About the "BLISS" theme....

I was watching Oprah one morning last week and she was interviewing Anderson Cooper (he is so cute and down to earth!). The interview pretty much explored the heartaches in his life and his ability to overcome them to become the incredible news correspondent that he is today. When Oprah asked him where his inspiration came from, he told her that his mom (Gloria Vandrbilt) always encouraged him to follow his "bliss"---and that is what he did. His reply stayed with me all that day, so I decided to explore the words---follow your bliss. I "googled" the words follow your bliss and found that they were part of a quote from a passage in a book written by a man named Joseph Campbell. Here is the quote...

"Follow your bliss. If you do follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in the field of your bliss, and they open the doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be. If you follow your bliss, doors will open for you that wouldn't have opened for anyone else."

Joseph Campbell
US folklorist & expert on mythology (1904 - 1987)

I have decided to adopt those words for my life. I have made a decision that I will FOLLOW MY BLISS (my creative side---my ART) and see where it goes. I am the happiest when I am creating---I will have to start looking for some of those doors!

I am so excited---going to Art Unraveled!

I am leaving for Phoenix on Tuesday morning (with my friends Harriet and Sandy) to attend Art Unraveled 2006! I am so EXCITED!! Harriet and I attended last year and had a blast---I just know that this year will be even more fun. Here are pix of my trades (ATC's) and my name tag.

Completion of a project...

This is a spread I just completed as a last round in a Collaborative Journal project that I participated in this past year. I will be mailing the journal home to it's owner in Australia tomorrow. The journal theme is "My Favorite Things". The first image is the left hand side of the spread and the second is the right. It feels good to be at the end of this journey.

I found "Traci Bunkers' Blog"

While signing up for Art Unraveled, I came upon artist/teacher Traci Bunkers. Her classes were filled, so I will be unable to take a class with her, but I hope to meet her and see some of her work in person while in AZ. Her Journal Pages are phenominal---check out her blog!

Two weeks was really three weeks...

I am back from Florida and trying to get organized (if you know me, you know that I use the term "organized" very loosely) and settled back into a kind of normal (normal for me) routine!! I have lots to say about my visit with my mom---but I will only share that with interested friends on a one-to-one, need to know only basis! I did very little art and I did not enhance my suntan while away---but I did turn 55, get to several resale shops, learn how to play "Mexican Train" dominoes and eat some very good food. I washed all of my clothes before returning home and I am tempted to leave most of them in my suitcase for the next two weeks until my trip to Phoenix to attend Art Unraveled---OK, you REALLY didn't think I had unpacked yet did you???? CAN'T WAIT TO GO TO PHOENIX!!!!!

S.O.S.

I need your input...I am going out of town for two weeks (to Naples, FL) Anyone live there?? I would like to bring some art to work on while I am there. I would like to travel somewhat light if I can, so I need suggestions for my "travelling art kit". What do you think I need to bring?? What do you bring when travelling? All help appreciated!

I've been meaning to add this link...

This is a fun blog where you have an opportunity to learn a new technique every week---AND a chance to win prizes!!! Check it out today! This is my first time adding an entry (although I have been following along since the first week). Here is my Torn Paper technique for week 4.

Trying to download again---

The "Blogger Fairy" must have been listening!!! Here are my scans!!

For those of you that have missed me---I'm still here !

I haven't been online much lately, but I am still here. I've tried to post a few images of current artwork---but Blogger is not being co-operative and I am having trouble downloading. Anybody else having problems???

An overdue project finally completed...

These are three pieces that I completed for a swap hosted by Leandra Franich of Paper Artsy rubber stamps. She generously sent each participant a goody bag loaded with rubber stamps (from her line) and all kinds of fun art bits to create three pieces of art. This is what I came up with for the swap. The first piece is a small journal, the second is a 4X4 canvas and the last is a mini accordian book. I love this line of stamps and I had great fun creating these pieces.

I just can't get enough of these little things!!

I am just loving making these little Scratch Board pieces!!! I just am so pleased with the result---here are a few more!

Check out my friend Harriet's Blog....

Please take a few moments to check out my friend Harriet's Blog. She is one of the most multi-talented woman I know (besides one of the sweetest, kindest, generous---I could go on and on!). Her new work is based on techniques we learned in Anne Grgich's class last week and the Scratchboard Art we learned the day before yesterday at Carolina Moons. Enjoy!

A Sneak Preview...

Yesterday the FABULOUS Susie LaFond posted pix of the bound Chunky House Fat Book. I asked her permission to post the pictures on my blog and she kindly said yes. This is just a little tease---more pix to come when I receive my completed book in the mail!

Something new....

I had lunch yesterday with two of my "aRt siSteRs", Harriet and Sandy (and my grandson Joey). We dined on our favorite guacamole at our favorite Mexican restaurant. We ate a few other things, but the centerpiece of the meal was the guacomole!! We talked about artzy things and decided to take a trip to a local (about 35 minutes away) stamp store called Carolina Moon. While we were there the owner, Caroline showed us a technique using scratch board, dye inks, permanant black ink and rubber stamps. There were other options like heat embossing, Diamond Glaze, and Gilding Pens---but I have used just the basics on my samples. Hope you like my work!!! During my initial play, I didn't think I liked this technique much---but I have decided that it is easy and fun. I'm going to make more. hugs, shari xxx

About last weekend---

I had the most incredible weekend last week and I can't believe that a whole week has already passed! It was a special "girlz" weekend that was highlighted by an all day workshop taught by the fabulous Anne Grgich (check her out). How lucky am I???? I keep pinching myself to make sure it wasn't just a dream. It was a time to make new friends, renew old friendships and be creative---I couldn't have asked for anything more. Anne flew in from Seattle, her sister Carole and friend Della Wells drove in from Milwaukee, my friend Linda Koch and her friend Sally Casper drove in from Ohio and Michigan, and my friend Lori Wolfram drove in from Indiana. My local friends Harriet Reese and Sandy Mayfield offered their hospitality and opened their homes to our out of town guests for the weekend long, non-stop party. We were joined for the class on Saturday by local friends Rebecca Mobbs and Debbie Mcellenborough. It was the best!!! Thank you to all who participated---you made this an unforgettable weekend!

Is it Spring yet?????

I took this photo yesterday afternoon (looking out of my kitchen door). I know that the calendar says it is Spring---but I wonder when it will really arrive. I am so tired of winter, gray weather.

Getting back to ART!!!

This is a page I just completed for a Chunky House Book swap that I am participating in with 40 other artists!! I can't wait to get the completed book back---there is the most incredible list of artista's contributing and the book will be FABULOUS!!

My best friend (for another 6 weeks)---and in case you were wondering, I really haven't fallen off the face of the earth!!!

As some of you know, I had surgery on my left foot February 9th (where has the time gone???). I am doing great and hobbling around on my heel (kind of like a duck) and ready to get back into LIFE!!! I am feeling re-energized and creative and ready for anything!
hugs, shari xxx

Cleaning (sort of)---not creating today

Been going through a few things in my art room and tidying up a bit. I've decided to post some of my older art. These are spreads that I've done in several Altered Book Round Robins (in other people's books/journals). I've decided this year to do more art for myself than for other people.

I HAVE A NEW CAR!!! HOORAY!!

For those of you who don't know (or haven't heard me whine and complain), I have been without a car for the last 2 months (my Sunfire Convertible died a sad death). Not having a car to drive took away my freedom and independence. I have been a mix of angry, depressed and mean and ugly---to my husband (who is really a nice guy). I live in a suburb of Chicago with NO public transportation. I do not live in walking distance to ANY SHOPPING (no shopping, ugh!) or entertainment and I have been stuck in the house with my 3 year old grandson since before Christmas. I have had to depend on other people to pick me up, take me, blah, blah, blah---and I HATED every moment of it! But, my husband came through today (he got tired of seeing me still in my ugly nightgown when he returned home from work in the evening) and bought me a car. So, spring is on it's way and I have a new car---a convertible again (I am definitely a top-down girl!). Things are looking up. hugs, shari xxx

Still Struggling With The Creative Process...

It seems like my muse has gone into hiding for the winter---occasionally she peeks out and I create a thing or two, but I am finding it a struggle. Art shouldn't be so hard. I have a zillion ideas floating in my head UNTIL I sit down at my art desk---and then I freeze. I managed to do the above (it is a 4X6 postcard) yesterday. I have joined the Postcard Crossing Project and I created this postcard to be the first one that I will send. It is going to a woman in Munich, Germany. Check it out (Postcard Crossing Project) and join me . Here is a brief explanation (as stated on the website)--- "The goal of this project is to allow people to receive postcards from all over the world, for free. Well, almost. The main line is: if you send a postcard, you'll receive at least one back, from a random postcrosser somewhere in the world." Sounded like a fun idea to me. I'll keep you posted as to how it works out!!

I have decided to make a really big effort to post to my blog daily---even if it is to just say hello. I am also going to try to create at least one piece of art each day.

Till later---hugs, shari xxx

The newest "artist" in the family

This is Joey---he is my grandson and he will be 3 years old next Monday. He lives with me and I am his "stay-at-home" grammy. As you can see, he is a budding artist---I guess you can tell what we like to do together! He seems to favor water colors, I'm more of an acrylic kind of girl. When he is not creating, he is totally obsessed with Thomas the Train stuff. He is fun and I love spending time with him!

I'm back!! Some more of my art (AKA creating again!)

Here are several different takes on one of my favorite things---coffee!! I did these pages as part of a collaborative journal project that I am participating in. For those of you who don't know me very well, my very favorite beverage is a Starbuck's venti, non-fat, 3 shot, 3 equal, NO FOAM, Latte. When I'm not drinking Starbucks, I just drink plain old coffee with cream (real cream) and I usually have a cup of coffee in my hand most of the time. I have been trying to complete these pages for a while---but as you all know, my muse was having a hard time finding her way out of her creative block. Hopefully the block is broken and my creativity will be back on track for 2006!!!

My FIVE children....I now have proof

I have not been online very much this month and I have been pretty uninspired (creatively and blogwise). BUT, today I have something to share and I am feeling a bit inspired! These are my FIVE children (Dan, Elliot, Mike, Jenni and Laura). This is the first time in many years that they have all been together. I took advantage of the event and we took a trip to the mall photographer to have a portrait taken (something I have desired for years!). This is a wonderful way to end the old year and an even better way to begin the new one! I hope all of you have a happy and safe New Year. One of my resolutions for the new year is to break out of this creative block---it's been going on way too long. I am also planning on being more regular with updating my blog. So again, Happy New Year!!! Talk to you soon in 2006!

It is snowing (really hard) and it is very, very cold!!

I just took this photo---it is the view out the sliding glass door in my kitchen (right next to my desk) into the park behind my house. The snow is falling really hard and I feel like hybernating tonight!! Actually, I can't hybernate tonight because I am co-teaching an art class at a group I belong to called Women's Wisdom. I began teaching at the beginning of the summer. I am having fun and enjoying bringing collage, altered art and mixed media to the group.

Here is a picture of my Christmas tree ---a much warmer feel!!!