on the road

Clearly I have adventure on the mind as I prepare to move to a new state, and live on the road for the summer….

"What is that feeling when you're driving away from people and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing? —it's the too huge world vaulting us, and it's good-bye. But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the sky."

~Jack Kerouac

"They danced down the street like dingledodies, and I shambled after as I've been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones that never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes 'Awww.'" ~JK

1.Road to Nowhere in Chile by Perfect Art 2. On the Road Again by Jared in Missouri 3.Red Barn at Otterkill Road by Melanie Paquin Photos 4.Homeward Bound by Paul Presnail 5.NM Highway 16 by Quixole 6.Photograph Leaving Montana by Spirithelpers 7.Straight Ahead by Cats Like Scotch 8.Down the Road by Lauren Nicole 9.Destination Bright by Emerald Town Raven 10.Here Comes the Sun by Country Dreaming 11.Red Sand Road by Wild Wilderness Photos 12.Going Back Home by Dahlia House Studios 13.Road to the Rockies by Wild Wilderness Photos 14.I Come From Nowhere by Humboldt Street Photography 15.Winding Summit Road by Wild Wilderness Photos

dreaming in indigo

I've been stuck in an indigo-obssessed phase for months now. I find myself lost in the moodiness and mystery of the color—it makes me fall deep into contemplation and intensity. Love. 

1.Watercolor Fashion Illustration by Jessica Illustration 2.Indigo Lavender Flower Stems by Swalla Studio 3.Ikat in Indigo Blue Pillow Cover byYiayia's 4.Nightlight Nebula by The Wing Thing 5.Moraccan Blue Door Collage by DeNueva 6.InFusion 15 Mixed Media Painting by Elis Cooke 7.The Blues, Mood Indigo Number 2 by Leaping Gazelle Studios 8.Happily Violet by nocoro 9.Lavender Sachets by namolio 10.Indigo Eyeshadow by Providence and Grace 11.Inner Guidance Buddha Print by Ancient Arti Zen 12.Batik Textile Wall Hanging by Davidson Studio 12.Lapis Lazuli Ring by Katrinas Jewel

bohemian style

Art and style are inextricably linked—they are both created from a personal, organic source within us. It makes sense that painters become interior designers, photographers become stylists, or sketch artists become fashion designers. There is a natural path between any form of creation that begins with an empty canvas, whether that be a living room, a body, an empty memory card or a piece of paper. 

One of the links between artistic worlds that I've been thinking about lately is painting and fashion. I have yet to meet a painter who doesn't have a unique, personal sense of fashion. And what's interesting is that ever since I started painting again I've found myself more and more interested in fashion, specifically a longing to create my own personal style. 


I have been utterly blessed to have been working on my art for the past 2 years since quitting my publishing/editing job back in San Francisco. But, like most people who work from home, it has begun to wear on me (pun intended;) that I am rarely called on to look presentable. For a long while though, I was ecstatic about this—giving up my morning ritual of standing in front of the closet trying to decide how to put together an outfit that would be comfortable yet stylish. But, now I feel a disconnect between my need to create and express myself and the way I present myself to the world every day.


I didn't give style much thought back in my corporate days, and I never felt like I had a knack for putting together ensembles even though I had a full dresser and TWO walk-in closets to work with….I'm starting to realize that it was more a matter of having a room full of muted water colors to work with when I really favor bright colored acrylics. Have I taken this art/fashion metaphor too far? :) 


The point is I spent a gross amount of money on a style that was never mine—corporate chic. I was both hemmed in by my industry and sucked in by the sick amount of high-end fashion labels, boutiques, and department stores at my fingertips in San Francisco……and developed a dangerous, nearly daily shopping habit given my office was only blocks away from it all.

These days I feel little reason to put on a "real" outfit, to ever wear heels or to rummage through my accessory drawer. On a typical day in my work-from-home life you can find me living in yoga clothes……and I have to say, I've had enough. Spending so much of my time creating art lately has caused me to see the blank canvas of my body as such a wasted resource. Unfortunately, I have an entire room full of clothes that don't express who I am: an artist and a boho fanatic. I find myself craving STYLE right now (and craving a reason and the means to buy a whole new wardrobe!). So today, I'm dreaming of some boho goodness in my closet.


Some celeb looks I adore….

Etsy Bohemian Fashion:
1.Tunic by Plum Pretty Sugar 2.Embroidered Tunic Top by River of Romansk's 3.Clementine Hippie Head Band by Peace Love Vintage 4.Bohemian Batik and Knit Halter by My Oly Girl 5.Long Feather Hair Extension by Lady Pancake 6.Peruvian Turquoise Ring by rrunaway 7.Silver Moroccan Earrings by Go Meagan Designs 8.Little Blue Flowers Wristband by aos Leather 9.Semi Precious Stones on Leather Bracelet by Daisy Bead 10.Dew Drop Moonstone Ring by Garnet Girl Designs 11.Vintage Apron Tank Top by Ruby Chic Designs

when you compare, you lose

For the past several months I have been struggling with a tendency to compare myself to others. I hate to admit that, but there it is. I suppose you could pin my comparisons on my childhood—children who grow up in an alcoholic home tend to feel incredibly isolated in their problems on account of the fact that they were taught to keep the secrets of their family locked inside themselves as deeply as possible. Of course, holding that truth inside you means you remain unaware that other people are experiencing the same thing (if not worse) so it's very easy to believe that everyone else is happy and their lives unfold with ease.


Given that intense conditioning, I still tend to isolate myself in my problems when and if I slip out of my healthy practices (as I have lately). And I must say, the internet has intensified this problem for me. Our lives have become so (seemingly) transparent and documented, what with Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and the millions of others sites on which we have an online presence. It's easier than ever to compare yourself to others, because there is this false sense that you know what people's lives are like. I'll admit, to me, it often seems like everyone is out living these exciting, adventure-filled lives, enjoying their career success and happy children while I'm at home in my pajamas doing nothing. Yet I rarely stop and think "that's exactly how all of them are viewing my life." This is where one simple phrase has saved me: you can't compare your insides to other people's outsides. 


Haven't all of us been trained to put up a good front? We don't walk into work a hopping mess, mascara streaming down our cheeks as we cry about our breakup during a conference room meeting, do we? We don't tell the stranger in the elevator who asks "how are you?" that we're depressed about all our debt and plummeting credit score, do we? And we don't log on to Facebook to announce we're going through a tumultuous period in our marriage, to post pictures of our unhappy events, or to tell 500 acquaintances that we can't get pregnant, do we? [Of course, there are times when we do in fact do these things, but it's not the cultural norm.] But, here I am looking at everyone's outsides and comparing them to my insides even though all the common sense and intellect within me tells me it's futile and nonsensical. 


I suppose I just wanted to put my insides out there today in the spirit of knowing that my own life often appears like an easy, breezy adventure. So, here are my insides: I struggle to keep the focus on myself, I need to go to my support meetings twice a week to remain sane, I need to fall in love with myself (again) because I am crippled by my current lack of self-esteem (how/when did I fall out of love?!), I clearly need to work on my gratitude practices because my life is really a dream and I am tragically missing it right now, I need to accept myself and go easy on myself, I need to stop measuring my success and artistic talents against others'. That's the raw truth. May it inspire you to be honest with yourself.


xo 

dreaming of an art retreat

Photo by Natalie Schlegel

I have a busy summer of packing, moving twice (or maybe 3 times depending on our temporary housing situation) and the long process of house hunting. Every day has now become a set of tedious chores associated with all the above and I have to say, today I just don't want to think about any of it. I'd rather let my mind drift away into the clouds and lose myself in daydreams. Not that buying a house and moving to a new state aren't exciting, wonderful things, but the thought of having so many important to-do's in the summertime leaves me feeling exhausted before it's even begun. And I worry about my art—will I be able to bring all my art supplies with me on the road? Will I have the discipline to insist on having my creative time every day when my husband is off from work all summer? Will I feel inspired amidst so much chaos? 


All of this has got me daydreaming about escaping on a peaceful art retreat. Some options…..

1. SAW: Squam Art Workshops. DYING. TO. GO. The lovely Sunshine told me about this amazing retreat set in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and after reading every single section of their website and watching a few videos (that left me feeling rather emotional) well….I became obsessed with the idea of going. At Squam you live in rustic little cabins on a lake, eat organic food, meet amazing people and learn from top-notch artists in a wide variety of crafts. I'm particularly drawn to the Fall session, which includes workshops in: jewelry making, cooking and food styling, writing, mixed media, photography, drawing, yoga, unique embroidery, and painting….AND the guest speaker at the opening ceremonies is stylist and visual merchandiser, Kayte Terry, who has built her career at Anthropologie (would LOVE to hear her speak!).

2. Unleashing Your Calling: Create the Work and Life You Love. This is a retreat with Tama Kieves (whose amazingness I've mentioned before: here) at the Shambhala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. Get me to this retreat so I can "learn how to get past fears and step into my unparalleled work in this world!" Tama specializes in empowering creative souls, coaching us to find our creative success. I absolutely love the combination of being in an incredibly peaceful, mountain location where, in addition to participating in this retreat, I can practice yoga and meditate. Ahhhhh, nirvana!

3. Paint and Dance from the Source: A Magical Journey to the Beloved.  This retreat, at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts (what up my new home!) combines "two powerful and ancient healing rituals, organically moving back and forth between dancing and painting on a journey of radical breakthrough to the authentic Self." Umm YES….PLEASE! I've considered Kripalu my 2nd home ever since setting foot in this tranquil retreat center 5 years ago, and I've heard the experience of that intense phenomenon is quite common for visitors (#1 reason to go:). Knowing I have as much yoga, meditation, nature and organic food at my disposal as I could ever desire is pure bliss. Taking part in a retreat program on top of that is simply unworldly. The combination of painting and dancing sounds absolutely magical.

Ahhhh, I'm going to go live in one of these daydreams for the day…..

inspiration from 1939

Lois and Henry, 1939

Last Friday I attended the memorial service for my husband's late grandfather, Henry, who was 104. The room was decorated with the most amazing set of memorabilia, 104 years of history—pictures, high school and college yearbooks, the last known commemorative smoking pipe given to him by Yale University when he graduated, his skull and bones photo (he was the oldest living member), pictures of him with his college basketball team (and on). It was like an incredible museum. 


Just considering what this man experienced in his lifetime is mind-boggling! Numerous world-altering wars, the stock market crash as he graduated from college, the invention of television and computers, 18 different presidents (Teddy Roosevelt was president when he was born!)….not to mention having experienced so many vibrant social-cultural movements from flappers to hippies to a culture obsessed with reality television and Lady Gaga. I simply can't imagine what it feels like to live through all of that (and I can't imagine how confused he was when my husband and I showed him our wedding photos on an ipad:)! 


What I can say is I am beyond excited to now have a copy of the photo (above) of Henry and his wife, Lois, on their honeymoon. I've been in love with this photo ever since I first saw it at my father-in-law's house. The pair are so stylish, so happy, so full of life….and every time I look at it it fills me with hope and inspiration in a way that I believe I'd feel even if I didn't know who the people were. This picture simply reminds me of why I am so obsessed with photography—a portrait is an incredibly powerful piece of art. 

etsy shop banner how-to

When I decided to make a new Etsy shop banner a couple of weeks ago I discovered that there aren't too many resources out there. Sure there are a few good tutorials to be found, but I didn't find exactly what I was looking for (the program and style I prefer). So, I thought it might be helpful to put one more banner how-to out there using a slightly different method than what I found online. Keep in mind, I am not a graphic designer. This is simply for the do-it-yourselfers out there who want to create something eye-catching for their Etsy shop. Here it goes…..


*This tutorial uses Photoshop (which is what I favor over all the free online design programs). Here is your tool palette key:

1. Create your canvas. Go to File>New>Blank file. A box will pop up asking you to set the dimensions (name the file if you like). For an Etsy shop banner the dimensions are 760 pixels wide by 100 pixels high. I have my resolution set to 72, but you can alter that if you like.

2. Set the background color. I personally have a hard time working within the constraints of a prefabricated palette, so instead of choosing one of the photoshop colors I like to use the eyedropper tool to suck up color from an object or landscape in my photo collection. Perhaps I want to create something based on the exact shade of pink in a flower, or in this case, the slate blue/sea foam color that I sucked up from a photo of the ocean rolling in: 

Or the blue from the road (photo all the way to the right)…

-To do this, select the eye dropper tool and click on a section of the color you want to suck up. Now the dropper is loaded with that color, which you should see at the bottom of your tool palette. 



-Select the paint bucket tool and click inside your empty canvas to set the background color.

3. Add focal points/images to your banner. I have two methods I like:


#1 (of step 3) Use a few pictures of your products to highlight some of your work. This method is fairly simple:

 

         
-Open the image files you'd like to use and resize each so that they fit into your banner nicely. Since we set the height to 100 pixels, we want the focal point images to be the same height. To accomplish this go to Image>Resize>Image size. A box will pop up. Make sure the little box on the bottom for "constrain proportions" is checked. Then change the height to 100 pixels (the width will change automatically to keep the image proportional).
         
-Select the move tool, click on the resized image and drag into the banner. The smaller image should fit perfectly (height wise). Then use the move tool to arrange it as you like. Follow the same steps for all the pictures you want to include in your banner.

#2 (of Step 3) Use a portion of an image. This may not work for everyone. I think it's a great method for art-related shops (photography, painting, etc) but could work nicely for anyone given they have product shots that would make sense aesthetically.

-Open the images files you want to use. Select the lasso tool.


-To use the lasso, you click at your starting point on the image and drag to carefully trace the outline of the object you'd like to use. This does require a (somewhat) steady hand and some patience, but if you are lassoing something artistic (part of a photograph or painting) I feel there is more room for error. 
         
-Once you release the lasso you should see the outline of the object is selected. Now copy and paste. A duplicate of what you lassoed will appear. You may not see it if it is directly on top of the original so select the move tool and click to move it.

         
-If you want the image to fit completely inside the banner, you will need to resize it (see instructions in #1 of Step 3). The size you need to change it to will depend on the size of the portion of the original photo you used. You can try changing the height to somewhere between 100-300 pixels high, which you can adjust if it's too big or small (but you have to adjust the size in the original file, not the banner file). Or you can leave the size as is if you want the image to bleed past the edges, as I did with the pink flower in this banner:

         
-After you've decided on a size, use the move tool to click and drag the image into your banner and arrange it to your liking.


4. Add your shop name (and a tag line if you like). Just like I enjoy customizing my colors, I also enjoy customizing my fonts. I typically download most of the fonts I use and my go-to website for that is www.dafont.com. When you find a font you like, simply download it to your desktop. Then click on the file you downloaded and "install font." As you might have guessed, I also customize the color of the font by using the eye dropper trick again. To create a more cohesive color palette within my banner, I will suck up color from one of the images I've added.


*Please note that if you do this while you are already in Photoshop, you may have to close and reopen the program to refresh the fonts so the new one shows up.

Handwritten>Script>Ma Sexy:

5. Save the file as a jpg (you will have to change it from a psd file). Then upload it to Etsy!


I realize this was a LONG tutorial, but I hope it helps someone out there looking to create a unique, custom banner without paying someone else or going to graphic design school.


This is the first time I've ever attempted to do a computer-related how-to so if I've been unclear or you have questions, don't hesitate to ask!