Stay Focused!

One of the things I’m working on for 2012 is STAYING FOCUSED! What does that mean? Well, according to all my organizational gurus, it’s all about downsizing to a more manageable load of stuff. Then life is supposed to be easier. Well, I’m just not quite there yet…I think maybe I sort of am in my real life, but in my art life, I am definitely not! There are way too many things to love out there. I just can’t seem to focus when it comes to art. I love to take photographs and mess around with them in Photoshop. I love to print them out and use them in my collages or make Xerox copies and make image transfers, making collages that really mean something to me. I also love working with encaustic wax. It is just so experimental and ever changing. It really makes the journey so much more enjoyable. I love to sew and make things, whether it is something functional like a bowl or a purse or curtains, to working with fabric to make an art quilt. I also like to dye my fabric or paint on it or both or switch paper into the mix or combine them. Oh, and I also decided to try my hand at fabric design. Just for the heck of it…I designed some. Then I ordered a yard from an online company. Pretty cool, actually! Here's a sneak peak:

You see? Focus? What is that? I try and narrow myself down, but then I learn something new or read about a new technique. Oh and I didn’t even mention…printmaking! That is actually my background - in college anyway. I’ve always loved the many varying results that you can get from one single plate or piece of linoleum or cut of wood. Add some color and a surface or fabric and away we go! So, staying focused will be on the list of New Year’s resolutions. Promise.

See you soon and have a great time creating!

Welcome 2012!

A little late, but none the less, welcome!

Just so you know, procrastination is not on my list of resolutions. Or should I say avoiding procrastination is not on the list. I think I have pretty well overcome that situation. You see, my mother was the Queen of Procrastination. She taught me very well. And I was a very good student.

However, I have learned over the most recent years, let’s say the last 10 or so, that I do not have time to procrastinate! My current slogan is “Do it now”. . .Sort of a twist on Nike’s slogan. They just like to motivate us. I like to motivate us NOW!

I have been doing a little bit of everything these first couple of weeks of the New Year.

Painting – encaustic painting

Here is a photo of may most recent pieces:

And also doing some linoleum carving and printing:

Planning – trying to get the year all planned out (for the most part anyway) both at work and at home

Decluttering – Cleaning – Organizing – so far I’ve done my pantry, my spice cabinet, all three closets upstairs and some of my files on my work computer and some of my office in general

Here is a photo of my snazzy spice cabinet - oh yeh!

Taking photos on my new camera – I sort of sunk to the ease of taking photos on my iphone. Not so good when it comes to quality. So I’ve begun to take my Rebel out for mini dates. This is so much fun! I really love the mass quantities of photos you can take these days without having to worry about film and developing, etc. I can take 50 million photos, have a ball and not have to worry about running out of film or having the cash to develop all the images. Oh, and then figuring out how to store all the prints.

Walking in the woods or at least outdoors – We are trying to get more exercise than we have in the past. (That is one of our resolutions!)Trying to eat less and exercise more. That dryer just keeps shrinking our clothes!  We have been to Umstead Park, the Eno River and Anderson Point so far. It’s good for the soul. Plus this weather has been pretty darn fabulous lately! Nice and sunny, but crisp. I like that. It gets the blood flowing.  

This is from the Eno River:

These two are from Anderson Point:

Getting the workshops up and running at the store – I know some of you out there are still all snug in your Forever Lazy outfits, but really, this is the best time of the year to paint and be creative. So, come on folks, grab your art buddy and let’s get creative! We have lots of wonderful workshops for every skill level and every medium possible. Please join us!