etsy gifts

Here are some of the beautiful gifts I got for the holidays from etsy that are making me happy.

mirthmarket

 

 

 

liz lamoreux

blue eyed freckle

maisy and alice

meeting the ugly parts with love

A finished painting that I abandoned in the ugly stage for about 6 months titled,
I am changed because of you. 

I wrote a post over on my blog last night about a very large painting that I am currently working on.  There are layers upon layers of paper and paint.  

I've been a little stuck for the past couple of days because the painting is going through an ugly phase that feels like it is lasting too long and I am starting to loose my confidence.  But all of my artwork goes through that stage and most turn out exactly the way they should and I am happy with them.  Some need to be painted over- a bright new beginning ...No matter what happens, it's always all good.  

This got me thinking this morning as I am ready to dive back into the painting again, and I'm feeling afraid and wanting to quit, that this art process I go through each time, is a metaphor for my beautifully messy life.  

I am no stranger to therapy.  My husband and I, both in our second marriages, decided to start this marriage in therapy.  We go as a way to be kind to ourselves, because we know good marriages take both love and hard work.  We are committed to doing our own work as part of our spiritual growth and partnership.  Two times a month we sit, in a safe, sacred space, and feel the not so pretty parts and celebrate the progress we make.  Sometimes we need to toss things and start over, other times just working through it gets us to the other side where we breathe deeper and feel abundantly grateful.  

But life is always layers and layers of love, beauty, peace, fear, anxiety, happiness. 

I've decided that I am going to meet the ugly phase of my very large painting with love today.  

I think it just needs a little love to make it through. 

Art & Color ~ True Inspirtation

I wanted to share a lovely discovery with you all!!  The art of Lori Portka. 

The colors are so intensely happy.  Just truly inspirational!

I borrowed the following line from her site -
'It is Lori's intention to bring happiness to others by following her own joyful truth with each piece of art she creates.'

What could be better than that?

Here are just a few of Lori's feel -good pieces.  Thank you for letting me share them here, Lori!

may you have peace

you are my sweetheart

abundance is all around us

Please pop over to Lori's site and check out all the amazing inspiration she has to share. 

In the tradition of 'stay-cation' I asked Lori to share a little about herself, a few of her favorite blog posts, and a few of her favorite blogs to visit. 

Short Bio:
I am an artist, doing what I love, in hope of spreading a little happiness around.
I believe in loving kindness.
I am trying to be as authentically me as possible.
I am mostly sweet and compassionate and learning to say "no" when
"yes" does not feel right and accept (and even embrace)
the non-optimistic, angry, spitfire part of myself.
I travel as much as possible.
I love animals with all my heart.


I am a mixed media artist. I sell original art, giclee prints and greeting cards. My line is growing to include clay tiles and pendants soon. I have an etsy shop- http://www.etsy.com/shop/loriportka?ref=seller_info

I wholesale my greeting cards and prints to a growing number of shops and boutiques and I am a member of a local artists cooperative gallery called Cazenovia artisans http://www.cazenoviaartisans.com/

My intention is always to bring joy and positive energy to others through my artwork.

.....

3 of Lori's Favorite Blog Posts:

1. ah the early days

2. learning to take a breath when needed

3. a wish for thick skin and a world without the news

3 of Lori's Favorite Blogs to Visit

1. Bijous whimsy

2. Inner toddler

3. leaves and feathers

.....

And before i go......
I'm so excited to announce that Lori will be a regular contributor at the inspiration-studio!! 

yay!!  so happy to have you on board Lori!

Watch for Lori's series to begin next week!

xxo, kim