May's theme...No to art, Yes to design!

May was very productive, but in a different way. I moved through design blocks like a hot knife through butter. Designgoddess.com is currently getting a facelift and soon the new look will be online. Meanwhile, here is a teaser...

It's now April...the block continues

The rest of March was paintless. I worked and worked...on design and mommying, yet no painting. Is this an artist's block or the really too busy, too tired, too unmotivated blues. I guess I'm just not able to make a daily commitment to anything other than brushing my teeth and feeding my kids. Have you ever known that you have the time to do something you just need to commit to making the time. No time to cry in my beer....I must forge on.

Since I posted last month there has been lots of goings on. My computer took a one week vacation and when it got back it took another three day vacation. That put a cramp in my work schedule. Every day thinking "today's the day I'll get my computer back and get caught up on my design work," and then being disappointed when the repair would take one more day. That process took a week-and-a-half to work itself out. The wine art I painted last month caused some excitement with the client. She cannot wait to see the other pieces in the series and immediately hung the "Fruity" wine bottle on her wall of the store. She mentioned to me about a gallery that had formed across the street to fill unleased space that I should check into. The space looked fabulous and I'm going to check into getting on the list to show. I'm also launching a new art website (www.lucindasperry.com) and preparing for a spring art sale.

SPRING ART SALE - 20% OFF

All original art by Lucinda Sperry on www.lucindasperry.com 20% off April 15th until May 30th, 2008.. Lots of great inventory to choose from check out the new website for details. 

I'm brewing on an new "artist block" challenge for myself. Any ideas?

Day 11 - Good Vibrations

My daughter wouldn't let me get two inches from her without crying. Getting work done involved sitting next to her on the couch so she could have full baby-to-mommy contact. I spent some time between changing diapers and feeding the baby to upload the Circles of Earth pictures to my website and got some nice feedback. That made my day! Check it out here. To make my day even better another friend called and saw the Circles of Earth paintings at the gift shop and decided to buy them both. I am so thrilled. Time to get back into the studio! I didn't have time away from the kids today so I just worked online updating my marketing. It makes me feel like I'm making some progress. Hoping for creative time tomorrow! Have a great day!

Day 10 - SOLD!

Today I got a call from a friend who saw my blog and was moved by the heart painting so much she bought it...as is. It's funny how you can look at something and be so critical saying "this artwork needs something more," and someone else looks and says "it's perfect." I am humbled by this experience. I feel like my artwork is getting ready to go places. I cannot wait to see where. Still, I did not have time to work in the studio today. I did get to take the two Circles of Earth paintings into Avant Gifts to sell. We'll see where that goes.

Heart in process

Still working on this heart. I had created a smaller version a month ago and thought it would look nicer to go larger with the idea. It's a struggle. The elements are too dainty for the artwork, so I'm still doing lots of playing with elements. I know I want to put wings on the heart to create the full impact. Time to get into the garage and dig out some screen. I included a pic of where it's at now. It may look totally different tomorrow.

SIDENOTE
I have to say I've been feeling more joyful throughout the day. I know it's from getting in touch with my creative side. This experiment is heading in a good direction.

Day 8 - Glossing

I got to play in the studio today! After getting brass wire and adding the accents on one of the brown abstracts I applied the finishing gloss to two art pieces. They look great. I cannot wait to take them to the gift shop on Monday. Hopefully they will draw some interest. I still need to name them. They definitely represent a bringing in of some energy. I just don't know what energy it is. Seems like an earthy grounded feeling I get from these paintings I've done this month. A new direction for me.

THE PROCESS
I use a two part epoxy gloss on all my artwork. It is like a magnifying glass for the colors and makes them vibrate louder. Color has vibrational impact on us and I believe it speaks to our soul and heals us in ways we may never know. I love to intensify the colors in my art. Hoping their vibration will increase and so will their healing power. My hope is to one day create art that heals you as you view it. For now...I just paint with the intention.

Day 7 - Accident

Today I fell down the stairs. One minute I was walking down the stairs and the next I was lying on my back on the bottom step. Very freaky experience. I spent two hours in a chiropractic office waiting to get relief. I didn't break anything, but I hurt. I was told to go home and rest this weekend. Sounds like a good idea. The frustration of not getting to paint has been replaced with a new understanding that I cannot do it all. I'm pushing the river as they say. Right now being a good mom is really important. Tomorrow is another opportunity to be creative.

Day 6 - Contemplation

Since today was another busy day of catching up on work while my inlaws took care of my daughter, I didn't get the opportunity to paint. I do need supplies before I can finish the art I've started. That can be tomorrow's project.

Day 5 - Not enough hours in the day

Today I ran out of time. I decided to take a more gentle approach and do what I can. Today I thought about my projects, but no time for action.

Day 4 - Failure!

I cannot do it. I'm so tired. Working on 5 hours sleep with a full day of taking care of my 8 month old and 6 year old. Hoping to be back on track tomorrow after a good night's sleep. See you then.

Day 3 - More Circles

Apparently, I like to paint circles. And brown has just become my favorite color to paint with? I guess there is some purple in there. I'm so confused. I'm such a fun, happy, bold color painter...what happened? see my portfolio I chose brown again because the brown abstract I did Day 2 is just 12"x12" and I fell in love with it today. Now I wanted a bigger version so I painted this 24"x24". It's not completely finished. It needs some silver wire in there somewhere. I'll be able to take better photos of this one when it dries and good coat of gloss goes on to make the colors go pop.

THE PROCESS
Today was really hard. I was so tired and run down today. The baby wouldn't go to sleep so I finally got her down around 10:30p and rushed to the studio to paint. I noticed as I was putzing today that my thoughts were gravitating toward others comments. Then my husband called and gave his input as to what I could paint. There is some part of me that is not only asking for this controling energy in my life, but I'm allowing it! Time to get in touch with a new energy. I'll just keep working it out. See you Day 4.

Lonely green heart

I cannot forget this heart painting. I work on it for just a few minutes each day. It's coming along I just need more materials to finish it. I'm struggling with this one, too. I like to finish my art quickly and this is taking too long. I pray for patience! Good night.

Fun with photos from Day 2

A funny thing I do when I finish a painting. I take artistic pictures of it to create more art. I have so much fun doing this. Here is 3 of today's favorite photos.

Day 2 -Temptations

BROWN ABSTRACT...FINISHED!!

IN PROCESS...FRUSTRATION POINT

Today proved to be more difficult finding time to work on projects. After a full day of activities and getting our kids to bed I was exhausted. I fell asleep on the couch watching TV when I was startled awake by my realization...I HAVE to paint! Notice that something that brings me such joy and relaxation and fills me up is now considered a "have to". Next came many temptations. Even my husband was wanting me to do something else. I was struggling with this commitment to create.

THE PROCESS
I can only describe my weird journey this evening like this: tv? movie? bed? food! tantrum. frustration. blocked. giving in. confused. questioning. flow. create. acomplishment! It was like a wild ride that lasted an hour. I wanted to sleep. I wanted to scream. Why do I put off this activity that connects me with who I am more than anything else. One word...temptation.

SELF-DOUBT
The bottom of the two pictures above was taken at a point of total frustration. I had choosen to paint in browns with bold colors mixed in. I had already fallen in love with the colors in yesterday's wine art so I thought this could be my inspiration for today. I started painting and all this crap talk started entering my head. "What are you doing? You didn't plan this out first? You need to scrape off the paint and start over. Do something else" This voice was screaming from inside my head, but not my heart. I listen to my heart. So I took a deep breath and put on my "never give up" hat and kept at it. The final result is nice. I wonder how I'll feel about it tomorrow. Yesterday, I thought my wine painting was lovely yet ruined by the word "fruity" that I put on it. Today I love it. I cannot stop absorbing the colors. It makes me happy.

It's snowing outside. All that snow that melted today has now been replaced with more snow. Tomorrow's a new day and a new perspective. See you then!

Day 1- One hour of bliss!

Success! I worked on one painting and finished another. I have a series of wine bottle pictures that a business owner wants me to paint in my artistic style. Then we can have an art show with with wine and cheese for fun! First one is painted. Many more to go.

THE PROCESS
I putzed around for at least an hour before getting down to business. I never seem to be able to just jump in. Painting was awkward. It didn't flow today. It seemed like my hands moved like they were under water, yet in 20 minutes I had finished a wine bottle painting. Amazing. Time stood still. Yes, there is a wine that is actually called "fruity". I'm hesitant about this writing in a blog thing. What I write doesn't seem very interesting to read when I read it back to myself. As I was pondering that thought last night I watched Janet Jackson being interviewd on Larry King. We share the same birthday, Janet Jackson that is. She says she doesn't journal that her music/lyrics are her life story. I thought about what kind of life would people think I led with Glam Gals, wine bottles, jazz musicians and hearts as my artwork story. They'd probably say...Wow! She sure liked her wine and drunk people! As you can see I'm still struggling with this artist part of me. Maybe this month will help me work out my lack of self esteem.

I'm excited to see what day two brings. Hopefully, I can squeeze it in between church, people at our house and the kids. It might be a late night artfest tomorrow. See you then.

March Art Challenge

Any other frustrated artists out there? I am ready to paint and never seem to find the time. Sometimes I question whether I am an artist. This blog is dedicated releasing this artistic frustration. I have been waiting for the perfect time to get in my painting studio and start creating, but building a house, having a baby and a business have taken priority. HA!...there is no perfect time.

THE CHALLENGE
For the month of March 2008 I'm challenging myself to crawl into my creative side and feel what it is like to live an artist's life every day. I am going to paint and create every day and post it to this blog. Check in to see the good, the bad and the ugly. I know it's going to be interesting when this artistic frustration comes out to play.

THE STUDIO
First, I have to clean and organize. (see pic) I haven't been in my studio for over a year. I decided to start this challenge off by documenting the "before" and "after preparation. Environment is very important to me. I'm particular about the light, the colors, the smell, the comfort of it all. Plus, I like to putz...as I call it. I putz around until I feel ready and then I create like a whirlwind. One day I painted seven paintings in three hours. It seemed like I was there for days and some fantastic art came out of it.

I'm excited and nervous to start tomorrow. See you then!