Thankful for the New Year

After a wonderful evening with close longtime best of friend and kids! I'm so thankful for the New Year!! 

It was only just last thanksgiving when I saw my sister/cousins little ones. I had forgotten how amazing it to be the loved Aunty. Having kids vie to sit on your lap and smother you with attention and both of you laughing so loud and playing. Then having the 4year old ask, "how old are you, 6?". Only because you are just another kid in their eyes. It's the best! So thankful for the love and food my Bestie makes nourishing body and soul. Like coming home. 

I was pleasantly shocked to see a picture of my younger self in a frame. We have known each other that long! It's so great to feel so loved without any effort. It was also the best to be with someone who appreciates a movie that no one else will watch with you (too SyFi). Leaning new life facts from each other, because that's what friends do. 

I'm so thankful to enter this new 2015 year with the strength of all my friends. Including the deep healing with long time friends that I have reconnected with over the past few months!

Thankful for the weather. Cold, rainy, snowy, cloudy, amazing sunsets in the desert. The kind that make a person sob, and put me in awe!

Thankful for my health, and moving on with my life, and starting new adventures.

Thankful for long time friends that help guide without strangling each other's growth.

Thankful for an open heart, and figuring out our fears to move past them and on with our journey. 

Happy to breath clear air after the rain, and the smell of life!! 

Starting fresh by Blogging in 2015!!!! 

2015 New Years Day Afternoon Hike! starting the year off right!

Inspired!

Blogging for the sake of art

Although I was groggy when I woke up this AM, I was psyched about my 9am figure drawing class. I was additionally psyched that two others close to me would be there.

I rolled out of bed. Grabbed my black work pants with a mustard green paint stain on the front hip pocket. Threw on a couple of art ready stained t-shirts. Wiped my face clean with a face cloth . Pulled my hair up into a clip that has bold black silk flowers on either side (Hiding my bed head). A sprits of rose water spray ( to hide any bo).

I was ready to roll, and just needed a bit of brain jump-start juice (aka coffee). Piled into my car and I was off.

When I got to the class space downtown, I wasn't quite sure where to go. Ah ha.. I'll follow that guy with a huge portfolio under his am. I found the space upstairs with paper covering the little square port-hole window and thought "ok, keep calm. there might be a naked model on the other side". I creeped open the door and, yup, naked dude on the other side. My friends and I all got there at the same time, and piled into the room like we knew what we were doing.

Once in the sacred art space I immediately noticed the sizzling coffee on the 'jump-start juice' alter. Oh, and the obvious nude model where the spot light lives. We met our guide EDNA DAPO (http://ednadapo.com/). She greeted us with a bright smile and direct instruction with a quick tour of the space and materials. We all jumped right in and started our quick charcoal gesture drawings. There were some pros at work already cozy with the space and materials in use. things like oil paints, pastels, and colored chalks. The ding if the timer went off. The Model changed his pose and 'DING' we all began to play!

Pretty much I love quickly flowing through a sketch. When I see a smooth winding mark on the paper it's like butter. It's like a dance, or visual flow that when summed up makes a whole idea, and every line plays a part. Like notes in a song.

Next thing I know it's time for a break! Edna who has been sharing wonderful stories, ideas, and direction. Opens up the gallery space for viewing. We all got a peek at the wonderful artwork in the "Arte de Latino" show. I was in awe and inspired by the artistry and craftsmanship of some of the pieces.

Break over! Stories continued, and the model began posing for a longer timespans. Like hard-core 20 minute yoga poses.

All together the morning was lots of fun. Its always better with friends, and I'm excited for next week!

First Friday Downtown Phoenix

The weather is cooling off. Rain was filling the streets granting good luck for a for a cooler walking weather. I know my hair is a little curlier. Love to people watch while at the GreenHaus in Phoenix. Also, there is a really cool show happening at the Clarendon (Artel). 20 different artists transforming the space.
http://www.artelphx.com/?page_id=75

Art Show @ greenHAUS Phoenix Photos By: Julia Rajchel

The art show at greenHaus "Signs of Earthly Finds" had a great turnout! It was wonderful to accomplish a goal in the first if the series of signs made with found objects and paint and plexiglass. Huge thanks to greenHaus's Cole & Dayna Reed for believing in me and giving me a chance.

Thank you Julia Rajchel for taking such wonderful pictures!

Thank you Cameo Hill for supporting and being there for me!!

GreenHaus
http://www.greenhausphx.com
Photos
http://juliarajchel.com/