A Little Imagination and a Pile of Junk

new papers and pressing on

Still doing my work. But it's hard, damn it! It's hard to juggle homeschool, family--life--with my art so things are a little up and down but still moving forward. I do have some great things planned here at the blog so keep checking back in. I'm working on a tutorial for my painted papers and also will be doing a fabulous giveaway very soon that will set you free. Trust me. Stay tuned and keep working!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The artist committing himself to his calling has volunteered for hell, whether he knows it or not. He will be dining for the duration on a diet of isolation, rejection, self-doubt, despair, ridicule, contempt, and humiliation. The artist must be like that Marine. He has to know how to be miserable. He has to love being miserable. He has to take pride in being more miserable than any soldier or swabbie or jet jockey. Because this is war, baby. And war is hell.

~Steven Pressfield, The War of Art

everything I remembered and more

 

I've love the fair! When I've told this to my new Colorado friends in anticipation of the Colorado State Fair, they've pretty much all told me not to get my hopes up. The Texas State Fair was a unquestionable part of my childhood. I didn't realize until I went away to college that every town doesn't have its own annual revelry of sticky sweet food, sparkling lights, thrilling rides, and (later) cute boys galore. I had not been to the fair since I was 19, so every time I drove by the Colorado State Fairgrounds (which is blocks away from our new house) I relived those exciting memories and counted down the days until I could make new ones with my own kids.

 

Of course, seeing such a sight through the eyes of your own children brings a whole new kind of thrill. And despite the naysayers, this year's fair was everything I remembered and so much more! We dared to try out the fastest rides, hung back on a few we just weren't ready for, and feasted on hot dogs and funnel cakes, (Not health food to be sure, but call me old school, there's no way I'm putting a fried candy bar or fried snack cake into my body.) fresh squeezed lemonade and curly fries. The kids' favorite rides turned out to be the fun houses which really are fun, if you think like a kid. And Maisey even won two stuffed animals and voluntarily gave one to her big brother. We watched local dance troops perform, marveled at the many kinds of bunny rabbits, and ooh'd and aah'd over an 11 year old friend's photograph that won a juror's choice award. What's not to love about that??

  

 

I'm so glad I thought to bring my Zumi to capture the ostentatious displays of color and light. All heady and deliriously beautiful. A perfect evening and the perfect way to round out our first Colorado summer. But maybe that's just me.

 

Late Summer Fair Color Palette:

 

the end of one

I finally finished up my Remains of the Day journal. It is admittedly the first art journal I've ever filled completely before moving on to something else. I thought I was going to finish it months ago but that fizzled out. Lately, though, there's been a flurry of new activity around here and I'm eager to finish up some old projects and start a few new ones.

 

More Ray and a bit of my new painted paper plus some patterned duct tape I scored from Target.

 

 

 

 

 

These aren't my favorite journal pages ever but I had fun working on them getting my groove back and, mostly, I'm just thankful to be done. You can see the entire finished journal on my flickr here.

 

   

studio sneak peek!

 

 

 

 

 

Necessary tools within reach, pretty bits I've collected along the way, mailart from artist friends, books, books, and more books--art and color everywhere you look. My new art studio is also our school room so I've try to include lots of fun kid stuff and inspiration for all of us.

 

 

 

 

It has been so much fun getting this room together and setting everything up just right. We start school tomorrow and the kids and I are absolutely giddy at the thought of the hours of reading, learning, play, laughter, and creating we'll do in this room. I spent most of this weekend here working, painting, listening to good music and singing at the top of my lungs, oblivious to what the neighbors must think. And already, it feels like home. A refuge and a place of refreshment. Everything it's supposed to be and more. I wonder if any of us will sleep tonight!

road trip!

 

We've been having computer/Internet problems--again--so I've been offline. I hate it and I'm ready to get back to my normal blogging routine! So much to share! So little time! Plus we start school next week, but hopefully I can get things running more efficiently so I can be back here a little more often than I have been this summer.

For now, let's move on to the important things: RAY!

Shannon and I had the best time at the concert! I don't know about being a spiritual experience, but it was without a doubt one of the best concerts ever and Ray did not disappoint one little bit!  I wish I could have gotten better pictures of the Red Rocks Amphitheater because it is amazing but I did manage to pull this pic offline for you.

 

We could only afford general admission tickets but we showed up an hour and a half early to make sure we got the best seats possible. Being our first concert at Red Rocks, we learned a lot about what to do next time and showing up early is super important if you hope to escape the nose bleed section! The good news is you can be highly rewarded for your efforts even if you can't afford the hundreds of dollars necessary to get seats up front. Oh how I love this place!

You have to hike up 1,001 steps to the top of the mountains to get to the entrance but the view is well worth it. We were one of the first of just a handful to arrive that early and we got to hear Ray doing the sound check so it was almost like getting to hear him twice! Can't get enough of Ray.

 

When the gates finally opened, a wonderfully helpful Red Rocks veteran gave us the scoop on finding the best seats. There are shaded patches along the sides of the reserved seating that are free for the taking--but they go fast. Next time, we'll be sure to take a blanket to avoid walking out with red bottoms from the rocky mountain dust we were sitting in, but really either way, it's all good.

 

Can you tell? We were sooo close! And we met the coolest people! It couldn't have been more perfect! Ray started out with 2 songs from his new album but there was a perfect mix of old, new, and some I've never heard before. He is so soft spoken and humble. But the passion in his music is undeniable and intoxicating. If I hadn't been so deliriously happy, I would have cried.

 

Once the sun went down, all I could get were blurry pictures. It would have been totally worth it to lug a tripod up the mountain to get a good pic of Ray. Next time, I'll know.

We hung around after the concert until they kicked us out then we discovered the tour buses loading up and walked down to see if we could get a peek. If there was any doubt in your mind that I'm a total dork, you'll know for sure after I tell you that we actually hung around the buses hoping to get another glimpse of Ray. And, again, he knew. He actually came out of the tour bus and very quietly and very humbly came over and shook Shannon's hand. Not at all like David Gray (oh, yeah, did I mention he was headlining the concert, too?) who was off schmoozing with the press on the other side. And I like David Gray. I do. But he's no Ray.

Sigh. So several dreams came true that very auspicious night and we returned to our hotel with our heads in the clouds.

Ray even inspired me to finish up the last few pages in my Remains of the Day journal. And now I'm hooked. On Ray, on journaling, on Red Rocks. I'm already plotting and scheming for our next trip. Would it be too much for 30-something year old not-so-hot-anymore moms to leave their families to travel the country with Ray? Yeah, too much? Are you absolutely sure??