An Artful Spirit filled day

Suzan and I ready for the day

Our second Artful Spirit Workshop

was incredible once again!

What a great day we had at the 

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel

this past Saturday.

Eight of us in attendance

ready for a fun filled

creative experience!

The Room was filled with bright light,

large work tables, dark chocolate almonds

and inspiration everywhere!

We started with our first journal exercise...

setting our intention for the day,

along with some meditative breathing,

 we then began with a Zen Circle exercise,

set the pace for the entire day together!

We read quotes about the importance

of journaling,

read children's story books,

and played with paint

(which is why we all came right???)

So much time spent on playing,

letting go, creating and enjoying the process.

Next workshop was to learn collage,

working with papers and gel medium,

the table was filled with whatever they wanted to choose,

each participant created a collage cover

for their journals

(when asked... it seemed to be one of the favorite sessions!)

(Oops ... my toes are missing!)

Time for a break ... after hours of creating

We all had lunch together

in a "circular" table

at the restaurant over looking 

the Chesapeake Bay.

Good conversation, brainstorming,

laughter and friendships being established.

As we gathered back for the second half of the day

we shifted gears ...

watercolor and doodling, 

we truly just got to play with

all kinds of watercolor sets and paints,

create fun things,

all the while incorporating these techniques

into our art journals.

I think they had fun, what do you think?

We then shifted our watercolor techniques

to creating a Zendala for their journal

(now you know I would have to get that in there!!!!)

We started in the center of a full journal page,

and began to work from the center out

they could finish their work at home

and watercolor later.

I had pre-painted 5 x 7 watercolor cards

for each participant

and let them choose which one spoke to them

to take home and play with.

We then chose another,

started the center design and

we did a round robin,

where each participant drew

part of the Zendala design

for their classmate,

what a treasure we all had when we were finished!

A small piece of new friendships formed that day.

(when asked again ... this was the favorite session)

We ended the last session with

creating an art board collage

using 6 x 6 aqua board

yet another keepsake of the day

We ended with photos, hugs and more laughter!

Sending out peace and love and light to our classmate

that had to leave early ...

When I think of what living an Artful Spirited life means ...

I think of living with a creative heart, mindfulness, 

soul searching every moment,

letting go of expectations and perfections, 

living with curiosity,

finding happiness in all things,

 seeking out moments to be artful and creative,

but most of all living with a 

sense of wonder and amazement,

it is an awesome way to see the world around you!

What a wonderful workshop we had,

one I won't forget for a long time.

We are already forming ideas

for Artful Spirit #3,

it just keeps getting better and better.

The Little Girl in Me

The Little Girl in Me . . .

Still wants to play each day

taking the time to just be

Wants to create magic with paints and crayons

they are just more expensive these days

Is in love with each and every day

cherishing all the happy moments around me

Just wants life to be simple again

pushing away all of life's complications

Loves to play outside with her friends

for girlfriend times are the best

Wants to play dress up and be pretty

finding it harder now to find her own style

Will write with her pencil and pen

now creating stories and poems from her life

Still bites her bottom lip when stressed

for she finds comfort still there

Is seeking new ways to discover life

for she never wants to stop growing inside

Always needs her afternoon naps

 recharging for the next get up and go

Is always seeking out beauty in the world

so happy to discover there is still so much out there

The little girl in me

soon to be a first time grand mommy

to a precious granddaughter

OH the things we will discover together . . .

Donna Lee

A dozen thoughts on a Thursday

Glacier Mountain Park takes your breath away

Being on vacation restores the soul

Time alone with my hubby is wonderful

Seeing a mommy grizzly bear and her three cubs is exciting

Writing poetry out in nature is a good thing

God has created an awesome universe

Air Traveling can be very stressful

Twelve days with no social networking is refreshing

Traveling along the "Road to the Sun" is unbelievable

With vacations there are NO regular schedules to keep

Re-entry into normal life after vacation is a very hard thing to do

Wearing red cowgirl boots at the rodeo is just plain sassy

My cabin number Twelve!

Creating a Blessing Bowl

I recently watched a video

from the amazing and inspiring

Jamie Ridler

on "Creating a Blessing Bowl."

I loved everything she spoke about!
She demonstrated how to create a small bowl 
filled with offerings, little prayers
and requests for blessings.

I decided to create my own 

and wanted to share her

wonderful idea with YOU!

I first was on the hunt for a bowl,

not just any bowl,

but one that truly spoke to me.

Here is mine:

Is this not beautiful???
The bowl is as important
as the ingredients inside.

I began to fill my bowl with

 precious things of meaning to me

white sage, beads, charms, 
small cut out words and significant things
that mattered to me.

In Jamie's video she demonstrates

how to create blessing cards

I cut my cards 2 x 4

then found images that I loved for the

front of the card

from different magazines.
All I needed was a glue stick!

On the back I took the time to contemplate

on the blessings I wanted to list.

Several came up for me

family, my unborn granddaughter, my art, 
health, writing, thoughts, faith and so much more.

I mindfully chose all the items I wanted

to place in my blessing bowl.
These would become my
personal requests for blessings.

I slowly began to fill my bowl with

my treasures first.

I could feel it was becoming something

special already!

As the bowl filled,

I placed my blessing cards into the bowl.

What a treasure it quickly became.

Now I take the time to choose 

a blessing

and practice gratefulness.

I keep my blessing bowl in my studio,

where all my other treasures are

and I look at it at all times.

This was an awesome project

and I am grateful to Jamie

for sharing such a wonderful idea.

I am encouraging you to create one as well!

Summer Solstice Today

Summer Solstice

The passing of spring

in all of it's freshness

The first day of summer is here

A time for reflection,

renewal and strength.

I welcome you here

my personal

Solstice

Being present in this moment

I am setting new intentions

for my life,

opening the doors

of possibility.

Lighting the sage

being quiet this morning,

thinking and dreaming 

of what will truly be.

I don't just want this

to be an ordinary day!

I want to set it apart 

from all of the rest.

Knowing and trusting

it's significance to me.

I am open ...

I am here ...

 Willing to accept

all that lies ahead of me

with excitement and anticipation.

Summer Solstice

a day unlike any other day!

I will celebrate

in my very own way

this moment.

I am present

with my arms open wide

~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~

Collaboration . . .

My finished Zendala

Heather's finished Zendala

I discovered Heather Cox

through this wonderful internet world of ours.

We participate in a lot of the same projects

and then I discovered her

beautiful Zendala artwork,

I was drawn to her beautiful style

and her presence as an artist.

I then visited her beautiful blog

"Joyfulwise"

and her amazing artwork

can be found here

in her own Etsy shop.

I realized that her style and mine

were quite similar

for creating our Zendalas.
We are always encouraging
each other's work.

I was struck with the thought

of how wonderful it would be

if we collaborated together

on a Zendala.

I reached out to Heather

and she immediately responded

with a lovely

"Yes, let's do this!" 

We decided on a size of 5 x 7

We would each paint 
a background of our own choice
(I chose the new Twinkling H2O's)

and then begin drawing

the Zendala,

then we would mail to each other

and finish the work!
It would then be ours to keep.

Here is my journey . . . 

I was excited when my package arrived from Heather
I was couldn't wait to begin

 Just beginning the process

 So hard to decide where to take it

 It slowly began to evolve for me

how I love the creative process!

I enjoyed the creation of this piece so much

and now I have a keepsake to always remember.

Thank you Heather for saying YES!
Her blog post about this experience
can be found right over here

There have been so many wonderful 

friendships that have come my way in life.

I must say the friends of mine who share 
a love of art

are simply the best!

Try collaborating a piece of your own artwork,
(whatever that might be)

with someone else.

You will gain a new perspective

and have something to treasure for a long time!
I know I sure will.

Happiness Is . . .

I was just reading a blog I love to visit this morning

Book Chatter

"Chatting with friends about books and life"

I encourage you to get on her mailing list,

her posts are always inspiring for the reader.

Today she posed the question

"What makes you happy?"

and she listed her 100 things

Okay so here goes mine ...

Happiness is 

my family's love

my relationship with God
my two sons and their wives
expecting our first grand baby
loving my hubby of 36 years

time spent with girlfriends

feeling my toes in the ocean

painting and creating

writing

reading poetry

time away from the office
feeling a cool and gentle breeze
moonlight
summer solstice

good music
watching the sun rise and set
taking an e-course
having good conversation
a clean house
Instagram
a cozy fire
new furniture
birthdays
picnics
weddings
outdoor music concerts
sharing my thoughts
wearing my red boots
watching Parenthood
dreaming
collecting sea shells
early morning coffee
quiet time
weaving at my loom

long naps in the afternoon

a delicious meal

shopping just to shop

creating zendalas
dancing (when no one is watching)

being with sheep

knitting

journaling

collecting words
playing with my grand doggies
meeting someone new
cooking with my own herbs
reading my poetry at open mic night
learning something brand new
forgiving someone
loving others
time spent with my senior writers group
good conversation

picnics

bike riding

 early morning walks
reading an awesome book
writing my blog
vacations
hugs
birds singing
going to poetry readings
artist dates with myself
time alone
being healthy and well
love notes in the mail

my hot tub
giving gifts
spending quality time with others
listening, really listening

art galleries

coffee shops
Aromatherapy

Jerry's Artarama
meditation
buying fresh flowers just because
Trader Joes
time spent with my best friend Minna
Holiday celebrations
quaint book stores
Popcorn and a movie
Pandora
the smell of lavender
Zentangle
Art Retreats
Squam by the Sea
Thunderstorms
photography
pajama days
candlelight
incense
hot baths
watching my boys play softball
eating gelato from Strawberry Fields
wearing cool eyeglasses
bird feeders

my backyard sanctuary
old movies on TCM
gardening
yoga
time in my studio

I guess I could list so much more
but especially today ...
I am celebrating the birth
of my baby boy Drew!
He is 30 years old today.
Happy Birthday Son
your mom loves you so very much,
everyday watching you live out your life
makes me so very happy!

It's hard for me to believe that
last year on Drew's birthday
I began my 100 poem journey
you can visit here ...
Wow time is passing quickly!

donna lee

The Healing Power of Art

Creating through emotions

This past week I lost a very dear friend to cancer.

The news hit me pretty hard

and I found myself unable to deal

with all the emotions and unanswered questions

that were stirred within me.

So I found myself retreating

quietly to myself . . .

praying

thinking

writing poetry

and doing my artwork.

I created the above artwork

with watercolor and ink

and all the while

with each and every pen stroke

worked out my emotions

of losing my friend Jim.

Art heals in so many ways.

It forces us to come

in a very raw state of mind

and let go ... to create.

It allows us to be present

in the very moment

of wherever we are

and work it through.

I am so grateful to be an Artist,

to feel confident enough

to now call myself an Artist.

It is a gift in my life

and creating through emotions

has taught me to be a better person.

When I completed this piece of artwork,

I stood back and observed,

feeling grateful for having known 

a very dear man

and 

grateful that I now have a 

beautiful reminder 

as a keepsake

for all time.

Art Saves

Art Heals

Art Reminds Us

Art Renews the Spirit

For that I am truly grateful

Donna Lee

Five thoughts on a Saturday

Early morning is definitely the best time of day

Cancer is a wretched thing

We are responsible for how we choose to feel in a day

We must look for moments of tiny graces

Rains storms are more fun with pink leopard boots on

Finding charm in your life

There is so much charm in the world around us

if only you will see . . .

From quaint little shops

in small country towns . . .

To unusual independent bookstores

offering more than just stories . . . 

To beautiful historic home fronts . . . 

To Old Bicycle Shops still going strong . . . 

To finding a wildflower patch

just off the highway . . .

To wonderful bookstores

tucked way down the road

Our lives are filled

with moments

to find some charm.

Just look around you

see what you can find!

Slow your pace down

just a bit

and see all the wonders

that are right around you

waiting to be seen!