Gone too Soon

I haven't posted on this blog in months. My plan for the summer was to start posting new work. Instead I am in a state of shock and grief. My beautiful 21 year old son died in a motorcycle accident on June 10th. I can not even begin to tell you how hard it is just to get up every morning and face this reality. The world keeps on turning the birds keep on singing and my heart will never mend. We had the most amazing relationship. We talked almost everyday. I know that he loved me as much as I loved him. His sisters were his best friends. His smile was infectious and lit up the room. He was handsome and funny and so many people loved him. There is so much we take for granted and we never know when our lives will be shaken to the very core of who we are. There is no rewind button with death we don't get a do over. I long to hold and kiss him again, to tell him how proud I was of the man he was becoming.

Houston Cityscape Finished

I have finally finished the large cityscape. I admit it took me way to long to finish this painting. I am a perfectionist and my own worst critic. I keep walking by it and then adding more to the painting.  It is very difficult for me to get a really good photo because this painting is so large. The lighting is a real problem. I try to take photos without the flash and in natural light. Here are a couple of photos of the completed painting.

Making Time For Art

I have this little problem it is called perfectionism. I am sure that I am not the only one with this problem. The little critic seems to be there trying to spoil all the fun. It is hard to just let go at times. I want to just go with the flow and find the joy in creating and experimenting with new projects. Instead I find myself procrastinating making excuses why I can't possibly find the time.  I love art and have done many types in my quest for creativity. I feel grumpy and unsettled when I don't get to do something creative. However I will let housework, TV and running around with my family get in the way of making a full commitment to art. I know the real reason is that I want to make beautiful paintings or stained glass without mistakes. The  other thing is that I would like to be a full time artist selling my art on Etsy. I find that I am busy comparing myself to the other artists and will procrastinate.  How can I learn to play without judging my work? How do you play to bring yourself back to creativity? Do you procratinate rather than be creative? Whats stopping you from your dreams?

Below is a wind chime that I made a while back. Now its time to get creative again!

Where I have I been?

I haven't done a really good job of keeping up with my blog lately. I apologize for being lax in the blogging world.  I am trying to be better about keeping up with facebook and also myspace too. I bought the magazine Artful Blogging in hopes that I can improve my blogging skills. I was in a bit of a funk and not feeling very creative. My daughter and I made some pillows for her room that was fun. Sometimes you have to do something different to jump start your creativity. I hadn't been near my sewing machine in quite awhile. In fact I was looking at some of the presser feet going what the heck are these! I also spend a great deal of time reading for my students. I just got done reading The Demon King. It was pretty good book but those darn trilogies. If you are looking for a good book and don't mind Sci fi  The Adoration of Jenna Fox is and excellent book. The pillow below is one that we made. I love black and white so much fun.
We are leaving to Colorado for a mini vacation July 1st. When I get back I plan on doing a make over on my blog, my studio and my etsy store.  Don't you wish you could have a clone or something to get all the things done you want to?? Have a wonderful 4th of July everyone!

Update on Cityscape Painting

I haven't posted as much lately. It has been busy with school wrapping up. I really am looking forward to summer spending time painting and working on my etsy shop. I plan on making some glass wind chimes and other pieces. I wanted to update you on the progress of my Houston City Scape.  I am still adding more to this painting. Photos also help me to see what I need to do to make the painting better. Please give me so me feed back. I really need to work at learning to take better photos and photoshop.This painting is large and it is hard to get a decent shot. My art room is packed with furniture right now. My son move out this weekend into his own apartment. I had mixed emotions of course happy for him sad for me. We went through a lot during his teens sometimes I didn't think either of us would survive!
My oldest is married and lives in Houston only one more at home and then it will be empty nest .

Mean Kitty and Shrek 4

I love cats and of course dogs too! My daughter's cat is so not the cat we wanted, no lap cat is she. I believe she thinks she is a Tiger!  We want her to cuddle and hang out with us, but she has other ideas.  If you try to put her in my daughter's bedroom and she doesn't want to go she will chase you and grab your leg LOL!
My daughter wanted to name her Dolce but that didn't work she only answers to Kikki. We started calling her mean kitty after a video on youtube because she looks like Sparta. We think she is his sister. Here is the video 

Then my daughter found this video of Shrek 4 our cat loves food so we thought this was funny!

I haven't been blogging much or painting much either. I am so excited about summer. I want to paint and work on my house and blog more. I had a health scare and I was going to a lot of appointments. I had a ct scan to check my lungs and ended up finding cysts on my thyroid.  I have to go back in June to make sure that the cyst hasn't grown. Well I will blog more about this later.

Michelle

Love Reading? Here is a really cool video encouraging reading

One of our library techs sent this video to us a cool video made by a middle school ! I love how they made something so innovative!


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