Age of Innocence - Quotes about the Inner Child

“I am convinced that most people do not grow up...We marry and dare to have children and call that growing up. I think what we do is mostly grow old. We carry accumulation of years in our bodies, and on our faces, but generally our real selves, the children inside, are innocent and shy as magnolias.” Maya Angelou

Summer Lullaby

“The most sophisticated people I know - inside they are all children. ” Jim Henson 

“In their innocence, very young children know themselves to be light and love. If we will allow them, they can teach us to see ourselves the same way. ” Michael Jackson

“For in every adult there dwells the child that was, and in every child there lies the adult that will be.” John Connolly

"Learnings" from Week One Right-Brainers in Business Summit 2015

Last week I joined in on the 5th Annual Right-Brainers in Business Summit hosted by author an Artizen Coach Jennifer Lee (March 9-20th). The summit features several successful and soulful creative entrepreneurs. Each weekday, Jennifer shares live and pre-recorded interviews, answers Q & A, and announces prize giveaways. I am so happy to report that I won a fabulous prize by Mari Pfeiffer - a workbook to help write amazing web content ($37 value). Creative friend Bill Cearbaugh won Jennifer's book the day before. I think I was even more thrilled for him, since I invited him and fellow group members to the summit.

Prizes aside, every day I look forward to learning from professionals who are making an impact in the creative world. Every day, Jennifer encourages us to tweet or share our learnings and take-aways on Twitter and other social media. My Documentation Journal is FULL of notes from last week, and I often watch the replay at night for anything I may have missed while chatting or multi-tasking!

DAY ONE
The very first quote that resonated with me was from Lisa Congdon. She said quite simply to:

Build and Sail Your Own Boat

I immediately grabbed a Jelly Roll pen, and added the quote above the Sailboat on the front cover of my documentation journal. It was meant  to be there, as I move "Beyond This Place" towards new experiences and moving into uncharted waters.

Winter has been a real transition time for us. We had this inkling that we were supposed to move, but it wasn't clear exactly where. This past weekend we received the answer, and now we are preparing to move out of state and start a new life. It's scary and challenging for both myself and my husband, but in a way it's a good kind of fear. Lisa also shared that even as an introverted artist, she spends every day trying to Live Outside Her Comfort Zone. I felt courage that I can be brave, too, as we move to a new place and make new friends. I am excited about new possibilities. 

DAY TWO

The RBBIZ summit is interesting, as it brings together people with different spiritual beliefs and values. One of the speakers on Day Two, Amethyst Wyldfire, spoke about Coming Out of Your Spiritual Closet. Jennifer thanked her for that advice, as it gives us permission to be our authentic spiritual selves even in the marketplace. 

Can I share a confession with you? The past year I've struggled very hard to come out of my Christian bubble of like-minded believers and interact with the art community at large. While I am mature in my beliefs and values, I was conscious of the fact that I separated myself from others in a kind of spiritual ghetto. My breakthrough came through joining several art groups and workshops online, and participating in swaps and art challenges which allowed me to spread the love and rub shoulders with peace-loving creative souls. 

I've written a great deal more on this mixed media blog in the past year than my website CreativeCurrents.net which houses my musings on art and faith. During New Year reflections, I realized that I need to work towards integrating my blog about creative process with the spiritual truths that I hold dear. I am letting go of fear that I will offend others who may judge me for being a Christian, as that term carries a lot of baggage. I've never been ashamed of following Christ, but I think I was compartmentalizing a little bit too much and hiding who I truly am at times. Does that make sense? I could write loads more about this shift in perspective, but that will wait for the new website!

DAY THREE

Corbett Barr of Fizzle, an online learning library for entrepreneurs, shared last Wednesday. Since then, I've listened to a few of the hilarious hipster-style podcasts by Corbett and his cohorts in "Portlandia." He shared so many practical nuggets, but the one that stand out is figuring out your Minimum Viable Product (MVP). This is basically working intensely for a short-term launch of your product or service before it's reached the pinnacle of perfection. It's about not waiting until every bug is worked out or every piece perfectly in place. It's releasing the product/service and allowing your first round of customers to help you make the needed changes. Since it is a trial, you may give a discount since they are providing helpful feedback. I believe this advice may be helpful if I launch any learning modules or e-courses in the future. 

I also loved that he tries to choose business partners that have an opposite style. He's an introvert right-brainer, so he may partner with an extroverted left-brain. In fact, that's exactly what he did when he chose his first business partner for Fizzle. Corbett loves the synergy that happens with this kind of "odd couple" partnership (my analogy). 

DAY FOUR

I had a moment of synchronicity on Day 4, when Jennifer interviewed Sam Bennett, author of Get It Done: From Procrastination to Creative Genius in 15 Minutes a Day. Wednesday night, I was reading over all the great notes from the summit and thinking about my goals. I also watched an entertaining lecture by Lisa Congdon on YouTube (yes, Lisa from Day One) called Small Things Organized Neatly. Later that night, during a bout of insomnia, I felt like getting a dose of inspiration before working on my goals again. I knew I really needed tips for organization, not the typical left-brain advice I've read so many times - but advice geared toward right-brain creatives. I googled "Organized Artist", and this is what popped up! Here's the screenshot I took:

Now, first I was thrilled that such a company existed, but I also was struck by the thumbnail images below (part of the Google Image search feature). Lisa used the same images in her lecture I had watched just minutes before in a talk given to graphic designers in San Francisco. Most of these are from the Tumblr blog, Things Arranged Neatly. 

I checked out Sam's site and watched a few of her YouTube videos, too. I kept nodding my head in agreement and tickled pink at Sam's warmth in her delivery style (she has a background in acting). So when Day Four rolled around, I couldn't believe that she was the guest speaker. Remember, I didn't go Googling her from the guest list, but just had that searching in my heart. 

She shared oodles of good things, but towards the end, she spoke about "search terms". Paraphrasing, she said we need a good website to showcase what we do because "there are people searching for YOU."  She used the vision of someone walking down a dark corridor tiptoeing with a candle, searching, searching for something. And sometimes that something is YOU. There were ladies in the chat crying when she shared that. And it didn't really hit me until I wrote this blog that I was searching, too. And lo and behold, God used his GPS (God's Positioning System) to direct me to Sam to answer some of those questions in my heart. 

DAY FIVE

I have some nuggets to share from Andreea Ayers (yes, two e's), but I seem to have misplaced my notes. Sorry! 

This weekend I was having RBBIZ withdrawals. In fact, I forgot it was Saturday and had my notebook ready and tried to log on to Livestream! You can still get a "free ticket" and join us. Remember, the summit continues through Friday, March 20th. Be sure to look for me in the chat, CreativeCurrents. Send me a tweet @Sandra_L_Martin with your favorite learnings, or share in comments below. 

Kandinsky ATC's Reveal

Earlier last month, I signed up for an ATC swap that focused on the abstract artist Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944). The objective was to create a set of four ATC's using some form of resist technique. And the fun part....create these while listening to JAZZ music, letting the notes and rhythm influence the composition and movement of each ATC. I'm a great lover of spontaneous art, so this was right up my alley. 

I decided to use rubber cement for my resist technique. I decorated about a half dozen or so ATC's made of watercolor paper I purchased on eBay a while back. Using the brush that came with the rubber cement, I brush on the thick, smelly goo onto the watercolor paper. I also used an old thin brush to do more detail. The day before I began the resists, I found a heat-resistant stencil at the thrift store. It came with rhinestones that could be glued in a scroll pattern. I planned to use the rhinestones for various projects, and found the stencil worked perfectly with the rubber cement resist. I allowed the rubber cement to dry for several hours. 

I used acrylic paint thinned with water (and maybe a little acrylic medium...can't remember) to create more of a watercolor effect, making washes over the dried rubber cement. Here are the results on the right. As you can see, I used up leftover paint and rubber cement on the book pages as well. 

A Day's Work 5-22-14

As you can see from the caption, I created the ATC backgrounds on May 22. Flash forward to this week, where I am busy playing catchup to get these ATC's to my swap partners. Yesterday, after I spent a happy afternoon putting on the finishing touches, my husband surprised me with a little gift, an early birthday present. Isn't it darling? 

 And now, the ATC reveal:

 Now what's the first thing you notice? The art I was creating goes *perfectly* with the dressform pincushion, no? My husband smiled and said, "I know those are the colors you like." After fifteen years of marriage, he knows me too well. :-) 

I listened to jazz great Winton Marsalis, as suggested by group leader Betty (she listened to Winton during her ATC session, too). I found him on Pandora, which of course plays the artist and similar artists and songs. Here are a few of my favorites which you can watch on YouTube:
"Struttin' with Some Barbeque" ~ The Marsalis Family (the drum solo is amazing)
"Bourbon Street Parade" ~ Winton Marsalis
"Stardust" (Live at Village Vanguard ~ Winton Marsalis

I wanted to share a little about each individual ATC. Since they were done spontaneously, it's difficult to put into words. In upcoming posts, I will share a few thoughts that went into each one along with a Kandinsky quote. 

Sandra 

P.S. Today is my 37th birthday. :-) 

Happy Mail Moment: Recycled Envelope Art ~ Creative Currents

Here's a quick video showing a recycled decorated envie I made for a mail art swap. The envie is full of destash goodies from my studio.

Sandra L. Martin
Creative Currents

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MUSIC CREDIT

"That's for Sure" by Clarence Simpson
Profile and Sample here
CCMixter.org ~ Royalty Free Music

Happy Thoughts 365 ~ #22 ~ Birthday Throwback

It's been a while since I updated my blog. Wanted to get back in the groove and share my latest creation.

 Here's the full spread above. I spent time cleaning my studio and went through a box of keepsakes. Lots of smiles...and tears. I loved this picture from my 2nd birthday. I've been so wrapped up in business research lately that I haven't had time to really sit down and create. 

It felt so good to work on this little mixed media project. It's not meant to look like a picture perfect scrapbook...more like art journaling...just for me. I blasted the Gospel music and was jammin'. Rocking my head, clapping my hands, tapping my feet. 

 Not sure if I liked my hat or I was trying to take it off! I also adored that Snow White cake topper. My dad kept it in a cabinet of treasures for many years. I would see it during my visits with him in the summer.

 I hung on to some foil wrappers from Dove chocolates (mmmm) that hubby bought around Valentine's Day. They had cute messages on them. This one resonated with me...."Smile more." I thought it went well with my party hat in the picture. So I cut the blue foil into fringes to mimic the super cool sparkly stuff on my retro hat. 

 I found a large number two in a magazine which I carefully used as a stencil. I actually preferred the pattern on the back of the two, so after tracing, I flipped it over and glued it down to the left, creating a mirror image. It's kind of funny that this project ended up being #22 for Happy Thoughts. I guess I'm right on time after all! (Just another little moment of serendipity).

Here's a closeup. I used a combination of stickers, scrapbook paper, markers, and colored pencils on these journal pages. 

Here's another shot from the same party. I added a funny crown on a photo app. 

Bye for now! Have a super day. 

~Sandra Lee

Happy Thoughts 365 ~ #3

Digital Collage created on Polyvore by Sandra Martin

Here's a video of the legendary Aretha Franklin singing "Oh Happy Day." :-)

Happy Thoughts 365 ~ #2

Happy Days are Here Again ~ by Sandra Martin #happythoughts365

This is a snippet from my art journal, using the lyrics from the famous song. I also wanted to share this video of two brilliant women ~ Barbara Streisand and Judy Garland singing Get Happy/Happy Days are Here Again. Hope it brings a smile to your face. :-)

365 Happy Thoughts ~ #1

"The first step towards Happiness is to Determine to be Happy." ~ George Hodges

365 Art ~ Catching UP!

I hope everyone is having a good new year. I have an optimistic outlook to how 2014 is going to turn out, but boy...the first week has been such a struggle! I was sick the first few days with abdominal pain (most likely a candida overgrowth), and I was too ill to even begin my 365 Art Project. Being doubled over in pain I certainly wasn't thinking "Happy Thoughts"! 

Indiana saw the Frozen Vortex, which meant close to 13 inches of snow, business and school closings, and wind chills 20 to 40 below zero! My husband was home Monday and Tuesday, which I love, but I couldn't really focus on my art. I have to have huge amounts of QUIET to think. :-)  My creativity has consisted of doodling and organizing my Pinterest boards (a neverending job). I baked some gluten-free cookies for my hubby (and a couple for me) and drank some herbal tea,  and caught up on some TV shows on Netflix, like that brilliant fairy-tale mashup, Once Upon a Time.  I'm also revisiting a favorite novel I read as a young teen called Beauty: a retelling of the story Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley.

Alice in Wonderland Vintage Get-Well Card via Pinterest

One thing I decided today is that I'm changing the rules on my 365 Art Project. Originally, I thought I would do one quote a day from the Beautiful Thoughts about Happiness book, as I shared here. 

But as I looked more in-depth at the quotes and realistically considered my own patterns, I knew this wasn't the right approach. While some of the quotes are inspiring and full of good old-fashioned wisdom, not all of the quotes {{{resonate}}} with me. This is an important part of keeping up enthusiasm for such a long creative endeavor. So...I decided that my 365 Art Project would be more free-flow and spontaneous, which is more in keeping with my playful artistic nature. 

I returned to an art journal I started a couple months ago, which already had quite a few pages dedicated to happiness. This was a jumping off point into the realm of Happy Thoughts...for what is more enjoyable than playing with paint with abandon? 

My goal is to create daily, but I know even this isn't always possible. Things happen (like my sickness). But no matter what, I will share 365 Happy Thoughts with you! It may be a quote on happiness, or it might be a happy discovery I make throughout the day. I may share favorite things that make me happy, or lines from movies or songs that inspire a joyful outlook on life. I believe this is more fitting to the project than trying to strictly follow a rigid pattern, because happiness is never forced. It comes when we're least expecting, in a beautiful moment of serendipity! We just have to have eyes to see. :-)

Stay tuned for my first offerings. I hope to post weekly, but will share more often if time allows. 

Blessings,
Sandra

365 Art Project 2014 ~ Happy Thoughts

Happy 2014, Everyone!

I've spent the past few days pondering what I'd like to do for the New Year. I've known for quite a while that I wanted to try a 365 day art challenge. But I couldn't quite figure out a theme.

Today, I flipped open an old book I own called Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss. A little page fell out with a quote on happiness:

I really dug the quote and decided to Google it to find out more information. Then I stumbled on a gorgeous volume of happiness quotes from Archive.org. 

Cover: Beautiful Thoughts on Happiness, Copyright 1911

It contains a happy thought for each day of the year, as you can see here:

So....I had a "happy thought" of my own! Why not do a little piece of art each day exploring one of these quotes on happiness? Sounds like a plan to me! 

I'm still settling on materials and size. But I will most likely keep the format small, maybe the size of an index card. But I think this would be a great challenge for 2014, and something I can even do when I'm backpacking this spring. I may mix it up a little with perhaps a different style or technique each month. I plan to wing it a little, and just enjoy the experience!

Best wishes for a blessed and prosperous New Year!

A little graphic I created to launch the 365 Art Project 2014: Happy Thoughts
Sandra Martin | All Rights Reserved | Copyright 2014

The Moments 21, 22

#themomentschallenge via Daisy Yellow

#21

"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it."
~Confucious

Rusty Goodness

An experiment in rusting trinkets using some techniques found online. I will be posting an entry soon on some of my experiments and how well they turned out. I loved this jumbled mess and recently used some of these things on my bulletin board, which I shared about in my first vlog here. 

#22

 Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; 

for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament. 

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Taco Bell Flowers

Captured these when we went through the Taco Bell drive-thru. Don't eat Taco Bell much these days, but we were in a rush getting some errands done. Some of the flowers are a bit scraggly, but I love the bright ones...very bold and cheery. 

Artfully yours,

Sandra

Creative Currents Vlog #1

Sharing a rough first attempt at a vlog showing off my new studio space and bulletin board project.

WARNING: Unedited, fan blowing in background, and abrupt ending as my camera card ran out of memory! I'm also extremely *quiet*, so you may have to adjust volume. :-)

The Moments No. 11, 12, 13, 14

#themomentschallenge via Daisy Yellow

Running a little behind posting my daily Moments. So here are the past few days! I am forgoing my usual formatting with the bordered frames and Moments title. Keeping it sweet and simple...which really is the point anyways, right? ;-) 

#11

"I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. 
It's something we are all touched by. 
No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music."
~Billy Joel

Music Box Closeup

My brother-in-law found a couple music boxes with clear housing while helping the neighbors move. I've always been intrigued by music boxes even as a child, watching the whirring gears and the harp-like tines pluck the teeth on the main wheel, creating a tinkling melody. I really enjoyed the rainbow sheen of the metal inside the scarred plastic case when I captured this closeup. 

#12

"Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties."
~Erich Fromm

Keep Calm and Craft On Metal Tin

Yup...the Keep Calm posters are pretty much overkill, but this little tin is still a treasure I purchased during the height of the Keep Calm craze. It's surrounded by scraps of paper I pulled off a chipboard butterfly. I plan on collaging the ripped pieces onto my art journal pages, giving them new life. One thing I'm learning as I create is that the best work happens when I'm in a state of rest or calm in my heart...not overthinking a project. So the tin offers good advice. :-)

#13

"If we had a keen vision of all that is ordinary in human life, it would be like hearing the grass grow or the squirrel's heart beat, and we should die of that roar which is the other side of silence.
~George Eliot

Squirrel on a Telephone Wire

Out on my morning walk, I captured this squirrel high above me on the telephone wire. It sat very still, clinging to the wire hoping I wouldn't notice it. A closeup with my camera brought the cute little rodent into view. 

#14

"An artist must be careful not to throw his ideas out with the trash." 
~Terri Guillemets

Pretty Tiles in Cobblestone Wall

I discovered these tiles on a retaining wall in the neighborhood. The fact that the tiles are rough, dirty and imperfect make them even more interesting to me. This is how I often approach my mixed media art, particularly my experiments in my art journal. I love adding a torn piece of paper or objects that would be destined for the trash. I really believe you can find value and beauty in almost anything with a little imagination. 

Artfully yours,

Sandra

The Moments No. 10

#themomentschallenge via Daisy Yellow

#10

"No one sees a flower, really, because to see takes time"
~Georgia O' Keefe

This picture was a result of a prompt by Milliande Photography Studio last month called "Backyard Bugs." Not only did I capture the target of the prompt, but a beautiful seedpod as well. I loved that my Nikon Coolpix L820 picked up the fuzzy delicate hairs as well. It was perfect timing, for I had just purchased a favorite book called Pencil Dancing  by Mari Messer. Chapter Six is called "Wake Up and Notice the Fuzz on the Rose Petals."

"There's no such thing as an insignificant detail, even though the words are often found in each other's company. Jack Kerourac says that details are the life of prose. They are also the life of poetry, and the inspiration of painting and other creative acts. To fuel your own creativity, train yourself to observe and remember details. Think of this training as mental push-ups: preparation for being able to see a rose all the way down to its fuzzy petals. We can't write or draw until we can see. And we can't see until we take time to notice."

~Mari Messer, Pencil Dancing

I am polishing the powers of observation through photography, sketching, and just noticing details around me as I go for walks in the neighborhood. I will be sharing more details in some of the moments ahead! 

Artfully yours,

Sandra

The Moments No. 9

#themomentschallenge via Daisy Yellow

#9

"I've always taken 'The Wizard of Oz' very seriously, 
you know. I believe in the idea of the rainbow. And
 I've spent my entire life trying to get over it."
~Judy Garland

Label on Vintage Suitcase

I have a great love of vintage suitcases. They're great for storing my fabric or other craft supplies as well as seasonal clothes. My hubby's suitcase still has a label from his home state, circa the early 1970's. I was drawn to the play on words, "The Land of AH's", but didn't think much about it. Then I happened to be on YouTube a day or two later, and saw a promoted video for "The Wizard of Ahh's by the viral singing group Pentatonix collaborating with Todrick Hall. Needless to say, I was mesmerized! It was a special moment, as Oz plays itself out a lot in my work, like my recent index card art here or a collage I created here.

Artfully yours, 
Sandra

The Moments No. 8

#themomentschallenge via Daisy Yellow

#8

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."
~Aesop

Meow!

Let me introduce you to Coltrane and Peppy, a couple alley cats...er, alley kittens in the neighborhood. Eating none other than Alley Cat brand cat food! They're a little wild, but once in a while we manage to pet them before they run away. I'm going to miss these little guys when we move. Fortunately, we have a few other kindhearted souls in the neighborhood who will continue to feed them, so I'm hoping for the best. 

Artfully yours,

Sandra

The Moments No. 7

#themomentschallenge via Daisy Yellow

#7

"You use a glass mirror to see your face; 
you use works of art to see your soul."
~George Bernard Shaw

You are so beautiful to Me! ~ God

I woke up one morning and decided I would start loving myself instead of looking at myself with a critical eye every time I passed the mirror. So I took a bright pink highlighter and and wrote myself a note. Even if my hair is sticking up or bags under my eyes, I look at the note and think...hey, I am a beautiful creation. Sometimes I'm convinced it's easier for us to see the beauty in others than within ourselves. But slowly, I'm learning to see myself with a loving gaze, too. 

Hello Beautiful! Yes you! What little change have you made to boost your confidence or bring out your inner beauty? How has this affected how you love others or interact with them?

Have you ever created a work of art to express your beauty and uniqueness. Share in the comments below. 

Artfully and beautifully yours,

Sandra

The Moments No. 6

#themomentschallenge via Daisy Yellow

#6

"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer
 despair for the future of the human race."
~H.G. Wells

I Want to Ride my Bicycle, Bicycle...

My hubby is busy working on his new bike, outfitting it with an electric motor. I took it for a spin before he got the kit. I hadn't rode a bike for years and felt like I was 10 years old again! What moments have you had recently that take you back to your childhood?

Artfully yours,

Sandra

The Moments No. 5

#themomentschallenge via Daisy Yellow

#5

"Love is the answer, and you know that for sure; 
Love is a flower, you've got to let it grow."
~John Lennon

Lone Rose of Sharon

The other day I noticed a single Rose of Sharon growing alongside the house. We clipped them back earlier in the season because they were taking over the flowerbed and starting to sprawl out onto the narrow sidewalk. They are a tough, resilient plant. When we first moved into our house in 2009, a huge patch grew on the north side of the yard, growing over a story tall in a wide array of colors. When the landlord decided to paint the trim, he cut down all the Rose of Sharon bushes in that area. All we have now are a few that creep along the foundation of the house. The Rose of Sharon is a cousin of the Hibiscus flower. The blooms last for a couple weeks in a vase of fresh water. But I decided to let the lone beauty stay put, blooming her solitary farewell to summer. 

Artfully yours,

Sandra

The Moments No. 4

#themoments challenge via Daisy Yellow

#4

"Into every life a little sun must shine!"

Mail Art by June Crawford @ A Creative Dream

Life has been hectic lately as I prepare for my move this weekend. What a joy to open my mailbox and discover a surprise from fellow art blogger June at A Creative Dream. I participated in a mail art swap, which I wrote about here. My assigned partner was unable to send their postcard, and June felt bad for me. So she sent this little gem. I love her intricate linework, including on the back...trust me...it's beautiful and precise. 

The word buzzing in my ears lately is bittersweet. I think June's card captures this beautifully. She took the famous quote by Longfellow and turned it completely on its head: 

Into every life a little rain must fall. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

to 

 Into every life a little sun must shine!

It's bittersweet to pack up and move. I know I may have a couple days of chaos where I may not be able to create as I get settled in. But I'm looking forward to it! 

I have prepared my pics for the next few days as I transition, gathering recent moments from my life to share with you. 

Artfully Yours, 
Sandra