Monday isn't here and my schedule is full!

I taught all last week and thought this week would be free for my own art and regular chores but now I'm doing a backdrop for church, teaching one day, meeting a friend, getting oil changed, and on and on and on.
When will I ever learn to say NO!(?) Probably never!
Meanwhile here are some more of my funny heritage women.

another day another dollar

I am teaching an art camp this week and I really would rather be making my own art but instead I am trying to get 13 busy elementary kids to appreciate art, instruction and opportunity. Four days left and I am wiped out. I still had time to work on some lettering last night as I sat in front of mindless TV trying to unwind and get ready to sleep.

I think I'm on to something new

How in the world can I get my ideas out there and published and start making a living doing what I love? Is it even possible. I keep trying and dreaming and playing and maybe someday.....Here's a new image, using markers, Crayola Colorwash, regular Crayola and various others.

New series-Name?

I have been obsessed with a female doll pattern from Somerset Studios Workshop. I have traced it, doodled on it (inspired by Traci Bautista's new book - Collage Unleashed), put it on canvas, watercolor paper, etc.
I don't know where it is leading but I am having fun and know a new series is developing. I even think I will buy a HUGE canvas and paint it (my design teacher is always telling me to work larger.) I also learned that the Crayola Color Explosion markers will erase some other markers which really adds lots of neat detail to drawings. Try it and let me know
what you think. And what do I call the? At present I am calling them Heritage Women for lack of a better name. Here are some samples.

I need more time and energy

My mind is exploding with ideas and there just isn't enough time and energy for it all but I AM NOT GIVING UP! Why can't I just admit I am a full time artist and punch the clock at 8 AM, go to the studio (spare room) and create for 4 hours. Have lunch. Paint, collage, sketch, frame, etc. for 4 more hours and even put in overtime at night?
One day I will! And maybe even make a living at it! Here's a self portrait I did last year about this time!

Ready or not!

How do you ever decide if a piece of art is finished? Maybe you can't. Maybe no one can but at some point you move on. You either have no further ideas to express with it, no more things to possibly add (less is more) or you are just plain tired of looking at it. I like to place a piece I'm considering finished in another place other than my studio and go by several times a day and look at it with different light and eyes. This also keeps me from fiddling, picking up the brush or another element for collaging. This usually helps me more than anything. I also have a dear number of friends (artists, teacher, realist) who can look at it objectively and give me feedback, critique and still make me feel like I have accomplished something nice.
Here is my latest piece I am considering finished. Feel free to comment!

The Pocket Book Reader for Virginia Woolf.

"I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process."
Vincent van Gogh

Quantity Vs Quality

I choose both but due to time quantity is a problem. I have so many ideas and not even enough time to write them all down but I seldom have a lack of something to do. If only I could work an 8 hour day with art and not feel like I was wasting time. Maybe I'd actually start to sell more if I did this. Marketing is not my strong suit but I can truly produce quite a bit when given the chance...
I would love responses of how you feel about quantity, quality, time, etc.
Meanwhile, here is another project in the works for my collaborative journal project. I call it A Woman's Center.

So excited

Here is another piece I am working on for SS.
It is an 8X10 canvas with lace background, polymer clay cake, letter tiles, bottle caps, clear word embellishment, metal corners and wire swirls.
It is not finished but it is progressing.
I am also working on a Virginia Woolf pocket book reader. I found this cute tiny purse at a dollar discount store and am embellishing it with altered pictures, handmade tiles and broaches, and excerpts from her work. I could only find decent head shots on the internet so I actually altered a photo of my grandmother and put Virginia Woolf's head on her body. I am attaching that image until the purse is dry and will post it.

Time to organize

Having people into your home is a great way to get things clean and organized. I can actually get into my studio to paint, work, and find things. So if you find yourself having a problem with space, stuff, and lack of motivation to take care of it, then invite someone to visit and you will suddenly be cleaning and organizing up a storm.

I am working on new art to submit to Somerset, for upcoming shows, and working on the woman journal, making atc's and just dreaming up even more wonderful projects. I am also preparing to teach a kids class themed "under the sea".

Here is a page from one of the journals.

Where did my blogging go?

It seems I have once again let life's little details take charge and keep me away. I like to get my ideas down for me if no one else.
I am pleased to announce I will have more art in the next issue of Somerset Studios (July/August 06). I am so pleased with this I could scream....maybe I will....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
I don't remember if it's the Bohemia or Paris issue but I will have it in a couple weeks and know.

Here are entries from both to look for:

Turn North

I know it's best to not take scripture out of context but I just read Deuteronomy 2 and these words stood out.

"You have made your way....long enough....now turn north."

What a grand thought!

My respite at Kiaway is fading fast....I have to stay in that mode or frame of mind or I'll not make the turn.

time for respite

Day after tomorrow we go on our annual beach vacation to Kiawah Island, SC. I can't wait. It's the only time of year I truly seem to rest and retreat from the daily grind called LIFE.
I am attaching a photo to show you it's beauty.
In the meanwhile, I am working on a free e zine about creativity and nurturing it in your life. If interested, contact me for a free copy.
Blessings to you as you read this and find your on getaway from life.

Decision time

As a teacher you strive to teach kids the right way to do things without compromising their own intelligence and creativity. With this thought I am in a dilemma. I teach for two different art programs. One is open to being very free and expressive while learning some techniques. The other is very rigid and "stay in the lines" kind of style. I am drawn to the expressive and creative format. So I need to explain this to my supervisor with the other program. I hope I can be honest and true to my beliefs while not getting chastizement or critcism.
Here are two samples of each style. Tell me what you like or don't like. Can you tell the difference. Leave me a comment and I will send you a free booklet on Sacres Landscapes and the freedom to play and create.

stresses and strides

I am so happy to say the collaborative journal project started small but spectacularly. I am enjoying the process and camraderie for fun journal art on the theme WOMAN. I am attaching a working journal piece for the first round and a piece I did for mother's day.
I am stressing myself though by trying to change and conform which is not what my journal is about (woman, be true to yourself without apology and conformity.) Oh, well, I AM WHO I AM and that's hard to change.
Celebrate strides and ignore stress.

Elation

I am easily encouraged.
I have been submitting work to Somerset Studios and been rejected twice but am happy to say I will have work in the upcoming Gallery V, summer 06 edition of their sister magazine. My "Girlfriends" canvas and board book were submitted and I don't know yet if they are using both or just one, but I am elated either way. You can preorder the issue like I did at the following link. http://www.stampington.com/html/gallery.html

I also have a new mini canvas I made yesterday between classes.
I call it "Wings to Fly" an altered image of me as a child with wings.
My mom and dad always encouraged me to do all I wanted and keep
trying my best with all endeavors. They applauded my successes and encouraged me to keep trying when I failed. They gave me wings to fly.
The whole wing idea I guess started too from my rejection of my "flight" pieces recently submitted.

I also have more work submitted to Somerset as well as Legacy.
These are great publications if you enjoy altered art, collage, and heritage pieces.

Where's the muse of time when I need him?

After last week's high this week is too low. I am frustrated by demands of commitments, beaureacracy, time, and everyday stuff.
My mind is full of ideas and my schedule doesn't permit unlimited play.
I will get it all done somehow but only by the grace of God.
Meanwhile, here is a variation of one of the original "Her..." pieces having started the suggestions by my design teacher.

Links

Since I don't know if I can have side columns of links like some bloggers, I'll just list a few here to check out that I follow closely and have loads of fun and info in doing so and inspiration by the tons.

http://itsmysite.com/cgi-bin/itsmy/go.exe?page=5&domain=1&webdir=michelleward

http://www.artellawordsandart.com/

http://www.quotegarden.com/

http://www.thetoymaker.com/2Toys.html

http://www.lisavollrath.com/

More to come. This could keep anyone happy for months to come.

Tell me I'm CRAZY!

I had coffee with my design teacher friend Nancy this morning. She encourages me so much and I have all these ideas I want to do.
I now want to do a whole series of interactive pieces. I want all my pages in the journal project to be interactive with everyone else.
I'm thinking of applying for an artist's grant to do the interactive installation pieces. Where could I get a huge bottle made or bought. I'm talking a couple feet tall or larger? Where could I possibly work on a piece this size? How long is the table from Darlene? I have an idea for being able to use it depending on it's length.
Tell me I'm CRAZY! BUT I'm so excited. I want to do so much! Where are the hours? Where is the energy and space and time and money?

AND I have a class to teach in Denver at 2:50 and a demo lesson in Lincolnton tonight. Does the teaching pay off with the cost of gas and need to suppliment the supplies for the classes? How do I do all this I want to do? What and where are the answers?

This is the sample that caused Nancy to give me the idea to do it large as an installation piece with a real bottle and steps to go up and drop your own emotion into the bottle.

Wild Women

Wild women use red in their paintings
Scream a yellow hillside
Push pink into the night sky

Wild women let lives tangle and
Watch as their words skip across pages
Leading to dark planets.
The other side of the moon.

Wild women put the Ph.D.s in chalices
Place them on the altar and run away
To play with color squares and magic markers.

Wild women cry when they remember
Laugh at all they know they know.
Then dance like nymphs in the moonlight.


Have it; have it all:
The diapers behind
The masks put away
Days less tangle, with
Time stretched for weaving.
For play and performance,
Risk and revelation.


From Taproots: Where Ideas are Born by Carol Egmont St. John

More woman images

The text reads:

One Flaw In Women
Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what
makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.
Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

From Taproots: Where Ideas are Born by Carol Egmont St. John