Penciling things in…

December 3, 2015 by
alphabet pencils

Alphabet Pencils –  I guess I will always be fascinated by the very idea of this!

It’s been a few months since I’ve posted anything and now I feel obliged to get back into it. I think I still have one subscriber (Hi Carol) and  I see that people still occasionally Google  – How to Draw a Snail and Madrone Tree/Marin County. That’s about it. It’s more “hits” than my other attempted site – Cyber Pencil.

Somehow I have to keep telling myself I am making some kind of Cyber Sense or Success or Progress. I have clearly walked away for the idea of working with SquareSpace and that clarity feels good. I haven’t given up on WordPress but am now curious about Adobe Muse. It’s new to me and I have developed an unexpected attraction to it. I’m told it is the replacement for Dreamweaver and they offer a free trial which I think I will go for. I’m now predicting that 2016 will be a Website/Blog year for me and I sure hope I am more comfortable with it if that’s the case. I’m getting a little tired of Starting Over but I do realize I don’t seem to be able to walk away from it.

I’ve set up a new Drawing practice plan that’s a;long the order of what I did with hammers a year ago. The subject kept me focused and this time it’s Apples for my Focal Point. I’m calling it the 21 Day Apple Challenge and am now on Day 11. So far they are all pencil drawings but the main thing is I have not skipped a day.

Filed Under: Blog, Lingering Logs, Pencils, Snail Mail, Squarespace, WordPress

Getting Outside of Myself

October 9, 2015 by
Seedpod Birds

Seedpod Birds are handmade in Zimbabwe.

My trip to Nevada City/Grass Valley was inspirational and adventurous. Plus, getting away provided some needed objectivity.

Tagua

Tagua is a seed from a palm-like tree that grows in the tropical rainforests. It is a versatile material that has the innate ability to absorb color brightlyd

The community continues to expose me to art that triggers my imagination and gives me new insights.  This time I was drawn more to artists from other cultures. That reminded me of my original intention for this BlogForArt website. It was going to be a spotlight for artists who inspire me.

I still like that intention. I pretty much went off track and BoloForArt  became a testing ground or my personal sandbox for playing with and learning WordPress. Now it seems to have become central collecting zone for my art and puzzling thoughts.  I’m feeling greater pressure to clarify What it’s All About and then just get on with some obvious blogging theme. I enjoyed having new art catch my eye but I’m trying to narrow down my expanding horizon.

tagua

I feel like there is a way to blend my art desires and my website work together with hopes  that the merging will create something even bigger —something more.  And, I will still feel like I’m in touch or connected to my true self. I want them to work hand-in-hand and not keep picking fights with each other.

 

Filed Under: Blog, Lingering Logs, Squarespace, Websites for Artists, WordPress

How to draw a snail for Snail Mail – revisited

September 28, 2015 by
Snail Mail - Save the Snail

Snail Mail – Save the Snail – March 2012

Ok, this could be very boring or at least a very unexpected topic for my blog post. I pressure myself to explain even though I know, for a fact, that only an average of 2 or 3 people ever read this blog in the course of any day. I guess I feel an obligation to address these followers because they click-on-me. I know these minimal figures are correct because all visits are charted and I can easily see how many have come to my blog. I can also see what page was visited. What did they Google to find my site? After over two years people are still interested in How to Draw a Snail or how to Save Snail Mail. I still care about the topic but it was never intended to be the focal point of my blogging.

As I jump back into my daytime job of website/blog design for artists I am trying to put more effort into How to get blog followers.  Isn’t that what the main point of websites and blogs is suppose to be?  Next step –  I need to offer something that will  make them want come back again, and again. Ideally to sign up for my email subscription.

Now, this is all connected to How to draw a snail for Snail Mail. I posted this information on March 29, 2012 and several times per month I see people continue to link to my page for information on how to draw a snail – even if it’s not for snail mail. Check it out!

How to Draw a snail for Snail Mail

Now I realize I should include the instruction sheet.

Ok, now to my point. I’m using this post as a test to see if the title and key words will bring even more unknown visitors to the blog. Not just my two friends that have already signed up.
Another marketing technique  I have come across in my recent research is the popularity of How to information to be found on the Internet. Lots of interest in How to books, Tutorials and instructional videos. Now I also realize these Snail related  posts have survived in the Google searches for so long because they have “How to” in the title.

Hopefully this will encourage me to put together a How to Paint with Coffee tutorial.  You can paint with coffee.

 

Filed Under: Blog, coffee painting, coffee painting workshop, Lingering Logs, Snail Mail, Websites for Artists

Shifting into first gear…

September 18, 2015 by

It’s clearly time for me to leave neutral in the dust. The recent crossroad see ahead in the headlights is now a green light on the horizon. I will repack my “Been there done that” experiences and use them as supportive success stories to help ground my future. Is this just full circle once again? It’s sounding like a version of my last New Year’s resolution of “Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water” and it still rings true. I can call it repetition but it’s really reassurance that I haven’t wandered too far from my path. It’s not the first time I’ve felt lost. At least I’m moving forward.

Unity

2015 Unity In Marin Gala: The Roaring Twenties with a silent auction. Last year I donated a painting. This year I am donating a Coffee Painting workshop.

This time last year I was intentionally closing the door on designing websites for artists and allowing myself to plunge into my  my own art— a part of me I felt like I had left far behind. I painted. I drew. I experienced and created far beyond what I could have imagined. Actually,  I wasn’t even trying  to imagine any sort of out come. Just Art For Art’s Sake. That would be enough for me. But, I was unexpectedly exposed to exposure. There was a spotlight on me and my darkness was unavailable. I participated. I was rejected. I was accepted. I learned and I grew. These past events contain the leftover lessons I am now packing into my new journey. Once again I’m not clear where I am going but I know it’s time and I’m not lost—I’ve just been working in the back room.  My current theme for the road is “Start taking advantage of yourself“ and I like the way it sounds. I have a huge stash of hidden treasures.

Filed Under: Blog, Lingering Logs, Websites for Artists, WordPress

Thinking Outside the Cup

May 7, 2015 by
Coffee painting workshop is available to everyone interested in getting creative with their morning coffee.

Coffee painting workshop is available to everyone interested in getting creative with their morning coffee.

  • User Friendly Art
  • All levels of skill welcome – Beginners are encouraged
  • Love of coffee not a requirement but it can be helpful
  • Bring any supplies you already have | brushes & paper
  • You will find the Artist within

Sign up now! Click-Click

Filed Under: Blog, coffee painting, Lingering Logs, Paper, Pencils

It’s Show-Down

May 1, 2015 by
Another Coffee Tree

Another Coffee Tree

It’s not exactly The Finish Line but I have taken the Show Down in San Rafael and the paintings are currently stored in the trunk of my car. Now I am jokingly tempted to have a Trunk Show— I won’t!
Im just noticing that once again Im excited by a word/phrase that’s not necessarily a positive thing even if I do like the way it sounds. Kind of similar to liking of “Person of Interest”. Well, Show-time is over and now it’s Show-Down. By definition that indicates a confrontation or clash. I like the sound of it better than the reality of it. In my current case I clearly see the show-down — Web Design vs Be An Artist. And just to complete the full circle I will be volunteering at ArtWorks Downtown tomorrow night for a VIP event for artists. This is where it all started last fall and I am happy to say I love the Unexpected that took place. I got to be a “real” artist and have not let go of the future possibilities yet. Good News! I did sell a painting and do have another Coffee show coming up at Elain. Plus, the Coffee Painting workshop is coming up

However, I am feeling the necessity of “business” beyond the point of closing my eyes—pressure to make money. But, I am encouraged by the realization of the continuing need for well designed websites for artists. I am  refreshed, rested and ready to jump back into it. Test the waters with a little more knowledge of the backend of WordPress. I’ve been practicing and have built a model site using the free version of WordPress.com. Thats the one “anyone can do and it’s free” Easier said than done but here’s my Sample Site. For the Love of Labyrinths

Filed Under: Blog, coffee painting, Lingering Logs, WordPress
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