I hope you know that I read all the comments that are posted. And I appreciate them. Sue Clarke has been reading and commenting (almost daily) for many years.
I asked her for her favorite post from the past and this is what she said:
That's a tall order as I've received so much inspiration from your blog. WOW, ten years!
If I need to pick one then let it be Art Journal Every Day from 2010. It made art journaling accessible to me with an easy plan.
The post gave me permission to just play in my art journal every day for a few minutes (and permission to miss a day without guilt).
It spoke to me and where I was at that time.
Thanks for years of fun and many more to come,
Sue
Here are some of Sue's art journal pages:
And now without further ado, here's the post she picked:
For the past year I've been keeping a daily art journal. (I talked about it a little in this post.)
It's super low stress. I don't do a finished art journal page every day. That would be way too hard for me. Instead I add a little something every day. For me, the point is to open that art journal every single day and do something creative in it — even if it's just for 10 minutes.
I have schlepped that art journal with me on every trip I've taken this year. It has come with me to Paris, Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, Los Angeles, and many places in between!
It's half scrapbook/journal and half artistic experimentation/expression. I don't make any effort to make the pages look pretty. (One of the reasons I rarely share it here on the blog.) If they do, that's awesome. If they don't, that's fine too.
I'll admit that I have missed a few days along the way. Most of November seems to be missing. But for the most part, I've kept up and at least put something in its pages every single day of 2010. Wow!
And now we're heading into 2011 and I'm more committed than ever to make my art journal a part of every single day.
Want to play along with me?
I'm hoping that we can form a little bit of a community and support each other. Because it's hard to do it alone.
Here are the basic parameters:
- You need a notebook of some kind.
- I like to use a watercolor paper notebook because I use a lot of paint. But you can get started using a simple composition notebook too!
- If you've never art journaled before, check out the awesome (and informative) posts, tutorials, and ideas from Art Journaling Week!
- You need somewhere you can leave your journal and some supplies out.
- This can be a dedicated desk or table.
- This can be a cookie sheet that you can stick under the bed or couch.
- Just some small space that allows you to spend 10 minutes working on your art journal, not 10 minutes finding supplies.
- You don't have to commit for the whole year. 365 days is a huge scary number! Try it for a month and see if you like it. 30 days of art journaling every day is pretty darn awesome! Wouldn't that be a great accomplishment?
- The whole idea is to start a community helping each other and pushing each other, so be vocal! Each of us has a unique perspective to share.
- You do not need a blog to play along. I will just say, consider a free flickr account. It's free and easy and you can share what you make fairly anonymously.
- I'll post about the project every Friday. What will posts consist of?
- I'll update on my status.
- I'd like to post photos of and/or links to other participants' art journals.
- I'll try to keep everyone motivated with inspiration, ideas, tutorials, or some rambling thoughts.
- I'd love to post comments/ideas/tutorials from others as well.
- Remember, all you need is ten minutes a day. Seriously. If you have ten minutes and some art supplies then you can do this! (If you have ten minutes and a ballpoint pen you can do this.)
- This is a no pressure environment. If you miss a day, who cares? Get back on the art journal wagon the next day!
- Finally, this is not about creating a finished product. This is about taking time to nuture your creative self every single day.
If you'd like to participate for January please leave a link to wherever you'd like people to visit you (blog, flickr account, facebook page, gallery, etc.)
And you do not have to have an online gallery to participate. You can simply leave comments as you wish. I want to make this easy and inclusive.
To grab a badge for your blog or facebook account, here is a link to one that is sized to 150px, perfect for most sidebars and a larger one sized to 500px.
I think it's going to be an incredible art journey! I'm excited for 2011. I'll post the first "Art Journal Every Day" post on Friday, December 31, 2010. Just a little something to get us all started! All you need to do is grab a notebook and find some space.
Remember all it takes is ten minutes a day! Don't you have ten minutes to give to yourself?
I hope you'll join me!
—-
Some Additional Thoughts (January 2017):
Since 2010/2011, this whole notion of ten-minutes a day really became a driving force in my creative life. The ten-minutes of art every single day rule has been the secret behind my sanity, my success, my ability to be prolific, and my growth as an artist. I know that it seems impossible that ten measly little minutes can make any kind of a difference, but it's amazing what you can get done in a small amount of time.
Check out THIS POST from January 2011 where I break down what I did in each ten-minute burst in photos. This is a process I repeated later in 2011, with actual time spent on each burst listed. See it HERE.
In 2013, I shared this time lapse video that shows one week of bursts (some ten-minutes and some longer) in my journal:
Nowadays I work on huge canvases in short bursts. It's a technique that works for me. It allows me to incorporate art into my daily life rather than feeling like it's a burden. Two hours of free time? No such thing! Ten minutes of stolen time? Heck, yeah! I can do that!
I encourage you to take on the ten-minutes a day challenge! You can make beautiful art in less time than it takes to read through your instagram or facebook feeds! I believe in you! Now go dedicate ten minutes to nourishing your artistic and creative self!
—
Unrelated: I wanted to let you know that I will be on HSN with a fabulous ScanNCut bundle on January 10 during the 8am and 11pm hours. You won't want to miss this amazing bundle! It's got something in it that we've never offered before and I'm so excited!
Fascinating to see how your faces have changed over the years, yet are still you.
Fascinating to see how your faces have changed over the years, yet are still you.
Fascinating to see how your faces have changed over the years, yet are still you.
Fascinating to see how your faces have changed over the years, yet are still you.
Fascinating to see how your faces have changed over the years, yet are still you.
Fascinating to see how your faces have changed over the years, yet are still you.
So, I love art journaling, but I seem to have a difficult time with layering. I always enjoy watching your art journaling videos and you paint or collage some element that I love, only to cover over it at a later period. The final result is awesome! I can’t seem to get to that point in my art journals. If I like an element in the journal I end up not wanting to go to the next layering step which may include covering up that nice piece that I had made. One of my goals for this year is to try to take the next step and create more depth and adding more layers to my work.
So, I love art journaling, but I seem to have a difficult time with layering. I always enjoy watching your art journaling videos and you paint or collage some element that I love, only to cover over it at a later period. The final result is awesome! I can’t seem to get to that point in my art journals. If I like an element in the journal I end up not wanting to go to the next layering step which may include covering up that nice piece that I had made. One of my goals for this year is to try to take the next step and create more depth and adding more layers to my work.
So, I love art journaling, but I seem to have a difficult time with layering. I always enjoy watching your art journaling videos and you paint or collage some element that I love, only to cover over it at a later period. The final result is awesome! I can’t seem to get to that point in my art journals. If I like an element in the journal I end up not wanting to go to the next layering step which may include covering up that nice piece that I had made. One of my goals for this year is to try to take the next step and create more depth and adding more layers to my work.
So, I love art journaling, but I seem to have a difficult time with layering. I always enjoy watching your art journaling videos and you paint or collage some element that I love, only to cover over it at a later period. The final result is awesome! I can’t seem to get to that point in my art journals. If I like an element in the journal I end up not wanting to go to the next layering step which may include covering up that nice piece that I had made. One of my goals for this year is to try to take the next step and create more depth and adding more layers to my work.
So, I love art journaling, but I seem to have a difficult time with layering. I always enjoy watching your art journaling videos and you paint or collage some element that I love, only to cover over it at a later period. The final result is awesome! I can’t seem to get to that point in my art journals. If I like an element in the journal I end up not wanting to go to the next layering step which may include covering up that nice piece that I had made. One of my goals for this year is to try to take the next step and create more depth and adding more layers to my work.
So, I love art journaling, but I seem to have a difficult time with layering. I always enjoy watching your art journaling videos and you paint or collage some element that I love, only to cover over it at a later period. The final result is awesome! I can’t seem to get to that point in my art journals. If I like an element in the journal I end up not wanting to go to the next layering step which may include covering up that nice piece that I had made. One of my goals for this year is to try to take the next step and create more depth and adding more layers to my work.
Thanks for sharing “me” Julie. Yeah for Friday since it’s Art Journal Every Day(my favorite).
Thanks for sharing “me” Julie. Yeah for Friday since it’s Art Journal Every Day(my favorite).
Thanks for sharing “me” Julie. Yeah for Friday since it’s Art Journal Every Day(my favorite).
Thanks for sharing “me” Julie. Yeah for Friday since it’s Art Journal Every Day(my favorite).
Thanks for sharing “me” Julie. Yeah for Friday since it’s Art Journal Every Day(my favorite).
Thanks for sharing “me” Julie. Yeah for Friday since it’s Art Journal Every Day(my favorite).
Fantastic inspirational post! I have to remind myself that 10 minutes of art a day is better than none at all. Also, not to pressure myself to finish in a day. Thanks for resharing this post!
Fantastic inspirational post! I have to remind myself that 10 minutes of art a day is better than none at all. Also, not to pressure myself to finish in a day. Thanks for resharing this post!
Fantastic inspirational post! I have to remind myself that 10 minutes of art a day is better than none at all. Also, not to pressure myself to finish in a day. Thanks for resharing this post!
Fantastic inspirational post! I have to remind myself that 10 minutes of art a day is better than none at all. Also, not to pressure myself to finish in a day. Thanks for resharing this post!
Fantastic inspirational post! I have to remind myself that 10 minutes of art a day is better than none at all. Also, not to pressure myself to finish in a day. Thanks for resharing this post!
Fantastic inspirational post! I have to remind myself that 10 minutes of art a day is better than none at all. Also, not to pressure myself to finish in a day. Thanks for resharing this post!
Being the Balzer Design stalker that I am – I had already seen 7 Days in my Journal Video, and the Aug 2011 post….BUT somehow, in all my archive snooping, I had not come across the Jan 2011 post (Evolution). What a treat that was!! Sometimes I wonder how you fit in arting AND daily journaling, but I think that post really helped me see you balance the 2 tasks. And I love that that butterfly tag finally found a home 😛
That was fun. Thank you for all the sharing you do Julie!
Being the Balzer Design stalker that I am – I had already seen 7 Days in my Journal Video, and the Aug 2011 post….BUT somehow, in all my archive snooping, I had not come across the Jan 2011 post (Evolution). What a treat that was!! Sometimes I wonder how you fit in arting AND daily journaling, but I think that post really helped me see you balance the 2 tasks. And I love that that butterfly tag finally found a home 😛
That was fun. Thank you for all the sharing you do Julie!
Being the Balzer Design stalker that I am – I had already seen 7 Days in my Journal Video, and the Aug 2011 post….BUT somehow, in all my archive snooping, I had not come across the Jan 2011 post (Evolution). What a treat that was!! Sometimes I wonder how you fit in arting AND daily journaling, but I think that post really helped me see you balance the 2 tasks. And I love that that butterfly tag finally found a home 😛
That was fun. Thank you for all the sharing you do Julie!
Being the Balzer Design stalker that I am – I had already seen 7 Days in my Journal Video, and the Aug 2011 post….BUT somehow, in all my archive snooping, I had not come across the Jan 2011 post (Evolution). What a treat that was!! Sometimes I wonder how you fit in arting AND daily journaling, but I think that post really helped me see you balance the 2 tasks. And I love that that butterfly tag finally found a home 😛
That was fun. Thank you for all the sharing you do Julie!
Being the Balzer Design stalker that I am – I had already seen 7 Days in my Journal Video, and the Aug 2011 post….BUT somehow, in all my archive snooping, I had not come across the Jan 2011 post (Evolution). What a treat that was!! Sometimes I wonder how you fit in arting AND daily journaling, but I think that post really helped me see you balance the 2 tasks. And I love that that butterfly tag finally found a home 😛
That was fun. Thank you for all the sharing you do Julie!
Being the Balzer Design stalker that I am – I had already seen 7 Days in my Journal Video, and the Aug 2011 post….BUT somehow, in all my archive snooping, I had not come across the Jan 2011 post (Evolution). What a treat that was!! Sometimes I wonder how you fit in arting AND daily journaling, but I think that post really helped me see you balance the 2 tasks. And I love that that butterfly tag finally found a home 😛
That was fun. Thank you for all the sharing you do Julie!
Love this review of posts – enjoyed the video again 🙂 I am always inspired by your work. Hope you have a wonderful 2017 full of what you are wishing for
Love this review of posts – enjoyed the video again 🙂 I am always inspired by your work. Hope you have a wonderful 2017 full of what you are wishing for
Love this review of posts – enjoyed the video again 🙂 I am always inspired by your work. Hope you have a wonderful 2017 full of what you are wishing for
Love this review of posts – enjoyed the video again 🙂 I am always inspired by your work. Hope you have a wonderful 2017 full of what you are wishing for
Love this review of posts – enjoyed the video again 🙂 I am always inspired by your work. Hope you have a wonderful 2017 full of what you are wishing for
Love this review of posts – enjoyed the video again 🙂 I am always inspired by your work. Hope you have a wonderful 2017 full of what you are wishing for
I love that you said it is okay to not commit to forever, just try for 30 days, if 365 seems to long just try for 30 days. Right now, all I can try to commit to is 7 days, and if I can do that maybe I can do 14, and then MAYBE 30. But I will shoot for 7 days for now. Seven days of 10 minutes of tossing paint on paper and doing some journaling.
Thank you for your ongoing inspiration, and I’m looking forward to what you have to offer on HSN on the 10th.
I love that you said it is okay to not commit to forever, just try for 30 days, if 365 seems to long just try for 30 days. Right now, all I can try to commit to is 7 days, and if I can do that maybe I can do 14, and then MAYBE 30. But I will shoot for 7 days for now. Seven days of 10 minutes of tossing paint on paper and doing some journaling.
Thank you for your ongoing inspiration, and I’m looking forward to what you have to offer on HSN on the 10th.
I love that you said it is okay to not commit to forever, just try for 30 days, if 365 seems to long just try for 30 days. Right now, all I can try to commit to is 7 days, and if I can do that maybe I can do 14, and then MAYBE 30. But I will shoot for 7 days for now. Seven days of 10 minutes of tossing paint on paper and doing some journaling.
Thank you for your ongoing inspiration, and I’m looking forward to what you have to offer on HSN on the 10th.
I love that you said it is okay to not commit to forever, just try for 30 days, if 365 seems to long just try for 30 days. Right now, all I can try to commit to is 7 days, and if I can do that maybe I can do 14, and then MAYBE 30. But I will shoot for 7 days for now. Seven days of 10 minutes of tossing paint on paper and doing some journaling.
Thank you for your ongoing inspiration, and I’m looking forward to what you have to offer on HSN on the 10th.
I love that you said it is okay to not commit to forever, just try for 30 days, if 365 seems to long just try for 30 days. Right now, all I can try to commit to is 7 days, and if I can do that maybe I can do 14, and then MAYBE 30. But I will shoot for 7 days for now. Seven days of 10 minutes of tossing paint on paper and doing some journaling.
Thank you for your ongoing inspiration, and I’m looking forward to what you have to offer on HSN on the 10th.
I love that you said it is okay to not commit to forever, just try for 30 days, if 365 seems to long just try for 30 days. Right now, all I can try to commit to is 7 days, and if I can do that maybe I can do 14, and then MAYBE 30. But I will shoot for 7 days for now. Seven days of 10 minutes of tossing paint on paper and doing some journaling.
Thank you for your ongoing inspiration, and I’m looking forward to what you have to offer on HSN on the 10th.
I LOVE this post … thank you SUE!! It is so much fun seeing and reading your past posts, I didn’t start following you till late 2013, so Sue’s favorite and the 2011 post knocked my socks off …. adore the ideas and seeing that page come to life was awesome …. would love to see more of that … totally can’t wait till the 17th to stamp sev/ent/een on my page! Must be fun for you to revisiting your amazing journey .. thanks for sharing!
I LOVE this post … thank you SUE!! It is so much fun seeing and reading your past posts, I didn’t start following you till late 2013, so Sue’s favorite and the 2011 post knocked my socks off …. adore the ideas and seeing that page come to life was awesome …. would love to see more of that … totally can’t wait till the 17th to stamp sev/ent/een on my page! Must be fun for you to revisiting your amazing journey .. thanks for sharing!
I LOVE this post … thank you SUE!! It is so much fun seeing and reading your past posts, I didn’t start following you till late 2013, so Sue’s favorite and the 2011 post knocked my socks off …. adore the ideas and seeing that page come to life was awesome …. would love to see more of that … totally can’t wait till the 17th to stamp sev/ent/een on my page! Must be fun for you to revisiting your amazing journey .. thanks for sharing!
I LOVE this post … thank you SUE!! It is so much fun seeing and reading your past posts, I didn’t start following you till late 2013, so Sue’s favorite and the 2011 post knocked my socks off …. adore the ideas and seeing that page come to life was awesome …. would love to see more of that … totally can’t wait till the 17th to stamp sev/ent/een on my page! Must be fun for you to revisiting your amazing journey .. thanks for sharing!
I LOVE this post … thank you SUE!! It is so much fun seeing and reading your past posts, I didn’t start following you till late 2013, so Sue’s favorite and the 2011 post knocked my socks off …. adore the ideas and seeing that page come to life was awesome …. would love to see more of that … totally can’t wait till the 17th to stamp sev/ent/een on my page! Must be fun for you to revisiting your amazing journey .. thanks for sharing!
I LOVE this post … thank you SUE!! It is so much fun seeing and reading your past posts, I didn’t start following you till late 2013, so Sue’s favorite and the 2011 post knocked my socks off …. adore the ideas and seeing that page come to life was awesome …. would love to see more of that … totally can’t wait till the 17th to stamp sev/ent/een on my page! Must be fun for you to revisiting your amazing journey .. thanks for sharing!
What fun to stroll down memory lane – I love how you and your work has evolved….as has mine. Thank you for that. I leave for a week-long cruise tomorrow and my art journal and acrylic paints are coming along. All good!!!
What fun to stroll down memory lane – I love how you and your work has evolved….as has mine. Thank you for that. I leave for a week-long cruise tomorrow and my art journal and acrylic paints are coming along. All good!!!
What fun to stroll down memory lane – I love how you and your work has evolved….as has mine. Thank you for that. I leave for a week-long cruise tomorrow and my art journal and acrylic paints are coming along. All good!!!
What fun to stroll down memory lane – I love how you and your work has evolved….as has mine. Thank you for that. I leave for a week-long cruise tomorrow and my art journal and acrylic paints are coming along. All good!!!
What fun to stroll down memory lane – I love how you and your work has evolved….as has mine. Thank you for that. I leave for a week-long cruise tomorrow and my art journal and acrylic paints are coming along. All good!!!
What fun to stroll down memory lane – I love how you and your work has evolved….as has mine. Thank you for that. I leave for a week-long cruise tomorrow and my art journal and acrylic paints are coming along. All good!!!
Dear Julie, You asked us to let you know how your work and your blog have mattered in our lives. I’m a 58 year old NY’r living in Manchester, NH (next time you come up for BBQ I’d love to meet you.) I have a really complicated life with more responsibilities than most, and sometimes I get pretty mad, which I know is not helpful but there it is. I went to college as an artist but was derailed into a marketing program and have regretted it every day since. My husband was instrumental in me walking away from paying work last summer and putting all my energy into “my art”. I need to be ever ready for the next chaotic event with my family, but in-between I’m just basically sitting around waiting. Turning to my arts and crafts keeps me calm and centered in between Things. The point is- I would not even have tried to bring arts and crafts back into my life had it not been for you. I don’t remember when I “found” you but I do remember it had something to do with you being a NY’r. It’s been many years, anyway. The way you built a new life for yourself as an artist- you said that was what you wanted to do, so you did it. That really spoke to me. I listen to your podcasts and pretend my mother is actually your mother. I love your vlog, it would be a huge loss for me if you discontinued it. Anyway, so I just wanted to say, everyone here is telling you that your work inspired them to be an artist. I just wanted you to know (geez, I’m crying as I’m typing this) that your LIFESTYLE inspired me to find a way to give a little to myself in the midst of all this giving I have to do for others. Maybe you are keeping me a little hopeful for my own future, I dunno. You and your mother. Oh, here it is- you make me feel like it’s never too late and it isn’t GOING to be too late, whenever I finally get out from under all these responsibilities, the art will still be here and I can hold onto the art in the meantime. So that’s what your blog means to me. Thank you. -c
Dear Julie, You asked us to let you know how your work and your blog have mattered in our lives. I’m a 58 year old NY’r living in Manchester, NH (next time you come up for BBQ I’d love to meet you.) I have a really complicated life with more responsibilities than most, and sometimes I get pretty mad, which I know is not helpful but there it is. I went to college as an artist but was derailed into a marketing program and have regretted it every day since. My husband was instrumental in me walking away from paying work last summer and putting all my energy into “my art”. I need to be ever ready for the next chaotic event with my family, but in-between I’m just basically sitting around waiting. Turning to my arts and crafts keeps me calm and centered in between Things. The point is- I would not even have tried to bring arts and crafts back into my life had it not been for you. I don’t remember when I “found” you but I do remember it had something to do with you being a NY’r. It’s been many years, anyway. The way you built a new life for yourself as an artist- you said that was what you wanted to do, so you did it. That really spoke to me. I listen to your podcasts and pretend my mother is actually your mother. I love your vlog, it would be a huge loss for me if you discontinued it. Anyway, so I just wanted to say, everyone here is telling you that your work inspired them to be an artist. I just wanted you to know (geez, I’m crying as I’m typing this) that your LIFESTYLE inspired me to find a way to give a little to myself in the midst of all this giving I have to do for others. Maybe you are keeping me a little hopeful for my own future, I dunno. You and your mother. Oh, here it is- you make me feel like it’s never too late and it isn’t GOING to be too late, whenever I finally get out from under all these responsibilities, the art will still be here and I can hold onto the art in the meantime. So that’s what your blog means to me. Thank you. -c
Dear Julie, You asked us to let you know how your work and your blog have mattered in our lives. I’m a 58 year old NY’r living in Manchester, NH (next time you come up for BBQ I’d love to meet you.) I have a really complicated life with more responsibilities than most, and sometimes I get pretty mad, which I know is not helpful but there it is. I went to college as an artist but was derailed into a marketing program and have regretted it every day since. My husband was instrumental in me walking away from paying work last summer and putting all my energy into “my art”. I need to be ever ready for the next chaotic event with my family, but in-between I’m just basically sitting around waiting. Turning to my arts and crafts keeps me calm and centered in between Things. The point is- I would not even have tried to bring arts and crafts back into my life had it not been for you. I don’t remember when I “found” you but I do remember it had something to do with you being a NY’r. It’s been many years, anyway. The way you built a new life for yourself as an artist- you said that was what you wanted to do, so you did it. That really spoke to me. I listen to your podcasts and pretend my mother is actually your mother. I love your vlog, it would be a huge loss for me if you discontinued it. Anyway, so I just wanted to say, everyone here is telling you that your work inspired them to be an artist. I just wanted you to know (geez, I’m crying as I’m typing this) that your LIFESTYLE inspired me to find a way to give a little to myself in the midst of all this giving I have to do for others. Maybe you are keeping me a little hopeful for my own future, I dunno. You and your mother. Oh, here it is- you make me feel like it’s never too late and it isn’t GOING to be too late, whenever I finally get out from under all these responsibilities, the art will still be here and I can hold onto the art in the meantime. So that’s what your blog means to me. Thank you. -c
Dear Julie, You asked us to let you know how your work and your blog have mattered in our lives. I’m a 58 year old NY’r living in Manchester, NH (next time you come up for BBQ I’d love to meet you.) I have a really complicated life with more responsibilities than most, and sometimes I get pretty mad, which I know is not helpful but there it is. I went to college as an artist but was derailed into a marketing program and have regretted it every day since. My husband was instrumental in me walking away from paying work last summer and putting all my energy into “my art”. I need to be ever ready for the next chaotic event with my family, but in-between I’m just basically sitting around waiting. Turning to my arts and crafts keeps me calm and centered in between Things. The point is- I would not even have tried to bring arts and crafts back into my life had it not been for you. I don’t remember when I “found” you but I do remember it had something to do with you being a NY’r. It’s been many years, anyway. The way you built a new life for yourself as an artist- you said that was what you wanted to do, so you did it. That really spoke to me. I listen to your podcasts and pretend my mother is actually your mother. I love your vlog, it would be a huge loss for me if you discontinued it. Anyway, so I just wanted to say, everyone here is telling you that your work inspired them to be an artist. I just wanted you to know (geez, I’m crying as I’m typing this) that your LIFESTYLE inspired me to find a way to give a little to myself in the midst of all this giving I have to do for others. Maybe you are keeping me a little hopeful for my own future, I dunno. You and your mother. Oh, here it is- you make me feel like it’s never too late and it isn’t GOING to be too late, whenever I finally get out from under all these responsibilities, the art will still be here and I can hold onto the art in the meantime. So that’s what your blog means to me. Thank you. -c
Dear Julie, You asked us to let you know how your work and your blog have mattered in our lives. I’m a 58 year old NY’r living in Manchester, NH (next time you come up for BBQ I’d love to meet you.) I have a really complicated life with more responsibilities than most, and sometimes I get pretty mad, which I know is not helpful but there it is. I went to college as an artist but was derailed into a marketing program and have regretted it every day since. My husband was instrumental in me walking away from paying work last summer and putting all my energy into “my art”. I need to be ever ready for the next chaotic event with my family, but in-between I’m just basically sitting around waiting. Turning to my arts and crafts keeps me calm and centered in between Things. The point is- I would not even have tried to bring arts and crafts back into my life had it not been for you. I don’t remember when I “found” you but I do remember it had something to do with you being a NY’r. It’s been many years, anyway. The way you built a new life for yourself as an artist- you said that was what you wanted to do, so you did it. That really spoke to me. I listen to your podcasts and pretend my mother is actually your mother. I love your vlog, it would be a huge loss for me if you discontinued it. Anyway, so I just wanted to say, everyone here is telling you that your work inspired them to be an artist. I just wanted you to know (geez, I’m crying as I’m typing this) that your LIFESTYLE inspired me to find a way to give a little to myself in the midst of all this giving I have to do for others. Maybe you are keeping me a little hopeful for my own future, I dunno. You and your mother. Oh, here it is- you make me feel like it’s never too late and it isn’t GOING to be too late, whenever I finally get out from under all these responsibilities, the art will still be here and I can hold onto the art in the meantime. So that’s what your blog means to me. Thank you. -c
Dear Julie, You asked us to let you know how your work and your blog have mattered in our lives. I’m a 58 year old NY’r living in Manchester, NH (next time you come up for BBQ I’d love to meet you.) I have a really complicated life with more responsibilities than most, and sometimes I get pretty mad, which I know is not helpful but there it is. I went to college as an artist but was derailed into a marketing program and have regretted it every day since. My husband was instrumental in me walking away from paying work last summer and putting all my energy into “my art”. I need to be ever ready for the next chaotic event with my family, but in-between I’m just basically sitting around waiting. Turning to my arts and crafts keeps me calm and centered in between Things. The point is- I would not even have tried to bring arts and crafts back into my life had it not been for you. I don’t remember when I “found” you but I do remember it had something to do with you being a NY’r. It’s been many years, anyway. The way you built a new life for yourself as an artist- you said that was what you wanted to do, so you did it. That really spoke to me. I listen to your podcasts and pretend my mother is actually your mother. I love your vlog, it would be a huge loss for me if you discontinued it. Anyway, so I just wanted to say, everyone here is telling you that your work inspired them to be an artist. I just wanted you to know (geez, I’m crying as I’m typing this) that your LIFESTYLE inspired me to find a way to give a little to myself in the midst of all this giving I have to do for others. Maybe you are keeping me a little hopeful for my own future, I dunno. You and your mother. Oh, here it is- you make me feel like it’s never too late and it isn’t GOING to be too late, whenever I finally get out from under all these responsibilities, the art will still be here and I can hold onto the art in the meantime. So that’s what your blog means to me. Thank you. -c