It has been an interesting week so far, especially on the art front. I started the Artist’s Way program a month ago, and am now going into my fifth week. It hasn’t been until this week that I really want to bail ship. I thought it would be a breeze as I was having no real issues with the tasks. That is a sign of changes, we always resist things when we don’t want change. I am constantly struggling with overcoming my fear of change, it has been something I have dealt with since I was very little.

So today, I decided when I was working in my studio (trying to figure things out) that I should make some positive affirmation pieces. Something fun to make but also with a message. So I pulled out my sketchbook and really quickly wrote down all the positive sayings I could think of. Three stuck out…

Me and my friend Justine (the other artist) at our Opening Reception!

Saturday night started out a little nerve racking. I arrived to find two of my paintings had fallen within the frame. I didn’t secure them well enough. Of course I was not prepared, and had to scrape together a screwdriver some tape and what nots to get them back together. I did so just in the nick of time too, as two fo my best friends walked in the door. They are back together up on the wall and ready to be looked at. After that it was a rather exciting night, tons of family and friends showed up. Some other locals that we didn’t know but how cool that they came in to check it out. Drank wine, ate cheese, and had some fun. As per my usual self I didn’t take a single photo, but thanks to my friend Craig we have some memories of the night. Should have some more photos to show off soon!

I promise to get better at actually taking pictures and recording some big events in my life, or maybe I should just hire a photographer to follow me around constantly. Would be nice yet kinda creepy at times I suppose. I feel all full of excitement of the possibilities that lay ahead. If the universe is listening than I am guessing this past weekend is just the tip of iceberg. I expect the interesting things to be coming around the corner this year, and I think 2009 (i know talking about next year way early but just keep with me) is my year. Ever just have a gut feeling?? I do.

I want to jump up and down and squeal, I’m so excited that it is up! Also a little in disbelief that it is actually up, everything is framed and done. It took a few hours yesterday, but all the artwork is hung in the Salt Creek Wine bar for your viewing pleasures. So if you can’t make it on the September 20th go check it out anytime in the next two months! I have a few paintings that I will be adding before the opening reception but for the most part it is all there.

It is such a surreal thing when your art is up hanging in a public space. Knowing that people are looking at it, at commenting on it, and making conclusions about it. It was an interesting feeling when it was all up and we were looking around the walls at it. My friends Justine’s work is also hanging there, there was no way either of us could fill the wall space alone. Our artwork really works well together and I like the variety.  I am sooo happy pretty much all of my framing is done, the few straggler paintings are actually mainly going to be canvas unless something great comes out on paper.

Now I can take a deep breath and relax…

My promo cards came in last week, haven’t really had the time to get a photo of them until today. I did create promo cards last year, I ordered quite a bit too. They are all sitting in a box under my bed, I never sent any out. I was too scared. So you live and learn. I didn’t order that many this time around, and also took the time to look into contacts and got a bunch of names and addresses together. I spent much of my late morning and early afternoon addressing and stamping about 100 of these.

There they are, all ready to go out. I am actually taking a walk in a few to the mailbox and dropping them in. Off they go to the hands of people who can really change my future. It is scary, I am trying to let go of the perfection of it all. I don’t feel ready but I don’t think I ever will, and even though I don’t think they are perfect, I have to start somewhere, and that somewhere is right here and now.

This is where it all begins, right here today!

Now back to getting paintings ready for my show next month. I have a week to get everything done, framed, and ready to hang up. Eeek!

12″x9″ Acrylic on Paper

Feeling stuck, again. For the hundredth time in the past few months. Working on a bunch of new stuff, trying to get it all done before September and that date is coming up quick. I find myself having less time to paint lately too.

The name of my latest painting. A ton more in the works right now. Have been sorta frantic trying to get ideas going for my upcoming show in September.

The good news I wanted to share with you though is that I will exhibiting my work at the Effe Leven Gallery for the month December in a show called “Play Child Play.” I am super excited as this gallery is in the River North area of Chicago and it can be tough to find galleries that are willing to show emerging artists in general in many places around downtown. This will be my very first gallery exhibition. Will get more info as it comes, as to when the opening reception will be and all that!

I have been so forgetful today it is just crazy. This morning I totally blanked on my pin when I went to the ATM. I blanked so much that I got locked out from using my pin and had to go get money by actually going into the bank and talking to someone. Then I went to Ulta and got so lucky I got the very last foundation primer left, love the stuff. Then went on to Target and bought a few things there, and put my Ulta bag in the cart with my other bags. Who knew that the bag being orange and the cart being orange made it a little harder to see so I just left it. Didn’t realize that I had left it until I got all the way home. As I quickly darted back to the store I find that all the carts had been taken inside. So I stopped by the Customer Service desk and it was there. One of the people bringing in carts must have found it. Talk about getting lucky not only would I have spent a small fortune just to get foundation primer I would have to go to another Ulta just to find it!! So hopefully I won’t forget anything else today. I am so ready to lose my mind as it is.

This week has been going so great for me so far, and I suppose getting lucky on getting my bag back is just part of it. Here’s to hoping things just keep getting better every week. Would be super sweet if it worked that way. Gotta really relish these good times and not let the crappy stuff rain on your parade.

Will be back later with a new painting to show and some of the good news!!

Yes I do realize I totally forgot about View Friday last week. I remembered on Saturday. It will be back this week, as long as I don’t forget…

I arrived home from Birmingham on Monday night and since then I feel like i have been running non-stop. It isn’t that I need to play catch-up or anything, I just like to give myself enormous to-do lists and then try to hold myself to them.

I have been trying so hard to stick to a schedule, and I had it all on track before I left, but somewhere in Alabama I lost my schedule keeping abilities. There is this constant feeling of anxiety in my gut, all the what if’s creep in and I start to doubt myself, my abilities, and my dreams.

I know so many people have been there and got through it, and I am sure they also doubted that they would ever make it through. They are succesful now. I doubt myself CONSTANTLY…I have to stop and re-assure myself that this is the right decision and that I can do this, and that yes it is scary and since when isn’t jumping off the career cliff not scary. I just sure hope my chute opens soon!

I’ll leave you with a picture of a lion from the Birmingham Zoo. More highlights of trip later, when I recover from all this imaginary paperwork I am buried under!

“I Need You” 12″ x 9″ mixed media on paper

I originally planned on using this painting for my promo cards, but I am not sure if I still want to use it. I actually prefer my fly away painting much more. Maybe I could use both. Notice a green theme lately. Just a weird coincidence I think, although I am currently working on a Heineken bottle painting, so maybe the color is just a subconscious decision.