Studio Friday: F E A R

(WARNING: Spillin' my guts here...)

Hmmm...I think someone was reading my mind last weekend before this topic was posted. My husband and I were talking about me and my art and the direction I wanted to take with it. Then he asked with a serious tone in his voice,"Are you scared?" I looked at him, and sat there and thought about it. I was. I - was - scared. I think for years fear has been holding me back for some reason or another. (Besides getting married and having a busy family, bla bla, bla, see Im making excuses) It's hard for me to tell others my fears, especially about this, something I love to do. Here are some off the top of my head and Im sure there will be more for me to discover:

• I'm scared of what lies ahead
• peoples' expectations
• success and what it brings
• failure
• failure to a client
• acceptance
• being perfect
• family members' expectations
• time: for me, my family, my art

Do I have "issues" or what or am I just a normal human being who is an artist?!?!

As I thought about my fears as an artist, I remembered a book we had to read in college. It's about what we are posting here at S.F. The book is called Art & Fear.

My friend, Artsychick and I had the same professor in college and had to read this book.(Do ya remember this Amy?)

Great READ: in S.F's Articles & Advice: Lee Silber: Moving Beyond Fear by Lain Chroust Ehmann.

This was good, something I had to put in front of me and see and overcome one by one.

Studio Friday.

This week's topic for Friday suggested by Jill: STICK IT TO THE... BOARD!
" It would be interesting to see the variety of bulletin/memory boards in our studios. What is pinned to them? Photos? Notes? Reminders? Ideas for future projects?"~Jill
Well...I don't have a bulletin board in my studio...maybe I should. I am thinking about moving my studio space around to make room for something of that sort. I do keep a special brown/orange-paisley sketchbook close by.

I keep everything creative that comes to mind in this book. Sometimes my mind thinks so fast into an idea, that I've already stemmed off another idea off the original idea that I wanted to write or sketch in the first place.I can't sketch fast enough sometimes! I keep inspiring quotes, websites and blogs . Future references of art galleries and places looking for artist to showcase their art( when Im ready to do that.) I have ideas for objects and photoshoots. Sometimes my sketchbooks are just waiting there to be filled with my inspiration and ideas. This is my travel size bulletin board.

"This is where I doodle, this is where I get creative and explore my ideas, these pages are the birthplace of my ART"

Future Astronaut of NASA

Chad's mission will begin Oct. 31, 2006. Much of his training is taking place on the bunkbed simulator. He has been practicing moon landings with the assistace of his brother, Nick. He received his flight uniform via UPS and was very excited! Getting closer to the day of launch and excited to meet up with the others on the International Space Station. We support you all the way! GO NASA!

Studio Friday: "Toot Your Own Horn...LOUD!"

The main reason I started this blog site was an artistic challenge to myself. I wanted to get back into the art that I really like doing. Yes, I can draw, watercolor/paint, do ceramics and even throw on the wheel and most definately take a photograph! I truely consider myself an artist with a passion for Photography. I LOVE black/white , sepia tone and color pics. that have a uniqueness to them. I'm not one to brag or show off my work and learned in college to be humble, even during the "creative constructive criticism" and praises. So here it goes...(do ya hear it?) I'm tootin' my horn!
UPDATE: I had a couple of you ask about my slide show...Check out slide.com and go have some fun!

Studio Friday: Outside

This week's post for SF is outside your studio. I instantly think of the view from my window that I'm perched beside. I have the pleasure of having the Blue Ridge Mountains in my sight. For all those who live out west you may call my east coast mountains "hills". That's okay, I love them anyway! This one is the one behind me. The one where I perch from won't load...I'll update later. The other things I see abd hear outside this studio is a very busy street and neighboring church . A quiet neighborhood till we moved in...the only kids on this street. I guess we are considered "kids" compared to the elders on this street. Close to everything.
Beyond the wall of my studio may be the craziness of the world , but Im glad I have a place to perch and watch the world and be inspired by it.

Studio Friday: A Floral Treat

Challenge: treat yourself to a bouquet of flowers for your studio.As I thought about this SF entry I remember taking a bunch of photos of flowers . Humm...what should I do with all of them?...I thought I would share this floral treat as a floral tribute to those affected by 9-11 five years ago. I and you fellow artists may work very had in our studios.But that day, they were working too. In their offices, on a plane, as an officer, and as firefighters. That day, all worked to save lives . In honor of them and their families, here is my floral pictoral gift to them.They deserve it more times over than I do.

Studio Friday: Tools of The Trade

This week's topic for studio is tools. (Also my first post for SF !) Since I have my own little space to be creative, I now have these tools in my own space to do so. My Nikon D50 is my first tool. I just upgraded my digital camera. Though I still have my "old school" film camera from back in college, my Nikon N6006 AF . I think I'll keep it for when I have my dream darkroom! Digital is so the way to go and a lot faster! My Epson Stylus CX7800 for when I need to scan in or print for a project. I love the neg holders! I found myself bringing out old negs to play with! My computer with Photoshop 7.0 . Im still a bit rusty on the skills but know enough to get by. It's fun to play, right? With all these tools it has helped my get back into the art and meduim I love to create!

"Boys, the bus is here!", Mom said. The boys got their stuff and were off to their first day of school.

Made it through the summer and now it's back to school and routine of things. Chad will hit the big 3rd grade and a new school! He is on the top level of the school! I guess they figured the younger ones have more energy! It's quite a treck! Nicholas will be entering a reg. kindergarten class along with speech therapy. He is so excited about everything. From his new jeans ,to his new back pack, to riding the same bus as his brother! Im sure he will be exhausted when he arrives home at 4:45! I know! The city schools here had to extend their teaching time to meet va. standards . Also they have a neighboring school (behind Nick's school) in trailers while their school is getting remodeled! It's a zoo with pick-up and busses so it's easier to let them ride the bus. So in a way this will help me get in a routine with having dinner almost ready/homework time/and bed time on the dot! This is my goal... last year was choas! Hoping for a great year to come!
Update: I received a a personal phonecall from Nick's teacher this evening! I was totally surprised myself. She just wanted to let me know what a wonderful little boy I had. She was amazed by his creative detailed drawings and imagination and ability to try to spell! "He is just a joy" (She was even talking to her husband about him which prompted her call to me) Such sweet words to hear, knowing that he has had learning challenges along the way and speech difficulties, it just made me smile ! ( and almost had a tear in my eye) .

Starting Something New

Well since Ive started blogging I have a found an old love. I don't think I ever lost it but sometimes it feels new to me. Photography people! I believe I got the "photography bug" from my mother. She may beg to differ. But seriously, I remember her having a camera almost all the time and taking lots of pictures. They say you learn a lot from your parents! I can remember in 5th grade taking an "enrichment program" and having to make a pinhole camera out of a Quaker Oats cylinder. It is so vivid in my mind... the whole class in the gym parkinglot ...aiming our pinhole cameras... ready to lift the "shutter" to capture... and the best part...a trip to the janitor's closet! What?! It was the makeshift darkroom of course! I will never ever forget seeing our images appear in the liquid-filled tray swooshing back and forth. I did not experience this again until my college photography class. I truely love the traditional way of developing black and white photography in a darkroom. But ya just gotta love digital and the instant gratification of seeing the pic on your LCD and seeing the potential it has for an awesome print! Well, as you can see, I have added some scrolling pictures to my blog. I will try to update when I can. Some may be of the kids or I may just go creative on ya, I like to keep themes in mind. But these are just starters to see how this slide thing looks:-) Enjoy!

SKEINS FOR $ 1.00 !!!

Well, today I stopped by Michaels Arts and Craft store just to look around. I love going in there to find inspiration and see what's new. I came across a few skeins that were only a buck! I just love when I find a great deal! I grabbed a few so I can start on my knitting! I learned over a year ago the basics and I was hooked( no pun intended...but then again I don't crochet) Anywho, I have many scarves and plan to venture into some hats. My friend Amy , who lives in Michigan made me a hat last year and gave it to me when we finally met up in Lansing. It was made out of hand-painted yarn from Briar Rose Fibers, her mother's business. These yarns are so beautiful ! Check-em out!

What boys will do to get Attention...

Can you believe this! I can. Nicholas called me into the bathroom because he wanted to show me something. I thought ,This ought to be interesting... He shut the door and proceeded to show his climbing techniques! He is such the daring one! I said WOW! and left it that(so it wouldnt encourage anymore climbing feats!)
I remember using my body in a door frame ,with my back on one side of the frame and my feet on the other to do the climbing. I also remember doing HEAD stand-splits in the middle of the den,and the hallway ! Speaking of... I was daring enough to do a cartwheel in my hallway when I was a kid! My sis and I came up with routines on our twin bed(conviently placed together) Jumping , somersaulting and whatever else we did in that room. This was during our Mary Lou Retton phase! I don't have immediate access to these pictures but Im sure you can imagine! I thought I would share the craziness :-)

WaterPark on a Beautiful Summer Day

All summer, I've been planning to go to Randolph Park . It was a beautiful day and I had off from work. It is about 45 minutes to an hour away but is well worth it! Only $3 per person. Chad had so much fun! Nick,well he had to warm up to it. He discovered the Froggy slide and wanted to try it. After one time down that thing he was really into it! I got to go down the huge yellow waterslide they have during an adult swim(...check out the site ) I

didnt even take a picture of it . It really makes you feellike a kid all over again!

Needless to say, we all had a great time! Until I discovered I got sunburn on my back! We don't need to show pictures of that! Believe me , I'm tender!
UPDATE: I just noticed:The last two pictures have two different boys..don't they look so much alike?!?! I even had to look twice!

Inspire Me Thursday: Black and White:" Black Beauty"

This is my 1st entry for Inspire Me Thursday! I saw the challenge and got so excited!I LOVE the contrast of black and white photography. I find myself always thinking before hand of what I'm photographing how it would look in black and white. Driving home from work I passed this old Buick Special in a Kroger parking lot! I had to get shots of this ! I'm attracted to the old/vintage cars and have great potential for great photography! Taking what might not be so "pretty" and getting close in, changing the angles and cropping the subject to find and bring out the beautiful details is what I love!! I manipulated this photograph in Photoshop to get the contrasting b/w effect. I had fun with the whole process, taking something from the past, which is still used in the present, and making it into a future piece of artwork for my wall.

Heat wave !

Can we say HOT! Trying to cool down from the heat around here in Va! My sister invited us over for a chill down in the pool yesterday! Well, it is so hot it felt like a bath,but the first time in was refreshing. I'll bring ice cubes next time! We had fun splashing here and there. Greta loves the water! I'm still trying to figure out why my boys are so cautious of the water(that can be a good thing). You see, My dad(grandpa) was a swimmer and has swam all his life,HE got all of us girls( my kids' aunties) into swimming. I swam on a swim team for 10 years! Growing up I lived at the pool during the summer! It is in their genes! One day , just one day, it'll happen, I can feel it, a champion swimmer...we'll see. But ya gotta loose the swimmies and all that floating gear, that's no fun is it!?

Celebration of 6 Year Old !

Happy Birthday Nick-man! I can't believe he is six (tomorrow)! Such a big guy and will be in Kindergarten this year! WE are so proud of the many things you have learned so far! What many of you might not know is that Nick has already been in "school" for at least 3 years! At age 2, wasn't talking much , so he attended an intervention program at age 3. He has gained so much knowledge and still working on the speech. Way to go big guy! WE love you and are so proud you!

Too many miles to count...

What a trip! Im still getting back into groove of things around here. But we had a great time visiting Chad's family in Michigan. First we made the 10 hour treck up there and when we got there, we got some much needed sleep! (on the way there , I realized I forgot my camera charger!...I'll tell ya about that at the end).On Sunday we dropped our niece, Ashley off at Camp Charith. Got back in the car and headed west to Coolwater Campground! Chad's brother and our sister-in-law run the campground. It brought back a lot of memories of me going camping with my family in Myrtle Beach, SC at PirateLand! Good times! We woke the next morning with kids everywhere! Well, the "cousins" were so happy to see each other! Ben, Joey,Chad and I took a canoe/kayak adventure down the Pine River! MY first time EVER in a kayak! I had a blast! I was quite sore the next day! the next day the guys finished the Pine River and later we drove to Manistee. It was such a cute town by the water! A storm was coming in that day and our trip was cut short,but I got some great photos before the rain hit! We then headed back toward the Detroit area so we could make it for Bella's 1st birthday! Everybody gave such great gifts but SHE gave us a gift, WALKING all over the place all by herself!
On our vacation I had the chance to shop at an IKEA for the first time!! That place is AWESOME! I cant even begin to tell you all the ideas of decorating and I became inspired in there as well!! Im so glad they have one in VA!!! Chad and I are making plans to take a trip there already!
We played at parks, the mall, and our annual trip to "the gazebo" where Chad and I got married! It looks so different with blooming flowers. Such a beautiful place! I say it was quite relaxing on some days...others we were on the go! We had such a great time that our oldest son didn't want to leave ! Another quite amazing thing happened, remember the charger for my camera battery... I was very selective on the pictures I took so I wouldn't waste the battery. Well soon the battery showed at half charge. I took the battery out for the night. And litterally prayed about! The next day I popped it back in and it was at full charge!! I don't know if they do that normally, but I took it as a blessing and an answer to my prayer! It was when we were in the car, driving out of Michigan and grabbed my camera to take a picture of a burning car on the side of the road, that my battery light was blinking which means recharge and doesn't let you take a picture! I was amazed how long it lasted with taking over 150 pics! Thanks for the
Great times in Michigan!!!

Vacation Time

I haven't posted in quite a while it seems! I took a 10 day vacation to Michigan. Im still exhausted and have much to do, and share ,and unpack...so I'll "post" ya later!

"Dog Days" of Summer...

It was a sad day in our houshold today. We had to say good-bye to our beloved "Tank" . What we thought was just a limp progressed quickly to him not being able to use his hind legs. As the vet explained, he was predisposed to this disorder...a mineral build-up with in the spine which led him to be paralyzed. This was a condition that was going to happen anyway. We will miss him and always think of the many memories we had with him.

Launching My Creativity...

As you can see,( also in the link to the right) I've been testing out the camera.By the way I would like to thank my hubby for the help with links, website domain and etc.He is quite smart in this field!)
A few days ago I was in my little "studio space" (yeah! I have a place to be creative!) and playing around with some photos and sketching ideas and etc. I noticed the sun reflecting on my computer screen so I turned around ... There were these beautiful jewels of water sparkling on my window from the storm we had just had, so I instantly grabbed my camera! I saw great potential in the droplets! As you can see I'm using one of the many photos to showcase my photographic art and I have a website underconstruction! I'm sure you will see this logo change and evolve many times...It's all about rediscovering my style.It's a start in planning what I love to do! I love photography, details,and even exploring different photographic processes. I feel like Im still in the learning process(I've been away from this for quite awhile) in a few areas of design and graphics but I guess that's the fun of being creative !

4th of July Sparklers!

Well, another 4th of July came and went. The biggest highlight of our day was watching the Space Shuttle Discovery finally lift off! Chad, my son was so excited to see it go! He is all about Space, Shuttles and Rockets! He's making the transition from Thomas the Tank to the "final frontier"! As for Nick, he's our train conductor at heart! We got together at my parents home and dove into a bucket of KFC ! and sides of course! We decided to head downtown to see the fireworks display. It was a great show! We decided to head home and get the sparklers out! Nick was apprehensive to hold on to them but Chad went at it! A very busy day and enjoyable for the whole family!