why the holidays always make me go 'hhhhmmmm'

when i have a terrible need of - shall i say the word - religion, then i go out and paint the stars. 

- Vincent Van Gogh

i love the Van Gogh quote...

hello friends!

Christmas has come and gone for another year.

It was certainly different without mom,

but we made the best of it.

We had our traditional feast of Acadian poutines

and meat pies and seafood casserole and of course,

family and friends.

Oh, and there was wine... ;-)

i'm finally slowly making my way

back to the paints and crayons and colours.

I've missed it.

(coloured crayons on paper)

I did this one quickly last night,
just wanting to get back to doing at least something.

They're hanging on for dear life till the holidays are over. ;-)

i love the quote...

how many of us really dare to be ourselves, i wonder?
how many of us go through life wearing a mask,
pretending to be one thing or another?

how many of us are afraid to show our true colours,
for fear of not being accepted, or loved?

Children are usually wonderful at showing their true colours,
until the adults get in the way
and teach them what to think
rather than how to think.

I hope i am teaching my son how to think for himself...
how to decide whether or not he likes something,
based on how it makes him feel.

A paper clip painting... acrylic on paper.
Proof that you don't need an amazing subject
to paint something. :-)

And a few days ago, 

I saw this movie with a friend.

Loved it. Would see it again.

I hope you all had the kind of holiday you love -

whether that means non stop partying for you,

or a peaceful time at home with a good book or a few friends.

There's something about getting back into an artful routine

that feels wonderfully comforting to me...

Thanks for sharing this space with me.

I'll be back soon. Hope you join me again.

xox

Here's to 2012...

Hello everyone! Happy new year... 

When i said i was taking a break from blogging, i was serious. :-)
 i must admit it's good to be back, although i still feel like i'm stuck in slow speed and don't quite know where to start - or when.  

The holidays were great, but like most people, i overdid everything and too much of a good thing is never good, so i'm happy to get back to the routine of moderation. Last night, for the first time in weeks, i went into my blue room (photo above) and took out some paper & coloured pencils & just played for a bit.

Just as we often realize the extent of our love for something (or someone) only after it's gone, i often only realize how much i missed drawing or painting after i sit myself down in my chair... and put on some music, and calm myself enough to hear my own breathing. It felt good to be back.

I don't do resolutions. But with each new year, i take the time to reflect on the year passed,

and to look forward to the year ahead.

Even when that year may include the fucking Kardashians. :-)

We make the best of it, right? The good with the bad. Yin & Yang. 

I took this photo on December 27th, when i was visiting my parents. 

A double winter rainbow... ranks right up there with seeing a unicorn. 

My wish for you all in the new year:

that you ALL take baby steps towards your dreams & live the life that allows you to SHINE!

It's time. I said so.  :-)

xoxo

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Winter Solstice, Happy Holidays, etc...

This will be my last post for a little while. 

Until the holidays are over & family & friends have gone, and the last bits of chocolate & shortbread cookies have been eaten - and i have time & energy for creativity again. :-)  

I wanted to thank you all for the kind comments and for being such positive & creative forces for me. I am grateful for having found you all and look forward to another year of sharing ideas, and making this world a better place thru art. :-)

Merry Christmas everyone... xoxo