I made myself a few little affirmation cards. Encouraging words to keep me going. I love them. I had this box of artist trading cards made from watercolor paper. And I'm always writing down little quotes and phrases on sticky notes and cocktail napkins. So, I got out the markers and these cards, and cute-i-fied some of them. They make me happy.
Then I had a brilliant idea: making them to share. They arrived yesterday. I'm tickled pink.
Had a little break in the rain this morning, so I skeedaddled out to the garden to take some photos. I love the fresh feeling of a morning-after-rainy-night. My flower pots are still lovely because we've enjoyed such nice weather this fall, and with a little kiss of moisture, and under the gray cloud cover, they just look especially beautiful this morning. I had to share.
I've been so reisting the change of seasons from summer to fall this year, because our summer came so, so late to the Pacific Northwest. I just wanted it to last a little (really...a lot) longer. And, the truth is, I've been riding around town topless up until this week. So. I can't complain. And, I feel sort of ready now. Ready to cozy into wool sweaters and candlelight and apple crisp.
The hardest thing for me to let go of when the weather turns cool? My flip flops. Anyone else? I know! I live in them all summer long. But, let me tell you something. Hot flashes? I pretty much loathe them, but I will say, they're keeping me in flip flops, even though the weather has turned cooler. You've got to make lemonade out of lemons, right? If I must have hot flashes, at least I can have them in flip flops. hahaha
The cooler weather beckons me to the studio, too. Which is a good thing, since at last count I have been accepted to five art fairs. I'm giddy with excitement, tickled pink! Truly. So, I'm grateful for the rain this morning, because it's moved me into megacreativemode. I took time yesterday to plan out the next three weeks before the Llewellyn HolidayMarket and Abernethy Art & Craft Fair. I'm a planner. Must know what needs to happen when, in order to get it all done. I literally printed out calendars from the internet, and laid out daily goals to keep me on task. Because. With so much to do, I tend to become a deer-in-headlights. There's so much, that I get a little bit paralyzed. But not today. No siree! In fact, I feel pretty good about my timeline, my tasks, and how they're all fitting together. Again...that "everything is happening just as it should be" mode. Seriously. It's like some benevolent alien has booted my inner critic and settled in to soothe me into the whirl of holiday art fairs. I'm a little blown away by it. So not my usual modus operandi. Am riding this wave as long as I can.
In the meantime, I made fresh chocolate chip banana bread yesterday afternoon. Am settled in to my studio chair, with a steamy mug of coffee in one hand, paint brush in the other. Lucky, lucky girl.
A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write if she is ultimately to be at peace with herself. What she can be, she must be. Abraham Maslow*
I was thinking about my life the other day. (I know. Heavy.) And I was thinking how I feel like the luckiest person on the planet. I feel like I am really creating the life I've been dreaming of for so, so long. Truly. All the planets have aligned, doors are opening, the universe is responding...and I am happy. And at peace with myself.
Can I get an Amen! and a Hallelujah! please?!
Up until about a month ago, I felt like I was in a constant struggle with the creative side of my life. And, even though I've been creative all of my life, things just didn't feel like they fit quite right. You know, what I mean? Like the jeans you've been wanting to buy for weeks and weeks because they look so darn cute and comfy in the store...then you get them home, and you like the way they look (mostly), and the fit is (very nearly) perfect. And yet...hmmm...not quite right. So into the closet, on the top shelf, they go.
I think it must be the combination of my daily journaling exercise, art fair-induced deadlines, and just simply opening myself up to trying new things creatively that has uncorked this bubbly, effervescent, sweet and tasty creative champagne. I feel slightly art-drunk all day long. (And without the hangover!) I have so much work ahead of me, but it doesn't scare me, or stress me out (or not as much) as it has in the past. I have this calm, peaceful, "everything is happening exactly as it should be" presence right now. Even the part of me that would usually say, "just wait for the other shoe to drop, little missy!" is silent right now. And that? Is blissful.
I hope you're finding the same smooth waters on your creative journey today. And if things feel a bit wavy and bouncy and sea sicke-y, I hope you'll take a little mini-vacation for this to do list:
Things To Do Today:
(*Sorry Mr. Maslow...I had to edit your quote for gender so that it spoke more directly to me.)
I've applied to be a vendor at numerous holiday art fairs this coming holiday season. I'm really excited about the possibility, and of course, really nervous awaiting acceptance. I thought I'd show you some of the work I sent with my applications. I've been painting, painting, painting, and having so, so much fun with it. I hope that will shine through in my applications.
Two of the earliest shows of the season that I applied for have chosen me as a vendor, and I'm thrilled, thrilled, tickled pink!! I'll be showing my work (and selling it, too!) at the Llewellyn Holiday Market and at the Abernethy Arts and Craft Fair in November. I'll post more information as I have it, and if you're a Portland local please come by either or both shows.
They are both fundraisers for local elementary schools, which makes me feel really good. As an artist, I'll be donating a portion of my profits from those events to each school. And we all know how our schools can use every dollar they can get. So, come, buy, visit, enjoy!
I've heard really great things about both of these events, and there will be lots of art to see, so put November 12-13 on your calendar for the Llewellyn Holiday Market, and November 14 for the Abernethy Arts and Craft Fair. And I'll keep you posted on other events as I learn about them, which should be towards the end of next week. I'm really excited. (And still nervous, so keep your fingers crossed and send all that good juju my way, won't you?)
I took a little break today to work on Jeanne's art journal.
Never mind that I've had it over a year. (Seriously. Where has the time gone?! It seems to go faster and faster, on some sort of warp-speed, super-mach trajectory.)
Anyhooo...me and my Artfiberfest friends Linda, Cindy, Juanita and Jeanne decided to do a round-robin art journal exchange. Big fun! But, somewhere along the line, life got busy, and those journals sort of got shoved to that old back burner. You know. The one that never gets used.
Until this weekend, that is. This weekend, when Jeanne emailed me and said:
Hi Tammy,
First things first. It was supposed to rain on Friday. Well. Lots of clouds. However. Never any rain. It was awesome. We walked along the promenade, ate fish and chips at our favorite spot, did some shopping. Fun. Good day.
These photos are the view from our condo. Not ocean front, but as long as I can see the water, I'm pretty happy. What is it about the water? Do you have the same reaction? I feel so much calmer. A lot more grounded. I just feel better at the ocean. I feel it a liiitttllee big on a river or lake, but I really groove at the ocean. Something about the tide maybe. The rhythm of the waves. I don't know, but I like it. Always. Calms. Me. Down.
This is the carousel in town...not a great photo, and the clown sort of freaks me out, but I wanted you to see the blue sky. Gorgeous. Happy sight.
And this? Oh. This is my pound-and-half of hand-picked-by-yours-truly salt water taffy that is a mandatory event at each and every trip to the beach. And, yes, I have on flip flops. I mean, how much better can it get?! It's October! At the beach! I'm in flip flops! I KNOW!!!!
Bagels by the Sea is all foxxed up for Halloween. Always have to stop here for a bagle and schmear.
My favorite: the "works" bagel (lots of seeds and salt) with mild pepper cream cheese, and the requisite diet soda, plus a glass of water because I'm very big into hydration right now....helps with those damn hotflashes.
My favorite window boxes along Broadway.
I am totally stealing the mini-pumpkins-in-my-flower-pots idea, aren't you?
So adorable!
Stopped in for a bit of nostalgia (it even smelled old in there)...
I hated these things as a kid. I always wound up with a headache. I loved the look of them, though. And I just wanted to drive it around the loop, minding my own business, if you don't mind. I just hated it when people bashed into me!! I wanted to scream, "hey, leave me alone, I'm driving, here!" Sheesh. So. I had a very short bumper car career. (*sigh*)
Always felt better after having one of these, though. I mean, come on! It's a deep-fried weenie. In corn bread. Hello?
Mmm mmm good.
My friend Goosey sent me this quote from Marianne Williamson the other day:
I've been playing with my paintbox. A little inspiration coming from my morning art journal sessions. I've had this little whisper in my heart to paint. It's been there for awhile now...over a year...maybe longer than that. I have resisted, resisted, ignored, ignored. "I can't paint." "I'm sewing and stitching...I'm not a painter." And on and on it goes. In my art journal, I've been playing with the idea of painting. The idea of adding that to my artist's tool box. Why not? I mean, really? Why do I think I can't paint? When did I tell myself that? And why did I believe it? Phooey! I'm going to paint! And so, I am.
I'm using all of the colors that I love. And just doodling, like I do in my journal, really. Only, paint has replaced my Copic markers, and a bit of plywood has become my page.
I feel inspired! I'm having a blast!! I'm loving the colors, and the designs, and practically everything about this process! Who knew?!
My hands do remember how to do this...even though it's been so long since I painted anything besides a piece of furniture. I'm having fun. Gaining a little creative momentum. Getting comfortable with all of my little brushes. Adding little highlights here and there.
So. Here it is. My first piece. Appropriately titled "No. 1". A little reminder to myself to be bold, practice bravery, and be gentle with myself as I sprout my painter wings. More to come.
I really can't deny it much longer. Fall is definitely in the air. The days are getting shorter. Peaches and berries are being replaced by pumpkins and squash at the farmers market. Aren't these artichoke blooms beautiful?
And the Brussels sprouts. I'm not a huge fan, but these were just gorgeous, ginormous, and caught my eye.
These squash blossoms were lovely, too. Really begging for a light batter and quick dip in some hot oil. I've never tried to doing deep-fried squash blossoms myself, have you?
Beets, fabulous beets! I did buy a bunch of these. Am looking forward to a few slices with bleu cheese crumbles and chopped hazelnuts tonight. Does it get any better than that??!!
Must. Get. Out. More. I've never seen orange or purple cauliflower. It's almost pretty enough for me to possiblymaybethinkabout eating.
Such fun fall colors. In baskets. Loving it. Makes me happy.
This booth always catches my eye. Their presentation is wonderful. Lots of color, lots of textures, lots and lots of farmer goodness.
Pretty fall bloomers. Sadly, I sort of lose interest in my garden by this time, at least in terms of planting new things. But these little orange poker thingies were awfully pretty. I'm chewing on it this week. May get some next week to plant. Start a whole new thing. Planting flowers in the fall.
And here they are. The pumpkins. Sort of like Santa at the end of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Fall officially is here. Enjoy!
Every morning, I get up, make coffee, and have a bowl of Joe's O's. Atop my Joe's O's I sprinkle a little yellow packet of Splenda. (I'm thinking of switching to stevia - have you tried that? -, but these happy little messages on the back of my Splenda packets just make me smile.) While the water is boiling for my coffee (oh, yes, that's something you should try...a French press. You'll never drink brewed coffee again!)...anyhooo, whilst waiting for my water to boil, I select my word-of-the-day from my little-clay-happy-person. (Today's word: opportunity. I like it.)
After the coffee is pressed and my cereal is finished, I head up to the studio. Like many of you, years ago I worked through Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way. The morning pages exercise is something I've gone back to again and again. If you're not familiar, "the morning pages" are pretty much what they sound like. You do them right when you get out of bed, before the little voices in your head start chattering away. You sit in a quiet corner with journal and pen in hand, and just purge on the page. Stream of consciousness. Blah, blah, blah. And the most amazing things can come out of those pages. On other days, a whole lot of blah-blah-blah happens. But often times, I find that the whispers in my heart bubble out before the inner critic in my head ever wakes up. And that's when magic starts to happen.
Now. I will admit, I'm not a habitual morning-pager. I go in spurts. And, I find that when I really need my morning pages is when I don't want to do them. That's fear, I think: not wanting to get to the bottom of what's troubling me; not wanting to hear all those negative thoughts. What I forget at those times, is that all the good stuff is just on the other side of that fear. If I'd just sit down long enough to write it all out, and get down to it. So frustrating, isn't it?
If you read my last post, you may have guessed that there have been no morning pages in recent history. And you'd be right...and wrong. While I don't wish to hear (read: face) the niggling inner critic, I have recognized the need for some sort of early morning ritual that will move me forward. So, I started a brand new art journal. (These photos are pages in progress. There are more over here.) It's accomplishing two things for me: 1) I'm playing around with some different arty techniques and, 2) the pretty pages are actually making me want to do my morning pages again. Hallelujah!
In my deer-in-headlights status of late, I was finding it difficult to even get my art journal going. So, one day when I was over at Teresa's blog, I noticed her Between The Lines art journal e-course. I signed up immediately. It's a 12-session course, chock-full of inspiration. Just what I needed to get my creative mojo mojo-ing again. When I first started the e-course, I did the pages exactly as she had them laid out. A few mornings into the exercise, I started venturing out on my own, doing my own thing. It has been exactly what I needed to get out of my funk. Hoo. Ray.
So, my morning pages have taken on a more visual form, obviously. But the result is the same: the daily habit has kicked some things into gear, has moved me from being so stuck to trying some new things. Baby steps. Bits of daily bravery. Slow, but sure.
Thanks everyone, for all your bloggy love around my last post. I've read and cherished every single comment and email. And, yes, thank you for asking, I will keep you posted as I make this journey. It would tickle me pink.
Recent Comments