The Pairing of Music and Painting

Like fine wine paired with cheese, the pairing of a song and a painting invigorate the viewer, sooth the soul, and revive resolve to live, to create, to believe! Pianist and composer, Deborah Keily Hanson, and I have embarked on a series of music and wine pairings. The first is Golden Butterfly of Chiang Mai. …

Beauty Grows in Unexpected Places

Have you ever found yourself in a tough spot? Maybe things didn’t go as you’d planned. Or maybe you feel trapped in circumstances beyond your control.  Often life feels like rocks you’ve got to find a way to grow up and out of despite the seemingly impossible situations. I took the first two photos during …

Art Heals the Soul

Listen to the painting paired with the song that inspired her: https://youtube.com/shorts/hiGcKnbdlxw The story behind Deborah Keily Hanson and my collaborative project, Golden Butterfly of Chiang Mai, is so amazing that I wanted to share her account with you: “I was really inspired by your painting of the Rose. I have been dealing with long …

Creative Blocks

What are your creative blocks? For us artistic types, the battle begins in the brain. Not only in mastering skills needed for our art form(s). Fears of moving forward. Tendencies to devalue our own creativity time. Struggles to organize our creative spaces and art supplies. Insecurities over sharing our artistry with others. If you relate, …

How Big is your Garden?

I’ve always wanted a bigger garden than I could possibly manage. I’d scroll through Pinterest and ooh and ahh over archways and gates that beckon entrance, white-picket fences, and trellises that cradle ripening fruit. Yet, the demands of life and suburban living whittled my gardens down to a few raised beds. Tending a garden isn’t …

Making Peace with Empty Spaces

“You’d think with two photographers, and one who is also an artist, we’d have something on our walls.” My husband grumbled. 3 years has passed since we bought our home and still no wall décor.  “We’ve both agreed on a wine country theme for the dining room,” I added apologetically, "since we live in wine …

How to Overcome the Creative Block of Fear

“In order to learn the important things in life, one must surmount a fear each day.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Fear is a formidable creative block for many reasons and manifests in many forms. Here are a few I've encountered along my artistic journey. Fear of Failure Creativity requires you to venture into the unknown where possible …

Prioritizing People, Projects, and the Practical

Trying to balance these three essentials can cause consternation for the creative.  We want to be present for people, but not to the point where we don’t have time for our projects.  Projects are important—from home improvements to artistic endeavors. Yet, life can’t just be all about projects at the expense of people. And then …

Time Management for the Creative Change your Mindset

It’s as if the two sides of my brain collide; the artistic, unrestrained, go with the flow crashes against my responsible self.  Do whatever you want whenever you want wars with organize thyself.  Chase after every idea butterfly as opposed to schedule a time to clean your toilet.  Elya loves to paint butterflies! Paint away …

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