sketchbook review jan 22-28, 2012

Feature Art Friday: Love Always Wins

Print available here

Yes, I really believe it. So much so in fact, that this is the first art I have ever made that includes a retort for pessimists out there who might disagree with me. I can just picture someone reading the large script on the sign, then rolling their eyes, "No, it doesn't."


Yes it does. In my world anyway. There's no insinuation here that the world is perfect. If you knew what I did at my "day job" you would know that I have a very clear picture of the terrible homes completely devoid of anything resembling real love. But what I can say is that loving & being loved, whether by your family, your friends, your partner, your pets, kind strangers... where that kind of love DOES exist, it wins. Every single time.


Yes it does.

A few steps to the left

I rearranged my office this week- although now that I see the word in writing "rearranged" might be a bit of an overstatement. I shoved the desk about 3 feet to the left & it's still even facing the same direction... but it's nice to have a change of scenery, no matter how minor. Nothing like an unexpected change in perspective.


Let's call it an outward, tangible acceptance of author Wayne Dyer's statement "change the way you look at things & the things you look at will change." Don't worry, I know he wasn't really talking about office furniture... but it's a start, right?


This simple move, just a couple of steps from where I have spent the last several years, has allowed me to let more sunlight into my day- here's to hoping I'm not just talking about the light I see out the window!

sketchbook week in review

Lotus flower love

Available for purchase as 5 x 5 or 8 x 8 print on Etsy.

2 weeks too early

"Have the courage to follow your heart & intuition. They somehow already know what you want to become." 
                                                                      -Steve Jobs


For whatever reason, I couldn't wait for 'quote of the month' day to share this one with you... although I promise you will see it again. Soon. :) 


When you get yourself, your worries & your excuses out of the way of your heart & intuition, a funny thing happens. They dance. Do you hear the music?

3 day weekend fun & a midnight cat chase

Because you're mine

Valentine art inspired by Johnny Cash lyrics... I love making Valentine's- as a child I always had the most insanely decorated Valentine box for my classmates to use as my mailbox & I loved making & picking out which card or gift would go to what person. Even as an adult I stick with the "homemade only" Valentine rule... which is always fun when you live with a former stand up comedian. I never know what to expect.

Both the original & prints of the original art are available for purchase.

paper snowflakes & some progress

As part of my '37 Things List' I wanted to make paper snowflakes- they always make me smile. These lovely snowflakes were cut from templates I found here. Lots of good stuff over there. And look at that... you can actually see the top of the dining room table. (for now) 

Progress people, that is real progress.

A letter of apology to our new IKEA table

Dear Table,

I know this is not what you had in mind when we brought you home. You probably watched the Ikea store fade from sight out the back window of the car while dreaming of the lovely dinner parties you would host; the kind where everyone talks about the funky contemporary table & how great it is… I won’t lie- I actually shared the same hope for you. Unfortunately it has become abundantly clear that for the time being you & I will be spending a lot of time together- it just won’t involve food… Unless I decide to eat while I paint, which is always a viable option.

I apologize for not making your dreams come true. Would it sting a little less if I offered to buy you a nice outfit & some jewelry? Maybe place mats, napkins & sparkly napkin rings from Pottery Barn or Crate & Barrel? Or do you want to be truly unselfish & let them stay at the store where they might be purchased by someone who actually uses the dining room table for dinner? 


Just let me know when you decide- you know where to find me.


Sherry

Feature Art Friday: Lucy & Lee

This is Lucy, a golden retriever who was commissioned by a fun woman named Lee. I'm usually a little lost trying to make small talk with new people but this was not the case with Lee- we sat in Starbucks amid the hustle & bustle of holiday shoppers & chatted away like old friends. I love meeting people like that- the ones who you are immediately comfortable with. Please notice that this painting was supervised by Ron Burgundy, who sat in the chair by my art cabinet & heckled me the entire time. 

I donate 20% of all pet portrait commissions to Out of the Woods animal rescue in Little Rock, Arkansas.

More Eureka Springs Inspiration

One of these colorful little lanterns came home with me.

There are stairs all over this tiny little town because it is perched on top of a mountain.

Spiral fire escape... the good news is you escape the fire, the bad news... you can't see straight by the time you reach safety.

I love old billboards painted on the side of buildings...

I want to meet the people who live in this house... because you have to be a memorable character to have a giant Humpty Dumpty in your yard. That's a rule right?

This is a tiny little crook where two streets meet in town- it is used as a little patio display area for one of the stores.

One of many interesting places to stay in Eureka Springs. This one doesn't have a cave in it like this one, but I'm sure it's still lovely.

Quote of the month: Eckhart Tolle & the finger painting

A few things that make me happy about this month’s quote & art…

1. The background was finger-painted & who doesn’t like finger-painting? Sadly, most of us haven’t tried it since kindergarten, so I encourage you to go buy some cheap craft paint (the kind that is less than $1 for a bottle) & get out some scrap paper & try it out. Don’t worry with how it looks, it’s about how it feels & how it makes you feel. Don’t try to make it “look” like anything… check out the mess I made for a background…So. Much. Fun. 

2. It is inspired by a quote from Eckhart Tolle, author of ‘A New Earth’ which is one of my favorite books.

3. It’s the first quote of the new year & I do love a new year… each January I find myself flipping through the calendar, peering at all of the days to come & wondering what sort of good things might happen. At the beginning of the year, so many days are just numbers on the calendar, but maybe something wonderful might happen on what might have been an ordinary day… and it will never be ordinary again.

4. I also love the idea of leaving the past behind & only choosing to bring the bits of it I want with me into the present moment… because it really is our choice what we bring with us to each moment, isn’t it?

Happy New Year! I wish for you a year full of health, happiness & inspiration to do the things you love.