Bloggity Blog Blog and Other Sundry Thoughts

So I haven't been blogging much lately. Bad Cathy! Truth be known, I haven't been painting either. I am going through a transitional period, not only in my art but in my life. It's totally self inflicted, which means that there is no major crisis or unsettling changes going on. I am just searching for how to find focus on what I am doing here in this world.

After thinking constantly about my art and what direction I should go with it, I found I was thinking way too hard. So much so that a good friend told me I am so busy thinking that I am not allowing inspiration to come through. He was absolutely correct. He counseled me to take an hour every day and just ponder and meditate. Let my mind be quiet so that inspiration has a chance to reach me.

So now for the last two weeks I have been getting up in the morning and pondering. But I found an hour was just a bit too long as the last 15 minutes of it I began to feel anxious which kind of defeats the purpose. So now I ponder for 45 minutes. It works for me!
The most amazing things are happening. I am getting direction, and having faith in the inspiration I receive, it takes away confusion that I have been known to bring upon myself. I am finding a lovely peace that makes me feel confident in my daily journey.
The second verse of one of my favorite hymns 'Be Still My Soul' expresses so perfectly my feelings:


Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

Text: Katharina von Schlegel, b. 1697;

trans. by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897

The day I started pondering, I got a call that a painting of mine was selected to be in a Disney movie that will come out this year during the holiday season. It's based off the Disney channel series Good Luck Charlie. The painting is one that I posted here before, a Santa Claus and it's titled 'Twas the night Before Christmas'. Anyhoo, the film company rented it for a week for $200! Cool huh. So how does that tie in with my pondering? Well when something good like that happens, I consider it a blessing and a sign that I am on the right track.

Being creative is a very spiritual process I think!




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My UWS Spring Show entry

It's finally spring! Well at least in the way of call for entries for the Utah Watercolor Society Spring show.
I felt people-ish so I did a painting from a photo I took about 18 years ago of my youngest daughter. Her name is Aubrey. You know like the 'Bread' song (that's a group in case you are too young to remember). And Aubrey was her name.... if you know the song I bet you can hear the tune in your head. Yup, we named her after that song. Funny thing is, in the baby book it is a boy's name. We didn't care though and actually neither does Aubrey. It means Elf Ruler, so Aubrey really loves her name. She is quite partial to elves- especially ones she can rule.

Western Federation of Watercolor Societies

Let me tell you abit about Western Fed and some exciting news (to me at least!)

The Western Federation of Watercolor Societies (WFWS) is comprised of 11 watercolor societies. Utah Watercolor Society (WS), Arizona Watercolor Association, Colorado WS, Idaho WS, Nevada WS, New Mexico WS, San Diego WS, Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild,  Southwestern Watercolor Society (Texas), West Texas WS, and Watercolor Society of Oregon.

WFWS holds an annual show,  last year it was held here in Utah and this year it will be in Albuquerque NM.
As members of the various watercolor societies we are encouraged to enter the Western Fed show. This year there was a total of 1066 entries. Only 125 paintings were selected to participate in the show.

So.... guess what? My painting 'What Next' was accepted! Yahoo! I have posted it on my blog before but in celebration I am posting it again.

The exhibition dates are May 6th to June 5th, 2011 and will be held at the Fine Arts Building at Expo New Mexico. I am excited to go see the show!

Local Colors of Utah Website is ALIVE!

Sounds repetitious I know, but another place I like to show my art is now available online. Our artists cooperative gallery located in Salt Lake City now has it's website up and running! 
Local Colors of Utah Art Gallery

That's the link above but if you want to just memorize it the actual website is www.localcolorsart.com

Now my online friends can take a look at what I have at the gallery. We still have a few things to finish on the website, like adding pricing and how to purchase art, but at least you can see whats available by the various artists.

So much fun!
I hope you will click on the link and take a look around.