Metta Forming Life

Finding good homes all around for a little bit of light and love.

Star Wars is timeless and I learned so much!! These kids knocked it out of the park with their Light vs. Dark side paint-packed party weekends.




Thinking about hosting your own art party??
Ever want to try out the latest Pinterest craft, but don't know where to start??

Paint parties and more for kids (or adults) of all ages!

Brainstorming all the future fun now

@ [email protected]

DM or emails for any questions or ideas that you've been bouncing around!!

Why does the caged hen cry?

For adventures and that green, green grass...

Why does the chicken walk the road?

The break in a rainy, gray not-sure-we-want-to-start-the-hike kinda day.

My favorite Max Patch adventure from the epic to the perfect tarp and more all the way to Hot Springs.


Western NC never disappoints, rain or shine. 🌧️🌦️☀️

"Soul Medicine"

This image was taken at my first of many Nahko shows. I went alone. It rained. It was glorious. Eventually, his shadows brought to light a dilemma in the music and some moral questions for soul tribes.

I don't particularly want to delve into that ethical blackhole, but I have always been particularly fond of the image.

The music that first opened my ears to let the medicine in has been missed, that badass fiddle player especially, but I am proud to know that I am well without it.

Available in B&W
Image: 11x14 in
Black Frame w/white matting: 29"x 24 "
DM for pricing

Another life ago, I looked out on the water and knew that things were just getting started for me.

#2016

THE OAK AND THE ROSE

An oak tree and a rosebush grew,
Young and green together,
Talking the talk of growing things
Wind and water and weather.
And while the rosebush sweetly bloomed
The oak tree grew so high
That now it spoke of newer things
Eagles, mountain peaks and sky.
'I guess you think you're pretty great," The rose was heard to cry,
Screaming as loud as it possibly could
To the treetop in the sky.
'And now you have no time for flower talk,
Now that you've grown so tall.'
'It's not so much that I've grown,' said the tree,
'It's just that you've stayed so small.'

-Shel Silverstein

A LIGHT IN THE ATTIC

There's a light on in the attic.
Though the house is dark and shuttered,
I can see a flickerin' flutter,
And I know what it's about.
There's a light on in the attic. I can see it from the outside,
And I know you're on the inside... lookin' out.

-Shel Silverstein

INVITATION

If you are a dreamer, come in,
If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,
A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer...
If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire
For we have some flax-golden tales to spin.
Come in!
Come in!

-Shel Silverstein

I work most things in life in stages.

This part I've been biding my time and letting the process unfold.

Earlier this year I joined a beautiful collaborative of artists and friends. They filled my soul with new hope and whispers of the life I know is possible.
I've heard reference to my corner as "the invisible artist" and questions to "what do I do?" All oh which seems perfectly fitting for the moment.

For the time being, I'm an artist.
A photographer with a love for mixed media. 📸 🌄🌺🍄🐝

Thankful for the space. The patience. The love and most of all, community.

Happy to be in this current stage; struggling, reflecting and knowing there is a light at the end of the tunnel still holding it's flame for me.

"Oh, I don't know, I'm so confused. It's just, well, the Land of the Dolls is where you all belong.

But I want to grow up. There's a million things I want to do; people to meet, worlds to explore. I've always wanted to dance in the ballet.

Nutcracker, I do love you, but I can't stay in the Land of the Dolls forever."

-Clara
The Nutcracker Prince

Some days keep a piece of your soul forever. These photos came into the shuffle this morning and after three years the cold, unforgiving grasp of reality is still gravely hollowed out within the spaces of our shadows.

Honoring the passing of time and the reminder to be grateful for every day we get to exist; waking up in familiar places, loving the same old faces and knowing that the people we love are safe.

***PLEASE SHARE**
For over 20 years The Outreach Center has been working to make sure no child goes hungry, especially at Thanksgiving. You can join us in this endeavor by volunteering this Tuesday, Nov. 23rd at The Outreach Center for our largest event of the year...the annual Thanksgiving Food Distribution. It's from 10am-5pm while supplies last. Volunteer for an hour or all day. You'll be blessed and so will our staff and clients. The Outreach Center is located at 510 East Fleming Drive Morganton. Thank you so much!!

Family portraits available.

Some trees have all the fun.

Blending in to your environment like a boss.

Knowing when to remove heads... Level Executive.

Photos from Borderline Personality Disorder- Beautifully Made's post

Though life throws all sorts of challenges our way, they do not have to define us. Even if you had a hard patch, it doesn’t mean that you are destined for a hard life. When you are open to possibilities, possibilities open up for you.

A few things to remember:

1. What matters more than the events in our lives is how we interpret them. Did they crush us, or did we learn something valuable?

2. Everything is evolving. Just like nature has seasons, we do too. Nothing stays static.

3. We have the power to choose whether to respond to conflict as our best selves, or simply react according to old patterns,

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” - Viktor Frankl

My feed has been full of the best messages these days and they're starting to help along with some proactive life steps. Thanks for the vibes Kami ❤️🙏🙌

Fundraising near and dear to my heart. If you're looking for a way to give back to the community, here's an opportunity to double it!! Love this organization and their mission. 🙏❤️

Help SOUTHMOUNTAIN CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES Raise $10,000 by August 31!!!
https://www.southmountain.org/donate/

Looking for that next girls' night out?! This local gem combines the perfect social setting for your squad, the best tunes and everything you need to get your climbing experience started right here in Morganton, NC. starts at 5 PM!

Bigfoot Climbing Gym offers an experience for all ages from kids' beginner to competitive climbing challenges; Classes and instructors available with all the gear you need in one stop.

Ladies come out tonight for Climb Like a Girl tonight starting at 5pm. We will have Heather Carpenter there to give instruction and climb with you. $10 for non members ❤️

A short drive from is a magical place to leave the ongoing to do lists and lack of inspiration behind.

A place where the morning temperature drops beneath the canopy, the birds call, the leaves fall.

It's a place of pure imagination beyond each winding bend and one I often call -- dear friend.

They're a little stinky and extra loud, but they are expecting!! 🥚🦩

"The emergence of the cicada from the earth teaches you to come out of your skin. This world favors the bold. As such, you need to break free of the yoke of fear.

Speak your mind whenever you can. Don’t let anyone kill your dreams."

😍

Catch me outside. How about that?

"When a seed sprouts, it's a violent process. The skin breaks and splits in two. Something dies and something is born. Anytime you paint a strong or violent image, you may be expressing that part of yourself that's opening in order to let the new emerge."

- Michele Cassou

Where am I?

Take a guess for your very own print to panel.