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#20 Things You may Not Know about Me :: A Blog Tag

9/11/2014

14 Comments

 
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A couple of weeks ago, blogging superstar April Bowles of Blacksburg Belle decided to play Blog Tag to stirr up connections and conversations amongst creatives & bloggers. 20 questions seemed like a lot to disclose all at once, so even though I was curious to learn more about my art & blogging buddies, I decided to play invisible-fly-on-the-wall to her game of tag and just stealthily read other's revelations & confessions ... but then, almost out of nowhere, Anastasia Parmson hopped on my Instagram feed like a ninja and tagged me anyway. I love Anastasia and her adventures... she feels like my hip & cool little sister and She Tagged Me PERSONALLY, so I figured I just HAD to do it! 
Fresh of my 30-Days of Art Posts challenge to myself, I decided to tackle the 20-Questions next... and you know what happened? 

Well, a. I figured out that, faced with certain questions I am incapable of narrowing things down to just one answer despite how much I enjoy following these sorts of instructions. 

b. I actually had a Blast responding, 
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   c. and subsequently following the game of tag all over the interwebs learning more about some really cool    peeps, and finally --that would be 

  d.-- sitting down to report back and deciding who I wanted to tag next!     

  So, the 20 Questions, here it goes:
      Question 1: 

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10 Best Blogging Bits from #BelleLive, and one important DON'T

6/3/2014

33 Comments

 
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{Blogging Wisdom applied to my Creative Adventuring|

One of the categories in this blog is "Facing Fear;" these are the posts where I muse about pushing through some invisible obstacle in order to get closer to my authentic desires. I had no idea that attending an online blogging workshop would avail me of a collection of gems that directly addressed the fear-factor in my creative journey.

#BelleLive refers to one of the most informative & fun events I attended through Creative Live. 
This awesome class was taught by sassy fashionista April Bowles-Olin; a blogger and
 coach to creative entrepreneurs, who blew us all away with her  insight, charm, and organizational skills.
 
If You missed April Bowles-Olin on Creative Live, I'd say, go check it out from start to finish. It's worth every moment and every dime. BUT FOR NOW let me share with you my favorite tips and how they apply to my creative adventures... {click to tweet moment!}

1. {Start Before you Are Ready}
Fear can bring all good things to a grinding halt. 
Perfectionism can kill creativity... but in reality 'mistakes' are great teachers and a vital part of the learning process. 
My take away? Make your move while the idea is full of juice! After day one of this class, I felt the courage to upload several small pieces to my ETSY shop ... I didn't feel quite ready, but I knew the pieces were!

2. {Give away your best ideas}
This piece of advice encouraged me trust myself & my creative process. 
While you share freely you are attracting others to your brilliant self! 
Besides, engaging, sharing. and giving are 3 of the most important aspects of blogging -- just so you know. 
 ... and for my life this meant writing this post about a project I'd been working on. I kind of wanted to share instructions on how to make my Star Book, but I felt a little nervous about letting it go into the world... 
>>what if this, that, and the other?<<  and in her direct & matter-of-fact way, April convinced me that it was the right thing to do, and the time was NOW... and when I did, I felt GREAT.

3. {Think about your audience}
Always. 
So when you are giving away your best ideas, ask yourself how you can help your reader. 
Offering something of value will establish your readership.
This sparked a whole re-vamp of my videos, free tutorials & class offerings... stay tuned for details, and join me if you want them delivered to your in-box!

4. {Put it in Black and White}
Specific little goals will keep you engaged in your journey and moving towards your vision. If you struggle
 with staying accountable to your smaller building steps, get an accountability buddy.
My friend Amy and I both participated in the class and have since been meeting to identify and declare our goals. Having an accountability partner makes the journey less lonely and a million times more enjoyable!

5. {Focus on showing up consistently and doing better a.k.a. be Patient & Persistent}
When April said, 'the numbers will take care of themselves,' I realized I had been holding my breath with the anxiety of knowing my readership is probably made up of my beloved family and friends. She added "Blogging is a long term game. Everyone starts with 0 readers!" Oh, thank you, Belle!

6. {Put up Pretty Pictures, Please!}
The visual aspect of a Blog is Very Important! Take beautiful Pictures, and if you don't feel confident about your skills, build a daily practice. Have good pictures of yourself on your blog that reflect your authentic self.
I'd had an Instagram account for a while, and it was languishing with 2 or 3 pics. Since the workshop I challenged to myself to post every day. And now I ask myself, "What took me so long?"

7. {Give More than you Take} 
You know, that whole 'pay-it-forward' attitude? Well. it works! When you give freely and think of others, you will not only feel great, but you will be noticed and appreciated. Some ideas are writing a 'thank you' e-mail to someone online whose ideas inspired you, or sharing the link to a newly discovered Etsy shop, or perhaps a Facebook shout out to a product that is making your life more wonderful. A thoughtful acknowledgement to somebody who is just starting out may make a world of difference to them.  
Inspired by the spirit of giving, I made and uploaded a couple of free printable coloring sheets that work well with the Star Book tutorial I am currently filming/editing and plan to share free in the coming weeks. If you are curious about the free printable, here: You can have it too!

8. {Take advantage of every opportunity; you never know where it might lead}
Saying yes to possibilities will keep your mind flexible and your ideas growing... and why the heck not?
So if you are reading this, you might as well know that this is my very first Blog Tour... I didn't even know what that was! But when the idea popped up in the FB group, I decided to take a chance and join the ride!

9. {Be willing to take risks!}
What do you really have to lose when you ask for something you want? The only thing you will probably (gradually) shed is your fear. If your dream is to guest post in a well-known blog, or contribute to a magazine, prepare yourself, and then GO FOR IT! Say it! Ask for it! Pitch it! Contribute! Share! yes, yes, yes...
One of my dreams is to teach in one of those big, famous retreats that everybody goes to. So I looked it up, and the request was so simple, I didn't even think twice about it. The person on the other hand immediately responded with an encouraging e-mail... and now I am working on the application. Wish me luck with that!

10. {Build relationships}
Success in the interwebs is all about relationships. Show up, engage, interact: and do all of these authentically. When others get to know you and you build relationships, you will expand.
This bona fide introverted artist is now meeting regularly with other hermit-y creatives, both in 'real live' and through online connections. And it's been a blast!
 
Along with all of the Do-s, April shared a few don't-s. My favorite addresses another of the "Facing Fear" topics and this is what she said,
                                       {DON'T TAKE REJECTION PERSONALLY} 
"No" is an unavoidable part of the process. Trust it, believe it and move on.

I want to thank April Bowles-Olin for her generosity, humor, and copious amounts of useful information. Also thanks to Creative Live and the live audience of bloggers, and to the community of online participants that is now a vibrant FB group-- you guys are amazing! If you came here through  “What #BelleLive Taught Me” blog tour via Kathy Reilly, you are now invited to visit the blog of designer & artist Vivayne to further explore the take-aways from this class!

 But Before you go...
Will you tell me, which one of my top 10 lessons resonates with you the most?
Please leave me a comment below!


xo
consu
click to tweet
33 Comments

2014: a year to deep•en

1/9/2014

6 Comments

 
Picture•traveling dreamer• 2014 (30x30 acrylic on canvas)
I loved having a 'word of the year' in 2013: it was a filter through which I ran many choices, a reminder of my intent, and a way to focus. Looking back I felt like I had indeed 'unleashed' creatively speaking.

For 2014, I was excited to pick another word-nudge, and 'deepen' emerged unbeckoned. I recognized a desire to anchor the unleashed creativity to a deeper part of myself.



The first finished piece in 2014 is called 'traveling dreamer' :  a personita journeying  in a colorful dream world.

The background for this piece came out of an amazing class I took at the "Call of the Wild Soul" retreat in Petaluma last November. The talented artist who taught it had been one of my art heroes: Tracy Verdugo . She is, in real life, as bright and beautiful as she appeared in her social media: but she is also humble and genuine. 
The process and the experience of the class were inspiring, but my painting itself was ... meh! Looking at in in the last couple of months, I realized that, although a good exercise, I needed to make the painting my own. I needed to go deeper if I wanted to bring it out. Even though I didn't love what I had, I was kind of afraid I would obliterate the play I had created at the retreat, so I hesitated. But the other day I got brave, and deepened, and this little personita came out to reward the risk I took. 

I am now sure that 'deepen' is an excellent word to challenge myself in 2014. Scary-good.
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symbols
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add a little color
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full color
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end of workshop look
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{2013} - a Year in Review -

12/29/2013

1 Comment

 
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Unleash was the word I chose as a theme for 2013. It felt more like marching orders . . . and, looking back, much unleashing did occur!

Life was full to the brim with creative endeavors blooming amidst life's quotidian adventures. Hard moments couched in gentler ones. Fears and apprehension assuaged by patience and love. Relationships and friendships unfolding with laughter, play, and shared meals.


I gained a niece at the start of the year and a nephew a few days ago. My personita gave me a piano to encourage more forms of play and creativity! I had the joy of far away friends visiting in the summer, and a couple of amazing road trips enjoying delights of the Pacific Northwest. My Dragon Boat Team (go U-Dragon-U) got a giant {plastic} trophy and I had surgery to correct my vision. It was my privilege to take part in art retreats held in magical places, and to learn {a ton} from some of my art heroes (both live and online). I pushed through road-blocks and met goals that seemed daunting, though perhaps small to others (like making sure I finished paintings I started...) but pivotal to that aforementioned unleashing.


All in all 2013 comes out with a positive balance. I am encouraged to continue my creative explorations, and I am already looking forward to unveiling my theme word for 2014 in my next blog post.


Thank YOU  for being a part of the support system that continues to fuel my journey! I wish for you a blessed 2014: may it bring to your life just what you most deeply desire!


Happy 2014 to all!
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Finally a frozen Friday! ... & the Story of Settling a Facebook debt.

12/6/2013

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Portland woke up to a windy snowy day today! Since my commute today is merely across the back yard, I made it to work on time!

Remember the Pay It Forward - challenge on Facebook? Well, you may not have even heard of it, but waaaaay back at the start of 2013 I promised to send a piece of artwork to the first 5 people to chime in to the post.  Today I giddily selected and wrapped the little presents. They are now in the mail, and I already look forward to hearing from the friends who will likely be surprised to get some random Joy Mail for the holidays. Giving is Good!

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Thank You and Giveaway!

12/4/2013

56 Comments

 
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"Dreamer" -- Printed on archival paper - Signed and dated.
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"Stargazer" original digital art -- The watermark will not appear on the piece you receive. Signed, dated and framed.
Thank you to all the local friends who came by on Saturday to visit/support us. 
You inspired me to give away some art! 



It was absolutely awesome to conclude this first year of Creative Adventuring with a festive & fun show and sell at home! I am grateful to everyone who had a part in making this event an amazing success!
As a token of my gratitude to all of you who have encouraged & shared in my creative journey this year, I am giving away two pieces: a signed (8x10) print of "Dreamer" and a signed and framed (5x7) "Stargazer" -- my most popular digital art piece. 
Two random entries will be drawn and announced on Sunday, December 15th and shipped by First Class USPS the next day to YOU!

To enter please do the following:
1. Leave a comment on this post below (that will give me your e-mail so I can notify you of your win!).
2. Like my FB page if you haven't already (I'd love to reach 250 fans by the end of the year).
3. (Optional but would be nice :o) Share with your FB friends and let them know about this Giveaway! (if this is a popular thing, I'd love to do many more giveaways in 2014)

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Last day of month *10* 

10/31/2013

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In how many ways are you creative every single day of your life?

In today's post I would like to acknowledge one of my favorite ways for creative expression: playing dress up.
Every day I have a small version of this when I get ready to go into the world and choose an ensemble that mirrors my mood. 


But this is a little beyond that... What follows is a visual narrative of my physical transformation as I got ready to attend Day of the Dead Portland @ Tabor Space and finish the night at the Vagabond Opera's Dia de los Muertos Ball downtown!

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Summer Round-up: a.k.a. Meeting Myself Exactly Where I AM 

9/30/2013

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PictureBreaking through walls can be tough... Kindness changes everything!
Summer 2013 was a delicious summer. Visitors and berry picking; sunshine & travel; hammock reading, ice-cream adventures, bare legs and sundresses... 

I followed my bliss and blissfully ignored (resisted) my year-long project to 'unleash' creatively, and be accountable through my blog.  Meh, what'cha'gonna-do!!  Can YOU RELATE??

So, there was nothing being put out there in July, and just that one post in August... reporting "nothing in July." 

Today is the LAST day in September, and there is no question summer as we knew it is done! I am sitting on the red couch, wrapped tight, like a little chimichanga. I can hear the wind chimes on the back porch, but louder and more furious is the blowing rain against the windows. We are having our first Fall storm: and it's a big one! 

Thus far in this creative experiment, the hardest break-through has been to be 'putting things out there...'  So I regroup, get myself ready, and try to kindly meet myself just where I am.


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Digital Art

9/15/2013

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I have discovered a new toy in somebody else's computer (>wink<) ... a bamboo tablet that does not get along with my Mac, but DOES let me play... These are some of the Personitas I created while learning what it can do... I am thrilled with the results... Somebody said "Holiday Sale" inventory?
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July MIA

8/1/2013

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OK, so this is a new low!
ZERO blog posts in July.
But, as always, context is very important in Understanding (and Justifying). 

So check out this equation: 
Prfct PDX Smmr Wthr + Rd Trps & Adventrrrrs + Wdding Celebs & Berry Pckn' = Zero Blog Posts in July
It is as true as the summer day is long, I swear!

So we move on, and conveniently today is August First. 
New Month... new attitude? 
We'll see.

And, although it did not show up in the aforementioned equation, PAINTING has been a part of July.
Here are some pieces to prove it!
Enjoy
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Beach Baby

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bedtime

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Summer

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Portland Girls on Bikes

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Last day of month *5*

5/31/2013

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The little ritual of looking back after every month and acknowledging progress/accomplishments from the previous 4 weeks has been a surprisingly pressure-inducing self-imposed routine.

May was a great month for dragon boat practices, maternal visits, and birthday celebrations. In addition, May has been a month of many starts and few finishes in the studio... Below is a sampling... 
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getting ready to catch the flag during dragon boat racing!
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personal inspiration!
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kitty for Emma
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girlie
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favorite little painting
Sometimes things move along more than other times, and we just have to learn to be ok with it!!
Here's hoping for a better (or should I say 'more productive') upcoming month!
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Personitas

5/31/2013

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She's done!

5/20/2013

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I am fast learning about consistency in social media... Having a blog, a FB page, an etsy shop all take time and attention. If I don't feed said outlets news of my creative adventures, 
it feels like I virtually disappear 
... and I am adventuring alone.

Alone = Comfortable
*and always has*

As I have admitted in earlier posts, being vulnerable and 'exposed' is NOT my cup of tea. I read Brene Brown and sigh with admiration. Oh, the courage! And then I close and lock the door to my studio to create in peaceful isolation and comfort.

So I know that we teach what we ourselves need to learn, and I continue to learn that the journey has twists and turns, peaks and valleys, swampy bits and freezing snow. And then I gather myself, and resurface 
to thaw in your presence,
 my friends and fellow creatives.

I offer you a sampling of what's been keeping me sane in the studio!


If you care to open up to me and share a comment, I'd love to hear from you!
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Last day of Month *4*

4/30/2013

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https://www.etsy.com/shop/consutolosa

I can't say April has been a raging success of a month in my pursuit of unleashing and art liberation... but it hasn't been a total dud EitherI'll take the small gains and resolve to face forward and move on... since there isn't really a choice in the matter and all.

The most nerve wracking part of this whole unleashing 2013 has been staying public with my thoughts and creations, and making myself accountable in a public way. April was a tough one in that the main goal was to 'put something, anything' in the Etsy store that I originally opened in 2008!!! I used the account to buy art and services from fellow creatives, but as of this weekend, I had nothing in it.

So, the truth is thatI met the challenge about 70% of the way. It is open, yes, but the inventory is not new, but a little collection I had finished a little while back. Oh well. I'll keep it going
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What do YOU need today?

4/19/2013

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I've been thinking about hopelessness and dispair in the last couple of hours. Reading my FB feed it is hard to avoid impassioned posts about injustice and pain; devastating acts of one human against others. At home and abroad. We are victims and we are perpetrators.

 So I came into my studio looking to work through some of the feelings using form and color. Listening to music softly enough to also hear the incessant Portland rain, I saw this little figure emerge. Serious, intent stare, and holding a balloon with the word hope. 'Here. Give what you need to get,' she seemed to say.

I guess this could be an expanded version of the golden rule. Not so much about how I want to be treated, but more about what I want to experience in the world. What do you need today?

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Art Play Dates - Encaustic Adventures with Judy -

4/14/2013

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Judy and I met a decade ago in Santa Cruz, CA at an art retreat. Since she moved to Portland herself, we have been gathering here and there to talk, and play, and share meals. A couple of weeks ago we gathered in her great studio to play with wax, and break all the encaustic rules. There was dripping, and there was mixing. Eventually there was even a piece of plastic netting that came in the scene and made it into both of our little pieces. But above all there was fun, and camaraderie, and exploration. For me, I wanted to learn all Judy could teach me about encaustic; and for Judy, she ended up discovering that breaking some of the rules can free you up to have a lot of care-free fun.
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My little ladies in red and blue backgrounds.
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Judy's red-head, looking lovely and demurely flushed.

*thanks Judy!*

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Art Mail from Tia Consu

4/12/2013

3 Comments

 
Picture- Brayden's Pirate - Click on the image to see a short and speedy video of the making of this Mixed-media Collage.























I have a few pen-pals, all under the age of 12. Today I am heading out to the post office to buy stamps for my joy mailing needs. I love this part of my tia role!


When I send something out I imagine the wonder of receiving a personally addressed piece of mail reflected in their little faces. And when I receive something - usually a lop-sided envelope stuffed with a too-large piece of paper, folded laboriously - I   tear it open to reveal my treasure.

Joy Mail Update:

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Yesterday I got this pic from Erin acknowledging receipt of the picture.  The message was brief; the mail had just arrived ... "and he is already working on his masterpiece to send back to you." Mission accomplished!

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why are you here; where do you belong?

4/2/2013

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"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?"  
                                                                                                           Dr. Seus
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Mr. 5 o'clock

3/30/2013

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Mr. 5 o'clock was my husband when

I was 5 years old.
 
I talked to him perched on my mom's old sewing machine tucked in the back of the kitchen by the window. He worked at the office and was frequently late for dinner, but he was a kind man.



                                             Mr. 5 o'clock 
                             Mixed-media on board 7X7

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The Girl with the Frog in her Throat... (with video link)

3/28/2013

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Another quick mixed-media art-journal page I finished last weekend. About half way into the process I decided to film the activity: you can see an abbreviated version video of it by clicking  here.

The words came out as I was playing with print/fonts; definitely an area of further exploration and development (!). But I like the message of befriending the frog in our throats in order to liberate our song.

I am totally hooked on making little videos since completing Vivienne McMaster's class "Montage." She is an amazing teacher who gives you both inspiration and technical information, all wrapped up in patience and encouragement!! Do check out her offerings!

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Voici Mon Secret ...

3/24/2013

1 Comment

 
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Goodbye, said the fox. Here is my secret. It is very simple: One sees clearly only with the heart. The essential is invisible to the eyes.

                                      The Little Prince (1943)

Adieu, dit le renard. Voici mon secret. Il est très simple: on ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.
                                        Le Petit Prince (1943)
                                  Antoine de Saint-Exupéry




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Video: Amazing Next Step!!

3/16/2013

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Watch the making of this painting by following this link to vimeo: https://vimeo.com/61986256

I have joined Montage, an awesome video-making e-course with maven movie maker Vivienne McMaster. http://www.viviennemcmasterphotography.com/montage/ 

It is the next step in the 2013 New Year's resolve to "Unleash!" 

I am *almost* holding my breath in anticipation of what will come next!

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Almost a year has passed...

3/16/2013

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... since my darling had a birthday...
Always close to his heart are the aspen groves of his childhood which we visited here together...
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Together at last

2/26/2013

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The beautiful certain someone 
holding the Lady painting.  
So happy 
to know 
she is going home 
with you!

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Completed Project

2/25/2013

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A certain someone special had 

a certain special birthday an 
undisclosed amount of time ago... and here is a peek of her b-day painting...

As soon as I get the ok, I shall add 

a full picture of the painting and 
her new momma.

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