This, plus adhering the pieces without getting adhesive all over the place, is also what makes collage such a challenging art form!

For those who love collage, art, or just want to see something beautiful, stop by the second floor of the public area of the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, WA from January 16 to March 28, 2016 to see a wonderful exhibit of 86 collage works that have juried into the Northwest Collage Society’s 2016 Open Winter Show.

I’m grateful that my work, “The Joyful Workings of the Faithfully Busy Mind” is one of the works on display.  

​The photo I've included in this blog  shows some of the beautiful pieces in the show (my piece is the colorful collage of circles on the far right of the photo).

It’s a diverse exhibit that you won’t want to miss!

*​Want to receive or give a gift of creativity?  

*Is your mailbox hungry for real mail?

*Like surprises?

If you said YES to any of the above, read on!

For the past six years, Kat Eye Studio's has hosted art postcard swaps--and is doing it again for 2016.

According to Kat, this swap "encourages you to create, share, and liberate your art out into the world, where it can do its greatest good." 

if you are interested, then visit Kat's site and join the "Liberate Your Art Postcard Swap" this week (otherwise you'll miss out on the fun!).

The postcard swap receipt deadline is March 12, 2016.

I tremendously enjoyed doing Kat's postcard swap in 2015 and I'm joining the fun again in 2016.  Read my blog on my experience here.

​Find out more about the 2016 postcard swap by clicking here.

For inspiration, see the YouTube video of artists' postcards from 2015 by clicking here or on the below.

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Author and artist, Kathryn V. White's most recent book, Rumble Tumble Joy: A Journey for Healing, Inspiration, and Wholeness, is a finalist in the 2014 Wishing Shelf Book Awards.  Her art is available as fine art prints.  Find out more at: www.kathrynVwhite.com

​YEA!  On February 27, 2016, Seattle University is again holding the unique Search for Meaning Book Festival.  

This successful and engaging book festival has been going strong since 2009.

This year, over 50 authors will be presenting at longer key-note sessions as well as at shorter seminars.  

Presenting authors include the more famous such as Tracy Kidder, Julia Cameron, and Nancy Pearl and many others who are not so well known, but who have interesting and sometimes provocative information to share. 

​You can buy presenting authors' books right at the event—booksellers include Elliott Bay Book Company and Seattle University Bookstore.

I’ve attended this event for two years in a row and I’m looking forward to this year’s sessions.

An extra bonus is an art exhibit exploring the theme of the meaning of life.

You can’t beat the amazingly inexpensive price of 10 bucks to register for this event.

So be sure to attend and open the doors to more worlds and a variety of perspectives.

Click here to learn more.

And check out the short YouTube video below.

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Author and artist, Kathryn V. White's most recent book, Rumble Tumble Joy: A Journey for Healing, Inspiration, and Wholeness, is a finalist in the 2014 Wishing Shelf Book Awards.  Her collage, "The Joyful Workings of the Faithfully Busy Mind" has been juried into a collage exhibit at the Washington State Convention Center running through March 28, 2016.  Find out more at: www.kathrynVwhite.com

Now, what about 2016?  

By thinking through your options, developing your goals, and writing down your dreams you are much more likely to move forward in the direction you desire.

And you’ve got help…

A team from Hungary has developed a wonderful booklet as well as an online version for you to use in looking back over the past year and focusing on what you want for 2016. 

It’s available in several languages.  It’s flexible too—go it alone or with a group. 

January is a perfect time to set your direction for the rest of the year. 

Click here to learn more.

One of the things I like about this process is coming up with a key word or phrase to act as my year's touchstone.  

I'm going with "la dolce vita."  For me, this means being aware, allowing, savoring, and actively acknowledging the sweetness of life in deeper and more expanded ways.

What's your key word or phrase for 2016?

To a fulfilling and joyful new year!

It's been a great year for expressing myself, including creating a dream catcher, magic mojo hands, a free-form beaded wire basket, paintings, collage, and other art.

I’ve shared my experience of getting through an extended challenging period in my life and how by focusing on joy during that time, more joy did come into to my life, building bit by bit and blossoming in some very unexpected and powerful ways.

​This sharing was videotaped and now people across the world have access to my story as well as the stories of many others.  To hear more, please click here or on the below image.

​My book, Rumble Tumble Joy: A Journey for Healing, Inspiration, and Wholeness and my children-of-all-ages ebook, Odin the Ferret were both Wishing Shelf Book award finalists this year.  Click on the covers below to learn more.
​

​In addition, my art has begun to reach more people by being juried into exhibits and through prints being sold on Imagekind.com. Approximately ten years ago, I fought the impulse to paint (which is a story itself) and then later gave into its unyielding call.  Now, it's wonderful to see the fruition of the seeds planted and nurtured over the long-term.  I’m curious to see where this growth will lead me.

As I say goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016, I’m excited about what the future brings—through my own volition as well as through synchronicity.

As part of my explorations, I’ve been talking with people about possible opportunities and researching and signing up for classes for the coming year.  

I’ll be studying Buddhism, using writing to continue to awaken to the wisdom contained in my spiritual journey, doing process painting, delving more deeply into collage, and expanding my capacity to live a happier and more fulfilling life.

Life is a journey—made all the more rich by awareness, intention, releasing that which no longer serves one well, and continual acceptance of a greater divine harmony working behind the scenes.  This acceptance can be hard and often requires faith—a muscle my life has been giving me plenty of opportunities to build!

May 2016 be an expansive year of all that is divinely good for you, our planet, and other beings.  Walk towards that good, embrace it, and share it.
​
Namaste.

                                  ***
Author and artist, Kathryn V. White's most recent book, Rumble Tumble Joy: A Journey for Healing, Inspiration, and Wholeness, is a finalist in the 2014 Wishing Shelf Book Awards.  Find out more at: www.kathrynVwhite.com

No matter what your age, his speech provides good reminders.  

One that I particularly took to heart was on enjoying success at the moment it is happening.  As he states,

Want to watch Neil as he shares his wisdom in person? Click here.

                                ***
Author and artist, Kathryn V. White's most recent book, Rumble Tumble Joy: A Journey for Healing, Inspiration, and Wholeness, is a finalist in the 2014 Wishing Shelf Book Awards.  Find out more at: www.kathrynVwhite.com

The exhibit continues through the end of December 2015.  If you have the chance, please stop by to enjoy it Monday through Friday, 7:30AM to 5:30PM, at the UW Tower at 4333 Brooklyn Avenue NE in the University District.  It's located between the elevators and the pedestrian bridge to the parking garage. 

Just sign in at the front desk at either entrance and tell them you'd like to see the art on the lobby floor.

To find out more about my art, click here.

To find out more about Rumble Tumble Joy, click here.

To own a fine art print of my art, click here.  These make a great gift for birthdays, anniversaries, and the holidays!

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Kathryn is frequently inspired by quotes and loves to share them. Learn about her recent book, Rumble tumble Joy: A Journey for Healing, Inspiration, and Wholeness at www.kathrynVwhite.com.

Two of Rosie's books, The Golden Sword and Time Smugglers were finalists for the 2014 Wishing Shelf Book Awards.  

Check out our discussion by clicking here.

Click on the book covers to learn more about each book.

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Author and artist, Kathryn V. White's most recent book, Rumble Tumble Joy: A Journey for Healing, Inspiration, and Wholeness, is a finalist in the 2014 Wishing Shelf Book Awards.  Find out more at: www.kathrynVwhite.com

Gawande has seen the heartrending emotional and physical pain of this situation as a doctor and as a son of his dying father. 

His book honestly speaks to the fact that we are not the same society as pre-1960s. 

The elderly are living longer and they don’t want to lose their freedoms nor do they want to live with their adult children.  And, for the most part, adult children do not want to live with or have the financial or emotional resources or expertise themselves to provide physical care (often for up to 24 hours per day) for their aged parents. 

Gawande's book highlights the often unneccessary and far-reaching negative emotional impacts and huge financial costs associated with working to prolong life, without an increase in quality of life and sometimes resulting in shortening of life, with extensive medical interventions.

It’s a topic most people would rather not discuss; a topic many actively shun.

Yet, this lack of discussion is a major obstacle for coming up with better, more loving options.

• So what can be done?
• How do we deal with our fear of dying, death, and chronic, painful, debilitating disease?
• Can recognizing the finitude of one’s time on Earth be a gift?

​
It takes courage, honesty, and the recognition that the quality of one’s life is just as important or even more important than the extension of it.  And that most people have priorities beyond being safe and living longer—they want the chance to shape their life story and ensure it has meaning.

It takes having the difficult conversations—with compassion and openness.

Gawande suggests using the following questions to focus on the options that make the most sense in determining medical treatment for those challenged by chronic, debilitating, painful illnesses that would result in death without extensive medical intervention. 

• What are your biggest fears or concerns?
• What goals are the most important to you?
• What trade-offs are you willing to make and which one are you not?
• What course of action best serves what you desire?

Interested in getting this conversation going or, at least, start thinking about it? 

Click on the book cover to find out more.

                                ***
Author and artist, Kathryn V. White's most recent book, Rumble Tumble Joy: A Journey for Healing, Inspiration, and Wholeness, is a finalist in the 2014 Wishing Shelf Book Awards.  Find out more at: www.kathrynVwhite.com

Kathryn is frequently inspired by quotes and loves to share them. Learn about her recent book, Rumble Tumble Joy: A Journey for Healing, Inspiration, and Wholeness at kathrynVwhite.com.

In 2015, Mutual of Omaha staff traveled the USA in a 34-foot long, super-cool, silver bullet Airstream trailer to talk with folks across the nation about their “aha” moments.

I was fortunate to be able to meet up with this talented crew.

Please click here to find out about mine or on the photo below…

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Author and artist, Kathryn V. White's most recent book, Rumble Tumble Joy: A Journey for Healing, Inspiration, and Wholeness, is a finalist in the 2014 Wishing Shelf Book Awards.  Find out more at: www.kathrynVwhite.com

Art is a great way to release stress, have fun, feel creative, and access insights and messages from your inner self!  

You also have something tangible to reflect upon, look back at, and share with others!

So here is an easy project that you may become addicted to creating...a mini-doodle book.  You don't need to be an artist to create one and it's an easy project for all ages.  

You can do this project alone or with others.  You could even trade the mini-doodle book back and forth to see what evolves from more than one person working on the same book.

Supplies:

• A black fine point and a black ultra fine point Sharpie permanent pens.
  
• A pair of scissors.  
• Coloring tools such as crayons, colored pencils and pens, and markers.  
• Other items you may want to use include magazines, glue sticks, and even stickers and glitter.  

Steps:

1) Take a piece of paper--you can work with any size.  I have used 8.5 inches x 11 inches as well as larger pieces. A 12 inches x 18 inches works very well and is what I used for the example I'm including here.

2) Draw lines over the page with a fine point Sharpie pen.  

Here's an example of what your page could look like:

3) There are a variety of ways to make mini-doodle books.

I'm including here a quick and easy way to make an 8-page mini book by just folding a single piece of paper and making one cut.

Click here for a short YouTube video on how to do this or click on the below image.

4) Choose which page you want to be the first page or "cover" of your mini-book.  

5) Use your chosen supplies to decorate your mini doodle book.  

As you flip through the pages, you may find that your lines look like an animal or a person's face or an object like a lamp.   

You may want to include words, phrases, or even write a short story. 

You can also keep everything abstract and create your book as a meditation on color, line, and/or shape.

Also sign and date your mini doodle book--it's always interesting to go back and see what you've created at different points of your life.

Looking for an example? Here's my mini-doodle book you can flip through.  It's titled, Teddy's DreamTime Adventure.

I'd love to see what you create!  

And a special thank you to Wendy Wahman for providing the idea of starting off with creating lines across the page before folding the paper to create the mini-doodle book!   The book I include here I made at her "Insight Book" workshop.

Also, YouTube has a variety of videos on making mini-books, including a circle flip up book and a Roald Dahl mini book! 

So go make your mini-doodle book now and have fun!  

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Author and artist, Kathryn V. White's most recent book, Rumble Tumble Joy: A Journey for Healing, Inspiration, and Wholeness, is a finalist in the 2014 Wishing Shelf Book Awards.  Find out more at: www.kathrynVwhite.com

With less violence than most, White Collar is a series I’ve been watching.  It’s got great plots, dialogue, and chemistry.

The premise is a senior FBI agent, Peter Burke (played by Tim DeKay) releases Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) from prison in exchange for Neal’s help in solving white collar cases. 

These are the ones that no one else is able to crack. Neal’s got to wear a tracking anklet and is allowed a reduced radius of unaccompanied movement. 

The cases are well-conceived and interesting to follow as Peter, Neal, and the FBI team uncovers the villains and recovers stolen loot.

Something I really like about this show is the level of friendship and affection that exists amongst the characters—Neal’s friend Mozzie (Willie Garson)—a funny, neurotic, madcap, genius felon provides a lightness of spirit throughout the series.  

Peter mentors Neal and learns something from Neal as well—and there is a warm affection filled with jokes between the two of them (which is great to watch).  Peter and his wife, Elizabeth (Tiffani Thiessen), have a deeply loving relationship that most people desire for their own lives. 

And there is Peter’s FBI team of regulars—intelligent, interesting, and caring people who make the series stronger by their presence. 

The series is six seasons.  It’s just the right number to be entertaining to the end and feel sad with the final episode. 

On the cover of the final season are the words “Saving the best con for last”—and this is true!

Click on the DVD cover to begin watching, White Collar, today.

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Author and artist, Kathryn V. White loves well-written, beautifully-acted, life-affirming films and television series.  Her most recent book, Rumble Tumble Joy: A Journey for Healing, Inspiration, and Wholeness, is a finalist in the 2014 Wishing Shelf Book Awards.  Find out more at: www.kathrynVwhite.com

It's available via Amazon as a Kindle ebook.

Don't have a Kindle?  No sweat!  Download the free Kindle App that can be used on PCs, iPads, and other devices.

And even better, send your girlfriends a copy of Heart to Heart as a gift and a reminder of what they mean to you.  It's better, quicker, and less expensive than a card!

Enjoy!

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Author and artist, Kathryn V. White's most recent book is Rumble Tumble Joy: A Journey for Healing, Inspiration, and Wholeness.  Find out more at: www.kathrynVwhite.com