 | | "Me, Me, Pick Me!" original watercolor painting by Patrice A Federspiel |
"Me, Me, Pick Me!"
Have you ever had one of those days when you would have been better off had you stayed in bed?
It feels like I had an entire month of those days recently. Not really, but having just one day like that (yesterday) felt like it was a month long.
Yesterday morning I wrote in my journal that I wanted to take a day off just for me. I thought I might start it off with a nice long walk along Diamond Head crater in Waikiki.
Instead my sweet husband offered to make breakfast and I took him up on his offer. After eating it felt too late to walk in our hot tropical sun so I ran a few errands before going to the studio to work.
(Note to self: going to the studio does NOT equal taking a day off.)
Once there my internet connection failed and my phone dropped three calls in a row. That almost never happens. I should have remembered then that I had decided to take the day off.
(Note to readers: I am not good at taking time off.)
It took me until 2:30 in the afternoon to finally kick into high gear and go to the gym. By then I really needed to burn off steam.
It is too easy for me, and I'll bet for you too, to put my job first. Often that is a good thing, but there are times when it is not.
The times that I need to put myself first are the times that Me, Me, Pick Me! becomes an autobiographical painting, reminding me of what I need to do.
My painting "Me, Me, Pick Me!" relates to the idea of picking ourselves when faced with a situation that has the potential to either empower or to disempower us. The time to choose yourself over others is when your choice injures no one and enhances your own well being.
Next month "Me, Me, Pick Me!" will debut at the Society of Watercolor Artists 2012 International Juried Exhibition in Fort Worth, TX.
It is quite an honor to have been chosen to be part of this illustrious exhibit. Out of 177 entries from around the world, juror Robert Burridge chose 50 to be displayed in the atrium of the Fort Worth Central Library. Burridge is a full-time contemporary painter and teacher in San Luis Obispo, CA. He is a popular lecturer and writer with more than 100 articles published.
I am very excited for this painting to reach a wider viewing audience, and hope those of you in and near Fort Worth will go to the library to enjoy the exhibit. If you do, please take a photo of yourself next to my painting and send it to me (I won't be able to make the show).
The show opens Sunday, April 15th and the reception will be held on May 6th from 2-4pm. The last day to see the show will be Friday, June 22nd.
If you would like to purchase a matted, ready-to-frame 11"x14" laser print of
"Me, Me, Pick Me!", to remind yourself to "pick yourself", you can do so for $35.00 (includes shipping) 
Or you can purchase a beautiful 30"x11" Limited-edition giclée print
of "Me, Me, Pick Me!" on watercolor paper for $295.00 (includes shipping)
**********
Another of my paintings, "Heliconia: Ala i ka Lani", (pictured right) is on display this month in the
Hawai`i Watercolor Society's Members' Exhibit at the ARTS at Marks Garage at 1159 Nu`uanu St
in downtown Honolulu.
The gallery is open from 11AM-6PM Tuesday through Saturday, and closed on Sundays and Mondays.
The awards reception will be held from 5-7PM Thursday, April 5th. Please come down to enjoy the show!
You can purchase a matted, ready-to-frame 11x14 laser print of this painting for $35 (includes shipping) Or a 30"x11" Limited-edition giclée print on watercolor paper for $295. (includes shipping) **********  The next
Hide-N-Seek Watercolor Workshop at the historic Waioli Tea Room
in Honolulu will be on April 21, 2012.
$125.00 includes personal instruction as well as coffee, tea, and water all day long, continental breakfast, and lunch. If you want to have more fun painting, sign up soon.
Space is limited. Registration Ends April 14th. Go to www.artofaloha.com/classes/ for more information Here is some of what previous students have to say about the class: "I REALLY enjoyed the class, thank you so much. Food was great, setting was beautiful, your teaching style is fun and relaxed. I was amazed at what I actually painted because I too have control-freak tendencies. : ) I've always loved your lush, bold colors and love that I'm achieving that in these paintings." ~ Kelly Kimura " I just had to say just HOW much I enjoyed the class. I've been raving about it all week. I painted furiously that weekend, and on my day off. I managed to get some depth to one flower, but not the other. It's way over worked, but I'm learning from it. Maybe I can paint again this weekend! Thank you for the wonderful class! Can't wait to take another!" ~ Carol Wilcox Sign up today by calling Patrice at 808-392-9104 Better yet, email her at: Patrice@artofaloha.com **********
Mahalo for taking the time to read this Art of Aloha eZine. If you have a moment, I hope you will share it with a friend either by forwarding it, or by clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn buttons!
A Hui Hou,
PS You can find my official page on facebook fan page HERE . Become my online fan by pressing the Like button.
"Accept your genius and say what you think." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
**********
| 
