Last weekend was a doozie. Sunday night about pushed me over the edge.
The curtain is raised. The stage is set:
Our story begins in a small house in southern suburbia. Alas, the sweet and ever-helpful husband is out of town on business, leaving a young working mother outnumbered 3 to 1 with the children. Friday night, darkness falls Continue Reading…
“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” -Picasso
Over the years, I have become adept at spinning plates. I can hold several sticks at once, get the plates spinning and keep them all going at the same time without crashing. Okay, maybe only metaphorically…but that would be a cool party trick…
I do however, keep a lot of things in motion as I live each day: 3 kids, 5-day a week job, and an art career are the main events, amongst all the other important and enjoyable parts of my life. People often ask, “How (and possibly why) do you do it all?”
I want to be a good mom. I want to be a successful artist. I want to do well at my day job. I want to keep things in order. I want to be involved in the art community. I want to enjoy life.
So I take Picasso’s advice and “vigorously act” to reach my goals.
Here’s an example of how that plays out in real life:
Painting with a baby
Yep. I put the baby next to me and go with it…I may have to paint or draw while singing silly songs and making ridiculous faces to keep her happy, but it works.
I draw during baby’s nap time, or on weekends while the family’s chilling. I have been known to draw with a little boy on my back at my art desk, because I was determined to finish up a piece.
I take a deep breath, try to reduce the inevitable stress of drawing with a kid on my back and tattle-talers in my ear, and remember why I do what I do: because I believe that it matters.
Because art is important to me, I find a way to make it happen along with motherhood, work, marriage and life.
I aim to never let the busy-ness of life overtake what is important to my life.
What is important to your life? What dreams are waiting for action?
The first step may be the hardest, and if your life is anything like mine, the subsequent steps to stay the course require effort and passion as well. In my opinion, each step is worth it.
“I want first of all… to be at peace with myself. I want a singleness of eye, a purity of intention, a central core to my life that will enable me to carry out these obligations and activities as well as I can.” –Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gift from the Sea
The night has come, the kids are (hopefully) tucked quietly in bed…time to plop on my corner of the comfy couch, prop my feet up and relax. The lights are dim, dessert in hand, I look up towards the TV, grateful for a moment’s peace. My eyes drift left.
To the left of our wall-hung TV, is the open doorway to the art room, my art desk and wall of materials directly in view. The walls are a sage-y green, dirtied over the years, and there is a lot of stuff in there…I mean a lot. I try to organize, simplify, de-clutter…but where, oh where, am I to put all my art supplies, framed paintings, good frames and boards just waiting to be used? Not to mention the (albeit cute) Pottery Barn alphabet cards the previous owners GLUED to the wall (hear my displeasure due to scraping off glue atop a ladder) as a high wall border. This everyday sight got under my New Year’s skin.
Art room before the big painting party
As the year ended and 2013 approached, with my normally busy schedule on the back burner, I took the opportunity to update my art room. My 7-year-old and I trucked off to Lowe’s with a couple of oyster shells to choose just the right shade of light gray. As my mother will tell you, I’m not one for testing paint colors first, or for bringing home options. Nope…just give me the gallon and I’ll jump right in. Luckily my decision worked out. The walls are now clean, fresh and bright.
Art room reborn!
With an 8-month-old playing freely in the den, Continue Reading…
I'm a self-taught pastel & watercolor artist and instructor, raised and based in Birmingham, Alabama. I constantly collect stories and pieces of the world around me, turning them into works of art. Inspired by nature, I love to share what I've learned and build connections and community. I invite you to browse and join my site. I hope you find something that inspires you!
Voted one of Birmingham's Best Local Artists 2013, Birmingham News & al.com
Featured in Birmingham Magazine, March 2018
Visit the Commissions page on the top menu to find out more about my pastel & watercolor portraits. Portraits are drawn from photographs in a timely manner with the highest quality materials to ensure they will be enjoyed for generations!
Thanks for visiting my site! I am an awarded pastel artist and instructor based in Birmingham, Alabama. A self-taught artist, I have been working with pastels for over 6 years, selling in shops, galleries, shows and by commission. I teach pastel workshops for adults, and love to help emerging artists on their journey into the art community.
