Thursday, January 26, 2012

OMG! Dreams coming true!

In Elementary school I would draw Disney characters over and over trying to prefect my drawing skills. I wanted to be a Disney Animator. I've done so much drawing over the years but in high school I fell in love with the paint brush and that became my main creative outlet. And it hasn't been until this last year that I've REALLY spent some time sketching and drawing - it started when I sketched this and participated in Illustration Friday here. I've found a million blogs like this one and this one, that inspired me to draw. I made some cards out of a couple of my dog illustrations and brought them to my favorite gallery in Duluth.

They sold.

Every last one.

I've sold paintings...
but this was different.

This is a little dream I've had in my pocket since 3rd grade.

Yep.

I always wanted to have my own card line, with my illustrations.

And actually in high school I discovered Mary Engelbreit, and SO, SO I wanted to be like her some day (and I still do!)

It's been inside me for so long.

I really truly believe that when we take the time to listen to our heart. We find ourselves.
Our passion.
Our calling.
Our light.

I got a huge batch of four of my dog illustrations professionally printed!


I am over the moon
and today
I started calling some of the local coffee shops and galleries.
Pretty exciting stuff.
And of course I am sending a couple of packages up to my favorite gallery in Duluth!



Feeling so blessed!
Much Love to YOU and this Beautiful Universe!

Dreaming Bigger,
Nat

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Ice Fishing Up North

This past weekend I had the privilege to go ice fishing with my husband and both of our dads...We had such a blast! Embracing winter activities is the best way to get through winter - I say! I am looking forward to a fish fry soon!

What do you do to get through the colder months?
I'd love to hear about it!
Some how even the winter brings beauty and inspiration! Thought I would share some of the pics!








Hope you are having a great week!
Much Love,
Nat

Thursday, January 19, 2012

My One Word For 2012

For 2011 I picked a word... a word to REALLY focus on. 
One word that would encompass everything I wanted to bring into 2011.
My word for 2011 was: Shine!
I love the word so much I think it could be my one word motto for life!
Last year I wanted to turn the light on inside myself and Shine my light into this world.
And I did!

Picking one word for the year helped me accomplish these 11 things in 2011!
1. I started this blog (which I never thought I would/could do!)
2. I found the goddess circle - an online tribe of sisters!
3. I started meditating for the first time ever = Happy more centered Natalie!
4. I left my cubical job that wasn't aligned with my dreams!
5. I started creating art like crazy!
6. I participated in an art show!
9. I let the true me I had lost (after buy a foreclosure, planning a wedding/fixing up our house) shine through!
10. I found a volunteer position where I help teens through art! www.freearts.org
11. Took a trip to Ely with my 2 loves, which is one of my favorite places in Minnesota that I hadn't been to in 10 years!

These were just a few highlights =) There was so much more - but 2011 rocked!
So what didn't come true on my dream list?
What word needs to be invited into my heart for this year?
What do I want to bring into my life?
What is calling me?
Where do I want to go?
These are things you need to write down.

I LOVE the goddess 2012 Planner! It is amazing, and really important to plan out your year with goals and reflect on the last year for what hasn't worked and what did! It is beautifully illustrated and so inspiring.
After working on a few pages, my word came to me.

SEEK.

So often in life we coast.
I don't want to coast this year.

I want to SOAR.

I want to seek inspiration daily, seek more opportunities to share my art, seek more books, seek more places and opportunities to give, seek new destinations to visit, seek a deeper faith, seek for a stronger relationship with my husband.
Work. Reach. Push.
Just do it. Go Bravely. Go bold. GO.
I just really want to push myself... to seek out the dreams and things I want to accomplish.
Don't let days or weeks go by, don't be comfortable.
I think we are all seekers in this world. But for me the word means pushing myself to find those dreams and manifest them. In 2011, the dreams were found again, 2012 will be about seeking opportunities and riding the crazy wild donkey to get the dreams done. 

I really encourage YOU to think about picking one word. I will change you - for the best!
I created this little painting that sits at my desk that I can look at all day to remind me of my dreams!

Start Dreaming!
Nat

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Doggie Happy Hour

We've been having such beautiful unseasonably warm weather here in MN that I've been taking goldy to the dog park by our house nearly every day! I feel so blessed to have this park 2 minutes from my house. My dog has the best time in the world going there and he's even lost some weight.
 I brought my girlfriend and her 3 daughters to the park this past weekend, and they were delighted to see all the different breeds and wagging tails! It's such a happy place to go... I meet new people, bud meets new dogs! It's the best happy hour and stress relief! I love how animals can bring us so much joy and happiness!



Here are a few pics from our dog park adventures....
the temps here are now are FREEZING! There were 7 golden's in the same little area
at once. It's hard to believe this was only a couple of days ago!

Today my husband brought Bud and he was the only one crazy enough to be there with a windchill of 10 below zero!

What have you been up to so far this winter?
Much Love,
Nat & Bear

Friday, January 6, 2012

Happy Friday!

Happy New Year and Happy Friday!! I miss Paint Party Friday, and one of my goals for the new year is to keep get back here to blog world!
 


This week I was working on a Valentine's Day card I am going to make up and sell. I can not believe how quickly the Valentine's Day stuff was out in the stores... December 26th! I haven't taken down any of my Christmas decorations yet but who doesn't love Valentine's Day?
Happy Painting Friends! Can't wait to check out what you've all been up to!

See the rest of the talent here!


My Amarilys was looking so beautiful in the sun this Friday morning I thought I would share that too!




Much Love,
Nat

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year!

Buddy and I are looking forward to 2012!
Hope you are enjoying some celebrating and some relaxation! We've been spending a lot of time at the dog park lately... today was cold and windy though so we enjoyed the day at home relaxing and doing a little organization!
Lots of love and posts to come for 2012!
Love,
Nat and Buddy Bear