smilin' moon

putting it out there!

I finally put myself out there on Tuesday!

I did my first "Mardi Market"...a little grass-roots craft/art/anything goes-every Tuesday evening event in a small town a few miles away. 

The temperature was at least 100 or more with the humidity...and there were only a small number of shoppers out for the evening, but it was a great exercise in courage for me.  A meaningful way to get out of my comfort zone and make myself a bit vulnerable.

I'm so glad I went.  I received some nice feedback, and I loved seeing the other side of selling art in a way other than etsy.  I loved connecting with other artists/crafters and talking to the folks out shopping.  I found that I really love describing how I created a piece or the inspiration behind it.  Totally inspiring to see someone be drawn to a piece that I actually created! 

Thank you, dear, sweet, husband, for encouraging me and literally pushing me out the door to do this. You knew it would be safe...and it was!

(some of my pieces)

(my favorite piece---loved making this with vintage hardware!)

(these are small vintage clay tiles that became mixed media, altered pieces of happiness)

(my right hand man and our little sidekick)

(a distracted shop-keeper)

(two more helpers trickle in as the evening progresses)

Lesson:

I highly recommend putting yourself out there.

In whatever way leads you a little or a lot out of your comfort zone!

xxoo

jody

creative goodness from the weekend

some art!

I love how Lucy created something so unique on this ripped piece of paper!

She's so resourceful and thoughtful in her use of what she finds. 

We had fun sharing our art today...but didn't stay outside too long because it was 93 degrees.  And so sticky...Iowa seems to have about one good week of perfect weather in May, then it gets humid.

I've been playing with the "heart girl" theme again (as introduced by Lucy in early 2009).

Lots of layering, lots of texture using vintage wallpaper.  I might add some vintage text.  Need to sit with it for a bit.

Letting it sit can be a good thing.  A new day brings new perspective. 

xxoo

jody

work in progress

i've been carving little bits of time out in the last few days to get back to painting and creating.

i feel restless and unsettled if i go too long without creating.

i had no expectations and just started painting over a piece that i had from a year ago. 

i had already layered the surface with paper and pieces of packaging i had saved.

here's where i was led...

and then after letting it sit,

i changed the tone of it somewhat.

and started adding some of my writing...

i'm hoping to find some time today to paint some more.  (and add an arm!)

it's lovely here today.  i'm heading out for a run and then off to school to help in my daughter's class.  wishing you a great weekend!

xo

jody