Let this truth go as deep in you as possible: that life is already here, arrived.
You are standing on the goal. Don’t ask about the path.
-
Osho
Robin's Courses
You are standing on the goal. Don’t ask about the path.
-
Osho
Robin's Courses
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Artist Interview: Christine Elizabeth Brown
Christine Elizabeth Brown
Shop Name: Fawn Over Me
Favorite Materials: Vintage Material, Sharp Scissors, Things with a mysterious past
Brief Bio:
I had the privilege of living with both sets of grandparents for different periods in my life
growing up. In both households nothing was thrown away. I think thereʼs a show for that
now called ʻHoardersʼ. No, it really wasn't that bad. Both were born in and around the
depression, and being thrifty was just a way of life for them. Needing to reuse and
salvage things, and my love for vintage came natural because I was constantly
surrounded by it. Weekends were spent either at: 1. The dump, or 2. Yard Sailing
(pronounced “yaad saillinʼ with a New England accent) or 3. Church. We were always
on the hunt for something that someone else was getting rid of so we could reuse it, fix
it, or place it with some collection already started.
My first creative memories...
I remember being in kindergarten and drawing a ladybug. The paper was huge, I
remember the plastic-y smell of my oversized smock. The teacher called out step-by-
step instructions as she walked around the table. The outcome was this beautiful
masterpiece in red paint and black crayon. My grandmother kept it for 20+ years and
gave it to me as a gift few years ago in a frame. I couldn't believe she kept it. It inspires
and reminds me why I am on this earth. One day will be on display in my own studio.
I was always drawing. In fourth grade I was only allowed to have one writing utensil and
was constantly monitored because I was drawing on everything, even my desk. I used
to feel like an outsider, and I didn't understand why I saw things differently. Being artistic
was like a punishment instead of a gift. Fast forward a fey years, to when my mother
took me to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston when I turned 13. It changed my life. I
realized I wasn't the only person who saw the world in this huge collage of color,
emotion, pattern and form. That trip opened my eyes in a lot of ways. It took awhile to
explore and accept over the years, but now I boldly declare: “Hey, Iʼm an artist.” I see
the world different because I believe I was meant to.
My Creative life transitioned...
now that I am married. Sometimes I feel guilty that our house is overflowing with stacks of fabric, canvases, hat boxes, pyrex bowls full of buttons, clothes racks, and multiple vintage baby scales. I wonder when my husband will say that he wants the dining room back. But he is the most supportive, understanding man I have ever met. God knows what he is doing when He puts two people together. Awwwwwwww...so corny...just say it, I know you want to.
I have always been creating/making something, if not for me, then for someone else. Planning weddings, performing poetry. The need to express myself through some creative process has so far overridden any other event or circumstance. If I do stall, I go to an art museum, a poetry reading or listen to music to get re-inspired. I explore blogs, etsy, and have discovered Pinterest, which is new and amazing. I have already logged hundreds of hours.
God and creativity...
I believe that God has a plan for each of us. My business card says: “Created” withthe scripture Ephesians 2:10. What it means to me is that we all need to be striving to fulfill what God has individually created us to do. He designed us and thought about who we were going to be at the beginning of time. Thats amazing!
God is the ultimate artist. Have you ever looked really close at a flower petal? Or
slowly sifted a handful of sand?. I see the simplest things as art, art is all around. We
just need to slow down and really look at things sometimes. If we take the time, we can
be really inspired, and humbled.
One thing that ushers me into worship is...
Music. To get into true worship I think about how undeserving I am of the things that I
have. I think about what God has done for me, and my family. I think about how small
I am in this expanding universe. I stop thinking about how I look, or who is looking at
me. I lift my palms and close my eyes. The music envelopes me and I become part of
the fold with the rest of the worshipers. Its amazing to me that God created each one
of us, and he cares for us so much.
My Creative influences are...
my mother. Since she is an artist herself, she understands me in a way no one else can.plus she “Grew me in her body!”...a phrase I heard all the time growing up when I was
being an unreasonable selfish teenager. She sacrificed a lot so we could have the best
life possible, and she pushed me and encouraged me in my artists journey. She has purchased supplies, and is my #2 at flea markets, always finding things for me and
pointing me in the right direction. Another influence is my dear friend Kathryn Smith.
She was also my youth leader, and ran a ministry for young adults from her house
where I met my husband (she also takes credit for this!). One day the sewing machine
she gave me broke, and she lent me another one of her own so I could make my
deadlines and finish products. I am still using that machine. She is selfless, infinitely
creative, and is led by God in everything she does.
My husband Ethan is the one who I run all my ideas through, and he has to deal with the small mountains of fabric all around our house. He motivates me and handles logistics for all my shows. He is also my biggest cheerleader, oh how I love that man.
CLICK HERE to purchase the e-book of this Interview series for $4.99
Monday, March 5, 2012
Take A Walk Through Your Life and Take Your Camera with You
I just completed the assignment from Liz Lamoreux's book Inner Excavation to take a walk. For me with the cold weather, I reinterpreted it to mean to take a walk in my life. And my life is filled with my girl. Even at 6 years old and full day kindergarten, I am still quite an integral part in her life. For most of the last seven months I have spent quite a bit of energy just normalizing life for her. My hubby came home after almost three years away and he is still learning to adjust to civilian life. Add to this, our big move to Colorado where a support system has never really materialized in this mountain town. Plus seven months of unemployment for my husband has all of us fighting to stay positive.
My role - which I take very seriously - is to build hope around my girl no matter what. I remember when I was young and not having much. I remember being teased for wearing the wrong clothes. I had the added bonus of being a mixed kid in the 1970s and it was not as cool as it is (in some places) now. I will confess we are not living in a town where it is "cool" and I am in disbelief about it. But such is life and I will find a way to hope in the midst of my circumstances.
Find more of my work CLICK HERE
Sponsor Spotlight: White Rabbit Studio
Chami is a 21-year- old mother of one from Alaska. When she had her daughter, she fell in love with the do-it-yourself aspects of being a mommy and started making her clothes. This soon expanded to hair bows as her hair got longer, and she realized it could be a nice way to make another person smile.
Chami makes hair bows and other accessories for those who wish to brighten up their lives. She also has hair extensions available.
Check out her shop CLICK HERE
Friday, March 2, 2012
Artist Interview: Susan Boelman
 |
| shop link |
Name of Business: Designversation
Creative Influences: My 4-H leaders, Nina Jenkins and Arlene Wolsky, were the first people to show me how to create something from nothing. The creative spirit of my Grandmother’s and Mom, who allowed me explore with their supplies, color, and paint.
Preferred Medium of Creativity: I love working with thread, floss and textured yarns for all types of needlework – both hand and machine stitching. Currently, I am really in love with variegated colored yarns.
LINKS:
Shop
Blog
What is one of your earliest creative memories?
An early memory is making Christmas ornaments out of Styrofoam, felt, sequins and stickpins with my family. I still have them today. Lots of details and each one required a mix of materials to complete. The sequins sparkled on the tree when placed next to a bulb. The ornament kit really intrigued me.
How did you find your creative voice?
As soon as I learned a new skill such as cross-stitch, embroidery, appliqué, etc, I would start making my own patterns or revise an existing one adding my touch of style. In high school, I announced that I wanted to be an interior designer and several people including my guidance counselor tried to talk me out of it. I have thanked God many times for not letting me listen to them and follow my passion. My professional career as an interior designer led me to work on billion dollar commercial projects, travel the world, and win several design awards. The success of that career gave me the confidence to design and manufacture a line of inspirational home décor products.
Did your creative habits make a smooth transition into your adult life? What did the evolution look like?
As a young adult trying to fit into society, I thought it was viewed as “uncool” to be creative or crafty. Therefore, I never talked about it with my friends or significant others. I would just hideaway on weekends and create. I was a professional interior designer with a successful, very creative career, but I separated that from handmade crafts. As I grew older and became more aware of my authentic self, I realized that my all my creative endeavors are an amazing GIFT from God. A gift too big NOT to share. Now I relish in my asset.
If you had a creative hiatus, what event/circumstance brought you back to your creative lifestyle?
I have never taken a hiatus from my creativity as it makes my days truly colorful. Real heartache in my life always brings me closer to my creative self. Some amazing creations have come out of periods of grief, illness and solidarity. A form of internal therapy and contemplation that lets me get lost in a world of unknown and come out of it with something beautiful and colorful. When my Mom passed, I created Gift tags and made an elaborate dress-up chest for my niece. When my sweet kitty Charlie passed, I created Branding Bags, the list goes on …
Is there a particular moment where your creativity became infused into a spiritual practice?
I realized how important my create talents were to God about 7 years ago in a bible study. We were studying a book titled, Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. The final chapter asks the reader why you are put on this earth? After prayer and quiet time, I felt I needed to create a modern Christian home décor line and teach people how to design their home showcasing a love for God.
“Linger” Question - Food for thought to leave with the readers
Does the room you are sitting in right now, motivate you or bore you?
CLICK HERE to meet other creatives
CLICK HERE to purchase the e-book of this Interview series for $4.99
Thursday, March 1, 2012
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