Play Date

Last week my daughter invited me to have a "play coloring date". Wow, I thought a play date??  I am into my 7th decade and she is in her 5th, so a play date was an unusual thing. Now, I know one makes play dates for their children and even for their dogs, but not for themselves. So, before I went out on this new adventure, I decided to pick up some supplies for this special day. While in the store looking at colors, pencils, watercolors, and all the different kind of papers, I was transported back in time and my heart smiled thinking of buying paper and crayons for my little ones years ago. Now, what a nice feeling that was as for just that brief moment in time I saw them as children again.

Well, the day of the play date came and I anxiously packed up my supplies and headed to her writing cottage--you see, she is a writer and has her own little writer's cottage built by her husband off of the back of their deck.

Ok, now I am going to take a second and fluff up my proud feathers and mention if you would like to learn more about this author daughter I have and

her work, her name is Barbara Techel and her website and blog is www.joyfulpaws.com.

I arrived and she had the table all set up and ready to go. I felt so young at heart and peace overcame the moment.

As we shared tips and tricks to do with our "art" we talked about other things and life in general touching on many heartfelt subjects. She shared with me a new direction and adventure that she is starting.  One subject led to another from feelings to laughter and maybe even a few tears of joy. As adults, we often do not take the time for "play dates" but perhaps we should.

You are then taking the time to have fun again and also without really realizing it, you are making memories.  Memories that will stand the test of

the final goodbye.

If you are looking for a theme for your "play date", one could stop in at Seranya Studios Art Boutique, get inspired and set up your own "play date." Who knows what you will discover. 

Remember, in art there are no mistakes, just unique creations.

Stay tuned

Question for all

As someone that loves to create, do you find that every time you see a "new to you" work of art your adrenaline races, and you want to go out that very minute, get all the necessary tools and equipment and get right to work on a like project? Or on the other hand, you might love the new work, but are content to just admire it, perhaps purchase it, but have no desire to partake in the creation of a like work.

The other day I saw a cartoon that said, "Whenever someone asks me why I love to create, I tell them it is because as a kid I ate school paste." I think that is what happened to me! Love, love, love to create.

The world isn't quite right when I am not creating or at least thinking about creating.

The other day I also heard from one of the new artists at Seranya Studios Art Boutique that a lot of artists have ADD. But, that was meant in a good way, and I do believe that I fit that bill. There is a book titled 'I Could Do Anything if I only Knew What it Was',written by Barbara Sher, that indicates this jumping around of ones mind to conquer it all is quite all right. It is the feeling of exhilaration, starting something new and striving to do it the correct way, or should I say--"The Artist's Way". Ahhh, that is another book written by Julie Cameron.

So many books, so many projects, so much to do, and just not enough time to accomplish it all, but we can try, can't we? Do you find that you love one type of art and one way of creating or are you like me and just simply HAVE to try everything?

Yup, my name is Lynda and I have ADD. There, I have said it, it sounds right, and you know what? I accept that with pride.

Let us know your thoughts. Would love hearing from you.

Stay tuned.

Peace and life

While at Seranya Studios Art Boutique this past week, I had the opportunity to meet a new artist, Kat Wynveen.  By the way, if you haven't checked it out lately there are several new exciting artists that have joined this fabulous place. It would be worth your while to stop in and check it out. We would love to see you there.
Anyway, have you ever met someone that you had never met before and immediately feel like "I know that person?' In speaking with Kat, and getting her acclimated to the studio,we found that growing up we were alot alike, and had "run in the same circles" although always skirting on the outside of meeting each other. The world is such a small place when one can take the time and "really" talk to each other, not talk "at" each other.  Is it just artists that do that? I think not.
Everyone can experience that same feeling if we just slow down enough, take the time and get to know another person. Our lives are so bombarded with the social networking, which has become almost a requirement in business, that we have oh so many friends on Facebook and that makes us feel important and accomplished, but are we really? How many of those Facebook friends could you call or text, if you needed a helping hand? Probably the answer to that question is--you could count them on one hand and wouldn't need all of the fingers.
The older I get in years, the more I realize that all of that is nice, but it doesn't bring a sense of peace and contentment to the soul.
How many new blogs have sprung up to tell us to slow down and enjoy life, and they make money selling their theories of how to accomplish that. Well, in a way I applaud their way of making a living, as they saw a need and they filled it.  They are making a living, but are they making a life?
There probably are as many different answers to that question as there are grains of sand on the beach and we all need to find our own way. For me, I choose to slow down, try to get to "know" people. When it is all said and done, how do you want to live your life?
Share with us your thoughts and if you have the time--or maybe I should say, take the time and stop in the studio.
The atmosphere there encourages you to slow down,take a deep breath and enjoy. You don't have to buy a thing--just enjoy.
We hope to see you there. Seranya Studios Art Boutique, 307 E. Mill Street, Plymouth, WI. (www.seranyastudios.com)

Stay tuned.

Relationships

This week I would like to deviate a little from mainly an art discussion to a life discussion.
Relationships are so fragile, aren't they? Gosh, sometimes the smallest thing can totally upset one's heart, soul and mind.
I am always reminded of the thought (and I forgot who told me this, but haven't forgotten
the message)that so often when entering a conversation with others we aren't even in the same book, let alone the same page. When I mention a tree what tree comes to your mind? I might be thinking of the beautiful oak tree in the back yard while you are thinking about last year's Christmas tree.
Even though they are both trees our thoughts bring up different feelings about that tree, and those feelings carry over into the rest of the discussion. Now, how can we possible bring that back to center when you are thinking of the wonderful Christmas you had because of your gorgeous tree, and I am thinking about the picnic I had under the oak tree?
Listening with an open heart can bring us a long way to the same book, and by doing so eventually we will agree, or disagree, on the same page. And isn't that what makes life interesting?
Maybe that does carry over into the art world. In working with my art I am thinking of a certain way to accomplish what I want to convey in the piece,and when you are looking at the piece it speaks to you in a totally different, but wonderful way. What I hope my work says is not always what you hear it say--but isn't that awesome in its own way?
We truly are intricate human beings, and that makes us unique in our individualism. That is what also makes each artist's work special.
Their work is a piece of their soul. In closing I would like to share another quote that I particularly love, and forgive me I do not know the author.
"To be kind is more important than to be right. Many times what people need is not a brilliant mind that speaks,but a special heart that listens"

 Stay tuned

From my head, heart and hands--to yours.

This has been a favorite thought, and saying, when it comes to my art for a long time now.
Beginning the moment I think (head) of an idea, engage my heart to feel, and then transport the thought and soul of it into my hands to accomplish the work, to the moment that you think (head) you like it, to engaging your heart into the love of it, and feeling it in your hands. This completes the circle--and brings joy to my wold.
To create something that brings happiness to another is my ultimate goal. Every artist has different thoughts and goals when he/she begins their work, and the reasons behind doing what they do are always different. The greatest satisfaction for me is the culmination of the whole process, and my collector's happiness in the end result.
What drives you to your end result? Do you create to create, or do you have an end goal?
Please share your thoughts with us.

"In art the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can imagine"  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Stay tuned.