The Story of Birth: Part 2, In Which Josie Arrives

>>Read part 1 It's true that your mind and body forget labor. I made sure to write down the story of Josie's birth within the first weeks of her life. Almost a 10 months later, I recall almost none of the pain of labor. I know it existed, the same way I know Josie used to …

The Story of Birth: Part 1, When It Comes Too Easily

A recent conversation with my yoga teacher inspired me to write about Josie's birth and the guilt we can feel for things going well. When things feel like they have come to us easily, we have a hard time acknowledging them or taking credit for it. We hear how hard of a time someone else is having …

Quietly Growing a Baby Belly

Since January, I have been quietly growing a baby belly. I haven't been one to announce immediately that we were expecting or share every photograph taken. Our journey to pregnancy has been a long one, full challenges and tears. When we found out we were pregnant in January, we shared the news with our family, …

There is an Over Abundance

I started this piece back in July, while painting at my friend Cara's. I was experimenting with a slightly different palette and trying to play without thinking too much. I really liked what was happening. But I knew that it was not finished. Like so many of my paintings, I just didn't know what needed …

Artist Interview: Cara Harjes

Today, I'm happy to share an interview with my latest painting buddy, Cara Harjes. Cara and I met at The Makerie last spring in our painting class with Jennifer Mercedes.  Both of us had the wish to meet a new creative local friend while at the retreat. Serendipity had us sitting next to one another and …

My First Artist Date

I've had The Artist's Way by Juila Cameron sitting next to my bed for over a year. I read chapter 1 twice in the time and haven't been able to move any further until this last week. One of the lovely ladies I met at The Makerie suggested the a small group of us go …

A Daily Reminder to Find Joy

I came home from the Makerie exhausted, but full of inspiration and the desire to bring some of the magic of the Makerie into my everyday life. I realized that all that magic came from joy. I wanted to capture all of the lessons I had learned at the Makerie in a a physical form. Something I could look …

Just A Day

I was inspired by Flora Bowely today and have decided to write up a quick blog post. Flora Bowely is doing a 30 Day Blog Love Affair, where she rekindles her relationship with her blog. I'm feeling I need to ignite that same affair. Using her blog post as a jumping point, here's how my …

It Is Work

I haven't wanted to get up lately. It's not a matter of being tired, it's been a lack of fire. I feel like I've been missing my inspiration, my passion, my fire. I'm trying to be so gentle with myself and allow myself to lay in bed a little bit longer in the morning if …

15 Minutes a Day

Now that my studio is complete, I can move on to actually creating in my studio. I’ve made it my new goal to spend 15 minutes a day in my studio. This time could be spent creating, or simply reorganizing or just standing in the room-anything that keeps me in the room for a short …