sunshine on a grey day

it's been grey for weeks now...snowed the past 3 days, after the earth was finally visible and we really thought that spring had held her ground. but this dance of the seasons continue, and winter is not letting go easily this year. my being longs for warmth and light...for eternal spring.

and then this ray breaks through...a treasury with my painting 'the glance' featured... and the title, bringing hope and reminding me that behind the clouds the sun is always shining.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dab6a14a1c86d914344990e/sunshine-on-a-grey-day

OWOH giftings!

i have been waiting to post my winnings from the incredible One World One Heart gathering of bloggers until all had been received, but though one prize has still not made it's way to me, i can wait no longer!! it has been exciting to find each of the 5 gifts i won so specially created by such a unique array of artisans! i love each and every gift and encourage ya'll to check out their blogs to see more of the amazing works of their hands!!

1. a very exquisite bracelet by Debi Levine of www.oneheartsblog.blogspot.com where you'll find such lovely jewelry and art with a message of peace and harmony.

2. a most beautiful felted landscape i treasure created by Michelle Wilkinson, an incredible fiber and mixed media artist @ http://socr8v.blogspot.com

3. lovely handcrafted clay beads of my favorite color by claymates: Carolyn & Dave Good, who make beautiful wearable art pieces & jewelry for the home you'll have to check out @ www.2goodclaymates.blogspot.com

4. a whimsical beaded art doll 'far out' by Laura Obiso, using a tie from Jerry Garcia of the grateful dead for a dress! far out! aside from other art dolls, she is an amazing mixed media & fiber artist @ http//makeminelemonade.blogspot.com

5. such an amazing signed copy of Kim Nugent's own book: "Interactive Art Workshop: Set Your Mixed Media in Motion" which is full of incredible projects to inspire any artist! Kim also creates beautiful journals of her art, and does unique assemblage works which you can see @ www.kimraenugent.blogspot.com

Thank you again each one for your wonderful gifts from your hearts!!

happy birthday tammie!

today is the birthday of one of my oldest, dearest long-time friends (over 35 yrs.!!) mz. tammie lee (of 'spirithelpers', and 'beauty flows' blogs). we met while in our 20's when our old boy-friend's were musical partners in so. california. then 6 years ago tammie came to visit me here in montana, and ended up living in a little log cabin next to our home, and she has never left!

we had a beautiful evening toasting in a new year, and sharing a delicious meal at wasabi's, and i created this painting for her as a birthday gift. since her 'word' for the year is 'listen', i painted a heart with the word, held close to the heart of the listening lady. my sister lori (lori-diane blog) had given me some vintage wallpaper that became the background for this painting.

'knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens' ~jimi hendrix

'since in order to speak, one must first listen, learn to speak by listening

i should sell my tongue and buy a thousand ears when that one steps near and begins to speak'

~rumi

'be still, and know that I AM God' ~psalm 46:10

And the Winner is....

This years OWOH gathering of artists and art lovers has been such a sweet blessing! I have received so many loving comments from over 400 bloggers, and know many will be a continual inspiration as our friendships grow.

One comment from a lady in new South Wales, Australia touched me deeply and i was so excited when the random number generator pulled her out as the winner of the mixed media painting i created for this event!

Congratulations to Suzyqu, lover of the beautiful, and very talented, creative fabric & fibre artist! This 'Little Bird' will be winging it's way to your home 'down under' shortly!

My deepest thanks to Lisa Swifka for bringing this gathering of like-minded artful souls together and giving us so many precious moments of joy on this journey! And like Lisa said in her recent post, WE MAY BE CLOSING THE DOOR TO ONE WORLD ONE HEART BUT WE ARE OPENING A NEW DOOR TO OUR WORLD OUR ART in 2012!

One World One Heart Giveaway!!

Blessings and greetings of Love and warm welcome to the fifth and final OWOH gathering of bloggers and art lovers from around the world, created by the lovely...
Lisa Swifka of A Whimsical Bohemian.

This is my 3rd year participating in this event, which has brought me in contact with so many other like-minded artists, and has been a source of inspiration and fun. My blog, Rusted Wings, is a journal and art-space for me and my 6 daughters, who are all amazing artists!

I was inspired to create a piece specifically for this OWOH event as my giveaway. I thought of the 'winged' theme, and thought of the passage that has recently taken place for me as each of my daughters one by one, has flown the nest. Though my youngest is away at boarding school and comes home for only school breaks, I am currently an "empty-nester" (though some of the girls still drop in daily for lunch, supper or spend the night occasionally =).

"Little bird~Still Voice within, lead me and guide me" is my prayer for us all.

If you'd like to enter into the giveaway for this 9x12 Original mixed media on 100% cotton Fabriano watercolor paper, please leave your comment on this post with contact info. and the winner will be drawn on Feb. 17th. May it be a joyful, inspiring journey as you each wing your way through blogland!!

Seeking balance & a heart of love~

after many moons and seasons of change i am finally emerging with a few words and offerings prompted by a winter's solstice gallery show where i and 3 of my daughters contributed a few pieces of art. it's interesting at such times what comes forth and what it means...so much solemnness and shades of blue in this winter season of my life. so much seeking for the balance and clarity of heart and life in harmony with love and truth. such is the balance of intention and surrender. only those whose hearts have been touched by love know the secret language of the glance.

Treasure Found

Yesterday I went to pick up a few items I had won (an old sap bucket, and metal wall shelf) as my daughter had entered my name in a drawing months ago when she purchased a beautiful candle holder for me for Mother's Day at a renovated antique mall that was once an old train station. I had to be at an appointment, and only had a couple minutes to browse as the owner was waiting on other customers, when my eyes landed on this treasure...a framed print of Da Vinci's 'Il Rendentore', which was wonderfully textured with a hint of gouache, and a slashed sale price of only $9!! What an inspiration piece she is, which now hangs next to the bathroom mirror reflecting "the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is in the sight of God, of great price." (1 Peter 3:4)