Just A Girl And Her Paint (1)

Well, it's here - 2016.  And unlike just about every other new year, I am not feeling rejuvenated, excited, inspired OR ready to kick butt.  And guess what? It kind of feels good.  Oxymoron? Sure, maybe.  But with the holidays, moving, and all the normal little things in life that adds up, it feels RIGHT to be behind on work and to focus on the things that absolutely need to get done.

And acknowledging the fact that things are crazy and it's okay to not necessarily use it as an excuse to avoid work, but as an unexpected break from work is actually pretty exhilarating.  Hoping things return (somewhat) to normalcy by the middle of the month, but hey, if not, that's okay by me.  The perfectionist in me is slowly getting better (or at least I can hope it is).

Happy Monday and Happy New Year!  

Just A Girl And Her Studio

My sister always thinks it's crazy how clean my studio is.  But I mean I can't be the only artist who needs some clean organization in order to really get stuff done.  Am I? Fellow neat freak artists, where are you?

And please - this is not to say my studio never gets messy.  It most definitely does.  But in order to work the best I can, I need to keep it clean, clean, clean - just the way I like it.  Perfectly organized paint makes my heart ohhhh so happy. 

Just A Girl And Her Studio

The studio is has been quiet recently.  The days in this studio are limited, which I think keeps me from making a total mess, which then makes me not even want to start.  Pretty soon most of these things will be packed up and I'll be moving into a temporary space, so I am holding onto these quiet, colorful, clean moments.  Sometimes life gets chaotic and you just got to make the most of it.  You know what I mean? Happy studio days. 

Just A Girl Holding Flowers (21)

I'm nostalgic by nature.  Sometimes it's a blessing, but more often than not, you can continually get caught up in the past, paying no attention whatsoever to the present. 

I am feeling quite nostalgic these past few weeks.  For one, a new year is right around the corner, and like every other year before it, this one feels like it has passed so quickly - the quickest yet.  But also, a lot of big chapters are coming to an end in my life, and although the future excites me in many, many ways, I can't help but to feel that pang of goodbye.  And I know when one chapter closes, another opens, but I am holding on to these last chapters a little harder than normal.  And that's okay. 

Life Lately

Just when you think you've got the whole balance thing down, life tends to throw just about every curve-ball it can think of at you.  And you can't help but think, now what?

Currently in the midst of trying to reestablish balance in this crazy chaotic thing we call life.  And realizing how important those minuscule moments are in the middle of the chaos.  Like quiet cuddles with the dogs.  Any chance (even if it's only a few minutes) I get to create.  Jumping for the sake of jumping. I'm very slowly learning to fully embrace the quiet moments of the in betweens, you know...before the inevitable, now what?

Just A Girl And Her Studio

Because my studio has been a mess with all kinds of experimentation.  And guess what? Experimentation is fun.  It's exciting.  It's everything.  Because in all actuality, what is creating without experimenting? Current brainstorms below. Happy Friday!


Just A Girl And Her Studies (37)

This is one of my newest Sea Studies and I have to admit, I love it.  I tend to work with colors that just feel right to me.  Sometimes I try to branch out, and typically when I do, 9 times out of 10, I hate the outcome. The colors just don't feel right.   But with every failure, there's growth, so that's OKAY if I hate the outcome.  In fact, it's great, because I know now I do not like that exact combination of color. You can see my more typical palettes here, here and here. These all feel very me -- the definition of me, whatever that means.

Which brings me to the above piece.  It is very much NOT my typical palette, BUT it is a palette that currently feels right. And will continue to feel right.  Because when it feels true to my soul, it will forever feel true and authentic to my being.  Speaking of which, I would really like to get my aura photographed.  I know, I know, you think I am crazy, BUT check out this article.  And if you enjoy visuals much more than words, check out this image and this image.  And of course this one of one of my favorites - Jen Gotch.  Man, I first wrote about Jen Gotch back in 2011 here. Feels like forever ago.  And then again here.  She has really blown up and you can read about her current doings all over (here, here, here, and here)! Sorry - what can I say? I crush hard for her and her work.

But back on track, even if the aura photographs are bogus, guess what? They are BEAUTIFUL.

Just A Girl Holding Flowers (18)

Last week was a bit chaotic in terms of my work and my mind.  I tend to work on a million things at the same time feeling flustered and rushed, wishing I could focus on just one thing and finish just that one thing before I start the next. But rarely does that happen. I tend to fight the chaotic, flustered vibe instead of embracing it, but then I stumbled on this quote and boy have things changed!

“The thing about chaos, is that while it disturbs us, it too, forces our hearts to roar in a way we secretly find magnificent.” Christopher Poindexter

And then I realized, it really is kind of magnificent.  To jump from one thing to another right back to the other without skipping a beat - yea, I'll call that a magnificent thing. 

Just A Girl And Her Studio

Currently diving into a new studies - Surface Studies - and the beginning phases are oh so exciting.  Feeling forever grateful for today, empowered by the thought of tomorrow, and completely enamored by the future (in the best possible way).