Kindness Chronicles May

A recent 2nd grade lesson I helped teach discussed being a "Bucket Filler".  It goes a little something like this....

All day long, everyone in the whole wide world walks around carrying an invisible bucket.  

You can't see it but it's there.

Recent journal page from my sketchbook

Materials used:  acrylic paint, paint pen

You also have a bucket.  Each member of your family has a bucket.  Your parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors all have a bucket.  Everyone you can think of carries an invisible bucket.

Recent journal page from my sketchbook

Bird study

Materials used:  acrylic paint, colored pencils, black pen

Your bucket has one purpose only.  Its purpose is to hold your good thoughts and good feelings about yourself.

You feel very happy and good when your bucket is full, and you feel very sad and lonely when your bucket is empty.

Other people feel the same way too.  They're happy when their buckets are full and they're sad when their buckets are empty.  It's great to have a full bucket and this is how it works...

You need your bucket full and other people need you to fill their bucket.  

So, how do you fill a bucket?

I asked my 3 year what I should draw one day and she said an owl!  So that's what I drew...

You fill a bucket when you show love to someone, when you say or do something kind, or even when you give someone a smile. That's being a bucket filler. 

When you make someone feel special, you are filling a bucket.

But, you can also dip into a bucket and take out some good feelings.  You dip into a bucket when you say or do mean things, or even when you ignore someone.  That's being a bucket dipper.

Many people who dip have an empty bucket.  They think they can fill their own bucket by dipping into someone else's, but that will never work.  You never fill your bucket when you dip into someone else's.

But guess what... when you fill someone's bucket, you fill your own bucket too!  You feel good when you help others feel good.

All day long we are either filling up or dipping into each other's buckets by what we say and what we do.  Try to fill a bucket and see what happens.

Recent journal page from my sketchbook.

A bucket of kindness, love, flowers, and sunshine...

Bucket filling makes everyone feel good.  So why not decide to be a bucket filler today and every day?  Just start each day by saying to yourself, "I'm going to do something to fill someone's bucket today."

And at the end of each day, ask yourself,

"Did I fill a bucket today?"

"Yes, I did!"  That's the life of a bucket filler...and that's YOU!

This was a really awesome lesson for our 2nd grade class.  They were able to grasp the concept very quickly!  I enjoyed the fresh perspective on being kind to others!  It certainly stuck with me.

Thanks to Pam Russell, our Children's Minister for such a wonderful lesson!

trying to be a bucket filler each and everyday on this artist holiday,

hannah

Cupcakes and Ladybugs

You just never know the combination you will see on this blog!  I always enjoy trying to mix it up!

What have I been up to lately?....

painting with acrylics!

I am always reading a variety of inspirational websites, books or emails and I keep seeing the same phrase over and over again.  (Which I truly believe is for me to keep reminding myself!)

The power is within

Such a powerful phrase, maybe even a mantra for me and my creative abilities.

I am always trying to gain more self-confidence in my art making ability, so I decided I wanted to put my abilities to the test...

Create 2 paintings that are representational and not abstract.  (Representational meaning when we look at the same painting, we all see the same thing and abstract meaning everyone sees something completely different.) This also coincided with 2 gifts I wanted to make for 2 of my cousins and their children.  (one on the way)  The subject matters: cupcakes for the soon to be newborn Lily and ladybugs for soon to be 3 year old Grace.

My idea was to create a pattern with them both, sort of graphic, playful and child-like.

Lily's Cupcakes

Materials used:  Acrylic paint, Paint Pen

I wanted it to look like cupcakes but not a photograph of one.

I always "wrap" the image around the edges of the canvas.  I think it adds another dimension to the painting by creating angles of the images.

I am saying through my signature "I did this and I am proud to put my name on it".  This concept took me many years to realize.  You should create your own signature as well and put it on everything you do!

I wrote the title and the TO and FROM on the back as well as one more signature and year.

My other painting is...

Ladybugs for Grace

Materials used:  Acrylic Paints

I used a large, circular plastic lid as the template for the ladybugs body.  Whereas for the cupcakes I created a foam stamp as my template and painted over it many times.

No paint pen here.  I painted several layers and then went back with black on the lid to create the outline.  I free-hand painted the ladybugs heads, legs and antennas.

I added the speckles at the very end on both paintings to create that fun and even messy child-like look.  There is glitter on both paintings as well to give it a really cool shimmer effect!

Grace's message on the back.

Thanks Renee' and Crystal for all your support!  Love you and your girls!!

So, I put my mind to it and I did it!  The power and determination was within!  (These paintings were my 2nd attempts on both by the way.)  I stuck with it and found a creative solution to each aesthetic problem I encountered.  Sure, I learned from my mistakes and will do it differently next time.  But maybe even more importantly; I made a goal and achieved it.  That always feels so good!

it's never too late to learn that the power is within yourself on this artist holiday,

hannah

Kindness Chronicles - Lost Pennies

When you find those lost pennies do you make sure they are heads up first before you pick them? Then you think you'll receive a little good luck?






If they are tails up, do you just leave them as they are?  

Well, what if....










you did not just leave it tails up but instead....






YOU turn it over to be heads up for the next person that comes along!

This past month I found a penny in a parking lot tails down.  It occurred to me instead of leaving it tails down, turn it over for someone to find it heads up and feel just a little happiness!


It is a very small gesture, but we all know those bad days come along and it is the little surprises of joy, (finding that penny heads up) that could change our thinking and maybe even our day.


So next time, turn that penny over and feel the joy that someone else will be happy to find a heads up penny!


Just a few other random acts this month;
1.  straightened shuffled books on a library shelf 
2.  Helped an unknown mother with her stroller
3.  Words of encouragement spoken and sent to me!!!  Love reading them over and over!!!
4.Support of my artistic endeavors financially!! So greatly appreciated!




This is only the second installation of the Kindness Chronicles and it has shown me more than what I do for others, how much more others do for me!  Reflection on these events is so inspiring for myself!  














The Kindness Chronicles is when we share our small and sometimes large random acts of kindness!


Click on these artists to read their Kindness Chronicles:


Jane LaFazio

Lyric Kinard



thinking about the little things on this artist holiday,
hannah

Slow...

needing to say nothing more on this artist holiday,

hannah

Letting Go

I am trying to be better about letting go of my artwork.

They sometimes feel (just a little) like children in the sense that it is hard to accept that I have done all I can do before I send them out into the world!  But letting go is a good thing!  I want to be constantly moving forward and discovering new ideas and possibilities, whether on a canvas or in a piece of jewelry or in a random found object.  Ideas flood my mind everyday, I only hope to have a lifetime to do them all!

Finally, letting go....

an all time favorite painting of mine....

Becoming One

12x12 canvas, acrylic paint.

click on the title to read why this painting is so special to me.

A new set of paintings...

Edges are simply an extension of the front of the canvas!

Abstract Grid

2 8x10 canvases, acrylic paint.

texture and patterns

depth through various layers.

My signature blends in well so these paintings can be hung in any direction.

My most recent painting....

Color Effect

An abstract painting with beautifully rich colors!

My favorite color - chartreuse green!

The color palette also includes; reds, pinks, violets, turquoise blues, whites, and a little orange and black!

I am thrilled with this piece because the texture of the overlapping colors is so cool! 

No two places are exactly the same on this canvas!

A closeup of the organic shapes within organic shapes!

What does it look like to you?

There is no wrong answer here, abstract paintings will look different to everyone.  

I see shells, maybe oyster shells.  It reminds me of the beach...

I used some recycled materials for stamping and also painted around, both inside and outside the shapes for added depth.

Edges, almost as important as the front of the canvas!

These 3 paintings are in need of good homes!

I have listed them for sale in my etsy shop -

It is time...

Lynndylan Designs

still growing personally and learning to let go on this artist holiday,

hannah

My Creativity Prayer

Porous shells at my fingertips lay gently in their place.

Secured tightly by only Your unwavering grace.

Beads strung and ribbons tied on nicely to add that softer touch.

I pray for continued guidance in my creative endeavors and such.

God, the talents you have given me I want to use up.

Creativity lives in my bones and does fill my cup.

With every twist and turn, every failure and success, I know You are there.

You hear my passion beating and take away what I couldn't possibly bear.

I will continue these dreams each of my remaining days.

I will continue to use materials in recycled ways.

Lord, my prayer is simply to use my hands to create.

And to inspire those who also want things to make.

You hold the key to this seedling in my heart.

You have made the path shown and I will do my part.

Amen

A friend of mine was recently showing me how she makes crosses by juxtaposing broken jewelry together!  Loved it!!  It was so inspiring, I wanted to make a cross with shells and wooden beads and whatever else I could find in my studio!  (Thanks K. for showing me your technique!)

Materials used:  steel wire, burlap, found NC shells, various repurposed ribbons, various wood, shell, stone, ceramic, bone, pearl and glass beads, galvanized wire, key, job's tears beads (natural).

I showed the cross to my husband and he asked where I was going to put it.  I told him I wasn't sure yet.  He suggested over our bed.  I just love that guy!

Some detail photos...

a treasure in the center from a dear friend.

the key intertwined with a variety of beads.

love porous shells!  

It's like God has already pre-drilled it for me!

had to get the pearls in there!

specks of color for surprise...

sharing my creativity prayer on this artist holiday,

hannah

Kindness Chronicles

As we drove past her large, older vehicle, she was nervously talking on her cell phone.  It wouldn't start and she was in the middle of a busy four lane.  Cars were quickly seeing she was stalled and moving around her.  My husband and I weren't sure what to do, but immediately we felt we needed to do something.  We pulled into the closest parking lot to assess the situation, and how he could help her in this potentially dangerous scene.
At one point, she got out and walked to the back of her vehicle for some reason.  My husband, not sure what she was doing, decided at that point to walk through the traffic to try to help her.  He was going to try to push her large SUV over one lane, maybe making it to the side of the road.  When she got into her vehicle to steer, she forgot to put it in neutral.  My husband was going to tell her to change gears.  That was when something awesome happened.  As she was trying to put the vehicle in neutral, for some reason, it started.  Once he and her realized this, he simply told her to go.  She said a quick thank you and off she went.


Would the vehicle have started if she didn't have to put it in neutral?

As he was standing in the back of the vehicle, another vehicle was directly behind him almost the whole time.  Was that vehicle there for his "protection"?  I always look for the Divine in these situations!

**Please note, this was circumstances a mother with her children in the car should not try to tackle.  If it was only me driving with my kids, I would not have done this.  I would have said a prayer for her protection and also prayed for someone who was strong enough to push her out of harm's way.  I felt so compelled to share this because my husband was willing to get out there and push, and the unthinkable happened.  Look for things like that in your random acts, it is the coolest!

Other recent random acts of kindness:

1.  Bought a box of cookies for a friend from their favorite store.
2.  Made a few small lofts of banana bread and gave one to a friend.
3.  Had a friend invite me and pay for my ticket to an event.  (Thanks A.!)
4.  Had a friend call to ride with me to an event and in return she made us a fabulous homemade lunch! (Thanks K.!)
5.  My sister called on a whelm to meet her at a halfway point for lunch.  (Thanks sis!)




Random acts of kindness, in my opinion, are reciprocal!  You are helping someone in need and the warm fuzzy feeling you get for helping is so rewarding.  My friend, Lyric Kinard, along with Jane Fafazio have started the Kindness Chronicles.  Anyone can join!  Simply share your random acts of kindness the first Sunday of every month.  We are sharing not to boast, but to help inspire others with our various ideas!  Click their names to get more details.

sharing the Kindness Chronicles on this artist holiday,

hannah