a new journal page I did this week

You probably noticed that I changed the layout on my blog.  I searched for a layout design that would work well with all the plug-ins and tweaks I have on my blog.  I’m going to try this a while and see if things work more smoothly.  I doubt I can stand it very long because I do love lots of image and color.

Reminder – My new class Find Your Personal Symbols begins June 15th.  I’m really looking forward to this class.  It’s  more abstract than the classes I’ve done before and think it’s going to be lots of fun.  This is more personal to each person than general art classes normally are.  Learn more here.

Over at the Fun Art site we now have groups for art journaling, painting, drawing and sketching, surface painting and digital art.  There are discussions, inspiration, challenges,  downloads and it’s all FREE!  Come check out the great community we have.

Two of my grandkids are here for their summer visit.  They are 6 and 7 and what amazing little artists they are!  Max, the older one, journals every day. And they draw and draw and draw!   I introduced them to polymer clay and Jack, the younger one, has some great talent there.  I’m going to take pics of some of the things they’ve done and post them later.  Tomorrow we are going to Mister’s.  He’s going to take them fishing.

Mister got laid off his job.   It is very stressful for him, of course, because there are so few jobs available.  He’s been looking for two weeks and hasn’t had anything turn up so far.   Most of our plans are on hold for now, until we see what and where he can find work.  I have to admit it’s fun being able to see him during the week, and having long weekends.  But I can’t imagine the pressure he must feel.

I’m still feeling like I’m in a sort of transition period with my art.  I’m feeling drawn to do lots of experimenting with drawing and with paint.  But I’m not inspired to do any real pieces of art.  Mostly working in my art journal and playing with techniques.  There is a notable lack of satisfaction in most of the things I do.  Not a disappointment, but rather a push to find something more.  A desire to discover some key element.   Some days it feels exciting , like I’m on a great, exciting journey.  Others it is frustrating and I wonder why I even create art.  Having the boys here, sharing my studio has been a breath of fresh air.  If I never improve or get any new skills, these guys will always think I’m the best artist in the world.

Today Max made me an award.  On it he wrote, “EWARD  I love you and you love me.  The best art butt working machine ever!”  I think that is supposed to mean that he and I together are a butt kicking good art team   Oh, and he wrote at the top “From Max To Beth”  which was funny because he calls me Nana Beth.  I suppose that when we’re art buddies, he just calls me Beth.  lol

Life is hard.  Life is good.  I don’t believe anyone ever reaches the point where life is easy.  It continues to challenge us and we continue to rise to the challenge.

I’ve created an art community on ning.  I’d love to have you come join in the fun.  Go to http://funart.ning.com .  If you are already a member of ning, use the same username and password. If not, just sign up and request to join Fun Art.

We have a few sub-groups for certain art media, and can add more according to what everyone’s interests are.  I’ve posted a journaling prompt and will keep that feature if it’s popular.

I want to make this a fun place where people can come share, get ideas, encouragement, inspiration and learn things.  So, feel free to give me input on how to make it a place you’d like to hang out.

Creative Clown now has its own chat room!  You will see a link at the top of the page.  Just click on it to join the chat room.

You are free to come here and chat with each other any time you’d like to.  It’s free and you dont’ have to register to use it.

I will be hosting regularly scheduled chats  so be sure and check the blog posts to see the schedule as it develops.  I’m going to be in the chat room tonight at 8PM Eastern Time, if you want to join me.

It’s just for fun!  Come hang out and talk about art and life with other creative types!

I read a lot of blogs. The tech blogging community seems to have really worked to get themselves connected with each other. They read each others’ blogs and comment and try to promote each other in lots of ways.

I’m wishing that the art community would do the same. I have seen or been invited to several communities lately that are attempting to promote artists online. But none of these communities, or the people in them seem to be connected to one another.

I’m wondering why we are so disconnected as a community? Is it because we see each other as competition for the small market of buyers of online art? Is it because we are creative and not that savvy in business/internet marketing? I don’t know. But I’m working on a list of all the sites I can find that are intended to help artists get exposure, and support each other.

If you know of any of these communities, please leave a comment and give me the link. I’m thinking of places like Bldg 98, ArtPub, and even Etsy, although I think everyone already knows about Etsy.

Hopefully if we get the word out about all the sites, then we can all start becoming more cohesive and join together to help promote each other.