Reality Check

Okay, confession time....Balancing family responsibilities and creating art is hard. Ever since we got back from vacation in August, I've been in a funk and I am having difficulty getting out of it. I don't talk about the tough times much because I don't want to be negative on this blog. In reality though we all go through rough patches and we all have to pull ourselves out. The thing that tends to get to me the most is making/finding time for art. I admit to pangs of envy sometimes while looking at other artists' blogs. I see the work they are creating and all I can think is "why can't I do this? Why can't I make ar as much as this person does?". Well, the time has come to pull myself out of "woe is me" thinking and get into "how can I do art?" thinking.

 

So, I've put on my analytical hat and I've tried to assess my situation and figure out what is holding me back.

I can't beat myself up over things I can't control. Things that come up in family life like my kids getting sick or my getting hit with a migraine are things that have to be dealt with. Art has to go on the back burner. Letting myself get frustrated is a waste of energy.

My kids want to color in my sketchbook. I admit I sometimes freak out about this but I really need to look at it differently. My sketchbook is not my final project, it's where I practice and mess around. If the kids want to do that too then, I just have to let them. I'll have their artwork in there forever right? That's awesome if I think of it that way.

My creative time doesn't always have to result into a sellable piece of art. This is a big one. I want to get an online shop going so, I feel like every painting has to be one I want to sell. If I keep putting that kind of pressure on myself I'm in trouble. I need to just create. Take time to practice and experiment. Just have fun and whatever happens, happens.

Doing "anything" creative counts. I sometimes feel bad when I don't get studio time or sketching time on a given day. Doing any creative activity should count as art time. My kids and I painted pumpkins yesterday and I did zero art for myself, but that's okay. I still created.

Get my discipline and organization on. I'm not incredibly disciplined. I have to ramp this part of me up. If I want to create every day I just have to do it! I also need to write out goals for the day/week/month. Find a system that works for me. I used to have schedules, deadlines and required tasks back when I worked full time in the bookstore biz. They were given to me by upper management. I'm upper management now and I need to give those things to myself.

Just carry a sketchbook around already! I'm inconsistent with this one. Part of the reason was listed above; my kids. Well, if I let go my control a little, getting snippets of time to sketch or do art should happen.

Use my resources when I'm stuck. I have a ton of art books/magazines in addition to bookmarked e-courses that should inspire me whenever I don't know what to do when I have studio time.

I think I've done a pretty good job being objective and coming up with ways to deal with my road blocks. The most important things to remember are; I'm not perfect. Don't beat myself up. Just keep trying.

Some art journal and sketchbook work I managed to accomplish. These are practice pieces inspired by Juliette Crane's How to Create Whimsical Animals e-course. If you've always wanted to create fun animals I highly recommend this course!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Frustration and Fun

So, I started with this very cool background.

 

Then I added a girl.

 

Then I decided it needed to be night and I ruined it.

 

Total frustration! I can't get the background like I want!

 

Now, I just want to have fun!

 

 

 

 

I'm taking Juliette Crane's e-course, How to Create Whimsical Animals. These images are from sketchbook week. This class is wonderful (and we just started week two!). There are no other six week courses out there that focus on animals. Trust me, I've looked. Juliette has a very free, intuitive style and I enjoy that a lot. Hopefully taking a break from my other painting will help me to get it where I want it to go. The girl is so cute. She needs an awesome background. It will get there I'm sure.

Juliette's course is available until August 2013. There is plenty of time to join in the fun. I'll be posting my work for the course so, stay tuned!

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

A Tough Month

Ever have one of those months that are just crazy! August was ours. First, my parents (Nana and Pop Pop) went on vacation for about 4 weeks so, I lost some regular babysitting time. Then, both kids got sick. Then all four of us went on vacation. Then I needed to recover from vacation. Then both kids got sick again! This is why I haven't blogged. It's been CRAZY!

Vacation was fun.

Uncle Kris has a pool!

And I have managed to get some 4x6 pieces of art done. I like working in this smaller size. I get a quicker sense of accomplishment!

Things are returning to normal so, I will hopefully get back on a regular schedule!

 

Posted with Blogsy

On My Art Table

Homework from Sarah Ahearn's "Pages and Paint" E-course

For this painting I followed instructions from written prompts. I had two minutes to do each prompt. Sarah has this game in her book as well. This was fun. I enjoy painting without thinking.

 

Below is a journal page (still in progress) for Mindy Lacefield's Neat Stuff.

My daughter contributed the scribbles. The brilliant stick people are mine! She asked me to draw our family.

 

The following pictures are a work in progress.

First I created this background on 18x24 Mixed Media Paper from Strathmore.

 

Then I cut them down to 4x6's. I have an idea of what I want to use them for but I'm not sharing yet.

It's a secret!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Lost Art Day...Found Fun

A couple weeks ago my babysitter cancelled at the last minute. I lost my art time. I wasn't very happy as my art time is limited. Fortunately, it was a nice day so the kids wanted to play outside. While unpacking a green plastic tote of all it's toys, we found a new friend.

 

 

 

My son is also an aspiring photographer. He's not perfect but he is only 4 1/2.

He did do a pretty good job capturing emotion! I love the emotion on Caitlyn's face! Oh yea, and that's a pretty good picture of me too!

I may have lost my art time but I got some wonderful memories of foggy fun instead!

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

I Can't "Art" Without....

As promised here is the first installment of my new series discussing my favorite art tools.

I Can't "Art" Without....the black Stabilo Pencil

This pencil works on paper, glass, plastic and metal. It is also water soluble. When I use it on white paper and add water with a brush, I love how the lines come to life. It reminds me of old black and white cartoons of the 1930's.

 

The only issue with the pencil is it isn't permanent when dry. If it gets wet again it'll smear. When I use it on artwork I bring the black line to life with liquid matte medium on my brush instead of water. This gives me the look I like and makes the line permanent.

I did an experiment comparing my Stablio method with black Intense Pencils (a post about them later). Inktense are like watercolor pencils but they are permanent when dry.

 

I like the look of the Stabilo better.

I've also used it in my art work as well. The Stabilo gives me the bold line and shading as well.

I was introduced to the Stabilo from Mindy Lacefield's Paint Your Story (aka- Best e-course ever!). She uses it to draw in wet paint. A lot of other artists use it too! It's not an expensive tool so, pick one up and play! Check out the links below.

Stabilo

Mindy Lacefield

Paint Your Story

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

From My Sketchbooks

I've been practicing some girls for two e-courses I'm taking. Mixed Media from the Heart and Learning with Tascha. Here is a sampling.

 

 

The top three sketches are inspired by Danita's Mixed Media course while the bottom sketch is from Tascha's. At first, I copy the artists' work and then I will keep sketching until it becomes more of my own. I usually can't replicate someone else's work no matter how hard I try. The Tascha sketches are pretty close though.

 

Posted with Blogsy