My Etsy!

Well, I finally did it. I'm very late in posting about this, but back in the summer I finally opened my own Etsy shop. It's a humble little spot on the web I've named Blue Monkey Market. Currently, there are cards listed and some polymer clay ornaments, all made by yours truly, of course. In the future, I hope to offer more, like hand carved rubber stamps, possibly some crocheted items, paper craft kits, other polymer clay doo-dads and what-nots, and more.

I'm running a sale right now. Just enter the coupon code BLUEWINTER to get 15% off your order. I provide fast shipping, too! Many thanks to those that have already placed an order.

Here's a few of the things up for sale right now:

Handmade polymer clay Christmas ornaments.

Handmade cards.

The Pulse: Technique and Tool

I'm happy to report that I'm one of the featured artists on today's chapter of The Pulse. This time around, Seth asked the participating artists what technique or tool they can't live without. Head on over to read my response, as well as the other artists' responses.

Have an artful day!

My blog on Be@Home

Just a quick post to share some exciting news. My humble little blog was featured on Be@Home's Best of the Web series yesterday! I was excited to be noticed among all the wonderful and prolific bloggers out there. Go check out their site and see the other bloggers who inspire and entertain!

Why not Halloween?

Those who know me know that my love to create means I'm always working on some kind of project, and usually several at once. I've found that I feel most inspired and creative during the colder months of the year. Autumn and winter suit me just fine; I'd take cold over hot any day.

Considering this, it's odd that I almost never create anything with a Halloween theme. I enjoy makings things for other holidays, so why not Halloween? This year, a dear online friend mentioned that she loved Halloween and the ensuing crafty endeavours, and for some reason, it sparked something in me to make some Halloween-inspired items. Looking back, I realize it had me thinking outside the box, and getting out of my comfort zone. So I had some fun with traditional Halloween colors and images. These little creations helped me break through the wall that is artist's block, and got me back on track, artistically-speaking.

 Witchy Woman ATC

 

Witchy Woman ATC #2

These artist trading cards may not be masterpieces or artwork on a grand scale, but they're fun to make and trade, and there's not much I let get in the way of my fun.

I'm still right here, giving blood, keeping faith.

My apologies to my readers for my silence. I am making art, which is always a good thing. It appears the slump has passed, or at least just faded away. There was no big bang, or major revelation that spurred my recent creativity, it just crept back in, silently, as it's done many times in the past. I'm grateful, but wish I had more insight to the workings of my own artistic mind. I'd love a guidebook on how to not fall into a rut again, but I know at some point, I'll feel less than inspired, and the cycle will repeat. For now, though, I am creating.

Lately, my mind is all over the place. Many days, my mind, as well as my heart, is in a secluded spot by Rush Creek, off of Highway 395 in the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains of California. It's a familiar place that I've been many times. Nearby, several aspen trees bear the carvings my brothers and I made on past visits. Behind me is a flat-topped hill with 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. It's so quiet there you can hear the earth breathing.

Other days, I find myself thinking of the high desert of the American southwest. Red rock country. Another home for my heart.

The traveler in me is restless, and has been for a very long time. I yearn for the ocean, canyons, sagebrush, mountains the scope of which Virginia can't touch, endless night skies where the stars burn brighter than you could ever imagine and roads that lead to new, magnificent discoveries that take your breath away. Forever the dreamer, that's me.

I seek to pour this longing into my artwork. Not sure if I'm succeeding yet, but that's never stopped me before.

Mixed media tentacle triptych made for a swap with an online friend and fellow artist.

The state I'm in.

So, I'm currently working stumbling my way through a bit of a slump. Actually, this "slump" has been off and on for a few months now. I know how to change it, and sometimes I manage to climb over the wall, but I can't seem to tear down the wall, and that's what I really want to do.

Mt. Pilchuck, Washington. Sunset. 

Somewhere, amidst the slump, I found myself realizing I was making it even worse by trying to force what cannot be forced. Oh, sure, I can mold any idea into something pliable, but this feels more like barely scratching the surface. I know there's so much more below, but I struggle to reach it.

Beach at Deception Pass.

My brother, who is younger than me but full of wisdom, said to ride it through, let the slump hang around for a bit, let it run its course. Just the idea of that sparked a small something today, and I managed to eek out a couple small works. I also had success the other day when my dear friend Barb advised going into the studio just to play, with no set plan to "make something". And I also know that the best way to cultivate new ideas is just by working, doing something, anything, to get the juices flowing.

Isn't it just lovely to know these things, yet still find yourself staring down the wall? *sigh* Yup.

Another friend mentioned perhaps I was a bit depressed after the big build up to, and then returning from, my trip to Washington. She may be onto something.

The Cascades.

Regardless, here I am. I have the tools to break through, I know how, and I know I'm only making things worse by focusing on it. Yet...here I am. At the same time, I can feel that once I break through this, something amazing awaits on the other side. I'm on the cusp of...something, and that's exciting.

Mt. Pilchuck.

And my trip to Washington? It was amazing, just what I needed. Meeting Barb for the first time "in real life" was...awesome. It just solidified what I already knew to be true, that Barb and I are a lot alike, and that I cherish her presence in my life. Barb doesn't demand anything of you, she allows you to be you, and at the same time she challenges you, in a good way. We laughed, a lot. We watched movies, and laughed some more. We made art. Mostly, we spent time just enjoying being together. We also took a jaunt over the Cascades to meet up with some other online friends, which was a most unforgettable experience. What happens when you get 4 intelligent, creative, funny and unabashed friends together, who have never met in person before, in a random Denny's in the middle of the afternoon? Laughter and many smiles ensue. You might also get a few stares, and your table may be referred to by an employee as "where the party is!" I pretty much just stayed laughing the entire time.

Snoqualmie Falls.

Anyway, I'll keep going the direction I am, working a bit here and there, trying not to worry too much and just letting it flow. And I'll try my best to not beat myself up about it, which is, of course, much easier said than done.

Art journal inspiration.

I don't yet have a new post ready for my art journaling series, but I'm (slowly) working on that. I thought today I'd share some inspiration for all you art journalers out there. Yesterday I ran across (thanks to the new addiction that is Pinterest) this, a tumblr page dedicated to art journals, collected by Barb. It's a wonderful source to get the creative juices flowing, and to see how others use their journals.

Now, let's talk about what you'd like to see in future art journal posts. In the last several months, I've been regularly checking my stats here (something I rarely, if ever, did before). I've had this blog since 2007, and by and large, the number one post people are reading is my Fearless Art Journaling post on backgrounds. I'm not too surprised, as that post goes in line with a lot of the art journal questions I am asked. I myself find the backgrounds the easiest part - it's the focal point that sometimes does me in. I have some ideas for the series, but I'd like to know if there's anything my readers would like to see. Any questions about art journals you'd like answered? Any techniques you'd like me to cover? Feel free to add your ideas, comments and questions in the comments.

Hope you all have an artful day!