I started working part-time (well, more like full-time) a little over six months ago. And for 3 months before that searching for a job consumed all my mental energy and attention. During this 9 month period, I did little or no art except for a small amount of art journaling. Now that I'm adjusting to my new role as a working Mom, I find myself craving more creativity. Here's where Pam Carriker's book comes in (as mentioned in my last post here).

I read her book "Art at the Speed of Life" when it first came out, but I don't recall it having much impact on me at that time. I plucked it off my bookshelf a few weeks ago so I could read something at the pool. It was literally an "Ah-Ha" moment. She MUST have been thinking of me when she wrote it - busy, easily distracted, artist wanna-be me! It was certainly the kick in the butt I needed. It's gotten me out of my think about art mode and put me into doing art mode. Her "Declaration of Reclamation" (below) helped narrow my focus and gave me somewhere to start.

To this declaration I added my own list of goals and actions that serve as a roadmap to help me accomplish my goals and gives me a reference for those times when I need a little help deciding what to work on. I'm trying to do something creative everyday, even if it's simply applying gesso to substrates or gluing papers in my journal. Pam's book also helped me remember that I really love mixed media, especially decorative papers, and got me moving back in that direction. I've spent a lot of time jumping back and forth between techniques resulting in a pile of unfinished work and a heap of self-doubt. Now I'm back on track, determined and ready to "Just do it!" Thanks Pam!