Speaking of Dreams

Thank you everyone!
I truly appreciate the support, love and words of encouragement you guys gave me on the news of my being published.  It is so nice to cross a Life Goal off the list....it was a dream come true....a small, but important step forward for me and my art :)

Though it was a nice wave to ride for a while,
...it's time to get cracking again....heehee!

I wanted to show you a piece I just finished inspired by all the strong, amazing Tribal Girls painted by my dear friend Micki Wilde in her new art course, Wilde and Free (clever, eh?)

I have to be honest, I had never done any tribal/native-feel paintings before...and I was afraid I wouldn't get the "right" look.
Micki makes it look so effortless and gives you so many ideas, references and videos of her own to drool over (you can see the finished products on her blog or in her Etsy store now)....that it makes you just want to go "wilde" ;P

Dream

8x10 Mixed Media on canvas panel

 

I knew I needed to incorporate a dragonfly, which has served as my totem animal for a long, long time.  It represents the Guardian of the DreamWorld and can warn of illusions.  I wanted this girl to be looking toward her dreams....and be ready follow them :)

 

 

 

Micki really knows how to stoke the creative flame.  I see more tribal girls in my future!

 

Thanks so much for checking in on me.  With blogging starting to fall out of favor, your choice to visit me here speaks volumes!

((Hugs))

 

Now go chase some of your own dreams!

Cam

 

Painting Happy!

Hello Everyone!

I'm so excited to share a new piece of art with you!  But, before I do, I need to give you a bit of info on how she came to be.....

You see, I was lucky enough to take a very special online painting course called Paint Happy.
It is given by the wonderful Micki Wilde of The Secret Hermit.



I've long been a fan of her work.

She makes whimsy and cheeriness look so easy....her faces are so full of warmth and character....her backgrounds are delicious....and it is evident that she adores what she does. 

What's amazing about this course is that it addresses every single one of those truths so that you can have them, too!  It delivers so much good and useful information on how to keep your art playful and meaningful, even if it sprang from a darker place.

Wait til you get to the part about your Wolf!  I don't want to give too much away...but that part was really powerful for me.  There is a wolf in me that hasn't yet gotten onto the page.  When it does, I'll share it here.
Here, check out the promo video for the course.  You'll see why I'm so excited!
 

 

Now, onto my art! 

 

I had so much fun making this piece.  I find I can be way too serious when I create.  I can get too hung up on details and my own weird sense of perfection that it can suck a lot of the enjoyment out of making art....and it seems to take a lot longer, too.

 

I whipped this one out pretty quickly (humming all the while, I might add)...and I couldn't be happier with the results! 

You can see the influence of Micki's style in her sweet face.

 

 

...and look at how her ideas and techniques transformed my background!

You can click to enlarge if you like :)

 

 

So much bright, doodly, colorful play!

 

I can't wait to try out more of her suggestions!

If you'd like to take the course or see more of her fantastic art, please visit her Etsy Shop and her Blog!

Everyone deserves to enjoy what they do!

 

 

Big neon colored hugs!

Cam

Favorite Things

Hello Bloggy Babes!!
It is a beautiful sunny day here today....
...a perfect day to think about what some of my favorite things are....and squeak in just in time to join Butterfly Effect :)

I hope I get repetitive when I tell you that sharing my Life and my Art here in Blogland is one of my most favorite things of all....because of you!!  I had never imagined finding a place that offers so much support and inspiration, friendships and talent....I love it here!  I am in awe of you all and enjoy being here on a common journey :)

One of my favorite things to engage in with you is SWAPS!   I can't turn down an invitation to trade a little handmade goodness!  It's a compulsion....an addiction....and so darn much fun! Haha!!
Here are just some of the wonderful works I've been fortunate enough to acquire through swaps....

From L clockwise art by Lauren Startzman of Fair Rosamund, Deedra of Foxy Blue (blog removed), TheresaMacNaughton of Faerie Moon Creations and Joyce van der Lely of Joyce's Art

From L clockwise, art by Amy McDonald of Amy., Micki Wilde of The Secret Hermit, Natasha May of NatshaMay Art World, ,  Karen of I am Rushmore, and Mindy Lacefield of Tim's Sally

Cool, huh?!  Remember I did say these are just some of the lovely art pieces I've received.  Rest assured if yours isn't shown here....it's because I was rushing around like a mad woman trying to gather them quickly to get this post up....not because I don't LOVE them!

I treasure and adore everything I'm sent, so please don't feel left out...Sheree, Michele, Heather, Allison, Kathy...to name a few I've not featured here....thank you, too!   I have the best  Blog Buddies ever! 

Other favorite things include:

Rainy days with nowhere to go

Staying in PJ's all day

DESSERTS!  Isn't it funny that stressed spelled backwards is Desserts :)

Hearing birds singing when my windows are open

Blaring dance music with naughty lyrics in the car when I'm alone ;P

Looking up at the night sky in remote locations & seeing a thousand stars

Picking homegrown fruits & veggies

These 2 together

My morning cup of coffee

Pedicures with extra massage time added.....ahhhhh

Having a dedicated Art Room!

Big commanding moons

This was ours last night...a horrible picture of what was the biggest,

yellowest, lowest in the sky moon I'd ever seen!

Eating scones with all the fixins at a lovely Tea House

Catching my Husband's gaze when I least expect it

Strolling around quaint shops and craft shows

SKYPE

Creating!!

Here's my latest:

"Daydream" 8 1/2 inches square Mixed Media on torn Kids' book cover.

This is the completed project from Amy's magazine paintover class I did on Jan 20th.  I told you I'd show it to you when I finished it.  Hope you like it.   It's in the shop if you really like it...heehee ;)

A few more faves:

Halloween

the color green

Foggy mornings

Blooper Reels on DVDs

Drumstick ice cream cones with the caramel center

Thin Mints cookies kept in the freezer

Okay, I better go....can you tell I'm hungry?! Haha!

Thank you for visiting my little space here....

Have a fantastic weekend....hope it's filled with some of your favorite tthings!

Hugs and other sweet stuff,

Cameron

P.S. If you are participating in the Drawing Lab Lessons, you can link up by clicking the Lesson 1 Link at the top of my sidebar or simply scroll down to the previous post!  Happy to have you join in!

Sew Grateful!

This is Jacque...I'd have to say, that next to my Husband, she's my very best friend :)

She's the kinda crafty, supportive, easy to laugh with, liked by everybody, dependable friend that we all wish to find in Life.

I was lucky to meet her when our girls were just turning 1....taking Gymboree classes together....over 4 years ago now!  My Mom signed me up for these classes to get me out of the house (Thanks Mom!)
I was slowly going insane being at home all day with a new baby....not knowing any "Mommy Friends" to hang out with.

Jacque and Jenna have rescued Me and Maggie from boredom ever since :)

Jenna and Maggie are as different as day and night...Jenna loving to dress up and play with Princess dolls....Maggie loving to pretend to be an animal or get dirty....but they can be so cute together!

here they are at age 2

They have spent so much time together and are learning to compromise when it comes to the games they play.  There is usually at least one episode of pouting on my daughter's part for the 2 of them failing to agree on something.....but, they bounce back and enjoy eachother's company again.

The point of all this being.......having good friends is awesome! Now that we've moved and don't live 10 minutes away from eachother anymore, we really miss being near them *sniff*

So, to change the subject a bit....but stay with me....if you recall some bits and pieces Sheree sent me to make a doll out of.....

Part of the criteria was that we were to give the finished doll away.  Initially, I had no idea who I was going to give it to.  I didn't even know if I could pull the dollmaking part off...haha!

But, I gave it a go....and created this....

I didn't use a pattern, just sketched right on the fabric and cut it out.

I tried to use every single different thing Sheree sent....from the buttons, to the pretty purple doily, to the sheer fuschia sari fabric....and that lovely, lovely face! 

I had to figure out how to put hair on her....something I probably won't do again anytime soon...haha!

What a learning experience this project turned out to be.  It really pushed me to try new things and to get more comfortable with my sewing machine! 

While visiting last week, I told Jacque that I had made a mermaid doll.  Jenna overheard and showed me a picture of a mermaid doll she had lost....and still missed.  It was then that I knew that this doll was supposed to belong to Jenna!  I put the hair on the next day and added the rainbow yarn just for her.  She adores rainbows :)

This is a pic Jacque took for me just after Jenna unwrapped it.  I'm still waiting to hear what she named it!

She and her mom have made our lives so much more fun, so much...well, just.... more! ....and I love them for it!!!

Maggie wasn't interested in having the Mermaid...but was a little concerned about me making something for Jenna and not for her...I laughingly mentioned I could make her a dolphin (1 of her top 3 favorite animals) and they could play together with their dolls...

I say laughingly cuz half the time she forgets or never says anything about all the things she wants me to make her...and I just let the idea float away....

But, I wanted to make sure I followed thru this time...not only because I love her, but because I wanted Jenna to cross her mind when she played with it....

Here's what I made....she named him Jumpers. I made sure he was blue, her favorite color...

Again, I didn't use a pattern....but I probably should have. I had to rip a few seams out here and there.

I'm really proud that I actually made something that looks like a dolphin...haha! 

So how cool is it, that one of my best blog friends gives me an assignment that helps me to honor my very best friend.....that, in turn, celebrates the friendship of 2 special little girls in the process!  So very cool!!
So a great big hug to Jacque, for being the wonderful person, friend, woman she is....

A huge thank you to Sheree for being so clever and pushing the limits of my creativity...

A giant smile of appreciation to you for coming back here to read my ramblings...I'm amazed you have stuck with me this far...haha!

....and a wish on a star...for 2 little girls....

That the childhood memories of their friendship will always be fond....and kept dear in their hearts forever....*sniff again*

Go hug your best friend today :)

If they look at you strangely....you can blame it on me ;P

XO,

Cam

That a Gold Star, not a Zit, on my Forehead!

Guess What! I have been awarded a little prize from my friend Athena over at Experiments in Authenticity!

Kinda cool to be given a pat on the back...so sweet to hear nice words from your peers!

Along with this swell button, Athena requested I answer these 10 "get-to-know-you-better" questions! My understanding is that I must answer them and then choose 4 more wonderful recipients to award....but they won't be announced til the end....so don't cheat and skip ahead...I'm not that boring..lol!

Without further ado:

1. What is your favorite book of all time?

Y’know, I’m much more of a magazine person these days…Artful Blogging and Somerset Life are 2 of my faves right now. But there is a series of books by Kim Harrison about a Witch named Rachel and her adventures as a P.I. with her Vampire and Pixie partners…”Dead Witch Walking” and “Every Witch Way but Dead” to name a couple in that series….really great, entertaining reads!

2. Where in the world do you most want to visit? Why?

I’d love to see Tibet or Thailand. Those images of the sacred buildings covered in ancient tree roots looks like a Magical Fairy tale come to life…. The rainforests are supposed to be incredible there and in South America, also. I’d like to take a walk in one before they don’t exist anymore.

                                                                This photo courtesy of  Greta Lorenz from Flickr

3. Craziest thing you've ever done?

Started Blogging…at least that’s what my non-blogging friends and family would say!

4. One celebrity you absolutely cannot stand?

Joan Rivers….She’s so rude and confrontational…and the overboard plastic surgery has made her look as ugly as her words :(

5. What do you most like about yourself?

My belief that I can find a way to accomplish anything I set my mind to....though I usually let everything else fall to the wayside til I accomplish it...hmmm, both good and bad.


6. What do you wish you could change about yourself?

Maybe I should change the above....naaaaa, then nothing would ever get done...haha. What I really wish I could do is just let go sometimes…not worry about what others think of me so much!


7. What job would you love to have for a day?

Dessert Food Critic! Do they have those?

                                                                     Courtesy of La Tartine Gourmand from Flickr

8. What superhero power would you like to possess?

I’d love to be able to freeze time…oh, and have endless energy! (Minus the tights!)

9. What person (living or dead) would you most like to meet?

Ralph Waldo Emerson…just to hang out with him on Walden Pond talking about personal philosophy, Nature and daydreaming!

                                                                           Courtesy of Phillip Klinger at Flickr

10. What was one of the best moments of your life?

Being pregnant was one of the best moments…a whole 9 month period of excitement, anticipation, new discoveries, feeling like you have a special purpose in life and bonding with the Hubby! I loved being pregnant. I was walking around with a “Little Buddy” each and everyday…and when you are showing, everyone smiles at you and is so nice! Now, I have an active 4 year old and the looks are very different…haha!

So now, to announce the Wonderful people I want to pass this award to (and learn more about in the process) yay!

Jamie

at Hybrid J

She is constantly working to improve her talents and inspiring me to strive for better in the process...

all while being unapologetically herself!  Thanks Jamie!

Peggy

at Middle Age Ramblings

She always has profound and nice things to say about the world around her and those in it! I've been fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of those words a few times :)

Betty

at PinkGlitterFae Art

I'm just recently a follower of her blog...but I love her art and spirit!

and Poetees

at N.Q.T (Not Quite Twins)

For being a Mom of 3 and showing the rest of us that it is possible to be a Great Mom

 and excel at so many other things at the same time!

And here are my 10 Questions to you Ladies!

1.  Tell us something about yourself only your closest friend would know.

2.  What's the first thing you do in the morning?

3.  What inspires you the most?

4.  Any tattoos? Meanings/ locations...details, please :)

5.  Do you have a totem animal?

6.  Favorite quote?

7.  Favorite leisure activity?

8.  Hair up or down?

9.  What's your secret to Happiness?

10.Song that gets you into a creative mood?

I can't wait to see the answers...I tried to throw a few oddballs in there to mix it up a little!

Well, thanks again, Athena for the chance to do a little digging in my Soul Garden...

Off I go to finish hot glueing toilet paper rolls together...

Yes....you read that right! For the binocular craft at my daughter's Jungle themed Party...haha!

Have a Great Weekend, Everyone :)

Cam

It's Nice to Have Friends

I just wanted to share with all of you some child-like magic...This is the Story of Lilly Walters Schermerhorn.  She just happens to be one of 3 Grandmas my daughter's Best Friend (left) is lucky to have! 

That's how I met her.  She is a Face Painter, among other things, and takes out her brushes and paints for the kids' birthdays.  We attended one of our little friend's parties and my Pumpkin was so excited to have her face painted. 

Lilly is so patient and not unlike a big kid herself, delighting in the choices the children make while flipping through her portfolio of characters and ideas!

She graciously invited us to her home one Christmas (me, my daughter & my husband!) had a stocking and little gifts for my girl, just like she did for hers.  She fed us, gave us a tour.....her whole house was a feast for the eyes....

She's painted everything so whimsically and beautifully.......ceiling, linen cabinets and all!

I loved how fantastical it all was...and so uniquely her!

She welcomed and embraced us...and, with a smile so warm and genuine, invited us to visit again.  I wish I could show you her whole house (and I'm sorry for the quality of these photos!  They don't do the place justice!) Her work is amazing! You can see her incredible painted necklaces here.


She continues to include us in plans she makes with her family and asks about my little girl when visiting with her granddaughter.  She has touched my heart through her generosity and Fairy Spirit.  Her persona and art exude it....

Much to my delight, she has agreed to come and paint at my Pumpkin's Birthday party!  I don't know who is more elated by this news...me or my daughter :-D  I'll be sure to put up some pics of her handiwork after the celebration in May!    Thank you, Lilly!

So I leave you, Dear Readers, with gratitude, for giving me a place to share the good things in Life.  Friends are definately one of the Best!