Lisa Peterson Love

New Local Artists at Pueblo Sedona Gallery

Art Opening Celebration

I am so excited to be one of the new artists that are featured at the Pueblo Sedona Gallery in Sedona, Arizona. The gallery is currently show casing nine of my fine art photography pieces and will soon be carrying my mixed media artwork. I just love the gallery owners, Gerry Quotskuyva and Debbi Menig, both great artists themselves. They have created a wonderful sense of community-family with their art patrons and artists for over 15 years. What positive energy flowing through the gallery! Stop by and experience it for yourself.

Opening Reception
Pueblo Sedona Gallery
Saturday, Nov. 20th, 2010
5-8pm
251 HWY 179 Suite B9
Sedona, Arizona

Creative Juices. Freshly Squeezed.

I always loved this headline! My friend Sunita wrote it as a self-promotional piece for my design studio. I thought it seemed fitting for my first Art Blog post. My intention for this blog is to “create and inspire”.

Here we go….  

After graduating college with a BFA, I put my full creative potential on hold. What I mean by that is, I put the “fine art” side of myself up on the very top bookshelf, behind a bunch of BS. I focused on the art that I was told was the only art you could make money at, graphic design. Mind you, I love doing graphic design. It was something I had wanted to do since I was 15. That was how I got my “creative fix” or so I told myself. After I got married in my late 20’s, the other story I had going on was that I “wasn’t good enough”.  My previous husband was the “artist”, a truly gifted painter, not to mention illustrator and designer. It seemed to come so easy for him. He was the “artist”, not me! After 25 years, I see how destructive that kind of “self talk” can be and that it is not a good idea to keep a lid on expressing yourself fully.  

5 years ago I put a slight crack in this myth I had created for myself. I rediscovered my love for photography. There was something that resonated deep within me. It felt so right when I was out taking photographs. What I realize now, this was just the beginning. I now have a flood of creative ideas and inspiration for the fine art side of me. The fun has just begun!  

A big “Thank You” goes out to my dear friend Maris! She is an amazingly talented painter and illustrator! Maris was just being “Maris”. She was talking about her passion, her art … painting. And about an upcoming recycled art show she was planning on entering in Flagstaff. I was so happy for her, but after about the 4th mention of it I was thinking, “What? Does she want me to enter this show too? Why does she keep bringing this up? I know she is excited, but…” I kept wondering, “What’s the message here for me?” Then when I had some quite time on a weekend great away to Durango it hit me over the head! I need to at least look into it. I checked out the web site and thought, “okay, I am going to do this”. Although, I decided I would not try and rush for this art sow. I am under enough pressure and tight deadlines on a day-to-day basis. I decided to pursue this art challenge, just for me. Little did Maris know she unlocked the door to fine art for me! A door to express my full creativity…and that door is wide open now!  

Following the art show guidelines of using all recycled or found materials, my creative juices were flowing!

 

When I brought in two of the painting to show my creative team, their response was overwhelming. I couldn’t believe how positive and encouraging it was! Talking about getting it in this gallery and that gallery. A month later while I was showing them the final two pieces, they said they had never seen me so happy, so excited about something…absolutely glowing. Wow, I had no idea! One, that I felt that way and two, that others could really see it! 

Being an artist is about what you do with your “gift”. I say the heck with the BS stories we create! Life is a canvas waiting to be painted! … And sometimes it takes someone to push you off the ledge to unleash your full creative expression of life.  

What are you waiting for?

Giving Gratitude

I am excited to have my Giving Gratitude Cards featured in Energy Times magazine, Holiday Gifts from the Heart!

Inspired by gratitude? These delightful note cards are perfect for the office, dear friends, new connections or anytime you’d like to say “Thank You!” Now through December, I will donate 20% of proceeds to Camp Soaring Eagle, a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses. Check them out now. … and pass on the gratitude!

Personal Growth and Development - Principia

The air was crisp and cool. The rolling golden hillsides were dotted with vineyards. It was an amazing week, surrounded with positive people and infused with inspiring thought leadership. I recently returned from a week of personal growth and development held at the PSI Seminars ranch in northern California.

While all of the speakers were equally spectacular; Dr. Michael Beckwith, Bob Proctor, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, just to name a few. For me, Alison Armstrong had the biggest impact. I highly recommend hearing her speak about how to communicate and understand the opposite sex. She was very entertaining, both men and women really “got it” for the first time. Listen to learn with whomever you are with. When you ask a man a question…wait…wait…and then wait some more. No matter how tempted you may be…wait…he is about to give you his best answer. If you feel compelled to interrupt the waiting, give him time to transition to the new question asked. Seems so simple when you actually know the biological rational behind it. And to think that men really just want to make you happy…who knew!?! Had I encountered these tools of knowledge at 17… how much easier my relationships would have been. Wow!

A moving personal story by Dr. William McDougall, District Superintendent in Clearlake, California, rallied 600 people to create a better place for children to play. This community service project was one of my favorite activities for the week! Check out the power people have to make a difference when they come together.

Every speaker had golden gems of knowledge to share. I am very grateful for all that I learned and the new friends I made. It will empower me throughout the year.

Stay Positive. Love Life. Give Gratitude. Be True.