Finally Done

Months back I promised to show this painting completed. Thought it would be much sooner, but I admit that I got frustrated with it and had to leave it sit. Seemed that I boxed myself into a conundrum and had to let go of a few ideas and alter the colors some. At one point I didn't think I even wanted to go back to it, but over time the answers revealed themselves.

Sometimes the best thing to do for a painting that is causing you some grief, or not quite working, is to hang it on a wall for a while, until one day you walk past it and get an "a ha" moment. This painting and I got along a lot better in our last meeting:)

Sometimes art is less about what you give to it, than what you let go of.

The Voice Inside Your Head

In a world full of media, opinion, war, poverty, and just plain negativity, we can all stand to take a look at the positive more often. Seems I spent over half my life worrying and catastrophizing on the smallest things. "Making a mountain out of a molehill," as my mother would say. I seemed to let the negativity have all the air-time it wanted. But after a wake-up call, I realized that I could control the voices in my head and dial in a new station. Not only did I not have to think negative thoughts, but could think positive thoughts that were not only true and made me feel better, but they made me a nicer person by having less stress and helped me to function lighter and more effectively.

So now I'm enjoying sharing some of these thoughts and images with others through my artwork. I have a large set of inspirational and motivational artwork in the drawing stages just ready to be painted and shared. I hope others enjoy these and benefit from them as much as I do.

Many of these are in an illustration-style with playful typography. Many are hand-drawn and then painted digitally. You'll find that not only have Chagall and many of the post-impressionism artists been influential to me, but so have many of the wonderful illustration artists of today. I love painterly paintings, but I love illustration too - at times just leaving the simplicity of the design to speak for itself.

Taking it to the Streets

After years of coaxing by friends and family members, I'm finally taking my artwork out to an art walk this coming weekend. It's been quite an undertaking for me; first, to finally decide to do this and take the initial steps, like paying for my booth space - to finally getting the materials to set up my booth and display my art. Wow! Good thing I have help.
I have to admit that I am very nervous, but thankfully very busy this week finishing up last minute preparations. Less time to spend worrying and thinking about things, and just time enough to 'do'. I'll post some pics of my booth and let you all know how it goes.

Art Giveaway

A lovely woman has done an interview with me and posted it on her blog. She is also offering a giveaway of my artwork. Stop by and visit alifesustained

What's the Deal with Chihuahuas?

OK. I know these dogs are amazingly cute. They are also the dandiest fashion accessories as they can be carried in a Gucci bag. And why is it you can go into nearly any store in which no dogs are allowed, but if you have a chihuahua in your purse, no one says anything? Are they not even sure if it is a dog?
I have yet to see one as a hood ornament...well, because that would just be wrong!, but I have seen one riding in the basket of a motor cycle with a leather wind hat on. I thought the chihuahua craze would have ended shortly after Paris Hilton ended up in jail, but the phenomena continues.
I have one chihuahua art pendant in my shop, and through that I've found that "chihuahua" is a very popular keyword search. Not just popular, but they seem to have a cult-like following. Sooo, there may be more chihuahuas to come into my shop; otherwise, I'll just adore this one in the picture below. Since I can't have one, I can borrow my family members, dear Sandy. I admit...I've been taken in a bit too, by their big bulging eyes and huge pointed ears, and teensie, eensie, paws. Yeah, they are a tad irresistible.

One of My Favorite Etsy Artists

I'd like to share with you a feature and interview with one of my favorite artists on Etsy Hippiechicjewelz. She is a self-taught polymer clay, glass lamp work and jewelry designer who creates pieces that are very fun and original. Enjoy!

I understand you are a self taught artist, when did you become interested in art? 

I have been interested in art ever since I can remember. My older sister taught me how to draw, paint and cross stitch, my love of learning something new in art took off from there. I have dabbled in everything to ceramics, photography to creating one of a kind wearable art.

What inspires your artwork? 

I would say that most of my creations are influenced and inspired by music and everyday surroundings. I may hear a song that makes my heart smile or see a sunset that has extraordinary colors that I want to capture and off to my studio to create a work of art.

Do you have any coupon codes or specials for your Etsy shop?

I have a wonderful coupon code for my shop, 25% off: HCJFAN

 

The Many Faces of Abby

Here's my daughter, the once shy one - the sensitive one who used to shake with nerves. The one that shocked me by looking into my face and smiled at me the first time I held her, then shocked me again for crying for the next 3 years, no matter how much cuddling and love I gave her. Now she's blossomed into the go-getter, the character, the natural comedian, who really understands abstract humor. Wherever she goes she makes people smile and laugh, and above all spreads LOVE. This is a tribute to my Abby 'The Heart Girl'  (as she titles her self-portraits) and Abby of the Many Expressions.

Fairest of the Fair

This update is a little late as The San Diego Fair has come and gone, but we had a wonderful time this year. It's become our yearly tradition to go on the last day, which is the 4th of July, and take our weary legs through 'till late evening. Can't miss the fireworks, or course. However, the rides lit up at night are my favorite and I just had to share these photos. There is an air to the fair in the evening beyond the excitement, that is almost creepy, yet in an edgy, spectacular way. Too bad I didn't have an SLR to get photos of the fireworks, but I think my Canon point-and-shoot did a pretty good job with the night lights after all.

Drive in the Country

One of the greatest things about taking my daughter to summer camp is...(no, not having a break from her:)...the drive in the country is the best. There is nothing like the country road to fuel the creative spirits. The longing to be back in nature, the hunger for the big sky with clouds. The ease of it all, the way the country makes the days seem longer (in the best way - they way the days last forever beautifully like in our childhood) — the way suddenly everything seems very simple, and the things we've been worrying about seem all the more pesky and silly. Why worry on a day like today?

Tomorrow I pick up my sweet and silly daughter for camp. This time I'll be behind the wheel instead of the passenger seat. I'm going to get out of the car and walk a little, thank God for all my blessings, and let those little things that I've foolishly let get in the way, appear like bugs on the windshield.