Etsy is such a fun online place for creatives. Since re-opening my shop in May, I've really had fun meeting other watercolor artists and seeing the amazingly fabulous art - from knitting and clothing to - whatever you can imagine. Just this morning I was included in a Etsy Treasury that will go until Monday the 18th. It's a place where another Etsy member pulls together some of their favorites as an advertisement for the weekend. I'm so honored to be picked and placed on a treasury. You can look at it here.
Another Etsy Shop
I've recently been having fun doing some quick little watercolors on old hymns. I love painting on old papers and hope this is the first of many fun "side" projects. I like doing these while I'm taking a break in front of the TV. Check out my new Etsy shop and tell me what you think. I've also decided to try out Ebay - though I'm not as familiar with this arena for selling original art. Still, I have to give things a try and see what happens. You can't really fail if you don't try. So check my eBay store out as well. I'm always welcome to any suggestions.
Exactly Where You are Supposed to Be
I've had some very interesting discussions with friends this week. (How truly blessed I am to have such an amazing, creative and funny circle of friends.) Anyway, apart from our usual complaining about not having what we want in man, job or life in general and just feeling exhausted from always trying to get to that better place - wherever that may be, (I feel sure it's somewhere in Paris for me - hee hee) my friend Bobbi asked but really stated,
"What if we are exactly where we are supposed to be?"
Wham! That really blew me away. I guess I always feel like I'm having to play catch up. I need to finish this, do that, be here so I can go there. Her comment gave me a moment of freedom and it was wonderful to think I am exactly where I'm supposed to be, simply because here I am. And really, when you can just be satisfied with being exactly where you are for a moment or half a moment, it's so wonderful, maybe even peaceful. I've been cherishing these moments of peace. I've enjoyed some fun side projects that I've really enjoyed with no grand purpose other than to paint. Yes, I'm still working hard on the GerAmyUm book illustrations. But while trying to keep cool in this heat and I've enjoyed working on these little bits of art. (You can see them in my Etsy shop too.)
Along the subject of contentment and being where you're at, I found these questions in a book by Paula D'Arcy (Seeking with All My Heart) that pushed my thinking as well. Hope they bring some fresh light to your thoughts of life as well.
Have I ever fully accepted life on its terms, living in balance with the laws that govern nature, giving in to those forces and rhythms, rather than struggling against them?
Can I see the crises in my life as anything other than errors or disruptions? Anything other than proof that something is amiss or wrong?
... is your life about so much more than these events you are experiencing?
Yippee Skippee!
Today actually felt like a day of work. After being a good foster kitten mom and giving the kittens their food and morning kisses, I spent the better part of the day on the "business of art" which essentially means I worked but I did not paint today. But the hard work at the computer paid off. Because I have my shop at ETSY up and running again. This time I am able to sell prints at very reasonable prices and I must say they look FANTABULOUS!. The giclee prints are on this great textured paper and it's hard to tell the print from the real McCoy. That's exciting enough, but I'm even more excited that I'm not the one making the prints. I was able to find a local printer and framer so I can stick to what I do best which is paint and not spend hours on the computer. Aren't you glad we live in a world where everyone has different abilities and desires. I sure am. Let me know what you think!