Sunday, January 20, 2013

Live the Life You Imagined


I had lots and lots of beautifully colored pages from playing with my gelli plate and the stencils I designed for Stencil Girl.  Inspired by this tutorial by Felicia Borges,  I cut them into strips and squares and rectangles and started arranging them in ways that pleased me...


I saw an urban skyline with sky scrapers...


Just like the city, it grew bigger and bigger until it was 11 x 14"...


I outlined buildings, adjusted and deepened the colors with a mixture of fluid acrylics and glazing medium, and added gems and glass bead gel to make the city sparkle ...

I hung stars and a moon in the sky with silver threads...


All the while, I thought about how much I love New York City, where I went to high school and college, and where Times Square, the Upper West Side and Greenwich Village were my playgrounds.  I thought about my amazing life: three distinctly different careers as a singer/dancer/actress, then lawyer, then artist/yoga teacher; one difficult marriage and painful divorce, but then a wonderful second marriage and two loving and lovely daughters;  good health and a rich supportive community of neighbors, friends and family.  As a child, did I plan the life I lead now?  No.  But I imagined a life full of creativity and love.  So I wouldn't change a thing.  Each experience, the happy and sad, the joyous and the difficult, was a vital part of the path that led me to the life I have - full of creativity and love -- just like I imagined. 


You don't have to live the life you've planned.  But live the life you've imagined!


How do you live the life you've imagined?

Linking to Make it on Monday, Creative Everyday, Inspire Me Monday,  Monday Mantras, and Mandarin Orange Monday.

PS:  Do you ever get stuck and need some great journaling prompts?  I wish I'd known about this post when I was writing yesterday about what's Rocking My World.  Aimee of Artsyville has made available FOR FREE her 21 prompts from 21 Secrets 2012.  Thank you Aimee!!

PPS:  Maybe feeling happy with life is "going around..."  Check out this post and video from Jennibelle Studios -- complete with cool dance moves!

Thank you for visiting! I read and treasure every comment and will answer any questions as quickly as I can.
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48 comments:

  1. Sandi McLeanJanuary 20, 2013 at 7:45 PM

    What a lovely post! I am adoring how you turned your bits and pieces into a fabulous work. Off to check out your recommendations.

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  2. Roxana WhiteJanuary 20, 2013 at 8:07 PM

    Oh My...I feel like I just watched you build a city! I could see it forming as you added each photo. That was amazing. Love how you tied the metal tag into the scene.

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  3. Stamping ShanniJanuary 20, 2013 at 8:38 PM

    Jessica this is a wonderful entry and such an inspiring piece. Thanks for sharing it! Saw the bright colours on MIM and had to take a closer look - so delighted that I did. You rock!
    Stamping Shanni

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  4. MichelleJanuary 20, 2013 at 8:58 PM

    Hi Jessica

    Your piece is positively amazing and your post is so inspiring. I love the way this came to live as your told your story.

    Thank you for sharing with us at Make It Monday this week.

    Michelle :o)

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  5. Chris Twyman and AngelaJanuary 20, 2013 at 9:09 PM

    lucky you and your work reflects your thoughts

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  6. Carolyn DubeJanuary 20, 2013 at 9:25 PM

    We Built This City by Starship just kept running through my head as you built your city! I love where you started all the way through to where you stopped!

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  7. LizJanuary 20, 2013 at 10:09 PM

    These are pretty. Have a fabulous week!

    Liz (mlc)
    Liz (yacb)

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  8. FayeJanuary 20, 2013 at 10:28 PM

    Hello Your project is Fantastic. Visited from MIM. Faye

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  9. lozJanuary 20, 2013 at 10:31 PM

    Fantastic piece.. I saw these on MIM..Loz

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  10. DIANA L.January 20, 2013 at 10:39 PM

    These are all awesome.
    I saw you on MIM. I would
    Love to have you visit.
    This is so sweet.
    DIANA L.
    http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com

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  11. DIANA L.January 20, 2013 at 10:40 PM

    Ps I just became a new follower love your blog.

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  12. Anita Houston The Artful MavenJanuary 20, 2013 at 11:03 PM

    NO JOKE HERE! When I saw the first couple of photos I though "That would make a wonderful city scape." And bam, there is was, but even better than I could imagine! Gorgeous! SO PINNING!!!

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  13. Chubskulit RoseJanuary 20, 2013 at 11:31 PM

    You are an artist!

    Hopping from Mandarin Orange Monday.
    Bow and Arrow
    Have a great week ahead.

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  14. Michelle LaPoint RydellJanuary 21, 2013 at 12:18 AM

    Oh Jessica - you never fail to inspire me! This is stunning! The colors, and the drawing - all of it! And I adore how you added the pen nib to the tower! Thanks for the tutorial link - I'm off to check it out!

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  15. Clare LloydJanuary 21, 2013 at 1:47 AM

    Brilliant I love how you built up the background with collage papers.

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  16. froebelsternchenJanuary 21, 2013 at 1:59 AM

    This is just BRILLIANT Jessica! Love it!

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  17. Lucky Dip LisaJanuary 21, 2013 at 4:08 AM

    Inspiring work. I don't usually like city scapes but yours is an exception.

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  18. JessJanuary 21, 2013 at 5:26 AM

    I'm so happy to have found your blog! I often look back at my life and realise that the things I always wanted, a loving family and to remain creative have become the two most important things so I've achieved exactly what I imagined!
    I love the way you've arranged the pieces of collage and then brought it all together with your drawing. I'm going to enjoy the links you've shared too, thankyou!xx

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  19. JannyJanuary 21, 2013 at 7:14 AM

    Beautiful work!

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  20. Joan BessJanuary 21, 2013 at 9:15 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  21. Nancy KelleyJanuary 21, 2013 at 9:16 AM

    What a GREAT post! So much fun for us that a Gelli printing plate was part of making such a beautiful print :) Thanks for sharing the process!
    Nancy Kelley
    Gelli Arts

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  22. katJanuary 21, 2013 at 9:25 AM

    This is a wonderful piece of art work, so full of life and soul!

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  23. Martha RichardsonJanuary 21, 2013 at 9:37 AM

    Wow...this is so lovely...the color and how you created it...just made my heart sing!

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  24. MalindaJanuary 21, 2013 at 9:46 AM

    Bravo! This is beautiful!

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  25. thekathrynwheelJanuary 21, 2013 at 9:47 AM

    Wow! Amazing work. Loved to see how it grew into such a work of art :-)

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  26. MB ShawJanuary 21, 2013 at 9:51 AM

    This piece is so beautiful, Jessica. And your story just adds to the experience. So glad you took the time to share.

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  27. whyducksJanuary 21, 2013 at 11:13 AM

    Stunning work!

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  28. Judy SheaJanuary 21, 2013 at 11:43 AM

    My turn.... What can I say.. I want to go here.. here, in this page and explore what is in this city. I think this is MY FAVORITE pages of yours. The colors, the buildings,the sky. I do believe that what we've gone through in life is what makes us who we are. As Kelly Clarkson says in her song, "Stronger".. "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.... ".

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  29. UnknownJanuary 21, 2013 at 11:51 AM

    Thank you for sharing your journey!! Love this city!! Breath taking!

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  30. AnnJanuary 21, 2013 at 12:36 PM

    This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing the steps. Saw it on MIM!

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  31. Sarah LeonardJanuary 21, 2013 at 12:37 PM

    This is amazing - I love this little glimpse into your process and the inspirational quote that goes with it is just the icing on the cake.

    Thanks so much for linking up!

    Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity

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  32. pearshapedcraftingJanuary 21, 2013 at 1:48 PM

    Fabulous! Love the quote and the way your piece grew! Such an inspiration! Chris

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  33. paulineJanuary 21, 2013 at 2:09 PM

    omg Jessica... love this post and your painting is absolutely STUNNING!! So much fun to see the progression at every stage and the final result. omg. i love it. So much energy and happiness there. Wishing you a wonderful 2013. xox

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  34. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2013 at 7:18 PM

    This is so amazing and your Chrysler building just shones put in the scene!!!! Have to check out that tutorial.....xox

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  35. MariaJanuary 21, 2013 at 7:39 PM

    This is pretty darn AMAZING!!!!! What a creative way to use all the pieces and as usual your meaning behind it so beautiful. Please remind Carolyn and I to tell you a story about the Live the Life you Imagined charm when we see you :)

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  36. lorikJanuary 21, 2013 at 11:35 PM

    Such a vibrant and beautiful celebration of your interesting life. I like their colour, complexity and the layers. Thank you for sharing on Mandarin Orange Monday:)

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  37. Desire FourieJanuary 22, 2013 at 1:29 PM

    Absolutely stunning. A little masterpiece of art. Saw this on MIM and had to come over for a closer look. Hugs Desíre {Doing Life - my personal blog}

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  38. BunnyJanuary 22, 2013 at 4:02 PM

    Very eclectic card. I like the colors. They all look so pretty. I saw it on MIM.

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  39. UnknownJanuary 23, 2013 at 9:12 AM

    The fun colors immediately catch your eye and then all the detail begins to soak in. I love your city scene and appreciate the photos showing how you made it. You are such a talented lady!

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  40. PeanutJanuary 25, 2013 at 10:13 PM

    Stunning colours! Wow! Astounding attention to detail...I'm in awe. No wonder it caught my eye on MIM #124. Thanks for your sweet comments on my blog.
    xxx Asha
    Sunny Summer Crafts

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  41. JayJanuary 26, 2013 at 6:26 AM

    Wow, those are NICE! It makes me want to investigate the use of stencils, too! I'm going to pop over to that link and take a look. :)

    I'm new here - and found you while searching for other aspiring artists who blog about their work. I need the support!

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  42. Marjie KemperJanuary 27, 2013 at 3:24 PM

    It looks like you had such free flowing energy while making this fun piece... I love how it grew!

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  43. Meihsia LiuJanuary 27, 2013 at 3:59 PM

    This is such a stunning piece of art. Love the bright colors. Thank you so much for joining us at Make It Monday this week... :)

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  44. Shelly SchmidtJanuary 29, 2013 at 11:34 PM

    Fabulous piece- I had to pop over from MIM- the colors- awesome!

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  45. ClaudineMarch 20, 2013 at 12:12 PM

    Very cool page, I love how you built the city scape, awesome!!!!

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  46. Gloria j ZucaroMay 30, 2013 at 10:38 PM

    I absolutely love this, Jessica. You really put your own stamp on the process, too. You are such an inspiration! It is so bizarre to me that I am getting this post now at the end of May when you posted it in January!!

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  47. AnonymousDecember 18, 2013 at 10:55 AM

    I just found your blog and love your work! I featured this project on my blog today...
    http://thoughtfulcreations.wordpress.com/2013/12/18/holiday-gift-ideas-10-11-pretty-baskets-and-pretty-stationary/
    I am a new follower!
    -Allison

    ReplyDelete

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