Day 30 - time to reflect

Well this is it. The last day of November and I've done some form of art every day!! I have a big grin on my face... However, it's not really that difficult to pick up a pencil or dip a paintbrush in some luscious colour - not when you love it as much as I do!

I can't believe that I let art drift out of my life for so many years. Rediscovering this missing part of me less than three years ago was a true turning point. OK, so my lounge has never been the same since - we rarely get to use the dining table for eating because it's always covered in half-finished 'masterpieces'! However, look at it this way - I am using the table - it doesn't just sit there all alone with a fancy cloth and a vase of flowers on. It is a part of my creative process!

I would love to have had a peek into the homes of other famous artists over the years. Did Rosetti keep a tight ship? I very much doubt it! Was Van Gogh a neat freak? Unlikely!

Not that I am suggesting I could ever compare myself to these legends of course! I am merely getting in their creative vibe. I am just a girl who loves to paint and above all harbours a true desire to get better; to keep learning; to become a proper artist!

This month I've not had huge amounts for time for creating, but I've learned that it's possible to create some really fun pieces in less than 30 minutes. I found myself creating my series of 'Girls on Book Pages' by accident really, but I don't think any of them took very long to show themselves on the page. The best bit though was the wonderful support I received from you... yes YOU! Thank you so much for all the encouragement to keep at them. I have been very flattered by the interest shown and want to thank everyone for their kind words.

The picture up top has three of my favourite girls framed! It will go up on the wall today. I did struggle to choose which three should go in, but then again, it doesn't really matter. I can just keep swapping them out so they all get a turn eventually!

Art Every Day has not just meant sticking a paintbrush in my hand though. I have also been on a virtual gallery tour with some incredible artists. What wonders we have all shared this month. What inspiration! I've made new friends and connections, marvelled, been intrigued and taken on a wonderful creative journey!

I would like you all to join me now in raising a glass to toast our host - Leah Piken Kolidas. Thank you Leah - for bringing us together, for the friendships we've formed and for bringing all that delicious art out of us!

Cheers!

Serendipity

Susannah

Yesterday I wrote on my to do list for the week - set 2012 goals. For the past 3 years I have had at the back of my mind 'write a book', but you know how it is. What kind of goal is that to send out into the Universe? What kind of book? What about? It's woollier than a Alpaca wearing a sheepskin overcoat.

Did anything happen? Did I sign a deal with a publisher? No.

I did get to meet one of my favourite authors - Lisa Jewel. I have made contact with people who've written their own books... All teensy tiny steps in the right direction.

I also paint a lot of pictures on old book pages (here's one up top that I prepared earlier!).

I write a lot of blog posts. I write blog posts for other people. I write articles and award submissions. I am a writer.

But none of the above has actually got me a book deal. It's not going to come down the chimney with Santa next month. It will require some effort on my part.

The Universe was getting very fed up with me so clearly decided I needed a cattle prod in the right direction.

This lunchtime I wandered onto Twitter and followed a link from Susannah Conway. She's interviewing Danielle La Porte (who I've dipped into a little recently - she's on my 'one to investigate further' list). It transpires that Danielle, together with Linda Sivertsen is running a workshop on how to write a book proposal. It's called Your Big Beautiful Book Plan. But it's so much more than that ... Read more here, but here's some blurb from the website.

•A self- and career-inquiry process that gets to the grit of why and what you need to write, plus target audience clarification, self-promotion + pitching exercises, and a bevy of creative-hermit practices.


•Techniques to capture the content that is…your life. Because your book has already been written — in your client work, blog posts, email chains + cafe conversations. We’ll show you how to spin your “undiscovered work” into gold.

•Strategies for building your platform as your create your product.

•Empowering lessons for rolling with rejection, hearing your muse, and gathering testimonials.

•A pro’s + cons drill-down of traditional vs. self-publishing options — with been-there insights from both sides. Timely, no?

•10 (Sexy + Thrilling) Ways To Finish The Damn Book—because writer’s block isn’t in our vocabulary, and the finish line is closer than you think.

•8+ hours of audio + video interviews with agents and high-profile authors
 
To say I was a little bit excited was something of an understatement. Here is that exact kick up the bottom I needed. I signed up quicker than a cheetah trying to break the land speed record!

And for the record, I've now committed to it here on my blog - Universe... Are you listening? I'm working on it!! Promise!
 
I have to dash... I'm on lunchbreak and need to get back to work...
 
I'm very excited!!

PS: Posting for Art Every Day Month - I had to name her Susannah as a thank you for being right there at exactly the right time!

Aged Beauty

It's very interesting how these girls just tell me their names. I think that perhaps Dickens' ghost influenced this one. He whispered into my ear a tale of an aged beauty sitting in front of her wedding feast mourning the day that never was, and her young ward Estella.

I'm trying not to listen to this spirit though for I don't really think this is either Miss Havisham in her prime, nor the haughty Estella. She is just girl whose portrait has been somewhat battered by the ravages of time. Indeed it appears that, at some point, it was painted over. Who could have committed such a travesty? A jealous lover? An ignorant painter & decorator? Well, clearly Estelle (a softer version of Pip's friend), was having none of it. Her determination to see the world once again peeled back those layers and here she is!

Estelle

I love the crackle - you might need to click to enlarge to see it. I am contemplating covering her in wax next. What do you think?

Posting for Inspiration Avenue, Art Every Day Month and Sunday Sketches. Big thank you to Tammy who kindly purchased the crackle glaze for me and shipped it across the ocean (because I couldn't find any in Blighty!)

Nearly finished

I was going to head this post up 'Still not finished', but that's rather glass half empty isn't it? I'm ever the optimist. Mind you, she is taking a while. However, it's not for want of trying. I've just had another incredibly busy week.

Below is a photo that just goes to prove exactly how hard I've been working... I was dressed in a wet suit - and no, you don't get to see a picture of that! I wonder what Brooke and Imran will think when I share the good news that I'm featuring them on my blog today...?

Imran in particular, might be interested to see Audrey. He had to (somewhat sensibly) rein me in when I wanted to include her in a company-wide communication earlier in the week - that's the thing with these A-listers. They think they can just appear any place they like! She was anxious to secure an invite to the Christmas party. I've got one Audrey and you haven't.... nah nah nah nah nah.... Oops, best not upset her, or maybe she will set her alter ego reflection after me....

If you've been following the progress of this painting, I could try and pretend to you that I intended to paint over her reflection all along - so it becomes more subtle and alluring... You might believe me or you might just wonder if trying to paint a mirror image of 'one you prepared earlier' is a little on the tricky side so I helped her melt into the background a little. The truth is out there; I'll leave you to draw (or indeed paint) your own conclusion.

Maybe I'll finish her this weekend.... or perhaps I'll get bored and start something fresh. I never was a very good completer/finisher!

Posting for Art Every Day and Paint Party Friday - just follow the yellow link road for more magic...

Soaking up

Kara

Looking for inspiration tonight, I mopped up a paint spill with this page and Kara decided to show up. She has a bit of a wry grin on her face. I think she looks a bit wrung out - must be all that excess paint she soaked up playing havoc with her features.

I would ruminate more and maybe take her on an adventure; but it's late and I'm tired and I need to go to bed!

I'm still doing Art Every Day - even when half asleep. It is indeed a most relaxing pastime... I also have some soggy, salty paper drying and a few doodles to show for this evening - and two very large bags under my eyes... I did check to see if there were any art supplies in them, but they're just full of dark circles...

Talking nonsense again... Time to sleep....

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Hormones and other distractions

Funny things really, hormones. At least I'm attributing these 'mythical creatures' to how I feel today - either that or I'm slowly losing my grip on reality. One minute I feel like I'm falling into a pit of despair, then the next I'm bouncing around like Tigger on Speed and laughing just for the sheer joy of the sound. Luckily for yours truly and indeed everyone around me, the latter is the more prevalent emotion. It may be a bit tiring for them to cope with but at least I'm attempting to bring joy!

My energy levels spike and dip as and when they feel like it. Lately I seem to be full of beans just as it's time to go to bed, then deep in another world when the alarm starts singing seemingly five minutes later.


I've also got ideas racing round my head jostling for pole position - there's a voice inside giving a running commentary ...

"Yes, and she's just remembered she was supposed to go on Twitter last night and engage in conversation with attendees from the conference; it looks like we have a clear winner.... but hold on... what's that? It's Hootsuite coming up on the left - it's pushing its way through.... oh no, they've both spun off leaving the field open for Art Every Day - is there time to post yesterday's progress before the 9am finishing line when it's time to start work.....?"

By the way... has anyone noticed that the sky is missing? We've had a proper pea-souper fog for days. What if someone has stolen the stars and moon?

PS - the mood I'm in this painting is in danger of turning into something very different by this time tomorrow. Best make the most of her (and her) while you can!

In need of some repair

Early stages for this piece. It's going to be a 'proper' painting - rather than one of my recent series of quick concoctions - I'm even using real drawing paper! Just laying down the first layer of colour and shade. It's from a stunning portrait and reflection of Audrey Tatou in the latest Chanel No 5 advert.

Funny how she sat so comfortably on the page last night but then this morning her eyes are too big and slightly out of place, and the mouth in her reflection is terribly wonky! (That'll be the wine I suppose, plus drawing while having half an eye on the X-Factor didn't help!). Thank goodness for the forgiving properties of acrylics which are going on next!

I'm going to let the Muse dictate where she goes (though dressed as she is, I suspect it may be to a party!).

I've been feeling the need for a little external self-repair too. Lately I just seem to busy to pay much attention to myself, so the last few days have attempted to redress the balance. Hair styling, a glamorous make-over at a Mary Kay party (including some special treat purchases) and a bit of pampering are definitely in order. Special thanks to my friend Tina for managing to organise this as precisely the moment it was needed!

Well, I'm off to get dressed now and play with my new make up.

Posting for Sunday Sketches and Art Every Day Month