Time for those flowers to sing...

FRIDAY!

“I don’t like Mondays, especially if they occur on Fridays.” 
― Jarod Kintz, This Book is Not FOR SALE

But it's Friday.  (Hope you all are full from your Zoodles dinner yesterday!)

Have a wonderful weekend!
I hope you all have plans to breathe some tree-air this weekend.  I'm still getting back on my feet (literally) but figures I'd take those huge canvases that arrived from Blick's BY TRUCK and paint away, work on our garden, and support my brother Matt Oestreicher at his awesome monthly concert It's  Your Time To Shine at the Bijou Theatre - a wonderful amateur talent night!
(This is me singing in it the last time around!)

Me Singing at It's Your Time To Shine...(sorry, shameless plug for the lil' sis!  more at www.amyoes.com!)

In The Studio...
I went down to the studio today but did set a time limit - I would give myself a few minutes to center myself and focus, and then touch base with whether I truly wanted to create or not.  Then I focused on one particular paintings, really being present with how each little brush stroke and hot dab of glue felt.  And after three hours (okay, so it was a bit longer today...) I said alright, it's Friday, let's get out of here.

But here's what I did!

Inspired by this tree...

And spackle, of course...

It's pretty tough to see all the details from this photo so...

See my little singing flowers?

And a few more!

One by the sun...

One by the moon...

 Is there any more appropriate time to add some singing flowers in then now?  Enough with these chilly days, let's see some blooming petals around here!

 Anyway, this painting does deserve a better photograph, but I do like how this came out.

Also just set the scene for a mini little canvas with a lighthouse...

And then finally painted in the spackle on this tree growing over the stump - I definitely need to let this sit for a bit - so many things could be happening in this painting - I just think the relationship between the stump and the roots growing over it speaks volumes...

Random Inspiration...

I was bookstore browsing yesterday and found this new book which looked wonderful:

(I'll give it a read and let you know!)

But also wanted to recommend this great book that really can get your wheels turning:

Caffeine for the Creative Mind: 250 Exercises to Wake Up Your Brain

There's a ton of exercises in there that are wonderful for helping you think differently - just about life.  I always get intimidated thinking that I am reading a book to "help me create art."  When I use other resources, all I am looking for are different ways to see the world, different ways to be present - like how you're supposed to brush your teeth with your opposite hand once in a while?  (I'm terrible at that!"

Before I go...

If you happen to be jet-setting anywhere this weekend or just want to take your mind for a trip...check out these 50 MOST INSPIRING TRAVEL QUOTES OF ALL TIME

With Mother's Day coming up, (and I know it's April, but I'm sorry, it's STILL cold!) you can also browse through these 31 Amazing Gifts To Make Everyone On Your List A Little Cozier

And for a little weekend project, http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/tp/Use-Your-Fabric-Scraps-To-Make-Your-Own-Fabric-Jewelry.htm

And most importantly, get outside, breathe some air, breathe out some gratitude, and experience it all with those you love...

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” 
― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

(These were photos of me for one of the times I played the role of Anne In The Diary of Anne Frank - an amazing girl, and whose journal, story and heart will live on and on and one with the seasons...)

Have a wonderful Friday.