Tag: daily journey

Posted on in art, events, ideas, Inspiration, journals, Life, New Work, Process, Shows and Projects, studios, travel

awesome april (day 30) – i did it my way

ATC 38 23(Grace) 23 SeriesI set a challenge for myself this month to post on my blog daily, and this, my friends, is the final post for the month of April 2014.   I did it!

There were days that were a lot more inspiring than others, some very exciting with good news to share, and others that I just didn’t feel so motivated about.  But I’ve found that this has been a really good exercise for me — it has kept me focused each day, because I knew I would need to share something interesting each day with you.

Just like my journals, my blog posts are a good resource for me to see what was going on in my life at a particular time.

An overview of this month’s posts:

  • I have gotten to share some of my visual journals with you, which until this month I hadn’t published online. Posting on my blog daily has encouraged me to finish some of those journal pages that I had started but had been dragging my feet on finishing.   See awesome april posts # 18 22, 23, 25 and 27 for new journal entries, and I have a new visual journals page that I’ve been adding to all month.
  • I shared things that inspire me along the way(days # 5, 6, 7, 14,  20, 28) and the advice I would give to my artist self 20 years ago (#16).
  • My trip to Europe is officially on the books, which is something I’ve wanted to do for a while.  It’s been 10 years since I traveled overseas, so I’m happy to have something fantastic to look forward to next year.  jens studio 3
  • You got a few glimpses into my studio (day # 10, 15, 26, 28),  and the studio of my friend Jennifer Cowley (day #2).  I also shared a few of my art friends (day #11 and # 24), as well as some of my students’ work in progress (day #3).
  • I’ve had a great month getting my work out there.  I revealed the news that I was selected to complete a public art mural for McKinney this spring. ( I’m still waiting on a start date, and I’ll keep you all posted on the latest  developments with that project). Meanwhile, I’ve also sold a few paintings this month, and been selected for a juried show.

Thanks to all of you who have been reading my blog this month, and to my new ‘followers.’  As always, I’d love to have comments from you on any of the posts.

Here’s looking forward to a Maniacal May.

 

Posted on in ideas

awesome april (day 26) – enjoy the process

a reminder as I go into my studio each day
a reminder as I go into my studio each day

 

Sometimes in life I get very focused on the goal, the outcome and the purpose.  I forget that the point of all of this is the journey — our little experiences that make up life.

The same is true for my life in the studio.  Sometimes I spend too much time thinking about the finished product, rather than clearing my mind and thinking only of the materials before me.  When I do get to that point of clarity, my work is better, more creative and a purer reflection of my intent.

I made this prompt for myself a while back.  It hangs on my screened porch at the entry of my studio, reminding me that the true point of my art is the process itself.

Enjoy the process!