Find the feeling....

Processing my sleeping dreams. . . 

"The whole world is wild at heart & weird on top" David Lynch

I am going through the process of space clearing, yet again. It's amazing how much one can accumulate not only as an artist, but after living in one space for 9 years. It's all coming together though, on so many levels: Spirit, Mind, Body.

I have much to share, but for now just wanted to say HELLO and share some BIG paintings I'm working on in the midst of the Clearing:

Sending you B I G BIG 

LOOOOOOOVE

XO

Test test.... 1-2-3

Hello! It's the last fragments of l e a p day & I thought I'd give this blogger app a whirl. We just upgraded to the new iPhone 4s & I've been instagramming like mad. It's so inspiring! Here's some random pictures over the past couple days:

Feeling The Expansive

I can hardly believe January is almost over! I've filled this month with some deep soul-searching, major dialoging, cataloging, trail following, exploring, photographing, writing, and sweeping up the scatters of so many things. I've made a happy-little-list of all the glorious lessons and experiences 2011 had to offer, and what I'd like to welcome in for the ever-expansive 2012. I will share it here soon, but for now I just wanted to say a big-whopping THANK YOU. Thank you for allllll your immense L O V E on my Cover Girl post.

 I am entirely, utterly, fantastically blessed by all of you -- true and deep friends, my soul sisters, my fellow passengers on this ride we call life. Daring, dreaming, dangerous WILD WOMEN and MEN. . . Glorious tears fill my eyes as I think about all the garbage I've left behind so I could step fully into *this life*. This true and beautiful, ever light, ever buoyant, ever unfolding life. I'm so glad I swung off the closet doors into the here & now, and climbed into the me I've always been. As I continue to clean out the shelves, and shake off old dust, I am completely thankful for alllll of it. Thank you for being here, for being a witness to my ever-evolving carousel. I am so deeply blessed by YOU.

More and more collages fill my space. . . Did you know the first collage I had made in a long looonnng time was Own Your Story? Truthfully, I was getting wayyy too comfortable in my process, always painting my girls. When this piece landed on the cover of Somerset Studios, not only was it a huge sign to really step into myself, really, truly, fully and completely, *Own My Story* and *Write*, but also h u g e confirmation of the *Magic* that happens when we step outside of ourselves, our routines, explore deeper, and truly listen to the messages that appear. When. We. Just. Show. Up. The universe is conspiring for our happiness, our blissful existences, our growth, our change, our EVERYTHING! I am so wide awake grateful to just simply exist and create and share and inspire. Hellooo!!!

"In The Realms of The Unreal" (Click image to view it in my shop)

"31" Original Available Soon!

 

 

 

 

 

Cover Girl!!!

You may have already seen it, but here's my big surprise -- I'm currently on the COVER
of Somerset Studios January / February edition!!!

I can hardly believe my eyes!! This came as a total surprise to me, finding out a mere week or two before it was officially out there. I thought it was just going to be my article along with a few images, or maybe my piece wouldn’t even make the final cut (my paranoid delusions). You can imagine my level of awe and excitement when the news came. There were tears, followed by dancing and cheers.

This is a dream come true, beyond my wildest visions. I remember making my list of goals for 2011 and being published in Somerset was one of them. I didn't know how, or what, but I knew I wanted to spread my wings and go for it. With the year almost over and other projects taking up my time, I put this plan on the back burner, but held onto the intention.

Well, the Universe has this wild way of conspiring and lo-and-behold I had a magical little email from Christen Olivarez (beautiful soul, huge inspiration, and editor for Somerset Studios) asking me to contact her about a couple of pieces they were interested in. To make a long story short, I walked around for days holding my chest so my heart wouldn't leap out.... and a How-To Article was born.

This past year has been truly magical. One of the best years of my life. I owe mass amounts of gratitude to Christen and everyone over at Somerset for all the amazing work they do. I mean, the way they are able to put together these beautiful, soulful magazines and touch so many people across the globe. It’s a blessing and honor to be a part of.

I was honestly nervous about putting myself out there like this, and I think it’s those stubborn fears that kept me from reaching out in the first place. The questions, like, "How Dare You? Just who do you think you are? You aren’t enough, or ready, or blah blah blah!"

"Stand in your Danger. .  ." - C.P.E.

The Universe is always delivering the experience you most need. We’ve been doing so much reflecting on that here lately – we are 100% sure there are no mistakes and negatives are just positives in disguise. It all leads you home.

Forever Stretching. Forever Growing. I hope you like my Cover and How-To Article!! This has been a HUGE PUSH for me to go further, dig deeper, share more. I'm ready. I'm showing up. I may go underground at times, but it's all part of my process. I'm here! To stay.

Yep, here's the cheezy "that's me on the cover" picture!!!

 Lots of Love,
Carissa

PS. I'm really soaking in the moment -- the picture up top on my sidebar with me as a toddler trying to type on the BLUE typewriter -- and NOW me as a 30 year old with my BLUE typewriter painting on the cover. I'm just. . . . . in complete AWE! I can't wait until my first book is complete!!!!!!

Saintly Stranger by the Sea

(Continued from previous post)

Three years after we moved into this house, at the age of 23 or 24 -- I got fired from an office job, drove directly to the ocean & plopped down on the beach, blinded by tears. Here I met a mystical man who, in so many words, told me my future. Through my bleary eyes I felt it all coming true. My overcoming and becoming. Discovering my inner force all over again. Watching all the negatives in my life wash away like tides on the shore. He was so right about everything. And then he disappeared.

It's amazing how we have this power to influence other people in such a positive way, with or without realizing it. This man was homeless, young, and had a celtic cross tatooed on his upper arm. He had striking blue eyes and a deep brilliance I will never forget. With his arm wrapped around me I peered through tears into the wild blue ocean. I sobbed and heaved and told him, this perfect beautiful stranger, my fears and woes and my deepest dreams and hopes -- how I was so tired of it all, THE MASQUERADE. Here is, more or less, what I told him:

 "All I ever want in this life is to break free from all the invisible chains. No more lifeless body clocking in and filing reports and sending faxes and talking on phones to assholes just so I can furrow away some little paycheck in order to pay for my medical bills one day when it all comes crashing down. It feels so far from the truth of who I am, where I need to be...."

He knew I would be here, right where I am today. And he told me it would be so.

So here I am now - 30 years old, strolling on the shores of who I am with my head held high. I am an Artist. I am a Woman. I am a Brave Creature. I am making Art, selling vintage + manifesting my own unique destiny. And it's all just been one foot in front of the other. I may not know exactly where I'm going, but I'm sure as hell on my way!

XO,

Carissa

PS. I have so much catching up to do!!! I had the most deeelightful New Years Weekend, but then my body decided it needed to sweep out a little dust. I'll be back very soon to share some very BIG NEWS.