Hi, I'm Laurie, and I'm a Blog Land Loser. There, I said it. Now it's off my chest. I cannot believe it's been 2.5 months since my last post. And I've only written a handful of posts in the last 7 months, big ol' heavy sigh. Like so many fellow bloggers, I vowed to do better! I have been crazy-busy this spring, although I can't really say with what. Not because it's Top Secret (oh, that I could be so mysterious!), but because it all escapes my wee brain. Whatever it was, it sure has been time-consuming. And I'm sure it was important, too!
The funny thing about blogging is, I actually like doing it. As a pretty private person, I had my doubts. But after having art show customers and shop owners ask me if I had a blog, I finally decided to take the plunge last fall. I was so nervous, not knowing if I'd have anything to say (as my family rolls with laughter, I am rarely at a loss for words...). To my surprise, I found that I like blogging about my art, about where I find inspiration (my main sources are other artists, my sweet animals, Darling Daughter, Studly Husband :), the small things in life that make my world complete. I've met some really interesting, very kind folks in my blogging experiences, too. I have enjoyed the Blog Land ride, and hopefully I can get back in the saddle and ride some more.
My art room's been mostly silent this year. I recently started two commissioned pieces and they have been very healing for my soul. I also had a booth at Funky Finds Spring Fling in Fort Worth last March, and at Dallas City Arts in May. The organizers of Spring Fling were great, with many friendly and talented artists there as well. I hope to be able to do this show again in the future. At City Arts I met a very talented jewlery artist, Leslie Todd. Her booth, No Stone Unstrung, was right next to me, and I loved getting to know her and finding out we have so much in common. And she is truly one of the nicest people. I also met Richard and Marlys Kunkel of Wildflower Pottery, also seriously good folk. (scroll down to the bottom of this link to see their amazement!) Each piece of pottery they make is stunning, earthy, and has the lyrics to a Beatles song. I could have spent a fortune in their booth, OH MY. I have a few shows planned in the fall that I need to get started on, after a major overhaul of my wild and crazy art room. It's getting hard to even find a surface to work on.
I discovered a new book this spring, The Artistic Mother by Shona Cole. Check it out here. I love this book. It has practical and beautiful ways for busy moms to carve out time to create every day. There is also an online group that is reading the book and doing the projects inside together, as they share about their artistic explorations along the way- www.artisticcreationswithtrudy.blogspot.com. Cindy Mayfield from Yapping Cat Studio is featured in Shona's book. She hosts an art retreat, Paper Cowgirl, in Waxahachie, TX, and I'm looking forward to attending and meeting her there later this month. I believe registration is still open, so if you're in the area, come on down.
The photo above is a collage I managed to make this spring, created on an old book cover. It's a little more washed out than I was going for, but it was good to make something with my hands.
With all sincerity, in addition to major chaos, this year has also been one of sorrow and loss for me and those I love most. Time and again I find myself trying to go forward and put one foot in front of the other. Thinking about art and taking time to connect with other creative spirits-- both are things I've had little time and energy for, both are things I have deeply missed. Art for me heals, and blesses me from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Here's hoping we can all do a little more art each day.
So, for someone who worried about not having much to say, I have certainly written a LOT tonight. I know each paragraph is chock-full of wordy run-ons and disjointed ideas. English teachers, please forgive. :) This concludes Confessions of a Blog Land Loser. Hopefully I'll be back before the next 2.5 months roll by. Many blessings to you all.
