Sea Worthy

I decided to post this image today as a reminder. A reminder to me, to all of you, that we are indeed sea worthy. I created this journal spread at a weekend with Juliana Coles, my captain, and the rest of my Pirate Brethren. We met last year at a retreat in Key West, but the bond has continued on. All together we create a pretty safe space, where the worry, anxiety, and burden of our past is free to be released. Released and conquered. This page was so therapeutic for me. I have been feeling off kilter and in limbo lately, only to find that I am steadfast and stable, able to withstand the stormy winds. It was a comfort and a revelation for me. On top of which, the page holds a mysterious beauty. So thank you Pirate Brethren, as well as my local brethren and the rest of those I love, scattered near and far. You remind me that though I may not have the answers, I may never have the answers, I am steady and strong, and more than capable to brave rough waters.

Awaken Inspiration

I created these pages for a round robin project that I and some other Artfesters are involved in. The theme of this journal was a Book of Spells. I so loved this theme. I decided to do my page around creativity, and this is the spell that I found.

Nut to tree, seed to flower,
Nurture my creative power,
Growing as it fills this dish,
Inspiration is my wish.

December Photos

Here are some new-ish photos from December. The top two were taken in Longmont before holiday madness took over. I love how rich and saturated these images are.

The rest of these were taken over the holidays in California, except for the Red Rocks/El Rancho picture. That one was taken on the road in Gallup, NM. There are loads more to look at here. Stay tuned for some of my favorite images yet, taken in B&W, as well as some new and in progress artwork!

Map, Schmap

Hi everyone! I have good news. One of my photos was selected for inclusion at www.schmap.com, which is an online travel guide. You can see my photo representing Pioneer Square, Seattle here...

http://www.schmap.com/seattle/activities_pioneersquare/#r=none&mapview=Map&tab=Places&p=39974&topleft=47.60242,-122.33548&bottomright=47.59838,-122.33246&i=39974_57.jpg

http://www.schmap.com/?m=iphone#uid=seattle&sid=activities_pioneersquare&p=39974&i=39974_57

Or, you can take a look at it on my flickr site here...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jessiestarling/4170828152/

Happy New Year!

So we all made it through another year. It was a good one for me, with lots of changes. I opened the door on a whole new life of possibilities. One where I own who I am and what I do, even if the path is unclear. I made new friends and mentors through retreats and workshops. I started this little blog of mine, that has opened my own doors wider. I am able to share my work, my life , and who I am with people close to me but far away, a well as build new relationships. Suddenly this space doesn't seem so little anymore. Next year hopes to bring more learning and working and travelling and loving life. A body of work to share with you all on Etsy, more photos and fun. Thank you all for the support and encouragement that has been given in large and small ways. I leave you with a few more recent Diana pics that I love and enjoyed taking. Take a look at my Flickr site for lots more. Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays! Here is a little something I made for the Holidays, and it makes me happy just looking at it. The trout image is a Christmas gift for someone, shhh, don't tell! Oddly I like the pairing of santa and trout, they seem happy together. Some of these images have made their way into my journal on a holiday page spread, which I will share that as it evolves. I hope you

all have a wonderful holiday and are able to spend it with family and friends. See you in the new year!

Goals & Gratitude

These are journal pages that I did in Traci Bunker's workshop, Love and Fear, at Journalfest. I started these pages there, and worked on them more later on. They are completed for now, but I wouldn't be surprised if I work back into them some more. We had to make a list of goals and resolutions, then use our biggest one to make a journal page triptych as though this dream is real. As though I am living it right now. My pages are about a dream I have had my whole life, but which has becoming closer into focus as of late. I have always been an artist, so to speak, but it's only recently that I am making it my priority. Figuring out what I do, how I do it, and what that means to me. So the pages are full of words and images to support this dream of mine, down to the turn of the century building in a quaint, funky old town that I hope to live and work in one day.

The green page is a gratitude list made in class that folds over the artist spread. By this time, the work was flowing, and this page was made in a whirlwind. I love what it means to me and how it turned out. Even more surprising is how happy it is next to the other pages. They are different, but connected somehow.