A Family Portrait: My New Project

My absolute favorite thing about new projects is getting to know new friends who have an interest in my art 😁 haha…no my ego isn’t big, I just sincerely LOVE people who Love art. Doesn’t have to be mine…but its a bonus when it is. Especially if they’re placing an order!

I equally love a person who is spending some good time putting together a special gift for a special somebody in their life. I’m now a part of their journey to make someone feel loved.

All custom orders I’ve received have come from such creative folks looking for a unique gift idea <insert heart inspired art here 💗😉>

This next project is for a friend of mine who is wanting a family portrait, but a little more creative then a simple photograph.

His idea is to create a painting with colors and names, instead of faces.

Here’s the scope:

• 5 Hearts, one for each member of the family
• Their names by their hearts
• Each heart [& name] is painted using that persons favorite color
• Names can’t be too obvious
• Make sure its bright and colorful!

Here are some pics of the sketching process so far:

Next week I’ll share an update on this project and its evolution!

If you’re interested in checking out my other projects, or would like to have more info on how to order one, just send me a message, or find me on Facebook & Instagram: 👉@popheartstudio

Make sure to check out my website: 👉Popheartstudio.com

Thanks for reading!

Much love your way 💗

Marisol Medina

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A peek at my next 5 goals

Hi friends!

First goal (…not part of the big 5…), is getting momentum, clearly seeing the direction I’m taking Pop Heart Studio in…which is why I’ve been postponing blog posts these past few weeks.

For close to a month I’ve brainstormed, sketched, and planned my first collection I’ll be featuring in my Pop up & online shop.

A well, thought-out creative business has the capability of creating a movement around a particular subject.

That being said, a really long time ago I chose the subject of love as the movement I joined for my life and artistic venture. Hence the hearts 💗😁

What started off as a small business idea has eventually evolved and transformed, just as I have on a personal level.

The more experience I have with my business, the more desire I have to see it grow and have remarkable impacts on the society I live in.

I see the need for gift ideas outside of paintings, and I’ll be following my intuition on this one…🙌

No matter what’s added to the shop, it’ll all serve my lifes mission: to be a messenger of love.

So here are my next 5 goals:

1. Start a YouTube channel
2. More blog posts on the subject of love
3. Pop up shop [on wheels] calendar of events
4. Collaborate with fellow artists
5. Paint heart murals around town

…and much, much more! ☝

If you’ve read this list and thought of feedback, send me a message, asap! I’d LOVE to hear from you 😁

Putting my goals out there holds me accountable to see them through…so wish me luck!

Thanks for reading 🙏💗

Much love your way,

Marisol Medina

Our Future Looks Bright

I still feel a buzz, still high off the change in culture, landscape, food, weather…

I’ve gotta say, this has been the best damn vacations I’ve ever taken. We got a yummy dose of love from our family and friends.

I’m happy to have such close relations with people who live in a far away land, yet I can’t help but cry like a baby the day we say good bye and hop on a plane back home.

Makes me think about my own family and the sacrifices they went through when coming to this country.

My dad, fleeting Cuba for political reasons, never ever stepped foot in his home land again.

I dedicate this post to all who’ve left their country for a promising future, for themselves and their children. Mad respect and love to you all.

This trip also got me on this phenomal momentum! I feel so much clarity with my business and truly know that this year holds a bright future for me and Andres. We are focused, determined, and dedicated to live the kind of life we’ve been building together from day 1.

I recommend to anyone who is feeling down about life and un-motivated to save up and go on a trip, go out and explore a new piece of land and culture.

Fill your life up as much as possible with inspired moments, and choose those memories to look back on.

Taking yourself out from your daily routine is the best medicine to get yourself inspired about life.

The picture featured in this post is from a beach in Bariloche called “Playa Bonita.” We went that day with my mother in law and niece. We took perfect pictures, for a picture perfect day!

Blessings to my readers! I send you mad love…. from Miami…😘

💋 Marisol Medina

A walk through the forest

Hi friends 😍

We have landed in Buenos Aires! It’s our last week in Argentina…I’m sad to be leaving but super pleased about the vacation we’ve had!

This post I’ll share a very special experience we had last Friday in Bariloche with my mother in law.

We enjoyed one of the prettiest skies and most peaceful walks through a forest called “El Bosque de Arrayanes.”

Arrayanes are unique trees with a cinnamon color bark that gives off a particular scent. I was completely captivated by the mystical sensation I felt walking through this forest. A perfect setting for perfect pictures!

At one point I felt compelled to have a spiritual moment…and so we did! I sat crossed legged on a fallen tree trunk, closed my eyes and started to breathe deeply. 

Meditating in the forest made me feel grounded, like I was one with the earth and the creatures around me. Listening to the wind brush against the trees brought chills down my spine, I felt so alive!

Love was in the air!

We completed our visit by hiking up to a hotel where a bus took us back to the city.

With this post, I’ll say goodbye to Bariloche, and welcome our time in Buenos Aires.

We had such a remarkable trip!

Every asado, every glass of wine, every memory shared will be kept close to my heart! Until next time, thanks for reading, and may my journey be an inspiration for you in case traveling is something you see in your future 😎

Much Love 💋

Marisol Medina

Argentina 2018 – my camping experience

Hi friends! 💖

We have done so many things, visited so many places, and ate so much food in the past week…but one experience sticks out among the rest: my first time camping!

We stayed at the camp ground “Los Baqueanos.” Dope little spot by a massive lake, surrounded by enormous mountains…the view was UNREAL 😍

 

It felt to me like we were staying at a national park because the camp had bathrooms with showers and a food spot (like, gorgeous food spot made of wood).

We  found a nice fire pit close enough to the beach yet further in the woods to avoid harsh winds. It was a hot day, but we knew the cold would come once the sun hid behind the mountains.

All day we were out hunting for wood to make a strong fire to cook what they call “un asado”, which is like a bbq.

The water was too cold for me to get in! I still enjoyed laying out by the lake, drinking that Argentine wine, and chatting away about how different life is back home. We’ve got the beach in Miami, but this camping trip was different for me…between the food, the view, and the cultural “do’s and don’ts,” I’m happy it felt like something new.

At night it got so cold! For me at least 😆  regardless I covered myself up, kept eating, drinking, and playing dominos (that’s right…I take my dominos EVERYWHERE I go…)

Laying out by the lake at night for me is unforgettable…I looked up at the sky, and saw so many stars and galaxies…It was so magical, like nothing I’ve seen before!

The best part was hanging with friends we only get to see every few years.

I had a blast! The next day we hung out with some more friends, and you guessed it! Ate and drank the day away 😍

We did some walking through the woods, and I was able to leave my heart at the camp! I made a heart sculpture with pebbles on the beach 💗

 

Art feels real when its made out of nowhere, unplanned, spur the MOMENT. I got high creating something I knew wasn’t going to last forever, but those who pass by my pebble heart will feel something, hopefully moved to at least think about love.

I use to think a lot about why I always create hearts in my artwork. I know now after so many years that my mission as an artist, as an artistic messenger of my generation, my mission is to bring to light the subject of love. Its real, its why we continue to evolve, its the reason why everything we see exists 💗💗💗

This is just a piece of the adventure…nothing like living it for real though! I do plan on making more art during my trip. Let’s see what I create this upcoming week!

I’ve got more pics to share on my instagram page…make sure to follow me! @popheartstudio

Stay tuned for our next adventure here in Argentina, our 2018 trip!

💋 Marisol Medina

Traveling to Argentina

Hi Friends!

This month my hubby and I took off to South America to visit his home town Bariloche located in Argentina. It’s summertime in the southern hemisphere, but in this town you’ll feel temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit as soon as the sun goes down.

Despite the drastic weather changes, we are both SO HAPPY to go on a month long vacation to visit family and friends, eat yummy food, and enjoy the beautiful landscapes.

Our trip began the day after Valentines. Flight took off 8:10 am. 9 and a half ours later we landed in Buenos Aires where my sister in law was waiting for us (she is so beautiful, so sweet…I love her so much 💗😌).

Our first meal: empanadas!

Flight #2 took off early the next day. 2 hours in the air flew by quick compared to our first flight! We landed in Bariloche. Driving to what would be our home for the next 3 weeks, my in laws and niece greeted us with so much warmth, I could hardly wait to give them their presents.

My eyes couldn’t believe it…I was seeing the most beautiful landscapes of mountains, trees, lakes…I had so much to appreciate and thank life for!

The next few days we’ve been hanging out with friends and family. Today we will be going out to a lake because we’ve got good weather 🙌

Stay tuned for next Tuesday as I’m sure I’ll have an album of pics to share!

For now, I send you much love from the southern hemisphere 😋

💋 Marisol Medina

 

A V-Day Message

Hello my lovelies,

I am feeling the love! We are just a few hours away from one of my favorite days of the year, Valentine’s day 😍

I’d like to honor this day by giving thanks to you, for being a part of this artistic journey with me.

There is nothing I like to do more than create art and content where love is center stage, where all my projects are lead with my heart, where connections are being made from a place of love and gratitude.

Thank you to those who have purchased, and have given a heart inspired painting to a special person in your life. You are helping me fulfill a deep desire of spreading the message of love throughout the world.

Just this one act of kindess sparks a whole lot of good vibes. The more people connect to love, the more we can all see love in our daily lives.

It is my hope as an artist (and human being) to always celebrate love, by creating it, showing love to others, and by always living from my heart.

I truly wish you many blessings, and from the bottom of my heart, may tomorrow be a reminder that Valentine’s is not just celebrated one day out of the year, love should be celebrated always.

💋 xoxo,

Marisol Medina

My Love Story

Dear Universe,

I wish for my husband to be a strong man, someone who loves his family, who is passionate about life.
I wish for a man with long hair, broad shoulders, not so tall (eye to eye) …cute butt
I wish for my husband to be the best damn lover a woman could ever have!
I wish for my husband to desire the same things that I do in life, like how many children we will have and the places we will travel to.
I wish for my husband to see me as his partner in life, who understands the concept of team…I desire a team player who makes an effort to understand me even if I may be wrong.
I wish for a man who perseveres, stands up for what he believes in, and doesn’t give up.
I wish for a husband who will teach me things, and make me laugh (always!)
I wish for a man who is NOT addicted to drugs, alcohol, or self-destructive habits.
I wish for a husband who will help me through my addictions, help me see the bright side of life, where food, exercise, love and spirituality become our daily highs.
I wish for a man who is as creative as I am, who understands me and my needs, who deserves ALL OF MY LOVE, because I have plenty of love to give, and will be the very best wife any man could ever ask for.

Universe, I know that the world is SO VERY large. I am open to receive my husband from any part of the world. I’ll know him when I see him. I am open to your guidance, and I sit in this space of openness, allowing my husband to flow effortlessly into my experience. For this, I give thanks.

-Mari

My greatest manifestation has been my husband.
I never once felt doubt or uncertainty about the future of my marriage.

In the world of vibrations, I had love and relationships in a very positive place. It was very natural and easy for me to be in a relationship. The trouble I was having was finding the right one.

This letter to the Universe was written sometime in 2003. I was currently in a relationship with who I considered at the time to be my best friend. Although I felt a tremendous amount of love for him, I just knew in my heart he wanted something else out of life, and so did I. 5 years into the relationship, I decided to part ways.

After our break up, I fell into this blissful, self-love, lover of life moment where all I wanted to do was dance, do yoga, meditate…ENJOY ME.

I was IN LOVE with myself. I enjoyed time with myself, and did everything possible to do the things I loved most in life.

The summer after our break up I traveled on weekends to Boca Raton, FL to stay with my cousin who was house sitting for a friend. We had THE BEST time ever! Food, wine, dance, beach, poolside tans…It was just what the doctor prescribed.

We didn’t really go anywhere, except for the very last Friday night, right before her friend would return.

Riding her bike one afternoon, my cousin spotted a Blue Martini. She called me up and said, “Mari, this Friday, bring your dancing shoes. It’s Blue Martini time!”

We almost never made it. It was 2 am, the cat had a little accident on the rug, we had a bottle of wine in our belly, didn’t want to drive, the bar was soon to close…I even called Blue Martini TWICE to see if anything special was going on.

We had so many excuses NOT to go…but yet there was this pull, this sense of, “GET DRESSED, AND YOUR BUTT DOWN THERE, NOW!”

We called a cab.

Stepping into Blue Martini, I spotted a guy wearing a white top, blue jeans, black shoes. He was tying his hair back. I thought, “hmm, I wonder what’s his story. He’s clearly not from around these parts.”

I knew he saw me, because I slightly locked eyes with him. As I walked away, I emphasized my walk, because I KNEW he was still looking.

One blue Martini drink later, my cousin was deep in conversation with a friend at the bar, while I was amusing myself with a Brazilian. My eyes wandered, looking for that guy. The one who got my attention. The mysterious traveler.

And just like that, my mystery man stood right next to me, right on time to hear me speaking Spanish, as I said a few last words to my Brazilian friend, which was the PERFECT start for our very first conversation.

His name is Andres, and he came from Argentina, his future was uncertain. All I was certain about was the intense attraction I suddenly felt for this stranger. He asked me where I was from, and to my surprise I was the first Cuban he had ever met.

Our first dance was a bit magical, I felt as if I knew him. I felt comfort and love in the arms of a stranger. We exchanged numbers before leaving. He called me right away. …We never stopped talking every since.

3 months later we started dating, and 8 months after we were married.
This April, we will celebrate 8 years of marriage.

The letter I wrote to the universe is as accurate as it gets. His looks, personality, lifestyle…EVERYTHING is exactly as I wished for. If you know us personally, you know these things are true of him and of our relationship.

I may have trouble manifesting on a few different subjects, but as far as my love and marriage, Andres is my greatest manifestation yet ❤

I sure hope my story has inspired you!

Let me know in the comments below if you’ve ever written a letter to the Universe, and was it successful for you or not?

Don’t forget to share this with someone you know it will serve…

Sending you LOTS OF LOVE

From my heart, to yours ❤

Marisol Medina

My Pinterest Vibe & Vision Board

Hi friends 💖

Last weeks post was about how to create a habit on feeling good, and one of the techniques I shared was on how to create a Vibe Board (aka mood board).

I love to make these, especially if I go the digital route and use Pinterest to help me 😍

I’ve made Vibe Boards on just about EVERYTHING…not only do I enjoy putting them together, but it activates the habit of clearly searching for things I love.

As a result of looking for things I love in a digital platform, I carry the same habit on to the real world. As I am walking and going about my day, I automatically look for things I am loving about the environment I’m standing in.

When I make a Vibe Board for the purpose of feeling better (or enhancing my mood), I like to first make a list of the things I want to look for.

I use the following categories:

• Senses (site, smell, taste, touch)
• Color palettes
• Outfits
• Lifestyle (like traveling, going to the gym, yoga)
• Home decor (house plants, furniture, etc)
• People I love (could be family, friends, or people I admire)
• Pets/ animals

Once I have written down what my favorites are for each category, I then head on over to Pinterest and start my search.

I like to use the app Collage Maker to insert all the pictures I have found. It makes my board look clean and beautiful. You can change the size and proportions of each image so that it all fits in a way that is pleasing to you when you see it.

This process is VERY satisfying for me, especially since I work creatively, it really sets the tone for the day.

Here is one I made today:

These are my current faves (and vibes) I got going on:

• Colors: lemon yellow, purple, hot pink, silver gray, black
• Textures: canvas/ burlap, metallic/ shiny paint
• Sounds: Jazz Music
• Smells: My new Coco Channel perfume my mom gave me for Christmas (love heeeer!)
• Tastes: COFFEE…actually, cafe con leche! Coconut milk, to be exact.
• Outfits: Lately I’ve been loving New Balance, they have an old school feel to their design
• Lifestyle: I am ALL about traveling! My husband and I started the year on that traveling vibe, already have a few trips planned!
• Home Decor: Candles and plants. I have a few house plants and am working on collecting a few more for around the house.
• Animals: Maybe its my traveling vibe I got going on, but lately I’ve got my eyes on the birds around my home. I live by the water and I LOVE to see them flying by the ocean, makes me feel so peaceful inside

I use a Vibe Board when I’m planning for a trip, an event, for my business, projects, even birthdays and holidays….the list goes on!

I like to think of Vibe Boards as similar to a Vision Board, except the emphasis is more on what feels good, vs. what it is that I want to manifest.

So what exactly are the differences between the 2?

Vision Boards are a visual representation of the things you are wanting to manifest/ make happen into a tangible, thing (for lack of a better word).

Vibe Boards are a visual representation of all the things you LOVE and make you feel good. Key word: FEEL

[DISCLAIMER: Only spend your time creating these boards if they make you feel good in the process. I have created boards in the past where I REALLY WANTED something to manifest, and my focus was on the fact that I didn’t have it yet. The emotion you have while creating them is more important than the actual pictures you select.]

Here is an example of a Vision Board I created for my business:

You’ll notice that some images I chose are of memories that already happened, because they’re pictures of me. You see, the purpose of a Vision Board is to activate within you the emotions of what it would feel like to already have what you want.

These pictures of myself represent a HUGE GOAL I accomplished, and so adding it to the vision of my business really brings me joy because it was the very first goal I made for myself a very long time ago, and represents SUCCESS…in my book!

This is the list I used to create the Vision Board for my business (note this is a small board, one that I keep on my phone):

• Colors: White, hot pink, purples, orange, turquoise, silver gray, black
• Textures: Wood, metallic, paper, canvases, satin
• Outfits: A mix between sporty, glam, with pops of color
• Goals: Maintain and elevate my followers on social media, start a you Tube channel, sell my artwork at selected stores, run a successful online and mobile shop
• Look and feel of the brand: Neo Pop Art with an elegant tone, minimalistic yet colorful, professional, clean

There you have it folks! I sure hope my digital Vibe & Vision boards inspired you in some way to run off and create your own!

Now I would love to hear from you! Do you create Vibe or Vision Boards? If so, please share your process!

If you know someone who would love this idea, please share the love!

Thank you SO MUCH for reading…and I’ll catch you next week!

Much Love,
Marisol Medina

 

Book Your Ticket Today

To where, you may ask?
To the mysterious world of habits…yes, Habits.

The land of habits is a place filled with all the wonderful possibilities of a thriving life.

It helps me to visualize my state of mind as a place I can visit and make changes when I need to. I feel relief knowing that all I have to do is step back from what’s bothering me, observe the emotions I’m feeling in my body, and give myself the opportunity to move back into a healthier state of mind.

Habits are made when we practice them, every single day, for an extended period of time (usually 20 – 30 days). Kinda like driving. You might have known how to drive in theory, but the learning took place when you practiced putting mind and body to function in a way that eventually you were able to drive on reflex. You don’t necessarily “think” about all the steps you take when you drive, your mind and body just know what to do.

Did you know that just as you created a habit of driving, you can also create a habit to feel good? The brain works the same way.
You can do this by practicing to look for the things in your everyday life that you LOVE, that make you feel good, that inspire you!

So what can you start practicing RIGHT NOW to help you create good feeling habits?
I made a list for you to experiment with:

• MEDITATE. You’ll find this on the top of most of my lists…
  Meditation rocks! It slows down mind chatter, bringing your awareness and focus on to your body. When you practice this for a while, you’ll begin to feel where in your body you hold certain emotions. With enough practice, you’ll be able to observe the emotion in your body and release it immediately.
• CREATE A VIBE BOARD. You can make one digitally, in a sketchbook, or on paper.  The idea here is to start looking for things you ABSOLUTELY LOVE. Doesn’t have to be anything in specific, just look for pictures of things that produce happy emotions. I love to cut out pictures of puppies, sunsets, beautiful castles, tropical landscapes, shiny gold glittery objects…all things my eye is attracted to. You can also write down words that inspire you. A vibe board gets you to visually start seeing the textures, colors, and objects you love. Don’t forget your sense of smell! spray with some perfume, or put pictures of your favorite candle scent. Not only are these fun to create, but you also get to create something special for yourself.
• MAKE A LIST OF THE BEAUTY YOU SAW TODAY. One of my favorite practices is picking out the things I love that I come across during the day as I’m walking my dog or going to the grocery store. There are so many beautiful flowers, plants, birds, butterflies, even cars and people…there is beauty everywhere! Make it a point to see them. Literally stop and smell the roses!
• MAKE A LIST OF THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE. Take it a step further and write down the qualities you love about them. This practice puts you in a loving, caring vibe.
• BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT YOUR AMBIANCE. Whether you work from home or at an office, carry your AWESOME vibe with you wherever you go. Make it intentional to put things in your environment that uplift you and help you feel good. Light up a candle (even if its a battery operated candle), display beautiful figurines or small spiritual sculptures by your desk. Don’t forget your plants! Keep your space clean and smelling delicious.

There are so many creative ways we can come up with to practice the habit of feeling good. If you are caught in a funk, all you have to do is book your ticket to the land of habits. Check yourself by checking in with what habits you’ve been practicing. Just as you can physically learn to do something (like driving), you can also learn to choose which emotions you would rather feel.

Do you guys have any good feeling practices? If so, let me know in the comments below!

As always, I hope this serves you, and please share this with friends you think might need it 😀
Stay tuned for my next post as I’ll show you how to create your very own Vibe Board ❤

Much LOVE
Xoxo

Marisol C Medina