Thank you Mom......

Drew's Mom (my Mom) sent me some wonderful tips for finding my muse, for pushing me back into what I love......there are some great ideas/tips here, if you are struggling as I am, maybe they will help you too! Thank you Mom for supporting me and offering up some great tips.....

Implement a time to do art … schedule.
* Show up even if nothing comes right away. When your body shows up, at the same time you have scheduled, eventually your mind — and your muse — will do the same.
* Don't Be Too Hard on Yourself.
In fact, don’t be hard on yourself at all while doing your art. ” Turn the critical brain off. There is a time and place for criticism: it’s called editing.
* Idleness can be a key part of the creative process. Give yourself time to gather new experiences and new ideas, from life, reading, or other forms of art, before you start again.
* Set Deadlines and Keep Them.
* Examine Deep-Seated Issues Behind Your Block.
Write about your anxieties regarding creativity. Talk to a friend, preferably one who does the same kind of art.
* Work on More Than One Project at a Time.
Some find it helpful to switch back and forth from one project to another.
* Try art exercises in your area.
Exercises can loosen up the mind and get you to do you would never do otherwise.
* Remember Why You Started art in the First Place.
* Are you doing what you love or think you should love.  Maybe something new.

On another note.......it's nice to know that I have two readers of my blog! Thank you Mom for the tips and understanding of what I have been going through and thank you Linda for your words of wisdom and support of my art! Linda, you have always been there for me with your kind words......thank you for seeing me as an artist!

On another, other note.....the poinsettia cards are what I have been struggling with and what has started my whole diatribe.....I was over thinking it! I was trying to use a die cut folder for the background and a matching stamp for the main image....I decided that the problem was that I was trying to use an image that I liked but didn't love! A walk through my art room led me to the poinsettia stamp that I DO love! So, this weekend, I'm going to create the cards that are in my head using my favorite poinsettia stamp and I know, I just know.....it's going to be grungy art, my favorite style! Poinsettia doesn't have to be Christmas, right? Good thing since Christmas is long since over!

And on that note....I will leave you with a thought! Who has more than one poinsettia stamp.......

It's a Question I keep Asking Myself.....

The question you ask......."Am I an Artist or Just Playing One"? I want to be, I thought I used to be, but am I still? Or rather, was I ever? Are you confused yet? Well, join the crowd! I am so confused as to whether I am an artist or I just play at being one......Can I beat around the bush anymore than I already have, can I avoid or dance around the answer....am I afraid of the answer?

Here's my thought: I am a woman who can be an artist, not one that draws or paints beautiful pictures or one that sculpts gorgeous statues.....I cannot take gorgeous pictures, I cannot sew, I cannot create beautiful jewelry......but I can, well.....I believe I can create cute cards/tags/ATC's, I believe I can create grunge cards/tags/ATC's, I believe I can create grungy or cute Altered Book Pages/Journals/Canvases.....but is that enough to be called an Artist?

Another question......where did my muse go? Or is it just......where did my talent go. Creating art is such a struggle for me.....I feel guilty when people tell me that I am talented, I feel guilty because I cannot sit down anymore and create art. I stand there and look at all of my art supplies.....I just look at them. Oh, I have a gorgeous art room that sits stagnant because I can't figure out what I want to do. I am in a small art swap that I absolutely struggle getting the cards/ATC's/tags out on time, I am late for December's theme of poinsettias......the supplies and even some of the created elements are sitting on my table just waiting for me to figure out what I should do. So.....where is my muse, where is my talent?

Another question: how do I move on, how do I get interested again? I think I'm over thinking this......I need to do what makes me feel good, right? For instance, I was trying to make the poinsettias pretty (after all, they are poinsettias) but why, why do they have to be pretty? Can't I do grungy poinsettias? Grunge......I love grunge art.......I love smearing black, I love tearing paper, I love sanding anything......so Girls of my Small Art Group........do you mind grungy poinsettias? Do you mind grungy love, masking tape, old locks and keys (that would be perfect for grunge art), owls, garden, woodlands, body parts, southwest, moose, oriental, anything goes...... I think I really need to go back to what I love....right?!

I am rambling.....did I ever answer the original question? Am I an Artist or Just Playing One?