Mmmmmm

Mmmmm is usually associated with a tasty treat , but I'm mmmmming with furrowed brow.  I'm grumpy mmmming if you will.  Why? Well, I'm not exactly sure...things have been great recently. My tree was well received at the Kit Challenge...I was hired to dance for a motion capture project and photograph a food fight...even applied for Artspace Emerging Artist Residency...plus left my cleaning job.  But here I am  walking around my house pouting?!?!?  I keep thinking I want a break...I deserve a vacation for all my hard work...which may be partly true BUT it's all work I wanted to do! Just like this blog...I want to do this...so why do I procrastinate writing?  I am frustrated with my own conflicting emotions. Do I say I want something because it sounds good, but then don't really want it because of the work it takes to make it happen? Oh please No! I don't want to be one of those people!  Ack. Ack. Ok, calming down. I'm not one of those people...I'm just tired...I'm slightly overwhelmed because I haven't learned to balance my time yet...I'll get there...I always do, just need to freak out for a second ( or minute or half a day) I mean really look at me..what am I doing, writing.  Not exactly what I set out to do with this blog but at least I'm doing something. Besides the video stuff is coming...I am going to edit my "creating of the tree" footage as well as video of the food fight...now there is some mmmmmm in a deliciously messy good way.

Clarity Comes

Ok, it's been over a month since my last post...and clarity has come.  At the end of January, during the Carolina Mixed Media Artist Guild meeting, an opportunity was presented to partake in their annual Kit Challenge.  The Challenge was to create a piece of art using 25 different items...oh, and it had to be completed in one month.  I was hesitant to sign up, but I knew it was the next right thing to do...so, off I ran, full tilt.  The challenge was amazing...I'd let you know what I did, but I'm not allowed to post any photos until the opening on March 25th :) During my creative process, I came to realize that I'm ready to get out into the world; I'm taking my place as a professional artist.  I'm terrified, excited, overwhelmed, ecstatic, and very, very grateful.  This "coming-out" has been almost a decade in the making.  I've had a slew of support and inspiration, from the most amazing people I'm forever honored to call my friends.

All great stuff, but what now? My next step is applying to Artspace's Emerging Artist in Residence.  I'm recognizing that creating a recent portfolio and being able to articulate "what I do" as an artist is an imperative part of my growth.  Even if I don't receive the residency I'll be able to use what I've done to submit to galleries, universities and other art outlets.  Woohoo...I'm on a roll...and here's the kicker...if you've been following this blog you've read I'm attempting to interview artists and post how-tos, well I've had a lot of challenges; wanting help with the video, editing, and other technical stuff. I never got my intern BUT the mixed media artist guild might want to start putting out their own videos! That means I'll probably have to learn how to do the video stuff, but I'd have over 40 artists to interview...SWEET!!!! ANd knowing those amazingly talented women I wouldn't have to organize the thing myself...heck maybe I could even have a committee!  At the very least the video project could be incorporated with the retreat their planning.  All good leads in the right direction :)

Wow...all that in just over a month.  Clarity...definitely worth the wait!