Shifting into first gear…

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.

Coffee Painting entries

There’s a new show coming up at ArtWorks Downtown and I’ve decided I must give it a try. It’s kind of full circle because it’s about this time last year that I entered my first competition there and I was rejected. I was happy to realize that I really felt OK with that news and went on to experience many surprises of accomplishment and exposure thanks to ArtWorks Downtown. Perhaps I felt better or different about last year’s entries. This time I am on a sort of slow-slope. I feel like calling the root painting my Self Portrait rather than Get A Grip. I guess either title works right now.

My three Coffee Paintings

My three Coffee Paintings

The winner is Squarespace

I think one of the key strengths of Squarespace is the customer support provided. At this point I have spent a lot of time comparing Squarespace and WordPress.org. At my low point I gave up on both of them and just figured I’d never design websites again. But, I couldn’t leave it alone because there is such a need for custom websites to be designed for artists. Artists need to showcase their work on a website that actually reflects their creativity. If they want to be involved in the design and ongoing maintenance Squarespace is affordable and user friendly.  I’m on the finishing touches of my first Squarespace  website. The Art of Coffee.

The links below are to websites I have designed with various platforms

I’ll just call Squarespace Door #3 for now and get back to my hands-on art.

Blogging for Art – Unplugged

Ok, I’m back! My art block gave me an overview of what I still want to do.  Back to the Drawing board and realizing I don’t have to re-create the wheel. I still want to continue most of the things I that have already launched. They just need some revision. This is good news!. Plus, I need to follow up on my attitude adjustment.

Joshua Tree watercolor

Joshua Tree watercolor

It’s clear to me now that I want to continue website design and development for artists. I’m getting more comfortable with Squarespace but also see its limitations. I guess it’s a case of Good News and Bad news. It’s going to be Squarespace vs WordPress for awhile and I may find that I will need them both.

This blog/website is created with WordPress.  I want to give it some new energy and see what, if anything, happens. Since the beginning I have been comfortable knowing few people ever look at it. That safety has allowed time for lots of experimenting and learning. Now I want visitors and I want it to be interactive.

    First Steps to improve my blog
  • Add original artwork
  • Prioritize basic blog categories
  • Set up Links

The section most visited is Watercolor Painting and I am going to add new paintings to that page.

Full Circles & Continuing Directions

The second Coffee Painting Workshop was just as satisfying as the first and now I am encouraged to continue down this road. I love seeing how well the students do once they let go of their long held  “stops” and just get started. It really doesn’t take long before they are seeing art happen before their very eyes and it’s theirs. This is a good thing! Now I’m going to fine-tune my lesson plan and find more ways to reach out to people that would benefit from taking a workshop.

Now is also the time for me to get back into whatever is going to come out of my website exploration and development. I sure go around and around with this subject.

It’s Show-Down

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