Being out of a near constant stream of creativity and art making has left me feeling rather insecure and slow to nail anything down or complete something. I hesitate before bringing out the glue and sealer. I hesitate before making certain cuts to paper or wood.
This is my current challenge. I have a hard time feeling that I have wasted precious and sometimes expensive materials on a failed piece. This was much easier when I was just doing straight up woodblock prints. Sure, if I messed up an actual block that stunk because I was out one block and the time I put into it. But with actually printing I was much less scared of failure because paper and ink are rather inexpensive and I knew that even if some pieces didn't turn out I could use parts of them in other things eventually. I saved failed works sometimes for years, being a packrat has really paid off because now I am going through those pieces and finding bits of beauty even in the worst of them. Even a horrible piece can have an inch of beauty.
Many of these collages are rather spontaneous and fast. I wonder if that is wrong and I should labor over the layout for many hours or if I should just go with my instincts. One thing is for sure that this is something I need to figure out so I can keep it from holding me back.
I'm excited because I just got a wonderful and rather inexpensive refurbished sewing machine off of Overstock.com. Unfortunately I can't figure out how to even get it started, but that should be solved tonight with the help of a friend. I've been wanting to add stitching elements to my work ever since I started collage making two years ago. I've done a bit of hand stitching in some pieces but I really like the look of perfect machine stitching. I'm very excited about what is to come and I hope to share it here with you soon.
Showing posts with label new work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new work. Show all posts
Monday, August 10, 2009
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Free Shipping Sale!
Dark Leaves
These are just two of the most recent pieces I put up on Artfire in the past 24 hours and until Black Friday they will all have free shipping. Buy as many pieces as you want from wherever you are and I will refund you the shipping after you pay. This offer is only good in my Art Fire
I'm going to try and be around listing my new pieces on Friday after Thanksgiving but we have family in town and they may want to see what New England has to offer. A month ago I would have said lots, but right now not so much.
I hope all of my readers in the US have a great Thanksgiving with family and/ or friends, and that my international readers simply have a nice Thursday.
Is anybody shopping on Black Friday? Looking for a killer deal on an HDTV maybe? My dad is going out at the crack of dawn per usual off in Chicago but I avoid shopping like the plague after Thanksgiving.
These are just two of the most recent pieces I put up on Artfire in the past 24 hours and until Black Friday they will all have free shipping. Buy as many pieces as you want from wherever you are and I will refund you the shipping after you pay. This offer is only good in my Art Fire
shop but I can move anything from
over if requested. I'm still in the process of filling out my Art Fire store and haven't abandoned Etsy just yet.I'm going to try and be around listing my new pieces on Friday after Thanksgiving but we have family in town and they may want to see what New England has to offer. A month ago I would have said lots, but right now not so much.
I hope all of my readers in the US have a great Thanksgiving with family and/ or friends, and that my international readers simply have a nice Thursday.
Is anybody shopping on Black Friday? Looking for a killer deal on an HDTV maybe? My dad is going out at the crack of dawn per usual off in Chicago but I avoid shopping like the plague after Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Working Through Pain
New work is coming faster these days. But I won't be online much as a result, and for a number of reasons. Not this week at least. I need some serious online detox time and today I kept them off all day until tonight because I wanted to scan this in and upload some photos. Expect this piece in my Etsy Shop soon enough once I get more pictures taken of it in the morning. Side shots and the like since it is a dimensional piece.
But I certainly kept myself busy. Today was a sad day, the last day seeing the woman who has been our visiting mother for the past seven months. She was linked up with me through this great program and has been coming over for an hour once a week for months now. But all good things must end, or so they say. And this is no exception. There are actually pretty strict rules in the program for her to now sever all ties. She can't contact me but she did give me her email address so I can write and send pictures. Also, because I started the program so late she is looking into being able to come back for a visit in the future.
I cried while she was here and then put blee on my back, put on some sunglasses and went out to meet a friend for coffee. I drowned my sorrows in a totally decadent Pumpkin Spice Latte and Chocolate Creme Cheese muffin. Eeeep! Not going to do that again. Until I do.
Got groceries, came home, put blee down for a short nap. The nap was short but I still managed to make this piece in the meantime. It consists of pages from an old french/english dictionary collaged with one of my woodblock prints onto stretched canvas.
Then I baked Sunrise Muffins. If you ask nicely maybe I will post the recipe. They are very tasty and pretty healthy too. My baking powder and soda are both expired so they didn't rise as much as they should, but they were still good. And will be better next time!
I'm sad. Looking at the pictures I took of them make me sad. But they are also precious. Blee is going to miss her. I think Maeby will too.
But I certainly kept myself busy. Today was a sad day, the last day seeing the woman who has been our visiting mother for the past seven months. She was linked up with me through this great program and has been coming over for an hour once a week for months now. But all good things must end, or so they say. And this is no exception. There are actually pretty strict rules in the program for her to now sever all ties. She can't contact me but she did give me her email address so I can write and send pictures. Also, because I started the program so late she is looking into being able to come back for a visit in the future.
I cried while she was here and then put blee on my back, put on some sunglasses and went out to meet a friend for coffee. I drowned my sorrows in a totally decadent Pumpkin Spice Latte and Chocolate Creme Cheese muffin. Eeeep! Not going to do that again. Until I do.
Got groceries, came home, put blee down for a short nap. The nap was short but I still managed to make this piece in the meantime. It consists of pages from an old french/english dictionary collaged with one of my woodblock prints onto stretched canvas.
Then I baked Sunrise Muffins. If you ask nicely maybe I will post the recipe. They are very tasty and pretty healthy too. My baking powder and soda are both expired so they didn't rise as much as they should, but they were still good. And will be better next time!
I'm sad. Looking at the pictures I took of them make me sad. But they are also precious. Blee is going to miss her. I think Maeby will too.
Monday, May 12, 2008
New Work for May
The new street team for Etsy Printsy is up and running with me doing the first artist interview. Check it out over at the Printsy blog. Printsy Interview : Fustian
Last Thursday and Friday I was finally able to get some printing done, first time since March I believe. It felt very good to be printing again and even better having new prints like these. I was able to use my latest block, but only with this one for now but I know I will be bringing it out again in the future. All of my latest creations will be making their way into my shop in the next week or two. With new pieces in the works this week my shop will stay current for a good long time hopefully. Check it out!
In the meantime I will be serving the little one as she goes through cutting three teeth at the same time. Ouch! She's handling it a lot better than I would handle sharp objects breaking through my gums! We finally got her a proper highchair, though it is a space saving one that attaches to one of our regular chairs. Boy am I feeling like an idiot for not getting this sooner because it makes feeding her so much easier. I have been stalking Craigslist looking for a used one for months and this weekend we finally gave up and bought a new one. It wasn't super expensive but we always try to go used first.
Last Thursday and Friday I was finally able to get some printing done, first time since March I believe. It felt very good to be printing again and even better having new prints like these. I was able to use my latest block, but only with this one for now but I know I will be bringing it out again in the future. All of my latest creations will be making their way into my shop in the next week or two. With new pieces in the works this week my shop will stay current for a good long time hopefully. Check it out!
In the meantime I will be serving the little one as she goes through cutting three teeth at the same time. Ouch! She's handling it a lot better than I would handle sharp objects breaking through my gums! We finally got her a proper highchair, though it is a space saving one that attaches to one of our regular chairs. Boy am I feeling like an idiot for not getting this sooner because it makes feeding her so much easier. I have been stalking Craigslist looking for a used one for months and this weekend we finally gave up and bought a new one. It wasn't super expensive but we always try to go used first.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
My Art Groove
I can't sleep so here I am making a hopefully quick blog post after dusting off the Wacom tablet and doing a little sketching. A sketch that I added to my sketch collection on Flickr.
Both blee and I are still a bit sick so I am going to try and get back to sleep and take it easy today. Getting back into the swing of things slowly.
Done this week:
1) Made this new ACEO/ ATC
2) Finished carving
3) Hung art at cafe
3) Cleaned studio
4) Sketched with Wacom tablet
Things to do:
1) List ACEO/ ATC
2) Print
3) Finish hanging art
4) Tear paper
5) Keep sketching
Both blee and I are still a bit sick so I am going to try and get back to sleep and take it easy today. Getting back into the swing of things slowly.
Done this week:
1) Made this new ACEO/ ATC
2) Finished carving
3) Hung art at cafe
3) Cleaned studio
4) Sketched with Wacom tablet
Things to do:
1) List ACEO/ ATC
2) Print
3) Finish hanging art
4) Tear paper
5) Keep sketching
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
And this was just the beginning
My day started off pretty terrible. Worried about my friend (thanks for the supportive words BTW) and then feeling like I got kicked myself not good. I felt like dirt emotionally pretty early on but since blee was being so good instead of wasting away and feeling sorry for myself I dove headfirst into art.
It started with some woodblock printing. The neat thing about this image is that for all these prints I used just one piece of newsprint carefully folded after each run through the press. And then I used that piece of newsprint + one paper towel for cleanup.
Took a break. Went for a walk in the light rain with blee bundled up in our fleece pouch and her raspberry gnome hat by Rachel-Marie and hoofed it to the Library to use the photocopier. Detoured on the way back to 7- Eleven for some Lemonheads.
Gocco time! Printing on the usual bits of dictionary and other book pages, pretty papers and for the first time on top of woodblock prints that weren't ACEOs. These were two that something was missing from and the colorful and whimsical Gocco design really finished them off. I'm really falling head over heels in love with my Gocco printer at this point. Too bad I am out of bulbs now and will have to make an order soon. I think I may delay it a bit to force myself to use the designs I have already burned. And to cut up more of the paper I have printed and in a folder. I'm pretty stocked except for bulbs.
I guess I am proud of myself for using a negative to motivate myself instead of pull me down into a pit like I am known to do. In total I have over twenty new pieces including the ACEOs and not including the printed papers for collage. This is probably the most single productive day I have had since before blee was born.
More rain expected so expect more creation Thursday. Most likely some collage.
Tonight we finally get towatch No Country for Old Men. This is how it is for parents having to wait and wait for things to come out on DVD. We are both huge Cohen brothers fans and it sounds like this one could rival or even surpass Miller's Crossing from years ago.
Have a great evening and an even better Thursday. See you there!*
*I'm a wuss and want to watch it during the day. I had my face buried in the sofa the whole time. Wait until the weekend. Jon is not amused.
It started with some woodblock printing. The neat thing about this image is that for all these prints I used just one piece of newsprint carefully folded after each run through the press. And then I used that piece of newsprint + one paper towel for cleanup.
Took a break. Went for a walk in the light rain with blee bundled up in our fleece pouch and her raspberry gnome hat by Rachel-Marie and hoofed it to the Library to use the photocopier. Detoured on the way back to 7- Eleven for some Lemonheads.
Gocco time! Printing on the usual bits of dictionary and other book pages, pretty papers and for the first time on top of woodblock prints that weren't ACEOs. These were two that something was missing from and the colorful and whimsical Gocco design really finished them off. I'm really falling head over heels in love with my Gocco printer at this point. Too bad I am out of bulbs now and will have to make an order soon. I think I may delay it a bit to force myself to use the designs I have already burned. And to cut up more of the paper I have printed and in a folder. I'm pretty stocked except for bulbs.
I guess I am proud of myself for using a negative to motivate myself instead of pull me down into a pit like I am known to do. In total I have over twenty new pieces including the ACEOs and not including the printed papers for collage. This is probably the most single productive day I have had since before blee was born.
More rain expected so expect more creation Thursday. Most likely some collage.
Tonight we finally get to
Have a great evening and an even better Thursday. See you there!*
*I'm a wuss and want to watch it during the day. I had my face buried in the sofa the whole time. Wait until the weekend. Jon is not amused.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Repetition - Sewing
Sewing can be very calming as it requires a lot of focus for me. It worked once before and liked it, I just kept forgetting to bring out the needle and thread and do it again. This time I had my composition all laid out without it but something was missing. So I dug around for my monotype printed and drawn bags and cut out a strip from it and then got out some thread and a needle. This time it is on an 8" x 8" gallery wrapped canvas. Once I stitched the strip to the backing woodblock print. From a woodblock print that almost worked but not quite, but I knew I wanted to keep it mostly intact like a stage for the rest of the image to come. Then I got out a brush and some gel medium and got to collaging.
I don't know how I managed to pull this off in between a troubled teething baby, but somehow my drive overcame and I used every moment of peace I had making this. I even did some of the sewing while I had her sleeping in one of the carriers against me. Very carefully of course! All sorts of materials are used in this piece. I'm putting together what I am learning about collage more and more along with the growing collection of sketches on various bits of paper. Some of these sketches get directly collaged, while others get burned onto a Gocco screen and printed so they can be collaged in multiple colors many times.
The day started off pretty rocky as expected after the Sunday night implosion. But it improved over time and ended up being not too bad. Especially for a Monday!
I don't know how I managed to pull this off in between a troubled teething baby, but somehow my drive overcame and I used every moment of peace I had making this. I even did some of the sewing while I had her sleeping in one of the carriers against me. Very carefully of course! All sorts of materials are used in this piece. I'm putting together what I am learning about collage more and more along with the growing collection of sketches on various bits of paper. Some of these sketches get directly collaged, while others get burned onto a Gocco screen and printed so they can be collaged in multiple colors many times.
The day started off pretty rocky as expected after the Sunday night implosion. But it improved over time and ended up being not too bad. Especially for a Monday!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Challenges - New Beginnings
Sure, I have been able to post new work. But it was work created at the end of 2007 that is still being scanned in. Hoping your year is off to a bang as well. I know it is for at least some of you. The world might be scary but this isn't part of that world is it?
This work is so new that it is very unfamiliar territory for me. The challenge is to do a quick collage a day for two weeks. Or at least that is the original challenge as I have really run with it and am currently doing a couple a day. Ever since December or late November I have been pushing myself artistically. Of this I am proud. I am proud of every failed piece because it truly is a learning experience and overjoyed by each little success. It started out small with me getting out the washi paper I had been given many months prior and cutting little leaf shapes into it. Then I glued those papers onto black cards and made some ACEOs. They were different, they were fresh and not only did people buy them but I had a new energy and desire to explore. And a taste for new paper starting with washi.
Now here I am cutting up an out of date dictionary I dug out of my closet and uses pieces of super old prints of mine that I destroyed for scraps long ago.
More! My tiny exacto blades are my new favorite tool. I even maticulously set up a portable washi paper cutting station so unlike my woodblocks I can do these everywhere.
And I have been sketching more than I have in a long time. In fact I only have a couple pages left of my current moleskine. Great timing since I have a 25% off one item coupon at Dick Blick burning a hole in my pocket.
Now I need to get back to work. My energy level is near frantic as I can't do everything I want to do and have such a hard time focusing on one task. Too many ideas with limited time. I'm thinking that I may be a wee bit manic but what am I to do other than ride it out and enjoy it while I can. Put it to use and try not to overwhelm myself.
I'm not feeling negative lately and that is something. Far from it. Using art to keep my mind from thinking about what is going on out there is my escape. If I didn't have it I would be a mess of anger and worries all the time.
Eeek! It is way past the witching hour for me, I need to get to bed pronto!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Golden Times
These two insect pieces are from the last few days of 2007. Still working on my first pieces of 2008, hit a bit of a lag this past week. This weekend wasn't productive at all artistically until the very end when I dragged out some pretty papers and a blade and got to cutting. Nothing big or complete but at least I can say I did something with my hands. Funny thing is that early last week inspiration hit me like a brick and I carved two blocks in about a day. Well, one block with two sides I should say if we are going to be technical. Went to bed wanting to print woke up and nothing but the desire to want to do it but I kept thinking about paper needing to be torn, the press needing to be reset and I just never got to it.
I'm hoping that my resolve to get stuff done will be better this week. But the truth is that during weekdays it is really hard for me to print because I can't really do it during the day while watching blee because I don't have that kind of time and I am usually to tired at night. And I can't let myself stay up late printing either. And printing is what I feel that I should be doing not starting new block or new project after project without completing them.
Maybe the bad weather that is coming with help get me making art again since I am not going to be going for long strolls around town with blee in the blizzard that is supposed to come tonight. And it takes days and days to dig out from these things. So a blizzard is a good thing? Tell me that when the dog needs to go out tomorrow afternoon.
Blee says hello and hopes that everybody had as lovely a weekend as she did. She's been sleeping so well and has been so happy and easy lately these really are the golden times with her for us. She's fun to play with, she doesn't cry much at all and we don't even have to change many diapers. And she smiles and giggles all the time except when she is in her sling when she just snuggles in all comfy before falling asleep before I zip her up to protect her from a cool breeze or sudden rain. I've been able to wear all 17lbs of her for hours in comfort.
Maybe this is really it, why I am not feeling like printing or even scanning in work. I am just too in love with my baby right now to pull myself away from her that long.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Seven Things
Starting with the first new work of the year. Well, kinda. The prints aren't knew, but what I did with them is. This is something that I have been thinking about trying for some time now and I finally got to it. Printed on Japanese mulberry and then carefully glued to lightweight single ply shina blocks. They are ready to hang with a wire in back. Well?
Day:
1) bleetastic day, play with Moby Wrap
2) blog
3) pack and send orders
4) doctor sans stroller
5) Flickr/ list/ email catchup
6) photograph studio (it's a secret)
7) art experimentation
Week:
1) wear blee as much as possible
2) experiment with monotypes
3) walk / exercise 3-4 times
4) list on etsy every day
5) spend more quality time with Jon
6) get the ball rolling JP babywearers meetup
7) finish The Omnivore's Dilemma
Year:
1) lose twenty pounds
2) twenty pieces (ACEOs included) every month
3) challenge myself as an artist and as a mom
4) read (and finish) six books* (sigh, this is such a low number for me I have really gotten out of the habit)
5) be aware of and work to manage my moods
6) participate in an exhibit
7) take a class/ workshop
* Oprah's bookclub isn't really my style and baby books read to blee don't count
Here's some blee and some art for you. And I was on the homepage on Etsy Saturday night for about twenty minutes before my item sold. woot!
So, I did not print this weekend but that is alright. I ended up doing two spur of the moment carvings. Well, one was a sketch that I had been playing around with for months that I finally got out on wood. So no monotypes for me as planned. Jon is most likely going out on Tuesday night after we put blee down so that sounds like the perfect time for me to print. If I have the energy. If I don't it is okay for me to wait until Friday or the weekend.
Today was great in that we were able to visit a woman and try the two baby carriers that I am most interested. I loved them both, though I couldn't use the Ergo with her at all yet as she is too young. But I have a good feeling about that one in a couple of months. The Mei Tai was awesome! Plus she had the brand that I was leaning towards and that sealed it for me as soon as I got home I ordered it. With a yummy Klimpt inspired fabric in the center. It is custom made so I will have to wait about three weeks for it. I hate waiting but it is not like I am carrierless. The pouch is still awesome and will continue to be for awhile now. Really until spring most likely.
The seven things of the day have been a normal thing for me to do for a couple of weeks now. A weekly set sounds good too. And I have been working on one for the year as well. I consider that one to be a rough draft that I might add more specifics to later. I tried to not be too general as those tend to be harder to follow.
Day:
1) bleetastic day, play with Moby Wrap
2)
3) pack and send orders
4) doctor sans stroller
5) Flickr/ list/ email catchup
6) photograph studio (it's a secret)
7) art experimentation
Week:
1) wear blee as much as possible
2) experiment with monotypes
3) walk / exercise 3-4 times
4) list on etsy every day
5) spend more quality time with Jon
6) get the ball rolling JP babywearers meetup
7) finish The Omnivore's Dilemma
Year:
1) lose twenty pounds
2) twenty pieces (ACEOs included) every month
3) challenge myself as an artist and as a mom
4) read (and finish) six books* (sigh, this is such a low number for me I have really gotten out of the habit)
5) be aware of and work to manage my moods
6) participate in an exhibit
7) take a class/ workshop
* Oprah's bookclub isn't really my style and baby books read to blee don't count
Here's some blee and some art for you. And I was on the homepage on Etsy Saturday night for about twenty minutes before my item sold. woot!
So, I did not print this weekend but that is alright. I ended up doing two spur of the moment carvings. Well, one was a sketch that I had been playing around with for months that I finally got out on wood. So no monotypes for me as planned. Jon is most likely going out on Tuesday night after we put blee down so that sounds like the perfect time for me to print. If I have the energy. If I don't it is okay for me to wait until Friday or the weekend.
Today was great in that we were able to visit a woman and try the two baby carriers that I am most interested. I loved them both, though I couldn't use the Ergo with her at all yet as she is too young. But I have a good feeling about that one in a couple of months. The Mei Tai was awesome! Plus she had the brand that I was leaning towards and that sealed it for me as soon as I got home I ordered it. With a yummy Klimpt inspired fabric in the center. It is custom made so I will have to wait about three weeks for it. I hate waiting but it is not like I am carrierless. The pouch is still awesome and will continue to be for awhile now. Really until spring most likely.
The seven things of the day have been a normal thing for me to do for a couple of weeks now. A weekly set sounds good too. And I have been working on one for the year as well. I consider that one to be a rough draft that I might add more specifics to later. I tried to not be too general as those tend to be harder to follow.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Keep Dreaming
So far so good with 2008. This year is going to be all about pushing myself further creatively. Breaking out of what is comfortable and playing with new materials and techniques. This started for me in December when I started getting into cut washi additions and is growing. I am hoping to play around with monotypes tomorrow but first I have a spur of the moment block to finish carving tonight. It is being difficult because the block is turning out to be all splintery during the clearing and I have to be really careful not to lose control of the blade. Normally shina is super easy to carve but sometimes it has weird spots. Oddly enough I had no problems with the other side. Adding to the problem I will most likely need to sand these areas so splinters don't get into the ink during printing.
I've gotten so into taking frequent process shots that I even made a new Flickr set to document them.
hmm... I have a bit of a problem. A growing and dangerous obsession actually. Babywearing. I loathe strollers. They are a pain to drag onto the T and so in the way, a nightmare in the snow and they just don't feel like me. I'm determined to walk to my doctors appointment on Monday wearing her strollerless (last time I went out I wore her and pushed the diaper bag in the stroller, much easier than having her in it) Early on I realized that I want to avoid using ours as often as possible. But I am no superwoman (at least not when it comes to strength) so I need carriers. The Baby Bjorn didn't last long due to blee's weight. It just isn't a comfortable carrier past 12 pounds. The ring sling I was given was great right after she was born but then she got fussy and didn't want anything to do with it or any other carrier. Plus, I really didn't know what the heck I was doing. The pouch (another handmedown gift) was interesting but the fleece was much too warm for late summer plus she got kind of lost in it. But by two months we were getting into it and now it is something I can't imagine being without I love it so much. But it won't last past winter for sure since what is so great about it now will render it useless when it warms up. Plus I want to be able to wear her on my back so I can get even more done while keeping her close to me. I have a Moby Wrap which I love when I can do a good wrap which is about half the time. But I am lazy and in a hurry most of the time and just stick her in the pouch. Back carry is doable in it but I don't feel skilled enough for that. So now I am trolling around this site trying to figure out what next. I spend way too much time going from site to site and getting more overwhelmed by the minute. I joined a mailing list and tomorrow am meeting up with a local babywearer to try two carriers that I am interested in. At first I scoffed at the women with their 10+ carriers but now I realize that I am quickly turning into one of those women!
This is why I have no money. At least they don't take up tons of space like all the strollers that some people seem to collect.
So, how is your year going?
Monday, December 31, 2007
Officially Old!
Thanks blee. It happened, I just got back from asking our downstairs neighbor to turn their music down. They are having a karaoke new years party and it was loud. It isn't just because she is sleeping but I don't want loud music in general. I well on my way to becoming an old far. When the ball drops I hope to be asleep. I have no interest in celebrating or drinking. The last time I had a glass of wine I got a headache and champagne always went to my head.
Other than a brunch tomorrow we have no plans.
I have been doing a lot of art lately. I had a super productive couple of days a couple of days ago. That left me feeling very spent, hungover feeling actually. I have so much new work I haven't even come close to even scanning it all in. Much less uploading and listing it on Etsy. I just don't feel like doing much right now.
No actual resolutions for next year but I am hoping that I can be more positive as I have been feeling quite negative this year. It is a feeling that I want to fight.
Now to watch a sneak preview of the first episode of the new season of The Wire a week early. Then get ready for bed.
Happy New Year! Throw one back for me if you wish since I don't think I will be partying for a very long time.
Other than a brunch tomorrow we have no plans.
I have been doing a lot of art lately. I had a super productive couple of days a couple of days ago. That left me feeling very spent, hungover feeling actually. I have so much new work I haven't even come close to even scanning it all in. Much less uploading and listing it on Etsy. I just don't feel like doing much right now.
No actual resolutions for next year but I am hoping that I can be more positive as I have been feeling quite negative this year. It is a feeling that I want to fight.
Now to watch a sneak preview of the first episode of the new season of The Wire a week early. Then get ready for bed.
Happy New Year! Throw one back for me if you wish since I don't think I will be partying for a very long time.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Post-Christmas
Happy Thursday! Hope everybody had a nice Christmas. Ours started out nice and quiet but ended pretty poorly. It was great to be around family and not have to deal with a long stressful drive, just an easy hour and a half drive to RI to see my aunt and her family. But the visit ended stressful with blee totally freaking out. We are pretty certain that she is allergic to evergreens. Her first allergy. Neither one of us have allergies, but I have it in my family. She had been at there house before with no problems, the tree was the only difference. Normally when she gets upset we are able to help her. Feed her, change her or simply holding her will calm her. But the only thing that calmed her was leaving. We will talk to her pediatrician about it on Monday and hopefully confirm. She got spots on her forehead and that isn't a good sign that this was just a fluke. This isn't a huge deal since I have never had a real tree and Jon only had one once. But it probably means we will never be able to spend Christmas with them again.
And we are such dopes we took no pictures of her! They got a couple of shots that we are waiting on, but nothing by the tree. It just didn't occur to us until it was too late.
The best Christmas moment for me was going on a walk around their quiet woodsy area with wide streets with my aunt and uncle with blee strapped to me in her fleece pouch. She slept the entire way and eventually I took my over-sized orange hoodie and zipped it up completely over her, even her head. I looked hugely pregnant again and carrying very high. Wonder if this is what the woman in Siberia that had teh 17lb baby girl looked like before giving birth.
It was so nice that I wore her the same way during my trip to the doctor yesterday. It was the only thing that made the trip bearable. I didn't want to bring the stroller in the snow, but she needed a place to sit during the visit so I had no choice. I put the diaper bag in it. Sure enough I would be going along fine and then run into a poorly dug out patch of snow and have to pick up the stroller and carry it over. It actually wasn't a big deal with just the bag in it, but with her that isn't easy. And my back never hurt. And I just love being close to her. She was awake much of the trip home smiling up at me and looking around in wonder.
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Much new art complete and getting uploaded and listed and even more being made. I'm getting ready for another big printing session this weekend. Weekends are really the only time for me to print. When she goes down at night during the week I have time, but am too tired.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Last Minute
Tomorrow is the last day to order for Christmas in the US and expect it to arrive by Christmas using 1st Class mail. Pickup is at 1pm so they must be placed no later than noon to give me time to package and get to the Post Box. Priority upgrades available.
It wasn't easy to find the energy, but once blee went down yesterday I printed until my 11pm cutoff (roughly). It is hard because she no longer wants to take naps during the day. If I am lucky she will go down just long enough for me to shower in one and eat in another. That's it. Mostly she just wants to be played with and held constantly.
While I love this close bonding it is tiring. But I insisted on working and now I have a pile of pieces to scan in and a bit of a mess in my studio.
Other than maybe some paper cutting during down time no art today other than scanning and cleaning. Mostly I want to focus on her and cleaning up the house when I can. I can actually do quite a bit around the house while wearing her, especially with the Moby Wrap. But I don't know what was wrong with me but yesterday I kept messing it up.
These three pieces will go up in my shop today. I have gotten into a habit of setting seven things that I need to do above all else each day, switching one in and replacing it with something different daily. For example since I printed yesterday that won't be on my list today. I think keeping as much of a routine as I can is important to my health. That includes going to bed before midnight every night. I shoot for 11 but have a hard time making it. For me it isn't just about getting a good amount of sleep but sticking to a schedule or my brain goes haywire.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Funny Thing
How the simple task of organizing my new little washi cutting ACEO making portable station along with finishing off a couple in the process can give me focus and allow me to go on to being creative. It is 2am and I just finished up a bunch of printing. I have quite a few finished pieces as well as some pieces that I hope to finish tomorrow.
Much scanning to do! I am pretty excited with the washi additions on the ACEOs along with some new blocks that are getting printed for the first time.
Now I must go to bed as I would like to go to church tomorrow and not be a total zombie. Though when you have a baby people kind of expect you to be a zombie, but they don't expect you to be a zombie because of art. What can I say, I suffer for my art! Sleep can wait.
Happy Sunday!
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Printing? Hah!
Too much housework babycare to do. Always.
Not a full day behind the HappyLight could get me feeling happy today. I thought today could be a me day. But not when the clothes are piled up, we (I) need to go through her clothes and separate stuff that no longer fits or doesn't fit yet or is weather inappropriate, dishes, vacuuming and lunch needs to be made.
It is not that he hasn't watched her and played with her but unlike me he isn't able to multitask and get stuff done while doing it. Watching a sports show while holding her isn't as helpful as carrying her in the sling and vacuuming.
I had high hopes for this weekend, but what is the point anyhow. Maybe I should be like those mothers that stop doing art/ making stuff when they have a baby.
Not a full day behind the HappyLight could get me feeling happy today. I thought today could be a me day. But not when the clothes are piled up, we (I) need to go through her clothes and separate stuff that no longer fits or doesn't fit yet or is weather inappropriate, dishes, vacuuming and lunch needs to be made.
It is not that he hasn't watched her and played with her but unlike me he isn't able to multitask and get stuff done while doing it. Watching a sports show while holding her isn't as helpful as carrying her in the sling and vacuuming.
I had high hopes for this weekend, but what is the point anyhow. Maybe I should be like those mothers that stop doing art/ making stuff when they have a baby.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Burnout Stinks
I've been doing this self-representing artist thing on Etsy for nearly two years now. It has been a great start and really has helped me push myself and build my confidence as an artist. Enough that I am less driven by number of sales as I am by getting what I feel my work is worth. Now, I still haven't figured that part out but I am working on it. Prices may fluctuate for bit while I think things over. But they won't be going any lower than they are now.
But I am so burned out on the whole thing. To stay competitive on Etsy not only does one have to keep prices pretty low to compete with all the inexpensive reproductions but now one must keep listing or renewing at least four or five times a day it seems just to get seen by new buyers. And now there is a $7 a day Category Showcase that looks a lot like a feature that was free back in Beta. And this of course makes the newly listed pieces even harder to find. It is expensive and tiring and I refuse to buy a Showcase spot.
The promotion is so much work. Making the work itself is such a small part of it. Then there is the scanning, backing up the high resolution version and uploading a low resolution image, listing and then promoting and networking. There are so many social networking sites now that I am feeling very overwhelmed by all of them. I have yet to scan a good part of the pieces I did not this past weekend but the weekend before. And now the burnout there is starting to translate into my work.
I gave this piece to my father's wife to give to my sister for her room. She also took a piece to hang in their house. And Liz took a piece the day before. I don't normally give away my work but I couldn't say no, especially to Sara. Giving one to my father's wife was weird since it was her that took down the painting I did (that won various awards) in high school many years ago.
My poor little sister was crying so much when they left yesterday she threw up grape juice in our hall. I felt so bad for her and yes, I did cry after they left. I hope my father saw that coming to Boston isn't so bad after all so they visit again. I want to go to Chicago as soon as we can. Seeing the new great grandparents is first on our list of people for us to visit.
But I am so burned out on the whole thing. To stay competitive on Etsy not only does one have to keep prices pretty low to compete with all the inexpensive reproductions but now one must keep listing or renewing at least four or five times a day it seems just to get seen by new buyers. And now there is a $7 a day Category Showcase that looks a lot like a feature that was free back in Beta. And this of course makes the newly listed pieces even harder to find. It is expensive and tiring and I refuse to buy a Showcase spot.
The promotion is so much work. Making the work itself is such a small part of it. Then there is the scanning, backing up the high resolution version and uploading a low resolution image, listing and then promoting and networking. There are so many social networking sites now that I am feeling very overwhelmed by all of them. I have yet to scan a good part of the pieces I did not this past weekend but the weekend before. And now the burnout there is starting to translate into my work.
I gave this piece to my father's wife to give to my sister for her room. She also took a piece to hang in their house. And Liz took a piece the day before. I don't normally give away my work but I couldn't say no, especially to Sara. Giving one to my father's wife was weird since it was her that took down the painting I did (that won various awards) in high school many years ago.
My poor little sister was crying so much when they left yesterday she threw up grape juice in our hall. I felt so bad for her and yes, I did cry after they left. I hope my father saw that coming to Boston isn't so bad after all so they visit again. I want to go to Chicago as soon as we can. Seeing the new great grandparents is first on our list of people for us to visit.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Price Increase
Yup, it is coming and happening. I'm in the process of re-evaluating how I price and almost everything has to go up. I just need to figure out how much would make me happy and settle on that. Expect these to be in effect starting in early November.
My time has become more precious to me. This weekend I have been able to produce a lot of work and now I am exhausted completely.
Yet I know that my work is nowhere near done, just the enjoyable part. Now I have to scan everything in then open it in Photoshop, crop it, make a high resolution version to back up and a low resolution version for uploading and listing. Have I ever mentioned how slowly Photoshop runs when I am working with massive Tiff files? And how much I detest working with the program? Well, it does and I do. As I stare into my drawer full of new prints I am overwhelmed because I know how much work it is going to take to get this stuff out of the drawer for people to see. There could easily be fifty or sixty pieces here, not including the ACEOs.
One great thing out of all of them I only had two or three failures! That is a pretty good ratio.
My time has become more precious to me. This weekend I have been able to produce a lot of work and now I am exhausted completely.
Yet I know that my work is nowhere near done, just the enjoyable part. Now I have to scan everything in then open it in Photoshop, crop it, make a high resolution version to back up and a low resolution version for uploading and listing. Have I ever mentioned how slowly Photoshop runs when I am working with massive Tiff files? And how much I detest working with the program? Well, it does and I do. As I stare into my drawer full of new prints I am overwhelmed because I know how much work it is going to take to get this stuff out of the drawer for people to see. There could easily be fifty or sixty pieces here, not including the ACEOs.
One great thing out of all of them I only had two or three failures! That is a pretty good ratio.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
New Work Wednesday
Good morning bloggers and blog readers! I'm up early because I was able to get sleep last night and can therefor take care of things like this. I'm going to try putting up new work every Wednesday and see how that goes.
This being the blog entry that always follows the creation of new work. And that happened yesterday. On Monday I tore a bunch of fresh paper, all that I had left actually as well as some half completed pieces until I had a huge pile to work with. Then I got inspired and started carving more new blocks! But instead of postponing printing yet again I used what freetime I had yesterday to print on the half finished pieces and therefor finish them off. It was much easier for me than to start from scratch and getting these pieces done was quite satisfying in its own right.
Most of these pieces have been uploaded onto Flickr already and will be moving into my shop over the next week. Meanwhile I will use my time to carve my latest ideas.
I have an appointment with the doctor and need to bring blee with me, along with dropping by the Post Office across the street to mail a few things. This is my first time going out with her alone without having the option of calling Jon and being picked up if she starts freaking out. I will be walking, it is only ten to fifteen minutes. Probably about the same as driving between dealing with possible traffic and parking combined with getting her in and out of the car. The thing is I don't like to drive, it makes me nervous and I haven't driven since we left Ohio nearly five years ago. It didn't help that my license expired just as we moved here and I had a very difficult time getting one here since I never seemed to have to proper documentation. And I can tell you how much I enjoy spending a day at the RMV (our version of the DMV)! Do I just walked around with an expired Ohio license with my maiden name on it for years. Since I wasn't driving it wasn't much of an issue. I only got a proper Massachusetts license this February. Mid-pregnancy I started talking about the possibility of taking short drives to make certain little trips easier but I have yet to do anything other than move the car to a safe spot on some Mondays because of street cleaning. I may hate driving but I hate an $80 ticket and possibly towing more.
I better start getting ready and do things now before the beast awakes and starts up with the demands. It is kind of chilly out today so I will need to bundle her up good. Thankfully she loves bumpy rides so the sidewalks of Boston please her just as the roads do.
This being the blog entry that always follows the creation of new work. And that happened yesterday. On Monday I tore a bunch of fresh paper, all that I had left actually as well as some half completed pieces until I had a huge pile to work with. Then I got inspired and started carving more new blocks! But instead of postponing printing yet again I used what freetime I had yesterday to print on the half finished pieces and therefor finish them off. It was much easier for me than to start from scratch and getting these pieces done was quite satisfying in its own right.
Most of these pieces have been uploaded onto Flickr already and will be moving into my shop over the next week. Meanwhile I will use my time to carve my latest ideas.
I have an appointment with the doctor and need to bring blee with me, along with dropping by the Post Office across the street to mail a few things. This is my first time going out with her alone without having the option of calling Jon and being picked up if she starts freaking out. I will be walking, it is only ten to fifteen minutes. Probably about the same as driving between dealing with possible traffic and parking combined with getting her in and out of the car. The thing is I don't like to drive, it makes me nervous and I haven't driven since we left Ohio nearly five years ago. It didn't help that my license expired just as we moved here and I had a very difficult time getting one here since I never seemed to have to proper documentation. And I can tell you how much I enjoy spending a day at the RMV (our version of the DMV)! Do I just walked around with an expired Ohio license with my maiden name on it for years. Since I wasn't driving it wasn't much of an issue. I only got a proper Massachusetts license this February. Mid-pregnancy I started talking about the possibility of taking short drives to make certain little trips easier but I have yet to do anything other than move the car to a safe spot on some Mondays because of street cleaning. I may hate driving but I hate an $80 ticket and possibly towing more.
I better start getting ready and do things now before the beast awakes and starts up with the demands. It is kind of chilly out today so I will need to bundle her up good. Thankfully she loves bumpy rides so the sidewalks of Boston please her just as the roads do.
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