Break Free: How to Be More Present and Enjoy Life!

This Cancer Full Moon (Jan. 12) was an emotional breakthrough moon for me. The theme that came through was BREAK FREE. How about for you?

Breaking free from social media's time sucking and time wasting was a biggie and it was also my first bargain with the Divine. Bargain Number Two (for this week) is to be the greatest artist I can be without doubt and fear as I give myself fully to the Divine.

I began by stopping my incessant checking of the Instagram feed and this has pretty much stopped me from going on it at all, other than to posta pic or two to go with my blog and at the new and full moon for my museletter..

Next I looked at all my dreams in my dream journal from 2012 until now and then put together a list of creatively soulful things about myself and my work. Here's my list:

  • I create power objects and talismans.
  • I create artists' books.
  • I paint custom portraits.
  • I challenge the status quo.
  • I paint in many styles.
  • I paint large (48"x48"), circular, layered, Japanese inspired paintings with clouds and trees.
  • I do not sell my own art; galleries/stores do that for me.
  • I give phone readings.
  • I teach a watercolor class called, "Painting for Relaxation."
  • My artwork sells out quickly at galleries and home decor stores.
  • I'm a writer and illustrator.
  • I work in a large industrial live/work space surrounded by other creatives, but also have a quiet space for spiritual work.

So far I'm taking my own advice: "Awaken Your Intuition".- see the tagline on my site? Well, I'm living it. Plus, I do most of the things above already although there are a few I long for: the live/work artist's community and selling out at galleries.

I can tell you that so far, cutting out all this social media and leaving behind fear and doubt so I can fully be the amazing artist I am has helped me be more present and it's simplified everything.  I have more time for me, my loved ones, my friends and in nature. Time that isn't co-opted by social media and being ON 24/7. I'm having more fun and enjoying life more. WHEW! How about you?  Why not make a bargain with the Divine right now?

More articles on addiction to social media can be found here.

Break Thru by Kathy Crabbe. Space Twins Story, Gouache in sketchbook, 2017.

I'll be posting more paintings like the one above here on my blog so please check this category to keep tabs: Space Twins Story.

To help yourself be more present and go more deeply into your own life please check out my Soul Readings, Past Life Readings and Astro Reports here.

Want to see what your Spirit Animal looks like? Then commission me to paint your portrait along with your Spirit Animal here.

Daily Sketching and Story Telling is My Magic

One day not too long ago I decided I really wanted to invite narrative and story into my art; something I had not been able to do since I was very young when my goal was to be the youngest published author/illustrator ever. Once I decided this I sat down to write something and an entire sci-fi story just poured out. Since then I've been painting one illustration a day to try and flesh out the characters and to see where they take me. I started out painting children, but then realized that I rarely ever paint children! I also wanted this story to be for adults and children so was happy to switch over to painting adults, or maybe they're teens?

As I write the headline for this article I realize that I haven't yet analyzed why adding story to my life is helpful. Well, for one it's therapeutic to paint daily and to make those paintings part of a narrative and then to tie that narrative into my own life. It helps me deal with difficult emotions and it gives me subject matter which adds meaning and depth to the piece. I hope that all of that makes it interesting and entertaining not only for me, but for you as well.

I also found it interesting that when I mentioned my storytelling to my buddy in New Brunswick, he suggested I also try seeing if I could turn my life into a story because it was fun.  I like that idea and am trying it out. What about you? Do you see your own life as a story?

A Few Developmental Sketches from my Brand New Sci-Fi Story

Lost by Kathy Crabbe. Gouache on paper, 2016.

My Star (Space Twins) by Kathy Crabbe. Gouache on paper, 2016.

About Kathy Crabbe

Kathy is an artist, writer and soul reader. She has kept a diary and a dream journal since she was a very young girl. At age 8 her goal was to be the youngest published author/illustrator ever. Kathy graduated with a degree in Art History from Queen's University in Kingston, Canada and a diploma in Graphic Design & Illustration in 1992. After graduation she moved to Southern California where she became a full time artist and soul reader. Her work has appeared in We’Moon Datebook, Sage Woman Magazine, Art for the Soul and San Diego Women’s History Museum. She has taught and mentored at Wise Woman University, Mt. San Jacinto College and HGTV along with starting a writer’s group and artist’s circle in Temecula, California. 

How to Find Joy As Told by a Squirrel

She didn't realize it was missing until Squirrel, her Spirit Animal reminded her...JOY. Her sadness over the state of the world overwhelmed her, but Squirrel said: "No, you must find a way, for without your efforts the stars might not shine." So she prayed and she wished upon her star for a better world, a world where she Could make a difference, for she must, she had no choice.

Click here for more Spirit Animal paintings.

365 Days of Paint + Story

This is year 2 of daily art-making. This year I'm adding a story to the mix. This painting is no. 14 from that project.

End of Year Museletter: it's been a BIG year!

Dear Creative Soul, Here's one last blog post for you as we approach the end of 2015.

As the year draws to a close, I've been dealing with a week long cold and cough knowing that many of you may be in the same boat. Not pleasant, but it's given me space and time away from my business and marketing. Space to gain clarity and a chance to re-evaluate my goals. We are in the shadow time of Mercury Retrograde which occurs from Dec. 19-Jan. 4 whereas the actual Retrograde is from Jan. 5-24, 2016. So, it's a good time to do just that; re-evaluate.

I was planning to self-publish my Creative Soul 'Lefty' Deck, but don't feel the interest is there and I personally don't 'see' it when I look into the future. For those of you that did express interest I offer you this link where you can view all 69 cards in my own personal deck plus several extras.

This past Cancer Full Moon occurring on Dec. 25 may have helped many of you enjoy an even more traditional, heart-felt, homey holiday season because the Moon rules the sign of Cancer and Cancer is all about hominess; it's the sign of the parent; the mother, the nurturer and it also represents our emotions that ask us, 'where do we feel most at home and what brings us comfort?' When I painted this month's Cancer Full Moon Goddess I asked my husband who has a Cancer Moon, what one word best describes how it feels to have a Cancer Moon and he said, 'emotional' and so I explored that word in the painting below.

Being in my emotions feels powerful and scary by Kathy Crabbe

This past year saw me delve into so many new and exciting projects and I'd like to share them with you, such as:

1. Teaching and facilitating my New Moon Creative Soul Circle for the first time at: Yoga For Life, Temecula Gypsy Luv, Pomona, Rosewood, Menifee Inspire San Diego Studio Mt. San Jacinto College

Moon Circle Collaging

2. Giving Creative Soul Readings in person at: Gypsy Luv, Pomona Bailey's Winery (Elizabethan Feast), Temecula Karma Boutique, San Diego Learning Light Foundation, Anaheim

Kathy Crabbe giving readings at Baileys Winery, Temecula

3. Painting a series of small, abstract, watercolor landscapes both plein air (outside/in the field) and then abstracting them further at home.

painting abstracts at the cottage 2015

4. Turning 50! Plus achieving my lifelong dream of building a cottage on a lake. My husband and I also stayed overnight there the day I turned 50 and spent time canoe-ing on the lake for my birthday.

Contemplating turning 50 this morning

5. I began advanced Shamanic training (3rd Road Celtic Faerie Tradition) with my mentor, Francesca De Grandis.

6. Myself and two other artists began an artist's support group in Temecula, California.

7. We adopted a puppy that was abandoned in our neighbourhood and named her Djinn Djinn. She is now spoiled rotten and a huge buddy for our big dog Abby.

tumblr_np0t58mEvw1utwkv0o1_1280Me & Djinn & Djinn

8. I joined The 52 Project put on by Riverside Art Museum and am creating one new painting a day for 365 days which I post online in the hopes of having a 4 day exhibit at the museum. It's open for anyone to join at any time and then you can have your own show!

9. I finally started an Instagram account to document my 365 days of art plus a Tumblr blog.

It's been a BIG YEAR!

Kathy & Mark

In the coming year I plan to continue to paint and post my artwork and my writing daily. I plan to continue being of service by offering Creative Soul Guidance and I plan to celebrate the New and Full Moon through ritual, meditation and painting which I'll share with you in this Museletter and on my blog.

So thank you dear creative soul, for all your love, support and encouragement along the way.

Blessed Be and Happy New Year!

Kathy Crabbe at Beltane 2015About Kathy

Kathy Crabbe inspires soul-seekers to discover their innate gifts and talents through intuitive, creative expression in safe, relaxed and playful environments. She has been an artist forever and a Creative Soul Guide since awakening her own intuitive gifts at age forty.

Kathy lives in sunny SoCal with her husband and pet muses, Abby the shaggy black dog and Djinn Djinn, the small scruffy one in an adobe home they built themselves. Kathy is painting a Lefty-a-Day for 365 days and posting all works in-progress on Instagram at http://instagram.com/kathycrabbeart

To order a Creative Soul Reading please click here.

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