Be Here Now

Recently one of my mantras has been...Be Here Now. I even got a piece of art on saturday that has that saying on it.  I need to carry that piece around with me...it's too big to wear as a necklace but I may soon have to.  There are so many things that I want to do but to actually get that much done my days would have to be 40 hours long.  How does one balance work, exercise, friends, playtime, child-rearing, marriage, and downtime? I'm not sure. Maybe no one has a good answer and everyone is just running around pretending to know what they are doing...that's pretty much been what I've been doing for about 5 years now.  So why is my Be Here Now mantra feeling extra important...well because recently while thinking about all I have to do I've missed present opportunities. Or even better...while practicing Be Here Now I've gained serenity.  I can be a bit of a whirling dervish so serenity and sitting still are two gifts I am learning to cherish.
I'm accepting that my to do list will never get done because I always add to it...so instead of focusing all of my time on what I have to do I'm spending a little more time focusing on what I am doing...
listening to my husband play guitar and the snort of giggling pigs as my son plays angry birds, the whir of the fan as it's breeze tickles my ear, the click of the keyboard keys, the sound of the school bus outside...
Now here is the funny part...I feel all serene and while sitting in the stillness of my contentment I have finally found the motivation to clean my bathrooms.  :D

Art makes everything taste better

Recently my life has given me some hard pills to swallow.  Situations have left a very bad taste in my mouth. Thank God for art, the people within the art community and my ever amazing friends who have sweetened my life up again!

Laura and Val at The Center for Creative Leadership that invited and encouraged me to show my jewelry at their facility (and all those there that that have purchased my jewelry!).  

The Visual Art Exchange who offered me a warm welcome when I went to their general Sparkcon meeting http://visualartexchange.org/  Then I went to the Fashionspark meeting and was rejuvenated with the enthusiasm its members.  

Traveling to Pittsboro  I met with Kitty the owner of LiquidAmbar (http://www.liquidambar.com/ 
 and left feeling hopeful and excited. 

Last week I went on a photo adventure with James Roddick who is the uber talented photog who took the photo of me in my last blog post. (http://www.jamesroddickphotography.com) 

On thursday I have my Carolina Mixed Media Art Guild meeting which never fails to put an extra large smile on my face. http://carolinamixedmediaartistsguild.blogspot.com/ 

And I am extra grateful for my husband, a professional musician that totally understands how important creativity is in my life,  who everyday makes sure I get to my art studio, urges me to get out into the art community and believes in me when I don't.

That's a whole lot of people who helped pull me out of this hole.  They didn't even know that their positive words and warm smiles made such a huge difference. Thank you, I never could have done it without you. 

So forward I go seeking more delicious people to traverse this savory, scrumptious, ambrosial, appetizing, delectable, delightful, enticing, exquisite, heavenly, luscious, mouthwatering life.

Moving forward slowly

I go to my art studio about 10 hours a week.  This is not nearly as much time as I would like but my life currently requires that I focus on a plethora of other things...raising my awesome 4 year old, taking care of the house, volunteering, exercising, meeting with friends...you know, life stuff.
With all that said I would like to state that I am making progress...albeit slowly.  I reached a bit of a milestone this past Tuesday...my first photo shoot :) I've been talking with a photographer and make up artist for a few weeks;  coordinating schedules, hashing out ideas, and scouting locations.  We finally pulled it all together and I am thrilled with the results!

The purpose of the shoot for me is to have photos to send with my media kits.  I want to highlight myself and my jewelry...I think the photo does both wonderfully!
Now onto the fun? part of writing articles and sending them to publications...

My Sketchbook Project Book

                                                       This is Hannah. Hannah loves to dance

                                                          And draw                   And paint

                                                         And sew                And take photos.

                   Hannah is very creative but she doesn't know what she wants to do when she grows up.

                                     She has tried lots of different jobs but nothing seems to fit quite right.

                                                     So Hannah prays but nothing happens.

                                                                Hannah is angry and sad.

    This is Hope Hannah's best friend.  When Hannah is sad Hope sings to her and Hannah remembers...

                                             Who she is and what she loves.  Hannah smiles.

                                                                Thank God for Hope.

Interview

Didnt I tell you I'd get back to this interview thing again :) well ok it's another interview about me but different than last time...The Carolina Mixed Media Artist Guild blog posts artist interviews and I'm their subject for January yay!!!!
http://carolinamixedmediaartistsguild.blogspot.com/

Ack where did November go?!?!

My head is spinning.  I'm so grateful for where I am in my life journey right now.  I remember all the times I was beyond frustrated with my art...times I wanted to throw everything away...when I cursed God for my overwhelming desire to create but didn't find a way to support myself with my talents.  Sometimes I felt that my prayers would never be answered.  In spite of my circumstances and because I am extremely stubborn I continued to make art.  Taking photographs or painting, making cards or garland Christmas trees  I found some serenity in creating just for arts sake.
And then while working on the mock up of a re-arrangeable piece, not expecting anything at all,  everything changed; I stumbled upon how to make my photographic gems. For all the times I've tried to plan the great stuff in my life I am now utterly convinced the surprises God gives to me are infinitely better than anything I could have thought up.
So here I am...I was in a few shows this fall and did really well.  I was feverishly excited to tell everyone about my new found art.  And this past show, the Boylan Height's Artwalk, I even received a compliment on my enthusiasm.
I know continuing on this path will have its ups and downs.  And still I am eager to see what the new year brings.  The message in my heart for then and through out the holiday season is have faith...in yourself and whatever Higher Power you believe in.  Your prayers will always be answered in the positive...even if it is "yes, but not now" or "I have something better".
Happy Holiday
Love
Jennifer

Photo pendants

I've been busy busy busy making pendants, bracelets, and rings :) Yay!!!!!
I even started a jewelry class to learn how to metalsmith. Awesome!
So here are a few of the pieces I've been working on...Enjoy :)

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