artist in the arctic

2012-01-26T20:07:00.000-09:00

The cold bites tonight and word on the street is it's going to get colder. Twenty below on the hill and dropping. I'm digging in.

I haven't been around much. A string of sad news brought me inside and asked me to listen. The week was scribbled with an optimist to-do, tweets, text and photo edits. There were closets to purge, plane outfits to pick and ends to tie. And all that busy came to a screeching halt, suspended, until my wind came back.

In step with the high pitch of an intense few days, memory circled lines from a dust covered journal:

In the smash of dreams
Against the busyness of hours
I carry orange blossoms tenderly
(unknown)

Finding that reminded me I'd been holding my breath.
Feeling much better today, I wanted to tell you I've missed you and I'm glad we share this space.

Thirty Stones

2012-01-19T22:15:00.000-09:00

I've been thinking about 2012 as the year of the dragon and the bliss in serendipity.
I'm struck softly as I paint round and oval stones, reminded time and time again, how if I get still enough they will tell me their story. If I rumble through the ride, we'll get nowhere. It's best always to just let go.

I had to trust the first white dots on the stone above. On an exhale, the first spiral made. I reserved judgement until we'd walked the path together and found again, in the lightest shade of pink, the road leading home.

There is something different about this group of thirty stones from Homer. Perhaps it's the intention in which they were selected. Or maybe it's the spirit of those I'm painting for calling them home. Either way, I have quite a feeling. Ten left to paint.

Monday

2012-01-16T16:56:00.000-09:00

We're hanging tough at thirty below. Feeding the fire, brewing lattes, pouring green smoothies, eating homemade biscuits and trying my girl scout best to stay off the internet and paint my little heart out. 5 hours and 11 minutes of daylight and climbing. I do believe we are making our way through winter one Monday at a time.

That IS the question, isn't it?

2012-01-11T14:44:00.001-09:00

For the past week I've been pondering a question my friend Katie asked. It wasn't until I took myself outside to stand knee deep in "overwhelmed" that I found her answer.

On her blog last week, Katie asks her audience how they stay present and remain in the moment?

In the exact moment I felt myself unraveling with all there was to do, I found myself outside living the answer. How do I stay present? I walk outside. I breathe into the ground. I soften into trees, loosen to sound. I bring my attention to the aliveness that surrounds me. I breathe deeper and acknowledge the cells in my body. I say thank you. I leave this practice always feeling lighter.

Have you ever acknowledged the cells in your body? It's brought me back to the here and now many a time. Start by focusing on your hands, it tends to be easiest in the hands. Feel their aliveness. You will notice a little tingling, a buzz where your attention falls. Breathe into it. Run your awareness up and down your body. Bathe your cells and organs with your loving kindness. When I was first learning how to do this, this man was my guide.

Look at how it's all lined up today - ones abound! Happy eleventh day of January!

"I broke myself open for this"

2012-01-09T02:40:00.002-09:00

This song stopped me in my tracks this weekend.
Take a listen: Eulogy for you and me by Tayna Davis.

While digging around for the link above, I also found this:

I like knowing this lady is out in the world.

"I want more radiance and less green this season will be my perfect lover
long nights for more dreaming short days to fill real and fast
sweaters for my heart's safe-keeping for my soul's heating
through the cold of winter to last"

-Tayna Davis Eulogy for you and me

Northern winters

2012-01-04T14:56:00.002-09:00

In response to yesterdays picture post, Brooke asked what life at forty below is like. I can't speak for everyone, but I can sure ramble off a list of what it's like to me. This is my seventh Fairbanks winter and the coldest temperature I've experienced is 55-ish below. It was when I lived in North Pole, go figure.

Our front door last winter

Living alongside an extreme climate opens your eyes and burns your face with new experiences. Here are some highlights:

Ice Fog. A disorienting, glittery mess to drive in. Luckily, I live on a hill and regularly celebrate inversion and no fog.

Outside sounds become dramatic and appear closer than they are. For example. When standing outside, the traffic that I normally wouldn't hear becomes heard. Like coming down your driveway heard.

You wake up to square tires.

You are a slave to plugging in your vehicle and warming engines. There are no fast get aways here.

Your world becomes adorned with frost.

Weekly chores, like getting water and hauling trash, require full winter gear. Hats, gloves, long johns, bunny boots, and a good attitude. I mean, you did just pull yourself out of bed and a warm home to tackle the to do. Bonus points for doing so in wicked cold.

Nightly dinners feature butter and bread. You crave pasta, potatoes, casseroles, any comfort food. It isn't unusual to go on a baked goods bender or find yourself drinking lattes late in the day.

The workout and sauna become prozac and a spa treatment.

You learn that hand salve is your friend. No one likes cracked finger tips. Ouch!

* * *

That's the short of it anyway. It's pretty surreal. Sometimes I feel like I live in another world. I like to say Alaska might as well be America's Europe. Often when Alaskans refer to the rest of the states, we say "outside" or "lower 48." When I lived in Texas and Arizona, Alaska's weather is rarely included with US televised weather reports. If it is, it's bottom left hand and rarely gets a peep.

I'd love to hear what your winters are like. Anyone else out there want to chime in?

Forty below

2012-01-03T14:03:00.001-09:00

Hello 2012

2012-01-02T21:23:00.001-09:00

January 1, 2012. Fairbanks, Alaska. Sunrise: 10:55 am. Sunset: 2:55 pm. Temp: -32 Nautical Twilight: 8:22am Length of visible light: 6 hr 44min (it was more like a generous 3)

(stats from wunderground)

These are the only pictures from yesterday. It took all day to break 66 degrees in our "habin" (matt's word for our home which is an eight hundred square foot cross between a house and a cabin). Aside from a dog walk, we stayed in and fed the fire. It was cozy. We listened to John Coltrane on vinyl and ate a miracle made from leftover roasted veggies. It was simple. Orzo, cream, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese. I also used pesto ice cubes made out of last summers basil. I was satisfied. The day reminded me of growing season around the corner. Out of winter comes spring. In January, it starts to feel closer.

I have a good feeling about this month, this year.

2012 is here. Set your sight high, true heart. Believe anything is possible because it is.

Secret Message

2011-12-29T04:54:00.001-09:00

I found this scribbled down in a coffee stained loose leaf notebook. It appears to be 2007. I was on myspace. Apparently I created a secret message using words from the "about me" section of my profile. If you'd read what I had put in all caps, you would have discovered this:

I like hearts. Air. Ports. I can blossom. Feel the first few hours with strong hands. People look you in the eye. Homemade dresses, the blue of photographs. L O V E. To say: Watch people tell the truth, howl hard, snow star lillies, full moon jumping. Winter with me inspired being. Aurora, the desert smells like spring. Drum circles, spontaneous fire, conversation, vibe. Wear quiet in the morning. Wink & smile...you.

Nothing better than coming across a handwritten time capsule celebrating your dorkdom with your very own secret message*

Yes I called myself an elf.

2011-12-20T17:05:00.000-09:00

Things have been busier than usual. Round the clock painting, packaging and all that other life and holiday stuff smashed inbetween. I'm so grateful for the meaningful art busy, but trust me, you would've caught me throwing a stink eye on dirty dishes and dust bunnies. How in the heck do people manage busy life and biz with kids? I fear the tongue lash I would get from the pets over the lack of walks. My saving grace is I don't understand "meow" and "woof" and "yummy chummies" make great bribes.

It might have been two in the morning, but I finally finished a few wee foxes for the little people in my life - -

and a goddess stone for a special lady - -

which makes for one tired painter elf!

Limano reminded me yesterday that I need to take a break and that is what I'm gonna do.

An early Happy Solstice to you starlights...be back in a few! xo

200th Sale!!

2011-12-15T14:32:00.000-09:00

Today, in honor of my 200th sale and a wildly fun ride selling on etsy this year, I'm celebrating by hosting a timed sale!! For the next 20 hours receive 20% off your entire order by entering coupon code 20HOURSALE...Yay!! I've got lots of goodies and fresh packaging to take your order to the next level!!! Visit the shop for more details.

Around the studio

2011-12-13T19:02:00.002-09:00

The Daniel Smith fairy came this week. Aside from receiving handwritten letters, art supplies in the mail give me a buzz. Joy is new paint colors and red sable brushes.

Come to think of it, Joy is also heart shaped stones, happy lights and inspired late mornings.

Spiral / Alaska Series

Private Commission

Starburst / Alaska Birch Heart

Collide / Koyukuk River Series

Seeds / Alaska Birch Heart

Ridgeline / Koyukuk River Series

In the palm of my hand / Baltic Sea Series

I'd love to hear your joy...

Tell me, what delights you these days?

Just be

2011-12-12T18:00:00.000-09:00

Snowy and warm made for a perfect snow shoe through birch and spruce wilderness. My legs burn a little still and my hair has fallen into a surprising cute style defying the sweaty mess it was hours before under my knit cap. I traded my wet clothes for dry ones, my afternoon activities for a nap and canceled tonight's grocery shopping with leftovers. I've decided to just let it all be. We never ever truly get it done anyways.

Everyday Grounding

2011-12-08T14:33:00.001-09:00

There's something to be said for hot pink blooms on half dead geraniums and the shape and color of Koyukuk River rocks for painting. Looking around the studio, natural things piled high on tables and window sills, I return to center and remember last nights dream about perfect timing and exact right spots.

"Come forth into the light of things and let nature be your teacher." William Wordsworth

Last days of 2011

2011-12-06T17:18:00.000-09:00

heart coal in woodstove

Sometimes you've just got to set your heart on fire and make peace with all that is unresolved in this world. Lately I feel like I'm stretching and twisting out of my old ways of seeing and being. It ain't pretty darlings and at times it's downright painful, but somewhere in the part of me that is wiser than words, I know. I know it is for a greater purpose, a brighter light. Yes, all my shedding and shape shifting is creating a greater space for holding light. I'm keeping strange hours as I ride these energy waves and my usual tricks are falling short. I'm learning about surrender and stillness, loosening my grip on judgement and unlearning beliefs. I want so much. I need so little. It's a fine line we walk between worlds.

Short Days

2011-12-03T18:58:00.003-09:00

It's quite dark by five now. I lap up the four hours of daylight while it's here and find by 8 pm, I'm digging around in my memories for a sun that feels warm and skirts that lift on bare skin. This is the part when winter starts to feel a tad long. Thank goodness winter solstice is this month. The other night there was an exclamation of praise tossed up for our fellow alaskans championing big, bad winter. Winter taught us a few lessons with her early November thirty-belows, but this week chinook winds grace us. I love how zero feels warm and 20 makes me question if I really even needed that coat? Freeze and thaw, freeze and thaw . . .

Yes

2011-12-01T05:39:00.001-09:00

...the landscape was in my arms as I worked

- helen frankenthaler

(( Birch hearts, stones and photo cards ))

Past Lives

2011-11-28T12:45:00.002-09:00

So many layers to living. . .

So many stories, timelines and crossing of paths. . .

Last minute sale!

2011-11-25T04:44:00.003-09:00

I'm up at 4 am because I drank an espresso with desert (cheesecake made with duck eggs and goats milk, drizzled in carmel, topped with candied pecans. SO good.)
May I just say that I'm grateful my life has been full of alliances with foodie friends?

(and this was just the salad!)

Thanksgiving 2011 (sadly matt had to work)

Riding on a wave of tired but wired, I freshened up the shop and got it ready for a weekend sale. Beginning today through Monday (ends midnight Alaska time) en-JOY free domestic shipping (US/Canada) & $15 International Flat Rate. I also brought back a few plywerk mounted Photographs of Alaska for 1/2 off. Exciting stuff!

Hey! Have you heard about the black friday/cyber monday sale happening over at moo.com? 30% off everything! I'm planning to get my print on by Monday and thought I'd ask if you guys would like to see any of the photographs from the blog made into postcards or cards? If so, kindly leave a link to the image in the comments section. Thanks!

6 in the pm

2011-11-23T18:49:00.002-09:00

Cozy-a-thon going on over here. It warmed up to zero today ! 70 degrees came fast inside with minimal stokes to the fire. It was glorious. I made cinnamon rolls from scratch, listened to Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole Christmas on vinyl, made a lasagna, drank lattes and listened to NPR, took the dog walk sans gloves, stopped and looked up long enough for a raven to fly over me, prayed thanks into dough (which is my theory for why food made by our grandmothers tastes so good), drank water, wrestled the cat, washed 4 rounds of dishes and felt so very thankful for it all. The miracle, the mundane. Thank you for sharing this space with me. Brightly beamed blessings for your tomorrow and everyday. xo

(I don't think that is what is supposed to happen to the filling)

6:02pm

(Sunset at 3:21pm today. Length of day 5 hours 27 minutes 27 seconds)

Memory

2011-11-22T21:33:00.002-09:00

I am 29 in this picture. I'm in Niagara Falls after the sales team I was a part of won a quota contest. My life was about to change. I felt it. I couldn't tell you what it looked like or how it would happen, but boy you bet I felt it. Hair on the back of your neck standing up! felt it.

Life didn't change in that instant big! bang! pow! way.

It was more subtle, like a s h i f t.

Isn't that often the way?

I resurrected a memory stick from the junk drawer today. A mess of pictures from 2006 - 2007.

It was happiness to remember those Arizona skies and that sun warmed skin.

I don't seem to have many words these days and haven't been taking pictures much, so I will share with you paintings I did when my winter days were warm.

Let's open the vault on 2006 - 2007 shall we?

Two Hawks

Blue Tibet

Neptune

Aloha

Arrival

Thirty - three below

2011-11-16T13:47:00.002-09:00

We're experiencing some serious January cold on this 16th of November.

We've parked it next to the wood stove for the time being.

I'm so thankful to work from home today.

How does anyone function in cold like this? I feel like I've had brain freeze all morning.

That second home in a warmer spot is quite a convincing daydream with temperatures like these.

Keep those fires stoked my winter warriors!

hi.

2011-11-14T18:00:00.010-09:00

Guess where these little darlings are going?

Straight into Zooey Deschanel's swag bag via The Artisan Group!! Oh hey! Lots of excitement over this today!

I plucked Zooey's circle stone from Homer, Alaska this past spring and painted it while listening to M Ward and her sing. I like to do things like this - - open up and intuit design and colors for a stone while tapping into music. It's a triple bonus that the music came from the very person I was painting for.

Pure glee about wraps up what I feel right now.

And so life goes. One day gloomy, the next full of glee.

Thank you to all who sent encouragement & love after yesterday's post...I felt it and it most likely contributed to the good mood I've been rolling in all day !

(xo)

The truth about part time work

2011-11-13T13:09:00.000-09:00

Sunday lately feels neither here nor there. I find I stay in bed longer (hello melancholy) and spend a good part of the early afternoon walking around the house puttering, dabbling in distraction. The driven business woman in me is cracking the whip from the sidelines urging me to do any little task that will further my business.

Sunday is my Friday at the restaurant and there is this horse kick feeling (hello resistance) of "Really? We're still here? (Insert 34 year old mental tantrum) I just don't think I have it in me to play the game of waitress one more shift." It's not that the gig is bad, it's honestly the best waiting job I've had in my career of odd jobs, it's just that my heart isn't there anymore. My heart is running with all the things I need to do the coming week when the hours of the day return to me and my creative biz. So really, it's not you part time job, it's me. I'm ready to break up.

I dedicate this post to all the creatives out there who part time it while full timing their dream. It ain't easy, can be downright depressing and I totally get all the feelings evoked by living these split lives. Here is what I want to say to you (and me): It will not be forever. Never underestimate consistent, daily steps - baby steps. Living authentically and deliberately pays off. It really does. I look back 5 years and where I stand now is so outside the realm of where I thought I'd be, it is better, business is better and I've found my stride. You will too. Together we pave the way for a new world, where artist's thrive and make real livings doing exactly what it is that calls to them. We need you. We need your art. We need your voice. Don't ever give up.

Oh happy day!

2011-11-11T15:30:00.000-09:00

Thursday

2011-11-10T13:20:00.002-09:00

Globe Series No. 2

My eyes opened to a grey day, snowflakes falling. I laid in bed with Limano purring and the mister's arm round my waist. I love it when days start like this. My gratitude practice comes easy on mornings that start slow and with permission to stay in bed a little longer. You know what got me out of bed? A sweet call from my dad. Such a nice way to start a day!!
Now, I have the house to myself and I'm fired up to finish a project to celebrate11/11/11. Have you heard of the 11Eleven Project? Check it out if you feel the nudge. These folks are trying to get as many globe strewn hearts recording the day from their corner of the world. I feel like a kid on Christmas and would love to have you over to sit under the tree. Big bliss'd out love to you! Check back tomorrow and I'll show you what I made.

Awakening Series

Weekend Bazaar Update

2011-11-07T11:29:00.002-09:00

This weekends bazaar was a lot of fun. Last night, buzzing from the experience, I wrote today's post in my head. When I poured my first cup of coffee this morning and sat down to type it out - POOF! It was gone. The inspiration came so fast and clear that I figured I would remember it today, but turns out I should have written it down. Oh! The muse comes and goes, ebb and flow. Anywho, the post was a poetic recount of colorful detail from the weekend, best comments by locals, reasons why I love the people in Fairbanks, how validating these events can be for artists, how I admire all the people who bravely set up a booth and put their heart and soul out there and how cool it was to see so many people bringing their own bags!

I think I'll leave it at that because there is lots of work to do today.

- improvising with boots -

I'll catch up to you guys tomorrow! xo

Procrastination

2011-11-04T22:45:00.001-08:00

There are a million things that would suit me well to pay attention to tonight - like gathering everything up to get ready for tomorrows bazaar or ironing out last minute details on my display - but have I been doing any of these things? Nope. So far tonight I've taken a short nap, read a magazine, ate the last of the Ben and Jerry's and burned a bit of time (okay it was two hours) reading around the internet. Now it's going on eleven pm and it's probably in my best interest to begin doing some of these things for tomorrow. But I'm posting a blog. Oh lawdy! Must. begin. now.

Wonder

2011-11-01T15:18:00.000-08:00

How often do we throw a loving gaze on the trees in our front yards?

Sometimes I think sunlit ice crystals exist

to remind us to do just that.

Happy 11/1/11 beautiful soul*

Coming Clean

2011-10-29T23:55:00.001-08:00

I have autumn envy. Reading around, I see bike rides and changing leaves. Looking around, I see single digit temps and snow lawns. There's always a little something sad that pricks my heart early on in this winter game. Maybe it's because I know how long winter feels by January and how even then - there will still be months to go. Sigh*

This year, I have a plan. I bought not one, but three full spectrum lamps. Two are rocking the studio and one happily resides near the wood stove for reading. I admit it, the darkness makes me sad but maybe not this year with all these happy lights in my house? And this week I'm making reservations for a January vacation. Just knowing I have a plane ticket and a plan has done a lot to halt the onset of winter blue. So bike ride on you warmer states! Harvest your gardens and watch those colorful leaves fall! I blow you ice crystal kisses from my post up North. xo

Thank you

2011-10-25T18:58:00.000-08:00

Thank you to the dumpster gods for delivering this map to the reuse recycle platform. We snatched and we love. The 1980's have never looked so good Alaska.

The Good of 2012

2011-10-24T18:22:00.006-08:00

Mind's Eye /Acrylic on Stone

While bidding the sun a final farewell on this fine twenty - fourth of October, I was squeezed by curiosity. I'd like to hear about the good you are expecting in 2012.
Easy breezy wheezy, I'll start:

I'm expecting to see hearts in unusual places.
I'm expecting to hear stories about communities coming together.
I'm expecting more fresh alaskan grown produce & product in my supermarket.
I'm expecting 7 days a week of a full swing thrive in my creative business.
I'm expecting to quit my part time job.
I'm expecting to feel content, at peace and in love with the present moment.
I'm expecting to notice more good in people, places and events.

Now how about you?

What's your list?

the afternoon walk

2011-10-22T20:43:00.001-08:00

Peja, Limano and Talia

hi.

2011-10-20T21:47:00.001-08:00

It's the season of the wood stove and cords of wood.

There's a blanket of snow on the town and I find myself,

once again,

staring down the start of winter.

Five to seven months darlings of moon light, sparkly snow and the aurora borealis. We've been spotting shooting stars from the deck and I keep bliss'ing out on our living room vibe. It's mix matched and has been properly upgraded to a new level of cozy.

Oh! Winter went easy on us this year. She came in real quiet - - polite even.

But I have a feeling she has a thing or two to teach us yet. Winter reveals...

We have only to cozy up tonight, light the fire and pay attention to which way the wind blows. For that, I'm thankful.

What if ?

2011-10-17T12:13:00.002-08:00

What if ... I wrote a blog post 5 days a week?
What if ... my big break happened tomorrow?
What if ... I didn't get on the computer on the weekends?
What if ... I left facebook?
What if ... I started a monthly newsletter instead?
What if ... I was more organized?
What if ... I finished the Alchemy of Connection project?
What if ... I applied to that Artist Residency in India?
What if ... I started commenting consistently on my blog?
What if ... I painted for 8 hours a day?
What if ... I posted 3 new items daily to my Etsy shop Mon-Fri?

What if ... What if ... What if ...

Whenever I'm a little unsure or feel that inner dialog coming on that is - well - negative, I've put into practice asking myself positive "what if's." Instead of "oh man, this is never going to work" I pivot and ask myself "What if it did work? What if the best case scenario was happening right now?" It's been a powerful process for me and has improved the quality of my mental-scape 100 fold. I'm curious - - what are your positive "what if's?"

It snowed!

2011-10-14T09:56:00.000-08:00

Here's to miniature snowmen, snow hearts and nice notes from strangers.

Happy weekend!

Oh Fairbanks...

2011-10-13T11:11:00.001-08:00

Matt had an appointment this morning downtown. I decided to ride along and take pictures. I had thirty minutes to find things that caught my eye. It was fun. C-O-L-D, but fun. I love the randomness here. Downtown Fairbanks is nothing like a big city downtown. I love it though. So much quirky weirdness...

Around here - -

2011-10-12T14:49:00.000-08:00

We have a wood stove going and Limmie (aka. Limano) is taking a bath on a resurrected woven rug, a treasure from the garage sales of 2010.

Matt went spear fishing last night and is busy cleaning and smoking fish. It wasn't a white fish, but this was pulled from the icy bed of the Chatanika river last night too. I bet there's a story with this one.

The new thing we're working on is beaver sticks.

Matt's been collecting them like crazy.

And I've been painting them like crazy.

Shaman Stick acrylic paint on beaver stick

Never would I have dreamed that I'd collaborate in this way with my husband. I mean, I'd hoped for it, but wasn't sure if the order was too tall to fill? I should know better by now. The universe has been trumping my big dreams and wild fantasy's since 2006. That's the year I stopped ignoring the nudges and surrendered fully to figuring out how to do what I love 24/7.
There hasn't been a dull moment since. Cheers to those dreams of yours!

S Salon Artist Reception

2011-10-08T19:39:00.000-08:00

I'm typing with a day old manicure ('Lincoln Park after Dark' by OPI thank you very much) and a very satisfied feeling. The perk of a fun night's next day. Have you ever gone to breakfast the day after a really good party with a group of friends and rehashed all the juicy detail of your good time? Remember how fun that was? Well that's how I've felt all day. The opening was awesome. A big thank you to all the fine folk who partook in Fairbanks First Friday. You guys made it great. And Ja-Robs? I will gladly shout from a rooftop that I think you guys make the best BBQ in Fairbanks.

Seriously. The best.

Scott, Hayley and the team over at S Salon take the best care of their artist's. I really like the forward thinking vibe those guys give off. And besides, they cut a mean head of hair.

Hayley. The cupcakes you made were delectable. Thanks for getting up at six am, before going to work just to make them. You rock.

pre-stamped postcards

The show runs through October 29th. Click here for directions to S Salon.

The online version of the show is now in the shop! I promised postcards but there's a minor delay getting them into the shop. I'm waiting on something in the mail to take it to the next level. I have fingers and toes crossed that it will arrive this coming week. I didn't take many photo's opening night, but what I got I'll share. Thanks again all you dear souls for the emails and comments of enthusiasm and encouragement. You guys inspire me.

First Light

2011-10-05T08:59:00.000-08:00

Hey October - -

2011-10-02T12:42:00.000-08:00

I'm holding a space for you that's made with miracle and belief. This month I'm celebrating all sorts of things. My side job is shrinking which means the majority of my week is art business based and that. is. awesome. Sweet relief peeps! This coming Friday is my art opening and on Saturday, the 8th, all the photo's and postcards from this exhibit will be available in the shop!

Thanks to all who have been helping these dreams of mine surface and expand. Your energy and loving gaze are making it happen. I feel it and it's a tidal wave of goosebumps and perma-grin. Love you all ((xo))

Goodbye September,

2011-09-30T20:23:00.000-08:00

You were good to me.

And I thank you for that.

Your goodness carries me with full heart into October.

I bet daybreak will be crackling with possibility.

Happy New Month, October 2011 no doubt.

((xo))

Peace - full

2011-09-26T14:30:00.002-08:00

I'm feeling grateful for all the detours and bends in the road. I'm embracing all my imperfect parts. I'm letting go of timelines, expectations, old hurt. I'm standing still and calling to the last days of warm sun. I feel so in love with my messy, beautiful, packed life it would make your teeth hurt it's so sweet. Happy Monday lovelies, Happy Monday! (((xo)))

Talkeetna, Alaska

2011-09-23T10:11:00.000-08:00

Changing Season

2011-09-21T22:02:00.003-08:00

Who knew a drive to Wasilla would be just what the doctor ordered? Contrary to what I thought, driving 12 hours over the span of 48 hours left me feeling like new. Maybe it was seeing termination dust on mountains or the flurries of yellow leaves spinning eddies in creeks. Maybe it was that good cry to the story on NPR mid drive or the way mountains always make me feel so small and so full of wonder.

Somewhere on the Parks Highway I loosened up and let go. I made peace with summers end. I'm ready. Ready to surrender to another Alaskan winter. She's here. She's lingers in the morning after the cold snap of night. I want her back. Her moonlight and light bouncing snow. I want skeleton trees and a low hanging moon. I want wood stoves and snow fall.

The leaves have dropped. Nights are cold. Stars are back. Here we go. . .

Road trip!!

2011-09-19T08:45:00.002-08:00

Adios mi amores! We're heading down the road for a quick road trip. Looks like we're picking up an old ford in Wasilla and I think it's a good excuse to capture some last minute images for my photo exhibit coming up in October.

( * )For my non-fairbanks friends: All images from the show will be posted to my shop for a limited time. Details to come!

See you guys in a few

((xo))

Finally!!!

2011-09-15T17:14:00.000-08:00

Framed painted stones are in the shop!!

As well as birch hearts!

And I still have a few new things I'll be rolling out this month !!

Lots of exclamations here!! VERY excited!!

Garage Sale Treasure

2011-09-13T14:18:00.003-08:00

One of my favorite parts about summer, weekend garage sale'ing, is nearing it's end. We might be able to squeeze one more Saturday morning out of September but based on last weekends slim pickings it's not looking so good.

Some of my favorites finds from this month:

High top Chuck Taylor's, a flower press made in Texas, wood burning pen, bright sheets of paper,

retro owl placemats and napkins in original packaging,

buffet,

a black vinyl shop chair, Muddy and The Wolf record, and a bright turquoise frame.

Saturday Night

2011-09-10T20:20:00.001-08:00

It's just me, my paints, a box of driftwood and a fire in the stove. One bliss'ed out Saturday night if you ask me!

I'm working consistently in the studio to bring new pieces to the shop this month. I'm feeling pretty jazzed about it so I thought I'd give a sneak peak.

Birch hearts. They are back in a powerful way. Let's just say there's quite a stash of gorgeous wood drying out in Matt's workshop. And stones. We collected A LOT of stones this summer. And (a few) new things I can not wait to show you. Soooooooon!!

7:07 pm

2011-09-09T19:12:00.000-08:00

Time Change

2011-09-07T07:38:00.002-08:00

Things are shifting. Do you feel it? Are you paying attention?

South Side

2011-09-06T13:59:00.000-08:00

Dear Facebook, Are we breaking up?

2011-09-05T11:04:00.003-08:00

I woke up really grumbling this morning. My mind was talking in irritated and annoyed. I exacerbated this feeling by visiting face book. I need to remember not to do this and take on the social network only after I've had coffee and only when I'm in a positive state of mind.
Does anyone else get rubbed by Facebook? Sometimes I want to type really inappropriate things and sarcastic replies to the ego induced haze we all seem to fall into over there. It ain't pretty folks but it's honest. How do we stay connected meaningfully in these times of "social networking?"

Dear dreamers,

2011-09-03T20:16:00.000-08:00

The muse has landed. Much to my delight, she wanted to get started on that portfolio book I've been thinking about making for months.
Now I'm up to my eyeballs in images and I'm about to commit to firing up an espresso.

But before I go, I wanted to share these pictures I found while editing. The first one is of a vision board I made in 2006. I'd just quit my job to pursue art. I'd just made my first business card - see it bottom right? I had no idea what l was doing. I'm so glad I went for it anyways. Looking back, I would have prepared a heck of a lot more but still high-fiving that girl in present day.

I love this next one. I'm a vendor for the very first time. My sister's there and I'm dorking off with her. Which we've liked to do ever since we shared a room as kids and would pick things for the other to sing about before bed. Oh yeah - - "Rice is nice and bears think twice" - - that one gets us laughing still.

I also found some marketing material from those days. It's wild. It seems like another lifetime, another me.

I was still painting on illustration board and seeking out galleries. I was showing in coffee shops and working on friends movie sets. I even once did wardrobe for Kenny Rogers. The Gambler? I sewed a button on his blazer and ironed ten dollar bills for his money clip. Random yes. Life is so beautifully random.

It wasn't until I acted on this idea that my world changed:

Keep acting on your ideas dear dreamers. Keep going. It's happening for you.

Arrival

2011-09-01T15:05:00.002-08:00

A box of driftwood, tile and stones from Italy.

Let's just say I've been smiling on them for days.

Soon I'll carry paint to their surfaces...

Finding humor

2011-08-27T19:58:00.000-08:00

Green Moon

I've heard a neighbor calling his lost dog all afternoon. At first I couldn't make out it's name with the owner's voice traveling through the brush of hillside distance.

But tonight, he was walking my street and it was crystal clear.

"Zoloft. Z o o o o l o f t. Zoloft!? ZOLOFT!!"

It cracked me up.

Here's this guy walking down the street screaming out the name of an antidepressant.
If you didn't know the backstory - you'd probably be wondering! It was good to giggle.

Thinking of my east coast friends riding out historic Irene. It reads via fb and blogs everyone is keeping calm and carrying on. Some are even planning to get a little crafty. I like that. Positive vibes people.

THREE DAY SALE

2011-08-25T12:46:00.000-08:00

Hey Loves. My heart is so full of all that is expanding and shifting these days. In an effort to clear and create space for this goodness, I'm having a three day sale! This sale isn't like any other. Many of my older stones will no longer be available when the sale ends at midnight on August the 27th. If you've had your eye on one for awhile, now is the time to grab it for your collection.

For details visit my shop

(((xo)))

Playing Hooky ...

2011-08-24T01:15:00.001-08:00

... turned into a birch heart hunt

New art is hitting the shop this fall

... stay tuned ...

Sometimes, you've just got to play hooky

2011-08-23T11:44:00.001-08:00

Setting aside all that needs to be done today to get out and smell the flowers.

See you guys tomorrow

A favorite compliment

2011-08-18T13:18:00.001-08:00

I was cleaning my windowsills this morning when I had a flash back to 2005. This glass marble was my portal. It was given to me by a funny little man during my days as an office worker. Somewhere between eight and five, smashed between Monday and Friday he stopped by my cubicle and gave me this marble. He prefaced this gift by saying: "Out of all of the women in this office, you are the only one who would have survived the 1800's."

Um...thanks? I still get a good smile going when I think of him and the compliment he layed on me. This marble has been included in every one of my moves since, but it's his words that thrill me the most. I guess he saw something in me back in those days that I was searching for mostly in the dark. And in these days of light, I see what it was he was trying to tell me. Thanks Tom, where ever you are.

The Forest Floor

2011-08-16T22:31:00.000-08:00

Beets and giveaways

2011-08-12T13:59:00.002-08:00

Beets. I never like them until Guatemala. Guatemala you ask? Random I know. Back in 2001, my host mom used to make this beet and cauliflower salad that was awesome. She could also make eggs and beans taste like filet mignon and loaded mashed potatoes. Or maybe I was just really hungry. Either way, that's when my love of beets began.
Tallying up winter food prep and we're at 10 bags of beets having a color fest in our freezer. Life is feeling right on track.

In other news - -

Talented photographer and dear friend Jen Long is having a giveaway through the end of August over on her blog. It's big guys! I recommend checking it out. Have I told you that she's coming for a visit this fall? Over the moon excited peeps. She's offering a limited amount of photo sessions while she's in Fairbanks. Sign up early because they're going fast...

Big Weekend love to you all!

this and that

2011-08-09T17:11:00.003-08:00

Hello from my wildflowers. They're the bright fleet that greet me as I climb the steps towards home. I've been compulsively photographing them as of late. I think I'm experiencing some pre-winter anxiety. Nothing new, winter and I always start on these terms (yes I know I just said winter in August). The productive side of anxiety is that our beets are harvested - -

and we're stocking the freezer with sweet corn (we soak the cobs in milk and sugar).

Later we'll make and can salsa from this years tomatoes.

We resurrected our record player
(I already can see the cozy winter scene)

and the hubs even ran a few errands.
He brought back some love from Kodiak, Alaska

and man don't you know I'm a girl who loves rocks in the mail.

With that - I'm heading into the studio,

see the rainbow light?

my winter anxiety is no more.

((xo))

Number Magic

2011-08-08T11:56:00.002-08:00

I opened my eyes this morning at 8:08 am and it took a minute to realize today was the eighth of August. I love stuff like this, fills me with little kid magic - - my line up of eights. Certainly it's something to pay attention to, as silly as that may sound to some of you reading, but I notice serendipitous things like catching 8:08 on 8/8/11.

Today I'm spending a few hours photographing a family while their grandparents are visiting. It's a big honor for me. I can't help but think of these kids at my age and how much these photographs will become treasures.

My clients are good people. I photographed them last month when their other set of grandparents were in Fairbanks visiting. The only direction I was given was to catch candid moments, the little details, their daily...

I can do that. I'm a big fan of details and everyday magic - - the stuff moments are made of.

Crazy Wind

2011-08-05T22:32:00.001-08:00

A crazy wind kicked up yesterday and they say tonight will be the first frost of the season.
Oh Alaska where did summer go? I still have faith in your green slopes and hot pink fireweed blooms.

I may have a wood stove going and there might be scatters of lavender light across rivers, but know in glass jars lining wooden shelves there is evidence of your sun ripened skin. . .

. . . strawberry, rhubarb, blueberry, cherry . . .

Around here

2011-08-03T10:11:00.002-08:00

When life gives you cabbage, you make sauerkraut!
Which is exactly what Matt did last night while I made my first batch of blueberry jam. We've sampled it and it is deee-lish! The jam that is, not the kraut. The cabbage was one from our garden weighing in at a whopping eight pounds. It should be ready for canning in a week. It's a regular episode of Little House on the Prairie over here....

(ps) a nice surprise to see a stone on the front page of Etsy this morning!

Little things

2011-08-02T12:27:00.002-08:00

I want to thank everyone who reached out to me with comments, emails and good old fashioned positive energy after my last post. All of your kindness and loving vibes really pulled me out of the trenches. Thank you from the heart!

I decided to distract myself the past few days with dog walks, reading, berry picking,

blueberries

driving around looking at property, writing letters, canning and painting on Honolulu Creek rocks. I turned off my phone and allowed crickets to chirp over on facebook.

I tried to catch my mind before it started to ramble off all the things I "should" be doing and all the ways in which I wasn't enough. Some days I did very well, other days -- oh -- who cares about those other days!

Point is - - it's a process. It's peaks and valleys.
And if anything - - I feel grateful I don't have a mouthful of porcupine quills like this guy - -

It's the little things that matter most.

Worn thin

2011-07-28T23:56:00.001-08:00

I've been feeling burnt out friends. Looking for signs and confirmation around every corner, trying to keep the faith. I've noticed I've been looking down more than looking up and it's making my heart heavy. Some kid at work (still part timing it waiting tables) said to me: "Amy, I've never seen you not be positive. Is everything okay?" Sweet boy. The truth of it is, I'm just trying to self preserve and pray my way back to knowing. Knowing that walking a different path won't always be a balancing act between part time jobs and full time ambition. That taking small steps daily will get me to the top of the mountain. That all of this, every heart pounding hard step of it, will deliver me my creative dreams.

summer did me well today

2011-07-25T21:18:00.000-08:00

2011-07-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

rock heaven

2011-07-22T23:51:00.001-08:00

Dip Netting on the Kenai

2011-07-21T12:40:00.002-08:00

It's hard to look glamourous on 5 hours of sleep, after driving 10 hours on 4 hours sleep the day before. I get this curly bang thing going (I can hear my sister's laughing) when any sort of wet or humidity hits my hair and all the pics from our dip netting adventure prove it - -

Yeah. Dip netting is not about looking good or fashionable. It's fish guts and blood, tired arms, wet body, circles under your eyes (remember that lack of sleep I was telling you about?), digging deep for patience when trying to get the boat out of the water with 20 other peeps trying to do the same thing and it's a blast!! I was on a high the whole drive back to process our fish. We caught 44 salmon and one flounder. Freezer is stocked!

And it only took 5 hours for 4 of us to process it - - which is a walk in the park compared to the 14 hours it took to process our moose last year. Can you tell which I prefer?

2011-07-16T01:14:00.001-08:00

Matt spotted this heart on the inside of our green house door. It took me almost two years to see it. It's been there all along. I wonder what other good is out there in the every day, waiting patiently to be seen?

I've been busy in the studio dreaming up new lines and wishing there were three of me to round the clock craft these ideas into form. Thankfully that's also the time when I remember to breathe and take a step back.

All good things people, all good things.

there's a story here

We're heading off to go dip netting to fill up the ol' freezer. I can't wait to be in a boat.

(and) I'm so looking forward to cracking a cold one next to a river raging.

I could use the breather. There's nothing better than being in nature with my favorite backdrop -- mountains.

And you know, I can appreciate that sometimes you've just gotta let ideas simmer -- loosen your grip, slowly put down your optimistic to-do list -- and go get your summer on. That's exactly what I'm gonna do. See you guys next week!

Blessings

2011-07-13T23:12:00.001-08:00

I'm surrendering to quiet these days.

I've been doing house things and making art.

I can feel the light slipping on out of here and it has me stockpiling for winter. Matt took over the rhubarb harvest ( I want to make chutney, jam, muffins and pies ) and I have everything I need to preserve a winters worth of basil pesto. We lost the cabbage to a moose today. He made a second appearance in the yard this evening.

I forgave him pretty quick, he's one beautiful creature.

I found six, 10 " x 10 " blank boards amongst my art supplies while house purging last week.

I finished the first one last night - - -

It struck me how the paper surface felt foreign now, how clumsy I was around it and how little paint I used. Returning to layering washes reminded me how hard I fell back in the day for this medium. There's something about layering and shaping color on color - - the dance between painting wet and drying time. I liked how paper soaks up paint and how the dotted patterns look against a landscape of washes.

I think it's good to return and revisit your former creative self. It was a trip for me to sit down with how it all began: 2-D design, professor Gibbs Milliken, a basic set of acrylic paints and illustration board. It reminded me how much ground I've covered since those days and how the intuition to take those studio classes built a path that still rings right and true almost a decade later.

So many blessings.

Details

2011-07-08T01:04:00.001-08:00

owls

new haircut!

house purge

2011-07-07T01:40:00.002-08:00

dog fur heart

We had every intention to get out of town for the long weekend. On the morning we'd planned to hit the road I jolted out of bed to discover dog diarrhea splattered across the kitchen floor and a very rainy day. So we canned our plans, I turned off my phone, unplugged from facebook and email and set to the task of excavating years from the consumer graveyard better known as our crawlspace.

I'm happy to say it was the best thing we could've ever done. After 20 hours of sorting-pitching-organizing, three truck loads to the dump, a storage shed filled with soon to be garage sale treasure and every surface-nook-cranny wiped clean... I physically feel lighter.

There is something about purging your house that makes you feel so dang good.

spirals

As if smiled upon by the downsizing gods, these things hit my line of sight over the weekend:

Found in an old green trunk

grass heart growing

and

during our lunch break...

on one side of the kitchen table - -

and on the other - -

(love the randomness here)

Matt even found a shirt he wore 11 years ago in this picture my friend sent me last month.

I was 23, he was 25. We were out and about getting a bit rowdy I imagine.

I couldn't resist the following "Dear Photograph" shot:

Life is wild isn't it?

Have a great Thursday peeps.

The last day of June

2011-06-30T22:38:00.000-08:00

summer in all her random glory

2011-06-29T23:07:00.002-08:00

I overheard someone comment that you hadn't been in Alaska long enough if your windshield wasn't cracked. True dat. Come to think of it, I can't remember any of my vehicles windshields escaping their cracked fate.

Matt and I loaded the dogs and headed to the North fork of the Chena river yesterday. We had rock hunting on our mind. I had every intention of taking pictures on the river but the mosquitoes threw me off my game. Plucking rocks from the rivers edge was no match for the face full of mosquitoes we both received. One open/close of the car door left 50 or so of those blood suckers buzzing in our space. Needless to say It ended up being a quick and dirty operation, yielding half a bucket of rust brown and grey rocks.

Here are the few shots I did take. Funny. They are all from the car.

You know I like those double numbers...

2011-06-27T13:45:00.005-08:00

(all above shots of downtown Fairbanks)

I didn't mean to take most of last week off from the blog. Turns out I was swept up in summer mania ( 21 hours of daylight does this to you) punctuated by a wonderful visit with my parents.

Limano & my dad

The last BBQ

Today I am back in the studio (can you hear my heart skip a beat?) and planning a shop update for Thursday the 30th. I can paint a lot of stones in three days my friends - Get ready!

I love the grain on this box

In other news, there's a double number sale happening in the shop through Wednesday.

Yep, you heard right. Through Wednesday receive 44% off your purchase by entering DOUBLENUMBERDISCOUNT at checkout.

( * ) sale ends midnight alaska time on Wednesday June 29th