Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Monday Ramblings


Hello friends!

I bought these flowers at the market right after Easter, and they are still blooming! Just had to share them!

Well, I had a recent spurt of creativity, but this week I'm attending to some more practical creations! Yesterday I finished up two hand made, double-sided OPEN flags for a local business. I used duck cloth, which is hard to manipulate, especially when appliquéing small letters on large surfaces, and they took all of my attention for a couple of days. But they were well worth the effort, since the owner was delighted and they are pretty cute! In my rush to deliver them, I forgot to take pictures, but will do so soon and you'll see what a marvelous business this is!!

I have a few custom orders I've been lagging on, including a cut paper picture for a good friend. (I haven't forgotten, Julie, promise!) Meanwhile, I urge my readers to go over to her blog, where you'll see some of Julie's very beautiful and inspiring paintings.


Also, I'm preparing for a couple of small exhibit opportunities. One is a wall in a children's art studio (fun!), the other is part of an event where a few artists from our collaborative will be showing and selling their work.

Now, here's an opportunity for me to say something as to how I feel about showing my work.
Frankly, I'm a coward.
Putting what I do on my blog seems like a private thing to me, even though it is the internet!! But here I feel like I'm sharing what I do with friends, and always receive very kind and positive comments.
But when I put my fabric and cut paper artwork in an exhibit with oil paintings, pastels and hand crafted jewelry, I always feel a bit less than. That is to say, I question my worth as a real artist. Does anyone else feel this way?

I have to say, I love doing what I do, and get a real kick out of bringing a tiny bit of joy to the world with my creations. I have drawn and painted in the past, but working with fabric, paper and other media really resonates with me. I have ideas for new directions I'd like to explore, but never seem to give myself time to develop them. I'm so inspired by people who try out all sorts of new art techniques and want to do that myself. I guess I'm giving myself a call to action here!

Thanks for reading my ramblings. I'd love to hear what you think!


Have a wonderful week!!

8 comments:

Simone said...

I am glad that you have had time for some creativity Judy! I look forward to seeing your flags when you get a chance to photograph them. You are a real artist Judy - in fact you are an heart- ist as you create from the heart! Carry on doing and creating the things you love to do. x

sharon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
sharon said...

Heartist, Simone that's an inspiration and describes Judy perfectly.
Yes, please post the open flags and congrats on the opportunities to share your work with a wider audience. More people will be blessed as we have been.
Best wishes.
ps
the deleted comment above was mine. I typed a little too fast for my brain and had to do it over. Sorry

Anonymous said...

We are all shy and coward when it is time to show our artwork. It is a human feeling.
By the way, Thank you for your comments.

Libby Fife said...

I always admire people who have a lot of confidence. I don't think it ever occurs to them that they shouldn't be somewhere or shouldn't be doing something-they just act like they are supposed to be there doing what they are doing. So go show your work, Judy, and be proud of what you produce. You have just as much right as the next person:) (And your art is lovely so you are doubly right!)

Lorinda.C.F said...

Judy, though I have no doubts in my mind at all that you're a wonderfully talented, more-than-deserving artist I totally understand what you mean. While I blog and share my art with you, my blogging friends, I still don't share it with my in-person friends and family. That's much scarier somehow...so the general public!? You are super brave and have every right to call yourself and sell yourself as a full-fledged Artiste! xoxo

Nedra Weaver said...

I think you are being too hard on yourself. Your work is beautiful and you should be very proud to display it along with the other artwork.

Shell said...

Your artwork is beautiful and original. I do hope you start submitting it out more to shows and exhibits. You have a gift and the world needs all the beauty and inspiration it can get.