Art Journal Peek and Taking/Making the Time

by Linda | Jul 27, 2010 | my creative journal

Even though I’m busy as a bee, I always find time to get a bit of art journaling in here and there. It’s helpful to just leave your art journal open and do what you can, when you can. I was just listening to the latest Creative Living with Jamie podcast where she interviews Stampington & Company’s Editor-in-Chief, Christen Olivarez. Christen mentioned how she has her art journal and supplies in the office, so whenever she has a moment or even more importantly needs a moment – she can go at it! I think that’s a great idea and although I didn’t consciously set that up for myself, since I have my journals and supplies littered around my room – I get the same benefit.

I started thinking about the notion of taking some time out because we need it, not only because we would like to. Maybe even the yearning to do something is really the body and soul crying out for that kind of time? I guess we have to twist the words a bit and not say that we are taking time – as if taking away from something else – rather making the time. So much more positive, even if it’s just a little mind trick on yourself perhaps. It sure has a whole different connotation to it. It might only be 5 minutes, but let’s all go make time for ourselves! You can see below that sometimes I go my journal in the midst of working, when something goes awry! Afterwards I always feel better 🙂

Creative Workspace Snapshots

by Linda | Jul 22, 2010 | my creative journal

Here are some snapshots of my creative workspace this week…

Law of Attraction and Success Thoughts

by Linda | Jul 16, 2010 | my creative journal

TGIF…in both the Thank Goodness It’s Friday and Trust, Gratitude, Inspiration Friday aspects. At times I’ve been feeling really good and on a roll…thankful for inspiration and how lovely life is. Then I hit a block and suddenly the view is so much grimmer. I keep feeling like I don’t have enough time and so worried that I won’t get to do all and really become successful. I know it’s so drama-esque-sounding.

It got me thinking about the Law of Attraction, that somehow our thoughts could influence actual events. Personally, I struggle with the topic because I want it to be true but at the same time think that it doesn’t make sense. I’m a worker bee type and there’s satisfaction in hard work leading to success. I know that I often feel it’s proper to do things from scratch, to earn it through toiling away, even if it wasn’t necessary. There was discussion of the Law of Attraction on the Spring Inspiration site and they also mentioned David Neagle’s Art of Success talk. I don’t know what came over me, but I suddenly thought perhaps I needed to seek guidance from an outsider.

Instead of watching TV, let’s say, should I invest a couple hours in his talks? At first it seems like it could be a bunch of hooey… and the fact that it’s all free makes me wonder if there is a marketing ploy at the end. Has anyone ever listened to his talk or perhaps similar motivational, sort of philosophical talk kind of stuff? Do you think pep talks are helpful? Perhaps the Law of Attraction simply means that we have to believe in the possibility, so that our mind is opened up to opportunities? Something like believing in  yourself?

To top it all off, Creative Thursday just posted a podcast about being a winner and success. More to think about. My mind is just swirling around these theories, thoughts and conflicts about success, winning, making it…I’ll be taking the weekend to ponder away. Have a good one yourself…

Break the Rules

by Linda | Jul 14, 2010 | my creative journal

My sewing machine’s manual specifically warns against sewing leather, canvas and thick materials. I decided to break the rules and do it anyway. Sewing up some scraps of leather, sort of a reverse pieced applique thingy…

I would like to proclaim to the world with fisted-hand, “Oh yes I can sew leather – muhahahah!” Perhaps a bit dramatic, but it really got me thinking about breaking the rules. I don’t mean to put yourself in harm and if I break a needle and it flies into my arm I will be kicking myself, I’m sure (eek!) I mean for us to break the rules we’ve created artificially and to not follow the regulations just because it’s the norm. To go beyond expectations…that’s the only way we will grow and learn, right?

I want to thank everyone for commenting on my post yesterday – I was frustrated with a little drawing that didn’t go as planned and going along with today’s thought of breaking the rules, I realized that I created a random expectation for myself and going out of that regulated space made me feel uncomfortable. I like to draw little cute subjects and create a fantasy optimistic world of smiling little girls. Of course, that’s not the only subject that comes out of me and at times I can get angry and feel a bit down as well. There isn’t a rule or regulation about subject matter that should be directing my art…why did I insist on wanting to be the same? Break out of your own rules, I say! Funny how we box ourselves in at times…but thankfully we can also ponder ourselves out as well.

Scrapbook Crazy – Paper Roll Minis

by Linda | Jul 13, 2010 | my creative journal

Woohoo! My little paper roll mini won second place on Scrapbook Crazy…how cool is that? Check out all the entries and hope you are inspired to create one yourself!

Not always cute…

by Linda | Jul 13, 2010 | my creative journal

Sometimes a drawing takes on it’s own life. I didn’t like the pen I used, way too thick and it just started going downhill from there. My supposed cute girl turned into an evil little devil with messy watercoloring, as I was annoyed and just went at it violently! It’s okay, right? I had to remind myself – doesn’t always have to be cute or good or correct…just let it be.

Focus

by Linda | Jul 12, 2010 | my creative journal

Happy Monday everyone! I know it’s not the first time I’ve talked about getting into focus and really concentrating on what I need to accomplish. However, this past week of working solely on important projects and getting through the deadlines really helped me to realize how all the effort pays off. Talk about realizing what’s normal for most people who get anything done in this world! You have to focus on your task, make a plan and go do it, duh! I suppose it’s easier said than done (another, duh!) but I think for artists it’s harder because we don’t feel that “forcing it” works. If you don’t have inspiration or your muse is asleep, how can you get your artwork done? Or can you?

Contrary to popular fantasy beliefs, professional artists do have deadlines and really work at it whether the muse shows up for work or not. Ask the professionals and they will surely admit to slower days and difficult times. However, they have to work through it – like anyone else who has a job. You just have to keep at it, otherwise nothing will get done in the end. It must be a natural human characteristic to procrastinate as well. I’ve realized that I have so many interests and plans for the future, but scrambling from one thing to the next really just chokes up the whole process. I’ll end up with a million in progress things and nothing finalized. Multi-tasking is NOT more productive! Although, I like to work on different things – there has to be a happy medium in my schedule. So I’m going to focus on project by project, giving myself deadlines. Even if I end up with a prototype version of something because of the deadline, I would have at least gotten that far. It’s better than saying, one day…I’ll get to it one day! When is that one day going to be? Focus…plan…succeed!

Character Development

by Linda | Jul 2, 2010 | my creative journal

I’ve realized how much time it takes to edit a little video – it’s such a challenge and I’m reminded of college days, where a music video group assignment took weeks! What seems to be funny, endearing or cool at the moment, suddenly seems awkward or dorky upon review. Perhaps the constant review of your footage makes it even harder. You start to scrutinize all the details, even though it’s probably going to flash by anyone else who sees it. I’ve been wanting to somehow share my artwork, process and bits of my Italia life through video, but it’s taking forever to come up with anything half decent. To all of you guys out there who make videos and share them online, thank you and give yourself a pat on the back. It’s hard work!

Part of my process involves a bit of character development. See the little lady I’ve been trying to draw above? I suppose it’s a cute representation of myself, but it’s been challenging to draw the same character in different ways, but still retain the essence of whoever she is. The idea is so that you’ll realize it’s the same lady! But then again, when I watch cartoons they don’t really seem to change clothes, do they? Hmm. I’ve noticed that I lack control and consistency when drawing. It’s easy to make things look different, but what if I what to be able to duplicate something exactly? She seems a bit different each time…even if it’s a slight difference. I started thinking about development and realized maybe it’s okay that I’m not machine like, duplicating my drawings. Maybe that’s normal! I mean, even when we take pictures of ourselves we often look different or at some weird angle it might even seem like an imposter! The development part of the term character development, means ever changing and growth. So it’s okay to be a bit different, a bit inconsistent – and by that I mean my own life and my alter ego character drawings. Life is good…don’t sweat the small stuff and just go do something fun, right?! Yeah, that’s the way I’m going to think about it. Happy Friday!