SquashSmarts Mural

I failed to post the way I am supposed to last week. As a matter of fact, I only posted once. I have been doing really well for the past few months. 

As I have been posting, these past few weeks have been busier than busy, and last week was no exception. However, enough about last week and on with this week.

I started the beginning phases of the mural for the SquashSmarts Program in Philadelphia. The sketching took longer than I expected because I was working in a relatively small space. I had to do a lot of maneuvering with the projector....not my favorite thing to have happen while working. Overall, things went well. 

I will be making a few more trips. I have more designing to do, and then (my favorite part), I get to show students exactly how to fill in with paint. That is the exciting part! I get to teach them what brushes to use, how to thin out the paint if it needs it, and small tips and tricks to make sure that the brush strokes are invisible. I'm looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to the collaborative effort!

That's it for this evening...a short and sweet update!

Corner of Gratitude:
Community

Pearls of Wisdom:
"The beauty of collaboration between older and younger generations is that we combine strength with wisdom-a surefire way to accomplish more for the glory of God."
~Brett Harris

Your Thoughts:
When is the last time you collaborated with someone?

Until next time...

Over-Committed

You never really realize that you are over-committing yourself until you've already over-commit yourself. It's an oxymoron I know, but the absolute truth. 

Yes...I am aware it is Tuesday. However, like I told a friend, I have been under the gun, and I have no one to blame but myself. It's a combination of things. I have told others that I will be able to help them with things not realizing that there are only so many hours in a day. 

There are multiple projects that I have going on. There is a mural, an art exhibit, working in the community, and getting prepared for a new job. Oh and let's not forget me applying for residencies and juried shows. So needless to say, there are plenty of things to juggle.

If I stay on my p's and q's things would be just fine and the feeling of being overwhelmed wouldn't happen. Problems start to arise when I get stuck too long on one project. It's time management issues. I'm working hard on fixing it!

Here's a gander at some of the above mentioned projects:

Corner of Gratitude:
Greater organization

Pearls of Wisdom:
"First comes thought, then the organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning as you will observe, is in your imagination."
~Napolean Hill

Your Thoughts:
Where are some areas that you could become more organized?

Until next time...

From My Mom

It's FREEDOM FRIDAY!!! It has come again so fast! 

Since this week has been such a busy week, I decided to pull from an old post. It is from a few years ago and it highlights my mom's creative side. Who I get it from!

So here goes:

You may be wondering where my artistic prowess comes from. I get it from my momma y'all! I won't snub my dad either, he could sketch with the best of them.

My mom is super creative when it comes to interior decoration. Me...not so much! She has the ability to look at a space, take yours, hers or anyone else's idea and make it pop. She tells me the story of when she was younger and was excepted to an art school in Philly. She went one day, got lost on the bus, and made up in her mind that she wouldn't go back. My grandparents didn't do anything to fuel her passion at the time. Art wasn't a big money maker, and as most folks see it today, just a hobby for my grandparents. It's okay...I was happy to go on and finish something that she started, getting my bachelors degree in Fine Art. 

Thanks mom and dad for believing in, and paying for my passion!!!!!!

Corner of Gratitude:

Loving parents

Pearls of Wisdom:

"I love you, and because I love you, I would sooner have you hate me for telling you the truth than adore me for telling you lies."

~Pietro Arentino

Tell those that you love the truth, and set them free. Hate or great dislike lasts momentarily for most, and love is never ending!

Your Thoughts:

When was the last time you told those you love the truth?

A Busy Week

This week is simply flying by too quickly. It's been an extremely long day. I'm fighting to get this post out since my eyes feel like they want to have a mind of their own.

The art show for my art kids is approaching quickly and I have so much to do. Tonight before taking it down I managed to get almost all of their artist statements typed up. There were a few statements that I couldn't read (As you can imagine with little ones).

The statements are really warming and in some instances wise beyond their years. The designing of the program comes next. I hope to have that done tomorrow at some point.

Good night folks! The steam in this little teapot is running out.

Corner of Gratitude:
Each step that gets me closer to a goal

Pearls of Wisdom:
"I'm so tired...my tired's...tired!!!"
~Unknown

Your Thoughts:
What has been your mid-week success!

Until next time...

Weekend Review

It's such a gloomy day here in the good ole' state of NJ. Rain has been falling nearly all day and not quite helping me get things done. If the sun could shine everyday, my soul would be ecstatic. I digress...

This post is less about the weather and more about the weekend that I had after a dismal week.

Spring has sprung and that means so have 1st Friday's in Philadelphia. This 1st Friday was not the typical though. Instead of going to Old City, there were a few galleries that I wanted to check out the Fishtown and Kensington area.

Our first stop was the Art Dept, which is run by two UArts alumni (one a photographer and the other textile designer). The quaint gallery was celebrating their one year anniversary.  It was a party equipped with the quirky and playful art of Katherine Pulido (also a UArts alumni), the works of various jewelry and clothing designers, kombucha tea, hats and noise makers.

Kelly-Ann takes a good look at the pieces. She purchased a piece!!!

It was live...it was inspiring! I spoke briefly with one of the owners to find out what their process was for accepting work. It seemed pretty simple, but they have exhibits already schedule for a year out. No biggie! I will keep my eye on them though.

Our next stop was certainly unexpected. We were trying to get to another gallery we had seen on our way to the Art Dept. Instead of landing in the proper place...or what we thought at the time to be the proper place, we landed at The Circle of Hope. I would say it was a coincidence, but I don't believe in luck. Everything happens for one reason or the other, and this was one of those times.

The small paper sign on the glass door read, "Join us in worship." I gave it thought for a second and went on. I was interested in the art. We walked around for a bit and then decided to leave. Before we left I mentioned to my friend that this may be a church. A young woman approached her as she looked around, and what do you know...it was!

Kristen was exceptionally friendly and an artist herself. She explained that the gallery was part of the church. They desire to make visual arts as much a part of worship as they do music. She gave me a brief idea of what Circle of Hope was about, gave me a few names of some galleries that I may be interested in submitting pieces to, and a hug for the road.

How amazing to know that there are others in this world that are on the same page as I am. I don't know what things will happen from this meeting, but I look forward to finding out. I'm on target to visit in a few weeks. I'll report back here then.

The rest of the weekend was filled with rest and work (other than art). I started to feel a bit convicted, but quickly recognized the need for both.  

I'm learning how to juggle things well and becoming a well rounded artist in the process!

Corner of Gratitude:
Being able to multitask successfully

Pearls of Wisdom:
Hold fast to dreams,
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird,
That cannot fly
~Langston Hughes

Your Thoughts:
What was the best part of your weekend?

Until next time...

Sunday Catch Up

It's Sunday and an off day for me to be posting. I'm making up for not posting on Wednesday last week. I have some new things on the horizon and I wanted to "catch" you all up!

As I posted on Freedom Friday, last week was extremely exhausting and not very productive in terms of actually doing. While I didn't do, there was plenty of meetings being held in order to conceptualize for some projects that will be coming up in the near future.

My Art Kids:
Two weeks ago was my last week with my art kids for the school year. I knew that my stint was coming up soon, but it came too fast. I am preparing an art extravaganza for them later this month. The kids did an excellent job, but with so many snow days, there are projects that need to be wrapped up. Since they have moved onto their 3rd trimester, I have to finish where they couldn't.  I am excited to show off their work!

Mural Project:
A few years ago I did some volunteer work with an organization called Squashsmarts. I wouldn't have known anything about the program if it weren't for my men tee who has been involved since she was a preteen. They are re-vamping their building in North Philly, and wanted to add a little pizazz to the walls. I went over for a meeting on Friday, and will be doing some sketches in the next few days. Of course I will be showing you all.

Tomorrow I'll post again...on the proper schedule. I'm excited to tell you all about my weekend!!!!

Corner of Gratitude:
A better day

Pearls of Wisdom:
"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?"
~L.M. Montgomery

Your Thoughts: 
What was your new day thought before your feet hit the floor to get out of the bed?

Until next time...

Freedom Friday: Back Posting

I hardly ever back post here. I've done it a time or two, but for the most part, I don't. 

I could make up a whole host of excuses for why I am choosing to back post this go round, but it wouldn't matter. The reality is...life happens...always! That means regardless of what goes on, the job must still get done. 

I got it! 

With that being said, it's FREEDOM FRIDAY!!!

With that being said, it's been a tough week. I had to witness a client of mine had to put to rest her son. I didn't know her son, but I know her. A sweet woman who seemingly lives a quiet life...handling her business. It effected me more than I thought it would. A mother burying a son, when the natural order of things is the other way around. 

I've gotten nothing much done in the last few days. I managed to sketch a bit, and had a few meetings and am working with a Program on a mural project (I'll post about that soon). By far I didn't get as much done as I needed to. 

The good thing is today is another day. I have the opportunity to start afresh with a new attitude and mind frame about things. So here is to a new start!

Corner of Gratitude:
The thought of a new start

Pearls of Wisdom:
"You may have a fresh start at any moment you choose, for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down."
~Mary Pickford

Your Thoughts:
What have you started fresh today?

Until next time...