Lesley Venable

Being Grateful For What Is...

Hi Everyone!

Wow, we have had a whirlwind few weeks...first in Nashville, Tennessee for their first ever Art Is....You, then a business trip and then off to Dublin, Ohio for Artiscape.  We had amazing adventures along our way and met some wonderful new friends and reconnected with friends we have known and loved for years.  Beautiful art was created by all, lovely vendor items beckoned us and our wallets and the comaraderie was effervescent!  We cannot wait until next year to see all of you in Tennessee and Ohio again!

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The first quarter of this year has seen lots of changes, choices and decisions being made.  In this process I am having to learn to be grateful for what is and to let go of what will never be.  It has been a journey of a couple of years, an ongoing journey, but it seems like the time has just flown by as I have progressed through the various steps that needed to be taken.

I think the most important thing about my journey is that my art and creativity is a continuous saving grace in my every day life.  It is there when I pound pencil to paper breaking lead and more than scratching the surface and it is there when simple glue and paper is enough to quiet the inner fears, concerns and worries. 

I have started an unusual journal in which I have written several "gestalt letters".  I have collected words of wisdom from Pinterest....what a wonderful place to find just the right phrase for the moment (you see a spattering of them in this post).

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I have, in some ways, matured and grown up and into my art.  With the shedding of old ideas, concerns, fears and worries I have opened myself up to new experiences, deepening of friendships and I can feel the creative side of me following closely.

I have learned that there will be those that will always seek to bring you down, to create in you someone that you are not and who will always treat you as a scapegoat.  More importantly than that is that I have learned that I can forgive them and myself for placing me in those situations.  Creativity and Tom's great cookies help with the realization that I am worthy regardless of what anyone else thinks, feels or says.  Quite simply....I am worthy.

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Tom has been my biggest supporter and fan.  We have driven thousands and thousands of miles together.  I know he has my back and that he only ever wants what is best for me.  I feel the same about him.  My friends, my inner circle, my tribe....when I look at all of us I see those same qualities.  Generosity, beautiful spirits, giving natures, open hearts and pure acceptance.  It is a wondrous thing to behold and be a part of.

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We have already had two swaps completed over on the NING group, The Art of Altering...a tag swap and a tussie mussie swap.  Gorgeous creations.

May 5th kicks off the first new class of the year - The Altered Vessel.  Beautiful altered bottles done in my artistic style with organic soldering and some other  unusual touches. 

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The daffodils have bloomed, the Dogwoods are almost finished and the trees are covered in the green that only newness brings in the Springtime.  It is one of my most favorite times of the year and is clearly a reflection of my soul this season.  We will be listing items in the Etsy shop over the next weekend as we sort and go through boxes from Ohio.  Looking forward to cleaning house in the studio as well.  Eeek!!

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I hope your Spring has been wonderful and filled with new beginnings, new hope and new blessings. 

xoxo,

Lesley V.

 

 

A Perfect Time For Affirmations...

 

Sometimes it feels like no matter what street I drive down, what store I shop in or who I talk to there is evidence of the havoc this economic downturn has created. 

I know how difficult it is to get in the studio and create something positive and beautiful when it seems like everything is crashing down around us and I know how much, at times like these, working with affirmations is the last thing on my mind.  Unfortunately, these are the times when it is most important to use those affirmations to create a positive wall of energy around ourselves to deflect the negativity that tries to work its way into our soul.

One of the best "get out of yourself" affirmations I know is to perform Random Acts of Kindness (RAK).  In the past when we would go out to eat we would look for someone dining alone or someone that just struck us as needing a boost and we would buy their meal anonymously.  Of course times have changed and we, like a lot of you, are watching every penny we spend.  BUT, RAKs aren't about the money spent they are about what it does to the other person's heart, how it uplifts them and gives them hope.  For that to happen no money is required.

Here are some ideas for wonderful cost free and almost cost free random acts of kindness...

1. Go to the Dollar Store in your area and purchase a pack of index cards, even recipe cards.  Write positive quotes on the cards and carry them with you in your purse, backpack, fanny pack, etc.  When you stop for your coffee, your groceries, at the library...leave one of the cards for someone to find. 
2. Purchase a pack of playing cards and create ATCs with simple art work on the front and a message of hope on the back - if you want to stay anonymous just don't sign.  Carry these with you and as in step 1 spread the love where you go.
3. You know those annoying papers you sometimes find on your windshield promoting the newest restaurant, etc.?  Why not put your notes of encouragement there?
4. Know someone that has recently lost a loved one or has had critical diagnosis?  Purchase a few cards from the Dollar Store and send them at different intervals.  Fill them with words of hope and encouragement.  Put a coupon in one that is good for a free ice cream cone or bouquet (no need to purchase just keep your eyes open for coupons and special offers).
5. Want to spend a bit of money?  Buy a grocery card for a family in need or order a flower bouquet (pay cash so that it is truly anonymous).
6. The most anonymous act of kindness I know of is to simply add someone to your prayer list. 

What I have found is that when I perform Random Acts of Kindness I feel more gratitude for what I have in my life.  Getting out of my own problems allows me to reach out in a way that I can't if I am staying stuck on my issues. 

I hope that your Friday is filled with promise, hope and abundant blessings.

xo,

Lesley V.

 

 

True Words Are These...

Source: facebook.com via Mary Jane on Pinterest

Art & Affirmations.....

An Exercise in Acceptance

What are the desires of your heart?  Write them down, doodle them, meditate on them, see them fulfilled in your mind and feel the emotions that come along with that fulfillment.  They are within your reach, you are surrounded by them…..open your arms and accept these gifts of wonder.....they are waiting on you.

 xo,

P.S.  I love you.

Art & Affirmations.....

Love Yourself Exercise

Choose something that you can wear every day to remind yourself that you are beautiful and loved.  It could be as simple as a ring, necklace or earrings that you can give special significance to.  When in doubt touch your talisman, as your fingers feel the object remember your affirmations, remember that you are worthy, loved and loveable.  You are.

Art & Affirmations.....

~~Love Yourself Exercise~~

During your day take a few small 5 minute meditation/affirmation breaks.  Choose several affirmations that you would like to use for a week and either speak them or meditate upon them as you relax.  If you have affirmation tapes/CDs/MP3s use a small headset and listen for those 5 minutes.  Allow yourself to really hear the words, visualize yourself achieving your goal, feel the happiness and then act as if it has already happened.  Your positive energy has a glow that attracts that which you desire.  You are beautiful.

xo,

Art & Affirmations - Day 2

Affirmation Exercise

Write down on a piece of paper the useless chatter that is clogging your head.  Those “you’re not good enough”, “pretty enough”, “thin enough”, “smart enough” chatterings need to be swept from every corner of our thoughts.  On a new piece of paper write down the wonderful qualities you possess and begin each statement with “I am”.  Fill your page with these self-affirming chatterings (i.e. I am a wonderful artist, I am a lovely hostess, I am a loyal and true friend, I am beautiful).  Fold the “old chatter” page into a square and tear it into bits.  With each rip repeat one of your new phrases.  Now toss that old stuff out and don’t look back.

 

 

Art & Affirmations - Day 1

Love Yourself Exercise

You are a masterpiece.  You are so uniquely formed that there is not another like you in the entire universe.  Nobody else has that dimple, that birthmark, that smile.  You are special!  Mark it on your heart and repeat this often throughout  the day.

 

Learning To Just Be.....

Sometimes it seems that we go happily along...everything goes our way and not a gray cloud mars our sky.  Then, out of nowhere or possibly somewhere that you hid it, a life lesson or two or six comes your way.  Some of these life lessons are just things we do to ourselves and they come in the shape of worry or a lack of self confidence or self-esteem.

This has been a time of those life lessons for me and while I would like to pick up a paint brush and just color out those gray spots I've decided that the time has come to deal with some of them head on.  Now I could sit here and tell you how painful it has been so far because it has and I could tell you how many tears I have cried over them because I have but I don't want to dwell on that aspect of these lessons.  In fact, the good part, the happy part, the loving part of these lessons has given me so much more than tears and pain. 

I have gained new friendships, I have seen old friendships strengthened, I have felt loved, I have felt cared for, I have felt carried when I didn't think it was possible to move one more step, I have been empowered in my own art and accepted for it and that was all done as me.  Me, who I am at my core with no masks, no attempt to be something I am not...simply me.

I am going to begin a little project on November 1st by posting a daily affirmation or daily exercise to help get us all motivated to love ourselves, to appreciate our art to see ourselves as the special, unique person/artist/individual that we are.  It is an exercise for me as I work on being a better me and it's a commitment to you.

xo,