I have been thinking long and hard about polar bears and what painting them means TO me and FOR me. And just how lucky I am to have the opportunity to share what I've learned. And how I have changed because of it.
I have been working hard on a fierce collection of new polar bear work schedule to show in late October 2013. A celebration of my favourite animal... A few classics - and more than a few surprises. The show date will be announced in July 2013.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away and this apple canvas is a painting I did to brighten up my kitchen. I love it. I super love apples. AND it just might be showing up somewhere else really soon.
GO!
As much as it looks like things have been very quiet around here and on my Instagram feed - the truth is that it has been very fun and exciting. And random. And super cool. And serendipitous. And jazzy. But, I can't talk about most of it. Because I have more non-disclosure agreements on the go than I have children. Or pets. Or children AND pets. And that makes me feel guilty because I like to share. But guilt and the non-disclosure agreement is a funny dance that pays the bills. And I like doing that, too. ;)
HOWEVER. I can share a small peek of a new collection that will be out mid-June-ish. Sort of. Kind of... The Larmes de Plumes collection will be available in a few different forms. I'm SUPER excited about that!
I can ALSO say that it's busy and awesome around here in the best of ways. I'm working hard on a TEDx talk that I'm doing on Thursday of this week. Man, I've been putting a lot of energy into this beast. So hopefully everything goes well and I will have fourteen tequila shots when it's over. Actually, it's going to be over around noon for me so maybe I should lay off the tequila for lunch. ;)
Today: I'm working frantically on slide for my presentation and saying the word ANTHROPOMORPHIZE over and over and over again. Because it takes me about three tries to get it right. COFFEE.
GO!
I'm back in the office this week after a week without our fantastic nanny. I had so much fun being with the Girl Tribe twenty-four-seven. I truly did. I found it hard on my brain to know how much 'work' just wasn't being done and as much as I was doing my best to be in the NOW - I felt good ideas pulling at me and I just couldn't get to them in time. That's just how it goes sometimes. I am better at accepting that now. Some days, I was too tired to even CHECK my email.
So, I am a little behind starting this week. (I wouldn't trade the one-on-one time with the girls - we made some of the best memories!) I have about 9 days left to get my TEDx talk in order. I am not going to lie - I'm pretty nervous about this and I will be working my butt off from now until June 06, 2013 at 11:40am. Ever wonder how the heck you got yourself into things? That's me right now. You can watch the talk live online if you want. Click here for the link to the Livestream. (Gulp!)
Today: the coffee is on, my countdown clock is running and I am off to the races.
GO!
I have been taking a break from technology. Not really on purpose, but it has turned out to be so nice. I need to do something like this once a month. Seems like there is always an ebb and flow around here and balance means knowing what needs attention when it does. Not necessarily giving everything attention all the time.
The house. We are in the middle of a bit of a repair from some Spring leaking. So that is taking up space in our energy pool. As are a few new design ideas. And a broken coffee maker. Oy! And getting things organized because that crazy kitchen wall has gotten some attention lately. I feel like we have finally found our design groove here. It took a while.
The girls. They are so awesome. Oh, I always say that. And we are not without our challenges, but life is good. We're at such a fun stage with so much more freedom than ever before. Poet is almost done potty training and it's really exciting. Everyone in this house is setting her up for success and it's so beautiful to see that happening. So many big changes in all three girls lately... so cool to be in the midst of it all.
The weather. There's no snow and that is a lightening feeling in itself. Sunsine on my face is not something I take for granted. I am soaking it up (when it's not raining). And I am anxiously awaiting the blossoms from our apple and cherry trees because they only last a week... but they leave such a nice feeling for months afterward. I am looking forward to the summer months.
The polar bears. Man. They are taking me on an incredible journey. I met a baby polar bear last week that has been weighing on my heart. And I met a baby grizzly bear who was coloured to be the body double for the polar bear. Because of so many incredible reasons - it's impossible to share. But it has left a mark on me. Sigh...
The studio: is hopping. I am grateful for always having a full TO-DO list. And then some. I'm getting better at saying no and filtering down to the things that mean the most to me.
Today: I am taking the day to catch up on work. I am in the middle of a busy scripting season and have projects going on in a handful of different countries (crazy). And I'm trying to get prepared for my TEDx talk in 2 weeks (oh man). OH. MAN. THANK GOODNESS THE COFFEE MAKER HAS BEEN REPLACED.
GO!
Mother's Day this year was so nice. I LOVED it. I love being a part of each of these beautiful girls lives. I'm the lucky one.
We are settled in to this life. We are in a home we love. We have friends we love. We are healthy and happy and that makes for a life we truly love. I feel the difference in myself. In all of us. Life is good. And this year Mother's Day was so incredibly cool. Pilot made me coffee (by herself). Penn made gluten-free, dairy-free pancakes (not by herself). Poet was Poet. The dogs were really good on our neighbourhood walk AND Dan took a million photos of me and my girls together. Which, to me SAYS THAT HE GETS ME.
Because that's all I ever wanted. To see with MY OWN EYES our chaotic, messy little full-of-life group that is far from perfect, but really happy. I love them. I belong here! I cherish these photos - crazy outfits and missing flower basket and all. I love to see the Girl Tribe and Frenchie crew as a unit.
(And he also got us a photo session with Hey Kiddo my favourite photographers of all time! AND don't worry, Dan is a very, very big and important part of our unit. ALL of us girls adore him and we'd fall apart without him!)
Today: is about getting business complete. Script. Script. Script. the next three weeks around here are really full of things that are really important to me. I'm going to be giving it my all. Fingers crossed.
GO!
Yup. The three P's are as good as ever. They are SO happy that Spring is here and I am SO happy that every night at bedtime they are as pooped as can be. It's good. We are transitioning out of baby-mode and finding our groove in busy-kid land. Naps - what the heck are those? Down time - what is that? PLAYING TOGETHER WITHOUT ME - hello! That's just the most amazing thing to bear witness to. The imagination and excitement and enthusiasm of being a kid is just the best thing in the world. I am a lucky mama.
*
Pilot,
YOU love life. You are a bubbly, happy soul. You can read! You can do math! Oh man - this has opened up the world to you and it's really, really fun to see you owning that awesomeness. You are still the loudest kid on the planet. You still love rules. You still love art. You still love being the biggest and the first. You are a genius. AND, you are a doll of a big sister who takes her role very seriously. I love that about you, dude. You are my favourite.
*
Penn,
YOU amaze me everyday. You're my unpredictable one and I love it. You can hit a line drive better than the boys we know, you can give Beyonce a run for her dancing money, and you have a soft, sensitive heart that sometimes surprises me. You are so cool. You have grown so much this year and it's heart-breakingly awesome to see you come out of your shell and talk our ears off. You're beautiful soul. AND you're a kind middle sister who really makes sure we are all okay. I love that about you, dude. You are my favourite.
*
Poet,
YOU slay me. Seriously, everyday you make me nod to myself and think "yes, this is exactly who we were missing". You are funny as heck. You are stubborn as anything. You are the drama from your biggest sister and the sweetness from your other big sister. Times TWO. Or maybe THREE. You're a firecracker. AND you're a free spirit that knows exactly what she wants. I love that about you, dude. You are my favourite.
*
Today: I have a serious agenda. It can't possibly be Thursday? Oy. I have been practicing productivity tricks and they are working, but I will be hitting the ground running.
GO!
This is an in-progress shot from a painting I finished on Friday. It's not complete in this photo. There's not much to say other than I really enjoyed every minute of this piece. Every minute. Just thinking about it kind of chokes me up. Because of all the things I ever wanted to do in my whole life - this is it. It turned out like I was hoping it would and that is rare. And I'm so grateful for that feeling - that I could cry. Really, really happy. And so grateful.
His name is Paul. I'm not sure if that's what the painting will be titled, but the bear's name is Paul (if you were wondering). That sounds weird, I know. But, it is just what felt right.
Today: I'm hoping that I can find that feeling again. There's nothing like it.
GO!
I was given a box of AMAZING cookies (thank you Cheryl Harris!). DELICIOUS! And let me be clear - that's pretty high praise because I am restricted on what I can eat so finding something within my GREEN LIGHT zone is tougher. Gluten free, dairy free, egg free. SWEET deal.
Gluten-free (and vegan) DOUBLE chocolate cherry cookies recipe here. THIS IS AMAZING. The list of ingredients is small - everything is easy to find - the cookies are delicious. No eggs! Make sure you use sour cherries because that's the best part. I am a fan for life. I give it a triple recommendation. UNLESS YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO ALMONDS AND THEN YOU WILL DIE.
Gluten-free (and vegan) chocolate chip cookies recipe here. (pictured above). ALSO AMAZING. And again, if you're allergic to almonds this isn't a good life choice.
You're welcome. ;)
Today: PAINT. Oh, and my computer is headed in for repair. Eeeep. Normally that stresses me out, but I think it will be good to just paint without interruptions! Fingers crossed.
GO (make some cookies)!
I'm hoping that May means Spring is here to stay. I feel a bit springy in my step, but I am getting a little bit tired snow. Yes, even me. I am impatiently waiting for the apple and cherry blossoms that make the coming of Spring official.
Until then, I am painting winter scenes and winter's bears. That's okay, too.
If you were a fan of the BE poster in my ARTshop - this is a new design offered at DENY Designs. It's definitely a bright addition to your bedroom! Wowza!
Today: I am a student learning things outside my comfort zone. AND, I am welcoming in May by visiting with a few of my favourite friends. Welcome May. Please bring blossoms.
GO!
