Halloween Trickers.

We found a few trick r' treaters tonight...

...and this little 12X12 painting by Eliza Tolley found it's home on my wall!

Happy Halloween!

Monday's Gratitude: I am so grateful all the candy is now out of the house.

Bonjour!

Here's a little more Paris love for a lovely pre-halloween Sunday!

I wish I had been smart enough to take a photo of The Kid and I in costume for a Halloween bash we went to last night. Who knows when anyone will ever see us in some sort of costume again!?! Well, I suppose there is always next year...

Sunday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for lots of animals to love.

Halloween Kitties.

Allard and Paisley set out for some trick r' treating fun!

How about you? Will you head out for some Halloween fun this weekend?

Friday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for a community of friends, bits of work, and deep belly laughs.

Mon Cherie.

More Paris love. I think I'll have to go there soon. Maybe on my way home from Italy next year! Squeak!

Wednesday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for an afternoon with my niece and the chance to visit the SDMA to see a Dali exhibit.

I see London, I see France...

For some reason, this autumn season is dishing out the histamines... not enjoying that too much. But I've been easily distracted by some Parisian fun. This is a new little something I've been cooking up and I have a few more on the way. Ooo, la, la.

Tuesday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for some fun projects on the way.

Rock it Loud.

I love this. Super fitting to end a deliriously crazy weekend.

There are some Paris themed canvases showing up in my studio... hoping to show a few tomorrow!


Sunday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful to be knocked to my knees with an allergy attack for it reminds me to listen to my body and S L O W way down. (PS. I'm really not grateful for allergies but I AM grateful for the reminder, just wish it had come in a less painful way.)

Three little pumpkins...

Three little pumpkins all in a stack, all are white with bits of black and one looks quite a bit like Jack!

These babies grace my front steps with many thanks to The Kid! Halloween decorations are much more fun to make than buy.

Saturday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for a fun photo shoot with THE nicest photographer around, clean area rugs, and hopefully a nice dinner.

100th Birthday Mary Blair.

Happy 100th Birthday Mary Blair! Your art is sung from the treetops!

Time changes things.

In high hopes for the "candy themed" holiday coming soon, I created this illustration today...

from this illustration dated 2008...

Then I was inspired by this...

Here's to going places! Where are you going?

Thursday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for another exam in my class that when I left, I really felt like I'm starting to get back into the swing of things!

Weirdness...

I would love the new IPhone as there seems to be a serious "red eye" fixing app. that turns those with the dreaded "red eye" into SUPER BEINGS! 

Three lovlies...

Someone around here had a little birthday party and a cookie before 7am! Happy 1 year Birthday Beast!

So excited... Nate & Salli personally sent me a book direct from the publisher. I had 3 seconds of feeling really important.

I like this... and it's always good to be thrown out of your comfort zone once in a while!

Wednesday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for unwelcome conversations that feel uncomfortable because they always, always, always make one dig deeper for the truth.

Miracles.

This is it.

Seriously, life itself is a miracle in the works. I don't know about you but over the last few years I've had some amazing bouts of growth. There have also been lots of back stepping too because growth can be scary. Quotes like the one above are something I treat myself to, to remind myself it's all OK. All this forward stepping, back sliding, side twirling and even some standing still is part of the process. As long as I am breathing and thinking and growing... I'm living life.

I have found myself repeating a conversation with choice individuals about a certain issue and concerns in my life. I have been repeating it to feel the flavor on my tongue to make sure the actions I have taken about this certain issue are helpful. Lately though, the flavor is sour. The issue isn't mine anymore, I've done my part and now I need to walk away because I don't like the bitter taste.

The miracle isn't coming. It's already here.

How about you? What does your miracle look like?

Tuesday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for the chance to see the Foo Fighters in concert last night because from this point forward I'll only see them on my IPod. My ears are still ringing.

Hearts and home.

This here is an illustration I made and sent off to my lovely blogger friend Lisa Graves. She is so talented and wickedly funny... I am so honored to have been included in this clever project.

This weekend has been one for drawing close to home. Lots of projects on the horizon, doggie care, organizing and cleaning... you know, always lots of regular stuff! However, when the weather turns a little bit cooler, it sure is nice to nest a bit!

Saturday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for lots of friends for The Kid.

Sunday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for many holistic options for dog wellness.

Stuff and things...

Things I know for sure:

1.) If you continue to do the same behavior and expect different results, you'll be very disappointed.

2.) Love means you keep giving and expect nothing in return. However, with the takers, it's OK to set very wide boundaries.

3.) Do not take any nutritional advice from someone who berates the eating of a small treat while they are sitting on the couch shoving Cheetos into their mouth.

4.) Life. It certainly doesn't get easier as we get older but you can count on it being more interesting!

How about you? Got anything to add?

Thursday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for an "A" on my psych test and an interesting class to attend twice a week.

Breath, art, and goodness.

Yikes, I've been a little negligent with this little blog o' mine lately, and it's not because I haven't wanted to be here. Sometimes little boys get sick and need extra attention, sometimes things pile up and get in the way and sometimes... excursions to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to see Tim Burton call out for all of the attention!

If you are in Los Angeles sometime before Ocotober 31, 2011, RUN to the Tim Burton exhibit at the LACMA... you will not be disappointed. There also is an exhibit on California design from 1930-1965... it'll make you swoon with memories!

THEN a quick little stop by the local Barnes and Noble at the Grove produced this... Nate & Salli's book is out! The book is so good... it's squeal out loud, rearrange the display, and pull patrons over to the table kinda good! (I think I embarrassed my friend.)

So, that being said... go do this today and I'll do the same!

Monday & Tuesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for another day of breath, art, and goodness.

Endings.

Hello friends. This is my last holiday card for my "30 days of Holiday" challenge I created for myself. It's sad to be at the very end but then it's also quite exciting to look over an entire body of work and see the end results. Being a list maker and lover of completed projects, this brings me so much pleasure.

This is the finished project all put together as one. Nice and tidy...

I may not use a single one or maybe... just maybe, I'll use ALL of them. I don't know but there is one thing I know for sure and that is...

Now go take some chances today! Happy Sunday!

Sunday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a sick household on the mend.

Festive holidays.

Holiday card numba 29... almost there! See you tomorrow with the final one... 30 out of 30! 

Thursday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful to have my third test done and over with... now for some relaxation!

Joy to the world.

Card numba 28. Holidays... bring it!

Random Musings:
"We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving.  And we all have some power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing." - Louisa May Alcott


I love this quote and found it super duper fitting for a situation that rears it's ugly head once in a while. Isn't it funny how some people keep trying to make YOUR life dreams fit into THEIR own lives because it would make their life a little easier? Little by little, comment by comment, unraveling your dreams so you stop heading off into another direction, keeping you close with guilt. Sometimes it is unintentional and occasionally it is very intentional. Either way, you've got to keep believing...

Do you ever find that happening, or am I alone on this one?

Tuesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for rain!

Reserving space.

I love this...

Monday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for uncomfortable conversations as they remind me of our human-ness and we all are vulnerable.

Cool peppermint.

Today would be a great day for some peace, love and joy! Maybe even a little peppermint candy too! This is card numba 27.

October is a delicious month. Change in the air, new colors to look at, warmer clothes to start pulling on, fantastic lighting during the day, rich smells. Yup delicious. How about you? What do you like about October?

Sunday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful to have spent the day yesterday helping out some friends.