the legs. the voice. the moves. the strength. the tenacity.

the vivacity called tina turner.

inspiring me for decades (two to be exact), this woman is the essence of effeminate in its entirety. she turns 72 on saturday, exhibiting the ever-evolving beauty and grace obtained with age.

a beautiful tear-jerker.

witnessing this woman’s strength and determination to overcome demons in her past changed my life eight years ago when i attended a 10-day intensive with her. she is a person who walks the path she speaks about and it is obvious in the mindful movements on the video.

just when i thought i could not love this woman more, i find out she is far more exquisite than i realized, indisputably amplifying my admiration for her. with her one-of-a-kind essence, zoe james effortlessly and humbly shines light on everyone she meets. i ran into her a couple of days ago while she was out walking with her husband steve. their love for each other soundlessly speaks a thousand words, inspiring and tender. if i haven’t convinced you of her splendor, the answers below will.

Favorite book: Siddhartha by Herman Hesse (each time I read it is different)

Favorite movies: Out of Africa, All the Mornings of the World, The Piano, Across the Universe, Chocolat, Fugitive Pieces, Like water for Chocolate, The Color Purple, The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Favorite artists: Georgia O’Keefe – a women I wholly admire &  Henri Rousseau- are not all artists a bit crazy?

Favorite song: When the Levy Breaks-Led Zeppelin & Marais: Sonnerie De Ste. Genevieve Du Mont-De-Paris ( Viola)

Favorite quote: “I’m your Huckleberry”

Favorite place: Santa Fe NM, Windansea Beach

Favorite meal: When food is prepared with love, care and with the intention to nourish and delight.  My favorite meal to cook is Indian food ( lamb yoghurt curry, chicken coconut curry, cucumber riata, cilantro chutney, basmati rice w/ peas and cumin, green beans w/ chiles,and of course pappadams.)The kitchen smells amazing!! This is an all day affair with chile burning fingers but worth the wait.

Favorite sweet treat: Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss, anything Michele Coulon

Dream vacation: Am living in it… but since you ask…a year in the French countryside.

Favorite hobby: Art, creation of aesthetic beauty in cooking, painting & my environment. Food, health and ingredients are my obsession.

Favorite daydream: This is a dream.

Current Inspiration: Miss Amy Jo Hearron!

Favorite memory: The day I married Steve James.

Where do you live? La Jolla, CA

Can you describe your job? I teach Pilates in a sunny little studio just up the street from Windansea Beach. The studio is a my sanctuary and each day I am grateful to be there…bike to work, bare feet, ocean breeze…

If money was no issue and you could spend an entire year exactly the way you want, what would you do with it? I would teach myself and others how to relax and NOT make money an issue. Would probably open the Hippiest, Healthiest, Organic eatery in the coolest location. The food & ambiance would be so good that people would drive for miles and not mind.

Five things you want to do in this lifetime? Write a cookbook/food blog (zoës earth). Evolve as a human being. Find Peace in my own thoughts. Get to know my husband better. Be the artist. Find wisdom & less fear as I age.

when i met susanne slater in yoga class a couple of years ago, i was instantly drawn to her kind spirit. it was months later, thanks to her humble disposition, that i found out she is a magnificent artist responsible for these beautiful paintings. although her art speaks for itself, i did an interview with her to find out a little more about her life behind the scenes.

Will you tell us a little about yourself and your art?

I started drawing as a child. Anything that I saw in front of me I set about drawing. As an adult I was forced to became practical and pursued a career in nursing. I spent  many years practicing and furthering my education in nursing. Ending with a master’s degree and teaching. Eventually I needed to get back to my artist side and am now fortunate enough to pursue art full-time.

Where do you gather inspiration for your art? What is the creative process like for you?

Inspiration for art is everywhere. It’s about taking notice, being open and allowing everything in. I am very inspired by other artists and feel energized when I go to galleries and museums. I may see a couple walking down the street with a dog, a corner café, interesting shadows or colors combinations. It all gets noticed and may be used immediatly or show up later.

What projects are you working on at the moment?

I paint street scenes and have several local paintings going presently. Little Italy has been a favorite venue lately, as well as Balboa Park.

What are 5 things currently making you happy?

My dogs

My husband

Yoga

Painting

Friends

What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Don’t wait until its too late, pursue what you love and are passionate about now.

What is the quality you most admire in a person?

Honesty

Which talent would you most like to possess?

Speak fluent French

you can see more of her imaginative work here.

how adorable are these rosie music prints?

a little bit in love.

found via red velvet

not too long ago, i happened upon and instantly fell in love with the charming artwork of krista smith. bestowing expressive eyes, bountiful hair, darling attire and passionate souls, she captures such incredible depth and emotion, while portraying a sense of innocence in every character. take a look at an interview with the saturated canary and some of her adorable creations.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Hello!  My name is Krista.  I have two sweet kids, Niamh (8) and Philly (5), and have been married for almost ten years to my husband Philip.  I stopped working full time in February 2010 and began pursuing my dream of selling artwork and being published.  Right now I’m in the process of sending out manuscripts to publishers and designing new character-based art.  I love to draw, write, run, lift weights, play sports, and most of all hang out with my little guys and hubby.

Will you describe your art?

I’ve been drawing figures since I was a little girl.  My grandmom is an artist, and I started by copying her fashion girls.  Over the years, I developed my own style.  I like to play with the proportions of the face and body…big eyes, pouty lips, lots of hair, and big shoes…There is definitely an element of fun and quirkiness to my artwork; I think it’s a reflection of my spirit.

As an artist, what do you find most challenging about what you do? What do you love most about what you do?

The most challenging part for me is pushing through the days when I get discouraged.   Rejection letters or emails are never fun.  And some days there is no forward progress…so, it is natural to get a little discouraged and start questioning if I’m doing the right thing.  I usually end up in tears wrapped up in hubby’s arms…And he encourages me like no other.  The world seems promising again after a nice talk about set backs and dreams that will surely come true.  Even if I have to be patient!

Thing I love the most—being my own boss.  Hands down.  I like the feeling of being in charge of my own schedule.  It frees up time for my children, and that is something I truly appreciate about being a freelance artist!

Where do you gather inspiration for your art? What is the creative process like for you?

Inspiration comes from every direction…from my own childhood memories, watching my own kids, a song, movies, someone I meet, even a random person I pass by.  It could be a sparkle in someone’s eye that makes me think—I gotta put that on paper.  Sometimes lyrics create a girl for me…sometimes a movie (I love drawing up pretty monsters…I use to watch the black and white monster movies with my dad all the time!)  Life is so beautiful and offers so much to be inspired from, even in the every-day simple things.

Which of your own illustrations are your favorites?

Last year I drew each of my sisters and our best friend as a witch.  There are four of us, and I called them The Sisterhood of Witches.  Each of us has our own personality, and I tried to capture it.  I think they are really cute grouped together as a Halloween decoration!  I also love my zombies, nerds, and a new line of characters I’m working on called Ragamuffins.

What projects are you working on at the moment?

I just sent out a children’s book manuscript.  I am currently working on three more stories, trying to tweak them to the point where I’m completely happy with how they are written.  I hope to send them to publishers by the end of September.  Artwork-wise, I am designing new stamps (and may go completely digital this fall), getting ready to re-open my Etsy store with lots of new artwork, and crafting here and there, tooJ.  I like to create something handmade.

What other artists influence you?

My grandmom, anything Disney (when I retire, I want to move to FL and be a Disney character:), Nuno Da Costa (a fashion illustrator that I love!), and many other creative people I’ve met through blogging.  There is an amazing number of talented, artsy women in this world; and I love meeting them and sharing their love of creativity!

Outside of illustrating, what other interests/pastimes do you have?

I love to run.  Well, maybe I don’t love it every day…but it has been a good friend to me through the years!  Running de-stresses me, keeps me feeling healthy, and sets a good example for my kids.  I need to do it.  When I miss a day, I feel like my day wasn’t complete.  My next goal is a 50 or 100-mile run.  I have always wanted to try that challenge!  I also like golfing, going to the beach, and hanging out with our families!

What are 5 things currently making you happy?

1.  My new rainboots.  LOL, I got them for $12.50 (on clearance) at Target.  They are so cute!!

2.  Family sporting events.  We took the kids to their first pro football game this week, and it was such a good time.

3.  Battlestar Gallactica!  Phil and I just got into the set of dvd’s, and now we are hooked!

4.  The Help.  Read the book and saw the movie.  Amazing.

5.  Playing golf.  I’m terrible, but I have that one brilliant hole each time that keeps me hoping;).

What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Love your job.  Because then it will never feel like work.

What is the quality you most admire in a person?

Compassion.  It will move a person out of their comfort zone to help another in need.  Whether it is just a word or a small gesture, I think it is the most refreshing thing to see—people caring for people.

What do you most value in other people?

Godliness.  The Lord is the center of our family life.  I especially value the godly women in my life—I’ve learned a lot through them about who I am and who I want to be.

What is your idea of a perfect day?

Hmmm…Sleeping in, good coffee, playing with kids, doing something active with Phil, (a couple diet cherry cokes thrown in somewhere throughout the day), watching a family movie, and then a yummy dessert!  And it has to be a really warm day.  I don’t like cold weather:).

Which talent would you most like to possess?

I’d love to be a great cook.  And baker.  I lost out on these family genes unfortunately.  Although, I’m a fantastic sampler for all the cooks and bakers I’m related to.  I’ll take home any food they make and try it out:).

the artist

is it the face of a child

is it the thrill of danger

is it the kindness we see in the eyes of a stranger?

is it more than faith, is it more than hope

is it waiting for us at the end of our rope?

is it the one you call home

is it the holy land

is it standing right here holding your hand?

is it just like the movies

is it rice and white lace

is it the feeling i get when i wake to your face?

is it the first summer storm

is it the colors of fall

is it having so little, and yet having it all?

is it one in a million

is it a chance to belong

is it standing right here singing this song?

i say it’s love.

this song gives me chills every time.

above photos are a sneak peek at the two dollar stallions on stage and in action.

i can honestly say that a few hours of dance leaves me feeling more liberated and strong and peaceful than anything else on earth. to move with abandon, to release all fears and judgements and inhibitions, brings me into a state of utter presence. there is nothing else like it.

i finally watched so you think you can dance two weeks ago while in texas.

what. a. treat.

one of the contestants performed a highly emotional piece to total eclipse of the heart that moved me to tears. her grace, her strength, her willingness to let go and fall into the moment was stunning and absolutely inspiring. take a look below.

breathtaking.

fafi – one of my all-time favorite artists.

a years-in-the-making dream of constructing my very own tree house has only become more enticing over time. my past blogpost of the enchanting habitats showcased a collection of my favorites through photographs. recently, i stumbled across an article on sustainable/green tree houses designed and built by artist roderick romero and his wife, designer anisa romero. the duo “uses 98% reclaimed/salvaged materials and always tries to collaborate with the local craftsmen of the region.”

absolutely smitten.

same people, same place, 30 years apart. story here.

mornings at the market never grow old for me. from the freshest, local produce to the handmade art, i always see something i missed the time before. the endless array of color is a little party within itself.