I’m Not doing art?

  One of the very few paintings created since quitting my job!   I’m now on week 7 of being a full time artist, and to be honest, I’ve found myself floundering, not sure how to move through my new unstructured life. Although grateful beyond words to finally the time to create anytime I wish, … Keep reading…

Countdown to freedom

22 blessed days until I no longer have a day job. My heart is wide open and glowing as I type these words. Yet here’s the bigger truth.  I have ALWAYS been free. I was free to stay in a day job for 12 years, even when my heart longed to do art full time, … Keep reading…

Why abstracts?

When I started creating art 24 years ago, I choose collage as my medium because I could not draw.  Who can not tear up magazines and put them back together, right!?  I fully explored this art form, found a unique expression through 3D collage and had a successful run selling my 3D collages. Life eventually … Keep reading…

Finishing what I started so I can begin again

Before I step into my new life as a full time artist on January 1, 2018, I want to bring closure to the way I’ve been creating art for the past 2 decades. Up until recently, I created 3-dimensional collages. Each artwork took an average of 12 months to find all the images and assemble, … Keep reading…

I quit my job, at last.

Yes, its true. As of January 1, 2018, I will once again be a full time artist. Typing these words fills me with so much joy that I literally feel like doing cartwheels and telling everyone I meet! I will transition to full time art in 2018 by working one-week a month as a contractor for … Keep reading…

Creating art after 10 years of no art

  The journey to create the “Take flight” collage painting collection began in January 2015, when I made a commitment to integrate art into my traveling day job. As many of you know, I had been a full-time artist from 2001-2004, and loving (almost) every minute of it. Then in 2005 I let go of … Keep reading…

Transformation into the Hotel Artist

TODAY I’m taking action, and I feel both exhilarated and nervous about doing it.  After discussing every possible positive and negative outcome with trusted friends and fellow artists, I finally decided to change my Instagram username from @catrains_collage to @thehotelartist. Although a small action on the surface, there are so many uncertainties that continue to swirl in and out … Keep reading…

Stress identifies whats not true

This quote really got me thinking . . . “Stress is the alarm clock that lets you know you have attached to something that’s not true for you.” Byron Katie As much as I hate to admit it, I am often stressed, mostly (or all) self imposed. I’m constantly running from my day gig to my … Keep reading…

8 teachers that changed my life

What well known teachers have taught YOU profound lessons, even though you may never have met him/her in person? I have had numerous teachers over the years, but 8 of them have had an extraordinary long term affect on the person I have become, and who I continue to evolve into every day. My all time favs are listed … Keep reading…