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I’m a White Woman, raised in a Black City & I still have Racism within me.

When I wrote this, it was for me. Then I shared it with my Black friends. They think it’s important and should be shared to a greater audience. This is for them.

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Tags: abstract expressionism, contemporary art, latent racism, meditation, mindfulness, mixed media, Ocean, ocean art, pacific northwest, slow down, speak your truth, west coast artist

Shockabuku: How Sometimes I Need a Swift Spiritual Kick to the Head

Ever since the holidays, I have not been able to gain any traction in my work.  Like one of those dreams when I’m trying to running but I can’t seem to build up any speed at all.  At least I can say that it’s not for no reason.  The past five months have been intense, and until about two weeks ago, I had not been feeling so great. Then I received a Shockabuku.

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Tags: abstract art, abstract expressionism, abstract painting, anxiety, Anxiety blog, art therapy, depression, fear, fear and art, fear of failure, forward momentum, Gratitude, loneliness, mindfulness, negative thinking, Ocean, ocean art, pacific northwest, rest and relaxation, self-love, slow down, speak your truth, surfergirl, tortured artist, west coast artist

Setting New Year’s Intentions Instead of Resolutions

I always want to start the new year bright eyed and bushy tailed, with confidence exuding from my pours and optimism oozing from my eye balls.  AND I always find that come New Year’s Eve, I’m so stinkin’ tired from the holiday, that all I want to do is sleep.  I mean, who wants to start 2020 in a coma. 

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Tags: abstract art, abstract expressionism, abstract painting, anxiety, art therapy, contemporary art, creative, faith, Family, fear and art, fear of failure, forward momentum, Gratitude, love yourself, meditation, mindfulness, negative thinking, Ocean, ocean art, outdoors, pacific northwest, speak your truth, surf art, surf paintings, surfboard, surfergirl, surfing, tortured artist, west coast artist

Gratitude & Reassurance from the Universe...in a Bowling Alley

You know what the Universe did this week?  Gave me a big ole pat on the back.  It said, “Girl, you’re doing so well.  You’re being of service in a time of need in a big way, and I see you.” How did the Universe tell me this?  The message came while listening to oldies, in lane one of a bowling alley with carpeted wall decor.  No kidding. 

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Tags: abstract art, abstract expressionism, abstract painting, anxiety, art, art therapy, be of service, Community, community service, contemporary art, creative, del norte, depression, faith, Family, fear, fear and art, fear of failure, forward momentum, Gratitude, Ocean, ocean art, outdoors, pacific northwest, surf art, surf paintings, surfboard, surfergirl, surfing, west coast artist

How Not to Turn Crazy This Holiday Season

This time of year, I am particularly prone to “hamster wheel brain” and “chicken with my head cut off syndrome”.  I mean, let’s be honest here, I’m prone to it all year long.  So, add in multiple deadlines, revenue goals, holiday cards (both personal and professional), Christmas gift shopping, all the events and parties, and the one enjoyable task on my holiday to do list, pie baking, and I am ripe for anxiety overload. Self-care is important this time of year and I mustn’t let that go slack, that’s for damn sure.

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Tags: abstract art, abstract expressionism, abstract painting, anxiety, art, art therapy, contemporary art, creative, exercise, faith, fear and art, fear of failure, forward momentum, Gratitude, love yourself, meditation, mindfulness, negative thinking, Ocean, ocean art, pacific northwest, surf art, surf paintings, surfboard, surfergirl, surfing, west coast artist

Allowing the Ebb and Flow of Anxiety and Growth

This past week, I slipped into old patterns, and ended up in my doctor’s office due to out of control anxiety.  I was pretty sure that what I was experiencing was anxiety, but when you feel like you’re having a heart attack, it helps to have a professional tell you that you aren’t actually dying. 

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Tags: abstract art, abstract expressionism, abstract painting, anxiety, art therapy, contemporary art, Control Freak, creative, depression, exercise, faith, fear, fear and art, fear of failure, Feminist, forward momentum, Gratitude, hearts, inner critic, loneliness, love club, love yourself, meditation, mixed media, negative thinking, Ocean, ocean art, outdoors, pacific northwest, process, reclaimed hearts, rest and relaxation, sobriety, surf art, surfergirl, tortured artist, west coast artist

How Going with the Flow Tames the Chaos

I’m choosing now.  I’m choosing happy.  I’m choosing the path of least resistance.  And want to know a secret?  We can all make this choice.  It may seem scary and it may not look how we think we want it to look, but then that’s the point, isn’t it?

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Tags: abstract art, abstract expressionism, abstract painting, anxiety, art, art as business, art therapy, artist, business growth, contemporary art, Control Freak, creative, depression, exercise, Expectations, faith, fear, fear and art, fear of failure, forward momentum, Gratitude, hearts, inner critic, inspiration, love yourself, negative thinking, Ocean, ocean art, outdoors, pacific northwest, process, reclaimed hearts, rest and relaxation, sobriety, surfergirl, surfing, tortured artist, west coast artist

How Faith is a Path Towards Flow and Away from Fear

I chose to change my way of thinking, and do more of the things that I love for no other reason than that is what feels good.  It may seem silly and perhaps a bit naïve, but I was testing a theory that by flowing with the things that are placed in front of me, by following the signs that I usually pass daily without much notice, I would grow not only in my personal life, but in my art as well. 

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Tags: abstract art, abstract expressionism, abstract painting, anxiety, art, art therapy, art workshops, be of service, business growth, Community, community service, contemporary art, Control Freak, creative, Expectations, faith, fear, fear and art, fear of failure, forward momentum, Gratitude, hearts, inner critic, inspiration, loneliness, love yourself, mixed media, negative thinking, Ocean, ocean art, pacific northwest, process, surf art, surf paintings, surfergirl, surfing, tortured artist, west coast artist

Art Delivery and Numb Extremities: A Travel Recap

I caught a few waves and had a great time, but at about an hour in, I could no longer feel my hands or my feet, and I was having trouble talking because my lips were numb and didn’t work anymore.  I thought I was tough, but that water was DAMN COLD.  As I was walking back to the car, a gentleman who was about to paddle out asked me how it was.  I went to say, “It was fun” but what came out was, “immwuzfn”.  That was about what my lips could articulate.  Did I say it was cold?

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Tags: abstract art, abstract expressionism, abstract painting, be of service, Community, community service, contemporary art, exporation, Ocean, ocean art, outdoors, pacific northwest, road trip

How Taking a Break for Self-Care IS Being Productive

While I do think that there is a time and place for comfort food/Olivia Benson therapy, I know myself well enough to know that this past Tuesday morning, shutting down was not the solution.  It would only be delaying the inevitable and that in itself would just create its own additional stress. However, the circles I was walking in were gaining a frantic speed that I can only compare to the Looney Toons Tasmanian Devil.  I wasn’t making progress. I was moving just to move, trying to trick myself into thinking that I was being productive. With every step, a new worry popped into my head. I had to go to the beach.

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Tags: abstract art, anxiety, art therapy, artist, creative, depression, exercise, fear, fear and art, forward momentum, inspiration, meditation, negative thinking, Ocean, ocean art, outdoors, process, surf art, surfergirl, surfing, tortured artist, west coast artist