For this week's inspiration for Inspiration Tuesday I've chosen Susan Boyle...I know that she is not "new" news, but that doesn't mean she doesn't inspire me any less. I'm featuring her second performance of "I Dreamed a Dream," as featured on Britain's Got Talent and not her audition...but I'll never forget the expressions on the audience's faces as she took the stage...and the response she received when she broke into song...she brought everyone to their feet! Also, she couldn't have chosen a more appropriate song...
That's how art is...it has the power to evoke an emotional response. I find it incredible that someone with the voice of an angel could be such an unknown until recently. Her lifelong dream was to be given an opportunity to sing on stage. Her dream came true. How many of us harbor a gift of art just waiting to be released? How many of us are too fearful to "let it out" for fear of being criticized?
Remember the gift, and the power, of art is that it is meant to be shared with the world. I know my life is richer because of Susan Boyle...her voice is so beautiful it brings me to tears. I am thankful that she found the courage to audition and share her gift with all of us. My prayer and wish is that she will inspire many of you to do the same. What is holding you back? Fear? Lack of confidence? Feeling you aren't good enough? Remember, as created beings, we were created to be creative. That's a mouthful I know, but the truth is, we all have a talent within us...it doesn't have to be painting, sculpting, sketching, sewing, designing fashion...it can be baking a great loaf of bread to share with a neighbor...it can be the ability to grow beautiful flowers to share with someone who is suffering...it can be the written word, the ability to make someone laugh...to make someone smile...anything you can do to make the world a more beautiful place.
I challenge you to do something creative today and make someone smile, laugh, or even cry...don't waste your gift...don't keep it hidden...use it to make the world a better place...be a Susan Boyle and march strongly onto the world's stage...share the gift of art that is within you...and if you do, I'd love to hear about it!
I have finally completed a mixed media painting called "Belle Brunehaut" (Beautiful Brunhilda)...and have posted her for sale in my Etsy Shop.
I also have 4 x 6" high quality glossy prints of the artwork for sale there as well.
This is a beautiful original 12 x 24 inch mixed media painting done on a 1" cradled hardwood panel. The painting consists of top quality archival art materials done primarily in acrylics, glitter, black lace, black tulle, archival paper, and Prismacolor pencils. It contains many textured layers and lots of glimmer and glitter, and sealed with a faux encaustic acrylic sealer. The cradled sides are painted and glazed in a very dark purple with a slight underlying orange peeking through. The piece comes ready to hang.
The inspiration for the piece came from several classes I took from Suzi Blu at the Les Petit Art Academy.
Every effort has been made to photograph the piece as accurately as possible though it's difficult to capture the shine and glimmer without glare. The colors are primarily purple, orange, and black.
Belle Brunehaut will be carefully packed and sent by USPS Piority Mail. Shipping, delivery confirmation, and insurance are included in the price. Check her out here.
Hands and Heart Night Queens Halloween Party!! September 25th!
OMG! Monica over at Hands and Heart has the most awesome event planned for this month - the Night Queens Halloween Party! Talk about some awesome projects and classes coming up!
You will enjoy free courses, games, prizes, giveaways and great Halloween Free Projects for you to have lots of fun and learn some cool techniques! She will also offer the paid workshops as well!
Hands and Heart Spooky Fun Workshops Sneak a Peak!
A) Witchetty Boo!
A cute witch painting especially for beginners!!! Super easy and fun!
B) Day of the dead (sugar skull)
For those interested in Mexican culture and the day of the dead tradition!! Paint a sugar skull and her wardrobe!
C) Trick or treat Kitty cat!
For kitty cat lovers! A great painting experience with acrylics! Learn how to paint this kitty`s cute face with Monica!
Classes start September 25th!
Hands and Heart will also be featuring Cristina Zinnia's Roses on My Table work in the party so you get to know her and her beautiful work!
Cris`s free projects for you to enjoy at the party:
Easy Crackle Paint Halloween Hang Tags
Altered Art Halloween Spell Bottle
Finished artworks by Cristina will be a give-away!
Registrations to the party will start September 25th so you have time to create your projects for your own celebrations at home or to give as gifts to your loved ones!
I can't believe it's been ten years since that dreadful September day...09/11/01...so much has changed...our youngest son is still in the military...our second youngest son, the one that was injured and medically discharged from the military, is still suffering from his injury that has now affected his foot, hips, and back, is still trying to get the appropriate treatment for the knee that was injured, but I'm afraid the VA doesn't have the funds. He enrolled in the same art insitutue that I did a little over a year ago, so we're like school buddies...except that we're never in the same class...I think his spirits are a bit better because he's working towards something. Our president says that we're going to be pulling troops home. I hope it's soon...ten years is a long time...and quite honestly, I don't think that our country will ever be finished fighting the war on terror...I can't add much to how I feel as I remember that horrible day ten years ago, so once again, I'm just re-posting the same thing I wrote several years ago...
This is my post from 2010:
This is my post from last year (2009), but I wanted to do a little update as well...when our two youngest sons were still at home, they were members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the civilian branch of the Air Force. I had the privilege of serving as the Moral Leadership Officer in our local wing. It was a great organization for them to belong, and while cadets they learned to fly (free of charge) as well as learning to do SARs (search and rescues)...they also got their first taste of the military through the hands on training they received. Jacob even earned the Mitchell Award, the equivalent of a Boy Scout's Eagle award. That gave him the privilege of entering the military a grade higher. He was injured as he was completing his final testing in basic training and was in convalescence for about three months before being medically discharged from the Navy. He now sufferers from the knee injury which has affected his back, hips, and foot. He is in constant pain, but has a good attitude in spite of not being able to realize his dreams of becoming a pilot.
Our youngest son is still serving in the Navy, and four of the other cadets are in the military as well...two in the Air Force after completing ROTC, and two brothers who joined the Marines and are currently serving together in Afghanistan. I'm so proud of their accomplishments, and their service. Also, a young woman who has been a friend of our sons' since childhood is in the Navy and about to be deployed to Afghanistan. I know they have not chosen an easy path.
When I was a child growing up in the sixties and seventies, it was during the Vietnam conflict (as it was known back then)...I remember thinking that I hoped I would not grow up and have sons that would have to go off to war. Now having three sons that have all served in the military, I am proud of their service, and yet feel sorrow for all those who have paid the highest price for the many freedoms we enjoy in our great country. I dedicate this day to all our sons and daughters who continue to dedicate themselves for our safety, and continue to remember all those who lost their lives that fateful day nine years ago. I'm hoping that one year from today our sons and daughters will once again be out of harm's way.
And here is my post from one year ago (2009)...
Our two youngest sons were still at home...seniors...I was home schooling...we were in the middle of our class day when our daughter called from work...in tears, crying...saying that planes were crashing into buildings...told us to turn on the television...we tuned in just in time to see the first World Trade tower collapse...we watched in horror...in disbelief...it looked like a Hollywood movie...we sat glued to the television...heard about the other hijacked planes...listened to the news as it was announced that all flights were ordered to be grounded...heard the local news about our area power plants and the Garrison dam being put on the highest security levels...got the call that our oldest son, who had recently completed his tour of duty with the US Army and had enlisted in the Army National Guard, was put on high alert and had his equipment stowed in the trunk of his car in case he was suddenly called up...wondering if the madness would stop...being comforted by the many prayer meetings that sprung up all over the country...feeling tremendous sorrow for all the families who lost loved ones in the attacks...feeling proud of the way our country pulled together...of the outpouring of patriotism, of the increase in the displays of the American flag...feeling sadness and loss from watching the memorial services...and then watching as so many of our local young people entered the military, including our two youngest sons...many of them serving in Iraq and Afghanistan...
...feeling proud yet possessing a certain sadness that our youngest son just re-enlisted for six more years in the US Navy...
We remember the horror, the heroism, the tremendous cost of our freedom...and we honor those who paid the ultimate price with our memories and our unending gratitude...we will never forget you...and may we never forget that freedom isn't free...
Thanks for stopping by today...and remember...freedom isn't free...
Darlene is an amazing doll artist, and an "emerging" mixed-media artist...I "met" her online while we were both participating in the same classes at Hands and Heart (some of the most amazing online classes EVER!). She had this video posted on her blog, and I just have to share it with you.
The music video for Tanya Davis' song "Art" was made by Andrea Dorfman. The song is so light-hearted...and inspiring...so...enjoy!
Thanks for stopping by...and come back soon...I have more "stuff" to share with you!
