A Little Magic in the Mix

Well, it's February, and though we have had a very mild winter (little snow and above average temps), I am done feeling the need to hibernate, and am ready to be inspired and motivated to take on some new projects.

I have been writing regularly, having given myself the challenge of writing at least 30 minutes a day for the next 30 days. The idea is to have writing be something that I do every day, especially as I finish the first draft of my book and begin the revision and editing process. I really enjoy starting my day with time spent writing. It set a good tone, and I find it to be a good companion to my morning mediation practice.

As a supplement to the monthly writer's group I am a part of, I have begun scheduling write-in session once a month. The first one, held at a local coffee shop, brought three other writers out for some co-creative energy swapping. It was a positive experience for all of us, so I am doing it again this coming weekend. It is my hope that we can get to know each other better, continue to offer support and suggestions when needed, and create an even stronger community to inspire and keep us on track.

Harry Houdini

As for art, I am still working on a few commissions, and putting together ideas for some new multi media paintings, and dimensional pieces. My wife, daughter and I attended a new art gallery show in Madison yesterday called "Houdini: Art and Magic." It featured props and memorabilia from Houdini's career in addition to video footage and artwork inspired by Houdini and his illusions. My mind is swimming with ideas for artwork that uses magic, and vaudevillian style entertainment as a focus. I am excited to get started. Expect to see some pics of works in progress here very soon.

As always, thanks for following me here at Monkey Pants. Stay warm and take care of yourselves.

In honor of 2012

As the start of a new year once again approaches, I am reminded of the intentions I set here not so long ago.

New Years "Intentions" for 2011 (I prefer intention to resolution.)

1. Embrace the quirkiness.

2. Feed the creativity.

3. Fill up on positivity.

4. Enjoy the ride!

Hard to find fault with any of these, and for that reason, I choose to renew these intentions on the advent of 2012. They still feel right to me as I try them on. It is very clear that this is the year that it all comes to fruition, and that I move closer to getting published. The first draft of my current book is nearly complete, and I know that it will soon be time to start the revisions, making it ready to send off for consideration by agent and editor 

alike. Wish me luck.

So as not to make this all about me, I want to wish all of you a Happy New Year. Be safe, be sound and above all be well. Thanks for following me on my journey. Just knowing that you are there inspires me. 

Here's a toast to new beginnings!

See you around.

Happy New Year!

Sincerely, Chris

Christmas 2011

I've really let this blog go stale since my last post, and for that I apologize. Most of my creative efforts over the last few months have gone into my writing, and because there's not much I can show for that, I've not been keeping up with regular contributions to Monkey Pants. I hereby renew my intention, and recommit to summarizing my projects in this blog, both the successes and the missteps.

I look forward to developing Monkey Pants further in 2012. I think that it has considerable potential as a forum for me to share with you the things I am spending my time with, as well as letting you know my thoughts on my creative life, and how I am finding a way to mix the written with the visual.

With that said and out of the way, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! May you rediscover some of the simple magic in this time of the year. Do yourself a favor and take a few minutes to enjoy the many wonders of the season, (I know that I shall.) and remember the reason why we celebrate.

One again, my best holiday wishes to you and yours. See you again around New Year's Day!

The Christmas tree at Woodward Governor in 
Rockford, Illinois. A favorite childhood memory of mine.

Change of plans

I am embarrassed to say that my Doodle a Day challenge is not going well only 8 days in. I think that it is due in part to the fact that I hate my list of suggested drawings. I thought I could overcome that, but I am truly uninspired. For now I will try another source, and maybe just draw whatever I want at any given time. Being that we are in my favorite season, and nearing my favorite holiday, you will probably see lots drawing reflecting that. (It'll be like when I was a kid doing Halloween artwork for my bedroom door.)

If I don't have time today for scanning and posting, (We are in high preparation mode for our German exchange student who is arriving tomorrow.) I will post again later in the week with a few drawings. I am disappointed that this didn't work out as I planned. Maybe I bit off more than I can chew. After NaNoWrimo and the busyness of the holidays, I will give a daily drawing challenge another shot. Will give me some time to research a better suggested topic list!

Creative Challenge Begins

Today is October 1st and Day One of my latest creative challenge - Doodle a Day. I found a 30 day list of suggested drwaings on line that, though not the greatest, will do for the purpose. My idea is that I not be too obsessive about each drawing. I hope to spend no more than an hour a day putting something down on paper. It's really more about flexing some much neglected muscles than it is about creating really great art. (Though I would certainly welcome some good stuff.)

Today's challenge was to draw "You". I took it as an opportunity to make a representation of myself as well as make a banner for the months work.

Day 1 - You

Going forward, I will probably only post drawings once a week. It will take me some time to get them all scanned once they are completed. I have fairly high hopes for this venture, but mostly I want to rediscover the fun of drawing. Thanks for joining me. I'll see you next week!

What's that up ahead?

With 100/100 behind me and NaNoWriMo a little over a month away, I have been thinking that I need a new creative challenge. (As if making art, and writing a book aren't challenging enough.) Inspired by my daughter's "Photo a Day" challenge in August, I was thinking I might do "A Drawing a Day" for the month of October.

Why a drawing a day? Well, I got a fresh taste of drawing when I helped Kendall out with her final project for photography at the end of the last school year, and it wasn't too bad. Normally I get very frustrated with drawing, but I think with one to do for 31 consecutive days, I won't have time to get too obsessive, and it can only help with the flow of creative ideas. The idea would be that I would produce a simple sketch each day that I would then post here on this blog. When I have finished, I will have a collection of drawing that might then become painting or in some way end up in my writing. I'm kind of excited by the prospects. I will spend the next couple of day investigating themes, and making a plan of attack. I will post the details when I have everything worked out.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

With Labor Day come and gone, my mind wanders to the promise of what lies beyond the long, hot summer we are finally leaving behind. It's nearly here. Can you feel it? There is a hint of it in the air, and I for one am welcoming it with open arms. I love autumn in the midwest!

Not only do I welcome the shift to cooler temps, and change from deep green to shades of orange, red, yellow and brown, I anxiously look forward to the tastes, smells, sounds, and activities that make this time of year so great.

I am excited at seeing harvest and Halloween merchandise appearing on stores shelves (Though it is not showing up nearly fast enough for me.), and am contemplating what books and movies to fill my free time that will help me to celebrate the beauty and the spookiness I crave in the fall. I am a kid again. Maybe even more so than at Christmas.

I continue to work on my novel about a small town ventriloquist. I still think it shows promise, but I am sometimes overwhelmed by the amount of work it will take to get it publishable. I guess that is the plight of the author. One day, and one writing session at a time.

I took myself on a writing date last weekend which proved to be very invigorating and productive. An hour in a small, quiet coffee house with a baby bathtub sized latte, are just the ticket when I need a shot of inspiration. I will remember to do more of these, maybe even alternating with writing time outside absorbing some of my favorite season.

On the subject of my book, I finally wrote the scene I was most dreading. Even if I don't use it, I felt the need to write a bit of the main characters act with the puppet that is most prominent in the story. I know that I can be funny, but that is quite a bit different than being a comedian. It wasn't as difficult as I imagined it to be, but then again, no one has read what I have written. Maybe I completely missed the mark. I plan to offer it up to my writer's group in a couple of weeks to see how it flies. It is at times like this that I really wish that I had a writing buddy. To be able to swap stuff with a fellow writer for feedback, encouragement and suggestion would be so helpful. I believe that I will happen upon that person eventually, but as with many things, I am impatient. Till then,  I will have to wait for the reaction of my monthly group. I will let you know how it goes.

As for my artwork, I have a few things in the works, and lots of ideas of things to come. I am finding more inspiration in the ideas and images of carnivals, traveling shows, old toys, and of course autumn and Halloween. I will post pics of where that all leads me as I have them available.

I have decided not to participate in the annual Fall Bazaar at work this year, at least not as a vendor. I like a more leisurely pace when it comes to making artwork, and the idea, of cranking out stuff to sell, just is not appealing to me right now. I want to be able to play and explore, to create new and different things - not more of the same. I have promised to help with promotion, and set-up and tear-down, so in that way I will still be involved. I thought I might regret this decision, but find it a relief and a ticket to creative freedom. Maybe by next year, I will be able to set-up shop once again, but on a newer, broader and more exciting level.

Guess that gets you caught up for now. With the torrent of inspiration coming at me in the following couple of months, I expect to have more frequent posts, so until then - take care all. Enjoy the fall, and all that it brings. I know I will!!!