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)

Mad Tea Party 2010 Special Giveaway

The amazing dollmaker Christine Avarado of Du Buh Du Designs is celebrating her 200th post and special giveaway of one of her most lovely dolls pictured or a custom design of the winner's choosing, for the Mad Tea Party 2010!! The contest ends July 4th, so hurry on over to her wonderful site and be carried away in the rickshaw along the enchanted river of dreams.

Better late than never!

I know, it's been too many moons since I last posted...but for now I will share a few highlights of the past month, and my recent trip to CA. to pick up my youngest daughter Mariyah after her boarding school let out in Monterey. On the way I was able to spend some time with my oldest daughter Shekinah, and one & only most precious grand-daughter Sofia. We even got to spend a fun day at Disneyland for her 3rd birthday!

Then onto my mom's home for a week, where I got to see a few other friends and family. Here is pictured my beautiful niece Courtney and my mom (86 years!) Doesn't she look great!

From their homes in So. CA. I made my way up to visit sweet friends in Santa Cruz and shared a delightful meal and good night's sleep.

I always love to bask in the beauty of my friend Ray's courtyard and inspiring, artful home.

Then early the next morning, I went onto Monterey and loaded up Mariyah & her 'stuff'. She could hardly wait to be headed home to Montana for the summer!

The next day we arrived at my sister Lori's beautiful home in Lake Oswego, Oregon. She is a new blogger and has recently rediscovered her passion for painting, and is such an amazing artist! You must check out her blog (http://lori-diane.blogspot.com/)! I love all the special 'still life' around her home.

Heading home to Montana from Cali is always such a long road, but always so good to be back with my beautiful daughters & friends. Pictured are 4 of the 6 girls, l-r: Zionah, Mariyah, Miriam, the lovely Yim-Q, and Mikaelah (Shekinah & Shariyah are missing).

My girls and our extended 'family' shared some amazing meals together with Yim-Q's Vietnamese cuisine...loved that gorgeous, flowering papaya salad!!

Then we spent the evening listening to the band rehearse. The photo is of my girl Miriam & her love Micheal, lead singer & songwriter for their music. Check it out: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-love-ep/id349433158

Before the band left Montana for their Pacific Coast tour, Yim-Q and her & Marco's baby Carmela, stayed with us a few days. How sweet it is to have a baby around the house!!

Farewell gathering of the kids at my home the morning they left on tour....sweet blessings of life and family!!