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2017

"Fierce Friends" - A Collaboration with my Toddler

November 20, 2017
2017

My Little Moonlight - A Collaboration with my Toddler

October 09, 2017
A Collaboration with my Toddler "My Little Moonlight" by Theodore & Ruth Oosterman Theodore LOVES bunnies.  He squeals in delight every time he sees one (along with dogs and cats) and in his painting, I could see a little bunny with long ears. A faint paint stroke above it gave me the shape for the mother rabbit's face and the two circles below...

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2017

If the Desire to create exists within, then you ARE an artist.

August 12, 2017
I have always maintained that if a person has the desire to create then they already ARE an artist. One of the greatest stumbling blocks to creating is the thing I hear most from those stuck on wishing they could but don't. The destructive phrase: "But I'm not an artist." That simple phrase consisting of only 16 letters has stopped this world from seeing...

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2017

Firefly - A Collaboration with my Toddler

July 18, 2017
A Collaboration with my Toddler "Firefly" by Theodore & Ruth Oosterman The boy always wished that one day he would have a dog and on the night he saw his first shooting star he whispered this dream out loud. His faith was so strong he threw his favourite red ball as far as he could and told his mother he would not leave...

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2017

June 20, 2017
Bitterness The Silent Killer As a child, I recall my first interaction with the stereotypical grumpy old man and the feeling of absolute bewilderment that quickly followed. Good manners and kindness are character traits that are usually drilled into a child's mind, mine being no exception, so why on earth was an adult acting in a manner that would have rewarded me with...

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2017

The Fierceness of Fragility

May 24, 2017
The Fierceness of Fragility Dedicated to all my fragile Queens who are the strongest women I know. They mistook her fragility for weakness only to learn too late it was the calm before the storm. Her fragility gracefully lay upon her head as a crown of strength that was not only made to fly but would allow her to do so miles higher...

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2017

"A Land of Untold Stories" - A Collaboration with my Toddler

March 13, 2017
2017

A New Era, A New Normal.

March 08, 2017
A New Era, A New Normal. Happy International Woman's Day! The last few years have been filled with questions which led to learning, personal growth and understanding as opposed to biased judging, a personal choice I think every human has to work towards every single day of their life. If you ever catch yourself explaining away another's behaviour in a way that takes...

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abstract

The Creative Rut

February 11, 2017
The Creative Rut One of my go-to methods to climb over a creative rut is to get abstract. Throw out any preconceived ideas, sketches or concepts and go back to the basics. Feel the paint with your fingers, mix colors you would never think to, use the brush you hate and take the opportunity to truly experiment without allowing self-doubt or self-criticism in...

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art

The Stages of Creating - Seeing Mistakes as Opportunities

January 25, 2017
The Stages of Creating  Seeing Mistakes as Opportunities There are stages I go through with every painting that go a little something like this... 1.YES this is going to be awesome, I have an idea and a blank canvas! 2. Shit. A blank canvas... Where do I begin. 3. 30 minutes later...Alright, let's just give 'er and see what happens. 4. Ok so...

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art

Contest Entries - Collaborating with one-year-old Theodore

January 17, 2017
CONTEST ENTRIES What did YOU see?! Collaborating with one-year-old Theodore Last month I shared with you a painting created by my one-year-old, Theodore, and challenged you to collaborate with him. People of all ages from around the world took the time to do just that and I am so excited to share with you the contest entries. This proves again how two minds...

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16 month old

"A Mother's Embrace" - A Collaboration with my Toddler

January 16, 2017