Let's Get Down to the Art of It!

Holiday blessings are all around! Each year I get so caught up in the process and preparation. When all the fog and frustrations clear and settle, I try to remind myself what it is truly all about. (My son is singing "Silent Night" in the background while I am typing this.) I am back to where I want to be...

Merry Christmas to all of my faithful fans, friends and family. I love you all and send peace, joy and love your way.

"Nativity Snowglobe" designed for handmade art glass

On to more Life Visions....Denice

November Etsybloggers feature Devine Designs Jewelry

As I have said before, I am a member of the Etsybloggers team. It is a fun way to help out other members and hopefully draw more attention to our Etsy shops. It also helps you to feel good to get a pat on the back from other wonderful artists!

You really must check out Cindy's shop Devine Designs Jewelry. She has lots of beautiful wire pieces and more. You can read more about Cindy in her blog.

I wish her lots of luck!

Let's Get Down to the Art of It!

Here are some photos of a painting I just recently completed for "Art Action Day" (Blog Action Day).

As you can hopefully see from the detailed photos,
it is full of wonderful mixed media!

I used some colorful seed beads along with a super heavy high gloss medium. This stuff takes a while to dry because I apply it with a knife and leave it alone for a few days to achieve these puddles of shiny wonder! I felt this medium appropriate for this piece about water.

My original posting of Blog Action is Art Action Challenge shows the piece before it was dry. The medium goes on white and looks thick and smooth, like paint would. After drying is when the magic happens! Love it!! Hope you do too.

Blog Action is Art Action Challenge

This new painting is not only still wet, but it is saving lives! No, not because its wet or because its about water. Its because I am taking action to create this in hopes it will bring water to millions. Every year there are people who die due to lack of clean drinking water. Water is a natural resource that we seem to be taking for granted. I know you've heard it all before, but it needs to be heard. I am participating in "Blog Action Day 2010" from Change.org and "Art Action Day 2010" created by Cory Huff of The Abundant Artist.

I am using my talents in creating art to try and make a difference. Not just for today, but everyday. This is my purpose, my vision.

You need to take action yourself. Find ways to save water every day. For great suggestions and ways you can help go to Blog Action Day 2010.

Polluted Ocean Facts: Death and disease caused by polluted coastal waters costs the global economy $12.8 billion a year. More "Save the Sea" facts.

38,000 Children a Week: Every week, nearly 38,000 children under the age of 5 die from unsafe drinking water and unhygienic living conditions.  More info.

Let's Get Down to Art of It!

It is my passion, my obsession, my heart and soul are revealed through it. In this case "It" is "Art"! It is beyond words how that paint got there. How it moved around that canvas to look like that. Did I do that? I remember putting the paint there, but I did not plan it that way. There's that brush laying there. The color of the paint on the palette is urging me to add more. Should I? Of course, I will! If I dare to go on, then I find discovery, creativity, and VISION.

"In the Beginning" detail

Longing To Comfort A Cry

It was bound to happen! I wake up one day with this beautiful little boy in my arms. How did this happen to me? I knew I always wanted children, but this world is so cruel and full of devastation. Why on earth would I want to bring another human being here?

As I look at his perfect little hands and watch him grasp my finger, I find myself totally in love. I am surrounded by nothing but bliss...and the sound of Playtex nipples boiling on the stove, the smell of dirty diapers coming from the diaper Genie, greasy hair, hairy legs, and yet, no one else exists at this moment. If you have children you know exactly what I mean. If you don't, please don't let this post scare you in any way! Motherhood is the most AWESOME thing I have EVER experienced. I did not say it wasn't scary, but just awesome in every way.

He is fussy and cries for what seems like no reason. I take my job very seriously even though I am on some massively strong pain medications to help me recover from such a difficult birth. Between you and me, I think the drugs were what got me through the first few weeks after delivery. I go down the "medical" checklist with him: you've been fed, changed, burped, and you have your pacifier. Then I go down the "instinctive" checklist with him: there are no tags in your pajamas, the room temp is fine, the television is down low, and I am holding you right up under my chin like you like. I decide there must be something new. I change his clothes and wipe him down with a cool cloth. Just the ticket! He nuzzles my neck and looks up at me with his HUGE round blue eyes (which he still has and he still does) and then he coos quietly and is comforted.

A mother's job is a hard one for a fairly "normal" baby (whatever that is, right?) but let alone a "highly sensitive" one! What a challenge and what a blessing all in one. I will be posting many blogs on this subject. I want to somehow use my experiences and research studies to help educate everyone who will read and listen!

Here goes....

He has always liked the feel of something on his head. He used to walk around with a cloth on top of his head.

A Spendid and Sparkly Choice for October

I am now part of a cool team called the Etsy Bloggers Team. We love to blog about our art and our crafts as well as fellow Etsians!

This month's featured artist is Margaret from Splendid Little Stars and MEFDesigns by Sparkly Park. She is a huge part of the Etsy Bloggers Team. Her contributions are endless and she is always there when needed. "A big high five to you Margaret!"

Whether you are in need of a beautifully vivid tie dyed shirt for your little one on the go or you need a "sparkly" gift, you can find it in her Etsy shops. Go check out Margaret's items.

Listing # 36016067

Do You Know What Your "Real" Job Is?

Detail from "Savior" 20"x60" Acrylic on canvas "Life Visions" series

 You may think you know what your "job" is. You have a talent, a drive, a goal. Somehow you find yourself talking to people, advising them, comforting them. People of all ages come up to you and ask your advice or give you advice. Are these people you come across an accident?

Ever since I was able to talk, I was telling everyone that I wanted to be an artist when I grow up. At age one I remember drawing circles on paper over and over and over. I was trying to draw a free handed "perfect" circle. I did my first painting at age three. It was a paint by number that my grandmother bought me. (I still have it, by the way.) In the years to come, I just knew in my heart that all I really cared about was drawing, painting and writing.

When I entered into public school, I was lucky enough to have some wonderful teachers who recognized a potential within me. I remember them pulling me aside and asking me to perform tasks that I would complete with excitement and eagerness. I knew they were treating me differently than the other children, but at the time I did not know why. Close to the end of the year, they gave my parents the news. They had been "testing" me and they had me diagnosed as "gifted". Well I didn't know what that meant, but anything with the word "gift" in it MUST be GOOD! (Remember I was five!) I carried this label around with me all throughout my school age years.

My parents moved us yearly after that. My father would get a promotion and then guess what? Time to move again. I experienced all kinds of culture and environments along the way. I am so thankful for this now, but at the time it was annoying to a school age child. Especially a shy "gifted" one!

There has always been a common denominator in my life. God. My faith has blossomed and is now thriving within me. Here comes my "new" job! I have always felt in my heart a need to help others. A need to take care of others. I could NEVER be a nurse, bless them and all they do, because I "feel" everyone's pain and get weak from it. (Never mind the blood and junk...eek!) I studied to be a psychologist when I first entered college level education. Well, then I studied to be a teacher. Oh and then I studied to be a journalist. And there was this time I studied to be a graphic designer. Finally, I got my Fine Art degree. Whew!! Glad that's over...

I now know that....I AM NOT IN CONTROL! No, not really. It is hard believe, I know. It has been a journey for me to realize my new job. I accept it with an opened mind. I am still an artist, but one who is on a mission! It is my job to share my experiences and knowledge. To take all this research and education and help all who need it and who will listen (or read) what I have to say.

So the answer to the question, "Are the people you come across in your life an accident?" is...NO. Absolutely not! They have all been placed in your life at times you have needed them.
 

"I believe if you are truly awake, and open minded, you will see It. It may look different to each one, but It will remain the same to all. It is constant and bright. It is nudging not forceful. It is up to you to take the gift."
~ Denice Taylor Rinks

I am a "Gifted Artist on a Spiritual Journey". (Book coming out soon!) My "Life Visions" are meant to heal, help and educate others as God will have me do.

Peace be with you....Denice

A One Woman Show

"Sacrifice" from the "My Mortality" series

 Upgrades, changes, and hopefully improvements going on like crazy in my creative world! Just like the seasonal changes of autumn "fall" upon me, so does the need to shed my summer skin and prepare for the holidays. It is so hard to believe that this year has flown by so very fast. I have found the need to focus on the mechanics and technical aspects of my ever changing career these past few months. I am trying out new things with the website. Taking a course on online networking and trying to find the best way to sell my art. Well, at least the best way "right now". I am trying to find a nice balance between creating and selling and marketing my work. It is hard being a one woman show, but it is so very worth it!

You can help! If you help share my blog, my art, my website or all of the above....you will win FREE STUFF! Follow these steps and you will be entered in a chance to win free art or jewelry handmade by me:

1. Choose to follow this blog.
2. Share it with at least 5 of your friends on Facebook, Twitter or any social network of your choice. You may even send the link through email if that works best for you.
3. Choose to "Like" my Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Aesthetical-Climate/103291970962?ref=ts 
4. Choose to follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/denicerinks 
5. Leave a comment below letting me know that you have done all of the above.

Now you will be entered in a drawing to win FREE STUFF!! You will be notified by personal message by me if you win.

If you would like to receive email newsletter updates, please go to my website and sign up under "Email Newsletter". Easy as pie! http://aestheticalclimate.com/

As always, thank you for your support. Please help me spread my life visions!

Off to make more life changing art....Denice

My Life Visions Creative Brain

My "Creative Brain" will not rest. I am humbled by my vision.

I have a never ending urge to create. I do not sleep most nights because my mind is filled with images, visions if you will, of all the new ideas and endless possibilities of combining materials, words, whatever! I have always been driven to create or to be creative. Several years ago I had to suppress this urge for a long period of time. While attending college and working part-time, I found that being creative was unacceptable in most job formats. Especially in the corporate environment. Once I started working full-time, my creativity had to take a back seat even more often. Before I knew it I was getting through day-to-day life and surviving but not living. I fell into the "rat race" as I began to call it. Even when I came to work for a corporate ad agency, my creativity was still stifled Well, no more! Once I left the corporate world behind, I began to live and create like there was no tomorrow.

I have grown so very much over the past few years in all aspects of my life. I look forward to getting into my studio and getting the paint onto that canvas in anticipation. What vision will appear this time? What am I going to get to share and what is the message that will come from this piece? As God continues to guide me, I am so humbled by what he shows me everyday. My life is filled with divine derivatives and I have become a prayer warrior for all that is needed. I hope you will join me on this awesome journey and that you will gain a life changing experience as well!

Stay tuned for the next Life Vision....
Denice

Blind Blogging!

What is "blind blogging" you ask? Me typing without my contacts? True and scary, but not where I'm headed with this. Actually, it is a term I have come up with to describe someone who blogs under the following conditions:
1. You know when you have a lot on your mind? and...
2. You know you need to get a blog out to inform your fans and followers...and...
3. Your thoughts seem all fuzzy, blurry and unclear as if you were in some sort of daze....and....
4. Yet you decide to type something and send it out anyway!

I do NOT want to be a blind blogger! I am finding my focus once again this year and will share all I can. But if you don't hear from me regularly, don't worry, it just means I'm either busy getting you more stuff to look at, to buy, or to really read about.

I also have another term I have come up with, or really maybe it could be called a "label": Creative Brain!

I will discuss this next time :~p

Remember it's all about the life visions here! Can't wait to share my latest visions with you...
Denice

I am usually not talking the "political" talk, but I am speaking out strongly about this one! If you are one who takes dietary supplements or chose herbal remedies instead of chemical ones, then this will interest you. Senate Bill S.3002 was an attempt to pull all dietary supplements off the shelves of our health food stores. Please write to your representatives and voice all you can about this or any other right that may be taken away from us as American citizens. On top of all that, most health food stores are small local business. So please support them as often as you can. Go to www.saveoursupplements.org for more information.

My Vision for the Day

Believe and it will be! My dreams were filled with lots of my handmade treasures being sold. Mainly because I listed some new pieces last night just before bed, but low and behold....I awoke to sales. I am always humbled by my visions and the gifts I have been given and today is no different! Thanks to all of my fans, family and friends who support me every day. You guys are AWESOME.

"Believe in Pink and Brown" memory wire necklace now available in my Etsy store.

It's all about the "Giveaways"!

My friend Patricia Wood is giving away these beautiful handmade earrings! Visit her blog and enter for a chance to win them!

Just entered the biggest and best bead giveaway ever! To enter go see what Denise Yezbak Moore is giving away. You'll be amazed too!

"Art will change your life. Whether you are the one creating it or the observer studying it, once you have experienced art, your life is never the same."  - Denice Taylor Rinks

To view more life changing art go to http://www.aestheticalclimate.com right away!

Patriotic Spirit

"Patriot Star" / done in art glass / available now in my Etsy store

My inspirations are in renewal at this time. What this means for me is that I am having to take time out to rest my physical being. As my body regains strength, my creative spirit renews and gains ideas for the future. I have been so blessed over the past year in so many ways. As most creatives know, there has to be that down time where you just accept to slow down and take it one day at a time. Part of me works so well within the chaos, but when it begins to take a toll, I see it. I find it so hard to sleep at times with all the ideas and nudges that drive me forward. The brain that creates, always creates. No matter where or what or how, it finds a way! As I reflect on the current, I also plan for the future and give thanks to the past.

God moves me forward.....

Are you feeling lucky today?

You are sure to feel lucky wearing one of my new art glass pendant designs! I decided to make some new "green" pieces in time for the upcoming St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Although you can wear them any time! You can find all of these new pieces on my website: www.aestheticalclimate.com or in my Etsy shop by clicking the links on the right hand side of this blog page. Have fun and please share my info with your friends! I am loving all the wonderful support from fans and friends. You guys are the best!

Valentine's Day is approaching....

Visit my etsy shop and my website to purchase my new shiny handmade art glass! They make perfect Valentine's Day gifts for those special people in your life - including yourself!

Pink Comfort

"Pink Comfort" 6"x6" Acrylic on canvas

Begins a series of mini paintings in time for Valentine's Day.

I am thinking of embellishing this. I am offering this

as an original painting, giclee prints and art glass.