Moving in the Direction of Our Dreams

Left: Marcella's blue toes - inspired by recent screening of "Avitar"

Right: The orange toes of friend & fellow Author Melissa Kline

Greetings Pretty Petunias!

This weekend I caught up with a few of my sassy chicas: Colista Lich – Artist, Writer and Motivational Speaker; Ky Gabriel – Artist and licensed Spiritual Practitioner; and Melissa Kline – soon to be published Author. Each of these ladies is a beautiful, unique, and creative soul. And I am so blessed that our paths have crossed!

Colista Lich and I have been Facebook friends for some time, but we finally met in person for lunch on Friday. Over salads at the Atlanta Bread Co, we shared stories of our creative and spiritual journeys and remarked about the similarities of our paths. When I shared that I am grateful for, but overwhelmed by, the painting and writing opportunities that have recently presented themselves she reminded me to 1. breath, 2. say thank you, and 3. know that I can do it. Thank you Colista! I needed those gentle reminders.

I visited fellow Artist and licensed Spiritual Practitioner Ky Gabriel Saturday afternoon at her art studio. While she repaired a few of my jewelry pieces – reattached a post to an earring, shortened a necklace, and restrung a bracelet – we discussed the importance of checking our ego’s at the door. We are both in agreement that promoting our artistic endeavors is just a means to an end. It’s not about being popular or famous. It’s about reaching others, connecting, and being in service to uplift and inspire. Ky, and her beautiful one of a kind jewelry pieces and paintings, certainly inspire me!

Sunday morning I caught up with soon-to-be-published author Melissa Kline at the Venetian Nail Spa in Golden. While sitting in massage chairs, we received “Signature” pedis that included exfoliating leg treatments and a massage of the legs and feet. As we received much deserved pampering we both closed our eyes and relished a few moments of stillness. But while we waited for our polish to dry we discussed the importance of self care and pacing ourselves. Both extremely self-motivated and ambitious about our creative endeavors, we acknowledged that it’s not a race and that the journey is just as important, if not more so, than the destination. Amen! And amen!

Have you slowed down lately to check-in with the people that inspire you? Have you taken time to give yourself some tender loving care – even if just a simple nap? Keep moving in the direction of your dreams. With the love and support of my friends, I know I am. But remember the importance of taking a break to connect with others and giving yourself some self love. You might just find a renewed sense of inspiration in the process.

Peace, Love, and Art,

Marcella

To learn more about Artist/Writer/Speaker Colista Lich, visit http://www.colistalich.blogspot.com/ and
http://www.zazzle.com/Colista.

To learn more about Artist Ky Gabriel, like her Facebook fan page for Peacock Arts at http://bit.ly/alKblS.

To learn more about Writer Melissa Kline and her forthcoming publication, follow her blog at http://melissakline.blogspot.com/.

For the Venetian Nail Spa’s location and services, visit http://www.venetiannailspaco.com/.

ARTapalooza!

Greetings Dreamcicles!

For the past few weeks I have been busy designing and launching my new website and creating my Facebook fan page. Check out my new site at http://marcellanordbeck.com/ and “like” me at http://bit.ly/dBECT4.

But life hasn’t been all work and no play. Last weekend I crawled out from under my rock long enough to check out the Cherry Creek Art Festival in Denver where I caught up with the artist Nemo. I am proud to say I am now the owner of a Nemo original! To learn more about him and his art visit http://www.artbynemo.com/.

Marcella with fellow artist Nemo

This past weekend was an ARTapalooza! I kicked it off Friday night at Russell Wilbar’s opening reception for his show Construction/Deconstruction. Russell is a “green” mixed media artist whose reconstructed and painted salvaged doors and floors practically float off the wall. Check out Wilbar’s show at Sync Gallery in the Santa Fe art district in Denver through August 16. Visit http://www.russellwilbar.com/ to learn more.

Marcella with fellow artist Russell Wilbar and Wilbar's art piece "Out of Mind"

Saturday night I saw the play “The Underpants” at Miners Alley Playhouse in Golden with fellow writer Janet Roots. It’s a hoot a half! Written by Carl Sternheim, adapted by Steve Martin, and directed by Rick Bernstein, I nearly peed my pants I laughed so hard. Visit http://www.minersalley.com/ for show times.

Marcella with fellow writer Janet Roots

Janet serves on the Playhouse board and asked me to assist her with organizing and curating the “It’s Not Black & White” juried art show. It will hang in the Playhouse lobby in September and October during the six week run of the Tony Award winning play “Art.” Visit http://www.minersalley.com/SpecialEvents.shtml for the call for entry details. To learn more about Janet’s writing services visit http://www.rootswrites.com/.

A view of the drive to Poncha Springs, Colorado

I wrapped up the weekend driving down to Poncha Springs for the Art of the Rockies art show at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds. Three of my paintings were accepted into this juried exhibition, but “A Moment of Suspense” received an Honorable Mention ribbon in the Advanced oil/acrylic category. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a nod from the judge as my abstracts were a minority in a sea of landscapes, horses, and cowboys.

Marcella with "A Moment of Suspense"

That’s all for now folks. I’ve got to put the blinders back on and refocus. I’m working on a new painting for the upcoming Yin/Yang show at Mile Hi Church, I’m on deadline to finish writing my book proposal for Hay House, and I’m working on a new series of abstract/mixed media paintings inspired by my recent trip through the Caribbean and my love for the ocean. The new series will be revealed at my next solo art exhibition at Strings restaurant in Denver in November. Details to come…

But before I go, let me remind you to save the date! In August I will add published author to my resume! My essay “I Find Myself Painting” is being published in the anthology “Speaking Your Truth: Courageous Stories by Inspiring Women.” The book will be available for purchase on amazon August 25.

Keep following your bliss! The rest will follow.

Peace, Love, and Art,
Marcella

A First Time for Everything

Greetings Moon Beams!

I’ve been home for three weeks, so it’s starting to feel like old news, but here are pics from my recent vacation. My friend, and fellow writer, Kate Heartsong and I attended a writing workshop hosted by Hay House publishing. Did I mention it was held on a 7-night Caribbean cruise? Minor detail…but, yeah…it was awesome!

The view of the port in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

from Shawpark Botanical Gardens.

I would have sat my ass in the middle of Greenland bundled up in a parka to learn about publishing ins and outs from Hay House – number one metaphysical publisher in the world. But I’m not complaining. I got to soak up industry knowledge in between sun beams in the Bahamas, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and Cozumel.

Wading in the ocean in Fort Lauderdale & chillin at the beach in the Bahamas.

The highlight of my adventure on the high seas was my 6 mile round trip hike from the port to Shawpark Botanical Gardens in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. I practically had to beat off thirty cab drivers that wanted to drive me there. But once I got into downtown it was a peaceful walk the rest of the way. That is, if you don’t mind 90+ degree weather and what feels like 100% humidity.

Nothing says vacation like a hibiscus flower.

I don’t think many tourists walk through Ocho Rios. The school kids, in their matching uniforms, looked liked they’d never seen anyone so…tall. Okay, maybe it was the glare off my SPF 90.  But I got lots of waves and smiles flashed my way.

A Jamaican Shaman I met eating and breathing fire in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

There are many advantages to seeing Ocho Rios by foot, things you’d miss if you were sitting in the back of a taxi. The plant life, the fire eating and breathing Jamaican Shaman, the two goats tied to a bush on the side a road. Sorry, seeing goats is not an every day occurrence for me. And I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure I heard a rooster.

The waterfall at Shawpark Botanical Gardens

in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Another advantage to getting off the tourist track in Jamaica, if you time it right, is arriving at Shawpark Botanical Gardens just as a tour bus is leaving. I had such an experience and it was heaven. It was just me, the gardens, the waterfall, the birds of paradise - the flower, not actual birds – and the butterflies!

Crazy beautiful flowers and tree in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Oh, the butterflies! There were swarms of them. Swarms I tell ya! I’d never seen so many butterflies in my life! Every shape, size, color you can imagine. I tried to photograph the little buggers, but, even though they fly like they’re drunk, they’re fast! My handy point-and-shoot was no match for their nimbleness.

Steppin' out for formal night on the cruise ship.

I’m home again. Back to my crazy life as an Admin turned Artist turned Writer. And I’m on deadline. I have three months to finish writing my book proposal, develop my platform (that’s fancy publishing lingo for developing my marketing plan), produce a 3-minute YouTube video and submit it all to Hay House sans agent – a rare opportunity. The reward? Someone who attended the writing workshop is going to win a publishing contract and a $10,000 advance. Wish me luck!

Peace, love, and art,
Marcella

P.S.
To learn more about Kate Heartsong and her recently published book, “Deeply We Are One,” please visit http://www.joyfulradiance.com/.

For more information about Hay House, please visit http://www.hayhouse.com/.