20 Minutes A Day - Reflection/Tiny Steps

Hello fellow Artsies - hope you are well.

I am finding it difficult to motivate myself these days . . . could be still recovering from the flu but energy is often low for me this time of year as it is for many of you I know.

I am continuing with Michael Nobbs' practice of 20 minutes a day but for February it is tiny steps.  Grab a project you have been wanting to tackle or finish and set aside 20 minutes each day to work on it.  This is very do-able in my mind . . . it's not so over-whelming to look at a project in this way.  The sense of accomplishment is something that appeals to my over taxed mind.

Have a project you can leave and pick up the next day - don't have something you will have to set up and clean away, that just becomes another chore.  KEEP IT SIMPLE.

Some like to use a timer for this practice, I use the clock on my laptop, it's whatever works best for you . . . try a few different methods and see which you like best.  I find a timer a little distracting and often once you get started you may not want to be interrupted if you're on a roll.

That's it for me . . . catch you on the flip side.

Sheila

In the Studio - Many Pens

Hello my Artsy friends, so nice that you could pop by.  

We had a lovely sunny weekend after getting a large dump of snow on Friday.  Thank goodness for wonderful neighbours. . . Dave was heading up the road, noticed that our lane way was full of snow and swung in a did a few passes to open it up for us.  Country folk are the best.

It's been a bit of a quiet week, not sure why but I welcome it just the same - time for reflection and rest.  We all need to take these moments and accept them as gifts - they are offered to us because we need them.

I showed you the word I chose for 2013 in my last post but I continued to work on this piece after I photographed it for you.

I had an art teacher tell me once 'Don't overwork a piece, know when it's enough' - that's a tough one.  There are times when I will return again and again tweaking here, adding a little more there. . . It's always a good idea to step away for a while when you are near completion - let it rest for a while then see if it still needs additional work.

That's what I did with my 'Balance'.  Pens and colour can add some wonderful detail if you are so inclined. . . it gives it flourish.

Drawing should be fun, this was tonnes-o-fun.

Have a wonderful week folks.

Sheila

This Week In The Studio

Hi Friends, what's new?

I have given the blog a little bit of a face lift. . . it was needed.  Not a big change, just tidied up a tad.

I'll catch you up on what's been happening around my studio this summer.  To sum it up I took a vacation from creating.  Well I can't say entirely as I was gardening and cooking which I find to be very creative.  We've had to change our evil ways. . . eating wise. . . and have had great improvement in our health so you know the saying 'You are what you eat' there is a lot of truth in that statement.

We have been adopted by a stray cat this summer. . . we call him Tom Cotton.  He's a beautiful white long hair with one green eye and one blue, though I think he has cat Turrets if that is possible.  I'll tell you why, he gets very excited when we feed him to the extent that his 'Meows' become frenzied and then he can't help himself and a big 'Hiss' pops out. . . so cute. . he doesn't seem to notice.  I went to my neighbours to buy my Farm Fresh Eggs and lo and behold there was quite a brood of little white kitties running around the barn. . . oh Tommy boy, you stud.  I will try to snap a photo of him though he doesn't stay long.

I finally got my Baby Shoe 1955 drawing listed on Etsy. . . new laptop + a bit of a learning curve = taking a little longer to get things listed.

Head over to Etsy to check out all my drawings.

Thanks for being here.

Sheila

This Week In The Studio

Good morning fellow art lovers. . . thanks so much for stopping by to see me.

Our area woke up to a snow storm blanketing everything yesterday morning. . . not something I expected this time of year but hey what can you do?  I was fortunate to do a little supply shopping with Wendy from Dragonfly Dreamers. . . a little snow didn't deter us and then lunch with the lovely Michelle from Collage Your World. . . now that's my kind of day. . . minus the snow.

I picked up a few Copic markers and a cube to store them in.  What I love about this storage is that you can add cubes to cubes.  Each will hold 36 markers so that's quite a lot.  Isn't it lovely?

I have continued my studio purge and now it has moved into the rec room. . . yeah!  It's funny how once you start you want to keep going. . . at least I do. . . it's the organizer in me.  I have decided on a paint palette much to my husbands chagrin. . . go big or go home honey. . . might as well do it all!  He really hates when I say 'I've been thinking'  he knows that means work for him.

I completed all our income tax last week and dropped off at the accountants. . . check!  It feels so good to have that out of the way which leaves me open to get on with my drawings.

I hope you have a lovely week and chase down your dreams.

Sheila

This Week In The Studio

Hello and welcome Artsy friends. . . what's happening in your studio?

This week I am spending my time getting caught up on more paper work.  It actually feels so good to get all my ducks in a row. . . cleaning up some personal files and archiving some business ones.  It takes a bit of time to get my brain to flip to the business side but once I'm there look out, the paper starts a flyin'.

I think if I hadn't gone into art I would have liked book keeping. . . now there's opposite land for ya.  I think it's the organizing thing. . . I really enjoy that.  It's a constant struggle for me. . . to find a place for everything and the time to do it.  My problem is I love 'STUFF'!  Stuff all around!  As long as it's organized I'm good.

I think what I've learning over my business years is to not to leave it all to the end of the year, keep a running total of my business activity. . . much easier when tax time comes around, it was actually a snap.

I keep a 5 column Analysis pad (I picked up at Staples) handy so it's easy to jot things down.  Some of you may rather use a computer program but I have found I can't always get to the computer when I have a entry so I find this works for me.  Later I enter it all into a spread sheet.  It's important to find a system that you will use.

Have a great week, do some organizing. . . only if you feel like it.

Talk to you soon

Sheila

This Week In The Studio

Good morning my Artsy friends. . . I hope you are having a wonderful Easter weekend.  Our weather has been just beautiful, lovely and sunny with highs around 13C-15C. . . what you would expect for April.  We had our Easter dinner yesterday. . . ham, scalloped potatoes, turnip, corn and of course pie. . . I do love pie.

I must spend this week re-stocking my cards and prints as well as scanning my new Baby Shoe drawing, I think it will be a nice addition to my Heirloom Drawing Collection as well as my Shoe Series (it kind of hits on both. . . you'd think I had a plan) I draw what I love. . . vintage and shoes.  This process should take me a good part of the week as well as some office work. . . must keep things organized and I know you must be saying 'yuk' but no I like to organize.

Hang on a sec I have to go make a coffee. . . oh thank goodness. . . ahhhhh.

OK now that's better, where was I?  Oh yes, so printing, printing, printing is my major task this week but you know it's something I love to do.  I feel like I have accomplished a great deal

This is the paper I use for my cards and prints, Inkpress.  It's has a wonderful texture and weight which is something that I look for in an Art Card.  Check out the link above for more info.

So what's going on in your studio this week?  I would love to hear.  Drop me a note.

Take care

Sheila

This Week In The Studio

Hello and welcome Art lovers. . . I hope this post finds you well.  

My mouth is healing nicely (the  doc said so) but still a challenge with eating and cleaning though it has made me very aware of what and how I eat.  I believe it's always a good thing to have challenges come into our lives in which we have to step up to.  It makes us realize we can't take our health and wellness for granted.

I have been continuing with my studio clean up. . . moving and shifting my displays around for a fresh look (nice quiet work for recouping my energy).  I've had a few requests from friends, family and clients to have my prints, cards and art jewelry on display so they can come and do a little shopping when they are in the area. . . your studio is so much more than just a place to work.  If you have the room it's an office, a store, a classroom and of course your sanctuary.

This small cabinet houses many of my jewelry findings.  It belongs to my bedroom set, it's the wash stand and fortunately for me I don't have room in bedroom so it resides here and is the best storage. . . two drawers and a small cabinet in the bottom.  It is missing it's towel rack but I think I could have one made if I so desire though I haven't needed it yet.

Well I am off to move a few more things around. . . enjoy your week and happy Spring.

Sheila

This Week In The Studio

Hello my Artsy friends, hope your weekend was lovely. . . mine was. . . quiet (sigh) nice.

I'm having a dental procedure done this week so I'm afraid I'm not going to feel much like working. . . I'm hoping for the best though, you know hope for the best/expect the worst.

I will be continuing on my Baby Shoe drawing, it should be just about done except for a few tweaks so stay tuned for that and another Derwent pencil give away (I love giving things away).

I'm still spending some time purging in the studio. . . it's a spring cleanse, feels so good to sort and eliminate. . . it gives me room to roam.

The above is a sketch I did of a photo I took a while back, I love bees. . . they are so industrious and such hard workers, great inspiration when I get bogged down.  I'm going to hang this on my board next to my 'Energy' word.  I find visual cues help me greatly when I'm struggling just as colour and music compliment my process.

Wish me luck at the dentist. . . yikes!

Have wonderful week friends.

Sheila

This Week In The Studio

Hello my Artsy friends hope you had a lovely weekend. . . I got so busy outside I almost forgot to post this.

We've been having a wonderful warm stretch of weather, such a nice reprieve from our cold, wet days of late.  So needless to say I haven't been spending a lot of time in the studio...it's just too nice to be indoors.  

I love this time of year where the days are getting longer, the sun is a little bit warmer and Spring is just around the corner. . . I just want to be outside soaking up that vitamin D listening to the birds singing.

I have been contemplating moving a few things around in my studio though not sure what I want to do yet. . . I have to think on it a bit.

In the photo above you can see my painting zone (yes I have zones for different activities. . . it's the Virgo in me) and sorry it is a little untidy that's why I need to purge a bit and re-organize though I find it so hard to let things go.  Do you have any suggestions?

I hope you are having wonderful weather too, get out there and enjoy. . . it's good for the soul.

Sheila

This Week In The Studio

Hello Art lovers. . . we put our clocks ahead over the weekend, you know spring ahead. . . how does it affect you?  I find morning a little difficult, it seems so much earlier. . . funny how your body/mind notices these things.

Nothing too exciting going on in the studio this week. . . I think a little Spring cleaning is in order, it's always a great thing for me to tackle periodically to regroup after the long gloomy days we've had over Jan/Feb/Mar.  Some of you may find it crowded, some may find it messy. . . all I can say is it works for me.  Do what works for you.  I love to see where creatives work. . . it gives me a sense of the person.

To give it a new look and a fresh start I will often move furniture and zones to change it up a bit. . . you know what they say 'A change is as good as a rest' this often inspires me.

You can see my work table, drafting table and my large oak desk where I store all my paper. . . I gave it a little cuteness by adding a polka-dot silk curtain to hide the storage underneath.

I think it's good for the soul to take a break from the regular and take stock, see where you're at. . . for me a fresh space makes me love my studio all over again.

Take care and have a lovely week

This Week In The Studio

Hello my Art loving friends. . . hope you had a fabulous weekend.

We've had a bit of flu/sickness in the house over the last couple of days so I've been laying low/taking it easy and popping my vitamins in hopes it won't catch me. (crossing my fingers)

One thing I have been doing though is continuing with the Right Brain Business Plan. . . this has been a great guide for me.  Now the author, Jen Lee, is hosting a summit that companions her wonderful book.  She is having guest speakers giving tips for your business.  Great info if you are a right brainer like me.  If you are looking for more direction in your business check out this book.

I'm continuing with my Baby Shoe drawing for the Draw With Me series and I will have the draw for the Derwent pencils Tuesday evening so get your name in.

Have a great week of creating and exploring.

Sheila

This Week In The Studio

Hello my fellow artsies. . . hope you have big plans for this week.

I think they have decided on the final design for the Tai Chi shirt. . . there were just a few minor adjustments that were made. . . that's how it's done.  It was so nice when the idea is given to me, I can just run from there. . . it's the idea that can sometimes be the most difficult to come up with.  I have it hanging on my idea board over my desk. . . it gives my inspiration.

I attended the reveal of the Extreme Makeover Kindness Edition on Saturday, what a wonderful space that Sonya and her team created. . . these kids now have a fabulous place to tackle their homework.  You can see Harley hanging out over one of the work stations in the photo above.

I have two drawings on the go now, Draw With Me - Baby Shoes and the Old Chevy, but that's pretty standard for me just like I have a few books I'm reading at the same time. . . keeps my mind fresh.  I don't want to get too far ahead on the Baby Shoes, I want to be able to share my progress slowly.

You have an awesome week. . . stop in on Thursday for Draw with Me and see how the drawing is coming along, hopefully you will feel like joining in.

Sheila

This Week In the Studio

Welcome my Artsy friends. . . welcome to the studio.  I have some neat things to share.

A wonderful and talented designer friend of mine, Sonya Kinkade spearheads an ambitious project as lead designer on EXTREME MAKEOVER KINDNESS EDITION for the United Way Ottawa.  Each year a well deserving organization is chosen for a makeover.. . this year it is the Foster Farm Family House Homework Club.  Sonya designs with a team of talented women who co-ordinate donations from local businesses to create a new space.  I am very pleased to be able to donate to such a wonderful project. . . I have donated a framed graphite print of 'Harley' the cat. . . I thought the kids might like him, he has a friendly face.

To learn more about this check out Kind Ottawa.

Another wonderful thing this week is I received a parcel in the mail (I love to get things in the post) all the way from Cincinnati thanks to my thoughtful cousin Marilyn.  It is ink made from the backyard black walnut tree by Elizabeth W. Schott.  I am looking forward to experimenting a little though it has been a while since I dabbled in ink. . . should be fun.

So that's a good start.  Take care and have a wonderful week creating.  

Stop by on Thursday to find out who won last weeks draw for the Derwent pencils. . . and not to worry I'll have another draw for this week.

Sheila

This Week In The Studio

Hello and welcome to the studio. . . I hope you had a lovely weekend.

I've been working on a few adjustments to the drawing for the Tai Chi t-shirt design I showed you the other week.  That's part of the process. . . you start with an idea, that idea turns into a visual and then we just tweak till we get it right.  This is something I will try to finalize this week. . . I think they would like to get these t-shirts approved and printed.

I am moving along quite nicely with my Draw With Me segment every Thursday, I hope you can stop by to check out my progress.  This week we will be cropping our photo and setting up the grid.  I will also be having a give-away for the next couple of weeks. . . a blister pack of Derwent drawing pencils.

I am contemplating a new drawing that has been swirling around my head. . . an old 1954 Chevy truck that lay in ruins.  I managed to get a few great shots of it a while back so it has been calling to me. . . I guess it's time.

That's it for me though I guess that's enough isn't it.

Take care and look in on me on Thursday. . . this will be part of my Heirloom drawings.

Sheila

This Week In The Studio

Hello and welcome my Artsy friends. . . so glad you stopped in.

I was very fortunate to be able to get out and do a little supply shopping last week and have been exploring and playing with my new finds.

I don't know if you have had much of a chance to try or use Copic markers.  These are fabulous pens for colouring and blending.  They come in 358 wonderful colours. . . alcohol based ink, permanent, non-toxic and dries acid free.  If you are interested check out their site for more info.

I have started collecting the 'Sketch' markers which are double ended. . . one chiseled end and the other a brush end.  The tips are replaceable and the ink, refillable.  They have drawing pens and if you know me I have many a different type of pen. . . I have a thing you see.

I generally use Pigma Micron pens by Sakura for my ink drawings though I found that they smeared a little on the smooth marker paper when I applied the Copic colour so I am so pleased that Copic has their own pen for fine line work.

So I will be doing a little more experimenting with these markers this week.

I hope you have a fabulous, fun filled week of exploring. . . that's what I'm doing.

Sheila

This Week In The Studio

Hello Artsy friends. . . how are you this fine day?

I love these months of January/February. . . not for the weather (that I can do without, yuk) but for the time it allows me to research and draw.

A few art friends of mine and I began discussion on The Right Brain Business Plan a few months ago, we would meet once a week for lunch and plans which has helped me tremendously to figure out my direction.  We  took a bit of a break over Christmas but now we have started up again.

We are taking it slow, reading a chapter a week, then discussing unless there is a great deal to consider then spending more time if needed.  I like to look back a previous chapters when I find that I'm getting off track or questioning my focus.  Jennifer Lee has a unique way of simplifying business for the art minded. . . a good read if you need help fine tuning your art business.

I've also been drafting a t-shirt design for our Tai Chi group for their grand opening. . . it's a start, I hope the powers that be like it, it was a lot of fun to do.

So that's what I have going on for the start of my week so far.

Take care. . . I hope your week is productive.

Sheila

PS  I have been corresponding with a certain pencil company. . . I'm hoping to have a few products for giveaways soon on my Thursday Draw With Me segment. . . stay tuned.

This Week In The Studio

Hello my fellow studio dwellers...I hope you are finding things to do on these cold wintery days.

This is the time of year I spend drawing...I don't have any shows booked, there are no Farmers Markets open (nor would I want to be there unless they were heated)...a great time to focus on what I love the most...drawing.

I am researching right now...I have quite a few ideas in mind, I just have to get them organized...though I wish they would quit popping into my head in the middle of my REM.

I'm also catching up on some of my letter writing.  I don't always get all my cards sent at Christmas so I find January a lovely time to sit in a sunny window, looking out at my frosty surroundings and pen a note to friends and family.

I love me some lovely note paper/note cards, something I'm always on the look out for...kind of an obsession really....but you know I have a thing for paper.

I hope you can reconnect with some friends too.

Sheila

This Week In The Studio

Hello my fellow Artsies...I hope your January is progressing nicely.

I have been in the need of a new desk top computer for my office for a little while now but like most I don't seem to have the time to do much research.

I'm in a bit of a dilemma though...do I buy a Mac or a PC? I know most artists will tell me Mac by far and I would have to agree (I've always wanted a Mac) but it does irk me that they cost so much more...why is that? What makes them that much better? How has Apple created such a phenomenon? I hate to give into the hype...am I caving to product pressure?

Can you help me...do you have an opinion? Help me make my decision...please.

For now my oldest is letting me use his new 23” monitor...oh it makes a world of difference to have a nice clear (large) screen.

So all I have to do now is convince myself that this will be money well spent.

Post Script  Our internet has been intermittent the last couple of days....makes it very difficult to keep on track.  I will be posting my regulars so just check back...I'll get it here as soon as I can.

Thanks for your patience...Sheila

This Week In The Studio

Hello my Artsy friends...I hope this day finds you well.

At the beginning of each new year I like to choose a word that I will use to inspire me throughout my daily journey.  

Last year the word I chose was 'OPEN'...to be open to new experiences, open for change and open to being more flexible.  It worked very well for me having a reminder when I would find myself floundering with indecision or wariness...I would say to myself  'Just Be Open'.  On occasion I would be reminded by the universe with little signs around town...doors to shops will have the word open on it, most do but I would only notice when I needed it most.

This year I have chosen a word but usually need to live with it for a while to see if it's going to be THE WORD or not...mull it around so to speak and yes I did like it so.....

The word I chose for this year is 'ENERGY'.

You can see it here on my metal bulletin board that hangs above my desk in the studio...it will greet me every day and remind me of what I need.  I suggest you find a place for your word so it pops out to keep you motivated as well.

I hope to have energy to complete much more this year...the energy to stay on track and not get discouraged, to feel energy and share it with my friends and to feel energized by every aspect of my Art career.

Bring it on 2012...I'm ready.
Sheila

Post Script...On another note, on my recent visit to the new IKEA (Oh so wonderful) I grabbed a little metal cabinet for the studio.  I have been eying these for quite some time so I treated myself as a 'welcome' to 2012...yeah!  I love to buy new things for my studio...it's very uplifting...a good way to start the year off, don't you think?

This Week In The Studio

Hello my Artsy friends, nice to see you.  Happy New Year!  (Big Hug)  

Did you ring in the New Year in grand fashion?  We were to attend a local potluck with friends and family which is fitting as we live in a wonderful little rural community.  Home cooked goodness with great company...couldn't ask for anything more but I got sick and found myself home with my boys...I was where I love most.  One was cooking and the other was playing music...my honey and I watching the hockey game.

I was pleasantly surprised the other day when I received an e-mail from the lovely Kirsty at the Derwent Pencil Company in Cumbria, UK informing me of my winning yet another bunch of pencils.  This time I received a blister pack (plastic wrapped on card board) of six metallic pencils...I absolutely love getting packages in the mail, just like a kid at Christmas...oh wait it was Christmas (giggle).

These are the colours in the pack... Silver 80, Pewter 81, Gold 82, Antique Gold 83, Bronze 84, Copper 85.  The interesting thing is that they are watersoluble...oh the possibilities.  For hints and tips visit www.pencils.co.uk

On another note I would like to give you a little hint of a surprise to come in the New Year...it's still in the planning stage but won't be long, I am very excited about it and I hope you are too.

I would like to wish you prosperity and wellness for 2012

All the best my friends

Sheila