So much to catch up on

I haven't written in a while (That's nothing new.) But it doesn't mean that I haven't been busy. For one thing, I am happy to report that I'm finally art-blogging. Nothing fancy, mind you, but I bought one of those mix-media journals and I carry it with me now, everywhere I go. It's got big, wide pages, and I use my portable "Koi" watercolor set and water brush to add color to my entries. I am thrilled that I finally got the courage to venture into this somewhat intimidating new activity. The entries are delightful to go back and read; not because they're such compelling writing, but because of the illustrations.

I credit Connie Hozvicka and all the artists at "21 Secrets" art journaling workshop with helping me get past the blocks that kept me from trying this before.

Featured in a kitty blog: All About Cats

Today I was contacted by the person who writes this blog: All About Cats which has a tagline "this blog is all about cats, crafting, Etsy, Etsy Sellers and my All About Cats Etsy Shop". She included my laminated magnet in her blog.

This Beware of Cat Kisses design is one of my favorites and a great seller. It can be found in my Etsy shop.

Mixed media fun

I decided to try my hand at mixed-media this weekend. I'm in an inbetween-place, between wanting to keep the best of what people liked about my formerly predominant kind of art (the acrylic kitties) but also venture out into new territory that *I* find personally interesting and creative. There will be much experimenting in the coming weeks.

On alone-time

I have been alone all day (husband and son went to Grandma's 24 hours ago!!) and I realized today that it takes me THAT long to get to any productive thoughts or ideas. I can, of course, dash off little doodles or thoughts in a found moment here or there, but to get anywhere BIG, to solve a problem or break through an artistic block, I need HOURS. In a row! It takes me that long for one thought to lead to another, to another, and 5 hours later, a solution or an inspiration happens, and then I've still got some time to act on it.

I have got to find a place to send my son! Darling boy, I love him so much, but because we homeschool, he is omnipresent. I drive him to classes here and there that are two hours long but that's not long enough to come home and create in my own space. I work in coffee shops or learning center waiting rooms, out of a backpack that contains all my art supplies, or a computer that lets me work on my paid job. I work like a refugee.

I am not whining. It's just the truth of it. I need to come up with a solution.

List-It Tuesday - Jan. 18, 2011

Aimee has just indicated that she's done hosting List-It Tuesday. Which just reinforces my belief that my timing is impeccable. I started it last week for the first time, and ka-put. It's gone! Well that's OK. I was too busy to get to a list today anyway. (see last week for reasons)

This week finds me in the midst of an artistic crisis. All my artist friends seem to be surging forth into success with their art. And I, knee-deep in homeschooling lessons and a part-time day job, can't seem to get paint to canvas half the time. Why is it that I expect myself to excel in all aspects of my life, at all times, all at once? (Do I have a red cape and tights hanging in my closet that I don't know about?)

Sometimes the kitty knows best

Every so often the Inner Critic gets going and PK has to talk a little sense into me.

List-It Tuesday - Jan. 11, 2011

OK, Amy Myers Dolich at the Artsyville blog has this thing called List-It Tuesday, where you make a list and post it. I hope I am understanding this right. I don't have time to create anything artistic to go with it. It's just a list! After you see it, you'll know why I have no art to go with it. I'm lucky I got it down on paper! :-)