So Sweet!

While I'm still recovering from this winter flu bug,  I thought I'd share a coupon code for my shop to keep the party rolling even when I'm stopped in my tracks :)  I had a super, incredible, fun filled week in Cancun but returned with a little "vacation itis".

Good news, I'm feeling a bit better but still recovering. I have a big event this weekend so I'm trying to reserve my energy for then. After that, I'll return with tons of new products I'm offering, new art add to my collections,  some just announced on the road workshops I'll be participating in, and more!

This coupon code is for 14% off (in honor of Valentine's Day) of anything in my shop, including classes, paintings, stationary, my new book and more!    If you had your eye on something, now is the time to grab it up!  :)

Take me to the shop!

Better Than I Was The Day Before

 There was a time when I wouldn't dare paint anything larger than 6x6 or maybe 8x10 at the most. Anything larger, forget it. I was paralyzed by fear, perhaps fear of imperfection or not even imperfection...just total inability to generate anything at all and therefore, failing.

And then slowly I dabbled in a few larger paintings.  With each stroke, I found it freeing to have ROOM to experiment and grow.

It's kinda like moving out of your parents house for the first time without having much money to buy rental or share the space with others. Don't get me wrong,  you are super happy to be there but at the same time, it's constricting.

Painting small can be wonderful and joyful, not always constricting....but...stay with me....

Painting larger can be freeing and help lead you down a  wonderful winding path to growth.

 I know, I know...some may argue that having so much blank space may have just the opposite effect on one's self.  That huge space can be paralyzing too.

Kinda like a big house.  Where should the couch go? Which room should be the guest room? What color scheme should we pick?   Should we keep the carpet or refinish the old floors?

There are more choices and more decisions to make no doubt.

But, when you embrace them rather than run from them...well, every once in awhile you create a beautiful home, one room at a time.

 My goal for 2014 is to work on at least 2 big paintings each month. 

ehhhh ummmm COMPLETE at least 2 big paintings a month. I have to keep myself in check otherwise I will find my own loopholes.

I exceeded that goal. I finished 3 large paintings and several smaller ones in January.

Some of them go in different directions that I want to expand on for the next year or so..maybe longer.

 Others are cousins and siblings to paintings I've done in the past.

Each one, digs a little deeper and that's my ultimate goal:

To simply be better than I was the day before through continuous practice and stretching my wings.

It's not always easy.

 I spend plenty of time staring at the canvas, not knowing what to do next. What color to use, what to paint, what brush to choose....

Plenty of time allowing distractions to fuel my tendencies to procrastinate.

Plenty of time 'gathering inspiration' rather than just getting to work.

 But when push comes to shove, I push myself to overcome any fear I have created from within, overcome any doubts and simply enjoy whatever materializes onto the canvas.

I hope you find a way to overcome your own fears, whatever they may be-big or small, so you can become the best at what you were meant to be an better than the day before.

                  Until we meet again,

Jodi


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Stop by my Etsy shop to see many of these paintings now available!

April 1979

Exciting news--I finally uploaded some of my collages and paintings to my Brand New Etsy Shop! Finally!! Dang does listing take a while or what?? So far, I just have 4 items in there because I actually have already SOLD two pieces before I even opened my shop!!!! WHOOOO HOOOO

One of my work customers said that I'm a professional now ;) LOL Not a rich one, but at least I'm official. I've given most of my stuff away for trade, an now---I've taken the plunge into selling, I'm so excited! Did I say that already???

I am offering discounts off of multiple purchases for my Grand Opening, and I do offer shipping discounts, so please stop on by and check it out--AND check back over the next week as I plan to add things each night!

This is my latest work, done in conjunction with a little exercise my new friend Jane (who does some awesome cool collages herself!) came up with in an effort to expand my horizons and to challenge herself as well to create!

Who doesn't need a little motivation from time to time? Things are more fun when you do them with a friend. Over the next month or so, we are going to switch on and off taking turns issuing prompts for one another.

This prompt was just to use a magazine cutout or a few and leave it mostly un altered. I tried to leave the majority of it alone, but I just had to cut this 70's models hair off and give her a new "do" and some purdy new eyeshadow and curl those lashes!

She also needed a crown. Who doesn't??

This is an 11x14 painted collage so I couldn't get it all in my scanner.

"April 1979"

Reads: The letters you sent I carry with me. I just wish they were true. April 1979. Back Then, I believed in you.

Who knows where I come up with this stuff!!!!

I'm also starting a new blog--for featuring my for sale items---check that out too!!

Here's a dark but full version of my pink lady. Doesn't she look a little like Gwen Stefani?? LOL

Thanks Jane for the prompt!