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SweetSproutStudios - J. Cox, Artist

 
 
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...
 
 
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.
 
 
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 }
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{ above and below - details of painting }
 
 
This time of year is great for so many reasons: spring settling in, the start of bbq's, and art fairs, to name a few.  I went to the Great Lakes Art Fair this weekend with my daughter and had a nice time together.  I finally met Kandy from Bit O' Whimsey and it was completely my pleasure.  Her booth was busy and full of her items I love from prints to coasters to jewelry, all reflective of her style.  Yes, I treated myself!

Along with feeling inspired and invigorated to come home and create as I usually do after an art fair, I also left feeling a little deflated.  I question everything:  is my work any good to even do an art fair one day?  Would anybody even like it enough to buy?  Do I have enough items?  Is it worth all of the time, effort, and money I'm putting into it and still have to put into it?

This seemed to be a good "teaching moment" for my daughter.  As we sat down to have an ice cream I talked to her about how I was feeling.  As she sat there and took it all in, I wanted her to know that it was ok to have feelings like I was having and that no matter how old you get, self-doubt always rears its head at some point.  It's what a person does with that doubt that makes a difference.

Rising above self-doubt and trusting your instincts is a lesson learned and one I've always tried to live by no matter what the age.  If I knew not one painting would ever sell, would I stop painting?  It's not the point of a sale that drives me to do this; it's the excitement I feel when I am painting that drives the need to do it.  As I am trying to teach all of my children to never give up on their dreams, sometimes I have to remind myself that too - even though I'm the mom.
Picture
{ rise above | 20" x 16" acrylic on stretched canvs }
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{ rise above | 10" x 8" print with matte }
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{ detail of painting }
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{ detail of painting }
 
 
Recently completed, 36" x 48" acrylic on stretched canvas includes hand cut letters with inspiring sentiment.
 
 
Beautiful mixed media pieces.  Cathy uses encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, which involves using heated beeswax to which colored pigments are added.
 
 
I absolutely love the work of Kelly Rae Roberts.  I accidentally came across her book in the store a few days ago and felt like it was fate because I had already been down that aisle and before I left the store, went back down that same aisle.  I flipped through it and knew I needed it.  Along with her art, Kelly's inspiring words of encouragement throughout the book are priceless.  I'm so impressed that she shares her techniques so that artists can learn and incorporate into their own work.  This has gone from my bedside to my desk and back.
Picture
Kelly's book, "Taking Flight"
 
 
Perfect sentiment going into the New Year.  "Be True To You", is an 8" x 10" of my original acrylic painting.

I want to keep these positive inspirations around me everyday.  They are so simple and yet so easily forgotten.  "Be true to you."  What that means is different for everyone.  Be true to your path, to your creative soul - that's what it means for me.
 
 
Stephanie uses simple shapes and thoughtful colors to express herself through her art.  I spent a very long time on her site and blog and could have spent longer.  It is Stephanie's dream "to reach people and soothe their hectic lives with quiet thoughts of inspiration".
 
 
_Katie believes her purpose in life is to share a message of joy, love, and light through art-making while inspiring others to discover their passion.  I love that purpose.  Read more about Katie here.