As 2010 comes to a close, I’ve been thinking of all the things I want to do in 2011. So many hopes and dreams I have for the new year and there are so many possibilities. Anything can happen and that’s so very exciting.

I’ve never been the type of person to drift though life. Often, people tell me I’m the kind of person who can make things happen. I’m not so sure about that, but I certainly don’t like to be in a rut. If someone were to look at my life right now, I’m sure it looks like I might be drifting along. However, that’s not the case – there are many new and exciting things going on behind the scenes that I just can’t talk about yet. Rest assured, as soon as they are where I can, I shall!

As 2010 comes to a close and 2011 is just mere hours ahead, I wish all of you the peace of the ending of this year and the bright excitement of what is to come with 2011. May the new year bring you so much love and peace that your heart is filled with joy always. Remember to dream big…because you never know what could happen.

xoxoxo

Rhonda

(Photo Note: Mietta and I were trying to pose for a little Christmas photo. She’d rather have her little paws on my face instead. lolol – thought this was too cute not to post, though. The posed ones are too overdone anyway, right? lol )

It’s Christmas Day here in Tennessee now and the snow is falling outside. Snow is so peaceful to me. It quietly builds and it’s beautiful as it collects. Though I’m not sure there will actually be accumulation to this tonight, I do love the fact that it’s snowing on Christmas.

When I first noticed it, I felt as if the world had stopped for a bit. The snow was falling softly, the glow of Christmas lights from a nearby neighbor, the Christmas music playing on my radio. It’s those types of moments I live for. The overwhelming sense of “all is calm” as we hear in the classic song “Silent Night”.

I wish you and your family a beautiful Christmas full of love and “all is calm” moments.

I find that the more “stuff” that is around me, the more bogged down I feel. When I thought I was moving across country back in September, I rid myself of all kinds of things. I’m sure the local charity here thought there was some sort of craziness going on because of all the things I took up there. Really, that made me feel good to give those things for a good cause and let’s face it, I didn’t need them anyway. So, I got rid of tons of things and put a heck of a lot of stuff in storage. To this day, I’m living with minimal things in my apartment. And I love it. I didn’t realize how uncluttered this made my life. It simplified it in ways I’d never expected.

With painting, it’s like it opened my mind and my eyes, decluttered my mind and released some inhibitions within me. I’m enjoying myself more than ever before and I’m letting myself do things I’ve never done before. And, it’s beautiful. I suppose it’s an exploration of “me”…who I am and what makes me tick. When your life has always been about making someone else happy (by your own fault, no one else’s), there has to be some sort of big thing that happens in your life to push you forward. For me, that was actually several things. Some of which I wish to forget and some of which I wish to treasure for a lifetime.

One of the things I’ve always wanted but never let myself believe too much that I might be able to have is a little cabin. A simple but cozy place tucked away somewhere beautiful. Though I can imagine all seasons in this little haven, I especially think of Christmas there. Quiet, peaceful, the glow of the Christmas lights on the roof through the snow, the Christmas tree shining through the open large window, a toasty cuddly fire in the fireplace, decorations everywhere the eye can see (but not in a cluttery sort of way but in a tasteful and traditional sort of way), a large wreath on the door, pretty packages and stockings all around, and smells of the holidays in cinnamon, cedar, mulberry… That, to me, is the most beautiful image in the world…except maybe a happy and loving couple to place inside there within all that warmth…a cocoon enveloping all the love and hope and peace in this world…

So that is the inspiration for this piece. The one you see above. There’s so much peace in it, thus the name “Peace”. Much love and blessings to you as we approach the holiday season.

xoxoxoxoxo

Rhonda

I love this painting. It’s sort of a personal one for me. All paintings are personal to an artist, don’t get me wrong. This one just has so much of “me” in it. I welcome the significance of this one and appropriately titled “Letting Go”, I love what it stands for in my own life.  I won’t talk about what it stands for in my life in specifics though because I like for the viewer to interpret it the way they want to interpret it.

The thought process behind this, the colors, the movement. I am just really drawn to this one…more than any one I’ve ever done.

xoxoxo

Rhonda

In celebration of my birthday, I’ll be doing at least one giveaway, depending on the number of people who are involved. Just leave a comment here or on my facebook fan page in the discussion tab at www.facebook.com/thecozyloft and then you are entered to win! All you have to do in your comment here is just let me know something you’d like to see me paint.

Here’s one of my latest ones:

I titled it “Cold Observation”.

Have a wonderful day my friends.

The inspiration for this piece came from a friend of mine and I thought it was a cute idea…then I started thinking about what I could do with it. In the wrinkles of my brain, I came up with something that I’m positively giddy over. I probably need to give some sort of tease on it…so let’s just say it has to do with an owl…and mornings!

In my life, I admit that I am an adventurous person. I like to try new things, step outside my comfort zone if you will. My art is no different.

For a while I’ve had a wonderfully large set of Prismacolor Pencils. I dabbled around with them some, though nothing too serious. The past few days, I’ve really worked with them more and have some exciting new pieces coming up.

The picture above is my first one and they should continue to improve from there. I titled her Hypnotic. I love the way her hair turned out and I was oh-so-pleased with it. Though I’m not as happy with the rest of her, I am still overall satisfied with the end result.  I love her mystery and wonder what thoughts are in her head…her eyes are a little bloodshot and with the iris being red…hmmmm…the stories she could tell!

xoxoxo,

Rhonda

I’m really excited to announce that I finished in 3rd place in the NFAC contest last week! All three of my paintings I entered into the contest sold and found themselves new homes. The painting above – my owl silhouette titled “Calm” is the one that put me in 3rd place.

This was the first art contest I’d entered in my life so I was thrilled to participate, let alone place in it! Thanks to NFAC for allowing me to enter and to those who bid on my painting who made it happen. There were around 52 entries in the contest and I was amongst so much talent. I feel incredibly blessed.

In all the ways on the world wide web, I have been overwhelmed with how to get my paintings and work in front of more eyes. I have decided to start with a Facebook Fan Page. Since I’m a social person, it seems that’s ideal for me.

Please come join my Facebook Fan page and this is what you’ll see:

~frequent updates

~be among the first to see new paintings as they are completed

~yourself entered automatically each month for a painting giveaway, along with other surprises at any given time

~join discussions about art, ideas, suggestions, or anything you want to discuss

The link is under my picture to the right or just simply click here.

It’s official!! Well, sort of. On Facebook there’s all kinds of little things to do to tell viewers more about yourself. One of those is an area where you can put in your employer. Honestly, I’d never used that section before…until now.

I wanted to formally announce it here…I have officially entered my status as “Self-Employed Artist” now!!! YAY for life’s changes that make it more exciting and more interesting…

For once, I am extremely proud of my employment status – it seems to actually fit more than anything else ever has.