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Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Something Opened Up...

Good Morning Blogfriends,
I hope that your week is off to a great start.
We are expecting snow this week, and that means - snow days from school!!  I secretly have my fingers crossed as I need some studio time!!


Speaking of studio time, things have been heating up....in a good way!!!  I have painted non stop for the last few week to get ready for something, but first I have a bit of a confession.  Last year this time - MLK holiday - I met with the owner of The Little Art Gallery.  I took in my portfolio and a few paintings, and she really liked my work.  She asked me to comeback in a few weeks with larger paintings.... I left, and was quite excited about the possibility of having my work hanging in the same space as some of the artists that I consider to be Hero's in this area.  I got home excited to paint, and then something happened....I replayed our conversation and she said---LARGE PAINTINGS!!  Now, this is a girl, that stepped into the art world by way of art journals, and I was quite comfortable painting on a 9x12 art journal page.  I was terrified of a canvas, so I treated them like a 9x12 journal page, thus I painted on 9x12 or smaller canvas.  So, I did what I would usually do in the face of fear....I bailed!!!  Cancelled the meeting and buried her business card somewhere deep, and life carried on...
At the end of last year, I am not sure of what opened up in my, but I called her back, she remembered me, and to my extreme excitement, invited me back...yesterday, exactly one year later.  This time, I showed up with 5- yes, 5 large paintings...

I held my breath as she looked them all over.....and I'm talking I seriously held my breath.
I worked hard...for weeks and weeks I painted - every morning before work and for at least 5-6 hours after work each day.
She loved them!!!!  My knees trembled and I felt quite light headed...possibly the breath holding, but what a relief!!!  She kept all 5 to hang in the gallery!!!!
What I am most grateful for in this experience is the gift of a second chance....and seeing again that fear - which is so very real for me with my art - did not hold me back.  
I guess I say all of this to simply say - just push through.  Go for it.  Show up every single day and do what you love.  For me, its playing in paint.  Enjoying the process of playing in paint... and when I let me self know when approaching every canvas that I am only planning to enjoy the process, it takes a bit of the pressure away.
Thanks for listening!
Until next time,
Opheila



Monday, January 1, 2018

What a Month!!!

Happy 2018 Blogfriends!!!
I hope that each of you had a wonderful holiday season!!!  I enjoyed every single snippet of time off with my family, friends, and of course, no break from school would be complete without studio time!
My holiday officially began with my crazy college kid safely landing back in North Carolina!
It is always such a relief to have him home and for our family of four to be all be under the same roof.
I celebrated my birthday on Christmas Eve...Every year, I try to remember to get a screen shot of the exact time and day....nailed it this year!!!
Every single time I sell artwork, it makes me extremely happy!!  The thought that someone out there likes something that I create brings me such joy.  This one, Fire and Ice, heads to its new home in Seattle, and I am so thankful that out of all the artists in the world, Kate wanted one of my pieces.
Years ago, I set a goal that I wanted to start a YouTube channel...years and years ago!!  This year, I gave myself a deadline of January 1!  A few days ago, I uploaded my very first video!!!  Fingers crossed, my second video - One Little Word - will be up today!!!  I have a brand new respect for YouTubers out there as it is far more difficult than they make it seem!!!

Speaking of One Little Word, I decided that this year, my word would be TRUE.

True to my artwork, my style of creating, and to myself.  True in everything this year.  Do you choose a word to guide you for the year?  What is your One Little Word??

I have lots of ways of filling my creative well, and one of them is spending time with my art friends.  Jodi Ohl and I have been friends for many years.  We usually try to catch up a couple of times a year, and whenever we do, I leave so very inspired and with loads of new ideas!!
I hope that you have the most amazing day, and a happy, healthy, joyful and creative 2018!!

Until next time,
Ophelia






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