sweet pomona

Horseshoe Craft & Flea Market: Q & A Thursday with Studio Lila

2010-08-26T08:25:00.000-07:00

Check out my interview with Studio Lila. Love her and so inspired by her spirit and her art!

Horseshoe Craft & Flea Market: Q & A Thursday with Studio Lila: "artist Robyn Thayer, Studio Lila and Voice Last week, we had the incredible opportunity to head up to Evergreen for a day of art with Robyn..."

made time.

2010-08-02T19:44:00.000-07:00

it felt so good to make time for painting this weekend. the more i get immersed in my business venture, the more i'm savoring time without computers, lists, phone calls. i want quiet. i want art. here is crazy sunday lady. sunday lady with bouquet mish mash on her head.

i've been catching up on some blogs tonight. i'm so inspired and comforted by all of you blogging, creators across the land :)
i hope to write more later. i kind of miss being here on sweet pomona.
good night.
xo

hello

2010-07-25T21:15:00.000-07:00

well, it's sunday night...and i didn't paint this weekend. but...i did start to clean my studio. sort of. tomorrow i commit to paint for at least one hour. one wee hour.
here's a painting i did with my friend, tiffany. the photo is not the best because of the glare. she seems contemplative and peaceful. i could use a little more of both of those things!
happy new week, everyone.
xo
amy

new things

2010-07-21T07:07:00.000-07:00

it's been so long since i've posted...almost a month! i've been swamped with a new creative project, a mondo beyondo dream :) i'm directing and organizing the Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market here in denver...it's a market where emerging and experienced artists, designers, crafters and vintage/antique collectors can sell their wares, and where denverites can shop locally and interact with and buy from the makers and collectors of their unique goods. i'm calling it the "horseshoe" because i always think when you go to a flea market or art/craft fair, you are really hoping to get "lucky" and get something really freakin' awesome. which many times ends up happening, and is sure to happen at the Horseshoe!

i found a great graphic designer in my neighborhood--and it turns out i know her brother and sister-in-law! i used to share office space with her sister-in-law. small world. she has been a great help, i'm super happy with her work, and she's also going to be a jewelry vendor in the market!

as with everything in life, there have been ups and downs and good and bad. the ups and the good--i've had a great first week of vendor applications since "launching" last wednesday! yay! it's also been so fun to just have fun with it, and let it unfold in a somewhat organic way. the downs and the bad--i'm on my computer 24-7, my back and neck hurt, i'm developing that pastey, at-the-computer-all-day complexion, i'm distracted, not very present with the people around me. working on that. i'm hoping to regain some balance here soon.

also, a few weeks ago, i painted with my friend tiffany! i'll post my little painting later, and i'm also hoping tiffany gets a website/blog soon and you can enjoy her work, too. she's GREAT!

okay, more later. off to do horseshoe "stuff." spread the word! here's our website: http://www.horseshoecraftandflea.com, and please follow us on facebook and twitter!!!!

oh, and that's funny--i had to re-join facebook to market this...and inadvertently created a "personal profile" so i said, "what the hell." i'm back on the FB. this is funny because i wrote a long, earnest blog post about how much i hate facebook. well, in terms of business, i see a lot of good things for it. and it is nice to see friends on there--but i still have some inner angst about it ;)

happy wednesday
amy

Green Wish Foundation

2010-06-28T20:25:00.001-07:00

Here is my husband's new green venture...
Green Wish Foundation

"Find some trash, pick it up, all day long you'll have good luck!"

the art workshop

2010-06-28T10:23:00.000-07:00

was awesome. katie kendrick was an amazing, gentle, intuitive teacher. and she was sweet and funny. there she is above in the apron. her work is awesome...her faces are complicated yet simple, colorful, FULL of life. she taught us some cool new techniques which was just what i needed. she taught us to use our intuition, calm the inner judge, and use our creative brains. i learned a lot about light and dark, color, layering. again, it was just what i needed because i've been feeling stuck.

here are my faces.

there were some great women at the workshop, as well. amy, robyn, tiffany among others. robyn(green shirt) is a working artist in evergreen, co. her work is amazing!

it was a great friday of art!

all in a year.

2010-06-27T22:07:00.000-07:00

what a year. anyone who knows us knows we've had a hell of a year. i've learned a lot. grateful for a lot. and am glad my husband and i have both chose to be "twice born." ;)
(see the following)
i'm reading broken open:how difficult times can help us grow, by elizabeth lesser. best book ever.
from broken open...

"It was William James, philosopher who wrote that there are two kinds of people in this world the ‘Once-Born‘ and the ‘Twice-Born‘.
Once-Born people do not stray from the familiar territory of who they think they are, and what they think is expected of them. If fate pushes them to the edge of Dante’s famous dark woods ‘where the straight way is lost’ they turn back. They don’t want to learn something new from life’s darker lessons. They stay with what seems safe, and what is acceptable to their family and society. They stick to what they already know but don’t necessarily want....

A Twice-Born person pays attention when the soul pokes it’s head through the clouds of a half-lived life. Whether through choice or calamity, the Twice-Born person goes into the woods, loses the straight way, makes mistakes, suffers loss, and confront that which needs to change within himself in order to live a more genuine and radiant life.
Twice-Born people use the difficult change in their outer lives to make the harder changes within. While Once-Born people avoid or deny or bitterly accept the unpredictable changes of real life, Twice-Born people use adversity for awakening. Betrayal, illness, divorce, the demise of a dream, the loss of a loved one-all of these can function as initiations into deeper life. The journey from once-born to twice-born brings us to a crossroads where the old ways of doing things are no longer working but a better way lies somewhere at the far edge of the woods. We are afraid to step into those woods but even more afraid to turn back. To turn back is one kind of death. to go forward is another.
The first kind of death ends in ashes, the second leads toward rebirth. For some of us, the day arrives when we step willingly into the woods. A longing to wake up, to feel more alive, to feel ‘something’ spurs us beyond our fear. Some of us resist like hell until the forces of fate deliver a crisis. Some of us get sick and tired of filling an inner emptiness with drugs or drinks or food, and we turn and face our real hunger: our soul hunger, Twice-Born people trade the safety of the known for the power of the un-known.
Something calls them into the woods, where the straight path vanishes, and there is no running back, only going through. This is not easy. It is not a made-up fairy tale. It is very real and difficult. To face our shadow, the dragons and hags that we have spent a lifetime running away from is perhaps the most difficult journey we will ever take. But it is there, in the shadows, that we retrieve our hidden parts, learn our lessons, and give birth to the wise and mature self. From an experience, we know that the difficulty of the dark journey is matched only by it’s rewards."

that was a long one. but i love it.

last year, this is what we did today:

this is what we did today this year. well, technically, last night. camping.

this was today--driving through the glorious, colorado mountains.

another year we welcome, surrender to, trust...

xo

saved.

2010-06-24T18:54:00.001-07:00

reminders of enough

2010-06-24T07:37:00.000-07:00

i stumbled upon this video looking up this author, Wayne Muller. He is the author of a Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal and Delight in Our Busy Lives. among other books.
enjoy this video and realize how having a small locus of control is actually a good thing. a freeing thing.

more dreaming.

2010-06-21T21:51:00.000-07:00

Dream. Dream. Dream. More dreaming.

I decided to do the dream lab. My friend, Sarah, brought it up and at first I thought--no, no can do. I'm done dreaming. But then I reassessed. It just seemed right. So I signed up and I'm excited about it!

A few mondo beyondo dreams have unfolded. #1--our neighbors moved out. AND, before they moved out, they APOLOGIZED for being bad neighbors. And we also apologized for not being the best neighbors, too. It was really kind of amazing and healing.

#2--the universe is answering some other mondo but I don't want to jinx it so I'm just not going to talk about it right now.

#3--art workshop--I'm going to a Katie Kendrick workshop this weekend! Whoohooo!

Here's something I've been working on. It's acrylic and mixed media on wood. Not sure if it's done or where it's going. I did layers and layers of paint on top of magazine and children's encyclopedia pictures. Then when the paint dried, I started scratching at it, and then I started to uncover what I had originally mod podged down and had forgotten about. I've been having fun in my studio.

Oh, and I got a haircut. It's a little short but I've been itching to get a shorter haircut for a long time and I took the plunge.

Oh, and I also got a sturdy, $13 easel this weekend at a garage sale. And this vintage apron that I will use for painting. And that mirror there is also a $5 thrift store find. It's big and heavy and I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with it.

I'm so sleepy and off to bed. Happy summer solstice to all!

Artist website

2010-06-16T18:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.amyberganyetman.com

an ode to realness.

2010-06-16T18:11:00.000-07:00

i have so much i want to write, to get out of my head. i just can't do it right now. maybe it's because i'm trying too hard or i think i have to write each post "perfectly" even though, clearly, i don't write perfect posts. you know what i mean?

anyway, i was just inspired, touched, and enlightened by jen lemen's blog, master real-person and one of the mondo beyond folk. go read her stuff. wow. talk about taking off the mask and just being. reading her post, the most recent one, made me seriously drop my shoulders, take a deep breath, soften my face. how often i try to "keep myself together" and "do the right thing." it can feel so rigid and lifeless. oh and i also "try not to be so deep" because i'm "too much" and very "self-indulgent." i'm not "giving" enough and blah blah blah. the race in the head that leaves out the heart.

anyone relate?

Soft Landings

2010-06-12T11:24:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to figure out how to redo my blog. I even got a typepad account, and haven't been able to figure out how to do the dang thing. Now, blogger has all these new design options, so I'm just playing around. It's both fun and frustrating to be learning this stuff.

Life has been so busy. I haven't been doing much art, but I hope to get to some today. Lots has unfolded. We went to Tucson for a family wedding in the desert. It was beautiful.

Gorgeous bride in her vintage slip wedding dress.

I really like the desert. And the paper flowers at the wedding.

I love this abandoned foundation of a stone house we found on a hike. It was on a trail called the Yetman Trail. It's really bizarre--I was in Tucson about five years ago with an ex-boyfriend. He was working the whole time, and I was alone and went hiking on this trail a few times and saw this same house. Turns out, the Yetman Trail is named after my now-husband's uncle. The same uncle who married us. Weird and cool and crazy, huh? Maybe it's just me.

Being in Tucson, it kind of made me want to move there. However, there could be some downsides to living in the desert--the heat, number one. And number two, there are no "soft landings" anywhere. One of Doug's relatives told me that on the trip--if you go hiking or biking and you fall, it's going to hurt. And the night of the wedding, I got a little dose of that. I was scooting past a Prickly Pear cactus and it stuck me. I thought it was no big deal, but man, do those prickles burrow in your skin. But I managed to get all the tiny needles out and was fine to enjoy myself. Above, I'm drinking the best and sweetest Mojito ever with funny-faced Doug and awesome aunt Joan. This was pre-Prickly Pear.

I have much more to write, but I'll do it next post. Lots of stuff brewing...and good stuff, I think.
xo

MOMENTS

2010-05-31T09:42:00.000-07:00

Thanks, smacthoughts for posting this on your blog. Made me want to spread it...
It won't embed correctly, so click on the video to watch a better version on youtube.

colors

2010-05-29T16:52:00.000-07:00

Denver has changed so many colors today. It started off hot and dry and sunny...then windy and cool. And now, the sky is a deep purple and it looks like it might rain. I love this kind of Saturday afternoon, and I love Denver's weather, the changes, the dryness, the lack of humidity. I miss the midwest sometimes, especially my family, but it would be so hard to leave this climate. I think it's my favorite thing about Denver.

I'm posting more art. I don't really know why I keep posting my art. Well, I take that back. I started to post my art because I wanted to share the process. I have been afraid of the process of art for a long time, and so I kind of wanted to demystify for it myself. I guess I'm attempting to simply create and I'm wanting to stay away from the temptation to be a "good" artist--I just want to get more confidence in actually creating. Make it a habit. I want it to be true rather than good. Obviously ;)
Art journal page. Still working on this self portrait thing.
And this was the previous self portrait but I felt the need to paint abstractly. I found the words "Recipe for a magical childhood" and mod podged them in the middle.

I'm still kind of embarrassed to post all this. Oh well. Not that there are many of you out there reading...although my profile says nearly 1000 people have looked at this blog, I think it's about five people looking at it about 200 times each. Thanks for continuing to look :)

Art Journaling

2010-05-23T07:54:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite sites to go to is Judy Wise's blog. Last night and this morning, I went digging through her archives. I love seeing her process unfold. I love her ability to seamlessly inspire with her words and images. There are lots of truths sprinkled in each of her posts. I don't know her, yet she is a teacher to me--the joy with which she creates, and the joy she finds in other's creations--it's all very affirming.

I've been art journaling, too. I'm going to go down and do a little more today.
Here are some recent creations...

When I see these images posted all together I think to myself--I've got a lot of loud stuff going on inside. Do we all? Or is it just me? Glad I'm getting it out!

Queen with monster hands ;)
Double lives...
I've been realizing the toxic power of people's secrets. Just tell your secrets. It sets you, and the world free. We are all hiding because of shame. Let's take the damn power of secrets away. Truth always wins.

Middle of May

2010-05-19T07:57:00.001-07:00

And I'm doing okay. I'm about to go on a walk with a friend and then we're going to soak in the hot springs! I am in need of some relaxation. I went to acupuncture yesterday, and when I was getting ready to leave, I think I saw the acupuncturist's notes on me say something like "acute stress." Nice. Though that seems about right, I also think that the "acute" part is unraveling and I'm finding room for calm and peace.

I've been painting. It's all so dang messy. I am trying to accept it. I think I need to carve out even more time to paint because sometimes when I'm doing things messy, it's because I'm doing things very quickly. As if I don't deserve the time. So I think it's partly--there's a lot of messy stuff happening in my life and so I want to just do my art messy--and then there's the fact that I think I'm not allowing or giving myself enough time to paint and just "be" there for awhile.

This is my most recent one. I don't know what it's called. I wrote "grief" and "suffocated" on the painting. Maybe that's what it's called. Suffocated grief.Have I mentioned what a crappy camera I have? I really want a new one some day. Soon. On the above picture, in the chest area, there is a clock, but you can't see it because the camera is so crappy. And maybe my skills aren't the best, either.

Here's more messy paintings.
Couldn't get a proper shot of that one. Here's a little bit of detail. Even though this is so messy and kinda ugly in my opinion it speaks a lot of truth to me.
And a self-portrait that I keep starting over. I'm trying to learn to do self-portraits. I struggle. Especially with the eyes lately. And with combining color. BUT, I am having fun. Oh, how I love to paint and get my hands all messy!
I have some journal pages--very messy journal pages :)--that maybe I'll post tomorrow.

I stumbled upon a really good quote last weekend that spoke to my previous post of dismantling and I love it.

"When all the illusions and props are kicked away and dismantled, maybe then a proper foundation can finally be dug and laid."

Yes.

Happy, sunny day!

Dismantling

2010-05-11T18:51:00.000-07:00

Gus, my best friend. He survived the dismantling with me.

I'd been warned about dismantling. To dismantle: 1 : to take to pieces; also : to destroy the integrity or functioning of 2 : to strip of dress or covering.

Yep. That's what has happened in my life. I put all my dreams out there. I was ready for harvesting. Instead, I got dismantled by the universe. I'm not angry anymore, well, not really totally angry ;) I actually see that in order to have anything I really want, things in my career life and in my most personal relationships had to be different. A month ago, I was traumatized by what unfolded before my eyes. I'm still recovering from that. But a month ago you could not have told me that anything good would come from what happened. However, I feel completely open, vulnerable, more real and more human than I've ever felt in my life. I feel like I'm surrendering to god, the universe, the divine, whatever word you want to use.

2010 has started off as being the year for surrendering. I have had to surrender myself to something bigger than myself and my desires. It's painful. Extremely painful. I have had to put some of my most urgent desires on hold. Yet I know the universe is conspiring for me. I feel like the lessons I am learning will only make me more whole, more authentic, or as Brene Brownwould say, wholehearted.

With surrendering comes a bunch of loss. Loss of the "ideal" of things or the idea of the way I thought things should be. However, I even see in that--that the reality of things is the only way things can ever be. More and more I see how ideals or images of perfection--the perfect body, the perfect pregnancy, the perfect marriage, the perfect relationship-- simply do not exist. I've known this all before but feel at a deeper level now. We live in a world where, as Brene Brown again would say, "perfection is commodified." Facebook is the epitome of that, I think. Yes, I know good things happen on facebook, but it just seems to be another venue where people are largely inauthentic and it makes me feel claustrophobic and irritated. Well, that might be not all true. Some people are very authentic, but the whole facebook experience was making me feel more shame and comparison to others, so I set a boundary and quit that, too. I keep in touch with the people I really care about so I felt I didn't need that.

One tough part of this transformation process is the change in relationships. I'm facing that in my most significant relationship, but I have hope because my partner is maybe for the first time in his life--exploring his authentic and true self. As painful as the process has unfolded, I know that he will be more whole through this. And I will, too, no matter what happens. In having to face my worst fears about people and their capabilities, I am learning to accept the reality of things, and face my own uncomfortable feelings and work through them authentically rather than self-medicating, distracting myself or being in denial about life.

Other relationships are suffering though. I am simply unable to surround myself with people who are in denial about the reality of their own life or addictions or ways of deflecting reality. It's really hard to deal with life. However, I feel like I'm not really living if I don't accept and live out exactly what's happening. It's so easy to distract, to push things under the rug, to hide, and to tell stories to ourselves and others that simply are not true.

So, I was cursing you a month ago, universe, and giving you the finger big time. But today, right now, I'm relishing in gratitude. I'm thankful for the lessons I'm learning and the support I'm getting by just being real and putting it out there.
xo
Amy

April is National Poetry Month

2010-04-11T20:26:00.001-07:00

And so here is Mary Oliver.

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.

Revised

2010-04-08T06:46:00.001-07:00

via stilleben

Blogging has been on my mind and I have not had time to actually do it. Well, here I am today.

I've been wrestling with Mondo Beyondo stuff. Mondo Beyondo is really a simple class. You get something new to read everyday, sometimes you get a little "assignment." It seems easy. But it's really not. Facing things about myself that I really want, yet don't yet have, can be scary, daunting and frustrating. I keep coming back to this phrase in my mind...."everything I want, who I really want to be....it's just on the other side of myself." It's not like I want to be a different person, I just want to be who I really am. It's tiring to not be myself. I think I am mostly true to myself, but the times I'm not--they are tiring, exhausting, toxic times.

I realize, too, that when I posted my list on my blog, I revised a few things because they seemed too silly--which is funny because Mondo Beyondo is essentially about being outrageous with our dreams. I also left things out because I felt too vulnerable, too exposed.
Here is what I revised:
When I said that I want to get a camera, preferably a Canon EOS Rebel XTi, I really wrote, "be given a Canon EOS Rebel XTi"
I felt selfish posting that. Outrageous. But you know what, that was one of my Mondo Beyondos.

Another thing I didn't post publicly--I have had ongoing "female" related issues. I want them gone. I want to feel healthy. I want to enjoy my body. Be in my body. Be healthy, fully alive. I want to never, ever have a damn YI again. Oh, and I want a healthy cervix, which I think it is--have a pap tomorrow. I want a healthy uterus. I want to become pregnant, have my cervix stay closed for nine months, and I want it to open and I want to give birth naturally to a healthy baby. I really, really want that. I don't want another miscarriage. I feel adamant about that, and I kind of shoved that in on the bottom of my list, when it really is entirely important.

Something left off my list: I want kind, quiet neighbors. Our neighbors have been causing us strife for the last year. The police are there many times, there are major domestic issues, yelling, screaming--horrible energy to have coming into our home. I really, really, want kind, quiet, non-toxic neighbors. I feel so powerless to this situation, that I realized I left it off my list. I want to not feel at our neighbors mercy, I want to not feel powerless to them harassing us.

Something BIG I think I left out of my list: I want to go to an art retreat like SQUAM, or JournalFest. I want to meet other supportive artists. I want genuine support. I am making a little dent toward that--I am going to a workshop in June with Kelly Kendrick. Yay!

What in your life needs to be revised? What do you really want? What do you continually, even unconsciously, talk yourself out of doing/saying/expressing/being?

weekend painting.

2010-03-28T09:30:00.001-07:00

I spent all weekend painting. I used to paint really fast, finishing each painting very quickly. I wanted to be done fast, in a big sweeping "woooooosh."

About two years ago I went to this awesome women's process painting workshop . It was Friday night, all Saturday and Sunday. We were forced to work on the same painting all weekend. We couldn't "start over." We had to refrain from saying both positive and negative things about our art and other's art--it wasn't about being "good" or "bad"--it was about painting and about our own process.

I learned a ton at that workshop--how I used to paint really fast because I thought I should "get it done" fast, and that I shouldn't spend time on something so "pointless or useless." What I found out that weekend was the truth: that I actually wanted and needed more time to paint. Lots and lots of time. The ongoing question is now...can I give myself lots of time and fight the inner critic?

Anyway, painting this weekend reminded me of that workshop. I loved painting all weekend, but I hated this actual painting most of the time.
painting part 1:
But I had to sit with that. Again, the voices of "it's ugly...it's weird...what the F" etc, etc. But I sat through it.
Painted through it.
I still don't feel totally satisfied with it:

But that's not the point. It feels "done." Even though posting this process is actually hard, because I look back and like other stages better. But I'm letting it go.

This is what I love about art and about process art: I learn so much about myself--how to work through my own judgments, or at least let them just be there without dictating me. Because if my judgments had dictated me, I would have painted really fast, like for one hour, and then would have put it away the whole weekend and done something else that would have not been nearly as fun and meaningful.

Well, that felt good. :).
I'm going to go outside now and enjoy this sunny day.
xo

Whoa. Two Posts in One Day. Is that Okay?

2010-03-26T13:55:00.001-07:00

I somehow came across this today--been on the internet too long, but maybe it was so that I could find this.
Doing More Things Badly

It reminded me of the above picture. At a recent family vacation, the little kids wanted to do a "talent show." I'm not saying people weren't "good" at what they did, but the idea of a talent show was not really to show off talents, but to just have fun and do something different. The above picture is of the adult Bergan (my family) in-laws, doing an off the cuff "rap," and called themselves the "outlaws." It was funny, and the whole evening of each family member willing to do something imperfectly--was invigoratingly fun.

Doing things badly, more things, badly. What a revelation!

Happy weekend.

Fear and stuff....

2010-03-26T06:50:00.000-07:00

I just listened to an audio interview of Diane Conway from Mondo Beyondo. I watched a little clip of Diana on her website. She seems hilarious and free. Over time, she interviewed people about what they would do if they had no fear.
Top answers:
1. Quit my job
2. Travel the world
3. Skydive or get into a relationship

What's with us that we separate our dreams so far from ourselves? We build careers and jobs we have no real interest in...we suck it up because we want to make money, we want to be safe, we want to please our parents, look "good" for others, make sure we're doing the "right" thing--according to society's rules. However, can anything be "right" if it's not in line with our personal values and internal standards?

I think about how I've spent my entire life trying to find my passions, but a lot of what I thought were my passions were just reigned in because they were "normal" enough, and what a good girl should do. I'll be a good therapist, a good counselor, a good helper. Yes, I like counseling people but I've only been able to imagine two options in that world: working for an agency or having private practice. I did private practice and it was pretty courageous of me to just start. But something was missing. The manifestation of it has never felt right. It hasn't given me energy. It drains me.

I've always loved art, but no one really knows that because I don't say it out loud because it always seemed so silly. For example, only a few family members, a few friends, and my husband know that I want to do art. I want to somehow blend my counselor self with my artist self with my brave, fearless self. It will manifest somehow. I'm sure of it! Here's someone I found recently, Brene Brown--she's my new hero.

What have I done despite fear:
1. Moved to Denver
2. Got a dog
3. Got married
4. Started a private practice
5. Am teaching college--every day I go into class filled with a little fear
6. Signed up for Mondo Beyondo

I have a bunch of things I want to do in the near future--yet fear fills me. I guess it's not about getting to a place with no fear, it's working with and through fear. I guess that's where courage comes in!

What would you do today if you had no fear?
Do it!

xo

Messy

2010-03-24T12:22:00.000-07:00

This morning, I woke up early and painted! It was a snow day--it snowed a ton last night and the town seemed shut down. I had planned to go to a volunteer training at Girls, Inc., but that was canceled. It's funny, though, by 2 pm the sun is out in Denver and the streets are all clear. The sidewalks are melting. I love that about Denver--the sun warms everything.

Here's a painting I started today. I don't know what it's really about, or where it's going, or if it's finished. I found some old sketch pads and mod podged the sketches to my canvas. The sketch I did felt very primitive, or something. Sparse. I'm having fun mixing colors and being very messy.
Here's how it started.
Here's where it went
And I'm getting into the swing of journaling. I just do a little everyday. I try to not really plan, just intuit, and go with it. This kind of process seems to feel so good right now. It feels so good to be so messy.
Here's one inspired by a Neko Case song:

I've been realizing what keeps me from doing art: All the "shoulds." I have always felt like there was some way one should paint, like there were rules and techniques and a secret code that I must "get" in order to create. Instead I've been giving myself permission to just "do." There's always a little resistance--"it's so ugly!" "it's so messy!" "uggh, what would someone think of this!" But I am ignorning those things because that's not that point. There's really no point and that's what I'm liking.

And here's the kind of morning it was. All the dogs followed me downstairs. I tried to take a picture of all of them snuggled in the room, but only Gus stayed for the picture.

Happy Wednesday!
xo

Mondo Beyondo

2010-03-22T18:52:00.001-07:00

I've not written in a while. Things have been busy as always. We just got home from a family trip to Arizona. It was a great week filled with swimming, sunning, hanging out with the family, laughing, and relaxing. We stayed at this great house in Scottsdale that had a pool, basketball court, batting cage, and outdoor fireplace with couches. It was luxury yet was a better deal than trying to find rooms for all of us to stay at a hotel or resort. I was really sad to leave everyone. It was just too short. Here's my sweet niece, Lucy, swimming in the lovely, warm pool.
I've also been out of the blogging loop because I've been doing this great, online "dreaming" class called Mondo Beyondo. Mondo Beyondos are the dreams that make your stomach flutter, the dreams that feel silly, "too out there," and make you feel vulnerable. The class is about allowing yourself to dream big--it's about believing in your dreams, and shifting out of old patterns that keep you stuck. I'm loving it.

Here's my Mondo Beyondo list! I have some repeats throughout--but I guess that means that those dreams are really important.
It's amazing how many dreams you have if you let yourself dream.

-make a comfortable living
-start a flea antique/craft market in Denver that's stupendous, successful and buzzing
-become way more confident--speak what i feel and be truthful
-move to Tucson
-have an art show that's really fun with a bunch of creative, fun people
-be an artist full time
-live in a converted barn with two kids, dogs, with a cool studio where i run women's workshops
-open a great bakery
-love doug unconditionally and fully and keep laughing together forever
-run a half marathon
-heal my precious left foot
-learn to love swimming
-build a community of genuine, committed friends
-clean out/make this house kid-friendly
-be a joyful, cool, loving creative mom who blends self with other in a balanced way
-counsel people at CCD and make a little extra dough
-believe in myself, love myself
-stop apologizing so much!!!
-have a group of really good friends who are creative, soulful, genuine, healthy and funny
-be given a scholarship for art at the rocky mountain college of design
-teach more creatively
-offer/implement something meaningful, important and profitable to championship prod.
-learn to budget well, build savings
-let creativity and confidence spill out of me
-get paid more for teaching
-be healthy forever
-have a loving, joyful family
-be a trend-setter
-learn how to blog better
-learn about design
-design my own banner
-learn more art techniques
-find a spiritual community/church that is supportive and fits me
-got to golden, co more often
-find out more about my ancestors
-talk more meaningfully to my family
-show my mom and dad i love them unconditionally
-learn how to plant flowers and garden more
-run amazing workshops with ease and make money doing it
-create a mondo type course but with my eyes and view
-do something to help fight childhood obesity and promote health to kids
-learn to knit, crochet
-get sewing machine
-make curtains, sew paper
-get a really nice camera
-go to burning man
-go to vermont on an east coast road trip
-learn printmaking
-learn more about art in general
-get into the rocky mountain school of design and become an artist
-start a farmer's market in our neighborhood
-love my parents more fully
-be a super loving wife who is joyful, loving and confident
-trust fully
-go camping a lot
-learn to be more self-sustaining
-go back to crested butte for a long while
-travel to third world country
-spend significant time in the carribean on a beach with my husband
-go to mexico
-be strong and powerful
-earn money
-have ease with jobs
-hike more
-bike to work and bike around town
-be a super dynamic and genuine couple
-represent artists
-make denver a cooler city
-move to a cooler city
-sit on a secluded beach in northern california and take pictures
-meet judi wise, mati rose, and kelly rae
-be totally comfortable in my body
-have an amazing marriage to doug for life
-take pictures
-explore the desert
-have awesome relationships with each of my family members
-find more joy everydya
-wear funky clothing that feels like "me"
-go on road trips
-organize this house
-paint and do art everyday
-make big paintings
-sell my art-have people come look at my art
-meet supportive artist friends
-learn how to farm
-live on a farm
-go to europe with doug--spain, italy
-become pregnant, sustain a healthy pregnancy, and give birth to healthy, loving, funny children
-go to wine country SF
-travel northwest and hang out with the locals
-go to cuba with doug
-learn more about yoga
-teach yoga to girls
-inspire girls to be themselves and accept themselves
-live SEAMLESSLY
-live in a light-filled house
-find great, affordable rugs
-redo bathroom
-redo basement bathroom
-be a great organizer

As Mary Oliver would say, what do you want to do with your one wild and precious life?

In Honor of Women

2010-03-07T07:59:00.001-08:00

March is Women's History Month. I thought I'd gather up a list of the women who inspire me--who are my heroes.

Here are my ladies. A short list. I know there are so many I'm missing.
Neko Case. Truth-singer. I just saw her live last night. Her singing evokes a nostalgia like no other. She's so totally herself.

Dar Williams. Another truth-singer. She has been with me since early college and has gotten me through a bunch of transitions. And road trips.

Mary Oliver. Favorite poet of all time. Here's a really great poem.

Jean Kilbourne. Courageous critic who calls out the advertising industry. She's super empowering and I love her. Fight the power!

Judy Wise. Artist. I have only found her recently, but I love her. I watch this video when I am un-inspired.

Adrienne Rich. Pioneering poet and feminist.

Tina Fey. The most funny woman on the TV.

Who are your heroines?
xo
Amy

blogging and stuff

2010-03-05T07:15:00.000-08:00

I realize that I write this blog much different than I write in my art journal. Because I think people (maybe one or two people! ha!) are reading it, I write differently. I'm not going to do that anymore. I'm going to just write. Let's see how that works.

When I was doing some art journaling last night I felt so frustrated. I hated everything that was coming out of me. I tried to paint. I hated what I painted. I realized that this frustration with painting and creating was mirroring how I feel about everything lately. Nothing that comes out of me feels "right"--whether it's teaching, what I'm wearing, what I'm painting.
I can't tell if I'm just not accepting myself, or if I'm somehow fighting my natural flow, and therefore, frustrated. Dang. I'm frustrated that I can't even figure that out!

Oh well. It's friday.

I'm very happy about that fact. We are going to Neko Case tomorrow night. I can't wait!!!
Here's one of my favorite songs of hers....

wisdom

2010-02-23T08:09:00.000-08:00

Lee Krasner, Listen (1957)

I found this quote via etsy on kendra zvonik's page.
"I never violate an inner rhythm. I loathe to force anything . . . I don't know if the inner rhythm is Eastern or Western. I know it is essential for me. I listen to it and I stay with it. I have always been this way. I have regards for the inner voice."
-lee krasner

I really love that. I like the idea of inner rhythm even more than "inner voice." It does feel more like a rhythm to me--sometimes a lull, a beat, or sometimes a song. It's almost harder to ignore than to just go with it. I do this to myself...I ignore that inner voice. There are days where I procrastinate everything I want to do--whether it's exercise, art, being present. It's like I don't think I deserve to do what I really want to do. Hmmmm.
Today I will remember Lee Krasner's words today. Especially tonight during my art journaling class. Yay!

creating. space.

2010-02-21T11:42:00.001-08:00

snowy sunday here in denver. i kind of like it...and i kind of don't. i am ready for spring! winter started early this year, in early october. and denver hasn't had its regular doses of sunshine. but... it also has been kind of fun to spend days holed up in the house, doug making fires in the fireplace, cooking, snuggling. and the past few days, now that my creative space is finished (above!), i have more time to create.

there's a bit more to do, but my studio space is pretty much done (above). it's a tiny room, but doug built a nice wall, we painted it a very light, subtle blue (that basically looks white), painted the exposed ceilings a creamy white, and got some cool lights from barnlight electric. doug built a great shelf with pipes coming down from the ceiling, and he's going to build one more underneath. i love it. it's light, clean, inspiring and a fun space to be. how lucky i am!

and here's some finished art. this is the finished form from the previous post--the painting that looked like a pot with some kind of plant coming out. it became a tree! hope everyone has a nice, lazy sunday. xo

work in progress

2010-02-18T19:23:00.000-08:00

i've had fun the past few days. my husband who is so supportive, finished off this little room in the basement and it's now my studio (pictures of the studio to come)! i'm transitioning (for now) out of vintage clothing. i love thrifting and finding great things, we simply don't have enough room in the house for the clothes and shoes and boots!

so, now, i'm committing time to art. it was one of my 2010 goals. commit to creativity and art. i am taking an art journaling class and though we've only met once, it's inspired me. i went to michael's today and stocked up on some goods, and started painting today! it's been so long.
i don't know what will be become of these, but i'm enjoying the process...i love the unfolding of painting. i love color and smudging and getting my hands dirty.

here are the works in progress--one above, a tiny canvas, and a bigger canvas below. oh, and the pictures aren't great because there's something wrong with my camera. fixing that is on the to-do list.
good night!

blues part II

2010-02-12T20:38:00.000-08:00

photo, Into the Dusk by david paul downs

I just found this poem. I love Mary Oliver with my heart. She tells those truths you need to hear. Two things to heal a heart: poetry and snuggling dogs. And also nature. I love how this poem talks about loneliness, grief and sadness--they inevitably come sometimes. But when they do come, go outside. Be tactile. Feel things, see things. Be alive.

When loneliness comes stalking, go into the fields, consider
the orderliness of the world. Notice
something you have never noticed before,

like the tambourine sound of the snow-cricket
whose pale green body is no longer than your thumb.

Stare hard at the hummingbird, in the summer rain,
shaking the water-sparks from its wings.

Let grief be your sister, she will whether or not.
Rise up from the stump of sorrow, and be green also,
like the diligent leaves.

A lifetime isn't long enough for the beauty of this world
and the responsibilities of your life.

Scatter your flowers over the graves, and walk away.
Be good-natured and untidy in your exuberance.

In the glare of your mind, be modest.
And beholden to what is tactile, and thrilling.

Live with the beetle, and the wind.

~ Mary Oliver ~

(excerpt from The Leaf and the Cloud: A Poem)

blues

2010-02-12T20:12:00.000-08:00

This etsy art above, from artist heidi burton matches my feelings right now.

I miss feeling alive.

Sometimes I simply don't feel cut out for modern life. How does everybody adapt so well?

I feel like everyone is living inside. Weird to say that in Colorado. It could be that I haven't been in the mountains for a while.

Also, I'm so tired of TV! I love Big Love, for example, but that's about it. But man, what a waste!! There's music to hear, streets to be walked on, three dimensional laughs to be had with real people. TV makes me feel just like magazines make me feel...at first so much possibility! Such a great distraction...feeling of being immersed. Oh, there are so many cool things out there! But wait, I have to buy a bunch of things, and mold myself into something I'm not. Even if what you're watching or reading isn't coming right out and saying that, that's what it taps into for me. Am I alone in that? Am I making sense?

Yuck.

I miss the good ole days. I don't even know what that really means. But I feel that way. I'm missing something. Nostalgic for something. Stuck in this inside world.

Pictures

2009-11-15T18:57:00.000-08:00

My sister just told me about Picnik. Where the heck have I been?

Tried it out for a new etsy item. These shoes are so freakin' cute. Classic yet funky.
Old but definitely "back." Love them, but I'm selling them!

Already November

2009-11-08T17:05:00.001-08:00

It's been over a month since I've blogged. Life has been busy, and I've been bogged down with teaching and life. But I've been doing some fun things...such as going to my hometown, Ames, Iowa, for Halloween with the whole family. Here's a beautiful field right by my parents house.
Big, lovely tree right next to my parent's house.
Sweet nieces Lucy and Lola....
Lucy playing dress up with scarves. She was a gypsy for halloween later that evening :)
So fun to watch my nephews play together...brothers and cousins...
Such cuties...
Doug and I went to Gilbert, a little town just down the road from mom and dad's. You only find a mooning pumpkin man in small town Iowa :)
Gilbert has this great shop, JB Knacker filled with vintage goodies and salvaged stuff. Such fun stuff with excellent prices. Wish there were more of these in my neighborhood in Denver.

And here we are all dressed up for my favorite holiday. We found the lederhosen at a thrift store and couldn't pass them up.

Vintage Blouses

2009-10-04T15:52:00.000-07:00

And jeans. Boyfriend jeans. Yes, they've been around awhile now. Or back in, for awhile. But I've been thinking of them so much lately. Wanting the perfect, worn in pair.
I think these jeans would look darn cute with any great vintage top. I have tons of vintage tops in my shop right now. All perfect for fall!

Cute navy blue top with bright flowers, and tiny bow around neck. $24.00
Feminine peach tapered waist blouse with lacey collar. $18.00Love this bright, soft poly ascot blouse with 3/4 sleeves. Awesome diagonal stripes. $24.00
How about some fall leaves? Such great earth tones...$20.00
And brand new in the shop, super soft cotton plaid tunic. $22.00
How about with these Derek Lam booties? Oh, how I wish they were mine. For just a mere $750.00 :(

Away

2009-09-27T19:56:00.000-07:00

I love getting away. We relished in Buena Vista with the dogs. We realized we hadn't been on a little trip together, just us, forever. We stayed in a funny little hotel called the Mountain View, went on a long hike on Saturday in the San Isabel Forest, went to the hot springs twice, and took naps. A much needed rest.
Doug took the nice picture above. There is this really cool space between Denver and Buena Vista...it's the plains, and then the mountains appear out of nowhere. I love how stark and windy it is out there.

And the week begins.

Designer Etsy

2009-09-24T21:17:00.000-07:00

I have found some amazing designer pieces...they're up in my shop.

First and most lovely, a Claire McCardell Jacket. Wow.

From wikipedia..."

Claire McCardell (1905 – 1958) was an American fashion designer and was arguably the leading force behind the development of American ready-to-wear fashion. From the 1930s to the 1950s, she revolutionized women's wear by designing clothing that was simple, functional, and stylish, all within the constraints of mass-production. Her ideas have so influenced and pervaded contemporary fashion that Life magazine, in 1990, named her one of the 100 most important Americans of the twentieth century. Four years later, New York Times senior fashion writer Bernadine Morris even dubbed her "this country's finest designer."

A quintessentially American artist often compared to Frank Lloyd Wright and Martha Graham, Claire McCardell was the chief purveyor of the "American Look," a style of clothing with roots in sportswear that was both casual and chic. Democratic in spirit, she brought high style to everyday clothing. Her work led the way in releasing America's fashion aesthetic from French dominance.

McCardell was incredibly versatile, designing raincoats, ski outfits, and wedding dresses, in addition to the standard coats, suits, and dresses. Her prodigious imagination was evident in the overall look of a piece, as well as the details of its construction, making the practical visually exciting."

An early Nicole Miller Disco Dress!
A late 1970's-early 80's Diane Von Furstenberg sundress. Love it. So flattering.

Mountain Town

2009-09-23T20:47:00.001-07:00

Doug and I are going to the mountains this weekend! Our favorite place, Buena Vista. Here is a mountain town inspired 'board' :)
Enjoy!

1. hand made boho shoulder bag by ten thousand spoons 2. mountain birch tree painting by azure dandelion 3. vintage 1970's corduroy vest by the loved one 4. autumn splendor entrelac hat by sunfleur 5. vintage double HH mint condition boots by your mother's closet 6. vintage 1970's john denver t-shirt by starinites 7. buena vista print by diana walsh 8. chunky shawl in grey a cat's nest 9. vintage sterling and 14 turquoise stone native american cuff bracelet by southwest sky jewelry.

a peek.

2009-09-20T20:32:00.001-07:00

It was a good weekend. Absolutely perfect weather. I had so much work to do, but I had fun doing it. Doug was gone all weekend working at the Boulder Marathon. I missed him, but it was sort of fun to miss him, if that makes sense.

I took some time to meander around town a bit. Here are some fun finds that will be in the shop soon. A few are already up!
Amazing 60's Ninas.

Great autumn-hued 70's mules. These are surprisingly comfy.
Basic black brogues. Adorable.
Lipstick red, perfect vintage hand-bag. It's hearty, big, almost a soft patent leather, and has lots of pockets.And here is Doug in a Pendleton shirt I found at an estate sale for $1.00. I love grey. As I've written about before ;) As a young girl, when I imagined my husband, I imagined him wearing this kind of shirt, with those leather elbow patches. An outdoorsy man, rugged, and yet sensitive at the same time. That's what I got :)
Good night. I hope you all have an inspired Monday.
xo
Amy

weekend. house. stuff.

2009-09-19T22:03:00.000-07:00

Oh, the time does fly. I have spent the weekend thrifting, estate sale-ing, grading papers, planning for my class next week, cleaning the house. And still there is more to do. I find this all somewhat fun, though. The variety of things in my life is nice.

On Thursday, Doug and I went to an estate sale in our neighborhood. All craftsmen style stuff. Beautiful. Most everything was outrageously expensive, but we got a deal on this beautiful quilt. This is our little guest room.
I've been wanting an antique quilt, and none seem to be up to par, and within the budget. You can just see the corner of it in this picture, but you get the idea. I also got that art deco print, too. It's an Erte! I don't know what is going on with the pink theme. I am not a pink person. But with the white walls, the white antique furniture, I like those accents of pink. Not sure what I'm doing with the painting, though. It may go in the "studio.

Here is a peak at our living/dining room. Our house was built in 1921. It's a real gem. Though everything right now is really thrown together. The furniture, etc. We want to do a lot with this sweet place, but the funds don't exist right now. In the future, I hope to be posting a lot of "before and afters."
Well, that's it for this evening. I will probably have a Sunday post, too :)

Here's my Gussie enjoying the sun in the guest room and the backdrop of the new old quilt.

xo
amy

Baby Wolf

2009-09-13T20:00:00.001-07:00

Dear darling Baby Wolf Loom,

I am so sorry I have abandoned you. You are tucked in the basement, in a dusty small room, and I left you with an unfinished scarf. It is lovely green wool blend, soft and perfect for fall. But I started it last December. And when I moved, I didn't finish. I meant to. I'm sorry. This is embarrassing, but more than embarrassing, I am so sorry you have been unused, unloved, and hidden. Barely even able to see sun! I promise, oh I do, that I will get you out soon. Finish the scarf, put on a new warp...

Fall always reminds me how much I love weaving on you. I've been seeing so many awesome woven goods on etsy. It gives me a slight pang. I know how to weave. I used to be so proud to call myself a weaver. I used to use you every day. I would display you proudly. Pat you on the way up the stairs, dust off your heddles. I will never forget the joyous process of learning to weave at Rosemary's Fiber Shop in Ames, Iowa. By fiery Rosemary herself. Ah, the days.

But I have not given myself time to be a weaver lately. Why? Oh why? Is "no time" really an excuse??

Weaving connects me to something deeper in myself. The feel of the yarn, threading the loom, the rhythm of throwing the shuttle back and forth.

How much will I talk about NOT creating before I actually do something? Geesh. I think that writing it, for just my eyes to see in public, might help me. We'll see!
Again, Baby Wolf, please forgive me. I will come down and say hello tomorrow. Start my repentance.
xo
Amy

Ripe!

2009-09-13T12:42:00.001-07:00

It's orange already! Today is the perfect fall day, maybe a tad warm. But the sun is shining, the dogs are happy, and I think I'm going to bake some banana bread. A good day.

Happy Thelma Lou

comfort.

2009-09-11T13:13:00.000-07:00

How about this beauty from Honey's Gifts
Or maybe this lovely? From The Little Things from T With this cute plaid maxi skirt from The Vintage Gang
Love this pendant from Zephyr Woods. I actually got this exact one as a gift for my best friend for her birthday last week.
Love these folksy combat boots from Pascal Vintage. How about cleaning up the yard, raking those early fall leaves, and then some cider? Or maybe a wheat beer?
Oh. And can't forget this cool cuff. I love all that is woven. From Barefoot Weaver

I've been waiting so patiently.

2009-09-10T07:27:00.000-07:00

I love Scout Niblett. I discovered her a few years ago and then she played live in Denver, and I fell in love with everything about her--she's hilarious, charming, her music is divine, and she is so...Real. capital R. One of those people who's just her self. Embodied. Quirky and kinda weird, belts out her minimal tunes and sometimes shocks you with the sound of her voice. And sometimes you're lulled to sleep by her voice. She also plays the drums sometimes, sometimes she has a band mate, sometimes she's on her own. She's real cute, looks about 20, but is actually 36 years old.
When I watched and listened to her play, I felt a little sad because the way she is so herself, so creative, uninhibited...made me realize how often I censor myself and my creativity. She simply speaks to me. Inspires me. She's coming to Denver on September 22nd and I can't wait. Well, I'm trying to wait patiently.

Love this song, "Kiss." On her album, This Fool Can Die Now, she sings with another one of my fave's, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, but here she's just with her drummer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1wuSXS_L7s

Jersey Shore Inspiration...End of Summer

2009-09-07T11:57:00.001-07:00

My husband and I are at his grandmother's house in Stone Harbor, NJ. It's cloudy, windy, but lovely. I'm laying on a tiny little bed, typing away while listening to the waves. The beach is less than 100 yards away. Last night we had steamed clams and pizza. For lunch, amazing Philly cheesesteak sandwiches from Bradley's. Tonight, flounder and corn. Funny that all I'm talking about is food. I do find myself hungry a lot here, and we have such different options than Colorado! In some ways, I feel like I'm in another country. People talk funny here, and there's just a different feel. I love it.

Here are some lovelies I found on Etsy. All of these images, art, and vintage items remind me of where I am....

1. Vintage deck of Atlantic City playing cards from Oh Sweet Josephine 2. Sapphire by the Sea hand painted collage by Magic Markings Art 3. Tangerine Sky Dragon by Bionic Unicorn 4. Trio of Sand Dollars Lavender Sachets by Dear Harbor 5. Vintage 1960's Bib Necklace by Posies for Lulu Vintage 6. Knitting book from Knitty Loves Vintage 7. Seagulls fine art photo by Julie Kruger 8. Lichen Summer Scarf from Avalanche Looms 9. Starfish along the shore story book illustration by Kelley Street Vintage

stone harbor here we come

2009-09-03T20:05:00.000-07:00

cute little town. beach. reading. relaxing.

a bit of confusion.

2009-09-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

this painting called "taos lights" by TR Mack Studio reminds me of how i feel. i feel like i'm growing, but in so many different directions that sometimes it's confusing. i'm teaching two psych classes this semester at a college, and i like it a lot, but somehow it's squeezing out time for etsy, for my creativity. i've agreed to teach three classes next semester, one of which i get to totally create myself. which is overwhelming and exciting. as i grow older, i realize so much of life is that way. nothing is all good or all bad, everything comes with some lesson, some price. not in a bad way, but this constant balancing act can sometimes feel overwhelming. but also exciting. arrgh! see, it's always both!

lazy and rainy.

2009-08-30T06:02:00.001-07:00

Sunday.
xo
amy

1. fiestaware 2. sleepy hollow pillow by dedeetsyshop 3. image from thegirlfromcherryblossomstreet. 4. rainy day print from missbrigette 5. rainy days vinyl wall decal from tweetheartwallart

in the shop.

2009-08-30T05:38:00.001-07:00

A bunch of cute new things coming to the shop. Some are already listed, others will be listed this evening. Convo me if you want to reserve anything :)
Awesome 80's riding boots, size 7.5.
Super cute wing tip heels. They are great color combo-mint and greyish teal, size 5.
Maxi dress. Feels like something a fairy would wear....
And I love this black lace ruffle blouse! So unique, so pretty...

Happy weekend.
xo amy

That nagging thing you have to do.

2009-08-26T19:38:00.000-07:00

In the last few days, I have had a nagging feeling that I need to actually create art. Paint. Draw. Collage. I have been busy, but I keep finding myself drawn to art. To artists. Wishing I was one. Knowing that it just takes "doing it" to do it.

During my office hours today, I was searching blogs. I found Kelly Rae Roberts (one of her art pieces is above). I felt a nagging ache in my belly...the need to create. Then, scrolling through her blog, I realized I actually have her book, Taking Flight , and have yet to read it! Talk about a nudge! Geesh.

Anyone else know this nagging feeling when you've put off art? Who inspires you? What inspires you?

Happy Wednesday...may tomorrow be an inspired day!
xo

Etsy Picks....a Lovely Gray Day...

2009-08-25T09:48:00.000-07:00

Wow. This was fun! I've always loved inspiration boards, and just found a way to do them! Yipee!! Gray is one of my favorite colors. I love how it looks with yellow, pink, white, red. Everything, really. I don't think of it as a downer color. I actually think I feel the best when I'm wearing something gray. Anyway, here's to gray. Or grey. Cheers to these lovely Etsians :)

1. A Cloudy Afternoon Necklace at BirdinFlightBoutique 2. antique crocheted slip at Another Feather 3. Rimma by tushtush 4. Angora Grey at ecologicalartist 5. vintage 1970's peep toe heels at greatestfriend 6. vintage 1970's cathedral long sleeved dress at greatestfriend 7. Pink Simplicity Flower Brooch at BabbleandBlush 8. Clutch Purse-Dove Grey Feathers at treacletoffee 9. Oil Painting on Canvas Lemon Zest, 16X20 from The Common Gazelle's Shop

just can't get enough of these!

2009-08-24T20:40:00.001-07:00

The bounty!

Also can't get enough of these lovers. Having four dogs is nuts. But also makes life a lot more fun. And snuggly.
Hope everyone's Monday was swell :)

Bikes, Food, Beer, Clothes.

2009-08-23T17:52:00.000-07:00

It was a busy week. Lots going on in the personal and professional life. But this weekend was just right. Last night was a fun, friend-filled Saturday night. I don't have any pictures of the food, but my husband barbecued brisket, made old fashioned cucumber salad from our garden, pico made from yellow and red tomatoes from our garden, homemade quacamole, and deviled eggs. He used to own a restaurant and he loves making hearty but fresh comfort food. We had friends over, and then went on a dive bar bike pub crawl :) My kind of night.
Sunday has been a lazy day, eating yummy leftovers, and getting my act together to post a bunch of stuff to my shop! We happened upon an estate sale with a garage filled to the brim with amazing vintage clothes. I love those surprises. Here is a sneak peak of just a few things that will be up this week. However, there is much, much more...dresses, shirts, skirts...so many lovely fall things!
Adorable Fall argyle vest.

Mad Men sweater dress.
Cute canary yellow ruffle sleeve vest.
Amazing Mia Farrow drop waist dress.
Fabulous mini dress! Love this so much.
Fall leaves blouse.Great purse with grey/black lucite handle and details.
And my favorite kind of shirt. Classic vintage white cotton blouse with such sweet details. Timeless.

I will be posting a ton of stuff SOON on my shop! Stop by :)

Everyone Loves Vera, Including Me.

2009-08-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

I know everyone loves Vera. Anthropologie had a Vera Exhibit back in June. There are tons of Vera items on Etsy. But I just had to say, it's a Vera kind of day.

The first three Vera's are from my shop(sorry for the shameless self-promotion)! I love the turquoise, emerald and white cityscape (my favorite trio of colors). The mod pink, mustard and purple is great, too. And I have to say, how often do you see a Vera BLOUSE??

Awesome Vera stuff at The Lucky Fish!
And more great Veras at LuLuBliss.
Also, right now, Anthropologie Vera stuff is on sale! Fun! This one is called "Pomona"! My namesake :) Have a great day :)

The Weekend

2009-08-14T13:24:00.000-07:00

After a Saturday morning bicycle ride in the mountains, I'd go eat this at a mountain town diner.
Come on back down the mountain. Then snooze on this.
Maybe Sunday, some hunting for a pair of these.
Probably at some cool market like this.

...which Denver doesn't really have :(

And if we had some dough, I'd love to go searching for this. We really need a kilim. A pretty one! Love the colors here..pinks, reds, greens, blues, all kinda faded.
Ahhh wishful weekend. Have a great one :)

1. 2. Hammock, www.hammocks.com, 3.Vagabond shoes, www.shoewawa.com, 4. Post Flea Market, 5. Kilim rug from http://fiberfocus.blogspot.com.

My Etsy Sidewalk Sale

2009-08-12T07:15:00.000-07:00

Okay. So I don't love August. But there are a few things I do like about August. Sales. End of summer sales. The cute dress that was just a few bucks too much in July is 20% off in August. Some parts of August ain't so bad.

I'm having a big sale at my shop on Etsy through Sunday, August 16th. Stop by for some bargains!

Happy Wednesday :)

End of Summer

2009-08-11T21:16:00.000-07:00

On a walk yesterday, I was talking to my husband about August.

Oh, August.

June is the beginning of summer, everything is suddenly greener, sunnier, your face starts getting a little rosier. July is hot, filled with festivals, afternoon Mojitos, long, long days. But August. August feels like it's always just waiting to end, to get through, to get to Fall. But it never feels like the end of summer. Because it's the hottest month. Muggy. Buggy. Angsty.

School starts for me on Monday. I'm teaching two classes at a community college. It should be fun, and I'm looking forward to it. But I'm also sad about summer coming to an end. We still have Stone Harbor in September. I can't wait for that. That will drag out the dog days just a bit longer.

The Last Days of Summer, photography by Alicia Bock.

Bunches of Stuff

2009-08-11T20:58:00.000-07:00

Posted lots of cute things on my Etsy shop today! I promise, by the end of the week, I'm having a big end-of-summer SALE.

Garden Bounty

2009-08-10T19:46:00.000-07:00

It's so lush here in Colorado. Rare. So much rain these days. Our garden is thriving!

Raspberries!!! How exciting.

Flourishing basil. We've had lots of pesto. Now it's time for bruschetta.Tomatoes are ripening....Our cherry tree. It won't produce this year. But we've got years of cherry jam comin'...
Climbing peas...
Baby pumpkins...Can't get enough of the tall sunflowers and corn we planted in our alley. Nice headband, husband. That's why I love you. :)
The yellow ones have bloomed!

I love pictures.

2009-08-10T11:22:00.000-07:00

Oh boy. I found this great photographer. I love when art evokes strong feelings. These pictures make me feel reminiscent. Kinda homesick. Happy and weepy at the same time.

Check out her great etsy shop.

Some Etsy Beauties

2009-08-04T10:03:00.001-07:00

I adore this pig planter. From Fruit Fly Pie.
Such a sweet card! From Bird and Bread.

And I love Oktak! I got all my bridesmaids some of these pouches. They were a hit!
Another sweet heart girl from Smilin' Moon Studios. I love these portraits so much.

This yellow dress is to die for. Perfect for the end of summer. From Paper Doll Vintage.

What I love about August

2009-08-02T21:53:00.000-07:00

We planted sunflowers and corn in our alley just a few months ago. It's so fun to watch something so big and strong grow from such tiny seeds.

Peek at Etsy Stuff to come this week...

2009-08-02T21:46:00.000-07:00

Coming this week to my etsy shop! Great new vintage finds...and "end of summer" sales!

Etsy Art!

2009-07-28T12:53:00.001-07:00

My dear girl Edith
Originally uploaded by Art by Elizabeth Bauman

Oh, how I love portraits. I found this artist on Etsy. It's called My Dear Girl Edith. I'm in love!

Also, my new niece is named Edith, so it's especially sweet to me.

My sister, Jody, does really great, adorable portraits, too! This is one my favorite of her "heart girls."

Check out her blog and her Etsy shop!

Etsy Summer Sale!

2009-07-28T09:36:00.001-07:00

I'm having a sale in my Etsy shop

THROUGH SUNDAY, AUGUST 2nd:
Buy one item, get 10% off
Buy two items, get 15% off
Buy three or more items, get 20% off.

Just put "end of July" in the note to seller to receive a new invoice or refund via PayPal. Sale does not apply with other offers, gift certificates, coupon codes, store credit or shipping.

Have fun shopping!

Bohemian

2009-07-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

"...Bohemianism is the practice of an unconventional lifestyle, often in the company of like-minded people, involving musical, artistic or literary pursuits, with few permanent ties. Bohemians can be wanderers, adventurers or vagabonds. The term bohemian, of French origin, was first used in the English language in the nineteenth centuryto describe the non-traditional lifestyles of marginalized and impoverished artists, writers, journalists, musicians, and actors in major European cities. Bohemians were associated with unorthodox or anti-establishment political or social viewpoints, which were often expressed through free love, frugality, and/or voluntary poverty.." From Wikipedia.

Maybe I did want to be a hippie after all? But I like the word bohemian better? Because there's something about the bohemian lifestyle that intrigues me. The wanderer part, the unconventional part, the artist part. And we're kind of impoverished right now, but not by choice ;)

My favorite poet, Mina Loy. She was an artist, playwright, Futurist, and leading member of the Greenwich Village bohemian circuit. Must read, The Lost Lunar Baedeker.
Funny that bohemian implies poor, poor artist, and unconventional, but the whole "boho chic" movement is meant for the not-so-poor (think Anthropologie), and has become more and more conventional. But I still love the whole feel of the bohemian fashion and design movement. It inspires me...

Psychedelia...

2009-07-25T17:50:00.001-07:00

D. and I have never been hippies. At least I don't think he was. Me, I'm too young, but I don't think I ever really wanted to be a hippie. Maybe for a short stint in college. I think I wanted to be more avant garde, more from the 20's :) I also never did crazy pschadelics. However, we decided to go to the DAM this weekend for our last chance to see The Psychedelic Experience: Rock Posters from the San Francisco Bay Area 1965-1971. It was pretty darn cool, and totally far out! The poster artists packed so much into a small space, and I loved, LOVED the use of nouveau-ish lettering and design. This was my favorite artist, Bonnie MacLean. Her husband was the "suit" who owned the Fillmore in San Fran.
It also re-inspired my love for the strange and decadent, Aubrey Beardsley.
The whole exhibit kind of made me wonder what I missed out on!

My new best friend. And other goodies.

2009-07-25T10:44:00.000-07:00

I have been looking for a reasonable dress form for awhile now, so I don't have to model my etsy vintage stuff anymore! Being 5'2" and NOT super svelt, shaped like a swimmer, without a small waist, makes it kinda hard! Don't get me wrong, I've been working on accepting my bod for years now, but some clothes are just not simply made for me!

I saw a posting on craigslist that someone would be having a garage sale at the Mile High Flea Market and there would be a dress form. We got up early and trekked out the flea market and there she was. For $40. I tried to go down on price but they were firm. I figured $40 was a good deal for a nice, solid, wood and damask pattern dress form.

No more of this!

Because now I've got this!! Hooray!
Another cute find at the flea market! We got two of these and are going to paint them and use them as bedroom nightstands. I love that they are tiny bookshelves. We tend to pile up things in our room, and this will help with organization.
And last but not least, preview of goodies to come in my etsy shop! Delicious.

Have a great weekend :)

roses and vases

2009-07-21T09:05:00.001-07:00

My husband is a great floral arranger :)
and I love collecting vases, especially petite ones!

Coming this week...

2009-07-20T06:02:00.001-07:00

New dresses, skirts, tops, shoes at my etsy shop! www.tennysonvintage.etsy.com

Jamaica

2009-07-16T21:27:00.000-07:00

There are not many words to sum up our honeymoon in Jamaica. These images don't even quite do it justice. It was a dream.

Colors

2009-07-16T21:15:00.000-07:00

We have the most amazing roses in our garden this year. Feast your eyes on these!

Our Mountain Top Wedding

2009-07-15T22:58:00.001-07:00

My Etsy Shop! Tennyson Vintage!

2009-07-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

I love etsy. I love the fact that it gives everyone license to be creative. And there is every category of everything, and is diversity at its finest. I have started a shop called Tennyson Vintage. I have been going to thrift stores for the last 15 years. I can think of nothing more relaxing, creative and gratifying than sifting through old, neat stuff, and finding some gems.

Here is my shop!
www.tennysonvintage.etsy.com