Great Reads

    I love to read! However, I don't often look for new books that have just come out. I love the classics. The books that are often forgot about. The look, feel and yes even smell of an old book are aspects I appreciate of them.  But every now and then I come across something new. Recently I found Austin Kleon's two books, Steal Like an Artist and Show Your Work. These are wonderful books. Now they're not stories, these books are filled with advice for all kinds of creatives. From creating great works to getting yourself known. Not only can they help you, but they tell you ways that you can help others as well. In Show Your Work, Mr. Kleon tells us to teach others what we know, what we have learned, and what we are learning now. As a private art teacher it is always nice to be reminded to keep teaching others. These books are inspiring and motivating.  I look forward to rereading them again and again, and recommend that you take a look at these books as well.

I Love Old Books 

Austin Kleon's books  

Brand New!!!!!........Aaaahhhh.......

     I bought a brand new sketchbook today! No I don't have ten more still waiting to be filled. My idea keeper ( aka my sketchbook) that I have right now is almost full, about 15 pages left, sad. For me a new idea keeper is both motivating and scary. The very first page of white potential just waiting to be used and all I can do is sit there and stare at it. Really! Sure there is plenty of things to draw and I might have had an idea already forming in my head. But as soon as I open it up, the idea disappears, vanishes into thin air. I just sit there dumbfounded and paralyzed. Finally after getting a cup of coffee and a taking a few deep breaths I begin. Slowly and lightly at first, but gradually getting darker. Painstakingly a picture begins to forms before me.  Funny thing is I am not sure if it is just me, who experiences this random terror at the sight of the first blank page.  Does anyone else experience this? Please tell me its not just me? Even after the initial fleeting of ideas, the limitless possibilities excites me!

Brand New Idea Keeper    

The First Page

Pride of an Art Teacher
The first page sketch  

                                                       

Artist Block

       Artists have their ups and down just like everyone else.  We have days of mind blowing creativity and other days of “artist block” where nothing gets done. That’s just how it is. But what we do with those less creative days are what makes the other days so motivating. What should or can an artist do in these kinds of drought days? Oh the days of imaginative droughts! When these times appear they can last for a day or for several days, there’s really no way to know how long it will be. These are the days when we study. Yes, study. No I don't mean text books. I mean study the works of other artists, read great inspirational books, listen to music, go for long a walk, go to a new place and watch what happens, go visit someone, drink some tea or coffee (OH AND DON'T FORGET YOUR SKETCHBOOK).  The point is to do something to spark new ideas.

A Few Artists that Inspire Me

•    Beatrix Potter
•    Edith Holden 
•  Tasha Tudor



Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit

Few of My Favorite Book

•     Bible
•     Little Women
•     Joe’s Boys
•     Little Men
•     Eight Cousins
•    Rose in Bloom
•    The Anne of Green Gables Series
•     Old fashioned Girl
•    The Gresham Chronicles



Louisa M. Alcott

Just a Few Music Artists

• Pentatonix
• Echosmith
•  Owl City
• Enya
• Josh Groban
• 2Cellos
• One Republic
• Simon & Garfunkel

Owl City Album Cover

Thinks I Like To Do

•      I Love Both COFFEE and TEA
•      I take long walks down the country road I live on.
•      I visit with Friends and Family
•      I like going to the coffee shop, the park, museums,      art galleries, and downtowns of small towns.
•      I like going on Adventures