One step closer... To selling my art.

I would say that I create in my sleep, its true. I will dream myself awake with an idea or an image, and while a dream journal is a great way to keep track of all those amazing thoughts, I cannot paint them into reality in the middle of the night. Thus those detailed pictures get squished between my hand and the snooze button. 

When I'm wide awake and my brain is full of mundane "life" stuff, sifting through it to find an image or a burst of inspiration seems to take much more work. It is a pretty messy office in my brain upstairs. The file cabinets are bursting with loose papers, there are completely empty files and stacks of things that could just be thrown out.

With all that chaos, I create first and think later ... many times this works. Then there is THE REST of the time.  

This painting started out as the image in the upper left corner.

I started over and had the image in the bottom left corner. 

While she was an improvement, I just wasn't happy and 

finally, she made her Debut as Lady Fox.

This little birdie was in instant success and 

was finished in 15 min.

Stopping to "Smell the Tulips"

For me part of the creative process is acknowledging that not all things have to make sense. In fact in the land of whimsy it is often better it doesn't. There is no planet where foxes run and flowers bloom with the luminous planet Earth off the horizon ... but so what.

Not all people are going to like what I create, and I honestly appreciate that. I often find it amusing when people Don't like my work.

Yep, totally true. I get some twisted high off of creating something only to have my Hubby look at it perplexed. I know instantly he isn't amused with it and that is completely fine. 

That is not to  mean that the pressure is off and I have some kind of overwhelming freedom. Recently I've added a new bit of technology (the Artisian 1430 printer) that is if anything making the pressure even more great. After painting for just under a year I have had an unbelievably amazing journey, I have learned much and have become quite comfortable with the process. Knowing when to take the next step however,  is scary. 

The once wide path has narrowed to a 4 inch balance beam and before I get down to the "wire" I have to answer a question. Why am I doing this? 

First and foremost I do this because I love it! When a once bare canvas suddenly evokes emotion, and a character or color combination resonates within me, others pick up on that.

I don't think God granted me this ability just to keep it for myself, but to share it with others. To send a smile, to share a story, to make others happy.  

I have been questioned several times about selling my work. Do I sell my work? Do I have a website? Why am I not selling? When will I start selling?

Currently I sell commissioned work. 

I only have a blog to display my work (I am a "basic" techie)

I am not selling because I'm chicken I have lots of excuses and feel like I need to learn more (do we ever stop learning?). 

I do however plan to sell soon, maybe, probably ... 

That printer was a commitment (thus the pressure). I mean if I wasn't going to make prints of my work with it, it would be really impractical to have. 

Lucky for me, fear has shifted in the last few years. It used to mean stopping dead in my tracks a road block with no detour insight. Now it is just a Yield sign or even a motivator.  "Caution, growth and opportunity ahead, proceed wisely."

I simply call this girl "Little Miss". Though I think a more appropriate

title might be as stated above; "Stopping to smell the tulips".

Lucky for me, fear has shifted in the last few years. It used to mean stopping dead in my tracks a road block with no detour insight. Now it is just a Yield sign or even a motivator.  "Caution, growth and opportunity ahead, proceed wisely."

So that is where I am now ... I create in a home studio that my hubby helped to set-up. Its quaint and I'm out growing it at a rapid rate! So time to sell what I have, to make room for the new right?! Ack!!

I have been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never

let it keep me from doing a single thing I've wanted to do. - Georgia O'Keeffe 

A big Shout Out to Mindy Lacefield of Tim's Sally. Who has inspired me to work with my inner 7 year old via her e-course, "Paint Your Story".  The paintings above were created while in her class and I have really enjoyed "letting go" and painting what is organically in me. If you want to free yourself and see what your inner child has to say, I suggest checking out her blog and signing up for the next session :)

Tulips and Roller Skates: my inner child out to play

As you may know I have for the last year been on quite an art journey. While I have always been creative and highly involved in the arts, I have never felt more real or true to myself as when I have a paint brush in hand.

The past few weeks I have been taking an online course, "Paint Your Story" , taught by the fabulous, Mindy of Tim's Sally.  We are learning about painting from our inner seven year-old selves and reconnecting to the simpler things we enjoyed (or still enjoy) in life.

This is all about loosing up and not being perfect. I tend to paint from my subconscious and really don't have an outward goal in mind when I start. But all at once this begin to emerge.

I did this much in one sitting while watching a movie and let me tell you ... it was a cathartic process, that included lots of crying. The good healing kind of tears, the ones that act as crystals shining on what is ahead while fully closing the door behind you.

I find myself really attached to her and even dreamt I was chasing her the very night I painted her.

My childhood wasn't full of Chutes and Ladders, Lolli-pops and puppy kisses, but lets just say rough around the edges. Too often the bad times emerge to the surface and I deal and walk away. But when you allow those bad times to sit a while, its who comes out of the muck that is amazing. My 7 year old self ... my red tulip loving, rollerskating everyday self!

I had purple Popple, roller skates that I wore as though they were my feet. I put more miles in 

our basement/driveway/roller rink than humanly possible. I loved them. 

I also really enjoyed the red tulips outside our (mine and my mom's) bedroom window would bloom

every year.

They were so fun looking and were quite amazing to me. 

I lived on my grandparents Christmas tree farm until I was 10 and to have the vibrant red against all the 

green was wonderful. 

The "tulip's" were just magically there before this little girl was. I guess that is how it works

when it is meant to be:)

I think more will get added and something things will change a bit, but I really love this character and you know what, she is going to be A-OK :)

I am beginning to rethink the large round mickey-mouse bun to the right of her head, what do you think?

What is your 7 years old self teaching you today?

My 7 Year-Old-Self Has Taken Over

If you have been wondering where I have been, well rest assured it has been in the studio! I have been consumed by this wonderful online e-course called, "Paint Your Story" taught by the talented Mindy Lacefield aka Tim's Sally.

This course has been about connecting with your 

7 year old self, and just letting go. 

As a child your art of symbols and scribbles doesn't have to 

make sense and yet, you were able to create things

you (and probably others) enjoyed.

They were uniquely YOU.

Just letting go and doing what 'feels good' versus what 

'seems right' can be scary. 

I've been working on NOT painting like I am 7 for a while

and now I am embracing that pig-tailed girl.

As a child I was a perfectionist and so I joke and say I am connecting

with my "inner-inner child", the non-perfect 

girl I sometimes really wanted to be. 

You can imagine some pretty emotional stuff can rise to the surface 

when digging deep.

I seem to be resonating with my "creepy people" as I loving call them.

They have scars that are visible, but slowly healing.

Sometimes just a word can set the mood for a great work of art. 

Sometimes a word can take you far away or make you laugh.

A whole mess of words can give you a glimpse into the crevasses of the brain.

I used to think, "I need to take art classes if I am going to be any

good at this." 

Now I am seeing that learning about My-Self, is far more 

rewarding and artistically beneficial!

Remember, "Little Bunny Foo-Foo"

Well I had always remembered the "Good Fairy saying if he 

didn't stop scooping up field mice and boppin' em' on the head

she would bop HIM. 

Well, no matter the words, that still little song of my childhood

played a part in this. 

Some have suggested (upon seeing this drawing) he was just loved a lot. 

Or maybe he really is wearing the Scarlet Letter of mice boppin'!

Each day I create new Characters and unearth parts of my

7 year old self. 

There is still a couple of weeks left and so please stay tuned to see

what my final creations will be. 

Happy Creating. 

I Peek in My Sketch Book

I have a few sketch books and while I enjoy sketching now and then, I also enjoy just using loose paper.

Well I haven't picked up my 7x10 sketch book in a long while but thought I'd share a little character I created using elements from other characters I've made.

He is rather fun, and I love his uniqueness. I think I'll have to add him in a painting ... He looks to the sky with determination and I like that :)

Are you ever surprised by what you find in your books?

Rainy Day Fun

Sometimes it's just fun to play... I guess you could say I was inspired by yesterday's rain.

I gave her umbrella a 3D look

by bending the paper and adhering only the edges.

I'm not sure why they make such small canvas'

This is how she looked when I left her last night.

I can certainly tell you that the process isn't quicker or 

easier ... 

Not sure if the storm is better or worse, but it is, what it is.

I love her "open" umbrella :)

Just a little Rainy Day Fun

A Bird Family Painting

Sometimes and idea pops into my brain and due to its silliness, I dismiss it as not being worthy. Which is what initially happened when I got this Bird Family concept in my head.
I didn't know if such a thing would be well received or not, and when one of my friends named her youngest daughter, Violetta, I just had to go with it.

Around Christmas time, my friend had asked me a few times about doing a commissioned piece and while I wanted to; mismatched schedules got the both of us and it never happened. :(  I however wanted to paint this piece and give it as a gift because it was a quirky idea and well I just really wanted to, plain and simple.  

Liquitex spray paints graced the background

Initially, I like the simplicity of the birds.

But as with many projects I start, simplicity 

just isn't in my nature. 

Many artists will agree that knowing when to 

"stop" is a gut instinct.

This piece has many wonderful layers, including paper

for the wings. 

I love the vibrancy of the colors and that the love they

share as a family is shown.

Under each of the (baby) birds is each child's name and birth-date.

Under the parents is their name and wedding date.

I'm very pleased to say that it was VERY well received!! 

I love when my work elicits smiles and joy, nothing can beat that!

I would love to sell these custom "bird families", or any animal 

of your choice! If you are interested or if you know someone 

who is interested then send them my way :)

Art Swap

I wanted to show you who has been keeping me company in my studio. 

This is Isabella, isn't she divine?! She brightens my spirits

and keeps the boogie-man away when I'm up late at night. 

She comes from the land down under, yes she traveled all the way from 

Australia! 

Lisa, makes these little beauties and sews many more

wonderful things as well! 

I remember finding her blog and seeing these darling Elephants. 

I have had nearly every kind of stuffed animal out there, but

never an elephant. 

I emailed Lisa, and asked her how much she charges for one of these

beauties and you know what? She said she would "just send me one"! 

Well I couldn't let her do that, so we decided since she liked 

my art that we'd do a mini art swap.

In return I pained this little gem of a girl, whom I'd become quite

smitten with. I was excited to send her on such a long journey and 

and my only regret is that I didn't get to travel with her!

But a little piece of my heart is living in Australia with my new friend. 

Please head over to Lisa's Blog at: http://mylittlecreativewonderland.blogspot.com/

I titled this "Hello Friend" and the words on the front say: You Make Me Smile.

I hope you find inspiration in what you see and tell someone you love what they do :)