The Inspiration Behind My Art Business - Creative Touch Art

My Three Sons: Connor (holding our dog Pepper), Walter and Chandler

Parenting and motherhood have been and still are a wonderful experience.

In the beginning, when I was first thinking of having a family, I had nothing to gauge my experiences on other than my own mother. She loved being a mom but seemed self-sacrificing. She would endlessly clean and organize the house, do laundry, makes

our meals, drive us here and there, help us with our homework, and more; the list goes on and on.

As I grew older, I noticed my mom didn't really do anything for herself. I started to feel a miasma of martyrdom surrounding her and thought, if this is what being a mother is all about, I wanted no part of it. To me, there on the edge of my mother's existence always loomed a sense of another life she could have had, some sort of creativity she could have explored, instead of being constantly bogged down by doing all those chores.

My Mother Gloria

I Tried To Emulate My Mother

When I became a mother I found that try as I might I could never fill the shoes of my own beloved mother. I would always be sub-par to her. I didn't have her self-sacrificing nature (or so I thought) nor did I want it.

I did try to emulate some of my mom's best qualities (there were many): her love, warmth, and caring for her children. What I did not want to copy where all the long hours of cleaning that never ended. I found I resented all of the cleaning my mom did because it took too much time away from me my sister and my two brothers. So, I did the unthinkable; I broke tradition and got a cleaning person to come once a week. I even had the gall to lower my standards as to what a neat house should look like (such a rebel :).

I Put Things In Perspective

I began to realize that being the best mother to me meant being a great mother without losing my sense of self. This philosophy made the decision to home-school my children an easy one.

But wait, how can home-schooling not be the most selfless act of martyrdom of all?

The truth is homeschooling was totally selfish on my part. Handing my boys over to another person who wouldn't have appreciated their amazing qualities and talents, while I missed them, would have been an intense sacrifice that I was not willing to make.

I Exposed My Children To Art Early

Before having children, my art was a very big part of my life. Once my children were born my artwork took second place. My need for creativity was still there just re-directed through my children and home.

As soon as my children were old enough to hold a paintbrush I had them painting. Before that, they always had their fingers and toes for painting.

Chandler and Walter Creating

Finger And Toe Painting

An example of a finger and toe painting was when I placed a long sheet of white butcher paper down the whole length of the kitchen floor (about 20 feet long). Handmade watercolors (flour, water, and food dye) were mixed into various colors and poured into plastic dish pans. This is where the real fun began. We had our very own indoor slip and slide, only with paint instead of water. They dipped, dunked and jumped into the pans, slid, slipped, smudged and splattered their way down the length of the paper. This did get very messy, but the result was a great day, a wonderful memory and a masterpiece that proudly hung from our deck for many weeks to come. I think I still have it in our attic. 

Chandler And Connor (The Zombie Brothers)

Raising my boys this way fulfilled my need to be creative and gave me the best years of my life with many happy memories. Now that my boys are older, they are still creative, Walter and Chandler with their music, and Connor, who has developed a love for Manga art.

"Individuals high in creativity maintain the integrity of their neural networks even into old age" - N. Turiano, Ph.D

The Gift Of Creativity

I am fortunate that I was able to homeschool my boys and foster their creativity in their early years.
When creativity is a part of someone’s life it becomes so much more than art. It opens the door to joy, it makes you feel alive. The gift of creativity has been a blessing for me and my boys in many ways.
Creativity is just as important as reading, writing, and arithmetic, and I feel it is sometimes underestimated and undervalued in our school system.
Creativity also fosters self-expression and logical thinking. Strengthens imagination and self-esteem. Encourages exploration and teaches children how to think openly.  

What Creativity Can Do For Us

Creativity can create abundance in your life, as it does in mine. A rich rewarding life filled with possibilities. It is always changing and never boring.

It’s wonderful to know that happiness is right there when you need it most, no further than your own finger-tips.

Being creative is not just about "art." You may be a dancer, a writer, a scrapbooker. The mechanic that figures out the problem with the engine, or a business executive that strategically inspires his team and solves many problems. There are so many forms of creativity, the list goes on and on.

I believe creativity is an expression which creates a passageway from your internal world to your external world. Emotions are gathered and released along with your aspirations and uncertainties to take on a physical form of your own creation.

Embracing creativity in whatever form that blends best with our abilities and talents is cathartic, freeing and powerful

"Think left and think right and think low and think hight. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try” - Dr. Seuss

My Need for Creativity Is Still Very Much Alive 

Since my children are not receptive to finger or tow painting with me anymore, I have moved on to satisfy my need to create and started my business Creative Touch Art. 

I enjoy many mediums, my forte being watercolor and gouache watercolor. Although, some of my latest pieces have been done in acrylic, which I am really enjoying.

I do not have a studio but paint in my kitchen by the window, while listening to my favorite tunes. Music and art have always been a dynamic combination for me. Creating art without music would be like working with my eyes closed. Listening to music helps me visualize different creative possibilities.

What should I paint next? There are so many possibilities.
I am on such a beautiful voyage of self-discovery. This is the best way to travel!

Walter 

Walter is happily married with two lovely daughters

Chandler

Chandler and me: I'm not as short as I look in the picture! Chandler is 6'4" He is a very talented musician, pursuing a career in music.

Connor

Connor is an artist - skateboarder dude 

Visit Me

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Listen To Your Heart

Angels  Listen to you heart and let the angels speak to you.  

 Angels are non-denominational, no matter what faith there is nothing to big or small for your angels to help you with, you just need to ask.

You can say I was guided and inspired to paint my series of three Angels: The Angel Of Water, The Angel of Sunrise and The Angel Of Sunset.   Life suddenly changed when my boys who lived with me in New Jersey decided to visit their dad who lived in California for a week. Knowing my children were half way across the country made an ordinary situation like being home alone take on whole different feeling. Usually I would look forward to a little time alone but this time everything seemed new and unfamiliar. I was lonely in my solitude wandering from room to room a little dazed, not knowing what to do.

This experience has taught me that being alone can be a valuable experience and become a powerful aspect of your life if it is approached in the right way. That week I learned a lot about myself. In times such as these we all are invited to listen to our inner voice; whether we accept that invitation is up to us. We can either drown out the voices with noise from various activities and TV or we can face the music we are internalizing.

My internal voice led me to picking up a paint brush which I hadn't picked up in years. Turning on the beautiful music of Enya and painting.  At first I had nothing in mind, I was as blank as the canvas. I just allowed myself to be led by the music and perhaps the angels whispering in my ear.

I wet my watercolor paper under the faucet to get a watery affect, then sprayed different water color inks on the paper. I watched as the ink intermingled with the water and bled into each other. I blew on the paint with a straw forming abstract shapes. I tilted the paper from side to side until the colors merged and formed a resemblance of what looked remarkably to me like an Angel and a waterfall. Inspired by this vision, I painted on through the day and made this resemblance a reality. Thus, The Angel of Water was created.

 Truly inspired, I did the same with my other two Angels the Sunrise and Sunset Angels.

I never thought I would part with them, they have given me great pleasure and have blessed my home for some time now, but the angels whisperings are telling me it's time to pass on the blessings.

I am selling these very special Angels (even though they are hard to part with) spreading their blessings and hoping they bless someone else's home as they did mine.

These are watercolors painted with water color ink and gauche watercolor, 18 x 24   $187.00 EACH - SPECIAL DISCOUNTED RATE $500.00 IF YOU PURCHASE ALL THREE.

What's More Important - Determination Or Talent?

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“The greater part of human pain is unnecessary. It is self-created as long as the unobserved mind runs your life.” ~Eckhart Tolle

What does it take to become a success---determination or talent?

I believe both talent and determination go together, but without strong determination we may never know true success.

How did Michelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel?

He definitely had the talent but without his fearless determination would he get on those scaffolds every day?

Just like Michelangelo, we have scaffolds (fears to overcome) we need to deal with on the road to success. They may not be scaffolds in the literal sense;  but  can be every bit as scary.

Don't worry this is not a self-help lecture, because I am not one to lecture on what I have not conquered yet. 

But I am determined to face the fears that bind me; how about you?

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Here's my plan, if you would like to join me.

• First, write down the top fear I believe may be blocking my road to true success. 
• Next, write down how I plan on overcoming it. 

For example;  I believe if you're  afraid of swimming, it makes sense to wade in the shallow waters first before jumping into the ocean. It's not that we won't succeed by jumping into the ocean first, it's because we don't believe we can succeed that way.

If we don't believe it we can't achieve it. 

Our first step in overcoming our fears should be a  stretch beyond our comfort zone, but something our mind still feels is achievable. 

My fear of public speaking is a definite roadblock for me, maybe I'll start off talking to small groups of  5 or 10 people.  As my courage and confidence increases so will the amount of people. 

Once we become determined to become a success, nothing can stop us.  Now we are ready to let the world see our brilliance.

Please go to my Creative Touch Art Facebook fanpage I frequently have coupons and prizes.

You can also find my art work in my Etsy shop.

One Easy Trick Can Make All Things Possible

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Lately my sales have improved.

Would you like to know what I have been doing different?

Visualization.

Is it just a coincidence my sales have increased, or has visualization made the difference?

I believe it's visualization.

Visualization changes the way you think, which in turn changes your expectations. Once you believe in yourself, others do. 

Think of your conscious mind as a computer that needs to be rebooted periodically ( shut it down and turn it back on).

We can successfully reboot and reformat our conscious mind through visualization. Visualization can be compared to a movie that we write, direct and act in. Since we are the creators of this movie, why not make it a block-buster?

Visualization can be done through meditation with your eyes closed and with your eyes open. It can take five minutes or an hour, it all depends on you and your mood. But, the most important thing is to do it and do it often.

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The open eye method works best for me.  I do the open eye method when I am on automatic pilot and doing a task oriented job. Some examples are: washing the dishes, laundry or walking my dog.

Since your conscious thinking mind is usually ready for a break and not fully needed for these tasks, meditating (day dreaming) during these times, will give you full access to your subconscious mind. 

If you can change your subconscious mind your conscious mind will believe it is true and this can be life changing.  

How and what do you visualize?

Visualize what you want the most, play the movie in which you are the star. Feel the emotions, experience your visualization through your senses. For instance, if you are on a beach hear the waves and seagulls, feel the warm sand under your toes, the sun on your face. Taste the salt water in the air and see the expansive turquoise ocean and blue sky. 

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Have fun with your mediation, get your pulse up feel the excitement as if you are really experiencing it. 

If you want to be successful with you art, or any business, imagine yourself already successful. Look around and see your admiring fans, smell and taste the champagne, and hear the clink of the glasses as they toast to your new success; now hear the applause---it is just for you. 

This may take time to master but the outcome is well worth it.

Please visit me on my Facebook Fanpage, I often have coupons and prizes. Also come visit my Etsy shop and have a look around.

I would love any questions, comments or experiences pertaining to meditation and how it has helped you.

GET OFF THE INTERNET AND GET A LIFE

The business of making money, it's a funny thing.

I remember before the internet was big, before I had my children, I started an art business. Back then I didn't have to know how to write a blog (I do love blogging, though) or the ins and outs of Face book, Twitter,  Pinterest, Linkedin.

Back in the old days I just painted a picture, drew a portrait, and, voila, I had business. Word of mouth was all that I relied on and the money was flowing in. How did this kind of offhanded marketing become successful? I was out more. I had a job and I met people the old fashioned way.

Now, I find I'm home all the time, sitting behind my computer blogging,  networking  and learning. This virtual world is filled with so much information it sometimes makes my head spin.

My friend Jen recently coaxed me away from my computer for a walk. It was a beautiful day and I almost missed it.  Jen set me straight; she told me to go out and get a life, get away from the computer, meet people and not be so bogged down with the whole internet thing. 

She had a point. I can tell you from my experience the first time I had an art business was much easier then today. 

What's different?

I forgot there was a real world out there.  I'm not saying the internet is bad, just that it has its place.

So look out world, here I come.

My Art And Latest Lesson

The life of an artist is a continuous journey, the path long and never ending.  - Justin Beckett   

The thing I love about my art is that with every piece I create I learn something new; I love the journey.

I have not had the opportunity of meeting this sweet little bunny in person, but drew him from a photograph. I was taken in by Bentley's beauty and the sweetness of his cute little bunny face. 

It was very important to me when drawing him that I captured Bentley's best qualities; his speckled and peppery contrasting white and dark gray hairs, long whiskers and big beautiful ears which resembles elegant drapery.

Bentley's photo

I worked hard, paying attention to details, but found I could not get the whites white enough and the whiskers thin enough. I knew what I needed for Bentley right away, a special kind of eraser; but I didn't know what or where to find it. 

I needed  an eraser that could erase thoroughly, one that could create the thinnest of lines. I  tried twisting my kneaded eraser into a point, but I could not apply enough pressure without it bending. I tried whittling erasers into points; that got close, but did not get the look I really wanted.

Frustrated, I took a moment to think; then I did what I always do when I don't know the answer to something---I Googled it. After a couple of attempts, I put the word eraser into the search engine and voila up popped "erasers electric by Amazon." Within in minutes the Staedtler Battery Operated Eraser was ordered and on its way to me. 

Staedtler Batter Operated Eraser

I found this electric eraser was excellent, especially great for the smallest of details.  This eraser is battery operated and spins around in rapid rotations. The sound is reminiscent of a dental drill (had to get used to that). I was able to make the flat tipped surface of the eraser into a fine point by spinning the erasers edges on a rough surface. This technique worked great, especially for Bentley's whiskers.

 My electric eraser is the best thing that's happened to my art. I don't know how I got by without it all of these years. 

Warning: other people in your house are going to want to use your electric eraser. They may even try to steal it when your back is turned. My son Connor does this all the time. Luckily, I just follow the sound of the drill (Bzzzzzzz).

I love my Staedtler but there are many more on the market. Here is video which reviews a wide assortment of electric erasers, enjoy!

Please go to my Facebook Fanpage, give me a like and help yourself to a 20% off coupon. Right now I am having a free give-away! Join for your chance to win a 100% FREE custom portrait!

Angel of Glory Has A Message Just For You!

Glory Angel - Watercolor

If you don't believe in angels, that's okay, this paintings message is for you too.. 

Angels are our teachers, guides and healers. 

I love the lyrics to "Your Guardian Angel" by The Red Jumpsuite Apparatus:

"I will never let you fall, I'll stand up with you foreverI'll be there for you through it allEven if saving you sends me to Heaven"

Angels are not often noticed; maybe even taken for granted. 

Angels care deeply and love us unconditionally.

These spirtual protectors don't necessarily have to have a halo and wings, or live in a spiritual realm where we can't see them or contact with them. There are many angels on earth, physical beings walking around, that we are in contact with every day 

Who are these angels?

Perhaps your mother, father, sister, brother, lover, or maybe a stranger who has done and incredible unselfish act of kindness. These "Earth Angels" need to be shown love and gratitude; after all they love us unconditionally. 

What I had in mind when painting this picture, is how angels protect us, love us, guide us and care for us whether they are in heaven or on earth. 

This painting serves two purposes: it is a reminder to appreciate the angels in our lives, and also reminds us that we can be angels in other peoples lives as well.

My wish and intentions when painting the Glory Angel is that it brings protection, love and joy wherever it goes.

If you like this painting, it's for sale in my shop Creative Touch Art.

If you visit my Facebook fanpage frequently or like me you will get updates for coupons and contests and free prizes!