To remain creative, sometimes an artist needs to step away from the project they are working on and do something completely different. That is what I did in December.
Felt, embroidery floss, needle and thread, trim, beads, ribbon and stuffing. What fun! I’m already wondering what to try next on these cold wintery nights.
(Grandson art) Izzies Dogs
Oh what a journey I have been on these last few weeks. The first month of 2021 was disturbing to say the least. My soul was crushed in many ways. My art and my soul are effected by many things that come across my path in a given day. Each day I am determined to find faith, hope and joy to carry on, even when the world looks so dark.
One of my main aims in life is to bring joy to children through my books and also my fabric designs. The little ones are my heart and soul. Why is that you might ask? Because children amaze me to no end. Case in point, little “Ruby“. I met her and her parents while on my walk yesterday. She was dressed in a sparkling and frilly purple gown. I said to her, “I spy a princess!!!” Her eyes lit up because in her mind she truly was a princess and someone noticed her! (Perhaps she really IS a princess! I love that thought!) Ruby held out a stick and announced, “This is my magic wand!” She was a breath of fresh air and made me laugh!
Earlier in the week I was in a conversation with my granddaughter. She wanted me to tell her a story. I began with, “Once upon a time there was a little girl who was afraid of dogs.” Her eyes got really really big and she announced, “It’s a true story!!!” She was afraid of dogs and thought it was amazing I was telling HER story. It was so funny to see her so shocked that I knew it.
Children are captivating. I can almost see little wheels turning in their heads! They are trusting and pure and joyful and eager to learn. Like little sponges they soak up the world around them. The thought of many of them suffering at our southern border (in the thousands now) or many of them being eliminated through abortion at the whim of a person sitting at a desk both astounds me and angers me. I have been told to, “Stop watching the news. You can’t change the world”… but that feels like a cold answer. Just ignore it? It feels so heartless. In order to retain my sanity I decided to look ahead to see what I might write and illustrate for our wee ones that brings a hopeful message that is loaded with joy….and hopefully one day the little ignored and forgotten ones in the world will be rescued. It is my constant prayer.
But where does Christmas fit in? It has to do with God, my Heavenly Father. In my struggles he brought me a surprise. I had been on Facebook when a free class popped up on how to use Adobe Illustrator to make a pattern. I jumped at the chance. I had been wanting to learn Illustrator in this specific way instead of my go-to, Photoshop. The class was a challenge and when I made my first pattern I was thrilled!! I danced around in front of my husband. He loved the pattern too. The free class was only the tip of what was taught in the full class which would cost a lot more. To my surprise and delight, my husband saw my excitement and agreed it should be something I moved ahead on. This 10 week class has been delightful. It has been “creativity to the fullest” and the other students are so inspiring. I believe one of the students is about 75 years old and chugging away undaunted by age. I LOVE that!! I can, and will, use what I’m learning in my children’s books and fabrics. I even helped my grandson create his first fabric design. (above) He loved it! I am still praying for our country and it’s treatment of children and women at the border and in abortion clinics. Talk is cheap. My action is to keep praying and to use my new skills to make the best books and products I can to bring joy to all their hearts and help brighten our world.
Every year I get a word for the New Year. I happily bounce into the next year with wings on my feet. This year is different. I am patiently waiting. I think it’s going to be a very important word so I have to search it out. God does not leave me wordless! I will find it!
Did you get a word?
How many times can a person start over? Every day if you are human. As an artist, I find that every day there is fresh inspiration right in front of me. Color combinations, characters I meet on my walks, weather that surrounds me, friends I visit with, books I read, movies I watch and on and on.
The world is a fascinating place to live in. Even in our seclusion we can find joy. I am not about to stop singing or dancing out in the great outdoors. The fresh air fills my soul and I can go back to the studio and begin again.
In my seclusion I am finding new purpose. I am reaching out to people with encouraging cards I create just for the recipients. My imagination is taking off and heading in new directions.
Just like my little character named, “Peepsqueak” always says when we sign books, “All things are possible!!”
Almost everyone has heard of the phrase “Shiny Objects”. I decided to look it up online. It brought me to a website for entrepreneurs. The article spoke of SOS, Shiny Object Syndrome, and called it the disease of distraction. I have been distracted many times in my life. (Even this morning!)
When you have Jesus in your life and you take time to listen for Him, the distractions fade and Jesus, the true “Shining Object” of our faith becomes front and center.
I have been a Christian going on 45 years and Jesus has been true to me in every season of life. Together we have walked down some pretty rough roads. Daily I learn of why I must be completely devoted to him. The closer in relationship with Him that I am, the more the world and its cares fade into peace. His loves become my loves. His purpose becomes my purpose. He has taken over my house and I have never had such a wonderful house guest. You see, He is completely devoted to me too. Jesus is my shiny object and I am still captured by his love.
“But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.” Hebrews 3:6
A few months ago I was listening to someone on the radio talking about alpha-rhythms. There was a study done suggesting that it was a state of mind you are in upon waking each morning. A very creative state. It was suggested that you go straight to work in your creative area during this time as opposed to checking emails, surfing the web or watching tv…which shuts it all down. I had to chuckle when I heard it. I was reminded of an invention I dreamt of right before waking. It’s seemed “oh so real” and possible that I grabbed a pen and paper on my night stand and began jotting down the idea and sketching the prototype. My husband came into the room…I told him my idea…as I spoke it became clear that it was a bit whacky. Hahaha! Still, it could also be possible? All this to say, keep your pencil and paper handy on your night stand! You never know what idea might be hatching during your alpha-rhythm state of mind!
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/alpha-rhythm
“Build it and they will come.” It’s a famous line from the movie, “Field of Dreams”.
In my case, it’s a new area in my home where I can devote myself to writing my stories. Until now, I have found myself scattered around in different places, trying to find the best atmosphere for my work. My art studio, coffee shops, our little travel trailer, the library… but nothing seemed quite right. I would find myself getting distracted.
One day I picked up a magazine called, Where Woman Create. An artist told about her studio set ups, all THREE of them. One studio is in her house, another is out in her backyard and a third is in her basement where she builds her frames for her paintings. My mind went to a room in my house I affectionately call the YaYa room. The closet is full of toys for our grandkids. The sofa bed is ready for when they spend the night. BUT, mostly, the grandkids grab a toy and head for the family room. Basically, it is an unused space until now.
I went to Habitat for Humanity and purchased a door. I set it on top of a file cabinet and another small table and painted it black. “Voila!” a desk! Oh… I did have to paint the walls too. They were green, now gray! I love the peaceful tone. My sister gave me some lamps a couple of years ago. I replaced the shades with these white ones. The whole setting is magical.
I worked all day on a new story. What fun! A new place and a new grace. Keep on creating!
Leslie Ann Clark
leslieaclark.com
And why am I happy? The “flu” flew by in record time. One day in bed is enough for this happy camper. It’s back to the studio!
Over the weekend I attended the Picture Book Summit in the privacy of my studio! I joined more than 300 other authors and illustrators. What fun! We listened to advice from all the experts from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm! Barely enough time for lunch and potty breaks but well worth the time. There is already talk of another one next year. If you are an author or illustrator I highly recommend it!
ONWARD to new adventures!
You may ask me, what has dancing got to do with funeral? I will tell you that when you go to the funeral of your old dancing instructor you can think of almost nothing else. Such was the case with the service I went to this week. It was for my dear Ethel Friel Barker.
It all began when I was in about third grade. My older sister was taking dance and gymnastics and so I wanted to too! My younger sister followed along after. Each week we would tromp down her stairs in our leotards, set our dollar on her piano and begin our lesson.
Bring on the tap shoes! What fun we had learning those dances. The costumes came next. Many times they were made by our mothers. I remember the rumba costume the most. The top was all gold sequins sewn on to satin. The bottom was an open skirt that showed off your dancing legs! haha!… a pair of green satin shorts underneath..and nothing skimpy!…then there were the ruffles of satin colors on the trailing skirt. I remember Ethel teaching us all how to shimmy. We all laughed!
Each year Ethel would travel to New York to Dance Caravan. She would learn all the dances and come back and teach them to all her students. She had students of all ages from the tiniest little ones to the high school kids. I remember two boys who learned a Russian dance. Their dance number was mixed with gymnastic moves.
Besides the lessons, Ethel would arrange for us to have shows.. at no extra cost to us. We traveled to girls homes, boys homes, a home for the mentally challenged.. and then even some Christmas shows for the American Legion. As shy as we were, it helped us to learn how to be in front of people. We learned about different people and the situations they live in.
When we got to high school, Ethel helped us with our gymnastic routines. She rented out the Grange Hall, lugged all her black mats over and we tumbled and practiced for our meets. All for that same one dollar bill on her piano.
Our lessons continued through high school and we occasionally went to see her for a class… just for fun. My last class was when I was pregnant with my first daughter. I remember going slow… I did a limber over… and then felt my daughter kick! That was the end of that! ha!
Many friends gathered for the memorial service. My sisters sat next to me and three other friends, all in the same row. When the minister asked us to read something, I watched as ALL of us dug into our purses for our glasses. Ethel would have laughed at that sight! We all laughed and cried.
When the service was over and we sat at our tables for a small lunch, we talked and talked about our dances, our costumes and Ethel. Before everyone left, we spread the word through out the room that anyone who wanted to, could participate in the performance of the Waltz Clog! This was the dance that Ethel taught every student. ( My sisters and I do it periodically, even now for fun).
The people gathered… most dressed in black and white. We almost looked like we were in costume. .. and then we began. We sang the tune as we stumbled though the dance moves laughing! Our last steps were always … just as Ethel taught us, “step cut the pie” with our feet.
What a wonderful remembrance. What a wonderful person she was! We will always celebrate Ethel!
This brings me to this thought. I have been thinking about it a lot in the last few weeks since I know four people who have died recently. There are many people who live life helping others. It’s such a wonderful thing. They give and give and give until it’s time for heaven. Their memorial services are happy sad, but often joy filled. Others take and take and take until their last day. Those services are sad. … almost tragic.
I prefer happy! I like the thought of people dancing at my funeral. .. and singing loud!
Here are three pictures of our Ethel! She lives on in our hearts always!
Artists live a life of wonder. At times, it’s wondering what to do next. I will not lie, I have been wondering this for the last few months. I am looking for the sweet spot! It’s my favorite place to be in Art. It’s the place where you are working and you don’t want to stop. I think it’s a divine place where God kisses your life with ideas that flow out in a steady stream.
A lot of things can bar you from this place. Looking in the wrong direction, self doubt, self pity, self self self. Ha! Get the point? You have to get rid of the”self” part. If the sweet spot is divine, then you have to seek out the divine.
A few nights ago I had a dream. My dad was in the dream. Someone had driven him to my house. He slowly came up the steps to my house and said to me, ” Bloom“. In a small whisper he said, “bloom where you are planted”.
Then he was gone.
I woke up knowing the “divine” had spoken to me.
No grinding out ideas, just let the divine IN me out… to make the art I was born to make.
A flower does not worry about the bloom. All the coding for that bloom is IN the seed. It simply drinks up moisture from above and the roots go down and the bloom comes.
So… BLOOM today! You were meant to be like none other.
Each day is filled with work. My work is fun, but there are still decisions to make and a path to stay on. There are meetings to schedule and deadlines to meet. It can be a constant process of thought and movement.
I have stopped for the day. I stopped to look over my idea book and enjoy the summer breeze. The are ideas everywhere and sometimes you cannot find the ones that are in the calm of the day if you don’t stop to look and listen.
My doggie stands guard to protect me from squirrels, my other doggie wanted the cool of the air in the house. I listen to the wind kicking up. I hear cars from a nearby street. I feel sure that the birds are discussing what’s for dinner. My feel are hot in my sneakers that are still on since my morning walk. My daisies look like they are reaching for the sky. The weeds are tall on the north side of my house. My thoughts travel to what to make for dinner. (I resist that thought for now). My daughter turned 35 today! That makes me smile as I remember her entrance into this world and her loud voice!
All of these are but fleeting thoughts. Sometimes a fleeting thought will make into a story, but you must take the time to stop, look and listen.
Now I dive into my idea book!
That is the question! The answer is in you. Will you be who you yearn to be in this life? Will you accomplish your dreams? Much of it is up to you.
My neighbor is an example. I met her three years ago. I was so excited to have an artist move in next door! She is a potter and when I visited her she would show me what she was making. She had some really fun pieces.
Last December she agreed to be in a garden show. She was one of two artists that would show their work in a specific garden. She knew she needed to fill the yard so she began in earnest to produce pieces with a garden theme. All winter long the kiln was firing wonderful creations! Colorful pots, bird houses and bird baths began oozing out of her garage. Her work began taking on a personality and a style like no other artist. I saw her grow in her skills.
Last Wednesday was set-up day. We placed her art all over the yard. By the time we finished, the yard look like it was out of a fairy tale! I could see that her pieces told a story. There was color everywhere! We were so excited!
We returned on Saturday for the sale. No sooner did we sit down at our table when the crowd of visitors began forming a line to buy my friends pottery. The line did not stop until the day ended. It was wonderful!!! All of her hard work paid off.
So what is my point? Find what you love and DO it! Find a way! Keep moving in the direction. To be or NOT to be? It’s up to you!
Pottery by Juanita Estepa
I was sitting in the movie theater today, minding my own business, (and Captain Kirks!), when all of the sudden three words came to me. “Change Your Destiny”. I was so surprised that I dug down into my purse ( the black hole), looking for my notebook so i might write them down.
Along with the words came a sudden rush of hope and direction for my future. Instead of watching the Star Trek movie, I began thinking of things I could turn around in my life that would mean a different future, even 3 months from now.
How many times in our lives do we stay the course because it is easy or familiar? What would happen if we chose three things in each day, and purposed in our hearts to do them differently? Perhaps that would mean venturing out to see a neighbor you hadn’t seen in a while? Or put down that cheese sandwich and opt for a salad? Why not carve out an hour of the day to work on your novel or write a letter to a relative? Maybe it’s time you tackle your To Do List?
I will think out loud here and list some different areas of interest to me.
God
Family
Friends
Job
Exercise
Diet
Home front
Hobbies
Inspiration
Gardening
Under each heading could be multiple topics.
Imagine if you took a new course of action for each heading, each day. How might that change your life by this time next year? Just think! You could come to the end of the year, a new person! Or perhaps you might become the person you were meant to be! What area might you work on this week?
Heaven! The final frontier! But what will you do before that??? I LOVE the thought of CHA CHA CHANGE!!!
Are you with me?
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