I’m always curious about other creatives…how they spend their days, what their homes look like, what they wear, how they got started in whatever propels them in an artistic direction.

I just finished reading “Work in Progress” by Leanne Ford and Steve Ford. They are the sister and brother team who popped up on the home renovation/remodel scene a couple of years ago. Though Leanne has a tendency to paint everything white, she does have quirky ideas and is not afraid to break traditional approaches in design. Their book is not a decorating how-to…”rather unconventional thoughts on designing an extraordinary life.”

Among the excellent insight both of them offered, there were three important points that I firmly believe and was glad to see they wholeheartedly endorse.

SHOW UP

It doesn’t get any simpler than that. If I’m serious about being an artist, then its what I do…not what I say I will do, that makes the difference. Whether its committing to creating something everyday or being present to support a friend or a cause or demonstrating that I am dependable…its actions, not words that matter.

Showing up for my art may not involve getting out the glue, the papers, the scissors everyday…sometimes its dabbling with ideas in a notebook, sometimes its playing with digital images on my computer. This recent composition started with a photo of my original mixed media collage…adding in additional elements and textures in Photoshop and ending up with a unique, new interpretation. Stretching my ideas beyond their original design is one of the best ways I have found to strengthen my artistic practice.

YOUR SPACE IS FOR YOU

Nobody but you (and your family) has to be happy in your space and it should absolutely reflect how you need to live. If you have watched any of Leanne’s shows on HGTV, you know that she is not adverse to changing rooms or switching décor around in a house to suit the lifestyle of the homeowner. When the pandemic started and we were hunkering down at home, it seemed crazy to have a large dining room with a big table and no one coming over to eat. You may remember my May 2020 newsletter in which I detailed the change from a dining room into a library reading nook, complete with two overstuffed chairs, a large ottoman and reading lights. We spend every morning there, enjoying our coffee and perusing the newspaper. And like Leanne, I’m an advocate for displaying lots of art for inspiration. The dining room table is now the library depository and the collection on the table and the wall above it changes with the seasons.

I realize that this aesthetic is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it brings me a sense of calm and peace to live with objects that have been well-loved. Whether or not we reclaim the dining room remains to be seen…we’ll have to see what suits us in the future.

YOU ARE YOUR OWN PERSON

I am not the first one to say this…if fact, Teddy Roosevelt was…but comparison is the thief of joy. With the onslaught of social media overload, it’s not hard to think everyone enjoys a much more stylized, organized, optimized, happier, prettier, and skinnier life than you do.

Its relatively easy in the design world to fall into the sinkhole that if you would change your style to mimic a current trend or popular artist, then you would be more successful…whether that means more followers, more sales, more exposure…however you measure it.

Life is often messy…and uncomfortable…but I make art to enjoy the mess…and to feel comfortable with my life…which is all I can ask of myself. Being true to what makes me, me reflects itself in my art. My biggest compliment is when people view my art and tell me, “it looks like you have a lot of fun” - its true, it is fun…because if it wasn’t, why would I do this? Trying to copy someone else would just be agony.

As we climb out of this fog of a pandemic, its going to take a while to get back to normal. Maybe some things have changed that normal doesn’t make sense any more…through a need to adapt, perhaps new routines/habits/practices have evolved that better suit us/you/me. Let’s be gentle with one another…and find joy in creating…whatever that looks like for you.

On a side note…wanted to let you know that I will be hosting a Mother’s Day Studio Sale with 4 other artists at my home on Saturday, May 8…you can find the details here.

And if you can’t make the sale…I have some fab gifts ideas over at my Etsy shop…including one of a kind artist tote bags created with my art-printed fabric and vintage textiles.