Happy New Year 2012!

I hope yours is Bright + Shiny

Live Well Art Quote 8"x 8"

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I have a G O O D feeling about this new year!  Stay tuned and enjoy your day!

Let the Holidays begin…with gratitude

Dear friends,

Most of the time my glass is half full, often more.  However this fall has been challenging.  First we lost my brother in law, Don.  Then a few weeks ago my father lost his battle with lung cancer + COPD.  It is hard to image the holidays with out them.  Please bare with me as I try to refill my glass…We miss him already.

During this time I was productive.  I started working with some pretty special, creative people.  All with various disabilities, with incredible faith, determination and huge hearts.  They all fed my soul.  I am blessed to help them develop their business/marketing plans.

I work with one artist in particular, teaching her how to expand her art understanding and build her portfolio.  Courtney has taught me compassion, simplicity and gratitude.  If you are looking for wonderful artful gifts please visit us this Friday or December 10th at POP Revolution Gallery in Mason from 8pm- 10pm.  There is amazing talented artist and artisans right in your community!  Consider a one of a kind original piece for your gift giving.  I may be biased, but I have seen reactions from a thoughtful creative gift received.  It warms my heart thinking about it!

I planned early this year to have a two women gallery exhibit.  I worked hard and created some of my personal best pieces.  If you are in the Sharonville Ohio area, drop by the Sharonville Fine Arts Center Gallery.  It has been quite some time since I had a gallery show and I almost let fear stop me.  However my partner Pattie Byron would not let my fear of failure stop me…and I will be forever grateful to her.  She is a very special and dear friend.

As I enter the holiday season I am grateful for all my friends and family.  For those who send cards, notes on Facebook, delivered food, traveled afar, listened, shared stories about my dad and or stories of loss.  For everyone looking and sending opportunities for my husband as he continues to search for permanent employment.  I am in awe…and touched by the generosity.

I am blessed beyond belief and I am forever grateful to you all.  My heart grows just thinking about all the abundance in my life.  Thank you for your continued thoughts, prayers and kindness.  I believe in paying it forward, to help and give as much as possible.  I only hope I can continue on my calling, create positive and meaningful art and gifts.  It is true, when you give it comes back to you two fold.

To share my gratitude, please accept 25% off with my holiday sale of everything for this week only.  Tab over to the SHOP page for detail and feel free to contact me for info.

Sending abundant hope, well wishes and gratitude your way.

Always,

Darla

CrAzY Cardboard Boat Regatta

Last year was the first year for the Crazy Cardboard Regatta here in our fair town.  My son Ian and his friends entered a boat.  Her name was “”Lola”.  She was sort of a barge who was trying to be a tug boat and she sank as soon as they got her into the water.

 It was hilarious!

About 6 months ago I got involved on the Regatta committee with the Arts Council that I am a board member into it.  My team was enthusiastic about it and dove right in!  The Arts Council of West Chester & Liberty is a non- profit organization, in our area  to benefit and inspire our community through all the arts.

Since we are a non profit we have to get very creative with our awards.  At one of our many meetings the team came up with a great community drive for donation for our Billy Bass fish awards.  We asked the community to donate their tired singing Billy Bass fish to the Arts Council.  I then gave out the fish to local artist and members to revive.  We had 8 categories and exactly 8 artist hand paint beautiful one of a kind Billy Bass Awards for the showboat category.

It was a hit!  Of course I had to paint one too…Meet my Incredible Mr. Limpet!  I was honored for it be requested by the “People’s Choice” boat winning family.  An inspirational story of a family with heartbreaking challenges, this family and team worked together to create the beautiful “SS Scooter”.  A perfect choice voted by the people.

 To be continued tomorrow….

Darla

Happy Easter Everyone!