Love is a gift (plus: my new whale painting)
“Everyone knows how to love because we were born with that gift” Paulo Coelho
I love this idea that love is a gift we all have access to and that we all share.
When life is hard, lean into love and embrace the support you find there. When the path isn’t clear, lean into love to help clear your senses. Then fear erupts, let love soothe your spirit. The simplicity appeals so much to me and helps me to appreciate the different ways love shows up in our lives every single day.
Recently we went on an apple picking trip and I snapped a quick photo of Eric up on a ladder and little Isaac eating an apple below. I adore this photo for the red spots of apple peeking through the green, the big expanse of sky, my little family sharing an experience, the rush of gratitude I feel for capturing this new memory.
A new painting from start to finish (plus: I’m glad to be back!)
“Always remember to judge everything by your inner feeling of bliss” Osho
Hello again!
It feels simultaneously like no time has passed and like years have passed since I last wrote an update (in reality it’s been a little over a month). I needed the mental break and the time to create new art and connect with my family before a very busy Fall. It felt good to take the break and it feels good to be back.
The past few weeks have been tumultuous for so many (most recently: the devastation in Texas). If you’ve been seeking a concrete way to help Houston families put their lives back together, here’s a great way to help. I know we’re now all watching and praying that the next hurricane drops in strength before it nears land. My heart is with you, friends.
Here’s what I’ve been up to during the month of August:
We took a trip up to Maine with family to stay on one of the lakes. Here’s the view:
Gratitude first (plus: a brief writing hiatus)
“Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond” Rumi
Be grateful for whoever comes.
I’ve had this quote in my mind for a while now as a reminder to re-frame any challenging experiences, but it’s also helped me to see how much good there is all around us.
There really are so many little daily love moments that can get lost in the shuffle of trying to make it through the day.
Here’s one of my recent favorites where Isaac reorganizes some of my supplies.
My third year: a business review (plus: a sale!)
“A little magic can take you a long way” Roald Dahl
I recently had my business anniversary – 3 years!
Here’s my year 1 review and year 2 review if you’re interested.
I’ve thought I can’t believe it’s already been 3 years and has it only been 3 years? in the same moment and both feel equally true.
So what have I been up to this year? Here’s the completed artwork I’ve done in year 3:
When happiness glimmers, Isaac’s birthday, and the final days of the birthday sale!
“Think of all the beauty that is still left around you and be happy” Anne Frank
I hope you’re in the midst of a wonderful morning / week. Over here, the past few weeks have been so disorienting.
Isaac started to get sick on May 24th and it very quickly became clear that we were in for quite the ride. He’s never been sick before and whatever virus this was hit very hard, to the point where we’ve been in and out of the doctor’s office for everything from high fevers to pink eye to an ear infection, he’s still not fully better 2 weeks later, and Eric and I are still recovering as well.
Here’s how we’ve spent a lot of our time recently:
I’m going to feel immensely grateful for our health when it returns. In the meantime, we’ve tried to find pockets of happiness as we can, such as quietly celebrating Isaac’s 1st birthday at the beginning of the week.
I can’t believe he’s 1!
I'd like to read more, please»Dreams, sketches, and my upcoming birthday sale!
“I dream. Sometimes I think that’s the only right thing to do” Haruki Murakami
How often do you dream?
I’ve been dreaming a lot lately. Throughout the night as well as in the afternoon quiet when Isaac naps next to me, in the car and in the kitchen and while out walking in the neighborhood.
I’ve been dreaming about the art I have yet to create and the way life is unfolding, what Isaac will learn next and how to balance health and art and mamahood and business.
Not a small feat!
I'd like to read more, please»Magic, perspective, and Isaac’s 11 month photo shoot!
“Children see magic because they look for it” Christopher Moore
I’m so glad you’re here. Here’s what’s going on in my world today:
I love the idea that the world is full of everyday magic, and that there’s endless combinations of color, art, natural wonder, and experience to discover if you’re receptive to seeking it out.
I had to go into the city last week for an appointment and on the walk back to the car, we decided to stop by a festival in a nearby park.
There is inspiration everywhere.
Have a little faith (plus: painting progress and life around here lately)
“Have a little faith in me” John Hiatt
The song Have a little faith in me came on the radio the other day and while it’s not a song I usually hear, I felt myself pause at the word faith.
Have a little faith in me.
I felt like this was the universe talking, saying what’s your rush? Don’t worry, I’ll get you where you need to go.
The original BREATHE painting, temporarily back in my studio for framing!
A happiness post (plus: life around here lately)
“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change” Wayne Dyer
Who needs a little happiness today?
It’s no secret that the world is hurting right now. There’s a lot of anger and confusion and I’ve been feeling at such a loss about how to manage the enormity of what I feel. Regardless, I’ve watched in pride as people all over America (and the world!) stand up in support of one another.
The silver lining to all of this has been witnessing how much love there still is to be shared, even among strangers. I have hope for us, I really do.
Move forward with love (plus, new prints in the shop)
“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple” Dr. Seuss
Lately everything I’ve been thinking about revolves around a similar thread: moving forward with love.
New year, new growth, new lessons in a complicated world. We’re all badly in need of more and more and more love, not less, and I’ve realized that offering multitudes of love to those who need it has always been one of my favorite things to do.
I see you. I hear you. I celebrate you. I love you. It’s that simple.
Let’s shower each other with love today, please.
I'd like to read more, please»
