Midst of making

So this is the s-l-o-w progress I am making on the handmade gifts. And no, I am not making ALL gifts, just almost all. :) I have completed 2 things but I can't show here...yet. The wads of newspaper are the beginning attempts at paper mache ornaments. I read the article in Cloth, Paper, Scissors by Denise Litchfield about paper mache inspired by artist Julie Arkell. I learned of Julie's work years ago and I think it is great. When I ran across the lovely work of Denise I thought I would love to make some things with paper mache.  I found this great site with LOTS of info. She gives step by step directions to make a paper mache clay. It looks wonderful, I may have to try to use this too.

In the midst of making I ran across another wonderfully inspiring artist in Somerset Studio. Jesse Reno.
Have you heard of him? His work is intuitive, wild and raw. I also listened to two interviews he did with Rice Freeman-Zachery and Lesley Riley on Art and Soul Radio. He has some interesting things to say about art and creativity-why he works on lots of paintings at once,  what to do if you think you have no room to create,  and how he got started. PLUS he is SO passionate and excited about his art and life it is a bit contagious.

I hope your week has been wonderful so far. I am off to go create.
xo,
dana
 P.S. I just found this really wonderful holiday mag by Amy Powers. Lots of great holiday crafting ideas. 

Swirling

Since my last post on beginnings I have been up against my own worst enemy, my inner critic.

It affected:

* My ART with things like you aren't as good as so and so. Others must have more support, more money, a bigger house, an actual studio. Who do you think you are painting? You should be cooking and cleaning. You are a stay at home mom after all. People won't like it. Why bother?

*This BLOG. I started feeling like I have nothing to say. Nothing to share. I really felt stopping.

*My DREAMS. It is too hard. Again, who do I think I am? I will never be able to do it all. I should really just pack it all away. I can't.... I can't .... I can't. Blah, Blah, Blah.


Ugghh... I knew exactly what it was. But it still  gets  me  every  time. 

These are all valid beliefs if you are living from a place of fear. It is what we tell ourselves when we are afraid. It seems easier to talk the talk and never do then to do and fail. BUT IT ISN'T. I think it is harder to suppress what is in your heart then to fully express what you know in your heart.

Marianne Williamson does a great job with this...

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
 
I carry this in my wallet and it always strikes a chord.

I am working my way out... yes, you always come out of it.  I will keep creating, keep sharing, keep going.


Coming up soon... a new Art Biz Mama interview, a guest post and a very talented artist I discovered recently. And don't you just love these colors of fall? The eye candy outside is just fantastic!

Lessons

This is where I am with my little embroidery project. This is the first non-aida cloth embroidery and the second embroidery I ever done. It is far from perfect but I love it none the less. There was a tiny bit of frustration. I really, really should of spent more time practicing the stitches. I just wanted to jump in. I did spend alot of time trying to create a french knot. That one had me stumped until I watched a video and had my hubby help me then it finally clicked. I need to learn to make them more uniform. All the stitches really.  I also used a pen that had a tip that was too thick and the blue is popping through. The pattern calls for a specific size pen and I didn't follow it. In case you are wondering I found the free pattern here.

I don't know about you but when I start something new I expect there to be no learning curve, I should just "get it". Which is really silly don't you think? There have been many times that I have attempted something and because it didn't click right away or wasn't "perfect" I gave up. Learning to drive a car with a manual transmission is one. :)

While embroidering (which I got to spend alot of time yesterday doing) I did gain some knowledge that applies here and to life on the creative path in general:

**Keep trying
**It is o.k. to make mistakes
**Give up perfection
**Enjoy the process
**Give yourself a hand for just starting

I hope to talk about that clarity I had recently, right now I just don't know where to start. I did completely bomb out on my Art Everyday. Sorry folks. I just couldn't manage to complete a piece a day. That doesn't mean that I won't do creative work everyday it just means I won't complete it everyday. I am glad I did try it though. I have always thought about it and now I know. I really admire all who complete a piece every day. I think it is fantastic!

Please come back on Wednesday as I will have a new Art Biz Mama interview up.

♥
dana

So thankful... Somerset HOME

The dryer had stopped drying and the kids were starting to fight yet again and then the mail lady dropped this into our mail slot in our front door. I was totally surprised. I knew the issue was out I just didn't know that I was getting the issue complimentary. So thankful for that. I just feel so grateful and honored to be a part of this beautiful Stampington publication.

There is something so surreal about seeing your work in a magazine. It is very gratifying and amazing! I encourage anyone who is thinking about getting their work published to go for it!

There are lots of great projects. One from Jen Swift and another from Regina at Creative Kismet who is going to be next weeks Art Biz Mama. 

Check it out if you have the chance and have a GREAT weekend!

Relating

Lately I have been finding my thoughts scattered across the web. Courageous bloggers sharing deep insights that I myself have been having. 

I have been reading posts and feeling like YES!! This is exactly how I feel! I guess it stems from the fact that we are all connected on a deeper level. And for me reading these posts and feeling so connected to the message (not to mention the blogger)  is so amazing  and comforting. I think sometimes we feel that we are the ONLY ones going through whatever it is and in reality that couldn't be further from the truth.

Like this post from Wini at artlovejoy titled A new journey. This was so brave. Here is a small excerpt:

"But I wasn't sure if I was good enough, and felt that there were so many others out there who are much better, and maybe no one would be interested in my work and I'd be a failure. But now my dream is starting to solidify, and although the fears are still there, I feel more confident and motivated to move forward with it." -Yes, Wini I am right there with you! 

And this post  from Michele Fauss title Afraid to paint. Wow!! I really could relate to the whole thing!!

Here is a bit:

"I'm afraid to finish the paintings.  

Does that make sense?  I'm actually scared of my own art.  You see each background I do, I have a plan for.  I know exactly what I want on it for the most part, but I'm afraid to start that part of the process because I'm afraid I'll mess it up.  I seem to moving into a new direction, and I am wanting and trying to draw and paint more in my work.

....I'm feeling a lot of the things we've talked about in class too.  Mainly, who do I think I am to think others will be interested in my art? and Will I be able to make enough money to make art my career?"

 And this post from Chrissy at cul*ti*vate titled on being honest with myself. A great post about hiding her art from the world. From her post:

"my problem is, i set out to sail on this vast sea of amazingly talented
women in the world, and all of a sudden i feel as though i am a little dingy boat and everyone around me are larger than life, multi million dollar cruise liners.
i feel insignificant.  i don.t say this to get pity. so don.t give it to me.
{you guys are nice that way!}  it just is what it is."

So yes, I have been feeling:

excited: for possibility

afraid to finish: what if I mess up?, I have been doing that alot lately. Starting, liking it then doing something and cringing. I hate to waste paper, paint, canvas and time. I have told myself that maybe I am this way because in my past career as a textile/surface designer I designed on a computer and when you did make a mistake it was very easy to undo. And of course with non digital materials it isn't so. Will I ever make something I love? This has been a HUGE one for me!! I am challenging myself to finish this collage. I like it so far. I just hope I don't mess it up. :)

a little unsure: will I measure up?

 I think most would agree these are things we just feel and go through. Sort of feel the fear and do it anyway.

Thank you to those courageous artists. You have helped a ton. 

xo,

dana

p.s. Blogger isn't cooperating today. It is a bit wonky here. Not saving any changes. Hmmm..