More love. Different Post.

As long as I’ve known Christine, this is her. She has a never ending desire to inspire. So it’s fitting that this is the title of her new book. And it’s fitting that this isn’t just a book about Christine, but a book filled with insight and inspiration from twenty incredible creative women who share the same desire.

I often think back to our very first lunch that turned into hours of conversation that same afternoon. From the moment I met Christine, she was inspiring me, encouraging me to keep going on my journey as an artist. And these were the days, not so long ago, where honestly I did not know if, or how I was going to make it. I had a new friend ~ she had been where I was,  she believed in me ~ she was the first to share my podcast with her friends, buy one of my daily paintings and I think that she also left the first comment on my very first blog post. Those moments of support ~ and all the one’s between then and now ~you never forget.

So when you get a chance to offer some in return, you jump at the opportunity. Run, don’t walk to get this book. Filled with people I adore, who inspire me ~ I’ve flipped through the pages and it is beautiful in every possible. I would expect nothing less from Christine. In fact you may remember when she self-published her first book, Ordinary Sparkling Moments,  and the podcast we did talking about that experience.

Today, Christine is sharing an excerpt from her book and she is also giving away this gorgeous journal to one of you! Just leave a comment below, before the end of the day this Friday 11:59 PST.  You can just say hello or if you feel inspired, share what is inspiring you right now and how you most want to inspire others. 

Desire to Inspire: Using Creative Passion to Transform the World – is a collection of stories, exercises, images, quotes, and anecdotes from twenty extraordinary contributors, all sharing insights and experiences of how they create a meaningful life and, in turn, make a positive impact on the world. Each chapter discusses a different aspect of living a passion-fueled life, and this month Christine is offering a 60-Second Snapshot of each chapter as part of her Desire to Inspire Virtual Book Tour. 

A snapshot of  Chapter 10 ~ Declarations & Intentions, by Christine Mason Miller

“I have been working with mission statements throughout my adult life…Each has been in important tool regardless of the context because it provides, if nothing else, a marker I can always turn to for guidance.” ~Desire to Inspire

The day I began writing to Desire to Inspire, I created a one-sentence mission statement that I placed in front of my computer, where it stayed until the day the book was finished. Anytime I started to worry I might miss a deadline, or become fearful that what I was writing was meaningless, I turned to that mission statement, which read:

My goal is for the book to sell well because it is fulfilling its deeper mission - to inspire those who read it.

The mere act of selling as many books as possible was not why I was writing the book, but I incorporated this aspect of the publishing process into my mission statement as a way to honor that left-brained side of myself that loves practical details. While I understand that even if Desire to Inspire is, indeed, considered an inspiring creation by a community of readers, it still might not sell well, it was important that my mission statement reflect the foundation of Desire to Inspire as well as the more measureable, nuts and bolts component of book sales.

A mission statement does not need to be lengthy or complicated, it does not need to include bullet point lists or color-coded charts. All it needs to be is a guidepost – a marker to remind you of what really matters in whatever endeavor you are pursuing. A light at the top of a lighthouse, guiding you home every time. 

Camilla was probably one of the very first artist’s blogs I came to know. Maybe you too remember the moment when you suddenly became aware of just how deep the well runs with such amazing, creative, people who share a little bit of themselves, their work and their lives online.

For me that has always been Camilla. For years, at least six or so, I’ve been quietly visiting her blog. For some reason it took me until this year to finally comment. I think it was when I found out Morran wasn’t well. Because, if you follow Camilla, then you also follow Morran.

Morran inspired so many of us for so long, that I think that when we found out she wasn’t doing well ~ it was all we could do to express what she has meant to us. A number of artists started sending Camilla drawings of Morran and then last month Camilla came up with the idea to create a book made entirely of Morran drawings. She put a call out for submissions and hundreds of illustrations came in. The book will be available for purchase with all of the proceeds going to a charity. Oh. the drawings of Morran that Camilla shared so far. I cannot wait to have this book. These are the illustrations I submitted. The first painting was inspired by a favorite photo of Morran next to one of Camilla’s crochet characters and the second was inspired because I painted the first.

How can we feel so connected to a little dog that we have never met? Because that is the world we live in now. That is the amazing part of this online space that we all share. That we can be half a world a way and feel like we know and care for someone {and their sweet little dog} who we have never met. 

Camilla’s genuine spirit and wonderful work always inspire me. Her print that is hanging in my living room is still one of my favorites. Every time I visit her blog, I feel good. I feel inspired to be more. More genuinely myself ~ in my person and in my creative expressions, in my art. In fact I’ve always wished that I could write such perfectly succinct posts, in the way that she does ~ without almost every sentence being peppered with the words love :) But then again. I guess that’s just me. Visiting Camilla and the chance to follow along on the adventures of Morran is just one more thing that I love.

Morran left this week. Camilla posted about it yesterday. Oh how she will be missed. It was an honor to paint her.

4 x 4 in.

As I post this, I am hearing one of my favorite Bob Marley songs in my head "3 little birds".  "Don’t worry about a thing, 'Cause every little thing gonna be all right." ~ I love the sentiment in that song.

Hope those of you celebrating here in the states had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

{original is available here}

12 x 9 in.

Had lunch w/ a new friend today and we got to talking about contentment. I asked her how she finds it in her life & she said 'you just decide'

{original is available here and a large print is here}

Since I’ve been sharing so many Iphone/Instagram photos lately, I wanted to take some pretty, clear ones of the new cards and then I fell in love with this Iphone version that I had to include after all :)

hope you enjoy the new additions! now over at the shop

Film is one of the artistic mediums that inspires and grounds me the most. Honestly {it depends upon the film of course} I think that this experience with film has been with me from an early age. I have always come out of certain films feeling not only grounded, bur more enlightened. I come out a better person, with an entirely new perspective. It’s true {at least for a few hours}. Not to mention music from film is equally inspiring to me. Some of my favorite playlists that I paint and write to, are comprised mostly of music from soundtracks.

It’s a powerful medium, especially with so many compelling documentaries being made today. One of my visits to Sundance, I think it was 2002, I stood in a room listening to Robert Redford talk about how Documentaries {Docs for short} 'are the future'. Several years later, I think that fellow was on to something.

One way or another I know that my love for art, performance and film will connect one of these days. Should be interesting to see how. In the meantime, if you also share the same love for film, I am going to share my favorites with you as I come across them or all at once in a big pile like this post. Enjoy and let me know what you think!

• The Adjustment Bureau - fascinating premise {and so unexpected just from watching the trailer} and a fantastic message at the end
• Buck - amazing how one can recover from emotional trauma and the idea that horses are a reflection of ourselves - whether you are a fan of horses, or not so much, this film is a must see.
• L’Amour Fou - a story about the life  and partnership of Yves and Pierre and the details of their incredible art collection - great for us creatives to glimpse inside another creative’s process
• After the Wedding - one of the most real, profoundly moving films I’ve ever seen, beautifully acted and so compelling
• Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop - saw this one just last night. have been a long time fan of Conan and really enjoyed getting to know more about him
• Picture Me - genuine, insightful {somewhat shocking} glimpse into the world of modeling and fashion
• The King’s Speech - yes, I know this one won best picture and now I know why - beautiful film, down to every last detail
• Betz just reminded me to add Finding Joe - in case you didn’t see my previous post about it - one of the best movies I’ve seen all year - seriously changed the way I look at my entire life

• ***EDIT*** Monday, November 14 - Can’t believe I almost forgot this one!! George Harrison: Living in a Material World  I mean who doesn’t love the Beatles, but this isn’t solely about them. This is a film about George. and what an interesting man he was. I think that the world may finally be ready to listen to and understand what he seemed to be searching for. I embedded the trailer at the top of this post so you don’t miss it and also if you follow the link in this snippet, you can watch a video of Martin Scorcese talking about his interest and inspiration in directing this documentary as well.
• Also! this isn’t a film, and I may post about it separately, but in case time gets away from me and I forget to share; Visionaries - Inside the Creative Mind on the Oprah Winfrey Network OWN is on every Sunday and features an interview and study of some amazing creative people producing work today. SO INSPIRING. Seriously, my favorite kind of programming. I just can’t get enough of hearing other’s stories.

In case you might be thinking of a gift for someone special this holiday season, I have a few slots open for commissions before November 15.  I’ve also introduced a new small size available through the end of the year. All the details are right here.

In pulling together some of my favorite commissions over the years I realized there are a few that I didn’t get to share with you.

a family as Creative Thursday characters

and an entire family tree!

It’s pretty much because of Lizzy that I decided to pursue designing fabric. 

We first met while teaching at Squam and she’s the first person who literally looked at me and said "You should be designing fabric". And I remember exactly how she emphasized the word should in usual Lizzy style.

And it’s pretty much because of her that I even decided to go to Quilt Market last year and present my designs. Because of the message in this card that she sent me.

And it’s pretty much because of her that I sat down with Kathy {the art director we now both work with} to share the very beginnings of a fabric line.

And this weekend, she sent me the sweetest little bag that she sewed combining both of our new fabrics. I am literally beside myself, not only because I love it so much, but I hardly even know how to begin to thank this kind of generosity.

This bag, my new favorite that I will now carry with me everywhere, is a symbol. Not only of a friendship, with the kindest person who has the most giving heart, but also ~ a fellow artist who reminds me again and again that there is room for all of us ~ the kind of room that holds the space for all of us to succeed and thrive together.

{thank you Lizzy}

That’s how it goes these days, doesn’t it? Do we get a break in between Halloween and Thanksgiving anymore or as soon as the candy is taken down from the store aisles do the Christmas ornaments come in? Oh wait, I think they may have been out already in September? or were those the twinkly lights?

Sometimes it feels like retailers are rushing our seasons? Or maybe they always have and I’m only noticing because now I’m a retailer of sorts. I don’t want to be one of those retailers but I’ve also decided not to push against it anymore and honestly Christmas time is one of my favorite seasons ~ so if it has to spill into the year a little more, that’s Ok by me.

I’m also just as much of a sucker for holiday music as I am for roasted pumpkin seeds {which I did have on Halloween by the way, and thoroughly enjoyed every last one of them, in case you were wondering} I confess: holiday music is playing right now in my studio. It’s inspiration for my holiday card designing which started today ~ featuring the little fellow above, shown here as a sketch. The combination of pencil lines and white paint on natural wood are so pretty. And so is holiday music {so pretty} my kind that is, which includes Sarah McLachlan’s entire Wintersong album and Joni Mitchell’s 'River', Ray Charles' 'Winter Wonderland' {remember that scene in 'When Harry Met Sally' where Harry and Sally are carrying home their first Christmas tree in NYC} and Nat King Cole’s 'A Cradle in Bethlehem',  Mahalia Jackson’s 'White Christmas', and Peggy Lee’s 'The Christmas Spell'