tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70763930583131060362024-03-12T18:46:50.774-07:00Art FixMy musings about creating art, artists and random things that inspire me.Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-33625304107694179242011-06-05T22:31:00.000-07:002011-06-05T22:31:53.029-07:00Eat your greensThis is a vector illustration I did in inkscape. I didn't like veggies when I was a kid. I spent many nights sitting at the dinner table long after everyone else was gone, trying to wish away my broccoli. Thankfully, those days are gone and I love my veggies!<div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRNO3rfDwDDbr4FmQer3HmybVTmveSO4FoPQi67QHjt1k8dWpbWggSjevAog3TM0yJyO97Gxc3__SKHdNJ8n4sfUmtiGTdj3DlKGh6YGqXpTsR74eR4LHP0Rdp482MFNTLpVVii_8WxNR/s1600/eat_your_greens.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRNO3rfDwDDbr4FmQer3HmybVTmveSO4FoPQi67QHjt1k8dWpbWggSjevAog3TM0yJyO97Gxc3__SKHdNJ8n4sfUmtiGTdj3DlKGh6YGqXpTsR74eR4LHP0Rdp482MFNTLpVVii_8WxNR/s320/eat_your_greens.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
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</div></div>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-33433697753852560042011-06-01T14:32:00.000-07:002011-06-01T14:33:00.388-07:00Illustration Friday: AsleepWhen I saw the topic for this week, I immediately thought of a drawing I did of my youngest son last year when he was asleep. I wanted the challenge of a fresh drawing so I did this one last night with both of my boys asleep. I scanned the drawing and colored it in gimp.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilB6nAHSqMMwk4GmDSV33c1nr3oMuZBxYTlIjcrgnB0L2nHBJzxh7mt3gleyGsUbKAYUlIXm3qhTpk5yTd3lN_tWKEPDqDCX76GeGgtL1-dM2OU4oNWdlt_9upb3t8W_ALFhdu4ZmqWzum/s1600/asleep2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilB6nAHSqMMwk4GmDSV33c1nr3oMuZBxYTlIjcrgnB0L2nHBJzxh7mt3gleyGsUbKAYUlIXm3qhTpk5yTd3lN_tWKEPDqDCX76GeGgtL1-dM2OU4oNWdlt_9upb3t8W_ALFhdu4ZmqWzum/s400/asleep2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-38702451861228598492011-05-15T08:36:00.000-07:002011-05-15T08:36:12.595-07:00Illustration Friday: BeginnerI'm posting this late because I was out all day away from my laptop on Friday. This is my first time participating in <a href="http://www.illustrationfriday.com/">illustration friday</a>. I think this will be a good way to come up with fresh work and try out new styles.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qmSz-PS0LOIHRAfWDBygJIH4q1ci4q3rMHoigaG7h4nWBP6nn56ZI6VA7SFNBOpV9b6PygyfAB9cSvhTStzkgxDnRqT6e31gvaLn1aMpANAvzvJn0LoqVkR6xePwTJkLzyf0PsMgud5A/s1600/beginner_if.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qmSz-PS0LOIHRAfWDBygJIH4q1ci4q3rMHoigaG7h4nWBP6nn56ZI6VA7SFNBOpV9b6PygyfAB9cSvhTStzkgxDnRqT6e31gvaLn1aMpANAvzvJn0LoqVkR6xePwTJkLzyf0PsMgud5A/s320/beginner_if.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-58454243922022628972011-02-05T18:18:00.000-08:002011-02-05T18:57:37.517-08:00About yourself in fewer than 18 chars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPo-feDLUcC7q7oH4_ujsyU_7ORn8wIueaG31rcDG_aZ5C_qr36wNOXSvrB9cLbQbGpDAcs46I6QzkX8-iA7VRvZZnsc4MctWEUWn84RhUF9lk8iL3D_dg2CSfrGGf-GWJMClL_7-f4dpj/s1600/bird.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPo-feDLUcC7q7oH4_ujsyU_7ORn8wIueaG31rcDG_aZ5C_qr36wNOXSvrB9cLbQbGpDAcs46I6QzkX8-iA7VRvZZnsc4MctWEUWn84RhUF9lk8iL3D_dg2CSfrGGf-GWJMClL_7-f4dpj/s1600/bird.gif" /></a></div><h2><b><br />
</b></h2><h2><b>3 Reasons why you want to fill in your bio on twitter</b></h2><div>For someone who might tweet once a month, I'm certainly not a twitter expert in any way, shape or form.<br />
But one feature I like about twitter is the bio section. It's your small little space in the twitterverse that distinguishes you from all the other tweeps. So why don't some people fill it out? I'm sure they could come up with a zillion reasons, but here are my reasons why you should:<br />
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1. <b>Look me up </b>Just about the entire world is tweeting at any given time. How do I know that you're the only one who makes plush clocks?<br />
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2.<b> A-list baby! </b>I love twitter's list functionality. It allows you to categorize your followers into themed lists and you can tweet specifically to those list. This is a good way to see where you fit and who is interested in what you have to offer.<br />
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3.<b> Characters = Clicks </b>More times then not, I've clicked on someone's blog or store link because of what they wrote in their bio. Many artisans and artists alike, swear by twitter as a way to increase visibility and sales.<br />
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Here are some bios I found especially interesting<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="bio" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #777777; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font: italic normal normal 14px/18px Georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">space-time transcendah - nerd surfer - writer - filmmaker</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://surfnerds.blogspot.com/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #bfbfbf; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">http://surfnerds.blogspot.com/</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 17px;"><span class="bio" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #777777; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font: italic normal normal 14px/18px Georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">painter. turf/street/hh ballerina. teachN & getn my PhD fB: /mindsprinter</span><a href="http://www.curvedspacegeometry.com/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #bfbfbf; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.curvedspacegeometry.com</a></span></i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 17px;"><span class="bio" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #777777; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font: italic normal normal 14px/18px Georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Zen guy, creative mind, social media maven, Apple fan boy, tech geek and most importantly, husband & father. Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. </span> <a href="http://edgehopper.com/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #2fc2ef; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://edgehopper.com</a></span></i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 17px;"><span class="bio" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #777777; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font: italic normal normal 14px/18px Georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Artist & entrepreneur. Interested in financial literacy & wealth creation. Living to control her own destiny. Staying positive to fuel her creativity!</span><a href="http://www.inspiremi.com/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #2fc2ef; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.inspiremi.com</a></span></i></span></span><br />
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</i></span></span></div>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-17653824354593639922011-01-30T18:38:00.000-08:002011-01-30T18:38:03.907-08:00A revamp is underway<div><br />
</div>I've been deliberating about this for a few months now and I've finally decided to change the direction of my blog. I started this blog as an outlet for my artistic musings. It became very personal and it was great to get feedback on my art and also hear that I'm that I'm not as crazy as I once believed. Now, it's time to move on. I will still be posting my musings and artwork, but I want to branch out into what's going on in the art world, where I get my inspiration and perhaps some random things here and there. I think this will give me more to write about and appeal to a lot more people. I thank everyone who has been reading and commenting and hopefully you'll stick around. There's lots more to come.Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-10984581573858562332010-12-10T12:19:00.000-08:002010-12-28T21:05:14.640-08:00The creative process<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWCZUxk4rEkRW3RyDTyze5EoMJnfQDtPB1FauzriRSF_Y9INVdoFbXdpATbaHHI_xrdjXYh7IBuAvuiKZ1zeWDnKJRtHbp3iNivAEwipr2V-MXRyOEaxN3yzgqLMDAzTuHp__QtQM-zxg/s1600/creative_monster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWCZUxk4rEkRW3RyDTyze5EoMJnfQDtPB1FauzriRSF_Y9INVdoFbXdpATbaHHI_xrdjXYh7IBuAvuiKZ1zeWDnKJRtHbp3iNivAEwipr2V-MXRyOEaxN3yzgqLMDAzTuHp__QtQM-zxg/s400/creative_monster.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
If you visit often, you'll notice that my etsy showcase to the right has been changing lately. I'm on a creative frenzy. This time it's digital illustration. I have the tendency to become obsessed with a medium and then drop it once I feel I've squeeze every ounce of inspiration out of it. I never know when that's going to be. This tendency has often been criticized by well-meaning family and friends, but I'm wondering if maybe I should feed this monster and see where it leads me. </div>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-3627165460054141592010-11-28T12:41:00.000-08:002010-11-28T12:44:22.544-08:00A goal revisited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqDLSuKZFj29EcXLfW8E5oKnF0uBggtFK0OXS5CRBPQSAg17x6exNiPCe0R-ez78iHZvYSkIVLCpBXfGclDVsoZLfrx6rATz3GJ8JVIGNP2nNuh5RO6iKChrn_gpwmPKFt_VohklSNDOr/s1600/Picture+145-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqDLSuKZFj29EcXLfW8E5oKnF0uBggtFK0OXS5CRBPQSAg17x6exNiPCe0R-ez78iHZvYSkIVLCpBXfGclDVsoZLfrx6rATz3GJ8JVIGNP2nNuh5RO6iKChrn_gpwmPKFt_VohklSNDOr/s320/Picture+145-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>after realizing that I hadn't tweeted since September, I read my old tweets and realized that I'm utterly boring. It was weird seeing all the things that I had picked up and dropped. All the straws I was pulling at. The only thing consistent about my twitter persona is that she is inconsistent, or at least it comes across that way. And worse: Dispassionate.<br />
<div>Why am I saying these things? Because examining my tweets kind of helped me to see myself in as close to objective reality as one can get while looking at oneself. There were no filters or forgotten words or situations. It was all written by me and it was all an attempt to connect in some way. Although, there were times I thought I was really putting myself on the line, I really wasn't. I thought I was really sharing, but I still wasn't letting people in. This block is another thing consistent about me. Its fear. And that brings me back to the goal I made in January 2010. To build an art career in one year. Was it fear that stifled me or was it circumstance? </div><div>A few months ago, I connected with a local artist here in Atlanta via a neighbor. He is making and selling work and has an ambitious, but achievable goal or exhibiting at MOMA. I told him about my relationship with fear and excuses. He told me to just let it go. To be transparent. To educate myself about art and prolific artists. He told me about his research and creation cycles. Learning and acquiring and then putting that knowledge to work on the canvas. This was another piece to the puzzle, but I still wasn't ready to let go. To stop asking for permission to be myself and to stop blaming my circumstances. </div><div>Each day I send myself an email reminder through google Calender. It's a "Stop doing list":</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffff88; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Stop</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"> making excuses</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffff88; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Stop</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"> beating yourself up</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffff88; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Stop</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"> feeling sorry for yourself</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffff88; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Stop</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"> settling for "functional, okay, not-so-bad"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffff88; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Stop</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"> apologizing for yourself</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffff88; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Stop</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"> waiting for things to happen for you or to you</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffff88; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Stop</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"> trashing your work</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">Perhaps, it's time to make a "do list". 1.) Feel the fear and do it anyway</span></span></span></div>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-63935429920976742472010-08-25T11:54:00.000-07:002010-08-25T11:54:00.325-07:00Growing as an artist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsUA7ihmHhNnnewmD_fEPR8DIWN6MYtxtvkkWZtKnlC2hwJitcqQGg5UPIG7hO0g4zPbAR5rX1MjzIGRCJn-EJqEMcJ4noRwgoggq8znAT-0P_1FXGwIrbXGL3Ed2mOjYvQ_GS_KVOxOH/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsUA7ihmHhNnnewmD_fEPR8DIWN6MYtxtvkkWZtKnlC2hwJitcqQGg5UPIG7hO0g4zPbAR5rX1MjzIGRCJn-EJqEMcJ4noRwgoggq8znAT-0P_1FXGwIrbXGL3Ed2mOjYvQ_GS_KVOxOH/s320/IMG_0007.jpg" /></a></div><br />
When I started this blog, my intention was to chronicle my experience in building an art career. I imagined that would mean talking about exhibits, shows, sales and new work. I predicted that my beginnings would be humble, but that slowly and steadily I would forge some resemblance of an art career. I gave myself a year to accomplish this. A few months in, I started to feel stuck. I hadn't made any real progress. I was still broke and unable to get proper supplies. Things just didn't seem to be happening for me. I started to question whether I had chosen the right vocation. Maybe I wasn't really an artist. I didn't have anything profound to say, my work wasn't cohesive. Yet, I could not put my brush down, so to speak. I just needed to create more and let things flow. Just make what I wanted to make without concern for whether or not it looked good. Just create and then refine. Refine, refine, refine. I'm now starting to develop a solid body of work that says who I am as an artist. Who I thought I was as an artist, is not who I've turned out to be. And I'm still growing. So, I guess this is growth.Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-48574930236314384492010-08-12T08:29:00.000-07:002010-08-12T08:32:51.014-07:00Abdi Expires me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIyi8r0tZqNAjgeixHYjWf2IMg2pfL4eREU_tm9CQ9_SVW51SP8IHxl0BEabrwnoUIFlz64FDXz8LZ-qTfgCVSQV_yQ2l1SG6vNodh1BMVGB6CeJY05GrVrcJrwLbhD9Bcr6LJxntTmvg/s1600/abdi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIyi8r0tZqNAjgeixHYjWf2IMg2pfL4eREU_tm9CQ9_SVW51SP8IHxl0BEabrwnoUIFlz64FDXz8LZ-qTfgCVSQV_yQ2l1SG6vNodh1BMVGB6CeJY05GrVrcJrwLbhD9Bcr6LJxntTmvg/s320/abdi.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Every week, Bravo's reality series, Work of art had me glued to the T.V, drooling over art supplies and studio space and imagining what I would create if I had a 30 minute drive through New York City as my inspiration. There are plenty of not-so-great things to be said about the show, but I'll let another blogger conquer that territory. I'm just here to sing Abdi's praises. Where shall I start? His technical ability was off the charts. Who knew he had classical drawing ability as well as cartooning until he made that awesome drawing called, "Baptism." of his own likeness floating on water? And need I say anything about the pieces that won him the title of the "next great artist"? David Lachapelle was moved to tears and so was I. He was also one of the people who seemed to get along with everyone and he has a great head on his shoulders. He has this hunger and excitement about art. He's not afraid to push himself. <br />
Abdi is my new art inspiration. Every week he approached each challenge with the same positive energy. Jerry Saltz's tried his best to put him in a box with the rest of the people who draw really well, but have nothing to say. There is no box big enough for Abdi to fit in. I'm so glad he won because I get to see what this phenomenal artist can create without the time constraints of the competition and the financial freedom that recognition brings.Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-2599211219890599522010-05-19T23:43:00.000-07:002010-05-19T23:43:29.239-07:00Must an artist choose?When you tell someone you're artist, it always seems the next question has something to do with the kind of things that you make. What is your medium? What is your style? Perhaps, what is your message? We're always having to state what exactly it is that we do or create. Some artists have a signature that cannot be denied and others have a loose style that seems to leave its mark regardless of the medium.<br />
<div>But, must an artist choose? Must we settle on a medium style or message? Is it possible to continue to explore techniques and for those things to constantly show up in our work and be a successful artist? Perhaps there is a balance between playing with technique and not messing with your 'style' too much. </div><div>One of my goals has been to find my voice as an artist. To find what I do or say better than anyone else, or perhaps clearer than anyone else. The answer has not come so clearly, as I would have liked. However, it doesn't surprise me. It is a direct reflection of my restlessness and constant doubt in life. I guess, in a way, I am leaving my 'mark' on my work.</div>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-85314190879510198602010-05-13T10:14:00.001-07:002010-05-21T11:55:05.541-07:00Dilemma-2, by James Hogan<div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45353799@N07/4517629737/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4517629737_193dc54d2e.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45353799@N07/4517629737/">dilemma-2</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/45353799@N07/">TheArtUpstart</a>.</span></div>To change things up a little I want to start sharing artists that I find inspiring. I found James Hogan on twitter and was really impressed with his work and his drive to make his dream of being a well established artist come true. If your goal is like mine, you should take a look at what he's been able to accomplish <a href="http://theartupstart.com/">ArtUpstart</a>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-72298722673030743222010-05-11T00:50:00.001-07:002010-05-11T00:50:22.989-07:00Blue canvas sneakers<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4598093954/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1278/4598093954_5c840ef649.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4598093954/">Blue canvas sneakers </a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/springflowerchild/">Springflowerchild</a>.</span></div><p>A new drawing in the shoe series!</p>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-86364533299879215062010-05-09T17:26:00.001-07:002010-05-09T17:26:37.951-07:00Chunky Wedges 9x12 colored pencil on paper<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4593246743/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1198/4593246743_f6627d8a49.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4593246743/">Chunky Wedges 9x12 colored pencil on paper</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/springflowerchild/">Springflowerchild</a>.</span></div><p>Well, I'm taking a talented artist's advice and doing a series of the shoes. I really enjoy drawing them too.</p>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-1609256269091575332010-05-04T15:47:00.000-07:002010-05-04T15:47:48.254-07:00My Etsy ShopI finally posted some of my new work to my etsy shop. I will be offering prints there soon.<br />
http://www.etsy.com/shop/springflowerchildSpring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-81809049543511400862010-04-29T00:44:00.000-07:002010-04-29T00:44:36.033-07:00The WalkI've been wanting to do a multi-media series on solitary walks for months. I don't know why I didn't do it, but yesterday it occurred to me as I was thinking about why I felt stuck again, that I wasn't really being open enough. I think being an artist is about connecting with your audience and sharing more and more of yourself. I didn't realize how difficult this was for me. Maybe it's fear of rejection that's keeping me from taking bigger and bolder steps. This short film is one of those personal art pieces I am reluctant to share, but I'm also interested to see where this series goes and how getting outside feedback will affect it.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rx4l-asouiw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rx4l-asouiw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-56440727572133550282010-04-17T11:26:00.001-07:002010-04-17T11:26:50.214-07:00Maria, colored pencil on paper<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4528284407/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4528284407_ff610da700.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4528284407/">Maria</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/springflowerchild/">Springflowerchild</a>.</span></div><p>I had to use about 4-5 different colors to achieve this skin tone. I didn't want to overwork it, even though I saw some more things I wanted to fix or some things I wanted to try. I will save my ideas for the next drawing :)</p>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-9923197925211515772010-04-13T06:38:00.001-07:002010-04-13T06:38:29.767-07:00Yellow shoes colored pencil on 9x11 paper<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4510196216/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2294/4510196216_45e0e8c08e.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4510196216/">Yellow shoes colored pencil on 9x11 paper</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/springflowerchild/">Springflowerchild</a>.</span></div><p>These are one of my favorite pairs of shoes! I didn't have this color yellow so I had to mix brown and orange and yellow. I've discovered I like drawing shoes :)</p>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-54579489912484974692010-04-10T23:30:00.001-07:002010-04-10T23:30:23.147-07:00Black walkers colored pencils on 9x11 paper<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4510196204/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4510196204_f65eda3f4e.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4510196204/">Black walkers colored pencils on 9x11 paper</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/springflowerchild/">Springflowerchild</a>.</span></div><p>I wanted to have a memento of my oldest sons famed black walking shoes, so I drew them. These shoes are going to another wearer who will undoubtedly stand out from the crowd!<br />I haven't been able to post often, due to being in between computers. So, I have will have pick up on the twitter #draw365 trend once I get my new computer.</p>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-26644460677469539182010-04-04T08:38:00.001-07:002010-04-04T08:38:41.604-07:00Marilyn Monroe Drawing #2 9x11 pencil on paper<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4490091650/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4490091650_4ebbc2d618.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4490091650/">Marilyn Monroe</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/springflowerchild/">Springflowerchild</a>.</span></div><p>I definitely don't think I got a true likeness with this one. But again, it's a first attempt. This face is too thin and she had more wide-set eyes. So, I've decided to do the drawing a day thing that artists are doing on twitter. That would make this one drawing number 2.</p>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-86659698633304158622010-04-03T20:05:00.001-07:002010-04-03T20:05:43.324-07:00Audrey Hepburn<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4488681320/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2766/4488681320_7d4da99a4a.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4488681320/">Audrey Hepburn </a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/springflowerchild/">Springflowerchild</a>.</span></div><p>This was my first attempt using some techniques I've been learning in a old drawing book I got from the thrift store. I love Audrey Hepburn. She was such a classy lady and still quirky. I don't think I got a true likeness, even though I worked from an image. I'm still trying to train my eye.</p>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-85700903121944552672010-04-01T22:19:00.001-07:002010-04-01T22:19:14.800-07:00Jasper, the curious kitty<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4483558754/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4483558754_1080731458.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4483558754/">Jasper, the curious kitty</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/springflowerchild/">Springflowerchild</a>.</span></div><p>I don't usually draw animals, but I have always loved cats. This one is loosely, very loosely based on a photograph of a real cat :) in the folk/naive vain. This drawing is up for auction on ebay right now http://bit.ly/cHDurL</p>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-77053104751376336722010-03-23T11:33:00.000-07:002010-03-23T11:35:38.053-07:00The life of an Artist<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><div><a href="http://s111.photobucket.com/albums/n125/springflowerchild/?action=view&current=the_sea.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n125/springflowerchild/th_the_sea.jpg" /></a></div><div></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Dear aspiring artist, </span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">You have just embarked on a long voyage to a far away place. Hopefully, you have packed well and are prepared for the tempestuous journey ahead. You will need heaps of passion to drive you forward and a measure of confidence in your abilities, to keep your ship afloat. Do not forget to use your compass by being true to who you are and always keep a map in hand to remember your goals. Your binoculars will serve you well to spot opportunities for exploration. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Welcome visitors, but never let anyone else captain your ship!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">You will have more questions than answers and more doubts than assurances. You will feel lonely, desperate and at times, lost. This is the life of an artist. We choose to live on the edge, because on the edge are where the most possibilities lie. Now, let's make some art!</span></span></div>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-53323802867255031022010-03-22T12:41:00.001-07:002010-03-22T12:41:40.662-07:00"Soon"<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4454349881/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4454349881_636630cb3c.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4454349881/">Acrylic painting on cd holder</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/springflowerchild/">Springflowerchild</a>.</span></div><p>I went to the storage unit and found some paintings I had forgotten about. This one was done in 2008 when I was very pregnant with my last son. I thought these cd holders I had would be great as a surface for little paintings. It serves as a frame at the same time.</p>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-28483943444416705102010-03-18T12:03:00.000-07:002010-03-18T12:14:32.066-07:00I'm featured artist on Artsy Shark this week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDas1OZyqg7tA3LaozVxiNDxDzTeDWLH3Af0zkn3v_Z3oH5PlYQvXVL_bOGX0P2we3Rtmb-4DupRRk8OHf4k-efpEW5Y-FIzhbdGuVwlotQvg-ylkkjHzGw3jvlsB-vfMZgQnORCK5QQz/s1600-h/This-Moment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDas1OZyqg7tA3LaozVxiNDxDzTeDWLH3Af0zkn3v_Z3oH5PlYQvXVL_bOGX0P2we3Rtmb-4DupRRk8OHf4k-efpEW5Y-FIzhbdGuVwlotQvg-ylkkjHzGw3jvlsB-vfMZgQnORCK5QQz/s320/This-Moment.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>It's not an easy feat to carve out an relevant existence for yourself in the art world. I read artist's interview the other day and when asked what the problem with the art world was, the artist responded, "There are too many artists." It can be really tough for emerging artists. That's why I love what Carolyn Edlund is doing at <a href="http://bit.ly/d9QAon">Artsy Shark</a>. Each week, she features an interview with a new emerging artist. This week I was privileged enough to be featured artist. Visit the site to read my interview. Thanks Carolyn!Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076393058313106036.post-24346040599746585252010-03-08T09:37:00.001-08:002010-03-08T09:37:01.307-08:00Anyway 9x12 Ink on paper<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4416903101/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4416903101_45c2299275.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/springflowerchild/4416903101/">Anyway 9x12 Ink on paper</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/springflowerchild/">Springflowerchild</a>.</span></div><p>Another sketch I did while watching T.V. :)</p>Spring http://www.blogger.com/profile/09660670033157816081noreply@blogger.com3