Painting Bliss

American NeedleWorks

 

 

 

A perfect friday goes like this... wake - coffee - shower - sunshine  - - -  antique shop - puerto rican food lunch - more antiqueing - finish with a sneak peek of a not yet open yarn shop. Can anything top that?

Not for me! Well one thing, the whole family by my side!

 

American NeedleWorks is setting up shop in the most delicious location.  Head to toe exposed brick and tall ceilings greet you as you enter. It's like stepping out of the ghetto and into heaven itself.  The owner is a little slice of heaven too - with his short stature, big smile, and mild southern drawl, Jim and his partner are fixing up, decorating, and designing what they call a "work in progress".  Everything placed just so, you can tell that it's a labor of true love.  All dreams are.  Scrumptious yarns - hand dyed, locally made, and soft for the petting are piled in old baskets and shelving that's as busy as a nest of bees. I wanted to lounge there,  hang there,  and just chat with Jim all afternoon.  I love people.  They inspire me with their stories, their dreams, and their common bond of creativity.

Jim was exuberant...  telling of arms stretched surfboard balance of trying to ride the waves of emotion that comes with opening a new business brings.  "I'm nervous, I'm excited, I'm overwhelmed, and I'm optimistic he said"...  I told him all great things are tough and nerve racking in the beginning, that it wouldn't be worth it if it wasn't.  He liked that, called me a philosopher...  and I smiled.

Thursday nights starting June 27th right in the heart of downtown Middletown N.Y. all are welcome to "sit and knit"  where you can enjoy a threaded evening of yarn, tea, and nom noms. Not to mention only for $12, and not to double mention the great company of other yarn lovers you will socialize with.  Jim has taken on some talented teachers and hopes that his shop will catch on locally - hard and fast.  I have a strong feeling it will!

Jim was humble and shy when I asked to take his picture, afterwards he commented on the messy shirt he was wearing - his paint shirt, and I said "Oh no bother on that shirt, its perfect attire for someone working on their dream!".

So, my yarn friends of Orange County New York, get ready and get excited cause this shop is the answer we have been waiting for! No longer will we have to settle for Lionbrand or Redheart! American NeedleWorks is located at 10 North Street in Middletown New York.

Say hi to Jim, and ell him Ashlie sent you!

 

 

 

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Walk the Loop

 

 

One can not explain the connection to a place they may have. Perhaps it's just  a love for what's there or the feeling you get when visiting... but I feel in my heart a place you feel connected to means that somehow over time and space... perhaps a past life, you had a reason to love this spot and once again love the same place but without knowing exactly why or how.

For me... this is and has been the Liberty Loop. It's a 2.5 mile walk around a large marsh area (Audubon Reserve), where a plethora of different bird-life resides and flourishes. Egrets, herons, swans, geese, mallards, bald eagles, hawks... and well my list could go on and on of  the feathereds to be seen. Turtles... my favorite small aquatic creature perch on mounds of grasses, logs, and rocks. They mull around in depths of water that are just low enough for them to feed and wander... like a toddler in the shallow end of the pool, perfectly delighted to be doing their turtle thing.

 

 

I walk this place regularly and feel at peace. My feet take the pace of the beats thumping throughout my ears from my ipod that plays emits bands such as The Paperkites, Xx, and The Staves. This place isn't meant for anything too loud or demanding... it deserves a background set for heartbeats... not drumbeats.

 

The Liberty Loop changes by the day and season. Not only by scenery but by wildlife. My place is a place for holding hands, walking silently, and smiling at the giggling children running up on geese.

I can think clearly at the Liberty Loop, feel deeply there, and find a rhythm and space that I need to feel what I need to feel. It's a place I try and not answer texts, return emails, or even touch my phone at all unless it's related to changing a song.

 

 

Everyone needs a place to go, to feel in, to breathe in... everyone needs that serene banquet of earth and sky and feathers.

 

 

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Turtling Season

Turtling Season

 

 

It's spring, and spring means turtling season! If your a regular reader you know I have a soft heart for any creature, but especially for turtles making their way across, or idly sitting in the middle of the road. Let no turtle go un-saved when it presents itself in my path.

In the past week I have saved four turtles, just a wee fraction of the tally to come... last years total exceeding twenty I name and number each of my shelled friends.

Please don't hit or run over a turtle, love the earth and all it's creatures. After all, it's a true pleasure to help a traveler on their journey to greener waters.

 

 

 

The Art Project of Houston

 

 

 

Graffiti art IS art. It's an amazingly colorful and inspiring medium I have completely no understanding of. The idea of using different tips on the end of spray cans to complete a larger than life perfectly blended piece of art just blows my mind. Who knows, maybe someday I will have the opportunity of trying out some can art!

After poppin' tags at the nearest thrift outlet we took a hop, skip, and not even a jump to a series of buildings amazingly decorated with works of evolving and ever changing art. This project is called the Houston Art Project, supported by the Bread of Life and funded by the Rice University.

Jax and I wandered down paint laden corridors as we talked in our best white girl street slang. Cameras snapping and lines like "I'll pop a cap in yo ass" echoed off the walls.

Here are images I took at the Houston Art Project. I was blown away at every turn, by every new amazing piece of WOW!

 

 

 

 

 I told Jax I would pay her a whole dollar to lay on one of those couches, but she declined (come on! lol).

In my opinion every town, city, and place should donate an abandoned building to this sort for cause. Not only is the cause great, but the public gets to experience graffiti art in a positive light.

 

First Hike of the Season!

 

 

Fair weather, warm sun, and a Sunday happened all at once yesterday. It was a recipe for adventure and the chance to breath in the damp scent of earth and snow. Spring has started, clocks have been changed, and the sun is allowed to stay up past it's curfew. I'm here. Right here. I'm waving a flag that says "WELCOME" and putting out my thoughts of sandals into the universe. Soon it will come, and I am ready. We all are, aren't we?

It wasn't a terribly long winter. We did receive more snow than we have in many years prior but I enjoyed it. Winter is snow. If it's going to be cold and bitter, in my book it might as well let out some pretty white flakes. There comes a time though, somewhere between New Year's day and now that I grow inpatient with the storms. This year I am thankful for March coming in like a lion, because now I can look forward to it slipping out like a lamb.

Our first hike found us on a portion of the Appalachian trail. With all the snow melted at home we expected it to be the same only fifteen minutes away... but to our surprise it wasn't. More than 6 inches remained on the path. We were prepared though with warm layers and snow boots. The snow was soft and slushy where the trail had been flattened. It took on a slightly yellow hue from the rotting autumn leaves below. I thought about how painters usually use variations of blue to add shade while painting snow... but it's not blue in the shadows at all. The true color presents itself in shades of grey and a grey toned lavendar (artistic mental note). Truly lovely it is.

 

 

The trees that held their pale yellow butter colored leaves all winter shivered in the light breeze. Each little leaf shook like it had been set a vibrate. I told everyone to stand still, be silent, and listen. The sound that presented itself was that of a mexican maraca. Sort of like rice in a tube being softly flustered.

Nature's music.

 

 

Over a small man-made foot bridge ahead we were bestowed a beautiful sight...

 

 

The trail/woods were quiet except for the ten minute stint when my almost three year old son decided he wanted me, and cried for me from the hiking pack upon daddy's back. A little reassurance that I would hold him soon, daddy playfully teasing him with a stuffed cat, and we were back on track. The snow was perfect packing snow from the temperature lifting. I thought about if we had prepared a little more (gloves) we could of built a snowman right on the trail to greet other hikers on their own adventurous journey. Food for thought in plans for next year.

Signs of spring could not only be felt... but also seen, even with the 8-12 inches of snow on the forest floor. Greening moss, last years fern and rhododendron bushes were conjointly brightening.

 

This was a short hike to start us off. Many more hiking experiences are on the horizon. Between mountain, hill, and tree trunk we will take nothing but photos and leave in return, nothing but footprints. We are ready... or rather my husband and I are. The kids will warm up as we move along. The complaints of "my legs are tired" and "are we done yet?" will replaced with "where are we going to go today? and "it's hot, will there be waterfalls to go into?". This is the stuff families are made of. The stuff our family is made of. Activities unique to you, us, each other. We are an outdoors family. We crave wild open spaces and gifts from nature to feast our eyes upon.

Life is right outside your door and I want my children to always realize that.

 

 

A Portrait and Pride

 

In the past I have done a few playful portraits, nothing serious though. I had the pleasure of drawing a caricture of miss Polly from The Enchanted Pixie, and Lovely Laura from The Blue Eyed Night Owl. Their portraits came out beautiful and I loved them! But I went with carictures of them because I was too nervous and hesitant to do a true to life portrait. We can't live our life in fear right? No! Easier said than done I know, but if you never let fear go and continue not trusting yourself, then how will you grow? You won't.... so I trusted and was amazed by what I had the capability of achieving. Tooting own horn? Yeah maybe, it's healthy to toot your horn once in awhile! Toot Toot!

 

 

 

Last week I received a commission from a really sweet and friendly woman looking to have a piece done similar to one that had sold a few hours before on Etsy. I gladly told her I would love to and we started chatting about what she would like to see. Moments later she sent me a beautiful photograph of her daughter for inspiration. Inspired it did for almost instantly I saw what was to be created! Running it past her, she was completely excited to "trust the artist".

Being so excited and inspired, I was able to finish the piece quite quickly! This portrait isn't a caricature but a true to life depiction. I only made a few minor changes such as giving her a wee bit more of a smile, placing her in a dress, and of course the background and flowers.

Now, I'm not showing the entire piece today as I want it to be a surprise to the little girls mom... so I promise soon, but for now enjoy the sneaky peeks!

 

 

 

I'm really proud of this piece and super elated the mom of this shiny soul thinks it's so beautiful. I thank her for the opportunity to see what my skills were capable of producing. I hope to have future opportunities with such success!

 

 

New Work and Some Artist Chatter

 

I have been really busy drawing, just letting myself be completely me.  I think most of the time, even though being so extroverted (secretly introverted), it's hard to just allow myself to let myself go. Go as in just allow the work to flow uninhibited from me. My inner critic tends to say mean things and I believe him. He goes on to add comments I didn't ask for and I end up doing something beautiful but not fully Ashlie.

If I'm being honest I have also been really nervous seeing what exactly me is... and the nerves add to worry because switching gears is scary!

Scary, none the less... I can't hold back. I have had such wonderful (thank you so freaking much) reception for my new work on Instagram, and now here on the blog that you all are just showing me critic or no inner critic that I am on the right path. In fact, I have never had so many comments and glowing remarks! Bllluuuusssh you guys!

There are several drawings piling up now and today although yesterday I shared new work... I am showing you more! All of these I am piling up until there is enough to revamp the Etsy shop.

To help clear out the shop or at least make it so that my book of art isn't so full and unappreciated, I am offering a -

25% off coupon

- to my etsy shop on anything you wish.

Just use the coupon code BEYOU upon check out and thank you in advance for anyone who actually uses it.

So onto new work...

 

"We Make"

8x10

Pen and Watercolor

 

 

 

As I mentioned yesterday, prints to come! Of course I will let you know when ;) I hope you enjoy this new piece as much as I do. I'm feeling very inspired and very much like a spring bloom unfurling one petal at a time.

 

Art Journal Adventure

 

 

My studio buddy has been keeping me company as I grab for pens, pencil, and paint. He gets in my way and I get in his all at the same time. We both wouldn't have it any other way.

I have tried multiple times to try and start an art journal and each time I quickly abandoned it. Finally, I just gave up because I had too many other artistic endeavors to pursue. But it has been brought to my attention yet again and this time it feels more like exploration, soul searching, and fun. I'm not putting any pressure on myself either. Cause that's not what art journaling is about.

The universe recently brought me a new friend and she's a wonderful soul! She is the mind behind Loud Nonsense Whispered Truths. She has a crazy amazing and inspiring shop.  I wear one of her hand stamped lockets daily. It reminds me to be present and be where I am at the moment I'm there. When I need it I  open it up, breathe deep, and think the words "be here now".

The beautiful art journal page below was made by Jodi, she makes beautiful art. Lookie see, and notice the quote on the left page... it's me!

 

 

Jodi has inspired me to start my own journal. We are enjoying getting to know each other, friends make the world go round as I said in yesterday's post. This week found me at the used book store, a place I haven't been to since I was a teenager. A whole pile of books later that only cost $2.50 I had taken Jodi's advice and bought some old hard bounds that I wasn't terribly attached to with plans of altering it!

Have a gander at my first two pages! (yay)

 

 

Jodi and I have also agreed to both start a page in a book then send it back and forth until it's full. Then we will probably start another. The wonderful thing is we are going to share these pages on our blogs. We want to encourage you to be brave and perhaps start an art journal yourself. We hope to remind you that even brave confident artists are vulnerable and question themselves every day. I'm looking forward to exploring my self onto the pages of both my journal and the one I swap back and forth between Jodi and I. I am enjoying seeing words in journals, tearing them out, and saving them for my journal. In fact, since the journal is encouraging my less perfect side... it will probably reflect in my actual artwork, changing the way I create. I look forward to the adventure!

 

 

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Something to be said for Self Preservation

 

 

There is something to be said about self preservation. First of all, what is self preservation? I think for me... and this is without researching it, googling it, or looking into the dictionary... Self Preservation is the need to wrap your heart up real tight and hunker on down like an end of the world dooms day prepper. Except instead of a million cans of baked beans and canned hash, it's all about surrounding yourself with things that do nothing but offer gentle loving support to ones self.

 

 

I spend a lot of time pleasing others and perhaps we all do. We are so scared of being alone that we over please people to make sure that we don't end up some crazy cat lady/guy in a house that resembles being haunted when in reality we just couldn't make our dreams work. I want so badly to keep everyone close, and make everyone happy, but I can't continue to put myself aside to do so.

Something that brings me great comfort when I am my most drained is a very special hug that only the hubby can deliver. When I am at my most raw, I cross my arms one over the other like a fair maiden being laid to sea. I go as close as I can to his chest and just let him squeeze hard and tight. This complete enclosure comforts me. Sometimes I require it once in awhile, sometimes it's needed several times a day. He's always willing and I'm glad I have those open arms.

I'm seeing that now, and I'm seeing that it is an unhealthy way to live. It's time to love myself before loving others... because if I love myself then it will only lead to me being a better and more attentive soul.

 

 

Dreams Goals and Hopes for 2013