When your weeks are filled with appointments, of every kind, it can be quite difficult to create...and that's the way it has been these past few weeks. Whether it has been for me or the kids, I just have not been at my studio to create for a good portion of every day. No fear! These are the times that I especially work on ACEO's. Ahhhh, the wonderful, magnificent, tiny, travel worthy ACEO. How perfect.
'Believe In Yourself' - Original Mixed Media ACEO 2.5"x3.5" Pen & Ink, White Gel Pen, Scrap Art Paper, Ephemera on 180 lb.Hot Press WC Paper Click here...Original ACEO in my Etsy Shop
I have a great little carry case (as seen here in this post) that holds almost everythingI need to get ACEO's started (and many times finished). So, while waiting in waiting rooms, at the park, or wherever, I can pull out my supplies discretely and work on an ACEO. The kids even know to make sure, before we leave the house, that I have my carry case with me. I don't leave home without it!
In my little carry case, along with pens of every kind, pencils, watercolor pencils, markers, a multitude of pre-cut ACEOs, prepped watercolor ACEOs, ephemera, cutting tools, the works!!
The pre-prepped watercolor cards are often great inspiration and they are perfect for backgrounds to the multi-layered pieces, too. Oh, how I love the this little thing called an ACEO!
Direction. Diversity. Dilemma. Decisions. Growing! Growth is good. And for me lately, a bit challenging. For some time now, quite a while actually, I have been struggling to 'find' my artistic me. To hone in on what ismy strength, my passion, my style. Who I really am as an artist.
I am torn. As an artist, while I work on one medium or style, I am dreaming about another. I can't wait to try a new technique or color combination. Creating for me is like dinner. Many foods. Many ways to prepare them. I just don't want the same meal every single night. But yet, I love it all. This is my dilemma. And this can be critical when you want your work to be recognized as your own. I have numerous pieces of work, in all styles and mediums, at Green-n-Groovy a local gallery downtown and Lisa, the owner, tells me all the time that patrons are shocked and amazed when they come across my tags, realizing that they were all created by the same artist. Yet, I sell pieces from every collection of work. Advantage or detriment? They like the work, they buy the work, but do they know my name?
I create because I have to. It is who I am. I am not an artist that will ever only work in one medium or one style. I experience just as much excitement with a palette full of color as I do with a palette limited to only black and white. Choosing one material or craft or technique would be like choosing only one of my children. It is impossible to choose. I love them all. I have spent the past year or so really reading and studying many other artists and their work. Examining the diversities, the successes, the many aspects of working as a professional artist. 'Don't rely on income from only one source'. 'Create a recognizable style that becomes your own'. 'Brand yourself'. 'Create what you love'. 'Don't limit yourself'.....and a partridge in a pear tree (hmmm, just thought of a design idea...oops, sorry...back to what I was saying). Growth sure does make my head hurt!
Ultimately, there are some things that will have to change. I have to make, perhaps, some difficult decisions in both creative and business areas of my life. It is imperative that, as an artist, I do NOT forsake anything that fills my creative cup. As a business woman, it's time to establish a specific artistic business plan and commit to it.
I'm ready!
I am still working through the many details and I know limiting myself could be dangerous, too. I don't want that. I also know that I need to hone in on my strengths, determine what sells, what could reach a wider range of customers/clients, what could expand into larger venues, etc., etc. Whew! and Egad! So be forewarned, you will start seeing some changes around here, some restructure, some redesign, less of some work, more of others (perhaps combining mediums and styles), probably even some test runs here and there. I want to go where everybody knows my name. I look forward to feedback, too. Inquiring minds want to know. Giveaways and interviews are also things I have wanted to implement for some time now. Check. It's on the list. I feel like this is the first day of the rest of my successful creative life! How exciting is that? It's very exciting! Now let's get this party started....
Change is good! Right? Well, around here, everything seems to be changing lately, and at warp speed!
My beautiful Hannah just had her 12th birthday and I swear it was just yesterday when I brought her home from the hospital. I know I'll still be saying that when she's 22, but for now I am in utter shock that she is already 12. I am watching her become a young lady...scary and beautiful all at once.
And then there's Nathaniel, my little man! 6 going on 26! He's graduating from Kindergarten this week, and as it looks, will be heading to 2nd grade. I am really going to have to get a new pair of roller skates to keep up with these guys. I really didn't know I could love anyone so much! They are my life.
For Hannah's sleepover birthday party, I had purchased some air drying modeling clay that I thought would be fun for the girls (6 of them) to create some little sculptures, pendants, etc with the clay, and then paint them the second day. Well, let's just say that when you get six 12-year-old girls together for a sleepover, getting them to sit still for a 'project' is a bit hit-and-miss. I missed! No biggie, more for me. It's been a while since I had played with the clay and it didn't take long before I was HOOKED...again! I sculpted several little figures and the owl is the only one finished so far. I am not exactly sure what I am going to do with him though. Thought I might turn him into a brooch or pendant, or some sort of mixed media piece, maybe. I have some 3.5"x3.5"canvas covered blocks I made a while back that might be fun to add the head and paint in the rest of the body on the canvas. Hmmmm. Many choices, but one thing for sure is...I LOVED making these. I LOVED working with the clay again. I so feel some changes happening.
This little painting I did last week. I have wanted to create a series of 'boudoir' pieces, of sorts, for a while now...like purses, shoes, lipstick, etc. I added the gold leaf which I think really makes it pop and interesting, too. I also have some fun ideas for the kitchen as well. So many ideas, 24 hours in a day....what's a girl to do?
And here is one more. A painting that I have been working on this past week that isn't finished yet. He is much bigger, 20"x20". The Bug-Eyed ACEO from my last post actually inspired this piece and I am considering some new ideas, so we'll just have to wait to see how it gets finished. I don't have the photos ready, but I have some pen and ink/watercolors to show you, too. It's been a busy, messy week and it really shows in my studio. My mind feels a little messy lately, too. Ultimately, I think I am headed for some CHANGE...but I will have to talk more about that next time. See you then......
'Believe In Yourself' - Original Mixed Media ACEO 2.5"x3.5"
'Deep' - Original Mixed Media ACEO 2.5"x3.5"
In my little carry case, along with pens of every kind, pencils, watercolor pencils, markers, a multitude of pre-cut ACEOs, prepped watercolor ACEOs, ephemera, cutting tools, the works!!
The pre-prepped watercolor cards are often great inspiration and they are perfect for backgrounds to the multi-layered pieces, too. Oh, how I love the this little thing called an ACEO!
