What do I believe to be true?

"Some things are true, whether you believe them or not."

I saw this quote from the movie City of Angels and it really inspired me.  It prompted me to think about the things that I believe to be true:
The Bible
The healing power of forgiveness
That life is sacred
One day I will see my loved ones again

I also believe that the most important thing you can do is be present. That's why children are always so happy.  They live for today.  When they play, they are completely in the moment.  They aren't thinking about the thousand other things they could be doing instead of playing.  They become what they are playing.
What a magical thing that we have lost...being present.
That is why I paint.  It gives me a chance to let go of all of my daily "stuff" and create something new that didn't exist before.

I challenge you to find that one thing that allows you to become completely present.  Where you lose your since of time and nothing else seems to matter at that moment except for what you are doing.

Be Present.

PrismaCOLOR

I received my Prismacolor pencils about a week ago and they are sooo much fun.  I love how creamy and waxy they are.  It has taken me several attempts to achieve something that I felt was ok enough to post.  The coloring part of my art lessons has been a little harder than I thought.  Apparently, I have a heavy hand, so I have had to learn how to lay the color down LIGHTLY.  The faces I've done have been colored with pencil and then enhanced with paint.  Here are a couple of pictures of what I have done so far.

Mixed Media Girls

My version of Suzi Blu's red-haired girl

I still have more videos to go through and I can't wait to show you more.  Between work and my girls, it has been more of a challenge to find the time to sit down and paint.  I need several hours at a time and so that really only leaves the weekends.  But I have found that if I make art a priority in my life, then I am a much happier Mama!

Rodeo Art judging

Ok...so I have to be a proud mamma!  My youngest daughter's artwork was picked to be judged for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  She had been working hard on her painting at school and even had a slight set-back when a fellow student accidentally spilled water all over her painting.  She salvaged the painting and the teachers of her school chose her painting to be one of the ones submitted for judging!

Addison usually creates wonderful pencil drawings.  This was her first real attempt at painting.  I think she did awesome!  We went to the judging last night and her painting received a 2nd place ribbon.  I was so proud, but I think Addison was disappointed.  She is quite the perfectionist and is very hard on herself.  Unfortunately, not everyone can get first place and they shouldn't.  It is a hard lesson to learn, but I believe it is an important one.

Addison with her artwork

Mutton Bustin'