katie and i have been friends since our freshman year of high school, we were some of the original cast outs, haha. but as marriage and babies have come along our friendship weathers on.  seeing her mia come soaring into the world was one of the highlights of my, well, life. it's so fun to see that baby reveal herself as a SPUNKY take-no-prisoners type of gal. sweet jack hammin' it up for every shot. and tim, well, we're lucky we don't have more pics of the big, tough guy with his tongue out. ;-D with katie in nursing school we don't get to see one another as often as we'd like, so this was a double treat for me.  love you guys.

enjoying the layers

the softness

and the depth they bring to new backgrounds.

when i completed this piece i struggled big time, fear over took me that i would never be able to do another portrait without my teacher standing right by me.  this piece, while it is taking longer, is my own personal proof that i can paint.  with no teacher standing over me, directing me through the process, i'm still making it. tap tap tapping the paint and her face begins to pop forward, fade back, curve around. when i get into the groove i feel a power beyond me take over and i instantly know what she needs to stand on her own.  still in process, but i wanted to share.

also, are you a fan yet? suggest the page to at least 10 other facebook friends and be entered in a drawing for $10 in my shop.

line upon line

grace upon grace

until it shines with a knowledge of it's destiny...

antique silver, ultramarine, alizarin.

circles of grimm brothers and coffee cups.

swirled, dumped, glued... sure to induce happiness.

we ate soup and bread, pizza, apples and dip, muffins and more. 

we pulled out our art journals, armed with a slew of supplies, and we chanted our mantra:

it's ok to get messy. 

random art workshops is about gathering soul sisters close to you and creating a tribe right in your community. 

creating a safe place for women to make art and fill up their wells.

we meet once a month, rotating homes, going potluck on the food, and alternating as teachers of our own little techniques.

 it's about getting messy both on paper and canvas,

and letting the tender, vulnerable bits of your heart have a safe place to rest.

 and it never ceases to buoy me, allowing me to know that i'm not alone, giving me tremendous amounts of hope in myself and in humanity.

 it's about letting go of fear: rejection, loneliness, worthlessness.

 and jumping in whole heartedly.

if you can't think of anyone in your area who would want to do this with you, click over to our facebook page and connect with others,

we have groups organizing right now in utah, colorado, washington, arizona, massachusetts, and even alberta. 

you're only a few clicks or calls away from having one in YOUR neighborhood. 

tell your friends, open your hearts and your homes, get babysitters, take time off,

but gather together and make some freakin' fantastic art.

all pics taken by Amy Maher

a little update on my back situation and my current paintings.

i have found...

that despite my best efforts,

i will create art anywhere

i will paint on kitchen tables,

in crowded basements:

amid canned peaches and loads of laundry.

i've been lucky enough to find a weekly painting friend

lucky enough that my mother offered to babysit all of our kidlets

so that we could each get into the rhythm of tap tap tapping our way

with kind critiques and creative ideas flowing.

i feel so very lucky indeed.

so we headed downtown to capture the friendship

and their beauty

at the gateway

which wouldn't be complete without a run through the fountains. ;-D

you can see the whole set together here.