Tag Archives: Elise and Phil Okrend

Feeling Alive

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In the presence of aliveness, creative ideas happen spontaneously. they don’t need to be forced. Find that place that makes you feel alive and spend time there . The answers will come.

This passage from Messages to the Heart speaks to me as I take another step in my journey as an artist.  I found a wonderful space to work and show my pastel paintings in the vibrant River Arts District of Asheville.  It is a beautiful open space with lots of natural light, and it will serve as a day to day place for me to dream, to paint and to build community. It is called Whitespace and it is located in the Wedge Building, a place filled with a diverse group of artists and crafts people.  I welcome you to visit me in my new creative home.  One of the upcoming highlights in the River Arts District will be the studio stroll coming this  June 14th and 15th where over 170 artists will open their studios for demonstrations, viewing, classes and fun. I am so excited to be a part of that experience and look forward to seeing you at the Studio Stroll or any time you may be in Asheville and want to visit.

Elise

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www.eliseokrend.com

 

Beauty Inspires

This past weekend we took a short trip to Black Mountain and Montreat, NC., about 30 minutes from where we live in Asheville. In Montreat, we were entranced by a meandering stream trail that we followed. We learned that this region is only second to tropical rain forests for its biodiversity! Along the trail, we encountered hand made rock formations that reminded us of Stonehenge! It seems that the sacredness of this place has been confirmed by others that have walked this trail. Here is a pic of this beautiful place.

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The beauty of this place reminded us of one of the passages from Messages to the Heart.  

The world is full of beautiful landscapes and vistas, natural places that evoke feelings of reverence and awe. This natural beauty, what nature intended is also inside of you. When you understand that you are part of this nature, then you know that you have been blessed with gifts to express to bring out, to touch others with. All fear, shame, guilt, doubt is just conditioning built from fear that tries to undermine you from seeing this truth. When you see it, know it is false to you, and it will disappear as you no longer give it power.

After this beautiful walk, we went to the quaint town of Black Mountain, NC where we discovered a wonderful eclectic gift shop called Chifferobe Home & Garden.  This wonderful shop is now a new home for Messages to the Heart. Next time you find yourself in Western North Carolina, check out the town of Black Mountain and this beautiful shop.

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May you find beauty in the simple things around you.

Elise and Phil