Time flies

It's hard to believe over a month has passed since my last posting.....and this after swearing I'd be more diligent in keeping up with my blog postings!  With one large commission behind me, and another exciting one that I'm about 75% completed with, I've been busy getting 3 new shows hung and my fused glass ornaments designed and fired for five local galleries.  

Below are 5 new paintings that I created for the shows - two of them are hanging at my solo show in 1075 Gallery in West Sacramento, and 3 are in my own new studio in Midtown, Sacramento.  The other show that I hung is going on at Synapse Winery in Placerville -- a wonderful and inviting boutique winery on Main Street.

"Searching for Something"
40" x 30" acrylic on canvas

"Day's End"
36" x 24" acrylic on canvas

"Time to Grow"
Acrylic on 36" x 24" canvas

"Waiting for the Fall"
Acrylics on unstretched canvas - 72" x 54"

"Dream"
Acrylics on 48" x 36" canvas

These are just a few of the works I completed for the new shows - I actually painted 11.  I didn't have time to photograph all of them but after posting these, I noticed some common themes and colors that I really hadn't paid much attention to before:  (1)  The color palettes are very similar;  (2)  They're all larger works; and (3) They are a far cry from my normally bright and vibrant colors.  

As an abstract expressive artist, I generally paint what I'm feeling......and when I stop and look at these newest works, I have to ask myself "what is going on inside of me?"  The overflowing bowl in the first painting; the bird inside the house in the second one; the ghost-like dress on a hanger scratched into the third; the title of the fourth; and the word "DREAM" stenciled onto the last one makes me wonder what changes are ahead for me?  I don't feel depressed, sad or lonely, but I've been finding myself doing more meditation, yoga and sketching and actually feel excited about some projects I've got coming up.  

11-1-12 marked my first year of being on my own after leaving the corporate world to pursue my art, and as I was happily painting away, I was reflecting on what this past year had brought me.  There was the interview by MORE Magazine; my recent interview with ArtsyShark Blog; some of my images were licensed by All My Walls; the closing of Bell'Arte Studios in June and the Grand Opening of my new studio at The ArtHouse in October; plus the Honorable Mention in the international Abstract Artist competition were just a few achievements I managed to have in my first year on my own.

There are more landmark events and accomplishments that happened this past year, but overall I'm filled with so much gratitude and appreciation -- and a tremendous amount of thankfulness.  The Universe supported my decision to escape my comfort zone and gently guided me along the way as I gingerly stepped into a new world that I've longed to be part of my entire life.  

While I'm not in the Fortune 500 or the Louvre just yet, I've managed to survive and thrive and am finally living my dream.  So the latest neutral colored, somewhat somber paintings were not created with feeling of sadness -- they're actually created with tears of joy and gratitude.  I had to let go of my safety net to move ahead, but I'm here to tell you the journey has been nothing short of amazing and I can't wait to see what's in store for me this next year!

 

New Studio for JJ!

Since the CAST Open Studio tours in September, I've been buried with getting a large commission completed; collecting rents for my property management and leasing business;  and organizing things to get ready to move into my new studio.  I started paying rent for the new place on the 1st, but found the inside needed to be completely repainted which delayed the process a week as I managed to talk my wonderful brother (a professional painting contractor) and adorable niece to paint it for me.

I'd have done the painting myself but had somehow managed to develop some painful muscle spasms in my back, neck and shoulder (stress maybe??) and was barely able to lift my right arm.  After a couple of visits to my fabulous chiropractor, I carefully made the move into my new digs and was officially open for business yesterday just in time for the 2nd Saturday Art Walk.

Here are some photos of the new space, which is located at the new ArtHouse (which is the same building I was in when I shared a space with the spiritual painter, Brenda Boles).  A special thanks to my former studio mate, Dianne Poinski, for letting me know this space was becoming available.  I hadn't planned on moving into a studio again, but when Dianne told me the news about the upcoming vacancy, something inside said "DO IT!" and I'm glad I did.

The new space is upstairs in a large industrial building, and has 18 wonderful artists including Dianne, Brenda and myself.  My new space has a beautiful window; 2 painted brick walls; high ceilings; lots of natural light; and a fabulous location near the stairwell.  The building is in a wonderful location in downtown Sacramento's industrial area, and downstairs has some fun tiny shops and a great restaurant that are a big draw to our space.  

While I'm physically and mentally exhausted from everything that's taken place over the last few weeks, I'm  thrilled to be back in an artistic atmosphere.  Tomorrow I am starting a very unique commission for a friend in addition to 2 solo shows coming up in November......so you can guess how the next few weeks will be for this busy girl.  I fully intend to avoid the muscle spasm incident again, so am having a nice, long massage on Tuesday.  

Ahhhhhh.......life is good :-)

Capital Artists Studio Tours - Please Join Us!!!

Mark your calendars -- it's time for Sacramento's annual Capital Artists Studio Tours again and they're taking place over two weekends for the first time ever!!  Beginning Saturday, 9/8 and 9/9, you will be able to tour dozens of artist studios in the midtown/downtown/western Sacramento area from 11-5.  And on the following weekend (9/15 & 9/16 from 11-5), you'll be able to see even more artist studios in Sacramento's "East Side" (including my home studio with fused glass, lampworking, jewelry, abstract paintings and special guest artist, Joanie Springer from Santa Rosa!).

"Angel with Gold Earrings" by Joanie Springer

Joanie is a self-taught artist who paints endearing faces, still life's and animals full of color and personality.  She is a huge believer in working with natural and recycled materials, and works on a variety of supports including cardboard, wood panels and junk mail.  After a recent visit to her Santa Rosa studio and spending a few minutes soaking in some of her genius, I knew I had to invite her to join me for the CAST tours on Saturday and Sunday, September 15th & 16th.  I think once you look at her website you will see what I mean and will join us both for the big show.

The uber-talented Ms. Springer even put together this fabulous YouTube video about the upcoming CAST tours with specific details (times, dates, and location) and lots of photos of her work and mine.  Please be sure to check it out even if you can't make the tour!

One of my favorite things to do in life is visit other artists' studios to see how they make their art and what tools they use to work their magic.  I drool over their work spaces as much as I do their artistic offerings and generally come home with a desire to totally redo my own studio from top to bottom so that I too might improve my work by osmosis!  But for now, I'm going to be satisfied with what I've got and promise to have it cleaned and ready for demonstrations for the CAST Open Studio tour on 9/15 and 9/16 from 11-5.

This will be my 4th year participating in the tour and let me tell you, it's a lot of fun.  It will also be the first time I'm opening my home studio to the public and I've got to invest a little time getting things ready to make room for Joanie's display area and show my newest works including lots of glass jewelry, new beads and fused glass (and debuting my latest XMAS ornament!) plus of course, my abstract paintings.  Here's a photo of a portion of my messy glass studio (formerly known as a garage).

Interior shot of a MESSY glass studio that will be cleaned for the 9/15-9/16 show!

So please join Joanie and myself for the CAST Tours on 9/15 & 9/16 in Sacramento, CA.  We'll have lots of art, cool drinks and will be doing demonstrations.  If you'd like more details (like the address and times) please watch this video or send an email to me at jjjacobs@comingabstractions.com   Bring the family and your friends and see how we do what we do best.  Hope to see you there!!!

The Dictionary

I have always been drawn to the written word and the often brilliant people who are able to put them together so eloquently.  One of my favorite books that I own today is "The New College Edition of The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language." 

My Dad gave it to me for Christmas in 1981, and for months I would read it before I went to sleep.  Yes - I mean "read!"  I'd pick a random page and read the meaning of the words and would try to commit them to memory.  I loved the tiny print and the black & white photographs of some of the words that were printed at the edge of the translucent, crispy thin paper.   

At an early age my parents taught me how to use a dictionary when I didn't know the meaning of a word.  To be honest, I was one of those kids who constantly asked "why?" and I think they got tired of having to answer me, so directing me to the dictionary whenever I came across an unfamiliar word was probably a major time saver for them!  

30+ years later, I still keep my dictionary close by in my office, and probably use it at least once a week if not more.  The bottom corners are discolored from the constant fanning of the pages and the paper cover is torn and ragged.  I know I can use an on-line dictionary when I need one, but my number one choice is always and will always be opening my own book and finding the word myself.....and after I read the definition, you can bet I'll take a few moments to read a few more,

  

Pretty in Pink - Bead Soup Reveal #2

It's time for Bead Soup Reveal #2 and I'm really excited about my humble offerings today.  My exchange partner was the amazingly talented Dot Lewallen.  Dot makes exquisite chokers and dolls out of seed beads, and you can see more of her work here including the two beautiful pieces she made from my ancient seaglass beads for this Bead Soup exchange!

Here are the shots I took of my finished works -- they're photographed on top of one of my big canvas paintings which I hope do not distract from the finished pieces too much.  I tried a variety of backgrounds and lights and finally settled on the almost neutral background of "Autumn Leaves are Falling."

Dot supplied me with an exquisite Raku owl pendant and some
creamy pink jasper beads along with some gold pearls and pink
beads.  The clasp on the bracelet is absolutely beautiful - gold
pearls are inside the silver roses.  I used one of my own lampworked
beads on the bracelet -- it's the free-form pink/black one on the left and
matches the other free-form pink bead on the pendant.

Isn't the silver flower clasp unique?  I wasn't sure how to use it and hope
I did it right......I truly love the combo of the soft pink with the golds and
silver metals.  I had to throw in some crystals for good measure!

Of course I had to add a pair of my asymmetrical
earrings.....these stone beads from Dot are beautiful!

Here's a closeup of the Raku owl pendant.  I used a bronze necklace
that I had lying around and added 4 strands of mixed beads with pinks,
golds, bronze and ivory to go with the pretty little iridized shells.  The
lampworked bead at the top is one of mine and is etched to give
it the creamy look that I love so much.  I couldn't get the camera
to show off the lovely iridized glazing on the owl - but it's there!

I had a lot of little beads left over and wanted to make another pendant with
a bunch of "hangy-dangys" on the end.  I used a sterling pounded metal
circle as a holder and added 4 charms that included 2 of my lampworked beads.

I'm so grateful to Lori Anderson for her continued patience and incredible creativity.  I partake in several exchanges throughout the year, but Bead Soup will always be my #1 favorite.  I am eternally indebted to Dot for opting to be my exchange partner after my first candidate had to back out; and want to thank my very first Bead Soup partner, Karen Williams for surprising me with another set of beads too.  Doing
two Bead Soups this year is truly a treat, and I'm looking forward to learning some more techniques between
now and the next exchange!

Check out the links below to see more eye candy from this week's Bead Soup participants:

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs

Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs

Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux

Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade

Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs

Amy Schmidt, Amy's Treasure

Amy Severino, Amy Beads

Ana Krepel, Cat's Pajamas, Dog's Tuxedos

Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey

Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations

Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios

Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye

April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess

Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate

Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads

B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios

Barb Fernald, Barbara S. Fernald Jewelry

Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners

Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi

Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry

Bryna Lumb, Bryna's Bead Box

Carmen Lau, Little Maketto

Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine

Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll's Studio

Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry

Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads

Collette Collins, Fire Fly Myst Artisan Jewelry

Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul

Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons

Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures

Deana Hager, Just Deez'Art & Life

Debbie Davis, Natural Treasures by Deb

Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing

Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That

Dhea Powers, Java Bead

Diana Welte, Lilyweeds

Dita Basu, alankarshilpa

Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eleanor Snare, The Magic Square Foundation

Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals

Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs

Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant

Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs

Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works

Francy Inman, Francy's Studio

Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...

Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland

Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine

Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier

JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery

Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog

Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs

Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio

Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Beads

Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations

Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast

JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin

Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery

Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads

Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element

Kim Dworak, CianciBlue

Krafty Max, Krafty Max Originals

Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae

Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs

Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs

Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs

Lennis Carrier, Windbent

Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More

Linda Florian, Lilys of the Valley Jewelry Creations

Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead

Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders

Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays

Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q'Town?

Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead

Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei's Blog

Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental

Lori Callahan, Dancing Wire and Beads by Lori

Lori Finney, Using My Beads

Marcia Dunne, The Alternative Foundry

Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja

Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads

Marian Hertzog, M's Place

Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.

Mary K McGraw, MK's Creative Musings

MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8

Martha Aleo, Ornamento

Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder

Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor

Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.

Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads

Melissa Muir, Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox

Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

Pam DeBoer, Purple Notes from the Studio

Pam Farren, re-maker

Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs

Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams

Patty Miller, CabariBeads

Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres

Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings

Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates

Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle

Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel

Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos

Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul

Sandra Young, It's a Bead Life!

Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl

Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins

Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss

Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper

Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads

Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium

Tammie Everly, TTE Designs

Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs

Tanya Wiles, Tenebrous Hollow Studio

Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures

Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!

Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends

Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess

Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs

Valerie Norton, Hot Art

Drift Away

"Faraway Land"

9" x 12"

Acrylic on canvas

When I need to think or just get away from the heat, I head to the beach.  There's just something about having my feet in the sand and listening to the waves that brings me back to my center, and feeds my soul.  

As many of you know from previous posts, I've been on a bit of a painting drought since before the studio closed.  For the past couple of months, I've been longing to take a little seaside excursion and it seems every time I get a few days to myself, something comes up that keeps me home.  

So instead of pouting because I'm not able to get away, I decided to bring the beach to me.  Here's the first of several new paintings that I made this week - I can almost hear those seagulls screeching as the waves crash into the sand!

My Bead Soup - Revealed at Last!!

Here are my "soup ingredients" from Karen Williams

Karen gave me some exquisite glass beads along with this beautiful
stone disc (Jasper?) which I embellished with a green hollow circle bead
and added a lampworked bead of my own at the bottom  With all the
wonderful beads, I also made two pairs of matching earrings and a
bracelet that I added some more of my torched beads to.  I love to
make things that don't match and go for the unsymmetrical look!

Here's a closeup of the focal bead with the matching earrings - and below is what I made
with the creamy stone and one of my lampworked bead skeleton keys!

Here are my Bead Soup offerings from my exchange with the wonderful and talented Seattle bead Queen, Karen Williams .  Karen was my first ever Bead Soup partner and we've remained email friends and "bead buddies" ever since.  I was so excited about my first Bead Soup project that I signed up for it again the next year.  When the time came for that particular unveiling, the partner I had been given didn't post and I have to admit, I was disappointed.  I tried to get into the next exchange, but there were so many participants that Lori had to do a lottery, and my name wasn't chosen.  No problem - I had already had my share of fun and I was happy to follow those who were lucky enough to be selected.

This time around, my exchange partner had to back out at the last minute and I felt like I had Cooties!  Not wanting to miss the fun again, I turned to the Bead Soup Board on Facebook and was quickly rescued by Dot Lewallen, an amazing bead artist from Ohio.  Karen had also heard of my plight and surprised me with a fabulous and unexpected package of goodies too!  I went from having no partner to having two fantastic and generous friends who helped assure me that I truly did not have anything contagious or icky.

So it looks like I've got two bowls of soup to serve and I am so excited!  I have already started working with the ingredients from Dot for my second bowl of soup, which will be served on August 11th.  I went from "starving" and having no soup ingredients to having lots of bead candy on the soup menu, thanks to Karen and Dot!  I am truly a lucky girl.


Be sure to check out the rest of the Soup recipes from the talented list of jewelry artists below:

Hostess, Lori Anderson, PrettyThingsBlog.com

Alice Craddick,  Alice's Beads and Baubles

Alicia Marinache,  All The Pretty Things

Amanda Tibbetts,  Amanda Made

Amber Dawn Goldish, Inventive Soul

Annita Wilson,  AW Jewelry

Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool

Birgitta Lejonklou,  Create With Spirit   

Candida Castleberry,    Spinning Spun Sugar

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Cassie Donlen, Glass Beadle

Cheri Reed,  Creative Designs by Cheri

Cheryl McCloud,  One Thing Leads to Another

Cheryl Roe, BeadRoe

Christina Hickman, Vintage Treasures Jewelry

Christine Hendrickson,  Clamworks

Cilla Watkins, Tell Your Girlfriends

Cindy Wilson, Mommy's Dream

Cindy Wimmer, Sweet Bead Studio

Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie

Cory Tompkins, Tealwater Designs

Cris Peacock, Cris' Page

Cynthia Deis, Shiny Little Things

Cynthia Machata, Antiquity Travelers

Cynthia Wainscott, Exotic Peru

Dana Hickey, Magpie Approved

Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Designs

Dana Lang, Tumblestone Handmakery

Debbie Price, Green Shoot Jewellery Designs

Denielle Hagerman, Some Beads and Other Things

Diane Valasek, Dragonfly Close

Doris Stumpf, Glaszwerg

Dyanne Everett-Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations

Elaine Robitaille, Too Aquarius

Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life

Enikö Fabian, Perl-eni

Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found

Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads

Heidi Post, Ex Post Facto Jewelry

Hilary Frye, FryeStyle

Ilenia Ruzza, Ilenia's Unique Beaded and Painted Jewelry

Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog

Jami Shipp, Celebrating Life

Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle

Jean A. Well, Jean A. Wells Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry

Jean Yates, Snap Out of It Jean! There's Beading to Do!

Jennifer Cameron, Glass Addictions

Jennifer Pottner, Rock Candy Beads

Jennifer VanBenschoten,  Jewelry, Art and Life

Jenny Davies-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor

Jenny Vidberg, Shyme Design

Jessica Dickens, My Jewelry, My Life, Me

Jessica Klaaren, Beadful-Things by Jessica

JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

Joan Williams, Lilruby Jewelry

Judith Johnston, Judith Johnston

Judy Riggs, Rigglettes

Judy Turner, Silver Rains

Julie Anne Leggett, The Peaceful Bead

K Hutchinson, Jumbled Hutch

Karen Meador, Dreamcatcher Ranch

Karyn Bonfiglio, Plus Size Bangles

Katherine Gale, Terra Beadworks
Kathleen Lange Klik, Modern Nature Studio

Katja Benevol Gabrijelcic, Slovonske Technobe

Kelli Jacobson, Creative Moon

Kelly Ramstack, Adventures with Kelly

Keri Lee Sereika, Pink Lemonade

Kim Ballor, Vitamin C... A Daily Dose of Creativity

Kim Bender-Hora, KimmyKat

Kirsi Luostarinen, Kirsi Luo Korut

Kitty Bozzini, Kitty Lampwork

Laura Demoya, The Bead Therapist

Laurie Hanna, Laurie's Jewelbox

Leah Curtis, Beady Eyed Bunny

Lesley Watt, The Gossiping Goddess

Linda Inhelder, Must-Haves Jewelry

Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog & Meanderings

Lisa Liddy, Metal Me This

Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land

Lori Poppe, Adventures in Creativity with Lorillijean

Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads

Marge Beebe, Rock Creek Creations

Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things

Marion Simmons, Shade Tree Studio

Marla Gibson, Spice Box Design

Marta Weaver, Marta Weaver Jewelry

Marti Conrad, Marti C's Clay Blog

Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens, GlassBeadArt, Lampwork Beads

Melanie Brooks, Earthenwood Studio

Michelle Hardy, Firefly Visions

Mikala Coates, Maybe Just Perhaps

Mowse Doyle, HoCArt

Nan Emmett, Spirit Rattles - Spirited Earth

Nancy Boylan, Snazzy Doodle Designs

Nancy Peterson, Beading From the Heart

Nicole Rennell, Nicole Rennell Designs

Niki Meiners, 365 Days of Craft

Niky Sayers, Silver Nik Nats

Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs
Pamela Gangler, She Always Loved Pink

Patricia Johnson, Patricia L. Johnson Glass Art

Patti Vanderbloemen, My Addictions ... Handcrafted Jewelry by Patti

Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs

Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads

Renetha Stanziano, Lamplight Crafts

Shannon Hicks, Falling Into the Sky

Shannon LeVart, Miss Fickle Media

Sharon Driscoll, Right Turn Art Werks

Shelby Foxwell, Sundown Bead Designs Rhetoric

Shelley Graham Turner, Fabric of My Life

Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame

Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread

Skylar Bre'z, Brising Beads

Stacie Florer, Soul to Substance

Stacie Stamper, Park Avenue

Stacy Alderson, Iridal's Attic

Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs

Stephanie Stamper, Rainy Day Designs

Sue Hamel, The Bottle Cork and Crystal

Suzette Bentley, Ellie's Bijoux

Szarka, Magpie Gemstones

Tammy Jones, Jewelry Making Daily

Tania Tebbit, Glass, Craft, & Artful Goodness

Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti

Terry Matuszyk, Pink Chapeau

Tina Bosh, Every Good and Perfect Gift

Tracy Bell, Copper, Glass and Recycled Trash

Vonna Maslanka, Just Vonna

About Living the Dream

"Living the Dream"

Mixed media on canvas

- SOLD -

This morning I rolled out of bed around 6:30 a.m. and hopped on my bike to take a spin around the neighborhood before the heat set in and rendered me a human slug.   After my ride (which included an unexpected brief meeting with one of my RentUps clients) I came home and showered before heading out to take a walk and have coffee with my talented photographer friend and former studio mate, Dianne Poinski.   Enjoying an iced coffee outside of Starbucks, we chatted about our art, Dianne's new computer and our marketing goals and accomplishments.  

As we were walking back I listened as Dianne talked abut how busy she'd been with her recent studio move;  celebrating her birthday and uploading files onto her new Mac (I'm green with envy and want one too!).  She commented how she hadn't been in her new studio much and had a big list of things she wanted/needed to do.  While she talked, I realized her thoughts of "not doing enough" and "must be working on my art at all times" were mirrors of myself and my beliefs, and that perhaps this thinking wasn't as exclusive as I had originally believed.

When I worked in real estate development, I kept regular 8-5 hours and rarely worked nights or weekends unless there was an emergency or I had a big project under a tight deadline.  My off-time was my own and I spent little time thinking about what was on my desk since I knew it could generally wait until the next work day.  

But this mindset isn't what happens with self-employed artists.  We don't keep "normal business hours."  In fact it is nearly impossible to work from 8-5 since we tend to work when the creative moods strike or when a client calls and says "help."

Like Dianne, I feel like a slacker when I'm not actually working away at my art or trying to market it.  But there are only so many hours in the day and just a limited number of wet noodles I can continue to flog myself with.  It's time to give myself permission to "slack off" from time to time.  In fact -- I'm going to encourage it......these early morning bike rides and coffee breaks during the day are manna to my creative soul.  

So, after I hit the "publish" button for this post, I'm heading out to go to the movies with a friend.  Tomorrow I've got a yoga class and later a date for a play and a movie......and who knows what can happen on Saturday?  Who cares -- I'm living my dream!!!