Moving Along

I'm moving along in the process, and finally decided to print out the manuscript to do some more editing. What is it about actually holding the paper and reading it that's so different from reading it on the computer screen? It is different though!
I've received almost all of the contributors work and I'm busy putting it together with mine. Every one's just done an amazing job! Seeing the artwork arrive almost daily is a treat I can't even begin to describe.
So this week I'll be giving my yellow highlighter a little workout and alternate that with studio time working on projects.
If you have a chance and haven't done so, stop by my other blog and post a comment to enter a drawing for a Free Workshop!
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I finally decided to join Twitter! If you want to follow along I'll follow you back, http://twitter.com/pamcarriker

tweet, tweet!

In With the New!

The kids are finally back in school, the company's returned home, and the Christmas decorations have all been packed away until next year. Time to get back to work, although I did continue as time allowed through the holidays.

One thing I'm realizing as the book progresses is that change is inevitable. It really is a birth-like process with daily growth, expected and unexpected changes.

I've been receiving work over the past couple of weeks, my excitement mounting with each new contribution. Sadly one contributor has had to bow out due to a family illness, but life has a way of adapting and I'm thrilled to welcome Cate Coulacos Prato to the contributors list!

I'll admit to being a tad intimidated to ask Cate, but my motto is 'they can't say yes if you don't ask'. So after an email exchange about an upcoming 'Studios' feature, ask I did and Cate graciously accepted! Many of you may already have her book, 'Mixed-Media Self-Portraits' and for those who don't I highly recommend it. It's full of wonderful insight into the makings of a self portrait. Chrysti Hydeck is featured in her book as well with her 'must see' masks. It's inspiring to see the various forms of self-portraits the contributors chose to do helping to dispel some of the fear of attempting this art form.

As we ring in the new year let's also welcome the editor for Studios magazine to the contributors list!

Time

Despite visiting family, holidays, decorating, undecorating, and eating too much, I've managed to continue progress on the book.

I have had to put into practice BIG TIME the message that the book conveys and am happy to realize that making art is possible even when life is hectic and distracting.

It's also the thing that helps me to slow down a bit and enjoy life in the moment. I know many of you probably keep an art journal, but for those who don't or aren't faithful about working in it, try making it one of your 2010 goals. It's really very easy to spend time in it daily. You don't have to have a large amount of time; five minutes will do. Write some thoughts, sketch a little picture, throw on some paint and think about the process of being creative more than the product of a completed journal page.

My journal pages are rarely done in one sitting but are created layer by layer in random order as my muse sees fit.

This page started on black with a little notepad sketch I did for a painting. I just glued it into the book instead of throwing it out and then over time paint, pencil, stenciling, and collage were added. The finishing touch was some journaling. Easy, stress free, no major time commitment. The page was done in it's own good time and I enjoyed several creative moments in the process.

Organization

This week I've had my nose buried in the writing so I took an art break and started some of the artwork for the book as well. Ahhhh, paint under my fingernails again!

One of the big things I'm finding out is how important organization is. Because there are so many components to the book it's important to find a way to be very organized with the handling of the artwork and the writing. I've set up storage bins, one for each chapter to hold the artwork that will soon be coming in from the contributors as well as my own artwork. When you do 'step out' pieces to show the process you can have up to 8 pieces of artwork for one final product which makes for a lot of artwork to manage. One whole area of my studio is devoted to the book, with a 'Layout Board' to help me manage the writing portion, files to hold the paperwork, and the storage bins for artwork.

I've reached the 1/2 way mark in the writing, and will be doing fine tuning on it over the holidays when I'm traveling etc. Elaine, my editor is very good at holding my hand and reassures me that I'm on track and to take a break to enjoy the holidays. I know I won't be able to completely let go of working on it, but I do plan to take a bit of a break for family time.

Next week I'll be getting the editorial deadlines for the books progress after my initial deadline is met. Elaine talked me through the stages the book will go through when it leaves my hands. It was exciting to talk about and makes the dream seem more real. I tend to focus on the task in front of me and lose the anticipation of the end goal so it was very inspiring to talk to her yesterday.

Just a note, I have a couple of articles coming out at the end of the month in Somerset Studio and Somerset's Art Journaling so be sure to check them out!

Wonderful holiday wishes to all of you! Thank you so much for your support and for sharing the joy with me!

Tis the Season

Christmas is coming! What is it about this time of year that makes the days fly by at the speed of light?

I've been squeezing in book time wherever possible. One thing that is making it more fun is that I can switch from art to writing depending on my mood. This won't last I'm sure. As my deadline approaches there will be things that have to be done and that's that! But for now, some days I write, and some days I paint.

I'm trying very hard to keep things in perspective and not feel overloaded. My family is being a great help and aside from having Thanksgiving at our house this year and my 8 year olds iguana getting sick, (he passed on yesterday may his scaly body RIP) I've been fine so far.

I've also seen a couple of pieces of artwork from the contributors! It's very exciting to see the book moving forward.

Happiest of Holidays to all of you and thank you so much for your support!!!

The Balancing Act

The metamorphosis from art as a hobby to my full time day job has begun in earnest. I used the last several months to get myself ready should my dream become a reality. I started with a studio redo, cleaning out clutter,some new paint, re purposing and rearranging my little studio into an inspiring place to work.

Next I finished several articles that will be featured in Stampington publications the first several months of 2010. I have this thing about clearing my table, literally and figuratively, before I begin a project. It helps me to get my focus on the work ahead, clearing my mind.

I tried to set myself up for success. I think this is key to achieving goals. It's like 'dressing for success'. Put things into the order they'd need to be in for you to do that thing you want to do.




It doesn't always work out the way I hope it will, but I never regret being organized after the fact. It always leaves me feeling like I accomplished something if not all that I'd hoped to.

So now my days consist of working away on my book. I treat it like my job- which it is! When it's time to pick up my youngest from school, I turn back into mom and wife, devoting the evenings to my family. This may get a little trickier as the deadline approaches, but for now it seems to be working and I'm enjoying this new phase of art being my day job~

Write your dreams somewhere, give them a voice, write them where you can see them every day. Who says you can't write on the walls?