Returning to the fundamentals

photo by: Frank Busch on Unsplash

I started this blog in 2011 it was a means to document my creative journey, later in life and not being sure of what to do.  I simply put one foot in front of the other and trusted it would be revealed to me.   The truth is, most times I was bombarded by self-doubt.  I had never painted or drawn before so I was venturing out into the unknown.  I would use these writings/photos as a reference point to look back in time.  I could see where I was in comparison to where I am at the  present time.   I could see there was improvement, even on a small scale, that gave me the encouragement to keep going.  Today, I still feel those moments of self doubt yet along the way I have gained more confidence then when I started and more tools to help me overcome any of those negative thoughts.

This site, also, was intended to be an encouragement for anyone else who was interested in doing something out of their comfort.  You can begin by reading some of my earlier posts.

You see.. one of the things that frightened me the most was I would compare myself to others.  The really good artists.  Duh!!!  Now I know not to do that.   It would stop me dead in my tracks until one day it dawned on me that they had to begin at the beginning, too.

I remembered a song from a long time ago that inspired me and I started listening to it again.  HERE'S THE LINK TO WATCH

Here are some of the lyrics that I like:
It's not where you start, it's where you finish.
It's not how you go, it's how you land.
A hundred to one shot, they call him a klutz 
Can out-run the favorite, all he needs is the guts.
Your final return will not diminish
And you can be the cream of the crop;
It's not where you start, it's where you finish,
And you're gonna finish on top.

I have gotten more involved in creating art, selling my art, art shows/galleries, teaching, and learning that I have been remiss with this site.  That is going to change.  I am returning to the fundamentals of this blog,  Sharing my creative journey as I let my creative spirit out to play.

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Altered Journals

I have been occupied with multiple projects.

One of them being, taking old books and altering them to become art journals.

This entails many steps and if you are interested let me know and I will gladly share the process.

One of them is 5.5" x 9" - perfect size for "on the go".

Yesterday when I was totally all done I was excited to begin working in it.  So I devoted most of the afternoon to do just that.

Let me show you:

Here is the front cover of the book

Then pages inside the book.

                    

  

Another journal I made is 8.5" x 11"

I am devoting this journal to only dry mediums.

Going to have lots of time to practice and learn.

Mediums used for the piece below was were pastels-PanPastels-mechnical pencil

Titled, "Intrinsic Nature of Autumn"

Autumn symbolizes a period of change.

Balance, preparation, and reflection.

During Autumn day light and night time hours are equals lengths.  Which spiritually indicates the balance between light and dark.

It's a time of surrender, of letting go.

Getting out of the way and let spirit be in charge of our lives.

Down Memory Lane...

This morning, after my meditation, I came across this speech given by Steve Jobs in 2005.
It has always been one of my favorites especially about "connecting the dots".

When I fist began my art journey in 2011 I had absolutely no idea what I was suppose to be doing.

I trusted I was on the right path and I set forth putting one step in front of the other.   Believing it was all going to work out just the way it's suppose to.  To this day I still have the same belief.  Even in those times I may seem lost and confused my core belief remains the same.

In 2011 I created this piece to serve as a reminder and inspiration.

Here's a walk down memory lane to share some of my earlier art that I created when I began my art journey in 2011.

Thanks for sharing this journey with me.

Metamorphosis-the process of transformation

In my stillness,  I was reflecting back on my creative journey. Where I was vs. where I am and where I want to be.  It occurred to me that on this creative journey I am, repeatedly, going thru a metamorphosis (the process of transformation) similar to a butterfly.
Hence... the inspiration for this painting.

Butterfly Abounds

20" x 20" 3/4" deep canvas

charcoal-acrylic paint-PanPastels

Available at:   http://www.teresacashart.com/images/Butterfly-Abounds_9-3-17.jpg

• It was merely 6 years ago that I began this creative journey, not knowing which direction to go yet I was determined to put one foot in front of the other and trust the path would appear.
• After a while I began to shed negative thought patterns of "not being good enough" as I continued making art.  This negative pattern never really disappears, it just fades away.  I am tenacious enough not to let it keep me down.  Thinking of the ebbs and flows in life helps me in those not so bright times when self-doubt has me in it's grip.  You know the saying... "this too shall pass".
• I will often take some time to center myself...I get brave enough to step out of my comfort zone(s) again and put myself and my art out there for possible rejections.  When I step  up/out with faith and belief in myself of why I am on this journey those rejections become stepping stones to help me learn and grow.  And you know what else happens?..... I  END OF GETTING LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF POSITIVE FEEDBACK.
• At this stage... I am changing things up a bit.  I am taking more risks.  I am ready to FLY!

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https://www.instagram.com/teresacashart

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Thank You for all of your support and encouragement.

I will continue to do this because of YOU!

artful practice

This week, my attention has been on getting my art ready
for a boutique plus prepping for 2 art shows coming up. 
I got caught up in tasks.
 I realized  had abandoned an important artful practice,

 to be in my studio simply creating. 

Well... once it came to my awareness I knew I had to change it. 

I allowed myself playtime.

I wholeheartedly resonate with the quote by Picasso:

"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working"

 

Thank You, John, for the inspiration

This morning my husband came into the house and said, "I have a surprise for you."  

He proceeded to hand me a clump of coal from our chiminea.  

I must have had a quizzical look on my face because he proceeded to tell me 

I could use it for my next drawing.

You know, sometimes, it's those simple things in life that have the grandest impact.

 This was one of those moments. 

 

I did just that.  I used only the charcoal he gave me to draw this lovely lady.

At times it was a little tricky because the charcoal was chunky, 

I found it somewhat of a challenge on the details.

Yet with a little persistence and an eraser I was able to get the job done.

To top it off I drew her on a of piece of textured wall paper that I had stenciled on.

 It did have had tooth to grab the charcoal.

Thank You, John, for the inspiration of Day #13.

Thank You for all of your support and encouragement.

I couldn't do this without YOU! 

Thank You, Picasso

The first time I heard this quote by Picasso I knew it to be true.

Sorry if I seem to repeat myself but this quote resonates deeply within my soul.

Here is another portrait I did today. This marks 5 days in a row.  

I think I'll keep going...

Wanna see how far I can go?

Better yet... let's do it together. 

Create something every day.  Large or small.  It doesn't matter the size.  Just begin.

Message me if you want to play along.  I'd LOVE to see what you create.

Never Give Up

Today I was reflecting on the reason I invite you to follow my art journey.   The reason is to be an example.  To hopefully encourage anyone/everyone that if you are the least bit interested in creating art then take it from me.  If I can do it, so can you!  One of the first pieces of art I create delivered a message "It doesn't matter how you get there or how long it takes, JUST BEGIN TO FOLLOW THE PATH OF YOUR DREAMS".   So that is exactly what I did.  I just began.   When I first started out I had no clue what I was doing.  The first time I heard an artist that I admire admit that she made a bad piece of art I got excited.  I then developed the confidence to keep trying knowing that eventually I would improve.

I dawned on me that mostly I show art that looks good that I am comfortable attaching my name to it.  I hardly ever show you a pieces that didn't turn out as I had hoped, there have been many.

If I want you to follow my creative journey and perhaps encourage you then I am willing to show you a piece of art that went south quickly.






I started using  pastels, drawing loosely,  the scene of a young girl releasing butterflies in field where is a trees and flowers.    I was liking it and then it took a turn down a slippery slope, quickly.  So I sanded it thinking it would help make it look more loose and get rid of the defined edges.

 Then I covered it with Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Gold to give it a vintage look.  While it was still damp I sanded it some more.  "Oh My", I exclaimed..."What have I done?"  It looked awful.









                                      One thing I have learned, for sure, is to NEVER GIVE UP!!!!  

Never Give Up on a piece of art  -  Never Give Up on following your passion.  

I am passionate about being an artist and in this moment I am passionate about turning this pice around.

I began by:
*acrylic transfer of book text for
  texture
*stamping with a floral stamp

*stamping using the inside of
  cardboard
*mark making with Distress Ink
  walnut stain
*added shadows
*added words wisdom and
  spirituality which seemed to fit
  perfectly

*dropped white paint.

Sharing a message

I just listened to this message from Earle Nightingale.  It really hit home for me so I thought I would share it.
http://www.zenhabits.com/

I use to listen to him a along time ago for inspiration when I sold Mary Kay Cosmetics.   It was inspiring to rehear the same message.  I needed to hear it then just like I need to hear it now.

ADDED 9 hrs. after my original post
I just registered for  Mondo Beyondo   mondobeyondo.org/register
The opening line hooked me  - "This six week class will give you the courage and confidence you need to make your unspoken dreams a practical reality."  Just what the doctor ordered!
 YIPPPEEEE!