Finally!

Yeah! Finally, I've gotten some time to do something in my art "room", which is actually my back porch converted into a "room of my own." I really have a lot of other things that I should be doing, but I was able to squeeze a little housework in--though the dishes aren't quite finished, and the laundry isn't all put away, but at least I got the bills paid, right? So, I did a journal page, and then I did a "portrait". I really like them both. I haven't gotten the journal page finished, but it's going to get done soon. I have to write about setting up my classroom, and the fact that several commented that they couldn't believe I sit in every seat in the classroom. Yes, Stacey, I do, and yes, I know that's just like me to do something like that! I tried something different with the journal page. I drew lines on it. I don't typically write my thoughts on journal pages. Usually, I allow the meaning of the images on the page to reflect what I'm thinking and feeling, but I've seen such great things with actual journal writing on other blogs, I thought I'd try it. I love the concept, and maybe that will help me not to be so fragmented. I write here, draw there, paint in another spot. Now, maybe I can combine them all. We shall see! I really want to try a Moleskin journal, but I'm afraid of it. Why? I dunno. Something about making a really ugly page I don't like, maybe, and it's stuck in there forever? I know, the journal is a place to practice and make errors, but... By the way, I discovered a few days ago that the original word for error was "to seek truth". Perhaps I should go with that archaic view of the word and not be so afraid of the moleskin. Maybe I need to keep working on that fear thing I have going as a constant in my life, too. :)

Break

So, I've not been able to do anything this week! HOWEVER, there is a reason. I've been at AP training in KC to get ready for teaching AP Lit this fall. The "class" is AWESOME. I'm so excited about school starting. Now, with that being said, this means that any time to create will be minimal before long. School consumes me. I'm also teaching a class at our local university on Saturdays, and I'm taking a class in "problems teaching the narrative" on Monday nights, so free time will be limited. This week, I'm getting a glimpse of that. I'm not getting home until after 5, and I have about an hour of "homework" each night, and then supper, and well, I'm not use to getting up at 6 am right now, either, plus the hour drive in rush hour to and from the class in KC is causing me to be tired as evening rolls around. The house is a mess, too. You'd think that being gone all day would mean that the house would be perfect, but I think there are gremlins living in the attic or something and as soon as I close the door at 7 am, they clamor down the steps and start tossing things about. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it! I'm hoping that no one wants to see the house this week. They may be frightened by the ring around the tub, the dishes in the sink, the laundry inching its way up the side of the hamper and well, those damn gremlins might be a bit frightening as well if they catch them in the act!
So, instead of doing anything on my own, I'm living vicariously through the true artists on the web. The blogs on my blog roll are a must! Gosh, they are such awesome people and create the most wonderful things. It reminds me of how much I have to learn. I wish, I wish, I wish that some of these awesome artists lived near. I'd love to take a class. Of course, I'm not sure where I'd fit it into my schedule, so, for now, the blogs will have to do. At least with the blogs, I can sit on the couch, catch up on the news from the tv in one ear, keep my homework near my right hand, and keep an eye out for a stray gremlin here and there. Notice I mentioned nothing about cleaning.
Oh, and by the way, I saw Eric earlier, and he said, "Did you wear that to the conference today?" I said yes, and why, and he said, "Well, you look cute in a scrubby kind of way." What does that mean? I think it means that I've been too tired to do something with my hair in the morning--thus the pony tail, and too tired to iron, thus the Levis and t-shirt. But, I did, at least, put on make up--even eye liner, this morning. :)

Sqeeze out some time

I've not created anything this week. I've spent all of my time working on things for school, which starts August 25, which sounds like a long time from now, but time flies and I'm such a process person, so it takes forever to set up my room, sit in each seat of the room to ensure the kids will all have a "good" spot, and start the lesson plans, etc. I make the process tedious, I've been told, but I LOVE my job and I want the kids to feel like they are with a teacher who has really taken the time to make them feel comfortable.

So, last night, I decided to tote along my colored pencils when we went to the races. I'm not much of a car race kind of gal, but Eric loves them, and I love him, so I went along. He didn't mind that I was drawing, so I was able to draw a new head--not much of a creation, but considering I was doing in between cars lining up and waiting for the green light, and watching their tail lights glide away down the 1/8th mile track, I'm happy with it. Plus, I think she'll fit great into some new projects.

Today, I squeezed in some time before the grocery store to complete a journal page. I'll let it speak for itself. I've held on to these images for a while. The little girl with the tutu was actually the start to an altered trading card, but I couldn't give her away, so I thought she'd come in handy. I love this little girl--I suppose in the same way I love the little girl in me who lived in 1972 then was changed forever.

I've decided the little journal I have right now isn't going to cut it when school starts. I need something larger, and I'm thinking of either making my own (I have all the products to do it!) or buying a Moleskin, which I've seen a lot of people doing great things with. I'm not sure.