Our Brilliant Shadows

From the website Tiny Buddha: “How Using Your Hands Creatively Can Relieve Stress and Anxiety” (https://tinybuddha.com/blog/how-using-your-hands-creatively-can-reduce-stress-and-anxiety/) I know this with my whole heart and experience it all the time when I can let go of my need to create a masterpiece and just follow the inks where they go. Not just painting or drawing, but sewing, cooking, crafting, gardening, or music can all have the same effects. Do any of you have creative outlets that relieve stress and anxiety? https://www.instagram.com/p/BzGiaCBAbbB/?igshid=1xq3lkpqfupyh

Lighthouse at Sunset, 8x10 matted to 11x14. As I upload my art to my new website I realize just how much I love the colors of the sunset! #alcoholink #alcoholinkart #artistsoninstagram #virginiaartist #localartists #lighthousepainting #sunsetpainting https://www.instagram.com/p/By1YLLXAClX/?igshid=7421yr92pc2x

I’m so excited that I have no words. Almost. I applied for my very first gallery exhibition 2 weeks ago and I got word this morning that I got in! I can’t believe it! So come out to the Second Street Gallery in Charlottesville VA September 6-27 to see the Teeny Tiny Trifecta 2 Exhibition where my 3 small flowers will be a part! #alcoholinkart #alcoholink #localartist #virginiaartist #secondstreetgallery #teenytinytrifecta #soexcitedforthis #itsmybirthday https://www.instagram.com/p/BytZ_cUAJ8w/?igshid=3fnm80pz589n

Today I turn 50 years old. Today is a new beginning for me. Deep breath - here goes - today I am unveiling my new website! www.OurBrilliantShadows.com is the new home for my art, my functional art, and my new blog. I’m proud and nervous, and I know there’s still some work left to do - mostly uploading more art because I have so much - but I couldn’t resist the opportunity to show you my new home on this, the first day of my senior citizen-hood. Please visit the site and let me know what you think! https://www.instagram.com/p/BysBZmgA80B/?igshid=2cp3ejfbpixx

Reilly is my ever patient shadow. It seems like he’s always been there - he’s 14 - and he keeps my lap warm most days. If he could paint he’d paint me, I’m sure. He looks sad in this picture because I made him wait to get the shot. Then he started to dance and leap for joy because I finally stood up to let him out. No #alcoholink while holding Reilly, but I can still work on social media once his walk is over and he’s settled back in my lap. #faithfuldog #loyaldog https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxr0hbgB8N-/?igshid=e7nbvk1l77i

Step two: Welcome to my makeshift spray booth. This bookcase-in-a-wardrobe keeps the dust off while things are drying as I put on the many layers of sealer, UV protectant, and glaze (except the wine glasses, which get Dishwasher Mod Podge). I wait 2 hours between each coat, then 24 hours before I handle after the last coat. I’ll show you what the bottles look like with lights once the process is complete! #alcoholink #alcoholinkart #winebottlecrafts #wineglasses https://www.instagram.com/p/BxiqfNOhape/?igshid=13pe5ikrqe7dw

From a sink full of bottles to lots of color! These bottles need to dry fully and then be sealed before I add the cork lights to really make them shine. I’m not sure whether I’ll keep the red/pink one - it looks a little smeary to me. Let me know what you think! https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxfgo3bhIbt/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15z0v844karzp

A sink full of clean and drying wine bottles: step one of making my alcohol ink colored bottle lamps. The most fun way to recycle, except for getting the labels off the bottles! Don’t worry, I didn’t drink all this wine. 😂 #alcoholink #alcoholinkart #winebottleart #dishpanhands https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxdr45WBcrK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cb4jkscainut