Baby Steps

 

Sometimes we need to stretch. Leave the familiar behind. Taking a step  is scary unless we know we can handle what comes next. Belief in ourselves is not easy to come by. Ads and social media tell us we are not enough. But, that isn’t the truth. The only reason someone wants us insecure is to manipulate us. To get us to buy something. Literally or figuratively. We can learn to trust ourselves by listening to ourselves. Trusting our gut & questioning things we take for granted. Re-examining beliefs & values. What makes me happy in the long term? What adds meaning... for ourselves & others. Can we make healthier choices? To look for the good & the opportunity in situations. Knowing the only way we can really fail is to stop trying. To stop learning & growing. We can move forward & stretch our limits. One baby step at a time.

Muster the Gusto

It's a thing that happens once a week in a backyard in New Jersey. Showing the love for weekly YouTube Talk Show Muster the Gusto!  Regular T-shirt, Hoodie or double-sided staff T-shirts.

All are available in Men's, Women's & Youth sizes... in several colors and the ever versatile black! Muster the Gusto & have fun!

Creepy Tillie rides the Asbury Park Boardwalk

Confession: I love horror. My Dad & I used to watch horror movies late into the night. I read mysteries and anything supernatural or weird. My mother lent me the paperback edition of Salem’s Lot, from then on I was hooked on Stephen King. Above is my Tillie Asbury Park version of the painting in Stephen King’s short story, The Road Virus Heads North. Here’s to fun summer nights ahead on the Jersey Shore!

Dog Lover too....

 I always wondered why you had to pick a side... people ask if you are a dog lover or a cat lover? I am unashamed to say I love both! Each animal has its own personality... just like humans. This drawing celebrates the dog lover side.... Pisces the German Shepherd. A celebration of the love and joy a dog can bring...

New Card Fun...

Is it just me, or is it totally exciting to design & order new business cards? The Plague Doctor is on one side and Tillie & both his inner voices are on the other. It is probably me... but... cards are fun!

Fun in the Sun Down the Shore

Cool Tillie is ready for fun in the sun! Asbury Park awaits. The Jersey shore and all its delights... sea, surf, music, food and more!

Martian Kitten

Martian Kitten is hurtling through space in a flying saucer... lets go on an adventure!

Skull Disk Hoodie

When the spring winds blow stay warm and cozy in a Skull Disk Hoodie. It has a certain magnetic charm!

Tillie's Decision

Tillie's Decision isn't easy...

A devil on one shoulder an angel on the other... Who would you listen to?

Spring is in the air.... at least for a day! Oh well, all we can do is enjoy the moment... with the Creepy Fun Cat Skull in the sun!

Tillie & The Plague Doctor

Asbury Park in the Spring. Amusements and adventures. The Plague Doctor wore his Tillie t-Shirt!

Cats Rule Hoodie...

 Her cat Mew Made Her do it. A stylized rendering of Mew on a Cats Rule Hoodie. It keeps her warm and protects her from the cool spring winds... so she can do her cat's bidding....

CHA 2015 Ranger's Designer Challenge - Dina Wakley Media

She was thrilled to take part in Ranger's Designer Challenge for CHA 2015. She was especially psyched to use Dina Wakley Media Paints. The luscious colors & the creamy yet firm consistency that allows raised brushstrokes to caress the canvas is intoxicating. She loves that the paint comes in tubes and she has fallen in love with the color Night. She is always amazed at the diversity of creativity that comes from the challenge.

Time to Get Inspired

     Have you taken time to just be in the moment? To let yourself be open to inspiration? Being a Muse, it's my job to  ignite the flames of passionate creativity. I applaud all who take time to create on a regular basis. Making creativity a habit and a sacred ritual is key to establishing a space for flow. Trusting in flow and where it takes you, can bring you to places planning and instructions just can't. Your mind shuts off, your soul takes over, and the unique expression of that soul shines through your art.
     Muse appreciation to the inspired Tim Holtz and his monthly inspiration, 12 tags of 2014 and the inspired/inspiring artists at Ranger.

Being There... Sort of

    A very foggy landing was the end to her trip to CHA Winter 2014. She came back with many great memories of a whirlwind adventure. The event was great fun to be sure, getting to show the vibrant new colors of the Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Inks on the versatile Ranger Foil Cardstock at the Make It Take it table at the Ranger booth. But it left precious little time to see the other fabulous demos by the talented, creative Ranger Signature Designers going on simultaneously. Never fear, everyone is able to get the CHA experience on Ranger's YouTube. Pull up a chair, relax, see the new products, and techniques!

     Watch it on the Ranger Ink YouTube Channel, you can even watch the Make It Take it 'Foil Cardstock Tattered Flower' being made.

CHA Winter 2014 - Fast, Furious and Fun!

     Warm and wonderful Anaheim. She was back at the Anaheim Convention Center for CHA Winter 2014, ready to roll up her sleeves and get to work with the rest of the Ranger team. Glitch. The truck carrying the Ranger booth had mechanical difficulties and hadn't arrived yet.

There was concern, but she knew the the Ranger team could set up in time. So shopping and antiquing ensued.
     Early the next day on the show floor, there were no crates in sight. A teeny bit of panic danced around her mind. But no worries, the truck arrived and would soon be unloaded. Polar Vortex gremlins! Some of the booth contents on the stranded truck had frozen & burst! Ink was seeping through boxes! There were eager helpers around and with their help and the awesome Ranger team the booth was set up in near record time!

     This is her contribution to the Ranger 2014 Designer Challenge: How Do You Distress? She LOVES Distress Paint and was honored to be among those picked for the challenge.

Making presents on a warm New Jersey day! She's recently discovered, and is loving, making bracelets with  Julianna  Hudgins  Beadalon Jewel Loom Kit: Beading Loom, Needle, Threader, Pouch. Fun, Fabulous and fast! Whatever you are up to, enjoy the weekend and the season!

Seasonal Texture Treads!

She's loving the new seasonal Texture Treads from Ranger! Samples for CHA are flying from her fingertips. She's using UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Powder) for some and Kato Polyclay for others, and embellishing with Perfect Pearls and Liquid Pearls. Fun, fun, fun!

Homage to Peter Max...

She got a chance to participate in Ranger's Designer Challenge. Each designer got a dress form and some brand spanking new Ranger products. She pondered how to make best use of the vibrant new colors in the Liquid Pearls and Ice Stickles lines. Then a lightning bolt struck. A fun 60's dress in a Peter Max - esque style! She adores the vibrant, happy, exuberant, sublime work of Peter Max!
She cut the dress form just above the base and fashioned a smaller waisted version (with a head) out of tissue paper, masking tape and plaster gauze. She then painted the dress on with Liquid Pearls, outlining with the fabulous Onyx color. She also accented with the great new Ice Stickles palette. Painting a little each night, it took about 2 weeks to complete. Why not consult with your muse and make a form of your own!

Let's Hear it for the Boys!

She absolutely loves the artwork of Brian Van Liew II and Mark Elepaño. They are talented, original & super creative. When she gets a chance to brainstorm about art with them she swears she can see the sparks of genius fly through the air. Honestly, these ornament are great but their 'serious' artwork is head spinningly spectacular. Kudos to the talented gentlemen at Ranger!