2011 Create with K8

Many of you know that I'm addicted to art retreats.  I love participating in art activities, exploring photography, and being surrounded by other creative souls.  But one thing I always find myself saying when I'm at these retreats is, "I wish the ladies back home were here"...or "so and so would love this"...or "why don't I do this more often?"

So in 2011 I decided to bring the art retreat to me!  One Sunday afternoon out of each month, "the girls" gathered at my house for a creative adventure.  People came when they could make it; it was a no pressure, no experience needed kind of thing.  We did everything from rock painting to xmas tree decorations...but the end result wasn't the important thing.  It was about creating, it was about community...and turning a dream of mine into reality!

In honour of each and every one that joined me along the way - and to all those that really wanted to come but just couldn't get the stars to aline - I put together this little video of the monthly projects.  I hope the rest of you will enjoy it as well!

And now, on to 2012 dreams.  What are you dreaming about?

Louise Gale's heART swap

There once was an artist & life coach named Louise Gale, whose mission was to "raise the consciousness of the world, one by one through practicing self-care, love, kindness, forgiveness & gratitude through creative expression."  Now that's a mission!


With the help of other creatives, she gets right to it...over at Your Heart Makes A Difference.  Go check it out!  


One day she decided that she wanted to create a global herART swap to create, share & receive LOVE in the form of a gorgeous piece of artwork.  


I decided I would join in the love.  And so did Kolleen Harrison.  


Kolleen and I were randomly matched by Louise to be swap partners  - which was oh so cool...cause I actually know Kolleen!  She is one special woman.  I met her at an art retreat a couple years ago.  But that's another story.  :)


To make this long story short, I arrived home one day last week to find the most spectacular of packages...it was layer upon layer of goodness!  Wow, does this girl ever know how to make one feel special.  It was almost too pretty to open - with HEARTWINGSISTERS gracing every nook and cranny.  

Thank you Kolleen for the beautiful art, cards & bracelet - however she knew that I love that saying, "know and do" is beyond me!  


If you want to check out her blog post about the swap, head on over here.  And do you remember that wild donkey that I rode a couple weeks ago?  This is a picture of the finished piece that I sent her.  It's hard to see but the piece is covered in bees wax. 

I road a wild donkey today!

I road a wild donkey today!  And what does that mean?  It means, I had an idea...I started a project...and rather than doing part of it and finishing it later, I road the wild donkey until it was done.

Man, does it ever feel good to finish something!

I can't show you my finished piece just yet because it's a bit of a surprise.  But here's a glimpse at the encaustics that I was cooking up this afternoon:

For more on wild donkeys head over HERE.  

From the studio...baby owl

Completion, a photo by Kate Daniel on Flickr.

I finally finished one of my paintings that I started in the How to Paint an Owl class that I mentioned I was taking. The colours are a little intense in this shot because I took it on my phone...but I decided to just "let it go" & not be perfectionist Kate by retaking the picture. Proud of me? :) Wow, does it ever feel good to complete something. Two more to come...

Backyard beauty

We moved into our house about a year ago.  

It had a gorgeous backyard, if I do say so myself.  

There's this little nook, of sorts, in one area of the yard...a circular area...surrounded by greenery.  

A table sits atop concrete blocks.  

I remember noticing this spot the first time we looked at the house & thinking to myself that it was the perfect spot for creating.  

A perfect little piece of paradise.  

Well, I'm happy to report that it is.  

The perfect spot.  

A perfect little piece of paradise.  

I could only carve an hour out of my schedule today to paint...but I'll take what I can get.  

Production...not perfection

I've been noticing something lately.  

I've been noticing that production seems to work well for people.  

Not perfection.  

Production.  

As in doing things.  Making things.  Following through on things.  

What an interesting concept.