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Lately there has been so much information on how to run a business, so much to read and prepare, that I feel like I'm falling behind while moving ahead. Crazy how it works eh?

I haven't forgotten about my blog or my newsletter, or Facebook for that matter, but working out new schedules, system for what I offer where, and how to find "me" time in it all. Because let's face it, when you can't take care of yourself, what you give out is no where near what you hoped it would be.

Wings are getting a bit clipped over on my end, but all for the better. Thank you for all of your patience and support. :)

When In Doubt, Search Out Joy

As I came to the end of the Sweet Easter collection yesterday, doubt started to overwhelm me. It had already begun creeping into the space of my heart, but yesterday I was submerged and left bobbing for some kind of clarity. Did I do ok? Was this strong enough?? Is it what my agent wanted??? Will it sell????

The art licensing realm is quite different than what I'm accustomed to. I had a system to my art, always got great feedback, and I thought I knew what I was meant to do! I thought "I'm going to paint fantasy, and that's that. That's me! It's what I do!". I am learning, quickly, that nothing, NOTHING, is "That's that.". EVERYTHING is changing, all....the.....time.

That includes my art. What I'm accustomed to is, as my friend put it best, being comfortable. Art for licensing is stretching me so thin that I'm being redefined, challenged, pulled out of my box. I am usually the one teaching my students to get outside of their comfort zone, and to get outside of the "box" we choose to place ourselves in. Time to take a big bite out of my own teaching! I'm comfortable with my subject matter, my compositions, and techniques. I'm not playing anymore.
This has led to doubt. I feel helpless, lost, without faith, no trust, and begin to think I just don't have what it takes. But doubt is a LIE. It's the biggest lie out there that you'll ever find. It just takes a grain of doubt to bring your entire soul down. At least...that's usually how it rolls with me. That doubt must, I repeat, must be replaced by JOY.

Tonight, after teaching another watercolor class about getting out of your comfort zone, I decided to continue searching for words of wisdom, insight into the world of creating art for licensing, and found this amazing interview by J'Net Smith with Joan Marie.

This! This is just what I needed to hear! If you have any doubt, this simple yet compelling interview resounds all the advice and wisdom I have found thus far, on creating art for licensing. I thrive on constructive feedback, and have found very little in the licensing community so far. But there are TONS of information and interviews. These are the keys to gaining feedback. Read. Read. Read. It's just different then what I'm accustomed too. That's okay!

And...

TRUST

LOVE

Find your JOY. Your VOICE. Your SPIRIT.

Then share it to the world.

This is the key I must continue to remind myself. To remind others as I teach. To remind yourself.

The Wonder of Butterflies

"Maiden"

Do you ever find yourself sitting and watching a butterfly, and then realize minutes have passed, finding yourself wondering why they are just so magical?

I do... all. the. time.

I'm drawn to art with butterflies (especially collage), I'm drawn to the colors, the way the wings flutter, their gentleness, their life stages and how we make that into a metaphor for life, all of it! I love them so much I even have a butterfly, a painted lady, tattooed on my right shoulder in memory of my grandmother...who also loved the butterfly.

But I am still drawn to the question of....why?

"Danielle"

According to the light research I did from the Butterfly Conservation site, and other pages around the web, butterflies have two purposes in nature, aside from being beautiful.

They pollenate, and they are food.

Yep, they are at the bottom of the food chain. They're food for birds, mammals, and reptiles. Like, food for everyone. One of the most wondrous and beautiful visions on the planet get eaten more than anything else.

I'm not trying to depress you with this news. When you sit and think about it, here's what is concluded:

They are a source for life. They feed everyone protein, vitamins, and nourishment.
They pollenate flowers so that their seeds will spread and the earth can continue to give back.
They bring beauty and peace to us in our gardens.
They share color and pattern throughout a mostly green, brown, and blue environment.

And, they give us hope through their life stages of metamorphosis. A demonstration that we are all beautiful from the inside out, and if we are truly ourselves we will shine brightly.

They are a symbol of rebirth, to start anew because they do! They live two lives, one as a caterpillar, the other as a butterfly.

"Birth of Twilight"

You find so many butterflies in my work because of these thoughts. They will always make me wonder, but I think the simplest answer, they are BEAUTIFUL, is why God put them here. Yes, they have a purpose, to nourish, but that is part of the beauty.

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The Tangerine Process

I don't know about you, but the month of May has to be one of the busiest months of the year next to December. SO many wonderful birthdays, graduation, and other family/friend get togethers.

I am very blessed but feel weighed down when I have to stop and think of all that still must be done. Again, blessed, because I have a focus and direction....and now....I true desire and passion for one of my, I believe, greatest pieces to date.

It all started with a beautiful sketch, which evolved from frustration and many sketches. Beauty truly blooms from trial.

I was looking and looking for the right face, and without much reference the Lord gave me this. Wow. I am so in love with her grace and movement! Now the scary part....moving her from an 11x14 drawing to a 20x28 piece of watercolor paper.

On a stormy night when my husband was out of town, she emerged in indigo.

I go in and add more pencil. I love making lines pop and giving strong definition to drawings. My first love will always be drawing.

With trembling hands and lots of deep breaths, I began paint. Tried to keep it simple and light, even though I was anxious to bring her to life.

Starting to punch out the colors and define the space within the background. My goal was to get the background up and the eyes finished as soon as possible. These help keep me focused once they're in place.

Background and eyes finished. Beginning on the hair. I had to change my studio set up, standing and bending over wasn't working (getting old!). 

Where I am today. 

And this is what I look like while painting. :P I typically paint mostly at night, and I am always in my pjs, no make up, hair...could care less.

My goal is to have her finished in time for the Iowa State Fair. Regardless of what happens in that aspect, I have fallen in love with painting this large. It's challenging, but for all of the right reasons. I don't know if this is a one time event, but I will definitely try more!

BTW - she's on arches cold press (you know I only work on hot press), and I'm using indigo as my shadow hue since it worked so well in the sketch. I adore it for the mermaid...and so glad I discovered it.

Lifesong

"Lifesong"
11x18 watercolor
6x10 print available: http://www.etsy.com/listing/96311641/angel-playing-flute-art-print-whimsical

Yesterday it came to completion in my watercolor class!
It took longer than usual, and that's not counting the days he sat there on my easel saying "When are you coming back?".

This painting shows my personal journey.

The path ends at the forefront of my life, where my amazingly wonderful and light-filled husband dances, among the sweet smelling roses in full bloom.

But life hasn't always been clear, and hasn't always been sweet.

Ravens used to be how I would visually describe myself (birds), even had a character named Raven who was very depressed, dark, and cold. She lived for a long time, and even took a rendition into one named Lynadia throughout college.

Though as I grew wiser in my identity (the old tree), my life showed more color. This really began to happen when I took a trip to Scotland (mushrooms) and walked through the Highlands (forest).

The dandelion seeds are the things to come, and I am so looking forward to what is to come alongside Brian. I know the Lord has a plan, a brilliant one I can't even paint!

side note: The symbol tattoo on his shoulder (meaning The Lords Instrument) is there in real life, but the circles and spirals are not. The reason I bring this up is yesterday as I painted I decided to add the spirals. Last night Brian said he was thinking of adding spirals. Wha?! No way!

Auctions are Back!

I have returned to setting up auctions, yet not on Ebay. There's a new creative community I would love to introduce to you called FuzzB.com. It's a mix between ebay, etsy, facebook, and myspace. There are SO many items listed, you could spend hours there. I highly suggest taking a look.

My auctions are listed there, three original pieces. There were no winners last month for the "Summer Breeze" aceo so that has gone up for auction.


"Summer Breeze" 2.5x3.5 original watercolor painting, min. bid $7


"Valentine's Night" 5x7 original watercolor painting, min. bid $15.00


"Faith Fairy Blessing" 5x5.5 original watercolor painting, min. bid $7

I thought about going back to Ebay, bit it's been some time I don't see much of an original painting market now that we have Etsy. But I truly want to offer works at full rate and at a rate that could be lower, giving the customer more choice.

So please go visit FuzzB.com and take a look at all they have. Don't forget to take a look see at my auctions while you're there. Have fun!

Wow!

"Breezey" | graphite, 2009

What a month!!! Hey folks, how ya doin? Long time no see. :) It's been a struggle to get my schedule back in alignment after the third week of February. Now you see me, now you don't. On February 17th, my boyfriend, Brian, proposed to me and wedding planning went into effect. Our wedding date is this August 29th! Soooo much to do! At least it felt that way in the beginning.

Brian set up a site showing pictures, our "meeting" story, and the proposal story. If you're interested I invite you to take a look!
http://www.mywedding.com/sarabrian2009

I've been drawing the formal wear, the cake, set up ideas, etc. Aside from that I have been continuing to work on a book project. If you want a sneak peek at the illustrations join my mailing list! To sign up you need to find the form to the left (scroll down a bit), fill it out, and presto! You're a member. You'll receive a newsletter about twice a month or so giving insights, sneak peeks, and updates on my life as an artist and as a human being.

I have posted some sketches in my sketchblog...since it's all I've been able to do since the proposal. Below are a few sketches I've done for the wedding. It's kinda fun being an artist and the bride. :)

IF - Climb

"He climbed to the top of the mountain to rescue his princess, quite the hoist for such a bear prince."



"At last they were together, and they lived happily ever after."

IF - Containted

"Yeah...he's not coming out to play today."

Just for fun :)

The Quilting Mouse

Been working on objectives for work (all day yesterday including an evening faculty potluck), and work all day today on the book project. I'm pooped. But...I still got something running through me because I painted this lil' one. About 3.5 x 4, so very small. I thought after all the work for others, I'd be selfish and paint something of my own. I've been sketching all day long, so wanted to paint. I'm surprised I did color tho, was planning on just sepia. But what fun is a quilt when it's b/w?!

Ugh, I may just go to bed early tonight. That was the last of my energy. :P

"O"possum

Just a cute lil' guy enjoying the night of peace. With a few friends of course. :)