Mixed Grill Favorites

A Delightful Day!

2009-04-09T20:51:00.000-07:00

In the midst of packing to move, I decided to take time out for me today. I spent the morning with my Thursday morning painting group, and was I glad I did! Breakfast was catered by Panera Bread. All was yummy! I'd been hoping I'd get a chance to stop by there before I left, and what happened? It came to me! Now, if Old Spaghetti Factory will just find it's way to me before Tuesday ...

Then, I met Pallas for lunch at Martha Green's Eating Room. We had a delightful time getting to know each, plus we had a tasty lunch. She had the egg salad sandwich and I ordered a turkey and avocado melt; we each had sweet potato fries. The food was good and the service was attentive without being intrusive.

Pallas gave me a beautiful fabric ATC when lunch was over. What a kind gesture! I love ATCs, and this one is particularly nice. Pink is one of my favorite colors, and I adore all things Russian. In fact, I used to joke around that I was Russian in a past life. Thanks, Pallas!

Another Slow Day

2009-04-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

We didn't get to see our house on Tuesday. We didn't get out of Fort Irwin until after 3:30, so it was just too late when we made it to Silver Lakes (it's about an hour drive). We drove to the house and John got to see the outside. We got out of the car and walked around and looked at the backyard, too -- that was the first time I'd seen the backyard!

Today we are back at Fort Irwin; I'm sitting in the Starbucks again. There aren't as many soldiers here as there were Tuesday, but it is starting to slowly fill up. John is expectly to be here for only a couple of hours, so we'll go to Silver Lakes when we leave here. Hopefully, we'll get to see the house today!

Taking A Break

2009-03-31T11:08:00.000-07:00

John and I have been packing and straightening, but today we are taking a break. John had to work for a few hours today, after having the past few days off, so we are both spending the morning at Fort Irwin. I'm sitting in the local Starbucks with the laptop, surrounded by soldiers,waiting for John to break for lunch -- or be done with his work, whichever comes first. Once John is through with his report, we are going to head to Silver Lakes and tour our house, because John still hasn't seen it. Hopefully, it's no longer occupied and I'll get to look at it more closely, too.

We Found A House!!!

2009-03-20T16:46:00.001-07:00

I've mentioned several times that John and I will be moving soon. Well, Wednesday I went to Silver Lakes to look for a rental house. First, I drove around the area, looking at real estate signs and getting a feel for neighborhoods. I stopped and looked a few housed more closely and made a few phone calls, to no good end. I saw several lovely homes, but nothing that called to me. After I bored of that, I drove to Professional Realty, an agency that had advertised in the local paper as dealing with rentals. Butch, the agent I dealt with, gave me a map and a list of rentals; he suggested that I drive around and look at the outside of the houses I was interested in. Once I had it narrowed down to three or four, we'd go look at the inside of the houses.

I sat down and had a Diet Coke at the local pizzeria, and plotted the houses on the map -- at least the houses I could find! I marked the houses that were either too small or just blatantly out of our price range off the list and then planned to look at several. Fortified, I headed for the first house. There was no real estate sign in the yard and there was a car out front. It felt lived in. So, I headed over to the second house. It was okay. I liked it well enough, but I didn't love it. Slightly discouraged, I headed over to the third house on my list. Remember the saying The third time's a charm? Well, I fell in love at first sight! It was just beautiful. A little bit of yard (enough that we'll have to buy a lawnmower), a pretty front door, a bay window. While I was looking, a neighbor waved and said, "Hi!" I went over and talked with him for a few minutes. Roger was a very nice man, full of information about cell phone service and satellite companies.

I continued to look at other houses on the list, but there was always something wrong with them. Either they were too small, or they were two-stories, or they were not very well maintained, or they had too much yard -- which means watering and grooming, since Silver Lakes is in the middle of the Mojave Desert. I really just loved that one house so much -- I got such a good vibe from it -- that none of the other houses could compare.

I went to lunch, back at the local pizzeria. The lasagna was kind of expensive, but excellent -- and there was plenty to share, had there been anyone to share it with (As it was, I brought home two meals worth after I ate my fill!). After lunch, I headed back to Professional Realty so that I could see three of the houses on the inside. I had narrowed it down to the house that felt lived in, the house I loved, and one slightly larger house that I couldn't find.

Butch checked and, sure enough, the first house was currently occupied, so we went on to the house I hadn't been able to find. It had some great selling points. It was four bedrooms and three bathrooms, and had a large upstairs deck. The view was amazing. It had a large (dirt) yard, and was on the edge of Silver Lakes, so there weren't neighbors on all sides. On the minus side, it looked like a rental. The carpets were stained in a couple of places and some of the walls were kind of banged up. All of the wood work was very dark, and I just didn't like the way it felt. Plus, it was $50 more a month than the dream house (which I still hadn't seen).

So, off we headed to the house I really wanted to see. It is currently occupied by a Korean family, so first we had to make sure no one was home. Wouldn't have have been awkward? As it was, I didn't look as closely as I would have liked to have looked at things like closets, the pantry and kitchen cabinets. It had a really big two-car garage, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a dining area in the kitchen, and a fireplace in the living room. Most of the walls are yellow, except in the living room (where they are cream) and I believe in the kitchen (where I'm thinking they are blue). The floors are a combination of ceramic tile and carpet. In the kitchen, the sink (stainless steel, I'm pretty sure) is in a y-shaped island. It's by far the nicest house I've ever lived in.

And the best news? The landlord will accept our three lovely kitties! I got the phone call at about 11:15 this morning that we were good to go. We "take possession" of the house on 10 April. When I'm finished with this post, I'll go over to the rental office and give our notice to our current landlord, so our move-out date here will be 20 April, I think.

No pictures of the inside of the house, since it is currently occupied. It was nice to see it lived it; it gave me ideas for where the furniture could go and for decorating. But it was very awkward to be looking at someone's house, someone's things in the closets. I didn't look under the bathroom or kitchen sink, or in the kitchen cabinets. It felt a bit like prying.

Secret #10 -- Living in Abundance with Positive Priorities

2009-03-13T00:22:00.000-07:00

Chapter Ten contains one of my favorite “secrets” so far in The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women book blog discussion group. I hope this entire “gateway” is as exciting and stimulating as this secret is.

“When we are in touch with true abundance, it permeates the fabric of our lives.” – Gail McMeekin

Just today, I needed reminding that abundance is not only financial, and McMeekin did it early on in the chapter. As we save money for first and last month’s rent for a new home, it is tempting to fall back into scarcity thinking, but Source has reminded me – through the Next Chapter book discussion – of a myriad of ways that I am blessed and that abundance is flowing into my life. My dentist has suggested that the partial that I’ve had trouble with from day one be replaced (at no cost) rather than repaired. My father-in-law has been generous and accommodating with his car. My husband got off work almost two hours early. I spent most of the day with one of my dearest friends, enjoying her company as I do few others. One of my cats has been particularly affectionate today. I had to make an unexpected run to the nearby grocery store and truly enjoyed my interaction with the friendly cashier. My late night snack of sugar cookies and chocolate milk tasted exquisite.

It is easy to see abundance as only relating to our finances, but one can be abundant (or scarce) in any area of one’s life. Some people would see my list of blessings – if they saw it at all – as a coincidence, or just life running its course, but I choose to see it as evidence that I’m living a life infused with abundance. With John’s long commute, I have so little time with him these days; having him off work two hours early definitely provided us with a relative abundance of quality time together! Spending the day with Sandra – having lunch, shopping, and just hanging out – is further abundance in my relationships. Every item on my list is evidence of the plenty in my life.

“Every day I do what I want to, which comes from self-knowledge and commitment. I have a vision of what’s important to me and how to accomplish that. I want to live my authenticity with grace and beauty.” – Cathleen Rountree

I’m just now coming to the place in my life where it is important to me to really and truly live my life the way I want to. I’m developing the self-knowledge and commitment that Rountree is referring to, and it isn’t always easy. I struggle constantly with the concept of inspired action versus developing discipline and making a commitment to myself. I want to live with a certain amount of discipline – creating every day, for example – and yet, I know from experience how important it is to let the actions I take be inspired. I sense that there is a fine line to be walked between these two, and I’m not yet sure of where that line is.

Taking creativity for an example again: Elizabeth Gilbert, in her TED lecture, talks about the importance of showing up and doing your work on a regular basis. That really resonates with me. I think there is something to be gained from showing up, playing with your tools, and doing your work. I know people who say they can’t work unless they are inspired, but Gilbert – and I – would argue that it’s easier to be inspired when you’re doing the work. It’s easier for an idea to find you, if you’re sitting down with your tools – whether they are paint, fabric, beads, or words – and working them with regularly. My limited experience (and Gilbert’s more vast experience) seems to bear this out. But, I don’t always feel inspired to show up and do the work, even though I passionately believe in it. So, you can see my problem here … And yet, I’m convinced that this issue has something to do with living my life as I truly want to.

I long to live the life that Rountree refers to, the life in which she does what she wants to, and lives her “authenticity with grace and beauty”. I’m still figuring out what “living my authenticity” means! I try always to be true to myself, while being considerate of others, but as I’m just now paying enough attention to myself, getting to know myself, it isn’t always easy to be true to myself. “True to myself” changes!

McMeekin offers several Challenges in this chapter, my favorite being the first one, “Your Personal Abundance”. I had so much fun picturing, and then writing about, my ideal life. Since we’re getting ready to move, and will be making several changes in our lifestyle, this was a particularly meaningful exercise; some of what I wrote about will surely come to pass as John and I create a new life for ourselves in our new home.

What are some of the ways that abundance and plenty are showing up in your life? How does “living your authenticity” look? What would your ideal life look life?

Secret #8 -- Selecting Empowering Partnerships and Alliances

2009-03-01T16:33:00.000-08:00

The eighth secret in Gail McMeekin’s The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women is “Selecting Empowering Partnerships and Alliances”. This was a difficult chapter for me because at this point in my creative journey, I don’t seek/desire a partnership or collaboration, outside of the support systems we talked about in the last secret.

I definitely want encouraging and empowering people around me, but the truth is that I don’t work well with others. I never have. In fact, a teacher noted as much on an early report card! I listen to the beat of my own drum, work by my own time-table, and have my own methods of organization. It’s not that I don’t enjoy working with others; it’s just that I don’t do it very well.

Having said all of that, I’d love to have a support team! I currently have three separate – but intertwined – dreams, so my support team would require people with a variety of characteristics:

Working mixed-media artist
Highly creative and open
Challenging, yet encouraging
Background in teaching
Connections at teaching venues
Someone who can read/critique/edit/make suggestions
Someone who understands the publishing process
Someone who understands the self-publishing process.

As I mentioned in last week’s post, I’m moving in a month to six weeks, so I’m not going to do much to form a support team right now. But when I get settled into my new dwelling, I’m going to make this a priority!

Canvas Progress & Workshop Photos

2009-02-28T22:22:00.000-08:00

I've been working on the canvas that I started in Kristy's workshop. Here's the progress so far. She looks lopsided in this photo, but she doesn't actually look like that. Not sure what will happen next ...
Sandra working on one of the background techniques.

Kristy before the workshop started. Luckily, she was still smiling when it was all over!

Kristy's Class Today!

2009-02-28T20:37:00.001-08:00

This is actually a 10x10 canvas, so it's a little more square than this shows. I scanned this in, and my scanner bed is 8 1/2 x 14, so it doesn't show all the yellow on the right. When I'm done with the canvas, I'll take a photo of it to get the whole thing in.

Class today was too much fun! We learned three image transfer techniques, a couple of background techniques and painted deli paper. We broke for lunch for about half an hour (we got take out from Gourmet Pizza down the street). Everyone did really awesome -- but really different -- work. It was exciting to watch people who are new to mixed-media collage put together their first piece. Kristy did a great job.

I Won & Upcoming Book Review ...

2009-02-25T22:48:00.000-08:00

Tuesday night was Kristy Christopherson's program at the Redlands Art Association. She did a really good job. She offered the above piece for the opportunity drawing, and I won! It didn't hurt any that I bought $20 worth of drawing tickets! LOL! I was so pleased to win it, since not only is it a beautiful piece, but she's a good friend of mine.

After not checking our mail for a couple of days, I was treated to a real treasure in my post office box when I opened it this afternoon. A review copy of Kathy Cano-Murillo's Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Projects for the Everyday Crafter was sitting there, waiting for me. I haven't started reading it yet, but I have glanced through it. The book is beautiful and I can't wait to dig into it. Of course, I'll let you know what I think of it!

Must See TED!

2009-02-21T02:09:00.000-08:00

Lately, across several blogs, I've been seeing references to Elizabeth Gilbert's talk on TED. I had no idea what was being referred to, but I can take a hint from the Universe. You've got to check this talk out! Gilbert, the author of Eat Pray Love, talks about a new way of looking at creativity. Actually, it's an old way -- an ancient way. Listen to Gilbert talk about being a conduit for the creative spirit. I was moved to tears ... literally.

Secret #7 -- Consulting With Guides

2009-02-21T00:09:00.001-08:00

For several weeks now, I’ve been participating in The Next Chapter, a book discussion blog group, hosted by the amazing Jamie Ridler. We are reading 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women by Gail McMeekin. This week’s secret has to do with Consulting With Guides.

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what to write about this secret. McMeekin has the reader take a history of Your Creative Heritage. That was so difficult for me. While I didn’t grow up in a creative prison, I wasn’t raised in the most nurturing environment, either. Like most parents, mine did the best they could with what they had. And what they had included one son who is immensely talented at realistic drawing and a special needs daughter who died at 12-years old. My mother and father didn’t have the time or energy to be creative themselves or to nurture creativity in their children. Well, that’s not altogether true. My aforementioned older brother got private art lessons for awhile, until he decided that art wasn’t cool anymore. But as the sister closest in age to the special needs child, I often got lost in the shuffle. I have no idea if I had any natural talent as a child. My mother has since told me that I loved to draw and color – and that I would color on anything that didn’t wriggle away. In fact, as a young child, I “enhanced” the print that hung in the living room behind the couch with crayon (my first “mixed-media” piece!).That piece hung there for years.

As I got older – and children left the nest – my mother took more time out for herself. I remember trips to the craft store every Saturday, and then a week playing with whatever technique had been demonstrated that day. She sewed beautifully, and began to get more creative with both that and her cooking. I was just along for the ride. No particular interest was paid to whatever I might have been good at, and no one thought to inquire about what I might have especially enjoyed. I had no concept of process, or getting lost in my creative endeavors.

For years, I let my creative efforts lie fallow or in the void. But when I was ready to explore my creativity, the Universe sent me people who encouraged me, taught me, and guided me. Just at the time my creative energies were starting to stir, I was sent a highly creative friend, and Diane has encouraged me so much and shared several of her own techniques with me. I currently have a real, honest-to-Source mentor, who encourages me, while also telling me just how it is. She lifts me up, teaches me and supports me. We don’t create the same kind of art, so I’ve never felt any envy about her process or her product, even though she’s a highly creative artist. Sandy also got me involved in our local art association, supported me through a Featured Artist Show, to the point of hanging the show for me! I’m also blessed with an amazing artist friend who is also encouraging and supportive. We relate more as contemporaries, not as a mentor/mentoree. We often make art together, and we delight in the other’s success. Then, of course, there is my husband, my best-friend, and my family - all whom are terrifically supportive and encouraging. I also belong to a group that meets once-a-month to share and make art together.

I’ll be moving in the next month-to-six weeks. I wonder what kind of community and support system I’ll find in my new home. I’m hoping that I’ll find (or be able to create) an artist group that meets once-a-week. That would be delightful.

What kind of guides do you have? I hope you have wonderful encouragement in your creative life!

Shopping and Organization

2009-02-18T21:56:00.001-08:00

Today, Kristy Christopherson and I went to Palm Desert to shop at The Art Colony. What a wonderful day we had! The Art Colony is a wonderful store, full of everything you can imagine for the serious artist. This is no Michael's or JoAnn! They carry Golden Artist Colors, Copic Markers, and all kinds of other goodies. Shopping was a great experience -- I could have bought one of everything! As it was, I spent WAY to much money (luckily, I have an understanding and supportive husband), and I didn't buy close to half the store! The best part of the experience, though, was getting to know Kristy better. We talked and laughed for hours.

When I came home, I realized I had no where to put my new treasures, so I started organizing. I got my dining room table mostly cleared off -- and I found my long-lost blow dryer -- and started organizing my supplies. I still have some things I need to do, but it felt good to take a step toward getting this under control. Andrea Scher, this week's featured interview in The Next Chapter book blog, says that real courage is in hearing your gremlins/saboteurs and taking some action anyway. If that's the case, I was very courageous today!

Secret #6 -- Conquering Saboteurs

2009-02-17T23:41:00.000-08:00

This week's dicsucssion in The Next Chapter online book blog is secret #6 of Gail McMeekin’s 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women is about “Conquering Saboteurs”. I’m really fortunate that I’m in a place right now where I’m not spending a lot of time with my gremlins and personal saboteurs. I wish I could say that this was a permanent phenomenon, but I’m fully aware that this is part of a cycle, like so many other cycles in my life.

Because I’m not currently being visited too much by the gremlins and saboteurs, I was able to enter my first juried art show over the week-end. None of my three pieces were accepted, but I truly feel okay about that. There was one juror, so the show is a reflection of one man’s opinion. My art didn’t resonate with him; that’s fine because there are plenty of people whom I respect that my art does resonate with.

Unlike Andrea Scher, I’m not currently being visited by voices that talk to me about my work or my worthiness – but I have been, and won’t be surprised if they come back. She makes a great point that the voices quiet down sometimes and get louder at other times; the best we can do is manage them. One saboteur that is currently making its presence known for me is Disorganization, one I know well. I do my arting and crafting at the dining room table, where we rarely eat. However, as the largest flat surface when I first walk in the house, it’s also a repository for mail, packages, and papers that don’t seem to have any other home. As you can imagine, my work space is in total disarray. But that’s okay, because it goes along with my supplies, which are also in total chaos. We are moving soon, so it’s difficult for me to find the energy to do much toward reorganizing my supplies. See how the gremlin of Disorganization has got me in its clutches?

McMeekin writes early in the chapter that, “For creative women, self-sabotage poses a serious risk to the completion of work. To become a woman who expresses her creativity, as opposed to a woman who just dreams about it, mastering these nasty gremlins becomes an essential competence.” This quote reminds me that it’s imperative that I make time and energy to organize my supplies (besides, won’t organized supplies be easy to pack?) and clean off my table/work surface. Not simply because my home would look better and be more comfortable, but because it’s important for the sake of my art!

I have a loose goal of developing the discipline of engaging in my art everyday. I have colorful calendar that helps me chart my progress, with too many blanks as of late. The gremlin of Disorganization is effectively keeping me from my goal!

Hmmm, I guess the saboteurs are more active in my life right now than I thought they were!

Secret #5 -- Committing to Self-Focus

2009-02-09T00:11:00.000-08:00

This week’s discussion in the Next Chapter book club is Secret #5 of The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women, by Gail McMeekin, is “Committing to Self-Focus”. Jamie, our amazing hostess and facilitator, challenges us to not just read about self-focus this week, but to experience it.

Because my whole life is patterned in cycles, so is my self-focus and self-care. Sometimes I am all about self-focus and other times, I’m very outer-focused or other-oriented. Times of self-focus tend to coincide with times of high creativity, while times of other-focus tend to align more with the fallow times I wrote about in my last post.

Lately, though, I’ve tried to be more systematic with my self-focus. On 15 January, I joined the 100 Day Reality Challenge. The intentions that I set all had to do with being more present in my day, or being more focused on my self. To support my intentions, I’ve adopted the daily practices of taking a daily walk, writing my morning pages, and keeping a 100-item gratitude list each day (because today is Day 26 of the Challenge, I’ll be adding a 15 minute meditation to each day). Okay, so I haven’t done such a good job with the walk – and I haven’t done the other practices for the past few days – but mostly I’ve been doing okay. Since I’ve been participating in the 100 Day Reality Challenge, time seems to have slowed down for me, and I’m more focused on my day. Eckhart Tolle teaches us to periodically stop what we are doing, taking stock of the moment and realizing that this is it; this is my life. I’ve been doing that more often and able to feel appreciation for where I’m at, at any given moment. I consider that pretty good self-focus.

Because my husband and I don’t have children, I don’t have that element of other-focus in my life. While I was initially heartbroken at not being able to have children, I’ve come to love our child-free lifestyle. John does demand a certain amount of attention and focus as does our apartment, but he takes as much care of me as I take of him!

Secret #4 -- Surrendering To Creative Cycles

2009-02-07T17:54:00.000-08:00

Up until just recently, my times of creative inactivity were viewed as voids, making me very anxious. I worried that my desire to paint, to cut-and-paste, to simply create would not return. I have experienced years, literally, of the void, and I’m not eager to do that again.

Lately, however, I’ve come to see that not all periods of creative inactivity are, in fact, voids. Some are times of creative synthesis, of rest and rejuvenation. Thanks to Marilou Awiakta in The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women by Gail McKeekin, I’ve come to see these periods as fallow times rather than voids. There is a difference; it’s not just a matter of semantics.

Void implies a certain darkness or emptiness, a stillness beyond normalcy. In my experience, voids are not purposeful. While there is much to learn from entering the hollowness, we rarely enter it with deliberation. When I think of the void in terms of my own creativity, I think of a time when nothing is happening, internally or externally. Not only am I not actively creating anything, but I am not growing creatively either. I am not continuing to fill the well, as Julia Cameron would say.

To lie fallow, on the other hand, is to purposefully lay idle in order to conserve or rejuvenate. Think of how farmers let a field lie dormant for a season in order to increase later productivity. I may not be actively expressing my creative side, but I’m still taking care of it. I’m nurturing my creative self. Instead of looking at this time of inactivity as a void, I’ve been trying to turn it into something useful.

To be in the void is to be stagnant, creatively. Not only do I find it difficult to express myself in new ways, I find it difficult to even revisit and rework old ideas. There just isn’t any motivation for creative endeavors. When I’m fallow, it may look similar to an outsider; however, it feels very different to me. This is when I catch up on my art reading, reading about new techniques and drooling over the eye candy. Perhaps I don’t have the creative energy or motivation to tackle a completely new project, so this may be a time when I approach a previous worked idea and tackle it anew. I may play with new products, simply following someone else’s directions to the letter, not really creating anything new. This may be a time for experimenting with a medium previously unexplored.

What I’m learning about myself is that by acknowledging these periods of inactivity as fallow times rather than assuming they are voids, they rarely make it that far. I’m able to stay a bit creative, if not fully expressive, and these periods don’t seem to last as long as they did when I saw them – and treated them – as voids.

Then, when the bright spots appear, I’m able to indulge myself! I certainly do celebrate them and create as long as I have the motivation to do so. I don’t have any children; I have a supportive husband and I don’t work, so I’m able to create with abandon, for as long as I have the energy to do. It’s not unusual for me to stay up all night, sleep for a couple of hours and then stay up all night again, a few nights in a row, when my creativity peaks. I know it’s especially unhealthy for me to live that way since I have bipolar disorder, but I seem incapable of restraining myself when the urge hits. I get lost in my creative process and time slips away. When I do try to force myself into bed, my mind is racing and my body is energized with the possibilities of what I’m creating that it’s difficult for me to just lie there long enough to sleep. The creative frenzy is such a delicious feeling that I don’t want to dismiss it for sleep.

Secret #3 -- Following Your Fascinations

2009-01-30T05:05:00.000-08:00

The prompt for this secret was to write about what “en-courages” us and then to take one small step in the direction of our dreams.

I know it sounds sappy, but my husband’s love and encouragement helps me be brave. He is my constant, unfailing support. He reminds me to believe in myself and that I’m stronger that I think I am. I can do more with him by my side, and those things I absolutely can’t do, he can do for me.

Journaling helps, certainly, as does talking to my best friend, my mentor, art friends, and/or my husband about my fears. All support me fully and encourage my every endeavor. Being well-prepared helps with some things, but over preparation just causes increased anxiety in other situations. Doing the hard thing first often helps, as does making a list (so I can cross things off!). I’m a believer in the law of attraction, so I set my intentions and then just try to stay aligned with them, taking whatever action I feel inspired to take; inspired action gives me courage.

I took my brave step on Tuesday. I set up a complicated still life and drew. I have high anxieties around drawing, so this was quite the way for me to spend my afternoon. I’m taking a basic drawing class at the local art gallery, but I don’t practice outside of class, because of these anxieties. Since then, creative juices have flowed steadily. In fact, I’m in the midst of an all-nighter, creating away!

Another Show For Me???

2009-01-30T00:36:00.000-08:00

A few days ago, I received a phone call from an acquaintance of mine who manages the art for a local coffee shop. She asked me if I'd be interested in doing a one-woman show. I told her that I'd have to check out the venue before I committed to the show, but I'm pretty excited about the opportunity! I'll either go Friday or Saturday to look at the space and see if it's something I can work with. My big concern is having enough art to fill the space! I sold three pieces at my Featured Artist Show and I've not replaced them in my inventory. I am working on a table-top item right now, but I don't know if the venue is table-top friendly -- another reason to check it out before I commit to the show.

For those of you who don't believe in coincidence ... Just this evening, I ran into a friend who asked if I was going to have another show anytime soon. That's almost weird, isn't it? A little wink from the Universe, perhaps?

Secret #2 -- Honoring Your Inspirations

2009-01-27T17:02:00.000-08:00

I’m still playing “catch-up” with my 12-Secrets posts. Chapter Two presents the reader with three challenges. The first is to spend 15 minutes a day in quiet time, simply to listen to your thoughts. The second is to build a creative sanctuary, even if it’s just a collection of inspiring objects in a portable box. The third challenge is a Creative Style Inventory.

I have not done the first challenge on a regular basis. I could claim that I’ve been to busy, but I believe that I could find 15 minutes to do something that was important to me. The reality is that it never occurred to me to do this again, after I read the challenge. I just turned the page and went about my business. I confess that there was a little bit of resistance on my part, as I read the activity, especially as it is a daily, repetitive, activity. I will try it when I’m finished with this post to see how it feels.

I’ve also made a decision not to do the second challenge for now. John and I are looking at apartments, getting ready to move soon. That seems like a bad time to be creating a new space in my home. Yes, I could just create a box of inspiring objects – but I have too many inspiring objects for that! I have rubber stamps, fabric swatches, paints, ephemera; I’m ready to get into a new dwelling and get things organized! We are hoping to find someplace big enough for me to have my own art room.

So that leaves the Creative Style Inventory. I thought I’d share my answers with you as I work through them.

When did your creative awakening or reawakening occur? About four or five years ago, I made a new, highly creative, friend and she encouraged me to start making jewelry as I had a hard time finding jewelry that fit. That started my creative reawakening, even though I no longer make jewelry (in fact, I did not make much jewelry, although I sure bought a lot of supplies!). From there, I went on to try my hand at more sculptural works, and began playing with fabric. I eventually hosted a group of artists who were exploring color journals in a round-robin format. I remember mailing off a book the morning that my father died; that was three years ago in February. Since then, I’ve gone on to be the Featured Artist at the Redlands Art Association (October, 2008), with a show of mixed-media pieces.
What talents do you have, naturally? I’ve been told that I’m good at composition and color. I’ve also been told that I have a way with words.
Which elements (fire, water, wood, air) draw you toward them? Fire and water. I’m fascinated with small (candle sized) flames; I love the way they flicker and move about. Water is very calming and soothing to me.
Where and when do you create? Where and when do you wish to create? I tend to create at the dining room table, usually in the evenings or late at night. I’m trying to work with my creativity, coaxing it out at other hours. I wish I had a room of my own in which to create, and I wish that I was more of a morning person. I wish I created throughout the day, every day. Creating everyday is a goal of mine. I don’t expect to create a masterpiece each day, but I do believe in the value of showing up to my tools, of honing my skills.
What activates your creative energy and what drains it? My creative energy is often activated by the promise of a new technique or a new product – I love working with the new. Sometimes I try new things and they don’t take me anywhere, but often times, I find something to add to my creative arsenal. My creative energy is also activated by pain – mild to moderate pain. The ability to work through pain gets me through a lot of bad days. However, pain – anything stronger than moderate pain – also drains my creative energy. It’s just very difficult for me to stay focused and creative when I’m hurting. Another thing that will drain my creative energy is fear. Fear my art won’t be good enough, or compare favorably to someone else’s, but also fear of touching something emotional within myself through my art. Fear is a big energy drainer for me.
Do you use creative rituals? Which ones? If not, invent some. I really don’t use any creative rituals. So many people do, that I may reread this segment of the chapter and consider creating some.
Does nature influence your creativity? How? I’m not sure if it does, or how it does. I know that I sometimes feel more clear-headed and ready to tackle a project after a walk, but I’m not sure if that’s about nature or about the exercise. As I much as I love the country (I was raised out in the middle of nowhere), I’m a city girl now and I love it just as much. There are certainly powerful influences and inspiration in the architecture, dressed windows and city smells.
What has been your greatest creative hurdle so far? As I previously mentioned, it is fear: both the fear of being judged – and found lacking – and the fear of my own emotional response to the creative experience. I have found that when I can let go and enjoy the process, the product is better – and I’m less concerned with the outcome.
What time of day are you most receptive to inspiration? Inspiration most often hits me when I’m actually working – or playing – with my materials. That is why I really want to develop the habit of “creative every day”. When I’m doing other things, ideas don’t just come to me very often, When I’m actually playing with my supplies, working with the materials, trying new things, inspiration hits. It doesn’t seem to matter when that is. However, as I mentioned before, I’m much more likely to be playing with my art supplies in the evening or at night.

Recently Purchased Rubber Stamps

2009-01-25T15:48:00.001-08:00

These are samples from my most recently purchased rubber stamps. None of these had been used until I look impressions with them today. Most are stamped crooked -- because I was on the phone while I was stamping and not paying as much attention as I should have been. Some of these are wood mounted (still my favorite), but most of them are red rubber. The four ATC size stamps in the top picture and the Christmas stamps in the bottom picture are Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous line so they come premounted on cushion; the rest of the rubber stamps I had to mount myself. I don't know if I'm going to continue to buy red rubber, or if I'm going to mount it. After seeing Kate of Invoke Arts work with unmounted rubber, I may try that. She made it look so easy and it would certainly be cheaper and less frustrating!

Riverside Rubber Stamp & Paper Arts Festival

2009-01-24T23:53:00.000-08:00

I've had quite the day! I spent my afternoon at the Riverside Convention Center, at a scrapbook and rubber stamp convention. It was lots of fun, and I spent way too much money. Look tomorrow for a picture of all my treasures! This ATC was made by Kate at Invoke Arts. I loved their products and I learned a lot of new techniques by watching her work. I'm actually eager to carve out some time to play. She recommends three to five hours at a time, so that you have time to not just make a card or a few ATCs, but to really play with your materials and techniques. I'm not sure when I'll find three hours -- much less five! -- but I'm going to try to very soon.

I made this ATC in a class taught by Miss Jennifer of Auntie Amy's. It was so good to see those ladies again. I've really missed them since Amy decided to close her store. This ATC was made on a metal substrate -- how cool is that? In addition to using papers, stamps, and buttons, we used rub-ons, which I'd only used a couple of times before. Would you believe that a crop-a-dile made the hole for the ribbon? It was like butter!

Tonight, I was in such a mood to play with art that I gesso'd several pages in my new art journal. Note that I still didn't do anything actually creative, but I came a lot closer. Prep work ought to count! Even though I wasn't doing anything particularly expressive, it felt good to be smearing that white stuff around on my pages. My new art journal is a moleskine -- the lavender one -- and I'm already loving it. I'll have to work hard the next few days to get caught up at RAA and around the house, so I have time to play!

Daily Picture "Catch Up"

2009-01-24T08:44:00.001-08:00

"Catch Up" is in quotes because I've missed a few days of my daily picture, so I can't completely catch up!

Remember the roses that John sent me for our 10th wedding anniversary? Here they are, still gorgeous. Saturday, 24 January, 2009.

I'm working on a mixed-media piece for someone near-and-dear. I just can't get it right. On this one, the transfer came out great, but the collage elements are kind of over-powered. I may have to try yet again. They do say that the third time is a charm! Thursday, 22 January, 2009.

I'm taking an online scrapbooking class and we had our first class chat. It was so much fun, and nice to get to know everyone a little bit better. Picture of the screen during the chat; I don't remember whose idea it was to take a picture, but it was a great one. Tuesday, 20 January, 2009.

Laundry. What more is there to say? Sunday, 18 January, 2009.

Pizza out with a friend. We went to Gourmet Pizza in Redlands. I had the "Crabby Bill's" (garlic butter, mushrooms, green onions, real crab, shrimp, mozzarella & Swiss cheeses, and avocado after baking) . Yummy! There is a new pizza place in town; Sandra and I will be trying it out soon! Saturday, 17 January, 2008.

The First Secret -- Book Discussion

2009-01-24T00:11:00.000-08:00

I’m a little late for the party, but I recently signed up to be a part of an online book discussion. The rest of the group is on the third chapter and I’m just starting the book. The book we’re reading is The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women: A Portable Mentor by Gail McMeekin. The discussion is facilitated by the generous and talented Jamie Ridler. I hope to get caught up in the next few days and then I’ll be posting on Friday or Saturday in response to Jamie’s prompt in connection to the chapter we’re reading. The first “assignment” was to post where we are “on the journey to your creative self”.

When I first set down to answer this question, I wrote a 2.5 page Word document full of fear, longing, and tears – and I hurried through the end of it so I could move on to the "real" version of this post! It was cathartic and good for me, but I don’t think that anyone else would be interested in all I had to say. So, rather than write about my entire creative history, I’ll just talk about where I am now.

Currently, I’m a mixed-media artist, but a blocked one. In fact, I recently finished a 12-week long course in The Artist’s Way, and I’m more blocked, creatively and emotionally, than I was when I started the course! I’m trying to get unblocked by making art, but it feels stale and predictable. And foreign.

I am taking a basic drawing class at the local member-run art gallery, and I alternately love and hate it. I’m the least experienced artist in the class, so my work is somewhat sophomoric. But when I’m able to get lost in the process while drawing – well, I love those moments. And, not surprisingly, I’m not as judgmental of my product when I was lost in my process.

I even know what my issue is – fear. Yes, I’m afraid that my work won’t be good enough or meet the standards that my previous work has predicted or that I have set for myself. But that’s really the least of it. I’m mostly afraid of the emotional consequences of giving in to my creativity. You see, somewhere along the line, I emotionally shut down. I can feel myself wanting to wake up, but I’m afraid of what will come up, what will need to be dealt with. I’m afraid of losing control, emotionally, and I’ve worked hard for a long time to maintain that control.

I’ve read through the first three secrets/chapters of the book and it’s left me feeling very anxious and edgy. I am both wanting to create and finding myself fearful of creating.

Since it’s after midnight, I think I’ll go to bed and deal with the tug-of-war tomorrow.

Happy Anniversary To Me!

2009-01-16T21:31:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned previously, today is our 10th wedding anniversary. What a wonderful day it has been. John and I haven't done anything really special -- just spent time together when he got home from work. He sent me the most beautiful red roses. Here they are before I trimmed them and put them in their vase. They are just gorgeous. Thanks, btw, for all the well wishes -- both in comment form and via email -- that we received from all of you!

I mentioned in a previous post that I am taking an online scrapbooking class and that one of my assignments involved making an "attribute book" for somone I love; I chose my husband, John. It's done in an 5 1/2" by 8 1/2" format and stored in a lavender pleather binder. The binder is very luxurious. This is the title page.

Each page includes an attribute and a quote. This page is "enthusiastic". This picture was taken at our wedding rehearsal dinner.

This is my favorite page, partly because of the theme and partly because of John being in uniform. He's in the National Guard and I'm so proud of him! I had so much fun putting the the album together. It highlights 22 attributes, or characteristics, that describe the way I see my husband and hope he sees himself. Focusing on his positive qualities this way, I fell a little bit more in love with him as I worked on it. It was a wonderful experience for me. I gave it to him for our anniversary. He loved it.

Another Giveaway!

2009-01-16T14:51:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Kathryn, over at KV Creative Designs! She is celebrating her Blogiversary with a giveaway! She is giving away lots of yummies, so stop by her blog and check it out! You just might be the lucky winner! And tell her that I sent you ...

No Photo Today

2009-01-15T22:48:00.000-08:00

There is no daily picture for today because one or more of the cats hid the camera! I couldn't find my little digital camera all day long; John found it about an hour ago under the dining room table. Sadly, all photo ops for the day had passed. Tomorrow the daily picture should be back.

Speaking of tomorrow -- John and I will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary tomorrow and I couldn't be happier! Think of us and wish us well!