Things I like today

I like it best when the sun is shining or its raining. snowing is cool too but I'm not such a big fan of cloudy. Although, cloudy is pretty good for taking pictures...

On a more important note... I am learning a lot about myself with a clearer head then past...
Firstly, I really really like art dates. I really really like doing my art with people around. I'll just put it out there in the universe that I am grounded in working on projects when I can chat with a friend and feed off each others creativity...just sayin' I always thought I was a solitary artist... but nah...
I have had a few really great friends pass me by and what I would love more then anything right now is a sign. A sign that garden street lives on. That good friends are forever. and perhaps some company in my studio.
That's what I like today. I also like bedtime. Goodnight.

Inspirations

I was talking with a good friend today about blogging and about how incredible it is when people can manage to take time out of life more often then I to write down the thoughts crossing their minds and the experiences that grace them. Me, nah, I'de rather be living!
I've had a great summer full of sunshine, friends and fun. Now that the rain is back, I've been back from vacation for a week, and I've done a bit of painting, I feel like I might be up for the challenge of keeping up with a blog. Don't expect anything daily or anything but if I'm lucky I should be able to make this a weekly commitment. Let's hope so.

So, projects on the go...
I have 5 of 8 animals of the West Coast complete and ready for showing. Now I need to get to work on those incomplete three so that I can get them all scanned and ready for decorating. Plan is to eventually do 26. Wish me luck.
I've also been working on the "Palindromes" painting... and have had a bit of a lightbulb as far as the colour and composition and about... getting past the fact that I absolutely hated the thing. :)
I have the underpainting done for another jellyfish. No jelly though.
I have one absolutely huge-mongous canvas hanging in my stairwell waiting for my attention.
Another painting, this one again for kids rooms, basically 3 quarters complete.
I have inspiration out the wazoo and no discipline to make it a priority. My mind wants to release these great ideas and yet chooses to do things like...
clean my house, hang out with my friends, work full time, work out and do yoga, relax and watch dexter or movies or the like, work in my garden, go hiking or camping or whatever it is that comes up and gets in the way. I've been told I just need to make it a priority.

And so... here goes. I feel a new era beginning, an opening of my heart and mind to something new. Do I get to choose what it is?
If so, I choose time. I choose to make the time in my life to complete some of these things that I've started, to blog more, and to appreciate what I have.
Isn't it all about appreciating what you have rather then wanting what you don't?

Cheers friends. Enjoy.

Progress

Progress Update for today.... I went to the beach. :) May write this blog and then work on a page or two of the book.

I have been done the storyboard for a few days now and am just starting work on the original pages of the book. I'm super inspired for a page with the boy swimming and also a page with a snake all curled up around the story... just need to find the time to get to them!

This week I'm planning on working two jobs and not having any time for myself or for my art... BUT, when I'm done, I will have the extra money to buy a kick ass digital SLR and therefore will be able to take kick ass pictures of my art and post them to the blog.
I also had a thought that I will get so into photography I will neglect the art even more then I already do... but lets just wish that thought away together and maybe I will finish some of the million projects I have going instead.
Recently, I painted over the piece I called "palindromes" (see earlier blog post) and as it stands, the piece looks great just white. The texture really stands out in a super neat way and it's quite "trendy" (or likely not so trendy because... I have no idea what that actually means.)
I also printed the African Animals on a baby onesie and a friend of mine gave it to another friend for her baby shower. Apparently, it was the hit of the party and everyone was stoked on it! yes!

I've also been thinking the missing link to this puzzle is marketing!!!

Marketing... dun, dun, dun (insert ominous music here)

So, I'll be back at the art part of it in about 7 days and working at finishing a few unfinished works and trying really hard to use up some of these oodles of inspirations!
Wish me luck and send me lots of energy... it's going to be a wild work week!
work... sleep... eat... work...

Dreams and dabbling

Hi Everybody!
Welcome back to the world of Heart Tree Art! My apologies for a hiatus with no particular excuse... although I have been painting and busy and extra tired... no excuses.

I do however, have some great news!

I have been commissioned... to illustrate a kids book! This is so super cool because it's a dream of mine to be a published illustrator and also really awesome because the writer and I connected over some cosmic shift in the universe. All in one day, we both mentioned to the same person about our dreams and a publisher approached her to say they are looking for kids books. And thus, this awesome news was born!

I have most of the materials I need and a copy of the story to work from... so my next step is to create a storyboard and get going with the work!

It's about a boy who LOVES camping, is incredibly imaginative and sees all kinds of obscure things in his adventures! And whats more... I LOVE camping! And, living on this best west coast... I have lots of inspiration to pull from and the ideas are keeping me awake at night!

This is too cool. I will have to keep you posted on my progress and am thinking I need to talk more about my dreams in order to make them come true more often.

For now, I must be getting busy... lots to do and paint and enjoy!

Variations

What do you think?
It's kinda fun when a little baby looks in the mirror and is officially a part of the animals series.
I might be in love with this idea.
:)

Palindromes

I called this new piece Palindromes. It keeps going back and forth for me... I like it, I don't, I like it, I don't. It's a bit deceiving but I figure, you would like to see it whether it goes one way or the other...so here goes...

I heart hot

I have been doing a lot of yoga lately and wanted to share how wonderful I feel! I feel better than ever! I have never been a very active person (considering most of my hobbies are stationary ones) and so the benefits of getting really sweaty have gotten past me... Until now!
I am in love with moksha yoga!

It's kinda like painting...
I feel strong and wonderful and inspired and present. Anyone care to join me?

King Zio

Back in the day, King or the 'King of Skool' earned his name. He was indeed the King of Skool. But I called him... Eric. Our niece and nephew call him Zio. Thus...I like to call him, King Zio.
As siblings, we didn't always get along. But now that we are better friends, I can safely say he is one of the best. Eric is a great web design partner and a superb brother.
We don't live anywhere near each other; but were able to take advantage of the power of the internet, our exceptional communication skills and incredible connection to create; www.hearttreeart.com
I would like to thank my brother for his patience, expertise, opinion and intelligence in the making of this project and am so excited to continue to collaborate with him.
If you would like to collaborate with him, visit www.hilltoptutoring.com

Baci Brother,
and thank you again.

Grand Opening

Hooray! Hazzah! Yippee!!!
For a limited time only, Heart Tree Art will be showing artwork live in Vancouver. Theresa’s (a cute little breakfast place on Commercial Drive) is housing a few of my pieces for the months of February and March. This is the collections second appearance in a solo show and I am so excited to hear some comments from strangers and to spread the Heart Tree Art collection. What a blast to hang the show and to spend some time with my very helpful girlfriends. Thank you to Rebecca and Toni for your patience, expertise and keen eye. And thanks to the Home Hardware guys on Commercial for the free nails!
Visit Theresa’s for a cup of coffee, some organic eggs, and a look around, most of the originals are for sale and waiting for good homes. I hope you like the show.

How to find it? http://www.theresaseatery.com/Theresas_Eatery/MAP.html

Animals of the World

About a year ago, some of my good friends were having a baby. They asked me to paint something for their nursery... and wanted to include the animals of Africa; something they are very fond of from their travels years before. And so, I began my mission.

Quinn now has 5 animals in her room and another surprise, baby Angelo has 6. Together... I have created a print I like to think of as... Animals of the World- part one.
I had a lot of fun painting these little guys and want to do more of it! They each have their own personality and I really enjoy watching it reveal itself.

If you are interested in having a print of these animals for yourself... contact me or visit etsy.com/shop/hearttreeart to see my shop. I'm happy to discuss different layouts or ways to make this print your own. The possibilities are endless.

Happy and Joyous

I have been noticing so many beautiful people lately. For a while there I was wondering to myself where everyone had gone, but am realizing that I just needed to open my eyes and see the light. That’s the thing about attitude, it colors everything. If I am in a bad mood, sure I can paint like no tomorrow, but can I communicate with the world around me and notice it for what it’s worth- I don’t think so! I’m going out on a limb here starting a blog with no real subject or direction, but I really want this to come from my heart. So here goes folks, it’s all yours.

I’ve been reading this book that is both thought provoking and has depth and at the same time is mindless entertainment. The best of both worlds I figure and so far, has presented some interesting ideas.

First, why seek happiness? Of all things, working towards or dreaming of being “happy”, can be just a trap into dissatisfaction. We think we want this thing and that because that is how society has laid it out to us but in reality, as unique human beings we all deserve and align with different lifestyles, different outcomes and totally different selves. So when someone asks me if I’m happy and I’m being honest, I say no...not all the time. But I am joyous. My joy has beginnings and ends and it comes and goes. I feel it down to my core and then it passes. I’m learning to live in the moment, take it one day at a time, and not to focus on this so called “happiness” that I have looked for all my life. Just joy… Pure JOY.

I find joy in giving. Not of my possessions, but of myself. If you need help babysitting your kids or painting your house, if you really need a listening ear, call me up. Some days, all I need is a friend who is willing to receive and I’m golden. It gives me strength. “The trees give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.” Maybe that's why I am made for my line of work.

A friend asked me tonight if I was in a “sensitive” space right now. I guess I am. I am learning the most important lesson of my life and I know it. I am seeing more and more beauty in simplicity. I am listening in different ways and noticing all kinds of beautiful people. I am a sponge. Learning and growing every day and in so many ways, my mind is a bit blurred with all of it. And maybe more importantly, I am noticing my own separation from it. The world happens all around me and all I have is me. So, I must get back to my paintbrushes because they can keep me company. Maybe you will find me here, joyous and full of attitude.

Heart Tree Art

Welcome to Heart Tree Art. Please feel free to visit hearttreeart.com for a look at my portfolio, or read on for a look at my heart center; it keeps growing. Plans are in the works to have some artwork available for sale very soon and my hope is that someone out there will appreciate hanging my soul in their living room. Please contact me should you have any questions, discussions or interesting commissions you would like to speak to me about. I am open-minded and open-hearted. Join me; it is going to be a wild ride.