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sweetsproutdesigns

 
 
Protect, support, encourage.  We are in charge of our own lives.  It's not only important but necessary to care for ourselves first in order to take care of others.  I don't think I've been doing that lately.  It's hard to tend to yourself when so many rely on you.  Truly caring for yourself will help the physical, emotional and spiritual YOU.  I know that but have to keep reminding myself.

My little girl broke her arm right above the elbow 3 weeks ago - she's 4.  Neither of my other 2 children, nor myself or husband, have broken anything other than a toe.  We handled it pretty well in the beginning but it is taking its toll now.  Within the past two weeks the x-rays came back that her bones shifted so last Monday she had to have surgery to put pins in - completely unexpected.  I assumed we'd be dropping her off at daycare after her appointment and I would be heading into work.  Instead, we headed up to the hospital.  Waking up from the anesthesia was hard but overall she did great.  We are really nervous when it comes time for these pins to come out!

Four days after surgery, Anissa and her friend got into playing with the garden hose and a third of her broken, casted, wrapped arm was soaked.  Where was I you may wonder? Inside cleaning up the kitchen and she so badly just wanted to be outside.  Having her play on the deck or in the yard is nothing unusual and it is near to impossible to keep children down.  Needless to say we ended up back at the ER just to have the wrappings changed since it was so late in the afternoon on a Friday and the doctors had left for the day at the orthopedic office.  Over the weekend her fingers started to look swollen and she's complaining (mostly through the night!) that her pinky finger hurts.  I haven't been up through the night since she was an infant!  So, combining lack of sleep with deadlines at my day job and my desire to paint tugging at my heart, I decided I can't do it all and I put everything away.

All of my painted and new canvases, paints, paper, brushes, everything - away.  I have surrendered to the demands of being a mom.  Who was I to think I could do this?  I have chosen to have children (who I am over the moon about) and in order to take care of my family, my income makes a difference and I cannot entertain the thought of including painting into that equation.

My kids were shocked when they came home from schoolto see all of my 'stuff' which inhabited part of the dining room and was spreading closely to the living room, put away.  A part of me was shocked that they even noticed!

I was sad.  Within 2 days it was out again.  Painting is part of nurturing mySELF - along with yoga, but I will find time for that again as well.  It's something I HAVE to do, even if nobody else understands.  But, a part of me thinks they do - at least my family.

I created this painting in response to all of this.  It's hard, I know, but find and hold onto something that nurtures your heart.  It will ripple into every area of your life.
Our little one...
 
 
Karen's paintings are vibrant, colorful acrylics with large brush strokes.  "I find that painting gives me peace and puts me in a place where I can focus on the beauty that is all around us."
 
 
Elisandra is a  fashion and lifestyle orientated artist living in Berlin, Germany. Elisandra's work is multitasking and ranges from classical vector illustration, over hand drawing and collages to painting on canvas.  Visit her shop and blog.
 
 
 
 
Kerri is an artist, wife, and mom to 10 children - whom she homeschools.  Wow.  Please visit her blog and shop to see more of her wonderful work.
 
 
When I first started my website and blog in August of 2011 (here is my first post) I didn't know what I was doing.  Of course I always visit blogs with my current position as graphic designer but writing one myself?  Who did I think I was?  I still feel that way.  What I realized was that now I have created a place that comprises images and artists that I love to go to for inspiration and also a place that maybe others can go for inspiration.

It's difficult for me in this beginning phase of my website, blog and social media
(my facebook, twitter, flickr, etc.) to manage my time with working part time and raising a family but I feel a need to continue. 

It's all very tough and I'm still learning the best ways to balance my time but I'm trying and hope to get better as time goes on.  Thanks for sticking with me!  I've definitely wandered out of my comfort zone and everyday try to reach beyond my boundaries.
 
 
Tim is an artist, the coordinator of The Puzzle Art Installation & Collaborative Project, creator and instructor of Art is Good workshops, and a friend.  Tim and I went to high school together a few (many) years ago - we were even in the same homeroom.  As we were beginning to grow as artists, I wasn't quite aware back then of how similar our passion for art was and still is today.  I'm proud to know him and to be able to show you all that he has accomplished.

Tim believes that art has no rules.  It can be made by anyone, out of anything at any time. His mission is to make art easily accessible to anyone that wants to create.

The Puzzle Art Installation & Collaborative Project is a dynamic, growing & traveling, group art exhibition. Artists, young & old, have contributed their individual voice collectively with other artists to form this historic puzzle art project. It is a simple way for each of us to tell our own story.

Tim is also behind Similar Alien - a Metaphorical Art Series by Tim Kelly, About Life, Love, History and Pop Culture.
 
 
The Chaos Theory describes how very small actions can have extremely complex effects.  Sometimes something so minor can make a significant difference - good or bad.  I try to remember that every day when interacting with my children, husband, coworkers... even strangers in passing.  I don't always do a good job at it but I try.  This series of commercials showing us that small actions have a wonderful rippling effect is my favorite.  Below is a new painting I've recently finished and on the print I've included some wording.

Come join me on my Facebook page and click 'like' to keep up with my latest paintings and design inspiration!
Picture
{ "butterfly wings" | 14" x 11" | print includes words whereas the painting does not }
Picture
{ above and below - details of painting }
 
 
Amylee combines scripture into each piece of her art.  I love the bold, graphic feel of her pieces.  Read more about Amylee here and visit her shop.
 
 
Anne-Sofie Holm uses handmade techniques to create her works of art:  pen, colour pencils, watercolours, gouache, posterpaint and metallic colours.