Tuesday, August 14, 2012

See the Wonder

My younger daughter Samy worries.  If you met her, you wouldn't believe it.  She is so outgoing, warm and connected.  She is a wonderful actress and singer, and wouldn't hesitate to launch into a song if you asked her.  The last thing you would think is that she worries, but she does.  For example, while doing her summer assignment on The Giver (a great book btw!), Samy had to list 12 milestones or traditions that children in the book celebrate.  She couldn't even begin, because she could only think of 9.  What about the other 3?  She couldn't stop focusing on what she didn't know -- even though what she did know was so much greater. 

We all do this -- we focus on what we're not -- not thin enough, not pretty enough, not good enough.  Even many of the amazing artists whose blogs I follow are hard on their work -- and I think it's beautiful!  We all have so much to offer -- so much to give -- and so much to celebrate.  Embrace your positive.  That is my message for today!  In that spirit - here is my contribution to The Diva's challenge to use Mooka and Assunta in a design.  I hope you like this butterfly, a caterpillar no longer.  Ta Da!

I am participating in Artists in Blogland's ATC swap.  I never made an ATC before.  In fact, I had never even heard of them and wasn't sure what the point of doing them was.  But then I received these adorable cards in the mail from Marcia Beckett and I was so thrilled!  Aren't they just beautiful?   UPDATE: ATC means "Artist Trading Card" -- a phrase I only just learned myself.
Receiving them made me so happy, and also inspired to create the 6 I needed to make for my part in the swap.  I used these fashion ladies I painted once upon a time, and embellished them with bits and pieces of some of my other paintings and voila!  I liked them so much that it was hard to part with them -- but off they went to Utah, Kentucky and Germany.  It is so fun to think that my artwork is going around the world!  Receiving and making ATCs was so enjoyable that I'm going to make some more!

One of my big fears is painting big... Because of my work as an illustrator for greeting cards and tableware, I've never painted bigger than what fits in my scanner -- so 11 x 14 is the max.  But I have decided to tackle this fear, and also explore the intersection of yoga and art by taking Flora Bowley's e-course "Bloom True."  I just signed up!  It starts September  10 and I'm very excited.  
Imagine; mixed media on canvas.  16 x 20. $250
So that this course is not too much of a shock, I bought a few big canvasses.  This one is 16 x 20.  It's called "Imagine," and is mixed media on gallery stretched canvas.  Digitally, I added the words "you see the wonder of the fairy tale," which is a lyric from "I Have a Dream" by ABBA, one of the songs in Scrapping the Music's August challenge.  (The original only has the hand painted "Imagine" on it.  And it's for sale!!)  If you haven't visited Scrapping the Music yet, check out their August challenge -- it is so much fun to be inspired by music and lyrics, and the Design Team is so supportive.

Linking up to Creative Every Day, Paint Party Friday, and Artists in Blogland (links are on the sidebars).  Cheers!

Thank you for visiting! If you are so moved, please leave a comment. Hearing from you means the world to me.

28 comments:

  1. I love your cards! and I'm so glad you liked mine :)

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  2. I love your entry into the challenge, and I also love your cards for your swap. But even more, I loved the words you shared......about focusing on what we are not instead of what we are.....I don't know what in our lives has caused us to take such a negative view. But I am always uplifted and gratified when I see somebody write about alternate ways to think. Thank you!

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  3. Your words are so apt for us this week. Almost all of us have expressed worries about our efforts for this challenge but still have managed to come up with something unique and special, and we should each be proud of what we achieve. Thank you Jessica for that timely reminder! I love all your pieces here by the way!

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  4. Thank you! I needed to read this today! You are so right that people (me) focus on what I need instead of what I have. This is a habit I need to shift. Writing myself a note about it right now. Congrats- you've jumped in and done so many new sizes this week- big and small (atcs). Both sizes have such vibrant colors and such a fun energy!

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  5. Jessica, I just want you to know that you put that perfectly! Each person really would be so much happier if focusing on the positive was the goal. I love how you remain Jessica in each challenge...and I must say that you inspire me each time! I love how you accomplished the goal of the challenge and yet I would know it was yours if I had found it randomly!

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  6. Your ATC cards are fabulous and wonderful work on your 'big' painting.

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  7. Beautifully done. Butterfly is great and I love your share, Ta-da is perfect. Your Imagine is gorgeous!

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  8. Aren't swaps (and ATCs) fun? I love yours, the recipients will be thrilled!

    You had good advice for your daughter... we are all too hard on ourselves. We should focus on the positive! Happy birthday to your other daughter! Both are very beautiful!

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  9. The ATCs are great and I love you butterfly challenge 83!

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  10. You said it, girl!!! focusing on the positives is the best way to be. I love your work!!!!!

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  11. I love your challenge piece and the thought behind it. It's so true, we're our own worst critics. Thanks for reminding us to see our glasses as half full!

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  12. I love your butterfly, even if I think it's a dragonfly. You said something that was so prevalent to me that I must say thank you for opening my eyes. I'm a lot like your daughter. I worry and forget about the things I do have versus what I don't have.

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  13. I have never heard of ATCs either until a few weeks ago, love them, your big work is wonderful.

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  14. Such a jam packed post... love it! Your "wonder" project is beautiful! And you are so right about focusing on what we have. I struggle with that so much.

    Thanks so much for your encouraging words on my blog. I didn't get your name from Artists in Blogland though. :( I'm making more, so if you are interested in a personal trade, I'd love to do that with you. Just let me know if you prefer a girl, bird or word... or all three! :)

    I am really enjoying your blog and your art. Can't wait to see what you produce in the Flora Bowley class!

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  15. Jessica, this was all great... your butterfly design, you words, your beautiful fashion lady ATC cards and oh, that Flora Bowley inspired painting... i've never done ATC cards either, but i'm thinking i may soon. THey look like so much fun. xox

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  16. Wonderful artwork, you've been very busy!

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  17. Beautiful! You are a talented artist.

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  18. Wonderful fashion ladies ATCs!!!! Yes it is a LOT of fun making ATCs and quite easy too! Patsy from
    HeARTworks and
    papemelroti

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  19. gorgeous, as usual!!! so much beautiful detail!

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  20. Loved reading the post. I guess I am a lot like your daughter.Worry so much in spite of my saner mind telling me not to. Loved your ATC, though I must admit I do not know what they are. Lovely stopping by!

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  21. how I missed your zentangle art!!. You wow'ed me again, Jessica!. Hugs.

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  22. Lovely art creations ~ Wow! ~ (A Creative Harbor)

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  23. Your ATCs are really cute. I'm just sorry I didn't get one. LOL. I'm in Virginia. When you make more drop me a line and maybe we can trade?

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  24. "Embrace your positive". I LIKE THAT!!.. And it looks like we were both inspired by the same lines of the song by Abba too! I absolutely LOVE the beautiful tree in your STM entry! Altogether, a beautiful canvas! ~tina

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  25. Your work has so much depth and meaning - I love that! Beautiful work on the Scrapping The Music piece! Thanks so much for playing along with us!

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  26. I saw your art in the slide show of Scrapping the Music and just had to hop over to your blog to say I love your mixed media pieces!

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