I make it a point to check in with myself regularly and ask "am I going where I want to be going?" It's easy to get sidetracked, distracted, pulled off-course. But on the road to success (where we want to go), there ARE often distractions. That's just life. I remind myself that I need to continually refocus and bring myself back on course.
     But God sometimes reminds me that there's often a lesson to be learned in these distractions and detours. Sometimes they're an important part of the journey, and are there for a valuable purpose. I, however, often fail to see the purpose until I've gone through the detour. I get frustrated and even angry that I'm not heading in the direction I think I need to be going. Are you ever like that? I forget that the last distraction, bump in the road, detour, actually taught me something that was of benefit to me or others.
     God often works that way. He gives me an idea of where I should go, leads me in what directions I should take, and lets me travel along for a while before bringing me to a sign that reads "This Way Next" I turn onto that path, then get my panties in a twist when I determine that the road isn't taking me where I want to go....or IS taking me where I want to go, but is taking longer than I think it should take!
Detours I take are, thankfully, never out of God's control. But sometimes they're the result of my being bull-headed. I often get something into my head and blast on ahead, asking God to bless my idea and come along for the ride. it must be God's will if I prayed for direction, right? Ha! Never mind that I didn't WAIT for direction, but plowed ahead with my own idea before consulting Him or waiting for His answer or input!
     A number of things can take me off course. but having a clear goal (where I need to be/go/do) helps me get started. I want God to be the One Who gives me my goals. And I need to continually check in with Him for guidance and direction. I need to remember that HE is in control of my journey. Any bumps along the way can be lessons learned...even if they're of my own feeble doing.

     "In (her) heart a (wo)man plans (her) course, but the Lord determines (her) steps."  Proverbs 16:9
My prayer:  "Lord, help me stay in step with You."

Today's "from me to thee" is: a lovely photographic stroll through my sister's website, Kathleen Bowman Photography.  I just took this tour and had a colorful, wonderful time looking at her images of flowers (my faves), wildlife (her faves), and just downright gorgeous landscape shots!  Go ahead and check these out.  Treat yourself to some beauty today.  "From me to thee".

     Those of you who know me and follow me on facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/LauratheArtiste/ know that I love artist Kelly Rae Roberts' view of the artistic journey.  I was just looking through her book "Taking Flight...Inspiration & Techniques to give your Creative Spirit Wings" and her introduction spoke to me.  Here's part of it & I hope it resonates with you as much as it did, me:

     "I am just like you.  A girl who is always learning.  A woman whose soul is vibrant with inspiration.  A creative spirit that is expressive and sensitive.  We are all connected, intertwining in this creative life.  It's because of this that I believe in the power of telling our stories - the stories of how we muster up our courage and leap and dance and breathe our way into our creative dreams.  This is how we learn from one another. How we inspire one another.  How we begin to finally see the potential and possibilities that live inside our hearts."

     I love that, and it's so true.  If this hit you in your own creative soul, I'd love to hear about it on my facebook page...would love to!

     Springtime means flowers!  I love the beauty of flowers, even though my lungs don't always enjoy them...it's an asthma thing.
     I enjoy using flowers in my artwork, and do so in a variety of ways.  It's fun to wad up a paper towel into a little rosette, dab it in a two or three colors of coordinating paint, and then made loose twists of paint onto the canvas, creating a delightful flower!
     Sometimes while out taking a walk, I'll collect flowers in my pockets (or, if I remember to, I'll take along a baggie w/me).  When back home, I press them in a phone book, between pieces of wax paper.  When dry, I them slip them into separate baggies w/a piece of lightweight cardboard, for support.  Those photo storage boxes from Michaels are perfect for storing them.  This method keeps them safe until I want to use them on a canvas....nothing like a beautiful 3-D accent to make your piece come alive! (I love it when a customer says, "wow...are those real flowers?!?"
     Another fun thing to do is to dry a flower on its stem & use it (gently!) for a bookmark.  (Sturdier flowers work best.)  It's also fun to dry them in books on your bookshelf.  They make a nice surprise for when you read that lucky book!
     One of my specialties, for which my artwork is known, is to creatively paint sturdy paper (I like to use cardstock), let it dry, and cut out flower shapes.  I then use markers and pens to add amazing, interesting details.  Sometimes I'll double them up, creating "double decker", stacked flowers.  These delightful, handmade flowers are then applied to my canvas.  If I want a 3-D effect, which I usually do!, I'll just bend the petals to make the flowers "pop" off the canvas!  The flowers can be placed along the sides of the canvas, as well, to create a nice wrap around effect to your piece.
     As you can see, I love using flowers in my artwork!  I'd love to hear how you use them in your work, at:
https://www.facebook.com/LauratheArtiste/
      Enjoy your Spring!

Hello friends,
     I visited my mom recently and had a fun time spending time with her. While chatting, she showed me a mail order catalog with pictures of her favorite chocolate (we'd been talking about our love for all things sweet!) Was the catalog a hint?  Well, it got me thinking about upcoming Mother's Day & I decided to (surprise) her with some of her favorite goodies.
     That led to my wondering what I could offer you as gift ideas for your moms!  Here is one of my designs (entitled "GROW") which you can find on my REDBUBBLE site; it can be made into a wide variety of goodies for Mom.  Travel mugs, tote bags, clocks, greeting cards, cosmetic bags,  journals/notebooks, even iphone skins!  Check out this and all of my other designs at:

     https://redbubble.com/people/LauraCLeMaster/portfol

Another "from me to thee" goody.  Enjoy!
(BTW, this piece was inspired by part of a work by Laurie Mika, as seen in Kelly Rae Roberts' book "Taking Flight")

Another "from me to thee" offering!  Since my REDBUBBLE site is up and operational now, I'm excited to let you know about some of my goodies that will make the perfect Mother's Day gifts.  Does Mom love her coffee?...how 'bout a travel mug w/one of my unique designs?  You may also select a throw pillow, iphone skin, studio bag, clock, frameable print, or tote bag.  Options galore!  Check out my designs at:  http://www.redbubble.com/people/LauraCLeMaster/portfolio

     It's springtime in the Treasure Valley, Idaho.  While driving to work today I was delighted to see all the brightly colored tulips alongside the road, popping up out of the soil with such enthusiasm.  Other types of flowers are doing the same, and although I don't know their names, I still enjoy them.  Some pink crocuses even surprised me the other day by greeting me as I stepped outside my front door.  There they were, waving their bright, kelly green arms, smiling up at me with their pretty little bloom-faces...such a delight.
     Don't you just love flowers and all the fabulous colors they come in?  I'm inspired:  maybe I'll do a series of floral canvases...I do have a huge, heavy box FULL of blank canvases and canvas boards, after all.
     I hear my worktable a-callin'.