Whatever creative practice you’re into, you’ve probably faced the question—what do I fill my time with? If it’s writing you ask yourself, what do I write about? If it’s a craft, what do I make? If it’s art, what do I draw, paint, or sculpt? I have faced this question daily since starting my sketch… Continue reading What to draw?
The Watercolor Flower Artist's Bible: An Essential Reference for the Practicing Artist by Claire Waite Brown My rating: 5 of 5 starsMy newest art book is the gorgeous Watercolor Flower Artist’s Bible: An Essential Reference for the Practicing Artist, edited by Claire Waite Brown.This is quite a comprehensive volume. It starts out with a section… Continue reading The Watercolor Flower Artist’s Bible – Review
Created to Thrive: An Artist’s Guide To Living In Divine Abundance by Matt Tommey My rating: 5 of 5 starsA few weeks ago I took part in a three-session masterclass hosted by artist and mentor to artists Matt Tommey. The class was called “Artist Mindset Makeover.” In it, Tommey stated that one’s mindset is the… Continue reading Created to Thrive – review
Sunday is Mother’s Day—I’m sure I don’t need to remind you! Mother’s Day reminds me of my own mother and the fact that it’s already 15 years ago that I gave her her last Mother’s Day card. She died about six weeks after Mother’s Day in 2006. I still miss her, though signs of her… Continue reading “Portrait of my mother at twenty” – a poem
"Spring Song" - Violet Nesdoly (Watercolor on 140 lb. cold press paper, 9x6 inches). This week I’m taking in a three-session webinar on the artist’s mindset led by artist coach and mentor Matt Tommey. Yesterday’s lecture was followed by a Q&A where Tommey answered submitted questions. The first question and his answer opened a window… Continue reading Seasons in a Creative’s Life
When presented, by my writing group, with the challenge to write about my experience during the pandemic, my first thought was to do it in poem form (seeing as how it’s April and National Poetry Month). “Pandemic Lifestyle” is a snapshot of some of the things that have characterized the last months for me and… Continue reading Pandemic Lifestyle – a poem
The Minister's Wife: A Memoir of Faith, Doubt, Friendship, Loneliness, Forgiveness, and More by Karen StillerMy rating: 5 of 5 stars I first discovered this book when I attended a webinar on writing spiritual memoir hosted by an Ottawa writing group, where the author, Karen Stiller, was the presenter. I was intrigued. Watching a later… Continue reading The Minister’s Wife – review
Art shows are a new experience for me. Applying to have my art included in a show is a lot like getting a writing submission ready for publication or a contest—exciting and a little stressful. And so, a few weeks ago, after completing just such a submission, I was thrilled to have my painting “Persimmon… Continue reading Art Exhibition
He is risen! He is risen indeed! This is how Christians around the world greet each other on the day we celebrate Jesus' resurrection from the dead, in western Christianity Easter Sunday. One last duo from Laurel and me, for this special day. I sent her the painting, she wrote the haiku. "Joy" - by… Continue reading Resurrection!
Here, on Good Friday, the last day of Lent, Laurel and I conclude our Lenten conversation with one more poem and image. Laurel’s poem prompt, “Quicken,” articulates the restless dissatisfaction and the sense of “dare I hope that things can be different?” characteristic of us in our human state. Those feelings have only been amplified… Continue reading Lent Conversation — Conclusion
Violet Nesdoly 