I ask myself this question quite a bit, especially lately.
Let me say this...for me who gets stressed out so easily with all of the things to do in one day (I'm certain there are those who can relate), I have to make a mental priority list.
My blog, as you can tell, is pretty low on that list. It's been nearly two months since I've touched it. A lot of stuff happens in two months, including some mental -- delayed -- spring cleaning.
In any given day I have about 4 hours to spend on my business, that includes website, blog, facebook, etc. I can do some through my phone, but blogging with my thumbs is not very appealing. Must be my age. To prevent myself from overheating, it must stay in the schedule as it is, and I find peace in that....today.
What is most important? My husband or a painting? My physical health or a chit chat on facebook? My spiritual awareness or a blog post (tho I do like to bring the two together). I fear that it is far too easy for us to get wrapped up in what we feel is an "obligation" when really we place that upon ourselves. We can say "No" ya know, seriously. We're not trained to do that, but the freedom is there.
I have begun to say "No" to areas of my life and say "Yes" to other areas that I never really said "Yes" to before. Like spending an entire Sunday prepping food and planning the week's menu instead of painting. But wow! It not only helps me in the week ahead, but I really do love cooking! I spend most of my time -- in life -- in the studio, at the art center teaching, or in my kitchen. Hands down. My waist thanks me too! ;)
See, my point is as an artist I always thought that I had to live in some kind of dark corner, hiding from the world, being the opposite of the rest of the world (in my own way I am still), and work work work work work till my hands bleed just to make it some where in this world as an artist.
What a shame I believed that. This is why...
I am now living my life! I am awake to the colors around me that are the pigments of every day moments. There is more to it than just studio work and weighing yourself so far down to the ground with rules, obligations, and stress that you aren't enjoying the work. This was me, it might not be like this for you, but I have done this for almost 30 years!
This isn't saying work is bad and day dreaming is good. I'm saying that a balance has been found in the business I have developed, not allowing it to rule me but I rule it.
Brian and I are working hard because we have a goal to buy a house soon. I'm very excited, and stressed out over it all. But in the day to day I am trying SO hard to remind myself to stop and relax. God has a great plan, a beautiful and loving one, and I must trust in that and Him with all of the facets of my life, including my art.
My blog has suffered, and it will continue to lack in posts every single week until it fits into my schedule. I must share this, because if I don't I will feel like I had an obligation and then in turn let you down. :)
I am on a journey, a peek into it here today. Let's see where it goes...
PS: Yes the blog look changed again, I like changing it, it's fun.
I never could tell the grey ones apart... their names were even cloud and storm or something like that.....
The scrappy orange one was my favorite.
lost in the woods?! not with friends like this...:)
a sketch for a painting i am working on (in between a few custom orders....just a few). this lovely piece satisfies my need for some serious cold weather and SNOW, as it is just WAY TOO HOT lately. of course, then again, summer is NOT my season. snow bunny all the way!:)
p.s. i have a *thing* for white birch trees and cardinals. i just a have a *thing* for WINTER in general. big surprise....;)
Six years ago, my life changed. I picked up my coloured pencils and started drawing again after an 18-20 year break from art. "Book Girl" above, was one of the first pieces I drew. I then picked up Danny Gregory's The Creative License: Giving Yourself the Permission to be the Artist You Truly Are, and that was pretty much that.
I stopped stressing out over absolute perfection. It wasn't easy, I promise you, but I went through the exercises in the book and discovered that 'imperfection' in art, as in life, was not only permissible, but could achieve truly beautiful results. I started drawing daily, joined communities online, and then started this blog. Thank you, Danny Gregory!
I still have a long way to go and a vast amount to learn, but I'm thoroughly enjoying the process, and am celebrating the 6 year path it has taken to get me to this point. Cheers.
A little something red, white and blue for the 4th of July.
Cracker Jacks
colored pencils on paper
I ate sooooo much of this stuff when I was a kid. I think you could buy a box for 35 cents. The prize was the best part! I remember a ring, and other odd little things you'd make out of snapped together bits of plastic. And I think little wee tiny books.
Did you eat these too? What prizes do you remember?
Hier nun die letzten Bilder dieses phantastischen Bilderbuches.
It's always fun to do an interview,
knowing how much I enjoy reading about others. To gain a bit of insight of who they are really helps me better understand their work.
Today an interview was posted about my work and a little about me.
http://creative-artists-blog.com/interview-sara-burrier/If you read my blog regularly, I can't guarantee you'll learn anything new, but you can still celebrate with me.
For the next three days you can get BOGO over at the Etsy shop. Buy one get one free
(*equal or lesser value).
http://sarambutcher.etsy.comRemember - you must tell me what you want your free item to be in the "Note" section upon checkout.I had a great time filling in the answers and she did a great job. While you're there, be sure to read about other Etsy artists and their work!
Crazy busy month, yes, and only two more weeks of it! Soakin' it in. :)
I painted three eggs for the
Great Goose Egg Auction for Open Fields School in Thetford, Vermont. The first one is an emu egg -- huge and a lovely greenish blue color. Bumpy to paint on, though.
The other two are goose eggs.
"Unreliable Map II"
"Monsters"
so, after much *debating* with myself, i have decided to start selling some ORIGINAL pencil drawings. that way, i get to draw almost every day and you get ORIGINAL art at an AFFORDABLE price. "win win" right....?:)
let's start with this ADORABLE little baby bunny, who obviously has a little *something* behind his back....
~HoPpY EasTeR~
All March I’ve been creating art every week, in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday, and since I’ve been celebrating his birthday all month, I thought I’d make the final illustration birthday themed. I’ve also been incorporating the prompt for Illustration Friday into my art, and this week is no different. The prompt is, Return. I thought it would be fun to have the green eggs and ham returned to Sam, and exchanged for a birthday cake. This is a quick sketch so that I could get the image up while it’s still March (won’t have time to work on it tomorrow):
Needless to say, Sam is stunned at the turn of events. Here’s a close-up so you can see Sam:
I also did this image for my friend Jen, who has a birthday today, and would probably rather have cake than green eggs and ham! It was fun to start the month with Dr. Seuss’s birthday and end the month with my friend’s birthday. Happy Birthday Jen! 
p.s. If you want to see the other Dr. Seuss art from this month, here are some links:
The Cat in the Hat, and His Brother
Oh, The Places You’ll Fish!
Horton Hears A Who, and a What, Where, Why, When, and How!
Sue Sews Six Thousand Socks
Passend zur Jahreszeit ein Abstecher in den Frühling. Farstiftillustration für ein Geschenkbuch.
Ich habe mal wieder meiner Webseite ein neues Design verschafft und auf meiner Portfolio Seite 1 vier neue Bilder eingefügt. Ich hoffe, sie gefallen Ihnen.
Panels are primed and ready for the design. Luckily, I have use of a nice projector recently donated to Town Center Gallery to make this process go A LOT quicker than drawing freehand.
I cut a photo copy of the design into 5 equal parts, enlarged it to fit the panel, and sketched the basic shapes with a pencil. I'm mainly interested in basic shapes, placement and proportion - I'll worry about details as I paint. I was able to tansfer the design onto 3 out of 5 panels (so far) in a short amount of time.
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| Saves sooooooooo much time! |
I'll do the rest tomorrow. After that, I'll be ready to start painting...but I won't start that until next week (State Cup Soccer Tournament this weekend with oldest daughter). So, no updates for at least a week. Check back, though, and see how it all comes together. Posts may not be daily as the painting begins, but I'll try to keep the pictures coming.
The weather has turned from unusual freeze to spring-like sun and warmth here in Provence. So out I marched to inspect my post-frost garden and do some much needed clearing up.
Once I'd done with pruning away frozen bits, weeding (they seem to have survived exceptionally well, of course), generally cleaning up and watering, I went back in to flip through garden magazines and was inspired enough to do a quick coloured pencil sketch of what I can only call either deep yellow or pale orange daisies ... well, flowers of a sort.
Enjoyed myself thoroughly though. Time to start planning the garden for spring and summer I think. Cheers!
"Rub-A-Dub" :: Walter :: ALMI Owls
Colored Pencil on Bristol Board
I would assume you can see how this fits with the topic "Soap" :)
My original post is
Here.
I really had fun with this one!
All illustrations are in colored pencil on Bristol Board. To visit my blog
Click Here. To purchase prints
Click Here.
Still not quite finished, due to lack of time. Had some wonderful visitors over the week and between that and work deadlines, have managed to progress at the speed of a snail. Should have it done by next week, fingers crossed.
The one on the left is almost all coloured in, and as I'm planning to keep the one on the right somewhat lighter, it shouldn't take too much longer before I can post the final drawing. Am only glad that the real artichokes who modeled for me were eaten with much enjoyment long before this. Cheers.
Not only am I working in the
Little Red Book (about once a week), but I've also found complete solace in creating these more refined sketches. Beyond anything my true love lies in drawing.
I'm trying to create work that reflects me, even if it's commissioned work or something for licensing. If I'm not connected to it somehow it lacks heart and thus very little connection with others. In watching my sales on
Etsy, the pieces that sell the most are the ones my heart truly connected with.
 |
| "Waiting" |
This piece was first an exercise to draw from observation, but after I drew her eye I connected with her and the emotion she's feeling. I really began to pour out my desires into her as I drew, thinking about everything I'm learning patience for.
The box was added at the very end problem solving how to express to others what she was feeling. I personally am patiently waiting for the next big chapter in my life...a larger family. "As I wait you make me stronger." I look forward to this painting being a more explorative piece in the watercolor stage.
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| "Life Song" |
I wanted to draw another piece similar to
"Cardinal Song" but bigger, so the other day I just began sketching with
"Cardinal Song" by my side.
Well, like
"Waiting" my thoughts began to roam. I have been very focused on
seeing my husband, Brian, and the health of our marriage. He really is the center of my world right next to God, and I have used him for reference but never a piece th
This is the story map cover image of my first e-book.
We're going through huge changes at present. A whole new look, a new store and a new range of products ... Wedding & Party Themes.
The previous (relatively new too) Floating Lemons banner and logo were just a bit too heavy and serious, so I've replaced it with something slightly more cheerful that I feel reflects better the lighter and more whimsical feel of the illustrations. I think this one's a Keeper :)
We've also opened a new Floating Lemons online store at Zazzle : Floating Lemons Events. As I know absolutely nothing about throwing parties, never mind weddings, I've been researching like mad for months and although I'm still very green I think I've learned a bit -- hopefully enough to understand the basics of what is needed for most events, large or small. Any advice, critical or otherwise, is extremely welcome!
I started the ball rolling with one of my old colored pencil drawings as it's a popular one, and cheerful and bright, my Red Poppy:
The first Theme that's JUST been posted at Zazzle is a Wedding theme based on the above drawing, with a teal colour to match it. I've aqua (love the aqua and red combination), apple green and lime green lined up as well, but started off with the teal, creating wedding stationery (I think I have everything covered, from invitations, 'save the date' announcements, 'will you be my ...' cards, menu cards, to ceremony programs and everything in between) and gifts to match as thank you gifts and party favors all with fully customizable text so that names and details can be changed. phew. If I've missed anything out let me know.
I really needed the extra work ... not. But I'm quite enjoying this trip into something new, and love the design process despite the headaches (from banging it against the wall once again) and loss of hair (tearing it out, yes). As I said, advice and comments are very welcome!
The new store can be found at: Floating Lemons Events @Zazzle.
Have a peek and let me know what you think. Cheers!
Just a quickie as have lots on my plate this week! Here's an updated version of my older "Blue Tulips" coloured pencil drawing that I dragged into Corel and painted over. I then took it over to Photoshop to fiddle with. It's all very experimental and I'm still a beginner who's having fun exploring the options the digital world has to offer. Cheers!
Blue Tulips cards and matching gifts at Floating Lemons @Zazzle.
These little digital doodles of mine are nothing particulary special as far as Art (with a capital A) is concerned, I know. They aren't meant to be. They are bits of colourful fun that pop into my mind throughout the day, are quickly sketched down into my book with marker pens, scanned in, and then digitally painted over whenever I have the time to do so.
I like them. They're cheerful and bright ... and perhaps they're trying to tell me that somewhere deep within this rather cynical husk there's still, rather well-hidden perhaps, a sense of uncomplicated joy left.
Above is Colored Pencils and below is a Red Coffee Cupcake. Enjoy.
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thank you for this beautiful post. I needed this today. I have two small children, so I am still living with the feeling, I have not enough time for painting. Usually I was using Saturday and Sunday for my art work. But slowly I get the feeling, this is not ok. I need the time with my family, I need to find my inspiration in the nature. So I decided not to draw or paint on Sunday. It is not easy, but I have to find a balance. And I believe, without rest and relax time, we can´t find our muse and develop our art. And as you write, God has a plan... Have a nice weekend. S.
Wow! I too found myself drawn to your blog today - I believe by divine inspiration....I have been struggling as well with these very same emotions. I had brain surgery over the summer & 2 subsequent hospitalizations from complications. I am back to my full time job too soon I believe but bills have a tendency to pile up LOL. Anyway, I have been struggling with "too much & not enough time for me". I am a Mom with a wonderful fiance & amazing son...but sometimes I get lost in not doing for myself those things that feed my soul including my relationship with God. Sometimes there isn't even enough time for family time. So, it's nice to know we are not alone in our respective journeys. Thank you for this post. It means so much today!
Sounds like you had quite the epiphany! Hang in there and glad you're getting your priorities in order!