Proud to be a part of this....

I'm so proud to be a part of these "girl" journals!  I'm in the company of so many wonderful artists, so that feels incredible to me!  These journals are really awesome!
CUSTOM PLANNERS

All we can do....

All we can do is be the best that we can be.  Live our own truths.  Be kind along the way.  Give love.  Treat others as we want to be treated.  Take responsibility for our actions.  Learn and keep learning.  Grow and keep growing.  Live with compassion and gratefullness.  Every action matters...it's all part of the journey.  Hold on to some, let go of others.  Let our hearts lead the way.  Listen carefully to our instincts.  Let forgiveness in.  Ask questions.  Listen for answers.  Live this short life with a pure heart.

A wonderful weekend...

We had such a wonderful weekend with friends from long ago.  It is so comforting to be around friends from your past.  The weather was perfect and the company was the best!  Here we are wine tasting in Chahlem valley, OR.  Thank you God, for wonderful friends and happy memories old and new.

Hmmmm....my beliefs are simple....

I just walked on the treadmill this morning.  Now as I cool down, I'm sitting at my computer and I feel like typing these words.  My beliefs are simple.  This is a belief of mine:  Everyone of us has an obligation to God, to live OUR truth.  I believe God wants everyone of us to be happy.  Sometimes we stray off of our lighted path, and into the darkness.  That is when we need to quiet ourselves and listen.  God will show us how to get back to the light and back to our truth.  We owe it to ourselves and to God to try our best to stay on our lighted path, the one God has intended for us.  That is where we will learn all of our lifes lessons.  That is where we will grow in our relationship with Him.  That is where we will find peace and love.

To shut our eyes to the truth and to what needs to be seen is the same as putting up a wall between us and our intended path.  This is so sad because when you refuse to see the truth, then you block yourself from learning what it is that God wants you to learn.  When you refuse to learn, you also hurt your own relationship with Him.

To deal with difficulties in a passive-aggressive way and without words and truth is so useless.  It's not only useless, it's harmful and it keeps that person in the dark and lost.  No good can come from that.  Life is a constant journey.  It's a journey of life lessons and love.  It's always changing and growing and evolving.  If you stop in your tracks and close your eyes you will miss it all.

Life is short and precious.  There is no room or time for hatered or silly mind games.  Say what is in your heart.  Love the ones that mean the most to you.  Have compassion for everyone.  Enjoy this beautiful journey.  Learn everyday.

Mermaid and Sea Turtle....

Mermaid and Sea Turtle
12 x 12
mixed media
acrylic, oil pastel, collage

Treasure the time you spend with those you love.

mermaid...in progress....

I've been working on this little blonde mermaid today.  Here are a couple of pics of her in progress....

Christmas Angel

Christmas Angel-Christmas Wishes For Peace On Earth
11 x 14
mixed media
oil pastel, acrylic, collage

and a close up look....

A little Christmas in July....

Working on a Christmas Angel-she is pretty much finished...still working on the background though.

Won't you join me for some coffe or tea?

This week I've been working on this cute little coffe/tea set.  Trying out my new style on something a little different....Hope you like...I wish we could share a piece of that yummy cake together!  Haha....

Delicious ....

11 x 14 Mixed Media

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, graphite, collage

One Lump Or Two?....

11 x 14 Mixed Media

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, graphite, collage

Yum Yum...

11 x 14 Mixed Media

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, graphite, collage

Coffee Tea Latte Mocha...

11 x 14 Mixed Media

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, graphite, collage

She Sang A Lullaby To The Moon

SHE SANG A LULLABY TO THE MOON
12 x 12
oil passtel, acrylic

My alter....

This morning I took some pictures of my alter table.  I have collected some special things that I keep on this table.  These are some of the things I cherish...

I love Buddahs.  There is something so peaceful about them.  I have collected quite a few, but I just can't seem to get enough of them.  Around this one are some crystals and stones that I've collected from different people and places.  Around his  neck is a necklace that Ron brought back from Tibet.  This is one of my favorite Buddahs.

  This beautiful Pieta used to belong to my Grandmother, Mildred Campbell.  Her and I were really close and I miss her all the time.  She experienced too much loss for one person to ever go through in a life time.  This statue always makes me think of her, holding her own son, my uncle that died in a practice flight, when he was a pilot in the army.  His name was William Samual Campbell II.  He was a co-pilot on an F-16.  He died before I was born.  He was my Dads older, only brother and he was my Grandmothers first born son. I believe he watches over me.       Also, next to the statue is my Grandmas bible.  These pieces are really special to me.

This statue is so special, because it came from the coffin of my husbands Grandmother.  Her and I held a special relationship of true friendship, and I miss it often.  I know she is happy to be in heaven with her true love, as she missed him terribly after he died, and she was left without him.  She was a beautiful lady.

A few more Buddahs...The ivory elephants belonged to my Grandmother, as did the bracelet in the front.  She loved to travel and bring home suveniers.

Haha, another Buddah...I think this one belonged to my Grandmother also.  The elephant is a little box I got in Thailand.  The bracelet I made when I went to BG Camp; there I learned so, so much, and met such beautiful souls that forever have touched my life.  The glass jar with the word DREAM comes from a wonderful time spent with incredible women, whom I love and admire.  The sister rock in front comes from a very special soul, one I'm never letting go of-BFSSF.

So this is my alter...a place where I can keep my most cherished things.  Where I can go to feel comfort and peace.  Where I can go to remember people and experiences.  Where I can pray or ask for guidance. Where I can go to feel calm.

Love is my religion.  I love God.  I love Jesus.  I love Buddah and the peace he gives me.  I love my family.  I love my friends.  I love peace.  I love simplicity.  I love quiet.  I love laughter.  I love memories.  I love clarity. I love to create.  I love new experiences.  I love learning. I love naps.  I love sleep. I love sunshine.  I love the ocean.  I love beaches.  I love my dog Cooper.  I know I will love heaven.  Oh there is just so much to love.

Newest painting....

This is my newest painting in progress.  I actually pulled out an old, unfinished painting of mine from about a year ago, and started re working it.  It will be called...WHE SANG A LULLABY TO THE MOON

Her Generosity.....

All finished....
HER GENEROSITY BROUGHT HER JOY AND CONTENMENT
12 x 12
mixed media
oil pastel, acrylic, graphite, collage

Working on a new girl....

Newest girl in progress...

She Trusted...

She Trusted In The Light....
12 x 12
mixed media
oil pastel, acrylic, ink, graphite

She Knew....

She Knew She Could Trust Her Own Heart.
12 x 12
mixed media
oil pastel, acrylic, collage

Another girl....

I think this is going to be my favorite so far....and for some reason she is arriving very effortlessly!

Nurture

NURTURE
12 x 12
oil pastel, acrylic, graphite, collage

Almost finished....she's coming alive!

Almost finished with this one.  I'm loving the bright red!

just needs a few final touches.....

As always, I wake up, get my coffee and sit down at my computer.  Well, first I feed Cooper and then he goes into his little digestive, food coma, while sitting on my lap.  It's my favorite part of the morning, me with coffee and Cooper asleep on my lap :)

Anyway...I was going through my emails and I recieved such a sweet letter from someone interested in buying one of my prints from Etsy.  She is from Canada and was asking if I would ship there....
Here is a portion of her letter.


Also, I was TRULY hoping that you offered online classes or tips on your type of art. I painted for many years (nothing spectacular though), but I haven't painted since my car accident almost 7 years ago. About 3 weeks ago, my husband re-did my art/office room and I want to paint again. Your art has certainly woken something up inside of me. And I would so love to learn how you do what you do. Or at the very least be able to buy one of your paintings or prints.




These are the kinds of notes that make me so happy!  These are the reminders to me, that even if nothing else comes of my artwork, that it is making a positive mark on someone out there!  How could I ask for more....Thank you sweet new friend, for making my day special!

New one....in progress....

Here's a little preview of what I'm working on now...

Blessing....

I just finished "re-working" a previous painting of mine, and Im just in love with it now!  I hope you like it too!
BLESSING
12 x 12
mixed media
oil pastel, acrylic, ink, collage

Angel of Clarity...

Angel of Clarity
9x9
oil pastel, acrylic

Here Was Her Refuge...

Here is another painting i just did, using the oil pastels.  So much fun to use!

Here Was Her Refuge...Here Was Her Sanctuary
Mixed Media
12 x 12
oil pastel, acrylic, graphite, ink

Missing You....

Missing You...
12 x 12
mixed media
oil pastel, acrylic, graphite

A beautiful quote...

Read this quote this morning and just had to share.  The whole thing is so beautiful to me....

‎"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." {Anais Nin}

working with a new medium...

I'm trying something a little different today.  This is a piece in progress and I'm mostly using oil pastels.  It's so fun, and free.  I just started painting, not knowing what I was going to paint, and she has appeared.  Not sure what the finished product will be, but I'm loving this medium.  Stay tuned....  :)

And the title is........

SUNSET TRIO
Thanks so much everyone, for all the awesome suggestions.  Makes me want to paint some more bird pics, just so I can use some of the titles!  I actually put a couple suggestions together to come up with Sunset Trio.

Payten is graduating!

Not sure how this day has arrived so quickly, but it has....my baby girl graduates from high school on Wednesday June, 15th 2011.  We are so  proud of her and the young woman she has become.  My baby girl, my sweet friend...