You'll Have to Pardon Me- I AM TOTALLY FREAKING OUT!

So I received the advance copy of my book in the mail yesterday and I am so excited- in fact I woke up at 3am and could not go back to sleep...just thinking about this crazy journey- it is a lot to think about!! And while I try really hard not to take myself too seriously when it comes to my life as an artist- I cannot help but feel as if this is one of those moments that I have waited for (right up there with my first gallery showing!!)- for a long, long, long time- I have spent the last 15 years running after a dream- a dream of being an artist, of sharing this amazing joy that I have for the creative process with others. All this time I have sacrificed a normal career in order to have time and energy to paint and pursue my creative endeavors, I have an education in art that will never get me a 6 figure job, I have been rejected AND embraced...all a part of being an artist. Today I feel empowered and full of hope that this journey is all worth it- all of the struggles and moments of uncertainty, hard work and consistent time spent with my hands in paint chasing after a dream...I wouldn't have it any other way!!

Fingers to the Bone

There is nothing better than sitting back and taking a good look at all you have accomplished! This weekend the work on our home progressed and we worked our fingers to the bone!! And finally we are starting to see results and that is enough to keep us going a little longer. This week we will purchase our couch and starting orgaizing and moving our stuff over little by little- then I can get back to bloggin about art!! And any day now I will have the advance copy of my book in the mail- I can hardly wait for all of the new exciting things to happen!!

Burnt Out

It is official…I am burnt out. The weeks seem to be blending together for me- I am plagued by impatience- waiting for this time of transition to come to and end- to have a fresh start with new ideas, opportunities, and outlook. The last few weeks have been focused on more renovations (we are so close) but even BIGGER for me is transitioning out of the mentoring program that we live and I work in. The last 3 ½ years of my life have been spent living and working with college students, home has not ever really felt like home to me- I work all day at my job and then come home to work with young adults- I have become accustomed to late night knocks at the door, friendships with people who remind me of my own youth, and lots and lots of drama! Though the last few years have taken a toll on my energy, my daily routine and sometimes even my marriage- I would not trade it for anything. Working with young people keeps you fresh and current, giving of yourself is wonderful, it has inspired my art (which I have amazingly fit into this whole crazy routine) and I leave my role as a “live in mentor” a better, stronger and more confident person. As I say goodbye to my role as a mentor, I cannot help but feel a huge sense of relief and excitement about starting over as a “normal” adult who lives in a normal home that will not have to juggle the responsibility of college student’s health and well-being… Instead it is time to focus and worry about my own. In the meantime, I will try and continue to embrace our renovation, enjoy picking colors and furniture design and continue to prepare for my book release- that is enough for now.

Excited!!!!!!!!

oooohhhhh...I am so excited that you can now search inside my book!!!
Please go check it out for a preview!!!!!!

Robert Rauschenberg

I was sad to learn that Robert Rauschenberg died yesterday at 82. Ruschenberg was a huge influence on my own growth as an artist- I was introduced to his work as a young student in art history and painting classes but it wasn't until I took in a mixed media painting class taught by Mel Katz at PSU that I fully grasped how forward thinking and radical he was as an artist. He believed anything could be art and it was evident in the way that the pushed boundaries of painting and sculpture and used everyday objects and junk in his art. Using his work as inspiration in this painting class, the quarter was spent collecting found objects, putting them into our compositions, experimenting with paint and working very hard to find our own voice in the art we were trying to create. Learning how to strike a balance with collage, objects and paint was one of the most challenging tasks for me as a budding painter but also one of the most liberating. Today I find beauty in peeling paint, old pieces of wood, drips of paint, cast out newspaper, peices of weathered fabric and basic everyday trash. I am still inspired and in awe of Rauschenberg and am sad to know that art world has lost one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

Sparkly on the Feet

Many thanks to Maryam of Marrakesh for the two pairs of lovely Moroccan slippers that I recently received in the mail (a wonderful trade for a custom tote!) I love these slippers- they are SO soft, comfy and sparkly on the feet. Check out Maryam's blog for more lovely slippers!!!!!!

Today

Not only is today my wonderful husband's birthday but it was 9 years ago today that we met- we celebrated with a little sushi and short walk on the water.

North Light Author Shout Outs!

It has been a while since I extended some blog love and since there are handful of us North Light authors with books SO SOON to be released I thought I would give a little cyber shout out to the fabulous and creative new titles soon to hit the shelves!!

The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry

By Jennifer Perkins

out August 2008

Plexi Class: Cutting-Edge Projects In Plastic

By Tonia Davenport

out May 2008

Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings

By Kelly Rae

out September 2008

A Charming Exchange: 25 Jewelry Projects To Create & Share

By Kelly Snelling and Ruth Rae

Out August 2008

Canvas Remix
by Alisa Burke
out July 2008

ArtFiberFest

I am happy to announce that registration for ArtFiberFest begins today! And as a first time teacher at this venue, I am so excited to offer three classes inspired by my soon to be released book- Canvas Remix So if anyone is looking for one-of-a-kind classes in an amazing place, surround by like minded creative souls- consider treating yourself to long weekend of inspiration!

Graffiti Clutch

Canvas Creatures


Artful Accessories

Light

Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight. ~Benjamin Franklin

Oh goodness, life seems to keep throwing us challenge after challenge lately and I am not sure how much more I can take!!! My head hurts, my heart hearts and the days seem to just be blending together.  I cannot wait for this chapter to be over with, to move past the transition, to have stability back, answers to the looming questions and my hope restored.   In the midst of challenge, I must say I have even more appreciation for my supportive and amazing family and am so thankful for such a wonderful husband. On the lighter side of things, we installed this lovely chandelier in what will be our new dining room- it makes me feel a little brighter.

Amidst the Chaos

So amidst the chaos of remodeling (found termites yesterday- just great!) I have actually managed to finally finish and send a custom tote that I have been working on for a while- it is about time!! I think I will officially be putting custom orders on hold until moving day or at least after we eradicate the termites!!

DIY

I am afraid that I am turning into a construction worker (except much better dressed)- Here I am eating fast food for dinner on the brand new freshly hand painted white wood floor, gobbling as much as I can so I can get changed into my disgustingly dirty work clothes and back to work- so far I have blisters on the palms of my hands, blue paint that won’t come off of my toenail, had paint splatter into my eyeball, wallpaper paste all over my arms, crackle medium on my flip flops, used a bucket for the restroom (since the bathroom is gutted) and the list goes on and on and on. But I must say that I am growing more and more fond of all this DIY work- in fact I am getting a little obsessed with our renovation but cannot wait for it to be over with!

Much Work

So much work..the weekend was spent working, working, working and my whole body hurts!

Day One of Cleaning

The bulk of our evening was spent cleaning up after the workers who scraped the horrid popcorn ceilings at our new place which quickly progressed into some crazy cleaning of the hardwood floors- though they are hardwood, they are pretty icky and we will be painting them a bright white- I can't wait!! 

Design Time

It is design time...YIKES! I have been spending the last few evenings putting together sketches, hunting through colors, ideas and trying to understand my husband's personal design taste (still can't figure it out) all in preparation for the huge task of overhauling our new place. Though I love design and my world tends to revolve around it- this is all so overwhelming not to mention potentially expensive! Though I have a number of creative things to prepare for with the book and classes and other fun stuff- the next month will be spent trying to get everything done and my blog will be the place that I document all of this!!

This Chapter

I am happy to say that we are officially first time home owners of a great little townhouse in San Diego . I am still in shock that we were actually able to buy a place in Southern California without going into extreme debt or poverty- and I never in a million years thought we would decide to stay in San Diego but the ease of everything that has been happening lately brought us to a place of being open to embrace the path that we are on and thankful for the life we created in California. Though my heart is often in Oregon and I have HUGE dreams of owning land and an actual house- I have (strangely) found peace in knowing that this is just the beginning and nothing is set in stone. Opportunities (as I have learned over this last year) can present themselves when least expecting it and life can quickly change!! So this chapter in the story is about renovating and moving into our first place. Though we have a home with an amazing view, more space then we have now, a garage that will be converted into my studio- we do have LOTS of stuff to do before moving in. After receiving the keys last week, we spent a great deal of the weekend airing out (why people don’t clean up after their pets is totally a mystery to me!!), cleaning and beginning the first of our DIY projects. The next few weeks will be spent ripping out flooring, painting, laying new flooring, adding unique finishes and of course my favorite part decorating and then finally moving….sigh…this is going to be a long couple of months. But thankfully we will be settled just in time for the release of my book and all of the amazing opportunities that will come next!

For the Sake of It

Today I spent a good part of the day painting just for the sake of painting.

Haute Handbags

Check out the latest Haute Handbags for my article on making textural totes!!

Freshly Cleaned

There is nothing like a freshly cleaned and organized studio to go into a productive weekend!! And the best part is that I took the guest bed out!

Just What I Needed

A morning spent hiking with family at the beach was just what I needed after a VERY, VERY long week.