Resistance!

iPad fun collage by Eva 'Open To It'

The old devil ‘Resistance’ that Steven Pressfield wrote about in his book, ‘The War of Art’, has been hiding out in my house the past few weeks--actually almost a month! I was ‘gung ho’ (my expression for motivated and productive) then everything just stopped. I started questioning myself and everything I did so far. Up to that time I was so consumed with what I was doing that I was impossible to live with. My family and friends got the bunt of my behavior. When I totally lost interest in the project and even being in my studio my friend suggested that it was ‘karma’. She may be right as I really needed to step back and reevaluate my behavior and goals. Now I want to start back with my project, being mindful of others this time, but I am feeling full blown ‘resistance’. During my hiatus I spent my time painting on my iPad and surfing Facebook. Fun, but not productive. In desperation I left my iPad in my studio hoping that it will break the ice. It is important that I return to the studio and deal with this ‘resistance’. To quote Steven Pressfield “..when we sit down day after day and keep grinding, something mysterious starts to happen. A process is set in motion by which, inevitably and infallibly, heaven comes to our aid. Unseen forces enlist in our cause; serendipity reinforces our purpose.” (page 108).

I'm Back!

Time seems to move so much faster for me now. Also at my age I am moving a lot slower and I don’t get as much done as I use to. I don’t have trouble going for snacks in the kitchen or taking naps, but getting down to my studio to work takes a lot more effort. Strange considering that my excuse this past winter was it was too cold to be down there. Now with the hot summer it’s the most comfortable place in the house. I must confess procrastination has been my Achilles Heel most of my life. My sneaky mind has also created something to side rail me when I’m working. I call it creative procrastination. I think these days its labeled ADD, attention deficit disorder. Whatever it is I manage to come up with a new idea and find myself abandoning what I am working on. As a result nothing gets finished. I am sure there are a lot of you that can relate to that. All of this leads to what I dealing with now and that is I am trying to write another eBook! It’s been in the planning stage for months. I have notes and bits and pieces of artwork for it all over my house and in my journals. In the meantime other artists are selling classes and posting the same thing I am doing on Facebook! I keep telling myself that everyone has a different take on their art just like a Picasso will not be the same as another artist’s work. There is room for everyone and there is no copyright on subject matter. I feel like the proverbial turtle in The Tortoise and The Heir. I may win my race of finishing my eBook if I just stick with it. I would share what the subject is, but until it’s finished I don’t want to jinx it. In the meantime check out my other eBook at www.artistebooks.com  .They cost less than I paid for the license at ClipartOf.com for little old lady cartoon, which I modified and added the art supplies! I try to honor copyright laws. I wish everyone did.

Create and win prizes!

Now that spring is here and the weather has warmed up in most places, it is a great time to make some wonderful textured papers with CitraSolv and National Geographic magazines. Those who have bought my eBooks know the techniques. You can find out more about them at www.artistebooks.blogspot.com

 

The CitraSolv Company is having another wonderful contest with super prizes and I encourage everyone to enter. Create some colorful and creative collages with your textured papers and transfers. I won second place in the last one. It was great to receive the award, but this time I am resisting the urge to enter. It’s not that I think I would or would not win again, but if I don’t enter then it makes room for someone else. I hope it is you!

There are few rules you need to be mindful of, so please take the time to read them to make sure your entry is acceptable.  http://www.citrasolv.com/art/cultivatecontest2.html

Good Luck and keep CitraSolv~ing!