SprinG has finally SprunG.....

I love you spring!

After a looooong, dreary drawn out winter, (and I don't just mean the weather) I'm finally feeling a little more spring in my step. What a relief!
For me, the "new year" seems to start more like when spring arrives, not so much in cold, dreary January. I find it difficult to be excited for a "new" year until like...now. Warmer temp's, sunshine, baseball, longer days, seeing your plants emerge from their somber sleep, all the critters seem frisky... the birds sing more. Even my dogs can feel it, and act differently.
Everything seems new again. Everything seems refreshed and get's a chance to start over. I love it!
Except for bathing suit season.... aaaahhh, could do without that challenge year after year. Probably because it get's harder year after year. Well...I will quickly get off that vain sentiment, as I am a healthy, mostly happy girl with a full, and very blessed life, surrounded by family and great friends constantly. (did I mention constantly, ha!)

As timing would have it, my spring has sprung in other ways as well. I want to share something I'm soooo happy and proud about and extremely thankful for. I've known about it for a while, but wanted to wait for it to come to fruition and get a copy of it into my hot little hands.... My first painting to get published!!!! Thanks to the fantabulistic Suzi Bluuuuu♥

This link above only shows a preview, but here is my page... :)

I would like to point out the title is "Respect Diversity" not Respect & Dignity. No biggie tho.... I'm still a happy camper!



I'm so grateful that Suzi Blu included me in her book. She has so many students, and wonderful artists that sent submissions for the publication. At Suzi's Les Petit Academy, (aka Art Skool Underground)... where everyone is an artist, I have met many wonderful like minded souls and have made some lasting friendships there.
I truly can't sing enough of her praises. Suzi is so fun to watch and learn from. She is an exceptional mixed media artist. She very engaging, passionate, funny, generous and never stagnate.
Her style of teaching really suits me, and I thank her for being a huge motivating factor for me actually picking up a frickin' pencil again. She actually has helped me realize that this is what I was meant to do all along.
And even though I'm slow, too meticulous, and self critical.... it's all part of my artful life journey, and that's okay...
xox ~ ajae


ps- I LOVE to hang clothes out to dry on a clothesline, but have a fear of putting my hand in a clothes pin basket, so I just leave the pins on the line all the time :)