Humblearts Journal

Moving on

I've decided to keep a blog on my portfolio website, please update your bookmarks.

www.humblearts.wordpress.com

Come by and visit often!

Holiday Open House

Tomorrow I'm hosting a cyber Open House in my Etsy shop.  I hope you'll stop by and see if I can help you with your holiday shopping list.

To celebrate I'm offering free shipping, a special free gift for each customer and surprises that will be listed throughout the day.   

As part of the festivities I'm moderating a Handcrafted Holiday chat.  We'll be sharing ideas, inspiration and holiday how-tos!  Join me during lunch at 12pm (CST). We'll meet in the Red Room in the virtual labs Monday, Nov. 5th.
http://www.etsy.com/virtual_labs.php
You must have an etsy account to login to the chat.

Tomorrow is also the 1st Monday of the month and the Etsy Texas Crafters have great sales in their shops.  Visit their site for details on all their members' specials tomorrow.

Etsy Buy Handmade humblebeads

Sketch-a-day

I get up every morning and sketch.  Some days it's while the kids are getting ready for school, others it's the moments right after they have walked out the door, usually just for 15 minutes or so.  I often sneak back to my book at lunch or while the girls do their homework. I leave my book and pencil right out in the open, so it's always calling my name.  Lately it's been a rash of Christmas memories or how I would celebrate the holidays if I were a squirrel or bunny.  I especially enjoy sketching the memories.  Little snippets of my childhood on paper - just  makes me smile.  Of course, they probably look nothing like my real relatives and the details are those captured by my little kid brain video-recorder, filtered through 30 years of dreams and added in details that make memories so sweet.  Here is one that is in progress:

That's my hippie dad, which is pretty much how he still looks today.  I have many fond memories of him singing to me and my cousins.  Songs made up about our heroic deeds as mixed up cowboys.  Pirate sea-shanties and Christmas carols.  His favorite was the Little Drummer Boy.  I can hear his voice clear as bell if I close my eyes, "pa rum pum pum pum."
Some days it seems I only have those 15 minutes, but I have been making that time and guard it like a hawk.  Little steps forward, but going forward.

Illustration Friday - Trick or Treat!

My critique group did a group postcard for Halloween and this was my little spot art for the back.  I love this little guy, probably because I can relate to the chocolate-induced coma! 

Boo! It's a Book Party

We are having a book launch and costume party over at the Picture Book Junkie's blog this week for Janee Trasler's new book, Ghost Gets Dressed!

 

Each member of our blog has brought something to the party, whether it's a game, costume or treat to celebrate Janee's adorable new book.

You can join in the fun too!  Read the invitation to find out how you can win an autographed copy of one of Janee's books.

See you at the party!

Where to Begin?

Roadblocks, what is holding me back from going forward?

Pretty easy to answer:

1. time

2. space to create (the beads have taken over my studio)

3. overwhelmed by my out-of-date mailing list.

Easy to handle:

15 minutes, 3 times a day:

1. work on cleaning up and arranging my studio - make room for illustration. 

2. use the market guides to update my mailing list.

3. start by sketching 15 minutes each day.

While I was camping I discovered that I love to go outside and sketch in the mornings.  I feel like it's a great way to start the day.

Something in your life seems overwhelming?  Remember you can eat an elephant one bite at a time.  Gross, okay, well you can climb a mountain one step at a time.  Break down your goal into baby steps and go for it.  Anyone else out there reaching for a creative dream?  I'd love to hear about your story and cheer you along.

Where will life take you?

I miss my humblearts blog.  I've been so busy with beads, I haven't had time for anything else.  As an illustrator still trying to make my way in the door, I have to find that balance between needing to work to the pay the bills and finding time to work towards the goals that I want to accomplish.

We went camping this weekend and had a rather hairy experience on the Frio Rio.  It looked safe enough, but I was quickly caught in a current and completely unable to get control of where my body would go.  I was swept down the river.  Isn't that life?  We think we are headed in one direction and suddenly circumstances take hold and we are left looking back over our shoulder at the shore wondering how we made it so far downstream without even thinking.  Now as life would have it, just like on the river, eventually you'll get pushed to the side of the riverbank or a branch will come along to grab hold of or maybe it's someone with a little more foresight and a inner tube who will get you back on track.

Has life swept you away?  Do you see your dreams off in the distance as responsibilities and reality push you further down stream?  Is that dream that you've been carrying around worth a little determination and sacrifice?  Those are only questions we can answer for ourselves.

For me, I need to carve out the time each day to make my way back to shore.  What will it take?  A set goal, a plan and babysteps until I have some real momentum of my own going.

hearts to you ms. dulemba

Well, since I'm a lost soul when it comes to creating new work to share, I thought I'd highlight a mighty talented illustrator who IS working her hiney off. 

You probably already visit her blog and site.  But in case you missed it, author/illustrator Elizabeth Dulemba has some great articles and resources on her website.  And her fun blog can be found here.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Art History Lesson

Need some inspiration this today?  Check out the art history lesson on Women Children's Book Illustrators.  Love those classical images!

Picture Book Junkies Blog

My critique group has started a blog with weekly themes.  Go take a look and bookmark us, it's updated 6 days a week.

http://pbjunkies.blogspot.com/