The Joys of Giving...

Hello, dear ones!

How have you been?

All is wonderful here on the prairie.

Slightly cooler days, morning dew on the grass.

I'm getting so very excited for Fall, aren't you?

Before further ramblings, I want to remind you to get on over to my Facebook business page, (click here), give me a "like" (pretty please), and post a comment on the giveaway post!

The drawing is tonight...

I will be giving away this 9" x 12" acrylics on canvas, "I love you to the moon & back"!

Hurry!!!!

I so enjoy giving things away and will be doing this more often!

Speaking of giving...

I must share with you, something that has touched my heart in a big way.

I have a special client who gives so much.

Possibly you have read my blog post about this generous lady who has commissioned me for the entire 2014 year. Each month, she chooses someone for me to paint for. I then, secretly send the painting to the recipient, never revealing who the gift is from. I simply enclose an angel card, explaining to the recipient that someone is thinking of him or her and wanted them to have a gift of art.

Well, to my surprise...

This thoughtful client sent me a box in the mail.

You see, my Birthday is just around the corner...

but I do not expect gifts at my age! (Except maybe from husband), *giggle*.

I opened the box.

Filled with such goodness...

I carefully pulled out one gift after another!

Amazed. Happy. Squeeling...

Yet my eyes began to tear up.

"How can one person do so much", I wondered.

Not just for me...

but for oh, so many others.

 

I loved every single item in that Birthday box.

The following day I went into my art studio and the first thing on my to do list was to paint a special "thank you "card...

Just for her.

I will certainly be thinking of other ways to surprise her, but what this person has added to my life is a reminder of the joys that come from giving.

This wonderful person inspires me to be more giving.

Hey!

How about a peek into our forest?

Husband has been trimming the trees and we can now see the pond better!

Won't it be so beautiful in the Fall?

We hope to be spending much time here.

We are already thinking of family get-togethers, Bon fires, night fishing, and even overnight stays in the house, on the property.

I will also be watching for magical creatures.

A couple of weeks ago we were fortunate enough to find a nest of these darlings...

who grew quickly and hopped away!

Life is good.

Sending many blessings your way!

Xo

 

Happy June!

Hello, friends!

And hello, June!

I sit here on this beautiful night...

Listening to the rain outside.

Burning indoor candles with tropical scents.

Going through photos on my iPad and just thought I'd share!

On our way home from our family visit last weekend, these retro gas pumps caught my eye!

As did this old church.

Our prairie yard is always a fun place to romp...

With a camera in hand!

Some guests dropped in to greet me!

And then they had to dash!

Did I tell you that I'm growing pumpkins?

Oh yes!!!!

Even white pumpkins and blue pumpkins!

Our flowers are blooming beautifully.

It's patio season all over again.

 

Beautiful skies.

Playful fur babies.

This is our life right now.

I hope that yours is beautiful.

Hello, June!

Until next time...

Savor each day!

Xo

 

A Story Too Good Not To Share...

Hello, dear readers and how are you?

Today I would like to share a story. It is a story that needs to be told.

At the beginning of this new year I was contacted by a client. She asked me if I would be interested in helping her to fulfill her new year's resolution. We began messaging one another, after all, I was quite curious.

She wanted to become a better person in 2014, and to spread kindness to others through gift giving anonymously. She wanted to give art and asked me if I would create for her recipients. I was so touched by this entire project and by her generousity...

I immediately committed!

This lovely person has commissioned me to do a new piece of art, each month, throughout the 2014 year, for someone whom has either been an influence to her in her life, or to someone who is struggling with illness or a personal crisis. This month the recipient was a woman who was bullied throughout her school years.

I must confess, I have shed some tears while painting. I think about the person who will be receiving my art. I always hope that they will love it and that the piece will brighten their day. Most importantly, I wonder and hope that they have good lives.

I get to play "detective" as well! I locate these people through Facebook and do some snooping, in hopes to discover things that they may like or their favorite colors. I have even Messaged friends of theirs, explaining who I am and what I am doing- directing them to my Facebook business page to provide them with a sense of security.

My client has asked that I never reveal her name. I keep the promise and simply ship the finished art to the recipient, with a card. No name... Just an explaination and "enjoy this gift".

This is the third piece (11" x 16" acrylics/mixed media on stretched canvas), in which I have painted for the project. (The March recipient), who I discovered decorates her home in earth tones. Her favorite saying is, "Love you More"...

Something that her deceased grandfather used to say to her and her two sisters. He also called them "birds". So, the three birds represent she and her sisters.

I have never enjoyed a project as much as this one. My heart and emotions are really into it! I get so excited for the next assignment from this angel...

Which by the way, will go to a cancer patient.

Friends, I just had to share this story. It is a story that has also inspired me to become a better person and to carry on with the random giving of art once this project is completed.

I'm not wealthy, but I do have a talent and a passion that can be shared with others. All it takes is some time and shipping costs...

But the rewards that I gain by giving are always so grande!

I am so richly blessed and wish that for everyone out there!

Have a wonderful weekend, dear ones!

XO

 

Mapping 2014 With Jill Berry continued...

Hello, friends!

I must hurry through this blog post, my apologies. Oh, so much to do around here...

With company arriving soon!

As promised, I am sharing what I will now call, my completed map for the fun filled "Mapping 2014 with Jill Berry" challenge!

I would still like to color in my roads with graphite pencil.

I also decided, at the last minute, to leave the entire bottom left side blank. Since the map was created in my own, personal art journal...

I want to write about the experience!

I truly enjoyed being a part of the challenge!

Thanks so much, Jill!

Off to do some laundry now! I'll meet up with everyone, right here...

in a few days!

XO

 

Mapping 2014 with Jill Berry...

Hello out there!

Happy Monday!

Today is the day to reveal my project for Jill Berry's "Mapping 2014" challenge!

Mine is still a work in progress, but will show more and more throughout the duration of this blog hop.

I chose to create my map on the pages of my Molskine art journal.

Since resigning from my day job in November, my map reflects my hopes in perusing much more with my art. Along with living that creative life, comes our usual traveling to beaches, barn sales, amusement parks, casinos...

and magical places yet to be discovered!

When it's all said and done...

my most favorite place to be...

is HOME.

After all, that is where the art is!

See you again real soon!

XO

 

It's A New Year!!!!

Hello, dear ones and Happy new year!!!!

It's pretty calm around here. Last night as well. Hubby and I sat in our new recliners, in our lounge wear, watching a scary movie! I tend to work on something creative as I sit because I'm really not a good sitter and my attention span is short. My mind never rests and yesterday I was just a bit excited about an accomplishment! A goal in which I had been pondering for awhile now. I decided to go ahead and begin the new year by re-stocking my etsy shop, now that I am settled into a permanent home and my vagabond has stopped and unpacked! It's tough after a divorce and not really knowing where home will be. Starting all over. Roaming. That was me a few years back. One certainly cannot maintain any kind of business in such chaos. I let go of many things during that time, including goals and dreams. Art supplies were in plastic tubs that traveled from Southwestern Kansas to the East coast, then Eastern Kansas!

Aaaaaah. At last I am at peace and have my life back...

A much better one than before, in fact!

So, I'm back up and running on etsy. I may never succeed there...

But I won't ever know until I do give it my time and commitment, right?

Here's the link to my shop, "La La Vagabond". I do hope that you'll stop by for a visit!

I like variety and will continue to list everything from original paintings, ACEO's, sculptures, greeting cards, holiday goodies, and always surprises! Always!

A pretty princess original watercolor painting that comes with a chocolate matt!

I try my best to price my art at reasonable prices that will allow everyone to afford, if they desire to purchase a piece.

My shop accepts credit, debit cards, paypal.

All is up-to-date, confirmed and verified! Yay!!!!

All of that alone took many hours, so for me, it's something to shout about!

Don't you just love that magical feeling that seems to arrive with the new year?

It's as if we have been given yet another opportunity to challenge ourselves and continue to create the lives that we so want.

I do not do resolutions. I just continue to improve and grow. It's always important to me to live a creative life, every single day.

I like to keep things colorful and make believe!

(A lot of glitter too)!

 

So, on that note, I shall say goodbye for now...

 

Wishing you a magical and wondrous 2014!

May dreams come true, goals achieved, and love shared!

Until next post,

XO