Your art. Your inspiration.

What are your goals? What are your passions? Where do you see your talents best served?

These were some questions posed to me this weekend by a very good friend who's opinions I highly value and accept with my whole heart. I will be honest however, my head was spinning and I was taken aback when posed with these questions as I have just started off on my latest path into teaching children's yoga. I've dove head first into my yoga practice and I love love love every second of it. It brings me joy and fills me in a way I haven't been filled in quite sometime. I am happy - with the choice I have made, with the way I spend my everyday, with the support I am able to offer, with the gift of this practice I can share with children. I am on the right path for certain.

Then she asked, Have you lost sight of your art?

To that I answer no. While I don't get to create as much as I would like to, as much as I used to - outside of a crate here and a mural there, I believe I am always in the artist frame of mind no matter what I am doing. She remembers me in college as someone who was always in the studio or on the floor creating my next project. It used to pour out of me. Now I find myself in another kind of studio and yet I am able to see the parallel. There is art in my life no matter what I am type of studio I am in.

Art, like many things, like yoga, is a practice. It is constant. It is everywhere. You live it, you breathe it, it is part of you. The things you are born with will never leave you. It is a gift you hold that grows with you - constantly evolving - ever changing.

Recently it comes in spurts - I get inspired and I want to create. These days, as life has gotten busy and as I adjust to this new route, it has been inside a journal of personal exploration. It comes in small sketches and words unspoken. It is small and that is okay. Right now, it is what it is and I trust it is right where it should be.

And just when I have the need for more, I stumble upon some great inspiration...tonight I've found Aelita Andre. She is a 3 year old professional abstract painter from Australia. Next month she will be holding a solo show in NYC...and it won't be her first solo show. I am in awe.

Watching this video below (several times), you can see there is more then just playing with paint that is happening here. I see something there that I've seen in very few children as I've watched them create their own art (as I often include art in my children's yoga classes). There is true comfort in what is being created - a sense of non-attachment to the outcome - seemingly no fear of judgement - an abundance of acceptance. It is not forced. It is accepted as is. It is right where it should be. It is beautiful.

I'm back.

I'm feeling it...the creative bug. It's back and I'm loving it. Maybe it's because I've been tripping over some amazing artists (who I will be blogging about soon)...maybe it because I see more art happening in my near future.

You may know that last year I left my corporate position in NYC (and stepped down into a part time position in NJ) to follow my heart as a children's yoga instructor at Alluem Yoga in Cranford, NJ. As I've watched the Alluem Kids program bloom into something amazing, I've seen a change in myself as well. I've grown closer to this practice and have found an amazing peace in my heart. I see the best come out in me every time I step on my mat to share the practice with children who are eager to learn, eager to grow, eager to relax and find peace. I am lucky. I am honored. I am grateful.

This past week I took another step...I gave my 2 weeks notice at my part time job to step into the roll of a full-time yogi at Alluem. This was my goal, this was my dream...this I did not expect to happen within 8 months of leaving the city. Honestly, I think I was at first in shock. I let go, I trusted and it happened. I am in a place where I can be myself, be at peace, be inspired, and hopefully making a difference in the lives of others along the way.

I. am. so. lucky.

I am an artist at the core. The best thing for an artist is to be an environment that inspires you to create. For me to have the luxury of being in a historical mill that houses a yoga studio and is bordered by a river is unbelievable. And to be surrounded by students and teachers who are positive, uplifting, and non-judgmental is just an added bonus! The more time I spend there, the more I want to create, share and give back through my practice and my art. It's all connected.

I came across a quote the other day - "Don't wait until you know who you are to make things happen." So true. When you let go of the what ifs, the I'm not sures and the who am I questions, you discover a layer of yourself you never knew existed. Embrace it. Share it. Make things happen.

Dino-Room!

My Godson loves dinosaurs! Some of his favorite books are the "How Do Dinosaurs..." series by Jane Yolen. The illustrations by Mark Teague served as the inspiration for the dino-riffic mural. My Godson's favorites are the T-Rex and the long neck, so that's exactly what he got! He named them Buddy and Ned...very suiting. :)

Pooh vs Tigger

Fairies Fairies Everywhere

For Your Kitchen

For all your kitchen needs...and stuff.

D is for Darth Vadar

For Star War Lovers everywhere...

Your child WILL be a fan. They have no choice.

Some great gifts to accompany your Baby Crate -

Congratulations Bob and Alison! Can't wait to meet your little Jedi!!!

Good Dog

Here girl. Put away your toys. In the crate. Drop it.

Good dog.

Staten Island Yoga Art Auction

This Wednesday, June 23rd, is the Art Auction and Satsang devoted to raising money for Bal Ashram, Baba Hariji's orphanage in Varanasi, India. Richard Humphrey has done an amazing job of pulling this all together and there is much inspiring art work to choose from. The art work will be on display at Shakti Yoga in Staten Island starting at 1 PM on Wednesday. Bids can be made in person at Shakti or by email to richard@redcloudmobile.com. Bidding will end at 7:30 PM and winning bidders will be notified after the evening Satsang or by email/phone.

If you'd like to bid on my piece below, your donation would be much appreciated!

What I've been up to...