Shari Sherman

Shari Sherman

Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year!!!


Something good will happen...by Shari Sherman© 2010


It is time to Be Brave.

It's about 5:00 a.m. here in chilly Florida and I'm quietly jumping about the room, so as to not wake up the other members of the family. The dog is totally into it though!
I woke up this morning to a lovely little email from Kathy of The Brave Girls Club, so sweetly letting me know that my birdie and I would be the featured artist of the day on The Daily Truth.
I can only begin to tell you how amazing these women are and what they do, so just go on over and check them out if you don't already know.

I am just thrilled...THRILLED... because it is New Year's Eve Day!
(Dear Universe, I am not missing the significance of this.)
IT IS TIME.

If you read my post from yesterday, you know that I lost a day. And remember where I said, the day before I was being so productive.....well, one of the things I did was submit this little birdie! I don't even want to say how long I have been putting it off, letting other things get in the way, and just procrastinating on something as simple as submitting a little bird. Well, it was on my list of things to do before the clock strikes 12:00 and I finally got it done on Tuesday....or was it Wednesday?  Anyway, I got it done...finally.

And Whoop, there it is!!

I have been on the fence about signing up for the Brave Girls' Soul Restoration online course. In my heart I know this is the step I'm supposed to take, but I was rolling it around, not fully committing, and doubting, asking myself...is it the right time, maybe NEXT TIME would be better. I have been foolishly debating about it because I didn't sign up in time to get the supplies included in the fee. Oh, the fee, that's another one. These are reasons that stem from lack and fear and doubt.
Why am I letting these things stop me...again?  Why am I holding back from my dreams?

Well, I guess I'm going find out or I'm gonna blast through them or I'm simply going to take off.
Today, this little bird inspired me to commit. I'm going to sign up for Soul Restoration (hopefully later today-- I already put the little blinkie on my blog to hold myself accountable).

I'm feeling so inspired! Maybe you'll join me?  Let me know if you do!

Whatever you're wanting to take on and accomplish for this Happy New Year, let it soak right into your soul, and then
Be Brave.

Mahalo Nui Loa
(deep, deep gratitude from the bottom of my heart)

Happy New Year!

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Thursday, December 30, 2010

I lost a day!

I don't know how it happened, but I lost a day! I went to bed last night and woke up this morning thinking that today would be Wednesday! I checked in with Jamie Ridler to see what the Wish for today would be and was quite surprised to see so many people had already posted and it is only a bit past 7 a.m.

Hmmmmm.....as my brain was warming up, I realized everyone posted yesterday!! Today is Thursday! OMG, I'm a little bit freaked out. And the most hilarious thing is yesterday I was seriously cruising along thinking about how productive and on track I was being.  I CRACK myself UP!

Well, yesterday the wish was "What do you wish for the New Year?"

I have my wish list in progress and I'll share that with you over the course of the next few days. I have my goals and resolutions and wishes all wrapped into one master list that Santa would be proud of. The kids get to make their lists at the beginning of the month of all the joyful things that would light up their lives. But the end of the month is for us. It's the time when we get to write out our wish lists of what we want the New Year to bring. I just love the air of possibility and optimism.

This is going to be MY year!

So stay tuned for my wish list....but for now what I wish for the new year is...
Happiness!
For the year to be filled with happy friends and family times and artsy success, not so many challenges...an Easy Year!

May all of our New Year's wishes come true!

(still can't believe I lost a day!)



Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Santa was Here

 
Look who was hiding in the fireplace wreath...2 little empathy monsters! Leila loved mine so much that I had to create one for her too.

Kona is a trooper, but I think he's had it with the holiday photos for this year.
 
Leila making her first ever batch of Scottish shortbread. Notice her tai chi method of kneading. It was kind of nice to have 3 generations of shortbread makers involved in the process. It turned out delish, and I am wondering why we only make it for holidays....oh yeah, one of the main ingredients is butter, and lots of it! YUM.
It's interesting to look around and see how different families celebrate the holidays and what traditions are incorporated from years past and melded into the present. Here my Dad has just gifted Leila with her annual supply of tape. Yes, TAPE. It is a craft necessity for her and the tradition was started several years back of giving her tape. She still lights up when she gets it!

Baby Maui not quite sure what all this craziness is about....but lovin' all the paper everywhere and his first BIG  bone-bone.

A delightful surprise! Our family friends, Judy and Irwin, were not able to make it to our house for Christmas dinner this year. We have spent many holidays together and they were certainly missed. It was nice to answer the door and see these. So thoughtful!


Ahhhhhh, one of the traditions I look forward to the most. Warming my toes by the fire (Mahalo, sweet Elle, for these happy, comfy socks!), enjoying the glow of the lovely white tree (still in love with this tree after so many years!), a stack of gifted books in my lap, and a barrel of popcorn by my side.
So much possibility swirling about for the New Year!
Hope you all are enjoying this Season of Generosity, Hope, and Love.
Life is oh so good!

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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

My Winter Wish...


It's time to make my weekly wish. This week the question is simple, "What's your Winter Wish?"

Today is the first day of winter and the moon is full and bright. It is also the final day of school for my daughter before winter break.

This week has been filled with getting things done, finishing my final commission, getting my hair cut, running errands, making the menu. Busy, busy, busy. There is a pretty festive mood around here which I am enjoying. I still have much to do, but most of the preparations are done and everything seems manageable.

There were also a couple of things in there that gave me pause to consider that others are not enjoying this time of year as much as we are. I encountered a parent who doesn't know the name of their children's teacher...this just blew me away on a lot of different levels. I'm not as involved in my daughter's activities at school as I used to be, but I do make the time to go into class a few times a year, and stop in for a lunch when I can, and I am in contact with her teacher via regular emails and conferences. I have a hard time wrapping my head around what could be going on in a person's life that they do not know the name of their child's teacher. And more importantly how that child must feel, what their day-to-day is like.

Also, my daughter had the experience of handing out little treat bags that we had made, and having several of the kids try to hand them back, wrinkling up their little snouts and saying, "I don't like this kind." I guess I made the mistake of not putting in the right kind of holiday treat! I thought that peanut butter cups and kisses, fudge and peppermint bark would cover all the bases. I was wrong. It was heartbreaking to hear this. I am wondering what happened to the days, when you got a little gift and said Thank You, even if you didn't like it, you'd take it home and maybe someone else in your family would. Thankfully, there were some kids who were happy to get it and said how much they loved this or that.

So my wish is this, I wish that parents everywhere would pay attention to their kids. Really pay attention. It's not about how many presents are under the tree or who is getting the latest what...it's about being with your child and knowing what is going on with them, seeing how they are growing, teaching them manners, and respect for themselves and for others. The spirit of this season is about giving and love, my wish is that no matter how busy a parent might be, teach your child gratitude, let your child know that you care, spend time with them, ask them about what is going on in their lives, at school, how they are feeling. Don't just hand them something and shuffle them aside. These children really are the future and I am still imagining a future filled with love and respect for one another.

I know that there are many different situations out there and I couldn't even begin to try to solve everything and turn the world into a perfect place, but for those who have seemingly given up, I wish them the strength to keep trying.

May everyone feel some warmth and kindness this season. May everyone's bellies be full when other days they are not. May we outstretch our hands to those who need a lift. May we let our lights shine on these cold winter days. May our hearts be filled with gratitude for every comfort, joy, and blessing in our lives.

Merry Christmas!
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Sunday, December 19, 2010

Yummy Olive Dip for Festive Get Togethers

 
I'm fully embracing the hustle and bustle here in the studio today, as this will likely be my last full day here before the festivities begin. I wanted to share a simple, easy recipe for an olive tapenade that will knock the socks off any party-goer or visiting relative that you may be entertaining over the next week. It's super simple and oh so delish.

Enjoy!
I use a mini food processor and fill it with green olives and about 3 tablespoons of cream cheese and about 3-4 cloves of garlic. You can add more or less depending on your garlic tolerance. I prefer heavy garlic, especially this time of year as garlic is an immunity booster and we could all use the help to fend off the winter colds going around. Add a little drizzle of olive oil just to get the blend on, and pulse it up. Since my mini processor is just that, mini, I usually make 2 little batches and combine them. Serve it with toasted crustinis and voila! That's it. It is amazingly GOOD. Addictive.

I hope your week is Merry and Bright. Remember to breathe through it all and let gratitude fill your heart!  
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Friday, December 17, 2010

Welcome!


Here are a few photos of our porch. The story about our porch is that it is an everchanging scene as I have switched the back deck furniture with the front and moved tables and flower pots and fountains and such. Actually come to think of it, I also do this kind of switching around quite a lot in the studio. I'll have to post some shots there soon too. I am lovin' this bench (yardsale find!) and the palm trees (leftover props from my first art show) and the big island lizard (gift from Troy, Tim's brother).
I think this says, "Island Christmas!"

I am quite delighted with this holiday porch. (Hmmm, I think I need a little swaddling under that tree....)


I even touched up the old Santa. We found him left behind in the attic when we moved in. The goose now has a sign around her neck that reads...."Honk, if you like Candy Canes"

Honk-Honk!

Go out and be Kind! Though things can be a little frenzied out and about this last week before Christmas, I navigated quite cheerfully through Wal-Mart and Target armed with a Smile. It goes a long way.
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Thursday, December 16, 2010

I wish...


I'm a little late on my wish, but it's an important one so I'm going to put it out there even if I'm a day behind. This week, Jamie Ridler asks, "How do you wish to Soar?" Well, just as easy as the past wishes have come to me instantly, this one just stuck there. Like Velcro. So I let it sit and I let is brew all day until light became night and I had to sleep on it. But it was still there...how do I wish to soar and why is it so hard for me to answer?  I looked through my photos and I don't even have any shots to represent soaring. This is the photo that spoke to me. This is how I feel. I feel like I'm just sitting on my post, waiting to take off and there is a vast, big ocean out there with no place to land. What if I don't find a safe haven? What if I can't find my way back to the nest? Can I make it? 

I wish my creative art life would soar! In the thrilling, exciting way, without fear. I want to take off! To really take off and just fly. To feel the wind and the sun with a big, free smile on my face. To fly for so long that I own it. So that I can just glide, and go with the flow, and really enjoy it. I want to soar so that my wings just KNOW how to adjust, by second nature, to the unseen currents. I want to soar knowing that my wings and heart are strong enough to take me where I want to go and strong enough to take me back.

I don't think the birds worry about how long the flight will last, will it BE ENOUGH to sustain me, can I make it...they just flip out those wings and take off!

I wish to stretch my creative wings and soar above
spreading inspiration and love.
People will say...
Look up!
There she is!
And smile.


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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Divine Purpose


We just had our monthly art journal meeting. As with any group of people, it takes a little while for things to start to gel, for people to get comfortable with each other. I am happy to say that each time we meet, we get to know each other a little more and I can see how we are all opening and unfurling, preparing to bloom.

The above is the page spread I did this time around. It was in my dear friend, Elle's, book and I am so happy with it. Especially since I didn't start on it until about 2:00 on the afternoon that it was due. But this little bee was waiting the whole time. The idea had popped into my head as soon as I read her theme page describing the Divine. But, as I often do, I then went about questioning it and trying to think of other ideas, something with a nature goddess perhaps...all the while this little bee waited patiently. I used watercolors, watercolor pencils, and gelsticks on watercolor paper. Along with acrylics and PITT pens to outline. I cut a little felt heart and stitched the words You Can.
It reads:

Divine Purpose
sweet little bee
always hearing murmurs of impossibility;
too this, too that, wings too small and body too fat
shouldn't be able to fly

But on the deepest, softest part of it's soul

It is divinely written...

YOU CAN

*************************************************************

I also want to take a minute to thank everyone who responded to my Goody Two Shoes post. Sometimes blessings are in disguise and I felt blessed by the outpouring of support. I had a little conversation with my daughter a few days ago after a couple of girls in her class were laughing at a story she had written. The story was about Misty, an imaginary horse, an imaginary BOY horse. Leila firmly stood her ground stating, it's IMAGINARY!!! It can be anything I want!

Good Girl! Right on!
I then told her about the person making fun of my creativity too. She was very intrigued about this, and I wanted to let her know that she was not alone, that as an artist, you might run across this from time to time. As she is taking this in, I was realizing how crazy it is that some adults still act like 2nd graders. I tried to keep it simple and not go too far into all the social implications and underpinnings. I boiled it down to: 

"If you can't say something nice, it's best not to say anything at all." 
Her reply:
"I thought that was just for little kids." 
No, sweetheart, it's not.

One really good thing that has come out of my little lesson here and from reading all of the comments afterwards, is that I realize how many of us have stifled our goodness to fit in. I wonder what would happen if we just started to embrace it... all the time. I feel a Goodness Revolution brewing. Maybe the world would change by being good to ourselves and each other. I don't know how it will take shape, but I feel it, and instead of thinking it is Too Big or listening to those murmurs of impossibility, I'm going to listen to my heart and remember I CAN.

My super-duper friend, Lisa, added:
"It's good to be good!" 
I just love that.
It IS good to be GOOD.

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Monday, December 13, 2010

Something I've learned this season...


LOVE is truly all around.

Sometimes it can even be found on the back of a baby goat!

Peace.
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Sunday, December 12, 2010

Friday, December 10, 2010

If the Goody-Two Shoes fit...


I was exposed to a nasty comment yesterday that the author of which proudly self-proclaimed it to be a clearly intended smart-ass comment. This was directed at my previous post, specifically the idea of Wishcasting Wednesdays. It was peppered with condescension using words like syrupy. It expressed disbelief in the "wish upon a star" and the "Universe and the 8 people reading your blog will make it all manifest". The author went on to say something about wanting to go to the airport to chant. It was hurtful on a few different levels.

Upon reading the words, my hands started to sweat and the tough girl in me wanted to kick some ass! My first reaction was that I wanted to spew back some nastiness and ask her how wishing  with "8 people reading my blog" is any different than everyone praying together over a prayer request made on Sunday.
Only God knows.

After I calmed down a bit, I started to realize that this comment wasn't really what it seemed. (Just as every challenge is never what it appears to be.) The lesson is always to go deeper. (Hopefully we all catch this BEFORE actually punching someone in the face or spewing negativity out into the world!)

I started to realize that the reason this person commented wasn't really about me or my wishing upon stars. I really have no idea why this person felt the need to make a smart-ass comment. That is for her to figure out. For me, it brought up some feelings from the past. In particular, that word "syrupy" touched a nerve. It has the connotation of being too sweet. Too good. Or maybe not good enough.

Throughout my life, I have been teased about being a "goody-two shoes". I remember when I was little, in grade school, people would call me "Miss Shari". Maybe because I always tried to do the "right" thing. Or at least what I felt was right. Maybe it was because I got good grades and sat at the front of the class because my last name started with an "A".  Maybe because I was the one who seemed to interject a voice of reason whenever our ways turned towards mischief.

By the time high school came around, I was full bent on trying to prove this idea wrong. I still got greA+ grades but I also got involved in a lot of stuff that I probably shouldn't have. Not to say it wasn't fun, but I look back and I can see clearly where I got derailed. I can see clearly where fun turned into wasting a LOT of valuable time here. I remember feeling out of place a lot. I'm guessing this is the kind of wisdom that only comes with age. Thankfully, also comes the wisdom to appreciate ALL of it, because it all played a part in who I am.

Through a lot of soul searching and with the help of my circle of friends, earlier this year I decided to start freeing that good girl inside me. It is okay to be good. It's okay to want to do the right thing. It's more than okay. It's what the world needs.
Unabashed, shameless, goodness.
The kind where it doesn't matter what religion you are. It's what is in your heart. That is the true measure. You don't need a book to tell you what is right and what is wrong, what is hurtful and what is encouraging.

There is so much of the opposite out there...everywhere we look.

So call me syrupy, call me Goody-Two Shoes!  I know my purpose. I'm here to Inspire. I'm here to create Happy Art and Happy Words...and I'm here to LoVe. I'm here to pay attention and figure it out. I know for a fact, I'm not here to make smart-ass comments and put down someone else's beliefs or lifestyle.

This blog is here to record my creative journey...to tell my story. It also helps figure a few things out, as I believe writing has the power to do that. It truly brings JOY to my heart when like-minded souls pass through here and comment with gratitude about something I've written. About how my words mean something to them, to let them know that they are not alone. That encourages me to keep going. I'm writing for myself and I'm writing for them as just one small way to strengthen the connection that we all share. We are not alone. We are all in the same boat.

I think the key to making this blog what I want it to be, is to make sure the ME is always here.
Authenticity.
That doesn't mean my light is always shining bright covering the world with syrup and sprinkling it with Skittles. Sometimes I can be downright crabby! Sometimes I have days where my decisions are questionable, my choices are clouded, my direction is not clear.

But I'm getting Braver every day and my heart is good. I'm grateful for those who read my blog, (even if it is only "8" people, they are 8 really, really good ones!) because we share and it makes my heart sparkle. And that feels good. I believe that feeling good is a pretty good indicator of which way to go.

As for the smart-ass commenter, I can only hope that she might discover why she would put this stuff out there. I know that God didn't put anyone here with the purpose to waste a single minute on smart-ass comments. The Universe told me so, right after it tossed out a star for me to wish upon. ;-)

Go out and be kind, please!

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Wednesday, December 8, 2010

How do you wish to transform?


I just love this picture! I happen to love those "feet-in" pictures where everyone puts there feet in the shot. It shows who was there and where you were. And it kinda symbolizes standing together. Now, this may just look like any other "feet-in" picture, but I like to think it's a little different. For me it presents a passage of time. You see, this was taken on the very same spot that the hubs and I got married 12 years earlier! 12 YEARS! I was just so happy that we could go back and stand in the same place and kiss in the same spot. And it was even more special because Leila was with us this time. I wish there was a way to bend time and space and Leila could have been at our wedding.

This week the wish for WW is all about transformation. The question, "What do you wish to transform?" I am noticing that my answers for these questions have been popping into my head almost instantaneously these past few weeks....hopefully that means I'm observing and paying attention to myself! I wish to transform my body! It has been 8 years since my daughter was born and I have been steadily adding weight as those years have rolled by. I never pictured myself like this. In my head I picture myself as the fit active girl I used to be, but then I look in the mirror or try on some clothes and Reality hits.

I have all of the confidence that an approaching New Year can bring. I want to finally shed the extra pounds that I've been carrying with me. I need to do whatever inner work I need to do resolve this issue. I want to feel healthy and fit again. I know what it feels like...I can remember and I know that muscles have memory too! I wish to be able to wear my cute clothes that I still have hanging in my closet. I remember that girl inside with her quirky sense of fashion. I remember being able to wear anything and it would look good. I think delving into these memories will help keep me on point for my goal.

I know that reaching my goal will have a ripple effect in all areas of my life...my relationships, my career, my confidence, my ability to manifest and stay open to my dreams coming true. (Maybe I'll even chart my progress here to start off the new year. Any wishers want to join in for support?)

to be clear:
I wish to transform my body into a healthy and fit physical representation of the positive inner ME!
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Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Meet ED




This is ED (which is short for Empathy Doll, name courtesy of my husband Tim). He is actually an Empathy Monster, but he keeps a low profile about that whole monster business. It has such gruesome connotations and can be filled with negative stereotyping. He is a little softie that I made as part of the fabulous ARt, Heart, and Healing workshop. So much goodness there, check it out if your creative juices need a little stirring up. ED is a listener. He doesn't offer any advice or anecdotes...he just listens. Lately, he's been listening to how time flies, and how I feel like I am in the same place I so often am with way too much to do and not enough time to do it, about how I feel as if I am just running from one place to the other. Why am I repeating this pattern?  Why I am continuing to make the same choices that end me up here?  I wish ED could just tell me the answers, but I know that his silence will help me find the answers within.


And here is a booth shot from my recent art show down on Sanibel Island. I really like how it is evolving. That proud green table in the center was a shabby roadside pickup that just got a sweet facelift with a little help from the Voggies. Can you believe that someone just threw it away?  The next project on the list is to paint my director chairs and now that I look at it, possibly paint the legs on my print holder with black and white striping. (I seriously think I'm addicted to black and white stripes!!)  I just love seeing how different artists display their work. Send me some links if you'd like to share!

Go out and be kind!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

A month filled with ART


It always takes me a little while to get back in the swing of things when I've been out of town. Especially where the computer is concerned with clearing out emails and catching up with the blogs. I brought my laptop with me this time, but with the art show, I never quite found the time to get on. I think it's nice to take a break from it once in a while, if only to prove to myself that I am NOT addicted to Facebook!

November flew by, didn't it?  This mermie was part of my committment to Art Every Day Month. I have a few other things to post including my Empathy Monster when I get pics taken. This painting sold at the show and I shipped her off to Ohio yesterday. I may have missed a couple of days in the month, but I can assure you that on the days that I didn't actually pick up a paintbrush or pencil, that I was thinking about it!  Doing art every day has fueled my desire to....do art every day!  Magic.

Also, today is Wishcasting Wednesday!  For anyone who'd like to participate in the this fun and inspiring wishing process, check out Jamie Ridler's blog.  Today, she asks the question, "Where Do You Wish to Go Slow?"

This is easy for me and kinda goes along with my wish from last week...I wish to go slow in everything!  I'm a turtle person and I believe the slow way is best. Sometimes I forget this, with being the Managing Mommy in Residence. I am trying to cultivate a way that I will be able to get done what I need to get done and foster calmness at the same time. I know it can be done, and I know a lot of it has to do with Time Management!  So I will keep revising and refining my process, and I think I'm going to create a little sign that reads.....Slow and steady wins the race!  Don't ya just love that tortoise? 

Go out and Be Kind!  Lovebeams all Around!
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