There are some days, that I am simply GRUMPY! Maybe someone said something that set me off, or I got frustrated with myself, or my kids got on my last nerve, or...??? Sometimes, I don't even know why I am feeling out of whack.

I try hard to choose to be HAPPY most of the time, so I thought that I would share my 
​top 10 ways to turn my grumpy mood into a HAPPY one!

3) Get out into Nature. Getting out of my house, and spending time with the trees, birds, squirrels and sunshine always lifts my spirits. The simple act of seeing the earth's beauty immediately puts my woes into perspective. Most of the time, after about 30 minutes or so, my grumpiness feels minuscule and unimportant.

4) Sing a Silly Song. Admittedly, I tend to only sing (out loud and boldly) when I am in the comfort of my own home. But, belting out a goofy, nonsensical rhyme in a made-up tune cracks me up! And, BONUS - it embarrasses my kids! It is impossible to not feel better after that!
...Maybe it's just me who makes up wacky tunes... but I bet singing a "real" song will help to turn round any crabby mood.

5) Dance. Turn on your favorite tune and shake your tail feathers! Dancing always makes me feel good!

6) Remember a Happy Time. Our world is so fast-paced that we often forget to be thankful for the good times. Thinking back on a favorite memory and feeling grateful for the experience is one of my quick mood-changers.

9) Smile. Even if I am not feeling it, a smile ALWAYS makes me feel better! And... there is science to explain why this is true for all of us! Learn about it HERE.  PS - laughing works too!

10) Do Something Different. Most of the time when I get crabby, I just need to stop what I am doing and change my environment and activity. Simple things like taking a moment to stand up and stretch, or going to get a small snack, or running a quick errand can change how I am feeling and get me headed in a happier direction.

There you have it - 10 ways to turn a grumpy mood into a happier one!

What are your strategies? I'd love to hear them - Tell me in the comments below!

Make it a HAPPY day!

Artists typically work alone and I think that makes the creative process seem a bit mysterious and daunting. But, creating art is like most things we do in life. Sometimes it turns out smashingly, and other times... well... not so much...!

I have been regularly creating art since 2013 and in that time, there are many piece that I have started and not finished. Sometimes I get stuck in the creation process and can't figure out how to get unstuck. Other times, I really, really dislike (HATE!) what I am creating. And still other times, I am just not longer inspired. Therefore, I have stashes of unfinished artwork in my art studio.

So, today I thought it would be fun-ish - and a wee bit embarrassing - to share my undone pieces of art.

Maybe you can help decide which ones should be resuscitated and which ones should be put out of their (and my) misery.

So there you have it. A peek into my Art Cemetery. There are more...but I'm going to stop here.

What do you think...is it worth resuscitating any of them? I'm not sure...

Make it a Happy Day!

WoooooHooooies!!!! I am celebrating Friday's launch of new products featuring my artwork in my online shop SO... I am giving away this adorable pillow. The drawing occurs on Thursday, March 14 at 8pm EST. Enter below!

I am often asked about my art. Here are the questions (and the answers) that I get asked over and over again...

​Where do you draw the inspiration for your work?
There are so many ways in which I draw inspiration for my art. I might notice something while on a walk, or want to capture the magic of a vacation, or I hear a phrase that speaks to me. My inspiration comes from my everyday life and experiences.
 
However, I am inspired most when I see good in the world. In today’s day and age, it is so easy to get sucked into negative energy and that can be draining. So, I purposely look for and find positivity, then use those moments to guide my work.

What message do you hope to convey in your artwork?
The mission of my art is to bring “a little bit of happy into the world one piece at a time”. I truly believe that optimism can have positive and powerful impact on everyone’s life. And, I hope that my creations add some goodness into the world. The way I figure it, is that if someone smiles because they saw something that I created, then I have done my job.
 
To convey this message, my artwork is filled with bright colors, whimsy, playfulness and optimism. My art has been described as “joyful”, “soulful” and “smile-making”.

What is your medium/How do you create your art?
Most of my artwork is paper collage. I use a wide variety of papers – maps, books, ledgers, graph paper, magazines, newspapers, the inside of business envelopes, blue prints, postage stamps, postcards, etc. I even make some of my own textured and patterned paper with acrylics, colored pencils, or other mediums and digitally. Recently I have been using scraps of wood for the base of my artwork and therefore, much of my materials are recycled or repurposed.
 
Cut or torn paper is used to create my images. I like to refer to it as “painting with paper, scissors, and glue”. All of it, including the letters, are cut by hand. 

Do you have an art background?
I did not go to school for art. In fact, through much of my life, I didn’t think that I had much artistic talent at all. It wasn’t until I was in my early 40s in 2011 (I randomly took a fun online class called the 30-day Do the Doodle Challenge) that I even begin to explore my love for creating art. Since that time, I have been on a journey of discovering my artistic talents. I have been creating art, fulltime since 2017.

Originally, I began creating artwork for myself – because when I made time to be creative, I found that I was a happier person. In 2012 the first real artistic endeavor that I took on was to illustrate a picture book, Moments Meant to Savor, that I wrote. The book was published in 2013 and through that process, I realized how much I loved creating art, and I decided to pursue it more seriously. Since then, I have done commission work, including a large project for a “Discovery Hall” in an elementary school, licensed my designs to an art and wine business, participated in art shows, and most recently held my first solo art show with artwork from a year-long, One a Week Art Challenge. 

Make it a HAPPY day!

Pinch me! I am THRILLED! For a long time I have wanted to get my artwork on some products and I am finally doing it!

Mark you calendar... March 15, 2019 is the day!

Pieces of my art will be featured on pillows, mugs, phone cases, tote bags, journals, and available on in my store. 

This is just a sampling of what *might* be available (I am still working out the details). But, if you have a special request about a particular piece of artwork on a particular product, I want to know!

Please make your suggestion in the comments below!

Make it a HAPPY day!

For all the pieces of artwork that I have completed, there are always pieces and parts that don't make the cut (pun intended). There are petals and flowers, circles and swirls, leaves, sunshines, letter and words and a myriad of other cut shapes - most of which I keep - just in case...  I never know when I might be inspired by the rejected snippets.

What do you see in these rejects? Help me find inspiration!

​Make is a HAPPY day!