Wow, I just read the most inspiring email that I just had to go on here and share it. It was from my cousin from the windy city who is a creative like me. 🙂 There are days when I feel stressed about my “new” job…don’t get me wrong…I’ve never regretted taking this step because I make it a point to not have regrets…because those haunt you. But when I read his email about how he wants to follow his passion and start doing things he enjoys…that makes me beyond happy. Because life is short and taking chances are scary and nerve-wrecking as hell but often the greatest risk yields the biggest rewards or something like that. Your job can just be that…your job, a way to fund your life so you can have security, basic necessities, and simple pleasures/adventures. In my case, when I just couldn’t change my mindset and felt like I was wasting all this time at work concentrating on trivial stuff for the workplace and feeling drained and not having enough time when I get home to work on all these ideas I have in my head, I knew I had to do something. Believe me, it took me awhile. And I’m okay with that…I don’t envy those that could make quick decisions and just go with it…I’ve accepted who I am and what I’m comfortable with. After all, at the end of the day, it’s me who have to live with it. So YES, let’s “shoot for the stars” because even if we miss, it will be one hell of a journey! N and P, I’m excited to start this journey with you! 🙂

I’m reminded of this quote I once read somewhere and it really stuck with me….

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners. I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know it’s normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close the gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.” -Ira Glass

I once went through these watercolor collection of an artist who’s work I really admired and what I noticed that most of his earlier works weren’t all that good or something I would purchase, but he painted A LOT. There are hundreds of them. And eventually he did find “the thing” that made his art special. That was the moment I started painting with watercolor.

we all have our struggles. It’s how we handle it and treat others in the process that separates us.

I took some pictures today of my sister modeling these flower circlet/tiara/crowns that I have been working on and I’m really happy with the way the “photo shoot” went. I used my brother’s backyard because it has this really natural foliage. I’m still on the lookout for beautiful natural places that I can use as backdrop for my aspiring photography. These will be available on my etsy shop soon if anyone is interested. 🙂 This marketing aspect is the hardest thing about this new endeavor of mine. I have to keep telling myself it takes time. Below are some photos of the flower circlets.

Update: These ethereal bohemian bride’s crown/tiara/circlet are available on my etsy shop now!

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I’m fast forwarding one year from now…trying to imagine what I will be doing…if my new business will thrive or will it fall flat. It has been a constant struggle lately, a lot of self-doubt. I know a lot of people feel that way at the beginning…wondering if they can be successful in their chosen market/career. I’ve been working/designing wedding invitation/suites lately and toying with the idea of printing them on my laser printer to market, but there’s already so many design templates out there that I wonder if people will want my designs. Or am I just wasting my time? Arghhhh! Do any of you ever feel that way? Probably, right?

I got this beautiful navy blue laser cut wedding invitation from my cousin Tammy’s wedding and it inspire me to create this wedding suite. I just love the intricacies of that laser cut folder. Is paper art/design a dying form? Do people still like receiving it? Or do they just tossed it out?

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I’ve been showcasing some of my paintings of Aimeli Marcelle, but now I’m ready to show you more of it!  Maybe I’ll show you a different one each post to build interest? 🙂 I still need to learn how to take really sharp pictures so I can send to print. Just another thing to add to my checklist..yeesh…ever have those days where you tackle on so many projects that the list is endless? Tackling this self-starter business sure takes a lot of time! 🙂 I’m also starting my pinterest board. Who wants to be my marketing guru?!? I can’t pay you yet, how about in virtual hugs and smiles? 🙂 Ca? Since, I know you are my devoted reader and I’m so grateful for you everyday. No matter how busy you are with the girls you always make the time to check up on me. Chi Thy, if you are reading this…thank you my dear! My lil brother Chink (it’s a slightly derogatory nickname which I mean no offense) who’s always supporting me. What is this? It’s not “Thanksgiving” or “Day of Thanks” but I know it’s really important that when we can, we make the effort to let the people we care about, know. You just never know…there is so much violent in the world, so much unrest, not to mention life threatening diseases, like cancer, alzheimer, and so many that takes away our quality of life, take away our dear ones too soon, so many cars on the road, too many people in a hurry to get from Point A to Point B that accidents abound. Thanks for letting me rant! I read the news today about the “Neo-Nazis” and the “Anti-Fascists” rally that happened yesterday around the Capitol of Sacramento and it saddens me, makes me sick…so close to my home. There is nowhere safe. Everyone is afraid to go anywhere and can you blame them? There’s no sense of community…I’ve always wanted a place like that, like the Gilmore Girls.

Back to the original intent of my post…I think/I know I mentioned this before, but “Aimeli Marcelle” (pronounced em-ma-lee mar-sale) is an anagram of all my nieces’ names. Well for Aivy, Maila, Gemma, Amelia, Emily, and Allie…can’t say for future ones unless they stick to similar names. 🙂 I created her for them, for their moms, as a symbol of the magic, the enchantment still left in this world. That they can grow up to be anyone and everything. Fighter, Dreamer, Artist, Healer, Educator, Lover, Adventurer, etc. That they never “grow up” that they maintain their childlike quality, their zest for learning, their kindness, their belief in “good” will always outweigh the evils of the world, that they treat everyone with equal respect and kindness, unless shown otherwise. We need more people like that in the world.

I refer to the featured image as “Snow White” because the flowers on her crown and her shirt reminds me of her character. Snow White spent a lot of time in the wild with the Seven Dwarves when her stepmother, the queen took over control of her realm. And because of the colors too!

I will be adding the rest of the Aimeli Marcelle’s paintings on the pinterest page if you want to check it out! Right side of the page under “Social”. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy creating them!

Over and out,

Peace Mongler

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Earlier this year I went on a trip to Barcelona, home to Antoni Gaudi’s beautifully whimsical architectures. His buildings are work of art and I cannot begin to describe what it’s like to witness it all. To see it, to experience it. His buildings are so fairy tale, whimsical-like, unlike any traditional buildings that you see everywhere. It’s like being in a magical fun house for adults. Each building different and unique but also signature of Gaudi’s style. He wasn’t afraid to be different. He spent most of his later years, 16+ years working on the Sagrada Familia, til his death. I admired his passion and singular devotion to his art.

There were so many moments that I wished to share with you but I feel overwhelmed putting down in words. Barcelona changed me. As do a lot of other places abroad. Each time I returned from a trip I feel different. Renewed.

Barcelona I learned is home to so many talented street musicians. I was fortunate to witness one soo truly beautiful that it brings tears to my eyes and for the rest of my life I will never forget that moment. It was around Park Guell. I wanted to go inside the whimsical sculpture park that Gaudi created but unfortunately the next show was in 3 hours and I wanted to go to a friend’s gathering so instead I walked around the outskirt of the actual park. It must’ve been fate that I didn’t go in because I was lucky to hear this violinist. The duo was playing in this natural rock enclave and the acoustic was out of this world amazing. I regretted not recording a full song because of my phone battery was low and I still had to get back to my hotel. But, fortunately for me, there were many that uploaded their recording on youtube. I’ve included this link here: https://youtu.be/oriAU97IRWs. This does not come close to hearing it live, but still beautiful nonetheless.