Art Everyday Month Project 11 "There is No Map"

I took part of the day off yesterday to go and play with little man which I don't get to do often enough. The kids of course had a day off for Veteran's Day and he wanted to go to the mall to get some new sneakers.  What is it with boys and their sneakers?  Oh my.  He's addicted.

We even started doing a little Christmas shopping which felt good to do. My normal MO is to wait to the last minute and be totally stressed out about it.  

Doing things at the wire of any deadline seems to be my MO for a lot of things! Funny how your personality traits trickle down to more than one part of your life.

It's not that I sit around either doing nothing. If there is free time in my schedule, I seem to fill it with more things. Then what happens, I start to scramble when I realize I've over committed. Time to change. How do you change?  What do you let go of when you want to do it all and feel like you need to do it all?

Today's Art Everyday Month (or yesterdays rather) is a journal page I'm calling:

"There Is No Map.....Only Signs"

 It may seem like there is a life map out there, but there's not.  No instruction book written expressly for you. Oh sure there are plenty of people, books, articles, shows and so on that will tell you what to do and when, but they don't know YOU and your situation. Your whys, your obstacles, challenges, opportunities, blessings and curses.

Only you know all that and sometimes not even you can see the big picture.

 So what do you do when you are at a crossroads, a fork in the road?

The only thing I know to do is:

Trust the signs.  It's simple enough but hard to do.  Sometimes discerning the signs is not easy.

I look for them all the time to guide me.

 Sometimes I follow them, sometimes I fight them with every last ounce of strength I have.

I do believe we get better at recognizing the right and wrong way to go as we get older but it still can be a murky highway at times.

So as you are swimming out of the murky waters and searching for the dry ground,  listen to your heart, it will more than not show you the way.

Okay so I'm off to the races....lots of great fun things in the air that need to be juggled one at a time back out into the world. I'm outta here to go and bring some colorful goodness out into the world!

Artfully Yours,

Jodi

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AEDM Projects 7-10 A weekend of Art at The Art of the Carolinas

Some of the paints I showcased,  Soho Acrylics, Soho Watercolors, and Matisse Paints

 Let me start out by saying Happy Veteran's Day to all
the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting
our country and our freedom not just here, but around the world.  To you, we salute  and are forever thankful to  you and your families. 

You may have wondered where in the world I have been after posting several days in a row...I just disappear.  She's slacking off again  you might have been saying.
Well I was really slacking off but I did disappear into a little (okay big) oasis of artistic goodies and creativeness at a local trade show called, "The Art of the Carolina's" which is sponsored by Jerry's Artarama.
I was lucky enough to be asked back to demonstrate my art using paints that you can purchase at Jerry's (Soho Watercolors, Acrylics, and Matisse paints) for the three days of the trade show over at the North Raleigh Hilton.
For any budding or professional artist, this trade show is like being in a HUGE candy store!!

One of the artists across from me demonstrating some classical art using Charvin Pant

On hand are several artists who use the products displayed and who are giving free demonstrations with those products,  owners of some of the paint and art supply companies (in the back you see on of the owners of Charvin paints who is from France where a sweater over his shirt), and insightful sales reps who can tell you anything you want to know about their products, what's new, what to use for your projects, what not to do with it, and how to use their supplies.
Often the vendors also have their newest products that are just out on the market that you get to see and purchase first hand.
This is my third year demonstrating and I always have a lot of fun talking to everyone, meeting all the folks that are shopping and getting to know the vendors who make or sell the products that I've come to love!
I have to say, it can even be a little intimidating.  I was right nearby 3 or 4 artists who are all way more experienced than me doing their demonstrations, classically trained,  have books out, tv shows, dvds, corporate commissions, and then there was me. Totally different.  Freestyle and kooky colored pieces.
The comment of the event from customers was "Wow, it looks like you are having fun" and then I'd proceed to say of course! Art should be fun!  ...and then go into discussing the products and processes I use.

An Abstract of mine using Soho Acrylics

Despite initial intimidation,  I just settled into a groove and showcased a variety of work that I do, from abstracts to funky houses, to portraits, and expressionistic sort of pieces...watercolors, acrylics, drawing material, stencils, finger painting...doing it all over the 3 days.
At some point maybe it even came to me while I was driving home, I realized that while I was different than the others..there's room for all types of artists in this world because I'm obviously making it (maybe not a millionaire or even a thousandaire..lol) but I'm paying the light bill and a few other things ;) with my art, and I have nothing to be ashamed about just because I didn't go to school for this.
I just have perseverance and a good work ethic, desire, motivation and maybe a touch of crazy to pursue what I'm doing despite the odds.

It helps to love color and be willing to

explore what you can do in a variety of different ways.  I work without fear of making a mistake when I'm actually working.  I say that because I'm not fearless in this pursuit. I worry all the time about whether I'm good enough, whether or not I will have enough ideas to keep this going, whether or not I'm going to keep up the pace...and more.  But when I'm painting and in the studio, I don't let fear take over. I just go with my gut and have fun. That's the secret.  Just doing things...anything and let the flow come to you. The more you do something, the easier it is to create without fear.

This weekend was super busy, crazy busy! In addition to purchasing art supplies at a great price,  you could also take a variety of classes in their workshop area.   I saw people from all over the US that came to immerse themselves in the creative spirit for the 4 days.  Before or after classes the students would shopped till they dropped ( a load of money..lol). While they shopped, all the demo artists such as myself to showcase some of the products they could purchase and see the products in action.
I love coming up with unusual color combinations that just explode on the canvas...so that's what I did here in another one of my "Pods and Portals" collection I'm working on.

None of my pieces are quite done but I did manage to get pretty far on all of them.

Of course I had to showcase one of my funky villages which I love love love creating.
There are so many layers underneath this work, its hard to believe the way it
morphed into this quaint little community.

Finishing touches included some shading and writing which
enhances the painting and brings out some of the background designs.

Still some finishing touches to go but I love how it turned out and was a favorite among the people that stopped by my table.

More fun abstract work....

A portrait of mine in progress

Late Saturday afternoon I started one other painting....one of my funky portraits. Not having a reference photo to work with as challenging but the more I experimented and just kept building up the values and colors, the more I could see the face start to take shape.

I probably worked on this for 4 or 5 hours and still have some details to go...

It's fun though to see how you can create something out of nothing. Never fear the blank canvas. You can make your own magic happen.

My last painting of the weekend was this abstract which the colors were inspired by a journal page. In this piece I used some Matisse colors (love me some Australian Sienna and Yellow Green), along with drawing materials, stencils of mine and scrapes into the paint using Catalyst wedges/blades.
I definitely have more to do on this, but again, it always amazes me that even without having a direction in mind, the moment you commit to putting the first brush stroke out on the canvas, you have something. Then you put the next stroke on the canvas and you see it developing. If you keep going, solving problems along the way, you have the start if not the finish of something you created with your own two hands. I just love that feeling.  Seeing something you create, well you dont' have to go to school to revel in that joy.
You just need to be brave and do it.

So that's where I've been the last few days...just playing away in front a bazillion people. Most of whom are far more experience than I.
Does that really matter?
You be the judge.
It's never too late  to learn.
There's always more than one way to do something.
There's always going to be someone better than you.
Don't let comparisons stop you from adding beautiful work into the world.
I'm going to keep that in mind for myself in those moments of doubt.
I got this and so do you.
:)

Artfully Yours,

Jodi Ohl

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Art Everyday Month Project 5: Where are all the Fish?

Holy Moly...it's Hump Day Already!

The week is moving swiftly as it usually does when you have a list a mile longer than the time to finish it all in. It's all good though if I weren't busy, I'd be even more worried.    Yesterday I worked on a lot of my class preparation (my new online class) with lessons going live each week on Fridays, the beginning of the week is spent on preparing all the creative goodness for the students.  After I was done with my prep work, I spent time (a lot of time)  cleaning a SMALL portion of my studio. I figure knocking out little chunks of chaos at a time is the way to go for me. Actually that's how I approach life, too. When there is too much coming at me, I try to just deal with what's right in front of me. One step at a time,

With the cleaning and class prep behind me, it was time to journal a bit, after all...when I was cleaning, it was almost like I was in a meditative state just thinking about life in general and clearing/cleaning out my brain and was finally ready to unload on to the page.

Like most of my journal pages, I had the base of it ready to go.  That's the way I like to roll. Prepare ahead of time then go back when I'm ready to add to it.
For this page, the base of it is painted with Silks Acrylics and the stencil designs where sprayed on with permanent acrylic inks that I mix up and make my own sprays.
The fish came from a National Geographic Magazine.



Fish. Hmm.  The theme just kinda spoke to me yesterday.  I've been down on myself lately, knowing that I needed to make some changes or at least the reason why I have been down, I'm attributing to how I feel about myself. If that makes sense.   Let's just put it out there. I'm tired of being alone. Most of the reason why I"m alone is that I've made myself unavailable for the last 7 or 8 years waiting for someone to change that never would.  Then when I thought I was ready to move on, I fell for a con artist that financially broke me and almost caused me to have to give up my dream of being a full time artist. (That story is a long one and one I'll save for another time).

There have been a few other options in between con men (I'm only half joking here)...but nothing that clicked either way. Most don't understand what it takes to do what I do full time, and the ones that do understand, well they aren't knocking on my studio doors and I haven't met them yet.
So then I'm thinking, it's really probably me. I'm at fault. It's my weight. I must look horrid. I obviously am not winning any pageants or contests or I wouldn't be in this solo situation.   My answer to that has to join a gym and I've been going almost everyday for the last month. And you know what, it feels really good no matter what the reason is that I first started to go, it gets me out of the house (which is really important considering for the large majority of the time I'm by myself here), and I feel much better and more relaxed after going.  

I even did 700 arm weight lifting repetitions and the about 1/2 the amount leg exercises. I'm working with water weights and aerobic activity which I love.   So far so good, I've lost about 5 lbs with my goal of 30 altogether in the next few months.  I'm not saying that that's going to change my facebook 'status'.lol  but at least I'll feel better about how I look.

But ya, thinking about being alone the rest of my life does keep me up at night from time to time.

I think about why I wasn't good enough for someone I did care about quite a bit not love me enough to stop the downward spiral he was going in. 

I think about why  I was such an IDIOT to fall for another con man right after that. 

I think about what it's going to be like when my boys move and have lives that are really their own.

I think that how much of life is timing. Why you meet someone at one point in time and it's not the right time, and then when it is...it's too late for one or both of us.  So I guess that's really not right or never was and never will be.

 

And then I think that maybe things just haven't worked out for me yet because of this new path I've chosen in my career. It takes so much out of me that there really isn't more to give to anyone. I barely have time to take a day off or go to sleep before 11:00 right now...building things up takes more than anyone can ever imagine.

And then I think, that's just an excuse. I do some of what I do because I purposely dive in and not make time.

Calling myself out here.

 Whatever it is.  At least I'll be alone with nice arms. HA!

It's actually not a bad thing to be alone. I can attest to that after living with HUGE, unbelievable, chaotic drama in my life, day in and day out. 

Until you live with or love someone who is an addict, it's hard to describe what that does to YOUR life.

Without that chaos, I have been able to move forward and pursue things I really wanted and I have so much less stress in that everyday pursuit without a noose around my neck and a 

train wreck crashing into our lives each and every day.

 

Flying solo does scare me.

I hope it's not forever.

 

Thinking that it will be forever is probably irrational, Right??

 All I'm asking for is a sign that it won't be forever.

That's all. 

Until then, I'll be working on my arm muscles and trying to fit into those now out of syle but benchmark jeans in my closet. I'll try not to be an idiot again and fall for anymore lifesuckers/moneysuckers/self suckers too while I'm at it.  You can't fix someone else, but you can fix YOU.

 

"Where Are All The Fish"

Artfully Yours,

Jodi

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Art Everyday Month Project 1

Good Morning!
I just wanted to share one of my first blog friends  big event which occurs every November,  "Art Everyday Month". Leah is great and very inspiring and I've been following her throughout the last 6 or 7 years.   She has been managing this event where people can share projects every day throughout November on her blog "Creative Everyday".  Your art doesn't have to be over the top, nor do you really have to do it everyday.  However, I can guarantee that when you make an effort to sit down at least 10-20 minutes everyday, you will feel inspired, maybe even compelled to do more. Extra bonus,  you will see yourself evolve!

I pretty much do art everyday, but what I don't do...is art that just is what it is. It's not to sell or not for a project.  I may not be able to do 'just cuz art'  everyday but I'm hopeful I can add more of it into my routine.  I'll share as much of whatever I'm doing this month, too!

So here are my doodles created on a 9x12 mixed media paper using stencils to create a pattern, then I doodled within the patter.  EZ, right?   Great TV/Couch play.

Grab your sharpies and create your own!

I used a sharpie that had both the thin tip and thicker one on either side...quite handy when your space is limited or you are on the go and can only take a few supplies with you.

Whenever I am doing doodles like this, I challenge myself to make each area different.   It keeps things interesting but even more so, it challenges me to keep inventing (and I don't mean I invented the pattern) new designs for each of my areas.

Not the greatest picture because...you guessed it. Still on the couch relaxing and took the picture from my lap.  Hey. It's Saturday. Don't judge;)

Same time, same place...see you tomorrow!

Jodi

Join Art Everyday Month HERE

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Persist Art Every Day Month Day 3

The voice inside of your head says this is all so crazy.  You are unrealistic.  You are not being practical.  Really?  Is it true?   You listen long enough and you start to believe the voices to the point that it's easy to regress back into the 'just good enough' to get by actions.  After all, great things never happen to you.

I'm here to say that it's all hogwash. You can do whatever it is that you desire to do.  It may take awhile....or it can happen tomorrow, even if it never happens, you'll be farther ahead than if you never tried at all.  But you can do it. PERSIST despite the voices in your head or around you.

Be determined.

It does however start with a goal. You gotta want something in order to be able to work towards getting it.  You must care about yourself and protect your dreams.  If you don't care, why should anyone else?  All too often we listen to that voice in our heads that squash our bigger voice that pulls us towards all that is possible because of fear.  Sounds funny, who would fear success or fear achieving a goal?  It's all about the unknown....I understand completely. I have to squash that voice all the time.  Sometimes it's about doing too much too fast. Not sure if I can handle it all and balance my world while getting there.  Not sure if I go for it, I will get it.   (No promises unfortunately for any of us..... we won't ever know unless we try though).  I do know--if it's important, if it's worth it...don't give it up.   Go for whatever it is  you want!

Shop Local, buy Hand Made this Season!

Just in the nick of time for the holidays--new prints in my shop, ACEO (Art Cards, Editions, and Originals in the standard size of 2 1/2 by 3 1/2). My prints are adhered to matte board for additional stability, printed professionally on Kodak Endura Lustre paper.
Each of the prints are only $6.00 and include FREE SHIPPING for the holiday sales!

As a part time working Artist, I would like to encourage you to buy hand made this year for the holidays.

If you are looking for some deals 'ala' Black Friday style, check out some of our Metsy team members shops for some great specials for the 4 day span of Friday thru Monday after Thanksgiving.

Or perhaps the thought of shipping turns you off from shopping online--check out these shops highlighted on the forum thread on Etsy that will be offering FREE SHIPPING.
When I signed up, I believe the thread was on page 17 or so--now there's over 70 pages and counting of sellers offering this tremendous value!!

If you are a bargain hunter, then no doubt you should check out these shops for even MORE DEALS--again, I signed up near the beginning of this post and now there are 900 pages worth of sellers offering free gifts, discounts on many unique and one of kind items. Perhaps you have someone hard to buy for or you are wanting a treat for yourself--Etsy is the place to shop this season!!!

In the mail this week, I received a special treat from a blog contest from dear Magdalene , a lovely person and wonderful artist. She sent me 2 (not just one--but 2!) sets of her beautiful note cards of her paintings. They are absolutely wonderful. I haven't had a chance to take a picture of them yet but please take the time to visit her shop, Gifts of Creation or blog and say hello!! I will get a picture up this week to show you how lovely they are.
A great big Thank you, Magdalene for picking me out of so many entries!!

I can hardly believe Thanksgiving is almost here. I woke up today in sheer panic. I hadn't done any food shopping, hadn't made a cohesive list until yesterday--had no idea what I was making or who was coming over, the house wasn't clean enough to have guests over, I had 25 magnets sitting on my table waiting to be finished, 25 ACEO cards prepped but not finished, these prints that needed to be cut and adhered to matte board, pictures to be taken, scans to be done of the finished product, regular prints that need to be listed, 3 originals that I'm working on for a new article that is due next Monday and just barely started, 2 orders that need to be sent out next week, another grouping for my Winter in NY set that needs to be finalized (scanned and signed and sent over to the store), a meeting on Tuesday night, cooking to be done, not to mention my regular day job and mothering that is built in---oh my. I am not well...lol. I have been sleeping maybe 3 hours a day lately.
I got up at 4 am to start on all the above projects and I'm happy to say I got the majority of them done so I feel better. ACEO's are listed. Magnets completed. Cleaning done. Pictures taken. Grocery shopping done. 3 originals started. Article started. I even managed to cook today. Haha.

I'm trying my best to keep up and do things right for everyone and myself but it's not easy. If I haven't replied to a message or visited your blog lately--please don't take offense, I will be back to normal soon. I have one more show that I'm featured in on December 5th at Flynne's coffee shop in Southern Pines. She is featuring an artist in each of the genre's she has in her store and having an Artist Reception to induct her new gallery attached to the shop. I'll be representing the Mixed Media category. I want so very badly to have several new pieces to send to her so that's my last big push after this article is written.
If you are in Southern Pines, NC on December 5th--please stop by Flynne's on Broad Street, downtown Southern Pines, NC from 5-7 for a great show of local talent!! I'd love to meet you!

Okay so everyone, wish me luck. I hope I can keep up on this pace for the next couple of weeks. No matter how tired I am, I am no where near as drained as I was when I worked retail during the holidays!!!! Perhaps that's where I learned the trait of endurance?!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!