The Beautiful Awful with Alyssa Monks

In 2016 and beyond, I want to share more things that inspire me and hopefully will inspire you as well.  This talk is from one of my favorite portrait artists, Alyssa Monks on how her Mother's passage affected her and her work, as well as her view in life. I found it all  truly moving.

The Beautiful Awful.

In our quest to control the inevitable, we risk missing out on the beauty of a fragile and fleeting moment with our loved ones.

Letting go in our work and allowing it to feel as much as we do, well, it takes on a life all of it's own as it should.

Take a second and listen.




What moments in your life have left you feeling maybe more than you wanted to in the midst of it all?  Once you saw the opportunity to grow and embrace, did you find it  left you a better person for having experienced this moment?

I can think of a few of my own now that I reflect back. I think I'm ready to face those Beautiful Awfuls in my work. Finally.

Jodi

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Burning Question: What Inspires You? My Top Ten Ideas PLUS a special coupon code good this week only!

 As a creative type with a background in business, I like to look back on my progress on a regular basis and share some  'aha' moments with you from time to time. Well, really I try to incorporate my own experiences and nuggets of wisdom whenever possible and enjoy hearing what you are discovering as well, in your own artistic pursuits.  

(as an extra bonus I have a GREAT coupon code for you at the end of this post! :)

My sample for the upcoming ReMe reTREAT in Ocracoke Island, NC

I haven't posted a  "Burning Question" in a while so I thought today I'd bundle one in this post as it kinda relates to my topic of 'aha' moments and nuggets of wisdom I wanted to share.  

"What Inspires You? " asked by Emma

That's a great question and one that never really stays the same or is exactly formulaic if you will.  I can't say, "if I take a walk in the woods and look at textures, I'm inspired to run back to my studio and experiment.....or  anytime I dip my feet into the ocean waters, waves of inspiration pour over me"...do those things happen?  Definitely.  Do I have time for artist 'dates' daily (or even sometimes weekly), no...not always.  So then, where does that inspiration to create come from, especially if you are working on your craft daily for hours and hours at a time?  

I think you pull in inspiration from anything and everything you do.  You have to have your eyes wide open on a moment to moment basis to see things others miss or feel things others may dismiss. 

I have conversations with myself, or with others in my head and then play them out in the studio.  But most of all, I simply show up and do the work.  It really is about creating good working habits for the most part, because the more you do something, the more the doors open for the next  idea and the idea after that. 

And once I have an idea, I try to expand on  multiple times...not necessarily recreating that painting exactly but revising it and seeing what else can I do for as long as I'm excited about a process/composition/topic activity.

You stay inspired when you are excited about something you are doing,  and the flow will continue to feed you with ideas the more regular  you are with showing up to do the work.

Does this mean your faucet will always be on?  No...most definitely not.   I don't want to profess any delusional thoughts to you by saying every day will be rainbows and unicorns in the inspiration category or that you will always feel like going into the studio to create with abandon.   Life will throw you curve balls when you least expect it which will derail you for a time. In those moments, allow yourself a break, a nap, a trip, a artist date, or clear away clutter that is impeding your progress both literally and figuratively.

I'm going through a bit of that myself lately. Clutter and unnecessary activities have put obstacles in my way due to my not being clear on what I want in certain areas or not listening to what signs have been put before me.   I notice when I feel pulled in too many directions, I trip over myself rather than removing the obstacles.   It's hard to be inspired when you are chasing your tail.  When I'm focused and not distracted, at peace and calm.... there's no stopping what I can do. That's when the flow of inspiration gains it's greatest momentum.

 Here are some more tips on how I get inspired or stay inspired:

1) Keep a journal.  Whether it's a visual journal, doodle journal, written one, or some combination of all the above, the act of documenting thoughts, playing with color  or patterns, and getting something-anything on the page, will serve as a source of reference for future projects. Art Journaling is also a good habit that will not only help inspire you, it can help relax your mind.

2)  Plan out your activities and most important tasks each week and build in time to work in your studio to create.  These activities could be both personal and professional. By having a plan, you are creating more likely to accomplish the tasks you need to and leave more room for those that you 'want' to do.  (Note, the need and wants aren't necessarily mutually exclusive..but some may take higher precedence over others.)

3)  Stay well rested, eat well, and exercise regularly.  Your physical and emotional well being plays a big part of your ability to stay inspired among many other things in your life.

4)  Don't be afraid to make mistakes.  The fear of not being perfect can derail your creative activities probably more so than anything else.   I'm not saying give yourself permission to do shoddy work, but give yourself permission to experiment, play with new techniques and compositions,  try new colors, and do all of that over and over again.   Remember, masterpieces are few and far between but remarkable and inspiring work is created everyday..IF...quite frankly, you just go to work without worrying about the outcome.  Worry about the outcome as you finish, not as you start.

5)  Repeat designs and expand the possibilities within a collection.  Sometimes when you are excited about something and have a good plan, you can make it even better the more you tweak it by experimenting.   This is also important when developing a collection.  Tying your work together by repeating color palettes,  themes, motifs, and even designs helps in creating a cohesive collection.  Discover how far you can take those ideas, by taking those ideas far and wide.

6)  Evaluate where the heart strings are being pulled in your every day and professional life.  Saying yes to everything means you are taking time away for the right things.  It's hard to let go of the wrong things, especially if they have meant a lot to you in the past.  The problem though is, you start to loose your focus and hence your inspiration when there is so much going on that your head is spinning.  In fact, it's likely to cause temporary (or long term) paralysis, so to speak, if you are spread too thin.

My sample for an upcoming class this September at Random Arts in Saluda, NC.

7) Surround yourself with people that believe in you and lift you up rather than bring you down.  If you are uninspired...take a pulse on the mood of the world around you.  Negativity from within is poisonous, but when it comes from the outside in, well it can darn right kill you.  

8)  Know that from the outside looking in,   it may seem like everything is a bed of roses for those people you admire. They may  have something you want and  appear as if what they are  just doing is just flowing day in and day out without any hiccups or effortlessly 100% of the time.  This is never true. Those that make things easy,  most likely do so because they are insanely committed to what they do. Your mentors  live and breathe their passion and that is why,  from the outside looking in, it looks so polished and easy.
 If you want something with all your heart and soul, you don't wait until the inspiration hits, you run out and find it by doing the work.

That's the magic sauce most of all...doing the work.  

No one said it was going to be easy.

No one said you are going to have time for it (hey we are all busy!!)

But when it flows and you are in the groove-yes it does flow like a open wide faucet and others will be envious of what you do.   You can lead some people to the water but you can't force them to drink it...they have to do it themselves. You have to do it yourself. 

9)  This is one that I have a hard time with...but I know that when I do this, I am way more inspired then when I don't....keep your space open and neat.  It doesn't have to be spotless or totally clutter free, but at the very least, take time to pick up at the end of the day, clear your desk, put away a few things, throw a few things out on a daily basis, and reclaim your sanity by not tripping over yourself physically.   I'm a work in progress in this bullet point...after I finish writing this post, I'm going to go into the studio and clean up. Going forward, I'm going to take time either on Fridays or over the weekend to really clean up because I think it's important to start your week fresh and create a space you can flourish in.

Featured art in the March/April issue of Cloth Paper Scissors

10)  I was reminded of this last tip by a comment on another post I wrote for ReMe last week. It's important to share what makes us smile with others, those little things that we take for granted on a day to day basis should be celebrated.  Take time out to listen to others, to learn about those we love--to learn about the world around us, and you will be amazed at how you feel (and how you will make others feel by just being there to share back and forth).  Capturing the moments in our lives through our art is why we do what we do...it's a celebration of our history, our point of view, and our dialogue with one another.  What's more inspiring than that?

Last but not least---I wanted to thank my readers for taking time out to follow my blog, newsletter, Facebook, and all the other platforms out there.  I couldn't do this on a day to day basis without you.

Save 20% in my shop all week (including paintings, classes, prints, magnets, cards, supplies) using code "hellospring" at check out.  (custom orders not included).

Stop by and see what's new!

If you would like to share what inspires you or ideas you incorporate to stay inspired, leave a comment here!

Likewise, if you have a "Burning Question" about the art biz, creativity, living the creative life, processes, email me at jodiohl@hotmail.com  . I'd love to hear your thoughts and will incorporate as many questions as possible into my future blog posts.

The Messages That Come Through Art Journaling

You can learn a lot about yourself through art journaling. Leafing through some recent pages I can see snippets of where my mind was at the moment I created the page.  Sometimes the reflections I portray through visual clues and cues are from that very moment, and sometimes I'm speaking to someone I know or wish I could impact in some way, and sometimes they are just words I've captured in my mind from some other fleeting experience that I felt the need to keep with me as a reminder.

Rarely ever do I start with an end in mind, if that makes sense. Most of my pages are works that evolve from painting sessions. Cleaning off my brushes, stencils, stamps, brayers...whatever has paint on it at the time can land on a journal page.   Then late at night when I'm cozied up in my jammies, watching tv or perhaps early in the morning while it's quiet, I will sit and work on a page (or 2, or 3).  They may take weeks to finish.  Even months.   It's at the finish line I will infuse words or conversations I have with myself...or those I want to speak to in the sanctuary of my art journal book(s).

Sometimes there are a lot of words....sometimes there are just a few poignant reminders highlighted on the page.  I don't know....I think art journaling allows me to feel less lonely in some ways.  Not that I feel isolated, but there are times when I wish I had someone to talk to when there isn't anyone there.

And then other times, the words are not for me to feel comfort with...as an artist I realize more and more that the words or images are for someone else to take hold of and feel that sense of comfort.

As if...the message comes through you so someone else may hear what they need to hear..when they need to hear it.  An affirmation if you will that is put into the world to boomerang back to the soul that has requested a sign.  Sometimes it is just me that needs the message...but more often then not, there are others out there too that need the guidance.

This page I created last week after spending a few days with someone that I had(have)  a close connection with for the last 11 or so years.....someone that actually was partially responsible for me getting back into art several years ago...some of the words go out to that person...and the rest are just for me.   Sometimes,  art journaling just helps you come to terms with things going on in your life.

I can't fix everything.

You have to want change in order to get it.

I'm glad this AJ streak I've been on has continued as long as it has.  It keeps me humble and allows me to release and let go so I can do what I need to do next, which is to move forward.

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Is there something that you do in the quiet of the evening or the first glow of the morning sunshine that keeps you grounded with a sense of peace?  If not, find that thing....it could be jogging, walking, writing, drawing, painting or knitting.  You'd be amazed at how less alone and more comforted you will feel while partaking in that activity that is meaningful to you.

I'd love to hear from you!  Drop me a line and tell me what your 'thing' is that keeps you sane!

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"Letting Go and Not Looking Back" 

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Unfinished Business and a Coupon Code (expires today!)

Sometimes I drive myself nuts.

Starting and stopping multiple projects at once and have things going on everywhere.   There really is a method to my madness and most of the time I do it in the name of 'efficiency'  or frugal-ness (I don't want to waste paint and to keep busy while things are drying).  

But....

But...

If I'm honest with myself, sometimes I have multiple projects going on at once because I don't know what the next step is for the piece I'm working on so rather than stare at it, I move on to something else, meanwhile I hope that piece of the puzzle will come to me while keeping busy.

Sometimes that method works...and sometimes that method does not work.  I could make a case for multi-tasking and how wonderful it is.... and I could also make a case that it causes chaos and procrastination if you take it too far. (I do the latter more than the former!)

You can't force inspiration but you can force yourself to not walk away from something that is sooo close to being finished.  You need to tell yourself you can and you will work out the kinks and finish what you started.

Or not.  

I only know myself and that 'self' needs a kick in the arse every once in awhile otherwise there's a heck of a lot of chaos and not whole lot of finished work which causes me anxiety which in turn causes me to stress out...none of which is good for the creative soul.  

I'm showing you this piece that is unfinished but I've been adding to it  little by little over the last month.  Really, a month??  lol     It's so close I can taste it.  I just need to finish it.  By admitting to my big procrastination disguised as multi tasking habits, maybe it'll inspire me to show you the finished work in my next piece so we can put this baby to rest and move on to new work.

Sounds good?

(another unfinished work)

Do you have any less than ideal habits in the studio? 

 I'm not going to say 'bad' because multi tasking for me isn't necessarily a bad habit it's necessary most of the time--my dealio or deal breaker happens when I have 20 works going on an nothing is finished! :))

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Looking for inspiration? 

Join me in my 1 1/2 day extended Funky Little 'Beach' scapes at the "Art More Place" in Melbourne Florida!

When:  June 20 and 21st

Even better, come on Friday, June 19th   and take my Grunge Ink class, too!!  

For more information, visit the the event calendar HERE.

Top Ten List: How To Start Your Creative Busines Month Off Right

Hello and Happy Monday--here's a little side note before we get into today's post  I just discovered this tool (I know, I'm behind the times...but trying to catch up seriously!!)

Follow Me On Blog Lovin'  if you aren't already. It's a great tool to keep up to date with all your favorite blogs when new posts are published! *Who isn't trying to organize their time and social media reading these days?  I know I am!

Find my blog HERE.

The Little Things  6 x 12 available message me at jodiohl@hotmail.com

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And on to today's topic and post:

 How I start off my month in my Creative Business.  My top ten tasks.....

This wasn't exactly a "Burning Question"  from a reader but I thought this list may help some of you who are just starting out in a creative business to see some of the things I look at and plan on, over a  month to month basis.  I find that I do better professionally when I have a game plan in front of me and take time to hold myself accountable for my actions or 'in-actions'.  I'm not perfect and I still have  a lot of rough edges but over the last few months I've been doing most of these things monthly (and some weekly), and what I've noticed is that my sales have gone up because of my focus.  Hopefully this list or portions of this list will help you, too.

10 x 20  Celebrate Inn  (acrylic on canvas)

Want to know how I start my 'creative business' month off?  Here are some of the things I look at when I evaluate performance.

1.  Review Your Sales for the Month.  Do you spot any trends?  Did your sales spike after an ad campaign, blog post, Facebook Post or promotion you ran?  Note any successes or areas of opportunities. Are sales inline with yearly projections, if not what changes need to be made?

2.  Review and input expenses.  Are the expenses in line with the activities for the month?  Was enough spent on future projects versus current projects?  Is the budget on track for the year?

3. Ensure enough funds are transferred to my tax savings account based on sales.

4. Review calender for the month and for the year.  Do you need to update any projects/add projects/change deadlines or dates.  Identify projects or tasks to be outsourced (ie assistant tasks or need to hire specialist for any task)

5. Review yearly goals and activities. What needs to be planned for this month and into the next couple of months.  Any changes?

6. Update/plan promotions for the quarter.  What tasks need to be done for the promotions (ie ads made.  Blog and newsletter posts written or outlined)

7.  Review monthly production.   Was enough created this month to be on target for sales projections?  Review results.  Has everything been photographed, varnished, hung, priced, allocated to shops or listed online?

8.  Review weekly activities from month prior. Is there anything still left to be addressed?  Schedule those activities if so.

9.  Identify educational opportunities.  Ensure time is scheduled for practice and research.  (IE processes,  skills, marketing research, sales and or product research).

10.  Review and pay bills for the month, identify major purchases that may need to be addressed for the future and allocate budget accordingly.


Note--doing all of these things is not easy and is time consuming.  I do many of these tasks on a weekly basis so at the end of the month/beginning of the next month it's more of a review and an adjustment sort of administrative task.

  If you take time each week/each day to work on planning, you stay on track and on task a lot more efficiently than if you wait to do it and address things only when there is a crisis or you are on top of the world and running around like a chicken with his or her head cut of! :))

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What are some things YOU do each month to track your productivity, sales, expenses and future planning/projects?  I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions!

Until next time,

Jodi


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The Burning Question: Why Is it that I am Drawn to OTHER things?

From time to time I get asked questions about  living a creative life, art business, and tons of art technique questions, so I thought I'd share the questions posed occasionally so that everyone could chime in on the discussion or perhaps benefit from my insight.

Notice I didn't say answer.  There rarely is one right answer or truth that fits nice and neatly for everyone.  Even for technique related questions--heck, humidity, temperature, substrate,  and brand of supplies, can skew a technique related answer.  

The same holds true for insight around what to do, why or why not to do something around your creative path or art business. **Not that humidity effects your art biz..heeehee** but your individual circumstances and your ultimate goals effect your direction.  Your experience could effect the question and or answer.

So, with that said...take my advice as for what it's worth.  It's just my opinion based on my circumstance and experience, or my point of view as I see it today...and yes it could change tomorrow :)

Today's question is from a friend on Facebook  who posed this question/predicament to me:

'I often find in my road to mastery, being drawn into different directions which often results in using different mediums. I stop doing what I was doing and go on to that 'new' thing and may not get back to my original medium or path for say up to 2 years.'  Why is this so?  It makes it hard to master anything when this occurs.

My reply:

To me, it sounds like you are in the 'percolating' stage of your creative self. You are still finding what it is that you really like to do.  Is it Acrylics,  oils or watercolors that tempt your art'full self?  Perhaps you are drawn to the allure of encaustic painting or the textural effects of  of raw collage.  Are you drawn to the old papers found at a thrift store, knowing there will be a use for them down the road?  Do you pick up a journal and use it religiously for 2-3 months and then let it get dusty for a year or more?   Maybe you find pen and ink drawings exciting or a portrait painting a challenge but one that you want to take on.   In the quiet of winter do you cozy up with a knitting needle and go back to working on a blanket you started the year before?  Maybe it's the sale ad that came through your email this morning with a promise of 20% off if you order 100.00 or more of new art supplies that you find impossible to resist despite the fact you have a room full of stuff that has yet to be touched.

We all go through the percolating and distraction stage.  The stage where we hunt and gather information, supplies, and inspiration.  We want to do what others are doing, and doing better than we are (because we have yet to start).   Easily bored or uninspired, we move on to something else to capture our attention for the time being (and the time being could be years).  We pick things up, and we put them down, in a cycle of learning and exploring that is neither good nor bad, depending on what it is we are really looking to achieve.

At some point however,  YOU, WE,  need to decide, what it is that we really want to do and where is it that we want to go.  Based on those answers,  the next step is to pare down the distractions or limit those 'extra curricular activities'  to our 'filling the well' time if we want to go down the path of mastery of what's really important to you.

No supply on earth is going to be the one size fits all answer to making you a brilliant artist.  Having a 100 of those supplies will not make you the best at what you do. Granted, good supplies have lots of value and I'm not saying that certain supplies won't make your work better, but to believe it's the supply in itself that's the answer-would be a fallacy.

Being drawn to different types of techniques is totally normal and very much encouraged.  But you are right, it is hard to master a few when you are distracted a lot.    Perhaps you aren't ready to make a choice about your art and that's why you are easily drawn to other mediums.  If you are ready to make a choice, know that it doesn't mean you can't go back to something else here and there (or for long periods of time).

When I first started creating, collage was my favorite  medium.  And then it was journaling.  And then I knitted for a while.  I moved on to drawing.  Then water colors called me for a period of time, until I discovered acrylic paints...and at that point, I was hooked. I still do all of the things I love or loved  (well except for knitting) , but I decided when I became really serious about my craft, to zone in on acrylics.   I wanted and still want to discover all I can about the medium and stretch my limits as an artist using acrylic paint as my primary medium.  But I still want to do other things, too,  and I think when other mediums (or genres of art)  pop into my work for periods of time--they are there to serve a purpose.  They help me grow as an artist.

Really understanding why you do what you do and what your ultimate goals are as an artist (and an individual) is very important in this process as well. It's hard to know where you are going without some idea of where it is you want to go! :)   

Don't loose sleep over the fact you are in the percolating stage if in fact that is where you are.   Trust your instincts and you will know when it is to start specializing in whatever it is you want to do.  Listen to yourself  so you can hear when it is time to take a break and play with some other 'toys' or processes.  

If you are on the edge of the percolating stage and about to get off on the road to mastery, then very possibly yes...it's time to make a decision . Start drawing out a road map of how you are going to get there and stick to it.  Get excited about it and passionate about your process.  Be swayed by other things when it makes sense to, or supports your ultimate goals.

Or...maybe it's not time to make  a decision.

If you never master anything but are great at a lot of things, that's okay too.  If you are happy with the path you are on, that is all that matters.  Life is a journey and all parts of it should be enjoyed. If you aren't enjoying one part, the beauty of this life is that it's never too late change your direction. 


  Mastery does not equal success. Nor does success equal happiness. We all define each in our own way, and find our balance according to the beat of our individual drums.  Understanding our definition of mastery, success, and happiness should be perhaps a first stop on the road however.

Carry on my friends and have a fantastic weekend!
Jodi



Do YOU have a burning question around the artistic life, art business, art techniques or topics you'd like to hear or learn more about?  Leave a comment here! I'd love to use them in upcoming posts!


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The Near Win

"The Gift of the Near Win".  


Listening to this speech by Sarah Lewis, I felt myself drifting back in time to when I first started painting and thought about how with each painting I did, the pieces got a little better but they weren't (and still aren't) masterpieces. I didn't win anything so to speak, and often times, I felt likes saying, "man this is a piece of crap",  until someone would speak up and say--that's amazing, I love it! You do such colorful and happy work!!

Someone saw something in me that I didn't see in myself.

Not to say I didn't believe in myself, but I was and still am very hard on myself...much harder than anyone ever could be.  What if, I threw out everything that was hopelessly unfinished or less then perfect over the last few years?  I wouldn't have this art career I now have now, right??? Right!

That's not to say embracing the near win is an excuse for putting out shoddy work or just slapping something together for the sake of doing it (unless that's your intention).

Embracing the near win means that you are on a not so straight path to the finish line, and that fuel of almost getting there, feeds your motivation to do it better, learn more, and reach higher for the next time.



Hopelessly unfinished.  Incomplete works. Near wins.   We are our own biggest critics, aren't we?

  Were you shocked when Sarah mentions all the writers/artists that wanted to discard their work or never quite finished anything?  How different our world would be if that were to have happened.

What if those works were destroyed as some of the artists/writers had wanted? Imagine our culture or how history would have been changed. YOU are making history, too.  Don't throw it away.


   The pursuit of mastery  is the path where we find residence for  the large majority of our life,
" as the  final stop on the way to mastery..is the end".

Place value in your near wins.  "Near Wins" have value, even more value than we ourselves can really see.

Keep practicing.

Keep honing your craft.

When you hear yourself saying...oh my gosh do you see that white mark in the upper left corner, it is hideous, what was I thinking?    Or, that portrait is horrible. the eyes are not the same size and the nose is bigger than life.

 Is it really horrible? Or are you seeing things others dismiss or never noticed in the first place? They see something else. Perhaps they see reality.   Eyes are not the same size and frankly some people have big noses. That's life.   Perhaps your viewer sees beauty in the imperfections and feels your emotion you embodied in your work.

Or perhaps it wasn't that great but it was 10x better than your first piece you did 2 years ago. That's progress and you are getting closer to the win.

I'm glad I used each near win to motivate me to do better the next time. Sometimes I succeeded and sometimes I said, I'm not there...YET.

Embrace the GIFT of a near Win.

Until next time,

Jodi

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Inspirational Messages: Do You Have The Grit Gene?

Over the last few days I've been working on lots of projects that kinda have been more computer orientated.  Okay ya...not really projects unless you call me a project..haha!  Taxes.  The good news is that last year, I was doing that in March and this is of course, January. I'm making progress on my 'work in progress' self.  

While doing 'book work' or any type of repetitive computer work (or even sometimes in the art studio), I like to listen to "Ted Talks" and amazingly, I feel like I'm 'upping' my IQ by a millimeter and expanding my critical thinking by tenfold.  wink wink.  

I thought I'd share some of my recent Ted Talks  binge listening sessions  with you over the next couple of days and share my thoughts on how they may relate to you, me, and living/working in a creative settting.

Do you think Grit plays a role in YOUR success in art, professional life, or personal best self?

I love how Angela Lee Duckworth says, ' that we need to be able to fail, to learn and to persevere over the long haul'.  I see all to often people (and it's not just in art) that become paralyzed by the thought of trying something outside of their comfort zone because they are afraid of failing.  

So what if your painting is not a masterpiece the first time you pick up the brush?  Are you in it for the long term? Is this what you want to do and are you ready to roll up your sleeves for the long haul to learn everything you can learn about your medium?

There are many talented people who do awesome at whatever they touch.  And there are others who have that 'grit' gene who have the ABILITY to be just as awesome as that talented person but they are afraid to do anything because they are not currently on the same level as person xyz.  Should that matter? Is growth and success a finite result?  Or is your learning capability a long term marathon, one that effectively increases in success and development over time and is  the result of  simply, not giving up after the first try.

Use your Grit Gene today and believe you can do anything you set your mind to.  It's not going to be easy, and you aren't going to be perfect...nor are you going to be successful each and every attempt at whatever you do...but you will (and I guarantee it) be a million times more successful by keep moving forward. Be passionate and fearless with what you do and know that achievements are won rather than given out of thin air (well most of the time..this is life after all and not everything is fair) ;)

Until we meet again,

Jodi

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Check out what's new in the shop this week!

On Breathing....

I just returned this week from my first ever "Workcation" in the Outer Banks. I've been there once before, last year when I took a trip with some of my friends to prospect gallery opportunities, but this was the first time I was able to stay put and firmly put my feet in the sand for several days and just soak in the beauty in between more gallery hunting,  photography, and creative inspiration.
The best part was I was able to share that time with 7 other like minded friends and artists.

Talk about peaceful.

I'm not sure at what point my worries and stresses started to fade away into the wind.

I know there are some people (one or two of you) who just aren't that impressed with the beach.  But those who get it, really get it.  Especially if you grew up around the water as I did along the shores of Lake Erie.   Moving to North Carolina and experiencing the expanse of our coast just brings my love and reverence for the water to the next level. 

I really needed this break in the routine I to refill the well if  you will.  I know it may seem like if you work for yourself, that you have all the freedom in the world to do what you want to do when you want to do it. And in some respects, you do.  But then there is that part of you that also feels like if you aren't locked up in your studio all day creating and managing that creative business, your whole life and world is going to crash down around you because after all, the business is you. There's no time for a break.
At all.
Hmmm.
I fall into that trap all the time and will work weeks on end without a break and then when I finally do have time to take a break, all I want to do is sleep. sleep. sleep. 
The well gets mighty empty when you go on down that path.

Relax.
Reinvent.
Rejuvenate.
Renew.
A theme I will be sharing with you more and more as the year progresses as it is also part of a bigger plan that some of my friends and I are working on to bring to you in an exciting ways!

 From an early morning walk on a windswept beach  or an early evening rest with a glass of wine watching the sunset.  There's something to be said about reconnecting with yourself, the ground, and others in a way that heals and comforts you.

During the week I did manage to make time for art but not as much as I thought I'd do.  Perhaps it was that reconnection I really needed, that break, the time to fill myself back up with ideas and inspiration before I moved on.

Perfect timing for that much needed dose of inspiration as I will be having an exhibit in Carolina Beach at the Artful Living Group for the month of June.  My show is "Coastal Reverie", it's a melody of life both realistic and mystical along the coast from where I grew up to where I'm at now in NC. Memories, romantic ideals,  whimsical interpretations and soft moments are all apart of the experience just as it is when you visit any coast. 
The artist opening will be June 6th from 6:30-8:30 so if you are in the area, please stop in to enjoy the opening or visit anytime throughout the month.  I'll also be teaching a class there Friday June 7th (morning) on journaling, love to see you there.


So yes, the week in OBX was a lot of fun, but it was so much more.  It was an investment for the future, and by that I mean, it was that time away that gave me what I needed to continue creating from a place that is authentic and experience driven, rather than just a need to survive and make a living driven.  It's easy to go down that path when it's all on you.  You forget that taking time out is as much a part of the process as actually creating.

Try it.  It's good for the soul.

Renew.
xoxo
Jodi
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