The Road to Lifestyle

I came across an old notebook from 1997. I had pasted a few things in it that encouraged me. I'm not sure who this piece is actually attributed to.   Regardless, the message still carries through... You Are Worthy Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special. Do not set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you. Do not take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless. Do not let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past nor for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life. Do not give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying. It is a fragile thread that binds us to each other. Do not be afraid to en

If you were decked out in your best top hat, how would you feel? I think you'd be pretty content being YOU! :) This mixed media piece started with an old block of wood and voila! It is now something special and it is now available in my shop !   Make it a great week!

"The answer to prayer is not according to your faith while you are talking, but according to your faith while you are working."  - Wallace D. Wattles

I know we're going into Thanksgiving week but I wanted to take a moment to talk about my favorite holiday--Christmas. Yes, Christmas is my favorite holiday! Why? Because the world seems to fall in love around Christmastime... Because I feel the warmth and joyful spirit of man... Because I feel a sense of renewed hope... As we prepare for this holiday season I read the children's book The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman tonight. She put it this way: "That's when the Spirit of Christmas smiled. 'Remember, this all began with a child. Because it took nothing but love to begin it, it's not really Christmas if love isn't in it.'" I hope you feel a spirit of love around you this holiday season! Blessings to you and those you love!

It has been a busy couple of days! I drove down to Georgia with Diana Barrett and my publisher and her family to participate in the 10th annual Savannah Children's Book Festival ! I got the opportunity to meet Tad Hills , the author and illustrator of Duck & Goose and I had the opportunity to witness some live illustrating! Jim McMullan in action! :) I met some other "curious" characters like Curious George as well! I also met someone from my Mom's hometown in Panama--Rosie from Chiriqui ! I sold 22 copies of My Dog, Jack at the event on Saturday.  Thanks to Savannah for their tremendous hospitality and everyone who has purchased a book and supported me!  I so very much appreciate it! You can still get your copy of My Dog, Jack today!   And remember, Christmas is right around the corner!  An autographed copy of My Dog, Jack would make a great gift! Enjoy your Sunday and make it a great

Hello Everyone! A quick update for you all! I have been busy with local book signings! My latest was part of "A Christmas to Remember"!  The craft festival was held at the Christian Life Center in Dayton, Ohio. I brought my books and some of my art to share! I met my goal and sold 20 books and 2 handmade mixed media Christmas ornaments! My next event will be coming up on Tuesday, 12 November at the Eaton Library from 6:30 to 7:30 PM! Make it a great week! :)

Newest mixed media piece! Available in my Etsy Store !  www.CevilleDesigns.com Red Fox and Daffodil

Would you like me to read you my book, My Dog, Jack ? Well click on the link below and follow along!   http://kittv.pegcentral.com/ player.php?video=f431cd9d80b3dc a6d19804bbc2c957f1  Thanks to Greta of KIT-TV! The video turned out awesome! :) So  Blessed! :)

This is why I love reading... so much condensed wisdom... As written in Success!  The Glenn Bland Method by Glenn Bland:   There is an ancient legend about a time in the history of mankind when society so abused Wisdom that the Wisemen decided to take the secret of happiness and success away from man and hide it where he would never again find it.   The big question was--where should they hide it? A council was called by the Chief of the Wisemen to discuss the question.   The lesser of the Wisemen said, "We will bury the secret of happiness and success deep in the earth." But the Chief of the Wisemen said, "No, that will never do, for man will dig deep down into the earth and find it." Then they said, "Well, we will sink the secret of happiness and success into the dark depths of the deepest ocean." But again the Chief Wisemen replied, "No, not there, for man will learn to dive into the deep dark depths of the ocean and will

Greetings All! You can win a free copy of my book - My Dog, Jack! Check out Melissa Blake's blog for more info: http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2013/10/tuesday-giveaway.html

As I finished reading Pushing Up People by Art Williams last night, I came across a great quote! Just had to share... "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  - Franklin Roosevelt Happy Friday Everyone!

Have you ever thought this about yourself? If you do suck... or you think you suck... read this book: All You Can Do Is All You Can Do:  But All You Can Do Is Enough! by A.L. Williams I promise you... PROMISE... that you will read a story in this book about someone that is in WORSE shape than you! And if they are in worse shape than you, then you're not so bad after all! Here's an excerpt that I found quite motivational: "It's essential to have big dreams and big goals.  But it's also important to remember that everything doesn't always go just the way you imagined it.  So many people give up because the reality of their new adventure doesn't quite meet up with the beauty of their dream.  That doesn't mean there was anything wrong with the dream.  It just means that in real life we have to put up with a less-than-perfect world." And lastly... "Remember, before you can be great, you've got to be good.  Bef

Greetings All! Anyone know what book the title of this post is from? :) I have been creating new art! These pieces are for Bound 2B Round! Each year the Yellow Springs Village Artisans challenge artists with a theme.  In past years, the theme has been "Dare 2B Square" but this year they have asked us to creatively explore "round" and create round or round-themed art. I've been seeing a lot of poppies around lately and I found them to be quite charming. Here is my rendition... "Poppy Bouquet" (left) and "Poppies on Parade" (right) These pieces will be on display at Village Artisans in Yellow Springs, Ohio throughout the month of October. Please come out and check out the round art in October! Village Artisans 100 Corry Street Yellow Springs OH 45387 937.767.1209

My book is officially on the market! I have been saying it for years:  "My goal is to have a book on the market that I have both written and illustrated..." I'm proud to say that my dream came true on 16 August 2013! :) My Dog, Jack on Amazon.com My Dog, Jack on BarnesandNoble.com Now comes the real work! MARKETING! :) Thank you for all of the support! Painting the Opening Scene     P.S. - I just updated my Blog Bio!! No longer "aspiring children's author and illustrator"!!   I AM a children's author AND illustrator! I feel like dancing! :)

I am currently reading Awaken the Giant Within by Anthony Robbins... and I just read a paragraph that I have to share.  I've read it multiple times, and it is SUPER exciting!   So exciting, that I wanted to share it with you: "You must know that in any moment a decision you make can change the course of your life forever:  the very next person you stand behind in line or sit next to on an airplane, the very next phone call you make or receive, the very next movie you see or book you read or page you turn could be the one single thing that causes the floodgates to open, and all of the things that you've been waiting for to fall into place." POWERFUL! :)

I just posted one of my Mixed Media pieces on eBay! No Reserve! Everyone loves a cup of cocoa and some snuggly pajamas! :) Check out My Listing Here! Happy Friday!

Why do I do what I do in business and in art? This quote sums it up: "The greatest thing in the world is a human life; the greatest work in the world is the helpful touch upon that life." - Charles Lamoureux I am here to make a positive impact on this world. I am here to show people I care. I am here to lend a helping hand. I am here to serve. I am here to love.

You can win one of my Mixed Media Owls! Yes, that's right!  Turtle is going to find a new home in a few days! And I WILL ship INTERNATIONALLY! :) Check out the latest Blog post from Melissa Blake to read how you can ENTER TO WIN! http://www.melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2013/07/thursday-giveaway.html

Greetings All!   I have been working on the illustrations for my picture book but I was able to take a quick break and create "Turtle" the Mixed Media Owl !   Turtle was inspired by the lovely Ashlie Blake of Painting Bliss .  She has a shop on Etsy filled with beautiful original work. Her Mixed Media Owls were featured in the May/June issue of Cloth Paper Scissors .   Enjoy! *************************UPDATE************************* Ashlie gave me some feedback on my owl!

 Just posted a new piece in my Etsy shop ! The goal was to create a mixed media collage using various magazine clippings. I had envisioned a human body with a tiger's head but I stayed a bit more conservative... :) Hey, I'm not a girlie girl so using so much pink was a stretch for me. What can I say?!  I'm growing! ;) We aren't human beings... we are human becomings! Enjoy!

Greetings All! One of my spool girls is featured in the blog "Cuteable" today! http://www.cuteable.com/wordless-wednesday-74/16639/ Also, last night I worked on a new piece! This piece will be in my Etsy shop soon! I am also working on illustrations for my very first children's book! It will be out by the end of this year! So exciting! :) Make it a great day!

Good Morning All! Here is a shot from my art room this morning.   I love the fact that the sun shines on this side of the house in the morning... right into my art room!   It's so warm and inviting. Is that a piñata head on a horse topiary?  You bet!   The piñata head came from an office party I hosted while I was in the military. I came up with a Mexican Luau .  I mean, pigs roasted on a spit is a bit messy for an indoor function. :) Everyone showed up with Hawaiian shirts and brought Mexican food! We had Hawaiian music by Israel“Iz” Kamakawiwoʻole , blow up palm trees and more! Iz's medley of  "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" is a must! As for the rest, pretty much anything goes!   As long as it fits a Hawaiian or Mexican them really. Happy Wednesday all!

Well, I gave it another shot! I thought about calling this one, "Frustration is the beginning of success!" :) I am going to let it be for now... I do like it better than my first try ... Will be in my shop soon!

Meet Abe the Lion !   He is my newest paper clay sculpture.  Before I painted him something about him reminded me of Abe Lincoln, so I named him Abe. Lincoln was referred to as "Honest Abe" and Abe the Lion is no different. When he says "I Luv U"... he means it! I think it's awesome to sculpt... to take a shapeless piece of clay and create a character. I hope he makes you smile...

New piece... will be in the shop soon! Comment from a friend:  "Interesting... more on the serious side... definitely has appeal..." I'll take it! :)

All, the video is up and I was on live television this past Monday! I was promoting SWAN Day Dayton and my Mixed Media art! It was a fun, exciting, and humbling experience! Check it out:   Laura on TV! Mixed Media by Laura Ceville - "Bird Brigade"

Make it a beautiful week! :)

"Let us not forget that knowledge and skills alone cannot lead humanity to a happy and dignified life.  I claim credit for nothing. Everything is determined, the beginning as well as the end, forces over which we have no control. It is determined for the insects as well as for the stars, Human beings, vegetables or cosmic dust, we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible piper." - Albert Einstein

Prints of my art are now available on Society6! More coming soon! http://society6.com/ CevilleDesigns

"I recommend you take care of the minutes, for the hours will take care of themselves." - Lord Chesterfield

All, my mixed media pieces were selected for SWAN Day Dayton and will be on display at the Dayton Metro Public Library from now until March 30th!  March 30th is the official SWAN Day... SWAN stands for Support Women Artists Now... it's an international event celebrating women artists across the world!   http://swandaydayton.blogspot.com/