2016
A Year of Transitions and New Beginnings
I am looking forward to a New
Year filled with possibilities and new beginnings. I'm also looking forward to putting 2015
behind me, I have to say it's been an interesting year that's for sure, not one
I'd like to repeat anytime soon... I can't even begin to count the many friends,
loved-ones of my friends, and family members who were affected in one way or
another with life altering events this past year. It proved to be challenging
physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually... I felt so bad for everyone
around me that it took its toll on my body and life... I was spiraling down a
dark hole and couldn't see my way out... I had to constantly remind myself to
count each of my blessings... that loss is a part of our life, and instead of
mourning their departure, I needed to celebrate their life.
I couldn't take any more loved ones
dying, friends being deathly ill or tragic events in our world. Being
bombarded from all angles was too much… It all played a huge part in my heaviness and downward internal spiral... On the outside I maintained, but on the inside I was crumbling. Everything I had planned on doing fell behind... I did what I needed to to survive.
Up until September I had been doing my 365 days of art challenge... I was
keeping up and marching through most of the heart ache. Then one of my best
friends from back-home in Alaska passed away out of the blue dying in her
sleep. She and I were close in age, so her dying really effected every aspect of my life. I didn't find out until the funeral had taken place. I was
shattered. So many things I wished I had told her. So many stories that
were left hanging, feeling guilty for not being there for her through the end. Everything compiled on each other...
I couldn't breathe or stop crying... I hit my wall! I needed a break...
break from my every day, a break to help heal my broken heart, nothing seemed important... I couldn't
paint one more picture. I let me 365 day challenge go to the wayside in the middle of September. Even though I felt like I had no art left in my, my body wouldn't allow stopping all together. Painting is a drive from deep within, I just had to switch my medium in order to get my mojo back. I needed to feel
grounded so I went to my rocks. I painted my first rock in months in her memory...
 |
| Pat Magnusson you are forever loved and cherished. |
Most of you who know me know I have
a huge rock collection from all over the world... From each place I've visited
since I was a little girl. Gifts given to me by my traveling friends. I have boxes and boxes we have carried with us from
our move from Minnesota to Alaska, Alaska to Hawaii, Hawaii to Washington...
I've carried a lot of rocks over my shoulders these past 52 years, so has my
husband even though he's not as thrilled about it as I am. Thank God he loves
me, I don't know too many others who would have done so gracefully without
complaint.
In every home we've lived I've surrounded our home with rocks... from river rock, to huge boulders... I can't explain my fascination with rock of all origins... I just love each and every one of them. They bring me comfort and have a calming effect on my entire body. Holding them in both hands, feeling their energy, relying on their strength... it's no wonder why I went to my rocks for comfort and grounding. Not only do I collect them, I have started to paint on them in the last couple years. Living in the Pacific Northwest on the Olympic Peninsula in the Puget Sound... Rocks are in abundance, especially the nice big smooth rocks that easily take pen, marker, and paints. Not only do I find comfort in them, I add the beauty of art combined with my love and energy... It makes for a very special and powerful tool... I call them my Earth Angel Rocks©
In every home we've lived I've surrounded our home with rocks... from river rock, to huge boulders... I can't explain my fascination with rock of all origins... I just love each and every one of them. They bring me comfort and have a calming effect on my entire body. Holding them in both hands, feeling their energy, relying on their strength... it's no wonder why I went to my rocks for comfort and grounding. Not only do I collect them, I have started to paint on them in the last couple years. Living in the Pacific Northwest on the Olympic Peninsula in the Puget Sound... Rocks are in abundance, especially the nice big smooth rocks that easily take pen, marker, and paints. Not only do I find comfort in them, I add the beauty of art combined with my love and energy... It makes for a very special and powerful tool... I call them my Earth Angel Rocks©
Each rock is hand selected from the
beaches of the Pacific Northwest in Port Townsend Washington. They are cleaned,
drawn, and then hand painted with love. Each is unique in size, painting
and design. All are a one-of-a-kind piece of history. Each tell their own
story, grounding you to Mother Earth no matter where you are in this world.
They are sealed with an acrylic sealer and are meant for indoor use as they are
a piece of art. My hope is that my Earth Angel Rocks bring you a sense of
peace, love, and healing energy as it does to me.
For the past 4 months I have been
painting in-between family, baking and holiday events... I can't believe I've
managed to paint a rock a day building up a small collection soon to be listed
in my Etsy store. If you can't wait, I also have
my Earth Angel Rocks in two local business here in Port Townsend... Soak
On The Sound and The Swan Hotel. I'm hoping
to add a couple more local places here in the near future. I'll keep you posted
when I get new businesses on line. If you'd like to order a custom painted
rock... you can send me an email at... katasee[@]gmail.com (less the
brackets) and we can discuss options and price. No job is too big or too
small... I'm taking my passion for art and turning it into a small business to help make ends meet...
There were several other good things
about this past year that I am extremely grateful for... My Children came to
visit with our new granddaughter last spring. Getting to know your granddaughter
is like a gift from heaven... We love our little munchkin, she truly is a gift from the stars above!!!
My youngest son moved back home this past summer to help his parents out and to save some money and continue his education... We are so grateful to have him and his girlfriend around. She has become a part of our family near and dear, I don't know what we would have done without all their daily love, inspiration and help throughout the year.
Our oldest son and his fiancé moved
from Dallas to Port Townsend the same week my girlfriend of 30 years died
unexpectedly. Having them here living with us for a month while they got
settled into their new place was a huge blessing... it had been 17 years since
my son went out on his own and moved to Minnesota. Getting to know him now as a
man warmed our hearts. Seeing what an amazing kind, giving, gentle,
loving, hardworking man he's grown into has made us both so proud of our
son. Having him here for the holidays, and celebrating his 35th birthday
was truly a gift unlike any other... Having them here is what kept me sane and
moving forward. My future daughter is a mover and shaker... she is instrumental in getting me to start selling my rocks again... she inspires me with her love and energy daily.
After hitting my wall in September,
my sister came for a visit in the beginning of November, another huge blessing!
It had been 12 years since we last seen each other...Way too long, that will
never happen again!!! We had such an amazing week going through pictures,
sightseeing in Seattle, going to the beach even though it was cold, laughing, giggling,
and staying up to all hours of the night... We has so much fun, I didn't want
her to leave... Every day I thank my lucky stars for having such an
amazing sister. Thank God for the phone, face-time, and Facebook, it
lessens the miles between us. I can't wait to see her again in April for my nephews
wedding. I love you my sister!
Thanksgiving we were blessed with a
visit from our future in-laws... My son's fiancés dad and step-mom came for a
visit... we loved getting to know them and celebrating the holidays with them and
my in-laws. We were so grateful that most of our family were here... it was the first big Thanksgiving dinner
I've cooked in 7 years... We did the whole spread in celebration for all being together.... Yet
another blessing! I loved every minute of it... well, until I collapsed that
night out of pure exhaustion... It was a good exhaustion though, It reminded me I need to get in better shape so I
can cook for my loved ones and keep up with my granddaughter...
December we were again blessed
with the visit from our middle son and his wife and daughter, our one and only
granddaughter... I never could have imagined anything better then grand kids.
With our kids all grown, we kind of got out of the baby way of life. Having a
little munchkin here for Christmas brought the magic back in our lives and home. We spent the holiday with our growing family... It was the first holiday in 30 years the entire Quam family were together in one place for a holiday, so of course we had to get pictures... Thank you to all our kids and their loves for making it happen. Getting everyone together at one time, in one place is no easy feat... but they pulled it off. It was a magical Christmas for Scott and I that we will never forget. We
can't wait for their next visit...
