Colorado ~ A Joyful December…

Happy Holidays! It has been a fun filled and very busy December here in Colorado! Holiday Season has been magical, so many creative displays of holiday lights in the neighborhoods. I have never seen anything so extravagant in my lifetime, these Coloradoans really love to decorate! Winter has arrived with many days of snow cascading over the Rockies. In between the cold and frigid days, we have had some spring like days too! The temperature fluctuations here are bizarre. Just last week we had minus 50 wind chill and then the next day it was 50 degrees and sunny! Layering is the way of the land, when it comes to wardrobe! I enjoyed so many fun visits with friends, for lunch and dinner, birthday celebrations, a Chanukah party, tree lighting in Olde Town, and so much more!

I got to visit a few other areas too, I call them the “L Towns”, Longmont and Louisville. I have been to Loveland a few years ago, so I have only one “L Town” left to explore, in Lyons. I had fun baking my favorite holiday treats, and sharing them with new friends. We had a new housemate for the holiday season, a life size Grinch has been hanging out, and he changed his mindset, and now loves Christmas. I made him a heart for his transformation to being a happy loving Grinch! I have picked out some photos to document this busy month.

Nature has been my elixir here in Colorado for the past 9 months, and I am so grateful to live in such a glorious place. I have been walking my favorite labyrinth, making hearts in the snow, and enjoying all the open spaces and parks in the area. There is one more day in December before the New Year begins. My plans are to go snowshoeing with a good friend, I am looking forward to giving it a try! I bought myself some hiking boots for Christmas, so now I am really an official Colorado woman! It will be a fun way to say so long to 2022, and welcome in the New Year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all!~Helen Keller

Go for it now, the future is promised to no one. ~Wayne Dyer

Gratitude & Colorado November Nature Adventures…

The month of November I spent an enormous amount of time out in nature, deliciously walking in the crisp snow, drawing snow hearts along my path. Yes, even though it is still autumn here in Colorado, we have had a few snow days already! I enjoyed a heartfelt Thanksgiving with new friends, and am so grateful for the new memories created.

I have begun to gather many nature photographs for my first Colorado PhotoArt Calendar. I have taken so many photos, the editing process has become mind-numbing!!! So far I have chosen these 12 in the collage below, but I’m sure the final published calendar will include other favorites in the coming weeks. Many of these photos are available on my website at Fine Art America.

I have designed a collage of Denver street art/graffiti that a friend has shared with me from his many photo excursions. It will be a surprise gift as these have been photos sent over the past nine months, now incorporated into a collage.

Here are a few collages of more glorious nature walks in November and hearts that I am inspired to draw in the Colorado snow. I also find them created by Mother Nature!

I wish everyone a wonderful Holiday Season enjoying all the festivities with friends and family. I hope you get out and breathe the fresh air, take some nature walks, and if you are inspired, draw some hearts in the snow, or in the sand, depending on where you live! Keep an eye out for the serendipity hearts already designed by Mother Nature!

Namaste

Colorado October Autumn Adventures!

Time goes by so fast these days! The seasons are changing and now we are deep into Autumn, and with a hint of winter showing up last week when we had our first measurable snow. Thankfully it was short lived and melted away quickly! Autumn will still be around for awhile according to the forecast. I am not ready for winter yet! I have selected some highlights of my month in photos and videos to share.

October started with a visit to Golden Gate Canyon State Park hiking the Burro Trail, a moderate hike, but for me it was a breathless trek and I could only go so far. My friend continued on to the end, and I stayed behind relaxing on a comfy rock creating en plein air drawings of the autumn beauty. The aspens were beginning to show off their golden beauty mixed in with the evergreens. It became cloudy with a threat of rain so I headed down the trail and met my friend closer to the entrance where we began. I had fun collecting leaves creating photo collages while I waited for my adventurous and fearless friend to meet me. She has hiked a 14 er on Longs Peak, so we were not matched for a day of hiking! It was glorious to be out in nature and continuing to feel as if I really do live in Colorado.

Spent the afternoon with a friend enjoying the beauty of Evergreen, Colorado. We went to a wonderful exhibit at the Evergreen Art Center featuring Water Media paintings. I found a serene Labyrinth near the Church of Transfiguration near a pond surrounded by an evergreen forest. I have wanted to finally make my way to that Labyrinth since I heard it was in a beautiful natural setting. It did not disappoint. I would like to return on a warmer and sunnier day, since it was a bit chilly in the shade. It would be a lovely place for a picnic spending time in the serene location with a beautiful Labyrinth to enjoy, I will return soon. There are so many historic old structures in downtown Evergreen, it was fun to drive though and we stopped at the famous Beau Jo’s Mountain Pizza Pies for lunch.

I took another fun adventure with a few friends going to Boulder for an event that occurs nationally and annually on the third Saturday in October: World Singing Day! It was so wonderful, young and old singing their hearts on the Pearl Street Mall! It was a gorgeous Autumn day, sunny with perfect cool breezes. There were handouts with the lyrics and music blasting as we all sang along, and danced to the beat. I will definitely mark my calendar to repeat this fun event next year.

I continued to explore my neighborhood going to Standley Lake Trail and Two Ponds Wildlife Refuge. See some photos below of my walks in those glorious nature areas. I feel so lucky to have such amazing access to these places so close to home. I had quite the experience at one of my walks in Two Ponds when I came upon a Deer Couple, a doe and a buck. I think we startled each other, and for a moment I got a bit anxious being out there all alone at dusk. I hustled my way back down the trail getting home safe and sound…and not chased by deer! I do love them, they are my spirit animal! I used to see them all the time when I lived in Sedona. I know they are gently creatures, but maybe not when they are startled and possibly in mating season!

Last but not least I continue to visit my favorite Labyrinth and Park in Arvada. The Labyrinth is now covered in crunchy maple leaves, since we had a few windy days and then a mini snow event. I enjoyed walking in the crunchy leaves, love the sound effects, it is one of my favorite things to do in Autumn. I have included a short video below so you can enjoy the fun! I also went to Majestic View Park for my weekly meditation class, and took a few photos this week on a very cold windy day with spectacular majestic views as always!


I hope you enjoyed my October Adventures in Colorado! I will soon be uploading some full size photos of these glorious nature spots that can be purchased as prints, etc. at Fine Art America.

Thanks for coming along on my adventures, hope you enjoyed!

Hello Colorado, Welcome Home!

Colorado Purple Mountain Majesty

Welcome Home MARS! Colorado is now my new Home Sweet Home! I have finally realized my dream of almost 48 years! In the summer of 1974 I traveled cross country to Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. I fell in love with the Rocky Mountains, and always knew one day I would live somewhere in Colorado close to the Majesty of the Mountains. I have on so many occasions attempted to move here, but for whatever reason, the Universe was not in alignment with my dream until now. This time it was so divinely orchestrated I still have to pinch myself as to how it all came about so harmoniously. I have lived here almost one month, and already have enjoyed many adventures, Labyrinth walks, and find myself constantly gasping at the glorious beauty of the snow covered mountains so close by. I have strolled through The Majestic View Park, the Sculpture Field at the Arvada Center, followed the road west to see amazing sunsets over the mountains, and taken some lovely neighborhood walks in the many green spaces nearby. I feel as if my whole world has suddenly opened up, and everything that I have always dreamed of is now at my fingertips. There is so much to explore, so many nearby cities to visit, and so many cultural activities to partake in, the list is long and the excitement in me is palpable.

I created my first digital painting of “Colorado Purple Mountain Majesty” living here in my new home, on the first day of Spring, inspired by the beauty in Arvada, Colorado. I am so excited to experience all the seasons here, and am very grateful to have all these many opportunities ahead of me.

Namaste

Remembering Zen Master~Thich Nhat Hanh…

This week I took time to remember Thich Nhat Hanh after his passing at 95 years old, by watching many of the beautiful ceremonies around the world, honoring his lifetime of powerful teachings on mindfulness, peace, and revered Buddhist principles.

My life has been enriched beyond measure after learning about and listening to a wonderful interview with Thich Nhat Hanh and Oprah Winfrey on Super Soul Sunday in May 2013. I have since read many of his books and wonderful quotes about peace, joy, loving-kindness and compassion. His teachings will live on in my heart eternally, and his legacy will continue to inspire many more hearts and minds worldwide. When you listen to him speak you can’t help but notice that his heart was overflowing with love, joy, compassion and kindness. His heart smile will live on eternally to remind us all that to love one another is of utmost importance in living a beautiful life.

I will include links to the interview that touched my soul, to his Buddhist centers at Plum Village and Dear Park Monastery, and a podcast that I enjoy listening to called: “The Way Out Is In” curated by his Monks at Plum Village in France, it is very enlightening and meditative.

I have shared some of my favorite Thich Nhat Hanh quotes designed with my original HEARTwork and a link to my book: Mars Mindful Moments that include some of his quotes and others.

Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful. – Thich Nhat Hanh
The practice of peace and reconciliation is one of the most vital and artistic of human actions. – Thich Nhat Hanh
We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize. – Thich Nhat Hanh

Here are some links to the interview, podcast, and writings by Thich Nhat Hanh:

A list of all books and calligraphy by Thich Nhat Hanh can be found on the Plum Village website at: plumvillage.org

My current favorite book is a thought provoking gem of a book entitled: TRUE LOVE ~ Here is a link to check it out on amazon: https://amzn.to/3HhxXp9

The Podcast: “The Way Out Is In”: https://plumvillage.org/podcasts/the-way-out-is-in/

The Oprah Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ9UtuWfs3U&ab_channel=PlumVillageApp

Dear Park Monastery in Escondido, California and Plum Village in France are mindfulness practice centers that are high on my bucket list to visit one day!

https://plumvillage.org/

https://deerparkmonastery.org/

Namaste

Original Paintings & Digital Art Collage by MARS 2021

Celebrating this 365th day in 2021 with some of my favorite creations in this collage! Original Acrylic Paintings and Digital Art Creations by MARS, completed in Sedona, Arizona and New York. In early 2021 while living in Sedona, I was inspired to paint three canvases, entitled: New Dawn/Inauguration, Blossom Heart, and Hope Springs Eternal/Jacaranda Tree. I also completed a project in New York entitled Rock Art Abstracts, and did a few other digital creations. Not included in this collage are a few fun watercolor paintings attempted in an en plein air autumn workshop.

Now I am looking forward to 2022 to see the next 365 days of inspiration that arises in my heart & soul! See you later 2021…..it has been challenging for so many, let’s hope 2022 will be a year filled with abundance, prosperity and pandemic free.

Namaste

ZEN HEARTS-Vortex Love Messages!

We hope you enjoy many mindful moments of ZEN inspiration with our newest Zen Heart Creations gifts now available on Amazon.com 

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ZEN HEARTS-Vortex Love Messages is Zen Heart Creations newest publication designed from our Zen Heart Creations-Vortex Love Cards! It is a uniquely sized booklet at only 4 x 6 inches, easy to carry along with you to get Zen inspired throughout your day! It features Inspirational Quotes, Original Zen Heart Art, and Vortex Love Messages created by Mars Sedona “The HEART Lady”!

Zen Heart Creations Vortex Love Cards designed by Mars Sedona “The HEART Lady” features two designs that include 26 oracle cards in each deck, with her Original Zen Heart Art, Zen Daily Words, Inspirational Quotes, and Unique Love Messages! These are available in Sedona, AZ at Sedona Artist Market and also at our online store.

PROMO HEART 1 ALL BOOKS and Cards

Get Inspired with Vortex Love Cards!

Get inspired with our new VORTEX LOVE CARDS from ZEN HEART CREATIONS & ZEN DAILY WORDS!

Mars Sedona “The HEART Lady” has designed this custom 26 oracle card deck with her Original Zen Heart Art, Zen Daily Words, Inspirational Quotes, and Unique Love Messages!

Pick a Zen Daily Word and GET INSPIRED!

vortex heart cards spread

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Soon to be available at The Sedona Artist Market!

Some designs now available at our online store: 

Zen Heart Creations Vortex Love Cards

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