This blog has moved….find me at lolaschild.com

Thank you, readers, for being my audience and sticking with me all this time! Please join the party over at www.lolaschild.com, my new home. Hope to see you there!

My husband, the great sport

As I prepare to launch my new website (tomorrow!), I can't help but think of my husband. Alex has believed in me from day one—always supporting my dreams, pumping me up when I feel lost, playing editor when I'm stuck. He's a big part of why I'm still here, blogging (and believing). And really, I couldn't do this work without his blessing, because I simply would not be an effective writer if he didn't allow me to pull him into my TMI world.

You see, it was Alex himself who once told me that I had to be willing to be one hundred percent honest if I wanted to be a good writer. He pushed me to write from a much deeper, more compelling and relatable place inside me than I had before….and in so doing, Lola's Child was born. The beautiful thing is, Alex had to really put himself out there in order to give me that advice, because being honest as a writer means sharing some of our most intimate moments with the world, which he has graciously allowed me to do. He has given up a large chunk of his privacy (and allowed me to embarrass him at times) so that I could have this dream to believe in.

So, thank you, dear! Thank you for believing in me more than I believe in myself at times!

****

The new site is coming! Stay tuned….

Moving and….moving

There are two moves going on in my life right now, both of which I've kept under wraps for months. The first is a virtual move. Yes, I will (finally) be moving this blog over to its very own domain….onto a website I've been diligently building for a while now: www.lolaschild.com. I'm really excited about this! After a few years of blogging on Blogger, my direction finally feels clear(ish) so it's time to take myself seriously. Lolaschild.com will be the same blog, just at a new site/address. I will make an announcement when it goes live.

The second move is a literal one. Next week I will be packing up my little family and heading off to a beautiful town just outside of Boston, where we will be living for the summer. We will still be living at home part-time every week, but it's going to be a big change nonetheless. I've sort of pushed this reality out of my mind ever since I found out it was happening (my husband took a summer position at the country's premier summer enrichment program…..way to go, Alex!). But, I can't ignore it any longer, because it's happening in just a few short days. 

I've worried about the affect this move will have on Emerson, the challenge of packing/moving/commuting every week, and living in a much smaller space without many of the comforts we are so used to. But, it is also exciting! This is our first legitimate adventure as a family, something Alex and I have missed these past two years spent gestating and raising a child. So, I have to say that the eternal adventurer/wanderer in me is pretty pumped to be moving to a new place, completely sight unseen. And, I may just not want to ever come home after rejoining the world of suburbia…..a major city minutes away….shopping and restaurants within walking distance….free food prepared for me every day….pristine, architecturally magnificent buildings surrounding me…..a pool and gym across the yard. I mean. It's peaceful and beautiful living atop this tiny mountain in the middle of nowhere, but I'm forever pulled by the green grass on the other side of wherever I am. Sigh.

So, there you have it, folks! Big changes next week! I will still be here blogging throughout. I can't wait to see what this summer will bring to my blog (and my life)!

Professional

Sometimes I feel like I'm living a secret life, which is ironic given I write a tell-all blog. But, I don't talk about that in my real life. I don't explain to people that I spend most of my free moments writing, brainstorming, researching, or learning how to build a website. I don't tell anyone how passionate I am about this blog….how alive and fulfilled I feel every time I hit publish….the big dreams I have inside me. I don't admit that I have a plan, a path that I am already walking, a life I have envisioned that I completely believe will come to me. 

I'm just a stay-at-home mom, right? There are plenty of people who may think so, but I'm not. Not in my mind. Yet, I don't step in defensively when the subject comes up.

Because, my dreams are too important and in pursuing them, I am at times, too fragile. I guess I've been protecting those dreams by keeping quiet in real life and then pretending like what I'm doing is not a big deal in my online life. But, the truth is, this is a big deal (to me). This blog is my passion, my therapy, my sustenance….the beginnings of a career. I started this blog not knowing where it would take me, but believing very deeply that if I just kept writing I would be led. 

But, here's the thing. While I am very good at taking risks and walking unconventional paths, I am not very good at being an amateur. I set such high standards for myself that I become frustrated and give up too quickly. Yes, I am an expert in the field of self-defeating practices—I believe I am capable of doing something, but I expect it to happen overnight. I feel so uncomfortable and embarrassed by the growing pains phase that I try to somehow sidestep it. And even after racking up a pile of achievements, promotions, and/or compliments, I doubt myself and BOLT. Over and over, I have done this in my life. 

Yet, I have continued to write this blog. This is the one thing I haven't given up on…and that has to mean something. That simple realization hit me last night and renewed my faith in this path. Because, that is what this blog is: a testament to my faith in this path I am being led down. And by continuing to write through my many identity crisis', periods of self-doubt, and the periodic urge to give up and forget the whole thing, I have learned not only how to overcome those obstacles, but how to overcome myself.

So, while the world may still see me as a stay-at-home mom, I know the truth. I know that I was back to writing several hours every day only four days after giving birth. I know that through all of my sleep-deprivation and the overwhelming responsibility of raising a baby with little to no help the past year, I have still managed to keep this thing going. I know that I feel more successful now, writing a blog in my sweatpants while my baby sleeps on me, than I did when I commuted on trains and ferries with a business card in the pocket of my Armani blazer. It's like I read in the very book that inspired me to start living the life I am living now (This time I dance!): "Success is as much a singular affair as falling in love. That's why you can't tell by looking at how well someone's done exactly how well he or she has done. Only the soul knows. Only the soul glows."

I may not have reached "professional" writer status yet. But, my soul glows.

pushing myself until it's uncomfortable

Writer Print

I started a series over a month ago—Marriage and Baby: Not for the Weak. I was really excited about it, mostly because it pushed me as a writer. The series is personal and intimate—it covers topics I haven't delved into in my writing before and a level of honesty that far surpasses my already TMI style. My decision to write about my struggles with anxiety, commitment, childhood trauma, the dark hours of my relationship with my husband, trying to conceive (which automatically means talking about sex), pregnancy, and childrearing makes sense to me. Yes, I feel exposed and anxious about putting it all out there for the world to react to. But, this is exactly what drives me as a person. 

I am excited by and drawn towards the things that scare me most. I always have been. The place where those two emotions intersect (excitement and fear) is where life happens. That is the place that changes you, enriches your experience, lights you up, and propels you forward. That is the place where I am uncomfortable, but need to live.

And I am writer. I have been a writer since the day my most beloved High School English teacher, Mr. Diamond, kept me after class to tell me that he had been moved to tears by something I wrote and he began referring to me as a "writer." He also confessed that he had been passing my essays around the teacher's lounge, because he thought I had a message and a beauty that needed to be shared and he hoped that I'd understand why he did this. I wasn't upset, I was honored. I was intrigued by my ability to affect someone outside myself. I had felt so powerless and unimportant in my life. Always. I felt like no one really knew me…my truth was unseen and unheard.  

Writing was a solution—it was healing and empowering. And I loved it. So, I kept doing it. And I kept sharing. Sharing my work was always scary, especially for a shy, introverted girl like me. I tested the waters by sharing my essays with my father. He cried every time he read them. When I went off to college, I began to share my writing with my peers. From there, my passion grew and though I've tried, in numerous ways, to be something other than a writer (and photographer, because that began the very same year), I can only be who I am.

But, I get bored sometimes. And when I am bored it usually means that I need to dig deeper, I need to grow or I've lost my direction. Because to be a good writer you have to push yourself to a place that feels less than comfortable (at least I think so). Honesty has many layers, as I've discovered so intensely over the past few years. Every time I think I'm writing from a place of total honesty and exposure, there always seems to be another layer underneath that I hadn't seen before. 

So, I started this mini-series as a way to push myself and to share something even more personal than my usual repertoire. I turned the first post of the series out almost immediately upon hatching the idea in my brain. And I began writing the next post shortly thereafter. But. I've been holding it hostage for over a month now. The topic was conception, and surprisingly it was much harder to write about than I anticipated. I've rewritten that piece so many times that I've now lost track of how many versions I've gone through. The truth is, I'm entirely uncomfortable with the whole thing—the quality of what I've written, the story itself, the exposure. So, I've decided to just stop holding back and put it out there. That might sound crazy, but it is my way of remaining committed to myself, and honoring the passion and path I have been given. What other choice do I have? Personally, I cannot live a life of turning my back on myself. Not anymore, at least. So, I'm going to trek forward….

Come back Monday for the very overdue Marriage and Baby: Not for the Weak sequel! The topic of this next post turned out to be much meatier than I anticipated. So, I will be breaking up the story by posting a chunk of it every day next week. Get ready for TMI multiplied! 

change has arrived

So, as you've probably noticed, my blog has a new name! I wanted it to better reflect my journey, and my writing, as both have evolved over the past year. As simple as the title is, it took a long time for me to decide on—many months, brainstorming lists, opinion poll taking. I'm happy with it now! It makes sense to me.

I've also been updating my pages, including my "about" page. And the pictures throughout the site. It just feels good to have everything rearranged and set up. It's like I've carefully packed my bags, and dressed for the occasion and now I can head on my way. I am more certain than ever that my journey is under way, and my blog is my vehicle.

Anyway, here's the updated info...

About Lola's Child

Hi there! I’m Alexa, but most people know me as Lola! I’m a 32-year old writer, photographer, and mama-to-be new mama, living in the Northern Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.

On the most basic level, this blog is about truth. I want to put an honest voice out there to give others something to relate to, or at the very least, something that inspires them to be confident in their own truth. I give you the real, inside scoop poop on life as a mama. Just like life, sometimes my confessions will send you into a laughing fit, and sometimes you may just nod in tears. Either way, you can expect a whole lot of TMI. 

The name Lola’s Child is meant to have double meaning (though that’s probably not very obvious) given my life is about two things right now: my actual child, sweet baby girl Emerson, and my brainchild (my writing and photography career).

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you stay and read a while! Feel free to comment or shoot me an email! You can subscribe by email (on the left-hand side of the blog) to receive alerts to new posts. 

xo Lola

***

If you dig back into my archives, you will find that this blog used to be quite different. Though my blog has most definitely grown into something entirely new, I decided to leave all those years of writing intact here, because it is where I began.


A few links:

This is our life (ongoing series about the moments that seem to be the very definition of parenthood)
Pregnancy
Childbirth
Marriage
Parenthood
Artist

change is around the bend

I own this thanks to my thoughtful gal pal, Natalie!

I've been contemplating this blog for many months now. I went through a phase where I thought I might just shut it down. I've considered starting a whole new blog with a whole new URL. I've been staring at the wall trying to come up with a new name to better reflect the change in content. I've been wondering how or if I could transition away from the "Lola Rain" brand that I've created. So, here's what I got: I will be staying on the Lola Rain train, but this blog will have a new name shortly. I wanted to mention this change a bit before it happens so people aren't confused. At the same time, I'll be giving my blog a once over and changing some of the layout and graphics. Things will look different, but it will be the same blog you are used to (if you've been reading it the past year or so). I'll explain more as these changes start to happen. I'm excited, though, because I feel like streamlining everything will push me further in the direction my writing (and life/career) is already headed. 

Thank you for all the kind feedback and encouragement I've received this past year! I take it all as a sign that I am on the right path. Your words have inspired me to dig a little deeper and share even more.

"I want to work in revelations, not just spin silly tales for money. I want to fish as deep down as possible into my own subconscious in the belief that once that far down, everyone will understand because we are the same that far down." 

~Jack Kerouac

an honest voice

Yesterday, I quickly shot some words out of my brain and onto my computer screen, and hit "publish" before I could second guess any of it. Those words were thoughts….feelings, really….that I've been having for some time. Some part of me felt that if I made that little confession to the world, the Universe would answer. And it did. In the form of a lovely message from a lovely person that grew up in the same hometown as me. I've heard from this lovely lady several times since I became pregnant, and have felt so appreciative each and every time. I'm not sure we ever spoke back in our school days, but now we have something that unites us, something that makes us feel perfectly comfortable making confessions to one another: motherhood. Ah, the sisterhood of mamahood. It's very real, and so important. Long story short, I heard the message I needed to hear from the Universe through this wonderful mama: keep going.

So, here it is. I'm going to keep writing, and I'm going to continue to be real. Because, that's how I roll. If I had a mission statement (for this blog), it would look something like this:

Struggle permeates life. Though the struggle makes us human, we so often attempt to evade its presence. We pretend, we keep it to ourselves, we sometimes believe that we make it easier for others to be around us by hiding it. So much of the world is a polished version of itself. How can we relate to a polished version of reality? There is a reason television has been taken over by reality shows, why we've become so obsessed with celebrity gossip, why we read blogs. We're all in search of honesty, confessions, the imperfection that makes us all alike. 

I want to put an honest voice out there. That is why I write. I want to give others something to relate to, or at the very least, something that inspires others to be comfortable with their own honest truth. Specifically, right now, I feel compelled to share the truth of my journey through motherhood (and previously, pregnancy and birth). I hope that my honesty frees you, inspires you, or simply entertains you.

Thank you to all my readers! And thank you to the others who sent me nice messages yesterday.

confessions of a blogger

My muse

I've mentioned that one of the reasons I've been struggling to post lately is insecurity. Throughout my pregnancy and just after the birth, I felt good about this blog. I felt very inspired and was receiving a steady stream of positive feedback from readers, and felt like I was creating something. I've never been entirely sure what specifically I'm creating here, but it's always felt like part of my path so I continue to write. 

However, as the high of giving birth and having a new baby wore off, so did any sense of confidence in my writing. The truth is my confidence in a lot of things has been shaky for months. I've been hit by the much-expected-hoped-I'd-avoid-it identity crisis that so many mothers experience. Many days I find myself questioning my goals, my daily life, my outward appearance….basically, my entire existence. Nothing is spared. I have toyed with the idea of erasing my blog altogether on several occasions. But, I can't. At least not today. For today, I am writing this confession instead of erasing years worth of writing. I guess we'll see what tomorrow brings….

blogging

I have done a complete overhaul on my blog several times since the time I started it, and yet it appears it's time to do so again. The first year or so, this blog was completely unfocused and I didn't post with much consistency. I pulled my act together and started blogging daily the following year, but still without much of a theme. I eventually narrowed my focus and set up pages like the New Reader page to make my mission clear (somewhat). But, it seems my mission has changed. 

The blogs that I personally read and love have a clear voice and a story. That is what I've been lacking. But, I felt a voice and story begin to emerge from me during my pregnancy and this blog has slowly become something I never intended or imagined it would. I'm hesitant to label it anything at this point, though some could say it's a parenting blog. I just know that writing about my pregnancy allowed me to share on a deeper, more relatable level and the feedback I've gotten has been overwhelming. I've received numerous emails and comments, since my blog changed course, that confirm I am moving in the right direction.

I always said that having a child would somehow connect me to an opportunity in my personal life (i.e. career), but I had no idea what that looked like. I have been working on my photography business, little by little, off and on, for a few years now, and right now I feel most drawn to photographing pregnant women, babies/families, and possibly births. I'm so in awe of all those things, and can't imagine anything more beautiful and meaningful so it makes sense that I would not only want to photograph it (as that is my artistic medium), but also write about it. We'll see where this all leads…..

So, I will have to overhaul this blog yet again—it needs a new, pithy name (suggestions?), new banner, new tagline, etc. Now I just have to find the time to work on this with a small infant….oh….she just woke up. And she's hungry. I'll get around to all this work someday.

Thanks for all your support, dear readers! And thanks for reading!

xo

where's this all going?

When I started this blog I simply wanted a place to post some pictures and surface-level thoughts as I played around with my photography. After almost a year though, I had a more concrete plan and started posting every day. I had many reasons for this—it was a way to hold myself accountable, to feel committed to working on my photography/business/creative journey, it was a way to make sure I was always writing, it was an outlet, it was something I believed would help me stay on my path and arrive at whatever destination the Universe had in store for me. And I had clear-cut topics for this blog for quite a while. Then I got pregnant. 


Sadly, I haven't found myself very artistically inspired since I've been pregnant and that's a fact that I really struggle with. But, that's not to say I am not inspired. I feel inspired to write, to put my experience out there for what it's worth. I tried to keep the pregnancy posts to a minimum at first, but it's been the greatest source of writing material I've had in my life next to heartache (go figure). So I've been writing, and you've been reading. In fact, more and more people have flocked to this humble little blog since I began writing about pregnancy. So how could I stop? But, I often wonder where this is all going. I am still an artist above all, I still have goals and dreams for my life as an individual and I hope to get back to all that when it's possible. But, my blog has slowly morphed into a motherhood/parenting blog, and I'd wager it will continue once my little bean arrives (the greatest source of inspiration imaginable). I have a feeling this will all make sense someday soon though…I have a feeling that becoming a mother is closely tied to the direction I am meant to travel career-wise. Stay tuned….

new page

I've replaced my "About LBR" page with a "New Reader" page, which I think is also a great resource for current readers! I'm constantly looking for ways to make my blog more reader-friendly, and at the same time check in with myself about what I'm doing with this blog. I thought adding a page that would give my readers a quick snapshot of what I do, along with some suggested reading, would be the perfect change. 


Below is the new page, which you can also visit by clicking the link at the top of the page…..

Hello there! I’m Lola! I’m a 31-year old artist and mama-to-be, living in the Northern Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. I am primarily a photographer and writer, but have dabbled in just about every art form there is throughout my life. I cannot live (sanely) without creating and expressing. I am committed to living an artistic life, an authentic life, the only life that feels right for me…. and I blog about that journey here.

This blog is evolving. In the past year, my life has changed in every way imaginable: from city to the isolated mountains, single to married, apartment renter to home owner, childless to expecting. It would be unnatural for me to leave any of that out so I’m being flexible with my blog as I watch it grow into something new.

Why bohemian?

I’ve been called a hippie for half my life, but I think bohemian is a better term. Bohemians practice unconventional lifestyles, they are adventurers or vagabonds, they are artists, writers, musicians, actors, they believe in peace and love. “Bohemian” is one word that nicely wraps up so much of who I am into a neat little package.

What do you blog about?

Some of my favorite things to blog about are photography, painting, healing, life struggles, inspiration, and pregnancy. I also regularly promote other artists and Etsy shop owners, mostly by integrating their artwork or products into pieces I’ve written on a related topic.

Popular posts…

Lola Rain, A (Rather Extensive) Window Into Lola's Style and Soul, Gift Guide: Etsy Finds for Particular Folks, Holiday Wish Lists: Gift Ideas, My Future Shangri-La: Meditation/Yoga Studio, The Consequence of DNA, New York New York, A Walk Through Boston, 5 Internet Resources for Creative Souls

A few of my favorite posts….

Inspiration: To the Dreamers, Looking for Inspiration, Inspirational Words, What am I Doing with My Life?, When You Compare You Lose, Be Happy So Long As Breath is in You, Artists Need Love, Surround Yourself With All That Inspires You, Gratitude.

Photography: Lila, Olivia and Mama Nicole, Sweet Olivia, The Tao of Motherhood, Glowing and Growing, Om Baby Baby, The Many Faces of Hannah J, Canvas Prints, The Metamorphic Life of a Tree and a Girl, My Portfolio in Review.

Painting: Get Your Paint On: Week 2, Taking Risks With Color, Stand Alone Beneath the Stars, Orange Horizon and Classic Rock, Led Zeppelin, Phish and a Little Birch Bark, Theme From the Bottom, Sea Shell Sea, Sweet Little Bird. 

Life: A Day in the Life of Lola Rain, We're Married, Alex's Vows, It's Just the Beast Under Your Bed, Living in the Light, An Intimate Act, Bohemian Style,The Best of Two Years, Learning to Let Go.

Music and Performance Pieces: Buttercup History, The Consequence of DNA,Worth the Wait

***

I would love to hear from you! Feel free to comment, ask questions or share yourself (in a kind, appropriate way please!).

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you stay and read for a while! If you think you’ll enjoy reading more, please sign up to follow me, or subscribe.

xo Lola Rain

tea cup wisdom

I've been in bed sick since Sunday, and begrudgingly that's where I'll stay today. I am, however, stubbornly insisting on writing a blog post today, because I committed myself to daily posting some time ago and up until yesterday I had not broken that commitment. 

Why the commitment? I have dreams of this blog leading me in the right direction, and of course, I have dreams of finding an audience that enjoys my writing! To boil it down to an even more simplistic level, I write this blog every day to honor myself exactly the way I am…..to feel free to be that person and share her with the world. This may not seem like a significant feat, but for me it is. Coming out of an alcoholic household, one of the most difficult struggles in my life has been figuring out who the heck I am, what I stand for, what I want, and what I have to give to the world. One of the unfortunate side effects of being an ACOA (adult child of an alcoholic) is a flimsy sense of identity. Coincidentally, my entire life has been a mad hunt for myself. 

I have always been deeply committed to figuring myself out. I can't say I'm completely cured of this issue, but I can say this blog is a testament to the steady ground my identity stands on today. And because I write with the freedom to be myself, no longer stymied by outside opinions or thrown off track by attempts to steer me into being someone else……I know I am walking the path of truth and that is where I'll find my success (whatever that success is). 

I admit, I did commit to writing every week day based on all the research I did awhile back on successful blogs (one prevailing axiom of successful blogs: post every day). But, taking that advice has actually helped me as an artist and as an individual in more ways that I had anticipated.  

Now….back to bed.

xo

blogging

All the Cool People Blog Poster by I Shoot Nouns

A few months ago, I started reading up on how to create a successful blog. I have been blogging for years, but not very successfully, and suddenly felt pulled toward dedicating myself to my blog. I had this strong feeling that writing every day was what I was supposed to be doing so I set out to do just that. My philosophy toward life, especially a creative one, is that we have to trust where we're being led, put our energy into what we feel drawn toward today, and let go as your path unfolds. So, when I felt a connection between my blog and my path, the way I approached blogging changed dramatically.

I Love You Blogs and Coffee Print by Made by Girl

Surely, I feel there is a connection between my blog and my career, but for me it's much more than that. Since shifting the focus and intention of my writing, and really opening myself up, I have felt lighter and freer. It's entirely therapeutic for me to sit down every morning with the intention of being totally honest and sharing myself as a whole rather than just the "good" parts. Let's face it, we are all human and any attempt to put forth a slightly skewed image of ourselves that totally ignores our imperfections and struggles, balks at that very fact. I admit, I have been one such individual for most of my life....attempting to hide and deny my imperfections and operating under the veneer of false images I had cooked up.

It is liberating for me to finally be living as a whole individual. My greatest act of strength, courage, and confidence every day is being honest about my life and who I am....in front of an audience. It's interesting how many of us have the warped belief that sharing our broken places and admitting we are imperfect would mean showing our weakness. To me, it is a sign of strength.

At any rate, I'm so grateful for this blog, and for my audience. Thank you for reading, and for all your support!

xo

Blog Red by Ecce Prints

We Go Together Like Blogs and Comments by Sapling Press

My Analog Blog Notebook by My Handbound Books

honeymoon

Photo by Lauren Stagnetti

Today I woke up at 3:30 am…..on purpose. We are off to Antigua for our long-awaited honeymoon and I cannot wait! Thanks to a great deal of planning and writing in advance, I have my blog set up to continue posting while I'm away, so keep coming back to read!

It will probably be quite difficult for me to not be writing my blog while I’m away. I know it’s my honeymoon (and I intend to savor the heck out of it!), but I really look forward to the part of my day when I sit down to write. Recently my blog has taken a different turn than I originally anticipated, but I wanted to let it go where it wanted to go….you know, trust the process. I try to put my blind faith into “the process” of everything, believing that I am being led. And I have to say that, since allowing my blog’s focus to meander off the path I set out for it, I have become so much more dedicated (and obsessed) with it! Wherever it leads, one thing I know is that I want to write for an audience so I'm going to keep going.

But, I am going to be on a strict no-blog-writing diet while I’m away with my sweet husband for 9 days in paradise…..and the lack of internet service on the island will prevent me from any possible slip ups. Alex and I will be working on writing our book while we are away though, and that is something I am really looking forward to! Perhaps it isn’t your typical honeymoon activity, but for us, having days on end with nowhere to go and nothing we’re obligated to do provides us with the space we wish we had regularly to create, create, create!

Don’t you worry though, we will get in PLENTY of beach lazing, salt water swimming, husband vs. wife tennis matches, shuffleboard, gorging on island food, steel drum dancing, fruity drinks, massages…..oh and even a boat ride that will drop us off on a deserted island for a day of beach fun, hiking and a lobster dinner cooked for us in the middle of nowhere.

I will for sure have TONS of photos and stories to tell when I return!

Today's Picks: Honeymoon Treats from Etsy:

Edible, Warming, Lickable Massage Oil by Sobe Botanicals

Just Married Bikini by Island Bride Shop

Honeymoon Roll On Perfume Oil by The Dirty Housewife

Tropical Palms Weekender by Sew Posh Designs

Rustic Copper Do Not Disturb Sign by Buttermilk Hollow

blogger love (part 2): hannah j

I am blessed to have so many creative and talented people in my life! Hannah J of Angel Babies, Paint & Cookies is one of them! I've known Hannah since I was somewhere around 8 years old (the exact year escapes me) and her artistic spirit has always amazed me. I remember back in high school being fascinated by her artistic phases, like the time she suddenly, yet desperately, needed her own potter's wheel to toss clay on in her bedroom. And she was always painting, something I totally admired.

When I was a very young girl (age 5-13) I was also a wild painter. I believe my inability to communicate or process my difficult home environment led me to form an intimate relationship with art (of all kinds). It was (and still is) a "safe place" to let my emotions out, and with painting it felt even safer, because a painting can be totally subjective. No one could know for sure what I was trying to communicate across the canvas, and I liked that. I was free and expressive with a paint brush in my hand. I was in a special art program in grammar school that allowed me to miss some of my regular classes to be taken out on nature walks with an easel, canvas and oil paints in tow. I also sat with a professional artist once a week to paint with her. But sadly, one day I put down my paint brush and have been struggling to find that part of myself ever since. That is another story entirely!! But, back to the amazing Hannah J!! (I can't help but delve into my past when I think of her:)

Hannah never stopped painting and I am drawn to that freedom in her. Both her abstracts and representational works are stunning in my opinion. There is something very raw and so inspiring in her style, and her use of color and texture is delicious. I especially love her abstract collection inspired by fallen leaves, and the imprints they leave behind on the pavement. Gorgeous! I am lucky enough to own one of these paintings, and it adds so much warmth to my home.

Among Hannah's many other talents is her budding mural business. I would highly recommend hiring her to liven up a corner of your home if you live in the Connecticut area! She truly transforms every wall she paints into a unique world. It's an amazing way to add character and something personal to your space. Check out some of her work below, and contact her through her blog, Angel Babies, Paint and Cookies if you are interested in hiring her.

Last, but by no means least, stop by and check out her lifestyle blog: Angel Babies, Paint and Cookies. She has far more talents than painting and murals. She truly approaches everything in life with such artistic passion. She often posts unbelievable recipes with easy how-to's, and believe me your taste buds will thank you for trying one of them out. I also find her a great source of decorating inspiration--she obviously has an incredible eye for the aesthetic and it shines through in the way she puts a room together.

The last thing I will say about Hannah J is that I am THRILLED to be embarking upon a project with her! This coming spring we will co-host an art opening, with our art work up on the walls for sale! SO exciting! But, I am sure you can contact her to purchase one of her beautiful paintings should you not be on the guest list:)

Love you Hannah! Thank you for the constant inspiration and long talks about creativity!