The feeling of trying to get everything you want done, but the day is just going by way too fast.
19//52//2015
With the current weather and my current mood, I just want to be in a dress ALL THE TIME. And buy more dresses ALL THE TIME. That's an equation for a Happy Monday!
Just A Girl And Her Studies (18)
The combination of the warm spring sun with just a bit of a breeze in the air has me reminiscing about summer beach days. I can almost feel the sand between my toes. Sometimes that almost is just enough to get by, but other times that almost - well, it's just torturous.
Just A Girl And Her Studies (17)
Some colors just feel so internally right. You know what I mean? These colors - these colors are my core.
18//52//2015
And it just keeps getting greener and greener. And it's absolutely amazing what it can do to one's mood. Hello happiness, nice to see you again.
Just A Girl And Her Studies (16)
My week has been off to an extremely slow start, so I'm hoping today is the day that turns it around. I mean my horoscope did tell me my day was going to be a 9, so you know - that must be true.
Happy Wednesday xo
17//52//2015
I've always felt so much more comfortable and confident with photography (it is what I studied) than with painting, but recently I feel like painting has taken a new turn for me. It's such a new medium to me that I think often feel burdened with fear of doing it wrong or making a piece that I didn't like. When it comes to my camera, I know how to work every tiny button, ring, scroll, etc., but with my paint brushes -- eh, it's different. I am FINALLY beginning to realize the beauty in that, though. In experimenting, in practicing, in learning new techniques, and in falling madly in love with color. The fear is gone and now it's just excitement. And well, these pants. Because I have been LIVING in these pants. My beloved painting pants that I don't think are going to survive much longer.
And guess what? I've made MANY paintings that I don't like in the end and that's okay. Plus, there's something kind of invigorating about painting over an old "screwed up" painting and starting fresh. I am a sucker for new beginnings - always have been, always will be.
Just A Girl And Her Studies (15)
I consider myself a new artist. I think I always will. And with that comes a lot of self-doubt. I wasn't somebody who always took photos or who always painted - it happened much later in life for me. In fact when I decided to go to art school after taking a year off after high school, I think most people were shocked because it was such a new interest, one most people didn't even know I had. I like gut feelings though. And I tend to go with them. And more often than not, I am pleased that I did so. I couldn't be happier that I went to art school. It was four years of hard work that paid off in every possible way and ended up being so much more than I could have ever anticipated.
And now it's been nearly four years since I graduated and sometimes that's hard to grasp. I feel like it was only yesterday I was immersed in my studies. Sometimes I feel like I've accomplished a lot since then, sometimes (most times) I feel the exact opposite. What I do know, though, is that I over-complicate things. I did back then and I continue to do so now. So I've decided to take a step back and see the beauty in simplicity. I've always had this negative connotation of a piece that appears easy to make, but I'm realizing that perhaps completing a piece that feels effortless and simple in the end is the key. I am going with my gut, yet again, and dedicating myself to this new and simplified and completely hard-working art world of mine. Here's to endless days of painting, the weight of my camera in my arms, and to breezy, bright and beautiful colors surrounding my everyday.
Oh, and Happy Friday to all my fellow struggling artists out there. Keep at it and trust your gut!
Just A Girl And Her Studies (14)
If you follow me on Pinterest, you may have already seen my Circle, Circle, Dot, Dot board. The truth is out - I am falling in love with circles. I particularly love this piece and this piece. Oh boy am I in love. Here's a little preview of a new piece I am working on.
16//52//2015
Stripes on stripes on stripes on stripes. It doesn't get much better than that. Well actually, it does - all the beautiful green popping up everywhere. Oh, it's just happiness on every possible level.
Shop Update
If you head over to my shop, I've slowly (finally) been adding some prints of my original beach paintings. Hoping to have the rest of them available by the end of the month.
Happy Friday and have a great weekend!
Just A Girl And Her Studies (13)
Sometimes you just need a little bit of everything to get you through (I am most definitely like that with Chinese food). Some current nature studies, a new diptych, and a new exploration of self portraiture with that diptych.
Happy Wednesday all..xo
15//52//2015
Sometimes life isn't what you thought it would be. Some things don't pan out. Some things happen that you may have never dreamed of. The fact is that it actually doesn't matter if life is or isn't what you thought it would be. It's not a good thing and not necessarily a bad thing. It just is. And that's okay. I'm learning (and attempting to master) the comfort of being truly present.
Just A Girl And Her Studies (12)
Some Fridays (okay, all) deserve a nice splash of color and this one most definitely does. I can almost feel the warm water melt my stiff body into a blissful blob. Oh dear and delightful ocean, I promise that is a compliment - quite a good one, in fact. Happy Friday!
Diptych Delight (4)
It's like a whisper that you don't want to hear the words and make out their meanings because the soft mumble of the voice in your ear is enough to soothe even your deepest worries.
14//52//2015
The mornings are still chilled and the trees are still bare, but the days...the days are beautiful.
Just A Girl And Her Studies (11)
I've been waiting so patiently for the first buds to bloom, for the first flowers to spring from the ground, for the rain to do what it's best at doing. Just waiting. Any day now, I'm sure. Oh patience, you're a tricky thing to conquer.
13//52//2015
Sometimes you just got to fake it until you make it. With a rough week behind me, I can now see that sometimes forcing out that smile really does the trick. Hoping (and feeling) more genuine smiles coming my way this week.
Happy Monday! Let's make this week a good one.
Just A Girl And Her Studies (10)
To throw the most perfectly imperfect paint splatter. Yes, those are my dreams as an artist. My perfectionist tendencies have always been a struggle, but recently my imperfections in painting have been a happy place. And these sea studies - they have my heart singing! Happy Friday!
