Moment of Sunlight . . .

Sunday night I was stunned by bright light coming through the trees into our sunroom.  I just knew it was a moment to be captured.  And as most sunsets go, or sunrises for that matter, you have to act fast before the colors and light change right before your eyes. 

I shot this image with my iPhone 4 through the window screen.  As I was looking at the image those words popped in my head.  This is filter free.  I am crazy about filters but this stood perfectly on its own.  I used Phonto app to add the text.  

Thought I would share the inspiration 

xo

Coffee For Consciousness 101

I recently had the great pleasure of creating digital art for the cover of Vito Mucci's new book "Coffee For Consciousness 101" !  It was a lot of fun to work on this project!  I was very happy that the author was so pleased with the cover art.

In addition to his writing Vito is also a shaman, healer, and artist.  This book is a part of his life's work dedicated to guiding others in discovering their own healing, positivity, and happiness. Its also about ultimately finding out who you can be to evolve into the highest version of your true self.

The following is a summary of the book taken from the book jacket . . .

"Live in the Now." "Don't worry, be happy." "Follow your bliss." These catch-phrase imperatives confront us on a daily basis, but so few of us seem to know how to do any of those things. If you've repeatedly tried and failed to manifest your better self or a more resonant life, you might be saying, "You know, it's not that easy." Coffee for Consciousness 101 is the instruction book you've been waiting for-because you're right; it's not easy. Finding yourself takes work, and sharing yourself with the world in love takes even more work...but the rewards are amazing. Our longstanding unhelpful definition of risk and reward is just one of the concepts that author Vito Mucci deconstructs with compassion, humor, and a deep understanding of the ways in which our beliefs about ourselves and the world get in the way of achieving conscious presence in the world, and consciously evolving relationships with ourselves and others. Our beliefs and ideas are the lenses through which we look at the world; this book gives you the idea of Perspectives, a new set of lenses that change what you see, and consequently, who you can be. Rooted in the author's decades of experience in managing his PTSD and addictions through careful cultivation and alteration of consciousness, Coffee for Consciousness 101 is a fascinating, joyful, and deeply practical exploration of how to read the road map to positive change and greater presence."

I am looking forward to reading it, learning, and growing spiritually from the wisdom that Vito shares grounded in his own life experience.  

You can purchase a copy HERE on amazon

For more information click HERE for the official publication page which includes a promo video for the book!  

Be back soon with some new digital art to share!

xo

Sunday Sauce

Or as my Grandma used to call it "gravy".  That is often a debate among italians.  My husband's family referred to it as "sauce"  Every Sunday without fail she would be up early starting the gravy that would cook for hours.  Dinner was always at 2pm another italian tradition that I am sure she grew up with.  As the years go on I notice that I miss those little things.  

So we decided a few weeks ago to start our own tradition.  We are bringing back Sunday gravy.  Lou does most of the cooking.  Its a combination of his mom's meatball recipe and my grandma's gravy recipe.  Today I want to share that with you.  Its on the sweeter side but we always enjoyed it that way.

Ingredients

1 tbs olive oil

1 medium onion chopped

2 cloves garlic chopped

1 28 oz can tomato puree + 1 can of water

1 6oz can tomato paste

1/2 cup fresh chopped basil

1/8 tsp cloves

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp sugar

Heat oil, add onions, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper.  Sautee the onions and garlic till fragrant and they begin to brown.  Add can of tomato puree, can of water, and paste stirring together.  Then add the basil and the rest of the spices.  Simmer for about 3 hours.  The longer the better!  

Oh and we also watch Goodfellas while the gravy is cooking!  That is one of my fav movies and definitely my favorite mob movie ever!  

Hope you try this recipe and enjoy!  Let me know what you think!  

Would love to hear about any family traditions you have!

xo

State of Confusion . . .

I was pretty startled when I realized today that my last post was 2 months ago.  You may be wondering where I have been.  Let me tell you I have wondered the same.  With facebook and instagram it has become very easy to just post my art and daily musings on those sites however it encourages me to neglect my blog space.  This blog has been super neglected and I am hoping to change that!  

I have been continuing with my art not as much as I would like though.  Digital art has taken the place of paints these days but at least it is something.  This past year was filled with lots of ups and downs however this new year is starting off with yet another family crisis that I am trying not to get consumed with.  

And that is where art comes in.  The journal page you see above was something I quickly worked on late the other night.  I only used watercolor crayons, titanium white paint, and my super cluttered mind.  It always seems that what is going on inside my head during times of stress spills out onto the page.  Hopefully it is a good thing.  I started out drawing a face and then it went crazy from there!  But I do like her.  Maybe because she is a piece of me.  

In other news I am continuing to work on my novel.  I will be sure to post excerpts here from time to time.  You can check out details in my last blog post.  

Wishing you all a good year!  And I am hoping to be here much more often!  Miss you all!  

xo

Happy Birthday Rocky (A Day Late lol)

I meant to put up this post yesterday but somehow the day got away from me.  And I wasn't really that busy.  I am still trying to figure that one out!  lol  Anyway, Rocky turned 2 years old yesterday.  I took this photo of him when he was a puppy.  I used my big girl camera.  I wish I wasn't so lazy!  Its just so much easier and quicker to use my iPhone.  Nothing really can take the place of your DSLR.  I shot this in sepia and it was not digitally altered at all.  Its probably my favorite of him so far. Ok, note to self, get out the big camera again!

Wishing you all a nice holiday!  Its a quiet day for me.  Hubby is working all day.  The golf industry just doesn't take a break!  Be back tomorrow with a new painting to share!

xo

Anniversaries . . .

Our Wedding 

May 31, 2003

10 years seemed to fly by in a flash.  Lots of love, lots of loss, but through it all what was constant always was our love. 

Love is something that never dies, it transcends time and space, it lives on forever.  

This photo was my gift to Lou for our 10th wedding anniversary.  The lyrics are from our wedding song "At Last" by Etta James.  Always loved that song.  I found a nice antique looking pewter frame for it as 10 years is tin, pewter or aluminum.  I love to create my own gifts and had fun working on this image.  

Lou surprised me with concert tickets to see New Kids on the Block who are touring with Boys to Men and 98 Degrees.  I was in old school glory last night!!  Now I know for sure he really loves me . . . he sat through a boy band concert!! lol  

Yesterday also marked my 12th year cancer free!  Now if I could just let go of the fear I would be all good!   There is just no time for it anymore.  I am still working on it everyday.   

xo

Reeling And Healing . . .

When I checked to see how long it had been since my last post I couldn't believe it.  I thought I would share where I have been.  And believe me it was not a pretty place.  

February is "dead people" month for me.  Meaning that there are death anniversaries and birthdays of those who I have lost crammed all in one month.  On top of that I also had my annual mammo scheduled.  There was no fun to be had.  the 21st is my first husband's birthday, the 19th, my grandma's, and the 22nd my grandpa's birthday.  Not sure if I had mentioned it before but my aunt was diagnosed with ovarian cancer back in the fall.  This is the mother of my dear cousin who died a summer ago from a recurrence of her breast cancer (she went through it 2 years ahead of me).  

I got the call on my grandpa's birthday, 2/22.  It was about my aunt.  She passed away from complications of her chemo treatments.  She was only 68.  I cried quietly as to not wake my sick husband who was on the couch with the flu.  I cried through the weekend and then woke up on monday morning with my own fever and sore throat.  Round 2 for me with the flu this season.  I had spent the month of December on the couch sick with it already and was pretty angry that it hit me again.  Not only angry but I was left wondering if there was something else going on inside my body that would explain my crappy immune system.  Another family member gone too soon from cancer.  I am losing count at this point but what I do know is that my fear of recurrence increases as does my survivor's guilt with each person I loose to that deadly beast.  

Lou is finally feeling better and I am now just getting up off the couch for the first time in 10 days.  Not much tastes good to me so I started making smoothies.  This one has coconut milk, banana, and some baby spinach.  You can't taste the spinach at all so its a good way to get some green without the veggie taste.  

I haven't painted in 2 weeks and I miss it.  I have canvas's staring at me on my easel but I just don't have the energy.  Whatever this flu bug is it is really bad.  Worse the second time around.  These are the moments when I most regret not enjoying the days when I feel good.  

Hope you are all doing alot better than I! 

Hope to visit you all soon!

xo

Rocky's Favorite Toy

Thought you would enjoy this little snippet in the life of Rocky the pug.  My mom sent him this tennis ball for christmas and it has become his most favorite.  Its funny because Bosco would never play with any ball, couldn't even pick it up.  Just like people, the same in many ways and oh so different.  That is what makes us unique 

:)

Resting On Love . . .

Today I head to the city for my annual oncologist appointment.  One would think that when you get to be 11 years out it would be a cake walk.  Sadly not for me.  Truth is that it feels like a big 'ol associated reaction.  I woke up with a headache this morning, feel crappy, and just want to go back to bed.  Actually I would prefer to hide under the covers for the day.  

I always tell myself this is the "easy" appointment.  I go for my mammo at the end of this month.  That will be the doosy.  The super stressful one.  Who am I kidding, each appointment is stressful.  

Last night I couldn't sleep.  It was anxiety for today.  So I created this digital collage using one of my recent paintings and a sketch.  She looks so calm.  She looks as though she is resting her head on love.  

That is what I wish I was going to do today . . . 

Rocky Needs A Tent . . .

This little guy never ceases to keep me on my toes.  And as much as I hate to admit it, he makes me smile sometimes.  

The other night he was laying on the couch and I threw a towel over his head.  To my surprise he loved it.  That would explain his love of hiding under things like the bed and couch. 

Maybe we need to get him a tent!  lol

Don't Forget To Look Up . . .

You never know what you may find when you happen to glance up to the sky.  I stopped at the walk trail this afternoon not expecting much.  Just wanted to stretch my legs and get some much needed fresh air on this mild NY winter day.  Mild for us is like 45.  

I always have my iphone with me and instead of quickly walking along, I was scanning around for interesting images. I was trying to take the time to stop and look.  Surprisingly there were many cool things I found within a short distance.  And then  I happened to look up.  And there were all these tree tops joining together almost like an umbrella.  When I pointed the lens upward it was like a whole new world.  

It was a moment.  And want more of those . . . 

xo

Rocky vs The Snow

Lou shot this video last week.  It was Rocky's first romp in the snow.  This pug is fearless.  I mean more fearless than my Bosco.  Bosco was more like me, an old soul who lived a bit carefully.  This little guy is just here for the ride, the fun, and fears nothing!!  lol  Lou says he is like a jeep.  And in typical guy fashion Lou wrestles him to the ground when they play and Rocky's loves it.  Me not so much.  

There is so much we can learn from animals.  As I watch Rocky (like I used to watch Bosco) I am reminded that I need to just be in the moment.  Whether it is laying in the sun, romping in the snow or taking a nap.  It is all good. 

I want to live more like a dog
lol

Beauty Is Everywhere . . .

While out shopping at a local store the other day I was stopped in my tracks at the amazing sunset happening before me.  We had just stepped out into the parking lot and as we headed to the car I glanced up and saw oranges, purples, and pinks in the sky. 

Rarely do I take advantage of these moments.  But this time I grabbed my iPhone (one of the perks is the camera you always have with you)  and snapped away.  The colors change so very fast that if you pause, you could miss it.  Funny how I can't even tell this was shot in a store parking lot.  

I am glad I stopped for a moment to soak it in.

Wishing you moments of beauty today . . . 

Channeling The Horror . . .

9x12 mixed media on watercolor paper

I planned on painting Friday.  I had a failed image transfer on a piece of hot press watercolor paper from the day before waiting for me.   I would use a limited palette of payne's gray and titanium white.  And I wanted to use my scraper again since I enjoyed it so much creating the painting in my last post.  

I already heard the horrible news out of Newtown CT, a mere 20 miles away, before I began this piece.  I wanted to paint to try to shake off how disturbed and upset I was about what had happened.  What I did not expect when I stepped back were the figures that showed up along the bottom.  

I paint pieces like these intuitively.  I used my scraper very randomly smearing and scraping the paint around the paper.  I keep at it working very quickly (because if I stop and think my inner perfectionist comes out)  not paying much attention to what is happening.  The only specific work I did on purpose was the face of the woman. 

The tears were added to her face before I even noticed the figures below her.  Now I know why the tears were necessary.  

I continue to send prayers and peace to those lost and those left behind

xo

Remembering Bliss . . .

In all of the craziness that is life lately I find myself looking to the past.  I find myself looking for memories of happy times, of blissful moments.  

I do realize that all of the looking back distracts us from the present moment.  What I did find though is that sometimes it can help sustain us.  It can give us focus, something to look forward to. 

I was searching through my iphoto albums on Saturday morning looking for a couple of images to use for digital collage.  What I stumbled upon was this photo.  It was taken on my birthday back in July of 2008.  I look at this and feel the happiness and bliss that I clearly remember from that moment.  We were out in Newport.  I  had just lost my Dad to cancer a month prior and was heartbroken.  Lou surprised me with a weekend away in one of my favorite places for my birthday.  It was just the thing I needed, that we needed.

I was able to feel happiness in the midst of all my pain.  

I plan on framing this photo and keeping it in our living room where I can be inspired by this moment everyday . . . 

A Scene From My Sunday . . .

processed with snapseed and instagram

Just popping in to share part of my weekend. I went for a walk near our house that takes me on a trail along the water. I had my iphone with me and couldn't resist capturing the moment these two beautiful swans were enjoying.

Right now Lou has just put some brownies in the oven, The Notebook (my absolute fav movie!) is on TV, and the sun is setting outside our kitchen window. I wish all of life could be as easy as these moments.

Hope you are enjoying a lovely weekend!

xo

A Moment In Time . . .

9/9/02

Our lives are filled with moments. Some good, some bad,

some that change our lives forever.

10 years ago today was one of those moments for me. A great moment that changed my life for the better. This picture of Lou and I was taken all those years ago about 5 months into our relationship. We met online and today is the anniversary of our very first date.

I remember feeling so nervous. I was bald from chemo, very self conscious just hoping this guy I was about to meet would not run screaming when he saw me. I put my wig on that night and a little bit of makeup. Some eyeliner, lipstick, and mascara on the 2 lashes I had left. I looked in the mirror and didn't recognize myself although I hoped this new man I was to meet would see past all of that.

It was a simple date. We met at a local diner for coffee which turned into hours of chatter, sharing, and getting to know each other. He was a complete gentleman, one who held doors open for me. At the end of the night he walked me back to my car and held out his hand. It was in that moment that I figured he didn't like me. I was not used to a guy being so polite. As he shook my hand and we said our goodbye's I hoped to see him again. And that I did. We began our relationship as I was recovering my chemo, while my hair was growing back, and as he was surviving the loss of his mother.

Everyone thought we jumped in too fast. At that point each of us had gone through experiences that showed us how short life can be. We didn't want to waste a moment. One month after that photo was taken he proposed. And we married 8 months later.

These are the moments I love to reflect upon especially when life gets to be overwhelming, when maybe stress gets the best of us and we just need to remember where it all began . . .