Thursday, March 31, 2011

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
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
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!


Wednesday, March 30, 2011

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.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

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
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia




Illustration
by
April Cole






Monday, March 28, 2011

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


Saturday, March 26, 2011

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, March 25, 2011

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...
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
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

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!














Thursday, March 24, 2011

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!
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




Wednesday, March 23, 2011

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.








Tuesday, March 22, 2011

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