NOBLESSE OBLIGE AWARD

I met Victoria Ryan 2 years ago when I was involved with the local SBDC's Artists in Flight program. At that time I discovered she was a wealth of information regarding art marketing. I also found out she was honest and forthcoming in her views. I just love people who don't mess around. And besides that, her pastel paintings are to die for. Wouldn't you love to have one of her paintings in your home? How hard would it be to look at this all day?
Garden Meditation ©Victoria Ryan 2009

Now she and I are meeting up again in the blogosphere. We have been trading skills as I forge ahead with my art business and I try to help her learn about social media 2.0. It was such a happy surprise when Victoria honored me with this Noblesse Oblige Award for blogging.


The Noblesse Oblige Award is given for the following accomplishments:

1.The blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances of different cultures and beliefs.
2. The blog inspires, strives to encourage and offer solutions.
3. There is a clear purpose at the blog and it is one that fosters a better understanding of social science, politics, economics, the arts, culture, science or belief.
4. The blog is refreshing and creative.
5. The blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking.

The rules are as follows:

1. Create a post with a mention and a link to the blogger who presented the award to you.
2. Display the award conditions.
3. Write a short post about what your blog has thus far achieved.
4. The blogger must present the award to blogs in concurrence with the award conditions.
5. The blogger can display the award at any location on their blog.

It has been a pleasure for me to work with my blog and display my art here because I know that my art inspires and has meaning for so many people. This is satisfying to me as an artist to know that the heart has been touched, opened and has received the beauty I strive to portray in my mandalas; it is far beyond anything I might have once believed I could achieve.

It is with great pleasure that I pass this award on to Laura Bly, a transitions strategist I met on Twitter, who helps women (that would include me!) through the internal experience of the transition period to success and your authentic self!

1.

GETTING TO THE GOOEY PARTS

My dear friend Diane Clancy, creator of vibrant and uplifting art and one of the hardest working bloggers I know, was kind enough to gift me with this blog award. I feel all humbled and gooey inside.


In return I am supposed to reveal seven facts about me and pass the love on to other artists out there. So here goes, k?

1. The sight of a flock of seagulls flying against a dark rain cloud sky takes my breath away.
   
2. Two of my favorite flavors together are chocolate and raspberry.
3. One of my joys in life is squeezing a baby's toes.
4. I've been off coffee for about 6 weeks. I still feel sleepy most of the time.
   
5. I like silly words like Yippee.
6. My three favorite vegetables begin with the letter A (artichokes, asparagus and avocado)
7. Im slowly getting over my fear of drawing.
   

Come and get it (*sound of dinner bell ringing in the background*)

Thalia Took of Amused Grace knits some really cute kitty monsters. I'm not too sure about the minion part, though.

Karen Park is someone I wish I could share a cup of tea with while I drool over her beautiful beaded jewelry. If you want to learn lots about both subjects be sure to visit her blog, Art and Tea.

Kate Jobe. What more can I say? Awesome artist and healer. I feel so honored to be knowing her. Her mandalas have a deep soul connection for me.

Kris Cahill and I share Strength as our defining Tarot Card. We both share a love for the color red. When I read her blog, I feel like if she can do it, so can I! Check out her vibrant abstract art painted on vinyl. Amazing.

I've had the rare pleasure of meeting Andrea when she and hubby traveled through Northern California. Her wide range of artist skills inspires me. Go say hi.

John Mora and I share a love of birds, Neko Case and abstract art. I still have no idea how he does it, and thats ok by me.

RaShell is my doodle guru. She brings style and class to circles and dots and squiggley things and even doodles on stones. Wowwee.

OK, and while I'm at it, I also want to tell you all how much I appreciate everyone who comments on my art (and even those of you who dont) and to thank you for all the ways you have supported me. I don't really take the time enough to acknowledge all the goodness there is out here.

A TRIO OF BLOG AWARDS

Doreen, Diane Clancy and John Mora have all bestowed me with these three blog awards. Thank you. I have been remiss in not acknowledging their kind recognitions, and Miss Manners has been gently guilting me. Aaaaack. Before the internal pressure gets to be too bad and I look like some bad rendition of The Scream, I think it is time to say thank you and to pass on all three of these lovely awards to:

Art and Tea - Karen is a mixed media jewelry artist and tea connoisseur...be sure to pop over for a soothing cuppa, but leave plenty of time for oohing and ahhing over her gorgeous beaded jewelry
Journeytime - Derick is a fellow seeker, and he blesses his readers with the gifts of his journey. I am simulatenously fascinated by and honored to be part of his journey
Kate Jobe - I met Kate over at the Mandala Oasis. I'm enjoying our co-creative artistic projects, but am even more impressed by her SoulSkins. I hope you go take a look at her stunning, one-of-a-kind-wearable art
Tomas Karkelas - his url says it all: trust light. Tomas writes about art as a healer. What more need I say?
Chewy - graphic designer, painter, haiku poet, mandala maker, and a blogger who returns your comments...i'd say ms chewy is a renaissance creative!
Rethaw - I love the tagline on David's blog -- we train ourselves not to look eventually we don't see - I still want to know how he does his abstract photography, but he is frustratingly mute on this topic. Go take a look and you'll see why I experience art envy.

ANGEL LIGHT MANDALA

Angel Light Mandala - (Watercolor series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2008
source image - hydrangea blooms

I love witnessing growth. I have been watching a hydrangea bush go from leafless to new leaves, from buds to first blossoms for the past couple months when I go on my morning walk. Yesterday, I just felt this *come hither* vibe being broadcast my way, like she was wanting to show me all her best energy. And so I took a few candid shots and wondered what would be revealed when I got home.

I just love surprises.

I was also surprised earlier this week when Kelly of Aeten Art honored me with this award. Turns out she and I share lots of common loves...the ones I know of for sure include mandalas, fractals and doodling. Be sure to check her out. Now comes the hard part...saying something about where this award came from in the first place (go here for more info on that), and choosing 5 more blogs...well, you know how it works. So here goes.

I am grateful to Milliande at Visually Witnessing for beginning this Yahoo group for women where we focus on image making and introspective art. Heartfelt thanks also go to Cheryl of Art in Every Day for founding Mandala Oasis, a Yahoo group for mandala makers. I have found such a renewal of my spirit and a deepening in my art during the short time I have been participating in these two groups.

I have just recently discovered Orli's blog, Shine the Divine. I hope you will spend some time visiting her too. Andrea's Artful Eye and unceasing creative energy never ceases to amaze me. And finally, Ms Thalia of Audacia Muliebris, again I must thank you for your cleverness in creating ever more mandala templates for us to use for unending digital mandalizing!

Gosh, I feel like the emcee at the Oscars. Enjoy your angels, dear hearts, and may your creative energies continue to take wing and soar!

Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

Oh, and yes. If you haven't discovered it yet, I hope you will meander over and see what's happening at my sister site SUE DOODLES

MANDALA EYES SATURDAY BLOG AWARDS

Mandala Eyes
pen and ink, crayon
© Sue O'Kieffe 2008

Remember the old Beatles tune Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds? Well, that tune was on my mind when I doodled this, cuz sometimes I have those eyes too! I like to maintain a lighthearted attitude, because life is too short too take it too seriously, and angels can fly cuz they take themselves lightly.

Over the past few weeks I have been graced with blog awards from some thoughtful and fun folks who inhabit the blogosphere here. Thank you muchly, Sweet Irene, John Mora, and Diane Clancy for the recognition. I do enjoy the acknowledgment and enjoy watching my girl scout badge sash become more colorful with all these honors!




‘It’s a big kiss, of the chaste, platonic kind, from me to you with the underlying ‘thanks’ message implied. I really do appreciate your support and your friendship, and yes, your comments.’

I have decided to bestow these two particular blog awards to one particular Connie Rose, who has taken to blogging like a fish takes to water (and what else would you expect from a Pisces?)
Connie is in the Artists in Business group I have been participating in since sometime last spring. She and fellow artist Joan Gold and I are going to continue meeting after the business group ends in March. I look forward to continued interaction with these two other women who want to keep the business momentum alive. Enjoy your awards, Ms Rose. I look forward to many more months of learning about spinning and weaving and can hardly wait to see your fractals incorporated in your work. Go check her out!

YOU MAKE MY DAY

Recently Karen Park of artandtea surprised me by honoring me with this very special award.

You Make My Day.

What a nice thing to say to anybody. The question is, how often do we do it?
A special kindness , a smile, a laugh, an unexpected compliment, a hug...all these gestures come and go. Do we tell those who add an extra lightness the joy it brought? I do not mean to be preachy here. It's just, well, I hope you do. We need to let those people know, even if it is just a passing acquaintance in a line at the store, the extra ease they bring to us, if and when they do. Light and love gets passed this way. Moments of the day are brighter for everyone involved.

So here are the rules: “Give the award to up to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel so happy about blogland! Beware! You may get the award several times!” Karen's blog is warm and inviting as a cup of tea on a cold Saturday morning. If you read her regularly, in fact, you will learn a heap about loose tea, its history and how to prepare it. Not only that, she is an exquisite beader -- embroidering, polymering and stringing baubles and dangles in delicious and inviting ways. As a former beader in all those forms, I admire her dedication and am inspired to make myself some new jewelry soon. I have five boxes of beads from that lifetime Im glad I never got rid of now! Karen, You Make My Day!

Blogland connects us to others by one click of a link. Leah Piken Kolidas connects us with her dedication to the creative act, by encouraging us to rethink how we view our creativity. Her blog came into my life at a time when I was feeling bored and discouraged with my art and in need of a big infusion. If you haven't done so already, join in her low impact challenge to be Creative Every Day this 2008. Leah, You Make My Day!

Fellow transplanted Midwesterner to California Kris Cahill shares my passion for the color red. Her abstract paintings are like the images I see when I close my eyes. Today when I clicked on her link to get her address, I found her sharing information about a wholesale greeting card company that might just spur me on to another level. Kris, You Make My Day!

I love watching Debi Cates hone her photographic skills by getting her readers involved in the process. I appreciate her requests for feedback and reading her readers' responses. Debi inspires me to be a better photographer. Debi, You Make My Day!

Im so glad that Sybil Archibald of Art of the Spirit writes about art and spirituality. She explores the intellectual process of her spiritual world in a way I admire and appreciate. There is often something she expresses that I have felt or experienced but never been able to articulate. I am an emoter and she is not. For all the times she has filled in those thought processes for me, I am grateful. Sybil, You Make My Day!

I enjoy multi generational bloggers too. Bobbie is Debi's mother, recently retired, and absolutely taking off with her new found skills in Photoshop. As her sort of self appointed teacher, I am proud beyond words on a regular basis. I know teachers aren't supposed to have favorites, but....
Bobbie, You Make My Day!

Diane Clancy was one of the first blogging artists to find me here on Blogger when I was still a fledgling and needing support. We became fast friends. It has been a pleasure for me to watch her taking giant leaps in exploring online marketing. For all the times you have been there when I needed you, Diane, I want you to know You Make My Day!

I love to be challenged by new perspectives and delighted by the innovative. John Mora's abstract renderings fits that bill for me, and now that I've discovered him I look forward every day to see what new fresh rendering he has offered the blog world. Besides that he has a dry, understated sense of humor that catches me every time. Learn how to type like a mon.key!
John, You Make My Day!

I grew up in Minnesota, so discovering artist Deb Kirkeeide of Painting du Jour was a special treat for me. I like her paintings of those scenes that bring back memories of my childhood, but I think she shines in her portraiture of animals. Deb, You Make My Day!

For my final recognition I want to thank all of you who come by here, read but never post a comment. Quietly, you make my day.

AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Heaven's Embrace - (Healing in Circles series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2006

Earlier this week I was honored with more recognition from my fellow community members in the blogosphere. I feel gratified to receive these kindnesses; just to have my basic nature recognized is plenty indeed. Frances at A Carpet Full of Holes not only honored me with An Apple for the Teacher Award, but created the award herself. Bobbie gifted me with the Nice Matters Award. This great grannie is blossoming with her ongoing skills in learning Photoshop. Thanks for this immediate feedback.

For both of you, I offer this up: CLICK HERE