"Breathe in Breathe out" for Yoga practice destressing breathing meditation by Raphaella Vaisseau from Heartful Art as 2x3 magnet to 20x35 banner

Life can be as simple as breathing in and breathing out. Our breath can be the simplest of meditations in and of itself. A person can practice anywhere at any time by pausing to notice the rhythm of breathing in and breathing out. Inhale, exhale. In and out. One breath at a time. Slow it down. Breathe deeply. Relax. This focus on breathing can be an exercise in remembering to keep things in perspective. Keep it simple.

Meditation and breathing exercises are known to reduce anxiety and stress through relaxation. Yoga, a healing system practiced for more than 5,000 years, is a combination of breathing exercises, physical postures, and meditation. Whether you are a student of yoga, a person interested in health and fitness, or a person under stress wanting to take better care of yourself, paying attention to your breathing is beneficial.

Sometimes a person needs a reminder to relax, slow down, breathe deeply, and keep things in perspective. Loved by yoga students, yoga teachers and all who practice meditation, stress reduction, or are interested in health, fitness, and well-being, this "Breathe in Breathe out" poster is just that - a good reminder, and beautiful as well. Raphaella's opening flower painting, like a mandala, can further inspire your journey to relax, slow down and go within. It's shown here as an 11 x 14 LG POSTER. It is also available as an 8-1/2 x 11 MED POSTER, a 5 x 7 SM POSTER, a 2 x 3 MAGNET, frameable MATTED PRINTS (quotations with mat - ready to frame) in 5 x 5, 5 x 7, and 8 x 10, and a 20 x 35 vinyl indoor BANNER for the wall of your favorite yoga studio.

My three little Italian Artist Foster Kittens helping in the studio

It's finally cooling down in Florida so I can paint outside in the lanai again and have my windows open for the breeze morning and night. This little foster kitten is Mona Lisa so she likes to hang out with me while I'm creating art. Her brother Michelangelo likes to help out as well, and Leonardo sits quietly and watches us all.

Artist Trading Cards hit the Mainstream in Dick Blick's 2010-2011 Studio Catalog

Artist Trading Cards, or ATC for short, is the brainchild of Zurich artist M.Vänçi Stirnemann who originated the concept in 1996 and created the first trading party in 1997 in Switzerland. Originally intended to be traded by artist to artist in person, this mini art form has morphed into a world-wide phenomenon with beaucoup variations and ameliorations. On Etsy.com, the handmade marketplace online, they are often referred to as ACEOs ("Art Cards, Editions and Originals") because they are primarily for sale rather than traded artist to artist. Plus, they include prints rather than being all original, handmade works of art.

I have my own collection going on and prefer to buy only originals. However, I have mistakenly purchased prints from time to time. Click here for an interesting discussion of originals vs. copies by two creators of ATCs. I create and sell my own as well, but, sadly, I haven't yet found any artists willing to trade them with me. I love the idea of artists trading little miniature paintings with each other. Many of the artists on Etsy, including myself, who create ACEOs belong to a group called the "ACEO Etsy Street Team." Browse this wonderful blog for links to many miniature works of art.

I was pleased to find a two-page spread in the 2010-2011 Dick Blick Studio catalog featuring ATC supplies for artists. Log onto www.dickblick.com or call them at 800-828-4548 for your very own copy of this BIG catalog of art supplies. Happy Creating!!!

ABC NEWS NOW - New "Little" TV shows like "POD" "BELIEFS" and more

I've turned to ABCNEWSNOW on Fios channel 108 in Venice (click here to see if it's available where you are) by accident a couple of times this week while looking for hurricane updates and happily discovered a new concept in TV programing with short segments promoted as "good to know." So far I've seen short programs called "Beliefs" "Pod" (6 min, 10 min, 20 min) and many others, with interviews of Michael Beckwith, Pema Chödrön, hot new bands, advice on organizing computer disc space with external hard drives and offsite backups. Amazing.

It reminds me of Wisdom TV from the early 2000's which offered 24-hour programming of New Age Expos, full seminars by authors such as Shakti Gawain, Wayne Dyer, and in the place of commercials were little meditations, health tips, and new thought people sharing their definitions of wisdom and other words. One of my favorite Wisdom TV programs was "Conversations with Remarkable People" hosted by Chantal Westerman. Her guests included Robert Bly, Robert Muller, and other fabulous people. Wisdom TV was heavenly. I have several 9hr videos recorded which I view from time to time. I treasure them even though they are showing signs of wear from repeated viewings.

Currently we have hayhouseradio.com which is similar to Wisdom TV but different in that it's primarily authors and guests who are published by Louise Hay's Hay House Publishing. Nothing wrong with that. I religiously listen to the weekly Abraham-Hicks shows aired on hayhouseradio.com. However wonderful this online radio programming is, it's not the same as the brief years of Wisdom TV broadcasting.

With Hay House Radio, combined with the new programming from ABC News Now, we might be getting closer to offering new options in media programming. Maybe it's a new trend and other networks will follow suit. I love that the programs are super short - probably because they can be viewed from mobile phones.

Here's their sound bite: "ABC News NOW is an entire network devoted to better living with smart, empowering info you can use everyday From high-tech to high fashion, going green to keeping lean, ABC News NOW is always GOOD TO KNOW." Check it out and enjoy!

Support the Thoreau Society: Buy Heartful Art Gifts of Magnets and Posters with Henry David Thoreau Quotations at The Thoreau Society Shop at Walden Pond

Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1866) was an American author, philosopher, and naturalist who was part of the Transcendentalist movement. He is best known for his "Civil Disobedience" essay, which he wrote after spending a night in jail for not paying the poll tax; and for his two-year retreat to Walden Pond, detailed in his second book, Walden, or Life in the Woods. Established in 1941, The Thoreau Society is the oldest and largest organization devoted to an American author. The Society has long contributed to the dissemination of knowledge about Thoreau by collecting books, manuscripts, and artifacts relating to Thoreau and his contemporaries, by encouraging the use of its collections, and by publishing articles in two Society periodicals. The Thoreau Society Shop at Walden Pond has been offering Raphaella's Heartful Art magnets, posters and prints for over ten years and now they are for sale in their online shop as well.When planning your holiday gift list, be sure to include the inspirational quotes of Henry David Thoreau and the colorful art of Raphaella Vaisseau on Heartful Art magnets and posters. Browse Heartful Art's online store as well, click the search box and enter "Thoreau" and dozens of products will appear. They are all available at the Shop at Walden Pond. Call them at 978-287-5477 to order or if you don't see what you're looking for.

Let Go and Let God inspirational art print by Raphaella Vaisseau in Femail Creations Catalog - Gifts to Celebrate & Inspire

I am so happy to have my art in the Femail Creations Gift Catalog. Raphaella's art print "Let Go and Let God" is a wonderful present for persons in recovery, people celebrating a birthday, or anyone wanting to feel the sweetness of spiritual surrender (including yourself).

Bravo Hisashi for Great Cat Pictures on Flickr

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originally uploaded by hisashi_0822.

I love kitties. They are all adorable. Thanks to hisashi_0822 for this great photo.