Note: If this message doesn't display in its delightfully colorful formatting, you can view it on the Web at www.artellawordsandart.com/ARTELLAGRAM-3-31-10.html.
"Our common image of experience is about as accurate as a still photograph of a man riding a bicycle. Project this image back into reality, and the man will fall off his bicycle."
– Robert Grudin
 I recently had quite an interesting experience with synchronicity. I came across the above quote in Grudin's great book, Time and the Art of Living, and only moments later, I stumbled on this photograph of the vintage bicycler in my own collection of vintage photos! Well, whenever something synchronous happens to me, I look for the message or lesson that might be hidden in the odd little convergence of time and space. In this case, I just had to laugh. It was just what I needed to jostle my resistance to change, and embrace change itself as a comforting constant.
Personally, this year has been a whirlwind. We started the year with a BIG move, leaving Hawaii to come back to the mainland, so that we could get my son Kai access to better healthcare he needs for his bone disorder. Since we moved, the past few months have been marked by change and motion. I have felt an almost desperate longing for stillness, yet the serendipitous pairing of this quote and image arrived to remind me that there is never stillness in a truly forward-moving life. We can only grab on to those things which really want to hold onto as we propel forward.
What are you grabbing on to? What is your "grabsolute yes" – that which you can embrace and hold, to steady you in the midst of constant change? Perhaps it's your family, or friends, or your art, or a dream that you refuse to let go.
In this issue, I'm delighted to be giving all ARTELLAGRAM readers a fun gift: a complimentary copy of The Art Journal Journey e-magazine. The cover of the issue features cherry blossoms, which are such a wonderful symbol of not only the changing of the seasons, but the changes in all life, as well. Blooming at the very end of winter, with blossoms that last only a very short while, they are at once both a symbol of the hope while also a reminder of the fleeting, ever-changing nature of life itself. The impermanence of life is, I think, one of the reasons that we create art. When we create, we leave part of ourselves on the page where it can bloom forever.
Identifying our "grabsolute yeses" allows us to turn to art, to family, to our dreams, and other things that nourish us, so that we can strive to be as balanced as this photo of the man on a bicycle….while continuing to pedal forward through the changing scenery of life's blossoms and bruises.
For those short on time, to simplify this week's Artellagram, here are some ”quick links” to the highlights in this edition. You can simply follow the links that you're interested in and go directly to that section.
|
  1. I'm guest-teaching in SARK's series! Bestselling author and artist SARK has just announced her very first live teleclass series, called Dream Boogie with SARK. It begins on April 14, 2010, and I’m delighted to share that I'm actually the guest teacher for one of the eight live teleclasses, teaching a class called, " Passion and Productivity: A New Vision for Action and Commitment". You can view the full course schedule (SARK calls it her "Succulent Sillybus") here.
This is a truly unique opportunity to work directly with SARK, and, under her guidance, move from dreaming to DOing. You can enjoy some fun “Dream Boogie” samples including colorful SARK videos and funky little downloads for your dream, on this page. So juicy and fun!
 2. NEW! Free eMagazine Download….Your Thank-You Gift From Artella! We have lots of great things planned for Artella Land this year, including the return of Artella magazine and a newly designed, inspiring Artella Daily Muse!
To thank you for your patience and for being part of Artella, I invite you to enjoy a free download of issue #16 of The Art Journal Journey, our monthly publication for Luxury Art Journaling Members.
You can get your free issue by simply filling out the form on this page.
This 68-page e-magazine is full of inspiration for filling your life with creativity and art. Enjoy…and thanks for being part of Artella!
 3. More Freebies…Vote in Artella Contests! You can grab a couple of free Artella goodies when you vote for your favorite artwork in the following contests in the Artella Café:
The artists who submit to these contests are just SO talented and I'm so excited to their work with you! Plus, you get little prizes, just for voting! Have fun!
 4. NEW! April YOUpon codes are here! Take a look at the April YOUpons, and you'll find discounts on many of our favorite Artella goods!
 5. Earn money and great prizes for spreading the word! Join Artella's Generous Affiliate Program! If you're looking to make a little bit of extra spending money this year, join the affiliate program and find out about the great bonuses we have going right now!
 5. Interested in Becoming Part of Artella's Team?We are expanding our team for all the great things we're planning to do in 2010. So if you're interested in becoming part of the Artella Team, check out this post in the Artella Cafe for details.
|
 I'm delighted to introduce Rachel Kitterman, a talented artist and quilter who also creates unique eProducts to inspire artists, including her eWorkbook, "Daydreams and Doppelgangers: Finding Your Creative Voice".
I hope you enjoy this opportunity to get to know Rachel a bit better through this "In the Studio" interview.
Artella: Do you plan ahead when you’re creating, or does your art unfold more spontaneously?
Rachel: I tend to work pretty intuitively. I generally have an idea before I begin – and sometimes even a detailed plan – but I allow the artwork to take me where it wants to go. I let the materials inspire me as I work. I love to pull out bits of fabric, paper, ephemera, etc. and just see what looks good together. Sometimes really surprising combinations come together that I never could have foreseen. I am a very visual and tactile person. I like to have everything spread out around me so I can see it and touch it.
You can read the rest of Rachel's interview, here
See Rachel's e-workbook in The Shoppes of Artella, here.
 If you want more artist interviews from Artella, take a look at our eBooks Artist Profiles Assembled and Artist Profiles Assembled, Vol 2.
|
 ART TIP OF THE WEEK: One of my favorite ways to get grounded when life feels a bit too whirring is come back to a simple, creative practice of gratitude. In my e-course, Make Change With Your Muse: Mixed Media Art Projects to Attract Prosperity and Change in Your Life, I suggest creating a "Change Purse" as a simple, but inspiring, way to collect and celebrate your blessings. This is a great activity for both writers and artists, as it brings together both writing and art in ways that are easy and inspiring for all skill levels.
Annette Phillips created the sample bag shown here by adding a glorious assortment of fibers to the top of an existing bag, and then adding embellishments, such as world coins and other inspiring tidbits. Of course, you can create or alter your bag in any way you like. For example, quilters may want to quilt a bag from scratch. Paper artists may be inspired to try an elaborate origami template. No matter how you decide to create you little bag, here are two things to keep in mind:
- The bag should be small enough so that it is easy to carry with you as you go about your daily routine.
- The bag should be visually inspiring to you, so that you feel gloriously, ridiculously happy when you look at it! :-)
So, select your materials carefully with these recommendations in mind and choose colors, textures, and elements that make you smile and feel good! As your hands work to create the bag, allow your mind to wander, thinking about all the things you're grateful for in your life. This way, the very threads of the bag are filled with your own special brand of positive energy!
After you've created your bag, create a large pile of strips of paper, so that you have them, pre-cut, on hand. I suggest cutting strips from papers of different colors and textures, so that even these little strips of papers inspire you visually! Take a large handful of the strips and write on each one something that you're grateful for. Continue to add more strips to the bag throughout the day, as you think of more things that you are grateful for.
If you find it motivating and energizing, you may want to keep track of how much "change" is in your change purse each day, and see if you can actively increase what you gather each day. For example, if you put 10 strips in the bag on the first day, try for 11 on the next day. And keep going, allowing that bag to get fuller and fuller each day (as YOU are also getting fuller and fuller, feeling richer and richer!)
|
 This Quotz Crystal is a high-resolution jpeg image, suitable for printing. Print it out and hang it up to remind you to embrace change in new, creative ways:
~Celebrating all the hatching changes in's life,
 ~Marney
Artella Founder, Mango Lover, Hula Dancer
Artella Land ~ the creative isles of words, art, and spirit
Artella PO Box 6211 Kamuela HI 96743
|
|
Keep It Coming! To ensure delivery of this newsletter, take a minute now and create a contact in your email address book for Artellagram@artellawordsandart.com. If you don't, your Internet Service Provider(ISP) may block delivery.
