Awards!

Be warned… this is a long post, but it’s worth the time!

Over the past few months, I’ve been honored to receive some blogging awards from a few very special bloggers. I am by nature very shy, so I never posted my badges on my blog, preferring instead to privately thank those who nominated me for the kinds words and praise they sent my way. Most recently, Kateri gave me the Thinking Blogger Award, and along with the award, she passed along the idea that continuing the chain allows us to share wonderful blogs with others. Of course she’s right, and so this is my award post wherein I want to share those talented people who gave me awards and then share some blogs that may or may not have already received awards. I would also like to give my nominators my own awards , so here goes…

Meet the Award Givers

In July, Kathryn Howard gave me the Thinking Blogger Award. I was quite flattered by her kind words, especially since I have always enjoyed my visits to her blog Sniplings. Her art is sweet, fresh and uniquely her own. Her creative use of empty space and her lovely choices of color and pattern never cease to delight me, and so I give Kathryn my Absolutely Delightful Blog Award. Please visit her blog and enjoy!

Then in August, Leah named me a Rockin’ Girl Blogger. Well, I liked that all around – both the rockin’ and the girl part! Coming from Leah, who is a young gal with such tremendous energy and creativity, that’s quite an accolade. Her blog, Creative Every Day, is a treasure trove of art, philosophy, sprituality, inspiration, links to other fabulous blogs, and abundant good vibage. She has recently taken the plunge to working full time as an artist, and this weekend, she’s getting married. I’d like to give her my Positive Energy Award. If you haven’t been to her blog, it’s a must…

September brought the Inspirational Blogger Award, given to me by Ces. I’m not even sure where to begin to describe why this was such a honor. Ces is a woman whose capablities and talents are only matched by her true warmth of spirit. She is a talented painter, a magical storyteller, a wickedly witty illustrator, a clinical analyst, a supermom, and completely lovely lady. I had the pleasure of meeting her very briefly last summer at KJ and JB’s Yart Fair, and I instantly felt like I had always known her. I only hope I will have a chance to spend more time getting to know her better at a future gathering. Ces gets my Phenomenal Woman Award.

Finally, a little later in September, Kateri gave me the Thinking Blogger Award. I had only just recently discoverd her blog, and I was truly touched by her words. Kateri really understands where I’m coming from as an artist, and I would like to think I understand a little about her as well. She is artist and a romantic to the bone; she sees the world through the eyes of a visionary, and she is able to convey her experiences in prose that is like poetry, so full of imagery that brings me right to the moment she describes. A student and writer of poetry, a visual artist, a spiritualist, a field walker, a dreamer, a realist… Kateri’s Unweaving the Nest receives my Transcendental Wings Award. I would feel fortunate to someday have the opportunity to sit with her and talk about the world over a pot of tea.

Meet My Nominees

Toni Kelly started her blog shortly before I started mine, and she is one of my first blog buddies. I just love visiting her blog and immersing myself in the beauty of her art – mostly sensitive images from nature, embellished with her fine calligraphy. I also enjoy the stories of her life and travels, her musings about the world, and her delicious soup recipes. The statement beneath her header reads, “I love to experiment with my art and allow myself to be guided through intuition and exploration,” and she often shares that process with her readers. I feel so very fortunate to have made a connection with Toni and her art, and I hope you will stop by and see why. Toni gets the Inspirational Thinking Blogger Award!

I moved to Connecticut a little over four years ago, and making friends has been a slow process. One day, I came across Lenna Andrew’s blog through an Inspire Me Thursday challenge, and discovered that she lived a few minutes from my home! We emailed back and forth a bit, and finally met for coffee. Since then, we’ve become friends and art buddies, a doubly special thing for me. Lenna’s blog, Creative Lenna, is a rich and colorful chronicle of her art and life. I always enjoy seeing the gorgeous mixed media pieces she creates and reading about the various swaps she does with artists all over the world. I marvel at the beauty she creates, and the real joy each piece conveys. I am happy to call her a friend, and to give her the Joyful Creativity Award.

Marie Otero, the Lost Aussie on the Loose, is another person whose art really inspires me. She is an accomplished mixed media artist whose digital and traditional collages are both striking and unique. Her imagery is always thought provoking in its beauty and originality, each piece a real work of fine art. In addition to admiring her work, I am in awe of the ease with which she regulary uproots herself and her household with such (seeemingly) effortless grace and settles in so completely to a new home, while periodically traveling back home to Australia. Marie gets my Intrepid Artist Award.

My final award for this post goes to my beloved partner, Jol, who recently joined the blogging world. In his blog, Guitar Guru, he will share the inside stories about the art of his award winning guitar design, musician interviews, and tales from his thirty plus years in the music world, all served up with a generous helping of his wonderful wit and wisdom. All bias aside, Guitar Guru is off to a great start. For that, and everything else he does, Jol gets my Rock My World Award. Stop by and say hello!

If you’ve gotten this far, thanks! There are so many more bloggers I would like to acknowledge, but that will have to wait for another time.