I teach abstract watercolor classes and love to work alongside my students. Here I am with a piece I created during one of the classes. And as a textile designer, of course, I could not not create something out of my artwork ... I often take close-up photos of my paintings and then play around with textile patterns. Hence, here we are with to colorful interpretations: I enjoy that there is a color scheme they share. But I enjoy that they are indeed different. Check back next Friday for more "Textile of the Week" updates. 

I use objects around me as sources to use their colors in my abstract watercolors. And as you can see, I seem to live in the most colorful world ever! Why does color matter to me so much? Because, simply put, it is good for us. It's been proven that color can affect our mood, that it can change our outlook on things. In my art classes, colors bring all of us - me as the teacher and my students - together as we explore them through a variety of artistic different mediums. Colors are powerful: they can open our hearts to awe and connection. 

Blog is done ... and I am off to paint more. Because there are so many more colors to love and to bring to the world. If you like what you see, you can find my abstract watercolors at OAK in Kensington, MD, and you can get regular updates on my Instagram page. See you soon in the amazing world of color!

I paint regularly; it's a daily practice that helps me stay focused and always in gratitude to any and all ideas that come up in my mind. For this week's Monday Dose of RADOST, I am sharing an abstract watercolor of mine called "Welcoming the New". I think is perfectly appropriate for a Monday, that for so many of us marks the beginning of a new week. This painting is all about waking up and being open to all the opportunities and possibilities a day may bring. And that is also my wish for all of us for this week (and many more to come). 

A trip to the beach can be so relaxing ... and inspiring! I walked on the beach one morning a few weeks ago and snapped a photo of sea weed washed out on the coast. I like the bright lime green mixed with the textures of the grass. So, here we go with three textile pattern options created out of my photo. Which one do you like the best? 

I am not big on throwing away old fabrics. I always like to think about ways to use them again in new fresh ways. And that's exactly the case of these t-shirt pillows I have been sewing for my customers! Do you have a pile of t-shirts your son or daughter doesn't wear anymore? Then, give them to me and I will make a cool new pillow cover out of them. And the remnants? Those get donated (it turns out a quilting club is happy to use them too!).

From old to re-purposed is indeed the story behind today's blog. Below is how it all works: I love to play around with the t-shirt logos. It's like a big fabric puzzle. I create an overall layout of the t-shirts so the colors, shapes, and sizes all work together in the pillow cover. And then I cut, cut, cut. And then the puzzle comes together under the needle of my reliable sewing machine. Et voila! 

One thing I don't have to worry is if the pillow will turn out fun. It always will! Why? Because the t-shirts tell their own story of meaning: they reflect on what your child has achieved; they reflect on all of the fun activities you child enjoys. These pillows are about fond memories and a hope for a great future. 

Interested? Contact me and I will be happy to help you create a cool new home (or college dorm) accessory for your child. 

I went to Glenstone Museum yesterday for the first time. I have been hearing about it but just never put it on my calendar of places to go to. A free Sunday afternoon turned out to be the best time. I put on a pretty dress and header to the Museum for a sculpture garden tour. I visited the exhibition halls. Just a delightful afternoon. It reminded me of the importance of curiosity and exploration in our lives. So, for this week, I wish for all of us to go somewhere where we have not been before and take in the sights and marvel. 

Last year, I strolled through a beautiful garden in Prague, Czech Republic, and took a photo of a lovely peacock. It just struck me as so amazing with it's feathers and shine. I ended up painting a watercolor interpretation of the bird and now, here we are with a pretty textile pattern called "Show Off Like a Peacock". I like for my textiles to be reminders of the beauty of the world and of the beauty within. What do you think? 

I have been teaching watercolor classes at Kensington Park (a senior living community) in Kensington, MD, for some time now and it's been a wonderful experience. I have learned much about how to teach art (indeed, listening to my students pays off!) and about life in general. These classes are an opportunity to further one's artistic journey but they are - mainly - a way to connect with others. We explore watercolor as a medium and apply it to a variety of topics. We have covered landscape, still life, abstract scenes ... A much more is to come!

Yet, as I mentioned, connecting with others is the core of how I teach my classes. Residents at Kensington Park come out to share an hour or two with friends. They chat and laugh. They compliment each others work; they make constructive remarks. And they talk about their lives. One of my favorite moments is when a resident who comes to all my classes pulled me to the side after a class and whispered to me about how much fun she was having and if I wanted to have fun, I should just stick around. I just adore this moment. And believe me, I plan to stick around to not miss any of this fun! 

Kensington Park has been kind to publish a little blog I wrote about my classes. Hop over here to read the full story. Enjoy!

#radostbyms #teaching #artist #seniors #watercolor #classes #qualitylife #joy

It seems to me that posting a photo of my friend Alexandra Sherman's artwork is appropriate in this week's Monday Dose of RADOST. It's been raining and raining with sun peeking out here and there. This beautiful print of a female silhouette filled with clouds is a beloved piece to me. It's in my home and every time I look at it, I find myself calming down realizing that everything passes and our lives are comprised of constant change. And this I find reassuring and encouraging. So, for this week I wish for us to have our rain boots on and be ready for whatever amazing experiences come our way.  

A quick to the beach and here we go with a few new textile patterns! Indeed. I took a morning walk in Ocean City and came across this fresh tire tracks. We tend to see human foot prints in the sand so I paused to appreciate the beauty of these patterns. And a few photo and computer tricks later, below is a set of new textile patterns. Which one if your favorite on this lovely Friday?