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Art awakens a Dream.

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Art can be like a dream.

Waking up from a dream can be disorienting, but what if the dream unveils a tantalizing glimpse of a life filled with parties and friends? When art is like a dream- it opens into another world.

The image accompanying this post transports us to the heart of a Miami resort, where the sun bathes the sky in a warm glow, and a crystalline pool beckons with irresistible allure.

In this dream, laughter dances on the water as people lounge beneath the vibrant Floridian sun, collectively seeking the elusive state of bliss. Titled Time Stands Still, this dream stands still. Time is gone.

Dreams are stories.

Alongside the pool, spectators absorb the radiant atmosphere, until a celestial figure, like the Moon over Miami, gracefully ascends into the sky.

This dream is a reminder that, even in waking life, moments of pure joy and serenity are within reach.

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Energizing Magic of Art

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The Energizing Magic of Art

In the midst of life’s chaos, art emerges as a powerful elixir, replenishing our dwindling energy reserves. The magic of art brings inspiration and life.

Our spirits can be lifted and we are reminded that there is another space in which we exist. Our minds and imagination can travel through the layers of imagery, the use of the paint, or the collage of images.

Art can serve as a sanctuary. A warm place to meander into, or a reminder to be inspired, or a moment filled with color and beauty. It takes just a moment to be fulfilled. To look, to inhale, to feel the moment.

Art becomes a source of renewal, invigorating both mind and body.

 

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Transformative power of Joyful Art

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In a time when winter weather can freeze us inside, there is a tendency to forget the joy of life. Art can play a role in counteracting the doom and gloom that seeps into our psyche during this time.

In the tapestry of life, art is a thread that weaves emotions, connecting us to our innermost feelings. The emotional resonance in art is a force that transcends canvas and color, creating a profound impact on our well-being.

Joyful art for your home can serve as a catalyst for positive vibes, evoking happiness and fostering an emotional connection through the magic of creativity.

Emotional Resonance

Imagine walking into your living space and being greeted by an explosion of joyous colors and uplifting scenes such as the piece “Splash of Life”. Joyful art for your home isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating an environment that radiates positivity, making every corner a sanctuary of happiness.

Positive Impact of Art on Mood


The impact of art on mood is a well-documented phenomenon. Surrounding yourself with pieces that resonate positively can elevate your spirits, providing a visual escape from the demands of everyday life. Art has the power to transform a mundane room into a haven of inspiration.

Art to Evoke Happiness
Deliberately selecting art that evokes happiness is a mindful choice. Whether it’s a whimsical sculpture, a lively painting, or an abstract masterpiece, the art you choose becomes a daily reminder to seek joy and embrace the beauty around you.

Emotional Connection Through Art
Art isn’t just an object; it’s a channel for emotional connection. The stories told through strokes and shapes forge a bridge between the artist’s intentions and the viewer’s emotions thereby creating a connection that is a powerful reminder of our shared humanity.

Finding Joy in Art
The journey of finding joy in art is a personal exploration. It’s about discovering pieces that resonate with your unique taste, sparking joy every time you gaze upon them. Art becomes not just an accessory but an integral part of your daily happiness.

All in all, the intersection of art and emotions is where the magic happens. By intentionally curating your space with joyful art, you invite positivity and happiness into your home, creating an environment that resonates with your soul and uplifts your spirit

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Celebrate the Ordinary

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Let’s just celebrate the ordinary.

In the image highlighted, titled Happy, there is a normalcy that just seems ordinary. What is ordinary? That which we take for granted? In these trying times, we must celebrate the ordinary. Most importantly, it is the place where we hope our lives go back to “normal” and the ordinary becomes a reality.

The challenge of these times is the feeling we are at war. The war to survive. A way to survive is to celebrate the ordinary.

Praise the normal as women are at the centre of it all.

At the centre of the ordinary are women. Women are keeping the families moving forward.  Firstly, are you making certain your kids are studying online and not getting emotionally lost and depressed? Secondly, are you trying to do work to have an income while also taking care of aging parents so they don’t feel too isolated? Finally, are you making certain the partner is not overworked so they may get sick. So many balls in the air. Above all, the goal is to make things seem normal.

This experience I am describing is not unique. Many women are all struggling everyday to find their energy and resilience.

Describing this existence is real. My strategy for the past year is not too look too far forward. To live in the here and now. Through it all, I keep painting. Keep focusing on the normalcy that baking a cake brings to the household.

We are in a war. We are just trying to make things feel normal and ordinary.

A new series about celebrating women

Considering all of the challenges of our reality- I decided to do a series of pieces that speaks to women at the centre.  The theme of persistence and resilience is relevant to where women are now. Most importantly, the sense that women are the light is the essence of this series.

Be sure to check out this new selection of paintings to be released on March 8 for International Women’s Day. I will be having a virtual live event describing the series and presenting each piece.

Please be sure to subscribe to my email list at https://www.memoryartgirl.com to be on the invitation list to this event.

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Beginning of a new era.

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A new era of love

“When the day comes, we step out of the shade aflame and unafraid. The new dawn blooms as we free it.

For there is always light.

If only we are brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it”

Amanda Gorman; Inaugural Poet

We are in the beginning of a new era. A time when we register that our world needs more love, light and understanding. A time when empathy and consideration is at the forefront.

These ethereal ways of being may be effervescent and full of hope but it starts in our daily life. It begins with honouring the love we have for each other, our neighbours, friends, colleagues. For the past year, we have all shared in the loss of so much. The collective experience of this loss has made us realize the essential. The need to be grounded in love, care and empathy.

Art, Love and new beginnings

How does art play a role in this?  How does art play a role in the new beginning of an era? As demonstrated at the Inaugural address by the young poet laureate Amanda Gorman, love is the core piece of our legacy. Although she spoke to democracy and the core elements of building a society of equity and respect; these are the pieces that must begin in your living room. It can begin with the consumption and promotion of art, words, imagery and thoughts that inspire you and empower to be in the light.

The light of love and consciousness.

As an artist, my creativity is all about distilling the outer world. The painting highlighted titled “Flying Free” speaks to the celebration and connection that this couple has on the bike. Moments that are shared that are not about parenting or working; rather it is about the sensation of experiencing life together. Being in life and love in a moment of time that builds for the future.

Celebrating the fact that “Love becomes our Legacy” as Amanda Gorman would say.

 

To see prints and great selection of “love” imagery see www.memoryartgirl.com

 

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What is your perfect day?

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How to decide on what is a Perfect Day?

What is your perfect day? A day where everything lands just right. Have you gone through the process? From the beginning till the end looking close to the things and actions that make it perfect. Your breakfast, your work, your day to enjoy the outdoors, the perfect dinner. All the things that take you into the world of the perfect.

Is this all there is- making of the perfect day? Are there not pieces in this perfection that speak to trying to achieve goals?

How do achieving goals become part of the “perfection?”

What about your goals? The things that make this perfect day work so well are the things you work towards. The radical goals; like making the world a little bit more meaningful, or making the world a better place to live in, helping others so the world is less bleak and blocked. This last piece seems to be the trend lately. The marching in the streets,  the call to action for change.

The last few months have made many to take pause. To reset and look a bit more closely at their life, goals, the  way time is spent and what their perfect day looks like. There is just so much energy in a day- so learning where to put this energy to achieve the goals is the first place to start. As we stopped, there is an assessment of what is important.  In other words, now is the time to think in the silence and feel what is right, feels good, and helps others.

To work towards a goal is to add to the perfect day.

To find this perfection- this place where we are fulfilled, challenged and working towards a goal of a place of idealism is always about the first step. The first step to change. As this step is taken, then the vision starts to become clearer.

Perhaps this is where things get tricky. What about the “universe” and its power to help you achieve this perfection. I am a believer in serendipity. The blending of the different people and events combine to make goals happen. When you take the first step, a goal is about to be achieved. As a result, perfection begins its journey.

Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho has a theory about why this is the case: “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

How have you pushed towards this better place?

In my small world of making art I have looked closer at the message of my art. The way the story invites the viewer to reflect upon their own life and how it firstly inspires and secondly empowers them. Two ways that keep you moving forward to finding your perfection.

In the painting featured, titled Sassy Girls, there are three cowgirls standing with an attitude and looking straight at the viewer. All of the pieces in this painting bring together the message of strength and making things happen. It is a piece of art that reminds you to be inspired and to not back down. Almost a way that so many of us feel today. Moreover it is time to step forward and take the action to achieve our days of perfection.

To see more art and prints see www.memoryartgirl.com

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Dreaming and Art Can Help

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Dreaming is like Art- it takes you Away

Art can help you escape. It is a way that we can be in a place that is not in the present. For many this time has been challenging, drawn out and challenging our patience. The Great Pause has also placed a pause on the ability to plan.

Looking forward to an event, a place to visit, a family gathering are ways that we look forward. Without this, there is a stillness, a sense that a paralysis has happened and there is no life. So how to combat this? How to step aside from the effect of a Pandemic Nightmare?  In fact there has been research that notes that dreaming enables us to manage crisis situations. That dreaming and sleep enable us the tools to withstand stress.

It’s the Little Things that have to be Marked

However dreaming still doesn’t answer to the need to look forward to something. So how do we deal with this?

Perhaps it is the little things in life that marks a moment. The cup of coffee in the morning, the sitting in the sun, the end of the day and being with your family or partner reviewing the good that happened that day. Little things that reminds you of the positive. It may not be a way to look forward to but it is a way to mark a moment and enjoy.

Dreaming is a way of survival of a time when events cannot be planned. Creating art with these dreams plays a role in this as well. The little bubbles of life, stories, emotion, movement that a piece of art brings a moment of joy. A moment of respite from darkness. A conscious way to be in a place that takes us away from not being able to look forward.

How Art can Help

The painting highlighted is such an example- an image that takes your mind and allows you to escape. To be in a place that takes your imagination to another level. Titled Sun of my Smile, this piece was inspired by an old  postcard of a motel. Doesn’t it take you to a place by the pool hanging out and enjoying a day of being? Of soaking the sun, sharing time with others, and waiting for a Pina Colada? Embedded within the piece are phrases from the poem Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou. Phrases that speak to withstanding adversity. Being able to say to yourself that you can make it through the day.

 

 

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Friendship creates memories.

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Friends makes us Happy

Having a group of women friends creates happiness and memories. Friendship brings out the lighter side of life and makes us realize that life is to be enjoyed. To not be taken too seriously and remind you to laugh a little at the absurdity of daily life.

For many women, working, taking care of kids and parents, having a partner are so many pieces that have to be balanced and nurtured. Much of our time is spent insuring that everyone is good. Having friendship with other women is just too much. It takes time to be engaged. To reach out and celebrate each other. A piece that often get lost in the demands of taking care of others.

Yet by not doing this, by not taking care of the personal, the resource that gives so much is not renewed. That resource is You.

As an artist, I spend a great deal of time alone. I’m not lonely. I just don’t talk to people much. It takes a bit of effort and time to understand that by doing this I am not renewing the resource that produces the art.

Art can remind you of the joy of Friendship

Looking at vintage photos of women walking together, striding in laughter and fun, reminds you of the joy. This image tells you to stop- listen to your inner voice and step into taking life a little less seriously.  This is an important piece.

How can art play a role in your happiness?

This is a question that I often consider when creating a peice of art. What messaging does it hold that takes you to a place that reminds you of joy, reminds you of escape, reminds you of love? Pieces of happiness that are critical in our well being.

Creating images of women walking together plays into this realm. As an artist it is an image that reminds me of the value of my friendships with women. Women who share my frustrations with relationships, hopes for my kids and advice for my career. Pieces of shared moments that cannot be taken for granted.

Make certain you surround yourself with reminders of laughter.  This gives you so much more than that moment.

 

 

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Small Art can Make a Big Statement

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Small art in little boxes. There is nothing like a small package.

The receiving, the opening, the discovery of a small little moment that says “love”. Really nothing like it.

I know you are thinking about the diamond, the bracelet, the pair of socks. I’m not talking about that. I am talking about the handmade little painting that tells a story. 

Why is the small handmade painting something you should really think about for a gift? Well for a couple of reasons.

First off, the ability to give a gift that has a statement is always the goal. We all want to share a story. Make an impression. Find a way to say”we love you” in a different unique way. Small art does this. It is just like a small moment that can make a big impression.

Secondly, small art doesn’t take up alot of space.  It doesn’t overwhelm. It isn’t an emotional over powering moment. It is a painting that tells the story of you and whomever you are giving it to.

For this reason, the show 25 days of minis, is a perfect little art show for the end of the year gift. A show that has 42 professional artists that will reveal their art every day beginning Dec 1. Every day a new selection of paintings will be revealed. How do you see these paintings? Just subscribe to www.25daysofminis.com and you will get the email with a the link to the new selection. An easy way to find small art that can shipped right to your door. Sounds too good to be true.

I will be participating in this online show with an entire new series of small 6×6 paintings. Little pieces of story that will be revealed everyday. Once per day starting Dec 1-25. Each piece comes wrapped in a small box with a gift card. A perfect, thoughtful, present to celebrate the season.

Pieces will be available on my shop at www.memoryartgirl.com beginning on December 1.

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Where do Ideas come From?

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Past Images can Inspire the Ideas

Where do ideas come from? Nothing is original. You may disagree with this, but it is true. Everything spins from something else. A piece of music, an old photo, a place that reminds us of our younger self; all are triggers for ideas. Ideas that I can use to make my Art.

As you know I work from the ephemera of memory. Vintage advertising, old vinyl record album covers, lyrics from favourite songs, old photos, classic films all play a part in the germination of an idea. A piece of art that defines who you are. Most importantly, this brings me to the most important piece of finding ideas; having  defined parameters of the story. The themes of the story can be in the realm of “escape”, or  “empowerment” or the internal story of the “home sweet home”. Each area brings to mind its own type of images which speaks to your personal experience.

How an Idea in a story can Remind You of You

Since I have made art for over two decades, I have told the same story many, many times. Throughout the retelling I have found that my ideas flow best when I use themes of settings. For example, images of a city from the 1950s. The painting featured titled La La Land is Los Angeles from the 1950s. It can be recognized by the old department store of Bullocks, which was bought by Macy’s in the 1970s.

When I showed this piece in Palm Springs recently, many woman told me stories of their connection with this store. It’s glamour and uniqueness was part of the beginnings of their lives. Some worked there. Spending all of their earnings on the beautiful clothes. Others remember shopping there and feeling overwhelmed with the beauty of the building. The inside of this department store was 1920s art deco and its elegance was part of the shopping experience.

The Goal is to have the Ideas connect to your identity.

My goal is to bring a deeper sense of self for the viewer by reminding them of their history. This is important for all of us to do so we have a strong connection to our identity. Therefore, everytime I create a piece, I think of how the image can make the viewer escape into another place. A place from the past that defines the present “self”. It is an amazing experience speaking to clients when they recall their lives from another time. I feel that we are all very similar. Many times, these memories align with my own experiences. When a painting, a piece of art, deepens a person’s connection to themselves, then my job is done. My goal has been achieved.

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