Thursday Goodness

This Thursday...

A lot of "goodness" has been happening around

my art studio...

in my mailbox...

and

around my neighborhood.

Thought I would share 

and

spread some goodness...

maybe, spark a little inspiration...

send a smile ...

and

above all share art love!

Lets begin...

Cynthia Hann of Creative ARTitudes

organized a "stash swap".

I received this wonderful package overflowing with

artful goodies from

Sylvia Drown

Here is here site

http://baxtersmom1.blogspot.com

What a delightful site!

Stop by for a visit...

watch her video - my studio

YOU ARE IN FOR A TREAT!

Next...

I received my 1st postcard

from

The DIY Postcard Swap 2011 - Year II

iHann's Blog

Created by 

Andria Kaskey

Visit her site

http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com

What a sweetheart of an artist!

I get sooo excited, when those brown boxes

appear at your door step!

I can not wait to dive into these...

I do enjoy my books!

Thank God for Amazon.com

Last but not least,

Spring has arrived...

California poppy

This peacock posed for this picture!

Bright yellow rose

Enjoy today... enjoy life!

Wishcasting Wednesday - How do you wish to be brave?

Bravery

I wish 

to have all the 

bravery in the world

to believe in myself...

to climb the highest ladder...

and

 know without a doubt...

I will reach my goals.

See my dreams become a reality!

That all my hard work...

countless hours in my studio...

 that by prioritizing my needs and wants...

and 

guarding off the many distractions in my life...

has and will pay off.

How eager I am...

to be

 brave.

Are You Nurturing Your Creativity?

Elizabeth Gilbert

 speaks it so well...

"creativity"

We are all creative beings...

 and

 the impossible is possible.

"do what you do, nurture your genius."

Author 

of 

Eat, Pray, Love

Illustration
by
April Cole

30 Days of Play Giveaway!

Giveaway

The Paper Phantom

Have you had a chance to explore 

Ashley's 

wonderful site?

She has created a workshop called

30 Days of Play 

April 1st - 30th 

A month-long prompt based workshop for art journaling.

if...

you are a member of 

WILD PRECIOUS STUDIO

They are having a 

giveaway

will it be you?

don't miss your chance for this wonderful opportunity.

Good Luck!

When I grow up I want to be...

What were your dreams...?

Did you chase butterflies...

Draw with your fingers in the sky...

make dollhouses out of cardboard boxes...

tie ribbons on your handle bars, because you are self expressive...

Did you tell everyone, with such excitement...

"When I grow up, I want to be an artist!"

paper doll
created by
April Cole

Are you still searching...

trying to find that right time to be creative?

Or

Are you living your dream...

chasing it down...

 getting a firm grip of it...

and

holding on to it tight?!

It is your dream!

It might not always be peaches and cream.

You will have to make compromises...

be consistent and productive...

have a plan that meets your goals.

Some days you will be exploding with creativity;

while others you will wish for any little spark.

 but I promise you...

you won't regret it!
 Being creative is a journey.
A life journey, down a very colorful road.
And yes...
"when I grow up, I want to be an artist!"
Enjoy this
free
downloadable
Mille Bornes - retro playing card print

Studio Saturday-The Painting Continues

Painting #5

mixed-media
 canvas 6x7
artist
April Cole

This one is titled

"Heartbreaker"

We have all been there... right?

I was really drawn 

towards 

creating a

red

skirt for this painting.

It just felt good...

so I went with it.

Working with 

vintage paper, acrylics, ink, puffy paints, and tissue paper.

artist
April Cole

Last but not least...

needed to come up with some wording and a title.

I do hope you are enjoying my dresses

as much as I am creating them.

Happy Saturday!

Friday Sweetness-Link Love

Friday's Link Love

Hope you are excited...

I know that I am excited to share some sweetness!

Let begin...

Maize is amazing!

She has these

free downloadable

Vintage Spring Embroidery Prints

This is just on of them. 

Visit her site... you are in for a treat.

Next up is...

poketo.com

Art For Your Everyday

I adore these printed canvas bags...

and these pens are just delightful.

Oh my...

have you had a chance to visit

Mark Montano

http://www.markmontano.typepad.com

He has a demo on

mini journals

from his book

Pulp Fiction - Perfect Paper Projects

I was excited to create one of these

mini journals...

I got started right away!

I had a blast.

Yes...

they were 

fun and simple to make.

"Ta-da!"

Have you hear of

Vol.25

http://www.vol25.typepad.com

awesome site...

awesome gal...

Jessica

Check out her 

Decorative Votive Wraps

Jessica is offering a wonderful 

free

 downloadable pdf file 

includes a tutorial and sweet prints.

Visit and enjoy.

Last but not least...

If you like 

vintage items 

like me...

then this site you want to visit!

Vintage Kits galore...

This kit is only a sample of what is offered.

Explore the site...

I promise you will not be disappointed.

I am in heaven!

Are you a Lone Wolf?

Laura Hollick's

Interview 

with 

Tanya Paluso

This is a very powerful interview

which touches base with the thought of...

"Are you a lone wolf?"

It go me thinking...

Am I?

Do I tend to isolate myself in my creative world, not out of greed...

but by choice?

That I feel this is my 

"little world"

and 

I wish for it to be created and run only be me?

Even tho...

I know as a fact...

I need and thrive with other creative souls.

The

power of inspiring one another!

I 

believe...anything is possible!

As a whole...

we are equally unique...

we desire to thrive...

and

we are passionate about are process, creations, and progress along the way.

Can we really go through this alone?

Do you want to?

How does energy travel?

(not by itself)

How will you allow your creative energy to travel?

Hope you enjoyed the interview

and

It has shed new light for you...

maybe it has given you new direction...

inspired you to start your own tribe...

or 

join one.

oxox

Wishcasting Wednesday - How do you wish to sparkle?

Sparkle

How do we...what make us...

can we always...?

photo by
Meg Brooke

Just a thought that came to mind...

 while I was reflecting on how to answer this question.

I do not believe it is something that can be bottled up.

Pulled off the shelf when needed...

taken in small doses...

or

given only when needed.

Sparkle...

This word makes me smile!

What do

 I wish

 with this word...

To bring that "sparkle" that is within me out into the world.

Give and you shall receive!

To sparkle with passion, life and color...

in hope to inspire others.

photo
dolcevitamicaela.blogspot.com

I wish

 to "sparkle" a sense of freedom...

to be myself 

and

for others to know it is safe for them

to be who they are ...

without placing judgement.

After The Rain... what does it wash away?

RAIN... HAIL... HIGH WINDS... 

We had one heck of a rain storm pass through here in "sunny" California.

But in reality...

we know

this shall pass.

The sun will appear again...

The clouds will separate...

the wind will carry them away...

And all will restore itself once again.

These hummingbirds are right outside my studio....

enjoying the sweet nectar...

and the warm sunshine!

I got my inspired to create this illustration...

a splash of watercolors

prisma color markers

Added playful colors and  a touch of patterns...

Illustration created by
April Cole

Enjoy your day.
Tomorrow will come...
and
yesterday is long gone!
oxox