i love to see little snippets of life behind an artist’s work. when i discovered rebekka seale’s watercolor illustrations, i almost fainted from the southern sweetness dripping from them. they are light and airy, quiet and quaint.

i think you’ll really enjoy visiting her lovely world for a bit. it feels like a peaceful retreat. visit her website, blog and etsy shop to see more!

wrap up: {artist} {painting} {rebekka seale} {sketchbook} {watercolor}

when i stumbled across oana befort’s work and blog, my heart strings felt a big ‘ol tug. sometimes you can just tell when someone has a similar spirit, it’s like they see beauty in the same way that you do. i always love it when artists give a sneak peek into their sketchbooks, and i enjoyed oana’s so much that i thought you might as well!

take some time to visit oana’s website and blog for more stunning work, and connect with her on twitter and facebook, too!

wrap up: {artist} {illustration} {ink} {oana befort} {sketchbook} {watercolor}

apparently, i was in the mood for rich hues today. philip govedare’s landscape paintings fit right in and i’m drawn in by the detail and depth to each of them. i see iceland, arizona and maybe even canada. what about you?

wrap up: {artist} {hues} {landscapes} {painting} {philip govedare} {rich}

Next time you find yourself sitting for long periods of time writing a story or standing in that awkward position at the easel…try these five yoga poses and see how they will ENHANCE your creativity.

Wrist relief. As we hold our pen, type across the keys of the keyboard, or practice notes on our instruments we forget about the tiny bunch of bones that make it all possible…our wrists. The next moment…Cramp! Before you cramp up take a few moments to bend your elbow so that your forearm comes in toward your chest. Flex the wrist so that your palm faces up toward to ceiling. Using the opposite hand, press down on your extended fingertips to open the wrist…hold for 10 breaths and then bend your wrist in the opposite direction, so that your fingertips almost rest on your shoulder. Hold for 10 breaths and then do the other side.

Seated cat/cow. If you’re confined to the desk this is a great move to try out, but I recommend getting on the floor and doing regular cat/cow if you can. Artists tend to find themselves with shoulders that are hunched over so this is great to open up the heart and increase mobility in the spine. Inhale and draw the shoulder blades onto the back, spread the collarbones, look up and allow the chest to expand. Exhale, round the spine like a Halloween cat, round the shoulders, draw the navel toward your spine, and tuck your chin. This pose is just as much about the breath as it is the fluid motion of the spine. Work it and it will work you!

Hello Hamstrings! Giving the ole’ hamstrings a good stretch with a forward fold, standing or seated, is a great, restorative pose for artists. As creative people we tend to put so much pressure on ourselves to always perform and put out “perfect” work. Try this pose and as you stand there hinging at the hips let all your insecurities and fears literally roll off your back. Anatomically this pose will release your lower back, lengthen the spine, and tone the hamstrings that we all love to shorten as we sit driving or creating for hours.

Healing Hip Opener. Here is another pose that you can do in the chair or supine on a yoga mat. Releasing tension in the hips opens up more space for creative breakthroughs so try it out! Scoot to the edge of your seat…both feet firmly planted on the ground. Place your right ankle on top of your left leg just above the knee. Breathing in, lengthen your spine by rooting through the sit bones and reaching the crown of your head toward the sky. Breathing out and keeping the spine long and straight begin folding the torso gently over the legs. You’ll feel this in your hip. Be kind to your hips and only fold to your edge. Hold this pose for a minute or so and then switch sides.

Breathe. That’s right! It’s that simple. Taking a moment to walk away from your work, get out of your mind, and back into your body can do wonders for your creative energy. Try sitting in a comfortable position. Relax the jaw, let your shoulders fall away from your ears, root through your sit bones as you extend through the crown of your head and turn inward. Silently and lovingly observe your breath as you send yourself some kindness. If nothing else, Artists can always use more breathing and more kindness.

How has yoga enhanced your creative experience? How has creativity enhanced your yoga? I would love to know!

My name is Courtney Pearce! I am a yoga teacher, creative soul, Great Dane momma, Health Promotions nerd, blogger at yogag33k.com, and co-creator of “Dancing in the Fire: A 30 day journey to creativity through yoga and art” with Eliza Tobin. Join us this August to meet your creativity through art journaling, meditation, and yoga! Go to 30 days of yoga and art and receive two FREE creative affirmation prints. I look forward to connecting and meeting kindred spirits along the journey to creativity through yoga and art! Namaste.

wrap up: {artist} {courtney pearce} {creative} {health} {poses} {yoga}

my mom surprised me yesterday with amy butler’s midwest modern lifestyle book! isn’t she sweet?  my jaw dropped as i flipped through all 224 pages of amy’s inspiring images and story lines.

page after page, she lets us into her whimsical home and studio, beautiful kitchen and outdoor gardens.

she talks about her life, her business and design process and gives us an inside peek into what inspires her work.  with how-tos in every chapter she draws you in with incredible images and design work.

if you look to nature for inspiration or love learning about successful artists, amy butler’s midwest modern is a must read.  i’ll be flipping through it’s pages many more times as it left me feeling uplifted and creative.  enjoy!

wrap up: {amy butler} {artist} {book} {inspiration} {lifestyle} {review}

ana ventura is an illustrator, artist and photographer with a very unique sense of style.  with homey roots and colorful characters, her nature inspired work warms the soul.  visit her shop to start exploring more of her beautiful world!

elsewhere :: {site} {flickr} {blog}

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please welcome, guest poster: lana from joey and lana make a house a home

First I want to say how delighted I am to do a post for Going Home to Roost. I love this blog so much, it’s silly!  I wanted to share with you, exceptional artists who inspire me on a regular basis. From fine art to home goods, I am going to cover some of my favorites from head to toe!

I would like to explore an artist I have loved for so many years. I first discovered his talent when he was focusing on acrylic work of creatures and whimsical landscapes. Then and there I fell in love. Duane Hosien , a native of Trinidad and current New York City resident, has expanded his work into the most deliciously detailed pen-work you have ever seen. Glamour, Germany has just discovered him and commissioned him to do a shirt for a give-away! You can see his work in his etsy store, flickr account, or his blog! I am sure your socks will be knocked right off by his style and detail to attention

Great  for both children and adults! Buttercup Bloom has the sweetest little Etsy shop! The selection is small yet perfect. These make perfect gifts and I love to decorate my home with the owls when Fall comes around.

Super functional and amazingly stylish in a woodsy way! I have been craving these desk accessories for sometime. I promised myself as soon as I buy a new desk, I am getting both! Woodtec provides a simple craft with loads of function.

These handcrafted bowls are the work of Isabelle Abramson! They are so delicate and beautiful. Imagine them in the center of your table filled with delicious fruit or pinecones! I could only imagine the amount of time theses took to make!

So this is just a taste of some of my favorite hand made crafters! I hope you enjoy them and are inspired by their work as much as I am.

wrap up: {artist} {guest} {handmade} {pottery} {wood}

please welcome, guest poster: wolf and willow

Hello darlings! My name is Nancy. I just popped over from Wolf and Willow to borrow a cup of sugar. That is, my dear friend Bonnie has kindly invited me to write a little guest post for you all, and I’m tickled pink! They always say “write what you know” so today, I’d like to introduce you to some beautiful, talented ladies from my hometown, Melbourne. I’ve asked each one what makes them laugh when creating.

Ceramic artist, Jennifer, from Have You Met Miss Jones, says it’s the expressions on the faces of all the animals that she designs that really makes her laugh. “It’s really important to get the facial expression just right” she says, “me and my mould maker always laugh over trying to think of what an owl or a squirrel may be thinking at that moment!”

The girls over at Ink & Spindle had a good old giggle trying to answer my question, and say their immediate response was “my business partner’s dorky behaviour”. In this funky little textile studio, it seems there’s always something to laugh about, whether it’s singing out of tune, bad dancing around the printing table or a neighbour’s mid-afternoon sweet tooth. It’s so inspiring to hear how much these two artists love their job. Keep on smiling girls!

Visual artists Gracia & Louise are constantly blowing me away with their creativity and passion! I’ve often enjoyed the quiet, quizzical sense of humour in their artists’ books, prints and zines, so it’s no surprise to hear that caffeine, cocoa and laughter are three constants in their day. Gracia says, “collaboration throws up the unexpected, and what’s not to like about that?”

Thanks so much for having me, Bonnie. I’ve really enjoyed bringing you this little post all the way from Australia!

wrap up: {artist} {austrailia} {handmade} {interview} {wolf and willow}