Did you know that I love you? Well, I do. I love everyone. Well, some of you are harder to love than others, but in general I do love you all. And I think that we should practice love for one another. Not just your family, that’s too easy.

I’m talking about loving strangers,

because believe it or not, that’s our default. We are all born into this world with love in our hearts and it is only through the years that we learn to not love as a default. Instead we learn to distrust, to hate, to judge, in inflict pain, to shut out and to shut down. But, we can make a change. We can make a conscious decision to love our fellow humans again. And that’s what I plan on doing.

What got me thinking about this is I have a friend who told me recently that he is planning on hugging everyone at these joint meetings we both attend. Now, these are not social meetings at all, the people who are meeting are often strangers or distant acquaintances at best, but he has decided to hug them all. Sometimes, these meetings can get quite contentious and it’s so much more difficult to get angry and shut down in a conversation with someone you just hugged.

A hug sort of resets that default,

it helps you to see other people are people. I think his idea is a fabulous one.

So, I’ve undertaken a new project. I’ve made these signs (see below) and I plan on posting them in random places. Wherever I see a community bulletin board, I will pin one up. I actually have a stack and some pins in my bag right now, so I won’t be caught unawares. My goal is to share my random stranger love with the world and hopefully they will in turn share their love with strangers as well.

What do you think? Would you like to join my campaign to tell the world that we love them?

If so, download this sign I made and post it wherever you can. Take a picture of it and post it to the Pass It On Flickr Group.

Printable Pass It On Sign

Speaking of the holidays, I saw a rainbow on New Year’s Eve and it really struck me how crummy 2011 was for so many folks I know. The economy, the job market and our current political reality is…well, let’s just be honest—it’s pretty shitty.  So, I saw this rainbow and instead of coming up with resolutions, which I never do anyway, I wished  that rainbow to be fortuitous omen for all of us that things will get better in 2012.

I even made up a New Year’s Eve rainbow haiku, which you can print out, share and hang up.

Download and print it out!

Click here to download…

You are in for a treat this Monday, a wintery Feed Your Soul: the free art project download from artist Lucy Engelman. Lucy is a recent BFA graduate and illustrator living in Northfield, IL. Her work is whimsical,  playful, and at times, slightly mysterious and she mostly likes to stick to traditional forms of illustration with pen and paint. Lucy enjoys drawing pretty much from morning until her head hits the pillow, but also takes time to ride her bike, play with her terriers, and spend as much time outdoors as possible. In addition to working with Indie Fixx, Lucy has had the joy of collaborating with several magazines and publishing houses listed on her site. To see more of her work and find her contact information, visit www.lucyengelman.com.

I asked Lucy a few questions about what inspires her and how she feeds her soul.

What do you do to feed your soul?

I love spending as much time outside as I can. In the warmer Midwestern months, I work outside all day long or as long as the wind will let me. I feel completely rejuvenated and inspired by nature and its constant growth. It inspires me and feeds my soul in every way. In a more intellectual way, I listen to podcasts on a daily basis. From storytelling to scientific explanations to historical recaps, I love learning and listening. Since I am out of school now, and still thirsty for knowledge, podcasts are the perfect fix.

What would you say are your biggest inspirations in your art and life?

I am most inspired by my animals and all animals for that matter. The way they move and interact completely fascinates me and I could watch them for hours. I also love plants—especially greenhouses. I am inspired by science, although it is not one of my strengths, I still find it to be very mysterious and beautiful.

Are you a sunset person or a sunrise person?

Sunset. Lake Michigan. Michigan-side. I am neither a morning person nor a night owl—I simply like my sleep.

Click here to download…

I’m loving the latest Feed Your Soul: the free art project download from artist Charlie Bird. Charlie is currently a photography student at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and she has worked as a painter, photographer and illustrator. Her work is inspired by anything lovely and outdoors. While not fiddling in her band, Loudermilk & Moon, she is creating fun things with her best friend Heather Feather.  See more on her flickr and on her blog.

I asked Charlie a few questions about what inspires her and how she feeds her soul.

How do you feed your soul?

I feed my soul with bits of mint and by running through the woods with no clothes on.

Where do find the most inspiration?

Sitting around the camp fire with my friends eating macaroons.

Where is your favorite place to go to refresh your mind, body and soul?

The Blue Ridge Mountains. The silence there is the most refreshing of the refreshers.

Click here to download…

Today brings us another Feed Your Soul: the free art project download and it’s from a repeat artist contributor. An Australian-born artist living in the Deep South, Angela Traunig, creates original illustrations with a modern style and sense of humor.  From her Knobby Knee characters to old-fashioned nursery rhymes, all of Angela’s work is full of color and whimsy. You can see more of her work in her Etsy shop and on her Website and you can see her previous contribution here.

I asked Angela a couple of questions about what feeds her soul and the like.

What feeds your soul? A walk in the woods, quiet meditation, sharing a meal with friends or whatever?

The tenderness and compassion in the simple actions of my 2 year old son.  A good singing song turned up loud and belted out full force when no one else is home. Good cheese and fruit and dark chocolate with bits of candied orange peel.

Share some of your inspirations in your art and life.

My family of course. The secret lives of animals.  We assume that they lead simple lives, but who is to say that their days aren’t full of complicated relationships and moments of humor?

Name one word that sums up your philosophy or outlook on life.

Gratitude.

1. Double Dutch Favor Bird Boxes by Speckless
2. Chai Recipe and Teabag Labels by The Long Thread
3. Homemade caramel and printable tags from Creature Comforts
4.  Hello Neighbor Labels from Joy Ever After
5. Bubble bath labels from Eat Drink Chic
6. Seed Packets from Vale Design

Click here to download…

Today, I’m sharing the latest Feed Your Soul: the free art project downloads! The first one is from artist Ashley Percival. Ashley graduated from the University College Falmouth in 2010 and is now a freelance illustrator living in Cornwall. He gets most of his inspiration from wildlife and nature. You can see more of his work  in his Etsy Shop and on his website.

I asked Ashley a couple of questions about what feeds his soul and what some of his inspirations are.

What feeds your soul? A walk in the woods, quiet meditation, sharing a meal with friends?

The main thing that feeds my soul is definitely nature. I love exploring and finding new species, and get ideas for my artwork.

Share some of your inspirations in your art and life.

My artwork clearly shows that I get inspiration from animals and nature, a lot of my characters are wearing hats, I think I got that idea from myself—I always wear hats. I also get inspired when looking at other art, I love art galleries and art blogs. I’m a big fan of Dali.

Click here to download…

The second print for today is from Kirrily Anderson of I Am Others. Kirrily’s illustration based artwork is well traveled, appearing in places such as Mexico, Israel, New York City, Sydney & Melbourne, while her design work has made its’ way around both Australia & the United States, often in the form of CD artwork and gig posters. You can see more on her website and in Etsy Shop.

I also asked her a few questions.

What feeds your soul?

Roaming around the backstreets of my city in the darkest, quiet hours of the night; coffee at my favorite tucked away cafe, which I secretly believe no one else knows about; a beer or two and rambling conversations with fellow artists.

Share some of your inspirations in your art and life.

In no particular order: thrift stores, Swoon, hard rubbish, vintage wallpaper, the Stones, feathers, Mexican coffee, American Blues, the 80’s art scene, miso, tofu asada burritos, Portland (OR), Shida, various shades of teal and aqua, Basquiat, silk scarves and beauty.

Name one word that sums up your philosophy or outlook on life.

Rah-rah!

The first are these adorkable cupcake toppers, which she very generously produced in 3 different sizes (1 inch, 1.25 inch and 1.5 inch) to match whatever size circle punch you have. Halloween school party cupcake decorations…check!

1 inch cupcake topper download

1.25 inch cupcake topper download

1.5 inch cupcake topper download

The 2nd Halloween printable is for a Halloween Treat Bag, which you can print out on a regular ole paper lunch bag. These would also be perfect for those school Halloween parties as well!

Halloween Treat Bag Download

About the contributor:
	Jessica Alvarado is a freelance writer and full time artist at C. Johannesen Studio. She also blogs about crafting her diy life at Seven Day Magic.