Saturday Morning Creativity

The semester ended  this last week and now with the summer ahead of me, it has suddenly really hit me...my art is my career.  I have my days open to submerge myself completely in it. There is enough time.

I can no longer shrug and think that if I get, say, two new pieces out in a month it has been a good month. The income from my designing business is more than supplimental now. It quite simply is my income.  This last week was a good one. I completed two new designs and brought my total for the the last four weeks up to five new releases.

What is even more important is that I had fun.  I have often worried that when my designing became my full time career that I would lose some of the joy I feel when creating. Instead I find my spirit renewed and all of those concepts I have put down to paper, partially sketched....all of those photos I have taken with the good intention of 'one day I will do something with these'...all of those things that were started and left to sleep are waking again and clamoring for completion.

And it feels good.

I have set the needle aside this morning and am picking up my camera. Off to talk to trees and bugs and see if any wish to sit for a portrait or two.

And there is a  butterfly bush at the Farmer's Market that tried to follow me home last week that just might find way to sneak into the back of the truck this morning.

Quiet Musings

There is nothing more self-destructive to society in general than to believe that art is a luxury that should be slashed from educational and governmental budgets, removed form our personal itineraries, and stashed away until times are better. Now, more than ever, we need art, music, theatre, and writing to lift us up emotionally and to remind us of ideals and values that are not dependent on income or earning potential.
--Loretta Benedetto Marvel, Mixed Media Artist/Author.

As long as you draw breath, you have at hand all you need to create.

You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself. --Ethel Barrymore

Self-Imposed December Art Challenge

As my school semester winds down and I look to nearly a month of days left open to simply play, I decided I need to find something constructive and creative to do with my time.

I spend a good deal of time over at ColourLovers.com, playing with colors and palettes and patterns. I am going to work through a weekly challenge. First, finding an image that inspires me and then creating a palette from that picture. With that, I am going to create something. No other criteria.

Just a handful of colors and a studio full of mixed media treasures.

Week One Inspiration: A coral reef.

Palette:


Color by COLOURlovers

here we go!