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Release old Dreams~and Make way for new Dreams

December 16, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Inspiration & Education, Photography, Productivity, Wellness & Mindset 3 Comments

While having a conversation with a friend about my goals for my new business, I had one of those moments of clarity and knew I had a choice to Release old dreams (to make way for new ones)!  I thought about what my dreams for my business had always been (since graduating from SCAD) but I realized that my old dream didn’t exactly align with what it is that I am doing and want to be doing now.

In this moment I was able to see that it’s okay to release old dreams and expectations. In fact, we have to do this in order to make room for new dreams.

I’m all for de-cluttering and getting rid of things in my life that don’t serve me anymore but thoughts, expectations, and dreams need to be treated in the same manner as actual, physical things!

It can be kind of sad to release your old dreams but please realize that those dreams have served you well.  They have motivated you, given you something to strive towards and they have helped shape the direction of your new dreams.
So today I invite you to release those old dreams that no longer serve you.  Go ahead, write them down, seal them in an envelope and send them off!

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Field Trip Friday! National Museum of the American Indian

December 3, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Art & Design, Inspiration & Education 2 Comments

From time to time I love to include a “Field trip Friday” because we all need a little inspiration and I especially love to share inspiration!  There are so many wonderful cultural and creative opportunities at the museums, galleries, and gardens in the DC metro area.

Today I’m sharing some of my favorite pieces from the permanent exhibit at the National Museum of the American Indian.  This museum has gorgeous, organic architecture and the landscaping uses Native American plants that in most cases are not only beautiful but are functional, either as food, medicine or some other purpose (for example corn husks or other plant fibers).

The museums permanent exhibits are broken down into “Our Universe”, “Our People” and “Our Lives”.  These three spaces explore many aspects of American Indian heritage, culture, philosophy and past and current lifestyle.  This is the sort of museum that has a wide range of information and can be quite overwhelming (in my opinion) to explore and I find it easiest to take it in bits or go to explore something specific on exhibit.

National Museum of the American IndianAbove are examples of some of the incredible bead work both traditional and contemporary and below are arrowheads and the back side of the “gold” exhibit (I love the patterns created by these groupings).


Below are some amazing examples of feathered head-dresses and Day of the Dead skulls as well as the quirky contemporary mask made of utensils and of course I had to include an Ikat weaving.

On several occasions I’ve gone and spent time wandering through each exhibit and each time I drift over to whatever draws my attention to learn a bit more. I like this spontaneous approach to exploring museums, rather than trying to see everything. For example, did you know that some of the Caribbean islands have American Indian heritage?  Did you know that Mohawk Indians were the main steel workers that built the World Trade Center and are rebuilding the new ones?  This museum explores American Indians from all the “America’s” and the definition is broad and fascinating!  I hope you get a chance to go in person but until then maybe this virtual field trip will serve to give you a little more insight as to what this “New” Smithsonian museum has to offer.  The museum website has extensive information available such as the Online Exhibits as well as PDF catalogs you can download of the temporary exhibits, check it out.


There is also a great temporary exhibit on display through next August called “Vantage Point” which is a collection of contemporary art by Native American Indians; even more beautiful work there!  One last note, this museum has an extensive gift shop and the museum “cafeteria” has had rave reviews so I hope to have a bite to eat there on my next visit.

Related Articles

  • ‘Vantage Point: The Contemporary Native Art Collection’ Opens Sept. 25 at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC (prnewswire.com)
  • Art Review: In American Indian Museum, Beauty and Culture Now Entwine (nytimes.com)

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Textile “Out-takes”

November 30, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Art & Design, Handmade 3 Comments

Today I’m sharing a Textile “Out-takes”  for an art piece I have been commissioned to make. This client really loves my weaving’s but since I don’t currently have a loom set up I had to come up with an alternate idea.  Below I’ve used a neutral cotton thread and threaded it through a reed to space it evenly the full width of my finished piece.

Next, I’ve painted the “warp” with dyes to match the decor and colors that my clients have requested.  This process is similar to warp painted ikat which is usually done after a warp has been threaded onto a loom but before it’s been woven.  In this case, I wasn’t working with a loom so I threaded the reed and secured it to a surface and painted the threads without tension.  This allowed for a painterly effect but wouldn’t be ideal for very precise image/color placement.

These “fringe” will become one layer in the finished piece.

Below are layers of block printed and metallic silk organza and hand painted cotton toile fabric (back layer) that will go behind the fringe. The finished piece will have 4-5 “layers” of textiles.

I haven’t decided if I will be using the blue layer and I have a couple other tricks up my sleeve but in all, I’m pleased with my progress and soon, it will be finished and ready to present to my client!

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Daily Gratitude Journal and Morning Pages

November 25, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Inspiration & Education, Tips & Resources, Wellness & Mindset 1 Comment

About 2 years ago I started a Daily Gratitude Journal and Morning Pages as I was reading The Artist Way.  After I had filled the journal below I incorporated the practice of recording at least a few things I’m grateful for into my daily “morning pages” journal.

Daily Gratitude Journal and Morning Pages

This practice has helped keep me grounded through a year that has been filled with un-anticipated highs and lows.  Starting every day by realizing and giving voice to the things that I am grateful for really puts life in perspective.  Some days it’s a lot easier than others but just forcing yourself to take a little time to reflect on what you are grateful for is such a wonderful practice.

So, on this Thanksgiving day when we American’s traditionally stop to give thanks; I’d like to share some of the things I am truly grateful for.

~My family who are all in good health and are finding happiness and prosperity in ways that constantly amaze me.

~Challenging myself to learn new things and get started on some of those things I’ve always wanted to do.

~The love of my husband and three furry fuzzy sweet kitties.

~Reconnecting with old friends (this year was my 20 year HS reunion!) in unexpected ways.  Finding new friends in unexpected places.

~The opportunity to start my own business!

~Understanding that I am not defined by my career, my education, the way I dress or any other solitary thing.

~Knowing that each stage of life is only a chapter in “the book of  life”.

~Time reflect and get to know myself again.

~Sharing the appreciation of local farms & food with others.  I’m truly grateful for the farmers who work so hard to bring us this food.  I’ll be feasting with my family upon a local meal this Thanksgiving.

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Doing what you do best!

October 21, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Inspiration & Education, Productivity, Wellness & Mindset 1 Comment

Doing what you do best means you will get to do what you are talented at, what you love and what you are passionate about.  But we also have to do things that we are not so good at to grow.

I recently had a discussion with someone about freelance work, being an entrepreneur and trying to determine how to navigate a world that is new to you.

For many creative people the whole experience of navigating the business world can be intimidating and frustrating but please persevere!

I find myself constantly comparing my successes with other people “in my field” and this makes me feel I am constantly falling short.  Right now it is easier than ever to create a self-made “identity” through websites, blogs, Facebook, Twitter etc. but I am finding through my real life interactions with “online” people that it’s the those that are true to themselves and authentic who seem to create a buzz.

When you venture out into the world (ww) are you creating an authentic identity that reflects you?  If so you will begin to draw the type of people you want to work with towards you.  This will allow you to continue to do whatever it is that you do best!

Doing what you do best!Birds Fly, Flowers Bloom, Cheetahs Run…what is it that you do best?  What is it you love to do?  Go out there and do more of it!Save

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