sometimes you just have to stop to start

My focus this year is to engage in the process of discovery. Wanting to live life full on, spreading my wings and trusting that my journey will bring me to places that help me expand and grow. My mind and spirit are there and my wings are feeling a bit closed and tucked in for safety. Needless to say I'm having a little difficulty getting off the ground. I am working on this opening, here are some sketches that I did yesterday just on a piece of paper I pulled out of my recycling bin. I like to add words and phrases that come to me while I work. New ideas and stories spinning in my head waiting to be born on my canvas. And then there is this girl, my darling Katie, who my life revolves around. Being a mama to her is my first priority and I cherish my time with her. Now that she is in high school, that time mostly consist of driving her around to school, activities, friends, social dates, hosting sleep overs, shopping, watching silly videos, and cooking her favorite meals. She is my only child, we have a great mother daughter relationship, we really trust one another to be there with an open heart and mind.

Today I was supposed to be driving her to her ski team practice. We got another storm last night that started with snow, then turned to rain believe it or not it was thundering and lightening here in the middle of winter, really freaky weather for New Hampshire. So now everything is frozen in a hard icy crust on top of the couple feet of snow we have. That is not ideal skiing conditions, so I'm letting her skip this practice and she is happy to not have to brave the gusty wind and ice. So what to do today, I have a list of things so long, but I'm feeling overwhelmed with where to start, to the point where it is kind of paralyzing. So I went with that feeling and decided to stop, be still, and just sit in my favorite meditation spot looking out my windows to the sky.

Seeing the clouds move swiftly from the gusting winds began to release me. I went and got my camera and had to step out on our deck. Look of what I saw beautiful blue skies, white puffy clouds and this bird in flight.

Here is the view from inside our living room, the corner has two big windows that when you sit on the floor and look out it is just a fantastic place to meditate, this photo doesn't capture the beauty of the view because the glass is reflected and makes the sky look white. I still wanted to share my sacred spot, it is the place in my home I go to when I need to collect my self this is where I find peace.

Now that I am feeling free I'll be heading into the studio. Here is my easel of works in progress. I still have my "wish" word from December still up. There is an overflowing stack of paintings. They are calling to me to let my voice from within speak my truth.

Discover wings!

Another Snowy Morning

With all the snow we have been getting I have been using our breakfast room for a makeshift studio on those mornings that I can't make it into town to my studio. This is our driveway, it's pretty long and ends at the road just past our little yellow barn. There is no making it out of here until it gets plowed. One of the benefits of being an artist is the flexibility of my schedule. My classes are not until the late afternoons so when school is delayed there is no rush for me to get out of here. It really is quite cozy and beautiful.

Still I have work to do, ideas that need processing, and lots of other non art making tasks that go along with the business of being an artist. Today I am going to recycle some of Katie's old school projects (nope I'm not attached and feeling that I have to save her things for her, she hates clutter and tends to throw everything that she is not in love with into the trash.) I'm going turn these watercolor illustrations of a poem she wrote into some of my own original collage art papers.

First gesso, then I'll work in some old acrylics that have just been sitting on the shelf. This year I am trying to do a little clearing of my supplies. I have so many things just sitting around that I am making a conscious effort to give up my weekly trips to the art store just to use my 40% coupons at Michaels.

Here are the first layer of background colors, they are drying around the floor grate that vents our wood stove heat from the basement. Little Tessa just sits there watching me bring more and more papers to dry.

Now to add some simple patterns and details.

Ta da... a few hours later and I have a whole color coordinating set of my own papers ready to be cut up and used in my artwork.

The sun is out now, time to get dressed, shovel and head into my real studio. Have a great day!

Waking up to inspiration

For the last few months I have had that tug at my heartstrings, a knowing that I need time for introspection. I can feel in my belly that change is waiting for me to be brave, step outside my comfort zone and embrace growth. Honestly this brings about two very conflicting emotions, excitement and fear, and as I write this I understand they are not so conflicting they often go hand in hand. I tend on the side of safety and that can be very inhibiting. So as this new year begins so too does a new journey of living a life of discovery. The snow storm from last week left a beautiful blanket of snow covering our fields and woods and I have been taking full advantage to explore our land on my cross country skis. Skiing is my favorite sport and being 3 hours away from my favorite ski area, Mad River Glen, I take advantage of the lovely trails that Brian has created on our property. My cat Abby only braves the cold occasionally, and the first few times she saw me on my skis she was a super scaredy cat, today she found the courage to venture through the snow to check out what I was doing.

After a few minutes she is ready to head to her warm sunny spot on our porch and I, with my camera, am ready to seek some nature inspiration.

The first treasure I same across was this precious nest. I do miss my songbirds that have flown south and I look forward to their return in the spring.

The bright red berries quickly catch my against the silvery blue snow.

When seeking inspriation it is always to look for a variety of perspectives.

Sometimes behind you might just find one of your most loving and loyal companions.

From the shadows emerge the beauty of sparkle and light.

Returning to the warmth of my woodstove I pull out the treasures I have collected

And while the inpiration moves me I capture the moment in my sketch book. Simple line drawings that will eventually find their way into my paintings.

Sharing my process in hopes that others will find their path to a life of creative inspiration is so much about who I am and what I wish to accomplish with my artwork. I am working with discovery in hopes that it will enable me to bring to life the beauty I wish to see in the world. Thank you for joining me on this journey of living with your eyes open, heart trusting, soulful feeling, and joy growing.

Cozy at home, time for family, and believing in wings

I'm spending today at home, cozy and warm with the family. Today's winter storm has been dropping plenty of powdery snow which has been blowing all day. With our wood stove burning you would never believe it is a blistery cold day outside. Buddy didn't make it too far and chose to chill out on the porch.

Usually I'm happy to go out adventuring in the snow, but the winds were blowing so hard the snow was traveling sideways. I'll wait for things to calm a bit before I go out, even Buddy, with his thick winter fur wanted to come back inside.

So we got a day to lounge together. With Brian heading to New Zealand Saturday for 2 months of back packing, I was thrilled to have the family time.

Katie was trying out the back pack while Brian was organizing his gear. I'm really excited for him to be travelling on such an adventure. With Brian's love for nature and being out in the wild undeveloped land, New Zealand should be the perfect solo trip. I love nature, but know my limits and backpacking isn't for me. Even though I'll miss him I am all for him taking this trip to ground his spirit and relax after giving up his law practice. Two months seems like a long time in the moment and I been trying to focus on our time together with out projecting how I'll handle having him on the other side of the globe. I'm sure there will be times where I feel a bit empty and alone. I believe that the bond I share with Katie will grow having these next two months with plenty of mom and daughter time. I believe that with the help of my friends I can handle any situation that may arise and that laughter and good times will be plentiful. I believe that the joy I have from creating my artwork and teaching my art classes fills my spirit with gratitude for all the blessings of life. I believe that 2 months is really just a blink in time and allowing Brian to follow his dreams will strengthen our love. I believe by spreading our wings, following our hearts, and finding the courage to fly is the only way to live life!

Here and Now

Every new year, every new day, every moment Life surrounds us with wonder and beauty!

Have Patience

It has been months since I have added an entry to my blog. I am trying to be gentle and forgiving with myself because I have had so many things that I have wanted to write about. Life has been full with blessings as well as some turmoil.

I have been devoting lots of time to develop and nourish the things I want most in my life.

Full days in the studio making artwork that speaks to my heart and soul.

Attending the most wonderful art retreat where I was surrounded by new friends, had time to create art for just the sake of art with no intentions other than to dive into my creative process, to be cared for, and very well fed.

My sweet Katie (right) is now a freshman in high school. She is studying hard and balancing a busy social life.

Fall is one of my favorite seasons, I have been enjoying the last of the flowers and birds visiting in my gardens, cooking and freezing food from our veggies, and splitting and stacking wood in preparation for the cold winter months that are ahead.

This book by Sheri Gaynor, has been guiding me along my along my journeys. I'm discovering new ideas for my art workshops and have added a new series that I'll be teaching starting this month.

Creating art for my home has been a goal, these are two pieces (above) that I am working on for my bedroom. I am also creating a lot of new artwork that can be purchased in the galleries that represent me or from me directly. I'll be having a big studio sale on December 10th and 11th as well as a new show at Lucy's Art Emporium that opens in December too.

As the weather is turning colder, I will find time to update my blog more. Thank you to my new followers and their heartwarming comments and much gratitude for those of you have been there with me along the way!

You fill me with love and the belief that all things are possible.

XOXO, Caryn Lynn

Creative Spirit Summer Art Camps

It has been another fun filled summer at Creative Spirit Art Studio.Next week will wrap up our summer art program for kids. It has been five weeks full of creativity and art making.Exploring materials and themes and watching the kids find so many ways to express themselves through their artwork.

I love seeing them engage in their creative process and having so much fun.

This year is our third summer camp program. My heart is full of gratitude that I get to work with these great kids to nurture their creativity. Once again my daughter, Katie, is the camp helper and I love having her at the studio by working side by side.

The camp schedule keeps me busy and I have been recharging by tending to by gardens at home. I have found time to work on my art here and there, but I am looking forward to having some days to devote entirely to my creativity.

Here is a sneak peek of the begining stages of my latest series, "Cherish Life"!

Cheers to life, Caryn