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!

Studio and Attitude Adjustment

I don't think I ever posted a photo of my revamped art table which was actually, oh... about a year ago! So after re-reading Pam Carriker's book "Art at the Speed of Life" I decided to truly get organized and serious about getting some art DONE!!! I'll post about how motivating her book was to me another day and keep this one about the studio. Wanting to keep costs down I salvaged from all over the house. I bought a door from the hardware store and set it on top of a wire storage rack I had in the garage. It's the perfect height for working while standing or for a tall stool. It's big enough to layout several projects at once and after being secured to the wall, it's very sturdy. At one end of the table I have a small bookcase storing my art books and reference materials with a paper towel roll mounted to the side (you can kinds see it up there in the bottom right corner). Little cubbies and drawers hold all my supplies so they are accessible and I've labeled everything so I can find just what I'm looking for. I even spent time sorting and organizing so things I completely forgot about now have labeled homes. 

The wall above my art table has a storage shelf that I found in another room not being used. The newly labeled baskets hold extra supplies, texture tools, emphemora, old cards, and paint mixing supplies & bottles. There's vintage jars holding sponges, paint brushes, and button. And I keep my sketchbooks handy for reference. 

This end of the art table has a roll out card I keep my paints and miscellaneous supplies in. I have Stampington & Company Publications, Cloth Paper Scissors and Professional Artist magazines on the files along with my ever growing collection of UNFINISHED WORK. I seriously want to stop this habit of starting a project and then NEVER FINISHING IT! I either get annoyed with it or I should say frustrated with myself or I get distracted by some new technique I want to try and I move on to yet another project. I honestly have 40 to 50 pieces started...just sitting there...feeling neglected and forgotten...hoping to be re-discovered one day.  

Sunday at NARF

Sunday's adventure found us at the Newport Autumn Rowing Festival (NARF).
I don't know much about rowing, but find it interesting and a little mysterious.
So when a friend invited me to join her to watch a young man from USC row,
I thought it would make a fun Sunday morning.

It was a beautiful, hot day in Newport Beach and the event was much bigger than I expected.
Teams from all over California and the Western states were here.
Here I am above with my Paige and Scott overlooking the beautiful Newport Back Bay near the finish line.

The adorable young man we came to see here is Ben, who is in his first year at USC
and behind him is his mother, Robin Glasser, who is well known for her illustrations

 in the Fancy Nancy series of children's books. 

Thanks to my friend Jessica and her daughter Kayla for dragging us down here for some 

unexpected fun and adventure!

Patience and Persistence...

journal page background

Been feeling a bit down lately! Still looking for a job...not a specialized, technical, 

one-in-a-million job. Just a simple, entry-level, part-time, administrative job. 

Who'da thought that would be so hard, time-consuming, emotionally draining, 

leaving me with so much self-doubt. 

 

I won't take it personally (even though I want to).

I know my number will come up eventually.

I know I've got what it takes.

Patience and persistence will get me where I want to go.

  In Life and in Art!

 

Now, if I could really listen to myself and apply what I just wrote

 to my art making, I'd be doing great!

 But, I'm finding it very difficult to take these emotions and idle time and put it to canvas.

It's challenging to focus and get into the groove when my mind is so preoccupied.
I wish I was better at just letting go and being in the moment.

I wish I was better at not over thinking everything!

I wish I could trust that everything is unfolding just as it is meant to be.

I need to trust!

 

 

And Yet I Continue

Quite a few layers on this one so it took a bit longer to finish. Little bits and pieces over the last few days. I was really trying not to think too hard on it and just do what came to mind. That's always how I WANT to work, but seldom does my brain allow me that freedom. I like that it's playful and messy! Wishing you happiness as we slide into the weekend...ENJOY!

...And Another

“Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence -
is the key to unlocking our potential.” 

- Winston Churchill

Well, a painting a day may be out of the questions,
but I may be able to tackle a page a day or every two days.
As long as I don't get all fussy about it and just work quickly,
I CAN DO IT!

Another Journal Page Background

Another fall journal page background. Just playing with backgrounds and messily getting paint onto the page. I like messy, but my brain wants to make it neat and perfect...inner turmoil sucks! Once I finish the page I simply use it to write my TO DO list for the day and some random notes...nothing special.

Make it a Great Week!

TGIF

Today I am celebrating Fall. Eating my pumpkin spice bagel, taking the day off from finding a job and painting a fall inspired journal page. Yep, been looking for a job for about a month now and -- nothin'! It's a very time consuming and emotionally draining process, especially when no one calls. It might be easier if I: 1) would take a job in ANY industry, but I want to work in the Building and Design Industry; 2) was willing to work full-time, but I AM a Mom after all, and that comes first; and 3) had relevant work experience in an actual office that doesn't date back 18 years. Oh well, today I'm NOT going to worry about it and I AM going to enjoy doing other things.

I'm always amazed at artists who can complete a painting in a day...I can't. I either get tired of working on it, get frustrated and need to set it aside awhile, or need to let it dry before going on. Even the journal page above wasn't done in one day. I'd like to consider it my painting for the day even though it's only a journal page background.

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

In the Studio

If God brought you too it,
He will lead you through it.

The quote above I borrowed from Teresa McFayden. She suggested we write it down, remember it and use it. So that's what I shall do. It's a great quote to remember when you're stuck! Like the painting above. I put it aside for the last few months because I didn't like the direction it was going and didn't know what to do to change it. So yesterday I started repainting the background and I'm liking it better. The paintings below have also been sitting around a while...I let them sit so long I forget what my intensions for them were. I'll continue to play and see what happens.

  

Inspiration Banner

I picked up this cute little banner at the Portland Saturday Market while I was there last weekend. She had many pre-made banners with saying or you could buy the letters to spell out your own. After much deliberation, I decided on the word "CREATE" to keep me motivated and inspired. I placed it right above my art table where I can see it all the time. You can check out more of her photo banners here. Enjoy and make it a great weekend!

Art = Happiness!

"Success is not the key to happiness.
Happiness is the key to success.
If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." 
-- Herman Cain

This is the first page of my new art journal, more like an art testing ground. I had created this background over time from leftover paint on my palette but there it sat, I just didn't know where to go with it after that. While doing the laundry recently I saw the T-shirt below of my daughters that I absolutely love and thought I would copy it onto the background I had already created. Genius right? Well, I love, love, love it. I love that it's not perfect. I love how the black negative space forces you to notice the colors and patterns in positive images. I love that it's bold and graphic. I just LOVE it...can you tell? There will definately be more art of this type in the future. Thanks for stoppin' by and have an awesome day!

Comfort Zone Expanded...

Cooking Club on location at Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Corona, California for a day of relaxation and fun...only I wasn't sure how fun it would be without Lori, the experienced spa goer and planner of this get-a-way. Lori had to cancel at the last minute due to a sick child and I very much wanted to back out being that I was reluctant to go in the first place. None of us have been here before and not knowing what to expect or what to do when we got here, I let my fear of the unknown take over, trying to talk me out of going. I'm happy I didn't let my apprehension stop me because we had an amazing day.

We relaxed by one of the many pools in the morning and some of us took a yoga class. Then it was out to the parking lot for our Cooking Club picnic lunch. We shared delicious food with wonderful ladies and enjoyed the cool shade for a while.

After lunch we went to Club Mud for our mud treatment and some fun people watching.

The lounging pool below, which I didn't really want to visit since it was so crowded, turned out to be my favorite spot. Lying on the rafts, in the shade, looking up at the palm trees and chatting with friends, was so peaceful and relaxing. After lounging, we walked around checking out all the great little hidden spots to hang out, took a dip in the Hot Pool and then the Cold Plunge, and ended our day in the smelly Mineral Bath.

And here we are, clean and refreshed after our wet steam room, Roman bath and shower (we had to try EVERYTHING, just to say we did). I'm so, so, so glad we made the trip. Thanks Ladies, it was a wonderful day and I'd love to make it a yearly Cooking Club event.

A Visual Diary of my Week

This week I thought it would be fun to document my life with photos. No easy task I might add and now that I've gotten this post finished, it will probably be my last weekly visual diary. Yikes...it took me forever to get these photos to cooperate for some reason and I've pulled out most of my hair already! Anyhow, it's hard to remember to take photos of routine stuff you do and I didn't always remember to bring my camera. In those cases, the trusty phone was my savior. Below is a brief and not-so-complete recap of the week.

Monday, July 2

Workout video and doggie walk everyday.

Trip to the high dive pool for some jumpin' fun.

Creamy Pork Tenderloin with Black Bean and Corn Rice for dinner.

Tuesday, July 3

Long awaited desk organization.

A few journal page backgrounds.

Visit the doctor for swimmers ear....poor Scott!

Yogurt while waiting for the prescription to be filled.

A few rounds of doodle art while watching TV.

Wednesday, July 4

Lunch at Carl's Jr.

A short break by the pool.

BBQ with a few "corny" family members and good friends below.

Fourth of July Girls in Red.

Safety before fireworks.

Spectacular Fireworks in Woodbridge, as usual.

Thursday, July 5

Got Son #1 registered for his first semester of Community College.

Recooperating from the 4th and relaxing at swim practice.

Friday, July 6

Cleaning this bathroom is no easy feat...I broke it up over several days.
So glad I finally got it done. FYI, my side is the clutter free area.

Baked Surprise Cookies with Paige.

Lunch at Del Taco...Steak Taco del Carbon. I LOVE these things.

Dark Shadows at the $2 Theater.
(Don't know why I can't rotate this photo...ARGH!)

Saturday, July 7

Watching my little swimmer swim on the Courtside Stingrays Swim Team.

I out did myself on this dinner. So delicioso!
Meatloaf + dill carrots + Corn Cilantro Salad

Girls night sleepover complete with tent.

Sunday, July 8

A day of rest, sorta.