I think we all could stand to use more SAT words.

The blogosphere is incredible. I was lucky enough to have my artwork found by someone across the world in Noosa, Australia, who used my painting, "Your Voice Was Smooth; Like Water Running Over Rocks" to illustrate her word of the week, "Mellifluous.  Thanks, Felicity, for sharing my artwork on your lovely blog and also for expanding my vocabulary.

"Mellifluous

[adj.]  flowing, like honey.

Sweet or smooth, generally used to describe a person's voice, tone or writing style.

From the latin mellifluus ["flowing like honey"], from mel [honey] + fluo [flow].

Today's word is one of my favourite, not only for the musicality as I say it out loud, but also because I love what it describes.  The artwork I've chosen to illustrate this word is by Gina Marie Dunn and is titled 'Your Voice was Smooth; Like Water Running Over Rocks' which evokes dulcet and mellifluous tones in my mind."

This painting is 24" x 36" x 1.5". This is one of my favorite sizes to work with. It is available for purchase, contact me for details. 

New Painting, "I Love You as Big as the Sky"

12" x12"

Watercolor and Mixed Media on Canvas

There is nothing that makes me happier than hearing my children say these words to me.  They inspire me even more than I think I can begin to realize. I always tell my 4.5 year-old that the biggest gift God gives you when you become a mommy is that He helps your heart open and grow in ways you never thought possible and you learn to love more and more each day. I love it when paintings just flow from a happy place, and this was one of them.  

This painting will be on display at The Cameron Gallery in February at their "Made for Love" Exhibition.  Preview for this show is 2/10 and opening reception is 2/19.  The Cameron Gallery is located on Dragon Street in the Design District.

El Corazon Exhibition this Saturday

Beginning in 1993, Jose Vargas has organized the El Corazón art exhibition in Dallas, which gives artists an opportunity to explore various artistic interpretations of the human heart. Since then, this passionate and delightfully eclectic art show has featured diverse creations inspired by the heart (El Corazón), an important symbol in Mexican and Latin American art, and a significant theme in western culture.
i am so excited that the painting, "As Within, So Without" was chosen to be a part of this exhibit. This work is a very special one to me. It was created during an incredibly painful time last year as we endured a difficult pregnancy with my youngest son. He was diagnosed in utero with a rare birth defect in his lungs that left him with a very uncertain prognosis...there was a time when we were uncertain if he could even be carried to term. Doctors gave us what seemed like volumes of medical journals to read about his condition, and after reading them I wasn't sure what to do. Throwing them away just didn't feel right, nor did leaving them on my bedside table to constantly remind me what uncertain path laid before my son...it seemed like that never left my mind as it was. So I took them out to the studio, tore them up, and literally processed this information through my artwork as I collaged them into a series of paintings. In the end, we were blessed with a perfectly healthy baby boy, our little Miracle Mack.  This painting serves as testimony of art as therapy and the power of putting out the energy in the world that you wish to receive back. the fact that this show is falling almost exactly on his first b-day is almost an uncanny coincidence. 

Opening Reception is this Saturday from 7-9,  at the Bath House Cultural Center and the show will run throughout the month of February.  I am excited to be showing at this venue for the first time and feel honored to be exhibiting works among some of the area's most esteemed local talents.

Thursday's Other Creative Soul: Designer Lindley Arthur

Thanks for joining me today as I interview Dallas-based Designer and Antique Dealer Lindley Arthur. As a creative person myself, it is so fun to peek in on what makes other like-minded types think. Lindley is talented, ambitious, funny, a devoted mother and friend-- one of those gals who really does have it all.  Here's her story:

Name/Location

Lindley Arthur, Dallas- born and raised! 

Education

Journalism degree from University of Oklahoma 

Tell me about your work in one sentence.

I'm a full time mom to two little boys, author of design blog Polish & Patina, and an antique dealer

   

Describe your normal day. 

No two days are exactly the same. I always wake up early with my boys, and depending on the day, take them to school or to meet a friend to play. When I'm not with the boys, I am working in my antique booth on Lovers Lane, going to estate sales or auctions, or exploring the Dallas Design Center. 

What are your passions? 

Besides my family and my faith, it's got to be antique hunting. I love auctions, flea markets, estate sales and the big shows like Round Top and Scott's in Atlanta. I always start with a list of things I'm looking for, and it's so satisfying to find everything on it in a single day, or to just come across something completely unexpected and fabulous. 

What are your goals? 

To eventually open an antique store in Dallas - one that mixes traditional and modern, and also offers interior design services. And, if I'm REALLY dreaming, it would also have a lunch spot (with a special area for children to be contained and play) and a small plant nursery. :) 

 
Who are your creative influences?

As overused of an answer as it is, it's got to be my Mom. She has an eye for style and can mix some of the most unexpected pieces in her home together and it just works. I also really admire the architecture of A. Hays Town, interior designer Barbara Westbrook,  and Dallas' Lisa Luby Ryan. And I'm addicted to reading Joni Webb's blog, Cote de Texas!

Are there any other relevant experiences that shaped who you are today and what you do?

I worked for several years as a fashion writer. It taught me that no matter how much you love your job, the most important thing is that you love the people you work with. I eventually realized it wasn't the right field for me, and after becoming a mom and getting my feet under me again, I knew it was time for me to try something on my own. Opening the antique booth was an easy decision - it's something I'm passionate about, and it allows me to still be a full time mom since I'm only asked to work one day each month. Starting my blog Polish & Patina was a no brainer, too - it's the perfect way for me to use my writing background to share happenings in the store and my passion for design.

What motivates you on a daily basis?  

Making my house a home - from the inside out. And not just decorating - cooking wonderful meals, working in the yard, entertaining family and friends. I love these things, but stay focused on the bigger picture - which is making sure my boys and husband have a roof over their heads that they're happy to come home to.

 
What's your working style?  

Lots of breaks. I'm always stopping to refill a sippy cup, open a new can of Play Doh or to pretend to be a race car. :) 

What are your websites/social networking links?

http://polishandpatina.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Polish-Patina/145331432154255?ref=ts

Feed Your Addiction

Every Artist has their own unique style of painting. I work in spurts.  Weeks of spot-on creativity in the "flow" state where I can't spend enough time in the studio.  I'm giving the kids baths, and daydreaming about paintings. I'm lying in bed and planning future paintings. I'm reading books and turning the text into paintings...you get the picture. Then I step away.  That is what I did over the last few weeks.   I let it sink in. I show my work and (hopefully) let some of it go to new homes.

My paintings have been up at the Starbuck's in the West Village this month and will be there through this weekend. Dallas friends, please pop in for a visit if you haven't already.  Forgive the shoddy Iphone pics, this was all I had with me but wanted to share some images of my works in their temporary home.

 Now I'm back so sorry about the lack of posts.  But if my pattern holds true, it will be on like gangbusters for the next few weeks.  Peace.