Spiritual | Between the Weeds

May 5, 2013
by Laurie Rohner Studio 2 Comments

The choices we make matter.

“As my sufferings mounted I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation — either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force. I decided to follow the latter course.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

Many years ago I faced the hard realization of the two choices facing me. It was a great fear I held for my life. What if life never got any better? What if I am doomed to live a life filled with disappointments and challenges making my suffering to be unbearable? I knew then as I do now I had the power to choose another direction. My fear was, would life make me bitter and ugly.

Nothing in life happens without our approval. See it and realize every choice has an effect, an outcome we have to take. Sometimes it is predestined and other times our choosing. No matter which it is we can always decide how we will react. Whenever the world gets a bit dark and I feel overwhelmed I go and walk in nature. Find your own grounding method. Make a cup of tea and sip it conscious of each sip. Take a bath imagine a beach. Whatever works for you. Sometimes I find a place and sit down for a few moments but always I remove my self from the darkness.

White Iris Nature Art Painting
by Laurie Rohner

I am a big believer of meditation and angel/guide(s). Through meditation I can receive valuable information about my life circumstances. I know my upstairs friends are always there helping me out when I need them. Lately needed more because I have huge decisions and life changes happening.

Remembering the divine-ness of your life is epic. The choices you consider will follow darkness with bitterness or transform a bad situation into a creative light filled wonder.

I am filling my life with creative positive choices. When I was younger I easily found the good in every situation but as I gathered more challenges and life experiences I realized my outlook was becoming cloudy and dimmer. A true life course correction happened. Think of your self as a charged metal rod and the challenges as iron shavings clinging to the charged rod. Switch the charge and the metal shavings fall off. Switch your thinking and the energy of your life changes freeing your thoughts and energy to work with understanding and acceptance, and not fear of loss and hopelessness.

I have created two web sites for my painted work, Laurie Rohner Studio and Painted Furniture Studio. I have created a separate site for selling my home/studio. I am creating what I want through the suffering and transforming my life into a life I see living. Not everyday is it blooming with happy thoughts but the darker ones do not hang around as long. Inside everyone there is something we can change making each life brighter. I’m tired could change to wondering I am low in energy my body wants to take a break and then to I need to appreciate my self and give your self a break. Small changes lead to epic changes in all things.

February 28, 2013
by Laurie Rohner Studio Leave a comment

Adding value to other people’s lives with painted nature boxes.

“Most people are so stuck in their egos that everything revolves around me, me, and more me. But if you want to be rich in the truest sense of the word, it can’t only be about you. It has to include adding value to other people’s lives.”

- T. Harv Eker, motivational speaker and best-selling author.

With each creation I make and paint I add some part of myself creating the work. I create to bring nature into our lives through functional art. I find a special energy in a work that is hand-made and hand painted with the intent to bring pleasure to someone else. Whether the artist creates the work for you or for a gift for you to give to a special person in your life it is created from an act of love. The love the artist gives making the work flows then to the person that is buying the work and on and on it goes. What a nice way to think when you are browsing through sites and looking for gifts. Think about who made it was it made with love from an artist or a large impersonal corporation. Are you adding value to the life of the person buying or receiving the work?

I have added this lovely new large painted nature box to my shop with the intent it would enhance and add to your life. I give to the work and then send it on for another to add to their lives. Could life be any better? Check out all the nature and love inspired work in my shop at Between The Weeds.

Painted Nature Box Woodland Botanical Garden

Custom Made Storage Painted Furniture by Laurie Rohner.

Painted Nature Box Custom Made Furniture Woodland Botanical Garden Storage Laurie Rohner

Custom made painted nature furniture, my handmade painted nature storage box is painted with woodland botanical garden flowers in greens and whites by Laurie Rohner. I painted the poplar wood a lovely shade of the softest creamy gray taupe white. I love this base color. To compliment the color I decided to use a subtle simple design with greens and white flowers that cascade down the front. The botanical woodland flowers are from hydrangea to Queen Ann’s Lace and Lily of the Valley. Easily compliments farmhouse cottage or loft decors.

Display it on a chest of drawers or table. Stuff it with journals or scarves or even in the bath with toiletries.

Great gift for the bride or wedding couple. Give it to your Mom for all the family memories. Makes a great housewarming and birthday gift,too.

Palette: dark green, olive, leaf green, white, cream, light pewter gray.

Measures:outside 14.75″ x 11.5″ x 8″ high. inside 12.75″ x 9.75″ x 6.5″ high.
The sides of this nature box are 1/2 stock poplar with mortised hinges.

The design is sketched on my own hand crafted wood keepsake box. I hand paint and add my signature line work. Each box is a one of a kind work. I do not use stencils transfers or prints and they are always my original work. A functional piece of art can easily fit any decor from traditional funky whimsical or of course farmhouse.

Every piece is signed and dated.
Hours to complete 7 1/2hrs
Ready to ship.

Some lovely words about their fabulous boxes.
*Prompt service, beautifully and professionally packaged. Gorgeous box, love it!!!!
*I love your shop and I will come back often to see new products.
*I absolutely love this box and Laurie personalized it for me. Shipped quickly and safely and looks gorgeous. Thank you!

All rights are not transferable with the purchase of this painting and remain with the artist.
The copyright is for photographing and does not appear on the original.

I ship internationally. The amount shown is an estimate. I will refund any excessive overcharges.

More Painted Nature Boxes:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BetweenTheWeeds?section_id=13064337

Second Shop:
http://LaurieRohnerStudio.etsy.com

Shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BetweenTheWeeds

February 17, 2013
by Laurie Rohner Studio Leave a comment

A dream is your creative vision for your life.

“A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown.”

“Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.”

- Denis Waitley, is an American motivational speaker and best-selling author.

Paintings and painted furniture by Laurie Rohner.

Watercolor on paper by Laurie Rohner. From laurierohner.com

February 15, 2013
by Laurie Rohner Studio 4 Comments

Aiming for success with what you love to do.

“Don’t aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.”

- David Frost, is a British journalist, comedian, writer and media personality.

I am reinventing the way I am branding my shop Between The Weeds with an underscore to nature. I love to watch birds and animals (my dog in particular),their personalities shine if you just pay attention. I am learning to connect to that energy. These are two woodland bird original watercolors.

Remember I am offering free bunny cards with your order.

Watercolor Nature Original Painting Woodland Bird Chickadee by Laurie Rohner

A nature watercolor original painting of a woodland bird titled Chickadee. I love the subtle tones against the dramatic hit of navy gray on the head and wing of this watercolor. This is a mamma bird getting ready to give her wee one a worm. This is original artwork by Laurie Rohner (not a print).

Palette:umber,navy,paynes gray

Watercolor Original Nature Painting Cedar Waxwing Woodland Bird by Laurie Rohner

A watercolor original nature painting of a woodland bird titled Cedar Waxwing.
Original artwork by Laurie Rohner.

I love these birds Cedar Waxwings, when they make their way through my area. They love to eat the red berries on my holly so I took a bit of artistic licensing and removed the green leaves. I love the subtle tones of this watercolor. It is whimsical with the added painted border and there are subtle water marks of blue in the corners.

Palette:umber,navy,paynes gray,yellow,red.

Wall artwork for cottage chic, farmhouse and loft decor.

Arches 300lb hot pressed watercolor rag paper.
This is slightly rough thick hand made paper.
Image and Paper size is 8″ x 10″.
Unframed.
NOT A PRINT

Small Fact: The paper is so thick you can attach a ribbon to the back and hang it.

These are my original designs and I hand paint each piece after which I add my signature ink line. A great value for an original piece of artwork.
All rights are not transferable with the purchase of this painting and remain with the artist.
The copyright is for photographing and does not appear on the original.

I ship everywhere and the shipping charge outside the US is for International Flat Rate for Envelopes.

For Painted Furniture visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BetweenTheWeeds?section_id=6097607

Fairy Houses visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BetweenTheWeeds?section_id=10216629

Shop my entire shop Visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BetweenTheWeeds
Second Etsy Shop:
http://www.LaurieRohnerStudio.etsy.com

February 14, 2013
by Laurie Rohner Studio 2 Comments

The Power of Love.

“Surrender is faith that the power of Love can accomplish anything even when you cannot foresee the outcome.”

- Deepak Chopra, modern day mystic and best-selling author.

Photo from activerain.com

“When we know love matters more than anything, and we know that nothing else REALLY matters, we move into the state of surrender. Surrender does not diminish our power, it enhances it.”

- Sara Paddison, best-selling author.

February 13, 2013
by Laurie Rohner Studio Leave a comment

Replace Negative with Positive.

“If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely. If we understood the awesome power of our words, we would prefer silence to almost anything negative. In our thoughts and words we create our own weaknesses and our own strengths. Our limitations and joys begin in our hearts. We can always replace negative with positive.”

- Betty Eadie, is a prominent American author of several books on near-death experiences.

Have I mentioned I am crazy about nature? I love the feel I get when I engage with nature. I love to watch birds. I find it fascinating to see them dangle from branches fearless knowing all they have to do is to stretch out their wings and fly. Nature sees no evil doings. The bird below certainly is not worried about the next berry to eat or how he or she looks to the other birdies. Birds soar among the clouds and they have so much joy. I think I would like to spend a day as a bird. But just a day.

I am working on a bunch of nature themed paintings. The bird below is available at my shop Between The Weeds. Please stop in. Check out all the wonderful nature related work I have for sale there.

Watercolor Original Nature Painting Cedar Waxwing Woodland Bird by Laurie Rohner

A watercolor original nature painting of a woodland bird titled Cedar Waxwing.
Original artwork by Laurie Rohner.

Palette:umber,navy,paynes gray,yellow,red.

Wall artwork for cottage chic, farmhouse and loft decor.

Arches 300lb hot pressed watercolor rag paper.
This is slightly rough thick hand made paper.
Image and Paper size is 8″ x 10″.
Unframed.

Small Fact: The paper is so thick you can attach a ribbon to the back and hang it.

I ship everywhere and the shipping charge outside the US is for International Flat Rate for Envelopes.

For Painted Furniture visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BetweenTheWeeds?section_id=6097607

Fairy Houses visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BetweenTheWeeds?section_id=10216629

Shop my entire shop Visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BetweenTheWeeds
Second Etsy Shop:
http://www.LaurieRohnerStudio.etsy.com

February 12, 2013
by Laurie Rohner Studio 4 Comments

Living life in reverse.

“Often people attempt to live their lives backwards: they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.”

– Margaret Young, was a popular singer and comedienne in the United States in the 1920s.

I love this thought about living life in reverse. How many people today are still chasing their tails in circles only to discover they have nothing more than what they had when they started out on their journey. For myself I have been through a bunch of ups and downs making me question my thoughts and vision for business for personal and overall perspective about my life. If we live from our heart the path before us becomes clearer, illuminated by a source many think they know but only can intuitively know.

I have opened myself up to my heart and have listened carefully to the whispers from the Divine Goddess. What I discovered was my love to paint with watercolors. I love to paint renderings of nature, of serene forests and woodland creatures and flowers. This is a path I had abandoned some years ago because I did not have the belief in my work. I followed the money trail with a number of creative careers. The whispers though were always there and never quiet. Now I am venturing down this old path. I am nervous anxious and excited about my new direction. I would be grateful if you would take a peek and see some of the small little watercolors I am working on at Between The Weeds.

The painting here is the first of a series I am starting using a new product for watercolor paintings which allows the artist to paint a watercolor and seal it on a framed board and no glass is needed. Fabulous invention.

Vermont Watercolor Landscape Painting Trees Woodland Fairy Forest

Vermont scenic landscape watercolor painting is of the trees in a woodland fairy forest. This original is for sale by Laurie Rohner.

Once upon a time I lived in a wonderful place called Vermont, maybe you have been there? I remember the beautiful cool woods I would escape to on a warm summer day. You could smell the ferns in the air as a gentle breeze would kiss your face. This is where fairies live and earth magic is alive. Great painting to compliment your fairy houses.

Painted on a specially treated watercolor cradled panel.
My watercolor is painted much like an oil painting, but now this artwork is for sale without the need of glass, what a fabulous concept. Painting is on a special treated panel with a 2″ band of wood around the panel. The panel is protected with a fixative and ready to hang without the need of glass or glazing.

Palette: earth brown, deep green, golden yellow, leaf green, sky blue, bark brown, payne gray, sage green.

Watercolor on panel.
12″H x 12″W

All rights are not transferable with the purchase of this painting and remain with the artist.
The copyright is for photographing and does not appear on the original.

Ask about shipping charges outside the 48 states.
I ship everywhere please before you order ask for international shipping actual charge to your location. The price for shipping everywhere is only an estimate.

For More Painted Furniture visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BetweenTheWeeds?section_id=6097607

Shop my entire shop Visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BetweenTheWeeds
Second Etsy Shop:
http://www.LaurieRohnerStudio.etsy.com

More Fairy Houses visit: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BetweenTheWeeds?section_id=10216629

February 8, 2013
by Laurie Rohner Studio Leave a comment

Can we gain once we have lose everything else?

“To gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else.”

- Bernadette Devlin

I know this is a dismal thought to many to lose everything but let me explain why this quote hits home. I was standing on check out line in the grocery store and a little peeved at the price of all that I had in the bags. I thought when are things going to turn around? When is it going to become understandable? There has to be some reason for all this chaos but what could it be. On the drive home I thought about maybe I should be doing something different with my life. Is this the Universe saying I am in it up to my thighs and it is only going to keep getting worse?

Then a whisper of an idea came to me. Could it be that the feeling of loosing it all was the best thing for me? When you go through tragedy lose, financial, emotional and very personal, you finally will come to a stop. A holding pattern of sorts and from that moment you can make the choice to leave the pain and lose behind or hold to it tightly in fear of more lose only to experience the next round of turmoil. It is coming because you have chosen it to be more lose. I find these moments to be turning points in my life and ones that need to be there but when you see them for what these moments are let them go. What is left is what is needed for the next step in your life. When we allow ourselves the lose, the gain is always going to come if we allow the cleansing of the lose. It has to because the lose formed a void and the universe is always filling the voids. You decide what the direction will be.

“The sacrifice which causes sorrow to the doer of the sacrifice is no sacrifice. Real sacrifice lightens the mind of the doer and gives him a sense of peace and joy. The Buddha gave up the pleasures of life because they had become painful to him.”

- Mahatma Gandhi

February 7, 2013
by Laurie Rohner Studio 2 Comments

Love wins every time.

“According to A Course in Miracles, there are only two basic emotions: one is fear, the other is love. You may fear the disapproval of others. Take that risk and you’ll discover that you receive more approval when you don’t seek it than when you do. You may fear the unknown. Take that risk as well. Wander in there, asking yourself, “What is the worst thing that can happen if this doesn’t work out?” The truth is that you will just move beyond it. You’re not going to starve to death or be tortured if it doesn’t work out… Fear knocked at the door. Love answered and no one was there.”

- Wayne Dyer, page 29 from his book “10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace.” Dyer is a popular American

self-help advocate, author and lecturer.

Feel good and let in love.

On a day when things were looking a little bleak I found this quote by one of my favorite soulful people in the world (Dr, Wayne Dyer) and on the best inspiring blog about love, The Daily Love. Much needed right? If I was a dog that is how I feel now. Have a brilliant epic day. Kick fear to the side and show everyone some more love.