attitude of gratitude

Thanksgiving is this week! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, because it is all about gratitude. I try my best to cultivate an "attitude of gratitude" every day, and that's why I used that phrase as the title of my 24th Brushstrokes with Impact (tm) "Paint-a-Thon", which took place of Saturday, November 11th. "Attitude of Gratitude" was a fitting title for a number of reasons: this was my first event in Massachusetts, so I'm grateful for that; the cause was the Greater Boston Food Bank, which is an organization that helps so many people to have a happier Thanksgiving; Elizabeth at Birch St. House & Garden is lovely and kind and her adorable shop is a real community hub, so I'm happy she was such a warm, welcoming, gracious host; and I'm grateful that I was able to share my work with a whole new audience that I never would have been able to meet before. Plus, I now have a brand-new collector: I sold "Home In My Heart" (a little 3" x 3" painting) to a woman named Libby, who shared a story with me that made me get a bit emotional. Libby bought "Home In My Heart" as a housewarming present for a dear friend of hers who had lost his partner earlier this year...he was starting his life in a new place without his "other half," and she wanted to give him a meaningful gift as he began this major transition. As she told me the story, she said, "This is going to a very good home," which made me tear up, because that's always my hope whenever anyone buys my art, especially a painting! Well, you can imagine my joy when Libby's name was on the winning raffle ticket, and I'm happy to say that she was pretty excited when I called her with the news! Here are some photos from the day:

setting up

ready, set, go!

"Home In My Heart": SOLD!

"Not-So-Delicate Flower": finished in the nick of time!

winner winner! 

Thanks to everyone's support, together we were able to raise $105 for the Greater Boston Food Bank! This brings the total raised for national and local charities from two dozen (that's right, two dozen- another thing to be grateful for!) Brushstrokes With Impact (tm) "Paint-a-Thon"s to roughly $3700! I feel pretty good about that. Anyway, if you find yourself anywhere near Roslindale, please stop by Birch St. House & Garden to say hello and pick up something fun! That shop is as cute as can be, and you can find something for everyone on your list- including yourself! What's on tap for December, you might be asking? Stay tuned...I will fill you in next time! 

Thank you, Elizabeth! 

Another fun thing that is scheduled to happen this week (weather permitting, of course) is a Meditative Walk and Mandala-making workshop at the Cathance River Nature Alliance with my dear friend, Heather Goulette of Monarch Massage and Wellness! It's free, and it will be a wonderful way to decompress and get grounded in nature after and before the hustle and bustle of two major holidays. Join us! Here's a link to the Facebook event page. We would love to see you there!