Turn the Ink Blobs of Life into Something Beautiful

"Midnight Waltz" by Amanda Brannon

A friend of mine shared this with me on Facebook today and it really gave me food for thought.  My edits are in red. ;-)

I've never worried about if my art was good or not. I just keep after it until it feels right and it's the best I can do at the time. Also, whether or not someone resonates with what I do or my subject matter is simply a matter of personal preference—which has nothing to do with ME!  But I do notice if people are respectful and kind.

When I was learning to draw, I remember the day I was making art at the kitchen counter with my mom. I couldn't have been more than 5 or 6 years old. A blob of ink shot out of the fountain pen I was holding and made a puddle on the paper. Boy, was I was dismayed! I thought it had ruined my artwork. Then, my mother showed me how to make it better by adding wings to it. Suddenly, that blob of ink was a butterfly! That moment changed the art process for me for the rest of my life.

In many ways, that life lesson has been one of the most important ones in my life:  Learning to make best use of what I have! 

When you make best use of what you have, in a way you're accepting the way things are while taking what you have and making it better!  Instead of resisting and bringing creativity to a halt:
• "An ink blob ruined my painting!" (or)
• "I hate my life!" 

You stay in "the flow" and open your eyes and heart to opportunity:
• "I can turn this into a butterfly! This brings unexpected whimsy to my painting!" (or)
• "These particular things in my life are going well. I acknowledge it's not ALL bad. I choose gratitude for even the smallest of things while I figure out how to shift away from what isn't serving me through love of self, of others, and a deepening relationship with God."

In addition to love and gratitude, an important element is RESPECT.  Respect yourself. Respect your God-given gifts, whatever they may be. And respect the process while you hone your skills.

Thank you, Mom, for this powerful life lesson! I love you!

This image is available on 8x10 gallery-wrap canvas from Taku Graphics!
Call 1-907-780-6310 or 1-800-278-3291.

Product information for 8x10 Art on Canvas:
Artist: Amanda Brannon
Product code: BA CA-10 Midnight Waltz
Price: $45*
*Ready to hang! Wood easel for table display available at extra cost.

Loony Love

I love the call of the Loons. The sounds they make are awe-inspiring. The first time I experienced loons was when I was at a fly-fishing retreat in Alaska for breast cancer survivors. I would listen to them at night, as I drifted into my dreams. Loons will always hold a special place in my heart.

The Tennessee Whale

The view from the back deck of our rental home.

We spend every morning sipping coffee on the back deck of our rental home, watching the birds that come to the feeders and also the deer and wild turkeys in the distance. We're building down the road, in the middle of 153 acres in North Central Tennessee.

Our Tennessee whale - 153 Acres

From the very beginning of our property search in TN, it's been more than apparent that God's plan for us was to move here.  During our search I met a young man, who was working behind the desk at the hotel we were staying in, who told me about a hidden gem where he lived. "There are lots of properties there for sale. I grew up there. Let me draw you a map."

So, on the third day we followed the map which took us right to the street our land is on. Our realtors live right down the road and are stewards of this community and also Christian leaders. They host community bible study each week in their home. It's such an incredible opportunity to get to know one's neighbors and to hear their testimonies and their joys and their challenges and to pray together.

There is so much love here. I could feel it when we drove in the first time. It's a genuine community that is prayed over constantly. And it's rich with history:

http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/Locations/Lakes/DaleHollowLake/History/WillowGrove.aspx

After we had our land surveyed, the first thing I noticed was that it's in the shape of a whale!!!  It makes sense to me because, in a lot of ways, it feels as though we've taken on a whale. LOL  And, interestingly, the location of our home site is in the belly of that whale.

It gives me cause to reflect on the biblical account of Jonah and the whale:

http://christianity.about.com/od/biblestorysummaries/a/Jonah-And-The-Whale.htm

You can run, but you can't hide from God. He is in control. God can and does provide  supernatural means and circumstances when we need to follow a certain path and to guide us in the right direction. It reminds me to trust more and try to control less. Keep on the path that God provides and let go of the burden of trying to control outcome.  As an artist, trusting more and fearing less allows me to get in to the place of creating with joy and celebration of God's amazing creatures, who offer endless inspiration!

One of my favorite things Jesus said was, "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  — Luke 8:50, Mark 5:36

I'm thankful for our Tennessee whale and for the opportunity to grow closer in our walk with our Lord and Savior.

Chickadee-dee-dee Tea!

Tomorrow is February 1st and the beginning of a month of hearts and flowers! I just love Valentine's Day. I used to not always embrace it as I do, now. In my earlier years, I would have a lot of anxiety around it—hoping someone would show me I was worthy to receive that heart-shaped box of candy or a bouquet of flowers.

At that time of my life I was looking for love outside of myself, rather than feel the love from within. Now, I have no expectations from Valentines Day. I use that holiday to celebrate and share the love I feel for my friends and family. Rather than expect my husband to treat me to a fancy dinner, I celebrate him by making him a beautiful meal and tell him how much I appreciate everything he does for us. My only expectation from him is that he buy me a cheesy card that says "To My Wife on Valentine's Day" on the front. I love it that I qualify to receive a "to my wife" card! <giggle>

One year, I decided to honor my girlfriends with an over-the-top tea party, complete with door prizes, silly valentine-themed gifts, and LOTS of scrumptious cookies and tea that was served from a beautiful samovar. It was amazing. I'm looking forward to doing that again, some year.

My life lesson: Love yourself and treat yourself like the loved one you are.  Love others fully and without expectation—love, love, love 'em up!  Forgive your own missteps. Forgive others missteps. If they are a bad dancer, show them how. If they continue to step on your feet, you can lovingly accept different dance partners and wish them well. After all, we're all just little children in grown-up bodies, just trying to get through this life with minimal suffering.  Like my soul sister Donna Maltz said, "You may not like someone, but you've gotta love 'em!"

Blessings and love to you.

Valentine's Tea Party 2010

An Oldie but Goodie

Berry Happy Raven

This is the very first bird I did an etching of.  It was the Fall of 2009.  I had finished a long bout of treatment for breast cancer and my hair was coming in. My husband and I drove to Hope, Alaska to go camping, take photographs, and enjoy the local music that is played every weekend at the Sea View Cafe.

Another activity we enjoy there is strolling down the little dirt streets and admiring the old log homes and other classic Alaskana artifacts filled in-between with Cow parsnip, fiddlehead ferns, and fireweed. It's rustic quaintness has a flavor of it's own.

During that particular visit, we walked past a log home with an attached art gallery called Sherritt Fine Art Gallery. 

Sherritt Fine Art Gallery in Hope, Alaska

As we strolled past we could see the owners, Scott and Fayrene, out front visiting with patrons and family around a fire pit. (Fire pits are very common near Alaskan homes, as they enhance the enjoyment of the very long summer nights.) We walked over and introduced ourselves and began to talk about one of my favorite subjects:  art.

Since they are "in the business" I questioned them about what shows they like to participate in. They told me about one in particular that is held twice per year and suggested that I dip my toe in the water and have a table at the next show.

Well, I got busy doing etchings of some of the photos I took and that is show that started it all for me. I'll never forget the people streaming through the doors early in the morning on their way to their offices. Right away, I started selling prints. People were actually buying my artwork!!!  It was exhilarating.  From that moment on, I was set free—free to create, knowing that people would resonate with the joy and love and humor that I put into my work. I was free to trust the process.

My husband, who likes to name my artwork, named this one "Berry Happy Raven."  Berry happy indeed.

Foxy Lady!

This illustration is going on a Chai tea label (which is why she's wearing an Indian dress) that I'm doing with The Kobuk Coffee Co. in Anchorage, Alaska. The whole time I was illustrating this, I was hearing the foxy lady song by Jimi Hendrix in my head. LOL  

My foxy lady is sitting in an Aspen grove and is accompanied by a Common Redpoll bird.  Although I can already see the completed artwork in my mind, there is always a surprise waiting for me. This time, it was the fox's captivating eyes.

Night Owl

This is my latest clayboard etching...a Great Horned Owl, holding a cup of coffee.
On the cup is a band of three blind mice musicians, playing jazz music. Musical notes are wafting upwards in the steam.

My mind is my playground...

I bet you didn't know...

All you ladies know what month October is: breast cancer awareness month. Pink ribbons everywhere. And, yet, for all this "awareness" we've dropped the ball on the basic facts about breast cancer. I can tell you this, because I AM A BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR of 6 years.

I would like to take a moment and share with you what every woman needs to know.

1. Breast cancer CAN hurt (mine did!) So, if there is any symptom not normal for you, don't let nurses or doctors shrug it off. Be like a dog with a bone and do not take no for an answer until you have made them run every test to prove to you that you do not have breast cancer.

2. Over 75% of breast cancer patients have NO FAMILY HISTORY of the disease. (I was the first in a very large family of women.)

3. Mammograms only catch about 80% of breast cancers. (Read #1 again.)

4. Men can get breast cancer, too!

5. Breast cancer is best treated early, so don't let fear of diagnosis & treatment prevent you from getting examined. Furthermore, there are many financial support options for women who don't have health insurance, so have faith and get to a doctor!

6. Most types of breast cancer is treatable and beatable! Again, it's best to catch it EARLY!

Please share this with the women in your life.

Hummer & Bumble

There's something mystical about hummingbirds. They're like little flying jewels—fairy-like with the way they zip around, with that unmistakable sound that their wings make. 

Whenever I illustrate a bird I haven't done before, I do lots of research to make sure I capture the bird's essence—each type of bird has its own personality. The hummingbirds, for example, have a certain "innocence" about them, in contrast with the rascally ravens.

As I was learning more about hummingbirds, I came across some pretty disturbing news: the very plants that we buy in big box store garden centers, even the ones labeled "Proven Winners Bee Friendly Plant" are likely contaminated with bee- and bird-killing neonicontinoid pesticides!!!  If you have inadvertently purchased some of these plants, find your receipt and return them for a refund. It doesn't matter if you don't have the original containers.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/increased-use-of-controversial-pesticides-linked-directly-to-decline-of-bird-species-scientists-show-9595827.html

Years ago, I remember seeing advertisements for "organic flowers." I remember giggling to myself, thinking that it was silly if we're not eating the flowers to bother having them be organic. I was sadly mistaken. Anytime something in the ecosystem is singled out, it effects ALL things. Without the pollinators, we starve. 

We are all connected...down to the little hummingbirds and Bumble bees. 

Oystercatcher

I've been busily preparing for an upcoming workshop I'm giving at the Kachemak Bay Shorebird festival in Homer, Alaska. In the workshop, I'm going to show artists how to etch this Oystercatcher on clayboard, using acrylic inks and a scratch knife.

The Oystercatcher is an favorite among the shorebirds in Alaska, with its whimsical, red-orange beak and colorful eyes!

Whoo Hooo! It's shorebird time!!!

Let's Dance for Joy!

Two Sandhill cranes dancing on bluff overlooking Kachemak Bay in Homer, Alaska.  Etching on clay board ©Amanda Brannon.

It's time for the 2014 Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival in Homer, Alaska! 

I am the featured artist this year and will be at several special events:

Artist Workshop with Amanda Brannon 

Saturday, May 10th, 2014 
9am - 11am

Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center, Seminar Room

 Join this year's featured artist Amanda Brannon for her workshop and demo. Clay board art (also called scratch board) involves the removal of a thin layer of India ink to reveal the clay layer below, through scratching or scraping the surface with a variety of sharp tools. This workshop is designed to introduce children over 10 and adults to the basic techniques of clay board art. Amanda Brannon is a nationally published, award-winning artist and designer. www.AmandaBrannon.com  

Limit 15. $55pp ($25 workshop + $30 materials fee).

 

Artist Reception and Show with
Featured Artist Amanda Brannon

Saturday, May 10th, 2014

 5pm - 7pm     

Fresh Sourdough Express Bakery & Cafe

The 2014 Shorebird Festival Featured Artist is the talented Amanda Brannon, creator of this year's poster featuring the Bristle-thighed Curlew. Her colorful and imaginative work is displayed statewide and distributed nationally. Come enjoy a festive evening, meet Amanda and view her latest creations. Indulge in a beautiful array of organic goodies, lovingly handcrafted by the Fresh Sourdough Express Bakery & Cafe.

 

If you would like to buy merchandise with "Soil to Soul" artwork in it, please contact Donna Maltz at the Fresh Sourdough Express Bakery & Café.

Birders' Coffee

Sunday, May 11th, 2014
9am - 11am

Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center

 After a morning in the field, warm up with hot beverages and fresh pastries. Join Festival speakers and fellow birders in sharing bird sightings and stories. Meet the feathered guests from Anchorage's Bird Treatment & Learning Center and check out the display of optics. There will also be a live auction for the original etching of the Bristle-thighed Curlew, donated by this year's featured artist Amanda Brannon.