Small steps

Not much to say tonight...just a few more details added to the drawing. Making progress one small step at a time. I would get really excited about how the eye turned out and explain all the intricacies that went into it but I'm too tired. Energy is fading...need food...zzzzzzzz...

A typical Friday evening

Got a couple hours of drawing time in this evening, I'm well on my way into it now. I'm happy with the progress so far. It must be pretty entertaining to anyone who catches a glimpse of me while I am working. It's a combination of drawing, singing loudly, dancing around the room, playing with the cat and then back to drawing...all in that order. It's a wonder I get any work done!

Defining my style

"When you become an artist you don't create for everyone. Not everyone is going to love what you are doing. The most important thing is to stay true to your passion and there is always an audience out there who is going to support it."

The owner of Caranda Fine Foods made that statement in a recent video I saw and I couldn't agree more.
I have been tempted to conform to the status quo of whatever style is hot at the moment but in the end passion wins out because my heart is no where involved in the process,my mind was only on the dollar. I have learned over time that's not a good enough reason to make me create something I have no heart for.
So I am finally in a place where I can explore ideas I have had on the shelf a while. My Artprize entry is a perfect example. This piece will be the start of a series is scripture illustrations that I have had in mind for years. It's a more contemporary view of Biblical interpretation; using modern images to convey the message of the Bible. The possibilities are infinite because of all the examples I can use from daily life...especially what I witness everyday on the city bus! That in itself is a reality show. Seriously though, I love the idea of using the ordinary situations I encounter on a daily basis and transforming them into extraordinary interpretations. My Artist Mentor told me, "Stick with humanity". He was right because no matter what we can always relate to each other. Whether abstractly or directly, we all have some commonality that links us. This piece holds a particularly special place in me because it offers me the opportunity to showcase my 'fine art' side. Over the past 3 or 4 years I have developed my photography, graphic design and a little bit of painting (mostly photography). Getting back to the basics of art fundamentals,pencil and paper, feels amazing. And my first large scale drawing too?! This is great!!
Ending my days with working on drawing is so fulfilling in the sense that I am getting back to love...my first love.

Houston we are go!!!!

Let's see when did I get started (actually pencil to paper) on my drawing...mmmn...Sunday I believe?, yes Sunday. After spending several days stitching my canvas together I can't express how it feels to start a project; when the pencil touches the paper or brush to canvas. That may sound an bit "artsy" but it's true for me. There is a spiritul connection between artist and canvas, photographer and photograph, designer and idea. One that can't be replicated in any other area of life. I love the moments in my studio when it'm me and the creative process...just us dancing about and creating magical things.

In my mind I planned on beginning the drawing at the beginning of August. I wanted to have the entire month of August and the majority of September to draw. But as life usually takes us on unplanned paths, so my art is developing its own way of coming to fruition. Being the 'planner' that I am I almost made a daily schedule for myself for how things were going to get accomplished from now until opening day. That really sucks the creativity out of things, you know? When I have to be the artist/PR/marketing/fund raiser/accountant/ person sometimes I get so caught up in the planning that I spend less time on actually making the work. I'm learning that I can't do it all and have to bring my focus back to what matters most. Balance is key. It's a life journey, that balance thing but I am learning the value of having big ideas but also taking things one step at a time.

Looking back on older posts I can see how everything...all the small details...plays a part in my process of creating this year's piece. From painting walls to rebuilding my front porch, somehow all these things play a part in the big picture. I may feel like the mundane details of life are irrelevant but I see now they are not.
I purchased the paper for my drawing today. That felt good. One small step for my creative process, one giant leap for production!