little houses, pépére, and stuff

I've had a few people send me emails lately,

telling me they've had problems leaving comments on my blog.

I've checked my settings & everything looks ok

but who knows...

For those of you who are able to leave comments,

i read them with a smile on my face & tuck them 

safely in my heart. :-)

So here are my little houses...

watercolour & white pen on paper.

I've felt a little stuck in the mud lately.

Maybe i need a trip to Bali, or Australia, or France? 

;-)

I find myself reading my little quotes

more often than usual these days...

needing the extra boost.

This is one of my favorites...

A quote by Steve Jobs and a print by an artist i love

from the Boston area, Mae Chevrette.

Check her out here.

I think it's important to feel inspired in our work spaces.

I try to surround myself with a few things 

that inspire me - this being one of them.

My grandfather made this years ago,

carved in one piece of wood,

and he was so proud of the fact

that he didn't cut or glue anything together.

Like many others of his generation

he had very little education.

He couldn't read or write,

but he worked hard his entire life

and provided for his family - 13 children.

I have memories of my grandmother

sitting at the kitchen table with him

trying to teach him to read.

He spent any spare time he had in his basement,

carving wood. 

He had carved an entire little village down there,

with horse drawn carriages and houses and churches

and fences and roads...

When he died years ago,

I inherited this.

More precious to me than gold

because it reminds me of who he was, at heart.

An artist.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Do at least one thing that you love.

Celebrate the fact that you are an artist.

The world needs more of us.

:-)