Sunnyside Up

Watching the Grammys.

Fascinated by Lady Gaga.

What drives a person that way?

Incredibly talented. She seems incapable of taking a breath. Or a vacation.
Having a regular day. A sweatpants kind of day. No meat dresses.

If I had that kind of drive/focus, would I sell more paintings?
Probably.

I'm not sure I would want that level of success.
I am sure I wouldn't want to pay the price for it.

We all make choices along the way.
I chose family, children and home a long time ago.
Painting and creating were a fortunate discovery that popped up in mid-life.

The ability to paint and draw has been a blessing and a salve in good times and bad.
Maybe that's the difference between me and Miss Gaga. ( As if there are any grounds for comparision...:) )

My creative blessings weren't my only focus.
I chose what was most important and grounding for me early on.
I needed the balance.

Art was the frosting on the cake.

I wouldn't change a thing.

Not even for an egg vehicle or a meat dress.

It's About Time!

I'm thinkin' that 5 months between posts is probably NOT the best way to build a blog following.

Just saying...

In my defense, the end of 2010 was really really busy. I bought a new house, moved, did shows, shipped orders and co-hosted 15 family members for Christmas. All of it was great, wonderful and positive. It left me with little energy for cheerleading my work on the internet. Most days I just wanted to move the furniture around and feather my cozy nest.
.
The house is the best thing ever. Perfect upstairs for an empty nest family and breathtaking downstairs for an artist with just too much stuff. I cannot begin to verbalize how amazing my basement studio is. A medium size family could live there in comfort. Kathleen Taylor Studio et al ( Violet the Studio Cat, tons of junk i can't part with that will find it's way into my art and every orphaned piece of furniture that doesn't fit on the first floor ) has taken up residence.I am so happy every time I go down the stairs - feeling very blessed.

All the grandchildren will have their own mini studio next to mine.
Best of all, two of them are within walking distance.

Still deciding which shows to apply for in 2011. I am excited and a little bit nervous about my big project for this year. I'm illustrating a cookbook for an inspired author and my dream publishing house. The same publisher that does Mary Englebreit's work. A fantasy come true. I can't wait to get started.