"Step Back" - I wrote it on my work table so I wouldn't forget.
Saturday, November 29, 2014
It Was Just Wrong
"Step back - WAY back and take a look at it." That is what my drawing teacher used to tell us in class. Sometimes I forget those basic lessons. When you are right on top of your work for hours you start to loose the "entirety" of the piece. That is exactly what happened to these poor little grapes.
I thought they turned out pretty good until I hung them on my wall and started to look at them - from WAY back. They were flat - dull - uninteresting. So, down off the wall they came. I added more paper in different values and added highlights to give the grapes more dimension. I like them much better now.
I also found a new button in my Photoshop Elements software. The "tint" button. We are quickly becoming best friends!
Thursday, November 20, 2014
A Lesson in Patience
I was so impressed with Jim Carrey's commencement speech in May 2014 to the Maharishi University of Management that I wrote several of his quotes directly on my work table so I could see them everyday. Here is one of my favorites: "Let the Universe know what you want and work toward it while letting go of how it comes to pass."
Rewind to several months prior. In October of 2013, I took a licensing workshop online and got so excited about the prospect of having my art on "stuff" (mugs, journals, wall décor, fabric, greeting cards, etc.) that I stared sending out emails to every licensing agent I could find. Most were kind enough to reply with a few words of encouragement and the ultimate "not at this time" dream buster.
Fast forward to May 2014 and the Jim Carrey speech. I took his advise and repeated a positive mantra while I walked the track a few times a week, worked to build my portfolio, and waited patiently for someone who would find my work and say - "Hey, that would look great on a __________. I want to represent her."
The Universe is not in a hurry, but she eventually delivers!
Where did this agent come from? From the emails I sent out over a year ago. The timing was right for both of us. So happy!!
If you have not had the opportunity to see the Jim Carrey speech, it is worth the time. It is 26 minutes in its entirety but here is a clip that starts 10 minutes in. Listen for my favorite part.
http://omeleto.com/199433/
Rewind to several months prior. In October of 2013, I took a licensing workshop online and got so excited about the prospect of having my art on "stuff" (mugs, journals, wall décor, fabric, greeting cards, etc.) that I stared sending out emails to every licensing agent I could find. Most were kind enough to reply with a few words of encouragement and the ultimate "not at this time" dream buster.
Fast forward to May 2014 and the Jim Carrey speech. I took his advise and repeated a positive mantra while I walked the track a few times a week, worked to build my portfolio, and waited patiently for someone who would find my work and say - "Hey, that would look great on a __________. I want to represent her."
The Universe is not in a hurry, but she eventually delivers!
Where did this agent come from? From the emails I sent out over a year ago. The timing was right for both of us. So happy!!
If you have not had the opportunity to see the Jim Carrey speech, it is worth the time. It is 26 minutes in its entirety but here is a clip that starts 10 minutes in. Listen for my favorite part.
http://omeleto.com/199433/