Step by Step

June 4, 2015June 4, 2015betinaj 2 Comments

Happy June to you all. This painting was a gift to my grandson for his high school graduation. I am so proud of him and his success and accomplishment. He had requested a patriotic theme for his grad gift art piece. He was thrilled, which makes me super happy!

The time I spent painting his special piece gave me time to reflect on years of taking step by step to get to this point. Not just in his life but as I learned in my life as well. My grandson has been a special person in my life for so many reasons. He and I would sometimes take two steps forward and one step back through his growing years. We’ve always been kindred spirits, sharing so much together. His communications skills have always been a strong part of his personality, making it easy for me to understand his struggles and achievements as he took those steps into adulthood.

I’ve been so impressed with his resilience. All those steps through that maze of life. I’ve thought about how many times while walking through that maze I’ve hit a corner. Many times just being in that corner gave me time to hesitate, think things through and not simply run for the finish line. All the twists and turns in our lives bring us to a better place, a better person. But, we do need support, we need each other, we cannot do it alone.

I am so, so grateful for the years I’ve been able to support my grandson. His step by step journey into life truly is just beginning. He is heading out into the world and will be moving forward. These steps into his future have a solid foundation and I am confident that he will handle his future decisions well. Feeling grateful today…step by step.

Funky Cats!

May 23, 2015May 23, 2015betinaj 4 Comments

It appears as if Chico the funky cat is watching these lovelies create their own versions of him.

A fantastic group last night attending my funky cat workshop. I love their vision and their openness to learn. So rewarding when you see someone walk into your class and soon their day melts away as they become immersed in the creative process. Teaching has become a wonderful bonus to my passion for painting and creating art. Trying to allow yourself to release that perfection is sometimes difficult. Awhile ago, in one of my young artist classes, a sweet 6-year-old said it best, “There is no bad”. Those simple words stuck with me and I love that statement. I’ve shared that statement since then in all my classes. Importantly, coming from a young artist, reminding us we need to let go of our need for perfection and embrace the bliss of coloring outside the lines. What could be more freeing!

Thank you lovelies for last night and embracing your creative side. Amazing crazy, funky cats. Each their own masterpieces with shining personalities!

Keeping Up!

May 18, 2015May 18, 2015betinaj Leave a comment

Keeping up is my key word for the next couple weeks. In my home studio today working on a new steer painting. I’m usually more organized in life but lately I’m just keeping up. My heart is loving everything that is coming my way. For some unknown reason I am not stressing about getting things finished but rather soaking in the moments with knowledge that it will all get done. This could actually be a false sense of security!! Heading into the summer months in Montana we all feel a need to set aside our tasks at hand and enjoy our warmer months playing. I’m trying to adjust all things so I find time to play but continue to strive so my art can thrive, sorry, that did sound a bit poetic…but I like it.

I’ve had some goodness come my way recently. About a month ago I entered a Java Doodle Challenge, doodling a plain white coffee paper cup. Surprised, I won and received a basket full of awesome art supplies for doodling…about $50.00 worth of materials and a $25.00 gift certificate at a local coffee-house. I never win anything so this was wonderful, smiling for sure and playing with all those art goodies. Teaching lately as well, workshops at Crooked Line Studio. This experience is a reward for me, sharing the knowledge I’ve honed over the past years with mixed media art. My students have been generous and open with their talents. They’ve complimented me as a teacher verbally but the true reward is seeing their hearts open to new possibilities for themselves in creating. Many are returning to take a second class and expanding their own knowledge of materials and techniques of mixed media.

I have a solo show I’m preparing for in June. The steer painting will be up for that exhibit. I’m thinking his title will be Mr. Stewart. Today will hopefully be finishing this painting and working on a project for a future workshop. Keep yourself busy with goodness my friends and thank you for being here with me.

Turning over a new leaf!

April 18, 2015betinaj 2 Comments

So, I’ve been away from blogging for several months. After the new year began I made a promise to myself that I would begin, turn over a new leaf and start blogging once again. Wow, does time fly, it is almost May of 2015…four months into the new year!

I have been very busy, really, not kidding! This is my year to give myself a few pushes, a little nudging and kick in the pants to get my art out into the world. I’ve joined a nearby art guild and will be displaying two new pieces there in June. I had a wonderful opportunity to display my art in a local coffee shop in January and in a few weeks will be taking that down. (two wonderful sales from that display…yippee!) I became a member of a local art association and displayed one piece that sold at an exhibit in March (another sale…yippee!!) I was struggling with getting the word out about my workshops and in February had to cancel my workshop. (bummer) But, an artist friend connected me with a new art studio that was looking for teachers…bingo!! I’ve had three successful workshops (yippee!!!) Let’s see…what else can I share with you…sorry, sometimes this feels like bragging but truly as an artist, it is such a tough world out there. Every little inch we see improvement is like a mile high celebration!

I’ve continued with my art journaling group here in my home studio. We connect in a good way, not just through creating art but as friends. They keep me inspired, encouraging me when I am down…we artist do get down sometimes!

In January, I spent a whole month setting up an Etsy shop, which I’ve connected to my facebook page, Green Grass Art. It has not seen much traffic but I’ve neglected it recently and have not added new items since initially setting it up. I will give it attention again soon, I promise you and myself.

This giraffe piece was just finished to place at Toucan Gallery for the upcoming May Art Walk. I’ve had good response to this piece, many connect with the affection between the momma and baby. I’ve titled this piece Coco and Little Chia. Next week it will be heading to the gallery. I feel so much gratitude. My art world is growing and I’m feeling more ready to face the responsibility it holds. When you step out of the shadows and push your way into the art world it can be intimidating. I’m five years into this journey of pushing forward and finally feeling rewards beyond what I expected…OMG…feeling gratitude in a huge way. I cannot make a promise of how often I will be blogging but be sure it will be more often than four months!! Thanks for being here with me and sharing this journey! copytwogiraffes

Zentangle Lessons

January 4, 2015January 4, 2015betinaj 6 Comments

I’ve been busy since Christmas creating some ideas for the January Art Journaling Group. I had previously asked the group if they would like to learn some zentangle or a new painting technique. Most responded with a big vote for zentangle. I thought I needed to brush up on some zentangle so have been trying to sketch something every day. These are a few of what I’ve created thus far. Not sure yet what I will be teaching for the upcoming art journaling class but I’m going to be ready!!

Spheres

Owl

Giraffe

New Happy Hangers

October 23, 2014betinaj 2 Comments

I am working on four new Happy Hangers.

This little bird along with three others will be heading over to Toucan Gallery for sale.

I have the best time creating these sweet little hanging art pieces.

Thanks you for visiting my blog, comments are always welcome.

First Art Journal Class!

October 23, 2014betinaj 2 Comments

First Art Journal Class – October Page

This was so exciting for me as teaching is something I enjoy so very much. Sharing my passion for art is important to me. My first art journaling class simply unfolded without a glitch. These six women were so creative and energized. Their enthusiasm was very comforting to me!! One of my students decided the group needed a name so she suggested Little Sprouts since my art page is Green Grass Art. Everyone loved the idea. So Little Sprouts is my art journaling groups name and I am so thrilled! We will be meeting once a month as this class will be ongoing. Two of the Little Sprouts were not able to attend so next month the group will be eight! Oh, I can hardly wait!

Another new portrait…

September 26, 2014betinaj 2 Comments

Working on some new portraits and so, so enjoying the process. This piece has so many layers, but loved it all. I am still working on some of the elements of the face and shadowing but pleased with this piece. I have not decided a title for her. Hoping to submit this piece as well as a few others to a new gallery for an exhibit in 2015.

Thank you for stopping by my blog!

Let the art journaling begin!!

September 8, 2014September 8, 2014betinaj 2 Comments

In October I will begin a monthly art journaling class. I am so excited! I have five wonderful women signed up and we will be meeting every month in my art studio. Teaching is so rewarding for me. Seeing others create and learn about art and the process brings me joy. This particular class gets my creative juices flowing as I get to lead these women not just with art but also exploring what is meaningful in their lives. Hoping to post a few photos along the way.