.quote for November.

"You have to need to do it. You have to need to do your art so badly that not doing it is more painful than constantly failing at it."

Definitely the smartest thing I said all month. Possibly the smartest thing I've ever said in my whole life.

.octopus.

For the record, I prefer Octopodes.

.sketchbook wednesday.

MOAK 2012 - my favorites

 Continental Drift - Lance Hunter

oil on canvas, 15 x 30 inches, $2,300

 The Lemon Dance Observed - Diana Harvey

oil on canvas, 14 x 18 inches, $2,750

Daphne's Escape - Neal Harrington

woodcut, 89 x 48 inches, $1,000

Cornfield Path - Larry Carver

acrylic on board, 12 x 18 inches, $475

Night Writer - Joey Borovicka

oil on canvas, 48 x 50 inches, $2,700

Tarnished - Mary L. Hamilton

acrylic on canvas, 47 x 39 inches, $2,000

Precept Upon Precept - John Payne

acrylic on door panel, 39 x 72 inches, $2,200

Links to artist websites included where I could find them; obviously my photography could have been better - all the more reason to go and see the show yourself!

.timing.placement.inspiration.

We had a really good holiday, and I almost got through my "Do not go out on Black Friday" rule - except for needing to work on a mural at a friends house, and needing to buy paint to work on the mural, and getting sucked into oblivion at the craft store. Fortunately it was late enough in the day that there were few people still out, and I managed to leave with my paint and some canvas without much hassle.
Except then my husband wanted to go out to see a movie, and I was starving so we needed to go to dinner first; and that's where our heads exploded when we saw a celebrity! Which is where the Mister finally getting a smart phone came in handy as we searched for pictures of the guy trying to figure out if it was really him, and by the end of dinner we decided it was.

 I tried to take a picture, and failed miserably...

After, we tried to go to the movies except everything was sold out (hello Black Friday) but we did pass a hat shop with the most awesome window display...

Stetsons and Bow Ties - this is Product Placement

 And I just want to take a moment to plug my friend Luna's IndieGoGo campaign - she's the most amazing  hula hoop and circus performer, and a total inspiration to me in not only her amazing talent but in her dedication to her craft. She's been accepted to an awesome Cirucus Arts school and needs a little help with funding. Got to the site, watch the video, and even if you can just pass along the word it would be a huge help to her.

.beautiful things.

35$ on etsy, or 25% off with the coupon code "LOCALROCKS"

and everyone wonders why I'm so tired all the time...

Some of the local dancers found out recently that I also do art/design work, and in response to a compliment on that I said "I do what I can with the tools in my box."
Part of that complimenty-someone's response was "just imagine what we could do if we had all the tools we desired!"
My response: "I think my head would explode."

Already there's the commercial art thing - 40+ hours a week slaving for the high school kids.
Then there's the "illustration" thing. And the freelance design thing - though admittedly most of the design work I do is for myself.
Then there's the dance thing - practicing, performing, teaching, repairing/creating costumes, self-promoting, and occasionally damage control.
There's also the jewelry making, which thankfully has kind of declined to not-really-alot lately.
But then there's this new perfume-making venture.
Also - being married, taking care of our house and our cat, and normal life stuff.
And sometimes I get to read books, and be a science groupee, and work on embroidery!
And play video games. Sometimes.
 
No more tools please. My box is quite full.