Finding VALUE

"All changes, even the most longed for,
Have their melancholy;
For what we leave behind us
is part of ourselves;
We must die to one life
Before we can enter into another!"

-Anatole France


Here I am nigh upon the beginnings of another
adventure. During these last hours, and minutes
of preparation, I am thrust into an almost frenzied
mode, moving quickly about gathering this or that,
trying desperately to remember all of the little bits
that must not be forgotten, forever hoping to find
yet another small space for one last something in
the already bursting-at-the-seams luggage.

My life is, and has been for the last three years, cast
between two worlds. There is the day to day where I
swaddle myself as artist, author, and poet within
the creative nest of my studio and home, living an
almost hermit-like existence.

Then, there is the traveler, the goer, the doer, the
teacher, artist, and author that gallivants across hill
and dell, mountain and ocean to share my over-
whelming adoration for art and nature with others.

I love my life, but am often torn between these two
worlds, especially when I have been lingering on one
side of the precipice and am about to leap to the other.

Although joyful and excited over the possibilities and
all good things to come, I also feel a sad reverie of
longings, for what was and what I leave behind.

Yet such is life, for the one true constant is the ever
changing, always moving moments that play out right
before our eyes.

The true heart of the matter is the value gleaned from
every experience, and how it propels you onward, often
times setting in motion the next chains of events.

And so it is that I am off, going and doing, for nearly
all of October. Eager to be amidst the rattle and hum of
the new, reminiscing with the familiar, and being with
friends all the while. I am bringing with me a small laptop
on my trips and hope to share my journey along the way.


I look forward to returning to my humble studio where I
have begun a new creative endeavor of paintings and other
artworks inspired by my trip to the Royal Gardens of
Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, and the country side
of England.

Finally, a BIG CONGRATULATIONS goes to
Wanda H. as the winner of the Craftside Blog/
Nature Inspired Giveaway!

There will also be one more chance to win a copy of my new
book in October. Friend, Kelly Rae Roberts is helping
me celebrate the book's release with a giveaway on her blog,
so be sure to watch for details.

And if you are attending Art & Soul, Portland, I invite you
come by the book signing on Thursday night where I will be
autographing copies of Nature Inspired. My publisher, Quarry
Books, is also giving away other prizes to attendees. I will
be vending on Saturday night with a number of original
artworks for sale, along with other new and delightful treasures
to purchase.

I hope to see you there!

Delightful Musings...

It is a cloudy cool rainy day, and you
will find me tucked into my studio, hard
at work preparing for the coming of a
new month that will bring with it many
travels to hither and yon.

But before I steal away back to the tasks
at hand, I had to share one of my several
new delightful painted musings.



Last day to enter for a chance to win
a copy of Nature Inspired, a limited
edition print, and small original artwork.
Be sure to visit the Quarry Books Craftside Blog.
Leave a comment sharing your favorite
nature delight!

And be sure to check out my interview
on the Craftside Blog... here

Do You Feel It...

the beginnings of Fall?

Nature's subtle changes, like cool
evenings, and shorter days, color
shifts in foliage, and locust singing
rhythmic serenades at twilight.

I love the quiet, hushed moments when
I witness the sun casting rays of deep
yellow light through patches of blue-gray
rain clouds.

All of these happenings lure us ever
closer to the cusp of a new season, to
the edge of my most favorite time of
the year... Autumn!

Sweet Autumn invokes occasions for
the reflection of the months past and
the final few to come. It offers to us,
on bended knee, a chance to embrace
the glories of Nature's soon-to-be swan
song and perhaps, a somewhat slower
pace. Giving another reason to be glad
of life and thankful.

More than any other season, the Fall has
me longing to wander out-of-doors, especially
to gather remembrances of what will soon
fade away into Winter's keeping.

I often pull out a Gathering Journal and
a small pair of scissors that I tuck into a
journal pocket to carry along with me on
my walks. Carefully collecting treasures,
such as weeds and wildflowers, leaves
and field grasses that I find to bring
home.



Treasures that once revisited indoors,
inspire me to paint, journal, create a
nature assemblage, maybe even make
a special card to send to a friend or even
frame by itself. I chose a particular size of
Gathering Journal for each outing, depending
on what I anticipate to find on my outside
adventure.

I invite you to create your own
Gathering journal! To help you
capture and hold-on to this fleeting,
always changing Fall.

It's a wonderful project that can be found
on pages 58-63 in my new book, Nature
Inspired.



For a chance to win a copy of Nature Inspired,
a limited edition print, and small original artwork
be sure to visit the Quarry Books Craftside Blog.

Leave a comment sharing your favorite natural thing!
They are accepting comment entries 'til Midnight,
Wednesday, September 23rd.

And once you have your newly constructed
journal, treat yourself to a nature walk. Even
if you live in the most urban setting, explore
your own backyard, neighborhood, or local
park to see what Autumn treasures you discover!

Amidst the On-Rush

Life has been quite the whirlwind since the
beginning of August. I try to savor and accept
these moments of being caught amidst the
on-rush of activities that come when life is
full to the brim with happenings... mostly good
happenings mixed with some bumps in the road.

These times of busy, busy give me opportunities to
completely immerse myself in activities I love, such
as making art, traveling, teaching, exploring, spending
time with friends, seeking out new paths, and new
directions that will lead me to a deeper, more
meaningful purpose.

Today, I am in the studio surrounded by the captivating
piano melodies of Autumn by George Winston, and
placing the finishing touches on several collage artworks
for an upcoming solo exhibit and book signing at
Artifacts Gallery, located here in Kansas.

I am thrilled to be Artifacts' first show in their
incredible new space, since the grand opening.
So, I thought I would share with you a few of my
new pieces.










If you live in the Wichita, Kansas area, I invite you
to come to the opening reception this Thursday,
September 17th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.


AND, there are still chances to win an autographed
copy of Nature Inspired.

UPDATE 9/15: For a second chance to win a book,
limited edition print, and small original artwork
be sure to visit the Quarry Books Craftside Blog.

Leave a comment sharing your favorite natural thing!
They are accepting comment entries 'til Midnight,
Wednesday, September 23rd.


And friend, Kelly Rae Roberts, will also be
hosting a giveaway starting Monday, October 5th.

Also, I would like to thank friends Bill & Kristin Steiner
for helping me celebrate the release of Nature Inspired.
They have selected a winner...

CONGRATULATIONS Rini Boer,
who lives in the Netherlands!!

SIMPLY LOVELY

It's simply lovely when friends come to visit.
I wish I could share a cup of tea and take
a stroll through the garden with each and
everyone of you.

Thank you all for so many wonderful
messages, and what fun it's been to
find out your favorite birds!

If you haven't had a chance to read all
of the charming bird stories, I encourage
you to take a peek at the comments from
the last post. Each one had me smiling and
nodding my head in complete agreement
that your particular bird was also a favorite
of mine.

And, there was a GREAT comment/
question asked by Catherine, that I would
like to answer.

Q. On page 88 of Nature Inspired, I mention
decorative fabric interfacing was used to
embellish the body of the bird. What is this
product and where can you buy it?


A. The decorative interfacing is mostly sheer,
with a similar look and texture of mulberry
paper. It has a pre-printed floral scroll design.
The interfacing was something I discovered at
JoAnn's Fabrics in the bridal section, and is
used to line the inside of a bodice or skirt.

However, it has been difficult to locate recently
as JoAnn's is constantly changing their inventory.
So, I would encourage you to look around in other
stores especially upscale fabric stores carrying
wedding dress materials.

**********
9/12 - Update: I would like to share the email
I received from Catherine. She had a completely
FABULOUS idea for making your own decorative
interfacing to use as an embellishment for your
painted subject


Dear Tracie,
Thank you so very much for posting an answer
to my question on your blog. I wanted to publicly
thank you for your guidance in regard to the
interfacing in question. And also, I wanted to
mention to all that read your blog, that your book
is well worth double the price! I have not been this
excited about a book in a very long time. I can't tell
you how eager I am to dip into my paints, my stash
of fabrics and laces, and every other goodie you use.
The combination of words and visuals are so perfect
and really speak to my creative soul and desires.

Thank you for your generosity in sharing these techniques!
I have been eagerly awaiting your book and am not only
not disappointed, but thrilled.

I'm going to attempt to stamp on some similar weight
interfacing and see if I have any luck. And also the idea
of stenciling will be attempted as well, if I can find a stencil
with a small enough scale.

Sincerely,
Catherine
**********

Well speaking of friends, I thought I would give
you a glimpse of a another little fellow that's
been hanging around my front porch over the
last several weeks, napping in the largest toad
house during the day.


I am sure he is resting up for a very busy
night of bug catching. The look on
his face, droopy eyes and drowsy
expression, made me chuckle, quietly
of course, because I didn't want to wake
my sleeping guest.

Now to announce the WINNER of a
free copy of Nature Inspired, with a
Limited Edition Print, and Small Original Artwork.

CONGRATULATIONS, Carolyn Saxby!!!


AND, there are still more chances to win
an autographed copy of Nature Inspired.

Details for your second chance to win
a book, limited edition print, and small
original artwork will be posted on the
Craftside Blog soon.

Also, friends Bill & Kristin Steiner
currently have a post where you can
leave a comment for a chance to
receive a free copy. They are taking
comments until September 15th.

And friend, Kelly Rae Roberts, will
also be hosting a giveaway starting
next week.

So... BE SURE TO CHECK THESE OUT!

AN AMAZING WEEK... AND MORE CHANCES TO WIN!

It's been an AMAZING WEEK!!!

I have vacillated minute to minute
between tears of joy accompanied
by a big smile on my face, and sweet
laughter, as beautiful comments and
messages have poured in, flooding
my email. Each one filled with the most
kind, wonderful, and encouraging words
regarding my new book, Nature Inspired.

THANKS TO ALL that have written!

I am thrilled you love it, and am honestly
without words to adequately express the
depth of gratitude and overflowing emotions.

These cherished moments continue
to get even better, as my INCREDIBLE
publishing company, Rockport/Quarry
has offered to provide two copies of
Nature Inspired to be given away.

Even if you have already purchased
a copy you are welcome to enter, as
a second copy would be a perfect
gift for a special friend or family
member.

Each book will come autographed with
a limited edition print, and as a BONUS!!!
I will also be giving away two small
original artworks.

For your first chance to win, please leave
a comment here telling me what your
favorite bird is. The giveaway will end
at noon on Thursday, September 10th,
and I will pick a random winner.

Details for your second chance to win
will be posted on the Craftside Blog soon.

Also, friends Bill & Kristin Steiner
currently have a post where you can
leave a comment for a chance to
receive a free copy. They are taking
comments until September 15th.
And friend, Kelly Rae Roberts, will
also be hosting a giveaway in the
next several weeks.

So, LOTS of chances to WIN!

This Day

Gazing at the eastern horizon from my bed
this morning, I was just in time to see a
glorious sunrise. Feeling the crisp chill in
the air, I pulled the blankets tighter around
my shoulders, and I smiled, hearing little
birds chirping, happily feasting from a small
feeder on the back porch.

September 1st is a date that holds many
memories for me. For it is today that will be,
and forever shall remain, the official release
date of my new book, Nature Inspired.

My heart is overflowing with a multitude
of emotions today regarding this event...
wondrous joy and sincere gratitude, abundant
excitement and deep appreciation, a few
butterflies and complete rapture, are only
some of the ways I can think to describe
my feelings.

Exactly two years ago on September 1st,
life was much much different than today,
not so joyous, not so hopeful, as I was being
laid off from my position as senior product
designer/illustrator for an international
garden company that was suffering the
ill effects of a poor economic climate. This
same company would, in fact, eventually
close, unable to recover from the downturn.

And it was on that very day, when I seemed to
be facing one of the darkest moments, I decided
to put fear aside and take a leap of faith, to
embrace a different path.

With encouragement from both family and
friends, I charted a new course, a new destiny
from one of despair, to one filled to the brim
with beautiful dreams.

I have so, so many people to thank, both now
and then, for this beautiful day! My husband,
my parents, all of the members of my family,
my publisher and staff.

And, I especially feel a great sense of honor to
those I have met either in person or perhaps
only by correspondence, and the friends I have
made along this journey of life.

THANK YOU ALL for your support, your kind,
inspiring words regarding my book, my
workshops, my art, and for helping me
celebrate this momentous occasion by
visiting my humble blog. You have added
a richness to my being and a burning
glow of memories that have woven
themselves like threads into the days
that make up this one, wonderful life!


*** Also some additional bits of
information to pass along, I have
several beautiful friends helping
me celebrate the release with
giveaways on their blogs.
Bill & Kristin Steiner currently
have a post where you can
leave a comment for a chance
to receive a free copy. And friend,
Kelly Rae Roberts, will also be
hosting a giveaway very soon.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Hermila Knutson and Susan McPherson
are the winners of an original
artwork seen in my July/August
article of Somerset Studios.