Another Day of Inspiration

Today is my day off from work, and I'm enjoying it by blog hopping from "porch" to "porch," and finding some wonderful news and inspiration.  (I prefer to think of it as porch hopping, as opposed to blog hopping, as it truly feels like I'm stepping upon other's porches to say "hi," and they are coming out to greet me and share a piece of their life, and then refer me onto their inspiring friends' porches!)

First, I have to give a shout out to Diane Salter whom was profiled this morning on  the Mixed Media Artist Blog!  I'm so proud of her!  She is a "Fellow Suzi Blu Student," (and SO much more!) whom has grown tremendously in her artistic abilities since I met her earlier this year.  She will be displaying her beautiful art pieces at the Lilac Festival beginning tomorrow in Rochester, NY; if you're in the area, please stop in and say "hi" to her.  If not in the area, please visit her "porch" and leave her a message.  Go, Diane!

I picked up two Somerset Studios publications yesterday, "Digital Studio" and "Artful Blogging" (at the request as a dear blogging soul, Lorrie Spotts, whom just happens to be the same artful soul whom introduced me to Suzi Blu, so I trusted her judgment completely when she made this last recommendation to me)."

Oh my, was this a great recommendation!!!  Both are grabbing my divided attention this morning, as I flip through a few pages, then go check out a recommended blog and/or website within the pages.  I love Somerset publications; they offer so much inspiration and many great references!  Admittedly, these are not inexpensive publications, but they are so worth the investment.  In my quick flip through "Digital Studio," I found an artist whom uses Corel Paint and Draw, with what appears to be a step-by-step guide to producing a specific piece of digital art...with this software that I purchased recently...and have yet to determine how to use it.  I hope to become focused on this article later today to see if I can learn something here to assist in my latest endeavor of digital collaging!

And, somewhere along my "porch hopping" this morning, I found another intriguing site, Big Huge Lab, where photos can be edited using some really cool techniques, such as "Andy Worhol-ish" designs, and so much more!  Note to self: turn to this site and see what you can do with its contents!

Also found in my porch hopping was a site that can convert photos into fabric!  Turn Art into Fabric.  This makes me want to quilt once again...or find a way to incorporate fabric into my art!

While browsing the first pages of "Artful Blogging," I stumbled upon an article concerning the blog of Jeanne Oliver, from Castle Rock, CO (Bushel And A Peck); this is a great blog that I've stumbled across several times now.  Her blog, and printed article, have pictures of a recent piece that she's done (and has just recently taught in Louisiana) that is inspiring me to do a "Letting Go"/"Ready to Fly" piece, ;).

And, speaking of Louisiana, I'm reminded of the oil spill off its coast, and the lives lost there . . . within the original accident, as well as those to come.  An "Intellectual Facebook Friend" (whom I've never met in person, but hope to one day) posted a link this morning to some photo shots of the spill (thanks, Richard!).  The pictures are inspiring some unique collage backgrounds.  Pictures from Boston.com.

While these photos speaking nothing of the lives lost within the origin of this tragedy, nor the wildlife harmed from this event (and, potentially, the human lives effected in the days ahead) ~~ all of which are things that my heart goes out to ~~ I can see that art can be created from the effects of this event that can, perhaps, memorialize the portions of this tragedy that touch my heart, and give continuing life to those lost.  Perhaps digital art, should I...or others...figure out how to use my newest software and "art supply," lol.

As to what I left behind at work, here are a few photos taken yesterday that, again, capture my favorite things in my "working world."

These pieces are my "indoor passion" at work.  They are Memory Blocks by Sid Dickens of Vancouver, BC.  I could not get a glare-free picture of the shop's (River Twist) entire collection, but you can see Sid's entire collection on his website I've linked to, above.  They are awesome pieces of art, many of which are inspired by old-world artwork and/or architecture, and are stunning in a varied collection within homes, offices, or anywhere...only limited by your imagination!  But, should I warn you ~~ the are very addictive!  One of those things in which you cannot have "just one!"  However, (hint, hint to your family and friends!), once you begin a collection, they make awesome gifts from your loved ones whom are in desperate need of a gift idea for you on those special occasions...or a gift certificate for a portion of one of these beauties!

As I believe Blogspot is attempting to tell me "you've included WAY too much information and photos in this post!," I'll end for now with this pic of The Blues Brothers (Elwood and Jake, a/k/a Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi), happy fellas that have been the backdrop for many photos of visitors at River Twist from around the globe!

Happy creating and inspiration to each of you.  May your life be filled with peace and joy that passes understanding, today and always!

A Day at Work

The sun is shining beautifully this Monday morning, as I awoke to a crisp 35 degree F temperature here in North Carolina.  A gorgeous spring day awaits us here; one I am looking forward to soaking up at work this afternoon, as I know the hot, humid air will be rolling in very soon.

I spent Sunday at the shop (a local gift, garden and design shop) and was very surprised to see there were no men rushing in to pick up that last minute Mother's Day gift ~~ instead, mostly, I saw moms and daughters out browsing at their leisure.  Our men are obviously getting smarter, and planning ahead, while allowing the women of their lives to enjoy Mother's Day as they wish ~~ browsing the best of local shops!

To share a peek into my work life, this is the front of the shop where you can find me four-to-five days/week, depending on the season.

At the owner's request a couple of years ago, I painted the awning in a faux tiger/zebra-ish print.  Needless to say, its bright yellow background draws alot of attention, and I suppose that was the point.  (This is the largest creative painting project I have taken on, and admittedly, it's size was a bit intimidating, as I could not see "the big picture" from below while up on the scaffolding, with paint and brush in hand.)

However, the bright awning does not out-shine the beautiful landscape and its contents that draw many in to browse in awe of all there is to see.   I only wish I was capable of capturing it all in pictures that would do it justice.

I love this vintage rusted iron planter, and this vintage copper-top planting bench, with the sagging upper shelf!

If I had to choose one planter as my favorite, it would most likely be this vintage rusted iron oval planter.  It is missing a "leg" on its back side (not shown here), and perhaps that makes me love it even more.  I propped it up with a rock and it's as good as new...at least, to me!

The location of this fountain, (behind an iron, curtained awning) does not do it justice, nor does this picture, but I had to share it nonetheless.  It is one of my favorite fountains at the shop.  This picture reminds me that this fountain needs to be moved to a more visible location, but it weighs a TON, and thus will most likely stay here...until the boss comes in one day, as she is famous for doing, with a big smile on her face and says, "I have a plan!  Let's move this [huge, heavy item] over there [usually "miles" away, with many obstacles in between the two locations, lol!]".  We (the staff) love to joke with her about these instances, and I love it when my co-worker turns to me and jokingly says, on these occasions, "is she smoking crack today," meaning "has she LOST her MIND???"  Then, we all pitch in to get the job done ~~ somehow, preferably without any injuries, lol!

These pretty little fellas are my only hesitation to taking a day off.  I am the self-appointed "Dead-Heading Queen," at the shop, and know these fellas will miss my obsessive five-plus-times-daily-dead-heading process when I am away.  I love petunias, when properly groomed, but cannot bare to see them with dead blooms lingering.  Admittedly, I go a bit overboard with them, but tell myself, "if I were purchasing plants, what would I want them to look like?"  When planting any petunias, I always hope they will find a good home...soon...where someone else can care for them..or not, lol!

This Big Fella originally had a terra cotta sun face . . . that broke and fell to pieces last year, and thus has received a "face lift" consisting of the insertion of this round piece of wood.  Now he sits propped up against an iron divider piece, looking pitiful, in my humble opinion.  This piece has been calling me, saying, "please paint a new face on me, so I can shine again!"  I'm thinking this will be my next art project at work, ;).  This is part of the fun and excitement I find in working here, as there is always something that needs a creative touch, and the owner is a wonderful, creative lady with a "happy-go-lucky" personality, whom is glad to see any of the staff use their creativity on her "junk," as we like to refer to it.  (She is a Junkin' Gypsy Queen, whom loves to go "Junkin'," and we love to see what she returns with!  When she and her husband return with a trailer full of "junk" from the latest trip, I like to think of it as Christmas morning, as the trailer is unpacked and we get to see what she found on the latest trip.  Many times there are treasures found, all on their own, and other times there are "treasures in the making," begging for some creativity.)  Not to mention, the creative inspiration that abounds within the surroundings of the shop is a huge bonus within my "work"-life today.  I suppose my previous 20+ years of working in office settings also give me a loving perspective of this work setting, that I often think of as more of a "play" setting ~~ I get to play with so many wonderful things here.  I totally enjoy my work-life today.  Having worked in not-so-inspiring-unhappy-settings for many previous years, my heart goes out to anyone working in an uninspiring, or unhappy setting.  While I truly appreciate the salary obtainable in the "white-color world" (words used to express my vision of those working in much more financially prosperous positions than myself today), today I am much happier with less income and lots more peace, happiness and inspiration.  It's a good trade-off, for me.  

So, if you are ever in Piedmont, North Carolina, and/or should need a peaceful, inspiring break from life and can get away, please stop by and visit me and "The RT Gang" at River Twist in Jamestown, North Carolina.  Not only do I find peace here, I also hear many clients and visitors express sentiments of feeling peaceful, relaxed and/or inspired when they visit the shop; many stop in just because they need a break from their hectic life, and feel rejuvenated after a visit here.  (You can find us on Facebook, by searching for "River Twist," if you would like to see more of the shop.)

May we all find a way to discover happiness, peace, rejuvenation and inspiration in whatever setting we find ourselves within today.  Wishing everyone a beautiful week, filled with fun, happy, peaceful and inspiring moments.