Kelly Akin Art

I've Moved

2011-03-15T19:09:00.001-07:00

Check out my new blog at KellyAkinArt.tumblr.com, soon to be just KellyAkinArt.com

The Keeper of Dreams

2011-03-11T17:46:00.000-08:00

This piece I made is called The Keeper of Dreams. I used acrylics for this one. Once I put a coat of blue acrylic down I added a layer of crackle medium. I added the first layer, and let it dry overnight. I then added a second layer of crackle medium and let it dry until it was tacky. I used a Golden orange color over that. The crackle worked really well I thought. This was the first time for me to use it. I have to say that the picture is not so great. My camera is acting really weird so I am getting a lot of odd shades. Also, I had another picture to show you of another encaustic piece I made using the Cherry Red Hot wax that I talked about yesterday. You will have to take my word for it that this red is seriously bright cherry. Love it! I am hoping to have this piece up next week.

Anyway, The Keeper of Dreams was inspired by a piece that my friend Maria showed me that she has at her house. I can't remember the artist, but it was fantastic. She uses real butterfly feathers. My piece has bird feathers and it totally different. I used flashing for the bottom to write "the keeper of dreams" which I inscribed with an awl. I tried really hard to use my metal alphabet stamps, but they wouldn't push through the flashing. I must have been doing something wrong. It was kind of fun to inscribe with the awl. Not sure if it looks great, but I personally like the look of it. I highlighted that with some pure pigment and then covered it in gel medium. The hardest part was screwing that piece down to the canvas. I screwed it into the wood frame and those are hard. Almost broke my drill bit! It was fun to have something to use tools on. I love tools. If I was handier I might come up with some more interesting work.

Anyway, hope you like the piece. It was fun to make.

New pics and a product I LOVE

2011-03-10T12:20:00.000-08:00

First off there are some new paintings I have been working on. My camera is acting funny so on "Key" I didn't get the full painting. I did get the detail. As you can see I am loving these burlap butterflies I bought at Collage. More about Collage later. Anyway, I did one painting when I was full on encaustic mode. I think I did 8 layers of wax and scraped it away so you can see all the different colors. Not sure that it is one of my better ones, but it was fun to make. The last one is called "Blue" and I am stuck. The reason why is because I love the color so much. Here comes the product endorsement. I bought some encaustic wax at Collage called Kandi's Hot Wax Art Encaustic Wax. I LOVE this stuff. I bought a denim blue one first just to try it out. It comes in a little tab. I put it in a muffin container on my griddle and added some beeswax to it. It melted perfectly and the color is AMAZING. This is why I am stuck on "Blue" I know it's off balance and the composition is off etc.. but it is hard for me to cover up that blue color. It is so gorgeous. I just used my hot iron to push the color around and fuse it to the medium. I really don't know what to do with it now. I might just keep it for myself the way it is, but I want to share it. So, I better think of a way to finish it off. Some more Kandi's Hot Wax will probably work. Now I just have to decide what color I want to use! O' and the other awesome thing about it is that each tab is only $4.00 anyone who does encaustic knows that is a brilliant deal. Fits my budget perfectly.

Flutter

2011-03-07T15:57:00.000-08:00

I made this today in anticipation of an art fair coming up at the end of next month. It's "garden" themed so I wanted to put something nature inspired in there. I LOVE these Burlap butterflies which I have picked up at Collage here in PDX. They go so well with encaustic. The background is two original pages from a ledger dating back from 1902 - 1906. I love the writing. It's very cool.

I finally cleaned up my studio on Saturday. It had been a huge mess after all the paintings I had done. I bought a bigger griddle that I added to my smaller one. Plus I have the big roaster that I use to melt just the medium. All in all it takes up a lot of electricity. Well, I hooked them all up and then yesterday I turned them all on. Yes, I blew the fuse. I had to do a lot of crawling around and thanks to the direction of my husband was able to fix it. So, today I forgot. This morning I went out to turn the wax on and did it again. It's not ideally set up yet, but I am working on it.

Flutter

Flutter Detail

I am hoping to be posting at least one painting a day. I thought I might have something coming through the pipeline that would interrupt my art a little, but that didn't work out. Now it's back to concentrating on Etsy and getting out to all the art shows. I am so happy to say that my Love Show piece sold. That was definitely a boost. I really needed that.

Love Show 2011

2011-02-01T11:30:00.000-08:00

This is my piece for the 2011 Love Show. I am very excited about this show. Not only do I get to participate, but we are using it as a "date night" that doesn't happen too often. We are going on a double date with some friends which will make it twice as fun. This piece is 12x12 so it's a decent size. I had so much fun doing this piece. It was just a fun one to make.

I am finally over my anxiety about hanging the show yesterday. I have some more pieces to make for it, but I am having a very hard time coming up with some ideas. I know I am just a little burnt and need to recharge a little. Plus, creating on-demand is extremely hard. So, I am going to give myself mini-breaks and see how that goes. I keep going out to the studio, but then finding myself coming back in. Part of it is that it is FREEZING in there. I have heater, but it takes quite a while for it to heat up. That combined with the wax can make it alright. But my hands are what are bothering me. They are so cold and I don't paint with gloves on. I don't like the way it feels. I am not portable so it's the studio or nothing. Last week's mild days were really pleasant. I was sick for most of them, but when I did make it to the studio it was nice.

I am going to do an art challenge this month. I am pretty excited about it. It will give me some focus. The topic is "home" and it can be any interpretation. I like that. I will post on my blog each piece that I do. Hopefully I will do more than just one piece a week, but just in case I know there is at least one that needs to get done.

I am hoping to get my Etsy shop updated very soon. It has been very neglected this last month and it needs a boost. Actually, doing all this painting over the last month has had me neglected many things. Including my house. That is a doozy of a project. Luckily my husband has been on it. He's a handy one that way. I am still learning the art of balance. How to get painting done and not neglect everything else. It's a challenge for me. I don't know how other people do it. I always put painting first (besides my family) so the house has to wait. Anyone who has been to my house knows that the laundry area is off limits. There are some things that just have to wait!

I hope you will all make it to the Love Show. I know it was great fun last year. Plus, they are taking donations for the Oregon Food Bank so it's a great cause.

New show...New Anxiety

2011-01-31T13:11:00.000-08:00

I hung my show up at Akasu Salon and Spa today. I had made 22 pieces. 19 were hung. The last 3 didn't fit which is fine. I brought everything I had made. I am feeling so anxious about this. I feel like I worked so hard for this show and then when I look at the pieces I am just not sure if they are good enough. I am the typically pretty insecure when it comes to showing my art to others. I love making it, LOVE IT. I just get so nervous when I have to stand by it. I feel like it's not just a judgment of my art, but of me too. Maybe it is. I guess it definitely shows whether you have any talent or not. I always hang a show and then completely second guess everything I have done. I want it to knock peoples socks off. Which I know is pretty ridiculous. Everyone has their own tastes and not everyone is going to like my work. Of course, what if everyone hates it. I hope not.

I took some pictures. I took them after the pieces were hung so they are not the greatest as far as light. But you get the idea. When I look at them I wonder if I have any kind of "style". I don't feel like my art is easily identified as mine. I don't think it necessarily looks like someone else in style. I just don't know if it's all cohesive. I just get bored doing the same thing over and over again. So, I change it up. Maybe that isn't such a good thing. I just don't know.

Anyway, below are the pictures. This is an incredibly nice place and it smells wonderful. Thank you to the wonderful Sarah Mathis for allowing me to do this show. I am assuming the anxiety will leave me at some point. I have to do some more pieces because the space needs more. Nothing like working under a little bit of pressure to get the creativity moving . I thought I would chill today, but I think I will work. It takes my mind off of all the anxiety that is brewing in me right now.

Again, I apologize for the quality of the pictures, I had to work around the rooms so the lighting isn't very good and some of the pictures look crooked (but they are not).

Next up is the Love Show! I will be posting a picture of what I came up with for that one tomorrow.

Painting Angst...

2011-01-18T19:20:00.000-08:00

I am a painter. That is what I do. I am also many other things, but if you ask what I do I will say I paint. These last two day I have not been able to paint and I am going a little crazy. My kids came down with high fevers and I needed to take care of them. I did so without complaint. But tonight I started to feel VERY, VERY crabby. Like something was itching at me that I couldn't get to. I realized it's because for the last two weeks I have been painting. Every day. Every day I go to the studio and I turn up the music and paint. It is what I do. Going without painting for me causes major crankiness in my life. I strive to always be a good mother and a good wife and nice to people. But when I don't paint I find that harder to do. I miss painting with every bone in my body. I miss laying down the wax or the gesso and putting all of it down on the wood or canvas. My kids are fine now, but I had to help them with some school stuff this evening so I couldn't get out there. I sometimes just take five minutes to go in my studio and look around. It's not the same. It's actually probably a bad idea because it makes me think of what I am missing.

I didn't start out as a painter or anything creative really. I knew there was something that I wanted to do. I tried many, many things. Cooking, making bath goods (I made so many bath salts etc.. I was giving them away to my friends all the time) I made soap, and took a floral design course. I tried many things until I came to painting. The one that lasted the longest was card making. I thought "aha, this is it I can make cards" then I figure out that they were very limiting and all the junk that was in my brain was not really appropriate to a small card. Then I moved on to a small journal, than a bigger journal. Eventually I pulled out a canvas and put down paint. I collaged the hell out of that thing. I save it because it reminds me of where I started. It's REALLY bad (trust me, I'm not being modest). I put every little do-da I had on there. Dominoes, tags, clip art you name it it's on there. I started with Turquoise and Peach! Ugh. But it was a start. That one collage made me feel like I could actually do something creative. It released something in me. Now I know I can never go back. I can whip out a card, or even some soap if I so choose. But nothing will ever take the place of painting for me. It is my release. I keep so many things in my head that if I paint one painting there is always one on the way. It just piles up and has to be released. The damn breaks and that's it. I feel like that damn has been backed up and I am going to burst at the seams. Tomorrow I paint.

On a happier note, I am in the Love Show for 2011. I was in it last year and I had so much fun. I am excited to participate this year. I finished my piece on Saturday. I haven't taken any pictures of it yet, but will tomorrow. I am also in another show where over 20 of my pieces will be shown for two months. It's at the Akasu Salon and Spa on N. Williams in PDX. I am really excited for this show. I just don't want to show work that I have on Etsy. So I have been working really hard to make some new things. I am really happy with how it is all turning out. I have many pieces to go, but if I can get back to it I know I will finish them all. It's been a good challenge and aside from being side-railed these last two days I feel like I am on a good painting roll. The way I feel right now tells me that getting to it will be no problem. I don't usually paint from ideas, but just start to paint and see what comes. But I am swimming with ideas. They all need to have a home.

I will post pics when I am done. I want to keep working and not worry so much about how it all is looking.

New Year, New Stuff...

2011-01-04T14:13:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! OK, I know it's already the 4th, but it takes me a while to catch up to all this stuff.I had a very nice holiday with my family, but now it's back to normal, mostly. My daughter came down with a cold last night (after 1 day at school!) and passed it on to me. So we have been huddled up today. I planned on getting out to the studio, but I felt like that would not be a good choice. Aside from the cold stuff I am dealing with, it's FREEZING cold in my studio. Very, very cold. The bonus is that I am out of the wind. I have a lovely mechanics suite that I wear, but I was just too tired to put it on today. I have lots to do. As you will see from the pictures above I have my work cut out for me.

My favorite thing from Christmas was getting gift cards for Art Supplies. My FAVORITE kind of shopping. I knew I was running low so it was time for some fun shopping. I went to two of my favorite art stores. I've Been Framed and Art Media. I was lucky in that I was able to go to Collage on Woodstock before Christmas. I stocked up on some things there too. I feel like I have a chance to start fresh and new this January.

I have many ideas and not a clue where to start. I am currently finishing up a Christmas/New Years gift for some friends. It's not completely done (read above paragraph about the cold) but it's just about finished. It's encaustic. I love working with wax again. It had been a little while. When it gets this cold out though, it's a little harder to work with. I have had to layer it a little more than I usually do otherwise they get some tiny cracks that I keep having to heat up and fix. I think the piece is turning out kind of cool. They love Paris and have been there a few times so some Paris theme had to be involved. I am excited to post it on here when it's done and they have seen it.

I believe (am crossing my fingers) that the New Year is going to be bringing some pretty big changes my way. I am not sure yet, but am hoping so. It's just a matter of time. When I find out for sure I will post it here.

Also, I have a show! February I will be having a show for two months at a local spa. I am very excited about this. I have to get cracking. I want to put some fresh work up. So, cold be damned. This girl needs to get out and play!

25%

2010-12-13T04:21:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, I forgot to post this. Everything in my shop is 25% off for December. I may extend it through January actually. Anyway, just look on the front page for the coupon code.

I hope you all are enjoying the countdown until Christmas. I have a special boy who is turning 11 (o my, how time flies) on Christmas Eve. Special boy indeed.

Believe

2010-12-08T14:20:00.000-08:00

This time of year I think is hard for everyone. It's a great time of year, but also very stressful. I know I feel it. I want to have a "perfect" Christmas and my kids to get everything they want, but that is just not going to happen. They are at an age where they are not sure they believe in Santa or not. They are questioning me about it everyday. I am trying to be truthful, but not destroy something that I believe is so magical. What does this have to do with Art and Believing? I guess it comes down to the same thing. I want to believe in my art and myself, but it's hard sometimes. I want some answers. I want someone to tell me I am on the right path. That this is the way I am supposed to be going. It's not easy to sit and try. Sometimes you just want the Universe to tell you "YES you are supposed to be an artist" and it doesn't. I have made some sales on Etsy and that makes me feel good. But ultimately it comes down to how I feel about it. And as much as I love to make art, it gets complicated. I want to make it for myself, but I also want to make it to help support my family and I am not sure if those two things always go together. I would love to think that they do, but when I think about what I want to make and what I think will sell they don't always seem the same. I will say right now that I think this line of thinking is a great disservice to the people who buy my art. I know that. So, how do I not separate the two ways of thinking? I don't know. I do know that I am trying very hard to believe in myself right now. With all the activity coming with the pending holiday getting into the studio is hard. I feel like there is not enough time to work. I have started getting ready to keep an art journal. Something that is portable that I can do whenever I get a chance. I think that will be a good start. I am hoping painting ideas will come to me that way and I can convert them to the canvas or wood or whatever I find. I am wondering if any of you artists out there are having the same dilemma? Maybe it's just that the New Year is pending and I am not sure that I have a whole lot to show for this past year. I wanted to do more and be great at it. I'm not so confident that I met those goals. Maybe next year?

P.S. Santa, please bring me Art Supplies :)

Excused Absence...

2010-11-11T07:24:00.000-08:00

I know I haven't been posting and I feel bad about it. I do have a good excuse though. I have been sick. Really sick. The flu struck me and has persisted. It's going on week 4. I still don't feel right. I have been painting off and on, but mainly off. This makes me very cranky. I miss it like crazy, but don't have much energy. I did get a painting off for the Wild Arts Festival which is happening at Montgomery Park on the 20th & 21st. I hope I feel well enough to go. I know it's a week and a half away, but with this illness I am not counting on anything. I was in such a hurry to turn the piece in that I didn't take a picture of it. I turned it in on the day it was due which is not really like me. I like to be done with time to spare. It was one of those pieces that never looked right. It went through so many changes. I used up a lot of gesso. I finally hit it on the last try. If you get a chance to check out the show, you should. I have never been, but I can imagine the amazing art work that will be there. I am a little scared to go honestly. What if my work sucks? I know how many talented artists are in Portland. It makes me nervous to see my work next to people who have such amazing talents. This is why I didn't go last year. I was totally intimidated. This year I will try to change that. I will try to go and just enjoy the creativity. It's not my place to compare myself with other artists. It's a hard thing not to do though. I hope everyone who reads this is well and staying that way.

Hey, it's my 200th post!

2010-10-20T09:18:00.000-07:00

Good morning! I have been up since 4am this morning and started painting around 5am. It was great. I am working on a painting for the Audubon Society. I started it and was a little stuck so I decided to redo it. I think it is going to turn out much better. I will post pictures when it is done. I am excited about it. I also almost finished another painting. It's very small (4" by 4") but it needs to dry. The oil paint I used with the encaustic is a little thin and I don't want to smear it.

I have been sick for the last two days so getting out in the studio felt great. Getting up at 4 wasn't really part of the plan, but considering how much I slept over the last two days I think I was just not tired anymore. It feels good to have been up for about 5.5 hours now. I have so much left to do in my day. I think I will be painting a little more today. I don't plan on waking up at 4 everyday or at least I hope not. I have to last at least until my kids go to bed tonight so that might be a little difficult. So far so good though. I don't feel one bit tired.

This is my 200th post. I know it has been a erratic, but I am working on it. I will get into a routine eventually! I hope everyone has a great day!

Artist Fear...

2010-10-14T12:53:00.000-07:00

I know I said I would be back on here everyday writing and showing work, but it just didn't happen. I was hit by a very big block. Not just a block of not coming up with ideas, but a complete block. A block so bad I didn't want to try. It sucks. I am now working my way out of that mental space. I have set some pretty minimal (but doable) goals for myself to get myself out and painting again. Plus, someone (I won't name who) told me that I couldn't do it. I couldn't paint for a living. That's pretty much enough for me. That made me so angry that the only thing I wanted to do was paint. Not totally a mature reaction, but it worked. I got out there today and did it. I even posted to my Etsy shop for the first time in a long time. That felt really good.

I do hope to be updating this blog more frequently and my Etsy shop too. It needs to be done and I want to do it. I am working on the Artist Way with some friends. I just started, but I can say without a doubt that it is helping me. I didn't realize how much negative thoughts were running through my brain about my art. It wasn't pretty. I am working on getting rid of those thoughts and replacing them with something more positive. It's going to take some work I think. But I can do it.

Here are the new pieces I worked on today. They are currently in my Etsy shop along with about 91 other pieces! Time to clean up the shop I think.

Not much...

2010-09-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

I have nothing to really show or post today. I have had errands and appointments until just now. I will be back to work tomorrow on some more painting... Have a great Tuesday!

I love painting!

2010-09-20T12:24:00.000-07:00

For the second day in a row I am back on this blog. Yay!

I finally did some paintings. I made out a schedule so that I could get what I needed to get done and still make painting a priority. It worked. I finished one painting, created another, posted them in my Etsy shop and am now posting on this blog. Whew. And it's not quite 1230 yet. I am so relieved. I had such a good time in the studio today. It was fun to smell the wax and look through some vintage photos and just see what I could some up with. The first painting below with the sailor and his girl is called "Hello Love" it just reminded me of people getting together after a long time being away. Of course, this isn't my family so he could be leaving. I like to think that he is back after the war. The second painting is one that I made earlier and finished today. I was listening to Michelle Shocked song "When I grow up" and this is what came up. Not sure that it actually fits what I was listening to, but it is what it is.

The last painting is something I really can't take credit for. I found the photo in an old Life magazine and cut it out and mounted it. I LOVE the photo. For some reason it just speaks to me. This one is not for sale since I can't take any credit for it's loveliness. I don't know who took the photo.

There is still so much I want to paint and I am still very unsure if I can do it. My skills feel like they are so far behind what my brain wants to do. I will keep working though. I will see you back here tomorrow. It's on my schedule!

Better Late Than Never..

2010-09-19T16:59:00.000-07:00

So, I said I would write this on Friday, but here it is Sunday and I am finally getting to it. It's been a busy weekend.

I know I took a break from this blog for a long time over the summer. I really didn't have much to say. So much and so little happened over the summer. My painting took a big step aside this summer which was hard. I didn't really intend to take such a big break. I still opened the studio every morning, but I never felt like I had much to say. A lot was going on in my life, but nothing that I felt I could put into my paintings. Nothing that I really wanted to capture. Lots of things I just wanted to let pass.... There were some very good bonuses to being disengaged from art for a bit too, I hung out with my kids a lot. That was good and bad. Good when I was with them and we were just doing things, but not so good when any of us got cranky and just plain sick of each other. I guess that happens when you are with each other pretty much 24/7 of the summer.

As far as my art goes. I don't really have anything to post today. I thought that the minute the kids went back to school I would be jumping to be in my studio and paint. No interruptions, no little person trying to paint by my side. But things just never seem to stop. I had to start over and make my painting time a priority for myself. I started painting. I have a couple that are done that I posted in my Etsy shop a while ago. I am working on two more right now. I am hesitant when it comes to painting right now. I am finding my voice again and it's just a whisper at the moment. I have so many things I want to get down, but feel like I am lacking the skills to do it momentarily. It's almost as if I have forgotten. I know it will come back to me. I just have to be patient and keep working. Again, there are all these experiences and emotions etc.. that I have to deal with and painting has always been the best way for me to do it. I just have to take the reigns off and let it out. So, what comes out from me in the future might look a little different than the past.. I don't really know.

I will keep you posted. This blog will keep me back on track. I plan on updating it at least a couple times a week.

Rest...

2010-07-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

I have been absent (again!) I'm not sure exactly why, but I think it has to do with it being summer. Not just that my kids are home, that does cut into my studio time a lot. It's more than that. I feel like I need some time to regroup and and that maybe something new is headed my way. Some new creative step that I am on the brink of. I put in two hours in the studio today and it was a good two hours. I am working on a couple things that I really like. It's just that nothing is done yet. I am slowing way down and taking on longer pieces. It feels good and a little strange. I am used to coming up with an idea and boom, it's done. Part of it is that I am working a little bigger. This is new for me. And a little intimidating. I have been going back and forth between encaustics and acrylics. I have two pieces going on at one time and taking my time on both. It's good actually to take my time. To really think through what I want a piece to be about and try and execute it on a somewhat larger scale.

There are other changes too. I have recently read Eating Animals by Johnathan Safran Foer. It is a very well written book. Very disturbing and made me really think about the choices I am making. After a long (10 year) hiatus I have gone back to being a vegetarian. No meat of any kind. It's a good decision for me. I feel better about it. This has been sitting in my brain for a while now and this book just pushed that to the forefront for me. Before I had my son I had every intention of raising him as a vegetarian and then when I was about half-way through my pregnancy I started eating meat. So, that was thrown out the window. Although this may not seem to be related to my art. I really believe it is. As I said, it's made me think a little more about what I am doing. On all levels.

The other factor is that I need art in my life. When I am not working on something I am reading about it. It's a constant in my life. But I also am enjoying spending the time with my kids who are getting older and wanting more separation, but at the same time are still needing there mommy. I like that, but I know it is fleeting. I feel like this summer is the summer of transition and I need to respect that and go along with it. Not try to push those feelings aside.

I am still working and still coming up with ideas. I believe there is more change coming for me and I am so curious to see where my art goes. Hopefully you will stick it out with me.

Still here...

2010-07-13T15:16:00.001-07:00

I'm still here! Just took a little vacation and came back home to the mess I didn't want to clean up when it was so hot out. That's kept me busy. I am finally out in the studio, but nothing new to show yet. Tomorrow.....

Hot, Hot, Hot

2010-07-07T13:20:00.000-07:00

It's a hot one today. I didn't get much done in the studio because it's just too warm. And I still haven't figured out how to get up earlier. When it's this hot I just want to sleep in. But I am not going to complain too much. I am happy summer is here. Tomorrow is my birthday and from the time I can remember it has always been hot on my birthday. Tomorrow will be no exception!

I created a couple of pieces that I am going to list in my Etsy shop today. I feel like I haven't worked enough lately. I need to be out in the studio everyday, but sometimes nothing comes out of the time in there. I am sure it will pass. I just like to be creating. It makes me feel good to make something.

I had a really great fourth of July spending time with friends. I have some very, very talented and creative friends and it's so nice to talk to them. It doesn't happen often enough. Everyone is so busy that it's really hard to just sit down and have a conversation. This time we were able to. Check out there work, there is John Larsen, John Tankersley, and Vicki Lynn Wilson. All amazing artists. Then there were other friends there that don't call themselves artists but are also really creative. It was a great atmosphere and a great time.

I hope all you PDXers stay cool today. Don't forget to drink water!

I don't mind the rain...again.

2010-07-02T16:03:00.000-07:00

Today it rained. It has stopped now which is fine. I actually didn't mind the rain today. Especially since I saw the weather here in Portland is supposed to be in the 90's by next week. Whew, that's going to be hot.

For some reason the rain today made it feel so good to be out in the studio. I was able to work on a few things and just enjoy being out there. It helps that I have a computer out there that allows me to keep up with friends. It's a good way to take a breather. The kids even stayed out for a little while.

Anyway, below are the new pieces I listed on Etsy today. I have 89 items on there! I think a sale will be coming up very soon. I will keep you posted. I hope everyone enjoys this holiday weekend. I know I will be.

Tired...

2010-06-30T13:44:00.000-07:00

I am so tired today. It's such a bummer to be tired on such a beautiful day. So, I am ignoring the major part of me that wants to take a nap and pushing through. So there sleepiness, take that!

I have some new work to show. I will post it in my Etsy shop later today. I have opened up the studio, but have not a chance to work at all today. I don't think my chance will come until later tonight. I have too much stuff to do today to take any time (including napping).

I have been experimenting with textures in my work. Trying out different fencing materials and even a weaving tool. It's fun to see what comes out of it. Stencils are another thing I have been trying. It's fun to experiment a little and see what else I can do.

I found this book at the library yesterday called Acrylic Revolution. I never have taken an art class so this is really neat. It talks a lot about acrylic colors and techniques and many, many things I didn't know. Some things I did know just from my own experimentation, but most are new. I feel like I am going to learn a lot and feel more confident in my acrylic paintings.

I am currently working on an assemblage that has gone through MANY, MANY incarnations now. I think I finally have something right. I have tried many different color combination's and none of them worked. I had already laid down the main pieces so I had to work around them. Not the smartest choice. I was just so confident that my first color choices would be the right ones. I have learned my lesson. I am HOPING that tomorrow I will have some pictures of this piece to show you. I have been working on it for a couple weeks now and I am ready to let it be finished. We shall see.

Enjoy your day!

The Blahs...

2010-06-29T21:34:00.000-07:00

I have been feeling kind of blah lately. Not really unhappy/sad, not really excited or happy. Just kind of there. It was showing in my art. Nothing really was doing it for me. BUT tonight I went back out into the studio and reworked a couple of things and it seems to be getting a little better. My plans for getting up early have been thwarted by this stupid illness thing going on. So, while the kids were busy I took my chance and went out. I am soo glad I did. I didn't work long, but I did feel very productive and I think sometimes that is all that matters. I had been having a little bit of "blank canvas" syndrome. I hate that. But I broke through it. Hooray!

I don't have much to say tonight. I will have more to say and show tomorrow.

Good night!

Back slowly...

2010-06-24T12:34:00.000-07:00

I'm mostly back to normal. I have a few days of resting to do, but I am up and about.
I made it out to the studio for a bit today. I just couldn't sit inside when it so lovely outside. I am loving this weather. It feels like summer has arrived!

I have a few pieces that I just listed in my Etsy shop. And another piece I am working on that won't be finished for a bit. It's taking it's sweet time coming together. I figure I won't try to rush it and just let it come to me as it will.

Nothing else much to report. I am getting accustomed to waking up earlier than my kids so I can get in the studio before they come out to "chat". So far so good.

Hope everyone is having a great day.

Out Sick..

2010-06-23T14:05:00.001-07:00

Enjoy the Beautiful Weather Portlanders.

Before I take the garbage out...

2010-06-22T14:37:00.000-07:00

So, yes I am about to take the garbage out, but first wanted to write on here that all of the pieces I posted yesterday have been listed in my Etsy shop. Considering how gorgeous it is outside I am not sure why I am on the computer!

I finally made it out to the studio before my kids could come out. I have a few pieces in progress that I am really excited about. I decided that I would conserve my energy a little and not try to get them done all at one time. I think that is how I get so frustrated. I get on a roll and then get interrupted a hundred times for different things. This morning was much more peaceful. It's hard right now though because the studio is calling to me. But I know there is no way I would get any work done with the kids being outside. And as I stated above, I have to take the garbage out.

Pictures coming tomorrow! Yay.

Distractions...

2010-06-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

Let me start this by saying that I adore my kids. Love them like nothing else. BUT they are talkers. Big talkers. They like to inform me of EVERYTHING. Which sometimes I appreciate, but other times like when I am trying to work on a painting can drive me a little on the nutso side. I am sensing that I am going to have to forgo the "sleeping in" part of summer and start getting up before the kids do so I can have some quiet time in the studio. I guess I don't do to well with someone talking in my ear (Literally) while I am trying to work.

It was another day of challenges in the studio today. Some of the things that came out of it I like some I have to get used to. Not sure how I feel about them yet. I have been unusually drawn to the color purple today. Not usually one I use a lot, but it sounded good to me today. So, that color was used a lot. Other than that I kind of stuck to some of my old ways. Still fill like I am flying blind in there. Things just are not coming so easy. I had one idea that I really liked, but it just turned out kind of bad. So, I started over. I think something better actually became of the piece though.

I think I will list a couple of these pieces in my Etsy shop tomorrow.

Bad Art...

2010-06-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

I have been making some bad art lately. It's just not turning out. I don't know if it's just because my schedule is so different or I have just ran out of ideas for a while, but some of it is really Bad. Some of my color combination's that I thought might work out have been a mess. Muddy and ugly. I have tried a couple different texture options. Some of them have been cool, but I haven't figured out how to incorporate them into a painting. I feel like I am just beginning again. I still have my old art from when I very first started working on canvases and making collages. They are actually really funny. It's like I was just trying to put as much stuff on the canvas as possible. There was zero thought on composition. Plus the colors were really weird. I feel like I have learned a whole lot since then. Today I feel like I am almost back to that spot. Trying to put too much together. And making weird colors. I guess I need to find some nice images to look at for a bit and get myself inspired again. I have learned that no matter if it's bad art or "good" art you still have to keep making it. No matter what I will always go out to my studio and work on something. I may not like what I have made, but it has to come out somehow. Being "inspired" really doesn't play into it I guess. (sorry for the run on paragraph)

I do kind of like the piece above. It was one of the pieces that I sat on for awhile. I am going to list it in my Etsy shop today.

One more VERY important thing: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW JESSICA!

Some new slightly different things...

2010-06-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

These are some pieces that I did yesterday. They aren't necessarily my style, but sometimes I just have to get something down. Especially when I am not completely inspired. I usually just work through it until something happens. I have a couple pieces that I started today that are promising, I just don't know where they are going yet. I can be patient though. Sometimes things just have to come to you in their own sweet time. These pieces were done really simply. Like I said, I just needed to get something down.

Now that the kids are home from school (even though we are only on our second day) I am figuring out that I need to be able to concentrate a little better. I have been spoiled having free mornings and afternoons to myself to create whatever I want. That isn't the case now. There is always some need that needs to be met. My husband kept the kids inside for an hour this morning so I could have some uninterrupted time in the studio. I can't tell you how much that helped. Even though I didn't complete the pieces they are started and that is something.

I don't know if any of these pieces will be posted on Etsy. I haven't decided yet. They are different than what I usually make. I guess I will decide later.

Now if we could only improve the weather. That would make a major difference to my mood (and my poor lawn).

IT WORKS!

2010-06-17T09:38:00.000-07:00

Yay, Blogger finally is letting me put images up! The one with the girl is called "Wings" and she is listed in my Etsy shop. The other two are gifts my kids made for their teachers. Very sweet I thought.
I will have more to post later. Yay!

still doesn't work....

2010-06-16T12:25:00.000-07:00

Anybody know about Blogger? I still can't download images and their "help" is non-existent. Really very frustrated.

I have some new work to show. Hopefully this will get fixed!

UGH!

2010-06-15T21:51:00.000-07:00

Still can't download pictures. Have sent an email to the help forum. Hopefully someone knows what is going on. Hopefully have some pics tomorrow. If anyone knows what is going on, let me know.

dark and light...

2010-06-14T12:19:00.000-07:00

I had some dark painting moments this weekend. Nothing that I will post here, but you can take my word for it. I had some stuff to get out and painting usually helps with that. It's a lot better than holding it inside or taking out on my family. So, I lock myself in my studio and paint. When it's all done, I feel better. Then I usually have to move on to something less serious. That's where the two pieces above come in. They are much lighter than my other work. I had fun making them which was good. And I like them so that's a bonus. One piece (I won't say which because she reads my blog) is for a friend of mines birthday. The other I just like.

And since I am a proud parent I have to share the pieces below. My son did the blue one. He wrote the poem himself and I helped him with the canvas. He is very good at writing poems. Something I hope he will continue to do even when he doesn't have to. My daughter and I put the other piece together. We found the poem on-line. I thought it was very sweet. She helped put the SWAN on top (her teachers name).

****PICTURES have to come tomorrow, something is up with blogger :(

Clean!

2010-06-11T16:01:00.000-07:00

It took many hours to get it done but my studio is finally done. I had to get rid of a lot of things. I decided that if I was really going to clean it I just wanted things that I actually used and liked in there. Some things I was just holding onto because I thought they were neat, but they ended up just getting shoved out of the way. So, it is pared down and CLEAN. Unfortunately it's still a bit dusty because of those big doors leading to the outside, but not much can be done about that. We found no evidence at all of any critters making there home in my space so I am really happy about that. Here are some peeks of what my studio looks like now.

Book shelves

I have to admit that I just like sitting out there and admiring it. I suppose I should get back to work though. I just don't want to mess it up!

Trashed...

2010-06-09T09:43:00.000-07:00

I am writing this early because I have a lot of work to do. My studio is trashed. Last night as I was closing up this very tiny, TINY little mouse ran into my studio. I don't know why it was out in the light, but it was. I of course freaked out a little and ran and got my husband. Who got a very large stick. My studio is not that big and is packed. He had to use the stick to corner the poor little mouse and whisk him out of the studio. In the process he had to move a lot of stuff and basically tore the place up. I figure it's a good excuse to do a little deep cleaning and get ready for my next set of paintings. I would post pictures of the studio, but it's pretty bad. Maybe after I am done.

The above pieces have all been listed in my Etsy shop. Lots of pieces in there right now.

UPDATE: No mouse poo anywhere. Yay.

Still working...

2010-06-08T14:30:00.000-07:00

I don't have any photos ready for this post. I have some new work that I will be listing in my Etsy shop probably later this afternoon. I hit a bit of a lull, but I think I am past it. I have been working on more than one piece at a time which is a little unusual for me, but it seems to be working. Now that I have some momentum I don't really want to quit. I might update this post later with some pictures if I have a moment. I hope all the Portlanders out there are enjoying this weather. I for one am enjoying the heck out of it!

This has nothing to do with Art, but its important

2010-06-05T16:29:00.000-07:00

This little boy has been missing since yesterday morning. He's only 7. If you are in Oregon, keep your eyes open.
Here's the link with a picture of him:http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/06/search_for_missing_portland_bo.html

Working (even in the dreary)

2010-06-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

This weather in Portland is getting me down. I have talked to a lot of people who feel the same way. When is the rain going to stop. It's so gray out. It's June Ms. nature, cut us a break!

Ok, anyway, I have been working in the studio and just put the above three pieces up for sale in my Etsy shop. That makes me feel like I have accomplished something at least instead of crawling up with a book and waiting for the rain to stop.

I cleaned up my studio this weekend which was good. I should say that really I cleaned up the floor and all the books. I have a vast collection of vintage books that I like to look at and use. I had forgotten all the cool books I have. It was good to sort through them all and see what they were. I am always surprised that people get rid of vintage books. Especially my favorites like the old physics books or astronomy books. They have some of the best images. My all time favorites are anatomy books. The older they are the better the illustrations. I have a pretty big collection of those. Whenever I am at a garage or estate sale I always go for the books. Great treasures are found there.

This weekend is my 12 year anniversary with my husband. Wowza, things move fast. It looks like we might actually be able to get away with out kids in tow. It happens rarely so it's a pretty big treat for us. I feel lucky to have a good friend who will be taking care of them with her kids.

I hope this week is treating you well. I can't believe it is already Wednesday. Yay for short weeks!

Short Post

2010-05-27T12:21:00.001-07:00

This is a short post today. Mainly because I only spent a couple hours out in the studio. I did get the above piece done today and posted on Etsy though so it was fruitful. I need to get out and around people today! It can get a little unnerving when you are working by yourself so much I think. I rely on email a lot to talk to friends, but sometimes that just isn't enough. I need to be out and about in the world. So today I am going to run some errands and maybe take myself to coffee. I hope you are having a good day.

Work or Play?

2010-05-26T13:38:00.000-07:00

Today I would say that I played in the studio. It's been a little bit of a hectic week so far, and it's only Wednesday. I spent a few hours working in the studio and came up with some pieces that I like. Sometimes I have to force myself to go out there, but almost 100% of the time I am happy I did. Today I couldn't get out there fast enough. It was a fun time. I am hoping tomorrow will be more of the same. I just listed these pieces in my Etsy shop. It seemed to be faster this time. Maybe I am more awake today. Don't know. At least it didn't take me as long as the other day.

The weather is still really dreary right now which stinks. I am looking forward to the sun coming back. It's hard to believe that School is almost out with this kind of weather. How the kids being home every day is going to effect how I get things done I am not sure. I am thinking that since they are a little bit older they can amuse themselves more. At least we can all be outside!

New Stuff...

2010-05-24T20:19:00.000-07:00

I added 7 new items to my Etsy shop tonight. Whew, that takes some time! I am glad I did it. I need to keep up on that. Etsy is REALLY slow for me right now which is a bummer, but I am hoping it will pick up soon.
Most of the new stuff I added was assemblage pieces. A little darker than some of the stuff I have done previously, but I guess that is just the kind of mood I am in. I did a lot this weekend when we had those dark gray skies and rain. Yuck. I am ready for some sunshine to last a while. Maybe it will change the mood of what I am making. Maybe not.
This will be a picture filled blog post this time.

Assemblage...

2010-05-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't written in so long (a month!) I have had some health issues and just have not been able to get it together to post. I was out of the studio for a while as well. BUT I made it back to it. Sometimes a break is a good thing. In this case it was at least.

I have always been fascinated with Assemblage artists. I love the use of ordinary materials to make extraordinary pieces of art. I have tried making a few things over the last couple of years, but nothing that I felt really great about. For some reason after spending some time outside the studio I was itching to get in there and try it again. I had an old drawer and some other things laying around that I kept because I liked the shape of them. I was able to put them together and make something that I really like. The piece is titled Touch. I think the way that it turned out does sort of make you want to reach out and feel it. It's composed of many, many layers which was really fun to do. And of course wax. I hope you like it.

I will be out of commission for a few days until the end of next week and then I will be back to regular posting. After this break who knows what I will want to try next!

New work..

2010-04-13T12:08:00.000-07:00

"Samson"

"175"

I made it out to the studio today. Yesterday everyone had a cold (and the weekend) so I didn't get anything done. Today the kids are back at school.

Sometimes it takes me a long time to come up with a piece and other times I can just have a very small glimmer of an idea and then the piece is done. This happened to me twice today. I don't know how. I really thought I was going to be stuck. I didn't have anything coming into my head. Then I looked at all my melted encaustic waxes and all the different colors. Sometimes that all that it takes. Today that was all it took. I came up with two pieces. I just listed them in my Etsy shop.

Speaking of Etsy I think it's time to do some housecleaning on there. There are some photos that need to be retaken and some pieces that need to be pulled and maybe redone. Some of the pieces have been on there since I started my shop. I think that's a sign that they need to have something done with them. Now I just need to get the motivation to do it! Taking the pictures is fine, it's the editing and making sure the colors look the same etc.. that can be really boring.

I have a new header on my Etsy shop and on this blog. Josh is getting to be quite good at using photo editing software. He took one of my paintings and sectioned off a piece to create the header. I really like it. I think I might have him do it every so often to perk things up.

I hope you are having a very good week.

New stuff and a book

2010-04-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

I finished my commission! I am going to try to get it out before the end of the week. Once the family has it and says it's alright I will post pictures.

I made some new things and finished another piece up today. I just posted them in my Etsy shop. I have had a strange week so it was good to get in the studio and focus on some art making. The ones above are the newest.
I might be a little behind on this, but I just finished reading this great book The Handmade Marketplace. It has a ton of information for people selling handmade. I was really inspired to get more proactive in my listing and blogging. Plus the books talks about organizing craft sales (which I have been helping with for the last 4 years) and how to get into them. I thought the advice was really well written and completely accurate. I checked this out from the library, but I think I am going to go buy it. I can see using this book a lot.

I am not sure if I will have anything to post until next week. The rest of the week is full of other not so fun things. I will be back here next week for sure.

Glimpses..

2010-03-31T14:00:00.000-07:00

The above pictures are glimpses of what I have been working on for my commission. I don't know if it is really done yet or not. I think it needs something, but I don't know. I am going to let it breath for a while and see how I feel about it in a day or so.

Today was a good day in the studio. I feel like it was easier than it has been. Things have been a struggle out there. But today I finally felt like I "worked". It's a good feeling. I made the piece below called "Layers". I liked revealing how many actual layers there were in this piece. It looks so simple from the outside, but then you get to see the inside and just how many pieces it took to make it look that way. It just posted it in my Etsy store.

Other than that I am waiting for my paintings to arrive at the gallery and holding my breath that it arrives OK and that they like what I sent. Still really nervous about that, but doing better.

Fear...

2010-03-30T17:54:00.000-07:00

So, I have been away from this blog much longer than I anticipated. I didn't think I would be gone so long.

I have had some really great news. I am going to have 10 of my pieces up in a gallery called The Attic. I just shipped them out today. It is really scary sending out your art. I have had this same type of fear come up with Etsy. I am always afraid that people will see the picture, like it and then when they have the actual art in their hands they will hate it. It's caused me a lot of anxiety. Sending all 10 pieces today was a huge relief and also another anxiety causing event. I just hope that they like what I sent (they picked the pieces).

I also have been thinking a lot about a special project I am working on for a family. I had so many great ideas and then that fear took hold again. "what if they hate it.. what if it's just total crap and they are too polite to say anything?" I know that I need to get over this. It's causing some major creative back up.

I didn't really have this anxiety when I had a show a couple of years ago. It was all my work and it was a lot different than what I do know. The work was incredibly personal and pretty revealing. I just don't think I knew at the time what a big deal it was to have it all out there for everyone to see. It's strange now to think about how much less scared I was back then. I would like to get back to that feeling of just letting it go and hoping for the best.

I plan on not being away from this blog for so long. I have a lot of catching up to do. I spent a whole week away from everything last week. It was good to take a break and just focus on something else for a bit. But now I am back and I really need my studio time. Tomorrow is going to be all studio for me. I will hopefully have a picture to post tomorrow.

Circles...again..

2010-02-25T12:16:00.000-08:00

"in california"

I am having an attraction to circles lately. This piece I made today called "In California" has circles (obliviously). I like the shape of circles. I like that they don't end just keep going around and around. My circles are far from perfect. They have jagged bumpy edges and I like that about them. The background of this piece is made with lots of layers of fused wax. I don't usually put that many layers (6?) on the base of a piece, but do it as I go. This piece I wanted to be able to carve through. Part of me thinks it looks like a little kid did it and the other part of me likes it just for that reason. It seems to have an innocent look that I like. If you can call a piece of art innocent. Which is what i just did so I guess you can. I just posted this in my etsy shop. I have another piece that I worked on today that I am currently putting a frame on. It doesn't have any circles on it! I will put that one up tomorrow.

I have been wanting to do some art journals these last few weeks, but haven't found time. When I am in my studio I want to work on encaustics. I LOVE to bring a few supplies into the house and get to work on some pages. The only problem is that I am really messy and it takes up space. Plus I am pretty sure it drives Josh a little nuts. I am not the best housekeeper to begin with so adding a whole slew of paints, magazines and scraps to that makes it look like a tornado came thru.

The other thing I have been missing A LOT is sewing. I have two amazing machines, a serger and a basically brand new sewing machine that I haven't used much. I miss making things. There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in each day. I am not someone who stays up late anymore so I can't work after the kids go to bed. When they go to bed I usually read because I am about to fall asleep too. And mornings are a little crazy getting them to school, then getting some exercise in and moving to the studio. I reserve the afternoons for Etsy and this blog. THEN I do some dishes, laundry, errands, pick up the kids, dinner etc.. Where do I fit sewing and journaling into this I am not sure. Not that I am going to complain about this. I am a lucky person and I know it. So, I should stop complaining and make some time to do what I want to do. I just can't cut out my studio time. That couple of hours is a necessity. Weekends? We'll see.....

I won't be posting much next week as it's a busy one. I am hoping that I will still have studio time everyday, but I am not sure. If I do I probably won't be posting much since most of the appointments I have are in the afternoon.

Clean...

2010-02-24T13:03:00.000-08:00

I cleaned my studio! I do that every once in a while. It felt so good to go out there today and actually have a space to work with. I did some rearranging over the weekend which helped too. I don't have before pictures, but I can tell you it was a mess. Here are some after pictures:It might not look that clean to some of you, but this is actually my studio at it's cleanest and most organized.

I was able to get a lot done today. I still have some projects to work on and I am gearing towards that. I didn't make it out to the studio for a couple of days because I wasn't feeling well so I had a lot of ideas floating in my head by the time I finally made it out there today. The pieces I made today are at the top. I just listed them in my Etsy shop. It felt good to put something up there after a few days of nothing. I have a few days of studio time planned out so I am hoping to be back here tomorrow.

Little...

2010-02-18T19:14:00.000-08:00

"wish you were here"

I have so little to post about.

I have been taking it a little easy in the creative department this week. Not slacking per se just trying to fill my creativity well a little bit. So, I have been looking more than creating. Getting inspired by photos in magazines and letting the ideas in my head get jotted down. It helped. I made it out to the studio today. It was gorgeous outside and I couldn't resist being out there. I made the piece above which I just posted to my etsy shop.

I did attend the Love Show during last Friday's opening. I am so glad I went! It was so fun. The art was AMAZING. Loved it. Some good friends came and that was awesome. Plus, right before I left I saw them putting a sold sticker on my piece! It was very exciting. I know I am a bit of a dork because I hugged the woman who put the sticker on it. She seemed just as excited as me so I don't think I freaked her out or anything. I guess I am not the cool nonchalant artiste type. If you can get to the Love show you should check it out. It's up until March 12.

Super Special....

2010-02-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

I have a new project that I am going to be working on for some really special people. I am so excited about it and a little nervous. This is the first time that I am doing something specifically for a family and I want it to be really good. I have some ideas and I have made some sketches so I think I have a very good start. I think because this family might read this blog I won't post the piece until they have it. I want it to be a surprise!

Things are pretty quiet around here. I was out in the studio not so quietly listening to music. It was great to turn it up. There is no one really around my neighborhood during the day and with one door shut you can't hear the music too much. It's just nice to turn it up. Here is a VERY long video of one of the songs I was listening to today. One of my favorites actually. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PzoKyv9fvk&feature=related, if you can make it thru the introduction it's pretty cool.

I am getting so excited for tomorrow night. I know I keep putting this out there, but here is a link to the list of all the artists that are in the show. It's a date night for me which makes it nice since Valentines day is coming up.

The piece above is one I just listed in my Etsy shop. Like I said yesterday, things are kind of quiet out there in Etsy land, but that's alright. I would do this no matter what.

Almost a dead stop...

2010-02-10T12:19:00.000-08:00

So, I raised my prices (it's been a bit since I blogged I know) and guess what? My views went down and no one is biting. Hmm, it makes me wonder if this is the after affect of too much holiday shopping or if my prices are too high. This whole thing is like a science experiment. I think it is going to require constant tinkering. In my gut I feel like I have the prices at the right level, but I don't know what other people think. It's hard to tell.

I haven't been out in the studio much except for today. I made the piece above and had to quit. I have housework to do and instead of doing housework I decided I had better update my blog. I love how that works. I still have to do the housework... I am just postponing it a little bit longer. I did list it in my Etsy Shop but this is all work related so I am just doing my job.

So, Friday is coming up fast and that is the opening of the 5th Annual Portland Love Show. There are sooo many great artists in this show. I dropped off my painting and it made me so nervous. I don't know.. I second guess myself whether or not my piece can stand up to all the other amazing works of art that are going to be on display. I really am excited for the opening. I think I finally figured out what to wear (ok that was stressing me out too). If you are going, bring a can of food as this is also a fund raiser for the Oregon Food Bank. I can't wait to see what the different interpretations of love will be. I am thinking it may not all be kid appropriate, but I could be wrong. I am leaving the kiddos with their grandparents which is a win-win for all of us.

I am having problems with Photoshop and it's not letting me crop my pieces. So all the yucky background is staying. I don't like it, but don't know enough about photoshop to fix it. All I know is that I try to use the little tool that lets you put a square around what you want to crop and instead it just makes one tiny little square. So, I apologize for the crummy picture. Some how I will get this figured out.

I finally did it....

2010-02-03T12:53:00.000-08:00

I went thru my Etsy store last night and raised my prices. I was supposed to have done it on the first, but I waited. So, now my prices are a little higher. I think they are actually a lot better than they used to be. My work was inexpensive, but it also made it seem like it was "cheap". I feel relieved that I have it done. I guess now I just have to see what the response is.

I am getting super excited for the Love Show 5 on the 12th! It's going to be fun. I always get really excited seeing what other artists have come up with. This should be a really great show. So many artists! I have to drop off my work in the next couple of days and I have to say I am always a little intimidated when I do. I always think the person who is checking it in is going to think it sucks. I guess it doesn't matter if they do or not, but it's one of those things that I think of. I need to get over it. I am in it now, so I might as well be behind the piece that is representing me.

I spent some time in the studio this morning which was great. I have so many ideas! Finally. I couldn't be out there too long as I have a sick kid today. This cold bug seems to want to stick around. It went away for a bit, but now it's back. Anyway, the studio time I did have was great. I made the piece at the top of this page. I am LOVING this big cradled wood substrates. They are so great to work on. Plus they are bigger than I normally work and it is stretching me just a bit. It's a good feeling to push your own boundaries a bit. Working big means using more was and I am running low. I need to invest in some more. I really don't like running out of wax in the middle of a piece.

Beautiful Blue..

2010-02-02T12:14:00.001-08:00

I made some new paintings today and I think they were inspired by this beautiful blue sky we have right now. It doesn't feel much like January right now and I can't say that I mind.

I had a wonderful weekend at the beach with friends and I really think it helped me get centered again. Our friends Serena and Eddie have a family beach house that is really beautiful. The weather didn't always cooperate, but it was the Beach. I won't complain. There was some beautiful sunsets and sunrises with some rain in-between. It was a wonderful trip and I am so grateful my family was invited (and able to go).

I am back in the studio now and I am working with some new colors. I have been stuck in a little bit of a rut when it comes to color. I needed a change and I finally made one today. Tomorrow I am going to be working (hopefully) with some beautiful yellow. I will post pictures as soon as they are done. I also have been working with some nice one inch cradled wood which has been a nice change. It is not cheap, but it looks great. I am a little uncertain whether to leave the sides with all the drips and splatters or to finish them so they are cohesive with the painting. I kind of like the rawness with them unfinished, but I am not sure. So, so far I am going back and forth on it.

I am so excited I am participating in the Fifth Annual Portland Love show it opens on the 12th. I am so excited. I can't wait to see what other artist have been making. I am using a piece I made a couple of weeks ago. If you can go you should. Especially to the opening. It should be lots of fun!

Be a Fan!

2010-01-27T18:39:00.000-08:00

I set up a fan page on FaceBook. I felt a little silly doing it, but it' feels nice seeing different people becoming "fans". So, join me. I plan on putting up my work that doesn't make it on this blog and other updates.

here is the link: http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/KellyAkinArt/270970279066?ref=nf

P.S. I applied for the show I REALLY want to get into today. Cross your fingers for me!

Again with the prices...and a show.

2010-01-26T12:14:00.000-08:00

Ok, so after a lot of thought (I haven't been here in a while) I decided to raise my prices in my shop. I am using more expensive wood now so I need to make up for that cost. They will still be very affordable which is what I want. Anyway enough of that.

I am getting ready to apply for a show that I really, REALLY want to get into. I am not going to say what it is because I am afraid I might jinx it. The above piece is one of three that I am submitting. The deadline is coming very fast and I am not sure what other pieces to submit. I can submit up to 3. The one above is actually bigger than I usually work as it's a 10" by 10". I think I like it. I hope others like it. This is very stressful. Plus they want an artist statement etc... and I am clueless when it comes to those. I have a book that should help me. If I don't get in than at least I can say I had some good practice trying.

Nothing much has been happening around here. I got hit with a nasty bug a couple days ago and finally today feel pretty normal. It's not raining today which is always a nice change. We had a very depressing and wet sunday around here. It was dark all day and the rain never let up. I forget sometimes, especially on days like today, that it's January still. It has actually been pretty mild for us Portlanders. We still have to get thru February and March though. They can be crazy. And anyone whose been here when it snows knows how crazy we really are...

On another note, I haven't done anything remotely creative with all my cool vintage fabric I blogged about a while ago. I did move it to the sewing area. I don't think that counts as anything though. I love it so much and want to make some little bags and some day maybe a quilt. I have never made a quilt and it seems like a big endeavor but I could probably do it. It's hard to balance my studio time with all the other things I want to do. I really want to get down and sew, but once I am done in the studio I feel guilty if I don't at least put a little time into the house. Then it's time to pick up the kids and hang out with them until bedtime. By the time they go to bed I am ready for a bit of reading time and then bed myself. I used to be able to stay up really late and work on stuff, but now I am older and must get my rest :)

Prices...

2010-01-13T11:40:00.000-08:00

I have such a hard time determining how to price my artwork. I think this is a really common problem for a lot of artists. I have been told by good friends that my artwork is under priced. I agree with them, but feel funny about raising my prices. I know I should do it, but by how much? I think part of the reason people don't always buy from me is because my prices are low so they think they are getting something that is not worth much. I would like to believe that is not the case. I use quality wood and I spend a lot of time on my work. I just don't know how much it's really worth. I know there are equations you can use etc... I have never really used them because they usually require you to figure out the time spent on the piece etc... Well, each one is completely different. Sometimes the pieces just click together and I am done within an hour. Other times it can take me days to work on a piece. So, if I just based it on my time, I would be all over the place. I do like to make sure I have my materials covered, but again that varies piece by piece. So, I am at a loss. I know I need to raise my prices, I just don't know to what....

In other news I created a new Valentines piece. I was thinking of Valentines day coming up and what I would like to do to celebrate. Having kids usually means we celebrate as a family. No high romance here. I think I will make my family a dessert for valentines day. A couple years ago I made a lemon pound cake. That went over very well. I did forget however that "pound" meant a whole pound of butter. Hmmm, not so great for a diet.... This year maybe I will go with something a little lighter..

Vintage...

2010-01-11T11:59:00.000-08:00

So, I am going to go off the subject of painting for a minute.....

My friend Serena gave me a big box of VINTAGE fabric. It's amazing. The box was full of treasures including vintage trims. I don't know yet what I am going to do with it all, but I know I am going to use it for something. Some of the fabrics are medium size scraps and some of it is bigger, actual yardage. My daughter has already picked out a few of the more precious fabrics that she wants to use.

Back to painting, I made it out to the studio this morning and created a piece using Cheesecloth. I think it turned out kind of cool. I just listed it in the shop.

Really nothing much...

2010-01-08T13:55:00.000-08:00

I worked on two pieces today, but only one actually turned out. I also made another piece yesterday that I like. They are the two here.
One of my New Years goals was to get out in the studio EVERYDAY. I find that I function much better if I can have my studio time. It was really cold out there today and I am still cold even though I have been inside for over an hour. That wind is chilling. But I made it out there. The cold weather can make it harder to work with the wax. It dries much faster when the temperature is low. It can also make it kind of bumpy. I prefer it to be a little bit warmer. I used a couple of different irons and my heat gun and it worked alright. The wax just hardens really fast. It makes it difficult to manipulate. Especially if I am doing some incising and some scraping. The wax is so hard when I try to scrape it back that it takes a really long time. I am not particularly fond of the results.
Yesterday for some reason it seemed easier although I think it was just as cold. Maybe a degree or two warmer and that is all the wax needs.
Another one of my goals is to post on my blog everyday and I am failing miserably at that. I just don't have much going on at the moment. Now that the holidays are over I just get to do the stuff that has to get done and everything else is a free choice. Usually I am doing something with my kids, but I have had the urge to keep getting back in my studio even if I have already spent a couple hours there. Today was particularly frustrating because I really wanted to make something and what I came up with just isn't what I had in mind. It's like that itch you cannot scratch. I don't know what exactly I thought I would come up with, but this wasn't it. Maybe tomorrow I will be able to work a little more freely. Not sure what the weather is supposed to do, but I know I will be using my heater.

Not much...

2010-01-05T13:47:00.000-08:00

Not much to say. I did some work yesterday and today and feel pretty good about it. The pieces that are showing are the newest ones I have added to my shop. My friend just gave me a printer to go out in my studio and it is AWESOME. I took one of my journal pages and made a copy of it and the colors were right on. It was perfect. It even included a little border. Not sure how you go about getting prints set-up, but this is one way that I think I could do it.

I have many things that I want to get done in the studio this next week or so. It needs to be cleaned up and cleaned out. I have copy machine that I no longer use that I need to get rid of. It has toner, but I think it will need a new cartridge soon. It's good for doing transfers, I just don't use it enough. Plus with the new printer I don't have room. If anyone is interested in a desk top copier let me know. It's free.

So far I am really liking 2010. Yay.

Oops...

2009-12-31T16:21:00.000-08:00

I didn't plan on taking a two week break from this blog. I thought I could do all the Christmas stuff and work in the studio AND keep up with my blog. Unfortunately the closest I was able to come was keeping on top of Christmas (except those Thank you cards we have yet to send out!) I had been out of the studio for almost two weeks as well. UNTIL today! I am so happy. I finally made it out there for a couple of hours and it was fantastic. I feel completely inspired and ready for the New Year.

I worked on some Little White dress pieces and another piece that I like as well. I received a gift certificate to Art Media here in Portland, so I stocked up on some supplies. I am all set for hours of working fun. Thanks to Josh I have two pounds of wax to get thru as well. I haven't had an ideas of what I am going to work on. I just went out and worked and let whatever was going to come out... out. It was good. I had been feeling so cooped up and bored that I think all I really needed was some time out to work. I was able to turn the music up really loud and get to it.

I am going to post these new pieces on Etsy. It was so fun, one of the pieces in my last blog p0st was put up in the shop and then sold within a couple of hours. That was fun. I like the idea that someone saw it and just decided it was for them. So, out it went. The not fun part was sending it during the Christmas rush. Yikes, post offices are crazy. I usually don't do any mailing when it comes this close.

I am very excited for the New Year. I have just a couple of goals for this year. One of them being that I want to get much better at keeping up my Etsy shop and learning how to work it better. I have been saving all the emails with tips and tricks and just haven't spent the time reading it yet. I will do that this year. I also have some very personal goals that I will be working on. Those I think I will keep to myself for now.

I hope everyone has a great and safe New Year. I know we will.

new work...

2009-12-14T13:52:00.000-08:00

I posted some new work in my Etsy shop today. It is good to get something new made. I finally made it out to the studio and aside from my hands feeling cold it wasn't too bad.

I am starting to feel that Christmas anxiety. I wish I could go thru the holidays feeling relaxed and ready, but I start to feel that pinch about this time every year. I have so many things on my to do list and am not sure how to get them all done. Plus, I want to make time for friends, but it feels really hard. The worst part is then I just sort of become paralyzed and don't know what to do with myself, where to start. The kids have this last week of school and then they are out which means gifts need to be wrapped this week. I want to say that it's fun for me, but it 's really not. I wish I could just put them under the tree and let the kids figure out what's theirs. Ok, not really.

I have a fun filled weekend to look forward to so that will make things seem better. Now I just have to get there!~

Hi

2009-12-13T19:29:00.000-08:00

I've been a bad blogger. The thing is that it was so cold out it was too cold to go in the studio to work. Soooo, I have had not much to write about that has anything to do with my art. Other things have happened around here, but that's a whole other ball of wax and since it's all over and done with.... Anyway, I am planning on getting back into the studio tomorrow. It's still supposed to be cold, but not frigid like it was. I have to say I was a little disappointed this weekend. I was hoping for some snow. Just a little... It just seemed like if it was going to be this cold we might as well as have some white stuff to entertain us. But, no go. No ice either which is fine with me. At least not here in Portland.

Besides working in the studio this week, I have a wonderful weekend to look forward to (yes, I know this one isn't officially over yet). We have a Holiday Party to go to on Saturday and then a wedding of some very special friends on Sunday. It is going to be amazing. I am so honored to be invited to both.

As far as art goes, I am itching to get out in the studio. It's driving me crazy that I have not been out there for a bit. I have a Christmas present that I want to make for my daughter which I will post here later this week. She doesn't read blogs yet so no worries there. I have almost finished up my gifts for some dear friends that I hope they like. But I just haven't turned on the wax or opened up a tube of paint in a while. I did sneak out there earlier in the week to grab something and apparently I had left a cup of coffee half full out there. It was completely frozen solid. SOME DAY I will insulate. Either way, tomorrow I will venture out there. I might not be able to move after all the layers are set, but I will make it out there.

By the way, the picture of the tree was actually from last year. I haven't even gotten around to photographing our tree this year. Lame.

Brrr....

2009-12-03T11:37:00.000-08:00

My goodness it's chilly outside. I know it's not that cold compared to other places, and I know there is no snow on the ground, but that wind is really chilly. I made it out to the studio today and even though I was inside, the studio is not insulated. It is cold in there. I had my insulated coveralls (sometime I will take a picture of that!) on, a hat, and some gloves and I still was cold.

I was able to look thru a couple of my older paintings that I decided to post on Etsy. And a new one that I made (above). I had this song in my head by Iron and Wine called Flightless Bird, American mouth. It's still stuck in my head. Anyway, that is what I had going on in my head when I made the piece. In particular my favorite part is when he sings "have I found you". Its beautiful. So, this piece is called have I found you? I am actually a fan of all the Iron and Wine albums, but this song has stuck in my head for weeks. Even after I listen to it, it's still there. Lucky for me I like this song!

Well, I am well on my way with my Christmas shopping. I still have a ways to go, but I feel like I have a good start on it all. I am trying to make gifts this year, like always. It's hard to come up with something cool that people will like (and won't regret not being able to return). I think I have come up with some things. I tried crocheting with a size 1 hook last night. Yikes, that is hard. I swear my eyes were hurting. So were my hands. It was fun though. I am not a great crocheter, but I like having something to do with my hands. I am not one of those people who can multitask when she crochets. I have to fully focus all my attention on what I am doing. I can't watch tv or glance at a magazine. I did have National Lampoons Christmas Vacation on last night. I have seen it enough times that just listening to it made me laugh.

Tomorrow the kids are off school (again) so I am not sure I will be able to get much work done. I hope so. If it's as sunny as it is today I may just send them outside all bundled up for a bit.
Hope everyone is staying toasty!

an unitentional break..

2009-12-02T11:33:00.001-08:00

I didn't mean to not post for so long. Things come up and my blog gets put on the back burner.

I have had a bit of a block this week which I am finding a little frustrating. At the same time it's giving me an excuse to be a little bit of a slacker. Since I can't seem to come up with my own art I have been reading about other peoples. Blogs are great sources of inspiration for me. Sometimes I don't realize how much time I have actually spent looking at other peoples blogs. Time can fly by. The other thing I have been doing is reading books on other artist. Two of the ones I am reading now are: Charley Harper and Illustrated Life, and Joseph Cornell Navigating the Imagination. Both have amazing art and are very inspiring. I should be reading more of the text, but I love the pictures more than anything.

I am hoping to get out in the studio tomorrow and have a more productive day. I spent three hours out there on Sunday and nothing would come to me. I can't even post what I worked on because it's not good. So many things are wrong with it. Most of all I just don't like it. Some days I just can't get what is in my mind to come out in my art. That I guess is the way it goes sometimes.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and you are looking forward to the weeks ahead.

Free Shipping!

2009-11-26T17:20:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

I hope everyone is having an amazing Thanksgiving! I know that I have. I am so grateful for my family and that everyone is in good health.

To spread the cheer I am offering FREE SHIPPING in my Etsy shop. This will be until Monday night so if there is something you were keeping your eye on, Now is the time!

Happy Holidays!

New to you...

2009-11-23T12:08:00.000-08:00

I am posting one piece that I did for the Skating with Scissors show and one that I have had for a while that I just never got around to posting.

I ran out of wax! I can't believe that I let myself get so low that I actually ran out. I worked so much last Friday that I used it all up. It was so fun though. Today I went out and bought some more. I should be in my studio using it, but I had to put it in the freezer to make it easier to break it up into chunks.

I am working on some Christmas presents which is really keeping my hands busy. I have so many ideas and I am not sure I will be able to do all of them. I hope I will. It would be fun to actually be prepared this season. I need to get a little bit better at planning out jobs. I feel like it's hard only because I have 3 other people in my house that have different needs and wants that are all different and are usually at different times. As much as I would love to be a "full-time" artist, I am a full time parent and wife and that's just how it is. When my kids are a little older and more self-sufficient I think I will have that time that I need. For right now, it's in fits and starts. Some times that can be extremely frustrating and other times I am pretty accepting of the fact that it is what it is. This time of my kids wanting me to do things with them (and for them) won't last forever. I have to remind myself of that fact once in a while.

I have been updating my etsy shop like a mad woman. Unfortunately that hasn't translated into sales. I am trying not to be too hard on myself. I figure there will be a time when it all comes together. Maybe this just isn't the right time. I am going to keep at it though. I love having a place to sell my paintings even if they don't really sell. I have sold a few so I shouldn't complain too much. I know this economy sort of stinks and it's always cheaper to buy a print than an original piece. But some people do like originals and I have to say I think my prices are really reasonable. Maybe I am off, but I think they are. If you think differently let me know! I would appreciate the feedback.

Off to post on my etsy shop!

Too dark for Etsy...

2009-11-20T14:06:00.000-08:00

I made some new pieces today. I was really enjoying my time in the studio. It was great. I made one though that is a little darker than what I post on Etsy. It's the one above. I am trying to break out of that "make it nice" rut I got myself into a bit. I want to get back to just making what I feel. Not sure why I came up with the one above, but I did. I am wondering if someone would connect with it or be frightened of it. Either way I think I will post it.
Two posts in one day! Yahoo, I am on a roll. I think it helps that the only thing I have planned for this weekend, besides movies and studio time is going for a walk with a friend. It sounds so great and I can't wait. I currently have banana bread in the oven and it smells delicious. I made a promise to make two loaves so I have one to go. Unfortunately it's making me hungry and I already ate lunch!

I would love some feedback on what you think about posting darker stuff on Etsy. Maybe I am just missing it, but I don't see a lot of dark stuff there.

Me...

2009-11-20T09:18:00.000-08:00

One of my pieces is featured on this blog http://www.ohchalet.blogspot.com/! It is my first time that one of anything have made has been a part of any feature. Check out her blog, it's very cool.

134

2009-11-18T13:58:00.000-08:00

This is the 134th post that I have written. That is pretty wild. Anywho, I did some work today and am going to be updating my shop again. The above piece will be in my shop. I also am pretty excited because I have started working on another project. I am not sure where it is going. I do know that I am going to take my time with it and just see where it takes me. Below is a picture of what it is looking like. I haven't done much yet. I found an old drawer that I sawed the ends off and am using one of my insulin vials. I have all this weird little hardware stuff that I collect that I think I will be incorporating as well. I am just excited about it. I haven't done any "playing" in a while.

My daughter is home for the 3rd day in a row. Next week they only have 1 day of school so she is missing a lot. Nothing much I can do about it. She had such a bad cough and fever. The fever is finally gone! It's been gone for almost 24 hours which means that tomorrow morning she can head back to school.

I started crocheting a little garland for my mantel. It's just red crochet yarn and I am just making little circles every so often. It's pretty fun to do something else with my hand. Plus, I am so looking forward to decorating for the holidays. I don't decorate for Thanksgiving or Halloween (besides pumpkins) but Christmas I LOVE to decorate for. I am going to start getting things ready next week while the kids are home. I am trying to think of other things that I can make. Not sure what that will be yet. Anybody know of some cool holiday crafts?

Les Illuminations....

2009-11-17T16:32:00.000-08:00

Is the title of the piece I was going to post, but Blogger is not letting me download it.
I have some new work that I was able to do at the end of last week. I haven't done much this week since I had two kids home sick yesterday and one home sick today. Bummer for sure. I think everyone is on the mend so I will be getting out to work tomorrow. I can't wait. I went out a little bit this afternoon and darn it was chilly. I didn't have a lot of time so all I was able to do was get pictures.

I will be updating my etsy shop tonight with some new pieces. I feel pretty inspired lately so I am hoping I can keep updating as the weeks go on before Christmas. I can't really believe I just wrote that, and I can't really believe that Thanksgiving is next week! Wow, how time flies.

I am starting to think about Christmas presents and what to make for everyone. I don't know what I will do yet, but I am getting some inspiration from various blogs. I use that as my excuse to sit every morning, drink my coffee and enjoy what others have written. Then of course it's school and then studio time. I LOVE when I can keep my routine. I don't do very well with change and having that routine disrupted. I can manage, but my whole day gets kind of funky.

Check out my shop for the other goodies that I have posted there. I even have a new acrylic piece. For some reason my acrylic pieces are much darker than my encaustic. I have written this before, but I LOVE anatomy books. I was able to use one for one of the pieces and it was really fun.

Mimi

2009-11-09T12:19:00.000-08:00

I made two new pieces this morning. It was so great to work and not worry about selling. I still updated my Etsy store, but I didn't worry so much about if they were going to sell. It felt goodl. I probably could have worked more, but darn it's cold and wet out. Plus, I am still a little tired from our sale on Saturday. Which I need to add, was great. It went off mostly without a hitch. It was so cool to see the amazing art people come up with. Just fantastic really. I am in awe of these talented people.

Back to the art! I named the painting with the lady "Mimi". She looked like a Mimi to me. I think she is adorable. The second one with the heart is just named "heart" very original I know. I could work on the paintings, but naming them was too hard. They are both available in my Etsy shop.

I also want to thank the people that bought something from me at the Sale this last weekend. It was so nice to see that people liked what I made. It's really a great feeling.

One more day...

2009-11-05T21:02:00.000-08:00

Until the Holiday Bazaar. We have some awesome vendors! Check them out!
I hope you all will come to the sale. It should be really good.....

Tomorrow is the day before set-up and then Saturday is the big sale. I am very hopeful that everything will work out. I am also really tired and anxious for Sunday. This should be a good weekend.

darker...

2009-11-04T12:20:00.000-08:00

Sometimes my thought go a little darker and it shows in my paintings. That is what happened to me this morning. For some reason I am really feeling on edge today. Not sure if it's because I have so many things to do, but can't do them for another two days or what. Either way, it's been a darker day in my head than it is outside. That's how these two pieces came about. I was in my studio listening to some music when these titles came up. I guess this is what I translated it to.

It is an absolutely beautiful day outside. I don't know what has made me so cranky and edgy. I guess if I can make something out of it that is better than nothing. I put these two pieces in my Etsy shop already. I don't think I will bring them to the sale on Saturday. They are a little too personally revealing for a sale at school with a lot of parents that I know. I guess it's easier to put them up on Etsy where people don't know me personally. They can take what they want from it and translate it to themselves. That is the great thing about Art.

Nothing much...

2009-11-02T18:43:00.001-08:00

Not much going on here. I was working on other things today besides painting.
We had a really nice Halloween. My camera battery died so I didn't get any pictures. Max was Count Olaf from the Series of Unfortunate Events books, and Maggie was a witch that later turned into a cat. Good stuff.

Wanna Smile? Click here

Birdies x 2

2009-10-30T10:47:00.001-07:00

Today I finished two paintings that I have been working on. One is a painting that I am doing for the Audubon Society auction done in acrylic and collaged, the other one is collage, but done in encaustic. They are both really similar and I had a lot of fun making them. I have never really tried to make two of something and it was kind of fun. They turned out differently even though they both started out basically the same. The one in the cream and blue is the Audubon society piece, the one in the browns will go in my etsy shop today.

I have new duds for my studio. It's pretty mild out today, but the other day it was really chilly and wet. Well, I am doing good because Josh found me some Dickie's insulate coveralls! I have some cotton ones that I sometimes use in the summer, but they are not warm. These are really warm. I look like the Michelin man, but I am super cozy. Plus, I can work in them which is really important. I just put them right over my clothes (or pajamas) and off to work I go. It's great.

Don't forget Portlanders me along with 90(!) other awesome vendors are going to be at the Lewis Holiday Bazaar on November 7! It's going to be awesome. Go to LewisEvents.org and see all the cool Portland vendors.

Feng Shui

2009-10-27T16:03:00.000-07:00

Before Studio

Ok, I don't really know anything about Feng Shui except for things that I have heard or read, but I do know that I cleaned my studio up yesterday and a couple hours later I sold a painting on Etsy! Maybe I cleaned up or cleared out or whatever you do to get better energy coming in. I don't know, but I am pretty happy about it. From the before pictures you can see that it was really bad. I had neglected that space and it was making it really hard to work in there. It's not done now, but it is on it's way. I created separate work areas for my encaustics and my acrylics. I had been meaning to do this for a long time, but never did. Usually because when I went out there I just wanted to work and not clean. It feels so good to clean! Now if only I felt that way about cleaning up my house!

After Studio

The other thing I have been doing is re-reading Twyla Tharp's book The Creative Habit. I highly recommend this book. I like her writing just for the fact that it is completely straight forward. She basically lets you know that if you don't get out there and create you are never going to be any better at your art. She uses a lot of examples of other artists from all different backgrounds and talents and it makes it really interesting to read. I also like that it's not just about making art a habit, but about how we create it and how to get past those pesky critics we all have in our head. I received this book for Christmas a couple of years ago and read it then, but I think I am getting more out of it this time.

So tomorrow, I will be finishing the studio and hopefully making something. I have ideas that are finally coming up and I think I will finally have the space to make them. Now, I just have to remember to clean up after myself.

better..

2009-10-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

So, the flu is done with me. I am hoping that was as sick as I will get for the rest of the season. Man that sucked. Unfortunately Max is now home.

My time has been taken up with being sick and my kids school Holiday Bazaar. I am looking forward to it. For those of you in the PDX area it's November 7. You can get more info here. There are some AWESOME vendors coming to do our bazaar. Shopping!

The other thing I started this weekend was cleaning my studio. I finally moved back out of the living room. It was just taking up too much darn space. But once I got out to my studio I realized that it's a huge mess. I have A LOT of stuff. I don't use all of it, but I keep thinking that I will use it at some point. I have a ton of anatomy books. A lot of my art used to focus on anatomy. I love old medical books. I have some vintage Red Cross First Aid books that are quite funny. They used black and white pictures of real medical situations. I also have a ton of books in French and Italian. I just like how it looks. I don't use those often enough I think. O' there are so many things I want to make and just don't have the time right now. I could cut my sleep time, but I get cranky without my sleep.

It's going around...

2009-10-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

So, I think I am sick which really sucks. I am so dead tired I don't know what to do with myself. This is a really bad time to get sick. I have a lot to do and I don't see that ending anytime soon. Since I became a type 1 diabetic (my pancreas went caput) I have to be a little careful when I get sick. I don't feel like monitoring my blood sugar, but I could get into trouble if I don't. I would like to sleep, but I do have some stuff I have to do.

I did not make anything last night unfortunately. I was sick and my tummy wouldn't allow anything but resting. I did look thru some old pictures I picked up at an estate sale. I bought a whole pack of them and stuck them in a box. I pulled that box out the other day. There are some great 60's pics in there. I plan on using them in my art very soon.

Stay well.

Neglect...

2009-10-19T13:36:00.000-07:00

My poor blog. I have neglected it for a whole week. I have been very busy with school stuff and unfortunately my blog and my art have been the first to go. That and my house which is a mess.

I have taken over my living room to do some art pages and it's not pretty as you can see from the picture above. I have been working on some pages in my watercolor journals. Sometimes it's just taking pictures and pasting them down. Other times I actually do some different collages. Just depends on how much time I have and what I am feeling like.

So this blog is mainly going to be pictures. I have nothing else exciting to add to it.

A small reminder.

2009-10-12T18:48:00.000-07:00

I am back from a really restful vacation. The kids did not have school last friday and I took them out about an hour early on Thursday to get our small break started. It was lovely. We did not much of anything. I watched some Mad Men (s2) and that was great, had some wine, did some fishing (I caught a big one!) The kids only fought a little which was good.

I am stuck. I have been trying to work on projects and am just not coming up with anything. I did make this piece today. I like it. I needed to remember to do just that, breathe. I find myself really frustrated. I have this feeling like I want to make something, but nothing is really coming forward. I have tried crocheting, painting, collages with magazines, encaustic, journaling etc.. nothing is sticking. Ugh, it's frustrating. I know I will get thru this just like I have the other times. I just hope this doesn't last too long. It's hard to have all this creative energy and no outlet.

Breather...

2009-10-07T21:24:00.000-07:00

I am going to float on a houseboat this weekend with my family. I have been completely uninspired and I think this might get me back in my studio. The kids have Friday off so I am taking an extended weekend. Hope you have a nice one..

Ouch!

2009-10-05T13:58:00.000-07:00

Nothing new to post today. I pulled a muscle in my back and can't sit or stand for too long. So, no new work, no new postings. Nada. Hopefully I will be back tomorrow with something to say.

More journal goodness...

2009-10-01T13:05:00.000-07:00

I worked a little bit on my journal last night and today. Nothing spectacular, but it's a good break. I think it lets me think in a different way. For the journal I take pictures that I find interesting or pretty and try to make them all work in some way. I love pictures of textures which is what page 2 is all about.

I am going to a friends are opening tonight which should be fun and then a school PTA meeting which doesn't really seem to fit. This night actually sums up my life pretty well.

I updated my store today. I finally have 40 items in my shop! I know some people have a lot more in their shop than I do, but I figure since I am making originals, 40 items isn't bad. I would LOVE to have to replenish though!

Have a great day.

Visual Journal...

2009-09-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

I think I know why I am magazine obsessed. I need to journal. I used to use magazines and catalogs as journal pieces all the time. Then I went to canvases, then wood, encaustic etc... But I miss doing my visual journals. These pics are from the last one that I did. I am going to start one today I think. It feels like a good idea. I am the first to admit these pages are not the greatest, but they are not meant to be. They are just supposed to be a way of purging some thoughts and getting back to just basic paint on paper. I use watercolor paper for my journals. They hold the paint and glue really well.

So, here is part of my journal. Lots of pictures today!~

Feeling uninspired...

2009-09-29T11:39:00.000-07:00

I am not feeling inspired today. I went out to the studio, I turned on my wax and NOTHING. It's such a bummer when I feel this way. I really wanted to make something, but nothing was coming to me. This is probably a sign that I need to do some other stuff to stimulate my brain. I think I am going to do some Ashtanga Yoga (ooh la la) tonight to get my blood flowing. Other than that I have been a magazine junkie lately. I can go months without being interested in magazines and then something will happen and I just want to read them. I am a book person so normally I can get into a book and finish it pretty quickly. I usually have more than one going at a time. For some reason though even though I have a book I could read (actually I have several) I am not into it. I am into magazines. Part of it is the eye candy. There is so much going on with colors! I love the colors that are "in" right now. The purples and reds really get to me. Love them! The trick with reading all these magazines (vogue, elle, bazaar, etc..) is that I number one do not come close to looking like the models in the magazines, and two I couldn't afford a t-shirt ($86.00!) that they have in there. So, it's just for looking. And there is some inspiration there too. Like I said, the colors really get to me and sometimes the shape and flow of a garment can inspire me. It just depends.

Today I posted some more pieces in my store. I am feeling pretty good about it. Tomorrow I will have 40 pieces in there which is the most I have ever had. By the end of the week there will be even more.

The Update that was...

2009-09-28T12:49:00.000-07:00

I did it! I finally did an update on my Etsy store today! I am so relieved. I put about 5 new pieces up which means I will be updating all week. I have that many new pieces. I have a sale to get ready for at the beginning of November, but I am feeling confident enough that I will have more pieces for that show specifically.

I have opened the doors to my studio, but I haven't done any work out there yet. Which I know I just wrote that I will have a bunch of new pieces for this upcoming sale and yet I haven't worked in a week. I know it's coming though. I have been VERY unmotivated these past couple of days. I'm not sleeping very well so I think that is just part of it. It makes me really tired during the day. Even coffee doesn't seem to be doing the trick. I think I just need a solid amount of sleep in one swoop. I shall see if that is possible!

I hope you check out my update. I feel pretty good about it. I had to renew a few things that had expired as well so my shop is looking nice and full. I can't wait until the end of the week. Then all my pieces will be in there for everyone to see.

Small Delay...

2009-09-24T13:38:00.000-07:00

Ok, I said I was going to update Etsy this week. Things are a little busy around her and I haven't had the time to get in gear.
The update is coming, just not until next week!

Etsy Update...

2009-09-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

I am going to have a big update to my Etsy shop this week. I have a lot of new stuff that I can't wait to put on there. I would do it today, but the kids are home sick, already! Bummer. I am going to spread out my update so it will probably be all week. There is a lot.

Did the Skating with Scissors show. I learned a bit about how I want to change my display. I am glad I went and experienced a sale for myself. Unfortunately there were not a lot of people, and the ones that were there weren't buying much. Either way I am glad I did it, and I am glad it's over. Lots of stuff to get done that I have been neglecting!

Hope you had a fantastic weekend and are looking forward to the week ahead!

My little white dress 6

2009-09-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

This is my 6th Little White dress painting. They are so fun to make. This one has map tacks for buttons. It's really fun to come up with different items to use. I worked on another piece that I will have a picture of tomorrow. It's one that I had already worked on and thought I had finished. But when I looked at it today I realized there was a lot that could be done. It just wasn't finished. I think I have finished it. It looks much better. I am really happy with it.

I am not really working for the Skating with Scissor sale. I am working because it's not really work or an obligation, but because I can't imagine not being out in my studio. I can't imagine not working on a painting. It's strange how things go. I have been doing something creative for about the last 15 years. I have only been able to call myself an artist in the last year. I didn't take any art classes in high school or jr. high. I never would have even considered myself creative back then. It was not something that I was. I wasn't the one who had any artistic talent. It's amazing to me how much has changed. I truly feel like an artist when I am in my studio. Although most of the time if people ask me what I do I still say I am a stay at home mom. I am trying to break that habit. I am a stay at home mom, but I am an artist too. That felt really strange to write that by the way. I am so tempted to delete that, but I won't. I guess I am not as comfortable as I thought I am was with calling myself an artist. I just need to get used to it I guess.

I think we are all artists in our own way. Some can make their houses really beautiful, some people can make a meal look beautiful etc.. There are friends of mine who have many creative talents. I am a lucky person to know them. They inspire me greatly. I wish some of what they have would rub off! I have a lot to learn still, but I feel lucky in that I know so many artists and they are my friends.

Goodness....

2009-09-15T12:07:00.000-07:00

So, here is some more pieces I have made. I think I have more than enough for the sale on Saturday. It's going to be hard to decide what I want to display. I want to have enough of a variety, but I want them all to be cohesive too. Plus, I feel like I might be getting a little ahead of myself with having all these pieces. I don't know if I will sell anything. I do know that I will be posting to Etsy after the sale. It should be a big update!

I haven't updated my flickr account in a long time. I just realized when I went on that my account had expired (I have a Pro acct) oops. I have to update that. I think it's been a few months. I have a lot of pieces that need to go on there. My friends have all been really good about posting on there. It's fun to see what they have done. I am a lucky girl to have such talented friends. They are talented photographers. I do wish I was better at photographing. I am really happy that my digital camera has all the auto settings. I have NO idea how to do it manually. I did take a photograhpy class in high school (ages ago) but I think I barely got a "B" Sad, I know. I think the teacher was just being nice. I did try though. I just don't have the photography gene.

Skating with Scissors (or where I'll be on Saturday)

2009-09-14T21:45:00.000-07:00

September 19, 2009

Skating with Scissors Craft Bazaar

@ the Hangar in Oaks Amusement Park

7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR

11am – 7pm * FREE Admission * All Ages

New stuff...

2009-09-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

I have been working in the studio these past couple of days. The Skating with Scissors show is this coming Saturday (the 19th) at the Hangar at Oaks Park from 10am to 7pm. I am getting really excited about it. I have more work than I will probably need, but I can't stop making stuff. I feel like I am on a roll and I don't want to stop. Although I have to admit, today I am feeling really lazy about working. I have sort of forced myself to come out in the studio. I have a house that needs cleaning, but I can do that later. I like taking advantage of the time the kids are in school.

This weekend was a good one. I was able to get more supplies that I needed for the show. It's kind of fun having to buy bags and make business cards. I know I should probably at least go to Kinkos for business cards, but I am trying to economize. So, I made my own. They are super plain, but I like them. I tried to think if there was anything I could add to them since they are white with my info. in black. Not exactly exciting. Anyway, I have just decided to leave them be. As long as it has my info on it that is probably all I need. There is a lot to have for a show. I didn't realize just how much there really is to have. My friend Jen Neitzel was really helpful in telling me what I needed to bring. She is a pro. She has done many shows and knows all the things that you don't think of needing, but you really do.

This week I plan on more studio work. I am going to Collage today to buy some more beeswax and see what other goodies I can find. I am a fan of rub-on's and use them once in a while on my collages. I am interested to see what I can find today. This is probably going to be my only shopping of the week. And it won't really be shopping since I am on a really limited budget. That is part of the challenge though. I like the idea of making do with what you have. And I have plenty. But it's so fun to get new things for art. I guess the real challenge is balancing those two out. Wish me luck!

Note: just realized how off center the "buttons" are on the dress. I thought it would look cute, but it just looks really crooked. I will be fixing that.

Display, Display, Display

2009-09-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

I am working on my display for the show. It's not easy picking the pieces I want to go in it. I thought it would be easier for some reason. I just am not sure that they have a cohesiveness that I want. I usually make what I feel like and sometimes it goes with the piece I made the day before and sometimes not. It just depends on my mood. I am noticing that not everything goes together. Maybe it does. I don't know. I guess I will wait and see what my husband thinks. If you have any comments on the above pictures let me know. Feedback is always good.

Today is the second day of school and I was able to spend this morning having coffee with my friend Cinda. It was so nice to have time to talk to someone without worrying about having to get home right away because of the kids. Or having the kids there and having a REALLY hard time talking.

I wanted to also point out this very cool local blog for all you Portlanders. The amazing Karen Vitt has come up with The Neat Sheet. There is a cool giveaway on there right now. Plus, she has some other great deals on there. Definitely check it out.

Getting Ready...

2009-09-08T18:53:00.000-07:00

I am gearing up for the Skating with Scissors show. I have a bunch of new work that I will show there and then post it to Etsy (if it doesn't sell!) I am getting pretty excited. I feel like I have most things in order. I have things I still would like to make, but I have time. It's not until the 19th so I really have about 10 days. Of course, a few of those days are going to be taken up with kid stuff and then there is the fact that although I may want to sometimes, I can't actually spend every moment in my studio.

The kids are back in school and it is nice. It was such a quiet day today. Normally I would have been out here working, but I had my eyes dilated at the dr's this morning and it lasted a while. Tomorrow no drs appointment so I plan on using my time wisely. The kids are so happy to be back in school and they love their teachers so I can feel good about that even if I didn't get any work done.

The above two pieces are one's I worked on this weekend. The black one unfortunately had a lot of glare no matter where I positioned it. It was a productive long weekend for me. I looked at some old pieces I had done and saw some things I really didn't like. It's really hard for me to not judge what I have done in the past. I have to say, the couple of pieces I didn't like really were bad. I think I just needed to make "something" at the time, but now I look at them and realize I could do so much better. I am not disappointed (don't want to sound like that) just glad that I have other pieces that worked out much better. Anyway, it was good to look thru some older pieces and figure out what I wanted to pull for the show. I know I don't need too many pieces, but I want a good variety to choose from.

I have to say I am enjoying the cool weather in the morning. It seems fitting for kids going back to school to have a chilly morning.

Missing you...

2009-09-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

Cleaning...

2009-09-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

Today is the day I am going to clean up my studio. It's looking a little sad right now. I have a lot of stuff in here that actually needs to go into our garage (paint cans, charcoal (?), etc.) Plus my work table is a huge old mess. I am feeling so lazy though. I know I will feel better when it's all done. I just have to be motivated. I guess the motivation is supposed to be knowing that you have a clean space to work. Why is that not working for me????

I am also working on a new piece right now, but am a little stuck. Not sure which way I want it to go. Nothing is really hitting me. I am trying to find some music to listen to that will give me some inspiration. Right now I am listening to The Breeders. So far I think it might work.

The piece above I finished the other day. I think I like it. I struggled with it because I just couldn't decide if it was done or not. I am going to say it's done now. Or I will just admit that I am tired of it and want it to be done now.

This is our last weekend until school starts. I am thinking of how much I will get done when school starts. OOOH, uninterrupted studio time how much I have missed you!

Busy

2009-09-03T11:17:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy couple of weeks around here and I am trying to get back into the groove of things. I have been spending most of my time getting the kids ready for school. I think we are all set now. It's only a few days away and we are all really excited.

As for working in the studio, I have been able to do a little of that too. I have some new work for the Skating with Scissors show which if it doesn't sell there will be put into the Etsy shop. My poor Etsy shop needs an update very soon. I just hesitate to put any of my new work in there until after the show which is September 19, at the Oaks Park hangar. You can find more info about the sale here. I have all my supplies ready and am just working on my display. That is the hard part for me I guess. I have never put up a display before and am just not sure how it will go. I will post a picture when I have it all figured out.

I plan on posting a lot more regularly now that things are starting to calm down.

New Work!

2009-08-25T12:46:00.000-07:00

I have some new work. I am out in the studio as I write this enjoying some time. I have completed a couple pieces (above) started a couple and have just generally been loving being out here. It's nice.

I am getting set for the kids to go back to school and having a more regular routine. I did pretty good at the beginning of summer, but it was getting a little easy to sleep in a bit these last couple of weeks. Then we had a guest which changed things again. Now we are waiting for school to begin and change things all over again. At least this change will be for a few months. I am really excited about it. More importantly my kids are really excited to go back to school which will make this transition so much easier.

As far my art I am feeling a little pressure because of the Skating with Scissors show on September 19. I want to make sure that I am really ready for it. I don't have my displays ready yet and I really need to work on that. I am going on the inexpensive side since this sort of a trial run to see how I do. I am nervous about it. This is my first show outside of my kids school show. That one isn't until November so I have some time to prepare for that. I just need to find that balance between getting ready for shows and updating my Etsy shop. I haven't done that in a while. I did sell another piece which feels really good.

I hope everyone is having a good week!

Countdown...

2009-08-19T21:45:00.000-07:00

I am counting down until I have my house, my routine and my time back. I have had a house guest for the last week and I have a hard time sharing space. I like having my time to work and play. I like cooking in my own kitchen and being on my own sometimes. This is difficult when you are entertaining.

I have some new pieces I have made that I will post next week and inspiration for SOO many more. I can't wait to have my studio back. (I don't work well with people over my shoulder)

For those of you local PDX'ers who are arts and craftsers there is a fun event coming up in November. Here is the link: www.lewisevents.org

Still here...

2009-08-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

I am still around. And I am still working on the house. I am out in my wonderful studio (ooh, how I miss it) and will be in here by the end of next week with some new work. I just need to finish my house to get ready for my mother in-law. Wow, it's amazing how things can look when you look at them thru other people's eyes. Sometimes that can be a really good thing and other times it can make you crazy. I think I am hitting the crazy time. I think I need to give myself a little break. I like things to be perfect and as those of you who read this know I don't have a perfectly cute existence. My life is messy, my house is messy and I don't usually mind it that way. I think I read too many blogs where people talk about how beautiful their homes, and their lives are. Not here. It's a messy existence I lead. I don't mind it. It's how my art comes from me. If it was all perfect my art would be VERY boring. There are times though where I wish I could say that things are perfect; my kids are perfect, my husband is a saint, and my house is as cute as can be. That is just not the case. I have many flaws and they are there all the time. I have found a rememdy for those times when you feel down and out and have to just accept who you are: THE RAMONES. Try it sometime. Nothing can make you feel better than a little Ramones to make you realize that instead of making your life look pretty you just got a dance around a little.

So, here it is my messy, crazy life. I think there are at least a few of you that can relate. At least I hope so!

Craziness and more craziness....

2009-08-06T12:48:00.000-07:00

I have been painting like a fiend. Unfortunately it's not the fun painting I do out in my studio. It's the kind you do in your house because your mother in-law is coming for a visit and your house is looking a wee bit on the shabby side. So far so good, Dining room: check, Maggie's room: check, Max's room: check the rest of the house: MESS! I have my work cut out for me. Since I was painting all around I had to move stuff. All that stuff needs to go back to a home, but I honestly feel like just getting rid of all of it. Probably not the best idea. I should have taken pictures of what it looked like before all this craziness took place. I can say that it looks much better now.

I might be absent for a few days off and on. My poor Etsy shop is on a slow path right now. If you haven't checked it out please do! Maybe you will have some feedback for me. I know it takes a little while to get Etsy up and running. I unfortunately won't have a lot of time over the next couple of weeks to devote to it. With the show coming up it's going to be a crazy time. I am not sure how August and September ended up getting so busy. I can't believe that school will be starting back up in a little over a month! That just blows me away.

Ok, I have to run off again. I am making banana bread for camping and need to get it done pronto.

I am LOVING this cooler weather. I am looking forward to turning the oven on for the first time in a couple of weeks! I missed baking.