Monster Mash

This is my latest creation. I'd like to say this is exactly what I had in mind, but the truth is it is NOTHING like I envisioned - short of it being a monster.

I've been tossing around this idea of our inner demons - things that haunt us. We all have them. They lurk in the shadows. Sometimes they are front and present, being a real bother, talking smak to us. Other times we can keep them bound and quiet.

This guy is inspired by a friend whose demon told her she could do everything by herself - she didn't need anyone's help. That's why this guy is sticking out his tongue and holding rocks - "Go away! I don't need your help!" Trust me, if you don't go, rocks will be thrown - at your head. I am pleased with how he turned out although the end result is nothing like the beginning.

There I sat with my Sculpey in hand, pulling, tugging, shaping. Nothing was working. It was wrong. All wrong. After a couple of hours of getting where I deemed nowhere I was ready to smash the whole thing and start from scratch. It was in the smashing that the belly and bottom popped out. I stopped smashing and greeted my soon to be monster. After the belly and bottom came out the rest flowed rather easily.

I didn't mean for it to look so amphibian, but then perhaps that's just the way creativity goes sometimes. I originally wanted a blue demon, but because of his aquatic like appearance I choose green. I refer to him as the love child of Shrek and the Swamp Thing - if that's even possible. But loved he is. Very pleased with him. Now, what do I do with him.........

Just Journaling

Here are my first attempts at 'art journaling'. Just playing around with some exercises from a book. Not brilliant, but a beginning. See, no need to critic me - I do it myself. Actually, I'm very good at it. You have no idea how hard it was to do these pages. I simply have a hard time letting go and playing. I want the directions, I want the steps. And what I'm finding out in my attempt to live creatively is that there are no directions. You just go Nike on it and 'do it'.

A real struggle for my 'all things must balance' bookkeeping mind. As much as I dislike bookkeeping for a profession, there is that element of balance that appeals to me - very black and white - it either balances or it does not. Very easy to see if you have it right or not. This is not the case in creative living! Is this 'right'? Is this balanced? Is this done? You can see where I drive myself nuts. I'm my own worse enemy. If I could just get myself out of the way I may stand a chance at this new life I'm trying to make for myself!

Short and sweet today. Must run and get ready for a women's retreat I'm going to this weekend. You have no idea the anxiety I'm feeling over this.....these aren't AA women, these are church women......very nervous not knowing what to expect. But then I suppose life would be rather dull if we always knew what was coming around the corner. It's all o.k. - it's always o.k.

Stiching

This is a little something I whipped out - inspired by a exercise from the Oct/Nov 2009 Quilting Arts magazine. Started with freezer paper - painted - tulle glued over top and then stitched the detail on top. I made a panel and sewed it to a cloth grocery bag. I gave it to a friend who graciously helped us in our 'garden' this past summer. This amazing woman came over in her work clothes and gloves and took charge - telling us where to move plants etc. The whole front area feels much better. Yes, I know this is November and I am just now getting around to the thank you.....hey, better late than never - right?? I've gotta tell you - I really loved the feel of 'coloring' with thread. It was a lot of fun. I could see myself doing more of that. I also liked the doodle like feeling of the flowers going all over. The article in the magazine does such a better job of texture and dimension - colors over lapping colors. I really struggle with all that. Not sure how to give my work depth. Bit frustrating, but I think the important thing is to just keep trying. Like Dory from Finding Nemo - I've got to 'just keep swimming, just keep swimming'......'just keep creating, just keep creating'.