On Inspiration

Chuck Close famously said “Inspiration is for amateurs- the rest of us just show up and get to work.” This is a quote I’ve written across the top of my weekly calendar and recalled in conversation several times this year. It accurately describes the difference between the professional artist and a hopeful. The professional does […]

On Not Being Able to Go to the Art Store

Quarantine/ Shutdown has meant no art store trips. Shopping for supplies online is not remotely as satisfying. It is not the same experience either- since art making is inherently tactile and physical. How can I choose a pencil if I can’t touch it? Thus, this is a time for sorting, organizing, and using old supplies […]

Give Up Television

I was not allowed to watch tv as a child (Thank you Mom!) As a teen it was more permitted, but by that age I had lost interest. As a young adult, in the early 2000s, TV was not compelling. Then came the golden era of television when internet streaming became truly prevalent. The twenty-teens. […]

Returning to Old Projects

Otherwise known as the “half-finished pile.” In my half finished pile lie: a half dozen garments in various states of completion a quarter inch scale New Orleans mansion sketches for new alchemical imagery botanical illustrations of the garden (watercolor paper purchased) a wall painting to complete visions of medieval religious icons Over the past couple […]

Quarantine Edition: Rewards

Week two of quarantine I had the realization: all my rewards are gone! No wonder I’m having trouble being disciplined about work. My rewards were simple things: going to a coffee shop and getting a nice latte. Seeing friends in person. Taking a dog walk with another dog. Unconsciously, I was making this tradeoff with […]

Goal: 1000 Hours Per Year In Studio

Time Tracking Being of an analytical type, I love an excuse to track things. At the beginning of 2019 I had taken up using a bullet journal. Like millions, I was inspired by the gorgeous bullet journals on social media (see examples here: #bulletjournal ) However, much as the inventor recommends, I prefer to use […]