Finding Peace in My Studio and Calm in My Garden ~

In the long couple of years during my husband's two lay-offs, I found myself getting lost in my studio and my garden.  I nurtured my flowers and kept my studio alive with new art.  These places centered me and gave me calm and peace.  But, after the lay-offs, I found it very difficult to find peace anywhere.....and, I still feel lost and hopeless and terrified of another lay-off.  So much so that I find myself so overwhelmed that I end up doing nothing most of the time.  

I manage to keep my garden watered ~ 

I try to keep in touch with the little good guys that live in the boysenberries... 

and the new growth that will eventually bloom ~ 

But, in all honesty, I am still struggling.  My family is still struggling and my garden is still struggling.  With these types of financial disasters, it's hard to believe that anyone can ever get back on their feet.  Life becomes gray and dull, even with all the colors of the rainbow showing off in my garden.

I never disregard the goodness in my Everydays.  But my mind is so cluttered with money worries that I can't seem to find the heart or the time to connect to anything for fear that it will be taken away.

Last week, my worries escalated to the point of absolute brain chaos!!  I had to find some peace and calm in order to keep breathing.  

My studio.  My art.  I did it!  I walked into my studio and prepared 2 canvases.  Might not sound like much, but for me, it was a breakthrough.  I had not created a mixed media piece in almost a year.  I've sketched and painted a bit, but collaging/mixed media is really what I love to do.  

Sinking my teeth into 2 new pieces in less than a week was like being rescued from a dark, musty dungeon.

I felt safer.  

Not free from loss, but safer somehow.  Like, even if we do lose our house, I will still have a home in my art.

So, here is the first mixed media piece created in 2016 ~  

"The Guardian of Lucine."  

SOLD

The name Lucine means moon or illumination.  

In this piece, Lucine is having an awful time making sense out of her life...out of life in general.  Her pal, Archie, is protecting and comforting her.  Archie has always been Lucine's guardian, through good times and bad times.  

If you're interested in purchasing the original, you can do so by clicking HERE.  :-)

The second mixed media piece of 2016 is a "revisit" entitled:

"The Uninvited."

There are a few character studies from my book that I created several years ago that I like, but I'm not fully satisfied with.  Occasionally, I like to revisit, or re-do a character study.  For me, it's similar to re-writing a chapter.  "The Uninvited" is also one of my tiny tales.  When you purchase the art, it comes along with a short story printed on lovely calligraphy paper.

Here's the little story:

"Today is Miss. Laramie Rabbit's big tea party.  All her friends will be there, ready to have a day of fun and food ~ yummy little rosy cupcakes, delicious boysenberry turnovers, and sweet, minty tea.  But...someone a bit dark and eerie has made an appearance.  Someone or something Uninvited.  What will the day bring for Miss. Laramie Rabbit and her friends?"

If you're interested in purchasing this original, you can click right HERE.

So, as the future still holds some really scary maybes and what-ifs, I have to find peace.  We never know what the future holds, anyway, right?  I think for me, one day at a time is the only way I can breathe through my life.  The recent past is horrifying and the future holds the possibility of losing our home.  So, living in the moment ....one day at a time...is where you'll find me, and you can now find me in my studio too!  :-)

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

The Sadness of Endings ~

Hello There:

I've been sitting in this chair, staring at this screen for almost an hour now, hoping to share a light-hearted and fun blog post.  But alas ~ sadness and mediocrity is all I can conjure on this 105 degree Autumn day.

Although I adore the Fall and all things that pop with orange and yellow confetti colors, there is always a sadness at the change of this particular season.  The change from Summer to Autumn  leaves a darkness in my bones and an emptiness in my heart.  I suppose a great amount of this sadness comes from the shorter days and the knowledge that Winter is just around the corner.  

A portion of my downheartedness comes, not only from the season's ending, but from another ending.  The ending of life.  A particular life.  I brought my little guy home this weekend ~ 

I'm still in dis-belief that he's gone and how it all happened so fast.  Within 24 hours he was here and then gone.  Another ending.  A constant part of life.  Endings....

Just as endings are inevitable, so are new beginnings ~ 

With the Autumn upon us, it's time for baby-making.  These Praying Mantids are creating new life, new beginnings.  

Only 2 days after these photos were snapped, the female Mantis began creating her egg case. The case will protect over 200 babies through the Winter months.  Come Spring, if all goes well, I will welcome those babies into my garden....and the chain will continue ~ 

The sadness of endings.  The hope of new beginnings.  Life is full of punches in the gut.  I wake up every morning and consciously look for goodness, otherwise, I will fall deeply deeply deeply into hopelessness.

I am looking forward to putting this guy on my front porch again ~ 

He makes me laugh and I do love the Halloween season.

This makes me laugh as well ~ I love a good "before and after" photo.  Lovely, yes? ~

Keeping your sense of humor, even through the dark times, is so so so important.  I think it is essential!

Keeping busy helps too.  I've been busy setting up new prints for my shop.  This print has been a long time in the plans and it's finally ready ~ 

"Mi Corazon por Alicia"

Also newly offered in my shop is this print set.  I love offering prints together as sets because they look so good hanging side by side...AND, when purchased as a set, you save a few dollars as well.  This particular print set includes my two newest rabbity pieces ~ 

"The Guardian of Minervia's Secrets"

and

"A Serenade for Ola Jean"

You can find the print set listed in my shop....just click right here ~ 

I've managed to stay busy through the sadness of loss ~ through the sadness of endings.  Always always keeping my eyes open for little pieces of Heaven.  Trying to keep my sense of humor through it all and continuing to look forward.

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

An Unexpected Loss ~

I am sad.  So so so sad.  We had to say good-bye to our sweet little Junior Bug ~ 

He was fine last Sunday night.  Then, Monday morning he wasn't fine anymore.  We did everything for him that we could, but he was diagnosed with acute Pancreatitis.  Before we knew it, he was too sick to save.  His little heart gave out in a matter of hours.

He was a high-spirited, sassy, loud little guy.  He brought joy and laughter to everyone who knew him.

He is the third fur-baby we've lost in less than a year and a half.  For the first time in 14 years, we have no pets.  

He was my baby.  He was my friend.  He played next to me while I gardened and stood under my feet while I cooked.  He kept me company in my studio and his personality inspired my artwork.

I miss him terribly.  I don't like good-byes.  It was so unexpected.  This time last week, he was fine.  Now....he's gone.

My heart feels lonesome and I'm still trying to make sense out of the loss.  But, I am so very grateful that he was such a huge part of our life.  He made us smile and laugh everyday.  

RIP Junior Bug. ♥♥

Kim
Gerushia's New World