Hold on to Your Hats!

Living in Kansas has been fun but when it comes to weather, it changes so much, it's hard to have fun.  When we first found out Kansas is where we were going to end up, we forgot that it was still a state.  Nothing happens in Kansas that usually makes big news.  We farm, we have tornadoes, and its the place Dorothy was from.  That was all we knew.  After being here for almost 5 years, I have learned what it was like to be a true American.  Being from Texas, you are Texan first and American second.  I was and am still a proud Texan.  You do not cover Texas history every year and then take it for a whole year not to be proud of your state.  I forgot what it was like to be proud of my country like Kansans do.  I will say though, weather here is something I will never get used to because it doesn't last long enough for you to get used to it.  Today is one of those days that scare me.  We have a storm coming that might bring tornadoes, well most likely will bring tornadoes.  As a huge fan of the movie "Twister" this can go either way for me.  I have always wanted to see a tornado but I also never want to see a tornado.  God's creation is astounding but can be scary at the same time.  Just before I sat down to write this blog, I got a bunch of stuff together to take if the tornado sirens sound.  I pray for safety for all my friends out there if anything happens.  Hold on to you hats!!!!

Since, wind is a fact later today, I was thinking about all the things that will be blown away.  I personally would love if all the weeds in my flower beds would blow away but since those suckers are in there good (trust me, I know), what will blow away?  I was admiring this picture yesterday and thought with my luck, I would paint this and the wind would blow away my fence.

Painting on empty spaces can be beautiful and add just that little bit more of beauty to a dull space.  This time last year we put up a fence around our backyard that needs some color.  I am 80% tempted to go out this summer and paint something on it.  If I do, I might end up having to paint everyone else's fence too.  I'll see what happens but first, I need to see if my fence will survive the storm.

Take care friends and remember to be the best artist you can be!!

Why Buy Local Art?

Today feels like spring.  It is just beautiful out!  I can not say it enough, this is my favorite time of year.  This week is an exciting but sad week.  My son is turning 2!  I am so excited at the little boy he has become.  The energy that never ends, the curiosity about everything, and the smiles he gives when he sees me or accomplishes something new.  But....he is growing up!  He is not staying my little boy forever like I would love.  This time two years ago he was on his way into my arms and now he is too big for my arms.  Oh how time flies!!!

I am pretty sure I have covered this topic before, but it is an important one to talk about as an artist.  Local art is more then just something pretty to hang on your wall.  It is funding someone's passion, encouraging their love of creating.  The rare times people purchase my art, I get so motivated to create more thinking that someone out there likes what I am doing.  The argument will always be that artist create art not for money but for the love of art.  This statement is true but no artist would deny that excitement they get when someone purchases their art.  A few weeks ago, I sold a painting.  It was the first in a long time.  I did not realize how much I missed the feeling of wrapping up a painting to deliver to someone else.  It is a wonderful feeling.  To know that my painting that was stored away in a dark corner of my house got to see the light of day in someone's home.  Local art can bring personality to a home that no commercially made art can.  I refuse to hang commercially made art in my home.  To me, it makes my home a house that might as well have anyone living in it.  I loose that personality that my family has created for our home.  Every piece of artwork has a reason for being on my wall, a story.  As an artist, I would love to be a part of your home's story.  So, go out and buy some local art.  I am not trying to force you to buy mine.  What I am trying to do is encourage you to buy something someone out their worked hard to create.  Something someone gave a little of their soul to make beautiful just for you.  Are you willing to let their story be a part of your's?

Remember to be the best artist you can be!

Here is my Etsy shop in case you want to just at least look at what I am selling.

Rangoli

Spring is finally here!!  This is my favorite time of year, when everything seems to wake up from a long sleep.  I love the beauty and the life that is Spring.  Living in Kansas, it is usually windy.  Since it is Spring, the farmers have been control burning their fields to prepare for the new crop they will plant.  Since, it is windy, is smells like smoke....most of the time.



The other day I found myself watching a woman practicing Rangoli, and as I watched and heard the wind outside, I knew that this is a form of art I could never practice in Kansas.



Rangoli is a form of art or cultural practice done outside or in homes.  It is a design created with colored rice, dry flour, colored sand or flower petals.  It is usually done during Indian festivals to bring luck to whoever it is created for.  I have always loved learning about other cultures.  Learning what traditions others keep make me appreciate my own so much more.  I doubt many can argue against the complex designs that India produces as being extraordinary.



Even though the art I create is usually heavy in texture, I love delicate designs.  Using sand to create something so detailed and yet so delicate is fascinating to me.  I hope you enjoy the video I attached and the few pictures I found of many other Rangoli designs.



Do not forget I have an Etsy shop, you can see what I have HERE



Remember, to be the best artist you can be!