[i] LoveLife

I do...

Coming soon...

This.

THIS is the kind of thing that I am lapping up like a starving cat. THESE kinds of moments. The ones that ooze personality. The ones that stink of sunny days and open hearts. Big smiles. Buckets of water and little people. And spring rain. And warm sunshine. Neighbours. Laughs. Friends.

In my studio - I am painting up a storm (the Norman portrait is getting signed this morning). And in my life - I am striving to soak up the moments like this one. It's working. I've been working LESS. And that has resulted in better and more fulfilling work. I am being present MORE and that is resulting in something remarkable.

Being present MORE.

Today: painting. I feel like going big. Watch and see (on Instagram @kalbarteski)

GO!

Here + now + then.

Shhhh.... If it seems quiet here - it's half magic act, half legal obligation, half something's-gotta-give. I know, three halves make a magical mystery.  ;) The TOP LEFT photo is an unfinished progress shot of a bigger canvas I finished last week. It's due for a post on the blog, but I'm just waiting for the moment to get some photos that do him justice. The TOP RIGHT photo is a progress shot of the painting I'm going to finish today. I wanted to do something fun for the house. The BOTTOM LEFT is one of a dozen of script commissions I've working on for companies in Europe. The BOTTOM RIGHT is the Vita Coco campaign based on my script work and some ugly unknown celebrities. ;)

Today: COFFEE FIRST. I'm working on all kinds of things right now - and the rhythm is good. So I'm gonna shut up and roll with it. Happy weekending!

GO!

Woof.

Not what I intended to work on yesterday but EVERY DOG MUST HAVE HIS DAY. That's Norman. He was due for a portrait... lucky little beast. I'm not sure if it's because he continues to MacGyver the gate open to find us. OR because he's always snorting in my face. That darling rat bastard. Either way. It's his day!

My Instagram feed on the left side has progress shots - follow along! (@kalbarteski)

Today: is a girl tribe day so I think we will fill up the kiddie pool and splash around. I totally understand why my mom made rhubarb slush all summer long when I was a kid. I'll be in the moment. Hello summer!

GO!

Go.

Today: After some physio and Pilates I will be sporting my painting clothes because I have a canvas that is ready for a new story (not the one pictured... that's a different project).

GO!

This time THAT year.

I got stuck in a photo vortex last night (where I found this rooster shot). I'm super organized about blog photos and have them all categorized by date/month/year. When I went back in time - I felt a tremendous sense of comfort to see how life has progressed. 'This time THAT year' kept popping out of my mouth in random recaps. But, it was interesting, but better than that - it was reassuring. Especially when I think about my hands and my health. What seem hard right now - by this time NEXT year, might just be a fuzzy memory.

This time THAT year:

• 2007 - Dan and I were living a dreamy time. Riding bikes and basking in life.
• 2008 - I was painting a wolf on a bridge. With a 4 month old baby.
• 2009 - Our second baby was 4 months old. And we got a puppy!
• 2010 - We were in the middle of a major renovation of our new (one hundred year old) house. We were living out of suitcases here and there. Oh, and we were expecting another baby!
• 2011 - Our third baby was 4 months old. Our house was working and livable. I ran into some internet scoundrels and started something called LINKwithLOVE. We were settling in to the awesomeness that is our neighbourhood.
• 2012 - is NOW. We are a family of 5 with two beastly Frenchies. Our house has become a true home. I love Dan madly. Our neighbourhood is amazing. The girls are lively, healthy and so much fun.

What I learned from looking back - is that there are always things you would change or fix. Sure, there are. The in-the-moment feelings are always more intense... but looking back it's the goodness that stands out. The hardness seems less hard.

This time THAT year...

Today: I finished a painting on Friday (yay!) so I am going to get ready to paint something new. I don't know what that will be yet... but this time NEXT year - I'm sure I'll be happy I painted it.

GO!

JUNE.

Dear June, You always sneak up on me. It's always "Happy New Year" and then WTF-it's-JUNE? Fine. This year has been slow and painful so the fact that it's June is just proof that the world keeps on turning so get over it. I have been schooled this year on all kinds of things - from poison ivy to lasers. Auto-immune diseases to broken backs to degenerating joints. It's kind of been ridiculous. BUT I declare JUNE to be where I put all of that nastiness to good use and make something awesomely productive out of it.

GOALS for JUNE:

• Finish 4 large paintings
• Collaborate with an inspiring artist pal
• Wear shorts + skirts instead of ALWAYS tanks + jeans
• Continue my cycling/Pilates workouts
• Faithfully apply sunscreen 
• Finish 6 small paintings
• Blog less
• Photograph more
• Solve a mystery
• Indulge in Happy Hour
• BE IN THE MOMENT
• Go on 2 dates with Dan
• Write 4 postcards
• Be MORE fierce

No big things. Just small, radically important bits to hopefully put a slow curve in the direction 2012 has been taken. A slow + steady turn around. THIS. IS. WHERE. IT. HAPPENS. It's up to you, June.

HEY. Last June - LINKwithLOVE.org was born and that tells me that June has a history of amazing things. AND that sometimes things that are bummers are just challenges to make things better (and PS, we need 823 more 'likes' on Facebook to get to 5000. That would be an AWESOME way to nail a Friday, right?)

Speaking of LINKwithlove.org - the keytags are back and they are going fast AGAIN. This is the last round of keytags and we are simply raising enough money to keep things going. They are only $3 for a pretty set of 2... one you keep and one you give away. So easy. Such a good looking reminder to do our best online. GET YOURS before they are gone.

Today: gentle intention that there is goodness here. OH. AND PAINTING. It's happening today. ( @kalbarteski on Instagram for the feed)

GO!