I did it.  I submitted my artwork to the church’s International Art Competition.  This is the first art (not design) competition I’ve entered in about 14 years, probably - I did submit one item to a juried show back in ‘94 (didn’t get in).

“Sanctification”, Encaustic on panel (Diptych)

detail 1

detail 2

And, though I still feel like I am just getting started, I also feel I made a good effort.  This is a huge step for me - first, to have actually taken enough time to finish the piece by the due date, and second, to have gotten myself to the point where I’m not really worried about whether or not I get in the show… truly a milestone for me.  I’ve always been highly demanding of myself, especially when it concerns my artwork/creative projects.  I had a hard time accepting less than the best in recognitions, etc.  But, I’ve gotten through that now, and it feels so GOOD.  It feels good to be painting again AND it feels good to not be worrying about the outcome of the competition.

BTW - the piece is better in person, because it’s easier to see the contrast between the textured area and the super smooth area.

**The recipe competition is still on with two weeks left - see previous post.  Please note - rice is ok, and beans are ok.  Rice & beans together - let’s avoid for now (we already eat a few dishes like this and they’re not favorites).  Thanks!**

Creativity Question:  Do you allow yourself to create “imperfect” pieces, knowing that each imperfect work is a step toward mastering that skill?

I’m learning to accept the in-between stages, and loving it, and savoring it for what it is.  That doesn’t mean I don’t get frustrated occasionally in the midst of the learning curve, but I’m learning to enjoy the process.

I know, I know - it’s been a while.  I really didn’t intend to wait an entire month between posts.  I’ll try to do better this time (again).  But, don’t think for a second that I haven’t been doing anything…

A program for my niece’s baptism (click photo to enlarge).  I shot the photo, created the graphics in Illustrator, then the layout in InDesign.  I’m happy with the way it turned out - that was a lot of information to fit on a half a sheet of paper, plus the photo.   A lot of design is about organization of information. (Wish my house were so well organized!)

I wanted to make something special for my niece, so I made this necklace.  Actually, Hana strung the beads on there for me (I was really short on time, so she helped), and I made the initials “CTR”  (Choose The Right).  It’s a little reminder of her baptism promises.  I probably made about 6 of them poorly before I got a decent one.  She likes it, and that’s what matters most.  Copper wire with glass beads on plastic-coated jewelry wire.

I have also started a new encaustic painting which has been taking up a lot of my time.  But, you’ll have to wait for photos on that - I am hoping to have the painting done by the end of next week, and then post soon after that.

Creativity Question:  Do you allow yourself to say “no” sometimes so you can have time to fulfill your own creative dreams/goals?

This is a tough one, isn’t it?  We all want to be helpful to those in need and do what needs to be done.  We don’t want to feel like we’re being selfish.  But is it sometimes too much?  Should we really stretch ourselves that thin?  The words that keep going through my head are “you can’t draw water from an empty well”.  It is true of wells, and it is true of our souls.  We need to take the time to re-fill them, replenish them and nurture their desires for creativity, or else how can we truly help others? 

After returning home from Borders, having purchased another Moleskine cahiers 3-pack of small “plain journals” (meaning un-lined), and also another journal-type book lined pages one side, blank the other– I realized that I have a lot of idea books.  Take a look:

But, they each serve their purpose. Clockwise from top left:

1. Black Spiral 9×12 - this is where I keep  sketches for my design business - baby announcement, wedding invites, ideas for art to go on them… all in there.
2. Another black spiral - for my Morning Pages - 3 pages of ‘brain drain’ each morning.  Sometimes, usually just a bunch of disjointed thoughts, and sometimes it’s a few good ideas, or a to-do list, but mostly, it just helps me identify and manage issues/stress + solutions.
3. Silver journal (hard to see, sorry) - I just picked this up at Borders - I’m going to use it for jotting down notes when I’m speaking with clients.
4. Celtic design sketch book, black - this is THE sketchbook - my art/musings/notes/interesting findings sketchbook.  I love this one. It is a removable 4×6 sketchbook inside a leather cover.  I have replaced the sketchbook several times.  The cover protects the book from getting too beat-up.  It also has a closure (piece of leather wraps around the button) so I don’t lose all the little papers I have stuck in there. This is the one I’ve had the longest and would have the hardest time parting with, I think.
5. Moleskines, old one and new set - 31/2 x 51/2, thinner than the small leather Moleskine sketch book - the paper isn’t great, but I love how I can fit it in my purse without having to carry a gargantuan bag or my leather sketchbook everywhere.  I get it out when I’m waiting for food at a restaurant, or for Brian Regan’s show to start (yay- Sept 6!), or whenever.  I’ll take my leather sketchbook if I think I’m going to use it, but if I forget, or I see/hear/think of something interesting, it’s great to have one on hand.
6. Celtic tree - This was a gift from Rich (he knows me well) - same style as the other one with the removable book.  I have used this book to draw sketches for design classes, ideas for illustrations, logos, bedroom color schemes - whatever I don’t feel like putting in my “regular” sketchbook.

Of course, after I took the photo, I realized that I have notebooks, too… one that’s a daily to-do list, one for the house that lists each room with what needs to be fixed/done,  the shopping list, of course, and then various older notebooks around the house containing bits of who-knows-what… And I have piles of old sketch books, etc. etc… I guess I make a lot of lists too - this is a list in itself.

I thought I’d include a collage of some of the sketches from the sketch books:

Some of those are pretty old - the baby in the sketch is now 9 years old.  I am beginning to sketch a little more often now, which is good.  It’s not good for me to bottle it all up all the time.

 Creativity Question:  Do you write down or sketch your ideas, no matter how silly?

When I was in college, I used to worry a little about what my fellow artists might think if they looked in my sketch book (which sometimes they did).. but I drew anyway.  And now, I don’t care so much, because I know that it’s getting it out of me, even if it’s silly things like drawing clothing designs, when I’m not a fashion designer, or the lines the streets make when seen from an airplane, or a poem about my shoes…. whatever.  I can go back later, and laugh at some and find good ideas in others.  It’s kind of like a visual journal that I can just pour bits of my soul into.