Thoughtful Tuesday: Long Time No Post

It's always hard for me to be productive during the summer. I blame the Texas heat, but this time I also had the belated honeymoon almost a year later. I get the double whammy because heat + vacation = not as much time to bring ideas together. However, this time, I started working on a piece in the late spring, I was able to get to a good place before the vacation, then able to slowly focus on it when I came back. 

It also helped to slowly start new projects too. So this summer, despite the heat and the travels, I was able to work on pieces, slowly, and still be productive. Now, I'm working towards a piece that I hope to submit to a show, and it's somewhat different for me due to the guidelines/theme, but let's see what happens. 

Let's see how this goes....

Currently Watching: Season 3 of Jane the Virgin (watched mostly Labor Day weekend while working on this painting)

Studio Sunday: Self Portrait Circa 2017

Years ago when my husband and I lived in an apartment, I started portrait. At some point, maybe it was because we were moving, life, uninspired reasons, I stopped working on it. I debated making it a self-portrait. Years passed and this remained in my art space. 

A face that clearly haunted me for years. 

In an effort to finish old paintings before starting new ones, I picked up this piece. For motivation, I made this above image my profile picture on Facebook, and promised myself to update it as the portrait progressed. I pat myself on the back for this idea. 

I never said it was going to be a realistic self-portrait....

A few weeks ago, I finally finished it, but waited for good weather and time to post it. This time, I made it my cover photo. All feels right with my studio world, and I'd like to do another one in the future too. Maybe I'll do a self-portrait around the time I turn 30, I like even numbers. For now, I'm done, and onward to continue the others unfinished and those that need to be properly sketched and done. 

Self-Portrait Circa 2017

Currently Watching: Supernatural - Season 7 - Episode 4

Studio Sunday: The Hands That (can't) Feed You

Someday I hope to be able to paint hands well. I don't think I do now. However, like with portraits, more practice, more practice, more practice....and a bit more patience..... I think I'l be able to do hands I'm proud of. 

I've been working on a painting since December, and worked so much on it on some stayacation time off at that time that I haven't worked on it since then. April has been quite a busy month. March had it's moments as well. I decided to pick this painting back up again this weekend. It's not done. I'm not satisfied yet. I'm starting to feel I have overworked the hands... I have layered too much paint. However, it's an experience, it's practice, learning curves. Even if it's not how I envisioned, I could come back someday and start brand new, try again, but for now, for this:

Sometimes you have to show the things before they are finished to motivate you. More on that next time. 

Currently Listening: Draconian's album "Sovran"
Currently Reading: Stephen King's "It"
Currently also Getting My Shit Together

Thoughtful Monday: Goal Accomplished...for Now.

I have a 30 before 30 list (28) and one goal was to be in an art show, after not being in any since 2012. As mentioned in the previous post, I've tried a few times before getting into the El Corazón exhibit at the Bath House Cultural Center. But trial and error right? I wasn't able to attend the opening reception due to vacation (the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise, which is fitting funny enough), but I was informed that a co-worker attended knowing I wouldn't be there. 

I finally got to see it over the weekend and I felt like I had to suppress my giddiness....and tried to look professional for a pic...which I think I succeeded somewhat. 

Husband took a pic as well with me giving the thumbs up, but this looks better because that's what best friends are for (thanks Toni!!)

So what's next? Yes, I have accomplished a goal to cross off my list, but the point of the goals is not to do it and be done with, the point of the goals is to prove I can do something...which means I can do it again. What's next? Trying to get into more shows and stop shutting up my art in my house. It's time to try to get more stuff out there. 

Do or do not...there is no try - Yoda. 

Currently Listening: Amorphis' "Under the Red Cloud" album
Currently Reading: Get Your Shit Together by Sarah Knight
Finished Reading: Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale"