My first artist date (well sort of...)

I know there are many things you are supposed to do on the artist date.
1st. You fill up your well...
2nd. Go where you feel special and inspired
3rd. You must do it alone.

Well... I really didn't follow the rules for my first artist date. AND it wasn't really a date. It was two days in my home where I hardly had to leave (that NEVER happens)I certainly wasn't alone, My kids were all over the place but that's ok

So this is what I did

I cleaned out my email inbox
I volunteered to help at a local art show
I made up the Feb. schedule for my studio including details of the Make A Wish Art Show
I made two new business appointments with potential Nursing homes
Took care of several emails that I had put off
I did 4 loads of laundry.
NOW to add the fun stuff.
I completed my first project in my lifebook class
I worked on the doodles for "The sketchbook challenge"
I read some more of taw
Looked at lots of art and some videos.

I know there was supposed to be a different way to do that BUT I just got to meander through 2 days of art and chores and the art made the chores not so bad.

I may never get two days where I'm not constantly running again but I really took advantage of these ones.
AND I'm a pretty good date.

Thoughts of my first morning pages

I think it is a sign that about a month ago someone sent me the exerpt about morning pages (a few posts below) and a couple weeks after that I was invited to a facebook group that will be discussing "The Artists Way" http://www.facebook.com/groups/305469276165135/308737465838316/?notif_t=like

I had never heard of the book and even though I put the info on my blog I still didn't do the pages. I guess I just waited for my New Years resolutions to kick in and then I would start.

I woke up this morning ready to start my new life. I cleared out my email inbox of tons of stupid and spammy emails. And then it was time to do my pages. Well they didn't end up the way I though. There was no warm and fuzzy just unadulterated anger at myself. I ripped myself apart. This inner voice completely trashed my and all of my past behavior and lack there of. I am really hoping that this was my critics way of purging out all of the old and I really really really hope that it's not this mean to me ever again.

Iwill do them every day but if this meany doesn't let up I don't think I will be able to take the daily bashing.

So if this didn't put you off. come over to the group and get your creativity on.

Choosing the word for 2012 and giveaway

I have been reading so much about picking a word for 2012 and sticking to it. It seems like such a commitment. But I have made so many changes these past couple of years I need to string everything together and really make a difference this year instead of sort of watching my world go by. A lot of time I feel like I am watching life happen to me instead of making it happen. My word was going to be positivity but I am already really positive so I have decided on making my word "ACTION" Taking action and using my positivity. Taking action to get my house in order, taking action to get new clients, taking action to make my studio a haven for all who come there, Action to become a better artist and teacher, action to be a better mother and wife. The list goes on and on..
At Quinn Creative she has awesome tips on how to chose and then put your word to "action" (see there it is again)
http://quinncreative.wordpress.com/2011/12/08/choosing-your-word/
http://quinncreative.wordpress.com/2011/12/20/word-for-2012-and-a-giveaway/#comment-21615

I would love to know your word and how you would like to use it.
Post a comment and Jan. 1st (or 2nd depending on the possible hangover) I will pull a name and send you one of my mini's

courage and Croissants!

I am so excited!!! I just won this book and it came yesterday!!! I immediately started reading it and I plan to use it this new year. I'm taking the lifebook class online and doing my best to get rid of my lazy monster and live the life I dream of... (after all of the holiday eating of course)I really think this book will help!! I will let you know.......

New look

Well everyone, I just changed the banner. I have changed the name off all of the sites to some form of The Artist Within. The Artist Within1 on facebook and My artist within on etsy and lastly DL Artist within on twitter (for Deer Lakes Artist Within)

Happy Village

Not completely better but I'm painting myself better. This painting makes me happy. I love everything about it.
My Happy Village

Chocolate makes everything better

Well, I have been eating much better this week... Not necessarily less food but less processed food and to be honest, I am a little out of my funk! Yay!! I still don't have much energy but I'm a little better. I definitely neeeeeed more energy. These probably won't give them to me but I'm going to make them with my kids this weekend and they should help this funk I'm in even more.
Chocolate makes everything better

Homemade Oreos

Recipe from SmittenKitchen.com, adapted from Retro Desserts, Wayne Brachman

Makes 25 to 30 sandwich cookies

Ingredients:

For the Chocolate Wafers:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 to 1 1/2 cups sugar (I used 1 ¼)
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) room-temperature, unsalted butter
1 large egg

For the Filling: (I double this recipe)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) room-temperature, unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Set two racks in the middle of the oven. Preheat to 375°F.
2. In a food processor, or bowl of an electric mixer, thoroughly mix the flour, cocoa, baking soda and powder, salt, and sugar. While pulsing, or on low speed, add the butter, and then the egg. Continue processing or mixing until dough comes together in a mass.
3. Take rounded teaspoons of batter and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet approximately two inches apart. With moistened hands, slightly flatten the dough. Bake for 9 minutes, rotating once for even baking. Set baking sheets on a rack to cool.
4. To make the cream, place butter and shortening in a mixing bowl, and at low speed, gradually beat in the sugar and vanilla. Turn the mixer on high and beat for 2 to 3 minutes until filling is light and fluffy.
5. To assemble the cookies, in a pastry bag with a 1/2 inch, round tip, pipe teaspoon-size blobs of cream into the center of one cookie. Place another cookie, equal in size to the first, on top of the cream. Lightly press, to work the filling evenly to the outsides of the cookie. Continue this process until all the cookies have been sandwiched with cream. Dunk generously in a large glass of milk.

These cookies are fantastic! Who doesn’t love a homemade oreo?!? While they do taste an uncanny amount like the original, they’re a world better. And they’re so easy to make!
If you haven’t already discovered SmittenKitchen.com, check it out! Deb is an amazing baker, cook, and photographer. Her website is a beautiful compilation of recipes she’s tested, adapted, or created. It’s funny, honest, and helpful. Every recipe I’ve tried has been exceptional.