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!!!

Harumph...

Allow me to use this post to purge the dreck cluttering my artist's psyche right now. Bare with me or ignore all together. At least it will be out there, and I can focus on more important things.

Once again, (or is it still) I'm getting in my own creative way. I want to write, to paint and make things in general, but when I have the time, I nearly always manage to talk myself out it. (Usually to waste the time on some mindless, pointless activity.) I know, very deep down, that I NEED to get at the keyboard, and behind a brush full of paint, but have not figured out just how to get out of my own way. I guess it's just a matter of not over-thinking it, not worrying about whether I am in the mood, or if I think I will be productive. I just need to do something.

That will be my motto for the coming weekend. "Just Do Something!"

Well, well, well

Alright, so it's been nearly a month since my last confession, I mean blog post. What have I been up to? Until recently, not a whole lot. Just a little. Ready to get busy once again. The ideas are flowing. I think it's time to let them out.

In the studio, I have a bowling ball frog W.I.P. on my work table right now. Won't include any shots of that. You've seen what they look like. (look right) Will begin a bowling ball turtle shortly. I will post pics of that one, since it is a new design for me. Supposed to be hot and muggy for the next handful of days which mean I will be spending much time inside, so hopefully I will have something for you soon on that one. After those are mostly completed and ready to deliver to their "owner," I will start some painted collage and diorama type pieces in a circus or carnival theme. Going to my first renaissance faire at the end of July, so I am planning to absorb as much inspiration there as possible. Feels good to be painting again after some time off. I think I have replenished my databases with ideas for future pieces.

As for writing, I am currently working on a book about a ventriloquist, and his struggle with life and reality. I feel like it has a lot of potential, but still requires a considerable work. (Wasn't prepared for how long writing a book can take. Why I am surprised, I don't know.) As a source of research and inspiration, I am reading Jeff Dunham's autobiography "All By My Selves".

It's been a great read so far. Jeff is a really nice guy with an incredible talent. Being an artist myself, I am really impressed that despite having no training, he makes many of his own dolls. I am hoping for a little more specific information, as he has only mentioned minute details about his materials and process. A woman in my writer's group suggested I contact him directly, and I am beginning to think I may just do that. Will be interesting to see if I get any response. I think anything he can offer will add some great material to my book and insight into the characters world.

That pretty much fills you in on what is going on with me at the moment. As soon as possible, I will post more pictures of my art here. That was the reason for beginning this project a few years back. Hope this finds everyone well. Stay cool if you are in an area that has to deal with summer heat and humidity. I will be spending much time indoors with the air conditioning. I don't do well with the heat and blazing sun. 

Hope to "see"you all again soon!

Challenge Accepted...and Met.

Today I successfully completed the 100x100 challenge I took up back on January 24th.

Being someone who tends toward procrastination, and sometimes swayed by self-doubt, there were times when making it to this date felt a little iffy. By sheer determination, stubbornness, and a creative writing schedule, I hung in there, and here I am at day 100.

It's true, there were many days when I just barely made my quota, but there were also days when I wrote far more than the required count. (I also spent a great deal of time thinking about what I had written, and making notes for current and further projects.) As a result of sticking with this personal challenge I am a little closer to concluding the novel I started back in November for NaNoWriMo. In addition, I started two other stories. One of them I finished, and may revisit at a later date to see if it has merit for further work.

Currently I am working on a story that feels like it has promise. "Boy Oh Boy" (a working title) is about an amateur ventriloquist who may or may not be losing touch with reality due to failures in his personal life. I've presented two early chapters to my monthly writing group, and with their encouragement and suggestions will work toward completing the first draft. After that I will do some more research into ventriloquy, and begin the long task of rewrites. Keep you fingers crossed for me.

Just wanted to take a minute to share in my success. Thanks to all of you who encouraged me.

Now that's one big bug!

Yup, spring is here and the bugs are out. Don't mind this one too much though. Kinda cute, don't ya think? (and it doesn't bite or leave a awful odor on your hands)

Here are some pics of my latest creation. I have to say I am much happier with the softball ladybug than I was with bowling ball version. (Sorry no good pics of that one.) This one went home with Mom at Easter and is now hanging out at the library where she works. Have another of these in the works now that will stay with us. Mother's Day gift for Mary? Anyway, hope you enjoy these. Thanks to The Girl for taking the photos. She is turning out to be an impressive photographer!

More pics and thoughts later.

Oops!

Well, looks like I missed posting for the entire month of March. I had every intention of getting back here at least once, but procrastination done beat me down. I will attempt to be better in the future. (Seems like I have been saying this a lot here.)

So, to fill you in, I have been faithful to my 100x100 challenge, and have not missed a day of writing since beginning January 24th. Some days I just barely get my 100 words, and others I write as many as 800. (Sadly not as many of the big number days as I'd like.) I have completed a story, began another, and done a little work toward completely the story arc of my 2010 NaNoWriMo novel. I would really like to write more, but I have a way of letting that nasty self doubt sneak in and that tends to interfere with the more lengthy session. I am happy that I am at least getting some interaction with my writing on a daily basis. As Sark says, "Just do something."

Also on the writing front, I am enrolled to participate in a day long workshop called "Write Like a River" at the end of April. There will be writing exercises, meditation and interaction with two published authors. All of this will be conducted near the river in beautiful Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. Hopefully this workshop will help me to work through the reasons that I have not completely allowed myself to embrace the author in me.

The writing group is still going well. I enjoy the interaction with other newby writer's and Kathy's enthusiasm and encouragement are inspiring. I have been reading a lot in my genre as well. I finished Joe Hill's Horns and have to say I really enjoyed it. Maybe not as much as Heart-Shaped Box, but it was still a very clever and entertaining story. I hear it has been optioned for a film. Hopefully it doesn't get ruined.

I also just finished the first book in a new Lincoln Child & Douglas Preston series. Gideon's Sword was a fairly disappointing book. I've really enjoyed the authors' Inspector Pendergast novels, but did not find myself engaged with the characters in this new venture. The ending seemed rushed and fairly unsatisfactory. I couldn't help feeling like I was missing something or like the two writers weren't sure how to conclude the story. Will have to see how the second book sounds before I decide whether to keep up with Gideon's escapades.

I am excited to start reading the latest Locke and Key graphic novel. It is in the stack next to my chair right now, along with a novel by horror author Brian Keene called Urban Gothic. This second book is very dark and more brutal that I was expecting, but I like the atmospheric tone, and novel storyline.

As for artwork, I intentionally took December off once I got a few orders completed and delivered. December off led into January off. It felt good, but then I started to feel guilty. Spent some time in the studio in February working on Mary's Valentine. As promised, here is a photo of the finished product.

I am quite happy with the way it turned out and I am thinking about doing some others. (possibly seasonally or holiday themed "cup"cakes) I see some potential here. Will shop around for some more cups and saucers and play around with the idea. I also have some new softballs started, and will be getting back into those this week. In addition an idea for some painted collage pieces came to me, and I am anxious to experiment with them. The arrival of spring has inspired me to get creative again. I fell into hibernation mode after the excitement of the holidays, and the momentary burst of enthusiasm that the new year brought. I will be posting photos of the finished character balls soon, and when I have some decent W.I.Ps to post, I will get those up her as well.

Thank you to all of you who read me. I appreciate knowing you are out there cheering me along. See you in the blogosphere again soon!