Layers of the Psyche

new in the shop today

This image makes me think about how many layers there are within us. We have the surface, what we present to the world, the masks we feel we have to wear that cover up what lives within us. There's what's reflected in us, the things that society and our friends and family project onto us, good and bad. And then there's the depths of the unconscious, lurking just beneath the surface, sometimes visible through the mask(s), other times deep in the darkness.

new in the shop today

"Why do you try to hold on to what you'll never get a hold on?
You wouldn't try to put the ocean in a paper cup." ~ Ani Difranco

Heard this while listening to"Hour Follows Hour" on Not a Pretty Girl today. Yet another reminder to me to let life flow the way it will without trying to grasp so tightly to it in case it slips away.

Called By the Heron

Last Saturday, I felt incredibly drawn to go for a walk at Heather Farm park at dusk. As I gathered my stuff for class, I decided to grab my camera just in case. I'm glad I did. After class I was tired, but I drove to the park anyway. Something was calling me.

As soon as I arrived, I felt exhilarated. The sky was bright blue and free of clouds. The sun was shining and warm and there was that lovely fall chill in the air. All around me were yellow, orange, and red leaves. I reveled in the splendor of my favorite season. I photographed trees, smelled the dry grasses, and listened to ducks call back and forth to one another.

Then I got to a special section of the trail where I always see interesting animals. Sometimes it's turtles or geese. That day, I saw a kingfisher, the bird above. It let out a shrill call after I said hello. It stayed for a few minutes while I tried to get a better angle for a photograph through the bushes. Then it flew off. I thought that might be my only up-close encounter with nature, but I was mistaken.

All I had to do was walk a few feet ahead, and keep a sharp eye on the reeds. I'd seen a heron nestled amongst the reeds once before, and ever since I look to see if I'll glimpse another. I did that night. And I know that it was this heron that was calling me to the park.

It is a black-crested night heron. I was in awe of its beauty and the way it sat perfectly still. I was about four feet away from the bird and it didn't fly off. It allowed me to take several pictures. And then I stood watching it for at least 15 minutes, if not longer.

I felt an immense calm come over me as I stood with the bird. It acknowledged me and then sat still, looking out over the water. It did not care about the people and dogs walking by, some of them raucous and oblivious to the amazing creature lurking just off the path. At one point, it became so relaxed it closed its eyes as if it was going to sleep. I could not believe the bird felt safe enough, even though I was standing right there, to close its eyes. It was an amazing experience.

Finally, I said goodbye to the heron and finished my walk. I believe the bird's message for me was to slow down and take time to just be present. That's exactly what it was doing...just being present to the water, the reeds, the people going by, the air, the calm of the coming night. When I stood with it, my mind was blank, as if I could do nothing but just be present to the bird, the reeds, and the water. It was a profound lesson, and one I will not soon forget.

The heron's picture adorns my desktop right now, its piercing orange eye reminding me to slow down, breathe, and just BE. I am so grateful for having met it.

Handmade in California

I am a member of another fabulous Etsy team, the California Crafters Club of Etsy. They have created a beautifully designed and easy-to-navigate holiday gift guide where you are sure to discover something special for friends and family (or yourself!).

You can visit the gift guide at handmadeincalifornia.net and you can see my listing here (scroll down).

One of the members of CCCOE, Tara of Combustion Glassworks, is the genius who came up with the Sonoma Artisan Faire that I will be selling at in November. I have such a good feeling about that show...there are amazingly talented artists participating!

So go on, click on those links and see for yourself how awesome this team is!

A Lovely Place on the Web

I am so happy to announce the launch of the Design Style Guide web site! I am part of this dynamic and eclectic team on Etsy, and I think the members in charge of creating our web presence have done a fabulous job.

The site is meant as a place for decorators, home stagers, and interior designers to find delicious handmade items and also as a place where artists like me can showcase their items. I have found that being part of this team has brought me excellent exposure and also a great deal of inspiration because there are so many talented artists involved!

You can view my listings here and here. If you're an artist and you want more exposure, even if you don't sell on Etsy, check out the group and consider joining. And if you're looking for amazing handmade gifts for Christmas, you'll find a treasure-trove of items on the site.

The Best Bits

brand new print for sale in my Etsy shop

When I look at the picture of this old, twisted tree, I think of my true self. I am full of personality, unique quirks and knots, just like this tree. And because of those quirks and knots, I am utterly beautiful. I am no longer ashamed of these bits of myself, but instead, I honor them, for they are the bits that make me into who I am.

I've been afraid to let these bits show, but I'm not as scared as I once was. I can feel them emerging, slowly, like a butterfly gently easing out of its cocoon.

Getting Ready

I had no idea how much time and effort prepping for shows would be. Of course, I've read about it in forums, and heard about it from other artists, but experiencing it is a whole other story. Last weekend I began putting together the note card packs I'm selling (which will soon be featured in my Etsy shop as well!). Here's what my dining room table looked like before I assembled them:
I am really excited about how these cards came out. I've mounted a lovely 4x6 image onto a 5x7 100% recycled-paper card that is blank inside. I think they will make delightful gifts. I have six different groups of cards, including food, trees, water, and three different flower groups. This is what the final products look like. You'll notice my creativity altar made of stones in the photo too.
Today I went to the EBAG site in Pleasant Hill to hang my giclees. I have two giclees hanging in the second site next to Daphne's Greek Cafe on Crescent Drive. I tried to get pictures of the display, but the sun wasn't cooperating. I do have images I took at home, though. I am really happy with how these look and I think I'm going to start offering these in my Etsy shop as well. I am definitely going to have them on hand at my art shows in November and December.

I can't believe I only have two-and-a-half weeks left to prepare for my first show...there's so much to do! But, although I am feeling the stress, I am also feeling incredible excitement about this new adventure I'm on.

Into the Darkness

On Sunday, I set off on a new adventure: a night hike through the redwood forest. I have always enjoyed hikes that end at dusk when the animals begin to venture out of the dense woods to forage. And so, I thought, why not do a hike that starts at dusk and ends in the moonlight?

We chose a night that had an almost-full moon (tonight it's full) and a spot that is far from roads and city noise: Redwood Regional Park in Oakland. As we set out, we saw a family of five deer. Not long after, I saw two rabbits munching on grass. And then, the owls started to sing. I absolutely love owls, and to hear them calling all through the hike was more magical than I could have imagined.

One of us commented that it felt like the forest was protecting us, looking out for us. I felt the same way. I can be a bit of a fraidy cat in the dark. I struggle when I can't see where I'm walking. But on this hike my anxiety, for the most part, took a vacation.

Although I knew it would be enchanting to walk through the forest at night, I did not anticipate the stillness and calm of the forest, the beauty of moonlight on the trunk of a towering tree, the silvery and slightly eerie way moonlight casts shadows. Standing in an open area of the forest, listening to the owls and seeing the moon and stars directly above...now that is what makes life beautiful.

Full

My heart is full to bursting.

You know when it all of a sudden HITS you and you realize just how freakin' lucky you are? When you stop worrying about your busy busy life and have a moment to let it all sink in and you realize that you are blessed because you have such amazing people in your life? I'm having one of those moments.

First, it was hearing from a dear friend, Denny, who is back in Pennsylvania trying to do what he was meant to do: introduce dreamwork to the East coast (or, at least for now, his part of Pennsylvania). He saw a Minnie Evans sculpture last weekend and read about how she became an artist. She "began creating art after experiencing a vision that compelled her to use her talent." He said the statement made him think of me, and the adventure I'm on. I couldn't stop smiling. He is one of my biggest supporters, and he was integral to me taking the leap with my art this summer.

Then, I heard from Penelope, one of the shiniest lights in my life. She's having a baby and I am thrilled beyond words that she and her delightful husband Colin are going to welcome a little bean in just four months (right around my birthday!).

And it spiraled from there. I thought about my friend Susan, who always always supports me even when our schedules get crazy and we can't see each other very often. She is amazing.

And my friends at school, Julieann, Lori, and Megan...who have seen me through quite a number of transformations and who keep encouraging me to go on, even when it seems overwhelming. I am such a better person for knowing them.

And then there's Lance, who is last here, but is certainly never last in my heart. He is the one who reminds me to slow down, who reminds me to take care of myself, who reminds me that I can do anything I put my mind to. I am endlessly lucky to be married to him.

I can't imagine a better life right now. I feel like I have it all.

Celebrating Four Years

It's been quite a while since I updated my photography web site, and I finally got a chance to do it today. I can't believe it's been four years since I launched this site, back when I only had a crappy little Polaroid point-and-shoot and a passion for taking pictures of flowers.

The site and my photography have grown a lot since then. I now have an SLR camera, an official business, a few shows under my belt, and so much more experience. It always amazes me to go back and look at the first pictures I took that I was proud of, ones I framed and put on the wall. I've come so far!
To spiff up the site for its anniversary, I added sections for my mixed media collages and product photography. I hope to get more work doing product photography, because it is fun to capture the unique beauty of someone's handmade products. One of my first chances to photograph products was for my friend Megan and her delicious shop, Beaded Pathways. We had a great time in the park...she and my friend Julieann modeled earrings and necklaces while I played photographer.

Here's to another four years!