Doves

Taken through my window so the image is a bit distorted and not the crispest.  I love these symbolic birds ♥

Pretty in Pink

There is only one person who loves tulips more then anyone I know - my good friend I met in the Dominican almost 10 years ago.  I love this delicate beautiful flower and snapping those pics brought back memories of summer and the warm sunshine on one of the coldest nights.

My title reminds me of one of my all time favourite 80's movie. 

Have a wonderful weekend.  

Love,

Janette

Silence

"If you don't understand my silence, how will you understand my words?"

-By Unknow Author-

BE

Be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,

no less then the trees and the stars,

you have a right to be here. 

-Max Ehrmann-

Inspired not Expired

I think it is very safe to say "artists" are all inspired by someone.

I've been an artist my whole life.  It is something you are born with for some and many find it later in life.  We all reach our milestones in our own time.

I'm constantly inspired by so many amazing artist.  The web is so full of them.

One of my favourite has to be Jean Tsai and her wonderful photography. (click the link)

I've seen very similar images on the web by other wonderful aspiring artist who may claim origin and birth of their own creations, but the real truth is we all learn from each other.

In my opinion only amateurs and people who have very little confidence in their own abilities and work ethics and talent can feel intimidated by other artists who do indeed know who they are, where and how deep their roots grow in the passion, respect and artistic flair.  It reflects in their work.

The point is to be inspired and work towards those amazing passions, reaching with all your might for all you believe in and not allowing yourself to be expired before reaching those goals, dreams and desires.

Being an artist is not about feeling superior.  It is about advancing and focusing on self fulfilment and desired destination.  Each artist walks their own path.  Art in any form is not a competition and not about who got there first and it is certainly not about winning.  Each art is expressive in their own birth, name, brush stroke, type, music note, abstract, macro, etc.   Not everything is eye appealing to everyone.  That is the diversity of true art and freedom of expression.

"It is not the destination we must focus on but the journey itself."

We are all winners as long as we believe in what we dream and continue reaching for what we believe in.

Love,
Janette

Beautiful

For beautiful eyes look for the good in others,

for beautiful lips, 

speak only words of kindness,

and for poise, 

walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.

Audrey Hepburn

Love,

Janette

Ugly?

All existing things are really one. 

We regards those that are beautiful and  rare as valuable, 

and those that are ugly as foul and rotten.  

The foul and rotten may come to be transformed 

into what is rare and valuable,

 and the rare and valuable into what is foul and rotten.  

Zhuangzi

Love,

Janette

Queens

Sometimes in life there are people who are simply meant for each other.  There are those who care passionately, work very hard to build their character and uniqueness to establish a good and credited reputation in the artistic community, they pursue their dreams and follow through every step of the way.  And then there are the ones on the opposite end of the spectrum.

Here are real people - then here we have drama queens - and finally everything in betweens.

People who think they know it all, who think that life is just meant to simply revolve around them, they throw temper tantrums to get their way in life, they lie and cheat their way into success, manipulate men and women to fall at their feet, they cry merciful pleads and play head games. They often get what they want by mean of manipulation, trash talk and gossip.  Drama doesn't follow them.  They create it themselves.

They are insecure beings, vanity is their best friend while they seek superficial friendships to fulfil boredom and to fill a hole where deep spiritual self reflection should exist.  They are like a black hole sucking good and kind people in and spitting them out dirty and used when they are done with them, tossed like trash.  I see this all the time on television and it makes me cringe.  This individual has a purpose for you, they are calculative this way.

People like this seldom have their own characteristics developed.  Rather they are copy cats themselves and mimic others and the material society, absorbing people's ideas and visions, styles and flair.  They blame others for right out stealing their ideas, fashion, originality, talent and such while they are thieves themselves.

It's all about winning, nothing else matters to them.  These people are beyond the healthy competitive edge.  They are always paranoid, grabbing onto any type of sympathy from anyone making up long sob stories of friendships that which suddenly ended, holding no responsibility for their actions.  Another of many - red flags!  Who flags these days?

Seldom do these individuals hold any backbone to their madness of chaos in their heads.  Conceited scatterbrains!  They are in need of much soul healing.  People cannot even compliment them, because a story or friendship has to be born and die in order for their drama filled world to blossom.

I'm not generalizing.  It's not any different then cats and dogs.  Some want to be petted and some hiss & growl. 

There is a distinctive purpose to those individuals too.  They become the leaders in their little social groups, often seek attention by screaming for it until it is given while sadly they are loners at heart while looters of hearts.  They dismiss anyone offering deeper then the superficial skin deep connection, often break hearts while they cry and make up stories of being so hurt by the world and other people.  They often have extravagant stories to tell.  They are very spontaneous with their actions and very cut throat.  Merciless and heartless.  They delete aspects of life that should be faced and so much more..........

There is only one person I could possibly have in mind -- ONLY ONE -- as I type this ridiculous blog while all I can do is laugh to myself fully and whole heartedly, thanking all my blessings and for most part those who know me -- do know I would not do such a thing, but then there is always that one person that does.  

The QUEEN.  You're so vain - you probably think this blog is about you too!  Don't you?  (love that song)

Cheers!

PS:  My sincere apology to all my amazing wonderful chums, loyal friends, readers and real people out there.  I just had to write this bullshit blog as my character was recently attempted to be tarnished by someone who accused me of being a thief and a copy cat without the decency to say it to my face only spreading rumours, and who simply won't go away politely while continuously stalking my blogs.  Again, so sorry to the rest.  I think this will get a message across.  xox

Nobody

- BE -

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, 

night and day, to make you everybody else 

means to fight the hardest battle 

which any human being can fight; 

and never stop fighting.

- E.E. Cummings -

Love,

Janette

Tea for Me - my Valentine

This Valentine I was ill and the only thing that made me feel soothed was this exquisite cup one of many left to us by my late mother-in-law and not to mention the power of the herbal Echinacea tea.  I did not publish my writings due to being totally unaware of my thoughts, so they are all coming at once from their dormant awaiting.   ♥

Mindy McGregor is the fabulous artist behind this image.
Her work is incredible.  Please take a moment to visit her link.


Love & Light,
Janette

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

A lone wolf is a wolf that lives independently, rather than with others as a member of the wolf pack.  This term is also used when referencing people who exhibit characteristics of introversion or a strong preference for independence. When together wolves hunt in packs. There is always one leader.

"You keep crying wolf when you are the wolf in sheep's clothing." 

This Little Red Riding Hood is not afraid of one big bad wolf.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves;

so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.
- Matthew 10:16 -


Love,
Janette

You never stop LOVE

You never stop loving someone,

you either never did,

or you always will....♥

Some people are talkers not doers.   They say they get it but they really don't.  

Blah, blah, blah....chirp, chirp, chirp.

Like children, they too need direction into the truth, trust and belief, otherwise they maintained the lost sheep amongst the wolves.  Get out of the darkness and let yourself be blinded by the light.

Happy Friday - Love,

Janette

Love & Light of Mona Lisa

We all have someone that we admire, someone extra ordinary, a hero, visionary, teacher, artist, whom ever it may be, we all have an idol.  For me it has been  Leonardo Da Vinci.  He became someone extra ordinary to me later in life, through my childhood history and a constant vision that is nearly uncanny.  A vision that haunts my past, present and future yet in a positive light.

Growing up in Czechoslovakia, Europe - we had one of Leonardo's famous paintings.  The Mona Lisa and of course it was the replica otherwise we would perhaps be the wealthiest bunch of Slovaks on the planet.  The painting that clearly could not be avoided by anyone entering our home, stared at me daily and those eyes watched me grow into my young pre-teens.  There was something about those eyes. 

Mona Lisa

I didn't realize this until my later years that it is in those same eyes and the face of Mona Lisa that a message has been secretly hidden and still remains un-decoded.  Can you imagine - a secret message somewhere in the painting, constructed by one of the most brilliant people who existed on Earth. 

For me as a little girl, the eyes of Mona warned me to be cautious, remain loyal, kind, giving and pursue my passions all in one word.  She was my alphabet for goodness and a warning of those evil.  It was something instilled into me by those eyes of Mona as if she could pierce my essence by her look and see right through me.  She followed me across a room.  She could see everything I did.... everything and always.  She knew.

As a child I had no clue who she was, who painted her and what her purpose was in my home.  At times I found her eerie and sneaky peeking at me through my parents glass bedroom door.  When I was at my peek of mischief and happen to walk by her, she stirred me off my course of "bad" and into the light where I could almost envision her saying "no, no, no child" with a soft and gentle voice.  

She was nearly as an important idol as Jesus and as a Roman catholic Jesus stands in the utmost highest along with God for me.  

"Love shows itself more in adversity than in prosperity, 

as light does; which shines most where the place is darkest" 

~ ME ~

"THE EYES" are a gateway to our soul.

Now that I am older I often seek her image on the Internet.  There is something soothing about her look, yet at times her mere look reminds me of a past I rather forget.  Those eyes, that I lived and altered my paths by are a secret gateway to her soul.  I see Leonardo in her eyes.

A look, a glance and one knows who, what, where and how.  Leonardo was invaluable. Genius.  Amazing. His essence filled with knowledge, love, lights, shadows and that power to comprehend humanity.

My grandma for one had another Leonardo's famous paintings, The Last Supper.  This is another entirely different story though of this painting inviting you to her master bedroom for a lengthy conversation.

On some level Mona brings me comfort for a brief second as a mother would.  Her soothing stare no longer scares me as I am no longer a child but a mature confidant woman, it guides me to reach for a new milestone once I seek to overcome a hurdle.  She tells me, "all will be well" just keep on believing on your path of discovery.

Believe - is such a powerful word.

There is so much more I'd like to know about Mona Lisa and I hope I live to see the day the mystery message placed within her is deciphered.  I think her magnificence is locked in the mystery of the secret that Leonardo conveys in his untold story and his significant past and present impact rests in the hands of scholars and scientists studying his work.  The lessons along with his teachings all lie within the structures of his images that which the brightest mathematicians cannot unveil. 

Perhaps, for me the image represents the likeness to the daunting of one's adversaries.   If I could focus hard enough, I could create such sombre stare and empower myself with all my courage to overcome all of my fears only to conquer them all.

Love & Light,

Janette

This February "Make Death Wait"

I'm always looking to do amazing things with my children.  If that wasn't enough, I wanted to do something society contributing with my daughter for her to learn the concept and principal of being a loving, carrying contributing citizen in our world, when I received a phone call in October from Heart and Stoke Foundation.  It was about canvassing the neighbourhood for donations and raising funds for the great cause - Make Death Wait.

The lady was so nice on the phone and offered me a choice of choosing odd or even numbers of homes on my street to canvas. I suggested I'll do both.  She was so pleasantly surprised, I could swear that I heard her smile on the other end.

When I disclosed this information to Kendra, my 8 year old daughter she was simply tickled pink with excitement while all I (as an adult approaching my forties) could think of was the cold bitter month of February walking door to doors while I myself dislike solicitors.

Nevertheless, I agreed to do this to for many amazing reasons main one being that I love helping others and I wanted my daughter to learn this from her mother.   Giving.

I became a volunteer about a month ago, getting excited as the month approached.  My girl was excited too.  Our package of canvassing material arrived few days ago, it was left hanging on our doorsteps as we missed the person in charge to deliver our start up volunteer package.

As I am an entrepreneur myself I already have acquired the many skills it takes to speak to people in terms of helping others, donating, informing them of great causes, etc.  The reason I wanted my daughter to be involved was for her to experience many things two of which are being part of a dynamic team that is not seen on surface but belonging in a way that is higher then she can comprehend, and the other is feeling something amazing in her heart.  A reward of self satisfaction by helping others in need, to go that extra little bit and push yourself beyond your limits to help others.

Your package comes with all the items you need right down to the pen.  You'll get pamphlets, tax return slips and instructions of how to fill everything & deliver the news to each person and home you visit.

"By going door-to-door in your neighbourhood during the coldest month of the year, you'll be warming the hearts of thousands of Canadians affected by heart disease and stroke. Last year, over $8 million was raised thanks to the fundraising efforts of people like you."

About 7 years ago I did a mother/daughter walk for Cheerios with my 1year old girl pushing her in the stroller, where I have also raised over $275.00 walking 5 km.  It was hard work, but it left me feeling absolutely amazing that I could help in some way.  At the time, I was also pregnant with my second child and didn't even know it.  It made my heart feel so good to be part of such a great and rewarding event.  I know this is going to be another memorable event.

I think this February helping in "Make Death Wait" will be a rewarding experience for such a great cause. I urge you to donate a little time and effort in the community and help this great cause.

To make your pledges on line please visit my DONATION PAGE.  Every single dollar makes a difference.

Thank you so much for your donations.  Your support will help save lives just like in Owen's Story above.

Love,
Janette

Tea is on me

If life wasn't hard enough for some of us moms.  Helping a friend when she needs my help is something given.  No questions asked, no need to repay me, ever, I'm there in a heartbeat.  It is what friends do for each other.

I have to acknowledge this cutest gesture from my friend when I picked up her little girl to take her to school and bring her home one of the days this week, while her sibling remained home not feeling well.  As the little girl enters my van while mommy stands waving on the porch, she hands me this translucent bag with a little note in it with a tea bag.  "Thank you so much for..... please enjoy a cup of tea on me, Love T."

It's the little tiniest things that make the heart fill with love.

Tea's on me ♥

Have a wonderful happy Friday.

Cheers,
Janette

Paint your HE-ART

I love painting, although there is nothing new that I've painted in a while close to 2 years.  This piece is called Endless Journey and I know this is just too weird but the darker shape in the centre looks to me like the "horse" shaped old country I came from formerly known as Czechoslovakia.

The country no longer exists because it was split into two separate countries Slovakia and Czech Republics.  I know my subconscious mind incorporated parts of my existence, experiences and my limitless continuous journey into this painting.  

World of Dreams over to the right was done about a month after Endless Journey. At the time I was swamped with all kinds of ideas and I couldn't paint fast enough my visions & conceptual abstract thoughts. 

For me painting feels so free.  It happens at the most unexpected times and I just pick up a brush and go for it, usually starting a stroke onto the canvas that freaks me right out my skin when I do this.   Canvas isn't cheap so I take the chance with the initial stroke and then it seems I've broken the ice or surface tensions by my initial blob of paint and everything else follows so freely and smoothly. 

Never Alone was done with many thoughts in mind.  It began with a red spot near the middle of my canvas.  I knew what I wanted to paint was RED as it is my desired choice of colour to depart onto canvas, I just didn't have a vision at the time.  It turned out to be one of the most favoured pieces on RedBubble online gallery and community with many features including the home page feature.  

I have also submitted the copy of this piece to our local Armoury on Remembrance Day in November 11, 2009 while I attended the event to honour our soldiers.  I was later sent a thank you card and informed that the piece hangs in their mess-hall where it has the chance to be admired. 

With experiments and determination great things are born.  Who knew I could do realism as well.  It took patience and the process was slow but it has taught me that I can do anything I set my mind into.  Lion Cub was painted from an original photograph I took at our local zoo when I volunteered for my daughters school trip.  I followed the details closely and he was born.  

I've had many people offer me instant cash for this piece and I've turned them down each time.  I think this piece represents the fact I can do realism but also that I am strong & unafraid to pursue and follow anything I desire, just like the lion.  

Tulip Tango was a piece I have done around the time I painted the few pieces above.  I was experimenting with water colours at the time as I found many amazing water colour artists behind my inspiration at the time.  Needless to say, I`ve taken the chance and entered it into a local art show and it won 4th place so it cannot be as bad as I thought originally.  

Artists are the worst self-critics.  In a way we are perfectionists as what we envision has to fit with that we are placing onto the canvas or paper.  

While all pieces above were painted at the beginning of the year 2009 the next one over to the right was done near the end of the year.  

Roots of Gaia was a commission piece requested to follow a certain colour palette and the request was no red.  I found this not only challenging because I think I`ve had red in almost every single of my pieces, it is a colour that represents life for me and it is urgently required by my mind & vision to be included.  

However, to my surprise I have discovered that red does not have to represent such "life" for me because green can have the same affect.  As I painted this piece & flowed with my vision departing each stroke onto the canvas, I didn't know what the final result would become.  I followed a gut feeling, an urge to twist my brush, add a little white here, black there and then about half way through I saw the vision my mind's eye saw.  Gaia was born.  The goddess of creation, the earthly mother of the source we are all connected to.  

Initially I was nervous as heck to give the final piece to the client as I hoped it would be eye appealing and welcomed.  It was nothing short of just that.  If anything it gave me more confidence in my artistic abilities & to never give up on my passions.  

With a little rest now for over 2 years I think my itch to pick up the brushes is nearly peeked to the surface and I cannot wait what my heart departs next onto the blank canvas.   

Thank you so much for stopping by and have a wonderful Thursday. 

Love,

Janette