Be happy with where you are now.

 Ahoy Mateys, I have been adrift in a sea of chaos and art supplies, but I am once again able to sit and contemplate and share what is going on with The Art Mill.  I finally got my Christmas items up at home and at the store. Big check mark off that list.  Aside from events and classes my next big project is to revamp the website. So much has changed since I first set it up 8 months ago! Wow does time fly.

I have been thinking about what I want to change for myself and for the functionality of the store. I am all about being flexible and changing how or what I do to make this work, which brings me to this blog. I've realized that while I want to stay positive and upbeat, because lets face it art is fun and I am so lucky to be in this place at this time, I also want to let you in on my dirty little secret that I struggle. I struggle with my art, my store, who and what I want to be. So for me to put that out there, I can be real and not just another business that is using a blog as a marketing tool.  I want you to be able to connect with what I am doing and encourage you to face your struggles and continue on with your dream.

I've realized that I love to share my space, my art and my knowledge. I get goosebumps when people come in and share their story of how they were searching for a way to get back to their creative path. They are sure that this place, The Art Mill, will help them get a step closer to what they were searching for but not able to put into words. I love that I can be a part of the first steps.

I know that I look at what other wonderful successful artists are doing and I start to think that they have it all figured out. That I am behind and will never catch up. Some may have it figured out but I like to think that they are just like me... making it work day by day because they love what they do. Maybe they don't know how it will turn out, that they will get a book deal or be published and recognized world-wide but they keep going because their heart tells them to. So, I want to be honest with where I am, what I struggle with so that you (whoever you may be) can figure it out with me.

My search right now is to figure out a balance between keeping my business alive and continuing to do my own art. I put myself into the art that I do now during classes or in preparation for classes because I know that the only way potential students can connect with my art is if it is real and not a "product", but there is more I want to do. What I am realizing - slowly - is that although there are so many things I want to accomplish personally, professionally and so on - I need to enjoy where I am now. That I don't need to have it all figured out by tomorrow or I will fail. I can do this gradually and the people that are a part of The Art Mill will be patient with me while I do figure it out.

So here is a big thank you to those that do read this blog. Although, I am happy to just put these thoughts out into internet land for it to be gobbled up and lost, because getting it out of my head makes me feel free and sane again.  Now, because I love to share art and photos and not just my rambling thoughts, I've attached an image of a ceramic head I made and covered with encaustics. She feels amazing I just want to pinch her cheeks.  There is also an image of an encaustic piece of art Mom (E.D. or Eva Darling as she has been lovingly named here) made and sold.

 

Find inspiration anywhere

 

These three photos are close ups of my palette. I am working on a 30"x36" canvas and doing the technique for tonights class (palette knives and paper towels). So many wonderful colors all loose and painterly.

I also came across this quote that goes with yesterday's post, but of course is valid any day of the week.
"Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic." - unknown author

Short and sweet

Words of inpiration by Sarah Fishburn- a mixed-media artist.

"As an artist, what's important is to express what's inside of you. Don't worry about it being good enough; just do what your heart tells you. Play and don't get stressed out."

For those of you out there thinking "I wish I was an artist - if only I could ..."  Many of the artists throughout history just did what they wanted, were confindent in themselves and just decided to start telling people they were an artist. You don't need formal training from the masters to start down an artist's path. Yes, learning from experienced artists is a great thing to experience and is definitely beneficial, but you don't need to get an MFA before you can announce proud and clear "I am an artist"!

Oh goodie, new goodies!

I just posted the full schedule for November. Check it out here.  The bead drop necklace is a new creation by Lacy Carrall - the famed Junkyard Art creator. She will be teaching this class on Nov. 7th and will provide simple kits to choose from. Can't wait for that class as well as some of the other great gift making activities we will have going on.

The goodies have arrived! I've been promising them and talking them up and now they are here. The R&F encaustic supplies. I'm the only one in town to carry them. I worked with the company to get the best colors and a sampling of their oil sticks as well. I will be offering an "Encaustics Bar" the end of November. I still have several supplies I need to get before then so I can't offer it any sooner. You will get the opportunity to use these high end supplies in the studio before you buy them. I already have an art project in mind for myself. It involves an old printer drawer and wax, wax beautiful wax.

 

To Dye For

In another installation of Batiks we experimented with canvas and regular cotton. The colors were so vibrant on the cotton but the dye resists did work a little different on the cotton in the following dye dips. Very cool results though.

The next session in November will push you to create a painting out of the batik dyes. Longer process and more thinking involved but a great way to continue the experiment of fabric dying. The new trick will be painting with melted crayons and ironing it off without taking off all the color. Will it work?! We will find out November 19. Join us.

Here are some more results for your enjoyment. And also... I blogged twice this week! If I can keep it up I will get a treat. Oh goodie!

Pom pom birdies make me happy

I wanted to share a little happy on a gloomy fall day. These pom pom birds I made back in April have kept me company at the front counter. I hold them when I need something soft to comfort me. Just like animal therapy in hospitals I pet them for relief. I would bring my dogs and squeeze them when I need a hug but they bark at EVERYTHING. I wanted to have "shop dogs" but mine won't behave so I have shop birds. The green one needs a good name. I'm thinking something goofy like Beepers, Blue Footed Bobbie, or Fred. Send suggestions if you have a good one.

There are some great classes and workshops coming up at The Art Mill the end of this month and into November. Who wants to warm up over a griddle of hot wax in an encaustics workshop? Its coming up quick... click here for the info and sign up soon! I'm also working on a class by Ellene McClay on utilizing your etsy shop to its fullest potential. She will be giving you the goods on everything from shipping hints to taking better photos. I'm hoping to throw in a little mini market at the end.

Well, I've been doing better at posting on the blog so yay for me. I'm determined to get a bigger chunk of my "to do" list done this week. If I can do two posts a week (and still be interesting) I'll give myself a treat. Maybe a pedicure or a toaster strudel.

Finally, for those of you looking for some art advice/inspiration or factoid try this...
Remember that there is no wrong way to be an artist. The only way you fail is if you never pick up your brush. Challenge yourself to create a piece of art with no plan in mind when you begin. Just surround yourself with your supplies and start - working off your feelings and intuition. If you are frustrated let that show through in your color choice and brush stroke or carving or whatever your medium. If you can't get started, set a timer for 15 minutes and doodle or write or scribble or whatever. Something may come out of it... you'd be surprised.

Send me what you make (jane@omahaartmill.com) and I will post some of them.

These are my newest in progress creations. I had thrown some little cups that I never put handles on and didn't know what to do with them. They were too small for a big girl coffee and too breakable for sippy cups, plus no lids. Soooo... I decided (with a suggestion from mom) to put some pull toy designs on them and go cutesy. They still need to be clear glazed and fired but they're just so cute I wanted to share. I thought my favorite would be the elephants but after I forced myself to try a donkey (the one that looks like a horse) I loved it more. I have two of each design done so far. I even made a clay duck pull toy that stands on fake wheels. Stay tuned to see that one.

I have so much to create for the store, for myself, for promotion and for vendor fairs. I made a list this morning while I sipped HUGE amounts of coffee. I filled up both sides of the paper within 10 minutes. I even wrote it in purple ink to make me feel better about it... didn't work. I had to go lay back in bed and pretend I didn't have to get up today. Again... didn't work.

I made it to the store 10 minutes early (a miracle for me) and I haven't accomplished anything so far. Unless you count checking the messages and filing one piece of paper. I think I have a case of the Tuesday's (Tues. is my Monday). I've been blog hopping all "morning" and came up with more ideas of things to make, inspired by the plethora of creative people blogging. Thanks a lot. No really, thanks... I need a place to go when I get stuck.

I've also come down with a bad case of green with envy. There seem to be so many wonderful women using their creativity to make a living. I find myself wanting to call each of them to find out their story. See how long they worked at it before anyone new they existed. What crazy things they did to get noticed by national magazines. How they get their hair to lay so nice... the usual.

I came across this quote that I keep on my desktop to keep me going. So for those of you out there trying to do your own thing and make a living doing what you love, copy this down and tape it to your forehead on those tough days.

"When things go wrong as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all up hill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must, but don't you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns, As every one of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about, When he might have won had he stuck it out. Don't give up though the pace seems slow--You may succeed with another blow, Success is failure turned inside out--The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far; So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--It's when things seem worst that you must not quit."