I've been feeling real creative lately, or at least desirous of creating. It's hard to want to do other things (keeping up with the latest book club selection, writing syllabi for classes, job searching . . . ) but I go back to creating after a while of doing this stuff. Life is not perfect. But life is good. I write almost every day. Where it's going, I don't know, but getting in to the discipline of writing is what I'm focsed on now.

The pic here is of some fusion paper (ala Traci Bautista's methods) that I made yesterday. I love the serendipity of slapping on layers of paper with watered down glue, and I love that it's re-using paper towels. There's also some tissue paper pieces in here that came with a gift, and some pages from an old thesaurus. Let's here it for ripping and pasting!

journal adventures

Here's a pic from a recent entry in my art journal. I try not to think to much when I work in it, whether I'm creating backgrounds or writing. I try to make it one place where it is ok not to think that much. These pages include layering of paint and I like the effect, especially with the clip art image on the left.

Balancing Act

Creation feeds the soul but

work keeps body together.

Where is the balancing point that allows

the one to survive so the other may

soar?

Coming out of hibernation!

Really. Has it been that long. I am almost ashamed . . . except I've decided to stop casting blame on myself and move on. It's been a long hibernation trying to make it work at a new job . . . which didn't and trying to put the finishing touches on a master's thesis . . . which did! My art creation follows seasonal cycles, so spring and summer always find me more productive. But I'm using my art journal more this year, and finding out more about myself as I make a big transition. As I explore more of who I really am in the journal, I think it will mean more art. Right now I'm enjoying being free. I'll post pics from the journal soon, but for now I'll leave a picture of an ATC I've done recently and an excerpt from the journal.

My life is still enough of a blank page that I have the

FREEDOM

to create more. A wash of paint. A coat of gesso. And it's ok to start again. The remnants of the old will still be there . . . but beginning again means that I do not need to fight against the limits others place upon me but that I can

DEFINE MYSELF

A few lines from a favorite song by Natasha Beddingfield:

I am unwritten

Can't read my mind

I'm undefined

I'm just beginning

Pen's in my hand

Ending unplanned