Dreaming of Flying To The Nest

My transition to my new studio has been amazing. I love my new creative space. I never get tired of being there. I have been so productive and just love it. My newest dream is to take part in an artist retreat at the art nest in Utah this winter. After a little encouragement from my loved ones I decided to treat myself to an experience that I think will be unforgettable. I will have the opportunity to explore my creative process alongside of Kelly Rae Roberts who has been such an inspiration for me. I am anxiously awaiting my confirmation that I will be one of the lucky 25 people to attend. I can't wait!

Expanding Creative Community

Ever since I moved to Dover, NH I have been trying to expand my creative community. I have been longing to form a group of like minded women to share our creative ideas, our journey of the creative process, and our artwork. During the years I have met a variety of people and have expanded my community. However I have this vision of a group of women, who are all following their own paths and interests with their creativity, that come together and honestly and openly be brave enough to share their stories while having fun playing with the process of making art. I want this to be a special group that commits to making the time because they place value in nourishing their creative selves and recognize what a positive influence being part of group can hold. I see this group sharing ideas, knowledge, their most favorite and loved art materials and techniques while laughing, experimenting, discovering, and learning from one another. I want us to come together like this beautiful collection of paper in this gourmet scrap bag. Bringing together our individual patterns, textures, and colors to enhance ourselves as a part of a unique and exciting group. If you are interested in expanding your creative community please contact me and lets make a date to share our interests and ideas.

A Magically Delicious Day

Today I had a magically delicious day spent in Portland, ME. I made some spontaneous plans to meet my sister and have a day together . We had lunch at my most favorite restaurant( The Green Elephant- it's all vegetarian and heavenly), hung out at the coffee shop, found a fantastic specialty paper shop and spotted this fun wall of graffiti. Love it! Thanks for the sister time Lisa.
XOXO Caryn

Some days I wish...

Lately I have been working hard to get on board with using technology to help me promote my art. I have to say that I feel like I am getting better with it but I do hit road blocks along the way. It makes me wish somedays that I were a cat or a dog (the pictures here are of our dog Buddy and Katie's kitty Tessa wandering in the last of the flowers that are still in bloom in our gardens.) So here I go I am going to try to attatch a link to my flickr sight which is www.flickr.com/photos/carynlynn. I hope it works!

Thoughts and Ideas

Here it is an early Sunday morning awake with new ideas and dreams awaiting me on the horizon. I crawl out of my warm cozy bed to record my ideas before they slip away from me. I would like to say i am not a list maker. I like to think that I can remember all I need to do and know without having to write it down, but I am finding that harder than it used to be. I am going to attribute it to being productive and creatively stimulated, full of numerous desires to take on new ideas and bring them to life. I am opening myself to the idea that if I make notes it will help me, keep my head clear and allow me to work on my current projects while not loosing ideas for the future.

My current list of new ideas and wishes for the future horizon:

• The Art of Letting Go
• Mail Art
• Just For Girls a class for teens to express their inner voice and their individuality
• Honor someone you love
• Hauntings
• Forming a group of creative women who just have the desire to be creative. Committing to meeting once a month to share ideas, materials, their stories, and explore all of this in the process of creating art together at my studio for a ladies night out.
  

So there it is my list of dreamy ideas! XOXO Caryn Lynn

Embracing Chance

Last night was the opening reception for my solo show at The Galleries at One Washington Center. My emotions before hand were taking twist and turns like a roller coaster ride excited, nervous, happy, and sad. I have to say I wasn't quite expecting that. I felt that I should be feeling all good and wasn't sure why or where those unwelcome feelings were coming from. I have been working on allowing all of my emotions (especially the ones I don't want to feel ) surface and live the truth that life is about the experience and how we grow from there. Well I have to say that once on my way I was feeling much better. When I saw the balloons outside the gallery I felt even better. It was an evening shared with new people and some very good friends and loving family. Thank you to all who came to show your support. It was the icing on top of the cake!

After the opening I had a chance to have a lovely dinner with my family. My sister, Lisa, was telling me about the night that she got to go see Elizabeth Gilbert (the author of Eat, Pray , Love) and hear her give a talk in Portland, ME. Something the way my sister phrased "having the chance to hear Elizabeth Gilbert" struck a cord with me. It made me really think about the opportunities that enter our lives and embracing chance. Last week I a received a link from Kelly Rae Roberts about the Art Nest Winter Retreat. She and Mati Rose are both teaching workshops there and I immediately thought about going and being part of this experience. Well after looking at the price, thinking about sharing a room with a stranger, worrying about having to fly in winter weather conditions I started to talk my self out of going. I thought maybe another time, maybe they will be at the Squam Art Retreat next summer so maybe I could take a workshop with them then. But last night when my sister mentioned "having the chance" all I could think of is I have a chance to go and be part of the Art Retreat and take a workshop with someone who has inspired me as an artist. So I am embracing chance and looking forward to flying to The Nest.

25 Random Things That Make Me Happy

I found this from Karina in New Orleans at herlandstory.blogsot.com and it was just what I needed to bring a smile to the start of my day. Thanks!

25 Random Things That Make Me HAPPY!

1. Random acts of kindness

2. Whimsical images of birds

3. Getting a card from a friend

4. Shades of Blue

5. Spending an hour in a great art store exploring new materials

6. Hot showers

7. Laughter

8. My pets

9. Receiving a compliment

10. Taking a walk in nature

11. Real Maple Syrup

12. Sunflowers

13.My daughter's smile

14. An unexpected gift

15. The first snowfall of the season

16. Spoonful of Loving Chocolate Cake

17. Picking veggies from my garden

18. Floating on my back on a clear summer day and looking at the sky

19. Swirling spirals

20. Flip Flops

21. Butterflies

22. Sharing

23. Taking a nap on a rainy day

24. Making new friends

25. The song Dear Pruedence

Artworks by Caryn Duncan Opening Reception Friday October 10 from 5-7PM

Original artwork and prints for sale by Caryn Duncan at Apple Harvest Day In Dover, NH on Oct 4th

Here is another one of my latest loves that I recently finished for my October show.

This Saturday is the Apple Harvest Day here in Dover, NH. The weather is predicted to be sunny and around 61degrees which should mean a fantastic turnout. This is one of Dover's biggest events and has alot to offer for all ages.

I will be located in front of the One Washington Center where I'll have some of my original artwork and prints of my newest pieces that are currently for sale through the Galleries at One Washington Center. Hope you come and stop by to say "hi!"

Much love, Caryn

PS Thanks to all of you who sent me such lovely comments about my new adventure in blogging. I am still learning the ins and outs and still have a way to go. Tonight I think I figured out how to enable those of you who don't have a subscription through blogger to leave a comment. Please try it, I love getting your comments! XOXO