20 Years Ago Today

I am sharing this post as a reminder to myself (and anyone else that might need to hear it) that dreaming big and not being afraid to go for it can lead to some pretty amazing adventures.

Today marks the 20 year anniversary of that time this mural (and my friend & business partner, Zoë, and I) were on the Oprah show after a whirlwind trip to Racine Wisconsin (and Chicago!) to paint a surprise mural for one of Oprah’s angels, Julia Burney (now Witherspoon).

In April 2001, our mural and decorative painting business was still just a fledgling company... I was a young, wide-eyed dreamer who was only a few months away from getting married. When Zoë and I saw Julia’s inspiring (and close to our hearts) story, I had no doubts about what I wanted to to. I wanted to volunteer to paint a mural for her new reading center, so I immediately emailed Oprah... No second guessing, no hesitation, no questioning whether or not it was a crazy idea.

Looking back, there is a lot that I can learn from my younger self. So, to celebrate this special day, I thought it would be fun to share some of the things that I knew then (without even realizing it!!), but need a reminder of now:

1. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. So, you might as well PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE.

2. POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS, if you...

3. DREAM BIG, WORK HARD, and GO FOR IT!

4. It’s okay to be nervous... Feel the fear, but DO IT ANYWAY! And, finally...

5. FORTUNE FAVORS THE BOLD.

If you’re interested in reading more about my time on Oprah, you can find the whole story on my website HERE.

I would love to hear about what big dreams YOU are dreaming today!

(Please share them with me in the comments!)

Around Here Lately...

I'm not sure what it is, but there is something about Spring that makes me want to clean up and organize everything!

my new website!

This year, that also means sprucing up my website, 
and de-cluttering & simplifying things here on the blog.

I still have artwork to sort and upload to the website, but I am very happy to have created a new "Freebies & Kindness" section (where you can download my well-traveled "Take What You Need" poster) , and a special spot for my collaborations with Tyler.  I have also dedicated a space specifically for all things silly & random that I can't wait to fill with all sorts of ridiculousness!

In addition to all of that, my first Life Book lesson goes live on Monday!!!  I had so much fun creating the lesson, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what everyone makes!  
(You can still sign up here if you'd like to join in on the fun!)

I'm baaaaack!!!

For reasons I will not bore you with in this post, I am officially beginning my new year right now!  Yes, I am a month late, I have no resolutions, and I have no word of the year...

But... What I do have is fresh perspective, a whole lot of enthusiasm, and a motto for the year to come... Let's Dudish!

So, what does "Let's Dudish!" mean?
For me, it's a reminder to:

Stay true to myself, my goals, and the things that make me feel alive.

Say "Yes!" to opportunities that make my heart sing, and politely decline ones that don't speak to my soul or that just don't feel right.

Take better care of myself physically, emotionally, and mentally... 
And, be kind and gentle with myself along the way.

Leave plenty of time for play.

and...

Have fun!

I'm really excited to (finally) be leaping into the new year...
I've missed blogging and YOU!

I would love to hear what your plans are for 2016!
(If you wrote a New Year's post, 
leave me the link in the comments so I can catch up!)

Out Of My Comfort Zone

A page from my sketchbook.

As a birthday present to myself, I signed up for 
Flora Bowley's Bloom True e-course.

For those of you that have been reading my blog for a while, you probably already know that I am most comfortable painting faces...

And silly things...

"Cinderellephant"

But, the reason I chose to take Flora's class was not do something comfortable and familiar. Or, to have an excuse to clean and organize my studio (although, it was nice to see it that way for a little while)...

The reason I signed up for "Bloom True" was to learn something new.

When I was in art school (many years ago), I was taught to think, plan, explain "why", and then think some more... While I was sketching ideas and carefully planning compositions, there wasn't a whole lot of room left for "go with the flow".

Please don't get me wrong, I learned many valuable things in art school.  But...
I also believe that there are always new lessons to be learned.  And right now, the lesson I need to learn is how to loosen up...

 Luckily for me, Flora is a gentle and encouraging teacher who says, 
"There are no mistakes."

As a recovering perfectionist, letting go is a challenge.
But, if I can get out of my own way, I have a feeling I'll learn a lot about myself (and my art) through this process.

p.s. Even though I work with EVA weekly to make sure Paint Party Friday is up & running, it's been ages since I actually linked a post of my own... I think it's about time!

I'm Back!

A page from my sketchbook in the artsyville style...

(Although, no one doodles like Aimee!)

Sketchbook Love (Still!)

A page from my sketchbook.

I love getting a peek into other artists' sketchbooks, and a glimpse into how they work!

So, today I thought I would share a page that was inspired by Tuesday's Tutorial Try-Out.  I often flip through old sketchbooks when I'm looking for inspiration, and notes like the ones I've made on this page sometimes end up being just the spark I need for a creative jump start!  (I generally don't worry about words bleeding through from the other side of the page because it's usually "for my eyes only" anyway.)

One of my very first posts when I started this blog a little more than 2 1/2 years ago (Wow - 2 1/2 years?!?), was titled "Sketchbook Love"... In that blog post, not only did I express my love for my sketchbook, I also explained the many ways I use it.

(If you're interested in learning more about my process, 

you can read that post here.)

I'm curious about your sketchbook(s)...

Do you work in just one at a time like me?  Or do you keep many?

Last Night...

We went bowling!

And, although it is (very) obvious none of us will be going pro anytime soon, we had lots of fun!

I am a big believer that each and every day should have a little (or a lot) of playtime, merriment, silliness, and general tomfoolery... I think it's very important to make the time to step out of your usual routine.

Wishing you all a weekend of whimsy... Enjoy! 

p.s.  It's "Blogtoberfest" and I'm posting everyday...  

Please be sure to come back tomorrow!

Guess Who's The Featured Artist At The Paint Party Friday Blog...

Me!

EVA and I are currently waiting for more Paint Party Friday Featured Artist Submissions (*Hint*Hint*), so this week the partyers over at the PPF Blog are stuck with me.  

(Don't feel too bad - they were warned!  Ha!)

If you're interested in the interview, you can read it here.

(And if you're a PPFer - Please Please Please send in an interview... We really want to hear YOUR story!)

p.s.  It's "Blogtoberfest" and I'm posting everyday...  

Please be sure to come back tomorrow!

The Post In Which I Announce My Advancement Into The Modern Age

one of my underpaintings turned digital

Well, it's official... I've finally joined the new millenium!

Last month, for my birthday, Bob bought me an i-phone.  And, I love it!

You may be saying, "Well, of course you do!".  But, for those of you who know me best, you may be chuckling and saying, "It's about time!".  

The truth is, I have been... er, umm... "resistant" to change (particularly of the technological variety) in the past.  I am someone who spent countless hours developing my own film then watching my pictures come to life in a good old fashioned dark room.  I have always loved the smell of paper and the feel of a well worn book in my hands.  And, to say that my previous phone was a "dinosaur"... Well, let's just say that's being kind.  So, when Bob suggested that I might like an i-phone, my initial reaction was to laugh in his sweet, well-meaning face.

Another truth:  Bob knows me better than I know myself.

He surprised me with an i-phone for my birthday and I love it...  

I loooooove it!

The image at the top of this post was created on my i-phone using one of my underpaintings (you can see the original here), and the photoffiti app.  Yes, I am now a person who uses words like "app" with surprising fluency... Who knew?

p.s.  It's "Blogtoberfest" and I'm posting everyday...  

Please be sure to come back tomorrow!

Tapping Into Some Childhood Enthusiasm

First Tooth! (taken with instagram)

It was a very big day in the Dudish house today...

The T-man lost his very first tooth this morning before school!

To quote Tyler:

"This is the best day ever!"

I love his enthusiasm, and I have to say that it's contagious...

He was so excited, arms-in-the-air-dance-around-the-kitchen-excited, that Bob and I couldn't help ourselves either.  We all started hooting, hollering, and dancing to celebrate his lost tooth!

It's hard not to get swept up in that kind of unbridled emotion, and I'm glad.  It was pure joy, and a wonderful reminder to live in (and celebrate) the moment.  I want to wrap myself up in that feeling like a super soft, spirited blanket, and carry it with me so that I can share it...

With a smile, with kindness, and with my art.

Wishing you vim and vigor 

(even in the smallest of moments)...

Enjoy!

p.s.  It's "Blogtoberfest" and I'm posting everyday...  

Please be sure to come back tomorrow!

61 Cards, 61 Days

Index Cards 1 through 61!

Well, I did it... I completed Daisy Yellow's Index Card Challenge... Wheee!  It was certainly fun, but toward the end I may have been getting a little punch drunk, which is why the following cards are definitely...

ICAD #54: July 24th, 2012

"Corny"

Corny!!!

(Proceed with caution, and consider yourself warned.)

ICAD #55:  July 25th, 2012

"Creativi Tea"

ICAD #56:  July 26th, 2012

"Liber Tea"

ICAD #57:  July 27th, 2012

"Dir Tea"

ICAD #58:  July 28th, 2012

"Par Tea"

ICAD #59:  July 29th, 2012

"Hoo Tea"

ICAD #60: July 30th, 2012

"Royal Tea"

It turns out that my friend, Tracey, is not the only one who has succumbed to tea induced madness!  I could keep going... But, for my final card, I decided to carve a stamp instead:

ICAD #61 (Sort of!): July 31st, 2012

"Thank Ewe"

This is what my final card was supposed to look like.

And, this is what it actually looks like:

Well, all I can say is that my heart was in the right place... Unfortunately, my head was not!

This was meant to be a thank you card for Tammy at Daisy Yellow for hosting such an inspiring challenge.  While the sentiment remains the same, it has also become a cautionary illustration...

Think before you carve!

(In case you missed any of my previous cards, you can find them all here.)

A Change In Perspective Can Make All The Difference In The World

(A collaboration with Tyler)

"No trumpets sound when the important decisions of our life are made.  

Destiny is made known silently."

- Agnes de Mille

There are times in my life when I see or read something and I know as a result I will be changed forever.  It isn't always a grand event, actually more often than not it is a simple moment that causes a shift in my thinking.

Last month I had one of those moments.

For those of you that are regular readers of my blog, I'm sure you have noticed the sparse posting.  The truth is that I have been facing some unavoidable sadness that has led to what I previously would have called a series of "bad days".  I try to keep things on the blog fun and light-hearted, so I hope you will forgive this frank admission.  (If you keep reading it gets better - I promise.)

In March, while reading the blog of one of my favorite inspirational people, Liv Lane, I felt like I had been given a very special gift... A change in perspective.  In her post she wrote about sadness and "bad days", but also shared a fresh way of dealing with hard times.  That post was a game changer.  

Sure, I have been experiencing many sad and sometimes seemingly overwhelming moments lately - it is a situation that is out of my control.  But, what I have learned as a result of Liv's life changing post, is that my "bad moments" don't have to make a "bad day"... I can control how I choose to let the negative moments affect the other parts of my life.  It doesn't mean I won't feel sadness, because I surely will.  It just means that I will embrace and savor the simple joyful moments that are also a part of my daily life.

Thank you, Liv.

I Love Art Because...

... It's fun and it makes me happy.  (Simple, but true.)

... It's a great way to communicate when I don't have the words. (I've been doing this ever since I was little. I mentioned it before here.)

... It is a constant companion.  (No matter what else is going on in my life, I always have art.)

... It can be therapeutic.

... It brings people together.  (I have met such an amazing community of creative friends online.)

... Making messes can be magical.

... It inspires.

... It comes in many forms: paint, clay, fabric, collage, song, dance, food & sooo many more.

... Trash can become treasure.

... Seeing the creation of an idea from start to finish is very rewarding.

... The possibilities are endless!

If you love art too, consider sharing why at:

The Love of Art Blog Party

Staying True To My 10 Year Old Self

"Uh-Oh"   22"x28"   mixed media on poster board

(A Drawing/Painting Created by Me at Age 10 or 11)

It's funny how much you can learn about yourself by looking at old drawings and paintings...

I created this drawing/painting for an "insect project" when I was 10 or 11 years old.  I remember asking my art teacher, Mr. Voelpel, if it would be okay if I created my piece from the insect's perspective.  Thankfully, Mr. Voelpel was an art teacher who believed in allowing his students to explore their creativity and develop their own artistic voices, so he said yes.

Looking at this picture, I can see themes that have carried all the way through to my artwork today...

I create art that is: whimsical, colorful, playful, humorous, and sometimes downright silly.  Looking back, it seems to be hardwired into my DNA.  That isn't to say that I don't also make "serious" art (believe me, I made more than my fair share of serious art in college).  But, what I've come to realize, is that I am happiest and most fulfilled when I am creating from a place of joy.

I'm curious... What are you happiest creating?  Has it always been that way?

AEDM: Day 7

Click on image to view larger.

I'd like to start this post by thanking Tracey and Molly for giving me the "Tell Me About Yourself" award...  Thank you both so much - I am very honored that you thought of me!

The first part of this award is to share 7 things about myself that you might not already know.  Well, since I have been wanting to play along with Andrea's interview I thought I would answer those questions... It is actually 10 things, so I hope you don't mind!  

(I really admired the creative way Molly shared information about herself, and I fell in love with Karen's artsy answers to Amy's interview questions.  So, since I was feeling inspired, I created a page in my sketchbook that answers Andrea's questions.  You can click on the image at the top of this post to see my answers, or you can just read them below.)

1. What should you be doing right now instead of sitting on the computer?

Cleaning my studio!  (See question 2!)

2. What's the messiest area of your house?  and dare you to show us...

My studio.  If I don't clean it soon, the next time I venture in there I will most likely not come out!  Pictures?  I'll have to dig my camera out first!  Ha!

3. 5 simple things that make you happy right now, above and beyond the obvious like your family and your health...

squeezy bear hugs

perfectly ripe avocadoes

smiles from strangers

great big belly laughs

an extra hour of sleep

4. When did you last cry?

By the time you read this, I will probably have already cried again!  Ha!  I cry a lot... I cry when I am happy, sad, scared, angry... You get the picture, I'm sure.  The only thing I do more than cry?  Laugh!  I laugh 

a lot!

5. Favorite book...

Impossible.  Seriously.  I loooove books... all kinds of books!

I could never choose a favorite.

6. How many pets...

I have 2 cats - Mona and Lisa.

7. 2 Goals... one huge and unrealistic one, and one achievable one...

I believe in dreaming big and I have been very fortunate to see seemingly unrealistic dreams become achievable ones!

My current goals involve art, kindness, and book ideas...

(I know it might seem like an elusive answer, but I am superstitious and I am scared of jinxing myself!)

8. 5 things in your purse besides money and a cell phone...

I don't carry a purse - I like to keep things in my pockets.  Sometimes I carry a great big bag with my sketchbook, art supplies, and camera, though.

9. The emotion or feeling you hate the most...

Jealousy and the feeling of inadequacy that often accompanies it.

"Comparison is the thief of joy!"

-Dwight Edwards

10. If you could have 50 pounds of anything except money or gold what would you want?

I'd be very curious to see what 50 pounds of feathers would look like, but what I'd really love to have is 50 pounds of paint, or canvas, or pencils... 50 pounds of art supplies is as good as gold, as far as I'm concerned!

The second part of this award is to give it to 15 great blogs.  Well, the truth is I read a lot of great blogs and I'd love to know more about all of them!  So, if you're reading this and you'd like to play along please grab the award and leave your link in the comments so I can learn more about you!  If you've already accepted this award from someone else, I'd love it if you would leave your link in the comments too!  (It's not necessary to answer these specific questions, but if you'd like to you can find them here.)

The Post In Which I Tell You More Than You Ever Wanted To Know...

About Me!

Amy over at butterscape recently set out on a quest to interview all of the readers of her blog.  Well, since I'm a reader of her blog and I think it's a nifty idea, here is my interview:

1. what is your name and stuff?  and any other good information.  like bank account details.

My name is Kristin, but everyone in my family calls me Honey.  (If you want to know why, you can read about it here.)

I live in Buffalo, New York with my husband (Bob), son (Tyler), and 2 cats (Mona and Lisa).

(I think I'll leave off my bank account information... Unless of course, you are part of a "Nigerian family of wealth" who is looking for an "overseas partner" to "transfer a large sum of money" to.  Then please feel free to send me an email!  Ha!)

2. what is super hot about you?  <--- don't you Dare skip this one.  answer it.

My moustache.

(Just look at the pic at the top of this post if you don't believe me!)

3. don't lie or cheat: what is under your couch right now?

A playing card and a sock.

4. when was the last time you shaved your legs?

Yesterday.

5. what did you have for breakfast?

A handful of cashews, a cherry cake doughnut, and water.

(Healthy, right?!?)

6.  if you could choose a new name, what would you name yourself?

My mom wanted to name me Sunshine - I always thought that would have been cool.

7. have you ever had plastic surgery?

No.  But... I have had a plastic surgeon put stitches in my face twice.  The first time was when I accidentally got hit in the fivehead (my head is much too large to be a forehead) with a golf club while playing mini golf with friends my senior year in high school.  The second time was after a freak rollerblading accident shortly before my wedding.  (In addition to messing up my chin, I knocked my front teeth out!)  

I am very, very accident prone.

8. are you afraid of the dark?

No.  Not really.  Well... maybe sometimes.

9. are you a hermit?

I am a seasonal hermit.  Winters aren't fun where I live (at least I don't think so), so I tend to stay inside... a lot.

Hmmm... Maybe that's just hibernation...

10. why do you blog?

The connections.  I have discovered an amazing community of creative folks who continually inspire me (and I have made some wonderful friends as a result).

The end.

Okay, your turn - grab the questions from Amy's post and have some fun... I'd love to read your answers too!