Carissa Paige

Feeling The Expansive

2012-01-31T19:40:00.000-05:00

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!!!

2012-01-06T12:04:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-04T17:35:00.000-05:00

(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.

Where The Magic Happens

2011-12-13T19:50:00.000-05:00

Hello friends,

This is my sanctuary, my little haven, where all the magic happens. I've been thinking a lot about how grateful I am for this house. We've been here almost 10 years now. (TEN YEARS?) This house has held me close, kept me safe during many-a-storm, and birthed me into the woman I am today. I landed here at the ripe ol' age of 21. . . . But when I got to writing about it, a whole other story poured out of me. I will share it with you later this week!!

Hope you are staying warm and dry!

More soon. . .
XO, Carissa

Update: NEW ART & H o l i d a y Cheer

2011-12-06T18:09:00.001-05:00

Hello! I have so much to share in the form of words and photographs! But for now, I present to you: New Art! A few new ORIGINALS! and a PAINTED PURSE. In lieu of the holidays I'm running a Sweet Holiday Deal: ANY TWO 8.5 x 11 prints for $24 and BOGO 5x7's for $10!! I'm offering this special through December, so you'll have plenty of time to grab up what you need/want/love. Lots of great deals to be had on Originals / Prints / Etc! Also, check out the MAGNETS. They make a gorgeous stocking stuffer gift for the art lover in your life (or yourself)!! Here's a shot of them in case you missed it. They truly are lovely and already have rave reviews! :

Hope you all are staying warm and dry! We've been rocking lots of socks and fuzzy blankets, and GILMORE GIRLS! Every once in a while we watch the entire show from start to finish. It's getting so goooood!

More soon.......

XO,
Carissa

New Art / Art Dolls / Video Glimpse into my Creative Process

2011-11-23T01:28:00.001-05:00

I've added quite a few new originals to the shop. A batch of affordable / collectible / original / mixed media pieces on Bristol paper. Check them out right here!

Introducing: the newest addition to the family -- Art Dolls! I've been visualizing these dolls in my head for quite some time. It was truly magical to have them come to life for the first time! They're made from salvaged linen, vintage fringe trim, feathers collected from the Florida beaches, paints, and mad-mad LOVE.

While making these the word "spirit doll" kept popping into my head. After looking it up, I believe these most certainly are Spirit Dolls. They've both been infused with incredible amounts of love, energy, meaning, and Spirit. Little Messengers! Eloise has already become an Aussie (how exciting). Margo is still patiently waiting for a Dreamer to come along who needs her magical powers -- find out more about the personal meaning for Margo (right here).

Last weekend (11-11-11) I met Goddess Doreen Virtue at the ICDI Conference. She's an intutitive angel and advised me to work outdoors, that everything in my life will be more magical if I do. She also called me "Fairy Girl", and said I'm surrounded by fairies. This has seriously come up 4 times this year by different intuitive people. Apparently I have fairies around me! Not sure if you believe in Fairies, they are essentially the same as Angels, but more Earthbound. They do sparkly fairy like magic. (I guess if I'm surrounded, I better learn more about them!) There was also a 3 hour talk by Wayne Dyer. He is INCREDIBLE to say the least. I left so full of emotion, so wide open, so incredibly WOW. The tears were flowing. I also heard Carolyn Myss, Collette Baron-Reid, Debbie Ford, and more! So many great teachers. I'm still processing it all. I'll share some of my notes and thoughts later!

Last but not least -- Here's a video I made this past Sunday, on a bit of a whim. I know the editing isn't perfect, but I had fun. Fun's what its all about! I wanted share glimpses into how my creative process works: Writing, dressing up, thrifted treasures, painting, playing, photographing, experimenting! Growing up I had a major infatuation with Mary Poppins, and watched the movie a zillioin times. Life was kind of crazy growing up, so a magical flying nanny with "A spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down, in the most de-light-ful way" become a huge fantasy for me, soul food. Its where my creative sparks began. I recently discovered the old Walt Disney / Mary Poppins record from 1964 and was so thrilled. I came home and played it while I was working on the dolls above. See -- all this rambling ties in somehow. Anyway, I could ramble on. Hope you enjoy my little take on Mary Poppins.

Happy Thanksgiving Friends / Family! I'm so gratefull for YOU and for all that you share and teach. Sending LOVE in WAVES.

New Stuff & BOGO Sale!

2011-10-12T21:07:00.000-04:00

It's been quite a while since my last update! I have so much to share that my fingers are literally freezing up, not knowing where to begin. In short, I've been majorly cleaning out my life, doing a lot of introspection, and getting rid of so much stuff (so much that my neighbors asked if I was moving!) I have much to share about life and art, but for now, here's a glimpse at some of my latest pieces (all available in my shop!)

To get some energy moving along I'm offering a BOGO = Buy-1-Get-1 FREE on all prints! Any of my newer paintings can be made into prints if they aren't already. Mention: SOULWERK at checkout along with your free print choice! I'm so proud of how beautiful my prints are and want to share the love!!

Hope your week is going well! Catch up with you soon.

A Big-Big Love,
Carissa

A Few New Things

2011-08-31T01:00:00.000-04:00

A few new things have been added to my shop today. I'm excited to reveal this little project I've been working the kinks out of ---->

It's Magnets! A Create Your Own Adventure Set! My fridge is decked out to the max. You can {get them here}

I'm going on a Solo-Venture (watching a friend's house + furry babies) until Sunday evening. I'll be exploring new lands and going off the map (Unplugging) until I get back.

See you next week <3

XO

Pushing Past The Comfort Zone

2011-08-25T21:22:00.000-04:00

Push Past The Comfort Zone. There is So Much Beyond.

Today I woke in a hazy funk carried over from yesterday's sudden onslaught of paranoia. It came rushing up out of nowhere and hit me around the stroke of midnight. It brought whiffs and slivers of I don't know what. Like sweet apple pie left out to cool, but on the window sill during a miserable hurricane. Or something like that. You know the kind? It's like some weary traveler at your door, hungry, tired, broke down, just needing a place to sleep. You think they'll be gone by morning, but they aren't. They just linger, and linger, until you listen long and hard to what they have to say.

After some caffeinated half-way decent conversation (with myself) through paint - I've decided I need to push harder against my comfort zone - there is so much beyond. Far and Yonder. Way past. I need to get out there and Go. These comfort zones are holding me down, keeping me small. I need to let myself be seen beyond the small scope I'm sharing. I need to walk naked, dance naked, be entirely bare.

After painting and dialoging I feel much, much better. I'm still pondering the full spectrum of my own Comfort Zones and how I can keep pushing past.

"There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in."

Leonard Cohen

In other news:

If you haven't already, you must check out the brand spanking new Self Love Warrior E-Course by Roots of She! It's filled to the brim with Words, Wisdom, and WOW - by Wonderfilled Women I look up to and admire. And guess what? I'm part of it too! I am beyond thrilled to share some of my thoughts on Self Love. Its something I'm passionate about and have worked on for many years. If you're in a place where you need a nudge, and the support of a small army -- strap on your backpack, hike up your skirt, and hop on over to --> Roots of She! You won't regret it.

Also, to accompany my writings in Self Love Warrior I'm offering up this doodle download! Feel free to print, cut up, paste, burn, whatever you want to do -- as long as you are Loving Yourself while you do it! (+.-) --> Grab it here.

Sending Love and Light Legions,

Carissa

PS. There's a hurricane brewing off the coast and I just broke away to wash my painty hands in the rain! I dare you to do something invigorating & adventurous this week(end)! Something far beyond your comfort zone! I'd love to hear what you do <3

New Paintings

2011-08-18T19:58:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends! I have a handful of new paintings in the works & wanted to share these two w/ you. They're almost done. I took a few of my wood pieces I wasn't in love with & blasted them with the power sander. I started to see these dreamy scenes unfolding & am much-much happier. Right now my hands are still humming from the power sander & I kinda like it (+.-)

In other news: Over the past month (my how time flies) I've been directing 90% of my creative energy toward our nest -- re-painting rooms, moving furniture around, turning our space into something light & bright & even more welcoming than before. I've been going through all the "stuff" I've collected over the years & have freed up so much S P A C E. Taking this time to go through my life has been good & it's forced me to get clear about a lot of things. I wrote about 10,0000000 words.... half of which got lost during a storm. Ah, such freedom in letting go -- even things held dear.

Be on the lookout for new artwork to start blooming from this soul cleanse. And a sale.... Time to let go... Time to make v-rooooom... Time to ride this Wild Life from the handlebars!

XO
Carissa

Truth Telling

2011-08-10T23:58:00.004-04:00

"If something inside of you is real, we will probably find it interesting, and it will probably be universal. So you must risk placing real emotion at the center of your work. Write straight into the emotional center of things. Write toward vulnerability. Risk being unliked. Tell the truth as you understand it. If you’re a writer you have a moral obligation to do this. And it is a revolutionary act—truth is always subversive."

— Anne Lamott

Saddle Up This Wild Life & Ride

2011-08-01T18:42:00.000-04:00

saddle up this wild life and ride -- hunting for bones.

Life has been a wild & wonderous journey, buzzing and humming, whirling and twirling... sometimes to the point of nausea.

This is where I am lately: owning my story -- wrestling with my own light horns, bucking up against the joy barrier that's so often held me back from leaping out of planes w/ a jumpsuit & backpack into my own -- rushing, daring, brave, creative life.

Last night I had a dream I was with a group of people and we were on a mission -- hunting for stolen bones. We discovered these bones on white rocky sands, just above the surface next to a road. I felt this sense of duty to find these bones & wasn't nearly as distraught or sickened by it as I thought I would be, even though they were the bones of a child.

When I think about the symbolism here, I see how uncovering the roots, the bones -- is a call to reawakening -- a call to rediscover pathways, roadways of these true & genuine bones of she. No matter our age or time & space, we all lose sight of our bones. Shiny white bones waiting just below the surface, dancing in the dust. No wonder there are so many beautiful stories & folklore surrounding bones.

Within the dream & group searching I see power in clusters -- how none of us can search for our own bones entirely alone. Sometimes it takes a small army (or an army of your own willingness) to search & dig & find together. Or an army of bookshelves, wisdom from searchers who came before, ready and willing to be bundled up in your arms.

They teach of process, of self discovery, never ending. They share stories & pathways & lights in the night. They share bundles of seeds which must always be planted regardless of the depths you are toiling.... Sprouts will rise up through your bones, dust will fall away, and your shiny white roots will mold into the whole of you, over and over again.

It's a process of search and rescue -- finding & re-finding your roots. Owning your truest self, saddling up this wild life and riding beneath the surface, banding together with like minded searchers & workers & light legions. Harvesting up your creative stack of bones & piecing them together one by one until you are a bright and shiny flesh spiral -- drilling through layers of earth and rock. Straight down into the roots of YOU.

How badly do your bones want to dance off the dust & be found -- over and over again?!

Bold
Organic
Nuances
Echoing
Spirit

To me this process of search & rescue (or search & discovery) is where the deepest, the most authentic
of our creative harvest lies. My dream message is one of braveness & bold knowing that we all have an
army of searchers on our side.

So go ahead, don't be afraid to go out into the night & hunt down your bones. Wherever you are, whatever you do --

Saddle up this wild life and ride!

(....This was my guest post recently for the glorious Roots of She.... Just wanted to share it here while I am in the midst of working on getting my blog/shop/etc updated with all things NEW.....)

Thank you SO MUCH to all those who've been signing up for my Love Letter News -- this is something else I'll be catching up on as well!

More soon.......!

Love & Light Legions,
Carissa

Art Journal Magic

2011-06-23T06:00:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends, I have some exciting news!! I've been gearing up & pouring my heart into a new project: An art journaling class called "Art Journal Magic!" I'll be teaching it locally @ "Art and Soul Studio." The lovely owner Bonnie just finished revamping her entire store. It's a fusion of Spiritual / Metaphysical and Art. It's really amazing how much it's changed in just the short period from when I first visited a month or two ago. It's a perfect space to hold a sacred journaling venture. I feel blessed. I'll be using a mash up of foto-transfers, paint, paper, glue, heart, soul, intuition, words, and wine! My hope is that it will be a safe and sacred space and that we'll all let-loose... and magic will happen. What magic you say?! The kind of magic that happens when you just show up... and play.... and be.... and listen.... and receive... a vast pool of inner wisdom. A space where intuitions can be giddy... With a brave heart I share this.

Magnificently

Amazing and

Giddy

Intuition

Creates Magic

My soul is searching and open wide listening.

Ready to hear and share and create a

Soul

Practice
A'la mode de
Creative Exploration

.... I wish to spread magic... and healing.... and bold inner knowings.... (and maybe a little fairy dust!)

Dear All-Knowing-Wise-Spirit, I also wish to cast out a blessing to this new venture... Right now as I type this, I feel butterflies and chills. I'd really love to dig up all I need for this, and conjure a healthy dose of brave! (Thank you.)

XO
Carissa

*The middle image is the transfers in the sink. The female magician is from my 2011 planner which is filled w/ old magician pics! The other is one of the portraits from The Woods series (currently blog header!)

Studio Tuesday: Swift Kick in the Ass: Or What You Seek is Seeking YOU.

2011-06-21T19:19:00.003-04:00

The view around here today. The center image is an adorable magnet by Robin aka Well of Creations. I LOVE her creations. They're funky & inspiring. They have super-powers. You can get them here! The bottom shot is a couple new paintings in progress. The one to the left is actually the one from my video a couple of posts below! It had quite an evolution. A messy soul cleansing evolution.

Speaking of Soul Work.... On Friday: I had a spontaneous reading from an intuitive who uses crystals & stones as part of her process. She had a bowl of stones & asked me to pick out 7, then align them on the table top. She put this delicious oil on her hands & then spent some time w/ her hand over each stone/crystal. The message she delivered was powerful, perfectly timed, and provided me w/ some much needed clarity! The whole session was about 45 minutes. Days later & I'm still digesting it. In time I will share it w/ you. Let me just say our intuition is a powerful thing! If we ASK & LISTEN an answer or path WILL appear!

"What you seek is seeking you."
-Rumi

So... What do I do when I get home from this AMAZING spirit awakening SWIFT KICK IN THE ASS unplanned venture?? Plot a course?? Sail the 7 Seas?? Take over the world?? Nope. I drank wine & cleaned out a closet! I feverishly filled boxes with donations. I threw out a big bag of trash. Somehow the more inspired I become w/ life, the less attachment I have, & the easier it is to clear space! For even more energy to live & breath & work it's magic of course. Have you ever noticed that?? When in times of transition or awakening, the things in waiting get stirred. My house has made so much progress on the organizational front because lately - when I feel uninspired or down, I plot an area of the house to attack... rear back & pounce. Instead of sitting there feeling sorry for myself, I'm gettin' things done. Then I feel better for gettin' things done, and the next thing you know I'm gettin' more things done. Snowball effect at its finest!

All this talk about energy & intuition & swift kicks in the ass brings me to this: I'm joining a womens group locally. A pow-wow of creative energy workers. I don't know where this will lead me, but shortly after cleaning out the closet I found myself on a website & then I was sending a request to join the group & then I was getting a response & then...... the rest is yet to come, but I feel good about it. Hands up high, skirt twirling, la-la-la good.

Have a beautiful week ahead!!! More colored pieces from the Word Hoard coming soon!

XO
Carissa

Creative Frenzy: New Smash Ups

2011-06-17T00:23:00.004-04:00

Saddle Up This Wild Life - Print Available Here.

This Wild Life - Print Available Here.

Dear Creative Creature, Saddle Up This WILD LIFE and RIDE! I've been digging through my Word Hoard again. I always find something inspiring to Mash Up. This time it spawned an entire movement of collages using snips of my own paintings as fodder. I've been digging deep this week & what appeared is just what I needed. When the words first came I had visions of sweet camels (like the one from this photo I found venturing around junk shops in Savannah.) I hadn't felt super inspired the past few days and this little wack-up of paintings was just what I needed to get back on the pony & ride. Weeeee!

Wild Life prints are in my shop (they look SO lovely in print!) I am so excited about these new pieces. The little Moon Dancer in the middle will be finished soon. And I have more words smashed, waiting to be colored & collaged!

On my agenda over the next week or so is getting my WORD HOARD organized. It's out of control! I have lots of other new & exciting things to share soon...

Happy Friday!
XO
Carissa

Update: New (Deep) Stuff & Sharing My First Video!

2011-06-13T15:38:00.000-04:00

Hello friends! I hope you had a wonder-filled week & weekend. I've been busy trying to catch up on my ever-growing To Do List. I came up with a new plan for blogging more consistently which involves creating a video each week. I love the process of creating & editing video... (I'm a little rusty & need practice, but love it none-the-less!) Now that I've cleared space on my little workhorse machine, I can take & share more vid-e-o. I've noticed the act of watching myself create has helped me grow & see things differently. I'm always inspired by watching other artists create, so I hope you will be inspired too. In this particular video (at the very end of this post) I started off with black paint, which I rarely do, so it was total experimental-see-what-unfolds kind of thing.

This past week I've been playing with & crazy inspired by contact paper transfers (MAGIC! in my sink here) & beeswax collages:

"Dear" & "Book To Make, Let Me" aka Olivia....

PRINTS available here.

ORIGINALS available here.

"Deep Space"

ORIGINAL available here.

PRINT available here.

Deep Space was made in the magical land of SEDONA! It's super special because it contains alice in wonderland book pages from Rachel, a butterfly kiss from Kelly, and painted paper bits from Mindy's stash. It was created freely & intuitively... It's all about exploring and floating into a Deeper Space of Self...Stepping UP & into enchantment & child-like wonder. A treasure trove of inspiration... I'm reaching this space more-so than ever, not only in my day-to-day life, but in my painting life, which really is just one in the same. Freedom in brush stroke translates into freedom of BEING... I'm beginning to discover from a deeper space what my brush strokes really mean, what they've been telling me all along -- an honor to my youth, my inner child, my life experience, my intuition, my hurt & pain, and my absolute BLISS in the ALL-OF-IT. I want my art (like my life) to be more about LETTING GO. Speaking of meanings in paintings -- I have been following a trail of inspiration which leads into a vast pool of childhood experience. It's been a truly healing & deep space I am grateful to access. I recorded an audio where I discuss the meaning of Secret Window... As soon as I figure out how to share it here, I will, cuz I'm gettin' all brave like that.

If you made it this far, thank you for listening to my "deep space". I'm still processing the whole-of-it and following the trails... Without further ado, heres my painting video:

Lots of LOVE,

Carissa

On The Path: Sedon-ahhh

2011-05-31T23:13:00.002-04:00

Never in my life have I felt so blessed..... so surrounded by REAL. I've been trying to capture whats been on my heart & mind & all the little juicy bits of my journey lately, bu-bu-bu-but I am completely stumbling over words. Instead of letting it be a roadblock, images will have to do! These are from a recent trip to Sedona w/ a group of amazing Soul Sisters. These women are home to me. They're all solid & beautiful rocks on this glorious path of creative living. Each & every one of them - a blessing.

I had the absolute JOY to meet & make messes side by side with the amazingly inspiring Mindy!!! I've had a h u g e crush on Mindy, and was even a tad nervous about meeting her (silly me)! We connected on so many levels & I think we could have been separated at birth... I would have loved to continue painting side-by-side for days and days... collaborating, sharing, exploring, talking, laughing... Pure Joy I tell you. My heart & inner child explodes with wild wonder. I am blessed to call her my friend. (NEAT STUFF!!!)

Strength, power, beauty, and deep REALNESS exudes from each & every one of these amazing women

By each & every one of these creative powerful women...

I am deeply deeply blessed....

THE END
(for now)

I Went To The Woods Because...

2011-05-08T15:52:00.001-04:00

I went to the woods because,

I wished to take my own picture.

Deliberately, just me & my tripod.

Lately, I go to these woods because I wish to call upon the wisdom of wise old souls who came before, to give me strength & insight into how I too can live as deliberately as possible in this world. How I can continue stretching outside my comfort zones. How I can write or express my story, my stories. How I can Own My Story & my life. How all of the puzzle pieces in my dreams fit together. How I can interlace my experience into something Heart projected fully, with armor off. I want to hear & see their whispers. I want to see & feel & follow wherever these strands lead. I want to be mystified by life, stray into lands of unknown, and remain in glorious wonder... always....

These woods I've found are:

A place of quiet & calm solitude amidst this loud & buzzing world.
A place where turtles rustle across the leaves, slowly, slowly, slowly.
A place where I tip toe across the land above what I believe to be snake holes.
A place where even though I may be startled by such things, I feel utterly safe & protected.
A place where iii can just be & take my own picture.
A place where I'm reminded to live from a simple deliberate place of my own liking.
A place that whispers in my ear in a language all it's own.
A shhhhhh, hush, are you listening deeply too your soul kind of place.
Red birds blasting, bald eagles soaring, hawks on fences.

"I hope you will go out and let stories happen to you, and that you will work them, water them with your blood and tears and your laughter till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom."
— Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Happy Mothers Day!!!!!

XO,

Carissa

Studio View Friday: Anna Tomczak

2011-05-06T18:03:00.002-04:00

The Florida Victorian, Downtown Deland...

Its that time again.... Studio View Friday! This time I bring you a peek of a very sacred space owned by the ever-lovely, ever-inspiring artist - Anna Tomczak of Lake Helen, Florida. Her husband (Mark) is the owner of my favorite place in the world to rummage through - The Florida Victorian. Without further ado - a few pictures of her glorious space:

Can you say h-e-a-v-e-n ? Her studio is one of the largest I've been in. It needs to be in "Where Women Create" ! The pics I took really do no justice (it was dark + I used my phone!) Its a detached little house in the back of her 100+ year old home. It was too dark to get photos of her backyard garden, which I'll just say was filled with life & color & wonderfull scents. The bottom middle photo is Sweet Anna herself... You can see some of her unique artwork hanging behind her. The bottom right is my beeswax coated Eggs. I'm in love. My little eggs are living under a little glass dome in my kitchen. Not only is Anna a Photographer / Mixed Media Extraordinaire... She teaches these ahh-mazing workshops in this studio of hers, the next one beginning in September. If you are local you must check it out!! You won't be disappointed. Here is a link to her site & her work --> Anna Tomczak.

Happy Friday & Weekend Ahead!

Love,

Carissa

At Home With MySelf

2011-05-03T17:28:00.001-04:00

Falling in love with life......

Hello Friends.... My how time flies! A lot has unfolded since my last update... I'll try to keep this short & sweet! Every Friday I get up and drive over to my most favorite yoga center in the world. It's a place I know will never disappear. A solid ground that will never give way. A place which will always be. HOME. This particular day I decided to sit in the gardens after class. Just to sit, reflect, & witness the beauty. I've been so extremely grateful for the decision to quit the soul-less job & the way things have locked in & felt SO RIGHT. The creative flood gates opening wide & all the magical people & creatures I'm encountering in my day-to-day life are sure signs I'm on the right path.... There have been too many signs for me to even begin to blow-off or ignore as just happenstance. I am feeling increasingly light & buoyant... I've just put to words what this all means to me now --

I AM at home with myself...

After walking many paths...... I am finally at home with myself.

I sat there absorbing the plants & air. Noticing an earthy little lizard fellow, sitting right next to me, just so matter-of-factly eating a delicious bee. Right then & there I was struck with this big truth I come to time & time again - everything we ever need on our paths will be provided, EVERYTHING (good, bad, or indifferent)... Everything is nourishing us. Step by glorious step. So I left with this feeling of certainty & overall well being... Pure excitement for what lies ahead. On the way home I had to stop at the art store to replenish my paper for prints. While there I got an email from Mary, the manager of The Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery in Sanford. She wanted to purchase a print of "Explore" and have it delivered to the gallery where they were having their monthly art walk! I was over-the-moon... I love Mary & I love this gallery... Its one of the first touchstones that inspired me to ever pick up a paint brush in the first place. Delivering prints here was a proud moment indeed. Mary gifted me with such genuine heartfelt feedback. It meant so much to me... and inspired me greatly. Yet another precious stone in my path... (Thank you Mary!)

That same night we went to another little street show in downtown Deland. The 4th Friday of every month "The Nest" hosts a little mini-street-festival. While tip-toeing around The Florida Victorian (my favorite treasure hunting haunt IN THE WORLD) I ended up meeting and falling in love with Anna Tomczak who kindly invited me to her 100+ year old house & studio for some easter egg painting. I will share pictures from her place in a separate post. It's a dream studio I tell you, a dream!

In other news.... People have been asking about originals... I'm happy to say I've loaded up the shop with all NEW originals. AND-and-and I'm going to be offering a sale very soon on certain originals to make roooooom so I can vroooom around my studio & make more art. If you want to be first to know, sign up for my wee-little-newsletter in the upper right! Otherwise, just keep an eye on my shop/blog/twitter/facebook/what-have-you.

Sending you much love & windows of airy goodness,

Carissa

Studio View : Friday

2011-04-15T16:56:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday!!! Hope you had a fantastic week. It was a productive one here.... Lots of little things coming together. I am so dee-lighted I could burst at the seams. Up above is a sneak peek (I couldn't resist) of Mizz Bea (Bee/B?) screen printed on a shirt!! I finally figured out what one of my issues was w/ the printing process - I was using TOO MUCH paint! Doh. So I got that all figur'd out now. It's definitely a process that requires patience & willingness to start over and over and over until you get it right. Kind of like learning how to drive a manual transmission (only a lot more messy...) You have to find that sweet spot.

Sending some Weekend Love your way. We're off on a little adventure this weekend with the Mr's family. I'm about to finish up packing last minute and hit the road! Hoping I don't forget something useful, like, my shoes ;-)

Carissa & Koko

Buzzing on a Creative High

2011-04-11T16:41:00.000-04:00

10PM (last night) -- Eeeee!!! Dancing around the house because I've FINALLY got this screen printing thing down !!!! I'm no pro, but I'm. having. SO. much. FUN. Discovering & setting off on this new voyage. Imagining all the places to go with THIS process! Giddy like a school girl over here.

3AM -- Can hardly sleep. Having dreams about screen printing the walls of my house.

9AM -- Awake... And still dreaming about screen printing.

3:30PM -- Playing with some more images. (Have I mentioned how infatuated I am???)

Writer In The Window (print available here)

"Rose..."Original available here.

"Butterfly Rose"... Original Available Here.

These are just a couple of finished pieces so far... The Writer in The Window is inspired by our recent trip to Savannah... Rose is a limited edition, I won't be making much more of her (if any.) I'm going to make some new screens this week & play around with thinner lines & WORDS! Wa-wa-wa-wooordddss. I'm so over the moon! And this is only the beginning!

Also on the agenda is finally listing the Originals of all the new artwork from the past couple of weeks...

Happy Monday my friends. I hope your week is off to a good start.

XOXO
Carissa & all her Roses

EXPLORE: A New Self Portrait Series....

2011-04-09T21:08:00.005-04:00

I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.

~Henry David Thoreau

On Thursday I set off on a Foto Adventure. Just me, my camera, and a trunk full of props. I've been dying to get back to my photography for what feels like forever. I can't tell you how much of a huge breath of fresh air it was to get out there and Explore, follow my instincts to the exact location I ended up - a little dirt road which led to a tree with an overturned rotted desk. With one drawer open and a few scraps of greeting cards strewn about, I knew THIS was the place. I set up my tripod and whipped open my trunk to grab my props. I only ended up using the little white stool, a clock, and a feather. The rest was already there. My intention was to take these portraits to paint over them & collage & use in different things. Heres my first finished one (at least I think it's finished...)

"Explore...." Prints available in my shop...!

I have some other ideas for my fotos, like adhering them to wood blocks and beeswaxing them... I really want to work HUGER. More huge. Huge-gantic. I want to mix in my projector and project things and make BIG ART.

Who's Gonna Stop Me? *wink wink*

Thank you so much for all the LOVE and support on my last post. I am feeling so free to beee me & buzz about this creative life of mine. It's really all still sinking in, even still.

Hope you have a fantastic Weekend. Get out and EXPLORE why don't ya!

Blessings to You & Yours,

Carissa

PS! If you're interested in just plain prints of any of these photos, shoot me a line!

Stepping Boldly in my Creative Life

2011-04-01T20:15:00.000-04:00

It's OK to Be Different... Print Available Here.

I begin this message with a deeeeep inhale and a slooooow exhale. Its amazing how much air we can hold.

Hello all, I'm back with a big ol' update! Starting sort of backwards from the results of our trip to Savannah! It was a real soul opener........From the moment we left I felt a little out of sorts. I hadn't packed my bags well & knew I was forgetting something. Ends up it was my sneakers. We were going to do nothing but walking for the next 4 days so I knew I'd have to find a cheap replacement. Low and behold I ended up with Miley Cyrus Zebra Print high-tops! It was all I could find & I felt they were a little over the top, but my mister said, "These are SO YOU! Get them!" I felt like missing my shoes and then finding these was like a little (bold, humorous) nudge from the Universe.... "Yes! We want you to walk more BOLDY through your life... YES." Remember my mantra from last year? Beautiful Bold Brave Bodacious Babe! I always felt so empowered by this & sort of let it drift. So now I'm back with the bold & bodaciousness. Thanks to my zebra shoes.

This trip away really gave me a clear perspective on my life. I kept feeling like, I need to downsize, I need to prioritize, I need to walk more boldly in my creative life. For many months I had been working a cubicle job I felt truly miserable at. Coming home in tears many-a-night. Letting it all rob me of my energy. My energy to create, to be, to express, to fully share and live. My gifts in life were put up on a shelf for safe keeping. For the last few months I had fully gone adrift. I waded in the deep and murky waters of this place. This feeling. This restrictiveness. And I felt this sense of calm, as if everything were for a reason. This little boat will land safely on the shore of her real and beautiful life someday soon......

In many ways this trip woke me up from slumbering, to my full potential. To the things I feel so strongly about they bring tears to my eyes. To the things that make ME come alive. To my purpose. To not what anyone else might think or feel, but ME. It opened me up and allowed me to see, the truth. And the light I'd been hiding on the shelf for so long. Any time your light is hidden, I urge to you ask yourself WHY!? I realized I need to stop PROTECTING myself from what other people might think and PROJECT who I TRULY am. Share my light with others, relentlessly, BOLDLY, bravely. Be the me I was at 15 who dressed in mismatched clothing, neon tights, boots strapped, backpack always packed. I stood on trash cans outside the mall entrance and recited poetry loudly and proudly. I ran through any sprinkler that was on. I rolled down grassy hills. If something was too far to walk or bike ride I called a taxi. I got into mischief. I. Was. ME. I realize now I was LIVING FROM A PLACE OF ACTION... a place of PROJECTION and so much Trust. That little girl had something to say. Something to share. So why did I ever shut her up in the first place? Protection... I began second-guessing myself and became even more hyper aware of the judgements of others. What are they thinking? Should I dare say this? Wear that? I shrunk my light. I carried around other peoples "stuff." In the past 5 years I have improved immensely in this area. (Anything is possible!)

When we got back from Savannah I went back to my cubicle, feeling alive and refreshed. I started looking around for jobs that were ME. Jobs where I could be of better service, helping people, truly helping. Weeks passed and things around the office got increasingly difficult. Corporate bullshit mostly. Theres no other way to describe it. One particularly bad day I came home in tears & cried myself dizzy that night, to the point something major shifted in my brain.... I felt a bit Alice in Wonderland, tall, short, tall, short. And to quote Alice, I realized, "This is my Dream! I'll decide where it goes from here!!!" The sense of urgency to leave this place felt HUGE. I woke up the next morning, nauseaus and still in tears. I was pretty much having a breakdown. My heart could not imagine going back there. I was so miserable, my soul was literally empty and dry. I talked to the mister on the phone & he said, "Why don't you just put in your 2 week notice?" Then he shared a quote from Indiana Jones about taking the first step and the bridge appearing. So, my friends, I did just that. I marched in and put in my notice. Immediately, I mean instantly, a HUGE huge weight lifted. I doodled in my journal little rocket ship feet. Thats exactly what I felt. I did it!!

I quit my Soul-less Job!!!!

(For some odd reason, I've been afraid to share this with "the world" via my blog. I think theres a certain bit of fear (there goes that Protection Bulb flashing me in the face and blinding me....) What will they think? Will they support me in my decision? Will they think I'm crazy for quitting without having another bridge to leap to? Will they blah blah blah?? Voices in my head. Thats all it is. And the truth is, it doesn't matter what anyone else might think.)

I followed my heart.

Though the road may be winding, its never steered me wrong. So that action, hooray for ACTION, was my big BOLD move. Honoring my heart, my Inner Wise Self. I never intended to quit my job so suddenly. I really didn't, but the Universe has other plans for me. Already since leaving I have opportunities unfolding to teach Yoga and if all goes well, and I'm living from a place that it will -- a local Art Workshop... And anything else I want to create for mySelf. Right? Isn't this life all about what we create for ourselves?? I'm resurrecting another Mantra from last year - "Who's Gonna Stop Me?!" Who's gonna stop me from living a life of my dreams?? Only me. Only me. Now I just have to dig a little deeper into this aspect of Protecting so I can fully Project! I'll get there. I will.

One more final update, I saved the best for last! During our trip to Savannah, the weekend of Valentines Day, the Mister proposed! ! ! ! We are officially engaged! It was such a Romantic and Dear trip. I couldn't have asked for anything better. So I leave you with this in the most southern accent I can muster up,

"I'm getting married ya'll!"

With So much Love,
XO,
Carissa

New Paintings

2011-03-23T21:08:00.000-04:00

Inside Out - Print available here.... Original available here.

Be Free - print available here. Original available sooon!

Edith - Print available here. Original available soon!

I have so much catching up to do in blogland! I took a bit of a internet break of sorts and have spent a lot of time working on my innards. Now that I'm out of the woods... I have so much goodness to share. Starting with my trip to Savannah! It's such a lovely town. We are pretty sure our goal is to move there next. I will share pics & stories soon.

For now, here's a few new paintings I made recently. I've been really trying to make art I love (not worrying who else might love it too) and rifling through all the goodies I've collected in my studio for so long now. Letting it all unfold instinctively and following the story as it unfolds and letting it heal me and speak to my soul, my personal story. Each of these has a bit of a hidden meaning... and I hope they speak to you in your own personal way too.

Love love love to YOU & YOURS...

XO,

Carissa

A Feast Of Plates

2011-03-01T13:33:00.000-05:00

All available in my shop!

Hello Dearest, I've been ghostly around the internets lately. My vacation to Savannah was truly amazing & life changing. I have much to share! I hate to dash off, but I will get back in here soon and update you on all the goodness. Hope your winter is easing up and the snow is beginning to melt away. As for here, it's already turning into bathing suit weather. People are out in their driveways washing their cars in bikinis! Thats Florida for ya.

I made these plates last week & really do love them. I'm working on getting them all hung together in a happy little bunch. I put a handful in my shop --> right here.

Warm Hugs & Beachy Love,

Carissa

You Can Stitch Together Pieces

2011-02-10T16:09:00.000-05:00

Dearest Friends,

With Valentines upon us, and all the heart related things floating about, it got me thinking about Love Letters. Today I dug up a letter I wrote last year (here: Plant Your Seeds.) Its intended to be a Love Letter from The Universe written without editing or erasing or going back and changing. It all just came out as so and ended up feeling like a Universal Letter to All, so I shared it here. When I first met my Dear friend Rachel she pulled out a sweetly folded up copy of this letter.... I hadn't had a chance to go back and re-read it myself until that point (months later) and so it was a real treat to read with fresh eyes. I thought it may be due time I share it again here. I took parts of it and painted my bedroom wall last year (the white painted bits above.) I plan to paint my bedroom a lighter color this year with new Fresh Love Words... who knows.

You are a bright and shining star. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise.

I have another love letter somewhere in my scatters... I will try to find in lieu of Valentines Day.

I'm off to Savannah until Sunday! I plan to hit some thrift shops and thoroughly enjoy the entire city!! Lots of pics to come.

All my HeART,
Carissa

Balancing of Opposites

2011-02-07T12:55:00.000-05:00

Electric Shock: A journal page from a few days ago...

There's this balancing of opposites always taking place. Sometimes my heart feels so soft and tender, easily bruised, and broken. Other times strong, and gigantic, overflowing with wisdom and electric shock.

The things that sometimes fill the empty spaces.... I don't quite know how to make room. Not all the time. Or a way to quell the fear. The lonely irrational thoughts that come whooshing in. I trust the time will come when I roll the windows down and let it all go ~ rushing out ~

Over my shoulder. It'll all be tossed to the wind, to the static embrace of the channel changing and saving. This'll all be smooth sailing, one day.

xo,

Carissa

Life's a Blur: Studio Friday

2011-02-04T11:36:00.000-05:00

Here I am. . . I am here. . . Am I here? This week has been a bit of a blur. I'm 30!! Wow. It's still sinking in. I started writing yesterday and kept getting distracted and realized I really need some serious time - just me & my composition book. I need a taxi driver and a 24 hour diner, STAT! My time will come, but I have a pretty full schedule of events the next couple weeks (cleaning the other half of my studio is definitely part of the plan for this weekend!) So until I get to the diner, it'll have to bask in snippets of time. Sweet glorious and simple snippets where the sun shines in just right and you catch IT. Even if just for a moment. Ride it to glory land.

Last week was really exciting. I sold 2 originals! One went to New Jersey, and the other to Australia. How cool is that? Little Miss Love & Hip On Dreams and Oceans..... ALSO! This has me falling out of my chair with pure Joy & Excitement: Check out this little video by Sacred Cake which begins with the laughter of her children on a Saturday afternoon, and ends with a shot of Koko, an original of mine hanging with art by her sister (Kelly Rae,) her Mama, and Susan Mulder's artwork! What an honor! The sound of her sweet voice has my entire soul melting..... I love you to pieces Mrs. Valentine!!!!!!! You are so dear. Jennifer Valentine is an insanely talented writer, assembler of words, jewelry and artwork. See her glorious blog & etsy, you won't be disappointed! I can't say enough about how amazing she is! I'm wearing one of her necklaces right now (in the picture above) in fact.

Last but not least, please check out the Happy HEART Giveaway over at Choosing Beauty! Guess who's giving away a $25 gift certificate to my etsy shop?? I AM! You have until midnight tonight to enter, so hop on over before it's too late. It's so great to GIVE and I love for nothing more than to be able to do just that on my birthday week!

Here's the other half of the studio I'll be working on this weekend. The messy half. And a shot of a new painting, "Unplugged." I have print of it listed in my shop :) Next week I'm going to Savannah for the first time, to let loose and relax (and maybe just maybe, visit a diner.)

Lots of Love,
Carissa

New SPACE

2011-01-31T13:27:00.000-05:00

Taking Inventory: I've had my sleeves rolled up all weekend w/ projects around the house.... clearing out and shifting the space. It's amazing how these changes have such an impact. Even Koko (the cat) was darting around listening to the echo of his own meow-symphony in all the new spaces we created.

It all started with the decision to get rid of this giant TV stand / armoire we've had since our first apartment (10 years ago!) We maneuvered it to the end of the driveway and donated it to the curb gods. Within minutes my Mister was helping a happy couple load it into their truck. Bon Voyage!

The same day at the magical thrift we found this old school chalkboard (for $5!!! ) It's been a dream to have one of these traditional teachers chalkboards... I LOVE IT, I love playing w/ chalk. The model to the right there is Cindy. I've used her as a figure to draw quite often.... On the other side of my room (the VERY messy side) is a set of old school lockers (also from the magical thrift.) I'll share some better shots of my studio space when it's been put back together. I really love my space.

The BIG Three-Oh: I'm turning 30 tomorrow! I can hardly believe it. I'm extremely proud of all the progress I've made the past 5 years from 25 - 30. There were some crazy times in there... Crazy, but necessary for overcoming and becoming. I'm especially grateful for the past year, for all the amazing people in my life, for all of the friends and soul sisters I've been blessed to meet in the flesh. . . for this journey, for the good and the bad and the indifferent, for the art and writing and discovering and naming and healing and growing and helping others do the same. This year from 29 - 30 has been one of the best years of my entire life. One I will never forget.

Bon Voyage, 20's! Hello 30's!

I could go on and on w/ so much more in my heart... Instead I will leave you with a new painting called Waiting for Words:

All my heart,
Carissa

Shooting Stars and Trampolines

2011-01-16T22:22:00.001-05:00

Shooting Stars and Trampolines

Cut off shorts and Kerosene....

Earlier this week (part of Misty Mawn's Stretching Within) we shared "Where I Come From" stories... poems... what have you's. I started out w/ this big long thought dump and made a small poem out of it. I will share it here eventually, or piece by piece in illustration form! This is one of the illustrations I did tonight... Shooting stars and trampolines, cut off shorts and kerosene.... It's me & my BF Amity around the age of 14 - 15 (who now lives in Arkansas and I miss dearly!) We used to rollerblade everywhere we went and get into all sorts of mischief. Good kinds of mischief of course, like sneaking out to jump on the neighbors trampoline, or taking a taxi in the wee hours to the 24 hour diner, or finding the most gawdy mismatched outfits we could at the thrift store and wearing them to school, or ____ so many silly things.) Oh the stories I'll tell one day.

Stories within my art is more where I want to go this year. I want to illustrate my stories, poems, thoughts, dreams, experiences, what have you's. I've been making steps toward that, or shall I say bouncing leaps! I saw this mixed media illustration book at the bookstore the other day, and it literally tugged my heart strings. I'm reading through it now.

Hope you had a nice and cozy weekend! I woke up this morning w/ intentions of making a really fantastic blog post, but thats all I got tonight. I'm totally wiped, and feeling a wee-bit-grouchy off and on all day today. I went for a 3 mile walk in the woods, which helped work out some of my grouchiness. I'm off to a hot shower, some cozy socks, and a cold drink.

xo,
Carissa

Hello 2011

2011-01-13T13:29:00.004-05:00

Hello 2011, I'm so happy you're here. I know you'll be my favorite year yet!

Friends, I love you dearly and just had to drop in quickly and say HELLO!

A late night drawing of (one of) my desks made during Stretching Within w/ Misty Mawn

I am Stretching Within, literally and figuratively.

Sending you a bounty of l o v e and a d v e n t u r e for this year and always!

All my heart,
Carissa

JOY = Success.

2010-12-27T12:45:00.005-05:00

"The only true measure of success is the amount

of joy we are feeling."

Abraham Hicks

How do you measure or define success? The dictionary says success = the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like. If you asked me as a child in school, I may have defined success the same way. I may have thought my box of 64 crayons w/ a built in sharpener was the pinnacle of my success. But you know, those crayons brought me joy! I think we should chase the things that bring us joy... but, I don't think we should chase what others think we should be obtaining. Like, should I be buying the Crayola factory and then I'll be successful? Or will my box alone do? We are taught things, especially an abundance of things = success. It's due time we redefine history, don't you think? What about you? Are you hard on yourself and think you must live up to someone else's expectation or idea of what success really is? I mean, it is written in the dictionary and all, but without joy, whats the worth of anything? Will you be successful with just your amazingly creative imagination and your heart + mind alive w/ JOY?? With this feeling stock piled in your bank, will you be able to chase down the biggest things in life that bring you joy (maybe it is owning the Crayola factory?!) and actually live the most successfull life imagined? I say YES. Own your JOY. And then skip gleefully down this path you've created for yourself.

What brings you JOY?! What makes you skip down the sidewalk? Really! I want to know :)

Life update: My friends, I have been paralyzed slightly w/ some decisions in my life. Fantastic opportunities. Fantastic as they may have been, I decided just weren't right. Last night I posted this: "when you're stuck: its amazing how just making A decision on something, no matter if it's right or wrong, is so much better than suffering in indecision. especially if you're so weighed down by this decision you can hardly move. i was in this place, and feeling a thousand tons lighter today..." on my facebook page and Sabrina Ward Harrison "liked it" (I am big lover of Sabrina!) I felt like such a geek jumping around w/ excitement... because simple as it may be it really cemented the fact I felt the decision I made was right - no matter if it was "right or wrong." It was right. And I feel so much lighter. I was ready to pop a bottle of champagne, but it was too cold to drive to the store.

I will share more thoughts on this later.... For now I am working in some ideas for a major overhaul of my blog, and I've created a website: www.carissapaige.com which needs some major work too. Also! I'm excited to announce I'm starting a Sparkly New NEWSLETTER! You can sign up for it at the link up top of my blog. I promise I won't be blowing up your email box, but I would like to make a very meaningful, inspiring, creative newsletter that you'll be excited to receive! It will begin sometime in January.

Happy Holidays to you!!!! I hope you had a joy filled Christmas.... I am so looking forward to all the good things 2011 is going to offer!!!!

Love & Light,

Carissa Paige

"Student of Joy. Seeker of Freedom. Maker of Art." <- my new tagline

Atomically Peaceful

2010-12-17T13:19:00.001-05:00

Atomically: 3. extremely small; minute
Peaceful: 3.peaceable; not argumentative, quarrelsome, or hostile: a peaceful disposition.

Howdy friends, it's been a heck of a week over here. I'm JUST now getting my house in order from the nuclear explosion I created while getting ready for Atomic Bazaar. I'm honestly still sorting things out and looking to do another major overhaul in my house again soon. This always happens to me at the end/beginning of the year. I get this overwhelming urge to get rid. My problem is my inability to say NO to the treasures I find (on the side of the road, at the thrift store, etc.) Do you guys have this problem too?? Will my 30's be better years for reducing clutter?? I had a bit of a shock moment over the weekend when I told someone much younger than me that I'd be turning THIRTY soon. People under 25 think 30 is like, whoaaaa dude, OLD. Yep. So I'll be there soon! Age is but a number, no? I still feel like a 5 year old most of the time :)

Okay! Enough rambling. Lets get on w/ the show.... Atomic Holiday Bazaar. It was held in a historic auditorium in downtown Sarasota. The drive was about 2.5 hours. I really love Sarasota for the fact it's really artsy and rich with old Florida style architecture. It's a beachy little town abundant with art. When we arrived the night before we stayed in a hotel. I'm extremely thankful we drove down the night before, because I'm not a wake up at 5 am and drive 2.5 hours in the morning kind of person. At all. We were literally 5 min's from the auditorium! In the morning we arrived and with half a plan in mind, I set up my table. Here's a shot:

I decided to tag my paintings w/ prices... I don't know if it's common practice or not, but I felt more comfortable having them priced. As far as doing a big show, I learned a lot of useful things..... I will share with you what I learned in my next post!!!!!!

Have a happy friday!

xo,

carissa

What's Cookin 'round Here

2010-12-08T13:13:00.003-05:00

My little print lab! New prints filling my shop slowly but surely!

Exciting news, I have a NEW monitor!!!! Next to my new printer and snazzy chair!!! My little print lab is coming right along. I can't tell you how relieved I am! This came to me as a gift, from my mother in law (not officially "in laws" yet, but may as well be.) Do you know how freaked out I got in July when my monitor suddenly died?! I was derailed, just slightly. I saw it as a sign to focus more inward, and paint my heart out instead of worrying about scanning/printing and essentially getting my shop rolling more quickly..... I was disappointed, because everything seemed to going wrong all at once, and all these little tiny heckling voices turned into giant shouting baboons running wild. There was an entire circus in my head. You can read my initial thoughts right before the breaking point right here. Sometimes it takes these breaking points for me to really thrust forward and remember whats truly important........

Which brings me to this splatter of paint (?) I found on my walk yesterday. It's in the shape of a heart, do you see the heart there? The flash came on, because the sun was just setting, and it gave the heart this magical GLOW! I normally hate using the flash, and somehow my setting was on "auto flash" so it came on. Another little sign to love my path, myself, my fumbling, but also to just let things happen and stop trying to control the outcome. (I still hate the flash, but I get it!) These are messages/whispers/nudges I keep hearing from my walks. Maybe this speaks to you, in whatever moment you are in? I know the holidays can be such a stressful time......Wherever you are... know this:

"You are seen, you are heard, you are loved."

Last but not least... (I apologize for the fuzzy image, i took this last night when I got home!) A sneak peek at a new painting... You can't see the details, due to the fuzziness, so I will leave you on the cliff here and show you the rest in daylight when she's closer to finished! She has sewn tulle hair! And her face is sewn, and she has square earrings! She made her way onto one of the backgrounds I shared a few posts back.

Thats all I have for now.... I won't bother mentioning (or maybe I will!) that my mind is going 90 miles an hour over here. My dreams (while sleeping) are consumed w/ wacked out delusions (good/odd/indifferent.) I am so nervous to be packed in an auditorium w/ 100 other Artsy Folks. Trying not to focus on it, and focus on just getting it all together! Just a few more days........

If you have any light to share on doing a big bazaar like this, please shine it on me!!! I can use it!

Love + Light + All that Jazz,
Carissa

PS. I'm offering free shipping throughout the holidays on everything in my shop! Originals & Prints & All things here. After my show this weekend, I'll have a lot more time to focus on my shop and everything else thats been falling by the wayside around here, like LAUNDRY!

Yes You Can

2010-12-08T00:12:00.001-05:00

Anything you really want,

you can attain,

if you really

go after it.

~Dr. Wayne Dyer

Crystal Luna

2010-12-05T22:50:00.003-05:00

Hello friends, I'm back from my yoga ventures & settling back in at home. I've got a major to-do list for this coming week as I prepare for Atomic Holiday Bazaar. I'm just a little nervous thinking about how huge this event is, and how many people will be moving through there. Whew. Nothing like a huge show like this to break me in good and proper.

I've just finished a new girl, Luna, above. I made her while sitting around the table w/ a slew of creative Soul Sisters in Minnesota. She's been sitting here for weeks, sort of looking at me, and me at her while I try to figure out her name. Sometimes I have so much trouble naming things. And if I haven't named it, it feels like it isn't complete (and I can't send it out into the world yet.) It doesn't always take me SO long, but this time it did. Finally on Friday I came across someone w/ the name "Crystal Luna." And it hit me. That's it, that's HER! It's pretty interesting because on my way to Minnesota, in the Orlando Airport - I ran into my old boss, Crystal! Working for her where I did was instrumental in reawakening my creativity... and there is SO MUCH MORE to the story I will share at another time, but for now I'm trying to be brief. It's been a long weekend, and I'm tired, and I know I will just babble on for 10 pages or more... likely making no sense at all.

"Luna" (the moon) is special because during my time at Lake Superior which was magical to say the least, (I talked about it here, here and here if you want to read...) we were keenly aware of how beautiful the moon was each night. We took sweet pics under the moon and it was all so special.

Crystal my boss from the instrumental to reawakening my creativity job, and Luna the glorious moon we basked under = Crystal Luna. Or Luna for short, because her friends call her Luna. She was made using 1 supply: Lori's wonderful Neocolors (plus a paintbrush and water) which I adore! They're on my wish list right now!

I've made some prints of sweet Luna, and I'm pretty sure I'm happy w/ it... Equally as happy as Luna must be to have an official name! So tomorrow I'll add some prints of her to my shop.

xo

Carissa

Studio Views Friday

2010-12-03T21:42:00.001-05:00

Hello Friends, I hope your December is off to a good start. I can't believe how time flies! There's so much hustle and bustle in my neck of the woods. The holiday frenzy = in full swing. I went out to run small errands and buy some paintbrushes & the lines were pretty deep. I'm glad to be making everyone's gifts, and not shopping in the madness!

This weekend is the last weekend before my show, Atomic Holiday Bazaar! And it's also the weekend of my Yoga training... I'm about 1/2 way through the program, I think we have about 5 months to go (5 more weekends.) It'll be finished this coming summer of 2011! I haven't been sharing as much about my experience w/ the yoga as I'd like to, but I will!

"Into..." available here.

In other news, my shop has quite a few new prints.... and more on the way! You can see them --> right here. Slowly but surely my shop is filling out. I'm pretty much having an affair w/ my printer. I love having my very own, at home. I don't know how I survived before (I used www.iprintfromhome.com) My little desk / work station is filling out so nicely! Here are some of my new prints:

..........okay, so just one of them! Theres some sort of server error, and I'm too sleepy to figure it out right now. I'll add the rest in when the server issue fixes.

xoxo,
carissa

My Heart is Twisted and Dipped and Colored in Gratitude

2010-12-02T00:11:00.002-05:00

With the post title I meant to prelude my tie-dying ventures this weekend, but the first few words that spilled out were My Heart is Twisted. So I'm gonna talk about my twisted ways! Buckle in.

Just kidding, it's not that bad. I won't deny I have a bit of a twisted or darker side. This is true. I'm only sharing this here because some people have wrote to ask if "I'm sad, because my girls (sometimes) look sad..." In answer, no, not particularly... but I do experience a wide range of emotions like most women and sadness is one of those feelings, sure! When I paint, or draw, or write, or whatever, I'm just letting it flow. I don't intend for my girls to look sad, and don't really see them this way myself. They feel more wistful/reflective rather than sad. Maybe they are sad. Who am I to tell them how they feel!

Feelings. We all feel them. Unless you're a robot. And there are robots reading this blog (Hi robots!) I know because I get notes from them, but most of you are real people experiencing real feelings. As for me, I'm just a normal girl who has experienced some unusual life circumstances which have caused me to feel deeply. All across the spectrum.

I am colored by my experience. But one of the greatest lessons I've ever learned is - my experience is colored by me.

For all of this twisting, dipping, and coloring of my life I am great-full. Because I choose to be! Who knew writing about my tie dye venture would stir this up?! I just ride the waves. . . . As for my art, just as my life, it manifests in the way it's meant to, and I'm striving more toward letting go, not controlling the outcome of it... less control, more enjoying the process and the flow. I am continuing to find myself more and more as an artist, as a writer, as a woman, as a yogi, and as a human in this world. This process never ends! Our lives are the greatest work of all. I'm just striving to LIVE THE ART fully and completely. And I am ever-so-greatfull to share this journey w/ you on the pages of my blog.

All my heART is dipped in gratitude for everything I've ever experienced! This year has shown INCREDIBLE evidence of the power of intention in my life. I'm marinating on this and starting a list of all the wonderful and empowering things that have manifested this year. All the magical people I've met and continue to meet. I will share this list with you too. This year has been incredible indeed. Thank you all for showing up here in my life, physically or in spirit. It makes me feel so light I could fly (even with all these human emotions in tow... i will let them fly too!)

2011 is going to rock in so many ways. I just know it. I'm already visualizing and setting my intentions & hope you do too! Speaking of, have you heard about Reverb10? I just joined in and you can too! Check it out ----> right here.

Rock out w/ your thoughts out my friends.

Who's gonna stop you!?

Twistedly Yours,
Carissa

Studio Views and Juicy New Stuff in the works

2010-11-17T11:33:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends, I'm back w/ a little update from the Studio! It's chilly here this morning and I'm all bundled up w/ festive socks and comfy jammies. I'm having some tea and pondering breakfast as I type this. Hmmmm.... Before I get side tracked I wanted to show you some paintings in the works!

All these are in the works or almost done...The very first painting above (a background in the works) is actually a canvas w/ a custom frame built around it. I found it at The Magical Thrift! Originally it had a plain cream colored background w/ a bluebird sitting on a branch. I gesso'd over everything w/ my bare hands (oh how good this feels!) and was going to somehow incorporate the remaining bits of the bird after it dried. I decided to cover it all up using this muslin fabric I had screenprinted some of my writings onto, along w/ bits of fabric and pages from a French Dictionary (all from The Magical Thrift!) I smooshed on paint w/ my hands some more. . . Here's a closer shot:

I'm working on it slowly trying to figure out whats there.Theres more pink/fuscia than I planned because my previously constipated tube of paint became suddenly regular again and gooshed out all over the place!

Lovely people have asked to see more of my creative space, so I promise to share views more often (with better lighting!) It's mostly just a disaster ;) I'm getting ready for my first ever show on December 11th and working on my display. I cut these old closet doors I found at (you guessed it) The Magical Thrift, in half and added some hinges. I had some snafus but I'm really happy w/ how it's coming along! I'll share before and after pics along w/ a rough tutorial of this little DIY project! I'm in the middle of painting it white right now.

Well I'm off to figure out breakfast! Hope your week is going well!

Love + Light,

Carissa

Sweetness Abound

2010-11-16T07:00:00.002-05:00

My girl makes her mark outside The Candy Kitchen in MN

Hi everyone, hope your week is off to a good start! ! ! I know I've been slacking on the blog front lately and hope you aren't disappointed. I have so many things to share, good and exciting things.

Today! An Update from the Land of Thrift:

Seriously. You will not believe what I found at the thrift store this past week. Let me first say - this is no ordinary thrift store. No sir-ee, this is Thee Magical Thrift where in time, if i'm patient, manifests everything I ever wish for! This time - a practically brand new Epson printer, that works, and just needs a refill of inks!!! Are you kidding me? I couldn't believe my eyes. But it's true, it was there, and it was cheap. It was a major goal of mine to have one by years end. I had already put aside a chunk of mula from my Etsy sales, plotting and planning my move. Then when I least expected it, Magical Thrift struck again. As soon as I got home I tested a print (then the ink ran out,) but it printed lovely w/ perfect matching colors!! The cashola I saved will go to other creative biz needs! Its motivating to let my creativity circle around and fund things like art supplies, or retreats, or classes, or eventually - my livelihood. Hooray for that.

I leave you w/ a badass quote I found by George Herbert: "Chase brave employment with a naked sword throughout the world."

.... until next time!

LOOoooVE!
Carissa

Revealing: More Bits of My Fabulous Trip to Lake Superior (and thoughts on Becoming and Overcoming)

2010-11-02T11:11:00.011-04:00

As I sit and marinate on my trip to Minnesota I wanted to share with you some treasures I brought back with me, and some thoughts I've had lately on becoming (my truest self.)
I have no idea how these treasures fit into my already stuffed bag, since at the airport they told me I wasn't allowed to have a gift bag in addition to my carry-ons. I managed to stuff in my bag: A gigantic sliver of a birch tree (plus the little one shown above,) art made while there, rocks, Russian Dolls, snacks, a juicy apple, a Dr. Pepper, and many other little things. I was already calculating which I'd give up first (my sneakers for sure, or a handful of clothes) in order to make room for the treasures. But somehow it all fit. Magic. Aside from the art brought back, the little Russian Dolls are probably my favorite. I had some as a child that were lost along the way. I've forever had my eyes open for just the right set. I came across the perfect ones, after Moose Coffee, in a Scandinavian gift shop, owned by a interesting fellow named Brad. He was so kind as to package up my dollies using his "Minnesota Scissors" aka his fancy knife to cut the twine and bundle them "Vietnam War Style" as he called it. My BF growing up was Vietnamese, and I miss her dearly! Anyway, how could I decline such an offer? Here's a shot of his shop where he lives up top:

All along the grounds of his home / shop were collections of rocks, amazing beautiful rocks and oddities:

It was all very magical, the whole trip, the whole everything. I feel a lot like the Russian Dolls right now, piece by piece opening up, finding my true center, my true purpose, my joy, revealing myself to myself. No more hiding, no more erasing and editing, no more running in place, no more placing things in parenthesis or tiny sized in the margins. Just naming and expressing and restoring and believing in the power of my self. Hugely believing in the power and truth in the messages I find, feel, see, and am drawn to. In the power of YES. In the power of NO. . . no more denying or shying away from. I know I have a lot to share about (life) surviving, blooming, revealing, loving, shedding, braving, and sewing it all together into something more tangible that would help others too (become more true, self-loving, and live their lives fully and creatively despite circumstances!!!) Far outside parenthesis. Large in the middle of the page. How will I ever fit this all in or make it real, tangible, outside myself. . . (Universe, I'm asking, quite frankly, for your guidance!) I think we have to reach out to ask for what we need, and be ready for when it appears.

As this year comes to a close soon, and my last year as a twenty-something also comes to a close - I am grateful for many things. I am grateful for the sense of urgency I've always felt in needing to release the past (which I've done many times over.) I'm am grateful for the way I latch onto something I know in my heart-of-hearts is something I must absolutely follow through with without a sense of hesitation or doubt (however ridiculous or outlandish the idea may be.) I am grateful for my sense of letting go of things that don't serve me, in order to make room in my precious bag of life for the things and people that truly matter most. I am grateful for the people who truly see me, and love me for me. I am grateful for many things.

I'm welling up with so much to share about

b e c o m i n g and o v e r c o m i n g

(what it all boils down to. i am in a constant state of becoming)

Something tells me I need not fear how it will all fit together, or what anyone will think, I just need to do the work, keep following the signs, and listening intently.

It will all fit in my bag off life. Magically. Just like that.

Love,

Carissa

New Stuff!

2010-11-01T23:48:00.000-04:00

Hey guys, I just wanted to share a few new paintings I've added to my shop!

Woooohoooo! I've been on a roll w/ new stuff bursting out the past couple of weeks, and am pretty happy w/ it all, especially the colors. I tell you, getting up earlier in the mornings (and painting) has really had an impact. I won't lie, I'm totally patting myself on the back (and still working hard at building a steady routine!) I just came home with two more birch wood panels, and they're already in the works. Isn't it such a joy bringing home new wood / canvases? Like a kid in a candy store. And I must tell you the JOY i felt being surrounded by BIRCH TREES at Lake Superior a mere week ago. Wow, the birch trees were a total surprise. As I'm settling back into Florida living, my little studio is buzzing w/ activity and life and I wish I could jam pack each one of you in it w/ me... This virtual jam packing will have to do!

All of these new paintings are available here! If you would like an 8 x 8 inch print of any of these, or a custom painting, I totally welcome it all!

Love you all,
Carissa

Soul Sister Swoon part Deux

2010-10-29T23:26:00.001-04:00

Soul Sister Swoon, part 2.

Where do I even begin? Here I am standing in a circle of natural beauty, rock solid friendships, and feeling insanely blessed. I can't help but wonder if I am deserving of such amazingness in my life, but then I punch myself (only because I've had a few glasses of wine) and realize we are all deserving of such things. I'm just going to be upfront here and say I've had trouble writing this post. I've tried to write it a handful of times, and can't seem to find the right words, or maybe I feel too vulnerable to share the words I've chosen. Maybe I will share those words eventually. But for now, I am sitting in wonder. Wonderous wonder. How do I explain intangible feelings? Instead of harnessing the words, I will share with you pictures. Pictures of our journey, pictures of love and sunshine and I will tell you I am filled w/ inspiration for a lifetime to come.

From the beginning, these two beauties (Liv + Rachel) got together w/ caffeine and a heavenly napkin:

I visited my magical mailbox and then within 2 months walked in the door (which completely opened a new chapter in my life:)

I slept atop a spiral staircase which I loved every waking and sleeping moment of:

. . . in the cosiest most colorful bed just for me:

and i read Augusten Burroughs (who i am currently obsessed w/.) and awoke to a swirly ceiling (sorry no picture!) and this view of Lake Superior:

I explored all around the rocks (more on this later!) I stood in the sun w/ these glorious women! And walked and shared and hugged and drank and loved all of them every last drop:

. . . We are all woven together. Me, you, everyone and thing we know. (Jen, the zilla bad ass show above.)

There's more to share, in picture and thought form, coming eventually. I am getting wrapped back up in the hotness of FL and working on a stationery project (oooohh how fun) which I'm thrilled to try. It's all in the infancy stages, but I have long been wanting to make cards/stationery/love sendable via postal service. More on that later too.

Lots of Love and sugary laden trick-or-treatery goodness.

Soul Sister Swoon!!!!!

2010-10-25T11:51:00.001-04:00

Hello Dear Friends, I have some exciting news! This past Wednesday I flew up to Minnesota to meet a delicious Stew of Soul Sisters! An art retreat with 8 ahh-mazing artists and fellow bloggers: Liv, Rachel, Jen, Kolleen, Susie, Aimee, and Lori!!! We all stayed together in a gorgeous cabin on Lake Superior which was absolutely stunning and invigorating in person. The woods were filled w/ birch trees, wild wonderful birds, and foxes (and trains!) Stir all that with these ladies and I'm absolutely teary eyed. Waves of excitement. The whole experience was pure magic. I'm sitting here like bread in a soup bowl soaking it all in. Digesting, slowly going through the treasures I brought back w/ me and will share w/ you soon enough. I'm only hoping I can find a way to express all the joy in my heart. I am completely f i l l e d to the brim tipping over w/ l o v e and inspiration. I. am. filled. It felt like we landed in a magic portal where time stood still. A land where nothing but laughter and hugs of warmth and splashes of color exist. It was all so real, and open, and safe, and honest, and raw. The entire experience a dream come true.

Nothing but love. Nothing but love.

More on this later! So much more love + pics!

PS. Two other Soul Sisters who are part of our Stew that couldn't make it this time and I CAN'T WAIT to meet next time are Chrissy, and Valentina!! Love you girls and missed you dearly!!!!!!!!!!

Weekend UPdate

2010-10-18T13:28:00.002-04:00

Hello Dear Souls, I just wanted to say hello (hi!) and share a few quick pics from my travels over the past few days. I had every intention of getting a lot of housework and creative biz work done this weekend, but something told me I just needed to get out a play. The weather was just too nice (in the mid 70's!) to turn my back on, and the beach has been so cleansing to me. Salty goodness, old cars, motorcycles, music (I saw The Flaming Lips on Thursday!!!!!!!!) children laughing and whooshing about, my polaroid camera, driving around wasting film, waving at strangers, under tree tops, over bridges, a little grocery shopping, beer sampling, laughing, crying (of joy and realization) and A LOT of laundry!!!!!

I have quite a few new paintings in the works. Stuff I'm really happy w/ and many things in my head + heart just waiting to burst out. I plan to kick it in high gear and get a lot of stuff listed in the next couple of weeks!!!!!!! I also plan to reconvene w/ my CAMERAS and make it up to them for not using them as often lately. I miss using my cameras more often in my art!!!!! (Lots of exclamation today!!!!!)

Hope you have a lovely week!
With Love,
carissa

From Dark To Light

2010-10-14T12:33:00.000-04:00

Hello sweet friends, I just wanted to share a couple of new paintings in the works (almost done I think.) They're part of a new series"From Dark to Light." I'm so happy to be painting again after a little hiatus. I've been busy refocusing on routine and self-love and all that good stuff. It felt so great to dive right back in to the crisp cool waters of paint and dreaminess. And the good news is I'm doing it in the mornings! Thats right! My sleeping and waking issues have been so much better the past 2 weeks. Thank heavens for that. I always felt like I painted "better" at night, or later in the day, but these two were done in the morning w/ my semi-sleepy head and I really love them. I'll be more of a sleepy-head morning light painter from now on. Two weekends ago I had the opportunity to attend a Duni fire ceremony all about Letting Go. We wrote down things we'd like to let go of and threw our papers in the fire. I spent the night at the ashram (which was a real treat!) and kept feeling like I left a big suitcase behind. A big suitcase of garbage! I felt so much lighter afterward.

I folded my paper like an airplane and tossed it in the fire! Symbolic of a trip next week to meet some soul sisters! (more on this later) And symbolic of my journey, my past, present, future. I don't even remember what I wrote in that paper! Isn't that funny?

It was a beautiful weekend. And you don't have to have an elaborate Duni to do this! You can write down what you'd like to Let Go of and toss it in your fireplace or burn it safely outdoors in some sand w/ stones. The fire is so healing.

My studio late this morning :)

"It doesn't matter how long we may have been stuck in a sense of our limitations. If we go into a darkened room and turn on the light, it doesn't matter if the room has been dark for a day, a week, or ten thousand years - we turn on the light and it is illuminated. Once we control our capacity for love and happiness, the light has been turned on."
-- Sharon Salzberg

Salty Heart Treasures

2010-10-06T01:33:00.001-04:00

the ebb and flow of all things

and collected moments

we made our marks

& left our hearts

Thoughts that go vroom

2010-10-01T12:55:00.002-04:00

car pic by : khulsey

The first thoughts when I awoke this morning were The Power of our Spoken Words. Little hints have been placed in my path lately (books, strangers, friends,) bringing me back to the realization that all the things I tell myself effect my entire being. Whether its subtle, "I don't know what to do about this. . . " Or HUGE, "I can't do anything right." We've all had our days where we're hard on ourselves! But it doesn't help if we vocalize, or make bold statements proclaiming all sorts of negative things about ourselves or our situation. It just draws more negative energy. If we adjust our language a little and use powerful words like, "I k n o w there's this amazingjustrightforme solution out there, I will find it! (and it will be a FUN adventure!") We draw in support from the Universe w/ action words! I'm not sure where the idea of "action" words just came from, but my boyfriend is reading a lot about sales, so perhaps that's where I'm absorbing it. Talking to him about sales has opened me up a lot to the idea of "selling ourselves on ourselves" and owning our own individual genius. When I think about sales (not the sleazy kind of sales, the true something you need and must buy kind,) I realize the whole nuance of "selling" comes about by spreading out the best options and letting the buyer "choose" whats best suited. In most instances you help guide them, but they essentially "sell themselves." No hard selling or wacky song and dance. (i am not a sales-guru, this is just my take)

So all this sales biz-nass got me thinking about how our internal world works, because I can't help but to always be drawn to making these connections. I'm starting to think when it comes to mentoring and all things self-healing, or self-love related - it's all about Selling Yourself on Yourself! By-God you are the best damn package in the Universe. Lord knows you're fully loaded w/ brilliant ideas, luxury packages, navigation systems, rear cameras, and satellite radio. You've even got a little turbo-boost in your trunk! So!! How do you sell yourself when you're having a weaker day / week / month / year, and you just can't find your mojo? THIS, this is exactly what I'm working on in my pretty head, but I think it has a lot to do w/ subtlety. Imagine you are some sort of confused buyer, standing there unsure of what to do. Wouldn't it be nice to make a pamphlet about YOU, or have someone help if you're not thinking clearly, and in those moments whip it out ---> Ooooo - Aaaaahhhhh! Look at all your super-amazing features!!! Even add ones you'd like to have, but don't yet (like a cottage by the sea!) Use your Sweet Language, and whatever else you may need to get back to the place where you sit down, sign on the dotted line, drive off w/ your top down, your cute little mojo hat, and fly straight into your genius!

Thoughts that go Vroooooom! I'm still thinking on this! ;)
Thanks for reading. Happy Friday! Have a safe weekend!
Love + Light,
Carissa

Disclaimer: Always wear your safety belt!

Morning + Y = Routine

2010-09-27T13:12:00.003-04:00

Hello Monday! Here I am attempting ROUTINE (maybe I shouldn't make that word so big and scary or important, but truly it is for me right now.) A big missing element in my scattered life = routine. I've known it for a long time, tried walking the tight rope w/ my little umbrella and sparkly costume, but truth be told I have the hardest time getting out of bed in the morning which throws off my entire day, week, month, year, LIFE. Something just clicked this weekend. I was listening to one of our speakers for my Yoga training, an Ayurvedic teacher / Doctor / overall amazing woman who clearly has this balance / routine thing down. She literally shines. She talked about so many things, but what stood out to me most in this moment is the need for routine. I'm not going to be some fanatical routine junky or anything, but I do need to welcome a bit more routine / balance into my life. So my intention the coming months is opening my windows and doors (literally and figuratively!) and letting routine know it's more than welcome! I may even write it a letter, or a special invitation <3

Thank you guys so much for your support re: My Magic Nausea. And for sharing your stories too :) Our guts ARE smart! I love to hear about other peoples experiences.

I'm off to start my week!

Sending La-la-la-love + light to you,

Carissa

PS. What would YOU like to invite more of in YOUR beautiful life!? Write a letter or invitation to that "thing" w/ me!? ♥

Just like that : From Nausea to MAGIC. A story.

2010-09-24T23:53:00.000-04:00

Hello, hello! Happy Friday friends! My morning started off pretty well, until I started freaking out about showing my paintings for the first time. Aside from friends / fam / and internet world, no one has seen them. I just didn't feel like anything was ready, and couldn't figure out how to display it all, because a big table would be too big, a small table would be too small, and and and! What do I do?! Ah! All these crazy what-if's started rolling through my head. Theres been a lot going on in this little world of mine, and I think the whole cosmic thing that just happened shone a lot of light into dusty corners. My vulnerabilities did shine today, but after a nice little pep-talk from my man I was back to reality. I got my ass in gear and went to the thrift store where I just knew I'd find the perfect little display table. Sure enough, there it was, an old skool desk for a whopping $3 down from $12! I also found a cute little dress to wear, and got change from the bank. I was in the groove and feeling good! I even stopped at Publix for Sushi, and the sushi-maker himself was there. He offered to make me a custom roll! Instead of just handing it to me over the counter, he came out the door, so I hugged him (which he wasn't expecting!) I practically skipped out of the store w/ a huge grin on my face.

I got home and scrambled everything together. The sky was looking pretty dark, like it'd rain any moment. I went ahead and left anyway. When I arrived there were only 2 other vendors out of 20 who'd shown up. They said the rain was going to pass, but the nervousness from earlier set in and I totally froze. There were no other artists there, I'd be all alone, it looks like rain, and theres quite a few people walking around w/ these brochures in their hands. I must be honest, I was pretty much petrified to set up and stand there all alone. I'm the girl who ran and cried when she had to stand up and give a speech in high school. I got over that w/ time, but I still have a tendency to be very-very shy or feel really uncomfortable in large crowds.

So, I went back to my car, looked at my stuff, looked back at the alley, looked back at my stuff, then literally started sweating and felt nauseous. I just pictured myself all alone against this big white brick wall, all those people walking by, and me still feeling awkward and nauseous and sweaty. So I did what any spaz would do and got in my car and drove around the block like 4 times until these cops w/ sirens came through, escorting 2 yellow buses to who-knows-where. I pulled over, called my boyfriend's Mom and talked to her for a good 30 min's.

I happened to pull over in this particular district in DeLand where a few blocks of 1920's houses (previously crack-houses) were all purchased by one fella who beautified them all. Low and behold this adorable little blue + white house is for sale, so I walked around, peeked in the windows, all the while Mom's still on the phone w/ me. I am already "renovating the kitchen" and "setting up my studio..." Being as amazing as she is, she said it was good I didn't do the art show and was able to stumble upon this house. I walked further up the street, just curiously strolling. I started to head back to my car when this mini-van pulls up and this man says "hey, are you lost?" I said, "No, no, I was just happened to stop here and was looking at one of the houses for sale." Ok, long story short, guessssssss whoooooo he is?! THEE fella who bought up all these houses, and is coincidentally running for the Governor of Florida, and coincidentally also an Artist / Writer / Architect / Man of Many Talents. Next thing you know, he's getting his key and showing me around this house w/ a flashlight! Then he showed me his current house which he transformed from a warehouse! And then he pulled his very own published Art Book off the shelf, and gave me a copy of the documentary he made about rebuilding this district, and showed me pictures of amazing houses he designed in California. I was like WOW! Here I was standing in this immaculate house w/ this super awesome guy, his super awesome friend Babette, his adorable little daughter, and this beautiful parrot type bird they just got. It was this total WOW I am so fully awake right here in this moment, moment.

YES I thought I was being a wimp for leaving, but truly
I was following my whims, listening to my gut feelings.
I am so happy to see it led to chance encounters
to Keys and doors being opened
to Flashlights shining around
to just like that
M A G I C !

Life is just pretty damn amazing sometimes.
When I stop feeling bad for feeling, and just be the perfectly imperfect ME that I am.

A Little Bloom : The Story of Iris

2010-09-21T20:34:00.010-04:00

Hello friends! I just wanted to share w/ you a little story about how my latest painting bloomed. Her name (thanks to the help of Kolleen!) is "Iris" and it couldn't be more fitting (thank you!) She began as an ink drawing, wearing this dress, some chunky lace up boots, and a badge on her chest that read "Tuff." Her dress read: "There is no army in this world that could bring you down." At the time I had made the mistake of sharing some of my most precious goals and dreams w/ someone who is a bit of a Debbie Downer, who poo-poo'd my dreams. When I told Iris about my broken feelings, she immediately put on her heart necklace, laced up her boots, and went to battle (healing my heart and allowing me to understand.) She was sitting there raw + uncolored for a month, sort of waiting to reveal herself, or "bloom!"

Here she is fully b l o o m e d :

Original "Iris" Available in my Etsy Shop!

I just love how she came out!!!! A peaceful little Tuff Chick who isn't afraid of lack, or imperfection, and doesn't care what anyone else thinks! Go Iris go!

So that's the story of Iris. I feel like I have so much more to say, but hope you enjoyed :)

In other news, I also listed a 8 x 8 inch print of Koko, my super kitty studio mate. He is just too cute!

Also! This is pretty big news and I almost forgot to mention it! I'm doing a tiny art show in an alley in downtown DeLand on Friday from 6pm - 9pm outside of "The Nest!" There is some sort of event taking place before, then people will be funneling through. This will be the first time I'm showing my paintings to the public! I'm a little nervous! I'll post updates + pics via twitter or facebook :)

Stay tuff and keep blooming.

Love,

Iris + Carissa

what if i

2010-09-18T02:12:00.003-04:00

A question for you: What if you ______ !!! ???

What if. . .
Just think
of all the
possibility
(!)

I'd L O V E to hear your wildest "What if's!"
♥ ♥ ♥

A little Inspiration Board

2010-09-09T02:09:00.004-04:00

Hi friends, I just thought I'd share a little inspiration board I made tonight, w/ some girls I've been playing with too. The girls are ink drawings I colored in PS (what do you think of them?) I'm trying to find / use more color inspiration from objects / treasures in my day to day life instead of just working from my head (the little dreamboard in my head) which i so often do. Here goes: From the top (and the girls dress!) is a backing from an old miniature craft frame I found at the thrift store and had been holding on to for-ev-er just waiting to use it. I didn't realize until making it her dress - it feels like a Kimono. I love all things Japanese! Next is this darling and precious Little Golden Book w/ illustrations by Mary Blair and story by Ruth Krauss. I am so inspired by: "I Can FLY!" and think you would be too! I get SO inspired by discovering these sweet treasures at the thrift store. Not only the find, but coming home and reading and connecting w/ artists that came before. I am SO in LOVE with Mary Blair! (thank you google.) Last but not least the loveliest letterpress card I've ever seen from my sweet dear friend who means the world to me. My little P.O. Box (which happens to be decorated w/ butterflies!) sure loves when such things pass through!

I can't forget my Raja. Although he's really whiny, he still inspires me w/ his big blue eyes and sweet "owl face." He's forever napping. Speaking of s l e e p, I am divulging some of my trashy goods (from Taking Out the Trash below.) One of my big problems I'm working on is SLEEP! Balancing my sleep patterns is a big big thing for me. I don't have a healthy rhythm right now and I'm really really trying. I border insomnia, but not necessarily "productive" during the wee hours. Other times I get too much sleep. Sleep, I will tame you!

Sweet Dreams all you lovely dreamers,
Carissa Paige

Taking out the Trash

2010-09-07T03:06:00.001-04:00

"No one lights a lamp in order to hide it behind the door : the purpose of light is to create more light, to open people's eyes, to reveal the marvels around."

Paulo Coelho

Last weekend I ventured out to the Night Swan for another weekend of Yoga training. I left completely exhausted and completely renewed. On the way home this idea, this thought, this voice wouldn't escape me. It said: "Listen to the divine wisdom embedded deep within, see yourself w/ truth and love and act out of that place as often as possible." That place huh? Sounds simple enough right? Oh but wait. What I've failed to mention is, this idea has come up a few times in class (I forget who to quote on it, but here it goes) : "Meditation is also taking out the garbage." Well friends, I ran out of trash bags and had to run up to the store. And then had trouble deciding if I should get the special "scented" trash bags, or pay the same price and get more bang-for-my-buck non-scented. One lasts longer, but one smells so pretty! These are the kinds of things I've been waddling around in over the past couple of weeks. Scented or unscented? Stretchy or regular? Drawstring or twisty-tie?

Aww-hell it doesn't matter, just pick a damn bag!

Alright, I picked a bag, a whole bunch of bags in fact and I've just been filling them. Nice image isn't it? I'm taking out the trash w/ this incredible amount of "honesty." This time around the honesty came as a good look at some of my stumbling blocks, or what I perceive as stopping me from embracing my l i g h t, going full steam ahead. So, the past couple of weeks I've been asking myself questions and trying to quell those inner critic bastards.

Between all these runs to the landfill, I did get a little painting done. My studio mate Koko Kitty, totally unplanned appeared:

In non-garbage related news I wanted to share I listed a print of Nora in my little shop! <--- here. She really is lovely, in this pic above and below you can see her gracing my window seat:

Thank you for all those who are so kind to me in words / spirit / love / etc. I just saw I have 55 followers and nearly pee'd!

I promise to continue bringing out the trash and bringing in the light.

One last thing, and speaking of light (!) I have to capture pictures of the most thoughtful gift I've ever received at the most perfect time ever possible, from someone who means the world to me. I am blown away by Sacred Cake. She is a talented, treasured, thoughtful and dear S a c r e d friend. If you have a moment please pay her a visit not only to drool over her creations, but to also spread some love - she hasn't been feeling well and might could use some extra lovins!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend (and holiday in the states.)

All my (trashy) love,
Carissa

Little Miss Love

2010-08-23T01:18:00.006-04:00

I feel something cosmic surging around me. I just can't keep thinking how we're all connected, how we're all woven together in this beautiful fabric, how it's pure magic when we rise up and give at just the perfect moment, or receive what we most need at just the right time. It's profound how we keep each other warm and loved on this deep level. It's invisible yet so clearly visible when it takes action and creates movement in all directions. Spiraling out of control and bouncing into infinity. I sit here realizing underneath our many layers there's this soft center filled w/ nothing but pure L O V E. Pure magic. A pure little something we can harness and share.

I've made some very sacred connections w/ people I admire and love in ways words do no justice. I have so much to share about sacred connections that it deserves its own post. All weekend I've been resting while getting over having this nasty little chest cold (reminds me of my asthma days as a kid!) I feel for you people who suffer w/ asthma or have kids who do. So for now I'm just sharing a pic of my little L O V E girl. She's complete + I'm quite happy w/ her! (edit: I put her in my shop tonight!) I just love her colors. I'm discovering I really love these thick 12 x 12 inch pieces of birchwood. You can find them at Michaels near the wood people use for making planes and ships.

-to be continued-

Butterfly Messengers

2010-08-04T02:11:00.005-04:00

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." ~Hans Christian Anderson

Signs signs everywhere the signs! Twice in the past two weeks butterfly messengers have appeared in my life. I had a dream two weeks ago about catching a butterfly. Walking into work the next day I nearly stepped on this butterfly I have in my hand. I was completely blown away, she's so beautiful. . .

Yesterday my friend Val left work, then came rushing back in a few min's later. She said, "OMG Carissa! I have something for you!!!" She was crazy giddy excited w/ her hands cupped all secretively, then wha-la -- I nearly cried when her hands opened! I saw another beautiful butterfly in HER hand! She found it while pumping gas at the gas station! My heart is completely melty, not only from the butterfly, but the sweetness of my friends!

I can't help but think all these butterflies are seriously trying to tell me something. All day today I thought about what "Gas Station + Butterfly = equals." I'm thinking it means gas up your tank + go!? I feel like I need to put my head down + do just that. I'm gonna to take a little break from the internet world this week + catch up on projects.

I started the girlie above + can't wait to finish her! Sorry the pic's kinda dark.

Sending Fluttering Motion to You!

Love Always,
Carissa

Bracing my main topsails aback

2010-08-01T23:58:00.013-04:00

First - thank you guys SO so so much for all your kind encouraging words. You have no idea how much it lifts + warms my soul.

This is where I landed Saturday morning - The Night Swan, a Bed + Breakfast! I've embarked on the gigantic scary journey.

Here's the big news: One weekend a month for 9 months I'll be here in this historic house studying a fusion of Yoga (Hatha + Kundalini,) Ayurveda, and Numerology (among other things I'll share as time goes on!) with teachers/mentors I've known and adored for over 10 years. When the opportunity presented itself a few months ago, I immediately felt a big "YES! You have to do this, right now. . ." Which was followed by "NO! No. No. No. What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Before I could let the little "no" demons stake their claim I went w/ the first thought and signed on. It's truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.

On Saturday with fear and shivers and shyness in all their glory - I drove my little car toward the coast, over the bridge and parked in the gravel lot across from The Night Swan. The B+B consists of 3 separate houses in total and is run by a husband + wife (they're so cute!) I wandered around for a while then found the french doors that held a room of 11 or so other people. . . . and my day began.

It was a great day. At the end, as the sun began to fade, I sat here dazing out at the intercoastal. I could hear church bells nearby ringing a tune I instantly recognized as -- "How Great Thou Art." My Grandfather always busted out in song, this was one of his favorites. I smiled to myself as tears filled my eyes. I felt my Grandfather there w/ me in spirit, watching, smiling w/ approval, and it all felt right - I know I've made the right decision, challenging as it may be.

Whew, so that's where I'm at. . . bracing my main topsails aback, riding the waves w/ the wind in my ears.

Thanks for listening, reading, writing, simply being.

Love + Light, Carissa

PS. I may set up a "page" within my blog to post more detailed logs of this journey, because I'm sure I could go on-and-on + I don't want to annoy you. I'll see how it unfolds.

I just need

2010-07-30T23:58:00.000-04:00

About 2 or 3 months ago I signed on for a life altering venture. An experience that will widen my spirit + fill me with even more curiosity than I have now. It's a huge + frightening commitment. There's no turning back. I've swallowed it. And it all kicks in tomorrow.

I'm not jumping out of a plane or anything, but it sort of feels like it. I seriously have butterflies in my stomach right now as I type. I'm shivering. I just wanted to share with you that there's something huge + scary happening in my life, and I'll tell you all about it after tomorrow.

As of tonight I have my little computer station set up again w/ a new monitor (this one has a green twinge, lol!) that I'm getting used to. I fired up my scanner + tablet + computer + made this little diddy above.

Love + Glorious Light
Carissa

Bodaciousness

2010-07-28T12:35:00.002-04:00


Photo explorations: Old Gymnasium in Sarasota, FL

I've really missed blogland over the past couple of weeks! I had a bit of technical trouble + found myself pretty thrown off by it. Truth be told there were a few days where I wallowed in my own self pity instead of looking for solutions. My own little thoughts twisted me into a pretzel. And would you believe I almost forgot the most important thing of all = I'm a "Beautiful, Bold, Brave, Bodacious Babe!" Here I painted this mantra on my bedroom wall where I see it every morning as a reminder and still forgot! Well, after much toe tapping I'm happy to say I've put together some solutions. I'm all-up-on the lo fi train over here! I'll share a pic when it's all said-and-done. I want to be living proof that you don't need a bunch of fancy equipment to begin manifesting your dreams. You can shine your light in creative ways. You can take whatever you have on hand and make magic. I believe a little (or a lot) of your heart and soul goes a helluva long way! The rest will sort itself out.

Tonight I'm doing a free teleconference call with Christine Kane and I'm thrilled! I'll just be getting out of work so I'm gonna park my car under the big giant moon + listen with my whole heart.

Theres so many more exciting things I want to share soon. I'm amazed at all the signs I've encountered and the abundance of the universe. Just this past weekend I had a playdate with my new local friend Ashley Inzer. She's a super talented, down to earth, amazing creative soul with so much beauty to share. We met through Flying Lessons! We had a great play day - we ate at Austin Coffee, walked around Park Ave peeking into shops, talked + talked + talked, then ended our day with some painting in her studio! I helped her a little w/ how to paint faces. She did an awesome job! Hers is there on the right + mine on the left. I used her own hand carved stamp on mine (the circles in the hair!) These little sisters are together at her house. I swear they're alive + chat w/ each other when no one else is looking! I wonder what they have to say?!

Sending so much love + creative light to all!

Carissa

Weekend in Pictures

2010-07-11T22:59:00.001-04:00

Hello!!! I apologize for the super small type - blogger is giving me technical troubles right now. Here's some pics from around the house / studio the past few days. I've been inspired + getting a lot done. I'm using my new phone's planner feature - it keeps me focused on a somewhat routine! Hope you had a nice weekend!! XOXO, Carissa

Hip on Dreams and Oceans

2010-07-09T04:25:00.001-04:00

"Nora" the angel of simplicity available here

Happy Friday! I took the plunge and listed two paintings in my shop. Taking this step is frightening. Aside from giving away paintings or doing little custom work for friends, I have yet to list a true to life original painting that's not a print. I guess part of it was fear. In all these feelings, just knowing that I'm not alone makes me feel a little bit better. Dana did a nice post on our collective fears right here.

"Hip on Dreams and Oceans" 8x10 available in my etsy shop

Thanks for your kind words on my computer problems. I've solved everything but the screen issue. It's something I can work around for now.

The stacked journals (my word hoard) from my last post made their way into my paintings. I found bits of poems + scribbles on napkins to use. I'm really happy with how my last two portraits turned out + the words that came together. I feel like I have so much more to say, but am feeling sort of tongue tied tonight.

xo,
Carissa

Remembering pieces

2010-07-03T03:05:00.004-04:00

Hello friends! I've been gathering my thoughts + trying not to let them disappear.

Earlier this week I was really bummed - I discovered my laptop screen has a reddish twinge too it. And then the memory was so full I couldn't save anything! I was disheveled for a good day or two until I heard something say, "Shhhh, it's okay! You have everything you need right here." Before all of this computer nonsense I was worrying (borderline obsessing) about not having my own printer and thinking I'm going to fail miserably at trying to get my creative bizness off the ground without having one right this very minute! And now my laptop screen is going wacky, so maybe I should just give up?! But there was that little calming whisper and then, then I read this quote during Flying Lessons:

"When a lot of things are going wrong all at once, it is to protect something big and lovely that is trying to get itself born - and this something needs for you to be distracted so that it can be born as perfectly as possible.” - Dalai Lama

I couldn't place when or where, but I knew I heard this before. After some digging I realized it was through reading Carolyn Myss. I was just turning 20, departing from a wacky childhood and learning to fly with my own two wings. I read Sacred Contracts and Anatomy of The Spirit and carried them in my bag everywhere I went. I felt like she was an angel writing directly to me. I was learning how to live and heal and love and allow myself to be loved. It's been a long time since I've read her books, it's probably due time I see what's new.

I've been thinking about how easy it is to lose sight. . . even as things are being born! I need to be reminded that there is no such thing as LACK. I must pay attention to these wise + calming whispers. I'm pretty sure I need to go read some Anne Lamott too. It's going to be a busy summer.

Sending Love + Light to You!

Carissa P

Thrift gods how I love thee

2010-06-23T21:04:00.003-04:00

Hello friends, happy middle of the week! I went to the thrift store today and immediately spotted this adorable wicker vanity!!! It's 20% all purchases on Wednesday's so I got this darling for only $8! All proceeds from this thrift store go toward Hospice, it's great to know my money is going toward a good cause. I immediately came home and set her up in my entryway which is my sewing area too.

I still have to hang that mirror + do some straightening but there it is. I'm pretty darn happy with it! I took the plunge recently + signed up for this Art + Craft show called "Atomic Holiday Bazaar" in December! More details on that later, but i want to use this vanity in my display!

In other cute news

Yesterday while i was stuck in my cubicle at work I made these magnets! They were originally intended to be pendants, but i quickly realized they weren't working that well because they kept flipping around backwards on the necklaces. Call me anal, but I just couldn't have that! So now they're pretty lil' magnets that I'm testing out now to see how well I like them, and then if they work they'll go into my shop!

My wings are flapping!

Hopefully everything will all come together soon and my shop will be filled with my creations. I have more printing research to do (I hope to have my very own printer in the next 6 months!) + more experimenting + who knows what else!

I love you THIS MUCH! New girl is getting colored tonight!

XO
Carissa Paige

I am enough

2010-06-22T01:26:00.001-04:00

I am enough.

In all my unkept house glory, my piles, my bits, my scatters, my weeds, my crooked car, my tree that needs trimming, my hair that needs grooming, my mail that needs checking, my library fines, my lack of organization. . . I could go on, but with all of this I AM ENOUGH? Yes, yes I am. And so are you, wherever you are. Lets wiggle our little toes and dance with our enoughness. Tiny little ripples make great big waves.

Piece by piece I come together.

That little section of my studio I decided to clean is feeling so good. I moved my laptop + scanner + digital tablet there so I'm no longer trying to squeeze it in other places around the house. It works so well that I'm wondering why the heck it took me so long to come to that conclusion.

Wild child.

I dyed my hair red! Just needed a temporary change. I set up a Facebook Page too! I'll post a link in my sidebar for those who'd like to friend me (I'd love that!) And last but not least it's my boyfriend's birthday this weekend + we both got the Droid Incredible! They were buy one get one free, I couldn't feel luckier.For a good year now I've longed for the ability to "stay connected" and share beautiful moments while I'm "on the go!" The features this phone has really is, well... Incredible! That's us on the road this weekend w/ my wild hair + all.

Sending love to all the creative travelers, wherever you may be on your journey.

XO
Carissa Paige

A New Girl + What's on my Mind

2010-06-15T00:16:00.014-04:00

Hello friends, hope your week is off to a good start. I was elated today because I made this sweet girl before work + couldn't wait to get home to finish her. I took one of my ink drawings, scanned her in + colored her in photoshop. I'm still learning how to paint well in photoshop, but what I love most is the access to nearly an unlimited supply of paint + colors! I also love that I can mix my handmade creations with my digital tools. I took a photo of slip that I tie dyed + used that to collage her a dress!!! I'm smitten :D

Whats been on my mind lately: I used to be so scared to share my drawings with people. I didn't have the kind of support system I do now + I greatly realize the importance it is for us to have cheerleaders. I'm still a tad bit shy at times, but I'm pretty wide open about my drawing now. I even draw in public! I was far too afraid to do such a thing a year or two ago. I always try to encourage anyone I meet to do the things they think are impossible, the things I hear them "wishing" they could do if they only knew how. I hear a lot of people saying "Oh man, I really wish i could draw..." and I say "Why can't you?" They almost always say, "I'm not good. I can't draw." And then I say something to the effect of, "Who cares, do it anyway! We all start somewhere." Next thing you know I see them drawing away + that fills my heart with so much joy.

I'm off to catch up on Flight Lessons to see what I've missed today.

Sending SO much LOVE + JOY to all my dear + creative friends!

Carissa

The View Today

2010-06-11T23:43:00.002-04:00

Just thought I'd add some glimpses. The studio is such a mess, but certain areas are clean! Those buttons second down on the right came from my Grandma. I'm working on a canvas, a couple of ATC's in the works, and spray painting that owl on the bottom right. A bunch of little stuff :)

Carissa

Tea Time

2010-06-11T23:34:00.003-04:00

I had to share this pic with you of my old friend Sweet William, my first Teddy Bear + a REALLY GOOD listener. He was tired of sitting in the closet so now he lives on my bed again. Did you ever dress up your bears? When I was a kid I always dressed this guy up w/ fancy bows. He's been the best bear ever + he came from a grocery store (Publix) ages ago!

I'm really enjoying Kelly Rae's course (see button to the right.) I just love her so much. I've already met quite a few awesome new friends. Hello new friends! I'm catching up on everything tonight while I have the house to myself. Hope everyone's week wrapped up nicely. Speaking of wrapping, do you dig the new tape I used on the pictures? I learned about it from Flight Lessons. It's free, you can get it here: pugly pixels tape strips.

Talk to you again soon!

xo
Carissa

Walk if you can't fly yet

2010-06-06T21:35:00.009-04:00

Treasures from my travels.

When we walk to the edge of all the light we have and take the step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen : there will be something solid for us to stand on, or we will learn to fly.

+Patrick Overton

Friday Chronicle: Odd facts and Sage Towns.

2010-06-05T01:01:00.013-04:00

Cassadaga

Good-Day Friends,

Hope your week has wrapped up well. Today I left my phone behind and ventured to the thrift store, drove around exploring, and just took the day as it came. The town I live in is really just a gigantic neighborhood, but a mere 10 min's away I can find scenery that makes my heart come alive. I can't say I regret moving here, but I sometimes regret picking a house on the corner. The bigger backyard is nice, but (here comes the odd fact) would you believe I pick up a grocery bag full of trash every time we cut the grass? Some of the strangest things end up in our yard. By far the strangest yet was -- drum roll please -- a used baby diaper. Isn't that special! I'm just trying to picture how it happened. I can only imagine it was purely accidental, right? Lol. All I know is, I felt a tad-bit-strange disposing of it. Dog poo is one thing, but a baby diaper? I mean, I live in Central Florida where couches and refrigerators end up in the middle of I-4. And in my yard you will find such odd things as, a baby diaper.

I tell you folks, there's never a dull moment at this house on the corner.

Now that I've shared such an odd fact with you (and hopefully haven't scared you off,) here's some pretty pictures I took today while walking around a little ol' town called Cassadaga:

Look! That's a winged seat on the left! And check out that gigantic bird house on the right!

Ain't it grand'?

About Cassadaga: I don't know the actual details of Cassadaga's history. Depending on who you ask, there's a lot of mystery surrounding the history and birth of this town. Basically, it's a "Spiritualist Community" or "Spiritualist Camp" as their sign says. It's a little town tucked in the hills and filled with Mediums, Mystics, Psychics, Indians, Spiritual Folk, Healers and the like. I'm wishing I would have taken better pictures to share the center of the town, like the bookstore/gift shop, but this time I focused on the cute houses. I planned on a brief stop for incense, but decided to wander around. Next time I'll give you a grand tour. I love to drive through here! Oh and the town has so many spiritual kitties too ;P

I love the sound of gravel!

As I was sauntering back toward the car, I saw this:

As I paused to take this shot a little boy who looked to be 9 or 10 wearing a striped shirt like my own, but in blue, came walking up bouncing a small rubber ball w/ a canvas messenger bag across his chest. When he got closer he said in the most animated, curious tone, "Hey! Watcha doing?" I said, "Oh, just enjoying the scenery taking pictures. . . Do you live here?" He replied, "Yep, my house is right over there. . ." and he pointed just pass these trees. I said, "You must like it here, huh? It's a beautiful place to be." He sort of chuckled and said, "Yeah, it's nice." Then he emphasized, "It's very QUIET." I laughed and said, "That's nice, quiet is good." He said, "Yup." We both went our separate ways and I turned to say, "Have a nice weekend kid," as he was saying, "Bye! Have a nice day." So here's my Friday Message (Friday is when I always go searching for answers.) Above the bench, between the trees, and behind the trail that leads to the messenger boy's house:

"Have a nice weekend, Kid."

A peek into my madness

2010-05-26T20:42:00.004-04:00

After laughing in the general direction of THIS madness for some time, I finally rolled up my sleeves and got busy making some progress in here. About an hour later the room looks like this:

It's progress :) The bookshelf is a new addition (previously in another room.) I'm off to work some more! I'm struck with a cleaning streak and must take myself up on the offer ;P

Paper Dolls Bestowing Goodness

2010-05-19T00:39:00.009-04:00

Hello friends and dreamers, I'm so excited to show you my latest creation! As you know I've been taking Dream Boogie with SARK where my focus has been to truly, deeply find LOVE for myself. I've tried everything else and found that without self-love your entire world collapses. It may not literally collapse, but it will never be as expansive as it COULD BE if you loved yourself (no matter what.) I mentioned in my last post how I've been experiencing the dirt rising up from my seeds. Oh yes! Heavy dirt. Dirt very skilled and well trained in muddying up vision. I've been walking around for a good week or two with this sludge dragging along behind me. Then yesterday as I was sitting here writing it out, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the TV far across the room. I truly SAW MYSELF in this moment as a reflection of my past. I saw this little girl who carried around journals and propped her head up all the time as she beared through life. And then I saw me, the adult, propping up my head writing in my journal. Yet again I'm realizing that I'm replaying patterns, and repeating some of the things my mother put me through. It's simple, yet so complex. Trust that I'm not trying to whine, or complain about my upbringing. I can truthfully say I have no regrets regarding the trials and tribulations of my youth. I'm actually grateful. Namely because I love what it showed me. I love what I've learned. I love how I'm able to see and feel so deeply, and help others too. I'm just so ready to start harnessing that energy instead of using it so often to sabotage myself!

Aside from all this soul searching, part of my DREAM has been for my illustrations to do their work by, "going out into the world with magical capes bestowing goodness and peace..." I've been focusing so much on "self-love" that I put my illustrations aside for a bit, until I met Kathryn aka Collage Diva aka TrueNorthArts. She posted on the dream boogie forum sharing a link to her blog and her "Guardian Doll" swap. She left it open to interpretation. I used it as the opportunity to 1. Use my new PO BOX! 2. Participate in a swap (finally!) And 3. Flex my creative muscles. After I made this doll, I felt a sense of relief. I actually danced around the house in the most ridiculous way. I'm so eager to make a small army of these, because nothing defeats the infiltrators of our minds like an entire army. Yeah! Take that. This doll has a sewed on pocket near her heart. Here's what she has to say:

Reveal Your Strengths

Silent Angels Always Listen

Travel Farther, Deeper into Your Potential

be BIG

Sit Down, Shut Up, and Get Messy (Making Anything)

No more box!

I took these messages from bits of my journals and just whatever popped into my head.

projector + plug + girl = my electric heart

I leave you with an excerpt from my journal yesterday:

"You have a navigational system, internally, and it's always on. You are safe in the arms of your own experience, wherever that takes you. . ."

And I just found this from my journal the day before:

"I come in search for answers, for a deeper reflection into who I am. . . "

I didn't recall asking that question on Sunday, but on Monday I got my answer (literally from my own reflection!) I promise you (if you didn't already know) answers of all forms will appear if you just ask. Sometimes I think invisible hands are writing for me, telling me things I need to hear. If only I could ALWAYS remember the beautiful messages, and not get lost in shadows, but then again who would I be without the shadows?. . .

OH! I almost forgot! I've been featured on the blog of Lezli Goodwin: right here. Lezli is a beautiful creative soul who is already bestowing good in the form of what she calls "Spunky Spirtuality." Love it. Love her! What she wrote about me was SO nice...

Until next time. Thank you my friends for listening, supporting, sharing, and believing in me. I truly, madly, deeply appreciate it ;-) I couldn't be more thankful.

Plant your seeds.

2010-05-17T02:38:00.008-04:00

"...when we plant new seeds in the form of bigger more expansive dreams for ourselves – the first thing that comes up is not the beautiful tender green sprout. The first thing that comes up? The dirt." -Christine Kane

Ahh, dirt. . . It's so easy to become buried isn't it? I read thiscouldn'tbemoreperfect post by Christine and it hit me - this is what I'm experiencing lately, the quintessential dirt as I start to see the light. I'm definitely feeling the dirt! But I refuse to let it win over me. I see old-familiar-habits trying to move in, but really, they just aren't welcome here. I've worked through things in layers, so it feels my latest dirt is mixed with realizations from years past and rotated into my current garden. I see myself less apt to let the weeds grow too wild, but I must take heed and keep resharpening my tools if I want to keep from drowning.

I needed a pick-me-up so I wrote this love letter to myself, but I really feel like it's written for you too. A universal love letter to the world, to all my special friends:

Dearest You,

I want you to know how special and loved you are, because I know it's easy to forget. You ARE a bright and shining star. You always have been, you always will be. You radiate a presence beyond words, and have great power to influence others. You soulfully bestow your goods unto the Universe and the Universe opens WIDE to deliver all the roads you could ever imagine. You have within you the power to save not only yourself, but those around you if you just open yourself to ALL THAT YOU ARE and embrace your birthright. Everything is here at your fingertips. You can stitch together pieces and messages to hang like banners. You can blow winds and change time. You can shine light or create safe shadows. Breathe in to your protection, breathe out to all that is - truth. Sit still, relax deeply into your observations and you will find many answers. Let loose from old notions and soar past empty desires. Follow-follow-follow wherever your heart leads, but more importantly trust in yourself and you will move mountains. You will jump off cliffs into crisp healing oceans, and ride waves with fearless abandon. You will fly atop wildly beautiful dragons and train yourself to know - you are all of these things.

With Love,
The Universe

Happiness Isn't Happenstance

2010-05-09T23:06:00.004-04:00

"If there is to be any regeneration of our people, it must take place in the small laboratories of our own private lives. We must realize with all the intensity we can command, that refashioning our own character is not only the most satisfying and rewarding preoccupation of man, but also the most important contribution we can make to society..."

The Magic Power of Your Mind circa 1956.

photo taken as I got lost driving and exploring this week.

For the first time in a long time, I'm at peace with who I am, where I'm going, and where I've been. I've finally taken a big deep sigh and relaxed into everything. I realize something I've known all along, but it's all-too-easy to forget: I control my life and dreams. Every little bit.Yes! The all encompassing power of self-belief opens many lost doors. No money can buy these feelings, and over-the-counter solutions only provide temporary relief. I need long lasting truth. An elixir of me dropped under my tongue 3 times a day. My truth is slowly revealing itself with splendor, and it's open for change as a constant. Before a girl surrounded by disbelievers, disbelievers now gone. I'm surrounded with people who love me for me (even the bad parts) and that's such a relief! Breaking free with just that tiny bit, that one person, or those few believers. This is what moves mountains. For the past 20 days since my Ayurvedic Lifestyle Retreat my mantra has been "I am Beautiful, Bountiful and Blissful" and "Truth is my identity." That's all I wish for in this glorious world: Truth = Happiness = Health = Prosperity. Forever rich in my heart.

The work I've been doing in this small laboratory of my private life has been a slow and mighty upheaval years in the making. I have so many experiences I've documented that are piled in journals and on disks that I plan to sort and put together in one place. With this information I'd like to put together a book of sorts, but I don't really know how it'll unfold. It's just the idea now, but I'm micro-moving in that direction. Step 1: I'm saying it out loud! I have many books to write in my lifetime, ones to bestow good, heal hearts, drip soul and life unto the masses. Now that I'm brave enough to talk it out loud and live my truth.

relaxing into everything.

Rejoovin8

2010-04-23T02:59:00.000-04:00

Hello blog-friends, there's so much on my mind, so much in my heart that's ready to e x p l o d e. In short, I feel like the last 10 years of my life were spent in j a i l and I've just been released. An old stale darkness is shifting to a light so bright. There's so many t h i n g s I've been digging through with a lighted shovel and so much to sort through that I'd like to share in time.

My little balanced feet are joyfully jumping once again onto the tightrope. I'm ready - fully suited with sparkly sequins, a tutu, and the cutest little umbrella that-you-ever-did-see.

I'm ready to do this dance, balance this life and l i v e.

I'm ready to be an a c t i v e participant in my d r e a m, fully engaged in realizing my purpose and living my truth.

I am

s l e e p i n g

w a k i n g to yoga

r e s t i n g more frequently

f e e l i n g more like me than ever

p r a c t i c i n g a deep love for myself

Today I drew for the first time in a week or two and d a m n it felt g o o d!

Tonight I bought a fresh sketch book.

Tomorrow I take as it comes.

Sending love all the creative travelers,

Carissa

Navigating Away From Fear

2010-04-14T02:31:00.020-04:00

Bb i s f o r Beanie Propeller

Hello friends, I'm writing at the eve of dream boogie. I've been a little quiet lately, taking time to reflect and dig through my messes in search for answers and signs. I realized something huge today - I've been afraid to talk too much about my glorious dreams because I'm afraid that if I talk about them too much, I will scare them away. I've been smothering my own progress with f e a r and a whole lot of ridiculousness. More thoughts on this another time...

At the end of last year i was ready to embrace writing. After years of denial, I'm ready to wave my pen and paper flag because, "I'm madly in love with writing." I may not be any good at it (technically) but the act of writing is like a deep breath for me. It's true. Others called me a writer far before my feeble mind came around to realizing. I even bought a notebook recently at the Dollar Store and the cashier plainly asked, "Are you a writer?" I was completely blown away, because even SHE, this stranger, seemed to know while I'm afraid to admit it. I paused for a second and quickly said "Yes!" My journals are my best damn friends & they've never left my side.

writer - a person who commits his or her thoughts, ideas, etc., to writing: especially while exploring the wild blue yonder, forgetting about the rigid rules of society, and carving out their own path.

(this is my embellished version of webster's.)

In December I ordered juicy pens thirsty paper. SARK always nurtures any movements I decide to make creatively or otherwise. I was desperately checking the mail every day, feeling a lot like Calvin (and Hobbes) when he sent off for his beanie propeller. I still remember the smile on my grandfather's face as he was passing me clips from that series. The Sunday Funnies were our ritual. These memories and this new found inspiration fill me with enormous cleansing tears. I emailed SARK a little message just saying how excited I was and how I felt like Calvin waiting for his beanie propeller. I didn't expect a response, but she sent a little line in return that ended with "happy beanie propeller to you..." which touched my heart. She's great like that.

Calvin orders his sparkly beanie propeller

I believe our dreams have their own direction and purpose and unfold when they're meant to. They whirl and propell us even if we're clumsy, misguided or completely in denial. We must wear them, wave them, and go out into the world bravely. No more hiding!

Bathe in the Beautiful Bold Brave Bodacious Babe that you are!

Trust in your glorious dreams!

with love,
carissa

ps. i'm sorry about the wacky fonts. i can't seem to fix the issue here. i made the past few posts in the new blogger (beta version i think.) if anyone knows why all the fonts won't stay uniform please let me know :)

A healing gift

2010-04-11T02:34:00.001-04:00

A healing gift for my good friend's mom who just had a heart attack and then another mini-heart attack while at the hospital. Her name is Michelle but everyone calls her Sunshine. Please say a little pray for Sunshine if you will, she could surely use it! Thank you so much dear friends.

Take Pause

2010-04-08T00:49:00.009-04:00

twinkle twinkle little star.

how i wonder what you are.

it seems wednesdays are good days to take pause and reflect on the things swirling in my head and post reflections here in hopes that you too can relate or be inspired in some way. maybe not in this very moment, maybe in different moment when it's what you needed to hear. have you ever picked up a book and flipped to a random page and - wham - just what you needed to hear? it's a beautiful thing. okay, case in point, this is insane! my partner just came bursting out of the "study" with the most excited look on his face. he just started writing and the first two words that came to his mind were "scintillating showers." it wasn't just the words that excited him, but the fact he decided to randomly pick a book from our shelf and flip to a random page that read "scintillating showers." i mean, what are the odds! especially with such a (rare?) word. and the combination of these two words! and he opened a random book as i'm talking to you about opening random books! double wham!

what does scintillate even mean? i had to look it up, here's the definition:

scin·til·late –verb (used without object)

1.to emit sparks.

2.to sparkle; flash: a mind that scintillates with brilliance.

3.to twinkle, as the stars.

so my pause post this week started out small, but ended up being bigger than i realized. it scintillated! it brings me to think about how answers and inspiration are always there just waiting to emit sparks. all you have to do is approach the question or idea and look, listen, or feel! or stop drop and roll, just to get the energy flowing.

i hope you are letting your sparks fly, twinkle and shine! be scintillating! oh and maybe try opening a random book and see what happens!

with love,
carissa

Smiles for Miles

2010-04-04T21:30:00.012-04:00

Hello everyone, I hope you had a nice Easter Weekend! I've been working around the house trying to get things more orderly. I still made time to

p l a y

A new painting:

A journal in progress:

In case you're wondering, the weekends are my busiest creative time. All the projects I start during the week get put together or worked on more during the weekend. Right now I work Mon -Fri, but beginning this week I will have Friday's off. That gives me 3 whole days to focus and "boogie on my dream." This time will be huge for me. I always get more done when I'm home alone. I bask in my alone time! A lot of my time this month is going to be spent resting and relaxing and treating myself well before and during Dream Boogie. I'm starting now by eating light and wholesome food, and making myself this journal which will also be used to re-explore myself through Gut Art and record my thoughts before and during Dream Boogie. The Universe is smiling on me I tell ya'. And I'm smiling right back.

Must clear space in my heart and mind!

I bought the "How to Make Books" book. This is my first attempt at making an art journal book with a hand stitched binding. It's so fulfilling to put together your very own journal with papers of your choosing. My fingers actually hurt from pulling the needle through so much. I'm going to make a self-exploration journal once a month or as needed - because the act of doing this is incredible!

I hope you all had a p l a y f u l weekend! What fun things did you do?

A Dream Come True

2010-04-01T23:24:00.014-04:00

I'm at a complete loss of words. Just kidding, I'm crazy excited and could go on for hours, but I won't!

A huge thank you to The Lovely and Inspiring Dana for posting about SARK's new dream-course, "Dream Boogie"

Sark's "Succulent Wild Woman" was a huge pivotal point for me, and all of her other books too. I've always dreamed of meeting Sark and attending one of her workshops. Tonight I took a leap, I signed up for the online course! It's her first video / teleconference workshop like this and I'm so thankful to have the opportunity to attend. This was completely unplanned, a total whim, a major leap, and a little scary!

I've been shivering with excitement and filled with butterflies.

For those who might want to get in on the action - it starts April 14th and lasts for 8 weeks.

http://www.planetsark.com/DreamBoogie.htm

In other great news Mystele from Little Glimpses Studios is running her second round of Gut Art which is a great opportunity to explore yourself as an artist, develop or flex your core elements and meet kindred spirits. Mystele is a wonderful soul. I took her first Gut Art class and met so many lovely women who all share the same love. I'm going go play some more in round two! So many exciting things in my heart. It begins April 5th.

Gut Art 2010.

Get creative fool!
A little April Fools meets Mr. T ;)

Love,

Carissa

Hitting Pause Wednesday

2010-04-01T03:27:00.012-04:00

Surely in the distance a good stretch and a deep breath await you.

A place where tangles become invisible.

A place where the sun shines through completely and nothing gets stuck.

A place where travelers and thoughts can meet and rest and drink and eat and share and create and finally, finally - breathe one big synonymous breath.

And then you will fall asleep on the biggest softest bed full of pillows and truth.

For this is what I hope for.

With Love,

Carissa

New Light.

2010-03-28T22:35:00.001-04:00

It All Came Rushing Out. . .

For the past couple weeks I've been feeling as though I'm walking on the surface of my life, instead of being deeply immersed. I kept picturing this big bubble and me walking along the exterior in complete circles. Trapped on a bulbous treadmill. Then, something snapped. Thursday evening (my ME day) ended with the beginning of a new painting. The energy bled into Friday night, then Saturday afternoon and today (Sunday) too. The bubble finally burst:

I made 6 backgrounds and 2 big pieces. These big wood pieces have been waiting in my garage since December. I forgot all about them. I have to keep reminding myself not to buy more stuff. Enough stuff. All i need is Less!

My work has been lighter, brighter, and a little more simple. It feels so right, right now.

Close ups:
"It all came rushing out."
This girl is my favorite I've done so far.
People are always telling me my girls look sad, melancholy, or darkly in a sense. I don't intend for them to look sad. I think maybe because they aren't always smiling hugely. Its open to interpretation I suppose.

Background waiting...
Like my new fuzzy pink kitchen rug? lol

I was thinking about stitching this on. It's one of the first stamps I made that I showed you guys before.

Saturday was bright and sunny, then Sunday it rained all day.

Hope everyone had nice weekends and whatever needed to rush out of you found it's way. I'd love to hear about it!

XxoO
Carissa