Time Flies

I cannot believe how quickly this week has gone by! I feel like I've gotten a lot done and at the same time, nothing at all, because I still have so much more to do.

This picture is something I worked on for my sis-in-law Debbie this week. It's her beloved Dinah, who sadly past away a few weeks ago. I felt so honored that she asked me to paint a portrait of her! It's not my normal mixed-media style, but I think I did pretty good and I like challenging myself to paint more realistic pieces once in a while. Dinah was the sweetest little dog and I'm glad that I got to visit with her a couple of times. She was lucky to have Debbie as her mama and take such good care of her (if you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll remember I did a post on Debbie and how she works to rescue animals).

It's the weekend and I'm going to continue with my busy pace. I'm redecorating and organizing my office/studio/guest room. I'll post pics as soon as it is complete. I've really bitten off a lot this time!

Peace, Love and Chocolate

Busy as a Bee

from my Sketchbook Project

I'm pretty busy this week - painting away. That's a good thing!!! But, it's hard to fit that in with life and blogging, etc. But, as soon as I'm finished with my projects this week, I'll try to post pics (one is a commissioned painting, so I may not get permission).

I'm definitely wishing for more time in the day, but loving every minute I have. I hope you're having a great week too!

Peace, Love and Chocolate

The Word for 2011

I don’t normally make New Year Resolutions. Typically, people never follow through with them, including me. But, with everything I want to accomplish in 2011, I feel the need to document it somehow. So, this year I’m stating what I want to accomplish in 2011 and then will try to sum that up with ONE word. This idea came to me when I started reading the blog {Words of Me Project}. What do I want for 2011?

~ I want to feel healthier – eat better, get regular exercise, drink water, etc. Hopefully this result in weight loss – but I’d be happy with just feeling more energetic.

~ I also want to put my all into a creative business which hopefully brings success, so that I can once again contribute monetarily to my family.

~ Lastly, I want to maintain my home so that it will remain organized and peaceful. Right now, when the clutter gets the best of me, my home feels very chaotic – and that’s not how I want my family to live.

So, I can only think of one word that will help me accomplish all of these things and that is:

Discipline.

And I’m approaching the idea of Discipline like I’m “mothering” myself. I don’t let my son eat bad things, so why should I? And when I worked full-time, I had set hours that were dedicated to what I needed to get done, so I should be able to apply the same time management to my creative business and things that need to be done around the house.

A Sketchbook Project page

I’m very optimistic about 2011! I’m ending 2010 a little under the weather, which means I’ll just have more incentive next week to get going on everything I want to accomplish. I can’t wait!

Peace, Love and Chocolate

Refreshed and Renewed

I took last week "off" to prepare for, take part in, and recover from Thanksgiving. It was a good move because I feel so much better this week and have more energy to push on (and make it through Christmas)! I went to the library yesterday and picked up the following books:

They're both so exciting to look through and absorb. The second book is by Ann Baldwin, an artist whose work I'm not familiar with, but am falling in love with. There are so many great tips given, which has given me a new sense of drive to create! And this is my focus for December. I've decided to put my Etsy shop on hold - it will still be there, but I'm not going to be active with it. I need to work on art for myself. I have to finish my Sketchbook Project book and I'd like to submit a piece to Cloth, Paper, Scissors for their 2012 calendar. So, I'll be plenty busy.

Oh yeah, and there's all the Christmas festivities! :-)

Peace, Love, and Chocolate!

Doubting Tuesday

I am at a stand-still. This is the time of the year when I should be thankful (and I am, believe me, for everything wonderful in my life), but as far as my art and blog, I’m frozen. I am having serious doubts about the future and how far I can take this “wanting to be an artist” thing. I know, this is the moment that separates the “men from the boys”, as my husband would say, or separates the artist from the wannabe. My husband (who is very wise, I must say), says that this why not everyone chooses to put themselves out there, why not everyone is an artist, because it’s lull’s like these that make or break you.

Right now I am nothing more than an artist in my head – with some wonderful friends and family who provide encouragement. I have plans for 2011, but not sure where they’ll take me. I’ve slowed down for the holidays, because everything I’ve read says that trying to build up cliental during the holidays is like trying to build a house in a tornado. So, I’m waiting.

I have to push through this doubt, because not trying is a crime. And, I don’t want to be a criminal...

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

I Love to "Wine"

Another mixed-media piece, based on something I love - wine! I created this for my dining area and want to do another companion piece, but I'm thinking about making prints available for my Etsy shop. Not sure yet. :-)

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

A Good Week

It’s been a good week for me! I had my first Etsy sale (a set of my Noel Dove Christmas Cards) and one of my paintings – Rain – was selected as a Feature on Milliande Art Community for Women! These may seem like small potatoes, but for an artist newbie like me, they are very much accomplishments! They both are motivators for me to keep going, keep creating, and keep learning (along with all the encouragement from my friends and family). It’s only been 2 months, but I’ve learned so much! I’ve had so many ideas floating around in my head, that I have to write/draw them on scraps or stickies and then stuff those in my journal for a later time.

I can honestly say that I feel like I’m on the right path. And I’m already thinking about goals for 2011. I’d really love to attend an artist retreat, but I may have to hold off on that until 2012 – I don’t know, we’ll see how the budget goes. But I really want to invest more into my Etsy business (that sounds so formal!) and paint and create!

Anyway, I wanted to share my good week with everyone who reads my blog or stumbles upon it. I hope you had a good week too and will have an even better next week!

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Rain

Something new and I'm not even sure if I'm done with it yet. And, I'm not sure what I'll do with it when I am done. But, I have to say, I kinda like this painting. I love the rain. It's probably due to growing up in Washington state and now living in South Carolina, where it seldom rains (at least in comparison). And although I don't get to bask in the rain very much, it is a lovely thing to do! Hmmm, now I wish it would rain...

Peace, Love and Chocolate

The Week Ahead

Last week was a mixed bag of emotions, being that I lost my wallet. After cancelling everything in it and getting a new driver's license, etc., I got a call that someone had found it. I was grateful and relieved, even though everything in it was pretty much useless.

Amidst all the chaos of the week, I managed to work on a couple of paintings. I was actually thankful that I had projects to work on, because they took focus off the negative. I learned a lot last week, not just painting, but some valuable life lessons.

This week is all about learning and exploring. I want to try new things, paint new subjects and play with more mixed media techniques! I also have some pesky household chores that I have to tend to, but I think that my projects will take the sting away and bring joy into my life.

Peace, Love and Chocolate