on Etsy

 

The above painting is from MadeByMermaidsUK etsy shop. I love their artwork, its absolutely beautiful. I first discovered these beautiful paintings from Leonie Dawson's Biz Academy. 

Seriously love this painting. Love the full figured mermaid. When I first saw this painting I fell in love with it immediately. Its fun, colorful, and a great painting to put up on a wall. This painting can be found on etsy shop, DarlingRomeo

 This is simply gorgeous. The headdress reminds me of mermaids and the sea. I really love this!! The etsy shop is wildandfreejewelry. The shop is absolutely amazing. 

This ring has a mermaid vibe. The beautiful sea color definitely reminds me of the ocean and just puts me in a magical sea mood!! This ring can be found on etsy shop studio1980.

So these are just a few pieces of art from etsy that have that mermaid vibe. I personally love mermaids. They remind me of a misty sea breeze, magic, glowing moons, beaches, and different hues of lovely blues. 

 

 

Anahata Katkin

Amazing Artist Anahata Katkin

I first discovered Anahata Katkin and her art in the summer of 2010. I was in my last year in college in Norfolk, Virginia and was majoring in geography. I really wanted to major in art but people's opinions finally got to me and so I majored in something academic. Although, I must say that majoring in geography has not been particularly helpful in finding a job. I, however love geography and have no regrets. I know lots of cool facts now! Anyway, back to the story. So I was starving for art and dreamed of being an artist and taking art classes but something was always in my way.  There was always what seemed like an invisible brick wall in my path. Oh and it doesn't help that my husband was not very supportive of my art. He believes art is a huge waste of time. His negative energy in regards to art didn't help (But that hasn't stopped me, I am very much involved in making art presently!!).

 In the year 2010 I discovered a magazine called Artful Blogging in the college bookstore. I flipped through the pages and fell in love with all the color and amazing photos. I looked forward to the new addition of the magazine every 3 months. The summer of 2010 right before my class started, I opened an artful blogging magazine and found a cozy seat at the college coffee shop with a nice hot coffee beverage and began to read my favorite magazine. It is then that I discovered Anahata katkin. I read through the feature several times looking at her amazing artwork. Her art spoke to me on a deep level and I felt such positive and happy emotions. It was at this time that I really discovered mixed media art and it is because of Anahata that I was inspired to try mixed media. I am so grateful to have discovered her lovely work.

Some images of her amazing work

 

The painting above can be found on Anahata's website:   http://www.anahataart.com

 

Image of Anahata in her amazing space with an absolutely beautiful painting behind her. I mean this painting is so amazing that my breath is actually being taken away by its beauty. I love it!!

 

I have the above painting as a print in my living room. Simply beautiful.

 

Artwork with a positive message.

you can find Anahata Katkin and her beautiful art at her website, blog and PAPAYA shop     

http://www.anahataart.com

    http://anahata.typepad.com

     https://art.papaya-store.com

Etsy Love

Stuff I love from Etsy

I love etsy!! There are so many incredible artists. To me, etsy is like an online gallery or handmade mall. Some evenings, I pour myself a cold glass of white wine, sit on my cozy chair and go through etsy in search of anything unique, beautiful, and fun. So here are just some items I love.

Check this painting on etsy by artist denthe

This painting is by etsy shop KieleOfTheSea

 

These fabulous earrings can be found on etsy shop vintageroyalty

This absolutely beautiful flower crown is by etsy shop AniLopp

This paintings is by etsy shop CristinaBStudio

Interview with Melissa of Mel O. Art

I first discovered Melissa's art on etsy. I was immediately blown away by her beautiful creations and wonderful use of color. As I sat and observed her art from my computer screen, I experienced a deep sense of emotional response from her art and got lost in the detail, patterns, and colors. Melissa is an absolutely amazing artist.
Since I loved her art so much, I decided to ask Melissa to do an interview and she kindly agreed!!

1. When did you know that you wanted to be an artist?

A:  I had taken joy in color ever since I can remember, but officially knew I couldn't stop in my first High School art class. Although according to childhood friends, they claim they always knew. :) 

2. how did you start selling your art?

A: At 16 years old someone called the school in search for a student to paint a mural on her daughters ceiling. My art teacher committed me before I even had time to think about it and the next I remember we were calling to rent the scaffolding! 

3.Your paintings are absolutely beautiful. The colors are so vibrant. Did you always paint this way and in this style? 

A:  I definitely got bolder as time went on. I started to focus on what inspired me most and that is color, my approach to art in the beginning was mostly outcome focused but as time went on I became more driven by the process and  "in the moment" which led to more free spirited and colorful works.

4.What is you goal for your art in the future?

A: To create art that is available to the public, to help people through art and would be so enthralled to exhibit my work internationally. 

5. Do you have any advice for others trying to sell artwork?

 A:  Follow your passion and not the trends. 

6. What is one thing that you know now that you wish you knew earlier in life?

A:  That time doesn't get more generous but less so that excuse of I "don't have time"  or "I wish I had..." should be replaced with "I will make time"  and "I will use what I have." 

7. And this is a non art question, what's your zodiac sign( I ask everyone!!)? 

A:  Libra, always seeking balance. 

Here is some of her gorgeous art

You can find her work at : http://www.melogallery.com

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Let's Draw and Paint Gorgeous Girls

I first discovered Kat McBride about a year ago. She is an artist from Florida and she is absolutely amazing. She draws and paints beautiful girls and now she teaches as well.

Kat McBride, an amazing artist, is offering a year long mixed media class. Let's Draw and Paint Gorgeous Girls is a mixed media art class aimed at beginners and it is restarting January 1st 2014 at the Beta price of $197.  The class is for an entire year and is an amazing class to take if you have ever wanted to learn how draw and paint.  For more info click here: http://katcanpaint.com/gorgeous-girls-virtual-art-studio/

Here are some of her Girl Paintings:

Check out her website for more info:  http://katcanpaint.com