It's official once again! I remember last year being so excited to get the Artprize artists seal, why does it make people so amped to see their name on something?! Darn that ego.
This year I can tell the difference in my approach to this spectacular competition. I am much more relaxed and prepared. I have many other projects going on in the meantime so Artprize doesn't monopolize my time, at least not yet. It's a good feeling to be back at All City Kicks again, kind of like visiting family members you don't get to see often. It's a comfortable place. For me this year is particularly exciting because I am looking forward to actually seeing the festival as opposed to being too burned out to life a finger. It will also be a good time to scout venues for 2011. Overall at peace with the whole process. The voting, the top 10, the plethora of promo material...I'm not all wrapped up into that this time. I just plan on having fun being an artist.

Making hard earth grow.

Today a friend offered to help with my Artprize entry. Not only is he helping with my landscaping needs but he can construct a frame for my canvas as well. You rock Nicholas!!

I learned that trying to force things never results in anything positive. Things will come together as they should in time. I remember how I used to feel like I should have certain accomplishments by a certain age or time in my life. That couldn't be farther from the truth. I think that comes from comparing myself to other people and determining my place in life on where others are. That's a bunch of bologna I tell you...bologna!!! At some point in time everyone gets caught up in the game of comparison. Coming to know myself, really know myself, and not only accept but enjoy my life has been one of the most liberating things. I trust that God will align all I will need to complete my Artprize piece the way it is intended to be. I have a lot of work to do but I intend on enjoying every moment.

Aaahh, Mulick Park...

Word of mouth

The conversation has started already. I was talking with a co-worker about what my piece will portray and I noticed how good I felt discussing it even though it doesn't exist yet. I talk of it as if it's already finished waiting to be hung. It's funny because I haven't a clue about how it will all unfold; how the images will look, how it will translate from my head to the canvas. Leaving myself open to how the images will come together and not being married to an idea frees me to explore, make mistakes, start over, and discover something I never knew was possible. This rocks!

Unwinding...

With my feet propped up and classical music in the background, I unwind from my day. My body is tired but my mind is still going. I often think there is some sort of solution or answer to the question, "How do you balance your day job with your passion?" For me my job at Baxter Community Center (www.baxtercommunitycenter.org) fills my daytime hours and Salon 477 (www.salon477.blogspot.com)fills the nights and weekends. Many artists and fellow entrepreneurs can relate. And I'm sure anyone with children can relate as well. There is a constant stream of thought, new ideas and creations, that permeate my daily tasks. There is even a supernatural sense within me that allows me to see how all things in my life are relative; that's the Holy Spirit working. Whether sketching, taking a photo or sitting on a board or committee, all things weave together to strengthen my greater purpose. It's hard to see that sometimes though. Especially like right now when physically I am worn out and my mind is thinking of all the new art projects on the horizon and how I want to start them RIGHT NOW! Wisdom has taught me that the one-step-at-a-time method is the best approach and that my journey is my own and in no way should I compare myself to another.
My next step is to think about what materials to use for Artprize. I have never done a large scale drawing before and I'm unsure of what kind surfaces are available for this kind of project. Last year there was an artist at KCAD that was doing these phenomenal large scale pieces of military men. I wonder what he was drawing on? It looked like canvas but he was using charcoal on it. I guess the exploring will begin! I'm excited about it; learning new things and stretching my skills. It's all a part of the process.


I found these great chairs at a yard sale today. I'm psyched! Just as my house is coming together one project at a time so will my Artprize piece.