Finally Finding Consistency

It's Sunday morning and I feel like this is as good of a time as any to start fresh on what has been somewhat of a stagnant journey for the past few months.

I haven't posted since February and in that post, I spoke about finding my niche, and being ready to find consistency, and following the beautiful process of this journey. And while all that is true, I also included a blanket statement that simply said, "I would love to say that this would be the last time that I start anew...the last time that I start fresh...the last time that I will have to proclaim to myself and others that the artistic slump that I have endured for several months will never return. However, the truth is I can't say that with certainty."

Here it is, approximately 10 months later and up until now, I haven't found the consistency that I have been searching for. Perhaps the better way to put it is that I haven't put in the effort to create the necessary time and space to make sure that consistency is begun, cultured and sustained. There have been new things that I have been settling into. A new home, a new job, new business ventures, etc. And while I have been settling, the truth is, I've allowed life to take hold of me instead of me taking hold of it.

Spending quiet time and reciting my personal mantras daily, soaking up information from books, and watching several TED talks and YouTube videos pertaining to motivation has given me new insight. It has changed the way that I conduct myself on a daily basis. It has given me the flexibility to be more of me. More of who I am. More of who I was created to be without being so critical of myself or that which I create.

Now to be clear, this does not mean that this particular part of the journey has been all rosy. To be quite frank, it has been both the happiest and saddest time. A time of change and challenge with gentle reminders from several sources that there are beautiful things birthed out of pain.

So a raised glass to another new leg of this...my journey! May it be full of excitement and carve many avenues to newness of self!

Corner of Gratitude:
New Perspectives

Pearls of Wisdom:
Perhaps we should think of our problems as puzzles in a book with the solutions a few pages away.

Your Thoughts:
What's new with you? Please do share!

Until next time...

The Pause In The Middle of Go

My recognition that I need an artistic community that is thriving has become more real to me today than before. I've been on the search for my niche...a place where I can explore, create, watch, share, critique and be critiqued. This past week it came to me. If there is something that seems it can't be found...create it!

My moments of being uncomfortable have forced me here. They have forced me to do something different. And instead of being bitter and sad about it, I embrace the unknown feelings of "what if". I am a believer that there is a solution for every circumstance and/or situation. It just needs to be found!

I'm ready to find consistency!

I would love to say that this would be the last time that I start anew...the last time that I start fresh...the last time that I will have to proclaim to myself and others that the artistic slump that I have endured for several months will never return. However, the truth is I can't say that with certainty. What I can do is simply move on in this journey and chalk each moment up to part of this beautiful process!

Corner of Gratitude:
Solutions

Pearls of Wisdom:
"If at first you don't succeed, join the club." 
~Karen Salmansohn

A small reminder that the greats including Theodore Roosevelt, Walt Disney, Henry Ford, Dr. Seuss, Fred Smith, and George Lucas' (to name a few) had major setbacks!

Your Thoughts:
What's been the toughest part of your journey thus far?

Until next time...

Au Naturale

Find her and others and my Etsy shop: Etsy.com/shop/naturallyfreeart

I'm back on the blogging bandwagon! In the last few months things have been hectic, but good, and of course I want to share and catch you up on the journey!

Since last I have posted, here are the things that have happened:

• A New Etsy Page: Naturally Free Art | etsy.com/shop/naturallyfreeart Yes! I have started a new Etsy page that is geared towards celebrating natural hair. I've been natural now for going on a good eight years and the journey was sometimes super daunting. I wanted to create images that let the natural women of the world and those that love them that they are beautiful just how they were created. Everyone could use a little reminder now and then of just how precious they are, and I thought what better way than to create images that cater to that!
• Commissioned Pieces: I have been blessed to have a few people that wanted and needed some décor for their home, and of course I was happy to oblige!
• YouTube: Now this one hasn't happened as of yet, but I am working diligently to make it happen. I have dedicated a notebook to planning out ideas and have talked to some folks that can help me get it off the ground in terms of editing. It should be fun and will be in line with this art journey that I am on!

Well folks, that is about it for this evening! It's not super fancy, but I did want to give you a quick update on what was happening. Keep your eyes open for what is to come. I will indeed be posting more frequently!

Corner of Gratitude:
Life
Pearls of Wisdom:
"We don't go 'natural', we return. 'Natural' is where it began."
~Unknown


Your Thoughts:
What's new with you? Please do share!

Until next time...

It's August and 100 Days of Creativity Challenge!

It's now August and although I haven't been cataloging things here, I have been "mostly" on the ball when it comes to this challenge.

I know in the last post I stated that if I missed a day that I would start from scratch...day 1. However,  it dawned on me that that would be sort of counterproductive. So what did I decide to do? I decided to tack on the days that I have missed onto the end of the 100 days. That way I'm not looking back, but constantly moving forward!

And who doesn't like the idea of moving forward?!?!

So from here on out I will be posting what I have in number order for your viewing pleasure! There will be quite a bit in this post...well...because I haven't posted in a while.

Here goes:

Day 31: Micron Pen Abstract

 Day 32: Pencil Abstract Line

 

 Day 33: Micron Pen Paisley

 

Day 35: Micron Pen and Crayon Abstract

 

 Day 36: Micron Pen Abstract (The beginning)

 

 Day 37: Micron Pen Abstract (finished)

 

Day 38: Micron Pen Abstract

 

Day 43: Micron Pen and Sharpie Abstract

 

 Day 46: Leather and Cotton Cord Bracelet

 

 Day 52: Metal and Cotton Cord Earrings

 

Day 53: Hand chain

 

 

Welp...there you have it! I will be updating sooner than later...I do promise!

 

Corner of Gratitude:
For love, joy, and peace

Pearls of Wisdom:
"Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead."
~Oscar Wilde

Your Thoughts:
Where do you find love, joy and peace?

Until next time...



 

 

Week 1 Progress - 100 Days of Creativity

Day 1: Commemorating the start of a new journey!

Day 2: Practicing hands...I could stand to get better!

 

Day 3: A watercolor view from Starbucks!

 

Day 4: A simple sketch...how I was feeling!

 

Day 5: My spot of relaxation on a mini vacation!

 

Day 6: Photography was on deck! I am working on the edits!

Day 7: The start of a late mother's day gift for my auntie!

Day 8: The finish of the mug without power!

 

 

Whew....I have successfully completed my first week of the 100 days of creativity challenge. I almost didn't complete yesterday. We (those in South Jersey area) had an awful storm that left us with several trees down (check the pic out below) and powerless! We aren't sure when the power will be back on, so for now I am stationed at a satellite office (another Starbuck's other than my own) in order to get business taken care of.

 

 

 

It was such a liberating week...a successful week...a week where I felt totally accomplished. It was a week that I gave myself some room to just relax a bit. Things weren't perfect...drawings, sketches, and paintings weren't without flaws, but I pushed through! Ahh...the sweet feeling of knowing that I refuse to give up! I'm looking forward to keeping up the momentum!

 

 

Corner of Gratitude:
Feeling of accomplishment!

Pearls of Wisdom:
"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments."
~John Rohn

Your Thoughts:
Does discipline play a large part in making sure you accomplish your set goals?

Until next time...

And the Greats Did Too!

In the beginning of the year I was on fire! I mean I was fired up about the things that were manifesting themselves. Work...abundant, creativity...flowing, future endeavors...on lock, motivation...insane!

Mid February hit and all of the oomph that I had in the beginning of the year managed to dwindle down to a fraction of what it was. I'm working really hard to not only change my circumstances, but the circumstances of those that are around me. It has proven to be extremely challenging. So much so that I have had thoughts of throwing in the towel several times.

It's now June (July for all intents and purposes), which means that it has been a solid four months since I last posted. I have started this leg of the journey over and over again (blogging), and sincerely thought to myself this time, "What is going to make this time so different than the rest, and how will I insure that this time will be different?"

I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to accomplish staying on track and motivated until a dear sister-friend suggested that I do a 100 day challenge. She is on a journey of her own and asked some of her closest friends to join in the fun. And of course I signed right up!

What I decided to do is to spend at least 30 minutes each day on drawing, painting, crafting, anything tangibly creative. I will post here at least once a week, which makes that a weeks worth of fun stuff for you ladies and gents to view! I have also decided that if I miss one day, I will start the whole challenge over again from day 1. It's a hefty price to pay for missing a day, but it is worth it! It will help me to become regimented and hopefully STAY regimented.

So there you have it...a new leg of this journey. Prayerfully it is one that lasts!

Corner of Gratitude:
Fresh Starts

Pearls of Wisdom:
"If at first you don't succeed, join the club."
~Karen Salmansohn

A small reminder that the greats including Theodore Roosevelt, Walt Disney, Henry Ford, Dr. Seuss, Fred Smith, and George Lucas' (to name a few) had major setbacks!

Your Thoughts:
What's your game plan for picking yourself up for greatness after a major setback?

Until next time...

My Tube...You Tube

 

I've played around with YouTube once before a few years ago. My experience is quite limited, but I'm looking to change that ASAP!

 

I posted a video with a drawing from an art show that I had about 2 years ago and that was it. I used the video recorder on my Canon snapshot camera. The quality wasn't horrible, but it was by no means great. So this time around I would like to do things a bit differently.

 

I want to get started like yesterday, and although in admit I should learn a few things first, I believe this process is part of what in want to share with you all.

 

I am an artist! I am an artist who is on this amazing journey to help myself and others. I am an artist who is looking for my artistic community, my artistic niche...one I belong in! And that is exactly what my channel will be about. A wild ride of lots of ups and some downs and ultimately victory because I am doing exactly what I was built and created to do!

 

I hope you will come along...share the enjoyment, laughter, and perhaps the occasional cry. The ride is sure to be epic just as life is if we look at it through the proper lenses!

 

Corner of Gratitude:
Life.

Pearls of Wisdom:
"To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it."
~Kurt Vonnegut

Your Thoughts:
Do you have a YouTube channel? What was your reason for starting your channel? What tips do you have for those that are just getting started?

Until next time...