Here It Comes Again

I know why it had to be this way
If you asked me for a label
I would graciously resist

"Here It Comes Again" -Please 

Empire Records Soundtrack

It's that time of year again. Hot weather coming hot on the heels of my birthday. Which was amazing this year!  I got treated to the cocktail spirits carnival and spent a wonderful day with my friends, then I was treated to fabulous ramen with even better company and I got art supplies like you would not believe!

cocktails....

ramen...

art supplies...and a cookbook!

 So the good part is that I have a great life with wonderfully amazing friends. The bad part is that it seems that this is also the time of year when my electronics commit hara-kiri. Okay, so I'm being a tiny bit overdramtic here, but last year at this same time that same laptop died. The motherboard. Again. I do have a laptop that is, well, workable is a word. One could use. In this instance. I guess.

Trying to do homework has been a challenge. Remember how slow your dial up computer was back in the day? Yeah, I know it's a first world problem, but honey there isn't even room to put Word on this thing, let alone Photoshop or a music program. So, in an effort to get myself a new laptop (new new, not used new. That has not worked out for me in, oh, ever) I will be posting my art for sale. At this point I figure, why not? I love to make it, it seems like people love to look at it, so they want to own some of it maybe?

Not to mention that it creates space and the ability for me to create more art & offerings for you! I have a few ecourse ideas noodling around in my brain and hope to have the first one launch by August.

Thanks in advance for your support on this, your cheerleading is always appreciated. Also, if there is something you've seen me post that you don't see listed, drop me a line!

Etsy

Redbubble 
Facebook

<3 Luna

art supplies, baby!

A Deeper Transformation

It's been quiet over here, I know, crickets chirping quiet. There has been some crisis, both my own and others. And for the past 29 days I have been doing vision book work with the lovely Hannah Marcotti. If you are ready to feel deeply, begin some fresh shifting and are willing to do the work I highly recommend this. Fair warning: this is not a trip for the faint of spirit or heart.

Day 3

 The other day while working on said vision book I caught up with Super Soul Sunday. A year and a half ago while exploring vulnerability Brene Brown was my guide. Listening to her talk about it was a deep reminder of how far I have come & have yet to go on that score. This time she said something about authenticity that had me riveted.

"Authenticity is a choice and you choose it everyday. It's a practice. When you walk into a meeting, you have to make a choice. Am I going to show up and let myself be seen?"

And then Oprah went there. You knew she would.

"When I am inauthentic is when I have allowed myself to be around people who were not (authentic) and then I have to fake it to be with them."

Wince. uh...oh. Ah. AH!!!!!! Aha.

I have remained tied to places and people I no longer feel connection to while slogging through the swamp toward those who call to me. Distancing myself from all sides. Yet somewhere in the process of the last 29 days I can feel that shift that is sending me closer to where I want to go, where I need to go, where I long to go.

Have the hots for the experience of being seen, witnessed and valued- Chris Zydel

This means realigning with my word for the year: more. It means feeling some things out to see where I would like to land. For now. It means shedding some things I don't want or need while picking up some new things. And some old things I dropped along the way that still mean something. Who really knows? What matters is that this is a chance for renewal. And I am ready to take it.

<3

Letta

A Quiet Heart

This is a post from last March. It seems like a good re-share!

I haven't been able to hear my heart so I haven't been able to get out what I needed to.

This is one of those things that happens to everyone from time to time. It is not always easy to remember to get centered in the heart living in such a busy and fast paced world. And sometimes we can't hear out heart because our brains are simply talking too loud.

When I needed help returning to heart help came in the form of a friend who told me that I inspire her and brighten up her life just by being in it. The full body tingle I felt on hearing that was the wake up call I needed, a reminder that my purpose is deeper and greater than I have ever imagined.

The Heart of the Matter

Sometimes we need reminders of what drives us forward, of what dreams we have forgotten to long for and the influence we may have on other people. Knowing that I touch peoples live simply by existing is pretty powerful. It is powerful in a way that means I am moving in the right direction, even though it might feel a little unnerving.....a little scary even!

Listening to the heart doesn't always feel like you imagine: there may not be the pounding thrill of rushing blood, it may be quiet so you may have really open to hear it. A heart reaching out may only be able to whisper.

Are you listening to your heart? What do you hear?

The Miracle of Love

What if you opened the closed door of your soul a tiny little crack? What would happen?

I suspect love might creep in. It might start out unnoticed. Sooner or later though, it would be to feel expansive. Illuminating. Hopeful.

Love

Is

Yours

For the asking.

The Universe has more than enough to give to every single living being in the whole entire world and still have plenty leftover. Don't feel selfish. Let love in. Unlock the door. Throw open your arms. Let yourself be wapped up in the comforting miracle of love in every form. (Unless it's stalker love. Then run like hell!) You aren't just loveable, my friend. You are love.

But sometimes the 'Verse needs a bit of help. Like that tiny crack I mentioned above. So this Valentine's Day don't worry about a date, or a fancy dinner. Don't worry if you are alone. Because if love can get in, you never really are.

Vintage African American Photos

I have been working on art a lot lately, drawing, painting, stretching myself to grow outside my little art box and into the proverbial sun. Always on the look out for inspiration I Googled to find some goodies. Searching the Internet I found so really great stuff that made me want to share it!

Gentleman smoking

 

 

 

Four Ladies in Hats

Lovely woman

Here is a whole set of great vintage ladies!

Lipstick Alley has a great thread on African American vintage photos.

Also Vintage Black Glamour has a fabulous collection that is not to be missed!

Failure Is Not Your Only Option

I watch you set yourself upon for rejection. I wonder when you are going to stop doing that.

It is perfectly okay to choose, right now, in this moment, to love yourself.

So go ahead, accept that lovely compliment. Expect that people want to hang out with you.

Acknowledge that the past is done and this, my friend, is a whole new era of awesome.

Start now.

Vulnerability is a Super Power

I decided to re-share this post from November because I love this piece of art and the message that came up for me. Being vulnerable doesn't have to send you into a tailspin of fear that you will be taken advantage of . On the contrary, I now see how vulnerability is in it's own strange way a superpower, I think of beauty that can be used to open and rise up to unforeseen heights.

From November 7, 2011:

So last week I began my exploration in vulnerability, discovered this great TED video, and had some really eye opening conversations, both on and off line. I chose not to punish myself, and I came to the conclusion that the most vital thing is to know when it is safe to be vulnerable.

“We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection." -Brene Brown

Her shape appeared within the watercolor. I simply followed the lines. Her lack of a mouth does not indicate silence.

Wings to fly away, or hover patiently in the air

If I allow myself to crack open, I will find hidden TREASURE

My interpretation of vulnerable: it can leave you upside down, and it can give you room to take flight

A Digital Freebie for you! Heart Swirls

I created a digital freebie for you to use for art journal, scrapbooks or mixed media art. Have fun and feel free to show me what you make if you use it! Please note, this is for personal use only.

 http://www.scribd.com/doc/81315236/Heart-Swirls-Freebie