Not much to say, I should be writing about creative shovelling, as it seems that’s all I’ve been doing lately, and so unmotivated, can’t even bring myself to do my yoga lately, and I’ve definitely hit a creative block, all I want to draw or paint is motorcycle themed scenes, and I know no one enjoys those but me. I have to be authentic to myself, but I still need followers & likes, comments to build my audience, even though the numbers shouldn’t matter ( say those with 30 000 followers) easy for them, I do have to consider my “audience”. Anyway, I’m sure this will pass, hopefully soon, I can’t travel to get reenergized or motivated with new “scenery”, I’m stuck here, my scenery is higher & higher snowbanks, and cold temperatures, not exactly “inspiring”. I sit in my studio & the snow continues to fall, 24/29 days, colder & colder, no sunshine & major ennui! So I’ll try making my own “summer”, bringing my own colour into my bleak world, and despite my “floral” comment in my #studiosunday video on fb, I can do florals, I just prefer not to! but, here’s an ink & watercolour piece I did yesterday, loosely based on a photo I took last Summer, some wildflowers in a junkyard amongst rows of old windows 11”X14”/ink and watercolours (white lines added digitally as my gel pen died, or froze?)
The other two pictures are my view out one of my studio windows...nothing but gross snow, I’m off to cry now...carry on. I just illustrated a map of our bouvier Ferris, exploring our backyard, and it’s made me realize, I need to live my life more like our dog! He is so happy, he wakes up happy & no matter what happens during the day he remains happy! I admit, I often wake up feeling angry (especially during the Winter, like this morning, seeing more snow, and knowing I have to shovel...again) and his joy for the new day awaiting us, often angers me even more! I’m not proud of it, but it’s a fact, I acknowledge it & I am trying to change that! He is as happy in his backyard, as he is running in an open field, or running with me, or digging on the beach! or carrying his favourite ball in his mouth. He is more than satisfied with what he has, wherever he is, and embraces it! Me, I seem to be discontent most of the time, I don’t like where I live, I’m always thinking of where I’d rather be. I need to be more like my dog, be happy, let stuff go, and just take each day as a chance to start over & explore where I am, and make the best of it! maybe roll in the snow & make snow angels! Dogs are always living in the “present” the “be here now” and I while I wear that around my neck as a constant reminder, watching Ferris at play is an even bigger reminder...”be here now”...it’s all we really have! so I need to just embrace it and go with it!
I love illustrating maps, I took an online course in” map-making” and I became addicted. I loved spinning the globe (remember the globes in classrooms) I was even gifted one once at Christmas, what a thrill; or page turning in an atlas. I always dreamed of travelling & seeing more of the world, hasn’t really happened that way! but I still love the spirit of adventure & travel! I did get to Ireland, and I’ve done a lot of travel within Canada, I’ve driven across Canada several times but haven’t made it to Newfoundland yet, but did travel to the Iles de la Madeleine and fell in love with them, it was the first map I illustrated. And I’ve travelled a fair amount in the Eastern US states, not mind-blowing travel, but I’m grateful for what I have been able to see!
I always wanted to escape, run away, leave my family and never look back. I think that’s why I enjoy illustrating these maps, I don’t have a lot of world adventures to record, but they allow me to tell my story, my adventures, share my memories. And I think that’s what I love about my motorcycle, it’s not fast, it’s not sleek, but to me, it;s the essence of travel, back roads, secondary roads, getting off the super highways & exploring my surroundings! I may never get to ride to California, but I can explore the hundreds, if not thousands of km within my own province. And those travels will hopefully make it to a map someday. That is the purpose of a map isn’t it? finding your way? and I still haven’t found my way, but I will never stop looking! I love unfolding a new map, using a highlighter to mark my journey, doodle on it as I travel, interesting scenes or attractions, and then unfolding that map many years later & reliving it, try doing that with a GPS! Anyway, I think that’s why I love maps & why I enjoy illustrating my own, they let me tell my story, through my drawings & text. This one pictured below is my current map in progress, #7 in the series ( the rest are on my website if you care to have a look) So get out there & explore your surroundings, turn off the GPS and the smart phone and use a MAP, you might be surprised at what you see & what you discover about yourself! #oldschool here’s the link to the kourse if anyone cares https://sketchbookskool.com/kourses/lets-make-a-map This is a company that knows marketing! they know who’s paying the bills & willing to spend on their furry little, or big friends! the dogs aren’t reading this after all, it’s the humans! and they are hitting you right in that sentimental gut! “awwwww, so cute”, I mean, seriously, look at this letter that came in our December holiday Bark Box. This is a US based company, they offer great products, free shipping, yes, EVEN to Canada (and even with the exchange rate it’s still better value than I can get here) and the presentation is incredible! from the names of their treats, to the cartoons on the boxes, and tissue paper; fantastic marketing & branding! and they do provide out of this world customer service!! I only get 2 boxes a year for our bouvier, but I have been nothing but impressed! this is how to market yourself! of course, it doesn’t hurt that they have lots of $$ behind them, but to me, it’s the little things that count, like this cutesy letter😝#goals ...ok not to be “cute”, but I hope that when people see my art or my website they leave it feeling “better”. That it brought them a smile, or joy, or just let them look at life differently, or think about the subject in a different way. Maybe that’s asking a lot? but people tell me my work is “uplifting” & vibrant, full of life, and I’m good with that!
I’m currently taking an online course called “Becoming a Working Artist”, by Lisa Congdon, hence the “vision” map mentioned in the previous post, and a lot of the course is on marketing, developing your brand, who/what do you want people to see/feel when they see your website, your social media accounts...who are you as an artist? I’m slowly taking steps toward my goals, this week was makeover my website✔️and new cover photo on my fb art page(coming soon). It’s taken me away from the creating this week, but it has to be done, it’s necessary work. I call it shameless self-promotion, but if I don’t believe in myself & my work, how can I expect anyone else to! Now, read this letter, especially if you’re a pet owner, I bet it makes you smile, well-played Bark Box, well played! Anyone that knows me, knows how much I love music, especially live music, and my tastes are a bit eclectic. I used my art & music as my escape as a kid, and I still use them today. My art is often inspired by music, my favourite musicians, capturing the mood of an evening, the passion of the musician. A few years ago I spent an evening with the Canadian icon Harry Manx at our local music venue. It was so wonderful I later captured the mood of that great night in a watercolour and ink piece. I shared the painting with the venue owner, he asked if prints could be made, and they were greatly received. It was wonderful of Dean Batstone to be so supportive, and I made quite a few sales...yay! Music is always on my stereo when I’m creating, I’ve played piano & flute & a big of guitar, in inspires my art, it inspires my life. I even ‘sing’ my own soundtrack inside my helmet when I’m out cycling or riding my motorcycle. What I’m trying to say is, music & art are part of me! my art has let me make connections with musicians that would not have been possible otherwise! and I’m truly grateful! So I am updating my website, and while going through photos, I came across this one, and thought it was worth a share! I think the smiles say it all...music & art heal the soul🙏. (p(photo by Bruce Mcintyre at Batstones Northern Ramble)
I actually made a “vision map” felt dorky, but the goals are mine, and seeing them on paper helps a LOT, and now I am breaking down each “goal” into a series of actionable steps, activities that will get me there. I actually feel determined to do this, and working my way through each phase is not so overwhelming. I should understand this, the importance of setting goals and working toward them! When I decided to run my first half-marathon, I didn’t just show up on race day. I picked the half as my goal, and believe me, I do not have the body of a runner. I picked the date for my race & set a manageable training schedule, to work towards that date. I did the cross-training, found shoes that didn’t give me blisters, found the schedule that worked for me! I stuck to my plan, and it worked, I completed my first half-marathon at a better than expected pace! Yes, it was scary, it was one of the biggest challenges I ever faced, but I did it! and having a plan, with clear steps, and achievable mini-goals, got me there, along with a lot of hard work & perseverance. So I expect the same results with my art & illustrations, lots of hard work & perseverance, and setting unrealistic goals! dream BIG!! So it starts now, blogging regularly, I’ll be updating my facebook cover page, posting more sharing more. If I don’t promote myself who will? so just a warning, you’ll be hearing and seeing lots from me this year, hope you’ll enjoy the ride! |
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