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what a treat of an interview! as stephanie braced for an alabama storm & possible tornado, we chatted about all sorts of things: her tech background & skills, artist journey, teaching art, mentoring artists, time management, mothering, priorities and podcasting! it’s an episode jam-packed with goodness. one of my very favorite parts is when she talks about "like-hearted givers" in her membership. enjoy this sweet interview!

looking back at the sweetest memories that simply keep on giving...so much laughter and love, so much learned and enjoyed being friends with my beautiful dear friend christy. so much heart, soo much knowledge, and a giggle that is absolutely contagious -- this adventurous friend amazes me with all she has done and continues to do for all of those around her. love you sweetest friend! xoxo

part six of this series on choice! maybe, like me, you’re looking around lately and seeing that as well-intended as most of it is -- there seems to be choices being made “for our good” at school, in our activities, at work, in our neighborhoods, communities, in our families, and even at church. while i’m truly grateful that so many have our best in mind, i do believe that there is a very fine line between supporting, inviting, encouraging, & guiding...AND the other side, which can be choosing, dictating, controlling, demanding and manipulating. let’s consider some of the places and ways that these are happening and find the best way to navigate it all for us individually and within our families.

several years ago, marissa & heather combined forces to support mother artists & create a much-needed community on instagram. artists themselves, they were learning how to set aside tradition or opinions of others, and go after their own creative pursuits while being working mothers. soo many conversations and uplifting love shared between creative caregivers, artist takeovers, interviews, and hashtag challenges. (they even created a global directory on their website: carveouttimeforart.com) last year, their book, the motherhood of art hit bookshelves, continuing the support and conversation. most recently, they have started a patreon podcast called the creative instigators! enjoy this extra sweet conversation full of all the raw realness of mother artists, art journeys, boundaries, knowing yourself, an important litmus question, prioritizing, furthering your art through education, goals, passions, going for it...thunderstorms...and so much more. enjoy, enjoy! (make sure to enter the giveaway)

sharing twelve happy thoughts that have been lifting my spirits these past few months. also, info about my latest framed mini circle collection. you can make suggestions of colors or subjects you’d like to see in my series, or better yet: collaborate with me to create your own custom circle mini.

do you ever stress about your time usage and just plain feeling overwhelmed? maybe you’ve even considered giving up on your passion because life is just so heavy?! but then you realize that you won’t find happiness if you quit. you know deep inside that you have a superpower --- something that you can give to others...a very simple or specific way to bring light or beauty or love, support and kindness. well we need you! Here are some ideas that have helped me and i hope that your heart will tell you even more ideas as you listen.

my mother’s day collection at la petite maison antiques in draper utah is available! 8 pieces, some hummingbirds and fairy wren to represent mothering our small flocks, also some florals that will never wilt and local mapstacts to mark special spots. named after favorite french songs and singers...a couple from enzo enzo’s album about a mother’s songs. (“chansons d’une maman”)

being a mother artist, like most passions and paths, is not for the faint of heart. it requires time, commitment, focus, humility, change, invention and reinvention, and help from others. our CANDYclub has been discussing workflow and systems in our studio and homes. we’re hoping to find new solutions to add and strategies that will help us refine our flow. one of our club members who i love and admire admitted that she’s intimidated with the idea of being both an artist and mother. what an honest and familiar thought. i think very few of us feel like we are balancing both beautifully...but i do believe we know deep in our hearts that it’s worth the work to enjoy this parallel journey mothering and creating.

episode #22, the 22nd of may: our 15th anniversary...details of how we met and a peek into our journey with secondary infertility: the darkness, how we survived, and later learned to thrive while experiencing hard things...together.

marriage/relationships/partnership, it's never easy. it entails so much hard work and sacrifice. soo much unselfishness, trust, and a great deal of listening...we're still figuring it out, lol!