The Artist's Way

I managed to find a copy of this book, untouched, for just $1.99 at my local Goodwill. It's an interesting read, and some of the exercises are quite informative of one's own subconscious. But it also seems a little lofty, what with the talk of God/the Creator, even though the author states a person who is not of that faith/faithless can use different terms that apply. The morning pages don't really seem to be doing anything for me, because I'm not a writer, but a painter.

I don't know why my creativity fluctuates so much... one day I want to paint, draw, whatever, the next day I want nothing to do with it. I got a nice easel for my birthday, and I bought myself some new oil paints, but I resist my newest painting for some reason. Am I afraid that it will turn out bad? I'm seeing all of these shows and possibilities, but hate the idea of rejection and failure so much... perhaps I am hindering myself on purpose to avoid these things.

I wish Patrick's trip to NYC to try comedy was inspiring me to get over these fears.. but alas, I don't think this is so. At least not today.

How to rid of this creative block? I must do it soon.

Summer 2011

I'm so thrilled to be back in America! My home.

This summer will consist of anything I can do artistically before my final school year begins:

• Working on unfinished/older pieces
• Creating one to two new pieces
• Drawing more/work with photography
• Applying to exhibits/galleries/publications
• Getting an A in my online Art History course
• Updating my website and store
• Updating blogs!!! And writing more
• Odd jobs

Suomi in Springtime

Finland is such a different country when the snow is all gone. The greenery is wonderful. Flowers are rearing their pretty little heads.

The plainest of birds are actually not that plain-looking.

The bumblebees I've seen are black and orange, not yellow.

I enjoyed walking outside without a jacket, or big boots. No gloves or scarves. Girls in tank tops. Kids with ice creams.

I've had an incredible, stressless time here. I'm quite happy with the work I've made, my interim paintings that were mostly for fun and experimentation. It's definitely going to be the big thing I'll miss (besides my friends, of course) when I go back. I've been so happy at school. I will miss that happiness. :P

Hopefully I will kick it up a notch this summer. Start making prints; marketable works.

Ooh, Finland. Now that your weather is gorgeous, I almost wish to stay. ...almost. ;)

I know I've been very distant.

But I promise I've not gone away.

Life just gets so busy, and sweeps you away, and you forget things. Like blogs. But I am still here, not truly "forgotten" I hope. I am still doing art, but in Finland, hence more absence. I will be back in full swing once I'm in America and get my stuff together. :)

Hang in there!