SNHU Eng 555 week 1- Significant writing experience

So...my first Journal entry for class.....

A significant experience I've had in my formal instruction on writing....hmm.... This is actually a tough one because my focus has not been on my writing. Heck most of the time I rarely believe that my writing is anything special. I really don't believe I am very good at it. So why am I focusing on an English Masters degree? I know crazy isn't it?

I do have to say that I did have one experience that made quite a difference on me through writing. It was actually a poetry contest that I entered when I was 12? 13? essentially young enough to be completely enthusiastic and naïve. I won the contest, or at least won my section of it....I actually don't remember much about the actual contest. What I do remember is the honor they bestowed on me by having me read my poem at a special poetry reading at Muskingum college (the local college) in front of a whole bunch of people.

 

Fear, you want to talk about scared out of my mind! I'm still not much of a public speaker, though I am not

 

in fear anymore.

 

What I did learn though was that any creative endeavor included presentation and speaking with people about my creation. This is something that has carried over into my art career as I present my artwork to others. I have to talk about my creations for people want to know about my art.

 

So...if I have such little significant writing experiences what am I doing pursuing an English Masters degree? Honestly my interest in English focuses most on the literary aspect. I love reading other's writing. Stories are works of art created from words. Literature allows insights into the soul of a writer just as much as a painting on the wall can. As Freud taught me last class, even a small novel can allow for some of the greatest insights into the author's mind and the reader's.

 

 

Art helps us realize our dreams. It gives us an avenue to express that which is subconscious and conscious. Art also allows us to connect with others that also feel and think some of the same things we do.

 

The more I read the more I want to write. Often I have considered, and am currently constructing, my own series of literary novels. I know I'll definitely have to have an editor and someone to proofread my writing though!

 

Okay, I believe I may have become sidetracked a bit. However, now you know a bit more about me, the literary lover. Next post here I'll show you guys how my Equine Jubilee piece is coming along! Until next time!

 

 

Works Cited:

 

Frozen Fear collage. Starwished Dreams.tumblr.com. Published 12.30.2013. Starwished-dreams.tumblr.com/post/7. May 2, 2015. web.

 

Frozen logo. Disney Frozen movie. 2013. www.fanpop.com. May 2, 2015. web

 

Sigmund Freud quotes. Meetville.com. 2010. www.meetville.com/page9. May 2, 2015. web

New Year! Welcome 2015!

2014 was a very busy year on a personal level. We welcomed our second daughter into the world on June 26th and needless to say I've been one very busy momma! I mean come on....look at that face! Who can focus on writing a blog when you have that little girl wanting your attention? Yea, not me!

Therefore this blog has not been updated in quite awhile.

2015 is going to change that. I am working on getting my website finalized, (it will be found at ArtisticReflectionsStudio.com when its complete). You will be able to find original paintings and giclee prints (purchasable through the site!) with other potential merchandise in the works. Oh yea, we were talking about the blog and the direction it is going....

Starting in January I have plans to paint one painting per weekday (weekends are for family and school....sorry guys!). Now, I'm not going to just paint all willy nilly, no. Rather I am going to focus on one specific color each month. January is going to be the "color" white (really white is not a color but the lack of color....but we'll get into that later!). So each painting completed in January will focus on the color white and how it works within a composition. Each day will also specialize on a specific theme. What does this mean? Well an example of this is day 4 the theme is "Farm Animals" or day 5 is "western". I am going to post the themes on my website and on my Facebook page so you can all follow along! These themes will fall on the same day each month, so each 4th piece of the month would be "farm animals" and that color of the month. Get it?

There is good reason for this chaotic formula of paintings for the year. Mostly I want to explore colors and push them in directions I haven't before. Yet, I also want to explore different subjects leaving myself options for inspiration to strike! By having themes I have a direction to push my focus without getting bogged down (Farm animals might allow me to play with goats in snow in January and calves in April).

All of these pieces will be listed here as they are completed with a bit of blurb about them. They will also be up for auction within that week on eBay. You'll be able to find them easily with links to the individual auctions at the bottom of each post!

If that is not enough for me to do I will also be looking into various shows and possibly art shows to attend in the next year. 2015 should be a very busy time, though we'd never have it any other way!

Busy Bee

So, its been a very, very busy past few months! Shows and artwork exploration is cropping up everywhere. Literally, my head is spinning! Of course I also know it probably won't stop spinning until after Christmas...and it is only going to get worse between now and then!

On top of that I have been tossing in some rich English and literature experiences through my newest classes. Right now we are working on the Victorian Era in British history and boy, is that interesting! This was the time when women started realizing and speaking up about their place in society. This is when they started demanding things to change, and when changes started to slowly happen.  Without these women and their voices, I know I would not be doing the amazing things I am today. Interesting how history truly does reflect in the daily actions we all undertake.

Oh and between the rain showers (I literally felt like building an ark) we've been trying to enjoy our summer together. Camping trips (yes in the rain sometimes), beach visits, playgrounds, the fair, etc. all trying to pull me into the wonderful experiences of having a family and a little girl that loves the great outdoors. I even had the wonderful experience of going to a horse show in Syracuse with that little girl only to find out she might be as horse crazy as I am! Oh happy days here!

Aside from all this busyness, I have been doing a lot of art exploration lately. Resources from all different directions have opened my mind to so many opportunities. Some of those resources I want to share with you. I feel as though my blog has been left alone for long enough, plus I need a bit of accountability. So, within the week I am going to select one of these resources I have discovered (like the Oil Painting with Light  or the Energizing your Paintings with Color books) and go through the book with you. It is my plan to do at least one of the painting exercises per week and I will post the process and findings here.

So lets learn together! Lets make great artwork together by studying those that have gone before us. I might also throw in some critiques on different artwork I've discovered along the way! It is my hope that maybe we can all learn how to better understand and better communicate through our art. So stay tuned! Now, just to pick a starting point.....

I am an artist

Yes, I am an artist. Why are these words so hard to say? When someone asks me what I do or whether I have a job, why is it so hard for me to wear my artistic vision proudly?

Aesteticeleveator.com put it perfectly, "Probably for a similar reason that being a 'homemaker and mother' is not considered "real work"- because it does not bring in the bread." Funny how I have become all three since Aug 2011. Yet this is completely NOT true! Yes, raising my child and doing the dishes, laundry, sweeping, mopping, etc. are not actually creating any sort of revenue. Yes, I could choose to be simply artist that cares little if anyone actually purchases her work (there are some out there...though I don't understand why).
One of the best and biggest examples in my life of a woman that made a great life out of being a simple "homemaker and mother" is my late grandmother. I truly can not hold a candle to her abilities (especially her cooking!). I only aspire to be a mother that shows her child how much she loves her and to do what I can to keep the house in some sort of order (that is pretty hard with a little one!). No, you can't eat off my floors and yea, there are times I lose my cool (patience is an ongoing process God is still working on with me). Yet, I know I am doing my best and giving my child the best by being here with her. (This is not to discredit those working-outside the home moms).

Because I was blessed with the ability to stay home with my child, I chose to jump on the chance to chase my dreams. Do I dream of being a famous artist known around the world like Picasso or Monet? Nah, not really. I don't anticipate making millions off my paintings or tour the world with my artwork. But is it impossible for me to make a career from my art? No. It is not impossible. It is hard, but not impossible.

So what do you say when someone tells you that it is not a real job and you need to go get a real job? Yea, I'm still figuring that one out. For honestly I work harder at my jobs than I ever have before. I've had real jobs (I was an assistant manager for a retail store once), and though I did like some of those jobs, these new jobs are my true calling. Those "real jobs" had a time clock and when I clocked out I could check out until the next day. Now (even as I'm typing this at midnight I hear my daughter looking for her binky and fussing in her sleep), I am on call 24/7 and even when I'm "off" I have many other things to work on (like those millions of paintings I can't wait to get started/finished). I have a real job. Being a mother is a "real" job. Being an artist and owner of my own art business is a "real" job. Just because I don't bring in a $ amount with one job nor make millions with the other does not make either job less "real".

So for those of you that are out there, living your dreams, don't let others squash them because they don't fit into some acceptable mold. Life is for living, not accumulating $ or stuff that you can not take with you. Don't look back and wish you could have. Just be ready to work for those dreams. Chasing rainbows is not for the weak!

Direction

Okay, so I've slacked off on my postings already! So much for commitment and dedication.
Actually, the reason I haven't posted my latest devotions is because I am not wanting this blog to become all about my religion. Yes, it is apart of me, but it doesn't completely define me. And I think readers need to get to know me, the real me.
So I want to restructure a bit and compile a few ideas for the rest of the stay-at-home mothers trying to juggle business and kids. My first year was not as much of a success as I would want, but then again I'm an overachiever, so I might still have insights to share on what I've learned.
Along with this direction I'll still share some inspirational messages as they strike me and a bit of artsy insights too.

For this is what I am. A mother, an artist, a Christian, and a woman learning the rope of her first business venture. And all of these things are what I wish to share with the world.

New year, New resolutions!

Finally the decorations and holiday craziness is all put away until next Christmas! As the house becomes a place of order, well as much order as a 16 month old little girl will allow it to be, I once again find myself setting my sights on the goals of the new year. Goals I want to share with you.

First, my goals as a parent and mother.

This year I want to go places (like the zoo in Syracuse) with my daughter. I want to show her different experiences this year. Likewise, I can't wait to enjoy some of  the same experiences of last year (like going camping with the Smith family), for though the journey might be similar, as she grows the experiences are never going to be the same! She is going to be 2 this August, and with that will come many more challenges and experiences. Hopefully we can also give her the joy of anticipating a little brother or sister early next year.....

Second, my personal goals.

Starting in April, I am anticipating starting on my Master's degree in English. My goals are to begin this journey and not allow my schoolwork come between me and my passion or job as a mother. I'm excited to take this next step in my education, yet also anticipate its completion!
Another goal for myself is to stick to a daily devotion or bible reading throughout the year. Each year, I have attempted to complete a daily devotion only to fail within the first few weeks or months. It is my goal to make this blog into a personal accounting of this journey through my spiritual endeavors and hope that I can hold myself accountable!

Finally, my business goals.

Last year was the beginning of my art business as I started painting again and got my Etsy shop up and running. Through alot of trial and error, I have found some niche ideas that fit into my passions. Growing as an artist and selling my artwork, it is a goal to expand more and more. I am going to attend more shows this year and attempt to daily develop my skills.

This new year is looking to be a promising year; one full of hope and excitement. Therefore my word for this year is going to be GROWTH. I hope you decide to follow my journey as we see how this word changes and defines 2013!

First look

So, tomorrow I get to chalk up another year on the calendar. Someone somewhere once said that the day and year you turn the same age as your birthday will turn out to be a special and powerful time for you. I'm wondering if this could possibly be true. I know tomorrow I have little plans outside of getting out of bed, taking care of my little girl, try not to kill the dog, and maybe some laundry.
However, this year is already full of different milestones. I've made the change from being the working woman that is taking classes part-time to finish her degree, to being a full-time stay at home mom. I never realized how few hours are complied in a day and how much a mom can actually have to do! The lists are so very long and the hours are so very short. On top of that I am still trying to finish school (graduate in November!) and working on my Etsy shop in the hopes of having some sort of career when the little one needs me less.
So here is to what is hopefully an interesting and full year!