Come Get Me 2013!

As the clock ticks down on 2012, the new Fall Fearless & Fly challenge at Artists in Blogland asks us to consider these three prompts:

Headline Prompt:  Future Imperfect: What is different about your life now than what you once expected it to be?  How is the way it turned out perfect or imperfect.  If your future turns out differently than you imagined in the first prompt, could it still be perfect?
Color Prompt: Yellow
Quote Prompt: "Existence really is an imperfect tense that never becomes a present."  Friedrich Nietsche

My picture of what I expected my life to be has changed in so many ways.  At one time, I imagined myself a famous actress (!), a peace corps volunteer, a teacher, and then an actress again.  I even did a cabaret act about it (!) -- you can see a clip here (I'm really putting it all out there today!).

Very little about my life turned out exactly the way I planned -- I never dreamed I would move from Manhattan to a suburb in New Jersey, or get divorced shortly after having my first child, or run a community theater group, or become a working artist.  But isn't that the fun of it?    Existence really is:

 

There was a time in my 20s that I was so worried about what would come next.  There was a part of me that just wished I was an old woman, having lived my life, and that I could just sit and reflect on my memories.  I'm so glad I got over the fear, and have been able to follow the twists and turns of the path that got me to this day.  Here's a great clip from the movie Parenthood, about the glorious messiness of life:

So 2013, come and get me.  I'm open to whatever you throw my way!

This is one of those journal pages that had many different lives before this one.  It once had a house on it and lots of other bits and pieces from a clean up day in my studio!  It's been painted and collaged over so many times, it could probably walk into the future on its own!  I used one of the girls from my rain stencil, a 7 Gypsies clock stamp, and Luminarte Ginger Peach paint to give some glimmer and yellow sheen. 

Check out Joanne Sharpe's amazing guest artist post at Artists in Blogland, and Carolyn Dube's awesome take on this challenge!  (Reminder -- Carolyn is running a Gelli plate blog party starting on 1/1! Read all about it here.)

And of course, I can't wait to see what you do!  We have a great giveaway from LuminArte this time so make sure to link up at Artists in Blogland!

My Giveaway!  Comment by January 13th for a chance to win one of my newest stencils - "Jump!"  Let me know you follow my blog and my Facebook page for extra chances to win!

Thank you for visiting! I read and treasure every comment and will answer any questions as quickly as I can.  Linking also to Make it Monday,  Mandarin Orange Monday and Create With Joy.

Fall Fearless & Fly Challenge 6 and Giveaway!

Welcome to Challenge #6, with an amazing contribution by guest artist Dina Wakley at Artists in Blogland.  Here are the prompts:

Headline Prompt:  Divided by God:  What does "God" mean to you?  How do you access"God" or the divine or the sacred in your life?
Color Prompt: Metallics - gold, silver, copper, bronze, or all of them!
Quote Prompt: "This is my simple religion.  There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy.  Our own brain, our own heart, is our temple; the philosophy is kindness."  The Dalai Lama 

I used all three of the prompts and worked on a canvas I had started in Flora Bowley's Bloom True class.  Here's what it looked like as of Friday morning!

 

Here's what it became, after many more layers!

I access the divine through my meditation practice. 

The lotus is a metaphor for the internal journey we take in meditation.  I painted three of them, to honor the three major world religions, and added gold accents throughout the canvas.

I used the Hebrew Calligraphy stencil to stencil the word "Shalom" in the dove (a symbol of peace) and above one of the lotus flowers (the last 4 characters from the bottom left of the stencil form the word "Shalom").  Shalom means complete peace: a feeling of contentment, completeness, wholeness, well being and harmony.  It is said to be another name for God.  Its true translation is comparable to the concepts of Nirvana and Shunyata or emptiness in Tibetan Buddhisim, Salaam in Islam, Namaste in Sanskrit, and the Holy Spirit in Christianity (I’m leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid (John 14:27)).

The way you get there, no matter what religious path you follow, is through kindness, compassion, and taking care of others.

In various places on the canvas, I hand lettered portions of the Dalai Lama's beautiful quote, which I try to live up to every day.

Check out what Carolyn Dube, my co-host, did with this challenge!  It's awesome!

Linking also to Mandarin Orange Monday, Inspiration Avenue (Peace), and Creative Everyday. 

Giveaway!  Comment below by Wednesday, December 12 for a chance to win  my apples & pomegranate stencil! 
 
Thank you for visiting! I read and treasure every comment and will answer any questions as quickly as I can.

A Big Thank You

The 5th challenge at Fall Fearless & Fly had me thinking about the big influences in my life.

 

Here are the prompts:

Headline Prompt:  Lifelong Fan:  What or who have you consistently valued or looked up to in your life?  What lessons have you learned from people you admire?
Color Prompt:  Your favorite color now or from childhood or both!
Quote Prompt: "Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator; but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh."  W.H.Auden

I used the first two prompts: 

There are so many people who I have admired, and who have influenced my life:  The Dalai Lama, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr.,  Florence Nightingale, Helen Keller, and many influential teachers and friends.  

In thinking about them, I realized that all of these people had things in common:  they championed peace, tolerance, and the rights of oppressed or disadvantaged people.  And I realized that I am drawn to these qualities because of my parents and the values they have taught me.  So I dedicate this challenge response to my parents ...

... who taught me that all is possible, to do the right thing, to fight for the underdog, and to see beauty everywhere.  Thank you!

My favorite childhood colors were the colors of pop-art 60s (and I STILL like them!).  To make this art journal page, I used Pink Cat Studio Garden & Insect stamps,  Tombow markers, Scarlet Lime's fabulous waterproof black pen (my favorite), Sakura gel pens, and my favorite white Unibal gel pen.

Linking to Artists in Blogland, where Marcia Beckett is our guest designer on Monday with an amazing piece in response to the challenge,  Mandarin Monday, Creative Every Day, and Simon Says Stamp & Show (thank you challenge). 

I am excited to say that I was one of the winners of Simon Says "no ink stamping" challenge with Does She Dare!  Thanks to the DT at Simon Says, and to Marjie Kemper for turning me onto this site.  There's lots of amazing artwork there.

AND...  Don't forget - there are still three days to play along with us at Scrapping The Music!  We'd LOVE to have you play!  Come on over and check it out!

Announcing some WINNERS (courtesy of Random.org): 

 

From Fall Fearless & Fly #4, the winner of my butterfly zentangle is ... Denthe!  Email your snail mail address to jessicabethsporn (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll have it right on its way to you!

The winner of the Hebrew calligraphy stencil is Netty!  I already contacted Netty, and the stencil is on its way to her!

The winner of this watercolor is Judy Shea.  Judy, send me your snail mail address and I will get it right to you.  

Comment below by Wednesday for a chance to win my medieval leaves stencil, and join our Stencil Test Drive  on December 20.

12/3:  UPDATE:  The winner of the medieval leaves stencil is Gloria!

Gloria  November 26, 2012 4:49 PM

Wonderful vibrant colors, loving sentiments and a picture of JOY! I would love to win a prize!  

Gloria, send your snail mail address to jessicabethsporn (at) gmail (dot) com and I will get your stencil right out to you!

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

Did She Dare?

To grow...

she would have to step away ...

 

and let go of what was safe and familiar ...

 

but did she dare?

Inspired by the current challenge quote at Artists in Blogland's Fall Fearless & Fly:  
"You can't make a place for yourself in the sun if you keep taking refuge under the family tree." 

Helen Keller

I hand carved the border stamp.  Instead of ink, I used Golden's fluid acrylic black paint applied with a cosmetic sponge, to be eligible for the challenge at Simon Says Stamp.   The entire canvas has an underlay of collaged tea bags.  The leaves on the tree are from Julie Balzer's Leaf Stencil.  The red warrior and horse on the bottom are from a Tibetan prayer flag, and if you look closely, there is a monopoly dog in the window of the house!

Remember to comment on this post by Sunday night to be eligible to win either my Rain or Borders stencil!

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

Linking up to One Little Word (dare),   AIB's Fall Fearless & Fly, Paint Party Friday, Creative Every Day, Create With Joy, and Art Journal Every Day!

Security and Stability in Unlikely Places

Today's Fall Fearless & Fly challenge is all about feeling safe and secure.  Here are the prompts:

Headline Prompt:  Security:  What makes you feel safe and secure?  What rattles your sense of security?  Where do you go for comfort and refuge?
Color Prompt:  Cool colors (blues, greens, violets, etc.) 

Quote Prompt: You can't make a place for yourself in the sun if you keep taking refuge under the family tree.  Helen Keller 

I decided to go with the first two prompts, which were challenging to contemplate after seeing my states (New Jersey and New York) devastated by Hurricane Sandy.  My sense of security was badly rattled.  Normally, my home, or my cabin at the lake, are where I feel safe and secure, and where I go for refuge.  But I've been rethinking that. 

In the past two weeks, I found stability on my meditation cushion, where I connect to all that exists.   I found strength in the community of my yoga studio, where we dedicate our practices to freedom from suffering and its causes.  And I found refuge in my path - knowing that creating art, teaching yoga, and being a good friend, mother, daughter, wife, and citizen of the world, give me joy and peace.

All of these thoughts went into the creation of this 12 x 12 mixed media canvas.  

As I worked on it, I thought about how having electricity does not necessarily confer the feeling of power -- how often do we feel powerless despite all the comforts in life?  And yet, how many feel strong and stable, even without traditional sources of power?  Weathering an outside storm can be quite easy compared to the storms we weather within.  

I started with a canvas prepped with blue, green and turqouise sprayed paper towels that had been my placemats for lots of fun with spray inks at Joanne Sharpe's class at Art is You.  As I scraped paint and glazing medium around it, I began to see this woman appear, standing in a storm, saying "bring it on."  I created all the circles with layers of Maya Road kraft doilies and layerable flowers.  Among the many stencils I used were Balzer Designs' Leaf Frame Stencil, and Stencil Girl's Swirly Floral Stencil.  I made the winged heart embellishment in Laurie Mika's fabulous class at Art is You -- I knew I'd find a home for it!   

I hope you'll go to Artists in Blogland and see the wonderful piece that Maria McGuire, our guest designer for this challenge, created.  LuminArte has donated two $35 gift certificates so we'll have 2 winners over at AIB.  I also can't wait to visit my co-host, Carolyn Dube, whose art always inspires me.

AND...the winner of my giveaway for FF&F #3 is Joanna, who wrote: 

BEAUTIFUL!! I love these pages on the black background, they really stand out!  Would I like to win one of your paintings? Hell yeah!!

Joanna - send your address to me at jessicabethsporn (at) gmail (dot) com, and I will get "Joy" right out to you. 

MY GIVEAWAY FOR THIS CHALLENGE:  Leave a comment below, indicating that you would like to win this Butterfly watercolor/zentangle design, and I will pick a random winner in my post for the 5th FF&F challenge.   Indicate whether you follow my blog and/or my facebook page too for extra chances to win!

Linking up to Artists in Blogland, Inspire Me Monday, and Art Every Day Month.

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

PS - Please consider purchasing my 2013 calendar.  Called "Living With An Open Heart," it features 12 of my mixed media designs.   All proceeds go to Hurricane Sandy relief.  Thanks!

PPS - A few more of my stencil designs are live at Stencil Girl Products!   The Hebrew lettering is a beautiful ancient prayer:

May God bless you and keep you
May God cause the divine light to shine upon you and be gracious to you
May God turn toward you, and grant you peace
(Numbers 6: 24-26).

We can all use a little of that!

Fall Fearless & Fly Challenge 3

It's Challenge #3 for Fall Fearless & Fly over at Artists in Blogland.   Jane Davies is the guest artist for this third challenge and her work is amazing.  Plus, we have a prize of 6 Dylusions Ink Sprays donated by Ranger!  So hop on over!

Here are the 3 parts of the challenge, and links are due in two weeks - November 11:

Headline Prompt:  Triumphs and Defeats:  What do you see as your greatest triumphs or defeats?  What have they taught you?  Which have you learned more from?
Color Prompt:  Black and white
Quote Prompt: Not in the clamor of the crowded street, not in the shouts and plaudits of the throng, but in ourselves, are triumph and defeat.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 

This challenge made me think a lot about how most of my "triumphs" have been a direct result of some of my greatest "defeats."  I put these in quotes because life is a continuum.  Just like you never step in the same river twice, I don't think there are moments in life that can be designated as wins or a losses. 

The ending of my first marriage definitely felt like quite a failure, or defeat, for me.  But it began a journey that led to a very happy marriage and a second child.   When I was working as a lawyer, there came a point where I was told I would not make partner; this felt like a defeat.  But out of that was born an art career, running a local community theater group, and being able to be home with my first child - which was one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had.  So who can say which of these experiences was a triumph or a defeat?

I think Henry Wadsworth Longfellow had it right -- triumph and defeat are not "out there," they are inside us.  Here are my finished pages.  I also tried to stick with the black and white as much as possible -- not easy for this lover of color!

And the winner of this watercolor:

is Dawn who wrote: Your watercolor is beautiful and I would be honored to win it!! I have liked your facebook page and am following your blog also. If you had a button I'd add it to my blog too! (Hint, hint)  I am also very excited about the second challenge. I have just taken a big leap of faith in beginning my art career and I have many thoughts that deserves an artistic home.

Dawn, I am working on a blog button!  In the meantime, please send your address to corspokoli(at)gmail(dot)com, and I will get this painting right out to you!

Leave me a comment below indicating that you would like to win one of my original paintings, and on November 11, I will pick a random winner for this 7 x 10" watercolor!  (Follow my blog and/or like my facebook page for extra chances and let me know in your comment.)  This is such a fun way to find good homes for my paintings.

Thank you for visiting, and can't wait to see what you do for Fall Fearless & Fly!

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

Linking up to Artists in Blogland, Mandarin Orange Monday, Inspire Me Monday, and Creative Everyday. 

Fall Fearless and Fly, Challenge 2!

Headline Prompt:  Taking a Chance:  When did you take a chance or a leap of faith?  How did it turn out?  What did you learn?
Color Prompt:  What color do you like least? Use it!
Quote Prompt:  "Don't refuse to go on an occasional wild goose chase -- that's what wild geese are for." Anonymous

This challenge was extremely sensitive for me.  Twenty years ago, I made a very difficult decision to leave the life I had created for something very different.  It involved leaving my marriage, and changing my one year old daughter's life forever.  But it was something I had to do, not just for myself, but for her.  Once she was born, keeping up the pretense of a seemingly happy marriage became untenable.  My decision involved a huge leap of faith -- taking the chance that I would be able to create a new life for us, and the difficulties my daughter would face growing up a child of divorced parents would be outweighed by the benefit of having a brave and independent mother and a happy home infused with creativity.   Looking at my amazing daughter and all she is, I know I made the right decision.

This canvas memorializes my journey -- the three different houses represent the stages of single motherhood, a new marriage, and having my second child.  The heart in each one is my beautiful oldest daughter, whose life, laughter and love sustained me and carried me through.

Ronda Palazzari is the guest artist for this challenge at Artists in Blogland.  I hope you'll visit AIB.  Ronda's work is amazing!

And the winner of this watercolor from the last Fall Fearless challenge is... 

Deepa Gopal Sunil!  I have emailed Deepa for her snail mail address.  

Here's my giveaway for challenge #2!  If you would like to win this 6.5 x 9" watercolor:

- please comment below (and let me know you'd like the watercolor -- I don't want to send it to someone who doesn't really want it!).  For an extra chance to win, "like" my Facebook page.  For an extra, extra chance, follow my blog!

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

Also linking up to Art Journal Cafe (I used my pinky finger as a stamp!), Creative Every Day, and Mandarin Orange Monday!