Spirit Saturday: The End of a Season

As all seasons end, so too must I accept the changes that have come to be with our blog. Change, in general, is really hard for me. But I've learned that letting go is really key to being healthy, and so Whiskey and I have decided that the past six months here on Blogger, should come to an end. We are hoping to reassess and make a new and stronger blog in the future. I am opening myself up to whatever change the universe has for me. Part of the changes I plan to make also include beginning a solo blog. I've fallen in love with blogging over the last six months and the summer and autumn season of 2016 were special and beautiful to me. Many changes in my writing career are imminent - I can feel change in the air. I hope you'll join both of us as we continue to grow both separately and together. Thanks for everyone who was a part of this leg of our journey. 

Peace and Love

~Tracey

Friday Finds: Featured Artist Series - Reflections

I want to thank those of you who have been following my featured artist series. I also want to extend a huge thank you to all of the artists who participated. In the last nine weeks, I was honored to feature Writers, Amber E. Box, Sheli Keyes, Pj Haynie, Mia Siegert, and Stephanie Cardozo, Musician, Tyrone Logan, Sketch Artist, April Winter, Crafter, Holly Graham, and Photographer, Sam Smalley. Each of them inspired me in their own unique way. I am ending the series a little bit earlier than expected, but some of the other artists that I had scheduled have gotten busy and need more time. Each time an artist shares their work with the world, they share their soul, and they spread their light to others. This has been a moving experience for me as I continue to build my community.

I do intend to keep featuring artists, although I will be making some changes after this, the first installment. Whiskey and I are going to let Fridays rest for a while, and resume with a new theme starting with the calendar new year. Until then, please enjoy the rest of our blog and please support independent artists in whatever ways you can. Even if you don’t have a lot to spend or consciously practice minimalism, sharing independent artists’ work and giving them feedback are some of the greatest forms of support that we rely on.

Peace and Love,
~Tracey

Friday Finds: Featured Artist Series - Holly Graham

Another Friday is here, and I have another enchanting artist to share with you this week. We met on Facebook through a mutual friend, and she has become a special part of my community. Just seeing her posts about her journey, the light she brings to everyone, and her beautiful art inspires me. She spreads nothing but good vibes and love; she is one of those people who teach you so much just by the way they live their life. She does so much more than create art - she does tarot readings, hopes to do spiritual classes in the future, and also sells crystals and other spiritual tools. I know that you will enjoy her variety of soulful creations just as much as I do.  

Artist Bio
Holly Graham was born and raised in a small town in Northern Pennsylvania. She lived on a small farm and was home schooled most of her academics. Holly followed up her high school diploma with an Associates degree in Business Marketing and Management graduating Suma Cum Laude and top in her class in 2009. Holly enjoys being a mother to five children and a loving partner of over twelve years. She has traveled all over the US and hopes to farmstead and teach workshops in the future. Holly enjoys creating using many mediums of art whether in sculpture, writing, sewing or jewelry making your sure to fall in love with her work. Her subject matters include women's liberation and empowerment, pregnancy and birth, alternative lifestyles, spiritual healing and growth.


Interview


Tell me a little about how/when you were drawn to your art.

Ever since I was little I remember creating things for people. I loved creating art for people and making them smile. Although time has gone by those feelings havent changed...I love creating art for people and having them smile.

What are some of the things that inspire your art?
I get inspired to create art by mother nature, powerful women's stories, real life struggles and triumphs

As a writer, I make it a priority to reflect on my craft to ensure that I am growing. Tell me one way in which you have seen yourself grow in your craft.
This is such a good question. I have tried to make myself versatile so I can expose myself to new people and new ways of creating art. I started out last year only having a few items to offer people and now I have over a dozen options and opportunities. I am really excited to see how far this goes and how much more I can grow whether writing or creating art pieces.

Do you create other kinds of art as well as the one you are being featured for?
I create whatever I can get my hands on I enjoy creating things in general its soothing to the soul. I enjoy sewing, sculptures, jewelry, poetry, writing, feather art, healing arts.

What are your goals for your art?
I hope to keep growing and creating as time goes on I would like to finish a self- help book and put out an empowering poetry book among other things. I would like to double the amount of friends who I have reached this year through my art and creations.

A look at some of Holly's crafts: 

Website Links:

https://www.facebook.com/The-Eclectic-Witchery-1375592829367921/?pnref=lhc

Promptly Thursday: Fantasy

Recently when I was in Bermuda, I saw this giant troll in a little local mall. They sold smaller versions in the store and I wish I'd bought one, especially since I love fantasy so much. Anyway, the sign next to him tells of a legend that says trolls protect you when you travel. I challenge you to write a scene, story, or poem in which this guy appears according the this legend. Have fun!

Peace and Love 

~Tracey 

Friday Finds: Featured Artist Series - Sam Smalley

Happy Friday everyone. I am so excited to share today's featured artist to you. In fact, its even more than that - I am so proud to brag about my little sister, Sam Smalley. Last year my whole family was so proud to see her have her first art show, and now one of her lovely pictures inspires me each days from my living room wall. Family or not, she is truly one of the most talented landscape and microlandscape artists I've ever seen. Her work and her beautiful soul inspire not only my writing, but my larger spiritual journey. She has such a special way of capturing the spirit of both people and Mother Nature, and the messages that Mother Nature has for us all. I have no doubt that you will hear your own unique messages whispered in your ear when you see her art.

Artist Bio

Samantha Smalley was born in Northampton, Massachusetts on November 15th, 1990. She spent her younger childhood living in Chicopee, and then moved to Monson in 2000. She graduated from Monson High School in 2009. During high school, she took on as many elective courses as she could regarding the arts. Such classes included painting, drawing, graphic design, and film photography. While struggling through traditional high school math, science, and history classes, and ironically, nearly failing her film photography course, Samantha excelled in her other alternative art courses, and pursued her love for digital photography during after-school hours as a hobbyist. Now seven years later, she is an independent small business owner, professionally photographing an array of occasions from school pictures, to large weddings. Samantha now still resides in the rural town of Monson, with her boyfriend Jeremy and their two cats, Mama and Lola.


Interview


Tell me a little about how/when you were drawn to your art.
I remember over the summer of 8th-9th grade, I found a leftover disposable camera in an old box, stuffed in a cabinet at my mom’s apartment. I had always been crafty throughout my childhood, trying out everything art-related from drawing to sewing. It was then I had just realized I never had an opportunity to use a camera, with an artistic approach. (Remember, this was back in 2004 when camera phones were still only in the beginning stages of becoming the main focus of technology) Excited to try a new “medium”, I took the old disposable camera around the yard and just shot away with the old remaining exposures on the roll of film. To this day, I don’t recall ever getting the disposable camera developed, and so I have no idea how those pictures came out… but to look through the viewfinder of that dusty disposable camera was the beginning of a very strong passion of mine.


What are some of the things that inspire your art?
Of all the things that inspire my art, nature has taken the lead. I have always loved being outside, taking in the wide-angle view of the natural world… but especially being up close and personal with bugs and flowers and the individual complexities they each come with. This was specifically how I became interested mostly in a type of photography called macro photography. The microscopic details, unseen to the naked eye, can be revealed with some insane magnifying lenses.

As a writer, I make it a priority to reflect on my craft to ensure that I am growing. Tell me one way in which you have seen yourself grow in your craft.
I feel like 10 years ago, when I very first started shooting photography, my biggest personal goal was learning how to use post-processing software such as Photoshop and Lightroom to make my images better. While this has been seriously useful, I have taken a different route over more recent years and have, in fact, tried to eliminate as much post processing as possible, even trying my hand at film photography. To me, that is how I’ve most grown in my craft. Instead of settling on the idea that the best images can only come from a digital age, I strive to pat myself on the back and say, “I finally captured a true, organic image like Ansel Adams.”

Do you create other kinds of art as well as the one you are being featured for?
Other types of art I like to practice around with include mostly painting, and playing musical instruments. My favorite being the ukulele.

What are your goals for your art?
My goal as a photographer is to never lose the passion I discovered when I first started my journey. I want my images to be powerful, to make others feel inspiration to do what they love, and to feel reconnected with nature.


A look at some of Sam's photography: (I have not included any of Sam's portraiture because I have not asked for permission from those in the photos, but you can see her portraiture work on her Facebook page.)

Website Links: https://www.facebook.com/samsmalleyphotography/

Promptly Thursday: Darkness

Today's prompt is really simple. Lately...ok, more and more often as I grow in my spirituality, I write about darkness. But it is especially relevant in the late autumn months. So, today I am merely prompting you to write about darkness. Maybe the photo will help, or not. We all have some darkness in us, we all know it rather intimately. When you think of darkness what can you pull out of your soul and shape into words?

Peace and Love
~Tracey

Photo Credits: Ghetu Daniel from Creative Commons/Flickr

Friday Finds: Featured Artist Series - April Winter

Happy Friday everyone. Today I am so happy to feature a friend who I have recently reconnected with. April and I were friends since grade school, and fate brought us back together this past summer. I have thought of her fondly through the years and along with all the other lovely memories I had of her, I always wondered if she was still drawing. I have been so blessed to reconnect with this lovely soul; it is as if we were never apart. Today I am proud to share some of her amazing talent. Her spirit shines through in all that she does.

Artist Bio

April Winter is an artist of all mediums, which began in illustration. Originally from a small town in Massachusetts where much of her fascination with art began in architecture having grown up nearby to a local church. She studied courses at home after high school while placing time into the care of her grandparents. Today she sets most of her sights on Native American art and portraits, as well as paintings that reach back into spiritual historical placement, often straight from the heart of imagination. Today she regards the earth as her church and her art as gifted to her by the Great Spirit.



Interview

Tell me a little about how/when you were drawn to your art.
I was initially drawn to art pretty much since I could pick up a crayon. To me I could sort of escape the world and make it whatever I wished it could be.

What are some of the things that inspire your art?
Often I would walk to the local park in Massachusetts near to wear I grew up. The quiet was a comfort and really the earth was my truest friend. Trees were a main focal point.

As a writer, I make it a priority to reflect on my craft to ensure that I am growing. Tell me one way in which you have seen yourself grow in your craft.
I have found that working in the arts it can heal on some level the things that I've been effected by in this life. I've also had to realize that it wasn't a "cover" for what was going on in my life. Despite being able to create a new "world" I had to also wake up to the real as well, that its not a true escape but rather a means to comfort and heal. There are things in this world we have to face no matter how hard it can be to do so. Make art beautiful but remember to make reality beautiful too.

Do you create other kinds of art as well as the one you are being featured for?
Besides the visual illustrating and painting I make leather medicine pouches and jewelry, and when I can't focus to those things I have a love for photography.


What are your goals for your art?
Currently I am working on going to college to further my education in the arts. I also have an upcoming art show in Vermont which I'm pretty excited about. I think my main goal was influenced by the words of my stepdad, Domingos Joaquim (a Master Engraver whom worked for Smith and Wesson and Milton Bradley for years,who passed away in 2012);"When art becomes more work than fun it isn't the same, never lose that part of it. Even being successful can have its downfalls." That is my goal, keep enjoyment in it. That's real success.


A look at a couple of April's drawings.

Website Links:

Facebook:

 https://www.facebook.com/a75winter/media_set?set=a.1494735884129042.1073741829.100007779344960&type=3