Art and Insecurities

I have been working on some pieces for Art Walk February 2nd in Santa Ana.  Last night I woke up with my heart pounding. The nagging voice in my head was growing louder. The voice of insecurity. All artists know this voice. Usually it is a whisper at the back of our mind saying - Is that your best? _ Hasn't that been done? -Will anyone like this? Last night my inner voice of insecurity was screaming at me. Very rude! " Your bird sucks! - You are rusty!"

So what do you do? I was laying there wide awake and it occurred to me that nothing bad would happen if my bird sucked. No one would be harmed, no one would starve, the world would not be knocked off its axis. I am not defined by a bird I painted. This is the year of no fear! I will paint. I will exhibit my work. I am certain that if I allow myself to give it a go after not painting for almost 25 years, something amazing will happen. Or maybe,  I will simply not be afraid to paint any more.

I walked away from the fine arts when I graduated from college and never looked back. During my last few weeks as an undergrad all of my work from the previous four years was on exhibit. The majority of the exhibit was stolen. I did not shed a tear or get mad. I just walked away and accepted that the universe had told me it was time to put away my toys and get on with my career. It has taken me this long to realize I could have been enjoying creating all this time. So this is a new beginning- a do over if you will.  I will re-learn the techniques I so enjoyed and I will paint.  It may suck but I will enjoy myself.

You will have to come to art walk to see the entire painting but here is the bird I lost sleep over. I started by sketching on paper in colored pencil and when I liked what I had I decided to actually use that image. ( I was afraid to try drawing it again.) I collaged it onto the canvas and added many layers of paint. In fact I had trouble stopping. I could just not get it quite right. So here is my imperfect bird!

Be fearless!! It wil free your creativity.

xoxo
Tara

Art Walk followed by Glitter!!

I have been very busy in my studio the past couple of weeks. I am preparing for two completely different shows. The first is Art Walk in Santa Ana! I will be showcasing my mixed media canvases at Jenny Doh's Crescendoh Studio! This is a new adventure for me so I would love to see some friendly faces. 2013 is the year of no fear!!

STUDIO CRESCENDOh
207 N. Broadway St., Studio L
Santa Ana, CA 92701
studio@crescendoh.com

Please join me at the studio Saturday February 2nd from 7pm until 10. There a re loads of galleries that participate so please come wonder and enjoy. Best part it is free!!

Next up is Glitterfest- My favorite show!!! The date is March 9th and the venue is all new!! No more parking woes! There will be more room too! The event will be held at the Anaheim Business Expo. More details to follow!  

Save the dates!

Art Walk Feb 2nd

Glitterfest March 9th

Tara

A Fresh Start- The Big Purge

After installing new flooring and painting all the rest, I have a blank canvas. I am taking this opportunity to begin anew. While I rebuild my studio and work spaces I am sorting and purging. Each object lucky enough to find a home in the new space is either completely functional and needed or a true thing of beauty and a treasure. The rest will have to go live elsewhere.

I will be listing destash lots on etsy so stay tuned.  I have far too many vintage cameos, brass stampings,  costume jewelry both pristine and for repair, vintage chatons and the like.  My purge may result in an amazing bargain for someone else.

In 2012 I began the purge and committed to design the life I envisioned for myself. Not all of the process has been easy.  I had to say goodbye to people in my life that were toxic. I spent too much time trying to rescue those that really just wanted to wallow in their misery. Walking away is really tough.  I paid the price for allowing myself to be taken advantage of both financially and emotionally.

I realized that I can be of service to others only when I am my best self.  In 2013 I will focus on healthy habits in all areas of my life so I am able to continue teaching and mentoring in addition to running Lulu Max.  I have always found great joy in being a positive force in my community so I will continue a long standing tradition of volunteering. It is also my honor to be a speaker at Sharon Hughes Launch Your Creativity event this spring where we come together to help you reach your creative goals.

I really just have one rule for 2013: Do not let fear get between you and your goals. What are your fears? What do you need to purge?

Together we can do anything!!

xo,
Tara

Welcoming 2013 And Adventure

This is the beginning of a wonderful new adventure! For me 2013 will be filed with new experiences and artistic ventures. Above is one of the photos I recently took on our travels. I found this wonderful statue in an old cemetery and her delicate hand intrigued me.

 I will be adding elements of my photography to my work this year. I am circling back to my fine art roots in most of my work. Beginning in February I will once again be exhibiting in fine art galleries and studios with mixed media pieces. I have really enjoyed painting again and creating collages. My first large pieces of art created in 1980 were mixed media collages. I still have one of them hanging in my studio. Who knew that 30 years later that would be a popular medium to work in.

No worries there will still be plenty of jewelry and rhinestones! I just wanted to spend 2013 experiencing new things without fear so I am getting out of my comfort zone and forgetting all the rules for creating art. What will you try in 2013??