Blogging - Another Reason To

"Swan Song"

coloredd pencil on Ampersand Pastel Board

8 x 10"

Here is another in a what I hope to be a series of dandelion drawings. I have always loved them; yes, I am aware they are weeds and we all chase them out of our yards. But every little girl (and not a few little boys) know the first bouquet of beautiful flowers they ever held, received or gave were probably these little yellow gems. And as you can tell, I have quite a fondness for the aging process these flowers go through as well.

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When I started reading blogs, my original intent was to peek in on other colored pencil artists to see what they were doing - sort of a voyeuristic venture on my part. However, I soon learned that many of these wonderful people were not only putting their work on-line for others to view, but they were sharing real knowledge! Useful stuff; stuff I could use right away and not have to stumble upon on my own. Which techniques work, which pencils don't, which books are worth buying and why, how to save money on framing....the list goes on.

Then I started my own blog and I soon discovered more. Not only do these artists share with the rest of us, they encourage, cheer, critique (positively and with my best interest in mind), and understand when there is a problem.

This is the best reason for me to blog. And for those of you who have been in my corner, thank you. You know who you are.

When We're Fragile

Yes, I know, I know: Long time, no see. No excuses. Just an explanation:


First, I have been working, making new art and finishing old pieces that are lingering in my studio. I currently have 6(!) works in progress within view. (I read books the same way - several novels, audio books, short stories at the same time.)


Second, I have been ruminating on some big decisions regarding my work. Here are just some:

• Should I branch out and show some other work NOT done in colored pencil?
• Is it time to switch media to more oil (i.e., more money)?
• Should I stay in my art coop or is it time to move on?
• Should I attempt to show my work at other galleries?
• While wanting to teach colored pencil and drawing classes, how will it negatively eat away at my studio time (which is SO precious).
• What other avenues are available to me as an artist?

Those are just a few things mulling over in my head - constantly. Yes, I could probably do all of the above; but I want to do whatever I choose very, very well. (Oh, the curse of the Virgo perfectionist!) And, how will I do all of these things while juggling many, many other family responsibilities. (Unlike Maggie Stiefvater, whom I admire SO much, I am not the Queen of the World or Super Girl; I know my mortal limitations.)

So you see, I have been pondering some big changes and that brings up number 3.

Third, whenever I am faced with big changes (the biggest for me is leaving the co-op), I can spiral into the abyss of depression. Long family history topped with the fragile ego of a creative spirit is a legacy I have dealt with for all of my adult life. It is a fact of my life, albeit a sometimes shameful one (why do we continue to perpetuate this!), and I know will probably never just disappear. So, once in a while I "go under" and eventually emerge.

So here I am emerging.

This drawing I just completed last night and it suits my current mood perfectly: intact but fragile. Here is "Fragile Hold", colored pencil on 8 x 10 Ampersand pastel board.