Hiroshige, a Man After my Own Heart!

This was my very first attempt at Japanese Woodblock Printing! AKA moku hanga! I copied a Hiroshige print.  I have a lot of cleaning up to do!  My paper was too wet, but I was impatient.  The red is too strong, and didn't act like I thought it would on the bird.  Will remove it from that area on the block.   4 blocks make up this print.  Hand printed in the Japanese method. I have a lot to learn but will be a fabu time doing so!  I'll repost when I clean up my blocks and reprint with less "chatter" and a little different color.  I took a wonderful workshop by Barbara Mason at the Atelier Meridian here in Portland! 

Here is the original Hiroshige Falcon.

How Do You Throw In The Towel, When You Don't Even Have One?

You don't!  I've heard from a lot of discouraged people this week, myself included.  Maybe something is going around.  Maybe times are tough.  Maybe we all fall into a funk at times.  Things happen, things change, moods take over.  What remains constant?  Art.

Must focus.  Art, art, art.  Art.

ART!!!

:)  Tomorrow is a new day!  Tomorrow art will be made! 

What will you make?! 

Bike Love Show @ Angst

I looked out this morning and the sun was gone...

Nothing like a Boston song stuck in your head for weeks!  Everyone! "it's more than a feeling..."

I was going to post the video but didn't want to startle anyone. 

It's raining again here in Portland.  Yesterday was soooo lovely!   I did my Business Foundations homework, or tried, outside.  Did my daily marketing, some yard work, and rearranged an ef-ton of furniture.  Rearranging the entire house isn't exactly fun, but nessessary.  Granted the house is only 780 square feet, not counting the garage(aka my future painting studio) but I have a LOT of items.  Too many items.  The goodwill pile is growing.

Anyway. I say all that to say, that I'm organizing and de-cluttering my life. From house to brain.  Spring cleaning for the soul, if you will. 

What do you do when you feel disorganized and cluttered?

More Changes Here,There and Everywhere!

Yesterday was a hard day.  I was really struggling with what I'm doing in my life.  Primarily around the business/job area.  Taking these business classes and listening to the negative voices in my head and around me regarding making a living off of art was getting to me.  I may yet decide that having a day job is the best option, and I am looking for that perfect day job.  or I may decide I have a better idea for a business.  But for now, my business Almost Monday and my oil painting need to be the focus of my site/blog energy.  I've been given the greatest gift of time and I should not squander it on doubt and depression.  I've been really productive over that last 6 months and will continue to do so.  But I am allowing myself to enjoy the summer weather while I can!  Any small business is a lot of hard work!!
And I'm not afraid of hard work! 

The changes - My domain name will now point here, instead of directly to etsy.  I'll be using this blogger page as a website until I'm at a place to have a "real" website.  I'll be practicing some different marketing techniques and also expanding my general knowledge of business and art.  I'll be focusing less on unemployedness and more on the making of art and business.  

Suggestions are always welcome!  I love hearing from you!  It makes me know I'm not just talking to myself!  I really appreciate each one of you as you listen to me ramble through my life changes and struggles!

Happy Friday everyone!  I hope the sun fills your yards and warms your heart this weekend! 

The Busiest Unemployed Person Ever!

Summer is almost here in the Pacific Northwest!  This will be my first summer unemployed for longer than I can remember - early ninety's maybe?? I'm excited, sad, and BUSY!!
You may or may not not what I've been up to, so I'll recap!

• IIDA VP of Fundraising and Sponsorship - Interior Design professional organization board member

• Painting - Have another commission piece that I've started.  Wait till you see this request! 

• Printmaking - Etsy, print of the month, rephotographing project, typical etsy stuff

• Print/portfolio Exchanges - Multiple!!! 

• Atelier Meridian -  Marketing/Social Media in exchange for studio access!! It's a wonderful Space!!

• The Falcon - Still running the Tuesday night painting group - this month we have the lovely Mila! 

• Drypoint Workshops -  I need to schedule one soon!  Debating of switching venues...

• The Art of Action - and online course "Wish there was a plan for turning your dreams & ideas into ACTIONS?"  

• Mercy Corps Business Foundations: A Comprehensive Course to Build Your Business.   

• Mercy Corps - Social Media Workshop 

• PAN - Print Arts Northwest - Just volunteered to be on a committee.

• PAN - Print Arts Northwest - Emerging artist program - I'll be applying for this program!  

• Travel - Trying to figure out how I can take a long vacation this fall and travel around eastern europe & down into Istanbul. And also visit a few friends! but if this is going to happen I need to figure it out quickly!!!!

Last but not least, lots of kitty petting and cheese eating!  And yes, I am looking for work as well while I try to figure out how to be what I want when I grow up! 

What are you up to??? 

June Bug.

I don't know where you are in the world, but here in Portland, Oregon we are experiencing the 3rd coldest and 2nd wettest spring in the history of keeping track.  and it's unpleasant.  I need some good ole sun shine, blue sky and warmth!  Don't get me wrong, I really can't imagine living many other places on earth for many different reasons, but about now, i'm dreaming of a hot climate and blues skys with a tad of tropical sun and sea for good measure. 

Today I'm playing catch up and clean up.  I participated in one and helped in another workshop last week and went out of town.  So needless to say, i'm behind!  on everything!  I've been experimenting at the Atelier Meridian with sugarlift, auqutint, and solarplates and it's been great fun!  I can't wait to post some photos of what I've been working on! Printmaking is an amazing subject to study!  Oh the possibilities!

here's a bit of a preview!

Here's hoping that your weekend is full of sun and fun!  Happy early weekend everyone!