Finally I have removed all excess responsibilities in effort to make more time to paint. So I send the kids off to school, am caught up with laundry and finished my book. Now that I cleared my plate so to speak, I am sitting here, in my quiet house looking for things to do, when I know that I am supposed to be painting. But I don't feel like it. I know that if I wait to feel like painting the canvas will go untouched and I will grow less and less motivated. I complain to my sister about my dilemma and she reminds me that I don't have to commit to a full day of painting. It's weird how I know that setting the time for one hour is the solution but hearing it from my sister it finally clicks. I guess I just needed to hear it again.
I know that if I start painting every single day, even if it is just for an hour, eventually inspiration will return and I will once again look forward to painting time. I will not look at that canvas with a blank stare, paralyzed, unable to move forward. I also know that once the creative mind kicks in it will in no time be splitting at the seams with ideas and creativity. Spring will return in my mind.
So yesterday, following my sister's advice, I got my water pail ready and Netflix loaded, set my timer and painted for one hour. I can't say that it was all that comfortable but I can say that when I woke up today, I actually looked forward to my painting time a little more. Again, I set the timer, but this time I ended up painting for two hours. I can feel my critical eye returning (that's a good thing) and the motivation is beginning to stir.
I didn't get a ton done today, but I did paint. It was a good day.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Mom, Money, Art
The ultimate struggle for me as an artist is the juggling of priorities. I believe this is true for most artists.
I have three major priorities right now, in this order.. Mom, Money, Art.
First I am Mom. This is the most important role I have, and I only get one chance to raise them. Now that my kids are 14, 9, and 8 my job description has changed. My kids have interests and schedules that are more busy than ever. Okay, so after 1pm, I belong to them entirely. I drive them from this activity to that activity, wash uniforms, and help with ever increasingly difficult homework.
My second priority, which is tied to the first is Money.... As much as I'd like to blow this one off, and just have my Kids and Art to think about, this is not the reality I live in. I enjoy work, and earning as much as I can is not an option, it is necessary for survival right now. I dream of a day when the money we have coming in from one source is all we need, but that is simply not the way it is. Frankly I enjoy work, and praise God that I am able to earn doing things that I love. I build websites for artists, have a online magazine called ARTAZINE to help promote art instructors, artists, and galleries, and I paint murals.
My third priority, the one that nourishes my soul is painting. I love painting and always will, and if I don't paint, even though I stay busy and I love my ability to earn, I feel like I am not fulfilling my role here on earth. There is an emptiness that aches until I paint again.
When I first started painting, the subject didn't matter to me. I painted flowers because they were pretty, and tried to find a commercial outlet for my work. I tried to match home decor and trends. Although my these paintings sold, I still felt like they didn't "say" enough.
One day I had a crazy emotion and felt that restrictive pull that shuts down my ability to verbally communicate. An image popped into my head and I painted. Fearful of judgement the painting sat in my studio for about two years, unseen by anyone but me. One day I showed the painting to a trusted family member and artist. He told me that he is more interested in this painting than any of the more than 100 that I had previously completed.
The painting is called "Speechless". Comments are more than welcome.
This was the sort of response that I hoped for, although I half expected him to confirm that he thought I was crazy. I want my paintings to communicate at a depth beyond words. Maybe they will reach someone out there. Sure, I will occasionally paint an inspirational flower or scene, but I really believe that I have this gift for a reason and I think that reason is intended for more than interior decorating.
Someday I pray that my priorities will be Mom, Art... but until then I am ever grateful that I can still use my creativity to earn.
I have three major priorities right now, in this order.. Mom, Money, Art.
First I am Mom. This is the most important role I have, and I only get one chance to raise them. Now that my kids are 14, 9, and 8 my job description has changed. My kids have interests and schedules that are more busy than ever. Okay, so after 1pm, I belong to them entirely. I drive them from this activity to that activity, wash uniforms, and help with ever increasingly difficult homework.
My second priority, which is tied to the first is Money.... As much as I'd like to blow this one off, and just have my Kids and Art to think about, this is not the reality I live in. I enjoy work, and earning as much as I can is not an option, it is necessary for survival right now. I dream of a day when the money we have coming in from one source is all we need, but that is simply not the way it is. Frankly I enjoy work, and praise God that I am able to earn doing things that I love. I build websites for artists, have a online magazine called ARTAZINE to help promote art instructors, artists, and galleries, and I paint murals.
My third priority, the one that nourishes my soul is painting. I love painting and always will, and if I don't paint, even though I stay busy and I love my ability to earn, I feel like I am not fulfilling my role here on earth. There is an emptiness that aches until I paint again.
When I first started painting, the subject didn't matter to me. I painted flowers because they were pretty, and tried to find a commercial outlet for my work. I tried to match home decor and trends. Although my these paintings sold, I still felt like they didn't "say" enough.
One day I had a crazy emotion and felt that restrictive pull that shuts down my ability to verbally communicate. An image popped into my head and I painted. Fearful of judgement the painting sat in my studio for about two years, unseen by anyone but me. One day I showed the painting to a trusted family member and artist. He told me that he is more interested in this painting than any of the more than 100 that I had previously completed.
The painting is called "Speechless". Comments are more than welcome.
"Speechless" detail
This was the sort of response that I hoped for, although I half expected him to confirm that he thought I was crazy. I want my paintings to communicate at a depth beyond words. Maybe they will reach someone out there. Sure, I will occasionally paint an inspirational flower or scene, but I really believe that I have this gift for a reason and I think that reason is intended for more than interior decorating.
Someday I pray that my priorities will be Mom, Art... but until then I am ever grateful that I can still use my creativity to earn.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Relaxing while I can
So what is this relaxing thing? I'm really really not used to sitting still and listening to silence, but I am beginning to like it.
Next week things get hairy again. School starts for me full time. I have no idea what I am doing. I have always wanted to earn my college degree, so I am going for it.
I volunteered for 2 1/2 years at the Shasta County Arts Council for a small AmeriCorps Vista stipend plus college tuition. My term is up (okay, I ended it early to save my brain), but I still earned two full years of scholarship money. So now's the time to use it up.
I start at CSUChico on Tuesday. I am taking 5 classes.. Ohhhh, my. That and being mom and painting is complete insanity. I know, but really, 4 semesters, only 4 months long each will not kill me. I'll just be counting the days toward summer, spring and winter break.
Actually, I'm pretty excited. I've been waiting a long time for this opportunity and will be happy to chalk it up on my resume.. If I live to see the end! :)
So I'm starting as a Business/Marketing major. We'll see if I can hack it. If not, I may have to switch around back to art. So far, I am still hooked on the marketing idea.
Last night I was asked to paint on live TV. Okay, it was our small public access station here in Redding, Channel 11, but what a priviledge! I was thrilled! I really like to paint in front of people. Below is the image I painted, called "Above". For those of you who were there and curious, I told you what it was about. For the rest, I would like to know more, what it means to you. If anything at all.
Anyways, it was inspired by a dream.
I started the painting at 4pm and signed my name (finished) at 8:30pm. Phew!
The painting is 24"x36", acrylic on canvas.
"Above"
Below is another painting from the same series.
It is also 24"x36" acrylic
"Brink"
Soo, that's it for now.
Next week things get hairy again. School starts for me full time. I have no idea what I am doing. I have always wanted to earn my college degree, so I am going for it.
I volunteered for 2 1/2 years at the Shasta County Arts Council for a small AmeriCorps Vista stipend plus college tuition. My term is up (okay, I ended it early to save my brain), but I still earned two full years of scholarship money. So now's the time to use it up.
I start at CSUChico on Tuesday. I am taking 5 classes.. Ohhhh, my. That and being mom and painting is complete insanity. I know, but really, 4 semesters, only 4 months long each will not kill me. I'll just be counting the days toward summer, spring and winter break.
Actually, I'm pretty excited. I've been waiting a long time for this opportunity and will be happy to chalk it up on my resume.. If I live to see the end! :)
So I'm starting as a Business/Marketing major. We'll see if I can hack it. If not, I may have to switch around back to art. So far, I am still hooked on the marketing idea.
Last night I was asked to paint on live TV. Okay, it was our small public access station here in Redding, Channel 11, but what a priviledge! I was thrilled! I really like to paint in front of people. Below is the image I painted, called "Above". For those of you who were there and curious, I told you what it was about. For the rest, I would like to know more, what it means to you. If anything at all.
Anyways, it was inspired by a dream.
I started the painting at 4pm and signed my name (finished) at 8:30pm. Phew!
The painting is 24"x36", acrylic on canvas.
"Above"
Below is another painting from the same series.
It is also 24"x36" acrylic
"Brink"
Soo, that's it for now.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
New shop on Etsy.com "Raecycled Art by Raette"
I have always been obsessed with garbage. What I mean is I don't like it. I think of all that garbage sitting in a landfill and it almost makes me nuts. I am not nuts enough to keep my garbage, and I am not a trash hoarder by any means. I do however get inspired to create things out of what some would call junk.
Some of it I sell, some I refurbish and keep. Either way, those I sell, I will list automatically on etsy, and those I keep I will post here on my blog, just because I love to share about my current projects.
My shop on etsy is called "Raecycled Art by Raette" I will not be posting paintings on Etsy unless it falls under the raecycled category. Here's a link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/raette
Last night I got a wild hair to refurbish this old trunk that I found at a garage sale about 6 years ago. It's been sitting in my room storing blankets. I've been pondering how to raecycle it and finally it hit me. This is what I did to it last night
Some of it I sell, some I refurbish and keep. Either way, those I sell, I will list automatically on etsy, and those I keep I will post here on my blog, just because I love to share about my current projects.
My shop on etsy is called "Raecycled Art by Raette" I will not be posting paintings on Etsy unless it falls under the raecycled category. Here's a link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/raette
Last night I got a wild hair to refurbish this old trunk that I found at a garage sale about 6 years ago. It's been sitting in my room storing blankets. I've been pondering how to raecycle it and finally it hit me. This is what I did to it last night
 |
trunk before |
I think I still want to do something with the hardware on the trunk. It's pretty tarnished. Perhaps a little polish will do it. When I do finish it completely I'll post it. If and when.
 |
Supplies Ready |
 |
| getting started |
 |
  finished trunk |
 |
Trunk Close-Up |
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
ZANITA
Zanita lives in the wild manzanita plants out here in Northern California. Every year, it is her job to curl the outer skin of the manzanita plant, revealing the vibrant red skin underneath. During the spring, she awaits as the blossoms bring their cheery pink tones. She finds the perfect one and makes clothes for the newborn manzanita faeries. You see, manzanitas are abundant up here, and many faeries are needed for peeling in the summer and late fall.
Zanita is #8/365 faeries in 365 days.
Actually, I am spending more time on these faeries than I had anticipated. I am working on polishing my skills. I may actually take 2-3 days per faerie and add another medium to the give them a more finished feeling. My goal here is not to whip them out like I have in the past, rather to tightening up my skills. I will still do 365 faeries but it may take more than a year.
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