Honoring Your Memories

It's about time I posted some photos of my Chapter 5 Taking Flight project! Nikki and I finished our projects over a week ago (maybe even two weeks!), and I really want to post these before I move on to Chapter 6!

The theme for this project was "Honoring Your Memories." I definitely felt pulled toward some early memories from my family of origin. Not a whole bunch of happy memories, but they are memories to be honored, nonetheless. I know that all of my past experiences, positive and negative, have contributed to who I am today, and I'm feeling pretty good about how my life has "turned out" so far (AND I'm looking forward to all the future has in store :) Working on this project gave me plenty of opportunities to re-visit my past, and do a little more healing (always a good thing, even though it doesn't always feel so good!).

Back to the art...I'll start with this close up shot of my "blue bird of happiness." I love how this bird turned out! I made it from polymer clay, and finished it off with a few coats of golden acrylic paints. It symbolizes the happy times in my life - those in the past and those yet to come. The "1963" above the bird represents my birth, and the "2009" below represents the present. The bird is heading east towards the sunrise of a new day :)


Below is a shot of the entire project. The base is a 12 x 12 piece of plywood, covered with an assortment of scrapbook papers and ephemera (so many hidden messages in there...I should probably make some notes on the reverse so I remember why I put them there!)

The two photos on the top are of my mom's family (her Ma and Pa on the left, and a "Kodak moment" with some of her siblings on the right). The photos on the bottom are my family of origin. The one in the middle makes me laugh because it reminds me of all the matching outfits my mom used to make for my sister and I. She was quite the seamstress! (by the way, I'm the little sister).


I found the church photo in my Mom and Dad's old photo box. There was nothing written on the back, and both my folks have been dead for quite a while, so I can't ask them where the church is. But it is an adorable little church, and I knew just where it belonged in this project. I put the church in the center to remind me of the "bigger" family that I'm a part of, and to represent the importance of faith in my life.


I do like how this project turned out, and I learned a few more techniques along the way! I think I'll put a frame around this and hang it in my art room. It will be a good reminder of where I came from, who I came from, and how far I've come.

ps...if you know where this little church is, please tell me!!

Till next time...

Evolution of the, um, Horse....

Hey Gumby!
Quit waving to everyone, and take a look at this! It kind of looks like a horse, but something's not quite right...I think I need some help over here! Can someone tell me what's going on??


Obviously, Pokey, you haven't been here very long...this is one of those common primitive horses - it just hasn't evolved yet. Stuff like this happens all the time around here. But this one is made of something different from me....hmmmm...


Hey! I think it's related to me! I'm one of those rare "earless ponies" that people hardly ever see anymore. I'm sure glad that I can read, otherwise I'd be totally missing this conversation!!


I don't know, VanGough....I think that this fellow is going to be able to hear eventually. Those two things by his feet look like they might be ears. Besides, there's been a rumor going around that you might be the last of the earless ponies...and good thing I can type, cause I just realized I don't have a mouth!



Your speculation is over friends! I can tell you exactly what's going on here! Our Mom has been busy creating ceramic ponies that will be appearing at her Etsy shop in June! She's not too thrilled with her shop right now, otherwise she'd put in one of those handy hyperlinks for you to click on :)
(trust me, wait till June!)


Some of you loyal followers know that we have a real live horse to care for (along with a 17 year old daughter who is planning for a career in the equestrian field). Mom is hoping that the ceramic ponies will help support the dreams of that talented young girl. Right now, the goal is to own a 2nd pair of riding pants!


Don't forget about me up here, little sister...There's another daughter in the family who is planning to travel to India next January for 3 weeks on a college trip. I think I heard Mom say that she'd help out with that if she could!


Yep...without a doubt, our Mom definitely loves those girls, and she loves watching them grow up to follow their dreams! Ah...the things we do for love :)


Till Next Time...

The Ponies are Coming!

A sweet little polymer clay pony emerged from my imagination recently. He decided to take a stroll outside on this beautiful day, when suddenly, an enormous cat got in his way. Maybe the little pony has a message....

"Bonjour Monsieur Chat! Maybe you're not scared of me...but be warned...I am not alone! Just wait...now that summer vacation is almost here, I am certain that I will soon be joined by many more of my kind. So run now, while you have the chance!!"

The Taking Flight Saga Continues...

Nikki and I are continuing to meet once a week for our Monday Art Night. Our goal is to complete reading Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts and to complete all of the accompanying projects (one per chapter) before the end of summer.

We're both feeling pretty impressed that we've made it through the first three chapters, and we're even staying on schedule! It really makes it easier, and much more fun, to go through this book with a friend. Which just happens to lead into the topic of chapter three: Creating Community.

I was having a tough time deciding what words (if any) to add to my project. After looking through poetry books, scripture verses, favorite Rumi quotes and my own personal collection, it finally hit me...Love One Another. That short three letter phrase that makes all the difference in the world.


The background of this project was made up of notes and cards from friends and/or family.


What a difference in the before and after!!

As I worked on this, I spent a lot of time reflecting on my circle of friends, and I remembered how much of a difference those people have made in my life. I most definitely wouldn't be where I am now without the love and support of friends. So I dedicate this piece to all of those in my life who have taught me how to love and how to be loved! I couldn't have made it without you!!

In case you're interested, here are some other quick notes on the creative process for this piece: The two figures were created from polymer clay that was imprinted with a hand carved linoleum block. The center heart was created from a technique in Kelly Rae's book - we used floral foam, plaster and some other secret ingredients :) The bird's body is formed from polymer clay as well as the letters on the twig. The wings of the bird and the leaves on the twig are bisque fired hand formed ceramic pieces. And the twig is from my neighbor's Corkscrew Willow Tree. Thank you Denny :) Needless to say, I'm definitely enjoying working in mixed media!!

Till next time...

Anything is Possible!

Anything IS possible...how appropriate for the Easter season! Here is my completed Chapter 2 project for Kelly Rae Robert's book. My plans were to put a flower in the middle of this piece, but spirit took over and spoke boldly...


This was created on an old book cover (5" x 8") using acrylic paints, a variety of objects for texturing, and polymer clay (the central figure was imprinted with a hand carved linoleum block; letters were stamped with a metal alphabet set). Fun to Make!

I needed the reminder that miracles DO happen!

live each day with arms wide open,
being true to yourself,
knowing that anything really is possible.

Facing Your Fears - Polymer Clay Project

I'm now reading Chapter Two of Taking Flight which is titled Facing Your Fears. The creative project from this chapter involves polymer clay, paints, texturing and embellishments. The goal for completion is March 9th! At the end of this post, I'll add my first photo from this project!

In addition to the cool projects and techniques that I'm learning from this book, I love all of the quotes! Here are three of my favorites from this chapter...

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be?...And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
Marianne Williamson

When you follow your bliss...doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors, and where there wouldn't be a door for anyone else.
Joseph Campbell

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do.
Mark Twain

This chapter focuses on our creative fears - identifying them, and hopefully, learning to release them. Kelly Rae Roberts lists these as some of her creative fears...(I can definitely relate to them!)

Who do I think I am?
What if my work isn't good enough?
What if I'm not talented enough?
What if I can't make a living doing something I love?

The timing is perfect for this chapter. I teach during the school year, and my paychecks stop at the end of May. I will definitely need some type of summer income this year. Right now, I'm trying to decide if I should be looking for a summer job or if I should be putting my energy into my art (which I hope will eventually generate some income). My fearful side says, "You better find a real job....you could never earn enough from your art." But my hopeful side feels differently and knows that more than anything, I love to create things. The hopeful me knows that it makes perfect sense to create art and earn money from doing what I love. With this being the first day of Lent, I think I'll dedicate this time to focus on the hope aspect of my creative dreams. Sounds like a plan...focus on the hope!

So here's the beginning of another canvas...who knows what it may lead to.....



Until next time....