Well hello there! So here I am, finally, writing my first blog entry. I'm very excited to be here, but I've gotta admit, I'm a little nervous too. I do not claim to be a writer by any means, but I am looking forward to sharing a little more of myself with all of you.

As you may already know, I am a mother to 3 pretty amazing kiddos (and expecting our 4th in November), a full-time art teacher, a wife and an artist. Life is busy, crazy, fun, exciting, exhausting and a true blessing. I love my life, and I love my family.

Raising a family is a life changer. Especially, raising 3 children (with one on the way) ages 5 and under. I LOVE being a mom. I LOVE being a wife and I LOVE being a teacher. Balancing all three of these commitments comes very natural to me because they are all so dear to my heart. I was, however, struggling with making time for myself. I felt my insides tugging. I would get these deep urges to create something. More specifically, I wanted to paint. I had wanted to paint for years but would always push it aside when I could not decide what it was that I wanted to paint. So for years I would get my creative fix through other means: creating lesson examples for my students, quilting, card making and scrapbooking. My insides still tugged…and tugged. I became frustrated and at times, unhappy.

Somewhere around this time is when it all started. While shopping at Michaels, I stumbled upon the book, Brave Intuitive Painting, by Flora Bowley. The book called to me. I smiled when I held it in my hands. "Let Go. Be Bold. Unfold." As I opened the book and turned the pages, colorful images of Flora's artwork flooded my eyes - I was in awe. I wanted to learn more about her and this style of painting so I turned back to the introduction...

"For many years I struggled with my desire to paint for the sake of exploration, raw expression, and release. I thought my art needed to support an intellectual theory, make a political statement, or in some way change the world. eventually I surrendered, allowing myself to paint for the purpose of painting and the joy it brings.

After many years of following my heart, I now understand that the very act of pure expression does change the world.

It changes the world by changing each and every person who is brave enough to pick up a paintbrush, open themselves up to the unknown, and express themselves honestly and intuitively. it is through this kind of heartfelt expression the truths are revealed, lives transform, and new worlds are born."

And there it was…this book telling me to be brave and just show up to my canvas. Reminding me to paint because I love it and because my insides are tugging for that specific creative release. Later that night after the kids went to sleep I arrived at my canvas with my painting supplies and Flora's book. I painted for hours. That night transformed me…

I no longer felt tired. I listened to my inner longing and made time for myself. A new part of me came alive that night and I am forever grateful.

Thanks for joining me,

<3 Vicki