Mixed Specimens

I wanted to share with you how I've been really inspired and super into mixed specimen rocks lately! I think these rocks are the most amazing ones around. This piece is clear quartz and pyrite. Clear quartz is known for being a master healing stone. It absorbs and regulates energy. Quartz is also great for enhancing psychic abilities, balance and stimulates clearer thinking. Quartz is in abundance and widely used in making silicon chips for computers, radios and other man made devices. Iron Pyrite is a stone of positive thinking and helping manifest desires. It's great for working with your solar plexus and alleviating fatigue. People have dubbed it "Fools Gold" because it looks like gold but it's lighter in color and much harder. When these two stones have grown together, it's a great bringer of financial success. There are so many varieties of mixed specimens out there and so awesome that the earth can grow these amazing treasures. I love gemstones not only for all their wonderful metaphysical properties but also because they look so incredible.

Enjoy ❤

adriennevita_quartzpyrite

Meaning in the Trees

I wanted to keep it simple today and talk about trees this week. Summer brings on the lushness of trees and I find them so peaceful to be around - the sound of them, the animals they house and the seasonal changes they bring. I find summer the best because of the explosion of leaf shapes, colors and even fruit. I especially love to draw trees as well as notice their beauty. I decided to Google and see if there were mystical meanings behind trees - and sure enough there are. My favorite is the Poplar tree and the Fig tree. Poplar's mean deep courage and faith, while a Fig tree symbolizes fulfillment of aspirations and dreams. So many great trees with so many great meanings. What's your favorite?

If you haven't had time this summer, take the time to grab a picnic blanket and chill out under a tree. It will give you all the feels.

Happy summer ❤

adriennevita_trees

Finding Peace

I had a bit of a bumpy several days this past weekend. I found out my website was compromised - not to worry, everything is ok now and nothing was taken because I don't store anyone's private information here. It was all just a bunch of tech people talking to me and throwing words around like viruses, and infections. It was like my website had the flu or something and it's now on medication under a doctor's care. I just wanted to have control of the situation but I couldn't because it was way over my head. I was able to get support from people who were knowledgeable but it definitely caused frustration because I couldn't wave my magic wand and make it go away. Have you ever felt that way? Where you felt so stuck in the reality of something uncontrollable that you couldn't see beyond it? When stuff gets that tough, you have to take a step back. Most people think worrying is helpful or that you can't take a break because it's not productive when something needs attention. But you have get off the damn subject - mostly because there isn't anything you can do about it anyway. Taking your attention away from the stress is the best thing to do. Whatever solution you are reaching for can never come to you from a place of stress and anxiety. So I doodled. I made ice cream, walked, gardened, and I doodled. I mostly doodled so that a solution could come to me in a way that pleases me and so I could be in a better head space for it. And I do feel better and things are more resolved.

So, find something... anything that makes you feel good and do it or think it or sleep it off or whatever you can... This is where I found my Peace in the chaos and that is what this piece is called.

Peace ❤

adriennevita_peace

Little Reminders

If you've heard bad news, gotten rejection letters, stepped in a pile of poo, got sick or whatever negative thing has befallen you; just remember that what happens to you doesn't define you. Not even the climbing out of it, defines you. When we experience the unfavorable, it simply means we aren't at a standstill. Life is a continuum and we are always reaching for something more. Our desires, our wantings, are what will always propel us forward. Life isn't even about "the thing" we want (although some may argue they would be happy in the having of it). It's all about the journey. The journey... with all it's positives and even negatives. That's what we all live for isn't it? The journey is the spice of life. This quote is one of my favorites and helped remind me today to keep dreaming, keep going and keep grounded.

adriennevita_eyesstars

Getting Inspired

So, it's been hot here in Portland for about two weeks now. And by hot, I mean upper 90's everyday straight. Up here in the Pacific Northwest, we aren't used to those kinds of temperatures consistently, let alone in June and without much of a break from it in between. I found myself feeling lethargic, cranky and uninspired. I love me some hot weather like this, but very few of us have air conditioners because we have very cool nights (we actually were lucky enough to have some cool nights in this hot weather streak). There was literally a shortage of AC's in the area so I finally broke down and got an AC online. I waited a week  to receive it but once I got it, I was quickly back in business. I kept up with the nitty-gritty side of my business in the mornings for as long as I could take it in my studio. I then would stop to recharge to break that feeling of being hot and uninspired. I realized it's so important what you do while you are taking a break. There is no set pattern for inspiration or even length of time. The most important thing was to feel recharged. So I swam, walked slowly, picked veggies from the garden, lit sparklers, hung out with friends - anything to take my mind off of how hot it was and what a lazy slug I felt like. There were definitely some days where I had to push through it because of deadlines, but I made sure to take cool showers and work mostly at night when it cooled down.

I thought about today's topic on a walk, mulled it over with a friend and did some art from a steam of consciousness. I had bought some ink colors about a week ago and stuck with those colors to play with. Within that form, I let my mind go and here was the piece that came from it. Something a little fun and different. What do you do for inspiration?

adriennevita_inspiration