Showing posts with label Painting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Painting. Show all posts

Thursday, January 3, 2019

Ready? Set. Go!

Ready or not 2019 is here! May your year overflow with wild adventures and creative explorations! May your hidden skills and talents spring forth as you embrace your Creative Voice. Remember, creativity is not confined to the titles of Art or Artist.

2019 shall be filled with goals, plans and dreams to be accomplished. Opportunities, adventures and the unexpected delights hidden within each day. The arrival of the New Year is an exciting time anticipating the possibility of the unknown. I'm probably one of the few individuals who can say, I do not make or declare a New Year's Resolution, instead I look forward to embracing each new day with as much creativity as possible. Some days there will be paint, others a shovel and tons of dirt, possibly fabric, pens and pencils, baking or developing new Gluten Free recipes and yes, at some point daily I will be at the keyboard writing, working on a new book to be released later this year.

I am beginning 2019 with a large blank canvas on my easel which is waiting patiently in the studio. A new art journal and a set of pens for my Doodles and Sketches. As I tie up a few loose ends remaining from 2018 I am looking forward to 2019 and the grand adventures to come!

Happy New Year! May 2019 be your BEST year yet!


https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2019 Carol Lane Fleming

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Still Writing But NOT On Paper

Blame it on too much sweet tea or changing seasons or even possibly extra time on Pinterest. [Is there truly such a thing?] Sleepless nights make for happy hours spent in the "land" of inspiration. Actually, it all began with a leaky roof and an extensive restoration of water damage.

After completing the restoration of my sewing studio, fresh paint, carpet ripped out and new painted floors. It became obvious the carpet on the stairs had to go as well. The carpet was not compatible with the new look of the sewing studio. So research began in earnest for possible new looks and I finally decided on a combination of effects for the steps leading to the sewing studio. If anyone ever tells you it is easy to rip up and replace carpet...let's just say they may have left out a few details. It is a dirty time consuming task and carpet is heavy! Then comes the cleaning of the steps, the removal of splinters and carpet tacks, sanding, cleaning, priming, sanding, priming, painting multiple layers of paint, sanding....

Today the steps are finally ready for the next phase. The writing of the quotes! Upon each step will be written an encouraging quote to inspire creativity. If there ever was a doubt before to those who enter my home, it is now clearly obvious that at least 1 artist lives here.

Psssst. It's okay to write on the ceilings, walls and floor. Be bold. Be courageous. Embrace your Creative Voice. And don't worry, I am still writing and working on my book.

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2018 Carol Lane Fleming

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Progress Requires Activity

Remember January? When I decided to attempt to set aside a time and place to write each day. A dedication, a commitment to be purposeful and decisive about my writing...Well, this is an update. I am writing daily so that in itself is a plus, however, I am not writing at the same time daily or even in the same place. Making progress, I'm not sure. There are stacks and stacks of drafts, outlines and notes, there are piles of crumpled paper scattered on the floor all are evidence of writing is taking place. There have been days when it feels as of all I have accomplished are hard stares at the blank computer screen. There have been days when two words are all that are recorded as I quickly run to the studio to paint.

Creativity is a wild and untamed beast. Relentless in the drive to flow easily avoiding containment to time or schedule. The drive to write is strong and ever present just as the drive to paint, quilt, garden or develop new Gluten Free recipes. I've not discovered the best time or place to write but I shall pursue the challenge after all it is only March and I have 9 months left to develop a schedule that works best.

One step at a time is still progress!

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2018 Carol Lane Fleming

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Dusty Boxes and Hidden Treasure

Yesterday I spent the day in the attic among the storage boxes surrounded by memories. A day of reflection and the discovery of hidden treasures. Confession, I was distracted from my original purpose of cleaning thanks to a collection of dusty boxes in the corner. Please tell me I am not the only one who when cleaning or other chores ends up down a 'rabbit trail'.

Most of the contents within the boxes had been discarded and forgotten over the years. Notes, letters, outlines, manuscripts, crumpled bits of paper, smudged, stained with fading ink. Dreams shelved or rather boxed for the future. Ideas, thoughts, events, stories recorded by hand only to rest covered in dust in the attic. The dust has been removed and the contents are currently being sorted. So now what?

There's a stirring, a calling, a rush of memories. Someday has captured my attention Today.

I am certain you have a Someday list too, as in, "Someday I will ___________ ".  Head to your attic, your thoughts, your wildest dreams and revisit the items on your Someday list. You may be surprised to learn your Someday is now Today!

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Fall is in the Air

The changing of the seasons always brings a rush of creativity in my studio. No matter the season, once the shift begins seemingly out of no where inspiration comes rushing in like a flood. I was prepared for Fall or so I thought. I had cleaned, scrubbed, tossed items that I no longer needed, a deep Spring Cleaning in preparation for Fall, the studio was ready! Boy was I surprised when my seasonal inspiration hit and it wasn't with paint or canvas. It wasn't with fabric and thread. It wasn't in the kitchen creating new Gluten Free recipes.

There I was gathering fresh Apples in the orchard when it hit! Inspired by the shadows dancing in the leaves, by the Goldenrod waving in the wind. I wasn't expecting to be inspired in the garden this Fall, usually late winter or early spring is when I plot and plan new creative adventures for the garden.

This Fall, I will be creating new flowerbeds, planting bulbs, flowering shrubs and some trees. Placing bird feeders and new birdbaths along the trails so that in winter I will be able to enjoy the flight of color in a cold barren winter garden. Checking my supply list and soon headed out to the Garden Center. I will be the one digging and transplanting, adding bulbs enjoying the lingering days of Fall. Bonfires, football and all things pumpkin. Happy Fall Y'all!

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Puddle Jumping

April showers bring mud puddles, rainbows and May flowers! I love Spring rain showers.
The low rumbles of thunder, the flashes of lightening and the rush of wild wind as the storms race across the country side. I love the sound of the Spring Creepers chirp celebrating the arrival of rain and the emergence of the box turtles when the rain is gone.

I enjoy watching the water collect into puddles and waiting for the arrival of the birds. Rushing to be the first to splash and bathe in the Spring rains as if in celebration that winter is over and warm sunny days are just around the corner. However, more than anything else, is the excitement of jumping and splashing in the first mud puddles of Spring. Mud splattered and soaking wet surrounded by cheers and joyful laughter. Spring has finally come to my garden.

Soon, many hours of my days will be spent painting En Plein Air, between the flowerbeds or resting in the shade of the apple trees, as an excuse to avoid weeding or mowing. Spring! I'm so looking forward to feeling the mud squishing between my toes.

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming