ArtCreationist

Since last March, I've done so much. I'll create a list or I'll be here all day. LOL

1. Finished revising and uploading my first story 'Ripples' to Wattpad. (It's now ready to send off to an editor but I can't afford it just yet.) 
2. Wrote the rough draft for 'Over Land & Under Stone', my second novel, during NaNo 2017. 
3. Started writing my third novel, 'Surge', this month during Camp Nano. 
4. Was invited to become part of an excellent facebook support group for writers. 
5. Created cover art for 'Over Land & Under Stone' 
6. participated in a bunch of Instagram writing challenges

I've been pretty busy over the last year. On a totally different plane, I have a new writing buddy.   Molly is a lively kitten who is likely to have some maine coon in her genes. My sister's cat had kittens  back in January and she gave one to each of my girls. My oldest daughter sent hers to live with her fiance's family and Molly is living with us. She's a hoot! Sometimes she sleeps in my lap while I'm writing  but lately she's been choosing one of my throw pillows which is by her favorite window. Right now, she's busy unearthing Forgotten Things. So far, she's found a missing calligraphy nib and two lego pieces.  <sigh>

Anyway, I just wanted to say the creative me is NOT dead.  I'm just pouring more of that into writing than art right now. I don't know if I shared it before (probably not) but if you want to follow me on Wattpad, you can do that here. If you do follow me on Wattpad and read my book, I could really use some feedback and votes.  For those who want to read my first novel, you can do that here. If you want to stay updated on my writing journey, you can do that here where I blog on Weebly.  

I think that's as much as I have time for today. I still have to get my word count in for Camp Nano and time is ticking... 

 I've been working on a novel since November...well, maybe it'd be more accurate to say I started in October. I've just finished the second revision as well as a promotional story that I'll be sharing on my new website soon. I think I've just been so overwhelmed with life over the last couple of years. This novel has really helped me return to a creative way of thinking and living. And it all started the way any of my projects usually start... "Why don't I try this?" So I'm not going to quit creating art on paper just so I can create art with the written word. I'm not going to stop making chainmail or quit sewing costumes. I've just chosen to pursue novel writing in a more dedicated way than the other creative outlets I dabble in.  

The book I'm working on now is titled "Ripples". It's a literary fantasy novel about a young girl who goes on a pilgrimage to find out what her purpose in life is. She finds out her purpose is to spark the unification of the people of her world. It's not easy for her. She's very shy and the youngest child in her family. And there's an undercurrent of cultural prejudice that threatens to separate the peoples even more. She has to learn how to overcome her own fears to be a bold leader the people will respect. And on the journey, she does find love, though she may have to sacrifice all that she has ever known to hold on to it.

The digital art I shared today is for a calendar I'm putting together as another promotional item for "Ripples". I'll share my favorites here.
 










I had a lot of fun putting these together. Each of the chapters in my book starts with a quote and I'll add some of those into the calendar. I'm really looking forward to the finished product.

 Thanks to all those who are sending llamas and liking my work and clicking the watch button. You guys make my day better!   

 So much has happened in 2016. It was a rough year for my family. I won't regale you with the awful things, most of which have to do with finding ways to earn extra income. The good things that happened, though, I'll be happy to share them.

I participated in NaNoWriMo this past November and I'm working on the first revision of my first novel, which has the working title of  "Ripples."   I hope to have it finished and self-published by the end of summer. I created a temporary cover for it and I'll share that here when I'm done with my note. My husband will create the final cover and he's also decided to try his hand at creating maps.

During the autumn months, our family participated in a local theater production of Agatha Christie's "Black Coffee." It was fun and we got to make some new friends.

When I think about how long it's been since I've been inspired to create art, I almost crumple inside.  I stay so busy and rarely make time to do anything during my downtime but read.  So I've decided to try to read 100 books during 2017.  I should be able to do it and even if I don't make that lofty goal, I will have widened my horizons a little more.

I've started a new blog about our home school journey. If you're interested in seeing what I have to say about that, you can follow the blog at Magniflorious Home School Life

Another super nifty blessing is that the portable wooden easel I've been ogling for years was waiting for me under the Christmas tree! That made me super happy.:bademoticon:  I also got a set of longer paint brushes with a wider variety of bristles. And totally unplanned, my sister gave me a set of acrylic paints and a set of watercolor paints.  I'm all set for more art creation when the inspiration does strike. In the meantime, I'll be practicing with those watercolors to see what I can do with them and how many ways I can blend them.

I'm not sure I replied to all the wonderful birthday wishes. If not, please know that your wishes did not fall on deaf ears...or in this case, blind eyes. Thank you all so much!  It lifts my spirits to see that though I haven't been able to be very active lately, I have not been forgotten. You guys rock!  

JDKittlesPhotography has been encouraging me to push my work more and do more to get it out there.  Honestly, I'm fighting the feeling of being overwhelmed by my busy life right now.  I have a hard time delegating tasks to certain times and then sticking with the schedule.  I guess it's time for me to get it together.  If you have the time, I've posted 4 polls. I need help narrowing down the photos and artwork I need to edit for uploading it to my Redbubble and Society 6 pages. If I try to edit all 20 photos and all 18 pieces of art, it's going to take a huge chunk of my time.  I'd rather post those things that more people are interested in, or at least those things people are enjoying looking at. I feel those things are more likely to sell, and therefore more worthy of my time. Thanks in advance for your help and encouragement.  

My family celebrates Christmas during the winter. It's been an extremely long time since any of us have had new stockings to hang up. My boss has a fabulous selection of metallic fabrics so we're going to have a wonderfully festive bookcase this year. We added one person's stocking to our bookcase decor last year and this year, we'll add one more. I'm not entirely certain where I'll hang them all! When they are done, I'll share a photo of them.

In science, we just finished up a study on the physics of kites and are in the process of constructing our own. That's taken quite a lot of my time and energy lately. I made a nonogon flat kite. My daughters made a windsock and a della porta. We made an extra della porta for my husband. I'm really enjoying making all these kites! I really hope they fly. If not, maybe they'll make nifty curtains...or seat cushion covers? Who knows?

The home school art club my girls wanted to start is now in full swing and we had our first actual meeting this month. It went really well and I'm excited to see where the club will go from here. That's also taking a lot of my time and energy, though I am working on a perspective drawing inspired by "The War of The Worlds" by H.G. Wells. We're working our way through some wonderful literary works during the first part of the year. Our last book study of 2015 will be my least favorite...a Shakespearean tragedy. Please don't get me wrong! Shakespeare's a pretty awesome guy. I'm just not a fan of tragic stories on the whole. We'll be reading Romeo and Juliet at my oldest daughter's request. The second half of the year will be geared towards more modern literary works. The one I'm really looking forward to is "Tin Soldiers" by Andrew Schwab.

Overall, I've started several works of art but I'm having difficulty finishing them. One of them is a mixed media work. I'm really looking forward to finishing that one. I'm missing a tool I need, though. You can be sure when any of these works are completed, I will be posting pictures of them.

See you soon! And if you will celebrate a special time of thanks this week, please do enjoy your holiday! :bademoticon: :bademoticon: