Acknowledge Yourself!  We often do not take the time to acknowledge who we are and realize just how strong we can be.  I love the quote from Vivian Greene

Life's not about waiting for the storms to pass

It's about learning to dance in the rain...

And sometimes when we are feeling pain and sorrow, we should just run out in the rain and let our tears mingle with the raindrops.  When the tears have run out - swing your arms up, twirl and dance a little dance.

But if it's 3 am in the morning, I work in my journal instead, knowing that if I can do just one thing on the page I will have given myself a moment of solace.  Here's how my finished page looks.

Art washes away from the soul
the dust of everyday life.
PICASSO

Back into Watercolour

I cannot believe how time flies.  I have not had any time to devote to this, but am going to make a concerted effort to try to post on a regular basis.  Strathmore Papers have an online video class on watercolour journalling, and I have just watched Class 1.  (I had to scan it in and it should have been cropped, but I am having problems).  I'm hoping to be inspired to get back into watercolours.  Here is the result.

I am taking the plunge and starting a blog to share my interest in all things art. I started in '96 with a beginner's class in decorative painting with acrylic paints and greatly appreciate the step by step methodology taught. The techniques learned have been the backbone of my experience. Since then I have taken classes in watercolour, oil, and pastel. Add to that exploring the world of stamping and calligraphy, and you can start to understand how all of these would come into play in mixed media, my current love. Creative expression provides nourishment to the soul and I hope to share some creative expressions with you...