2018: 1/365

Happy New Year, Friends!

Whaaat? The subject line from an email I received today. (My name is not Jeff.) Hahaha!

It is probably no surprise that I've been doing some reflection the past few days.  I love beginnings (especially the start of a new year)... but, as a recovering perfectionist I also have a tendency to put a lot of pressure on myself.  This year, I've decided to approach 2018 a little differently...

My (very well-timed) fortune!

The new year is usually about putting your best foot forward and trying to fix imperfections...  But now I'm wondering what if...

I decide to accept that life doesn't have to be perfect to be good?
I find a way to accept the wonky bits & maybe even enjoy them?
I share more?  (Even the not-so-pretty stuff.)

Pulling back the curtain...

This is scary for me, folks.  In a carefully curated internet world, it can appear that you're the only one who doesn't have it all together.  As I write this and commit myself to sharing more, I feel nervous.  But... I'm hoping that you can relate to my desire for authenticity, and that you'll join me as I journey into 2018 (messy parts, and all)!

p.s.  I have decided to *try* and share something about what I'm up to every day (Creative Every Day style).  In order to take some of the pressure off and set myself up for success, I've decided to keep my post titles simple to reduce "decision fatigue".

p.p.s.  You can click here for an article I found very interesting about "decision fatigue" and "the science of simplicity" 

Out Of My Comfort Zone

A page from my sketchbook.

As a birthday present to myself, I signed up for 
Flora Bowley's Bloom True e-course.

For those of you that have been reading my blog for a while, you probably already know that I am most comfortable painting faces...

And silly things...

"Cinderellephant"

But, the reason I chose to take Flora's class was not do something comfortable and familiar. Or, to have an excuse to clean and organize my studio (although, it was nice to see it that way for a little while)...

The reason I signed up for "Bloom True" was to learn something new.

When I was in art school (many years ago), I was taught to think, plan, explain "why", and then think some more... While I was sketching ideas and carefully planning compositions, there wasn't a whole lot of room left for "go with the flow".

Please don't get me wrong, I learned many valuable things in art school.  But...
I also believe that there are always new lessons to be learned.  And right now, the lesson I need to learn is how to loosen up...

 Luckily for me, Flora is a gentle and encouraging teacher who says, 
"There are no mistakes."

As a recovering perfectionist, letting go is a challenge.
But, if I can get out of my own way, I have a feeling I'll learn a lot about myself (and my art) through this process.

p.s. Even though I work with EVA weekly to make sure Paint Party Friday is up & running, it's been ages since I actually linked a post of my own... I think it's about time!

List It Tuesday: My-Head-Is-Swimming-With-All-Of-The-Stuff-I've-Got-To-Do Edition

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Aimee from artsyville...

Well, the amazing Aimee has brought back the very popular "List-It Tuesday"!  (Hooray!)  This seemed like the perfect opportunity to wrangle all of the projects that are currently swirling in my head and pulling me in a million different directions.  

(Plus, "I am a sucker for" lists!)

Projects For October:

(in no particular order)

* Finish the great big painting I started with Tyler

(I will definitely share pictures when it's finished, Dana.  Wheee!)

* Move my studio to it's new location

* Complete questions for a very fun interview

* (Finally) finish up the last 2 faces

* Finish up and mail out a card for a milestone birthday

(It's going to be quite belated, I'm afraid... 

I hope she took me up on my advice to celebrate a birthday month!)

* Work on my inspiration deck for the Inspirational Quote Deck Swap

*Continue working on my Exquisite Corpse Project

and... 

* Make more lists!

Well, since my neck is feeling much, much better 

(thank you for asking, Jenny), 

I am in fine form to finish up these projects... And, hopefully start a few new ones!

I'd love to know... What projects are you working on?

p.s.  It's "Blogtoberfest" and I'm posting everyday...  

Please be sure to come back tomorrow!

AEDM: Day 7

Click on image to view larger.

I'd like to start this post by thanking Tracey and Molly for giving me the "Tell Me About Yourself" award...  Thank you both so much - I am very honored that you thought of me!

The first part of this award is to share 7 things about myself that you might not already know.  Well, since I have been wanting to play along with Andrea's interview I thought I would answer those questions... It is actually 10 things, so I hope you don't mind!  

(I really admired the creative way Molly shared information about herself, and I fell in love with Karen's artsy answers to Amy's interview questions.  So, since I was feeling inspired, I created a page in my sketchbook that answers Andrea's questions.  You can click on the image at the top of this post to see my answers, or you can just read them below.)

1. What should you be doing right now instead of sitting on the computer?

Cleaning my studio!  (See question 2!)

2. What's the messiest area of your house?  and dare you to show us...

My studio.  If I don't clean it soon, the next time I venture in there I will most likely not come out!  Pictures?  I'll have to dig my camera out first!  Ha!

3. 5 simple things that make you happy right now, above and beyond the obvious like your family and your health...

squeezy bear hugs

perfectly ripe avocadoes

smiles from strangers

great big belly laughs

an extra hour of sleep

4. When did you last cry?

By the time you read this, I will probably have already cried again!  Ha!  I cry a lot... I cry when I am happy, sad, scared, angry... You get the picture, I'm sure.  The only thing I do more than cry?  Laugh!  I laugh 

a lot!

5. Favorite book...

Impossible.  Seriously.  I loooove books... all kinds of books!

I could never choose a favorite.

6. How many pets...

I have 2 cats - Mona and Lisa.

7. 2 Goals... one huge and unrealistic one, and one achievable one...

I believe in dreaming big and I have been very fortunate to see seemingly unrealistic dreams become achievable ones!

My current goals involve art, kindness, and book ideas...

(I know it might seem like an elusive answer, but I am superstitious and I am scared of jinxing myself!)

8. 5 things in your purse besides money and a cell phone...

I don't carry a purse - I like to keep things in my pockets.  Sometimes I carry a great big bag with my sketchbook, art supplies, and camera, though.

9. The emotion or feeling you hate the most...

Jealousy and the feeling of inadequacy that often accompanies it.

"Comparison is the thief of joy!"

-Dwight Edwards

10. If you could have 50 pounds of anything except money or gold what would you want?

I'd be very curious to see what 50 pounds of feathers would look like, but what I'd really love to have is 50 pounds of paint, or canvas, or pencils... 50 pounds of art supplies is as good as gold, as far as I'm concerned!

The second part of this award is to give it to 15 great blogs.  Well, the truth is I read a lot of great blogs and I'd love to know more about all of them!  So, if you're reading this and you'd like to play along please grab the award and leave your link in the comments so I can learn more about you!  If you've already accepted this award from someone else, I'd love it if you would leave your link in the comments too!  (It's not necessary to answer these specific questions, but if you'd like to you can find them here.)

Christmas Lists: Then and Now

Me (and Santa)... Way Back When.

Today I've been thinking about lists from Christmases past and how they might compare to my list today...

Well, no real surprises here.... The technology may have changed, but I haven't.  I was always a kid who preferred hanging out in the stationery aisle at the local drugstore rather than a trip to the toy store. Strange I know, but the smell of a fresh ream of paper still makes me giddy!

Today's post was inspired by List-It Tuesday over at the artsyville blog.  It turns out that Aimee has put List-It Tuesday on hold until after the holidays, but I still thought it might make a fun little post.

I looove lists so I'm sure this won't be my last!