A new journey

My boyfriend told me yesterday that I was scattered & unfocused again regarding my artwork. This is due to my obsession with ATC's this past week. I've basically abandoned my new line of drawings he (well, both of us) really love, to pursue this obsession! It got me to thinking and made me really focus on what it is I want here in my little world of art. Along with my ATC addiction I've been conversing through email with a new friend, Suzanne Scaefer (the artist below, who's beautiful ATC I just purchased). We've been trying to figure out how to become more financially successful in selling our art. For me it's a complex issue stemming from unsupportive parents, to lack of self confidence, to feeling invisible, to lack of a distinctive personal style, to not really knowing how to market myself.....and about a kabillion other reasons. So, I'm feeling really ready to start stepping things up and figuring this whole thing out. To get focused, set some goals, have a vision and become financially successful as an artist. So, last night & today I started making a list of things to help me on my way. I'm going to be sharing everything here in hopes of helping myself & others....join me on this journey of mine to see if I can finally do this, this time!!!

So, number one for me is: Do I have a consistent, distinctive personal style of art work that I am excited about?

Answer: Yes& no. My new line of drawings (urban scenes with animals...like Omar) is yes....I have around 12 pieces done so far and have a wonderful vision of how I see this in a gallery setting.

The no part of this involves my current line of animal art pieces...I want to move into ATC cards & solder jewelry with animal images...not the same drawings as I have now, but more loose, pen & ink and collaged images.

My whole goal here for my art is to move away from my photographic sources ....I'm seeking more creative freedom in my work. I now feel fully confident in my artist abilities as far as technique is concerned...it's that intuitive creative artwork I crave...that I want to be able to achieve.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Psyching myself out

Created by: Suzanne Schaefer


It's kinda funny what we do to ourselves as artists...or as people I guess when trying sometime new for the first time. Because I can be a perfectionist, I tend to stop before I even begin. I've been so excited about these Artists Trading Cards and wanting so much to carve out some time at home to work on them. Well yesterday I got some free time as both my daughters were out of the house doing their own thing. Earlier at work, I went searching for other artists & their cards...well...there are some awesome artists (I'll list them below) out there doing creative ATC's. So, got to work on my own cards last night, totally inspired by all I had seen on the internet that day and at first my inner critic came in so strongly... telling me to stick to my drawings. I gave it some voice time & then decided to just relax & have fun...which I really did...but that little naggy voice still plagued the back of my mind.

Before I woke up this morning, I was dreaming of failing at chemistry class...altho I was clearly working on some electronic project! At 47 I don't think I should be dreaming of high school again!!! I think some of this has to do with the ATC's and a new book I just purchased as well: I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn't): Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power by Brené Brown. I'm not too far into this book as my only reading time is right before bed...but so far she is explaining about how shame has permeated our lives as women. I did relate to one woman's story, so I've been pondering the effects of shame in my life for the past few days. I tell you, my mind never shuts off...that's why the Abraham-hicks work has been such a god send to me!!


Okay...on to some of those incredible artist's I've been tell you about!!

Yesterday I purchased my first ATC card (very exciting)(see it above)from Suzanne Schaefer at: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6097536

Other artists I found on flicker: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mypaperballet/sets/72157604037065020/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thekathrynwheel/

And of course Bernie Berlins cards...love them!!

ATC art class

All I can say is wow...what a fun class!! It was very hard to leave when the alloted 3 hours was up. Bernie Berlin is a wonderful teacher...learned so much in those 3 little hours. Plus she was so personable, sharing stories of her life and art. I am so grateful that the Universe steered me in that direction! Above are a few cards that I started but need to finish up (they're basically just the background). I tried to buy some gel medium at the exhibit area but they were all sold out & didn't have time the rest of the weekend to get to an art store....we had soccer games and a small addition to our house we had to finish up this weekend. But I could hardly sleep a wink Sat night I was so excited & antsy to work more on my cards. I'm hoping to get over to the art store tonight before it closes...I can't go another day without working on them. Bernie was right you get really obsessed creating these neat little cards!!

A happy Halloweener?!

lifting out

I've had this underlying river of anger flowing through me lately. No one would notice except my boyfriend, Alan...he can see it in certain situations I'm dealing with right now. Mainly with a cell phone I ordered on Ebay. They sent me the wrong phone and it's been downhill ever since trying to deal with the seller. I've been working hard in trying to understand it, release it, and change. I believe it has to do with power...or lack of it...that others (the economy, Ebay sellers, etc) are creating my life, not me. So...what do I have control over? Well, my thoughts, my artwork, my actions...I guess everything that has to do with what's inside of me. I can choose to be a victim or a visionary here, it's my choice.**** I really want to be a visionary!!****

Coming Alive

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs;
ask yourself what makes you come alive.
And then go and do that.
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
Howard Thurman

Uplifted

Well...I am feeling back in alignment again! After I wrote in my blog yesterday I did an exercise of reaching for a better feeling, which I learned from Abraham-Hicks. It seemed to do the trick because I felt much better...so much better that I even signed up for an art class! The Learning & Product Art Expo at the Pasadena Conference Center will be here at the end of October. One artist stood out from the rest for me, Bernie Berlin. It looked like she had some interesting things to teach regarding ATCs...so I felt really drawn to sign up. Afterwards I went to her blog (since her art sight isn't up yet) and found that she & I have some major things in common, which is probably why the Universe wanted me to take this class. We obviously have art in common, but I believe she is from Wisconsin as well or has ties there, and she runs an animal rescue facility! So, I am VERY excited to meet her & take her class. Here's her info if interested: http://www.bernieberlin.com blog: http://www.bernieberlin.blogspot.com

After effects

It's quite peculiar, the after effects of the WWW on Sat. I am feeling such a gamut of emotions...and not the light emotions of happiness, joy or bliss. No,unfortunately I'm feeling the darker emotions of depression, jealousy, and self-pity. This is not all stemming from the show but from different blogs I have found recently on artists who seem to be making a good living at being an artist. Of course I would find these when I'm feeling down in the dumps about not making it as an artist financially...just to stick the knife in a little deeper I guess!!I really wish I felt inspired by them, but instead a feeling of jealousy & a bit of hopelessness thrown in as a cherry on top! I know I am the creator of my own experiences & the other day I chose to feel good about having fun that day...but as I look at my pile of bills I am choosing to spiral down to the heavier emotions and into the muck.

I think part of the issue is I stuff my emotions down, not wanting to deal with them, just wanting to pretend everything is all sunshine & roses, when it's not. The thing is,I know better than this...I've been studying metaphysics & spirituality for a very long time. I guess it's one thing knowing it and another thing living it...but that's what I must do, live what I know. And I know I can't get to where I want to be when I'm feeling down. I have to reach for better feeling thoughts and then get back to my normal happy self and start creating the experiences I want!

more tails!

Tails from my show!

Hmmm...where do I begin regarding the Wiggle Waggle Walk? Well...financially I did quite poorly...not a single print went. Actually not much of anything went..very disappointing! But regardless, my boyfriend Alan & I had a wonderful time! It was prime dog watching... & petting... & holding! Dogs of all sizes, shapes & breeds turned out with their owners to raise money for the Pasadena Humane Society....at least I know my vendor fee went to a great cause!

So...a mixed bag of a day for me. I can look at it in one of two ways, one...I'm bummed and disappointed in not making any money ( much needed money, I might add!) or two... I had a fun day: LOVED seeing the dogs, talking to the other vendors (who also sold very little), meeting wonderful people in my booth who were truly interested in my art and giving to a good cause. And I guess just as importantly, this experience is making me look at what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. What is it I really want? I know for sure that I love being apart of these outdoor art/craft events as a vendor, I know I want to travel around the country participating in them, and I know that I want to sell my art work and be an artist full time again. Then it just comes down to am I doing the artwork I want? No...I've known it in my heart for awhile now...so I've actually stopped doing the animal portraits & have been working on my graffiti graphite pieces that I am absolutely in love with. My drawing of Omar is one of those pieces...but I learned an important lesson when I saw it framed up in the Animal Magnetism show last month...it needed to be more integrated with mat & frame...so I'm working on that. So, I believe in my heart that once I start getting more pieces like Omar finished and start displaying and selling those kinds of pieces they will fly off the wall. If not...at least I will have been creating art that is more aligned with who I am right now & what I want to say with my work. Omar is just the first spark of where I am going with this and it's extremely exciting!!

Vote Yes!

Being a visionary

With Headlines screaming economic holocaust, it's hard not to go into fear. As an artist my first thoughts are~ at a time like this who's going to buy art?!! But Alan Cohen comes to the rescue with sound insight...A visionary thrives under all conditions. Plain and simple! And really, when I'm honest with myself, I absolutely know that I am the creator of my own experiences...that's why the economy, whether it's good or bad, does not dictate my reality. I am responsible for my life flourishing or floundering. And I know with all my heart that a higher source/power is at play here and knows exactly what we need.

I am financially struggling right now...juggling bills, cutting back where ever I can. But, as a visionary, I unquestionably know great things are in store for me and others. This is a time of change...we can resist it or find peace with it. A single change in our lives can shift everything...it may take baby steps but nothing changes until I do!

Things are coming together

I looked at the calendar last night & freaked out...it's almost Oct...the following weekend is my show...ahhhhhhh!!! I'm not ready! I called my printers immediately..."do you have my prints ready...tonight...okay". Got there around 7...only proofs done. But, no worries, Rudy printed them right away while we chatted about cameras. While waiting I spied a newly delivered print rack standing over to the side of his shop...he got a great deal on it from Jerry's Artarama. So, this morning I ordered a small rack for my beautiful new prints...yeah! And of course clear plastic sleeves for the prints...things are coming together!Phew! I think I'll be ready...if not...whatchagonna do?! I'm really looking forward to it, it'll be a fun day. The only thing is, is I'll miss my youngest daughters soccer game that morning. I'm a true blue soccer mom...not the kind that yells & gets mad at the ref, but the kind that's always there cheering on the team and never forgets my snack date!!