1. Wonderful interview with artist Stephanie Levy over at Art Biz Mama, which has some great stuff on running a creative business when you’ve got little ones afoot!
Beautiful artwork by Stephanie Levy
It was via Stephanie’s site that I also discovered:
2. The superbly fabulous Keri Smith.
I just love this quote from her post on infusing your work with your personality:
“Pay no attention to the man behind that curtain.” Ignore what other people are doing. It has no bearing on your existence or vision of the world. The times we feel the most discouraged are usually due to the fact we are comparing ourselves to others. Most times reading awards annuals, and industry mags only serves to make us feel inadequate. Try cutting it out entirely.
Amen!
Also, check out this spread from her latest book, Living Out Loud. (Image courtesy of a studio with a view)
I just bought it on amazon, oooh I can ‘t wait to get my little paws smothering it!
3. This beautiful post about a couple’s journey in ‘quilting’ their family by adopting four foster kids. I find it so incredibly inspiring, and makes my heart pump that little bit faster – could we ever do that? I don’t know…I’ve thought about it so often but it’s the fear that holds me back. Fear of disrupting our own kids (though in that objection’s defence, they are already pretty disrupted just by being kids!). Fear of going from out of control to COMPLETELY out of control. And fear of falling in love with them…only to have to say goodbye. Hmmm.
4.Wendy Brightbill – reading her story just completely and utterly resonated with me, namely because a horrifying car accident really rocked her world six years ago (though from the sounds of it her injuries were far worse than mine earlier this year). But the thing we share in common is discovering art (through Kelly Rae’s book “Taking Flight”, no less!) as a path to recovery.
"Taking Flight" by Kelly Rae Roberts
And finally…
5. Have you heard of google? It’s really cool.