Once you see something clearly, you can't unsee it

Pen & ink illustration of a famous fable told by the Buddha.

It's amazing what the mind can see and do. Try this experiment, look around the room what do you see? Now look around that same room and don't look at the thing that is red! What was obvious to you? The red item that wasn't there before right?. Well in life sometimes we focus on the things we don't want. Like worrying over something that could or might happen. Inevitably that's what comes into our life.

This week let's try an experiment. Focus on the good you want in your life for the week. Don't worry if old habits creep back in, just smile and think of the good. At the end of the week see if it's made a difference for you. Has anything changed? Let me know what has happened.

By the way, the illustration above was a recent "graphic novel" type drawing that I did. It was an illustrated version of a story told by the Buddha, "The Hare on the Moon". It has a wonderful moral to it. Take a moment to read it. Next time your out at night look for the moon and see if you can find the hare on it. I bet you you'll never look at the moon the same again. Or for that matter what you want to invite into your day to day life. Enjoy.



What did you want to be when you grew up?

One of my favorite watercolors that I did. It reminds me of Monet's Gardens.

I think we all have big plans for ourselves when we are little and believe that everything is possible. I think sometimes as we get older and feel that maybe we are a bit off track, looking back to this image can help guide us. Think about it a bit. I know when I was small one of my biggest dreams was to be an artist. I drew on everything and anywhere. Those were the times when I felt my soul truly soar. Let me know what you wanted to be, and if that is what you are practicing today.

Life's funny timing

Dylan after receiving his Bachelors of Sport Management from Florida State University

This past weekend my husband and I traveled to Tallahassee Florida to attend my oldest son, Dylan's College Graduation. It seems like yesterday that I was putting him on the school bus for first grade. Now 17 years later he has become a young man headed out to pursue his dreams in Sports management. I've always taught him to do what he loves and he'll never have to work a day in his life. He's taken my advice and will probably head overseas to work with rugby in either Australia or South Africa.

So now it's time to heed my own advice. So last fall I returned to Bucks County Community College to brush up on my Art skills (my first passion)  and have decided to transfer out to a 4 year art school. Well as we were in Tallahassee this weekend waiting for my son's graduation, I received a personal phone call from the admissions counselor at Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, letting me know that I have been accepted as a transfer student there for the fall. It may take me sometime to finish up what I started almost 30 years ago, but I'm back on my path.

Today I received my acceptance letter from the school. The Universe decided to remind me that when you're doing what you love, it will provide. With the letter was an additional unexpected gift. Because of my current GPA and portfolio submitted they have decided to give me a scholarship too. Feeling truly blessed today and feeling certain of the road up ahead.

Challenging yourself to try new things

Recently I have been trying to breakout of my artistic comfort zone. Reading books, going to museums and studying other artists. I picked up a book titled "Taking Flight- Inspiration & Techniques to give your Creative spirit wings " by an artist named Kelly Rae Roberts. What a delightful book. She has such a kindred style of art to my own. Wonderful exercises and journaling throughout. I've always wanted to expand my skills and knowledge of mixed media and her style fit what I was looking for. I studied her techniques and the tutorials and the piece you see her was the end result. A self portrait with a lot of meaning ( my inner child, my grandmother and more). So I stepped out of my artistic comfort zone and tried something new and I think grew my creative spirit wings a bit. Thank you Kelly for an inspiring book. If you want to learn more about Kelly and her art go here : http://kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com/

Come enjoy the arts at Bucks

His Holiness the Dali Lama, 1 of 3 pieces chosen for the annual art show.

Come enjoy beautiful art at Bucks County Community College's annual Arts at Bucks event April 19th thru May 7 at the Newtown Campus.

You never know what beauty lies in your own back yard. Take a drive over to Bucks County Community College April 19th thru May 7th. You will experience all forms of the arts from many talented people of Bucks County area.Click the link below for a schedule of all the events. Art from the visual, theatrical performances, comedy, music, concerts and demonstrations. You won't be sorry.


For more info and a schedule of events go to: http://www.bucks.edu/artsatbucks/