Keeping it Creative

I am a terrible blogger. Ok, I was a terrible blogger. I have found my creative voice. Now I have something to say and ideas to share so you might actually hear from me far more than you wanted . So what was the big revelation? Ironically it was the fact that I do not need a big dramatic revelation to share my creative bliss with you. So here goes!

Keeping the creative juices flowing means knowing what I have. I spend a little time each day sorting things into their proper place. It is an ongoing battle but one that pays. As I spend my 15 minutes sorting the piles that have accumulated, or a box of goodies that were in overflow storage, I always find a little nugget of inspiration. The seed of an idea that I will nurture over the next days, weeks or months. So take a break from the creating every once and a while and look through your supplies. You might just get hit with a brilliant idea!!

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??

I have put away all the winter supplies for creating and today begins spring design!! The winter jewelry line for Lulu Max is officially sold out!! The last few pieces found a home on Christmas eve. Thank you to all of my loyal and new customers. I adore creating and your thoughtful purchases allow me the honor of creating for another season.

This spring promises to be exciting. I will be vending at some of my favorite venues and a few new ones. For my Orange County crowd I will of course be at Glitterfest with jewelry and mixed media creations and I will be selling supplies for all of your creations at Create in the Spring.

So what is on my workbench for spring? Loads of rhinestones of course! Plus some beautiful laces and fibers, mother of pearl buttons, bakelite, lucite, trinkets and treasures of all kinds and some really unusual ephemera. Most of you know that there is usually a theme loosely woven into each season. This spring will be no different. Stay tuned for some hints and a preview!

This week I will be preparing the kits for my Enchanted necklace class at Whimzy in Tustin on January 19th. (Pictured above) Last I checked, there were a couple of spots available so come play with us. We will me exploring my new favorite medium for mixed media art and jewelry. A great way to start the new year with a new skill for your persona tool bag.  Join me and I will share my inspiration with you to jump start a dazzling and creative 2013.

I hope all of your holiday celebrations were filed with joy and love. May 2013 find you happy, healthy and inspired!

xo,
Tara

An Enchanted Necklace

Kim Caldwell will be working her magic again this spring creating another memorable event- The Enchanted Affair! I am already signed up to attend. Kim got me thinking about Snow White and all the other princesses of fairy tale lore. So of course, my new necklace is influenced by Snow white and the Huntsman. If you have not seen the movie the jewelry and costumes were amazing.

My workbench has been filled with new products and mediums this year. A particular favorite is a two part epoxy that is unlike anything I have ever encountered. So much fun playing with this new product! Now I am ready to introduce you- guaranteed to be your new go to product in all your creations. This necklace class will teach you everything you need to know about working with this magic clay!

Then we will transform the material using color washes and metallic finishing products to recreate the look of leather, metal or anything your heart desires. Your finished necklace will be wire wrapped together but no jewelry experience is necessary! So, will you create a good potion bottle or something for the evil queen? Everything is included for this class. Just bring your apron and I will bring the good messy fun! January 19th at Whimzy in Tustin 11 until 4.

Whimzy Classes

Check out Kim Caldwells's spring event!

Enchanted Affaire

Back to the studio!

Tara