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Jennifer Hollowell's BlogPosted by Jennifer Hollowell I know, I’m feeling a bit like a predator or an online stalker. I’ll find you!! Just wait!! Seriously, though, I guess I’ve been feeling a bit nostalgic because the need to connect with people from my past has been tugging at me for a good six months or so. It’s an odd feeling that has been met with a varied response:
It feels a bit like a social experiment, only with people I actually know. It’s so interesting as I continue to relive the moments these friends and I shared. I’m going to be hosting a “Pampered Chef” party with one of these friends in January, and I’m hoping the majority of the guests can be the rest of the friends I’ve been connecting with . . . sort of like a reunion. And, of course, you may have already guessed that this has brought out my need to write and create more. I was creating a LOT when I was connected with the majority of these people, so it feels like I’ve been transported back into time. I have some of my sketchbooks from back then, but unfortunately I lost most of my work in a flood in 2002. I lost my yearbooks, too, which is another story for another day. Posted by Jennifer Hollowell Ephemera: Interview with Jenn Hollowell There is a lot of discussion in this interview about a topic I rarely get to share unless it's a blog post or article - my art life. I was really pleased when the owner of this site, Marty Weil, approached me to do this interview. I'm looking forward to being approached again in the future because it was such an enjoyable experience! Posted by Jennifer Hollowell I was just thinking on Thursday, “what am I going to get my oldest for his birthday next month? I should ask him.” When I asked him, he said, “I can’t wait, I’ll be nine exactly one month from today.” Blink.blink.blink. That means that Christmas is coming sooner than I thought and the end of the year tax preparations are looming! When I was younger, like everyone else, I never believed it when people told me time would fly by when I got older. I feel like I’m too young to have a nine-year-old, I feel like I’m too young to be a homeowner, I feel like I’m too old to be going to college, I feel like I’m too old to be marrying . . . time has really been playing with my head for years. This would make a great art journal page spread, now that I really start contemplating these things. It would be interesting to create a sort of time capsule of moments that have already happened, moments I didn’t expect to happen by now, and moments I feel should be way in my past. I think that’s what I’m going to do during my free time today. Posted by Jennifer Hollowell Seriously, where did this week go? I can’t believe it’s already Friday – and it doesn’t feel like I’ve gotten nearly as much finished this week and I need to and have to . . . ugh. Why? Well, I was here, there, and everywhere EVERY SINGLE day this week doing this, that and the other thing for everyone and myself (doctor’s appointment). What does this mean? It took a huge chunk out of my workday and now I’m left racing against the clock to meet deadlines again. So goes the life of a work at home mother. This will always happen because, let’s face it, we have to wear about 100 different hats daily . . . otherwise, our worlds crumble around us quicker than we can pick up the pieces. How does this happen? It’s easy to fall into the “when am I going to have time for myself” or “when am I going to be able to finish all of this” rut if time isn’t managed well. I’m usually very good at time management. With a family the size of mine, as well as the addition of friends coming and going continuously throughout the week, I have to be good at this. It’s a requirement. This week, though, it all escaped my abilities no matter how hard I tried. Will I recover? Of course. Talking about it helps a lot, though. It’s normal, it’s not the end of the world, and I will get over this each time it happens (after I rant and complain a bit). I’m going to make some time for myself this weekend, though. If I don’t, then I’ll feel my existence is merely one of take . . . without any give. And that’s not healthy at all. Self-care is ever important even if you’re not a parent. Posted by Jennifer Hollowell Do you like to create, but are afraid of making a mess. Yeah, I used to have this problem too. I quickly got over myself, though. Which is strange because, typically, I’m very obsessive compulsive when it comes to how clean my house is . . . this hasn’t been the case with my work and creative space for a long time, though. Why is that? It’s almost like I’m two completely different people . . . everything is neat, orderly, and clean in my primary living spaces and completely disorganized and cluttered in my creative spaces. See what I mean? Two completely different people. Don’t get me wrong. My creative space really is driving me nuts, but it’s downstairs. I can incorporate the “out of sight, out of mind principles” without of a hitch. The only time my the creative mess I’ve created really bothers me is when I can’t find something. Remember, I had to move my creative space three times (or was it four?) since June . . . so there’s pile of this, stacks of that, and a mix of I don’t know what in the corner over there. Yep, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it . . . we won’t get into how messy things get when I’m really in the thick of it and in “art” mode. We also won’t discuss my desk when I get into that same kind of zone with my writing. I’ll live happily in my state of denial. J Posted by Jennifer Hollowell I’ve been writing a letter to my friend over the past week or so – could be longer and I feel a twinge of guilt every time I think about how long I’m spending on this letter. That’s not the point of this blog post, though. I’ve been “arting” it up. I love writing illustrated letters. By illustrated, I don’t mean cartoon illustrations or anything like that. I like creating little glimpses of artistic flair on the paper I’m writing on. Sometimes it’s a dramatic presentation, while other times it’s just a hint of art sneaking in on to the page. I’ve been doing this form or letter writing for years. It inspires me to write more, create other pieces of art, and find more creativity within the pages of my text-only journal. I used to write plain journal entries without any bits and pieces of flair . . . now, if I write a letter or journal entry without it, they seem stale. I’m sharing this because I plan to write more illustrated letters. I want to get back into the practice of routine letter writing, rather than randomly throwing something in the mailbox every now and then. There’s something about receiving a letter that makes everything so different. So much different than an email, a phone call, a text message or an instant message . . . a letter takes time, effort, and enthusiasm. All of which means the person cares to spend TIME on you. That makes a huge difference. Posted by Jennifer Hollowell I thought I would have to paint out or use gesso on sections of a marker drawing I’ve been working on in order for the white ink I wanted to write with to show through. Well, I didn’t have to paint anything! I used RoseArt, Crayola, and some skinny barrel markers with no name on them to draw and color on the entire page. Of all the markers, the RoseArt took to the white gel pen the best. When I was writing over the areas with the Crayola marker and the unidentified brand marker (Pentel??), I had to go over it a few times before the white showed up as bold as the rest of the writing. So, my experiment worked! I used navy blue and emerald green for the majority of the piece, so the white gel pen really stood out well in those areas. I used it to write inspirational words, as well as a small journal entry. I’m going to continue working in this capacity until I can think up something else to experiment with. Posted by Jennifer Hollowell I finished phase one of an art journal page spread and I’m really excited about that! I sketched and colored using only my children’s markers. I did this to show that that there are many ways to use markers beyond the line drawings they’ve been creating. I mixed colors, used textures, and created paint-like appearances. The next phase is going to be purely experimental. I want to add text using white or yellow gel pens, but I have no idea if it’ll show up. I may have to use some gesso or acrylic paint as a backdrop to where I want to write. I’ll let you know how that goes. What took the wind out of my sails, you ask? I’ve been promoting my first book a lot with a release date of tomorrow, November 15th. I thought it was odd that I hadn’t heard from my publisher in a long time, and that I hadn’t received my author copies . . . so, I sent an email today inquiring about the release date. Here’s the response I received, paraphrased: “Hi Jenn, My name is [new editor’s name]. I’m the assistant editor with Atlantic Publishing. [old editor’s name] no longer works with our company and I received your e-mail below. [old editor’s name] left the company rather quickly about a month ago. Since her departure we have been swamped with her work and many of the books have been pushed back. Your book is one of them. We are trying to read through all of [old editor’s name]’s book projects and we are finding that many of these may need a few revisions. Once we work our way through her projects we will know more about where the book is at. Right now we are estimating that we will be through all the books around the beginning of the year. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!” Needless to say, this completely threw me for a loop and has left me feeling very “off.” Writing a book is really hard work and having these accomplishments dangling in front of me, just out of reach, is really frustrating me. I need some chocolate. On the other hand, it’s giving me some great material to write about in my art journal! I have to find the bright side in every situation! Posted by Jennifer Hollowell Okay, as you all know by now I’ve been writing a lot of how-tos this month and that will be continuing for the next several weeks. In an effort to keep the inspirational fires burning, I’ve been looking through and reading a lot of my art books. This has been working and backfiring at the same time. I shouldn’t really say backfiring because it’s been a very positive experience. What I mean by backfiring is that all I want to do is create the projects I intend to feature in my topic . . . rather than writing about them. I love writing, so don’t get me wrong. I love presenting new ideas, information, and tutorials as well . . . However, I want to create. I want to make an experimental altered book, I want to play more in my art journal, I want to collage using old art supplies . . . and I will. I have to find the balance again. I’m working on some more book ideas that are incorporating art within their pages, so that will offer me the opportunity I’m looking for. More about the books later; they’re still in the book proposal phase. It’s all so exciting! Posted by Jennifer Hollowell Yes, I worked on some random art this weekend. Can you tell I’m excited? It was just some drawings in my art journal, but still. I had some creative time! I was creative!! I created! It’s not often that I have the house to myself on a weekend and can spend some time doing ME things. Usually I work ALL THE TIME and rarely take some time out for ME. Yes, that’s a no-no . . . I’m well aware of that so please stop wagging your finger at me. I took about two hours to myself yesterday to nap and to work in my art journal. It was so relaxing and peaceful. Then, of course, I felt completely guilty and started working again. Nonetheless, it’s a start. I need to start carving time out for myself again. Seriously, who works seven days per week? I have a problem with balancing things out, so I do things everyday – housework, errands, job-related duties, caring for the family, etc. That’s what works best for me most of the time, but did you notice what was missing from that list? Me. I’ll fix that, though. It’s on my to do list. Posted by Jennifer Hollowell So, that content plan I blogged about the other day is slowing coming into fruition. That’s such a great feeling! I’ve been drafting the articles one by one in my handy dandy notebook ever since the list was constructed. When writing about creative “how-to” articles, I work best in a notebook. Today, I’ll be rolling out at least three from that list. This will be followed by one or two more tomorrow. From there, my plan is to write one how-to per day until the end of the month. If there’s something you’d like to see that isn’t on that list, feel free to contact me anytime! I’m very easy to talk to! In other news, I’ve been playing around with the idea of gift-wrapping using wall paper. I know, that’s very random. I’m an artist – I have the right to be random every now and then. Or in my case, I tend to be random all the time. That’s okay, I don’t think anyone minds too much . . . right? Posted by Jennifer Hollowell Have you ever framed fabric? Have you ever covered a piece of stretched canvas with fabric? Have you ever covered over a piece of art you don’t like anymore with fabric? I’m asking these questions because I have several pieces of stretched canvas that I would like to do something different for in my living room. I don’t know if you remember me talking about this or not, but I have them hung on the wall already. My living room is very blue. My entire house is, actually. It came that way and, yes, it will be changing bit by bit over the years. In the meantime, I’ve been introducing color through furnishings, wall art, and fabrics. I’m considering covering up some of the stretched canvas with some embellished fabrics. It’s still in the “thought” process. I also have some louver doors that I would like to add fabric panels to and turn them into a privacy screen. Yep, I’m just full of ideas today! I’m trying to turn every part of my home into usable spaces that are interesting, inviting, and homey. So far so good…. I think. Posted by Jennifer Hollowell These little delights are a very popular “art supply” in our busy little household. My children love creating many things from them, including:
It’s so much fun! As soon as one is available, there’s a show of hands asking who gets to have it . . . so, I’ve been trying to hide them in a container so there’s plenty available when the mood strikes. What’s the problem with that plan? They’re all claimed! “Can I have that when the roll is empty?” Yep, there are three rolls working in the house right now and those, along with their next refill, have already been claimed! Needless to say, there is no shortage of ideas in this house about what to do with these tubes . . . there is, however, a shortage of the actual tubes! Posted by Jennifer Hollowell If you haven’t been by my Mixed Media Arts topic in awhile, I suggest you stop by this month. There’s going to be a slew of new content going up on a daily, or near daily, basis. Here’s a list of what you can expect to see from me:
See what I mean? I’m so excited to roll out this series of how-to’s for all of you. I’ll be working on art journal prompts, artist date ideas, and much more. So, if you haven’t already done so – please add http://www.mixedmediaarts.suite101.com to your bookmarks so you don’t miss anything! Posted by Jennifer Hollowell I’ve been doing a lot of drawing with the kids lately. Sometimes, I create complex drawings for them upon request. For example, my stepdaughter asked for a picture of a church the other day and was very specific about how she hoped it would turn out. I took that opportunity to show her coloring techniques, as well as how to use the entire piece of paper for a composition.
In other instances, though, our time is fleeting and I can create doodles with the kids. Why do I reserve my doodling for when I’m with the kids, though? If I enjoy it so much (it’s very freeing to just let the pencil, pen, marker or whatever just go with the flow sometimes, rather than working something stringent or complex), why don’t I doodle in my sketchbooks, notebooks, and art journals? That’s going to be the focus of today’s art journal prompt (which will appear sometime today in my Mixed Media Arts topic). I’m actually going to follow my own advice, get out my art journal, and follow the prompt. I know I’ll enjoy the experience; I just have to stop fighting with myself about taking the time out to doodle. Posted by Jennifer Hollowell How did that happen? I look forward to hearing, “I don’t like this kind of candy, want it?” each year . . . and, this year, that didn’t happen. All four of the kids went in separate directions (my two boys went with their dad, my step-daughter went with her mother, and my nephew went off with friends) this year . . . this is the first year since becoming parents that we haven’t done something with at least ONE of the kids. It felt weird, but it was a nice day off at the same time. So, needless to say, I have to ask other people to save their candy wrappers for me. Each year, the kids and I craft with candy wrappers. I covered one simple collage project in my Mixed Media Arts topic already, and I have about a dozen other how-to articles planned involving wrappers. We love using them, so I may as well share what we do! So. Got any candy wrappers for me??? Posted by Jennifer Hollowell It looks like a bomb has gone off down in my basement where we keep all of our:
Seriously, it’s terrible. I’ve had to move things around SO much since last June that it’s literally just piles and piles of “this and such” all over the place. Some of (well, most of) my work things are in this shuffle of what not, as well. I’m thinking about taking the weekend to go through things. My nephew, his friend, and my stepdaughter will all be home with my (my fiancé has to work ALL weekend), so I can enlist their help. Or, knowing me, I’ll just do it all myself . . . because I’m that much of a pain in the butt about where I want things. Posted by Jennifer Hollowell I love it when things change in a beneficial way. That's what happened just a moment ago. My step-daugher isn't going with her mother this weekend, so she and I will have some "girl time." What does that mean? ARTSY-CRAFTSY STUFF! We haven't had time together in a LONG time with just the two of us, so I'm going to try making the best of the experience. She loves making books, working on paintings, and coloring in her "All About Me" book. So, that's what we're going to do. She loves it when I create with her by my side, as well. So, what I thought was going to be a boring work and homework weekend is turning out to be a weekend of art! I'm so excited! I'm going to try teaching her some new techniques, as well. What does that mean for you? Yes, more tutorials! I'll experiment with her, and then translate it to photo's and writing for the suite. Sound like a plan? My boys are probably going to beg to stay home, too, but their dad has already planned to pick them up tomorrow after school. They'll have fun with him, though, they always do. I can work on art projects with them during the week - I'm MAKE time. Besides, we're all going to gather together Monday after school to carve the pumpkins that have been waiting out on the deck ever so patiently. That's something we all have to look forward to (and keep an eye for mixed media art projects using pumpkin seeds!). Posted by Jennifer Hollowell I want to get into my creative space so badly and work on some canvases. I also have a medicine cabinet that I want to continue embellishing. It isn’t the kind that has a mirror on the door. Instead, it has side-by-side doors with a faux louver insert. I painted the entire cabinet a very light gray, and then I sponged metallic glaze on the area surrounding the louver insert. Then, I painted the sides (not the doors, just the sides of the cabinet) dark gray. Originally, this piece was hung in the room where my nephew now lives. I’m going to change out the knobs, and then add some more embellishments. I’m not sure what, but I have a feeling it will involve decoupage and some gems. The ideas are still percolating. I want to work on this piece now, but I have other responsibilities at the moment. I can’t this weekend, either, because even more responsibilities are in store. My fiancé and I are taking Thanksgiving weekend off (well, at leas part of it, anyway) and we’re hiding out so no one pops in or expects us to do this, that or the other thing. We spend our lives doing that every single week, but not this time. I think I’ll take some of that time to work on art projects that have been begging for my attention while he lies on the couch in a turkey-induced comma. ::smiles:: Posted by Jennifer Hollowell I don’t know why, but all I can think about this morning is:
This has been on my mind since last night and I even had a dream about this art project last night. I wonder if it’s because I wrote about black gesso the other day for another website? I don’t know, but it’s something I defiantly want to do. I love gluing notebook pages together to create a sturdier surface to work on. Notebook art has been a close runner up to my love for working in art journals. It’s a bit different (to me, but not to some others) because I write a lot of text in my notebook art books. Sometimes I glue the pages together, and then write. This is also a great project to work on with my kids. This way, the notebook fills faster and they don’t grow tired or bored with the project after a few days. They quickly want to fill another! I love seeing them inspired like that. Maybe that’s what I’ll do for my ArtSoMoFo work today . . . glue together some pages in a notebook and see where it leads. I don’t have any black gesso, but I do have black acrylic craft paint. I know, it’s not quite the same, but it will be a decent stand-in. Posted by Jennifer Hollowell I’ve been writing a daily post at freelancetips.net for the last thirty-nine consecutive days to help writers battle writer’s block. These posts are meant to serve as small prompts to keep pens moving and thoughts churning. These prompts have been well received and many have asked me to compile a book full of them. This interest in the writers block prompts lead to some thoughts about artists block and how they break through these issues. Would artists benefit from prompts such as the ones I’m presenting on freelancetips.net, or is there another method used to break artists block? I’ve been presenting art journal prompts, but I don’t really present them in an effort to battle blocks. They serve more as an idea library for artists who want to work frequently, but have a hard time harvesting ideas together. Does that mean they’re blocked? Well, in my opinion, not necessarily. I think I’m going to look further into this for my own interest, as well as for some insight into the possibility of providing helpful materials to artists when they’re suffering from a block. Posted by Jennifer Hollowell Yes, I know. That sounds a bit odd, but that’s what has been happening. As I unpack buried boxes, I’m finding art supplies I forgot I had. I’m also finding half-finished projects I forgot I started. These hidden treasures have been inspiring me in ways that I really needed lately. I love creating, but I feel like my creative self quickly falls asleep if not constantly stimulated. Some of what I’ve been finding includes:
This is the perfect month to find these hidden treasures because I want to keep my ArtSoMoFo work varied, rather than creating things that are going to eventually bore me or leave me feeling unchallenged. Finding the spirograph excited me the most, so that will be the first treasure I play with this weekend! Posted by Jennifer Hollowell I don’t know why, but it never occurs to me to use pieces of canvas that are not square or rectangle. Why don’t I use ovals, circles, and other shapes when working on my mixed media paintings? Why don’t I use pieces of stretched canvas with a beveled edge? This gives new meaning (for me) to thinking “outside the box.” I want to add this to my list of ArtSoMoFo projects this month: working on a mixed media painting that is not created on a typical “box” shaped canvas. Will I be able to break out of my comfort zone and do this? I think so, and the need for an Artist Date to shop at the craft store in order. While I’m there, I’ll start small and work my way up. I’ve purchased really small square pieces of stretched canvas in the past, so I know there will be small “shaped” pieces of canvas available as well. It’ll be like I’m on a treasure hunt! Do you paint on different shaped pieces of canvas? Do you stretch your own canvas into shapes that inspire you? Posted by Jennifer Hollowell I’ve often been the type of artist who is completely misunderstood and I’m perfectly fine with that. People who aren’t “up” on the mixed media art scene would view my work and say, “I don’t understand what you’re trying to do.” It wasn’t until I explained that there is no real reason for the piece, that it’s mean to evoke a “wow, that looks pretty cool” type of response that the majority of these people started to get it and started to admire what I do. That’s always interested me. So now, I make it a point to point out that there really is no point. I know, that’s confusing (a wicked woogle!!) . . . but it’s what’s confusing eventually what is understood the best? I don’t know if that’s your experience, but is certainly has been mine. Take my art journal, for example. If someone who didn’t view mixed media art on a regular basis, or create it for that matter, were to look at it they’d probably see a big mess . . . . . . however, if I told them to look at it without scrutiny and allow the confusion to set in, they’d probably start to understand the piece a bit more. This is speculation, of course, and has only been experimented on with a handful of people. Do you have problems being misunderstood by those around you who don’t really understand art and he art world? Posted by Jennifer Hollowell I use quotations, either in whole or in part, in my art pieces quite a bit. This is not just in collage work, but everything:
I love those stickers that look like they’re printed on a piece of masking tape – the ones with the definitions on them. If I could have multiples of those in my stocking every year for Christmas, I would be a happy girl. They’re perfect for deckling and inking, plus they give an excellent finishing touch to just about every piece I work on. I like printing out definitions and quotations on my computer using interesting fonts and colors, too. It’s a lot of fun playing around with these words so they look “just right,” and then altering them with various media. My only problem is I constantly forget to save them on my computer for future use with other projects! Do you like using quotations and definitions in your mixed media art pieces? Posted by Jennifer Hollowell When I was pregnant with my first child in 1999, I was commonly referred to as a “Nin-pin” by my peers . . . and, to be honest, I didn’t know if I was being complimented or put down. I love being neat, clean, and organized. It’s how I find harmony, as well as keep myself functioning. This hasn’t been the case since, I’d say, MAY. My creative space has been in such disarray that I forget what I have and I’m finding that my creativity is sorely stifled. I used to touch upon or finish a project daily. Gone are those days. I used to look at my things and find inspiration. Now, I look and find chaos. Why is this happening? What is going on? There is no harmony, there is no happiness, and there is no consistent creativity. I need to get down there, get organized, and bring the “Nin-pin” back! I really miss being “together” when it comes to the things that are near and dear to me . . . and, yes, that includes the tools needed to nurture my creative self. Do you keep your creative space organized? Posted by Jennifer Hollowell Autumn is my favorite time of the year. I love the vibrancy of the leaves, I love the earth tones, and I love the crisp air. I love the smells, the food, and the celebrations. It feels like a new start, despite the fact that it is the doorway into winter. Autumn also means, as I’ve mentioned, ArtSoMoFo! I’m really excited about this year’s plans because, unlike any other year, these works will be displayed in my home for everyone to see. I’ve never created art for my home before this year, so it’s a new phase for me. It’s a little bit “odd” considering I’m used to being my only audience, so I can’t help worrying how these pieces will be received. In July, I created two pieces for my living room and everyone loved them. Some people wanted to know where I purchased them because they had no idea I could create pieces of art like that. That was such a gratifying feeling, which has lead to the comfort zone of creating more for display. I have no idea what I’ll be doing for these canvases, but I do know I’d like to complete them by the end of the month. This will also be the first year I’ll be including my children in the daily mix of art making. They love the act of creating, plus the quality one-on-one time is a bonus. I doubt I’ll be able to get my nephew involved, but I’m going to try. He may surprise us all and get really into it . . . or he may just say, “nah.” It’s worth a shot, though! Posted by Jennifer Hollowell My nephew really needs his own space, so we’ve disassembled the office and have moved the “main work desk” up into the living room and all the rest of the work surfaces (three easels, two desks, and a counter) into another part of the basement that will eventually be renovated into rooms. You would think that we would have done this from the beginning, but we’re a bit of a backwards family. That’s part of being artistic, right? Not making sense half of the time seems to be my forte, so I may as well embrace that reality rather than fight it . . . right? Anyway, this means there will be no “art journal pages” mural on the wall until the walls for my “next” space are erected and the room is finished. I have no idea when that will be, so I’m going to be on the hunt for some large pieces of canvas. I’d love to find some stretched canvas or canvas boards as tall as I am! I wonder how this move of “things” will impact my ArtSoMoFo plans, which start tomorrow? I have everything I need to begin; I just don’t know where it all is anymore! Back are the days of digging through totes to find that missing tube of acrylic paint or that jar of matte medium. That’s okay, though. I’ve been doing that sort of shuffle for years now, so it (oddly enough) feels comfortable. Posted by Jennifer Hollowell I talk this project up year after year because I love the experience and it has always been a really positive experience for me. This year, I’ll be tracking my progress on my ArtSoMoFo blog again: http://www.jennsartsomofo.blogspot.com For those of you who are unfamiliar with the ArtSoMoFo challenge, here it is in a nutshell: create a piece of art, or engage in the act of art making, everyday during the month of October. The writers who read this blog are familiar with the NaNoWriMo.org challenge held ever November, right – well, this is an “artful” twist on that idea. I did not develop these concepts, despite how much I talk it up and encourage other artists to actively participate. I’ve always been one to shout from the rooftops whenever a project comes along that I really love and really believe in. ArtSoMoFo is no exception. ::smiles:: My goals for this year’s challenge are still in progress. I have a number of canvases hung throughout my home that are where they’re supposed to be, but . . . they’re still blank. I know; that’s backwards. Whatever. That’s how I work. My plan is to complete each of these canvases during October. The rest of my goals will show up on my “MoFo” blog. Posted by Jennifer Hollowell Do you have issues creating creative time for yourself? Does it seem to take the back burner to life’s responsibilities, to do lists, chores, and errands? Are you a parent who believes it would be taking away from time with your kids, or other family time activities? I have this problem. Despite how often I write about Artist Date Ideas, the need for creative time, and how important it is to stay connected with your creative self . . . I can’t seem to follow my own advice. Why is this? Why do I struggle with this from week to week? It shouldn’t make me feel guilty spending time doing something I love that is for myself. I’m a working mother, the typical career mom who feels she’s never doing enough . . . never enough quality time with the kids, never enough housework, never enough income producing activities, never enough baking, never enough enriching activities with the kids . . . never enough of anything, really. Why do moms (or anyone else, really, for that matter) face this problem?
Posted by Jennifer Hollowell A very close “online” friend and I have been traveling through many circles together since 2003 (I can’t believe it’s been that long already!), and it all started at nervousness.org (a site I miss terribly). Anyway, I noted some dream references in a “plurk” the other day and, as the wonderful art therapist she is, she wondered if I had created any art about my dreams. Why hadn’t I thought of that? So, I’m going to be working on some M.C. Escher-esque canvases during the upcoming ArtSoMoFo October challenge. If you don’t know what that is, it’s a yearly “art a day” challenge that I’ve been participating in since 2005, I think. (It might have actually been 2004, but my memory is failing me at the moment.) Anyway, I have four boards I’m going to work on during October using my dreams (which are really weird) as inspiration. I may also be working on an altered “dream” book project, or an art journal page spread or two using my dreams as the inspiration as well. It’s all mapped out in my mind . . . but, if you’ve known me for any length of time, you know I have to get it out in writing or it WILL be forgotten. It’s a reality I can’t escape, so here I am writing. Do you create art about your dreams?
Posted by Jennifer Hollowell The kids and I have been working on art journal signatures everyday after school (aside from yesterday because they played outside with their grandmother). We’re doing this for several reasons:
It’s been very positive so far. I explained to them why they’re working on what looks like a card, how it will look when we’re finished, and how we can continue to use this handmade art journal once it is assembled.
I love seeing how excited they are to see what their art journals will about each day. Today, we’re using several different mediums to explore our favorite parts of today through drawings and simple text. I don’t know who is more excited for them to get home – them or me!
Posted by Jennifer Hollowell What are your favorite stress relievers? Do you find stress relief through journaling, being creative, writing short stories, or being poetic? Do you find stress relief in gardening, performing home improvement projects, or organizing something that has been neglected too long? I’m asking these questions because I’ve been holding my stress in too much lately. I keep telling myself that I’ll make time to read, make time to work on creative projects, and take time for ME. I’m not doing |
