What about you- adult or child?

I recently read a topic on the net (TwitterMoms I believe) that posed a question to readers and I was so amazed at the answers I had read that I thought I would pose the question here on the DAWG group to see what people would say.

At what point in your life did you realize you were not a child anymore?

Personally the question posed sort of a dilemma. I know I am an adult, but there is a part of me I believe that will always- or at least I hope always- will stay a child.
Being an artist, I sort of rely on that part of me for my creative process. It is that childish curiosity that I turn to when I pick up an object to look at it to draw or paint. I try to look at things with a child's eye -looking at something for the first time- to see things I probably would never notice as an adult. For example just picking a leaf up off of the ground. Looking at it's shape and line, seeing all of the little grooves and veins, feeling it's texture, the parts that are rough or smooth and seeing how the light looks on it when I turn it different directions.
It is that same childish part of me that helps me to appreciate the little things in day to day life. The rippling of a clear, cool stream, the sunlight through the trees, the little wonders of nature that reveal themselves to those paying attention and allowing us capture a glimpse of them in all of their glory- a little rabbit, a doe and fawn, or a groundhog. And it is that childish excitement that drives me to create the beauty of it all.
Really that is the best part of me- that childish side- it gives me hope and inspiration, it lets me believe in goodness and purity, it is the kindest, most loving part of my heart that allows my faith, my forgiveness, and my caring nature. And sometimes it is the source of my courage- courage to try new things, to seek out the unknown, to live life without fear, but with awe and wonder.
So what about you? When did you first realize you were all grown up- or have you?

Make someone small smile on Easter!

I have been working on new Easter Cards.

These are two of my latest designs for kids.

I don't know about other people, but if you have a daughter like mine, everyday when we stop to get the mail she wants to know if she got anything.

So Easter would be a great time to put a smile on your favorite niece or nephew's face, or your kids or grankids' faces by sending them a card wishing them a wonderful day to let them know you are thinking of them!

Fellow Tennesseean Feature

Welcome to my first blog entry for DAWG (Designing Artist Women's Group) ! I joined DAWG quite some time back and there are such wonderful, special and talented ladies here! Though I think we all came together with our love of ACEOs, we create all kinds of spectacular things from art to jewelry and from photographs to home decor. You will find so many things here!

For my first post, I thought I would spotlight one of my fellow group members. The lady who created our group is Lisa. She is a wonderful lady and a fellow Tennesseean. I first met her through ebay a couple of years ago. With the question of ebay groups becoming extinct, she quickly sprung into action and created a ning group just for us. There are all kinds of fun things going on in the group from contests, prayer groups, treasuries, group events, etc. It's really beginning to pick up the pace lately and is so much fun!

Lisa has an etsy shop called Art by Lisa K and you can see her shop by clicking here.

Here's one of my favorites from her shop:

I hope you have an opportunity to stop by her shop. She has beautiful artwork, photography and drawings.

My posting date for this blog will be the 20th of each month. So, I'll talk to you all again soon :)

Until then, Happy Shopping!

Rhonda AKA The Cozy Loft

Autumn Glory

There is just something deeply inspiring about Fall. As artists I often wonder if we feel it more acutely than everyone else.

This time of year always brings out the poet in me and brings me back to one of my favorite poems by Joyce Kilmer:

• "I think that I shall never see
• A poem lovely as a tree."

One of my favorite things about fall colors is driving in the country side and taking it all in with my family along for the ride.

We are truly blessed to live in such a beautiful country! There are natural wonders everywhere and it seems like even the most mundane of commutes, like to and fro work, can be enhanced if we only pause long enough to enjoy the view.

So get out there, go for a nature hike. Watch how much your children and grandchildren love the leaved and wonder about acorns, and take a cue from them. Fill a vase with leaves and pine or whatever inspires you. Then, make it into the most glorious still life tribute to Fall we've ever seen!

Happy Fall Y'all!

From Missouri,

Crystal Gail

Tam Moody Greeting Cards

I have been spending much of my time designing greeting cards for GCU (Greeting Card Universe).

This is one of many fun birthday card designs I have available in my store!

You can visit me at

Tam Moody's Greeting Cards

I also have birthday party invitations,

bachelorette party, wedding attendant invitations & many other invitations available!

Not to mention a vast selection of Thinking of You, Missing You, Friendship Note Cards

& Thank You Cards

So I hope you will drop by and take a peek! Mark a few favorites, leave me a comment, or even drop me an email through my store feedback to let me know you visited my little shop!

I'm always happy to hear from all of you!

Susan Alison Border Collie art

I am soooo Cool!

My name is Susan Alison and I'm from Bristol, in the South West of the UK.

I'm a member of the DAWG team and a fascinating membership it is, too.

We're learning about our respective languages - I am, of course, especially interested in apple crumbles - actually, I prefer plum crumbles - but my DAWG friends call them crisps. Apple crisp. I would never have guessed what that was.

However, it's all the same with loads of custard - oh, and ice cream and cream as well.

I mainly paint ACEOs at the moment, mainly of dogs, mainly Border Collie dogs.

This could change at any moment, but doesn't look likely...

Puppyflies on the Sunflowers

See www.MontyandRosie.blogspot.com - Monty and Rosie are my Border Collies - they keep a record of all my artwork on their blog.

See www.stores.ebay.com/susanalisonart for current auctions and for my ebay store which has prints, greeting cards and all sorts in it.

This is my etsy shop www.susanalisonart.etsy.com

You can put whatever words you want into cards www.greetingcarduniverse.com/susanalisonart

And just in case you want a t-shirt-wearing bear (or a mug or a tile etc) with Border Collies on go here www.cafepress.com/susanalisonart

In the Light of Day

Thanks for looking. It would be lovely if you left a comment below for us to drool over or even to bark back at.