Happy Saturday everyone! I really wanted to share this little story from last night's Paint Night! I'm so proud of this lovely lady, Ivory! She completed her second-ever painting with me in our one-on-one class, and she delivered!! Cute and inspirational little story of the day!
 

A view into why I absolutely LOVE to teach these Belly Dance Painting Parties!!! They speak to my soul in many ways! Hope you can experience one of these classes soon! 

We are getting ready for all sorts of projects this year. We have a big theater performance coming up where we will perform a duet once more. We have Essential Oils Classes that we teach together, and some fun and short video's every week that we've started on our YouTube Channel. 

First blog of the year! Hands are one of the most fun and beautiful areas of our body, full of expression and personality. They symbolize all sorts of information about us.... Have you danced with your hands lately? Have you had any obstacles, any success, anything you would like to change or keep? What's your story? 

It can get overwhelming where to start to look for inspiration. Sometimes you have to look at the things near-by in order to spark some momentum in your work, even if it may have no visual relevance, it will have some soul-relevance. This morning I searched my mind for something that would be interesting, insightful and something different I could listen to while I prep my breakfast and work area for painting. 

I'm so excited for my next set of paintings! Lately I've been keeping an eye on two types of dancers, each on the other sides of the earth. The Argentinian and the Russian/Ukrainian belly dancers are emerging with some strong styles that impress me very much. Here's a small look into what I've experienced so far... it's going into paintings! Yey!

Turned on my Pandora station this morning to New Orleans Jazz and sat back remembering the wonderful city of NOLA. It was my third time visiting this past weekend, this time I went for a Belly Dance Event - Shimmy Soul featuring Sadie Marquardt and Simon Sako, organized by Karla Marie Cochran. A wonderful and homey event, it was definitely a good, little vacation for me. I stayed with some good friends, rented a car and booked my trip in the city with time to explore and re-visit my favorite places.

I am a TEA FANATIC! I feel like it's and early Christmas opening my new herbal teas! I'm not the type who would usually buy herbal teas, but I decided to be a little adventurously spicy this time and order something new. Check out this cool company, Mountain Rose Herbs! 

So tired today but I managed to write about the incredibly fun weekend I had! Events surrounding Caravan of Dancers IV, directed by Zizi Zabaneh. <3 

Hello November...!! Remembering the many fun things from October and getting ready for this November! From photoshoot's to Painting Parties and a special Sister Duet Theater performance at Caravan of Dancers IV! 

Thinking about how healthy keeping journals is… it's that moment to recollect, those timeless moments focused in your words, in the moments you're recollecting or the thoughts that have no specific moment.... It's a nice Monday morning despite so many thoughts running around in my head!

Last night Belly Motions performed at the Shops at Sunset Place for a special cause in support of those who have been affected by Breast Cancer. As October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, we wanted to make this community show a special one!

Ready for he holidays! This morning I experimented with a quick apple-cookie recipe for breakfast. They came out so cute! I love to use doTerra Essential oils for baking because they make everything taste so unique....!

We painted September's edition titled Summer Love, and they all did SO well! It makes me really happy when I see the paintings gaining form and personality.... I'm ever grateful for these happy women taking my classes who in-turn inspire me. So next month the October Edition will be about giving thanks with  Autumn Veil. She is warm and glittery and is meant to be painted with a motive...

Inspirations, searches, and a new me (that's an old me) for blogging! Yey! 

A quick write about some residual thoughts on the education of our art of Arabic Dance after attending a Belly Dance Convention... "These moments can bring me sadness and they can bring me inspiration. It’s important to remember that it’s not about the glam, it’s not about the vanity, it’s not about the style or the dancer you’re trying to emanate. It is about social and community growth and how you can learn more about yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; don’t be afraid to be open to learning and taking your time to learn."

De-constructing to re-construct was a valuable and required lesson that you learned in art school, something that's good to do in any field of work. It's a scary feeling at first if you're not sure if you should do that to your bra or not, but once you start, it's like opening holiday or birthday presents. I become a child with butterflies in my belly! 

The article got me thinking... where was my work? How can I contribute to this wave of creativity? Join me in a small examination of where my art work is today .... Conversations from the wild feminine with the added muse of Oriental Dance from my Miami dance culture.