Call It What You Want

During my earlier artistic endeavors, I illustrated and colored spirited and spontaneous designs of color and shape. It was very freeing to create. Controlled doodling, really.

Applying myself to that natural response, I completed this 12" x 18" colored pencil piece that you see. I was pleased to pursue my play and make mini frame and focus areas mounted for notecards. An amusing way to stimulate more expressive possibilities. Call it what you want.

Look Within Without

I have two opportunities brewing and an upcoming show. The show is organized by the PTO, so I'll be relaxed and will hopefully have enough "wow" to make 'em stop and exclaim, "What a wonderful gift THAT would make!" I'm re-working my drawings/illustrations right now. Which is it? What do I do? I suppose a drawing could be considered a sketch or artistic expression, where an illustration definitely depicts a subject, story, or character. OK. They are Christmas illustrations that can be personalized. It's a bit corny, but it's appropriate for the time being.


There is a larger picture I would like to become a part of, and I had better get my skull on right if I want to jump in! I had previously mentioned The Wallkill River School and their kick-ass, up-my-alley classes. Well, the latest is they are opening up a juried artisan gallery; a haven for local arts and crafts. My good friend Janet Baskerville was the first to post this good news to me. The Grand Opening is this Saturday. I have to get my ass in gear if my works don't want to remain homeless.

12/4 ~ Well, I did well enough at the PTO show. It was a bit what I expected, but I was able to sit at my table and be Contented Artist while I colored my drawings and penned in personalized requests. My biggest fans were nine year old girls who hovered around me to watch. I'm just glad I didn't bomb. The unfortunate thing about it was the OVERWHELMING direct sales folks. I have nothing against them, but I had Pampered Chef to the right of me and Home Interiors to the left. Avon, Tupperware, Mary Kay, etc. Next time....more crafters, more advertising, more atmosphere!

Confident Impulse

I've been doing alot of ironing lately. I've recently added a couple of work wardrobe additions that require a little smoothing out. So I resigned to the fact I couldn't escape this chore even though not too long ago, I would have considered the task decidedly avoidable. The once peaceful morning is now occassionally jolted by the distinctive ear splitting screech from the sound of the opening metal ironing board like prying the jaws of an aluminum alligator. Then I methodically reach up, bring down my trusty iron, set it up, plug her in and focus on positioning the garment. Just this morning before I even took three sips of coffee, my son projected a cotton shirt toward me and said, "Could you iron this?" Like wonder woman I instinctively knew the motions. The merciless sound, SCRREEEECH! Reach, plug and set and I'm as capable as you could imagine. Within minutes the pressing deed is done and I'm filled with satisfaction; my son is also pleased then proceeds to tell me that he picked something else to wear today, but thanks anyway.

So why am I talking about this? What does ironing have to do with being creative? To me, chores and creativity are natural enemies, however, I did step back and wondered about how I understand and respond to chores and how quickly I acted upon that particular spontaneous "son needs ironing" circumstance. I figured it out. It's because I know where everything is, and I know what I'm doing and I know what the results will be.

I have been frustrated lately because too many times during the day, I encounter a visual image for a potential painting or design. I know it's good practice to write it down or sketch it out, but I haven't always been very compliant. If I'm lucky, the ideas will transpire while I'm in my studio space and I could ... yeah... get ... right ... on... it. Uhhh...maybe later. Well, this makes perfect sense to me because I think the problem is, I don't know where anything is, I don't know what medium I'd like to express it in and I don't know how it's going to turn out!

So from now on I want to respond to an artistic opportunity the same way I tackle a grocery list. With focus, intention and delicious results. I can whip out some paper, grab a pencil and with confident insight, longing and knowledge, render the idea and don't stop until all the wrinkles are out.