Dandelion Studio

I'm often amazed at the ways that the creative process mirrors life. I've been working on this particular piece, off and on, since the Spring. Ready to move-on to something new, I declared it "done" last month and sent a photo to my Mom who is also an artist. If I'm being honest, I knew this piece didn't feel quite finished. So, when Mom suggested that the heart is the focal point of the whole piece and needed to stand-out more, I swallowed my pride and ended-up peeling-off the first version of the heart along with the wings and started all over again, focusing on making the heart feel more textured and prominent. Several more weeks of trying different ideas and tiny slow-stitching brought me (and the collage/painting) to a place of gentle calm and contentment.

In my journey as a mom over the past 22+ years, my family and I have climbed our own mountains together, facing unexpected challenges and stopping to celebrate each little triumph along the way. So many layers of living, loving, and sometimes, just surviving. I think one of the most important lessons that I have learned when facing challenges is to pause, set my ego aside (along with its pride and fears), and really listen from my heart. In practicing these steps, I am able to respond from a much more open, curious and compassionate place. My children have been, and continue to be, two of my biggest motivators to really look within and become a more whole person. It is my greatest privilege to be traveling this journey alongside them. With love, we can conquer mountains!

So much love in these tiny stitches!

Looking to wear or gift a little inspiration? A whole NEW batch of ceramic quote necklaces arrived at One Rose within the past week!

My messy workspace as I move towards the finish line of my latest painting. It’s turning out to be a sweet, healing piece which I hold very close to my heart. I can’t wait to show it to you!

A little peek mid-painting. This one is taking me in a slightly different direction than I first imagined and I’m choosing to trust the process…Here’s to embracing uncertainty!

After trying out several different colors for the background of my next painting and just not “feeling it,” I decided it go for a collage “under painting” instead. I love this process of tearing and glueing and it reminds me of a vintage crazy quilt, except made of wallpaper scraps!

“Live in the layers, not on the litter.” Recently, I stumbled upon this random line from a poem by Stanley Kunitz. The words immediately resonated with my introverted soul, as I’ve always loved rich layers and texture in both my art and in life. While the surface might catch my attention, the stories that live within all those layers are what really light me up on the inside. “How did that artist create that texture?” “What medium could I add to make this painting more interesting?” “What life stories live beneath that person’s polished exterior?” In my own life, “What stories led me to where I am now and better yet, what might need to be composted into richer soil so that I can keep growing stronger?”