CLICK THIS ARTWORK TO ENTER GALLERY

CLICK THIS ARTWORK TO ENTER GALLERY
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Saturday, June 29, 2013

ART HEALS



Art heals.  Well to me, at least.  Every single one of us has a way of letting off steam.  I don’t mean just when we’re angry or frustrated, that is a given, unwinding after a hard day’s work, or just rejuvenating from the wiles of day to day living.  Some play golf, others go out dancing, etc.  For me it’s flinging paint around on a white piece of paper.  When I find myself unable to sleep, I make art.  It instantly sends me to lala land, whether it is just after a sketch or just applying gesso on my substrate.

Whatever it is, I feel so much better, defragged.  However, if the form of relaxation was suggested to me, like maybe, hey, let’s go to the movies, or go out dancing, etc.  at the end of the activity it didn’t seem to have done what it had set out to do. 

When I feel like the woes of the world are on my shoulders, I am able to take it out on my art.  It shows exactly what I was feeling at the time.  In the process, I have a deep conversation with God.  The connection and the result of my work represent it. 

We are not robots.  Regardless of what has happened to us in the past, we have been created to be strong, get over it, and move on.  In my relationship with God, I find that his love gets me through whatever it is I am whining about.  For instance He said in His word, I am all you need, and I will provide, always rings true for me.  As long as I believe that He is behind the wheel, I’m ok.  As I go on, He does take care of me.

Like everyone’s life, mine is a roller coaster too.  Highs and lows.  Faith carries me through.  I love capturing those moments in my art and creating something positive out of something negative and hopefully evoke some kind of tug in those who view them.  That is where I get my true happiness and validation as an artist when someone says, your art made me smile, or it made my day, etc.  When they say you’re a talented artist, it is appreciated more than they can ever know, but the true grit for me is the emotions evoked inside of them that makes it all worthwhile.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

THIS WEEK ON MY HAPPY COCOON STUDIOS


Acrylic abstract "homes"


Another one of my unique birdhouse creations.  I collaged chocolate candy wrapper, a product of the Philippines which is nostalgic.  This is like something from my childhood, one of my favorite candies.

Till my next rant... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!  Hope this sparked some creativity in you.  Love you, mean it!


Sunday, June 23, 2013

SERENITY NOW

                        

What does it really mean to be "at peace"?  Is it the absence of physical noise from a surrounding?  Is it being on vacation, relaxing at a beach and sipping mai tais?  Or perhaps walking away from a conflict or breaking up an argument for the sake of peace?  What does peace really mean to each and everyone of us?  In every human being there is a constant hammering of issues that plague our weary minds.  Life itself creates situations in every one sometimes easy to tackle and others, not so much.  Whatever the issues may be, God promises to keep us in peace when we stand in faith with Him.   Give Him the problem to solve then forget about it.  Once it is surrendered, do not try to take it back.  The first step is up to us to make.  We must fix our minds under His protection to shun away anxiety or impurity.

God wants us to make Him our partner.  He is always more than willing and able to hold peace in our hearts, minds and life even in the gravest of all situations.  God holds the power, as long as you stay vigilant.  

Until my next rant... Love one another!! Love you, mean it!

Monday, June 17, 2013

PRAYER FLAG PROJECT COMPLETED








Thank you for looking!  Until my next one... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!! Love you, mean it!

Sunday, June 16, 2013

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS



Dreams are not rare. They fill our hearts and occupy our minds. God puts them there—that is, the ones that really count. Those longings, aspirations, and goals are God-given. That’s why He also breathes hope into our hearts to keep us targeted on the good and great things He wants to do if we’ll enter into partnership with Him.

Here’s where faith comes in. The Bible says that everyone has a measure of faith. This doesn’t mean that everyone’s faith is perfect, accurate, or functional. But it’s there, waiting to be pointed in the right direction and applied in the right way.

Friday, June 14, 2013

SIMPLY UNIQUE BIRDHOUSES





This is what I was busy creating yesterday.  It is a great way to incorporate painting and crafting together.  These two blank birdhouses were in my stash for the longest.  I knew I would finally do something with them.  I didn't want to just paint it randomly like all birdhouses out there.  I needed them to be different!  So, I hope you like them!

Until my next rant.. LOVE ONE ANOTHER!  Love you, mean it!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

PRAYER FLAGS -- BOHO CHIC DECORATIVE ADDITIONS FROM TEA BAGS




YOU DID WHAT?  Don't throw away your used teabags.  I dried them out, removed the tea inside, laid them flat, already they have the antique look.  Then I stamped images on them, made a template of a flag, sewed the decorated tea bags and VIOLA!!! Prayer flags!  

Will be posting then for sale on Etsy so watch out for them.  I still have a few more to do then I will post more photos in another blog post.

Thanks for looking!  Until my next rant.... LOVE ONE ANOTHER! Love you, mean it!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY PHILIPPINES!!



Saturday, June 8, 2013

THE BEAUTIFUL CHAOS


Her life was an open book.  She epitomized a very chaotic soul who seemed like someone who has it all.  Fame, beauty, a voice, money, etc.  

What was missing was the only element that would complete her and which she sought all her life, someone to love her.  She could have had it all but she didn't recognize it, since she never knew how to either handle it or even give it back.

I don't know her personally but I don't have to.  She was a shell of a person who along with mind altering drugs numbed the pain of deep loneliness.

Sometimes I ask myself, what if she knew God?  What would her life have been like?  Would she have ended up dead or would she still be alive today and lived a full life?  Perhaps she would have had a family and been completely happy.

No matter the reason, God had a purpose for her life.  She teaches a lesson.  A lesson through her chaos and loneliness.  It just goes to show that no matter how we end up in this life, we have a purpose, a testimony.  

What is your testimony?  Have you ever thought about what people would say after you've passed?  What would they say?

Until my next rant... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!  Love you, mean it.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

MIXED MEDIA CREATION IN POLYMER CLAY, ACRYLIC AND WOOD



Summer is at hand and circus' and carnivals are coming to town!  inspired by it, I made this mixed media artwork this week.  Her face is created from polymer clay and three dimensional and the rest is painted on a wooden plaque.  I hope you like it.  Share comments and/or questions below or email myhappycocoon@gmail.com.

Until my next share... LOVE ONE ANOTHER! 





Monday, June 3, 2013

Learning to Draw Class at My Happy Cocoon Studio - Sharing


My little niece Jada's first one on one class with me at My Happy Cocoon Studio.  She is such a smart little girl and a quick learner!  She showcases her first face drawing ever!  She even learned to paint in watercolor!  By the end of the class she has drawn 3 faces in total!  Yay, Jada!

I love motivating children to follow their passion in art!

Until my next rant... Love one another!!

Sunday, June 2, 2013

CHANNEL YOUR INNER CHILD


See the world through the innocent eyes of a child when life gets in the way.  While we transform from children to adults, we lose our vision through rose colored glasses.  If you notice children in the playground, they don't care what color, clothes, possessions, toys etc that other children have.  They just associate and play with gusto and without prejudice.

Because life happens to us as we get older, we start seeing and experiencing pain, suffering, and other negative factors and begin to form our own personalities.  Most of us, that is.  Not included in this group are people who see others with love, with compassion, understanding and a kind heart.  Worse yet, we pass the negative on to our children, perhaps more than we even realize.  Children watch their role models and become as bitter, demanding, and soul-less as who they see, without a clear understanding as to why.  

Jesus had the world in His hands when He was manifested in the world.  He could have used His powers and forces to shun and annihilate evil, but instead He handled them with so much love and humility, even when He, a blameless and perfect man, was scourged, beaten, slashed and mocked.  This is the example He shows us.  Pretty overkill wasn't it.  Did you ever wonder why?  

The why is because He knows that we can't endure even half of what He did because we are human.  And sinners.  But if we had even an ounce of compassion as He had, an ounce of forgiveness, an ounce of sympathy, we are already growing in the Spirit.  And the more we do it, the closer we get to God.

The little girl in the painting is tickled pink from watching the penguin.  There is so much innocence in her that she doesn't even see the danger a wild animal could do to her, all she sees is a wonderful creature before her.

It wouldn't hurt for us to give others the benefit of the doubt sometimes, remove the hate, selfishness and jealousy from our hearts and begin to genuinely be happy for others who succeed and pray for those who hurt others, and of course for our own hearts to learn to love one another.  Practice makes perfect.

Until my next rant... Love you, mean it!