When I’m not living in worlds populated with my characters, I enjoy retired life with my husband and canine companions on two acres in a high desert valley on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I sprinkle a variety of these photos throughout because it truly is a beautiful, peaceful environment that inspires my creativity.
I love to travel and hope to return to checking off my bucket list soon, but I can look back on fantastic trips to Japan, Europe, England, and Australia.
Ancestry is another hobby that I’ve engaged in for years, building a tree with thousands of connections going back to the early 17th century.
To balance life with writing novels, participating in short story submissions, and producing blog interviews, all sorts of mindful arts and crafts are explored in my tiny studio crammed full of colorful things. I’m a confirmed planner junkie with an obsession for stickers, notebooks and pens in every type of ink and color. And I hoard yarn even when I don’t knit or crochet it into gifts as much as I should. When I talk about WIPS, I’m not just talking about novels in progress, but numerous cross stitching projects, blankets and scarves. And I have half-full art journals with empty pages calling to me constantly. That’s it for the confessions!
My motto? Create something every day.
My Creative Space
Zentangle
All my Zentangle pieces came from the wonderful classes taught by a phenomenal Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT), Audrey Markowitz. You can meet Audrey on my Sunday Spotlight. She has left teaching after so many years of inspiring students to pursue her mixed media art dream. You can see her phenomenal works on her website.
Of course, I had to do one with my characters.
Mixed Media
Many of these pieces came from inspiration and lessons by fabulous online mixed media art teachers like Willowing Artist Tamara “Tam” LaPorte from the U.K. and her group of artists who contribute to the Lifebook and Ever After Sessions. My other big inspiration is Peony and Parakeet artist Paivi Eerola from Finland. Can you tell I love color?
Knitting and Crochet
Needlework
Some finished and some in the works… and this is just a sample. Eeek! the Victorian house and Adirondack lodge I started in the 80s. I finished the lodge in 2020. Never say never.
Diamond Painting
I suppose I should share a little of my planner geekery
By D. L. Lewellyn 