It's Official -- I'm In Print!!!

Here she is, folks! The premiere issue of Jewelry Affaire, and she is absolutely lovely! Yours truly is featured, and I am so honored and thrilled to be in a publication that is 1.) Stunning. And 2.) Filled to its gorgeous brim with outstanding and talented artisans. If you want to be inspired, don't hesitate to grab a copy. You won't be disappointed!

Jewelry Affaire reflects the heart and soul of its wonderful editor, Beth Livesay. When she contacted me last fall to submit a piece, I was ecstatic. By the time my issue arrived in the mail, all composure was gone; and I tore into it, well, like how I tear into pastries when my blood sugar is low. :-) I then proceeded to corner unsuspecting neighbors (you are all dears, you know) and yap nonsensically about said magazine. (Small aside: Beth also has another publication that is equally jaw-dropping: Altered Couture. I love this magazine. Period.)

An interesting thing about the magazine is being featured with other artists whose work I've admired--some for quite a while now and others whom I've just discovered. It brought back to me again how connected we all are as artists and what an exciting time it is to be an artist! You just never know where your work will end up or what kind of friendships/collaborations you will forge. Kind of thrilling, don't ya think?!

My article boils down to this: You don't have to know what you're doing to be creative. It's that simple. Sometimes you just have to get started--build upon what you do know and learn as you go. I definitely have some projects this week where I'm going to practice what I preach. Are there any creative projects on your horizon where you can throw caution to the wind and "wing it?"

It Ain't Done 'Til I Say It's Done

We all have our quirks, right? Some more than others; but I can tell you with all confidence that I am pretty quirky. One of my many quirks is that I am hopelessly neurotic. I've been told countless times that at two-years-old I would check my mother's diaper bag to make sure that she had all the necessities for my baby brother. While I'm not to the Jack Nicholson level in "As Good As It Gets," I'm fairly sure some professional somewhere could dub me with a fantastic sounding disorder--oops, I meant quirk! So the amazing thing to me is that I can actually FINISH a painting and be happy with it.

Sure, there are times when I think that something is missing, and I'll go back and rework the painting until it feels right. (There's even an earlier post where I did just that!) But, usually, I'm able to come to the end of a piece and know that it's "The End."

I was asked recently if it was difficult for me to let paintings go. For some reason, it's not. And I think part of the reason is that I've really finished it--no going back and checking and rechecking--and I want to pass it along and make room for other ideas and other projects. It creates a flow, this passing on... So how 'bout you? When do you know that your pieces are finished? And do you rework and obsess over the details? Or do you know when the time is right to pass it along and go with the flow?

This piece is titled, "Beyond the Page" and features a kind-hearted Queen Alice. ;-)

I'll Show You Mine If You Show Me Yours

ART STUDIO!!! ART STUDIO!!! What else did you think I meant?! :-) I love seeing other artist's creative spaces in magazines or on the net. They are lovely. Inspirational. And they make me want to write the artist and ask permission to come and . . . DIG!

I have no shame. I would love to sit down with some of these artistas, have a cup of fabulous tea (with cream, of course!), and poke around all their baubles, art supplies, and pretties for a good day. (Boog comes by her foraging talents honestly.)




Trouble is, my studio space just doesn't look like the magazine spreads. Okay, let me back up just a bit. My original studio space flooded, so I had to regroup upstairs to the computer desk/kitchen-table studio. You know the studio--the one eked out of whatever space can pull double duty.


And my studio space is never as neat or as organized as the beautifully pictured examples. In fact, I've come to realize that "The Fast and the Furious" should not have been about drag racing. Oh, no. It should have been about how we mom/artists have to create. Like wild women! Banshees! With one goal in mind: finish the project before the kiddies wakes up from their naps, need a diaper change, want to try on a tutu or break your glass hutch with their Hotwheels. . . you get the idea.

There are times, after a creative spell, when I'll wake up from my art frenzy and think some burglar on the prowl has ransacked my art studio in a desperate search for treasure. . .

But, no. It's just me. Going berserk in my own small art space. I have learned, however, that small spaces do have their perks. It's harder to lose stuff. I can keep better track of what supplies I have on hand. And I can eat a four-course meal while drawing painting ideas, crocheting, or surfing the net. :-) So I've shown you mine. What does your art studio look like?