Thursday...Day 12 of "A Post a Day"

Hi all!  Actually got some painting done today.  I'm working on the cutest little clown...have always wanted to paint a clown, just never got around to it til now.  It's on a piece of flat canvas board, was started with acrylics and collage, and is now getting the face painted with oils.  Also worked on a Madonna pic today...adding oil stick over top of acrylic painting, over top of a magazine photo.  I've had this one for a while and really need to finish her on up. 

Also, the hopeless nut I am, I started a new piece.  Half of me feels I have no business doing so, and the other half feels that I just can't help myself ...and these things must come out when they want...lest they be lost forever!  Actually, it was a small canvas I had already added texture to with molding paste.  I just couldn't wait to paint a face on it.  She's lookin' pretty nifty too.

Hope you enjoy the photos of these pieces...they are in progress....so you will see the finished version eventually.

Later, Cyn

Wednesday....On an Upswing!

Mentally, I'm not on the upswing yet...still fuzzy headed and tired......but, physically doing much better.  I can't wait to do something or make something...just anything other than lying down and falling into a deep coma!  No, I take that back, not 'anything'.  I just looked at my studio and thought...neeeeeeeds cleaning!!! But I am not up for that much work yet.  It's one of those things that doesn't need to be done in baby steps either...it needs to be done and over with all at once.  That makes me think....

You know that magazine, "Where Women Create."  I think they should put one really messy, crazy outta whack studio right at the end of every issue.  It's hard for me to exactly 'relate' to these super organized ---clean, prim, and proper studio spaces...though I wish for exactly that.  I just laugh.  :)  It's terribly funny to me.  And the disbelief!  That was the first thing that hit me...who's studio is this put together?  And I know there are some that are totally put together and kept straight....but for the life of me I can't see myself ever getting quite there. 

Yes, I can only hope to achieve a modicum of that organization some day. I work messy. My work is messy.  I like to make a mess.  It makes me feel good. 

Cleaning up the mess?  Not so much.  LOL.  Here's a good laugh below...MY STUDIO!

Pretty bad huh?  If you've got photos of your 'outta whack' studio, let's see um!!!  I'm so out of space...but am gonna try to figure it out soon.  I really cannot work like this...and like I said, I'd love nothing more than to have every little thing in it's place....maybe someday!!!!!

Later, C

A Trip to the Doctor....yay!!!!

Well, finally drug my delirious self to the doctor today for some medication.  I can already feel it helping too, thank goodness.  I sure am tired of waking up sick everyday.  Talk about unproductive!!!  It just goes to show that when you start giving it your all, there will always be obstacles in your path.  But...we must persist!!!  That's why I have been keeping up with the blog, though I certainly haven't felt like it.  :)

Above is a shadow box pendant necklace made out of all manner of mixed media.  The necklace part in particular is made from vintage lace, new ribbon, and wrapped sterling silver.   

This is the back of the pendant.

Take care, Originalcyn

Monday again...

It was a rainy, stormy day here...all day long...and I am still wondering when this nasty virus plans on leaving my body.  Apparently my husband has contracted it too.  Nastly little germs....

Here is a painting I did at Art Unraveled 2009.  It was based on a master painting or the like, by whom I cannot remember.  Maybe someday I'll come across it in a book, but I don't think I'd ever seen the painting until that class.  Oh, I could probably ask the teacher.  Ok...maybe I'll figure that out and post it later.

It was so much fun doing this painting.  I remember that class very well.  Most of us were in our own little worlds with our own missions to complete that day.  The pieces that everyone came out with were just terrific too.  It was Katie Kendrick's class, and she is very sweet.

  Until tomorrow...C.

Sunday!

Still sick...this is the worst day so far.  Anyhow, hopefully I'll be able to make a better post tomorrow.  Lots of sleeping...and coughing!!!       Above is the front of a shrine box I made a long time ago.

 Inside.

 Back.

Inside again.  Collaged onto the left side is the eightfold path, and on the little "tickets" on the right side are the four noble truths....from Buddhism.  The whole assemblage is done with collaged papers, washes of acrylic paint, embellishments, and gold leaf.

Hope you enjoy the photos!  Cynthia

Saturday! Feeling Flu-like!!!

Well, it's not a lovely day in the neighborhood.  I am feeling quite yucky today...achy, sneezy, grumpy, sleepy, and thanks to the cold medicine...dopey too ...I am several of the 7 dwarfs.  Can you name all 7?  I got 5, my hubby came up with a sixth, and then I googled to find the last one.  They are listed at the end of the post.

So, I have missed another beautiful day outside, and another chance to look over the Neptune Festival goodies.  They also do a sand castle contest that's really sweet.  Maybe tomorrow.  The dwarfs are:  sleepy, dopey, grumpy, happy, sneezy, bashful, and doc.  Bashful and Doc were the ones I couldn't remember.  Ok...going back to the coma couch!

C U tomorrow!  Cyn

Day 6, Friday, Neptune Festival is in Town!

A photo from right here in VB.  I love these funky trees and stumps growning in the water!

Each year at this time we have the Neptune Festival here in Virginia Beach.  I was going to check it out today, but have been a bit under the weather...a little summer sinus funk.  Anyhow, am hoping to get down there tomorrow and check it out!  Will post more photos then. 

Cyn

Thursday!!! Day 5 of "A Post a Day" - NETWORKING!

I only count it as day 5, cause I've only been able to do it these 5 consecutive days.  We have to leave out my earlier attempts cause they were not consecutive!  I'm makin' these rules...and that's how it goes. 

Ok...so today!  I'm reaching out to people that I have neglected to reach out to for the past 7 years I've been attending my favorite art retreat, Art Unravelled.  Every year I say to myself, "This is the year I'll keep in touch."  Well, the time has finally come.  I know that I have not really explored every avenue of helping myself to the fullest with my desire to have a successful art business.  I can admit this. And, I can change it!

It's really important to develop community amongst artists.  It will help take you everywhere. I know I have not done this in the past because I make excuses...like, "I don't want to bother them...they are probably so busy they don't have time to help with my newbie, petty issues..." yada, yada, yada.  I have a bad problem of predicting the worst out of people anymore (have become a bit jaded as have gotten older), and that is absolutely the wrong attitude.  That attitude will get you nowhere!  And yes, sometimes it's very easy to get down, and withdraw from society, because our society isn't always the friendliest.  ---Which is a whole other topic I could write volumes about,----but we'll skip that for now.

So, networking.  It's tres importante...if you wanna make it in the art world.  I have been floundering around because I suppose I thought I was should be able to do it all on my own.  Ridiculous.  It's never wrong to reach out....and ask for help when you need it...you may find someone on the other end who is so receptive and helpful...you may find a new best friend.  It is so important for humans to have intimate relationships with one another.  There is a lot of surface nonsense out there today....and not as much deep caring for one another, but it doesn't have to be that way.  We don't have to settle for less.  We can take control and keep striving to find the kind of meaningful relationships that will feed our souls and nurture our hearts.  We just have to get up every time we get knocked down.  Actually, we have to get back up with a smile on our face if we want to really achieve.  How do you think the most successful people in our society have made it there?  Not by giving up every time a challenge presented itself, I assure you.  Not by being weak.  So get up off the couch, stare your nemesis right in the face, and feel yourself soar right over that hurdle. 

This is something I created in the "Huskamp" girls' class at Art Unraveled 2009.  It's painted on fabric and turns out to be a necklace.

The finished product, I love this bird!  And the vintage bling is a pair of old earrings.  I clipped off the clip ons, and attached with E6000 adhesive.  I love the way it came out. A leather chord goes through the little leather loops and voila, a necklace!

Me and the Huskamp girls. Just love them, they are terrific, and highly recommended!

All right, that's it for today kiddies!!! March on, and try to smile at someone, even if it nearly kills you!!! LOL.

Til Tomorrow!  OriginalCyn

Wednesday, 9/22/10 - Sketching!

I decided one day that I wanted to paint...real things that looked like themselves once placed on the canvas. I wasn't expecting a lot.  If the thing even remotely looked like what it was supposed to...then I think I would have been happy with the outcome, (at that time.)  I went to a 'sort of' oil painting class...I say sort of because there wasn't much real direction to it.  Part of the small direction I did get though, was that I didn't have to 'draw' out the picture before starting to paint it, or I at least didn't have to make some intricate sketch first.  We were painting a still life of vegetables, so the 'instructor' came over and lightly -with the brush and a tiny bit of thinned out paint,- he laid in the most basic edges of the veggies...very simple. Then he handed me the brush and told me to paint what I saw.  This was most terrific for me because I'm afraid that if anyone had ever told me I would have to draw or sketch out the painting first---I might have just said forget about it right then and there.

But I cannot express enough how important drawing is!  I have come to see this for myself, but must admit I still do not sketch enough.  I have been pretty good at jotting down ideas...but have failed to keep them all together in one notebook, and then much gets lost.  So, with organizing, I am committing to keeping these ideas together in a special sketchbook, and carrying it everywhere!  Then when I'm out and see something that sparks an idea I can capture the idea right then and there.

Now that I am more willing to sketch, so much comes out that I would never have had before....so many fun little people, faces, creatures etc...it just happens when you least expect it, when you are just fooling around.  I have also seen the benefit in my painting.  I like to paint faces a lot, and if you do not get a light sketch on there first and have a good idea as to if the eyes match etc...then when you go to paint, you will spend a whole lot of time drying the paint and re correcting.  After a while, no matter how stubborn you might be, you come to understand the immense benefit of correcting a light mark of hard charcoal versus half a painted face!

Here are some light sketches on canvas board.  The sketches are from the photos shown of our friend's child....she's a beautiful girl, and quite an inspirational subject.  I'll get them painted eventually, and post them again.

What's really amazing and wonderful, is when you're sketching and all the sudden ---there they are....the person is looking right back at you, and WOW!!!

Go do a sketch and have some fun with it! Let me know how it goes???!!!

Til Tomorrow, Cynthia

Tuesday, 9/21/10 - Good Morning!

Well, I'm still not getting to sleep early enough!  It's kind of crazy...I was so exhausted yesterday that I fell asleep around 7pm and woke up again at 9pm.  Thought I would just get up off the couch and go to bed...but ended up doing things and staying up til 1:40ish.  I have been doing much better about getting out and getting stuff done, so that's really good!  In fact, we took the doggies down to the beach yesterday for a long walk.  I hadn't done that in forever, and it's really silly not to, because the beach is so beautiful and inspirational.  And fresh air is key to getting out of brain fog!!!!

So...still organizing.  Rome wasn't built in a day people!  Also, decided that the tv keeps me too engrossed all the time...it's just my want of some noise to keep me company but it sucks me in, and I lose a lot of precious time watching shows and movies that I've either seen a thousand times, or have no business watching, for they surely aren't "helping" me move forward with my life!

That's why I decided to get an ipod.  I  figure CD's are so expensive...and changing them out takes time, etc....plus I can download guided meditations on the thing and use it when working out as well.  It's multifunctional...oh, it has a pedometer on it too...to help w/ tracking my daily exercise...love that.  I finally went to buy the thing yesterday and they were sold out.  So, I'll treck around a bit today and see what I can find.  I did pick up the cutest little docking station for it yesterday at Target.  It's small, portable, and mostly hot pink!  Love it. 

I find that music helps the daily processes along, and tv very much hinders my daily work, etc.

So, baby steps, little changes here and there will make my world what I want it to be.  It didn't get to this point overnight, and it won't get to where I want it overnight, but if I am dilligent, it will come to pass.

This is a little staged photo I did to use either in collage, for a banner, or as framed photos for the home.

Have a great day!  Cyn

Monday, 9/20/10 - Fairy Hats!

These are some cute hats I made way back in the day.  Have never done anything with them, so they are still sitting in my house.  They sit in a woven tray on top of a half wall and serve as something fun and whimsical on which we can frequently gaze. Will be posting them on ETSY pretty soon for sale. 

I started out by giving them a layer of gesso, both inside and out.  I wanted to paint the inside and have it look nice as well.  The kind of fairies I hang with don't want no half made junk!  I probably painted the outside first, though now I might start on the inside.  Doesn't really matter, whatever inspiration hits.  Next, I collaged the outside, and continued to add washes of color here and there as I went.  Certain embellishments were added with glue, others with matte medium.  Finally, I lacquered them with matte medium or satin medium, punched holes in the sides for the ribbon to tie around the chin; then added ribbons, flowers, etc., from the very tippy top! 

I always loved the pretty one Meg Ryan wore to tell her stories in, "You've Got Mail."  So that was part of the inspiration. 

Till Tomorrow, Cynthia

Sunday! - Frida Khalo

Hey there.  I am still having trouble doing a post a day...especially since there have been a few birthday celebrations lately, but am hopefully back on track.  This is a photo of an oil painting that I started about 2 years ago.  No, I have not been working on it for 2 years....I worked on it one day a week for about 5 weeks I think...3 hours at a time.  Then left the poor thing.  It is quite far along, though not yet finished. 

I just love Frida Khalo, and if you don't know who she is, I suggest you look her up.  I'd like to do some more Frida themed things.  But we'll have to see.

That's all for now.  Cyn

P.S.  There was an accident with this piece as well.  The adjustable shelving in my studio gave way (on top of me of course!) and the canvas on this piece was stretched in a few areas to the right of the head.  I am still working out how to fix this ....and will most likely incorporate some collage in the areas.

My Birthdayl!

Today is my 40th birthday.  So I'm up and going.  Just got a new couch today...I am on a track of trying to make my surroundings better.  More organizing.  Cleaning out the clutter...getting to where things feel clean, clear, and fresh. 

One of my first missions is to get published.  It seems to me that getting published was high on my list a long long time ago, and then I somehow got distracted from it.  I was making Halloween pieces for a deadline, and injured my back quite severely.  That kept me from making the deadline. 

"Spring Flowers"

So I went to the local Borders the other day and went through several of the mag's I'd like to get published in, wrote down the information, and realized I have 2 pieces that are perfect for one of the submissions....it's called "Simple Pleasures."  I have a little girl holding flowers and another reading a book that are just perfect.  Here they are!  I'm off to write in my other blog now...my 'secret' blog.  Here are the photos.

"Little Reader"

A Post a Day!.....Organization!!!!!!

I want to do a post a day.  This is my top committment on the blog.  If I can't post once a day, then I can't get anything else together.  So this is the first step.  A post a day.  Here is today's post.

I need to organize.  I have always felt that I am a great organizer, however, I have not been able to organize my life.  I used to think that one shouldn't organize their life...but rather "go with the flow", and be "spontaneous."  That has gotten me a whole lot of nowhere.  Spontaneous should occur within a process of organization.  Meaning, I have an organized way about my day, say.  Then when I'm in a situation and something else wonderful could come from the situation, if I already have free time or have an appointment I can reschedule, that I am flexible to this....I want this.  This is spontaneous......

If I just have no plan and get up everyday waiting for the spontaneous to happen, well, I could be missing out on a whole lot.  You have to meet everything half way.  You cannot sit alone and just wait.  You tow your half of the line...and the other half will come to meet you.  And if you tow more, you'll receive more.

That's today's post.  Mucho Lovo...Cyn

Getting the Art Gig Together!

I have been working on "getting into the art field" for some time now...with no real direction, just trying this and that...whatever I thought might work. Nothing much has worked though, and it has given me cause to re-evaluate the situation.  And though I am still a bit lost in my quest to make a living doing what I love, I am still going to give it more time...and pick up my heels ...produce more, be more structured, ask for help, be disciplined in my work and marketing efforts. 

So, I am going to commit to writing about the journey everyday in this blog.  It will come as no surprise to those close to me that I have always loved writing and would love to write a book or two.  I think chronicling this adventure would assist in that pursuit.  Posting photos, and writing daily will help me keep up with my business progress as well.  Maybe you'll tune in and check it out and even contribute a comment here and there! 

I am also starting another blog to chronicle changing my life.  I have a deep desire to live a more full life and need a place to be somewhat accountable for that; though I am keeping that blog seperate (private) from this one, I do want to say here that I will be working on this project too.  Though this was written on the date posted above, I am now committing to it, as of my birthday, 9/16/10. 

More to come, Cynthia