18 Days Left - Am I Making Progress?

There are 18 days left until the show, and I am wondering if I am making the sort of progress that I would like to make. For the last few days I have taken advantage of trying to get a little bit of rest. I know these next few weeks will be super hectic.

I have made some leeway today, getting finished two pregnant nudes. I have two left to go. I also decided to take a short break from painting and create a few unisex leather bracelets. Switching between a few things always helps me to focus. When I am painting and decide to take a break and make some jewelry, I am always a sharper painter when I return. I don't know...perhaps my mind switches gears for just enough time to give it a break from concentrating so hard on one area.

I am no longer feeling afraid. Me being afraid has turned into anxiousness. I have so much left to do, and seemingly so little time. Might I add that life still continues. That means that I still have a job to go to, still have vacation to go on, still have ministry happening, still have a social life...all while still preparing for my show.

Oh boy! I'm left trying to figure out just how I am going to continue to be productive in getting paintings done while I have all the other stuff (life) going on. There is lots going on up top, and it doesn't look like a sigh of relief will happen until mid-August. Now, I'm not mad...busy is good! I'm just trying to figure out how to juggle it all.

Well tomorrow will come, and I will do the things that I have placed on my schedule to make it yet another successful day. I may not get all that I need to get done, done. However at least I will know that I am in forward motion to see the finish line.

Your Thoughts:
What do you consider to be your ultimate destination once the journey has ended?

Until next post...

Day 20 Down & Day 19 Almost Over

Day 20 was here and gone. It happened before it realy started, meaning it happened far too fast. So fast that I only manahed to get about 4 good hours of sleep. And I am not talking consistent hours here either.  On top of that I wasn't feeling all that hot. I am almost sure it had more to do with failing to get enough sleep than it did some wacky bug.

Although yesterday was almost a wash, I managed to get a little done on this lazy 19th day. I have finished a piece and started 2 more. Both should be finished by tomorrow. I. Looking forward to seeing the outcome of the series.

That pretty much sums up this weekend. I am declaring now that tomorrow will be extremely productive, but stress free! I must remind myself to enjoy the ride...the journey. Me getting to the destination will happen quickly.

Your Thoughts:
What would you do with an extra 3 bours granted to your day?

Until next post...

21 Days Left-Productivity Prevails

There are just 21 days left, and today has proven to much, much better than yesterday. Productivity has sky rocketed and I have 3 pieces that are on there way to being done.

After an extremely long week, I am going to take a short, but sweet break for this evening. However, before I do so I am going to think of how I want the information cards for my pieces to look. A fairly easy task that just needs to get done!

Your Thought:
What is something small you must do, but would rather not?

Until next post...

22 Days Left - The Forward Push

Day 22 is almost over and it was a really productive day after a swift slope downhill after yesterdays postings. 

I posted day 23 and went home in hopes of painting, but instead I was just exhausted and feeling a little light headed. I set my alarm clock for a 20 minute nap that turned into a 2 hour sleep. By that time it was time to leave for mid-week service (I serve in my local church).  I usually stay around longer afterwards, but thought that I should make my way home since I didn't get half of what I thought I would get done earlier. When I got home I went to m y studio to start working. I loathed what I created and decided ti take it down for the night. I just couldn't muster up enough umph to do much but think.

I was spasing out in my mind! I only have 22 days left and lots of things to get done. I wondered if I could get everything done. I wondered if this was the right time...if I wad really ready. I wondered if it was too late to back out. I fell asleep on these things...and then the morning came!

All that happened last night, all that was thought about last night vanished. I woke up refreshed knowing that I could indeed do this thing.  If I was created to be creative by the Creator, and believe that it is the He that lives in me allows me to do anything....then I am fine. I  am well equipped for my first art show and those that will proceed! What a difference a day makes!

I got rolling on the nude pregnancy series today. I have a direction, and looking forward to seeing the outcome. I plan to work some more before I hit the sack tonight... all to wake up early to start all over again in the am. What a life!

Your Thoughts:
What pushes you forward when you feel like you just can't go on?

Until next time...

23 Days Left - Pregnant Nudes

I created the above piece years ago. It's a silhouette of a pregnant woman. It's a silhouette of a nude pregnant woman. It's sort of hard to tell since it's a silhouette, but she is nude just the same. 

It's day 23, and I've decided to start a new series based on this painting for the upcoming art show. They will all be nude portraits of pregnant women. You may ask, "Why pregnant, and why nude?" And the simple answer would be that there is a peculiar beauty that comes along with a pregnant woman. 

Why pregnant?

Perhaps to answer this question best, I need to start by telling you a little about myself (if you don't already know). I am a believer...a believer in the Creator God. I have a relationship with Christ (better known as being a Christian). And because of this, I am a subscriber to the best love story that exists (The Bible). 

In this love story we are introduced to the woman who is considered the mother of the human race. Yup...you got it...Eve. To me the fascinating birth process starts here. Her name alone means life, living and enlivening. Eve was the first to give life. The first to experience pregnancy and all that goes along with it. The first to experience the pain (her and Adam's fault) of birth and the pleasure of seeing a child that she carried for 9 months. 

So why am I so amazed? It is said that the average healthy man releases over 40 million sperm per ejaculation. That means that one soldier (sperm) is strong enough to make the trek of meeting the promised land (egg). Once the sperm meets the egg, they become one and take a trip to the uterus, which is the perfect host to house cells that grow into what we know as you and I...human beings! From a nothing to something...and sometimes quite large somethings! An enthralling process if you ask me. A process where it is impossible to deny a higher being. 

For me, pregnancy is a constant reminder of the awesome God that I serve!

Why nude?

I remember the first time having to sketch a nude figure. It was a female. I remember looking around the room to see the reaction of the other students. Their  reactions were much like mine...it's a human body. There was nothing sexual or sensual about it. It just was! It was part of our culture. It was what we needed to learn in order to become better at our craft.

Nudity remains much the same for me today. I've seen nude women and men and have been able to keep my cool knowing that in my eyes nudity is simply the essence of who one is. There is a vulnerability there that is undeniable. It's how we came out of our mothers wombs. To me a symbol of freedom. 

Being an artist who is a Christian, I get the "you heathen" stare all the time when it comes to the subject of nudes. I am sure that much of that may happen at this upcoming show as well with the reveals of my nude pregnant women. I am okay with that. I'm no longer imprisoned by the comments and concerns of others. Perhaps the pieces will strike up a much needed conversation that will allow two communities to gain a greater understanding of each other. Whatever the case may be, I am comfortable knowing that my motives are pure. 

Your Thoughts:

What do you consider to be beautiful, yet controversial to others?

Until next time...