Happiness Through Art

new site is up!

2011-01-31T10:56:00.002-05:00

Hello dear friends!

This will be my last post here. Ever.

I will leave this blog up for a while and hope that all of my sweet followers come over and join me here:

http://loriportka.com/

Thank you! Thank you! Come visit me. And help remind me that change is good :)

Hugs and kisses,
Lori

wordpress and rework

2011-01-25T21:42:00.000-05:00

My new website is in the works! Holly Knott is my webdesigner and she is fabulous! And Sarina Fiero designed my new headers and wholesale catalog- love! I am deeply grateful for both of them.

I am switching my blog/website over to wordpress. I cannot switch all of my posts from this blog to wordpress- so in a sense, I am starting over (little scary). It really is a fresh new start. I am adding a page for my gratitude project, A Hundred Thank-yous, where I will share everything that is going on with it. I can hardly wait to get started!

This weekend my husband and I listened to the book REWORK. I highly recommend it to any small business owner. It reinforced my business beliefs and made me feel like I was on the right track. I learned so much. I realized that I tended to think of myself as so not a business person. After listening to this book, I know that this is not true. I won't limit myself with that belief any more.

I just read a lovely tweet by Roots of She- trust that you did the best you could today. That was so good for me to read as I am finishing up for the day- a day that wasn't quite as productive as I would have liked. It's okay. I will trust that I did the best I could. And now I will sleep peacefully :)

A Hundred Thank-You's

2011-01-11T08:37:00.002-05:00

This has been a wild start to 2011! I've been holding off telling you about a new project that I started called

A Hundred Thank-You's.

It is a project where I dive deep into gratitude for 120 days. I am on day 7 now and already I am feeling the powerful effects that being thankful brings.

I am also in the process of getting a new website. We are finally switching things over to wordpress and freshening it up around here. And there will be a new blog (in addition to this one) called A Hundred Thank-You's where I share everything about my project. Can't wait!

I'm pretty much beside myself with excitement. I realized the other day that here I am, living a life I love.

Big hugs and kisses,

Lori

I love you most of all

2011-01-06T15:10:00.001-05:00

This is a love letter painting.

I made it for Creative Therapy. The catalyst was "write a love letter." There is an article on this blog that goes with the painting and a bunch of other artists made their version of the same catalyst. Pretty cool. Be warned though- there is a very big and blurry picture of me that you have to get past first. (I really need a portrait photographer. Any recommendations? I live in upstate NY.)

You can find the print here.

I wrote a heartfelt post about not playing small on Roots of She.

"Your playing small does not serve the world."

Marianne Williamson.

This year is for playing it BIG, don't you think? Yes.

Also, there is a LOT going on here! A new project in the works that I am SO excited to tell you about. I am thrilled. Just collecting my thoughts- more to come soon!

good bye 2010

2010-12-31T09:52:00.010-05:00

I have so much to share- new projects, stories, surprises.... But today isn't the right time.

Today I am going to clear out all of the clutter in my house. Hopefully this will clear out any clutter in my mind, as well. I decided I need to clear out all of the clutter in order to say goodbye to this year and make space for beautiful things to come in the new year. My studio is the worst culprit of clutter, especially after this busy holiday season. There are books stacked in every room of my house, holiday decorations and dog toys. It is time to buy another bookcase, organize myself, give away things I do not love or throw them away, clear out what is not needed...start fresh. Make room for a joyous 2011. It makes me happy just to think about that! But it is already almost 10 AM so I'd better get started now.

I'm wishing you all a beautiful night with the people you love most.

Happy New Year sweet friends :)

roots of she

2010-12-22T08:55:00.001-05:00

Roots of She launched yesterday! It is all things lovely.

The first tribe is Jenn Gibson, Darrah Parker, Lori Portka, Jamie Ridler, Andrea Schroeder and Sara Smaha.

I just did a post about being nice. And then I felt like it wasn't nice and had to edit it a bit. You can see what I mean here. xo, Lori

3 random things

2010-12-08T23:21:00.004-05:00

I wish I could put together a coherent post about one topic, but that is just not what I am able to do tonight. My mind is in too many directions at once. So, here are some things on my mind...

1. My art wall at Cazenovia Artisans, November 2010

2. Winter wonderland. We have been getting hammered with snow here since Saturday! (As I write this, we are due for another 8-12 tonight.) I'm a little snow obsessed right now, I must admit. My dogs are so sweet in the snow! Mason, the one we just adopted, is from a track in Florida so this is his first time to see snow. It is hilarious because they both get so jazzed up and do helicopter spins over and over. They have to wear these super cute coats because they have virtually no fat whatsoever on their bodies. So cute.

But at 6 in the morning when my husband and I were (yet again) shoveling and snow blowing the driveway, I felt frustrated. When I got back inside and could feel my fingers again, I had to make a list of all that I love and am grateful for about living here. Truth is, mostly I do LOVE the snow and changing seasons. I am grateful for the beauty of the snow. And I am SO grateful for snow blowers. And I am SO grateful for the husband who uses one :) Maybe tomorrow I will make some snow angels and think of my friend, Carissa, in sunny Florida!

3. A gift for newsletter subscribers! For all newsletter subscribers, I am offering a free print with any purchase from today until the end of the year.

Not a newsletter subscriber yet? Just sign up for my newsletter (to the right), head to my shop, and get a free print with any purchase. Just let me know which free print you want in the message space when you check out.

Thanks for signing up and being so great! xoxo

for the love of girlfriends

2010-12-01T10:07:00.001-05:00

YES! It's a good day!

I'm on Choosing Beauty with my sweet sister-friend, Liv. I am giving away one of my newest prints (the one above) and another print of your choice. Two prints! :) You could pay it forward if you want. Or have two for you. I just love every single thing about Choosing Beauty and I am so happy to be there today.

My new post is up on Inspiration Studio about more time- I don't have enough time! Or do I?

And (I'm so excited!) the lovely Jenn Gibson posted on Kind Over Matter that she is leaving to start a new project called roots of she- a kind, safe place for women to share the story of the female experience- a place for women to connect and know that they are not alone. I will be a contributing blogger there along with Darrah Parker, Jamie Ridler, and Andrea Schroeder. Jenn is going to rock. I am so thrilled to be in the company of those lovely ladies.

PS: Remember free shipping in my shop until Friday! Thanks so much for all your love and support. I'm feeling so grateful today. And I'm feeling grateful for the grateful feeling because it's not always there in full force like today.

hugs and kisses,

Lori

FREE shipping. NEW prints and paintings ...................LOTS of love..................

2010-11-29T09:25:00.005-05:00

To celebrate the season there is free shipping in my Etsy Shop this week! I uploaded lots and lots of new original paintings and prints.

My husband and I shopped all weekend for holiday gifts and today I am shopping on Etsy and buying handmade for the holidays. That is my favorite part!

I just sent out my newsletter today. It's funny how sort of vulnerable that makes me feel. I think the newsletter is pretty but it feels like I am "putting myself out there" more than when I do anything else for some reason. It's the direct self-promotion part, I'm sure. You can view it here and sign up on the side bar if you are interested. I send about 4 per year so, trust me, it will not overwhelm your in box!

I'm off to the post office to mail orders, pit-stop for a latte, then back to my studio to paint all day. I will be working on cute little 4x4 originals, listening to music, singing loudly, and enjoying the sun pouring through the studio window. Anyway, that's the plan!

art angels

2010-11-24T16:22:00.006-05:00

I decided to make some more of my art angels for the holidays. The tag on them reads: art angels...sending blessings...making hearts a little lighter. I've made them before and I LOVE to make them but they take a really, really long time. They are so detailed and time consuming. So, for probably more than a year, I've been just waiting to see what I am supposed to do with them- stop making them? make the price higher? give them away? try to have them licensed? I've had an inspired idea to give one away for every one bought to someone who could use one, as a surprise gift. People could write me letters saying who could use one- someone who lost a parent or just got divorced or has been sick. But I just haven't been able to get my mind around how that would work yet.

Wishing everyone a Thanksgiving filled with abundant gratitude and happiness.

you are all dear to me

2010-11-23T11:04:00.000-05:00

I have so many new things to show you! But I need to get my shop updated and my newsletter out this morning before I go to work at the gallery. Here is another one of my new paintings. I am uploading all my new paintings to my shop as prints now. I'll be back soon! Hope you are having a wonderful week of Thanksgiving.

With much love,

Lori

new painting, more insight, features, and gratitude

2010-11-17T09:37:00.001-05:00

This was a funny painting for me from beginning to end. My favorite magazine is National Geographic Traveler. I swoon over the pictures and articles and plan trip after trip in my head. The day I got the latest issue there was a dancing couple that ever so loosely resembles this couple. I drew it so fast and there they were. Then I painted them. I was on roll. Then the lanterns, which started out in my mind as such an excellent idea. Let me just tell you that there are about 287 layers of different colored paint under each one. See, they were supposed to be white. Just white lanterns. But it didn't look right so I cut out circles of colored paper but they were all the wrong colors. So thus, the layers of paint. Thank goodness I use acrylics!

Apparently had more to say about the process of making the large painting (and layers of paint and the ugly phase) so Part 2 of yesterday's post is continued over on The Inspiration Studio. I never imagined I would be writing so much on this art journey. I also never imagined I would like it so much.

My work was also featured by the sweet Renee on her blog, Get Inner-gized! Thanks Renee :)

And on CRESCENDOh Art Saves a little while back.

Thanks for taking a look :) Wishing you a beautiful day!

because of you

2010-11-15T22:42:00.008-05:00

Another new painting! Prints will be available soon- this painting is actually wider on the right but you couldn't read the writing unless I made it extra large. One of my favorite things in the entire world is a beautiful small town. My husband and I were in the Alsace region in France, which is one adorable, small, red-roofed, hilly town after another, and I thought I would loose my heart entirely with the outrageous charm and beauty present in every moment there. This painting is probably inspired partly by that trip, but for some reason, I think this couple is in Romania.

This week I have been working on a very large painting and I am feeling, honestly, a little stuck.

This is only my third big painting and I had the same experience with the other two. See, at some point, my paintings get really ugly, then (hopefully) something nice begins to emerge out of all of the layers of paper and paint. But they all go through a little awkward stage of terribly muddy or washed out colors, and they are usually missing something that is important that I do not figure out until the end. Then, voila! Finished!

In a normal sized painting, thankfully, this ugly period is short lived before the end result starts to peek through. My husband can attest to this. He used to come in my studio and look quietly at one of my paintings in the ugly stage and say something like, "Um, what's going on over here honey?" (finger slowly circling around the area, worried I completely lost my artistic mojo.) Then later in the day he's shocked and happy with the direction it is going and suddenly I'm an art superstar.

The thing with a big painting is that this uncomfortable stage lasts a really long time. I start to loose my confidence a little bit and get discouraged. Makes me think about how this whole process is really a metaphor of life with it's not so pretty parts and it's shining bright parts. So, it's cool. I know it's all in my mind and I'll work through it.

Starting early tomorrow morning with a hot latte in my hand!

----------------------------------

Have you been to SPRING? I love it there. It is a pull-up-your-chair-with-a-warm-cup-of-coffee-and-stay a-while kind of place. And the four women who run it are lovely. I was lucky enough to meet Michelle Ward and Jessica Swift in person (swoon) at SURTEX where Jessica was rocking the house with her art. In person, those two shine. I mean really.

I am doing a grateful giveaway there and there is still time to sign up!

always my friend

2010-11-09T15:21:00.001-05:00

a girlfriend

cares

supports

laughs

hears you

gets your moods

knows your secrets

knows your stories

good and bad

shares her stories

good and bad

accepts

lifts up

lets it be

guides

listens listens

loves loves

True friends brighten the world.

This original painting is just listed in my etsy shop.

I love to paint the sides my work just like the front.

More paintings on the way! hugs and kisses

painting painting painting

2010-11-08T15:06:00.000-05:00

hello dear friends!

I am stepping away from my art table to say a little hello.

I have been deep in painting mode here. I have two more paintings to finish in the series before taking pictures and sharing. I have found that when I spend too much time on my computer, my art productivity goes way down (hello, clay? remember me?) So, this is something I am trying to work through- managing my time with art business, marketing, social networking, blogging, filling orders, keeping my studio clean (a full time job in itself) and making art.

I do not yet have it figured out but I'm working on it. Let me know if you have any fabulous tips. I'm all ears. In the meantime, back to painting. See you soon.

xoxo,
Lori

little bits of art

2010-11-02T17:53:00.004-04:00

Thankful for

circles of beautiful women

opening hearts

bursts of laughter

sharing dreams

feeling at home.

While I am busy in my studio finishing a series of paintings, I thought I would share with you a little glimpse of the creative spirit pouring out of us during our recent art retreat.

Just sweetness.

Today I wrote a post for the inspiration studio about "real" art. Actually, I could have written a rant about it because the whole concept of "real" art raises all of my hackles. But I was nice.

And a new print is listed in my shop! she was nurturing her creative dreams...

I'll have lots of new paintings to share with you soon :)

artful blogging

2010-10-28T12:20:00.002-04:00

My artwork is in the winter issue of Artful Blogging on page 39! I am included in the Inspiration Studio article. I am so excited about this because it is the first time I am published somewhere other than on-line. It feels like a great start to a new beginning of showing up in magazines :)

Also, there is a Creative Therapy interview on page 72. I will be featured in Creative Therapy on December 1st with a catalyst that I worked on over the summer. I am so excited to share the artwork I did for this site with all of you.

Stephanie Levy and Jessica Swift have featured articles in this issue. Both are AMAZINGLY beautiful and make buying the magazine so worth it!

And I am still on a super love high from the artist's retreat :)

love overflow

2010-10-26T09:38:00.002-04:00

Aimee, Susie, Liv, Rachel, Carissa and Kolleen

Sigh. That seems to be all I can do today.
Happy contented sighs.
I just returned from an art retreat on lake superior with 7 amazing women. My cup is overflowing with so much gratitude, inspiration and love that I can hardly put it all into words.

Carissa and I on the train tracks. I ADORE her and her sweet art. She's so cute I want to put her in my pocket and carry her around with me.

Susie and Rachel. Aww. LOVE them. Susie is even more funny in person than on her hilarious blog. She's also brilliant and sweet. Rachel turns out to be one of the most present people I have ever met in my life. Just being around her fills me with an overwhelming sense of peace.

Saturday we spent the entire day spontaneously making art. Then Jen taught us bookmaking. It was fantastic! I have a whole new appreciation and respect for book makers. Thank you Jen.

Kolleen, my roomie, is wild, funny and gorgeous, spiritual and wise. My cheeks still hurt from laughing so hard with her.

Our love jars filled with sweet notes to each other (I KNOW, awesome.) Or as Susie would say, rad.

Liv from Choosing Beauty. I think we look like real sisters here, right? I am hoping some of Liv rubbed off on me. It is hard to explain, but she just glows with positive light and energy. Makes you want what she has.

Sweet Aimee making her inky tags. How cute is she in that hat? Her amazing raw talent seriously blows me away.

I do believe something magical happens in circles of women.

The connecting, talking, laughing, creating, sharing, eating, listening, caring...

I am forever changed from this long weekend with these beautiful women. Probably in more ways than I even realize today.

What a precious gift.

PS: we missed you Valentina and Chrissy...

adoring

2010-10-19T16:00:00.003-04:00

Here is a quick peek at a new series I am working on called adoring. I am so excited about it- hopefully I will be uploading them to my shop by the end of next week. I think this series was inspired by a trip I am taking to meet lovely soul sister artists (more about that in a later post.)

I wrote about these artistic beauties on Inspiration Studio!

Wishing you a wonderful week!

happy friday!

2010-10-15T12:00:00.001-04:00

I am just going to take a short minute to check in with all of you here. Hello friends! Today I have managed to cook, clean, do laundry, check emails, social networks... and not paint, yet. I am determined to finish the new painting series I started. DETERMINED.

But before I do that- I wanted to tell you about my printing situation! I am so happy! I recently bought a new printer that I love. I just ordered papers for prints and cards (after a massive amount of research and testing) and I am open for business! Well, I've been open for business, but this is the first time I will be printing from home. I am not sure what has taken me so long other than my fear of Photoshop. I am sure I will outsource some of my printing given the situation. And, of course, once my greeting cards are in gorgeous boutiques all over the country, I will have them printed in bulk :) But for now, it's perfect.

I am wishing all of you a really lovely weekend. Here it will mostly likely be pouring rain but I am okay with that. Nothing better than being all cozy in my studio with a hot mug of tea, a sweet cat on my lap and vegetable lentil stew on the stove.

PS: My newsletter is scheduled to go out on Monday! For extra specialness sign up here.

YES! recycled magnetic locket set!

2010-10-07T15:41:00.005-04:00

I am SO excited about this adorable necklace set that is a collaboration with Cat from Polarity! Trust me, you'll LOVE it. Cat is great- the design is so sweet and it comes in the best little tin with all GREEN packaging. I am so happy about it.

Here is the description: This industrial little locket is created from a recycled steel auto part to which Cat has soldered a little eyehook. The locket has 3 magnetic interchangeable lids - two with my paintings and one with the definition of the word "relax." It comes on an adjustable length 30" 2mm nickel plated brass ballchain. Locket is 1 1/4". Just add your favorite little picture inside. AND, it is packaged in a cute little tin, perfect for gift giving or storage.

Your purchase will be wrapped with care and mailed in a nanosecond. I ordered one with another artist's artwork, and it arrived in seriously, a nanosecond, and was lovely. I think I have worn it every day.

You can buy one in my etsy shop. Or in Cat's etsy shop! And you can easily add another artist's lids. Like Stephanie Levy. *SWOON!*

Cat also has another shop called Uncorked. Cool stuff.

OH, AND, this locket was featured in a super joyful treasury by Liv at Choosing Beauty! It includes some of my most favorite artists. Thank you Liv :)

I choose easy world

2010-10-06T09:36:00.003-04:00

one of 3 nursery prints in my new catalog

Big lesson learned this week. Choose Easy World. A friend of mine read a book about choosing easy world, by Julia Rogers Hamrick and gave me a printed copy of the first couple of chapters. I get it- we often live in "difficult world" making life much harder than it has to be, mostly with our thoughts.

Reminds me of my favorite quote by Mark Twain (I'm paraphrasing) "I've been through a lot of terrible things in my life. Some of which actually happened."

That was me over the weekend in regard to my printing situation. My designer finished my catalog and it is fabulous! And then my *printing situation* went all to hell. Somewhere inside I knew it was good that this was happening and I didn't need to freak out. (Although I did a little freaking out.)

It was another reminder to trust the process of life. To find resilience and determination when my first reaction is to cry, give up, quit. After admittedly crying just a little bit, I decided to choose easy world and trust the process of life. I stopped saying "I don't know what to do" in my head and decided instead that I did know what to do. I took action. And without sharing all the boring details...problem solved. snip snap.

I'll be sharing my catalog soon- as soon as I can figure out how to upload it! haha
--------------------------------------

I'll end with 3 cool things to check out:

Yesterday did a post on the Inspiration Studio about good wishes and giving handmade.

Kim Klassen is doing a Skinny mini e-course on the basics of Photoshop. For FREE people! I am all signed up.

My e-newsletter is going out soon with lots of delightful specials *only* for newsletter subscribers! I would love to have you join here: cool subscribers link

16 authentic bits about me, what about you?

2010-09-30T14:00:00.002-04:00

happy me in Italy

Okay, so, I just was visiting my favorite blogs and I came to Choosing Beauty with the lovely Liv. And read her "authentically me" list. Love! Liv was inspired by Tiffany Moore of Craft Fanny who made an amazing list. Tiffany is a contributor to Spring Inspiration that recently discussed "what makes you authentically you?"   Right now, I am inspired by all of it.

So. I'm gonna give it a go.
1. I used to think that I wasn't a writer, but now I know that even though I do not use fancy words and I sometimes make grammatical/spelling errors, I can write.
2. I have degrees in things other than art and I am so grateful I am not working in those fields. Art feels like home to me.
3. I love animals an insane amount and care about their well being so much that it hurts me sometimes.
4. I want people to like me more than I wish I did, but the older I get, the less I care about that.
5. I can get totally bogged down by numbers. They swim in my head like little fish and I cannot remember them.
6. I usually think things that are totally inappropriate are so funny.   I love funny, dirty movies- The Hangover, American Pie, The Wedding Crashers, Old School...
7. I'm mostly kind and compassionate and peace-loving but I also swear quite a bit.
8. I used to not get angry much, but now I do when appropriate, and I kinda like it better that way. I've made peace with anger.
9. Three books that have had a tremendous life-changing impact on me are The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, Return to Love by Marianne Williamson, and Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth.
10. I talk to myself in the car. I pretend I am being interviewed by Martha Stewart because I am such a fabulous artist.
11. I cry really easily from the sweetness and beauty of things..happy, grateful crying. I also cry easily when things are sad. Or when I am so mad that I don't know what to do.
12. Farmer's markets make me so happy I want to flap my arms and jump up and down. Organic produce! Gorgeous colors!
13. I feel healthy. I eat well and am generally kind to myself.
14. I love massive snow storms and pouring rain days.
15. Every part of my being loves to travel. I am so grateful for all of my trips and all of the trips yet to come.
16. Although I was raised by loving parents, I often heard,
"Don't be so full of yourself."   Um. I disagree.
May I burst open in the complete fullness of my authentic self.
Yes!

And I must add, I LOVE the authentic fullness of all of you. Kisses!

finding gratitude

2010-09-28T15:29:00.004-04:00

So, picture this: It is Monday morning.

I'm not my best, really. Slightly overwhelmed, not sure where to start. I'm cold and wrapped in a blanket. I decide to listen to National Public Radio on line. (Which I rarely do, as I have an aversion to the news.)

The story I hear is SO AMAZING that I need to stop and write a post about it...

You may know of her. I just listened to Ingrid Betancourt's Six years in the Jungle interview. Her new memoir is titled, Even Silence Has An End. She was captured by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC) and held as a prisoner for 6 years.

I am so impressed and in awe of her resiliency and courage and gratitude. She told the story of how, in all the horror, there were strange moments of joy; like on her daughter's 17th birthday when the guerrillas brought her a cake. The interviewer asked her how she reacted to that. She said, "she was very thankful." She talked about how in that moment there was a "space for humanity." These people were holding her hostage. They abused her and tortured her and denied her food and water. She saw this gift of cake as "the parenthesis of good, even with the bad." This humbles me, entirely.

But the most striking part of the interview for me was the end, when she was asked what she will do now, since returning to freedom. She made some decisions about her new life: "First, she would wear perfume every day; second, she would never deny herself the opportunity to eat cake."

So now, I'm going back to my work.
Feeling an openness.
A connection and warmth for all people.
An indescribable gratitude for this day and all of its gifts!

Thank you Ingrid for sharing your story.
---------------------------------------------------
Note: I do not know the details of her story or one single thing about the political unrest in Columbia. I just heard a story that reminded me of what is important in life and wanted to share it.

Second note: Above is the start of the paintings I made after listening to this incredible interview. I am posting this on Tuesday, although I wrote it yesterday. Now I am about to continue working on them- my goal is to have them finished by the end of the week :)

Third note: Yesterday, I told my husband about this story and we decided to get vegan cupcakes at our favorite bakery/restaurant and stop denying ourselves the joy of them. But the shop was closed. Today he just surprised me with a mocha chocolate cupcake that he picked up on his way home from work. I nearly teared up at the sweetness of it all. Before I eat it, I will send blessings to Ingrid.

contributing blogger and other cool things...

2010-09-21T17:51:00.006-04:00

I believe I mentioned before that I would be a contributing blogger at the Inspiration Studio. How fun! I did my first post today- my series is called "Finding happiness through Art." So it made sense to include my Real BIO of how I came to find happiness through art.

I also wanted to share that I was featured on this blog called Art and Soul by Kate, who has become a friend. (I bought one of her clutches- adorable- there will be more about that later.) Check out her sweet blog. Thank you Kate!

And here is an update on my hounds! They are doing well, I'm happy to say! It is fun having two of them. Mason, the new boy, still needs some training as he is only a few weeks off the track so all this love is new to him. It feels good to know we adopted them and now they have their forever home :)

And lastly, do you know about Michael Franti and Spearhead? I love his music and he just released a new album called The Sound of Sunshine. LOVE this video of the song in sign language. I have seen it so many times, but for some reason, it always makes me tear up at the JOY of it all. If you couldn't hear, I swear you'd get the heart of the song through her beautiful signing of it.
Peace and hugs to you!

little art show

2010-09-20T09:12:00.001-04:00

A small group of us from Cazenovia Artisans decided to show our work at the Parade of Homes (a local new home show.) Jean and I have our work together in these pictures. She is an amazing fiber artist. Some of you know from this post that I do not really do art shows. This wasn't an official show, but it was pretty fun. It got me excited thinking about how I would set up my booth at the National Stationary Show if I decide to apply...

fearless friday on the painted path

2010-09-17T11:44:00.002-04:00

I'm a guest blogger today over on Julia's blog, The Painted Path, in a feature called "Fearless Friday."

So, um, I wrote about one of the most scary times of my life and sent it to her via email.

Then I was full of fear.

Did I share too much? I mean, did I have to write about the most fearful time ever? And I already wrote another part that same story here. Did I have to be so personal? What will people think of me? But Julia with her sweet way, assured me it was all good. (I adore her.) And I calmed down. sigh.

The truth is, that post is just true. And I have enough space between that story and today to see it with clarity and compassion. It was hard, but I learned so much and my life is so much better now, in so many ways, because of it.

So it's a good story.

Okay, today is Friday, and my guest post is here and I am fearless. rrrawr!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

new original art cards!

2010-09-14T12:57:00.001-04:00

Hello friends! Here are some of my new art cards! I LOVE making these. They are little originals made just like my paintings but a smaller version. They are super sweet and have lots of texture and depth. I have never done a tutorial here until now. (This is a quick and dirty version. Well, maybe not dirty, but quick.)

The Happiness Through Art process of making original art cards:

Step 1: Make a collage of paper- just random and free and fun.

Step 2: Cut into rectangular pieces that will fit on a card.

Step 3: Add cute little cut out drawings- collage into piece and paint.

Step 4: Voila! Use double-sided tape to stick to cards.

If you would like one of these this to cheer up your space or send to someone you adore, you can buy here. (And what a deal- only $10 each.)

Thank you so much for visiting today :)

Cards and Inspiration Studio!

2010-09-09T09:48:00.004-04:00

Yay! My new card designs are finished for my catalog. Many of my paintings are in my catalog as cards but I also wanted to make some specific birthday, wedding, baby, mother's day and sympathy cards.

Recently, when Kim Klassen, from Inspiration Studio, asked me if I wanted to be a regular contributor to her blog, I knew immediately that the answer was "yes." That doesn't happen to me too often, as I tend to labor over decisions (I am the youngest child.) But for some reason, this decision came easily. I knew the answer was yes before I even really connected with her sweet blog. Kim did a feature post on me yesterday that you can see here: Inspiration Studio. Thank you Kim!

Today I am busy working on the illustrations for the children's book (I will be showing sneak peeks soon!) and tomorrow, CLAY! I still have a kiln that I haven't used yet. It's rainy and cold here this week.
Perfect art weather :)
-------------------
Psst! Check out his lovely giveaway on Bijou's Whimsy...SWEET!

seeing the beauty

2010-09-02T14:16:00.001-04:00

Here, Jay and I are looking out over Blue Mountain lake in the Adirondacks. Ahhhh. Sweetness. I love this picture so much because it represents being in the moment, taking it all in, stopping to see the beauty. Of course, this is some serious beauty making it hard not to stop and see it (not to mention the hike up the mountain kind of makes it easy to slow down once you get to the top.)

We just adopted another retired racing greyhound and picked him up 3 days ago- we've had our girl for about a year and it was time she had a friend. I've always had dogs, but I've never had 2 dogs at the same time. I found myself anxious (ok, crying) later that night after we brought him home. I was so overwhelmed for some reason and having catastrophic/untrue thoughts. I put myself to bed and started over the next day- which was much brighter! I was fretting for no good reason because he is an absolute JOY.

They are Mia and Mason and they are quite the pair already! He is learning what it is like to live in a home (He's 4 yrs old and has only lived at the racing track so everything is new to him, including stairs- which, I'm happy to say, he has already learned and is going up and down like a pro.)

Mia is so pretty, classy and refined.
Mason is super friendly, goofy and smart.

So, this is what's going on here this week- training a new dog, illustrating, organizing, finishing my new greeting cards designs and catalog, and all the while, trying to stay present, calm, and grateful and take in all the beauty that is around- including my gorgeous dogs :)

So far, so good!

surrounded by love, always

2010-08-27T09:52:00.001-04:00

I made this painting for my fabulous pet sitter, Jill, who is currently in the process of creating a life she loves.

I loved making this painting, partly because it made me think of what I want to create in my life too.

There are so many specific things I could say I want to create in my life, but really, the specifics are not as important. What I want is probably what everyone wants- a life filled with love and presence and a feeling of knowing my life is making a difference in the world for the better.

Lately I've really become aware of how it is really the little things, the small moments, that make life really happy. I would delay my joy by doing things like buying Dove soap because it is cheaper and lighting gorgeous candles only when we have company.

Now I use my favorite soaps in the shower and light the expensive Aveda candle every day because the smell makes me so happy. I listen to music I love, keep my car clean, make coffee in a french press with beans that were just roasted that week and drink Teavana tea...it is the little things...mugs that are too cute, surrounding my living space with art I love, talking to friends on the phone in the middle of the day... the list is endless.

I'm also sometimes miserable and angry for no good reason (and sometimes for good reason.) Even that is only rough when I think I "shouldn't" be. I am learning to live a life I love. Moment by moment.

And now, in this moment, I am going downstairs to do the laundry. I really need to do something about that basement because it definitely does not induce joy for me. Did I ever tell you about the literal shit-storm we had in the basement a few years ago? I think I've never really recovered emotionally. But that's another post. Maybe if I used Method Lavender dryer sheets?

last night's dream

2010-08-24T09:10:00.002-04:00

More than a year ago my dog, Claudia, was put to sleep. Some of you may remember the letter I wrote to Claudia. I think about her a lot. I feel pangs of guilt about the last 6 months of her life and wonder if I should have had her put to sleep sooner. And I wonder if she felt my pain of letting her go. I tried to accept that it was time, but I know I didn't want to lose her.

Last night I had a very vivid dream that I did actually lose her. And, I didn't even know where I lost her. I was panicked. I was running around outside calling her name, desperately trying to find her. Then I remembered that she couldn't hear, she couldn't run. I thought, how will I ever find her now?

Suddenly she came barreling around a bend and ran up to me wagging her tail, full of life and energy. She was young and healthy and happy. And I snuggled my face in hers for a moment and hugged her and felt her warm, soft fur. I told her I loved her so much. I felt that she loved me back.

Later in the day, when I was leaving the grocery store, it hit me. I remembered about 3 months after my dad died (I was 15) I had a dream about him that changed everything. In my dream, I woke up and walked out to the living room and my dad was there. I was so happy to see him. He wasn't sick with cancer. He was vital and handsome. He hugged me and told me he was doing good and not to worry. He told me he loved me, that he would always love me. When I woke up, I knew it was him. I was only 15 years old and I knew, beyond any doubt, that my dad had come to visit me and he was letting me know he was ok. I felt better after that. I still feel connected to him and to this day I know he is around.

It hit me in that moment- maybe that was Claudia. She came back to tell me she is ok. I can let go of the guilt now. She is happy and pain-free. I miss her so much, but I realized she is here with me too. I never really did lose her.

You are still my pretty girl Claudia. I'll always love you.

mountain time

2010-08-19T14:28:00.000-04:00

Hello friends! I am off for a few nights in the Adirondack Mountains where I hear there is no cell/internet coverage so it will be a forced social media break! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend :)

send a little yoga bliss

2010-08-17T17:34:00.000-04:00

I am working hard with my designer on my catalog of greeting cards and prints. It is going well, but I am surprised at how hard it is to organize myself with the numbering of all the images I have created. Generally speaking, numbers and I are not friends. I will share the catalog here when it is all finished. And then I will be on my way to getting sales reps!

I just uploaded a new card set to my etsy shop- Yoga cards!

learning to take a breath when needed

2010-08-11T17:03:00.003-04:00

Oh man.

I worked at the gallery today, and to be honest, I didn't want to go. (In a whiny voice) Why can't I have a full day where I don't have to go anywhere? WAH.

But I am a firm believer of what is. Accepting what is is the space I prefer to live in so I worked to turn off the negative, endlessly rolling tape in my head. (hello PMS.)

And of course, as life works wonderfully, it was the perfect day for me to be working there.

I watched a mother and daughter team walk up to my wall of paintings. They were delighted and surprised and joyously commenting on each one, pointing and laughing and swooning.

And I was behind the register listening and stealing glances their direction. It was beyond wonderful to hear them gush about my artwork. They poured through my print rack, pulling each one out and sharing what they loved about it.

And then I started to doubt myself. I should go up to them. I mean I am right here. Go up, say hello. And then the dreaded "comparing" started. Other artists are confident and open and lovely. What's wrong with me? (enter fear, insecurity, embarrassment)

But thankfully I began to realize how twisted my thinking was. So I calmed my anxiety-filled ass down, took a deep breath, and got clear that I wasn't going up to them right in that moment. It didn't feel right. I waited until they got closer to me and I felt more comfortable. And then with true authenticity (truly) I introduced myself to them. It was easy and natural and peaceful.

And I was, in that moment, exactly who I thought I wasn't, just a moment earlier.

"You are Lori Portka? OhmyGod I love your artwork so much! It makes me feel so good and I love what they all say. It's just putting love out there. Your work is good for the world."

She said it. Your work is good for the world. (you could insert violins here) I took a breath in. I let that sink in. I was present.

Thank you so much. I really meant it.

Later they asked to take my picture in front of my work.

Nice for The Ego. Why yes.

the two Loris on a road trip

2010-08-10T12:38:00.000-04:00

This painting is called love, laughter and lattes and I made it about 6 years ago. I am the girl who is laughing and I am with my great friends Lorie and Lisa. I think we are in Europe somewhere.

The blond in the painting, Lorie, came over my house last Friday for a walk around green lakes, this gorgeous aqua blue lake by my house. At least that was the plan. I had made us a green smoothie and we would drink it, walk around the lake and get an expresso.

But when she got to my house she said, "Let's go on a road trip! I gotta get out of here." And I said YES. I had plans that day for working and I threw them out of the window jumped in her car and off we went. We decided to go to Rochester, a city about 1.5 hours from us to go to Anthropologie, PF Changs for lunch and a yoga center we love called Breathe.

It's not always a good idea to totally blow off the day and do no work whatsoever.

But sometimes is is just the right thing to do.

It was a day filled with love, laughter and lattes for sure. Thank God for girlfriends.

artful blogging

2010-08-05T19:09:00.007-04:00

I am knee deep in paints right now and loving it. I have been listening to music and books on tape and dancing around my studio. Quite a sight!

This afternoon I stopped to take a break and get some more art supplies and I picked up the latest issue of Artful Blogging.

I am so inspired right now.

I love that some of my blogging friends are in it- I am so over the moon happy for them- Rachel Awes and Kind Over Matter (YAY! You are awesome!) and then others I have got to know through social media and other blogs- Alisa Burke, Oh my Cavalier, Kelly Rae Roberts, Melissa Moss, Gypsy Girl's Guide...

Right now I'm feeling grateful for the internet that is connecting us all to each other and lifting us up in this unpredictable art world. My friend, Julia, recently said about art blogging,

"It's all such a trip, isn't it?" It is! I'm so glad I'm on it with all of you beautiful soul-sisters!

OK, back to painting!

hugs and kisses,
Lori

ink and wit

2010-08-02T09:05:00.009-04:00

I have recently got to know Tara Hogan, an artist who lives in the same town as me. She is a yoga teacher and attended the National Stationary show in May. I have two t-shirts she designed that I adore, this awesome foxy linen and this poster that I want to get framed. The packaging of all of her work is as delightful as the work itself.

I am headed to the post office now to mail a huge box of my greeting cards to the OMEGA Institute in Rhinebeck, NY. I love Omega so I'm thrilled that my work is in their bookstore!

inspired

2010-07-28T21:33:00.000-04:00

Here are two of my favorite pictures from Oregon. It really was the best trip ever. I am actually missing Oregon. I felt so inspired when I got home (along with tired and grateful and sad.) My studio is a mess with new paintings in progress. It feels good.

love list

2010-07-21T19:18:00.004-04:00

I am so in love with Kris Carr's love list that I am making one of my own and spreading the love.

1. Kris Carr
Seriously. I love her and her blog. I watch her documentary Crazy Sexy Cancer when I need a pick me up, a step in the right direction, a kick in the healthy ass. She's adorable and funny and real. And she is using her life to make the world a better place.

2. Nobel Coffee Roasters

I didn't even know this place existed until I went there in Ashland, Oregon. and. oh. my. God. I thought I had the best coffee ever in Amsterdam until this. Plus the coffee is a work of art. And the barista's are cuties.

3. Rescue Me.
Have you ever seen it on FX? Funny, funny, funny. Raunchy. Rude. Dramatic. Features terribly flawed and sexy firemen. Did I mention FUNNY? I love this series.

4. Rocks.
It's true. I really like rocks for some reason. I look for rocks when I am traveling. I want to take a piece of that earth home with me. Sometimes I look for heart rocks. Most recently, I brought home a group of super splendid rocks from the coast of Oregon. I loved how smooth and round they were, shaped by the magnificent power of the ocean.

5. Farmer's Markets.
Like, I really love them. I almost never miss a farmer's market when I travel. I especially love ones that have lots of gorgeous organic produce. I love the vibrant living colors, meeting the farmers and supporting local.

***

This was fun! I think I might make this a regular part of my blog. We just got back from our trip (fabulous!) and I will be posting pictures soon. Love you all!

vacation!

2010-07-08T18:30:00.000-04:00

We are leaving for vacation tomorrow and I am so excited! We are flying into San Francisco and then driving up through Sonoma and Napa Valley, the redwoods, the coast of Southern Oregon and inward to Ashland, Oregon. Tonight we are finishing up all of the things we need to do before a trip and going to bed early. That's my plan! My husband and I are so proud of ourselves because we are so well prepared and relaxed this time. We are all packed and pretty much ready to go. Thank goodness I have a wonderful pet sitter, Jill who is taking care of Mia and Daphne while we are gone. I am working on a painting for her as a trade that I'll share here when I have it finished.

I hope you are all having a great summer so far and are staying cool!

xo, Lori

may all beings be peaceful and free

2010-07-05T22:47:00.000-04:00

May all beings be peaceful and free.

That is my wish today.

choosing beauty

2010-06-30T10:53:00.000-04:00

Have you met Liv or her blog? Sweetness abounds on her website. I love her story of how Choosing Beauty was created. I was thrilled to be asked to do a giveaway there. Check it out!

charged

2010-06-28T12:44:00.000-04:00

I had a group of my girlfriends over on this past Saturday night. We ate beautifully prepared food, talked, danced like crazy in the living room to 80's dance music, cut out pictures for Martha Beck's vision boards in O Magazine, laughed, shared...I love these women. There is something about time spent in circles of women that is so healing. Especially the ones that are so close to your heart and know all of your stories.

For our birthdays we celebrate like this: we each share one thing we love about our friend and one wish for her. Sometimes we add things like flowers, gifts and cards. It is our tradition that we have been doing for years and is is always is sweetest gift.

Over the past couple of years we are all turning (turned) 40. For the 40th birthdays we have been passing around this blue stone that we "charge" with all of our love and appreciation. We each hold it in our hands and imagine we are putting our intentions, love and wishes for that person into it. Then the birthday girl keeps it until the next one of us turns 40. We got a little bit behind (since I am turning 41 in a few weeks) but this weekend it was my turn and my friends charged the stone for me to keep.

I'm kind of surprised by how excited I am to have it. It is a little blue heart stone. It is a reminder of close friends and how much they love me and I love them. It represents something that is bigger than me. It is filled with hope. It reminds me of why I am so grateful.

goodies in the mail!

2010-06-22T20:19:00.000-04:00

I decided a while back to start buying work from etsy that I love each month. I have always bought things from time to time, but this is more purposeful. Supporting handmade. Learning from other artists. Filling my home (and wardrobe and jewelry box) with beautiful handmade items that call to me. And I'm having a blast! I love that I'm starting this collection of works from artists that I just treasure. I think it brings such great energy to my life.

Thank you to the lovely Aimee from Artsyville for these gorgeous prints and magnets that are stirring up so much creative energy in my studio! I can hardly stand it I am so in love with them.

And sweet Mandy from Bijou'sWhimsy made this amazing mixed-media original that I saw on her blog and had to have. I see this every day and it warms my heart. I adore it.

And Mandy.

So much :)

I also have art from Faith at Leaves and Feathers, Valentina at Feeling Inspired, Julia from The Painted Path, Pixie from Balancing Life and Art, and Kathryn from ArtblogbyKat.

So. in. LOVE. with. it. all. I am learning in my monthly shopping sprees that the art I love, I often love even more, because I love the artist. Even when I only sorta *know* the artist.

(I know you get it.)

may you travel the world

2010-06-17T20:54:00.002-04:00

More wishes for the world! This reads:

May you laugh once every day

May you travel the world

May you be happy

And I'm adding may you have cool hair like her.

Happy weekend everyone :)

Hugs and kisses,

Lori
This original painting is available in my shop here!

sending blessings

2010-06-14T22:08:00.000-04:00

The prayer flags read:

May your heart be warm.

May you be filled with joy.

May you shine.

May you feel loved.

May you be well.

I learned about this type of meditation in yoga class where you send good wishes out to someone. I think it is sweet. Once in a while, when I remember, I send secret blessings out to people I do not know.

Like in the grocery store with the checkout person.

may you be well. may you be happy. may you have peace in your heart.

Or on a plane sitting next to someone who seems nice.

may you be healthy. may you be happy. may you be loved.

This is one of three new original paintings and is now listed in my shop.

oh dear blog

2010-06-11T15:45:00.000-04:00

I have neglected you so! Please forgive me.

I know it is best to announce when taking a blogging break, but my breaks seem to creep up and I am not aware because each day I think I will write a post.

And I don't.

And the days turn into time away unannounced.

I went to the National Stationary Show and honestly, now that I have had some time to look back, I think I was actually unsure of where I was going with this. (By "this" I mean my art, my blog, my business, my website, etc.) I learned so much there. I learned *still learning* about being a wholesale company- selling my cards, prints and other product lines with the helpful hands of sales reps. This was something I had thought about before- my cards and prints are in a handful of shops- but could never really get my mind around how to make it work.

I realize now I that I wondered if I could do it all- maintain a blog and social networking and still continue in this new direction with a stationary business, pottery, children's book...

But we are ALL doing it ALL, right? Seriously. Most of my readers have little kids and are still doing it all which completely blows my mind.

The truth is that I love blogging and I love all of my blogging friends even more.

I'm clear about that. And I'm happy to be back :)

xoxo,

Lori

PS: Lots of new artwork coming soon! I've been busy during this time away!

grateful

2010-05-24T19:55:00.002-04:00

It is so sunny and beautiful outside as I write this. I am actually hot and considering turning the air conditioning on for the first time this year. I'm feeling grateful for that.

Today I finally took care of all the loose ends since coming back from New York two weekends ago. Last week was just filled with things I needed to do- all unrelated to my art business. I came back from NYC really wanting to get to business and overflowing with creative ideas and inspiration. But it just wasn't happening. Luckily, I was able to surrender to that. Time away was important because I needed that time to digest and process all of the information I learned at SURTEX and The National Stationary Show.

I really did.

The shows were amazing, overwhelming, beautiful, exciting, intimidating and so inspiring.

It was the best decision I have made for my business. For years I have felt like I am swimming around in this art world and I am not sure what direction I am going.

So the biggest gift from this weekend? I got some clarity.
Just enough to send me sailing off in a direction, which is nice.

Plus, my husband and I had an absolute blast. I'm feeling grateful.

2010-05-12T21:58:00.001-04:00

It is exciting over here these days!

*I'm waiting (and waiting and waiting) for all my pottery to dry so I can glaze it.

*I'm working hard on illustrating the children's book (I'll share some sneak peeks soon!)

*I'm packing to go to NYC for the weekend to SURTEX and National Stationary Show. I'm not in the show, just going to learn as much as I can and see if either is a fit for me. I am excited to meet Jessica Swift at SURTEX and see my friend Tara Hogan at the stationary show. And the best part is that my husband and I arrive early in NYC on Saturday with the whole day to play in the city! The shows start on Sunday.

*I'm learning some basic skills in jewelry making from my good friend Barb so I will be ready when my new clay pendents are finished.

*I looking for this lovely piece to arrive at my doorstep!

It feels like spring because there is newness everywhere.
I love how life ebbs and flows like that. Sometimes I feel stuck or like I am not getting enough done. It seems like everyone else is so productive and fearless and I am not. If you have been reading my blog for any amount of time now, you'll know that this is something I have written about before. Thankfully it is beginning to set in that those "unproductive" times are important because that is when my mind is incubating all the new and glorious creative ideas that are on their way. Anyway, it is easy to talk about now with some clarity because I am feeling super productive!
So, for today I'm appreciating this spring with exciting things happening and learning to trust that when things slow down and I rest more than usual, that is all good too.

This article by Elizabeth Gilbert speaks to this (I love her.) It's fantastic and worth a few minutes to read.

testing the kiln

2010-05-05T22:23:00.000-04:00

Thank you for all of your sweet and thoughtful comments on my last post. I am completely bursting with gratitude still, days later!

I have been working on some pottery to fill my kiln and test it (Yay!) I don't want to spend too much time on the pieces since this is a "test" fire but I do have to fill the kiln so it fires evenly. In my clay classes I never learned how to use a kiln. I am so glad I know a few experienced potters because this whole thing is like a chemistry experiment. And let me just say, chemistry was never my best subject. Did I ever even take chemistry? Anyway, that's the point.

Here's the progress so far!

The circles are going to be charms for necklaces! I'm so excited!

my story

2010-05-03T19:01:00.005-04:00

I have written more bios that I can count.

This time, I wanted to be really true. No BS. I mean, how did this art thing come to be for me? I didn't go to art school. I found my way here somewhat unexpectedly. So I dropped into my heart space and wrote. Here is my story. For real.
------------------------------------------------------

Happiness Through Art
My Story

I graduated from college, married, worked as a teacher.
Got my masters in mental health counseling.
Thought I would work forever in a school and earn a safe, reliable income.
Read The Artist's Way.
Began making art again at age 30-something for the first time since 10th grade.
Heard my husband say he didn't love me anymore.
Realized it was true.

And my heart broke.
And we divorced.
And I felt abandoned and angry and afraid and shamed.
And somehow, I kept making art.

I turned a blank book into a visual journal where I sat in meditation, wrote my intention, prayed, and let the art pour out of me and onto the paper. It gave me a place to hold my grief and fear about the past and my hope and excitement about the future.

Everything changed.
My heart opened.
And sometimes I rode the waves of pain on a boat of pastels, paints, chalk and inks. It was such a bumpy ride.

I grew deeper, more spiritual, more compassionate.

Sometimes happiness can be elusive. It comes in and graces us with its presence and light, then disappears, leaving us with only shadows. That's ok.

Happiness always returns again.

And I am still finding happiness through art.

These days I am remarried and happily living in a cute cape-cod home in upstate New York with my loving husband, my gorgeous step kids, gentle-hearted greyhound, and calico cat. We love to read spiritual books, drink green juice, travel, go on hikes, and snuggle in to watch movies and eat dark chocolate. I am so grateful for this life here; doing work I love and watching my creative dreams open up and become real.

this just arrived

2010-04-30T17:34:00.002-04:00

Look at this beautiful pendant that arrived in my mailbox.
I am in love!

Thank you Julia!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

a fabulous winner!

2010-04-26T19:36:00.000-04:00

Hello! I put all the names in a bowl and my husband picked the winner: Chrissy! Check out her sweet blog!

Thank you everyone for being a part of my blog celebration. It was so fun to read about your blogs and how you got started.

This weekend we set up my kiln and finished buying all the stuff that you need to buy when you decide to work with clay (new coils, kiln stand, shelves, clay, tools, glazes, sponges, cones, brushes, etc.) I love all art supplies so I enjoyed myself completely! I think my kiln is so cool- kind of like a spaceship just landed in my house.

This is all so exciting!

it's a celebration!

2010-04-20T22:19:00.001-04:00

Finding Happiness Through Art turns 2 this month! I couldn't even remember when I first started blogging until I looked it up one day. I was surprised to find out that it had been almost two years. My blog started off slowly. I wasn't sure what I was doing or where this blog was going, but I started anyway. My posts during that first year were really few and far between. It has been within this past year that I feel like I have found my little place here in this blog-land.

One of the hardest things for me was knowing what to share and how much to reveal of myself in the process. It felt kind of scary and vulnerable at first. Today, two years later, as I write this I am so grateful that this has seemed to work itself out. The more posts I have written, the more I have found my authentic voice, and the easier it is to open up and write without worrying if it is all too much or too little.

But I think the best part of blogging is all the wonderful blogger friends I have met here! I know it is that connection I have made with my readers that has made this blog feel like home to me. Thank you readers! I adore you!

Sooooo, let's celebrate with a giveaway!

Leave a comment telling me a little about your blogging experience (if you have a blog) and I enter to win a free print from my shop of your choice (I will also throw in some greeting cards as an extra bonus.)

I'll put all the names in a hat and pick a winner next Monday! Yay!

PS: The painting on top is a new one of three farm animals I have just finished. The cow is my favorite.

arizona, I love you

2010-04-14T20:25:00.002-04:00

I love your dry air and blue skies and cute white tailed jack rabbits. And your road runners, cactus flowers, mesas and red rocks.

I knew Arizona was going to be great. I had heard so much about Sedona, climbing Camelback Mountain and the arty town of Jerome. But really, ALL of it well exceeded my expectations. It was super fun and I have decided that hiking is one of my most favorite things to do in the entire world. I'm tired today but so filled with gratitude. A heartfelt thank you to Jill for taking care of my girls (sweet Mia and Daphne) while we were away!

I will post this weekend on my blog celebration!

nurturing our creative dreams

2010-04-12T14:10:00.002-04:00

I know where the inspiration for this painting comes from-Thank you to SARK and the book, Making Your Creative Dreams Real. I have been reading the book recently and doing many of the fun little exercises.

Like making a list of all the self-defeating thoughts about my creativity and then burning the list. She suggests ripping it up, but I wanted to be even more violent with the list and turn it into dust. When I sat and thought about it, I was kind of surprised there were so many of those thoughts floating around. SARK calls them "the gang of inner critics." I am learning to befriend my silly inner critic monsters so they loose their power over me.

It is interesting to watch my creative dreams unfolding. It feels exciting and vulnerable and messy and brilliant and scary and exhilarating all at the same time. But this mix of emotions seems somehow true of all the things in life that really matter so I've decided to embrace all of it.

I made this collage painting for all of us who are nurturing our creative dreams. May we hold true to our creative spirits, smile lovingly at the grumbly doubtful thoughts, and continue to grow toward what we love. Amen, sisters.

Stay tuned after I get back from Arizona for my up coming blog celebration! Hint: my blog turns 2 this month and I think it is time for a giveaway :)

confessions of a greenish girl

2010-04-08T16:25:00.004-04:00

Ok, all honesty here. I am green-ish.

I desperately want to be as good to the earth as possible but I am clearly a "green" work in progress. My biggest claim to fame is that I have been a vegetarian for more than 20 years. I have never really liked meat, being a crazy animal lover practically since birth, so giving up meat was easy and natural for me once I learned about the industry and what it does to the animals and environment. I buy organic produce and support local farms as much as possible. I drive a Prius. I watch the documentaries, read the books, vote for the politicians- I am learning.

But even still. My showers are too long and too hot. I still (although I think about it every year) do not have a compost bin, which is sad, given the amount of seriously rich material that is wasted with all the vegetable eating in my house. I am sometimes lazy about recycling when it is easier to throw it in the garbage. I buy new cotton clothes, never used. I use (gasp!) paper plates and cups sometimes when it is easier and Drano when our sinks clog.

This is coming up for me now for a couple of reasons. First, it is spring! The green buds, crocuses, daffodils, and warm sun after a long winter always renew a deep appreciation for the earth that was somewhat forgotten while covered in snow. Secondly, the gallery I am a part of is having show called "Earth Art." This got me thinking some more. I do not specifically use green materials in my art business other than recycled paper. Once, a while back, I researched eco printing and was so blown away by the cost I haven't looked since. If any of my readers have any tips for me, I would love to hear them!

So, here it is: gradually get a greener business. I'll add that to my list of 2010 goals. Oh, along with that compost bin. . .

P.S. I am writing this on a plane on my way to Arizona. I couldn't be more excited! I am thinking the dry air will be great for my allergies, not to mention my frizzy-ish hair!

kindred spirits

2010-04-05T09:51:00.004-04:00

Hi and happy spring! I have been away from blogging for a few weeks and a lot has happened. I have finished 3 new 16x20 paintings and have 3 more that are almost finished. I am very grateful for my new computer and cool upgraded phone but I have to admit that I am also quite technologically challenged at the moment! It's all good though. And we are leaving for Arizona this week (Yay!) I am so excited and busy getting ready. The new painting above was inspired by my sweet adopted retired racing greyhound. She is teaching us a lot with her gentle and loving spirit. I will share my other new paintings over the next couple of days and have prints soon in my etsy shop.

art week

2010-03-22T22:06:00.003-04:00

Hi all! I have so much to blog about lately but I just haven't been able to collect my thoughts enough to turn it into a blog post. Last week I bought a new laptop because my computer is really on it's last leg. I LOVE my pretty new laptop. It did take me a while to transfer files and get a general understanding of how to use some parts of it. Then the hard drive failed. So, I am getting a replacement computer next Monday. It is kind of frustrating, but not really. I've decided this just means that I am supposed to make art this week. I will have very limited access to a computer so I am going to take advantage of that and PAINT, create, draw, collage and illustrate my way through the week. I might be away for a few days but hopefully I will come back with new art to share. In the meantime, I am loving all the TRUTH in this post by heartwingsisters and this post by Danielle. So brilliant!

Have a lovely week!

weekend giveaway!

2010-03-13T10:07:00.000-05:00

My giveaway is up on maya*made!

I'm giving away 2 prints of your choice here :)

Thank you Maya!

with gratitude

2010-03-10T18:42:00.000-05:00

Julia, from the painted path blog put a post up about my art work. It was such a delightful surprise to read! Thank you Julia! I am a new reader to her blog (as she is to mine) and I am so struck by how heartwarming her blog feels. Her painting above is titled wide open possibilities. She is also a writer- I love this poem she wrote...

COMPLETE

If only we could be as brave

as that tall growing oak

rooted deeply to the warm earth

It reaches its naked branches

up to the sun

and drops its leaves

one by one

never once stopping

to cling or hold on

or question

or long

Just a tree

being a tree

***

Jessica Gonacha Swift wrote this post about comparing ourselves to other artists (inevitable with all of this fabulous art and creativity all around us.) She is so right-on with this that I wanted to share.

And lastly, for SPRING- my newly updated homepage :)

I'm SO thrilled!

2010-03-06T11:04:00.006-05:00

The beautiful Maya from maya*made put up my sponsor spotlight on her blog today! It is one of the nicest spotlights I have ever read. I am so filled with gratitude. Her blog is loaded with creative ideas and inspiring images that it is understandable why she has so many followers. Check it out!

maya*made

Thank you so much Maya!

5 random thoughts this Friday

2010-03-05T08:21:00.001-05:00

1. I am so excited because my husband and I just decided to go to SURTEX and the National Stationary Show this year at the Javits Center in NYC in May. My hope is to go this year as a guest and learn as much as I possibly can then go as a vendor next year. I have been thinking about this for years and now the time is right. It's so exciting to think about all the possibilities!

2. I am thinking about Flickr lately. I have never really even looked around on Flickr but I get the basic concept. What do you all think? Are you a part of flickr? Does it help your business? Is it fun?

3. I just started reading SARK's Make Your Creative Dreams Real. I bought it because I have a few of her books which I love and it said it was "a plan for procrastinators, perfectionists, busy people, and people who would rather sleep all day." I laughed out loud when I read that and bought it immediately!

4. I am LOVING this art photograph by Dahlia House Studios because it makes me think of SPRING.

5. My friend gave this poem to me the other day. I am not giving credit to anyone because I am not sure who wrote it or where it comes from- let me know if you know! I posted it in my planner so that I would see it every day this week.

May today there be peace within.

May you trust that you are exactly

where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities

that are born of faith in yourself and others.

May you use the gifts that you have received,

and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content with yourself just the way you are.

Let this knowledge settle into your bones,

and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

Wishing everyone a great weekend! xo, Lori

speak up!

2010-03-01T22:55:00.003-05:00

I'm sitting here at 9:00 at night eating a vanilla cupcake. There is just something so joyful about a cupcake, something so delightful and sweet that it just might make things all better.

See, I had a little problem on spa day. The problem was that I didn't speak up fast enough or loud enough or clear enough. As a youngest child raised to be kind and good, speaking up does not come easy for me. But now (thanks to getting older and wiser) I have this pesky need to be authentic and true to myself. This need is so strong that I am very conflicted when being true to myself means possibly hurting, disappointing, or angering another. Or even worse, they might not like me. And occasionally, after holding it in, my speaking out is ugly and emotional and disrespectful. Neither is helpful.

On spa day, when my massage therapist dug her bony hands (and elbows?) into my 5'2" frame with the force of Linda Hamilton, a simple "Um, that's too hard," might have worked nicely. Instead, as I wrenched in pain, my mind went through all the ways I could handle it. This is my opportunity to speak up for myself. Right now. OK, right now. Tears streaming down my face. Where is my voice?

I did find my voice. And after I got over how incredibly long it took me, and how it wasn't quite adequate or clear enough, I began to feel a little bit proud. I actually DID, very imperfectly, speak up for myself.

You know what? Spa day was good.

Check out this post by Brene Brown which speaks to the struggle of speaking out. This post really spoke to me.

a day with friends

2010-02-26T09:14:00.003-05:00

I am going to Mirbeau Spa for the day with two artist friends of mine. Actually, they will be pulling into my driveway any minute! It has been interesting for me to watch my thinking around this over the past few weeks. I do not normally take the entire weekday to have fun, let alone take the entire day AND spend a lot of money. I have been excited but then have had to fight feelings of guilt. Which I think is ridiculous and does not serve me. These are just old ingrained beliefs about scarcity of time and money. Beliefs that I have to work HARD all the time. They are not true. Right now I am feeling blessed and grateful. And I am deciding to be present and to trust that there is always more than enough time and enough money.

I hope you all have a really great weekend. We have SO much snow here and it's beautiful!

Here is a painting I just finished that will be listed on etsy soon. Much love!

Ah, the early days

2010-02-23T15:45:00.009-05:00

I just now went back to look at when my first blog post was written. It was April 1, 2008! I didn't realize it was so long ago because that first year I barely made any posts. I didn't know where this blog was going or what I was doing as an artist. In some ways I still feel exactly like that. But other times I can really see how far I have come.

This makes me think way back to when I first started this whole art thing- 7 or 8 years ago? I was freshly divorced, living by myself and my pets, working as a teacher/counselor and had no idea where to begin. So I spent mad amounts of cash, bought a tent and mesh-panel sides and I signed up for a few art shows. We have to start somewhere, right?

To say the first show was a total disaster is just not true enough. My panels arrived late, so while all the other artists got set up the night before the show, I was still setting up LONG after people were all around shopping. It was at least ten thousand degrees outside and I began literally and figuratively melting down. I needed an engineering degree (which I clearly did not have) to figure out how to set up the sides and hang my paintings- it took hours and hours of pouring through the directions with swears and frustration. Hardly anyone showed up since it was way too hot for upstate New Yorkers who can barely breathe if it goes above 80. And NO one came into my tent (at least it seemed that way as I watched hoards of people cluster in mobs around the guy in front of me who made PVC pipe birds.) I sold one small painting to a girl who sort of knew me, so it doesn't even count. And.nothing.else. Oh, and I got SICK SICK SICK. Embarrassingly sick, let's say, on the first of the 3 days. (Thank you to my life-saving friend, the new girl, who was with me through it ALL.)

THEN, as the artists were starting to pack up at the end of the weekend, A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR occurred (and I am not exaggerating, although I do like to exaggerate, this is not one). I couldn't figure out how to take down my tent quickly (of course, since I didn't have an engineering degree). The rain and winds soaked all of my prints, ruined the framing on my paintings, and drenched my portfolio, of which I spent extraordinary amounts of money and time on that (did I mention?) no one even looked at. And not to mention the soaking, ruining, drenching of my self-esteem and overall emotional health.

The best thing I ever did after I took my defeated, exhausted, soggy, moppy-ass home was give myself 3 days to totally wallow in self-pity. I called in sick to my "real" job which was really wasn't a stretch. For 3 days I was horizontal on the couch, watching sad movies and eating as much chocolate as I wanted and had the biggest and most depressed Pity-Party Possible. And I didn't even judge myself for that.

After 3 days, I took a shower, laughed about it just a little bit, and started over.

Maybe I have come a long way.

give your love away

2010-02-19T12:49:00.001-05:00

MC Yogi - Give Love (Giving4Living Mix) from MC Yogi on Vimeo.

Oh Lordy. Apparently I am on a video kick. But PLEASE. Just when I thought I couldn't love MC Yogi ANY more, he makes this GEM of a video. I am so in love with it I just want to watch it over and over again. In fact, I have. It is short, and I guarantee it will make your heart feel full of love. What a gift this song is...

Happy Friday everyone!

Thank you MC Yogi for using your art to spread love.

embrace your inner girl

2010-02-18T15:32:00.002-05:00

This is my first video to share! It actually only took me a few minutes to figure out how to post this. I watched this TED talk the other day via Pansy Maiden's blog and found it so powerful and touching that I wanted to share it here. I started getting chills when she read "I am an emotional creature." It made me rethink my wish for thick skin and gave me a new perspective. I am an emotional creature and after hearing Eve Ensler, I feel empowered by that. I'm so glad I watched it.

much love to you

2010-02-12T15:15:00.004-05:00

This week I signed up for Sirius radio and I am completely hooked! I can't believe it took me this long to get it. So all week I have been listening to Sirius, painting, organizing, filling orders- its been a good week. I bought a new wireless printer for printing my portfolio which is a huge accomplishment for me because I have been "working" on my portfolio for years (seriously YEARS). I actually feel like I accomplished a lot. That is kind of a new feeling for me since I usually spin my wheels so much instead of just getting things done. I'm not at all a Type A.

Tonight we are going out to dinner with friends and then to a comedy show. My friend and I were talking about making a conscious effort to bring more "fun" into our lives. (Hence the comedy show!) Things here are quiet and good. I am grateful for the quite times when life seems to slow down a little. I think that is my favorite part of winter. I am wishing everyone a weekend full of love!

birds, flowers and love

2010-02-04T13:52:00.003-05:00

Just in time for Valentine's day (along with other new original paintings in my shop!)

I just sent out my February newsletter and you can view it here. Yay! I am really excited about it because with my old newsletter marketing plan I dissolved into tears at least once each time I put a newsletter together. To be fair, my husband did ~~all~~ most of it, but the formatting still caused us both incredible stress. But this time, it was easy and even fun. Phew. Gotta love Mad Mimi.

Here are a few more new little originals now in my shop.

It is such a beautiful day outside. I am working on the computer for a little bit visiting blogs and setting up my trunkt shop, then going with my husband and Mia (my dog) on a walk to Starbucks, then back to work on my new paintings. I am feeling so grateful that I have a job where I get to work at home most of the time. Sometimes it feels so stressful that I forget that all of this work happens between cups of tea, and walks with my dog, and all mostly all wearing yoga pants.

work in progress

2010-01-31T13:32:00.007-05:00

Here are some new paintings I am working on today. Hope you are all having a good weekend :)

sweet cow

2010-01-27T18:05:00.000-05:00

I finished this custom order and decided that I really love to paint cows! And it is even more fitting considering I just finished watching Oprah about food and where it comes from with Michael Pollan from Food Inc. and this painting is my wish for cows. May they be grass fed and free.

that you remember that you are beautiful

2010-01-22T14:42:00.003-05:00

In a particularly hard time of my life, my bff from college made me these lovely works of art with her wishes for me. She is my funniest friend EVER and a kick-ass writer. Ten years later, I still have them hanging around my house. And I still cherish them.

(In case you were wondering, remember, this was 10+ years ago. I used to be sooooo blonde. I'm the one on the right, with the crown.)

Seriously, you will LOVE her blog, the new girl. It is so witty and honest and raw and HILARIOUS. And intense and serious and did I mention funny? Especially if you have kids. It is not to be missed.

a wish for thick skin and a world without the news

2010-01-20T19:15:00.000-05:00

I am one of those bleeding heart sensitive artist types. Down to my very core.

Today I wish I wasn't. Today I wish my skin was thicker. I wish I was tougher. Angrier. More confident, less worried. My husband and I joke because I am literally and figuratively thin-skinned. This might be TMI (too bad my blog) but my skin is so white and paper thin that, if you are looking, a virtual purple road map covers my entire body.

I listened to the news too much today. I am overwhelmed. Haiti. The election in Massachusetts. Gay marriage. Why do things affect me so deeply? Why can I not easily shake them off? Why is my skin so thin?

My husband has the thickest skin ever. It takes a lot to really make him upset. He angers easily, but things don't really get into his heart and hurt him like they do to me. I know I allow this. I want to be different. I want to more like Danielle. Tougher, you know?

I know my "sensitivity" makes me a good friend. A compassionate listener. Good to people and the earth and the animals. I have empathy and love so strong that sometimes I think I might actually break apart.

My ex- husband told me (as we were breaking up and sharing last minute best wishes) that I would be a very successful artist because my art comes from the best part of me. (His art, though brilliant, was often dark and deep and tormented.) I am starting to realize how the work I do is so healing for me. It gets me out of my often heavy heart into lightness and hope.

Not that I am a dark cloud that looms around. But I can be that way. I can easily take it all on. I can feel such intense pain about the polar bears, or women in Iraq or the Congo, or deforestation, (pretty much insert anything here) that it is sometimes hard to breathe.

So tonight, after WAY too much news (Hello Lori? This is Lori. In the future, please take a newsfast when hormonal) I am home alone, drinking wine to to take the edge off, painting, and wishing for thicker skin.

back to work

2010-01-18T12:06:00.002-05:00

I had a great weekend with my family. Now I am back to work. Painting. Today is a productive day. So I'm keeping this short.

But before I go, I have been thinking today (for some reason) about this sweet cat I saw in Cinque Terre, Italy. This town was filled with vibrant color, the smell of fresh pesto and peaceful, sleeping cats. I think I need to use the blue in this boat in my work today!

Happy Friday!

2010-01-14T21:33:00.001-05:00

It is completely thawing out here in NY. The temperature is in the 30's and it feels actually warm! I have been happily busy in my studio working on a custom order painting that I will share next week when it is finished. Then I am determined to finish several new paintings and continue to illustrate the children's book that I started months ago.

I am so thrilled for my friend, Holly, for being featured in the new book, 500 Art Quilts! Congratulations Holly! And I am loving Studio Enrouge's newest painting of love birds, and Jess Gonacha Swift's newest pattern designs. Sweet!

I am headed out for the weekend to visit my family. Wishing everyone a weekend with lots of free time to do what you want :)

purse love

2010-01-12T15:38:00.000-05:00

Have you seen Pansy Maiden bags by Laura Collins? She has an Etsy shop too. I adore them. Along with great design, her bags are completely animal-free and sustainable: "Pansy Maiden will never work with leather, wool, or silk. The fabric I use is produced at a Fair-Trade abiding mill that dyes their fabric with plant-based, heavy metal-free dyes (no harmful chemical run-off). In addition, I wash my fabric using a plant-based detergent and fabric softener (Method brand)." Yay!

And her sweet blog ... she just posted pictures of her golden retriever- cuuuute.

joyful dance

2010-01-07T13:29:00.001-05:00

During the holiday season, a man bought this original painting for his wife. When I made this painting, I really felt that it was for someone. That happens to me alot and I often find myself thinking about the person who the painting is for and feeling this sweet connection and sense of purpose with the work. This painting is one I remember in particular because I knew it probably wasn't one that many people would connect with. And yet, I knew it was for someone.

Turns out he and his wife were Ukrainian dancers and they met through dancing. I love that!

I have several new pieces started and one commisioned painting I am working on. I keep envisioning loads of time opening up for me to hibernate in my studio...

unexpected hiatus

2010-01-04T12:26:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

The past month seems like a blur to me now as I sit here at my computer, with my mug of tea, back to work again. The snow has been falling continuously for days here, making it feel like we live in a beautiful snow globe.

I ended up taking a surprise hiatus from my business the past couple of weeks. After my last orders were shipped, family arrived, and I went about the business of being a wife, friend, step-mom and daughter and nearly forgot that I was an artist and business owner. Days went by where I didn't even turn my computer on. I guess that was what I needed to do. It felt right. And now I am excited to have a fresh beginning with the new year (even with an overwhelming to-do list.)

I have learned though, for next year, to plan the holiday vacation knowing I will probably again accidently leave my business behind in the dust of holiday excitement. Next year I will announce it here on my blog and maybe in the newsletter, facebook, etc instead of just disappearing for weeks.

I miss all of my blogging friends. It's good to be back.

new little paintings

2009-12-18T15:43:00.000-05:00

I just got back form the post office sending out a bunch of orders. I love wrapping gifts, packaging and even writing the addresses on the envelopes. And I really love the people who work in my local post office- they're cool. I picked up a starbucks on the way back and now I am about to get to these little paintings...

Wishing everyone a sweet Friday!

the good heARTed

2009-12-10T11:58:00.002-05:00

I'm honored that my work been added to this sweet website called the good heARTed.

Heather Murphy is mixed-media artist and web designer who runs this site. Her blog is great too!

Thank you Heather!

cheers to artist friends!

2009-12-09T18:56:00.003-05:00

Last night we had our monthly meeting at the artist's cooperative I am a part of in Cazenovia, NY. Sometimes the meetings are stressful and tiring and I usually drive home weary-eyed, sleepy and depleted.

But things have changed!

Last month we started a tradition that is so much fun I think it is going to stick. Now, after the meetings, we meet for a drink at this great little bar on Main Street called Seven Stone Steps. Last night was our meeting night and I cannot remember when the last time was that I have laughed so hard. I love these women so much. There was a time not too long ago that I thought of leaving the cooperative. Several of my closest friends had left to pursue other avenues and the change was hard. I am really glad I stuck it out. I have this little community of artists that I adore. Sometimes it is very frustrating to manage a business cooperatively with 30 other artists. But the support and love present there way overrides any problems that arise. I just love this idyllic little town and gallery. Once again I am reminded of how things in life ebb and flow and to trust that things work out for my highest good.

Above is one of my dearest friends, Barbara, who was at the meeting/bar last night. Here we are on her sail boat last summer (I know, nice glasses.) I am especially fond of her today because she bought me this:

which, I believe has begun to change my life already! The neti pot didn't work for me. But this? I swear I can already feel my sinuses turning pretty pink.

After reading Aimee's post and Susie's post, I am really wanting to connect with some of my on-line artist friends. They did. They met on line, became friends, then met in Portland. How fun is that?

women of valor

2009-12-04T12:06:00.000-05:00

I am loving this new print by Inner Toddler, one of the FUNNIEST bloggers I know. It says "Women of valor, strength and honor are her clothing, she smiles at the future." Check out her post on this- soooo funny and true (you have to scroll down an little bit because I think she wrote it November 28.)

handmade gift tags

2009-12-01T16:37:00.004-05:00

Introducing new gift tags! To make the tags I paint, collage and stamp (using my hand carved stamps) on large sheets of paper then I cut the paper into shapes and glue them onto the tags. I add designs with fine tip markers and glitter pens. Do you know I LOVE glitter? And especially glitter pens.

I also wanted to share the post I wrote last Friday, after Thanksgiving, and never actually posted it. I cut and pasted it below....

****

November 27, 2009

The other day I wrote about how I was feeling so grateful and was going to start the 29 gifts for 29 days challenge. Grateful me.

Yesterday, Thanksgiving morning, I woke up and went to check my email before going to the gym (and starting out my day perfectly) and my email didn't work. I quickly realize that I have no website. It disappeared off the web. Seriously, just GONE. And there is no one to contact because it is Thanksgiving and everyone in the world is out feeling grateful and happy with their families. Except me. I turn positively catastrophic and my husband and I argue and I don't eat breakfast and we leave for dinner at his brother's without the food we prepared and don't realize it until we are almost there.

I am determined that today will be a better day. But it starts out rough again. We think the washer is broken and have a little drama about that, then realize that we have no water. We find out it is a water main break, a significant one, I hear, and they *hope* to have our water back sometime around early evening. I sit down on the couch, flip open my laptop and it won't turn on. It isn't the battery. I have no idea why it won't turn on.

So, no email, no website, no water, no laptop. Here is what I do have: my sweet family and pets, a lovely house that is warm and cozy, a weekend away with my husband that starts tomorrow, a full belly from an abundance of food and lots of love from people I care about. Honestly, that in comparison to no email makes me wonder why I was so upset. I get running water that gets as hot or as cold as I want every day right in my warm home. How great is that?

A change in perspective is a good thing.

****

Today I can see this even more clearly. It is easy to be grateful when things are going well and to think of myself as an oh-so-grateful person. It takes a bit of work to find the gratitude when life doesn't go as planned.

Want to hear something funny? Just as I finished the last sentence, I grabbed my mouse to do a final spell check and post. But my mouse didn't work- nor did my keyboard! Haha! That is so funny. Just needed batteries, but still...

new holiday cards!

2009-11-25T09:51:00.002-05:00

I had such a great time designing these new cards! They are now available in my etsy shop in a set of 3 or 15 cards.

The original 5x7 paintings are also available here.

I am feeling pretty grateful this holiday season. I think this book is part of the reason why. Cami Walker, who wrote the book, was diagnosed with MS and was completely depressed and in pain. A spiritual advisor recommended that she give 29 gifts for 29 days and her book tells the story. My friend, Lisa, and I decided to take on the 29 day giving challenge starting on Thanksgiving day. This book is super sweet and really helped to switch my mind from holiday stress to giving and gratitude. My husband and I were talking about it on our walk this morning. He thought that his gift for Thanksgiving day would be to do the dishes- which is no small gift given his huge Italian family! I think I will bring flowers to his mom and sisters.

Happy Thanksgiving friends :) I'm grateful for all of you.

birds and more birds

2009-11-20T09:32:00.003-05:00

I just bought this lovely original watercolor because I cannot look at it and not smile. I first found this artist, Kristina Moller, on Jess Gonacha's blog a month or two ago and have been loving these little guys ever since :) Why do I have the feeling this is going to turn into a collection?

I love the conversation they are having here- what are they talking about?

Don't you love them? I love them ALL.

I'm off to lunch now with a couple of local artist friends. We are planning a show in the spring! And I am wearing my hair curly today. It wants to be curly always but I force it into straightness because I usually feel sort of *crazy* with my hair all curly. (hmm is that a metaphor for my life?) But today the curly hair feels right. I'm ok with the crazy.

Happy weekend everyone :)

hearts, cards and time

2009-11-19T08:30:00.000-05:00

I am currently working on a painting about having enough time. Lately, that has been my downfall. Not that there isn't enough time, but rather that I think there isn't enough time and I am stressed about it! That is what I am working on this week. Above is a sweet little watercolor my step-daughter made a few weeks ago. All the little hearts make me think it is bursting with love.

I have finished my holiday cards for this year! I am so excited about them. In a few days I will have them in my shop and post on them here. But for now, my holiday card designs from last year are available on etsy.

Hope you are all well and that you all have enough time to finish everything you want today :)

with a grateful heart

2009-11-12T11:41:00.000-05:00

New thank you cards uploaded to Etsy :)

small paintings

2009-11-10T09:59:00.000-05:00

So, I didn't end up using the stamps that I made- it just didn't work for me. But I am loving working on these small 4x4 canvases! I made 12 of them and they are all hanging on my "tree." I plan to make a lot more and upload them to etsy.

Thank you SO much to my lovely blogging friends for the kind mentions... Inner Toddler, Valentina Designs And Mandy from Bijous Whimsy, wrote such a sweet post about beautiful blogosphere friendships.

ARTistree

2009-11-04T10:24:00.008-05:00

Every year, at the artist's cooperative I am a part of in Cazenovia, we have an ARTistree event. Each artist makes ornaments and a tree and the shop becomes SO festive for the holidays. In past years I have made dog, cat and bird ornaments. One year I made blessing angels, which were not really ornaments, but still fun. (new blessing angels are coming soon!)

Last night I had an inspired idea and started carving and made stamps- here's my start to this year's ornaments. This is one of those projects where I have an idea (stamps!) and then...who knows? I just have to trust the process.

***

Today is your last chance to win the giveaway at Kind Over Matter! The winner is picked tomorrow :)

Thank you for visiting. I am so grateful for all of your support.

xo,

Lori

new non-matted prints just added to shop!

2009-11-02T15:49:00.000-05:00

I just added new prints to my shop that are not matted and much more cost effective. They are the same giclee print as the matted ones and I was really happy with the way they look framed.

***

Today I am feeling grateful for the Italian feast we had this weekend at our home with friends. I made homemade pasta for the first time and only melted down into swearing and tears once! I also made homemade sauce, brushetta and greens and beans. I'm not that domestic so it was a pretty big deal that it all turned out great. One of the best parts was drinking the wine we brought back from the Chianti region in Tuscany. It was a true feast. Honestly. I should have taken pictures!

Hope you all had a good Halloween weekend...

kind over matter giveaway starts today!

2009-10-29T11:25:00.001-04:00

Today is a good day because it is my husband's birthday and I am doing a giveaway on the LOVELY kind over matter blog with Amanda and Jenn. Check it out- it is a "pick your own print" giveaway.

Here is another tile that I just picked up from clay class. It didn't turn out the way I wanted it to and at first I was disappointed but I learned from it (My fingers are covering the most obvious mistakes!) Two new coils are on order to fix my kiln and then I will be firing it up!

And just for fun, here is my cat who squeezed herself into this basket on my studio table and made me laugh so hard. Trust me, she is way too big for that basket.

And this box lid.

Wishing you all a great Thursday :)

Thank you kind over matter blog. I heart you!

birds on a wire

2009-10-27T10:34:00.001-04:00

These sweet birds are making me happy today from Karla at Studio Enrouge.

cupcake

2009-10-23T13:25:00.004-04:00

So today for lunch I had a cupcake. And I ate the icing first. Granted, it was from my favorite local vegan cafe and it was home-made so not like I was eating Hostess with all kinds of chemicals. But still. It is that kind of day.

Yesterday I heard that an old friend of mine has breast cancer. Last night I was awake most of the night thinking about her. Not in a super worried sense, they caught it pretty early and she is getting good treatment and has a positive outlook. More like praying for peace in her heart as things have changed abruptly for her and thinking about all the days that are sort of uneventful, off the radar in a sense. I decided last night that all those uneventful days are the really good ones. Sometimes there are hours upon hours where I think (insert anything negative) "Oh this weather, I'm too busy, it's too cold, I'm too tired..." whateveraboutthat.

This weekend I vow to be present. To keep gratitude in the front of my mind. To show up fully.

Have you seen this- I take the vow? It is a global movement started by Deepak Chopra for non-violence in thoughts, speech and actions. I watched the video and was so moved. I thought I would take the vow. Then I went to a Syracuse Football game with a really obnoxious fan behind me who was just down right rude, in my opinion. I didn't like how he was hammering the players, cursing and screaming. Good thing I didn't take the vow, I thought. I turned around and said to him, "Seriously Dude." Then I had an Ally McBeal moment in my head where I grabbed him by the hair with my rubber arm and whipped him onto the field. Ah, quiet again.

For today, I will just be grateful that I am a work in progress. And that is actually a lot to be grateful for.

faith evans-sills

2009-10-20T17:27:00.000-04:00

longing

seasons

message

These are three of my favorite pieces of art from Faith Evans-Sills, a phenomenal artist and doula in NYC. I love the mysterious quality of her artwork. And her painting titles fit with her work like poetry. I am lucky enough to have a print of "longing" and I love it so much that I am actually going to pay to have it professionally framed instead of doing it myself. It is such an exquisite piece of work, worthy of that honor!

I love Faith's sweet blog, Leaves and Feathers and her etsy shop.
*
It has been several days since I have had the time to visit my favorite blogs. I plan to do that now with my warm cup of tea and cat on my lap. Hope all is well with all of you!

beantown handmade

2009-10-14T13:47:00.004-04:00

Many of you wrote to me (thank you) when I posted a letter to our dog, Claudia, who died this past spring. We miss her so much. In her honor we opened our hearts to adopt a new girl who needed a home- a beautiful retired racing greyhound who we named Mia (her racing name was Pickie Rumble!) I adore her quiet and sweet personality and her pretty, skinny face. She has brought so much love back to our house.

Since she has NO fat whatsoever on her body, she absolutely needs a sweater living here in upstate NY. Luckily, I came across Beantown Handmade. Have you heard of this etsy shop and blog?

Well.

Beantown Handmade sells all hand-crocheted dog sweaters, hats, scarves, etc, with TO DIE FOR CUTENESS.

Here's proof:

And here is pretty Mia in her new plum sweater. Oh, the love!

Thank you Anne!

self-portrait workshop

2009-10-13T14:21:00.004-04:00

The self-portrait workshop was fabulous! I was so honored to be a part of such a beautiful group of women who were honest, open-hearted and fearless in their creative journey this weekend. All of the self-portrait work will be featured in a show at Cazenovia Artisans in January 2010.. . more pictures to follow!

* I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best.* Frida Kalho

thank you Modish!

2009-10-08T08:37:00.003-04:00

sponsor spotlight on Modish :)
*
This poem made me tear up this morning when my friend, Lisa, sent it to me:

You dance inside my chest,
where no one sees you,
but sometimes I do,
and that sight becomes this art.
Rumi

Isn't this poem beautiful?

email newsletter giveaway

2009-10-06T10:22:00.002-04:00

My husband is helping me work on my fall newsletter (trust me I need help.) This time I am giving away a free set of greeting cards to EACH person who signs up for my newsletter here before October 12. I am so excited about the quality of my new cards that I just want to give them away! I love to offer special discounts and freebies only to newsletter subscribers.

I promise I will not share your email address or annoy you with too many emails and you can always unsubscribe at any time.

I am deeply grateful for all of your kindness and support and hope to welcome you to my newsletter circle!

On another note: This *work in progress* is my self-portrait for the class I am teaching on Sunday. Crazy, right? Let me tell you it has been quite an experience doing this. But more about that later...

Happiness Through Art

new site is up!

wordpress and rework

A Hundred Thank-You's

I love you most of all

good bye 2010

roots of she

3 random things

for the love of girlfriends

FREE shipping. NEW prints and paintings ...................LOTS of love..................

art angels

you are all dear to me

new painting, more insight, features, and gratitude

because of you

always my friend

painting painting painting

little bits of art

artful blogging

love overflow

adoring

happy friday!

YES! recycled magnetic locket set!

I choose easy world

16 authentic bits about me, what about you?

finding gratitude

contributing blogger and other cool things...

little art show

fearless friday on the painted path

*new* original art cards!

Cards and Inspiration Studio!

seeing the beauty

surrounded by love, always

last night's dream

mountain time

send a little yoga bliss

learning to take a breath when needed

the two Loris on a road trip

artful blogging

ink and wit

inspired

love list

vacation!

may all beings be peaceful and free

choosing beauty

charged

goodies in the mail!

may you travel the world

sending blessings

oh dear blog

grateful

testing the kiln

my story

this just arrived

a fabulous winner!

it's a celebration!

arizona, I love you

nurturing our creative dreams

confessions of a greenish girl

kindred spirits

art week

weekend giveaway!

with gratitude

I'm SO thrilled!

5 random thoughts this Friday

speak up!

a day with friends

Ah, the early days

give your love away

embrace your inner girl

much love to you

birds, flowers and love

work in progress

sweet cow

that you remember that you are beautiful

a wish for thick skin and a world without the news

back to work

Happy Friday!

purse love

joyful dance

unexpected hiatus

new original art cards!