Oh la la

In celebration to my trip to Paris in the spring of 2013!!!!

I love making these hats!!!  Now the next step is to wear it out!!!  Oh la la!!!!

To celebrate children both young and old

A personal intention in my life to see with child like eyes where everyday is fresh and new and full of adventure.  I remember as a child I loved to draw and create many different things.  I was able to bring this into my adult life, which I feel much gratitude.

My Mom just found these two drawings I did as a child.  My Grandmother was an artist who did pastel drawings of horses and dogs.  She also lived on a farm, so these drawings have a strong connection for me to my past.

In celebration to all children both young and old!!!  

Keep speaking your truth

I was reflecting on how important it is to keep with who we truly are.  In this world that seems to be run by many who just follow the other, without thought about what is it they truly want to say.  I have decided that it is my passion to always be who I am no matter what others think.  My belief has brought wonderful people into my life, but I have also be rejected by others both in family and friends.  I've had to walk a path alone, but have found a deep love for life.  I regret nothing and feel that by speaking my truth I honor others for being who they are.

I wanted to introduce a Victoria artist, Emily Carr.  She was  a woman back in the early 20th century who chose to create her own voice in paintings, drawings, and books.  There is a story of Emily and a friend talking about their paintings.  Her friend is also an artist, selling proper paintings during this time and Emily is creating her paintings of trees and native symbolism.  What is different about Emily is that she speaks about the spirit of the land, which brings her unique voice into the world.   Unfortunately, Emily's work was not selling and her friends was making a profit.  Her friend said, why don't you stop painting those trees!!!  Emily knew she couldn't stop as her inner voice was to strong to discontinue what was her truth.  Of course, many artists during that period were very poor and so was Emily, but she stayed with her work. Near the end of her life, she began to sell her work and became very well known all over the world.  Now her work reaches up to 1 million dollars.  She believed completely in herself and didn't falter to others points of view.  I'm always inspired by women who have allowed themselves to rise above group ideals.

This is only one of many tree paintings that Emily created from the British Columbia coast line.  I love the movement and color of this piece.

 To all who speak from their heart, know who they are, and go forth into a world where the mass majority of people don't have an individual thought!!!  I celebrate you all!!!!

My Trip to Vancouver, British Columbia

Sunshine Blogger Award

I would like to thank Punitha at http://southindiafoodrecipes.blogspot.ca/ for nominating me for this lovely award.  It is a great time of year for the Sunshine Blogger Award as it is so warm and sunny here in Victoria.

I would like to gift this award to the following 10 lovely people:

1/  Sissym at http://blogzoomideiasdafadasemfim.blogspot.ca/
2/  Jane and Lance at http://hattatt.blogspot.ca/
3/  Gary at http://klahanie.blogspot.ca/
4/  Launna at http://lettersfromlaunna.blogspot.ca/
5/  Alida at http://myitaliankitchen.blogspot.ca/
6/ Nana at  http://some-might-sayy.blogspot.ca/
7/  Petro at http://theseamanmom.blogspot.ca/
8/  Petronela at http://unikorna.blogspot.ca/
9/  Coradinha at http://amoridoce.blogspot.ca/
10/Lavanya at http://lavanyasrecipes.blogspot.ca/

I am always inspired by how each creates their own way of being in the world.  Thank you for all your support and wonderful words!!!

Love,
Suzanne

Creativity in Charcoal

I love drawing in all mediums, pencil, charcoal and pen.  I was asked by Petronela http://unikorna.blogspot.ca/ if I had any charcoal images, but I must admit charcoal isn't something that I've mastered.  The material feels awkward to use, so details can be more difficult to articulate when getting exact ideas across on paper.  This image is in charcoal and something I did in school.  The object is of a skeleton, something that I've always found fascinating, not only for its form, but for the metaphor or death.

I enjoy feeling the different cycles within life, the transformations that allow us to grow and expand into someone who we never thought we could become.  I feel close to this image for my life has shown me, so many dramatic changes within myself that if I were to image twenty or even five years ago who I would be, I would not have been able to comprehend the transformation.  Die to the old and allow yourself to bloom into who are you becoming.

Hats and more......

 I designed this hat the other day for my Mom's 75th Birthday party.  The party's theme was hats, so I thought instead of buying one I would make one.  I so enjoyed creating this little sculpture that I'm going to make more.

These are all the wonderful ladies who came to celebrate my Mom's birthday.  My Mom is the lady sitting in red with the white hat.  

The day was so much fun, a lot of laughter, a lot of food and especially birthday cake!!!