Friday, April 03, 2009

Three Spirit Girl ACEOs


3 ACEOs (Artist Cards, Editions and Originals)
Girl of the Now Healed Heart,
Girl of the Calm Waters,
Girl of Spring Always Comes
Fluid Acrylics, Watercolor Pencil and Pitt Artist Pen on Watercolor Paper, each 2.5"x 3.5"

These are something new I've been trying. ACEOs or Artist Trading Cards. These are for sale in my shop in the original, not prints, so they're ACEO, but they're still the same size, still collectible, still tradeable.

I wanted to sell some original things, rather than prints, but I didn't want to sell my Flying Girls, because I have the feeling I am going to need them for something... projects that I am still developing, so I started on these.

I'm new to the world of ACEO/ATC... but I am not new to the world of tiny art. In fact, when I was a waitress, I used to use my restaurant's business cards to paint and draw. Usually draw, because I could do them while business was slow. I wonder where those are today? I should go digging in my files and portfolios.

I also have been feeling the need to paint faces and get in there with the Flying Girls, but the format of FG doesn't really allow for that. Then the Girl spirits just started arriving.

I do feel that they are inspired. They mean something, and they seem to have such distinct personalities. It's as if they are being painted for someone else. Someone is waiting for them to give them a home. Because of that, I am not making prints. These are one and onlies. Individual tiny paintings for individual real life people.

So if it's you, you can buy Healed Heart, or Calm Waters, or Spring Comes in my shop.

I will particularly miss Calm Waters. I can't stop staring at her. Maybe the next one will make me stare, too. Whenever I really love a painting, it's like I have a crush on it, but then I keep painting and my crush moves to the next one.

I think I will be happy to have a different format for my painting. I am stuck on one Flying Girl who won't come out, right now. Luckily I had another outlet in the Girl Spirits, and in the Daily Sketches. I did another of those, too.

I am painting so much! But I have to admit I am terribly stressed. I don't seem to be able to accomplish everything I want to accomplish or I think I need to do. I think my goals are too big. I think I keep forgetting that I am a full time SAHM, not a full time artist, even though I'm trying to build things up to where I will be able to transition to full time artist and writer. The building takes a lot of work, and I am afraid to lose my momentum. Will I get to a point where I have established some things and will be able to slow down, just a little bit?

I am writing, researching, painting, editing and WORKING all the time, now. I enjoy some of it and it often feels like play (which makes me feel a little guilty) but I am still very tired and frustrated. I think I need to pull it back.

But I don't really want to. I want to keep creating and keep working, but I don't want to feel stressed about it.

I know I need to make more time for play, for non business creating, for just sitting and enjoying, for relaxing. Maybe I also need to take stock of what I have achieved and REWARD myself for meeting goals and task. I don't do that now, I just move on to the next goal/task.

Poor S. It must be exhausting for him to see me always working. I probably make him feel guilty with my workaholic ways. Artaholic? Stressaholic? Someone give me some chocolate!

Anyway, what techniques do you have to balance out work and personal life? Spritual? Social? Fun? Whatever you do, how do you keep boundaries there and manage to take some time for actually living?

12 comments:

Coreopsis said...

I really like what you said about falling in love with the girls that you are painting. That's exactly what happens to me whenever I make a drawing--I am totally in love with that person--and it's someone who didn't even exist before I drew him/her.

I don't know about balance at all. All I can say is that if it still feels like play, that's good. Good luck.

Juliet Colors said...

These are lovely! I always look forward to seeing what new artwork you come up with.

Keeping work separate from the rest of my life is easy right now because I have set hours in the office (8:00 - 4:30). Perhaps you could make a similar schedule for yourself, a schedule with set non-work times to do other things. It's important to have down time, regardless of how much you enjoy your "work."

Lynn Cohen said...

I work because I have to work...but fortunately for me I like what I do...I have given myself a longer weekend for play (Fridays for ME alone) I have a very empty nest, just DH and me...house suffers due to art calling me to play...so my balance is work 4 days; days off 3...and a full day for me, sometimes I waste it...don't get as much accomplished as I'd like as I float around some flitting from one project to another...too many irons in the fire?

Did you get my note re: address to send print? Or email me at
lyn_fred1@comcast.net to get address. I won two things last week and not sure who I sent what to now. ;-)

ELK said...

the painting will always be there ~the young one will not...balance is hard..

ACT swaps are fun I did one with a group for Valentines Day

Genie Sea said...

Here's some dark chocolate with toffee pieces. Will that do? :)

I do think you should reward yourself with relaxation, or a burnout is imminent :) I know from experience.

Unknown said...

I think that you know what you have accomplished, how amazing these paintings, these creations are to worlds of women. Years from now, I'll have a little girl and she'll have YOUR flying girl hanging in her room,showing her and teaching her. I love that idea. I love to be invested in art.

I have a hard time balancing. I wait until I have freedom from work because otherwise I just don't have the space to get all my stuff out and paint something and focus on it. I wait for long weekends or spring breaks. I'm on spring break right now so I am planning on a painting or two a day. I'm doing big ones so i do'nt want to rush it. This summer will be my writing time...it's how I have to do it.

I love these goddesses. I love the heart one being whole. I want to be her. And that's the sign of some good art.

Anonymous said...

Those are beautiful! I'm looking forward to what you make next.

As for balance, I'm a Libra. I try but swing back and forth more than I'd like.

ConverseMomma said...

Calm waters if my favorite too. I think that is because I've always been charmed into submission by the sea. Always.

sema said...

Hi rowena
beautiful ladies!
I would love to express my thanks to you for inspiring me by giving you the lemonade award. you can
collect it at my blog.
love
sema

Ramblings of a Madman said...

I'm new to the blogging world, but so far it has expanded my horizons; the art and words. Its a beauty that I didn't know existed--yours included.

Unknown said...

awesome post..
talk'n to my heart..
we love your work
mona & the girls

Leah said...

Oh, I love the calm waters piece! Stunning!

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