I Choose to feel good right now....

Today, i realized something. Today, I am blessed to be a live. I am so lucky to be a mom. I am so lucky to have a loving family. I am thankful that I have my health, and that I have a home to keep me and my family safe and comfortable. 

Those who know me, know that I am passionate about health and wellness. I love to cook and research new recipes that are paleo friendly. Yes, I am one of those, I read all the labels, avoid sugar and processed foods like the plague, and I buy organic (as best as I can). This is just the tip of the iceberg as to why I have implemented these healthy life style changes, mostly I love feeling good. It makes me feel good to go through the day without a bloated belly or cramping. But my main reason for this life style change is my son. He needs to eat this way, and so does my mom. 

Today is when I realized, this healthy life style change is not just because my son has sensitive skins issues, or just because it makes me lose a couple pounds, but that my mom is benefiting from this and that food is the best medicine for us right now. 

I make it my business to provide healthy meals for my family everyday, and I love to cook.

Paint Play

Back in the studio and playing for acrylics. Since my son is home learning virtually, I want to join in on his art classes.

Playtime with graphite

I have been away from creating a quite a while. 3 years away from painting and drawing. Best way to get back in is to just do it. Since I’ve spent the last few years being an online influencers and virtual coach, I wanted to try my fun fancy videos for my art process. First video, and with no reference. So the sphere is probably not right, but I wanted to see if I could pull off a good art video.

Be kind to yourself

Forgive yourself.
Love yourself.
Be well.

Divine's travels

The past four months, my painting titled "Divine Love That Surrounds Me" has been included in the traveling exhibition ~  "Celebrating Women of Courage". 

Early February is when I received the call to include my oil painting of the "young woman" into this exhibition located at the Ukrainian National  Museum in Chicago, Illinois. The local Iroquois Museum in Howe Caverns recruited me and my painting to be included within that exhibition. The show is a dedicated to women who are veterans of war and honoring the strength, power, and beauty of women. We all have things that happened in our lives, and we all need a way to express them. This is what this show wanted to showcase, was the strength that we as women possess. Even in the face of despair and grief, we still rise from the ashes of sadness and hurt to create something beautiful and meaningful for ourselves. By helping ourselves, and believing on our own strengths as individuals and as women, we in turn help the people that are important in our lives by giving them hope and strength to be a better version of themselves.

This is why I am so honored to be a part of this exhibition. I as a woman have seen my fair share of grief and hardships, but I don't have any regrets about what has happened in my life. Good or bad, each experience that occurs in our life happened for a reason. It is to encourage us to be better versions of ourselves, to teach us valuable life lessons, and to reward us for our blessings and gratefulness. "Divine Love That Surrounds Me" is a simple visual depiction of the strength of women. As Haundeonsaunee (People of the Longhouse), women very important part of the community. She is the life giver, and with out her life will be nonexistent. The painting is a visual story that we as women carry a lot and we have to carry get our strength from our families and communities. The most important support we have is with ourselves and with Creator. 

I am very honored to have been chosen to be a part of this exhibit. My work for the first time is traveling to other galleries across the United States, that makes me very proud. My painting is a representation of the work that I do as an artist, and glorifying the beauty and strength of Haudenodaunee women. 

Divine Love That Surrounds Me, Oil on Canvas, 24x36 in., 2014

Standing In Two Worlds Opening Exhibition Reception

Today, May 3, 2014,  was the Opening Reception for the Standing In Two Worlds exhibition at the Iroquois Museum. There was a great number of people who showed up to experience the great artwork from many contemporary Haudenosaunee Artists. There was a variety of artwork that ranged from traditional beadwork, pottery, sculpture, painting, and display art. 

I am so glad that I went to the opening, I got to meet new people and say hello to old friends again. It was such a colorful and lively show. Its always great to talk to all the artists and get their perspective on their work, and always interesting to hear their thoughts about your work as well. But the main point that was made through out all of the work that was displayed, is that even though we are Haudenosaunee people, living in this modern society, we are still very much rooted (and always will be) in our culture and traditions as Ongweñhoñweh. I am so proud that my work was selected to be in such a terrific art exhibition. 

The show will be up at the Iroquois Museum until November 30, 2014.  

60/60 exhibition June 20, 2014

I am pleased to announce that I have been selected to participate in the Everson Museum of Art's exhibition of "60/60." This is where 60 artists create a piece of artwork in 60 minutes.

I have attended this event a few years ago when I interned at the museum, and it was very fun to walk around meet new people, talk to artists, and watch amazing art be created right in front of you. You also get to select which piece of artwork you would like to take home with you at the end. Just place your ticket in the bucket, and hopefully your ticket will get drawn and you will get to take a piece of artwork home with you.

So I am very excited to finally be apart of this exhibition. I will be doing my dance paintings/performance at the event. I will keep my blog as updated as possible so that you can see the progress. 

It costs $30 if you pre-order your tickets through the Everson website @ www.everson.org.,  or $40 at the door on the day of the event.

Hope to see you all there! 

Sixty Artists in Sixty Minutes                                                                                                            June 20, 2014   5:30-7:00pm                                                                                                      Everson Community Plaza, Syracuse N.Y. 

or email the museum at  www.everson.org

Everyday blog about art, motherhood, and everything in between

For my first blog of the week and for this site, I am about appreciating all the small things. As from my title of this blog, I am an artist, but I am also a proud mom of the greatest little two year old boy.

I never realized I could have such a deep and unconditional love as the love I share with my son. He has changed me as a person and my outlook on the world. I love being creative and brainstorming new and interesting ideas; and my boy is my most precious and beautiful creation that I have made. He is my rock and the love of my life. He inspires me to be a better me everyday. 

My art is my outlet to let out and express my feelings and emotions. that is the best kind of art that I love. To be free in my creating is to not think about what I paint. Abstraction is the best way to convey that, and the emotion comes through my mind, to my hand, to the brush, and onto the blank canvas. To me, that is peace. 

I want this blog to be, not just about art, but about the little things that happen to us everyday that can inspire us and strengthen us, or just make us laugh. I have many art venues coming up this spring which I am very excited about. As well as a couple of new painting projects that I am in the process of starting. 

I will keep posting as much as I can, between the art making, diaper changes, and laundry. Be creative, stay positive, and just enjoy life. Daneñhtoh 

Standing in Two Worlds: Iroquois in 2014

Hey all, 

This is the invitation to the opening reception of the Iroquois Indian Museum's exhibition "Standing in Two Worlds: Iroquois in 2014". This is my first group exhibition in two years since I had my son! So, I am very excited and honored to be a part of this exhibition. 

Opening Reception: Saturday May 3, from 1-3

RSVP by April 15 to info@iroquoismuseum.org