I am still trying to understand the posting process. My goal is to have images embedded in my post. Being computer challenged, it hasn't worked out that way thus far. But I will keep trying!

July 31, 2008
I'm home for the summer. A major perk of my "self-reliant" career is that I get some time off in the summer. It is truly a blessing. I spent last summer watching my mother die of lung cancer caused by second hand smoke. It was definitely the worst time of my life. She was literally buried the day that I returned to work. Straight from the cemetery to my office. It was a tough year to say the least. As a result, I was really looking forward to this time off. My favorite part, sleeping in! After that, working with my art supplies, cooking for my family, watching Ellen, and gardening. I go back next week. For now though, I'm home for the summer!

Lack of planning...

July 30, 2008
My approach to art (unless working on a commisioned piece) includes a total lack of planning. I tend to pile my materials on the kitchen table and see what develops from there. Sometimes I have an idea of where I want to go, but most often that early plan takes a very different turn before the piece is completed. I used to feel bad about that. I envy the "true" artists who talk about the deep meaningful premise on which their pieces have been created.

It's this lacking on my part that causes me to hiccup a little bit when attempting to call myself an artist. My brother says that I express my inner feelings quite clearly through my art. I don't think he realizes that it's a subconscious occurance. I don't even know what it is I'm trying to express until the process is over!

At other times, my creations are simply a fanciful juxtaposition of wonderful old stuff.......
This angel is exactly that. I saw the shrine stacked inside the vintage jello mold on my table and thought, "wow! I like the way that looks!" and things just progressed from there.......

in the beginning

My goal for this summer was to set up my own blog. This is my attempt to do so. I know that I will eventually change the way my site looks and that I'll make it my own but for now, I'm just happy to have made a start. The name I've chosen for my blog (a daunting task when the computer screen is suddenly asking you to make such a big decision before the site times out!) is Its My Life.

As a kid, I always knew I would be an artist someday. I loved anything to do with creativity. My mom, on the other hand, had different ideas. Living in a bad marriage, she wanted to be sure that I had a career which provided independence and security for her daughter. She didn't want me to ever be dependent on a man. So, I became a teacher.

I'm a good teacher and my mother's goals were fulfilled. I'm self-reliant and secure in my career. I still "play" with art, pour over every art magazine I can get my hands on, and have had some success with selling my "stuff". I've even managed to get published!

As everyone who has ever tried knows, combing art with a full-time career can be challenging but well worth the effort. I love what I do, but sometimes I wish that I had had more control over my own life in the beginning...........................