Daily Visual Journal : Daily Gratitude - Work Redefined

I am grateful for the ability and opportunity to define work in my way and the way that best fits me and my family - it's scarey but exciting! It seems to be getting more difficult for anyone - or maybe just creatives - to find a career path that is straight forward and obvious. I'm not going to find a job where I can do all the things I want to do on my schedule and stay there until I retire. It's more like I am creating my career as I go and finding opportunities to be able to do what I want to do and be successful that way. By putting myself out there and sharing my work, more opportunities show up. I am getting invitations from artist friends to be a part of their art projects, as well as clients asking for more time with me for art therapy and art lessons. It all seems to be working out :)

Daily Visual Journal : Daily Gratitude - the school bus stop

I am so grateful for the few minutes I get to spend with my daughter at the bus stop on school mornings. It's not a lot of time but we always enjoy it - singing, playing tag, doing a rain dance (she made something up and we couldn't stop laughing) - we talk and hug goodbye and it really has been some of the best moments.

When people talk about what makes you happy, I've found that it really is the quality moments when you are completely present in the experience. 

Here we are huddled together under the umbrella finishing breakfast :)

Here is my reminder drawing to go in my box of gratitude. 

Daily Visual Journal : Daily Gratitude - rain

I love rain! I woke up this morning and the sky was gray and the air felt wet. Thunderstorms are amazing!

Daily Visual Journal : Daily Gratitude for my mom, sunshine, and support

I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue sharing my gratitude journal - not sure why, just thought posting it everyday was too much or a waste of time - who really needs to see these anyway. I think I often talk myself out of setting new (good) habits. I start something with the intention of bettering myself, but then quickly decide that it's not working or it's a bad idea or I forget about the new habit all together (like my idea for training for a half marathon).

I started this habit of daily gratitude with the intention of increasing my joy. If I can wake up each morning and meditate on something that I am truly grateful for, then that should carry on throughout my day, right?

Today I was reminded that this is a good habit, something worthwhile to share, and that others are finding inspiration from what I'm sharing - thanks Jolie!

Daily Visual Journal : Daily Gratitude - friends

Grateful for friends and kindness in general. I'm always reminding myself and my kids to be kind because you never know where someone is coming from - you don't know what's going on in their life. I am grateful that the friends I have are not petty or judgmental - they are kind and understanding.

Daily Visual Journal : Daily Gratitude - dreams

Daily Visual Journal : Daily Gratitude - Growth

I am grateful for the opportunity to grow in my art and career - but also grateful for the literal growth of nature - the healing power of nature

Daily Visual Journal : Daily Gratitude

I have been working on a simple new Daily Visual Journal : Daily Gratitude. My original Daily Visual Journal has not been daily lately - I have been creating art everyday, but not in the style of my DVJ (I will soon, I swear). However, I had this little box that I wanted to use for something and then I had the idea of making small visual reminders of gratitude that would fit inside.

I started by creating lots of small cards that would fit inside, about 2 x 3 inches. I used watercolor paper that was painted on but not used for anything, so it had cool colors and patterns that would make a nice background. I also used some old manila file folders that I painted with gesso and some old poster board - I will need more cards eventually, but I think I started with about 40, which is enough to get me started.

After a few days of creating the cards at different times, trying to work it into my schedule, I decided that I wanted to use these as a type of morning meditation. So, I am choosing a word for the day - writing it on the card (adding more details or decoration as I want) - sitting quietly, breathing, and focusing on the word and what it means to me. I am also writing the date on the back with a short sentence about the reason for choosing the word.

This process is helping me to slow down and focus at the start of my day. I'm going to start sharing them here, feel free to join me in the process, I would love to see the gratitude you share.

Process to product - Thread Lace Composition #1

I have been working on new fiber pieces for my upcoming two-person fiber show in June at Live Coal Gallery. This series emerged out of a desire to translate my work into something more three dimensional. I can't remember exactly how I came up with the idea - I'm sure I was inspired by something I saw or another artists work, but nothing specific. Just like the idea that in art nothing is new - all art has influences whether you realize it or not - no one lives or creates in a vacuum. Also, no one can create anything exactly the way you do - no one else can have your personality - no one else can have your exact life experiences - all of which are embedded in the art you create.

adding some hand stitching after the initial machine stitching

before the finishing process

close up detail before the finishing process

Thread Composition #1 - mounted in hand made 8x8 inch shadow box

My son took this picture of me next to my piece at the opening of Detroit Artists Market All media show :)

Art Quotes

"If I Could Say it in Words There Would be no Reason to Paint" - Edward Hopper

"An Artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision" - James Whistler

"To be an artist is to believe in life" - Henry Moore

"The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude" - Friedrich Nietzsche