Healing An Injured Wing...A Reflection Of God's Love

Sooo aside from all the business of last week/weekend...I forgot to mention that I have a little visitor since Friday night...my mom's dog got to a beautiful dove...she didn't puncture it but her wing is damaged...I have been taking care of her as best as I can and still hope that her wing will heal so that she can fly again...my mom found some numbers to places that help rehab birds like her so Artie and I will take her to one located in Temecula tomorrow.

At first I wondered why an injured Dove would be placed in my path amidst all the other things going on in my life...then it hit me just this morning after I recieved the biggest sign of all in the form of a pm in my facebook (which I will share soon later in this post)...I realized that the Dove represents me...this realization touched me deeply...made me realize just how much the Lord loves me and looks after all my needs, desires, wishes from within and whispered hopes.

The reason that I know that this Dove represents me is because it happens to be a 'Mourning' Dove...and it's injury happens to be in one wing only...and from the beginning I wanted her to be able to fly again...in reflection, I realized that the Lord was using this Dove to remind me how I once was like a bird in flight...and through life's heartaches and losses of loved ones was like how one of my wings got broken and that's what kept me from flying...

You see, I had been right at a point in my life where I was about to work on a dream that I had to write and illustrate a children's story...the book is called 'The Rose In Floralsopar' and it's message is to let children know how special they are to God and for them to "Just Bloom".  I was able to self publish and was getting ready to start planning on how to market this story when my beloved Grandma Prudy passed away in 2005 due to complications from Diabetise.

Well, her loss impacted me greatly...my creativity fell flat...like the Mourning Dove with an injured wing...I did nothing with the book except sell a few to my friends and family, I couldn't even look at my scrapbooking stuff and all my drawing ceased...little by little, I began to open up again and so I decided that since for some reason I was unable to use my arts & crafts supplies then I'll try it out digitally and that was sort of the rescue my creative wings needed...so through out the past 8 years I have been expanding and when I rediscovered painting and mixed-media art around 2007 well I've been really happy in creating my artworks.

But since this last year, I've been feeling that there needs to be more for me to do this for...and just today I got the message that made me realize what it was...earlier today I recieved a message that my offer to donate artwork for a wonderful charity organization was accepted...the amazing part...the name of this organization happens to be...Charity Wings!!  Soon after this is when my mom called me with the numbers for the organizations that help rehab wild birds and that's when everything...this realization hit me...at that moment I knew that I am on the right path of my journey.

As much as I love birds and would love to have them, what keeps me from getting them is the fact that I love that they represent freedom to fly, to soar, to enjoy the sky in all it's glory...I don't think I could ever keep a bird from that part of their little lives.  Just as I care for this beautiful dove to be able to fly again, I know the Lord wants that for me too...and I know that I will fly again...no, I will SOAR!!

Starting my new Journey...being Art*Venturous!!

Hello Everybody!  Well I have been so busy and had an action packed week...for me that is...lol!  First of all I'm sooo excited to show you my newest creations..."Valentine Whimsies" - In The Pink Series 2013.  I have these listed in my etsy shop as prints for now as I'm still trying to decide what the best way to put these up for sale.  If you'd like to get your print(s) just click on the banner below:

New Etsy Shop Banner!

Also...the most funnest time I've ever had in a loooong time....I won a day pass for the Prima Art*Venture with Leeza Gibbons and I got to take a friend so I took my momma cause she's my best friend!  (So is my Artie but I knew he wouldn't want to go...lol!)  Anyways, here's a few pics and a Vlog post of my Prima Art*Venture Haul: 



Here I am at the {Prima} Art*Venture with Leeza Gibbons

No, really...we got to take a pic with her for reals! :)

*I have more pics posted in my Facebook ;)

Now here's my Vlog about our Prima Art*Venture Haul:

 



 

Here's my LB 2013 - Week 3 project:  Honestly, I am not too thrilled of how this project came out...BUT this was more experimental for me and I just let myself enjoy the process...besides I was really too busy to spend the time I'd need to get it right so it looks more like a doodley page.  :)  I took this course to push me out of my comfort zone and learn new things, which so far it certainly has...this project was alot of fun even though it's not my best work and I am determined to not get hung up on any of these projects...just to enjoy and learn from them and keep up with each week as best as I can.  The main message of course as from my Children's story:  "Just Bloom"! 

Getting Ready To Soar

Hello everyone!  Soo, I am at a point where I really gotta hustle and get more artwork done but more importantly I NEED to sell them!!  We found out that we are approved to be adoptive parents to Cailan but we may need to go visit her a few times and she is in the state of Washington...which means we'll need to raise funds to go there...the most economical way possible...we're not sure of all the details yet but I feel like I need to do all I can to help us raise more money for this necessary trip and possibly two trips.

Not only for that reason but also in regards to the words that my husband Art, made a good point to me recently about my art and he was very encouraging and at the same time pushing me to do more and I am intending to move forward with courage and post to sell...possibly on e-bay.  My husband has been so supportive of me and my desire to make a business with my artwork but he pointed out that I need to actually sell my paintings to make it a business.

I won't lie...that's the hard part for me...I am so unsure of what value to place on my work and also to actually not get too attached to my work!  Also I need to move with confidence and courage...I get that little voice of doubt that pops in my head not as much as before...but it's still there...and this year I need to move past those thoughts with courage and just let myself fly...to soar!

I am working on some really cute and whimsical Valentine themed artworks and I hope to finish these up by this Wednesday...here's a peek at what I'm doing...Aren't they cute? I'm soo excited about how these came out and can't wait to see them done...just gotta not let myself get too attached...so I actually have another series I'm planning!
 

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 Also I'd like to share my latest Life Book Project for Week 2 that I finally finished late last night...it was a project where we made a paper art doll that represents yourself and your intentions for the year of 2013.  Soo this is full of meaningful statements for me. We were supposed to use stamps but since I don't have a great stamp collection due to when I changed over to digital in 2005, I used a lot of prints from my digital collection...the butterflies and arms are from long ago and I can't recall where I got them but the face I used was from a free download from Whimsical Musings. blogspot. Amazingly when I seen this face she soo resembles one of my many beautiful nieces (cause they are all beautiful...seriously!!), so I just had to use it! 

About the meanings...I really feel that this is going to be a significant year for me...there are soo many changes that are going to take place soon and that will evolve...so that's what all the butterflies represent...also her looking up and pointing up is sybolic for me always keeping my focus on the Lord...the birds represent the spiritual meanings of faith and one birdie carries a note that reads: God is Faithful...when I found that image I knew I needed to include it because I know that we wouldn't be where we are if it wasn't for his faithfulness...we know we can always count on him and that he is going to bring us into abundance...which is why I wrote 'abundant' over the bird.

 

I did use a few stamps like my little font stamp collection and flowers for the background and the dove up top where I also stamped 'Faith' in it.  Also each butterfly represents the different changes and blessings around me...the butterflies on the dress say: 'You are a beautiful dreamer' (to remind me to keep dreaming BIG), 'Always Believe in Miracles' (to never give up on my hope for a baby as well as other miracles to come!), 'Change is Good' -quoted from the Butterfly (to remind me that I am no longer in the cocoon...I am now changed and emerging with my wings flapping back and forth getting ready to fly...no to soar!)

 

The other butterflies say:  'Love' (God, Jesus, My husband Art, Life), 'laugh often' (celebrate), 'Be Brilliant' (my artwork, business, Achieve and surpass, succeed, grow), 'JOY' (Family and Friends) -The words in paranthesis are the little handwritten or stamped messages around the butterflies.

 

I also put 2 quotes that I felt fit in with this whole composition:  "life is the art of drawing without an eraser." -John Gardner  "Today well lived, makes every yesterday a Dream of Happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of Hope."  Around the border I hand wrote all the good changes, miracles and abundance this year, 2013 will bring me...that I will soar to new heights...where I've never been before!  Finally, I also stamped 'Be Brave' and 'with Courage' on her arms to direct me on my focus and direction as I take a leap of faith and 'SOAR'!

Miracles Unfolding...

I am still in awe...so much is happening right now...so many dynamic life changes...for me...for my husband...and for a darling little girl...we have been through soo much to get where we are right now...and it still feels surreal, I feel as though I'm in a dream...why do I feel this way?  Well, today we found out that we were approved by the judge to be the adoptive parents to my cousin's little girl.  Out of respect for my family, I won't be saying to much details of this whole case, but only expressing my feelings as I have gone through so much just to get here.

Right now, I feel happy...and calm...peace in my heart about this...I know I am on the right path...things in my life will soon be changing...all for the better...I know it!!  I know that things aren't going to be perfect until the day I am in Heaven...but I know that the Lord is watching over me and my family and he is faithful...and he will bless us in abundance so that we can keep being a blessing to others!!

There is soo much in my heart that I wish to express...and at the same time I feel a loss for words...which makes me want to use my paintbrush to let it all out...in fact I got 4 canvases ready and I found some canvases and other papers where I had backgrounds with the drawings already on them...I've fallen behind on getting new artwork done since I've been on 'stand by' with all the waiting for this answer we recieved today!

Which leads me to this interesting conversation my husband and I had today...about actually letting go of my past artwork and any future artwork...yeah, I need to start being brave and putting all my artwork out there and actually SELL them!!  This conversation with my husband was actually that little push I needed to make me start to fly...to have COURAGE...to let go...to step off the perch...my comfy cozy nest...it made me realize;  What am I waiting for?  Really?  What am I waiting for?!

Sooo now I want to share some current projects I've finished for Life Book 2013 and Tam's Art, Heart & Healing Workshops.  I've enjoyed these projects since they have pushed me to try new methods, learn new things and most of all to have fun!!  God Bless and Cre8tvlyYrs, Gina

Life Book 2013 - Wk 1 project - Blessings & Goals 2013 Journey

My Cute Whimsies from Tam's Art, Heart & Healing Workshop

 

Enthusiastic & Sparkly Inspiring Energy...

Wow...already this new year has been flowing with a positive atmoshphere!  I have been blessed already in so many ways...even miracles are taking place!!  I got to spend the last 2 days with my nieces...love, love, love them all soo much and they are getting more and more beautiful every time I see them...but when I get to spend time with them is when I get to see their beauty not only on the outside, but on the inside!  They have left me with their enthusiastic and sparkly inspiring energy and reminded me that creating my artwork is important because it inspires them...and that means so much to me! 

 

*Knowing this really has reawakened my enthusiasm and brought me the sparkly inspiring energy that I needed and so this weekend I am planning on finishing up my 1st week's Life Book 2013 project and will post my pic on the next post! I also hope to finish up some new artwork to start selling in my etsy shop so stop by soon! :)

***Prayer Request***

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We will be anxiously waiting all the way up to January 9th for the Court hearing for what we hope is good news in regards to our gaining custody to foster/adopt my cousins daughter so that she won't be lost to our family.  This may also include her older brother as well...we've had 2 rooms ready for both of them since June 2012...and we we're hoping to have them by Christmas time.  At this moment of my life, I would just be happy to know that all the hard work, effort, dissappointmens, etc will be worth it when we welcome them into our home!!  So I would really appreciate your prayers!

 

Cre8tvlyYrs & God Bless, Gina :)

Happy New Year! Many Blessings & Miracles To Come...

Woohoo!  It's finally here...a new year...2013!!  Well this is the 1st time I'm doing this...but I decided to try out a little 'Vlogging' as a way to change up my blogging format a bit! :)  So this little video clip is just a way for me to document my thoughts after I just finished a really cool mixed media art journal project that I had just finished.  The photo of it in full is my blog header above right now.  This is a free course that the biggest sweetheart in the world ever, Tamara Laporte has available at willowing.ning.com and it's called 'Art, Heart & Healing' just look under 'free classes' and let Tam know that Gina Arzaga sent ya! ;)  Please note that I totally 'Tim Allen'd' (as my husband calls it) probably most of the lesson so it's best that you sign up and see her lesson videos yourself! :) lol!  Also...PLEASE excuse all the very often times I use the words: 'and uum' 'um' and 'like'...I need to learn how to video edit obviously! 
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As for the new year...2013...I feel it's gonna be a special year for me...last year was better than some previous years earlier but I feel that not just for my husband and I but for me personally in all aspects of my life that things are going to continue to get better...In fact I'd like to include this prayer that I got from a FB page called "I am a Woman of God":

Don’t quit running! Keep on moving and following the truth of God in His word and by His Spirit. Run with grace and wisdom and don’t allow no one to hinder your progress. Keep the faith and expect your change to come. You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? (Gal 5:7)
 

May God give you grace and peace with uncommon favor. May He give you strength and courage to stand firm in your faith. May God give you long life and great health all the days of your life. May this coming year, 2013 be a year of greater things for you in every area of your life, your home, your marriage, your career or place of employment. In school or college, may God give you all that you need and desire as you honestly delight yourself in Him. May God open up doors and close doors that you no longer need in Jesus name, may God be glorified in all that you do in Jesus I pray for you all, Amen

 

***I was sooo inspired by that and really feel that her prayer was designed just for me! :) ***

Another thing I'm currently excited about is that I have joined an awesome year long Mixed Media Course called:

Just click on the button above for more information of this awesome course that features soo many top artista's if your interested in joining!!  :)  This is the first little 'warm up' exercise we did for our first project (of course I did not fully follow directions, well...let's just say I changed it up a bit!)

We were to make an Fairy Art Mother but I chose to call her my Art Angel...'Annabel' which means loving...soo love it!  So for this whole year...I will be documenting and posting my course art here...so stop by often if you'd like to see more artwork as well as to witness the unfolding of many miracles and blessings to come!  God Bless you all and may your have a wonderful and blessed year!!