Life Never Stands Still.....

I sit here at my computer...thinking of all the things that I can share with you about what's happening at the Kynard House Studio. First and foremost..My studio is taking shape! It won't be long before I can have my work table built (I'm designing it now). I've actually moved my computer into the studio space, have established WIFI (with a Netgear Extender) and when I look around I still see scattered stuff, but it's getting organized!

And before I got it this far...there were many decisions as to what to keep and what 

to toss! I didn't even keep stuff lik you see below,  even though I was sure "someone" could use them! 

Currently, one side of the studio is for computer work, another is for mixed media art, another is for sewing and the last is for more storage. It was once a large garage and I tried to claim the room over 28 years ago. But it was not meant for me to own this space as "all my own" until now. As my cousin, Stella  (another thriving artist) said, " It's a woman cave!"   My special spot is now all the way at the oppostie end of our home...totally away from my original office...As I work towards my goal.... 

                                                                                                                                                                                   I'm still spending time drawing, doodling and painting my creations. 

I'm making time for a garden, and I'm sitting on the deck that leads off our bedroom in the early morning and late afternoon. Inspiration strikes and I'm  quickly grabbing my pens and markers to create pieces like this:

 I've even managed to streal some time to  lounge in my hammock that my husband Tommy made sure was hung properly for me. As I rock in the breeze I surf the net on my IPad.  My newest discovery is Pinterest (my daughter, Shannahon showed me the ropes...) and I'm now hooked! My granddaughter, Trevy set me up on instagram so that I can begin a phase of  marketing for the art work and photography that I would like to sell. All in due time I keep thinking...

I am not the most patient person in the world, particularly when I have a mission in mind, such as completing my studio, marketing product or even completing work projects with Kynard House Publishing. But I also know that time with loved ones, making beautiful memories and literally stopping to take in all of the good things that are around us is by far the most important opportunities to savor in life. Life doesn't wait...and there are only 24 hosues in a day. 

Take a moment to absorb the words on the poster that I created with a photo I took at Silver Springs, FL. My very favorite bird has some wisdom to impart. Think on this! Until next time, Edie

I AM An Artist

Confidence. It's something I've never been lacking in. However, when it comes to pegging myself with a title, there appears to be an issue. I have no problem with wife, mother, grandmother, friend, photographer, writer, graphic designer, etc. But...ARTIST; it's daunting.

Recently, I created some really nice doodles. I shared them with the open Facebook page,  Magically Mixed Art Community and they were well received. I was so proud too. But I lacked satisfaction with them because my lines did not all link up properly (or so I felt),  nor were my proportions or my depth perceptions quite accurate. So when I shared them with Gen,  my coworker, mentor and friend, I was told, " Edie you are not a camera. You are not a copy machine. I've told you for 22 years that you ARE an artist." 

He went on to explain, once again that there are many attributes and explanations to the word artist. He also firmly told me to drop the negativity and to focus on the positive residual effects of relaxation and satisfaction in simply creating. 

Still not convinced, I decided  to get the definition ince I was having difficulty envisioning myself as a true artist. Plus I chose the children's definition in order to keep it simple. It reads:

Main Entry: art·ist
Pronunciation: ärt-st
Function: noun
1 : a person skilled in one of the arts (as painting, sculpture, music, or writing)
2 : a person showing unusual ability in an occupation requiring skill     

So, I am back at the drawing board (per se), still sketching and doodling like crazy and finding satisfaction in seeing my work, so much so that I am willing to stick with it.

It's pleasantly relaxing to sit with my husband Tommy...watch a program on TV with one eye

while doodling away. I'm happy to fill those pages while enjoying time with him, especially when he compliments my efforts and follows with, "Keep it up...".

When I scan and upload my files...(now this is where I'm in my comfort zone), I pull the work into Photoshop and the imagination begins...

I recently did this piece...

and immediately imagined a head-dress of sorts or possibly dragon nails delicately woven into a headband.

I needed a face. Contacted a client that I'd completed photos for and requested permission to use an upper body shot. Then I set to work. I hand colored the art in Photoshop, worked with filters to create a painterly face for my model, and painted her eyes and lips. Then I designed a layer that I wanted to resemble delicate lace. The eye decoration is from another sketch, while the upper body and arm art is from yet another art piece...or doodled sketch. 

I am drawing, sketching and doodling and using hands on tools like fine tip marker pens. But I believe the art, (for me) really starts to happen when I step into my work atmosphere. I'm learning to use my hands and mind to draw out what I think flows or even what I imagine. 

But when I reach for my tools in Photoshop...the magic begins. My mind spins as I add layer and the imagination knows no limits. My heart soars when I see the finished work. It's almost as if it's not mine! Yet it is! 

It is then that I can grasp that God implanted in me another gift or ability and that is to create beautiful art! I feel both blessed and thankful.

And yes, even to be brave enough to speak the words...I AM an artist!

Here's the completed piece. It will be printed in metallic.

Christmas Is In The Air....

Let's Those Joy Bells Ring...

Finally..the house is decorated, the shopping is complete and I'm ready to roll into completing projects. AND now my printer is out of ink...grrrrr!  Since the  World Wide Web is still up and running...I'll be posting a few online projects I want to share.

Each year, as the birthday of Jesus approaches, I feel the need to write my feelings down in the old fashioned way with paper and ink. Granted it's later converted in Photoshop and prettied up with a nice legible font, but the sentiments are mine and the artwork was sketched with honest to goodness pens.

Since I am running close to the wire once again...I'll first share with my online friends, post the poem to my close friends' walls on Facebook, and hand out the ones that will eventually get printed. To those I'm hoping to attach tiny bells to complement the work.

So for starters, here's the poem I wrote, complete with my "doodling" artwork. I'm sending love from my heart to you and yours. May your Christmas be Christ centered and may we all take pause to remember...the reason for the season!

And for fun, here's how I would like to spend my holidays...making a snow man! The mail box is for my mother. She collects them. Since we don't have snow very often in Florida, I imagined what fun it would be. We've vacationed and gone snow skiing before, but not at Christmas. It's all fun no matter where you land when you are able to do those fun things with family and friends.
Merry Christmas!

Here's A Doodle For Ya!

It's a little early, but I feel like a very young Rudolph, when he says, " I can fly...I can fly!!!" But in my case I feel like shouting,  I can doodle and doodle I can!" Right now. I'm learning the basics, but I can now see that drawing, sketching or doodling takes practice to get the basic strokes down. Then you can add a dash of creativity, a dose of flair  and and a lot of courage to post the finished artwork out there amongst seasoned artists.

I recently took my very first art class. And it was online with Sandi Tygar, artist and blogger at My Brave Soul. She teaches a basic class in doodling, strokes and getting it all to come together. And it did! Here's a doodle that I am so happy with...and I was certain that I could not draw. Follow this link to her class! http://sandi-mybravesoul.blogspot.com/2012/06/blog-post.html

 I got brave and took some inspiration from Sandi's blog," My Brave Soul" and decided to sketch, doodle etc and add some color to it. Here's my piece and all I have to say is " Sandi, I'd into this now...hook, line and sinker! See why below:

Sandi has been encouraging me when I tentatively upload a sketch to our Face Book group, Magically Mixed Art Community.

The Facebook artist group that we're a part of is an amazing group of helpers as well as encouragers. When I ask a technical question many respond immediately!

 Sandi looks for my work and when I upload a piece to share and get feedback on, she's  given me an "across cyberspace" pat on the back and applauded me for my efforts on the art on the left.

Yes, I'm creating art

and having a grand ole time simply

doodling...And you can bet I'm signing up for her next class. It's worth it!

Thanks Sandi Tygar!

Oh Honey, You are Divine!

I am obsessed with the color of honey, the smell of natural beeswax and, oh yes, the warm tangy sweet taste of all kinds of honey in food or beverages. Honeybees are amazing! 

The flavors their labor adds, after they've flitted and buzzed their way from flower, is unique to each type of honey. The varied tastes of the end product is tantalizing to the pallet.

Be sure to try my recipe for Anise Honeyed Fruit Dip at the bottom of this post. It's simple and adds a twist of flavor that you've probably never experienced before. Let me know what you think!

For over a year, I've collected things relating to honey while processing what project I might choose to show off my honey habit at its finest. 

That being said, the project is now a WIP or (work in progress) See description of items in project below the photo. I'll post photos as I work toward completion.

Eventually it will be a wall hanging. I'm using 2 wooden honey dippers as my rod across the top.

Anise Honeyed Fruit Dip

 1 Large tub fat free cool whip or regular.

1 block cream cheese

2 Tbsp Anise Honey 

Blend gently with electric mixer on low to remove lumps.

Pour into a pretty serving bowl, chill for at least an hour.

Serve with sliced, cut fruit of choice.

Remember...

Honey IS the sweet Nectar of life...

And speaking things that make life so sweet, I had a nice thing happen recently...

Click on the link below to see what made me smile...

http://refrainfromtheidentical.com/?p=10973

Sharing My Good News!

I'm smiling. As writers and creative sorts we sometimes have thin skin. Sometimes we wear our feelings on our sleeves and on other occasions we shout our thoughts and happiness with everyone who will listen or in this instance, read our posts.

My good news is this:

My art/photography and blog was featured on JoDee Luna's website, Refrain From The Identical in the Creative Living section. She also pinned my work on Pinterest!

http://refrainfromtheidentical.com/?p=10973

Until another post...Edie

Adapting To Change

   

 Several years ago I wrote and presented a workshop at a Ladies Retreat on St. Simon's Island. The title was "Adapting To Change By Choice Or Circumstances". Several things have happened in the past month that have shouted the word synchronicity. Events recently have reminded me how the workshop still applies to my life today. 

We change and make decisions constantly. Each decision or choice is not always life altering or necessarily profound. However, there are times when we know instinctively to sit up and take notice of  current events.

 
     For instance. I made a decision recently to give up my photography business and focus on photography as an art form as well as to delve headlong into mixed media. I believe that my creative energy was being drained by clients. I also have a regular job producing two different magazines from my home office each month. I enjoy my work.  My husband is retired and now we can take off when the urge strikes us.  I've always worked at home for reasons such as freedom and flexibility. And when at home or in my studio, I can  now,  hopefully, focus on creative endeavors.

 
    Once I made the decision to accept no more assignments, the phone started ringing with new business. Three calls came in over a three day period. Two of those calls,  I forwarded to Christy Jones, another local  photographer and one I accepted. A client wanted a photo montage of beach prints.  She gave me free reign to design the background and create the grouping once I had the measurements for her wall. I'd already taken the shots as I have a huge database. I was happy but second guessed myself as to whether I was being short sighted to turn away other good paying jobs. But, I have stepped out in faith  and it is in moving with the right intentions that I must proceed.            

I recently attended and ATC (Artist Trading Card) event at the Repurpose Project in Gainesville, FL. I told Jess Yelvington, an artist friend, that I felt dismally inept at painting there. But still; I painted.  

  

 Tammy Gray, a very nice artist with a lot of heart came to our table, (and I'm sure she felt sorry for me) when she traded her very nicely done card for my plain one. I was thrilled when I studied her card and realized she had dressed it up with a tiny little camera.

The first thing out of my mouth was, "Oh how neat, and I'm a photographer!"  I had identified myself as a photographer, which is true but I felt the need to validate my self as an artist, particularly as I was surrounded by artists.  

Tammy's lovely card is pictured to your left.

     

    Should I have felt the need to have people know that I am also an artist, My husband tells me that I am too introspective. He's very supportive of all that I do but he doesn't like like it when I am less than accepting of myself.  The camera is a large part of who I am. It  is a constant companion. Not a day that goes by that I not only take a photo (or many) and then do something creative with it.

    

The synchronicity continued too. During a triple birthday party at my daughter, Shannahon's home, Laura a close family friend, came to me with a surprise. She told me to close my eyes and placed a necklace around my neck. Looking down, my heart did a little jump when I saw the gift at the far right.

   

 The validation is still overwhelming even as I write this. The world, my friends see me as a photographer. They know that I'm successful, that I've won awards etc. But I think the trouble is in how I perceive myself. I am having difficulty pursuing something simply for the sake of inner satisfaction, doing something simply because I want to create art. It feels frivolous. Yet, I am quite serious about pursuing and nurturing my artistic self. In all other areas of my life I am quite happy and fulfilled. So why the struggle?       Hmmm.....

    

When we step into the business world, we are on a treadmill towards success, financial gain and finding the way towards living comfortably and within our means.  I have always loved my work.  I am disciplined. I am productive. But how often do we pursue a talent that makes us feel totally content, relaxed and  in the moment?  Art does that for me. Photography does that for me too. As I understand it...I am not giving up financial gain in order to pursue art, but I am making choices and adapting to change so that I can pursue my God given talents. I believe that if you don't use it you lose it.

  

  So when synchronicity speaks and says,

 "Edie , it's all found in perspective...

in how we see the world and how the world sees us."

I listen and forge ahead...