Soaking up the Art

Turquoise, fine silver, Chrysacola and antique Tibetan ornaments
from Urban Organic Designs.

I'm not going to kid myself. I won't be making it to my studio today. If I do, it will be a bonus.

I DO plan to revel in and be inspired by a lot of art and artists at the Coronado Art Walk where my friend Valerie will be showing her gorgeous jewelry! Check out the beautiful pieces she and her sister put together: Urban Organic Designs.

Wow! My own personal coach!

Handy dandy... he showed up in my email today. The incredible artist Robert Genn offered his services and for FREE! The advice he generously provides resonants with the daily self-talking I give myself only he words it so much better. Maybe I'll listen to him:

"Find a sanctuary where you can comfortably work.
Dedicate at least two hours a day to your art.
Have more than enough equipment and supplies.
Set short- and long-term goals and keep track of progress.
Think of your work as exercise, not championship play.
Explore series development and exhaust personal themes.
Work alone with the benefit of books and perhaps tapes.
Replace passive consumption with creative production.
Use your own intuition and master your technology.
Feel the joy of personal, self-generated sweat.
Fall in love with your own working processes.
Be forever on the lookout for the advent of style.
Try to be your own person and claim your rights.
Don't bother setting yourself up for rejection.
Don't swing too wildly and damage the well-being of others.
Don't jump into the ring until you're feeling fit.

If you can stick with this regimen for a couple of months, I
can pretty well guarantee your progress. If not, then at least
the exercise will let you know the job's not for you. "

He articulates so many of the important steps in the process of artmaking that one often isn't fully aware of. You, too, can get his artistic wisdom emailed directly to you twice a week by following the link below. He generates a stimulating discussion with many talented artists about the business of doing art. He also has an artist's directory which lists some of the best (and even me!)

Today's excuse

Taught three classes today. I got to watch art blossom from my students as they colored in the drawings they started last week using brilliant chalk pastels. It is a rush, seeing them build color up on their black paper. Each one is unique: some somber, some tropical. These kids never seem like they're listening but their work ends up being phenomenal!

Then, I went to a memorial service for a friend who just couldn't take it anymore and killed himself. So.... no painting today!

A painting today...almost

I almost did it! I started a painting and kept it small (6"x6") so I could get it mostly finished. It's not quite there. It's really hard painting small, esp. with my shakey hands!

So much for painting daily

So much for painting daily - how do people do it?? First day- I get to my studio and end up helping a friend with a presentation she's doing for grad school.

Next day - on way to studio , stopped at library and checked out free online access to Ancestry.com. Spent the whole afternoon researching dead relatives (but, hey! I got a copy of my grandfather's WWI and WWII draft registration cards!) then realized that five hours of sleep the night before wasn't cutting it and headed back home.

Today... waiting for a chipper service .... waiting.....waiting....waiting

I NEED A STUDIO HERE AT HOME!!!!

Ridley (detail) Acrylic June 2007

My friend Lyn keeps talking about the relevance of blogging and especially loves the Daily Painters blogging web site. I've decided to jump on board in my own way. God knows, my current marketing plan (occasionally entering juried art shows) isn't working.

My last painting, a portrait of my sister's dog, Ridley, took me weeks to paint! Will I be able to crank out a painting in a day??