Blooming True

Yikes! Time passes! Another 2 months without blogging...
But I've got good reasons. Very, very good reasons. And I mean goooooooood :).

I've decided I have dreams and I've decided I'm going to work towards them, each and every day of my life. I've decided to be brave, to be bold, to follow my intuition and my heart and to step out of my comfort zone.

I've always wanted to be an artist. I mean, I always was, and I am now shamelessly able to admit I am one, but I always wanted to make my living as a full time artist.

At the same time, even if painting and creating is something I could do 24h a day, I cannot imagine 'just' doing that, because I also have the need to make a difference in people's life.

But guess what! I simply discovered I can do both. I can create and transmit. I believe I have the potential to light up the world with my passion! My ultimate goal is to own a space where people will come and reconnect to their profound essence through creativity. My first step towards that goal is to hold creativity classes. I'll be starting in September incha'Allah. I'll be helping people get better in their lives through simple yet powerful exercices that will teach them to take more time for themselves and to gradually develop an habit of finding creative solutions.

And because nothing happens by accident, I'm presently following a phenomenal, life-changing e-course with one of my favorite artist, Flora Bowley, called Bloom True. And gosh, how am I blooming true right now! It's not just a painting class. It's an amazing journey and for me it has been life-changing. I discovered a lot about myself, my fears, my intuition, my bravery and my potential. I've been able to translate a lot of the teachings of Flora into my personal life and I can tell you the results are amazing - both on the canvas and in my every day life.

I'm not done with the painting since we are in the last week of the course, but I have one canvas finished. Here are (some of) the different stages it went through. I started this with absolutely no idea in mind about what it would look like in the end and I still cannot believe what that painting became. It revealed itself bit by bit and to my surprise I found out I was able to paint in a completely different way than I was used to.

It is said that we have 1000 bad paintings in us so I guess I'm far from 'the' painting that will reveal my true voice and my talent but it's a first of a series of new paintings and I'm unstoppable at this point. I already have about 4-5 in progress right now!

 

So! Now you know a lot about what's going on for me. I may not come here soon again but I'll sure keep you posted about my next move. And for my french readers, I brand new blog is about to be born - I'll let you know when it's ready.

Much love to all of you and I pray you'll follow you dreams and be brave with your life. It's worth it.

Following my intuition

My paintings have dramatically changed since I read Flora Bowley's book "Brave Intuitive Painting". I don't want to have an end in mind anymore when I pick a brush and start to paint on a new canvas. I'm finally trying to trust my intuition, find my unique voice and allow my creative impulses to lead the way.

It takes a lot of courage to let go and even if the end result is not exactly satisfying, the journey was awesome.  Every day, for about 10 days, I painted for about 2 hours. I experienced colors, techniques, stamps, spray... Every layer was revealing something totally new and surprising. You can click on each image to see the details of the painting...

Next step: the Bloom True Course by Flora herself! A 5 week online course to help me unlock my creative flow and find my own style...

Meanwhile, I'm working on a very-big-and-very-dear-to-my-heart project that could help you  unlock your creativity... It's one of my biggest dream and I decided this year was going to be THE year. Once again I'm following my intuition and getting out of my comfort zone - and I hope many of you will profit! Stay tuned for more details!

Dear computer, I missed you... not!

My dear computer died almost 2 weeks ago. After a moment of panic, I had to deal with the fact that I was going to live without it for a couple of days. I sent it to the tech to see if it was in any way fixable and after 3 days I was told it was going to cost me a lot of money and the guy wasn't sure if it would still work. The good news, my datas were not lost. And I had to buy a new computer. For a total of 6 days I couldn't work on my design contracts or waste my time on Facebook, so I decided to pretend computers don't exist.

It was one of the best week in a long time. I did what I never have enough time to do.

A cup of tea. A candle. A book. Watercolor, old magazines, scissors, glue.

In the end, it was the best thing that could happen to me. I have a brand new iMac now but I decided to turn it off after 7pm to do what I never have enough time to do.

A cup of tea. A candle. A book. Watercolor, old magazines, scissors, glue. And a lot of time, precious, quiet time with myself.

And Nothing Else Matter

I felt like painting with kids watercolor. So I did. Despite all the cleaning and other booooring stuff I 'had' to do.

Ha.

 

No Paint, No Gain

It's (always) a beautiful day to hold a brush, spray some water and paint everywhere, use new colors and make a mess in the workshop.

Painting with intuition

After reading Flora Bowley's book "Brave Intuitive Painting" in less than 2 days, I jumped on my painting material and decided to follow my intuition instead of my "already-made-idea", like I usually do.

The result is quite stunning. Not that the paintings in themselves are exceptional but when you think that I started from a blank canvas, with absolutely no idea in mind, and that I ended up with bright, colorful paintings that actually represent something, I think it's amazing.

I used my hands. A lot. Like both hands, full of paint. I also sprayed a lot of water, making a mess in my workshop. I used bubble wrap. Lids. Erasers. Stamps. Oh, and sometimes, a brush. Layer after layer, something eventually emerged.

I cannot describe the feelings it gave me. I felt just... so good. So me. In touch with my inner self, with everything that I am, the part people know, the part I never show... At some moments in the process, I felt I was laying a part of me directly on the canvas.

This way of approaching painting is very different from everything I used to do. But I'm now addicted to it and my paintings might have a totally new look in the future... 

It's my Birthday!

Well, kinda. I received 2 amazing books (one from my dear friend Marie, one from my dear self). I also bought some new stuff, including sketch books, pens, paint and brush.

Now will you excuse me, I have some reading/painting/drawing to do!

In Solidarity

I created this piece of art for a silent auction that will be held May 14th. All the money will go to Marie-Sol, a woman/mother/artist who lost her arms and legs after being affected by a bacteria in March. You can read her story (in french) and find out more about the auction initiative (also in french).

Flowers and fishbones

They look good painted on pebbles.

Teaching what I love

I was invited to make a painting workshop for teenage girls at the local mosque. I decided to show them how to make henna patterns to create nice details on a wooden mirror.

First step was to practice on paper. Then they had to draw, on paper always, the patterns they would like to have on their mirror. Painting the background of the mirror was next. Most of the girls didn't finish the patterns yet but I think they are doing great already! They should be done by next week. Cannot wait to see the final result!

Art Exhibition

I love when my kids say they want to become artists "like mommy". I love it even more when I see what they can do. And I think they do pretty well, actually.

Here's a collection of artwork from my 6 years old son.

Going to Mexico!

Well... Not me. My glasses ;).

My friend is going to visit her parents in Mexico and she asked me to make glasses and coasters as a present for them. At least if I cannot go south, my creations will and I like to think they will enjoy the sun, by the sea, filled with tropical juices! What a good life they will have! And no, I'm not crazy. Or maybe I am. A little.

Mirror, mirror on the wall...

I tried something new this time - a one color only mirror with golden details. I also added some crystal and mosaic 3D stickers. It gives a nice bling bling/indian look to it!

Magnets are back!

They are new, they are ready and they will be available in the next days on Etsy: my 12 new sets of painted pebbles magnets. A first kit is already available and the rest will follow - I just don't want to list everything all at once, not a good marketing strategy!

Make sure to have a look at my shop every once in a while to see the whole collection...

New items on Etsy

Told you about the magnets, how I wanna finish them up to list them on Etsy... I'm just about to do that, only need to take a few more photos and they will be ready. I also started to make new mirrors, the previous ones sold so quickly, I never had time to put them online! I listed the first one today.

Some more to come, incha'Allah!

New Batch...

of painted pebbles. Will eventually be varnished (I take soooo long to finish stuff these days!) and turned into magnets. And, maybe one day, be listed on Etsy. For now here are pictures of them! Not the best quality but you get an idea of what the whole thing looks like...

Back to my studio

Some are back to school. Some are back to work. As for me, I'm back to my beloved and deserted studio. Can you believe I didn't hold a brush in my hand for almost 5 months?! After having my in-laws for 2 months, I left for my vacations, then came home sick and tired so I totally neglected my creative side.

I didn't even remember how good it felt to paint and create! Mixing colors, holding my breath when I want to make a straight line, trying different color combos, thinking about nothing... That is just great.

50 new magnets are on the way, painted glasses and mirrors also... Now I wish I had more time, as I feel like doing nothing else than painting. I have to profit, as the baby will come, leaving no time and energy for idle hours and leisure time!

What am I still doing in front of my computer then ;) ?

May I take your order?

My friend Sophie asked me to paint a set of tea glasses for her. She chose one of the first models of glasses I made. I realized it's been a while since I painted on glass! I have many plain bottles and glasses left so I should do more in the next few weeks. I already have another custom order, a friend of Sophie who also wants a set for her.

I also received 4 requests for sea glass jewelry - 2 rings, one bracelet and a complet kit (ring, bracelet and pendant). That is just great!

May I take your order, too?

Like Mother Like Son

I guess it's no surprise that my sons want to do as mommy does. My oldest takes the art business very seriously. Picks rocks carefully, chooses colors and then decides which of my patterns he will 'copy'. You can appreciate his work on the left of both photos and his inspiration from my collection on the right. He's really proud because he can use big people's paint (acrylic), and my professional brushes and paint pens.

Who knows, maybe Zamzam will one day become Zamzam & Sons inc. :).

Magnets Mania struck again

I've put pebbles painting aside for a while, after last August's exhibit. Still, my magnets were very popular and I almost sold all that I had in stock. Nearly 100! I had a nice collection of plain stones collected in Gaspésie last summer, perfect for new magnets.

I painted almost 50 new ones in the last days. They still need to be varnished and I ordered my magnets, will need to glue them to the stones.

More to come, as the Magnets mania has struck and when it comes, it hardly goes away :).