Color Me.......Whatever.....I am bummed

A couple of posts ago, I wrote about being confused about the Jan/Feb issue of Somerset Studio, that I received notice that I would be published in. After trying to get some kind of confirmation, I figured I would just wait it out, and be surprised. Boy was I surprised. I heard from other artists that were contributors to the issue, that it was starting to find it's way into mailboxes. Not being one to sit around, I called Somerset and asked if they could use my UPS account to overnight it to me. They did, and when I got home and finally had a chance to sit down and go through it, I was devastated. I found no artwork whatsoever of mine. I did find a 3 word editorial that was part of my submission letter published, but no artwork.So I wrote an email to the publisher, and the person who had helped me out overnighting the magazine to me. And the answer I got back today was even worse. Turns out, they didn't just put off the feature till next month that I had submitted for (liked I had hoped), they actually sent the 'Congratulations, your artwork will be published" letter BY MISTAKE!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh, I feel like crying right now. Anyway, apparently the person who does the artist list for each issue, mistook the artwork under my editorial comment as mine.

Now I know what it is like to get back your artwork with the "Hey keep trying" letter, and the email rejections with "Hey we don't really have a place for it right now" letter, and especially the "you know your work is not getting used 'cause you didn't get the email confirmation withing 3 weeks of the deadline" So these things I have come to know well over the last two years. But to get "THE LETTER", you know ,the OMGosh I can't believe it finally happened, gonna show it to all my friends and family, and YOU KNOW I AM GONNA BLOG ABOUT IT LETTER !! And then to have it be an "oops, sorry we made a mistake", well I gotta tell ya, it's pretty lame. So I am really trying to accept it, just get over it, and not let it get to me.

So I went shopping.....and found the coolest little Betsey Johnson makeup bag that is perfect for my journal pens. I have been looking for something else since my little pencil bag was not big enough and I had to dig around to find what I was looking for because I could never see anything. Well not anymore, it zips open and it is fabulous!! Plus, I got it for a ridiculous price because the store was having this huge gajillion percent off sale. It is all I could probably afford of Bestey Johnson's line (gosh I love her dresses), so I have a little bit of a spring in my step, yes I do, because it's MINE. Check it out.

Somewhere Tonight

My husband is friends with a Pastor , who has had an amazing vision of how the Lord wants us to reach our community. It involves coming together within every denomination, and offering our community hope through Jesus. I have never met the man, but from what I read of his vision, and from what my husband has told me, he is truly anointed. Part of the vision is to have the same response when anyone asks us why we are doing this. The answer is "This is for people about to divorce, for the people bound by drugs, for the people who are so miserable they drink themselves to sleep, for the people ready to commit suicide: to bring hope to those who feel like they have no hope"

This piece is my interpretation of that and borrows (altered) lyrics from a singer/songwriter named Michael Lord, (who is an independent musician in the L.A. are. And seriously, this man's music is so amazing, I don't know why he is not a Grammy Award winning artist.) 9"x12" mixed media on gessoboard

'Tis The Season

This is Connor's contribution to the Christmas decorating around the house. He came home from school last Friday, and asked me for some white yarn that he could wrap Baby Jesus in, for a "man-a-ger". Oh, I thought, a "manger" scene, OK! So I gave him some white fabric, and away he went. He even went so far as to make sure the Wise Men had their "gifts." He is such an awesome kid! Did you notice Mary's sassy new hairdo? Cute!!

Bring The Rain

I can count a million times, people asking me how I, can praise You, with all that I've been through. The question just amazes me, that circumstances possibly, could change, who I forever am in You. Maybe since my life has changed, long before these rainy days, it's never really ever crossed my mind. To turn my back on You oh Lord, my only shelter from the storm, but instead, I draw closer through these times.

So I pray, bring me joy, bring me peace, bring a chance to be free, bring me anything that brings You glory. And I know there'll be days, when this life brings me pain, but if that's what it takes to praise you, Jesus bring the rain.

I am Yours regardless of, the clouds that may loom above; because You are much greater than the pain. You who made a way for me, by suffering your destiny, so tell me what's a little rain.

So I pray, bring me joy, bring me peace, bring the chance to be free, bring me anything that brings You glory, and I know there'll be days when this life brings me pain, but if that what it takes to praise You, Jesus bring the rain.

"Bring the Rain" MercyMe: Album: All That is Within Me

For an entire blog post from MK Ludwig, sharing the songs that mean the most to us, go here

Child Star

Blank Journal pages

Color Me Confused

Ok, so a few posts ago, I told you about getting an email from Somerset saying I was to be published in the Jan/Feb 2009 issue of Somerset Memories. Now the email I received clearly said Somerset Studios, but the editor I had been in contact with about the pieces I sent, was from Memories. Here is where the confusion comes in. 4 months ago I sent in a submission to Somerset Studios for a feature on "Paper Dolls". Now it has been awhile, and I don't know exactly when that issue is to be published, because looking back through the issue that had the call for art, it does not give a specific publication date. So now I think the pieces I sent to Memories are still in for review and the paper dolls piece is what is going to be published next month. We'll see! So pick up a copy of Somerset Studios and look for my name,because I am not exactly sure what the artwork will look like.

Cosmic Gelly Diptych

I wanted to see if I could do all of the art that I do on canvas, on 1/4" poplar panel board. It is only 6.99 for a 24" x 48" sheet at Home Depot, and I figured I could save some money. This is the first technique I tried, and it came out great. I primed the pieces with gesso first and the applied the heavy gel and paint. They are now framed in 12"x12" frames. The colors are much deeper than shown here, so I will try to get better pictures tomorrow.

Behaving Myself

One of my all time favorite quotes is by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, who said "Well behaved women rarely make history". Now I know this quote was referring to women's suffrage, but I think it goes so much deeper than that. I prefer to tweak the context to fit what I do in my life. I spent many years "not" behaving myself, literally. And now, my behavior, (well or otherwise) is a whole lot different. I believe that in friendships, in faith, in business, and in art; to always go with what society considers "well behaved" is not enough. Not only is it not enough, it is a disservice. I want to be the one who goes beyond, to step outside of the ordinary and to show my individuality, my beliefs and my creativity. I want to make my own history, and I would love it if you all would come along for the ride.

22"x 30" mixed media collage on Fabriano hot press

I am Officially a Published Artist

I got the best email today!! I submitted some pieces to Somerset a few months back, and never thought about it again. (I have submitted so many things, it's just easier to be surprised than to anticipate anything.) WELL TODAY I WAS SURPRISED! I received an email a last week saying they needed to see the artwork in person, so I sent it off, and I got the news today that I will be published in the Jan/Feb 2009 issue of Somerset Memories. Wow!! I am so excited I can't believe it. When I began this journey a couple years ago, I had three goals: (1)Have someone like my work enough to buy it. (2) Have a piece of my work shown in an exhibit, and (3) to be published. As of today, I have achieved all three!! Time to set some new goals. I am not showing the pieces here until they are published. (Apparently that's kind of an unwritten rule....who knew!)

So, not wanting to leave ya'll with nothing to look at.....here is a favorite from a couple of journals ago. Pretty funny how I picked this, when the title is "Why Me?" ('Cause God wanted to bless me I guess!!)

Journal Pages

Two new journal pages I finished up this evening. One page reflects my thoughts on a discussion on the Many Maniacs forum regarding the word "artist" and who does that apply to. As always, click on the images for a closer look.

Two page Journal Spread

I love this quote. Who said it, you ask?? Why, that would be ME!! I made it all up in my little mind awhile ago, when one of the high school kids from Youth Group was graduating and moving to New York to go to school.

Cosmic Gel-ly's

Somebody stop me! These have been so fun to do, that I can't stop. These are number 3 and 4 that I have done just this weekend. I need to take them outside to get good pictures, because with the acrylic gloss sealer, there is too much glare. But the colors are so rich and the charcoal gives so much depth, that I am loving this set.

Cosmic Gel-ly

11x14 gel medium, charcoal and acrylic on canvas board

Cosmic Gel-ly 1

8" x 10" gel medium and acrylic with charcoal pencil on watercolorboard

New Journal Pages

Here are a few new journal pages that I have done the last two days. One entry is about having my work solicited from one of my favorite publications. I sent an email submission last month, and received an response today, that they want to see the actual artwork, that it would be a strong candidate for publication. I am so hoping that it is. This has been such a huge goal of mine, I am trying not to get too excited, but this is farther than I have ever gotten before, so there's that!!!!

Journal Pages

Happy Birthday Margaret

This is a little something I made for my very dear friend Margaret. Margaret is an amazing woman, who takes care of so many, and so many details. She is truely a joy in my life. Isn't she HOT!!!

Princess Chloe

Introduction to Light

This is a submission for ECVA for their call for art entitled: Light of the World. I have entered this, my interpretation "Introduction to Light"

When I was introduced to Jesus, I believe that God was the one who made that introduction, I felt like a fire was lit inside of me. I felt like if I just stood close enough to that light, the rest of my life, I would be able to feel that warmth. And as long as I kept looking at that flame, I would always know which way to go.

True Art

Well said, Einstein! 12" x 18" Mixed media Collage on Fabriano Hot Press

Older Piece

This is an older piece that I did about 2 years ago. I used a set of 6 ATC's that I did with images of Jesus, portraying his many roles in my life. Healer, Counselor, Savior,Love, Rock, and Friend. It is an early piece, not too much in the way of composition, but I did paint the dove, and I love the shade of blue. Click on the larger view for a closeup. And if the red thingy does NOT look like flames to you.....well then I don't know what to tell you. Maybe it's a blanket, who knows.

New Big Favorite Blog

Hi all,

You have GOT to check out this link for my New Big Favorite Blog. Her name is Suzan Buckner and this is her work. Seriously, check out her stuff. She Rocks!!!

Drawing with Confidence...I don't think so

So The Pasadena Learning and Art Expo was this past weekend. I was juried into the exhibit, which was very exciting. I have only been in one other juried exhibit, and it was in Lowell, MA., and I did not get a chance to actually see my work hanging, so this was cool. I did not win the big fat grand prize, but it was still pretty great. Dana and I took a couple of classes on Friday. I took a "Self Employed Artist" class which was pretty informative. I learned some new ways to promote and get more of my images out there. We both took "Artist Trading Card Workshop" with Bernie Berlin, and it was amazing. even though I don't work too much in the small format anymore, she is one of my favorite artists and I wouldn't NOT have missed the opportunity. She is so fun and funky and gracious!! We had a blast. On Saturday I was solo, and I took a "Drawing with Confidence" class. About the only person with any confidence was the instructor, and she was not shy about letting us know what she knew and we didn't. She spoke with so much condescension and had very little patience, I was a little shocked. I will not be taking another class with this instructor, needless to say. This was the only subject we drew that I had sort of affection for, and I am sure that was because I have had a little expreience with drawing faces. I know form wise it is not perfect, but I do love big eyes. Big Big Eyes!!!!!

Holiday Bubbles

Series of Holiday Bubbles 9"x 12" collage and oilstick on watercolor paper

Indroduction

"When we've met our souls for the first time...do we really know who was intorduced to whom?"

9" x 12" mixed media collage. For sale at MMCA Marketplace

Lost

Two Halloween paperdolls went outside to play, just a few days before the big night. While chasing crowes, they discovered they were lost. Left or right, this way or that???? I hope they find their way

Forrest Glamour Bubblehead

New painting. 12"x18" mixed media. Acrylics, collage, Shiva Paintstiks, gel pen

Expression

This is the second piece from post below. Obviously, still not able to get away from the Crimson and Nickel Azo Gold!! Golden's should pay me for advertising!!

In the Heart

During worship a couple of weeks ago, our worship Pastor Scott, said something that immediately stuck in my head. He quoted from a book he was reading by the President of our denomination, Jack Hayford. I am not sure of the title of the book, I think it might be "Manifest Presence", but not sure. Anyway, he said "What is birthed in the heart, finds it's expression in the hands" I thought WOW, what an amazing ideal, and have spent a bit of time just thinking about what that means to me. As a Christian, as an artist and, overall, as a person. While it is easy for me to translate this into a piece of art, it was a bit harder to incorporate this quote into a piece that dealt with myself as an artist and a daughter of Christ. So hard, in fact, that I have made 2 different works, and am not entirely thrilled with either one. This is the second one I did, showcasing the freedom in my heart I have felt in the past 3 years. This is 8x10 mixed media encaustic, with a mexican tin sagrado ornament for the heart.

Win a Free Handbag

Anyone wanna win free stuff? I know, I am all ABOUT the free stuff. So if anyone is interested in winning any of these cute handbags,( or 20 others they are giving away for free), go here!

65 Million Years ago..........

We took my son to go see "Walking With The Dinosaurs" yesterday in L.A. OMGosh, was it an amazing experience. This show has been travelling all over the world, and it was spectacular!! I think this weekend was the last leg of the tour, but if you want to check it out online, go here. We weren't too sure if it would freak my boy out or not, (he's 6), but once it started, he was in awe. As were we!!! We are so glad we went. Check out this video. Watch the lower corner of the screen, and see how big this T-Rex was compared to the little host guy.

What if.......

What if after all this time, I still don't get it right? You know, all the things I think I know how to do....what if I have it all wrong? What if I don't know how to be a wife, a mother, a friend, an artist, a businesswoman, a Christian. And if I don't know for sure, what I do is right, how will I know if I am doing it wrong? Do I pray right, love right, nurture right, paint right, comfort right? I feel, sometimes, that I stumble through, waiting in the sidelines for the judges to give me my scores. Did I pass?