Sometimes I overthink when it come to creating art.. alot of time i don't.. I just take what's in front of me and go and what ends up ends up..but there are times that I paint and I get frustrated that it's not turning out the way I want and I over think and overthink. then there are works of art that I see that just stops me dead in my tracks because it's so clean and fresh and simple yet so deep that I wonder how long it took someone to paint it.
Mindy Lacefilde is one of those artist.. that wow. Just blows me away. I would LOVE to learn to paint like her..
and luckily.. this year I can. Mindy just announced on her website about her new workshop coming this spring.
SHe talks about creating art as a child.. like remember when we were 7? and we just painted to paint? not to please anyone else.. but just yourself.. not overthink .. Just PAINT. She talks about how as we grow older we start to compare ourselves to other people.. and their art. We judge ourselves.. our art and wonder if we are good enough. Art isn't about thinking how good we are.. it's about finding ourselves and enjoying our passion. It's painting what's in our heart and bring soul and fire to what we are creating. MIndy's work just wow. SPEAKS to me. I wish I could own every one of her prints (she has an etsy shop too).
I have never met Mindy.. she doesn't even know who I am.. but I am in love with her work. LOVE it.so inspired by it.
(i love this print because it reminds me of my trues.. feeling blessed i get to spend time with some of them today here at Margie's house).
In this workshop she will help bring me back to those days were art was just about creating and defining myself as an artist.. I am also really excited to learn more about oil pastels.. as I am not really family with them at all.. Plus we will work with Inks, Watercolors, paints.. and more I CAN NOT WAIT! class starts in April.. signs up start Feb 13th. .. i will be first in line.. It's a little pricey.. not gonna lie.. it's $118 but early registration is $98.. so I am going to save my pennies this month and get it done. AND BECAUSE this week I have been talking about people joining me.. I am going to pay for someone to take this with me. Let's find our inner artist together!!!
I have started to realize lately how much I truly appreciate art. I mean everywhere.. everything. WHen we were in Hawaii one of my favorite things were to walk through local art galleries and just be inspired by all the forms of art being featured there. Jewelry, paintings, glass, sculptures.. just crazy how many forms of art there are out there. Even photos. SO to be inspired to go back to my childhood and paint freely.,, excites me. My friend Jamie, (who I am with today)... was sharing with me some art that her son, Calvin, who is 8 did recently
this is calvin.. seriously adorable
the minute I saw it my jaw just about dropped. I mean DROPPED.. I was in love with this particular painting.. so raw and true and wonderful. Let me tell you a little bit about it. Jamie and her family travel all over the world.. they've been to over 100 countries throughtout the world.. that is what they do for a living. Jamie and her husband had 2 adorable boys but wanted more but couldn't. So after a year of paperwork and time and patience.. they traveled to Africa as a family to meet their new daughter/sister. It was an amazing experience for them.
Calvin is an artist and loves to paint and draw and recently had to paint for his class in school. It was a piece on diversity and the beauty of it.. and he did it on africa to represent his sisters heritage.. this is the picture he painted.
AMAZING.. i seriously am going to buy a print. I need it for my art wall. I have started to collect art and prints from artist that just inspire me. THIS inspires me. It just simple and raw. there are no stamps on it.. no rubons.. no crazy artistic supplies that were made to create it.. just simple paint and a little boy's creative heart. LOVE it.
anyhow. just wanted to share this with you. I can't stop thinking about how inside all of us is an artist.. just waiting to be explored. I know there is. Hope you can find your inner artist this year. ..
anyhow. I am getting emotional.. better stop this post! lol..
oh! and we need to pick a winner from yesterday's class giveaway.. to Jessica's art journal class.. our winner is..
Joni Kix Moore who posted yesterday at 9:51 pm.
congrats girl! email me!
And to all of you.. I hope you truly have find discover your inner artist this year.. I can't wait to see how you spread your wings and fly. Leap with me!
happy friday!
this sounds a wonderful class that i would love to take! unfortunately it's a bit out of my budget right now, but maybe i'll be lucky enough to win a spot. thank you for the chance!
Posted by: Pamela | January 06, 2012 at 02:33 PM
happy friday dear,
love to get to know all these artists and classes. 2012 will be an awsom yaer!
hugs from Israel
Limor
Posted by: Limor David | January 06, 2012 at 02:47 PM
I'd love to take this one! Mindy is from my home state of Arkansas... I had the chance to take a class with her just an hour or so away from me, I didn't do it and have kicked myself ever since!! I do love her work, more and more every time I see it! So I'd be one proud "Arkie" if I won!
Happy Day!
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Hodge | January 06, 2012 at 02:49 PM
i'm utterly speechless Christy!! thank you for your beautiful words and gesture. i hope you have a fantastic weekend getting artsy. give my girl Chrissy a hug for me.
oh, and nice to see a fellow arkie hanging around these parts.... :-)
hugs and love!
xoxo
m.
Posted by: mindy lacefield | January 06, 2012 at 02:59 PM
I also am an admirer of mindy's work, and would love to take the class.
Posted by: Katie McD | January 06, 2012 at 03:06 PM
Sounds like fun but you're killing me with all these cool classes! You even have me taking the digital art class...CRAZY!!!
Posted by: Marjolaine | January 06, 2012 at 03:08 PM
I am waiting for Calvin's class. :) Love his painting. Your words speak to me, I am getting back to basics this year.
Posted by: Krystal H | January 06, 2012 at 03:20 PM
The class sounds simply amazing but the story of Calvin's painting truly brought tears to my eyes...what a wonderful gift he shared.
Posted by: Terri Cook | January 06, 2012 at 03:32 PM
Calvin's painting - I totally get it - and yes, it blows me away. It is so evocative of exactly what he wanted to capture and yet so simple at the same time. I'm in awe. Your class choices for this year truly have me drooling!
Posted by: Cheri | January 06, 2012 at 03:37 PM
Exploring our creative side is so important to having a full life, thank you for the reminder that whatever we create it doesn't have to be what everyone else wants, as long as it expresses our own feelings. Would love to win a spot in this class, thank you for your generosity.
Posted by: Donna L | January 06, 2012 at 03:38 PM
wonderful post truly love reading your blog happy friday Christy happy true's day lol
Posted by: corinna | January 06, 2012 at 04:05 PM
Thanks for your best wishes and thank you for offering to pay for this class for a lucky girl. Oh and Calvin's painting is amazing!
Posted by: Esperanza | January 06, 2012 at 04:06 PM
I adore Mindy's work also! It would be wonderful to learn to create as freely as I did when I was younger.
Cristi
2ifbysea1067@bellsouth.net
Posted by: Cristi Clothier | January 06, 2012 at 04:08 PM
I love the sound of this class! I have an art instructor who hypnotizes the class a few times each semester just to get rid of that doubt. It's amazing what the results are after he does that.
Posted by: Katie M | January 06, 2012 at 04:13 PM
Such a great painting by Calvin. I was cleaning out my garage this weekend and found all my son's art from Elementary School. It was so fun to see how he expressed himself then. Of course I kept it all. Thanks so much for the chance to win a spot in Mindy's class. Looks so inspiring.
Posted by: Jane S | January 06, 2012 at 04:14 PM
Wow great post Christy-This class does look amazing.....
Posted by: Suzanne | January 06, 2012 at 04:21 PM
I am totally one of those over thinkers even to the point I dont even start cause it worries me too much how it might turn out, this year is the year to do rather than just dream! Mx
Posted by: Michelle | January 06, 2012 at 04:22 PM
Mindy's class does look amazing! I am going to have to travel over to her blog to check it out! I love Calvin's picture of the Masai! It is so real and so true. Love it!
Posted by: Laurie Hunt | January 06, 2012 at 04:26 PM
I have been looking at that new online class called Paint your Story! It looks so wonderful and I am dying to take it!! There are so many talented teachers out there. Being a student could be a full-time job!!!
Posted by: Kelly Aubert | January 06, 2012 at 04:26 PM
Beautiful, I'm completely speechless...absolutely breath taking. Thanks for sharing is inspiring.
Txs, Aida
Posted by: Aida Franquiz | January 06, 2012 at 04:40 PM
Mindy is one of these artists that truly inspire me. The rawness of her painting, the colors, it just speaks to me.
Posted by: Nolwenn | January 06, 2012 at 04:55 PM
Unreal! Sooo amazing and purely awe inspiring painting! And what a great way to intrduce the class coming up. Would love to participate with you.
Posted by: Ali gitt | January 06, 2012 at 05:05 PM
You are finding some cool classes girlfriend. Pick me please. Wink
Posted by: Regina | January 06, 2012 at 05:23 PM
so many wonderful classes out there so hard to pick and choose....thanks for your kindess this week in sharing......may we all grow our art heart this year.
=0)
jeanie
Posted by: jeanie dickinson | January 06, 2012 at 05:24 PM
love your story, children are so innocent and pure!
Posted by: Yvette F. | January 06, 2012 at 05:48 PM