Like you, I go shopping. The difference may be, I wonder how I can get my artwork on the products that I see and love. Strolling through big box stores such as Walmart, Jysk, Petsmart, Target, Barns & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond, IKEA, and a lot more! I imagine…

The little girl in me is bursting with curiosity and desire to know just how DOES a person go about getting their artwork on puppy bandanas, or baby jumpers, or placemats. The possibilities are staggering!
Everywhere you/ I go, we see products with some sort of artwork on it, or on the packaging itself. Just look at tissue boxes! That’s someone’s artwork, and honestly, I want a piece of that opportunity!
I’m an artist, so why not- right?
So, I started asking questions to people and the Universe at large. (Between you and me? I honestly feel I get more feedback from thee Universe than people-lol!) I’m open to suggestions, so maybe that’s why the answers tend to show up like whispers in the wind.

Just before COVID-19 became a household word, I stumbled across the term, “Product Developer. “Hmmmmmm”, said I. Tell me more! “Go to Youtube and explorrrrrre,” this little whisper said. So I did! From there my mind was opened, teased, delighted and my wants were piling up higher than I knew how to appease them.

From YouTube, I learned that I have this amazing gift called creativity and “Intellectual Property.” So anything I draw, paint, write or create in the arts by my own brainpower is considered copyright. I own it! So, if I own it and, I could try and licence it to a company who just might see the value of the main benefit it could offer a mass amount of customers. There’s a lot of money to be made in licensing an idea- if you happen to have a great idea!

Well holy smokes Batman! I do have ideas that could be developed and made real! The problem was, I had no idea on which steps to take. All I’ve been told is, “Geeze Treas. Too bad that idea won’t see the light of day because you can’t afford to get a patent on it. So just forget about it!” That was my brother Bill, who by the way, took away this really cool and powerful magnet I found. I was ten years old. I was super jazzed because I’d come up with a fun-tastic idea/ game to make, but my lousy big brother grabbed that magnet from my hand and hucked it across a wide open field. You guessed it. My dreams of being a game inventor disappeared into the dry long wind swaying grasses. I never thought I’d be the kind of person who would be rich enough to afford getting a patent- (whatever that scary word meant!) for many decades.

Well that’s all changed my friend! Since I had nowhere to go during COVID, and a ton of time I dove into an exciting new goal called, Product Developer! Yup, yours truly is taking an online seven month course learning how to licence my cool ideas and artwork.

Hey! If you happen to have a great product idea that has an awesome benefit and is unique AND you’re wondering like I did, how to make this idea of yours come to life, check out a company called InventRight. Tell Stephen Key or Andrew Krauss that I sent you! I don’t know how or who’s going to licence my ideas-YET but, I finally know the steps to take.

I’m truly excited and curious to see just how far my Whispering Stones Artwork will go.

If you’re not following me on Instagram or a connected with me on LinkedIn, find me and let’s connect!
Instagram: #mywhisperingstones
LinkedIn: Theresa Moleski

The post Keeping things new first appeared on Whispering Stones.

You can’t have one without the other. I may be wrong and I often am about stuff, but I was asked for my thoughts and so here I go.

Instantly my mind is like a squirrel in a dryer. It’s racing in circles and having a time of it!
Now comes the serious stuff. I need to settle down my excitement and racing thoughts and somehow put them in an organized and interesting, follow along piece of writing.

Manipulating color and light

Colour

My first big awakening or “aaa-haaa” moment happened when I was about five years old. I hadn’t learned to walk yet. I was wheeled up to the crafts table in kindergarten. The porter leaned over and locked my wheelchair into place and left. There, strewn before me were new crayons. I remember my teacher showing me the magic they hid. She slid a paper in front of me and created beautiful bold colorful lines. I didn’t need any more instruction than that.

Even though I could barely sit up and hold a crayon because of my physical challenges and disabilities, I was determined to color my entire sheet yellow. Yellow is by fare my most valued and favorite color of all. As I got stronger and more capable in myself, so did my exploration in creating art. I understood how certain colors could effect my moods and even my thoughts.

Lines verses blending

Oh boy! Two very different elements in artwork but extremely important and powerful. Lines give meaning to what is before us. Without some form of structure, the viewer can feel lost and confused. Blending is like a sunset of colors that roll into and over one another without apologizing. Nor should it. Color blending is what makes my spirit sing. Add glitter and I’m inside the artwork!

I deal with chronic pain due to inflammation and arthritis, but when I’m painting, I leave my body. All I feel is the time I spend with color, light and the lines that zoom and zig zag across my canvas. Whether it’s glass, stones or shells, these large or small areas of space become my home away from home when I paint.
That’s how powerful artwork can be.
To me, it’s a beautiful escape into a world of what if’s. Cool eh?

Light? Ohhh yeah. Light is key.

Without light there is no color. I struggle with shading, I’m not going to lie. The thing is, lighting sets the tone. Deep grays, light grays and the blackest black can take you deep inside the artwork.

You take these three powerful elements in the world of creative art, you will have an infinite number of ways to explore and bring something to life. That’s really what art is. It’s taking a blank canvas and adding your energy to it through the use of color, lines and light. How it all comes together is yours to discover.
People ask me, how do you come up with so many different pieces of artwork?

To me, the answer is simple. Allow yourself to play. Avoid expectations of the artwork because I believe art has its own energy. The energy once again comes from colors, lines and light. You and I are simply the conduits.

My teacher once told me something after I had a unhappy meltdown because I wasn’t getting the results I wanted with my art project. Her words to this day continue to give me strength, wisdom and deep respect to the process of creating.

Mrs. Ker said, “Theresa, when it’s art it’s never wrong.”

Like I said at the beginning of, I make a lot of mistakes. However, being an artist has given me a platform, a voice and a reason to challenge myself. As long as there are
rays of light, a multitude of colors and endless miles of lines, I can and will continue to share my Whispering Stones Artwork with the world.

The post The meaning of Color, Light and Lines to an Artist first appeared on Whispering Stones.

Hopes, wishes and dreams live in us. It’s vital that these mental, spiritual elements never die.

Without hope there is a heavy sense of loss, direction and inspiration.

Without dreams there is no direction, no changes and no goal to feel proud of.

A wish is important because it fuels your dreams and drives you to great places yet to be been.

…A wish needs your energy to meet it half way.

Its easy to feel discouraged, and at times exhausted while traveling towards your dreams and wishes. I know this all too well!

I was seven years old when a group of kids whooped, hollered and laughed as they sped by me on their bikes. I had only just learned to walk the year before to the surprise of many specialists.

Their doubts, doom and gloom about my limited abilities to live a “normal” life wasn’t anywhere near my thought process. All I wished, hoped and dreamed about for years after was to learn how to ride a bike like those kids.

It took years of practice, determination and faith. That’s not to say I didn’t get mad, I did. I have an impressive collection of scars from some of my more spectacular falls. Those falls were part of my learning process. Dealing with obstacles like deep bruises, cuts and embedded gravel were frustrating and painful setbacks.

My poor mother was sick with worry and fear that I would kill myself trying to learn, but I knew I could do it. To keep me alive, my mom bought me a bike that had training wheels on it. I was ten years old-with training wheels!

Can you imagine a big kid on a two wheeled bike with training wheels?

I was determined to ride like every other kid on the block, despite my mother’s wrath and week long periods of being grounded if she found out I was on some other kids bike practicing.

At the age of sixteen my hopes, wishes and dreams came true. I hopped on my brother’s “girl bike” and rode it like a pro.

My mom was furious that I had broken a long standing rule of using someone else’s bike. I had to face her fury and convince her that it’s true, I really can ride a bike! My little brother stepped up and defended me and told her it was true. “She really can Mom!” he said.

That day my training wheels were removed forever. I was sixteen years old that day.

It took six years for me to reach my goal, but I did it!

I met my wish half way.

When I was a child my wish was to be an artist. I was told I wouldn’t make any money being an artist and besides, “you have to be really good to be an artist.” This message was less than encouraging.

Several years later, I am a professional artist. People buy my artwork, that bumps me up to a professional working artist.

I dream about holding painting classes because it would be cool to share this gift I was given.

Holding painting classes isn’t going to be as hard as me learning to ride a bike. I’ll make mistakes and that’s ok. I’ll just pick myself up and try it again. I’ll look at my challenges a bit differently and keep moving on.

I’ll work hard at silencing those crazy doubt filled voices that tag team in my head. To fight back, I’ll take a step back and point out my accomplishments and successes. I know I can do this, because art isn’t rocket science. It’s something else.

Whatever you’re working on achieving, you can get it if you want it bad enough.

I’m just sayin’!

My Whispering Stones wish for you is to feed your hopes, wishes and dreams. Why? Because it does a person good.

The post first appeared on Whispering Stones.

Love and respect…Always,
Theresa ???

https://www.facebook.com/whisperingstonesbyt.moleski/videos/778399722337605/
This video

The post My Little Story Behind My Whispering Stones first appeared on Whispering Stones.

Hope you’ll beeeeeee there!

http://www.honeybeecentre.com/honeybee-festival#.WwwuQRZlCaM

The post I’ll BEEEEE There first appeared on Whispering Stones.

This backyard is truly gorgeous and has so much potential to become an outdoor painting oasis. I’m loving this dream and I’m working hard to make it a reality.

Can’t wait to share this space with family and friends soon.

The post first appeared on Whispering Stones.

That’s what friends do, ya know?

Well, she’s still on the mend-clearly!

I’ve been busy on my side of the fence with painting class preparations, yard developments, and just other life surprises that need attention.

My friend, sadly had to watch her birthday come and go alone. ALONE!

Broken on a couch in a basement suit-alone…

That sucks…

Knowing someone could use a pick me up is like someone throwing you a ball.

You have to do “something” with that ball!

And you know I will! That’s what friends do. They step up and keep that ball moving in a positive direction.

My birthday is just around the corner. Honestly, with all the “goodies” that God and the Universe and a few unfavorable beings have thrown at me and my hubby??? I felt like saying, “screw it! I’m not doing ANYTHING for my birthday!”

Well shite! That sucks! It sucks a lot!

I’m basically punishing myself for all the crud that’s clogged up my “fun time!”

I’m stomping the dusty ground and taking a stand! Why should my good friend and I sit on a couch and be grumpy when we can make a choice and put the “Crud of Life” on the back-BACK burner for just one day?

The ball is in my hands and you better believe I’m going to kick it out of the park!

The post Saying NO! to “The Crud of Life!” first appeared on Whispering Stones.

I was at a school event in the country side of South Surrey.

A lovely young girl came to my table and chatted with me. We talked about how much fun her school fundraiser was. She spoke with confidence and pride about why her school event rocked so well. She was passionate about her fellow students, teachers and her PAC leaders.

She understood that great leadership creates great results.

As she and I chatted, she picked up and read the messages on the backs of my Whispering Stones.

“I really love this one. Oh! This one is really nice! How much for this one?” The girl asked.

I told her my price point for that school event. She nodded and continued to look some more.

“Are you looking for something for your mom for Mother’s Day or for yourself?” I asked.

“My dog died last week,” she quietly. “I’m making her a memorial and I want one of your stones to mark her spot.”

My heart tightened. I just wanted to give her a hug. When my little dog; Jo-Jo passed away, I couldn’t talk about it for weeks as boldly as she did just then.

This young lady was someone I’d of been proud to be friends with if I were her age.

I watched as she agonized over three beautiful stones.

“I’ll be right back!” she said. “I just want to ask my aunt for advice. She’s just over there at the prize table.”

“Okay,” I said.

They came back shortly and discussed how the Whispering Stones looked and felt in her hand and how the message on the back spoke to her.

“Did she tell you why she wants one of your stones?” her aunt asked.

I nodded, “Yes. I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of her dog.”

“No…she didn’t die. It’s been missing and hasn’t come home, so we are making a special Memorial for her,” the Aunty said.

I nodded my head, and held my saddened emotions in check.

“That’s really nice. I love that,” I managed to say.

My heart gave another squeeze as I saw the sadness fill the young girl’s eyes.

She chose one of my newest Whispering Stones with a powerful message. Her aunt agreed it was a good choice and gave her a hug.

How lucky am I to meet such good people who stand in front of me and share their love and sorrow, in this case, for a lost family member?

I truly love the way my art allows me to meet and connect with people I know I’d never otherwise have the opportunity.

I give thanks again and again…

The post Lost but Not Forgotten first appeared on Whispering Stones.

?

Rocks are EVERYWHERE! You don’t need to spend any money on them what so ever! Cool!

They come in any shape and size.

Cool!

They look fantastic after a nice warm soapy bath, and who doesn’t love a nice warm bubble bath?

So that’s cool.

You don’t have to worry about being “an artist or creative.” Cool.

Paints and brushes can be found at any dollar or craft store for very little money.

Cool!

You can pretty much paint where ever there is an open space, and a place to get water. You could even bring your own water.

(I have painted in the woods, on the side of a long lazy stretch of highway, my back deck, dinning room, and that was cool!)

As long as you have a place to set up your paints, water and rocks, you can paint rocks. Cool!

It’s not rocket science, which is also cool!

The best part about painting rocks is loosing yourself in the art. Your worries melt away. When I paint, they no longer stand a chance when I’m mixing, swirling or detailing. Nope! And that’s very cool!

Now. The VERY best part of my Whispering Stones Artwork is how it effects and makes people feel.

When I talk about my painted rocks, I watch people’s eyes. It’s cool because I can see them light up. Their eyebrows lift and a thoughtful smile and nod follows.

Art is about creating, expressing, healing, connecting with others and stirring up emotions. I discovered I can do that! And man! THAT’S Cool!

So, if you’ve never tried painting rocks, or you did, when you were a kid, I’d say, give it a try today.

You can leave your worries behind and just reconnect with your inner child, have fun and get grounded, all with the help of a little rock. And that’s pretty cool.

The post Why Painting Rocks is Cool first appeared on Whispering Stones.

I was honored. This is what Andrea Dancek and her crew put together.

I hope you like it and leave a comment.

The post When it’s Art it’s Not Wrong first appeared on Whispering Stones.