The Early Bird

The early bird gets the worm

It's really early (for me at least). I've actually been up since about 4:30 am. Now before you start thinking that it was my bright idea to get up so early, let me set the record straight! I really got up to help dear friends of mine get to the airport. I prepared myself last night. I got a good nights rest and was actually okay to get up so early. I was doing a favor for friends (family really), but it worked out that they did me a favor in return without even knowing it!

Doing some research for us all!!!

So I'm at my office and getting some things taken care of. I am working really hard on getting my Etsy shop ready for it's big reveal in less than a week! Yesterday I did some Photoshop work for my banner on the site. I haven't used photoshop for a while (a choice). I get antsy sitting in front of a computer sometimes, but last night photoshop was a joy. I actually think that I miss some parts of coming up with cool graphic things in photoshop. It will be interesting to see what this new found joy for graphic design brings about.

As for today, I am looking into finding some ways to ask for help with my creative baby. It's going to take me doing some research, which I am okay with. I don't mind doing the research to help myself and ultimately someone else...like you...the reader. That is what this blog is all about....helping other artists to get through their artistic journey with greater ease.

I'll be reporting my finds within the next few days along with the countdown to the grand opening of my Etsy shop!!!

Your Thoughts:
What are you doing that is aiding someone else on their journey? If nothing, what is a simple step you can take to do so?

Until next post:

Coming Soon!

COMING SOON!!!

Slouch hats

 Beanie caps

Items for babies too!

(BTW: Love this little guy!)

I'm sleepy beyond belief, but I have made my list for the day and I am almost to the home stretch to receive my reward.

Part of today's to-do list included connecting with you all (posting), and getting some items ready for the winter rush of scarf and hat orders that have started to come in. In addition to all of that, I have started to prepare to open another Etsy shop.

A few years ago I decided that I was going to use Etsy as a platform to sell my wearable art. I did what I thought was appropriate at that time.

I was young in business. I was in the incubation stage. I was still in the womb. I was just starting out. And just starting out meant that I didn't always know the proper way to market myself or my products. Let's be honest, I knew much about nothing more than I wanted to create and share those creations (and sell) to the world.

And years later...in this season, I am revisiting Etsy!

My Etsy shop is not open as of yet. It will be launching on Tuesday, NOVEMBER 5th, which also happens to be Election Day! Since this is another big step for me, I may just do another countdown. This go round it would only be a 5 day countdown.

I look forward to this new start on Etsy. I will be posting things here as well as on my Exo31 Art blog site.

Your Thoughts:
Have you decided to revisit a business venture lately? If so, what was it, and what will you do differently this time?

Until next post...

Not Easy, But Fulfilling!

It's crunch time. It's after 5pm, and I have lots left to do. I haven't been able to cross off half of the things that I put on my to-do list today (including the top 3). That's not a good thing, and I have a short window (and I do mean short) to make some progress. That means, I am getting work done where I can, and tonight that happens to be Chik-Fil-A!

It always seems to get this way when I've had an extremely productive day beforehand. It's almost as if I think I deserve a day off or a day to just do nothing. And that could be furthest from the truth. As a matter of fact, after an extremely productive day, I should be inspired to have a plethora of extremely productive days that follow. Not so in most cases, but I am swiftly working myself to that.

So in the midst of my rather low key day, I have been listening to a podcast by Matthew Hussey called LOVE Life with Matthew Hussey. It sounds somewhat cheesy, but he actually offers some really good advice about love, life, business and self-esteem.

In my listening (and I listened to ALL that were posted), the one that struck me the most was called "Does Life Get Easier". He didn't take the normal approach, which is the simple answer of "Yes...if you do things correctly.". He more or less stated that life never gets easier. When we get over one hump, there is often another waiting on the other side. You know...if we are not in the midst of a storm, we are either coming out of one or about to go into one.

So life never gets easy. What does that really mean? Hussey explains it means that while hard things come along, a person needs to find something that they love to do so that when the tortuous times come, they won't mind going the extra mile to get things accomplished. "Just because something isn't fun, it doesn't mean that it is not fulfilling or rewarding."

All of this got me thinking about where I am in life (surprise...surprise). These particular times aren't really the easiest. I am in what seems to be a holding pattern (some self inflicted, and some not) in some areas. I have big decisions to make, but honestly unsure about which way to go with some of them. All in all...I wouldn't trade where I am. I mean, I complain about this space sometimes, and dream about being elsewhere a lot. However, it's those dreams that sometimes keep me afloat.

This path I am on is for me, and I am fighting through the fulfilling and rewarding "not so fun" stages with tenacity!

Your Thoughts:
What leg of your journey is "not so fun", but fulfilling and rewarding? What keeps you going at the end of the day?

Until next time...

Exploring The Depths of Who I Am

This weekend proved to be more than great in the realm of unexpected relaxation. Yesterday was supposed to be a total work day, and for the most part it was with the exception of the few hours the Sandman stole unexpectedly.

I spent the earlier part of the day doing a small mural for the salon I work in. It was fun and gave me a chance to use my gifts in the place I work.

The later half of the day I spent working with photographs from a photography shoot I had with dear married friends of mine. They are expecting their second child in a few months, and wanted to capture their pregnancy. They have a sweet 2 year old daughter that is simply adorable, funny, and wise beyond her years.

I have been getting a lot of requests for photo shoots lately.  And that...in the grand scheme of things is great! If I can fit the shoot in my schedule, I typically don't turn it down. I absolutely love capturing moments of life, especially the sentimental ones.

But here's the thing I have come to realize as of late...I am best at getting a random moment on camera (more artistic and documentary style). Meaning, I am not typically a portraiture photographer (they work best when staging scenes and putting people in posed positions). There are plenty of photographers that are great at that...it just happens not to be me.

Now...can I do it? Absolutely! Would you get a great shot? Yup! Would it be the best you could get out of me? No! That may sound bad and I may lose a client here or there,  but I'm okay with that.

The reality is, I'm here (One Artsy Gals Journey)to explore the depths of who I am as an artist, and talk about my journey honestly in hopes of helping others on their journey. No one learns when we are not honest with ourselves. The potential teachable moment passes and leaves the person who was supposed to learn searching.

So I am staying focused on what I do best, and learning how to do the things that I don't, a little better. That means that I am always open to learn a little bit more about the things that are not my forte like
portraiture photography!

Your Thoughts:
Is there something that you are good at, but not the best? Do you let people know in what ways you work best, and look to further educate yourself with the things that you could improve upon?

Until next time...

In The Skin I'm In

I've always been me. I guess in the grand scheme of things, we all have no choice but to be ourselves. We can fake the funk...believe me, I know plenty of people that do, and I have even done so in the past.  But we can only do so for a bit before the "real McCoy" comes out.

In the last few days, I have been really thinking about the skin that I am in. I have come to the conclusion that I am pretty comfortable in this skin (and all that comes with it) that I have been given.

I am by no means flawless, and neither do I want to be. That would mean that I wouldn't need the God that so graciously created me. Life has taught me that I am in no way making it on my own, and that there is a creator for everything...including myself.

So...I am comfortable in the skin I am in. It's a beautiful thing. There is good good things, and not so many desirable things that come with this skin, but it's still.a wonderful feeling!

I am loving...extremely loving (almost to a fault). I am extremely affectionate. The power of the human touch is amazing! I am emotional...sometimes more than I care to admit. I am sensitive wearing my heart on my sleeves often. I am an eternal optimist with most things. I smile a lot, and I cry a lot. I am an enabler sometimes. I have a strong personality accompanied by a strong will. I am stubborn, and sassy, and controlling at times. I am a know it all...I like to be right. If you tell me I can't...I'll try to figure out a way to prove you wrong.

I am tenacious and go for what I want, but I also procrastinate. I think a lot, and process even more. My imagination is off the charts. I have a plan A, and a plan B, and sometimes a plan A for plan B (you know...a plan within a plan). I sometimes talk to myself and answer all at the same time (don't knock it until you try it).

I have been called weird, and mystical, and odd, and different, and unique. The truth is, I am out of the ordinary. That's who He created me to be, and I accept! I accept with a smile on my face my great qualities and even those traits that are no so great. They keep me praying and striving to become a better version of me.

Your Thoughts:
Are you comfortable in your skin? Why or why not?

Until next post...

The Joy of Journaling

Anyone who knows me knows that I am an avid journaler. For those of you that don't know me so well...I always have my journal in tote. 

I've been journaling since the tender age of 10. I started because I saw my sister journaling. I used to sneak and read her pages...her story. It was all so interesting and I thought I should probably do the same thing (trying desperately to be like her). You may ask, "what did you talk about at the age of 10?". And the answer would be, "Nothing much!". I was happy to have anything to say at that point. I had an imagination and there was always a cute boy to talk about. 

I'm grateful for my sister. She no longer journals on a consistent basis. The title of wife and mother (two really important jobs) have taken the place of spending time journaling. However, I'm grateful that she decided to keep a journal if for nothing else than to pass on something that I deem to be so special.

Nowadays I have plenty to write about. Life has given me a story, and much to talk about. And although the story is interesting, I don't write for a stories sake. My journals are my prayers...my conversations with God. They keep me sane. They keep me on point. 

If you read, you'd find tales of joy, of sadness, of love, and sometimes even envy. You'd read about my struggles and my victory's. You'd read poems and songs. You'd see plenty of doodles, drawings, magazine clippings, and perhaps a painting here and there.

It typically takes me anywhere between 3 to 8 months to finish a journal (depending on how small or large it is), and I have managed to keep them all. It's wild to look back at my first journal. Truthfully, it's wild to look back at a journal from a year or 2 ago. Time is funny. It happens quick and waits for no one without remorse. So it's good to go back and read through what seems to be like time collected and preserved on paper. The feelings evoked from the read memories almost feel real. They make me laugh, and cry, and mostly grateful that I am evolving into the person that I am supposed to be. 

Decades from now, I will have hundreds of journals. I will have a treasure to pass on to my children, and my children's children. They will read and be in awe of some of the things that mommy/grandma did. They will see that nothing is new under the sun. They will understand that they have experienced some of the same struggles and victories. They will learn from my mistakes and my successes!

I'm excited about that! 

Your Thoughts:

Are you a journaler? If so...is it for a season or a lifetime?

Until next time...