My recent paintings.

It's no secret that the past few months or even year, have been very on course in some ways (see yesterday's post!) but also a bit off course in others.  My painting has gotten off course as the girls have grown older and my free time has grown smaller.  Also, now that I'm 33 a much bigger chunk of my free time is going towards my health and cooking, something my carefree 29-year old self didn't realize would happen. 

All that to say that I kept hearing one tiny voice telling me to maybe just be done with painting, that maybe it was selfish to try to squeeze just one more thing into my day, that I'm not that good anyway. 

Then the BIGGER, louder, voice-the roar of God I believe, said "no."

I kept hearing a loud pounding in my chest, telling me to get back to painting before I got too far gone.  To just pick up a paintbrush and try.  Not to worry about pleasing anyone else's eyes but my own.  To move on if I didn't like something but not to let that stop me in my tracks completely. 

To paint again! 

And so I did. 

Saturday morning while standing at the skillet doing breakfast duty, I began to paint.  

Watercolors were my medium of choice because they're so easily portable. 

Later in the afternoon I was so fired up and excited about all that color staring back at me that I went in and added some acrylic paints as well. 

I wouldn't consider any of these paintings finished, but I like what I see. 

Especially the pink paintings. 

"I painted something today that I liked and that made my heart beat real hard", is what I shared with Brett later.   Two things are sure signs that I need to keep following a certain way, tears and a pounding heart.  I'm so glad I picked up the paintbrush again! 

I plan to paint on and have a little sale on IG soon.  

My Instagram account is therosylifeblog

What have you done that's made you feel alive lately? 

...and the paint goes on!

"I'm finding I'm not able to do near as much as I thought"...or something close to that.  This is the line I read in Shauna Niequest's life-changing book Present Over Perfect.  Her point was when she unloaded her plate a bit, so to speak, she found she could do fewer things than she thought, if she were to do them well.  

The same is oh, so true of me, as hard of a journey as it's been for me to realize that and admit it.  But how freeing to know our limits! I am an avid dreamer, a gal with a wild imagination.  You'll almost never find me without an idea in mind, or most likely a whole handful! Enough to go around for days and days.  Ideas for events, paintings, photos, crafts with the girls, and new things to cook.  Music to listen to, Pinterest ideas to try, books to read.  These are the things flooding my brain, almost constantly.  I got to the place a year or so ago where I realized I wasn't doing well at much of anything because I was so scattered.  

So I made a change. I wrote down just a few areas to focus on and put my head down and got to work.  My "to do" list shortened but my memories and ministry grew by leaps and bounds.  Suddenly I felt more free about choosing to tackle the mess in the closets instead of ignoring it and paint instead.  I started placing my family as my first priority and my best priority, not my other thing to do that was keeping me from my true passions and talents.  As ugly as that is to type (and as hurtful) it's where I was. 

All that to say, as I changed my mindset my schedule shifted too.  I don't have set studio hours to paint, it just happens here and there.  As my photography business has grown (such a blessing!) my painting time has dwindled at times.  

Now, as the dreamer that I am, that is admittedly frustrating at times for me.  I want to do ALL the things, ALL the time.  But my heart simply cannot leave my loved ones trailing in the dust because I had my hands too full of dreams.  

For now I am painting when I can, sketching here and there. I aim to manage some little pockets of my days better, getting me back into a more regular routine with art.  

Because oh how I crave it.  I almost physically long for a paintbrush in my hand and my eyes long to see color fill a page.  It is necessary to the very fiber of my being. 

While I do miss painting so often, I'm not missing much.  The precious, priceless moments with my children and my dear Brett are worth more than painting could ever give me. 

For today I choose this-"Inch by inch, life's a cinch.  Yard by yard, life is hard." 

Inch by inch I'm learning to embrace the ministry and love and creativity God has called me to as both a mama and an artist.  Inch by inch, I'll paint my passions.  

Yard by yard, life isn't hard when I keep my heart in focus. 

It's beautiful. 

My summer paintings.

Summer started and I said this simple thing to myself "Paint for fun." 

That was it.  I've been pursuing the business side of my art from day one.  I have no problem with combining hobbies with business but for me at least, when it became ALL about the business something clicked in me.  Kind of the same thoughts I posted from the book Present Over Perfect earlier this week.  Especially the line that said "You can choose the size of your life."  

I know a few things.  One, I really love to paint.  It just does something for my insides.  It is a joy to sit down with an array of colors and have the time to express myself.  

Two, trying to stick to a strict schedule and rack up my Etsy sales, no matter the cost or sacrifice on my family and friends, just isn't me. 

So armed with these truths and a longing to simply experiment, play, and have fun, I began painting here and there this summer.  These are the pieces that make me the happiest and put a smile on my face when I see them.  Perhaps because they weren't created for anyone other than myself.  

 Once September rolls around I'll be spiffing up my Etsy shop a bit, adding some new pieces and taking down some old.  But for now, enjoy "my summer paintings!" 

Gather: Lesson Sneak Peek

I keep saying it but it keeps being true!  I am truly SO excited about Gather, my online class coming up in just a few short weeks.  In case you're still on the fence or don't know what I'm talking about, let me fill you in quickly. 

Gather is an online course written and recorded by me.  The focus is on "praise, prayer, and photography in your everyday life"....gathering each of these areas of our lives into an artful life.  The course is hosted on a blog you'll have access to once the class goes live which is Monday, April 18th.  

There will be a supply list, "extras" like a tour of my studio and free art downloads, and lessons/videos that include the following: 

*Art Journaling Techniques with video

*Photo Walk videos where we learn together what to capture and how. All camera types (yes, even phones!) welcome!

*A video photo tour of my own home...what to do with your photos once you take them! 

*Watercolor Canvas tutorial video

*Prayer flag tutorial video

There will also be a FB group where we can discuss and learn from each other and once you sign up for the class you have unlimited access!  No expiration date at all.

This class will require the use of basic art supplies that you can purchase at Wal-Mart or from any craft store like Hobby Lobby or Joann's.  Blick.com is also another great resource to order from!

(this is one of the free downloads as part of the class)

I think this class would be such a blast to take with a friend! 

To sign up, simply use the "Buy Now" button below and you'll be directed to PayPal! 

The early-bird price is $25 which is an amazing deal for such a video/photo rich course! 

(Once class starts the price goes up to $35)

Sign-up today and I'll see you in class soon! 

We're going to have so much fun!

Paper bird's nest and feathers (a VIDEO how-to!)

Good morning everyone! How are you on this Tuesday? I want to thank each of you who watched my last photography video. I'm warning you though, I only want to make more videos now! It is the teacher in me, I suppose. I truly love creating and explaining and teaching.  I miss that about being a classroom teacher.  I certainly do plenty of that with my own children (like all day!) but there's something really nice about connecting with you all through video.  It feels more like we're hanging out, instead of me just blasting a blog post.  So, I've got some fun video ideas planned for the blog and I hope you'll carve out some time to watch! I am long-winded even when I try not to be and talk with my hands at an almost humorous level.  I'll go ahead and give you that disclaimer for all videos here on out. 

Today we're making paper bird's nests and painted feathers! Watch, learn, and enjoy!  The photos below are a few ways you can put your creative nest to use.  

Thank-you for being a safe, kind space for me to be brave. 

I wish I could give you each a hug and a cup of tea! 

(see ya tomorrow!)