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I’m not particularly materialistic, but once in a while there’s something I would love to own. My particular love? Handcrafted Gold Jewelry .

You may have something you would love to own for yourself, but have the idea that it is forever out of your reach. Well, I have a theory about that. If there’s something you’d love to have, there is a way for that to happen. Really! Maybe it involves sacrificing something in some other area of your life, but it can be done, and I encourage you to do it!

It can be personally empowering to accomplish that which at first glance seems insurmountable. What better way to start realizing your dreams than by figuring out a way to reach a personal, pleasurable goal for yourself?

Do you have a summer garden? One of my favorite things is to gather the fruits of my labor for a gorgeous, healthy, vitamin-rich salad. Nature is beautiful without even trying! Think of all the stunning still life paintings of apples, pears and so forth. When I create either a fruit salad or a vegetable salad it always reminds me of the old masters.

Think of your life in terms of art and become aware of all the beauty surrounding you. One of the differences between artists and the rest of mankind is that artists have the ability to look at things from their own universes. All of us have this ability. My advice is to turn off the television and turn on your own perceptions. Try it and see!

I love supporting indigenous Latin American artists . Our neighbors south of the border have among them some very talented people. When we can support them by purchasing hand-crafted work, I’m for it every time. I think this should be the true “global economy.” I’d rather pay a woman in Bolivia money for a beautifully crafted scarf, than pay a Chinese factory for some dubious (possibly lead-tainted) buttons.

Not that there aren’t talented craftspeople in China, too! It isn’t the people there I’m opposed to; it’s the do-anything-to-make-a-buck mentality of big factories, even at the expense of the people who work in them. If we all took the time to discover the origin of what we purchase, consumable or not, our planet could be propelled forward in the right direction.

Even though I don’t especially subscribe to the theory behind “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain,” I happen to know the author’s lessons profess a very workable system to teach yourself to draw, and proficiently at that.

Years ago I picked up this book, and despite my initial reluctance due to the title (I happen to think more in terms of spiritual ability that “Brain Ability”) I did learn a lot from it. And when applying the information, I saw a lot of improvement in my skill. Would I recommend it? Absolutely.

Anything that gives confidence and aides the ability to learn a new artistic skill is of interest to me. You will never convince me that you aren’t an artist! I’ve seen way too many “untalented” people emerge like butterflies from a cocoon, ready to soar on their fresh new wings of ability.

With summer just around the corner, it’s time to get out the old sketch pad! Think of spending a lazy afternoon with your back against the oak tree and your sketch pad propped up against your knees. Don’t worry about impressing anyone. Look at your surroundings, breath in the fresh air, and start to sketch!

Maybe you’ll draw your surroundings, maybe you’ll sketch the tree down the hill, maybe you’ll draw a dragon. It doesn’t matter! What does matter is opening up your creative consciousness. Don’t worry about who will see your drawing, what they might say and so forth. This is just for you!

I’m all for people doing things that get them in touch with their artistic side and this is one more outlet you can develop.

These are interesting times. For some they may be excruciatingly difficult, for others, merely uncertain. For all of us, change is in the air, and it might not necessarily be welcome.

We want to hold onto our jobs, our homes, our lives. It’s difficult to confront the possibility of not being able to keep up with a mortgage payment, yet some have had to face that difficult crossroad. One of the best ways I know of to keep on top on your life is to write down your thoughts. Sometimes just looking carefully at a situation can help it to resolve. At the very least, it might give you some insight, and a more philosophical look at what may be around the corner.

At the worst, it will give your children and grandchildren a first-hand glimpse of what life was like in 2009, and a way in the future for you to look back and reflect on your past.

I love native art from around the world. Starting with this beautiful fine art from the Caribbean I want to check out a number of sites and let my readers see what I’ve finding.

There’s something luminous about the paintings on this home page that I find quite appealing. When you can get a flavor of the artist’s environment just from looking at their work, I think you’ve really captured something wonderful. The rich colors and wonderful sense of design is especially appealing.

Thank goodness for the internet! It’s marvelous to be able to take a virtual tour of all that’s being created around the world. It’s easy to start feeling a little insular, but there is so much being done by the artists of every country that I think all of us should take a “tour” once in a while.

I enjoy staring out the window. Maybe it’s my basically lazy nature, but I find a lot of loveliness in my own yard, and don’t mind taking the time to let it sink in.  I heard about a woman that wrote an entire book based on the comings and goings of her family, and how she watched the world go by as she sat by the window shelling peas and folding socks.

Apparently she didn’t even read it for a number of years, thinking it was just a day by day boring account of a tired housewife. When she finally started back at chapter 1, she was astonished by her accomplishment and could see the loveliness in her own words. She rarely left the house, and most of her time was occupied with picking up toys and cooking. Yet she created a beautiful and meaningful story for herself and her children- one I’m sure they treasured forever.

I love things like this!

I may not do my shopping in the mall, but I do like to shop. When it became time to replace my key chain , I turned to the internet.

I’m not an internet junkie. If I have to sit in front of a computer for more than an hour I start to get cross-eyed. I’d much rather be throwing a ball for the neighbor’s dog, or walking under the elm trees lining my block.

But it can be a good tool, and that’s what I use it for. Besides, it can be a good way to save energy. Why drive across town for something you can pick up in an online store? No, I haven’t forgotten the fact that someone has to drive it to my door. However, I do believe delivery companies have a route, and my stop is on the way to someone else close by.

Keeping with the theme of the ever present butterfly, I’ve started planning a butterfly garden . I think inviting these wonderful creatures into my yard benefits both of us! And who wouldn’t want more and more butterflies to show up? Last year I counted 10 different varieties, but since I’ve started to pay attention to what types actually live in my area, I realize there are many more that could be enticed to visit.

And I realize part of creating a welcoming environment for these little beauties is creating food for the caterpillars. These are known as “host plants”, and there are a number of types depending on what kind of butterfly you’re trying to attract.

All these plants are attractive, and by planting them you have the satisfaction of creating a fantastic butterfly garden! What could be more magical?