Shelter From The Storm

"Shelter From The Storm" D.Ataville c.2007

This pretty much sums up how I'm feeling lately and explains why I haven't been blogging much. We seem to have hit an all time low here financially, and though I do have a job now, my hub is unable to find work, and we're on a rapid decline. I am now looking into food stamps and assistance for my family as this is how bad things have gotten. It's a very scary place to be when you have three children. Though I am trying to keep my faith, and believe that God's promises will hold true and give us the financial means we need to see us through the winter.

So as you can surmise, I have been feeling very scared and out of sorts.

But thankfully, we are all healthy and will always have each other, and are not suffering the pains of those going through the devastation of the California fires. My thoughts and prayers go out to them. And I hope they too will find Shelter From The Storm.

Hope all my blogging buddies are doing well! Hopefully my next post will be a bit more uplifting. Until then, Have a Spooky and Spectacular Halloween!

LOVE BONDAGE

"Mother And Child" D.Altaville c.2007

I believe, there is no stronger bond of love than that between mother and child. I did this piece a few years back and was quite attached to it for some reason. However, I finally decided to let it go and put it up on etsy. Wish it were that easy to do the "letting go" thing as my own children get older. They have given me so very much and I am so grateful for them and the memories I will always have. See the post below, for my latest sweet memory I will always hold dear.

Happy Day all! Make it memorable.

Sweet Memories

Well, here is my darling daughter, after a wonderful night with her boyfriend, at the Homecoming Dance. The pictures don't do our bargain dress justice but the little beading you see on the neckline is scattered throughout the dress.

I have been busy with my new job, so haven't been posting much. But after just three weeks they have named me Advertising Sales Consultant of the Week! And I got a cash bonus to boot! YAY! Unfortunately, today I woke up with this sinus/flu thing happening so it's slowed me down for now. But hopefully, sometime soon, I will be able to catch up on what you all are up to.

Until then I hope you are having a wonderful Fall and making Sweet Memories of your own!

Hoping

" Three Thoughts For A Fond Hope" D. Altaville c.2007

Just an old piece that I recently finished up and put up on my Art n Joy etsy shop.

I'm back on that emotional roller coaster again. Feeling oh so uninspired, and just not motivated artistically. I started a part-time job selling ad space, to try and help out with the bills.

I'm thankful for the job, but well, yes I have to admit I'd rather be home delving into paint and paper and trying to wake up the muse.

I did have a beautiful day yesterday though. I went shopping with my lovely daughter for a homecoming dress, visiting some of the funky, chic boutiques in a nearby town. AND God must have been shining down on us, as we found the most beautiful dress, that fits her like it was tailor made and the price tag was $60.00. BUT it was my lucky day, because the dress was marked down to $10.00!!!! It seems the woman is clearing out the summer stock for Fall. Woohooo!

We were so excited. And we got some lovely jewelry to boot!

So as I start my day today, feeling wonky and out of sorts I will try and remember the beautiful things. My daughter and our beautiful day together and how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family and a God that is awesome, that is always looking out for us.

Cheers all! Here's hoping you all have a beautiful week!

Cover Girl

"LISTEN" D.Altaville c.2006

I'm a cover girl! This piece made the cover of the Summer Issue of ARTitude!

And I have to say the issue is simply faboo. Lot's of good stuff and eye candy.

My daddy use to say that people who talk the most, usually have the least to say.

And I sometimes feel that people do talk to much, when they really need to listen more. (Myself included!) Listening is so important. It's learning, it's caring, it's inspiring.

And of course you can have your very own print of "LISTEN" by going to Abstract Joy on etsy here:

http://www.abstractjoy.etsy.com

Happy Day All! And remember to listen to those around you, show them that you care. Listen to the sounds of music and nature and be inspired. Listen.

New Mood...New Work

" Autumn Dreams" D.Altaville c.2007
"Winter Lies" D.Altaville c.2007
Thank You All for your well wishes. My blogging friends rock! And I guess all those good vibes paid off, as I'm feeling a bit better and more peaceful.
These are just a couple of pieces that I managed to finish up and get on my Art n Joy etsy site.
They are also my favorite seasons. Hope everyone is having a great week.
Thanks again and blessings to all of you!

Slumpin

Thank You Windy for this award and may Angels be with YOU!

I have to say I'm really not feeling very nice today. I feel depressed and in a slump.

Like one would, sitting in an overstuffed, oversized, bean bag chair and being unable to get out of it! I feel anxious and vulnerable. I don't like feeling this way.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

Spread The Love

"Spread The Love" D. Altaville c.2007

Yes, even during the toughest of times, I believe that's when it's most important to Spread The Love. So I'm trying to stick by that motto at the moment, even though part of me wants to hide from the world, under the covers, and stay there till the bad stuff passes.

But what good would that do to my kids-who have the biggest hearts I've ever know and my dear ole hub. SO I'm trying to stay grateful and loving, for there really is a lot to be thankful for and a lot to love about this life.

And I did Spread SOME Love the other day, by giving out the Rockin Blogger Girl Award below. (So what are ya waiting for ladies...come on by!)

And of course, this print is available at Abstract Joy on etsy here:

http://www.abstractjoy.etsy.com

So Spread The Love, and Buy Some Art! Preferably mine! muhwahha

Have a Happy and Loving Weekend All!

I've Been Awarded!

I was given this Rockin Girl Blog Award by Bad Kitty (Thank You Very Much) and now I must pass it along to five other people. SO here are some of my ROckin Blogger Girlfriends!

Katie Kendrick, Garden Painter Art, Turquoise Cro Thyme, Self Taught Artist, Windy Angels

Now you all must pass this along to five other people! Have Fun!

Of course I think all the people on my blog links rock, but there's my picks for now!

Happy Tuesday!

NEW SHOP!

I have opened a second etsy shop to try and sell some of my abstract works of recent times and not so recent times. So, go take a peek at Abstract Joy!

http://www.abstractjoy.etsy.com

And of course the link is to the right as well.

And now I'm off to spend some time outdoors as it is a beautiful day!

Happy Weekend All!

Pathways

"Pathways To A Whole" D.Altaville c.2007

Just BlueJude getting into some abstraction.

This of course is available at Art n Joy on etsy, where you can also see some of my other abstracts! http://www.artnjoy.etsy.com

Hope everyone is on a good path as we head toward the Fall season!

Discoveries

"Discover" by D. Altaville c.2007

Just a recent Altered Journal Page as I ponder the New Beginnings and Ending Chapters of my life. There is so much going on here right now....both good and not so good. I wonder where it will all take me, and who I will become because of it.

A Thoughtful Tuesday.

Penelope Pumpkin

"Penelope The Pumpkin Princess"

A Recycled Art Doll by D. Altaville c.2007

Okay you may think it's a bit early for pumpkins, but this was done for a yahoo group challange.

AND I had tons of fun creating Penelope! Click on her to see a better view of her cute little head.

Anyhoo, the kiddies are going back to school in another week....and so before you know it, pumpkin time will be here after all. HA!

Hope everyone is enjoying summer's end.

Piggy Fun

Go here for some piggly wiggly fun and check out my piggy!
http://drawapig.desktopcreatures.com/gallery/large.asp?id=1509550&p=0&hof=1&q=personality+test
Have an oinker of a day!

Passages Of Time

"Love's Lost Innocence" by D. Altaville c.2007

Well, my first born son turned 16 yesterday. Whew! And the little guy just turned 5 at July's end. SO, He will be going off to Kindergarten soon, while the other one will be off to get his driving permit. It's all so bittersweet. Especially with summer almost over, I find myself getting rather melancholy, as another school year starts, another passage of time.

I have always been fortunate enough to be a stay at home Mom, and now I am finally free to have days to myself to devote to my painting and creating. But that doesn't seem to be in the cards. But we have fallen on some hard times, so alas and alack, as Murphy's Law would have it, I will probably have to look for some kind of part-time job during the day.

Yes, I know I should be thankful that I have had it so well all these years. And I am.

But still I would rather spend my days painting and really putting 110% into my art.

I guess we'll just have to see what Autumn brings.

A BlueJude Update

Well, the business card business seems to be rolling along quite well. Though I have yet to decide on a name, or take out any ads, I managed to score four jobs in the past week! AND everyone is absolutely pleased as punch with the designs I show them! Too cool! It is so gratifying to see their face light up. AND I am having SO much fun doing this that I only hope it continues to prosper. So keep good thoughts and vibes y'all that bluejude keeps rolling along.
OK now I just need to decide on a name and I need to make MY OWN business cards up for this new endeavor! Thank You Jesus...Thank You Lord! Happy Day All!

Summer Breaks

The above painting seems to hold our motto for the rest of the summer break since the little guy has broken his arm! As you can see it has not stopped him one bit from being his little goofy self!

"Handle Me With Care" by D. Altaville c.2007 will be available at Art n Joy on etsy here:

http://www.artnjoy.etsy.com

Happy Monday All!

New Endeavor?

I did a post on this already but it doesn't seem to be showing up. Anyhoo, I recently did a graphic job for a friend who needed new business cards. Well, he so incredibly impressed with the four ideas I worked up for him that he's using two. One for BC's and one for ads, flyers, and magnetic car signs. This led to another job with the possibility of another. Anyhoo, a friend suggested I put a small ad in the little paper and try and drum up some biz doing this. AND as you all know I can use the spare change. Whaddaya think? Will it fly?
On a down note, the little guy broke his arm Monday falling off the monkey bars, so it's been a little hectic here. Trying to keep this kid still, keep his sling on, and keep it elevated is like trying to convert the Pope to become a Jew! lol
So needless to say...I'm after him every twenty minutes in between trying to do my puter stuff. OH and ART....Hmmmm...what's that? lol Just kidding, I do have a few things in progress but now of course it will take me a little longer to finish them up. Oh well. You'll just have to stay tuned.
And wait to see a pic of my little guy in his cast. And he barely shed a tear about the whole thing. REALLY! It was like all in a day's work - or should I say play for him. Too much this kid!
Happy Day All! Whaddaya think about this new endeavor?

Fool's Gold

HALLO ALL! I received my copy of "Fool's Gold; Making Something From Nothing and Freeing Your Creative Process" by Susan G Woodridge.YOU MUST GET THIS BOOK! I mean like now! I am only about 50 pages into it but I know so many of you will LOVE this book. It's the type of book that you don't want to put down, yet you want to savor every word, and don't want it to end. AND then you'll wanna read it again. She also wrote a book called Poem Crazy years ago which is also good. But Fool's Gold is a MUST HAVE! Ok so off you go now to your nearest bookstore or book site and get yourself a copy!

It even inspired me enough to get out of my slump and start painting again last night!

In Limbo

"Who Are You, Really?" D. Altaville c.2007

This is an old piece but kind of sums up how I'm feeling lately. At least artistically speaking.

I feel kind of lost at the moment, ready for change but not really sure at all of any particualr direction. Just lost and in limbo.

I know, I know....I should just pull out my paints and supplies and throw something down and see what transpires. I just can't seem to do it just yet. And I don't know why.

Anyhoo, I just got the book Kaleidescope and it's rather interesting. Perhaps it will spark something inside and give me inspiration to go forward.

Hope everyone has a fun and creative July!

P.S. I'll be back with something...a new creation. There I said it! Now I'm committed! lol