I love and adore myself

Today I read another great blog post from one of my fellow art nesters, Jolee Jane, and her post absolutely inspired me.
After reading her post I was tempted to go to my mirror and write I love and adore myself to use a prompt for me to say these words while looking at my image. Well I didn't write the words because I thought Brian would wonder what in the world I was doing writing this on our mirror. I did repeat this statement aloud about three or four times and each time it made me smile more. Even though it felt great to do this I felt a bit silly. I think I have been programed to feed into our societies judgemental criticism of women, success, our bodies, and keeping up with the Jones's. I often hear that little voice in my head that I am not good enough just as I am (bringing tears to my eyes, so sad to admit this.) But I am getting to the point that I am starting to whisper back I am good enough. I love and adore myself because I am embracing my dreams to live a creative life that is uniquely mine. It is bringing me strength and hope of sharing the joy of the creative journey with others. My artwork has meaning and connection to who I am and I love that! So please, run to your mirror and say aloud "I love and adore myself" while looking at your image. It may be hard, you may have tears, but say it mean it and repeat it until you believe it. Any thing is possible when you love and adore yourself!

Easter Memories

Here is a photo from Easter 1975 of my sister and me with our baskets. I found it first thing this morning. How did I tolerate the New England cold in that short sleeve dress? I guess I have gotten soft in the years. I still love wearing dresses, but mostly in the warmer months. No fancy Easter outfit for me today. Kate and I

met my dear sister, Lisa in Ogunquit, ME for brunch.

We then ventured out for a walk on the beach

It was a beautiful clear sunny day, but the wind made it very chilly. We still enjoyed our time and had some silly fun to keep our hearts warm.

Then we headed home. Brian stayed home today to take advantage of the clear skies to get some chores done. We were down to the last of our stacked wood for the wood stove which gives that extra boost of heat to our home to take the chill off. He went back into our woods and got another load that should hopefully last until the warmer temperatures arrive here. Then did a little prep work in the garden. He had a blissful day playing farmer. Lucky me that he enjoys doing the farm chores. I love having our land but it is a ton of upkeep. Here is Brian spreading some seaweed to nourish the soil of our garden

Then time for a little rest and time to play with Buddy who came across a bone that I think has been buried for the winter months under the snow.

Next came the Easter egg hunt that Kate requested. Her friend Morgan came to join in the fun. It was a lovely Easter day. Peaceful and relaxing spent with my loving family. Happy Easter Memories!

Adventures of Organizing and Tax Preparations

Well I am tackling a the big project this week ! I have to organize my home office and prepare my taxes. As you can see my home office is in much need of a make over. Brian has had enough of my piles. A couple of weeks he took the old black file cabinet out of the garage and moved it in next to my desk. To be frankly honest I am quite ashamed of this corner of our home and it is mostly my mess. With bills and mail on the desk it is a chore to do any work here.

This is my current file system. Piles and baskets of papers. This year has been over the top when it comes to my lack of preparing for taxes. It is the reason for me putting it off to the last minute.

I have started some organizing ,but with the deadline for taxes approaching just around the corner I have some serious work to do this week. I have to admit that I hate taking care of the business end for my art studio, but as I am still in the start up process I need to pinch pennies and take care of this myself. Hopefully by the end of this week I'll have a new filing system with all the papers in their proper files and maybe a few photos of this space with new decorative touches to make this once dreaded corner a place where I am happy to spend my time taking care of business. If you have any great organization tips I would love to hear them.

It's Time To Play

Here is an invite to play a game of round robin. This is a new game for me that I found through Karen Tessandore, one of the creative ladies from the art nest retreat. She found it from Julie Thompson, another one of the incredible creative ladies from art nest. Here is how it works. The first three people that post the comment "I want to Play" here on my blog will receive a package in the mail that contains an artsy gift handmade by me. The package will arrive sometime in the next couple of months. It will be very special in hopes to brighten your day. What you need to do in turn is pass on the giving by posting the same round robin idea on your blog and send out some creative goodies to three other people that want to play too. Please remember to make sure that I have your mailing address (if you don't want to post it here leave me a comment on my web site http://www.carynduncan.com/ on the contact page and it will be privately sent to my mailbox.) Have fun and play!

Happy First Day Of Spring

A big warm welcome to the first day of Spring. What a pleasure to sit outside while eating my lunch. The birds were singing and it was warm enough in the sunshine to venture out with just a long sleeve shirt and vest. Oh how I am so ready for warmer weather and the change of seasons. I had fun with the little ones at the preschool making spring watercolor landscape paintings. They are so cute and say the sweetest things. Then I headed over to the studio and had an amazing day in sales of my paintings and prints. Selling my artwork is always like frosting on the cake. It is so heartwarming when people come in and fall in love with my work. When others show their true appreciation its such a boost to my spirits. Plus now I have the room to make some new art to fill the empty spots on my studio walls. It also planted the seed that I need to work on my marketing so that I can make purchasing my artwork a little more accessible. Time to revamp the web site and submit some articles to a few of my fav mixed media magazines. Spring is definitely the time to spread my wings, branch out and say YES to new adventures in an ever blossoming artistic life.

Avoid Botox Cut Bangs Self Portrait

I did a silly thing, I cut bangs to cover up my wrinkles. It's my botox solution. I don't know what I was thinking. The impulse was brought on by sallow looking winter skin and the desire to look youthful at the age of 40. This first words out of Brian's mouth "You don't like bangs." I used to wear them as a girl and they do make me feel kind of girlish. Hair grows, that's the beauty of it, always changing. For now I'll just embrace the new look and wait until my next hair cut to see what my stylist says. Lesson learned: embrace life in all stages. It always has something new to offer. Flaunt it with style and sass and enjoy!

Working with Kelly Rae's 3 Second Rule and a Journal Page Dedicated to Kate's 13th Bday!

Last week while teaching my art journal class, I was demonstrating Kelly Rae's three second rule for creating a patchwork background. I struggled with the whole 3 second rule during the art nest retreat. I am so used to carefully choosing my colors and patterns of paper that I incorporate into my work. I was amazed how Kelly could just randomly grab a piece of paper, tear it and paste it to her background in just about 3 seconds. Her results were beautiful!

I went into the art nest retreat with the intention of placing myself in the roll of the student, not the teacher, and tried my hardest to follow the instruction. So I did best to let go and just randomly pick my papers. My end result was not all I had hoped for. I seemed to cover most of my patterns and images with paint.So I knew I needed some more practice with this technique. Much to my delight, my results here brought to life a background that I decided to use to dedicate to Kate turning thirteen. When I was finished I had a beautiful background with a birthday cake image still left glowing through a transparent layer if colorful paint. Next came the words to share how wonderful and privileged I feel being Kate's mom.

So here is to life as a mom of a wonderful person who turns 13 today on Friday the 13Th. I am so lucky and blessed share a journey in life with you Kate. I love you sweetie!