Just Do It

Something that amazes me is how productive professional artists are. There is one artist I admire who puts out a completed work every two to three days it seems.He works in graphite, small studies of animals mostly. I completed a similar-sized work, 8x10 inches, in a month. I kept giving up due to anxiety, mostly from the concern that I didn't have the technical skills necessary to complete it. It turned out fine in the end, just some errors in accuracy. Other artists have said that the hardest thing to do is to begin. Draftsmanship issues can be worked out over time. Since the completion of my graphite work a number of months ago, I have not tried another. The difference between an amateur and professional seems to be that the professional realizes that the work must be done, and there are no excuses for not completing it.

New Work

I found this quote in an old collection of inspirational literature. It really spoke to me because I feel that what I do is connect with God when I paint. I kind of feel that my work is spiritual in nature. Sometimes when I find something that really strikes a chord in me it can bring me to tears.

Developing a Tough Skin.

Spent the morning shopping for groceries yesterday.Today I spent the morning and afternoon working on a piece that is a quote: Works of beauty are manifestations of God. -John Sherrill. I found the quote in a "Guideposts"book from 1995. The last few days I have been creative again and it feels so good. Tomorrow I will watercolor the work and then mat it. I found two pieces of glass for works that need to be framed.I use recycled glass whenever possible. It keeps the cost of paintings low. There are all sorts of places to find cheap glass. Don't be afraid to check around. I have found picture framing wire for a steal as well.
I titled today's entry,developing a tough skin, because it is sometimes important to not allow things to get the best of you. Art is a pain in the butt sometimes. I sometimes want to just give up, but I have been doing this for may years, so I don't.

New Work

Recently there has been a lot of creativity in my studio but everything falls apart. Simple things like not measuring the window correctly for a mat. Trying to find a composition that works is frustrating, there are no clear directions in which to go. I will have an idea and then realize that it isn't going to work. I did a quote that I found in an inspirational book but it was scooped up by my wife, I didn't want to say no so she is using it for her purposes. . My work is kind of like calligraphy and it can be difficult to find appropriate quotes to illustrate. My most enduring quotes have been scripture. Psalm 118:24 is a favorite passage of scripture: Rejoice in the day and be glad in it for this is the day the Lord has made. I have done that verse more times than I care to count. II Timothy 1:7 is another favorite: For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind. I find passages in the Bible that I have missed for years and then I will read an inspirational book and discover new verses. It is great.
Lately I have been reading books on improving my walk with God. And this scares me because I will see just how much there is to learn. This is when scripture comes in handy. For instance: I can do all things through God who strengthens me, Phillipians 4:13. Well, time to take my dog out. Nature calls.

Dog Days of Summer.

Woke up in foul mood today, my thoughts swirling with anxiety. It took an hour and a half to get myself to feeling okay. My mate has not been feeling well and between the two of us we weren't very good company. She is much better than me when it comes to dealing with anxiety. I usually have to spend a couple hours in the studio journaling to make myself right. Today this didn't work. I started on a drawing instead. I know when journaling doesn't work that I am really out of sorts. Perhaps it is another day of ninety degree temperatures that has me ragged. I am not sure. We have had a lot of warm days this summer and I am hoping for a break. At one point I sat out on the porch and there was the most beautiful breeze blowing through. It reminded me that in three and a half weeks September will be here. And the beginning of a little cooler weather is right behind.
I started work on a little drawing inspired by Psalm 118:24. "Rejoice in the day and be glad in it. This is the day God has made." The scripture reminded me that when I greet the day with an attitude of gratitude things go better. I have done more versions of this scripture than any other. This has always been a favorite verse.