A weekend I will never forget! I participated in my first festival, the Oatka Festival in LeRoy, New York.

I have had paintings pouring out of me since I started making time for what I found I needed to do to feel more alive, more like my true self….creating! (More on that in my 1st blog post). As I created, I thought it would be fun to share my paintings with others who may be interested in that aspect of my life, so I started a Facebook page (Vicki McArdle - Artist and Quilter). I am so grateful for the motivating, supportive and encouraging comments and messages I receive as I post. Additionally, as people inquire to purchase my work, I am so grateful. To be able to connect with people through creating artwork is such a majestic feeling to me.

To give back, I enjoy donating my work. This year, after donating to an event in LeRoy that benefits local school students, it was suggested to me that I participate in the Oatka Festival. How fun! I applied, and was accepted to my first festival!! Then…came SO much work and so many questions! Where would I get a tent (thanks Melissa, from Paw-Tastic Portraits), how much inventory do I need, how should I set up….I had (and still have) a lot to learn….

Perhaps what I love the most about the Oatka Festival is how family friendly and community driven the event is. It really is impressive. Not only is the scenery beautiful as it is held on the banks of the Oatka Creek, but it kicks off with a huge musical parade! My kids love to hear the bands, see the fire trucks and especially chase after candy that is thrown on the ground near them - Liam made sure they were prepared with a bucket this year! :)

Another unique way kids are able to participate in the festival is through the Fishing Derby. My 5 year old son, his daddy and grandpa fished for FOUR hours the morning of the derby. With a half an hour to spare, he hooked a 7 inch perch to come in first in his age bracket (4-6 year olds) for the second straight year. He was so proud and so happy. :)

Another highlight of the Oatka Festival is the exciting Duck Derby. I bought a duck ticket for each of my kids this year and we watched as all of the rubber ducks made it across the Oatka to the finish line….and what do you know - out of all of those ducks, grandpas crossed first! Unbelievable!

THANK YOU, to ALL, for a memorable weekend. Thank you to all involved in the Oatka Festival for having me. Thank you to all who supported me, and for all of the wonderful compliments. I am grateful. It was a wonderful experience, across the board. I look forward to participating in more festivals in the future.

:)! All smiles,

Vicki

Well hello there! So here I am, finally, writing my first blog entry. I'm very excited to be here, but I've gotta admit, I'm a little nervous too. I do not claim to be a writer by any means, but I am looking forward to sharing a little more of myself with all of you.

As you may already know, I am a mother to 3 pretty amazing kiddos (and expecting our 4th in November), a full-time art teacher, a wife and an artist. Life is busy, crazy, fun, exciting, exhausting and a true blessing. I love my life, and I love my family.

Raising a family is a life changer. Especially, raising 3 children (with one on the way) ages 5 and under. I LOVE being a mom. I LOVE being a wife and I LOVE being a teacher. Balancing all three of these commitments comes very natural to me because they are all so dear to my heart. I was, however, struggling with making time for myself. I felt my insides tugging. I would get these deep urges to create something. More specifically, I wanted to paint. I had wanted to paint for years but would always push it aside when I could not decide what it was that I wanted to paint. So for years I would get my creative fix through other means: creating lesson examples for my students, quilting, card making and scrapbooking. My insides still tugged…and tugged. I became frustrated and at times, unhappy.

Somewhere around this time is when it all started. While shopping at Michaels, I stumbled upon the book, Brave Intuitive Painting, by Flora Bowley. The book called to me. I smiled when I held it in my hands. "Let Go. Be Bold. Unfold." As I opened the book and turned the pages, colorful images of Flora's artwork flooded my eyes - I was in awe. I wanted to learn more about her and this style of painting so I turned back to the introduction...

"For many years I struggled with my desire to paint for the sake of exploration, raw expression, and release. I thought my art needed to support an intellectual theory, make a political statement, or in some way change the world. eventually I surrendered, allowing myself to paint for the purpose of painting and the joy it brings.

After many years of following my heart, I now understand that the very act of pure expression does change the world.

It changes the world by changing each and every person who is brave enough to pick up a paintbrush, open themselves up to the unknown, and express themselves honestly and intuitively. it is through this kind of heartfelt expression the truths are revealed, lives transform, and new worlds are born."

And there it was…this book telling me to be brave and just show up to my canvas. Reminding me to paint because I love it and because my insides are tugging for that specific creative release. Later that night after the kids went to sleep I arrived at my canvas with my painting supplies and Flora's book. I painted for hours. That night transformed me…

I no longer felt tired. I listened to my inner longing and made time for myself. A new part of me came alive that night and I am forever grateful.

Thanks for joining me,

<3 Vicki