Today I made:
some tweaks to my work schedule...
I had an aha moment today when working on my substitute teaching and tutoring schedule. If I want to develop a skill, I need to spend time practicing it. It's taken me a while to recognize that my art is worthy of that time just as much as my teaching work is.
It's grade reporting time for many schools, so tutoring requests are beginning to trickle in. I get excited about this because I love the one and one connection with my students and the challenge of planning creative individualized curriculum based on a learners' strengths and needs. It also means I get to be more creative with my work schedule. It's looking like I may be able to set aside an afternoon or two each week just for tutoring, which means I can plan on scheduling in some regular morning time for art making beyond the short spontaneous creative acts that I'm usually able to fit in during my work week.
While my random daily creative acts are keeping me connected to my creative spirit, I am still struggling with finding my voice as an artist. According to my husband, the answer is simple: I need to make more art. Not just read or write about making art, but actually make it. Imagine that! I need to set aside time and energy for my art just like I set aside time to work with my students. I need to schedule in time each week to work with my tools in my studio just like I would schedule any other appointment. Carving out special time for my art each week will acknowledge its importance in my life. It will get me making more art, which- fingers crossed- will allow my style to develop. I've been working hard and waiting patiently for this breathing room in my work schedule. It's not official yet, but I'm seeing the possibility and I'm going to pounce on it.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
152/365: Creative Catch Up
Today I made:
time to catch up and reflect...
O.K., Zion I can understand, but no internet connection in St. George? So much for mobile blogging on my trip. Playing catch up tonight to share some journal entries and photographs from my weekend getaway with the girls. I'm beginning to acknowledge that the blog is often separate from the daily creative act. But sometimes, acting as a journal, it is the creative act. Most of all it's documentation of the process, the ups and downs, the inspiration and dry spells. Many nights (tonight being one of them) this space has been a bridge between art projects, keeping the momentum going, the focus on the commitment. My past commitments have always unraveled with gaps of days. First one, then two, then a week gone by and the routine is broken. Something is different here. I'm allowing myself to continue after filling in the gaps with my best attempts- a sort of wobbly continuity. I've outsmarted myself. Finally.
time to catch up and reflect...
O.K., Zion I can understand, but no internet connection in St. George? So much for mobile blogging on my trip. Playing catch up tonight to share some journal entries and photographs from my weekend getaway with the girls. I'm beginning to acknowledge that the blog is often separate from the daily creative act. But sometimes, acting as a journal, it is the creative act. Most of all it's documentation of the process, the ups and downs, the inspiration and dry spells. Many nights (tonight being one of them) this space has been a bridge between art projects, keeping the momentum going, the focus on the commitment. My past commitments have always unraveled with gaps of days. First one, then two, then a week gone by and the routine is broken. Something is different here. I'm allowing myself to continue after filling in the gaps with my best attempts- a sort of wobbly continuity. I've outsmarted myself. Finally.
Monday, November 12, 2012
151/365: For the Love of Books
Today I made:old spines creak...
We are loving the antique stores and crafty resale shops in St. George. I am especially loving all the old books. From the yellowed pages of a volume of old Emerson poems, to the deliciously patterned covers of old Reader's Digest anthologies, I am in vintage book heaven. My camera loves the colorful set-ups. The patterns and color combinations are coming home with me as inspiration for my art.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
150/365: Five Senses on a Utah Sunday
photos of Fall & five senses journaling...
We tasted baked apples at a bed & breakfast.
We smelled essential oils to calm & to cure.
We saw the gold leaves quivering in Zion.
We felt the frigid water under Weeping Rock.
We heard six kinds of laughter.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
149/365: Travel Light
Today I made:
everything fit into one backpack...
I tell my husband I am training for our some-day backpacking adventure across Europe. I like to be prepared for anything and I always feel the need to pack several reading options, journals and art supplies as well, so traveling light is no easy feat for me. This morning I miraculously managed to squeeze all the girly necessities and artful entertainment into one itty bitty "personal item" for the weekend. Today I flew out to my old home town of Las Vegas where I met up with my five darling friends, squeezed into one packed car and drove to St. George, Utah. We are staying at a Bed & Breakfast that used to be one of the oldest homes in St. George. This weekend is is our "Goddess Retreat" and it's all about rejuvinating in each other's company.
My goddess gals are the treasured remnants of my past and an endlessly comforting part of my present. They are my teaching mentors, my mothers, my soul sisters and my confidants. We call ourselves goddesses because, well every woman is, and because we are the bearers of each other's truth, courage and creative spirits. We are all at different points of a similar path, which allows us to gain a sacred kind of insight and perspective. Together we are storytellers, problem solvers, voracious readers, life-long learners, change makers, picture takers, chocolate eaters, children's cheerleaders, dreamers, believers and strong brave women. I can be my most authentic self around them.
When you find friends that allow you to release all the parts of you that get heavy, it's so much simpler to travel light.
everything fit into one backpack...
I tell my husband I am training for our some-day backpacking adventure across Europe. I like to be prepared for anything and I always feel the need to pack several reading options, journals and art supplies as well, so traveling light is no easy feat for me. This morning I miraculously managed to squeeze all the girly necessities and artful entertainment into one itty bitty "personal item" for the weekend. Today I flew out to my old home town of Las Vegas where I met up with my five darling friends, squeezed into one packed car and drove to St. George, Utah. We are staying at a Bed & Breakfast that used to be one of the oldest homes in St. George. This weekend is is our "Goddess Retreat" and it's all about rejuvinating in each other's company.
My goddess gals are the treasured remnants of my past and an endlessly comforting part of my present. They are my teaching mentors, my mothers, my soul sisters and my confidants. We call ourselves goddesses because, well every woman is, and because we are the bearers of each other's truth, courage and creative spirits. We are all at different points of a similar path, which allows us to gain a sacred kind of insight and perspective. Together we are storytellers, problem solvers, voracious readers, life-long learners, change makers, picture takers, chocolate eaters, children's cheerleaders, dreamers, believers and strong brave women. I can be my most authentic self around them.
When you find friends that allow you to release all the parts of you that get heavy, it's so much simpler to travel light.
Friday, November 9, 2012
148/365: Handmade Holidays & Pinterest
Today I made:
an invitation...
The Meet-up group I host with my art partners is having a Handmade Holiday art party later this month! We are very excited to share our wild collection of mixed media supplies with our new friends.
I spent a rainy Friday night creating the invitation and browsing holiday art projects on Pinterest. Oh Pinterest, how I love thee! If you've yet to discover this "online pinboard for organizing and sharing the things you love," prepare to be addicted. Besides providing endless eye candy for every topic under the sun (art, fashion, decor, recipes, teaching etc. & etc. & etc!), Pinterest is absolutely marvelous for creative project ideas. Imagine the most cute, clever and creative ideas on the Internet (searchable by whatever terms strike your fancy) in one place. I get lost there for hours. If you're looking for holiday gift or decor ideas, this is the place! I'll share our Meet-up project ideas soon...after I decide between the hundreds.
an invitation...
The Meet-up group I host with my art partners is having a Handmade Holiday art party later this month! We are very excited to share our wild collection of mixed media supplies with our new friends.
I spent a rainy Friday night creating the invitation and browsing holiday art projects on Pinterest. Oh Pinterest, how I love thee! If you've yet to discover this "online pinboard for organizing and sharing the things you love," prepare to be addicted. Besides providing endless eye candy for every topic under the sun (art, fashion, decor, recipes, teaching etc. & etc. & etc!), Pinterest is absolutely marvelous for creative project ideas. Imagine the most cute, clever and creative ideas on the Internet (searchable by whatever terms strike your fancy) in one place. I get lost there for hours. If you're looking for holiday gift or decor ideas, this is the place! I'll share our Meet-up project ideas soon...after I decide between the hundreds.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
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