WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW

in⋅spi⋅ra⋅tion

   /ˌɪnspəˈreɪʃən/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

–noun

1.	an inspiring or animating action or influence: I cannot write poetry without inspiration.

2.	something inspired, as an idea.

3.	a result of inspired activity.

4.	a thing or person that inspires.

5.	Theology. a. a divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul. b. the divine quality of the writings or words of a person so influenced.

6.	the drawing of air into the lungs; inhalation.

7.	the act of inspiring; quality or state of being inspired.

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Origin:
1275–1325; ME inspiracio(u)n < class="ital-inline">inspīrātiōn- (s. of inspīrātiō). See inspire, -ation

Synonyms:
1. stimulus, incitement.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Someone, who is quite inspiring to me, reminded me today of the temples I have visited in the far east. Every time I travel to Asia, I always make time to see a temple (or two, or three.) It helps me to refocus on the things that are important and break away from the stress involved in 9-5 job. Which when I travel to Asia is no longer a 9-5 job, it's somewhat all consuming, but you know what I mean.

Buddhist temples are filled with the most awe inspiring works of art. Devotions to the many aspects of Buddha in bounty of colors and imagery. So, as I am seeking inspiration, I find myself going back through old photos. I am finding it in "many hands." It leads me back to the citation #5 above. Where do you find inspiration. Do you pull from your memory? From song? What inspires you? Some times the simplest things can have the most power.

STIMULUS SALE on Etsy

I'm running so new specials on Etsy to help boost the local economy!
For the month of March take advance of these great deals-
All items $50 or more have free shipping
Take $30 off the following assemblage pieces:
Sewing up rents: was $125 now $95
Welcome to Mantown: was $125 now $95
Messenger of Truth, altered book: was $179 now $149
2 for special on all 2x2" slide mount magnets
buy 1 at regular price of $8.50 or save $3 when you buy 2 for $14.
Stop by my Etsy shop and say hi! It would be great to have some visitors.

Giving Life to the Page- Altered Book Class at Artist Medium

For many the idea of marking up a book to make it into a piece of art seems almost sacrilegious. It is widely held that books, being the key to literacy and knowledge should be well read and then kept, for all time, on a shelf for others to enjoy. The unfortunate reality is that tons and tons of books end up in landfills and dumps. In an effort to reduce the amount of waste that goes into the landfill and to find an inexpensive canvas for my work, I started to collage into old books. Little did I know that this art form was a movement in the book arts realm that was growing in popularity.This introductive workshop will teach you the basis skills you need to create your own altered book. It will offer you an opportunity to explore your muse and to give new life to a discarded object.

Join me: SATURDAY APRIL 18th
10:30 am- 4:30 pm
$40 fee for class-
email me or contact ARTIST'S MEDIUM 1-802-879-1236

Life is like a box full of challenges

Cloth Paper Scissors has a call for entries for a reader challenge: Life is like a box full of ......
It's due in on 2/27 and of course, I have waited till the last minute to finish. I have to retake pictures tomorrow and get them printed out at Staples, then mail it in via Priority mail so it get s there in time. I am stuck on the box full o' honey, so I took it the little box a step further to this 12"x12"x2" shadow box. Remarkably, I think I have learned a few things from my fine teachers over the course of the past year. This piece has more depth to it than anything else I have done. I'm very happy with it, I just pray I can get good professional looking shots of it tomorrow.

Happy St Valentines Day

I suppose I could be more hearts and flowers- But I thought this a proper dedication to the martyr who inspired this holiday of chocolates and cards. Actually the relic is a bit of personal inspiration for the Church of the Ordinary.

Enjoy!

Thanks Queenie!

If there is one thing that stands out about Etsy it is the community of mixed media artists that sell there. It has been fantastic getting to know people. There support and enthusiasm is amazing. One of the wonderful people I have met there is Carol Berger, aka Queen Be. Carol is a wonderful artist, who has been selling on Etsy since May of 2008. She has honored me with this a lovely call out on her blog, Queen Be's Altered Needs. Thanks Carol!

So part of this call out is that I have to post 5 things I'm really into right now.

1-Facebook- I joined about two weeks at the recommendation of a close friend. I've been addicted since day one. It's been a fantastic way to keep in touch with people I don't normally see, or those who are far away.

2-The Book of Questions- I was first introduced to this book, back in 1988, on some weekend escape from the city. I recently was in one of my favorite second hand shops, Replays and found it waiting quietly on the shelf for me. It now sits on my desk, along side the Zen tarot and the Soul's Book of Answers.

3- The Artist's Medium, This is the best art supply spot in Chittenden county. The staff here is wonderful, they always have an online coupon to use, the store is well stocked with Golden paints and they carry huge tubs of gel medium! Yum! Right now they are doing a recycled art show and have a few of my mixed media collage on old book covers on display. I am doing two classes with them in April. More about that in a month or too.

4-Bees. Yes, those little winged creatures that make honey. I'm working on a new piece for the Cloth Paper Scissors 12x12" Life is like a box full of......( fill in the blanks) I've been doing research on bees and honey for this piece. I think it is going to come out really well.

5-Marketing and Communications...I suppose it goes along with the Facebook thing, maybe. I'm working on a new look for my shop, pulling together business materials and making plans for growth. When I start thinking about where I am going to be in 5 years, I need to work on organizing my branding and business in general. So be on the look out for a new look from me in the months to come.

Thanks again, Carol for you friendship and support!

I am a winner!

I am extremely blessed. It's true. I have such amazing and supportive friends all around me. Having their friendship is the biggest prize of them all. How lucky I am.

Some of the dearest people in my life right now, are some souls I have never met in person but have found on etsy. Fellow mixed media artists who have found each other through some accident of fate on the forums. Alisa Nordholt-Dean is one of the fabulous people, I can't say enough about. I was so lucky to win her blog giveaway this week.

Her pendant and print arrived yesterday. Perfect timing to put my head back in the right place. Thursday was not so good for me. So Friday got turned around going in the right direction. Alisa, will probably never really know what an impact her random act of kindness had on my life, but there you are. The pendant is hanging on the mirror in my bedroom to remind me to embrace life. And smile.

This leads me to my next point.

I'm on an emotional quest to find joy. That in itself, may sound strange to you. I have always been amazed by the people who seem to have so much joy in to share. People who smile full broad smiles, that come naturally. I have some dear friends who have wonderful smile lines on their faces. ( you all know who you are.) Me? I'm a thinker, I have deep lines across my forehead. Smiles don't always come easy for me.

Is it too late for me to find joy?

I turned 40 on Thursday and I think it is still possible. I suppose I have to make it one of my Hairy Audacious Goals. I'm challenging myself to bring more light and color into my art- and with that- I think I have to challenge myself to notice beauty and joy in my life everyday.

Do you?