Dancing With your Dreams E-course giveaway!!

Ok all you dreamers. Come and join us for a year long journey into our dreams. This is the amazing brainchild of my beautiful friend Amy O'toole. The projects are amazing and I am lucky enough to be teaching one.
If you would like a chance to win a spot please leave me a comment here of why you would like this free giveaway.

Here's tons of info about it. I know you want to.

Connecting Dream Images with Art In this course, we will explore your dream symbols and themes. Using a variety of methods for working with our dreams, we will access the creativity of our own Dream Maker. The course will include over one dozen art projects shared by a wonderfully talented group of teachers! In addition to these lessons, we have included a few fun bonus projects that you may wish to do with the children in your life! We will be sharing journal prompts, sleep tips, recipes and aromatherapy (geared towards giving you a good night's rest), dancing (yes, dancing!) and guided meditations to help you on your journey.

Each of our lessons have been thoughtfully prepared to creatively express an aspect of dreaming.

Learn from a variety of talented art teachers Experiment with different techniques to enrich and deepen your art practice Be led by your intuition and the insights you gain from your dreams and visions Learn to identify what your symbols represent for you Clarify your messages from Spirit Improve your dream recall Connect with other dreamers in our private Facebook Group Protect your dream life as practiced by ancient societies around the world Gain an understanding of the feminine archetypes Develop a dream practice with the children in your life Focus on your desires, dreams, wishes and aspirations for your future Find the gifts that the "dark side" of dreaming holds for you Realize the power in changing the labels that we give ourselves Add dance and movement to your creative practice in the privacy of your own home

Here is the link to more information about the class. http://skyeandstonedreams.com/DancingWithYourDreams/order/

Happy Hour Painting Classes

Happy Hour classes. I have been thinking about doing this for so long. I finally got off my A$$ and did it. I love the idea of friends and family getting together to create. Classes are byob and bring your own food. classes are cheap cheap cheap! At the studio they are only $20 and that includes a 16x20 canvas or 2 wine glasses. If I come to you it is $25 per painter. You can also have a class in a bar or restaurant. I will be teaching at "Skinny Petes" restaurant in Avalon!!! It's about time I expanded a little bit!

Manifestation, Visualization and Meditation. Trying to find center

I USED to meditate a lot. And I will accentuate the USED part of that. I would simply listen to a guided meditation a couple of times and light my candles. I felt such a connection to spirit with those little changes to my life. For no reason I just let the practice go away. In that time I have felt the spiritual disconnect. I told myself I will get back to it but I didn't. So. I had to force my own hand. I started a meditation and visualization & manifestation group on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/234865896639865/ I am making myself accountable for getting back to spirit by trying to help others do it. I made the group a week ago. I have been following a lot of the practices I have added and I feel that old spark of connectivity to spirit again. With just a few minutes a day. It makes me very hopeful!

Falling into Creativity, Mini Art Retreat

I am so happy to announce The First Mini Art Retreat at The Artist Within Studio. Falling into Creativity.
Sat Oct. 13th. 2012
This is a Mixed Media Retreat.
We will be working on backrounds, Watercolors, Collage, Portraits, Dreamwork and more.
We will also have a mini-yoga class and have an optional massage therapist. Registration is $100. That includes all supplies except matte medium and massage therapist. It also includes meals for the day.
We are only accepting 10 students and registration must be pre-paid.
Please email me for more info. JamUrbanek@yahoo.com
visit my facebook. TheArtistWithin1
or lastly my website. http://www.Theartistwithin.vpweb.com

Here is Arlene Holtz's fb page. She paints beautiful portraits and many other art classes. She is also Gumbacher certified!
https://www.facebook.com/SpiritEssenceArt

Here is the Breakdown of the day!
7:30-8 Welcome: tea coffee, slip into comfy socks or slippers
8-8:30 two quick watercolor backrounds. Set aside to dry
8:30-9 2 Atc affirmations,& tags to trade and add to projects
9-10 Zentangle: yoga for the brain, mid morning snack: coffee/tea juice/fruit salad
10-11 Make a collage backround
11-12 Basic Front facing portrait (Arlene)
12-12:30 lunch
1-2 Paint portrait (Arlene)
2-3 Giving tree in prepared watercolor backround
3-3:30 mini yoga & meditation
3:30-4:30 dreamwork with Amy
4:30-5:30 Intuitive journaling , finding your passion
5:30-6 Dinner
6-7:30 Finish up projects, get some extra help, or go a little more advanced
7:30-8 wine!! pack up goodbye
the schedule could still be tweeked a little but nothing drastic.

Imperfect and Honest

Since I have done 29 Faces in May I have really gone out of my comfort zone. Not that I tried to. I like my fairy tale, sparkly paintings. But these guys just kept coming. It was very intuitive. I drew it just the way my hand went. Completely automatic, I didn't erase or try to perfect. I just went with it. At first I thought they were sort of creepy but as I painted them and looked into their eyes I realized that they are completely raw and honest. And now I am in love. With each and every one of them. They are for sale. If you're interested please visit my fb page. The Artist Within Online Giftshop Here are a couple. Please visit them and let me know what you think. Better yet give them a new home. Please email me JamUrbanek@yahoo.com

29 Faces in May!!!! Done!

Wow!! I can't believe it. I signed up for 29 faces in May. I ended up with 33! I"m so proud of myself. It really opened me up to just being creative and letting my muse flow through me. Everytime I am sitting down to paint, I always have an end product in mind. Either for a painting to sell or a class to teach. I never just paint for paints sake. Not this time. I just needed to finish it. So I just kept going. Last week while I was away I sat down (while watching The Woman in Black) and did 16!!! It took me a couple of days to paint them in but they were all drawn in a 2 hour period! I didn't worry about the end result. These characters just kept coming out. People that were absolutely not my style at all. Some of them are quite androgenous some a little creepy and a couple I'm not to fond of but I just kept going until the well ran dry. I am so happy with the result. Some I really really love. Some are so so and I may jush up. Some I may just paint over. But I did it!!! Yay me!

Faces faces faces. Loving making faces

Well I'm trudging on with these faces. I had some good progress today. I did my first ever pencil portrait. I have never shaded with pencil before and left it just as a drawing. I'm pretty happy with her too! I then did a face from Fab. Faces from Tam. I love her. She may be my favorite thing I've ever painted. Then it was An Angel from Angels in my studio. Then I thought, Well I'm on a high note why don't I do another face from fab faces. I'm was crushed. I had just gained some confidence just to have it crushed. I guess I pulled her through ok but I was not happy with her. So I sulked and did a Frankenstein Face for a kids class. I'm up to 11 faces now and i'm going to keep on going. I need to grow as an artist and this will help me to do it.

Divine Guidance.. Maybe I should listen

Well Angels I do hear you. I just need to do what you say!!! I have been using these Fairy cards for the last several years. I have a few different decks but these ones really resonate for me. Sometimes they bring me to tears. I have been keeping track of the readings I have done for the last year. I draw 3 cards a couple times a month for some guidance and insight. In the last year I've drawn the vegetarian card 9 times!! I'm trying I'm trying. Today I was very aprehensive to read the cards. That has never happened to me before so I thought, well, I better find out what they want to tell me. Usually I only pick 3 cards but for some reason I had to pick 2 more. Today as usual was a wonderful reading for me. Basically the gist of it was... Get rid of your old luggage, practice and grow your business and you will be financially successful. I couldn't have asked for more. Now I have to do it. AND drop the meat. So now that they've given me the guidance I wish they would grab me by the hand and nudge me to keep up with it.

Angels in my Studio and 29 faces of May

Well as you can tell, I didn't win a free spot, but it's ok. I love this class and I love my first Angels inspired by Kristen Powers. The whole class is so beautiful and uplifting. I have also joined 29 faces in May so I force myself to practice but I also have been missing my Lifebook class. I need more time. Today I have a pretty gnarly migraine but it was my only day home for the whole week so I wouldn't let myself put off my last two little angels. I'm hoping to get in a realistic face this evening. So here are my little Angels. I haven't named them yet. Any suggestions?

Last attempt to win!!!!!!! Wish me luck!!!!!!!

I am soooo excited for Angels in my studio. It looks like the most Amazing class!!! It starts in a couple of weeks and I just can't wait. I think this might be my last chance at a free class so I'm really hoping they pick me!!
If you think you will love this class too go and check it out..
http://www.glittergypsy.com
After I've taken the course I'm hoping to offer a lot of new and intuitive classes at the studio.

Totally trying to win a spot!!

I can't wait for this class. I am shamelessly trying to win a free spot!!!! Wish me luck!!
You can try to win too
http://olivosartstudio.blogspot.com/2012/02/angels-in-my-studio-giveaway.html

Angels in my Studio Class/ you could win a spot!

I am super excited for the new class starting May 1st. It is called Angels in my studio!!! This is exactly the kind of class I have been craving. There's not another class like it!! Right now I am hoping to win a free class. AND if I am lucky enough to win, anyone who comments on this page has a chance to win also!!! Here is the link
http://urbanekdesign.blogspot.com/2012/02/angels-in-my-studio.html
You have to check it out!!!!

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.

Going to try this. Exerpt from "The Artists Way"

THE ARTIST’S WAY CREATIVITY TOOL: THE MORNING PAGES
By Dr. Jane Bolton
Psychotherapy and Master Life Coaching
What are Morning Pages?
“Morning Pages” is a term used by Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way, for a primary
creativity tool. It involves writing 3 stream-of-consciousness pages, longhand, every morning.
Doing the process is so important that Cameron calls it “non-negotiable.” These pages are
private- nobody else is to be allowed to read them except for you- and then, not until you have
done them for 2 months.
What is the purpose of Morning Pages?
They are not supposed to be “art” or even “writing.” They are to help recognize and release the
critic (Cameron’s ‘Censor’) inside. So the pages are often stilted, filled with self doubt, angry,
whiny, and petty- and that’s a good thing. Why is that good? Because that stuff is what’s in the
way of creativity, and you want to bring it out to the light of day.
Cameron states that, “Morning pages do help us get to the other side: the other side of our fear,
our negativity, of our moods. Above all they get us beyond our Censor. Beyond the reach of the
Censor’s babble we find our own quiet center, the place where we hear the still, small voice…”
We get to see the stream of negative, discouraging things that critic says and we learn to see
that those subversive comments are not the TRUTH. We learn to distinguish the critic from the
voice of reason. We learn to detach from the constant stream of ridicule which shames us and
paralyses us.
Many people find it helps them override the critic if they find or make some kind of image that
represents the critic to them. Say, for example, a dragon, or a Viking. They then put that image,
perhaps with a gag, or an x on it, near them while working. This process can help by
externalizing the critic, making it separate from the Self.
I differ from Cameron in that I believe that, despite appearances, even the critic has high
positive intentions for us. It however, mistakenly goes about trying to ‘help’ us by trying to
discourage us from taking risks. The critic, who ridicules, is terrified of ridicule.
In my master life coaching, I have methods of working with the critic that help us recognize and
release the positive power behind it.
How to do the morning pages
Go to a private place with a spiral bound book, or legal pad and listen to the voice inside your
head. Just write down, longhand, what that voice says. Do 3 pages worth. Every day. No matter
what your mood is. No excuses. Don’t read the pages for 8 weeks. And enjoy your new found
creative vivification.