Day 23

CAN'T GET A BREAK!

Bad things just keep happening, and it makes you stop and just ask, "Why God, Why? What purpose does this serve?" Then I have to stop and remind myself that even though right now I can't see any good in this, God can and does work all things out for the good of those who serve him. So I'm trying to see the bigger picture and see that God really is taking care of us, and he is totally providing for our needs. Just a little bit ago our tv got fried by a spilled cup of cappuccino. It sucks, and Adam is trying to see if maybe he can save it, but I know that without the tv working I will have a lot of time with nothing to do. So with that time I could read my bible more, or paint more, or practice drawing more. So maybe that is the good that will come from it. Sometimes when bad things happen you just have to step back and try to find a new perspective. So I'm going to work on that this week.
On a more creative note. I did start drawing some today. I'm going to try to learn how to draw people. That's the one thing I've just never been good at. So I'm going to work on it. I'll post some pictures tomorrow of what I've done so far.

Day 21

Today has been quite productive as far as creativity goes. I'm making a new sketchbook, one that I'll be able to carry with me wherever I go. So hopefully that will help me to get back into the habit of drawing. I use to draw all the time when I was younger, and for some reason that just kind of stopped. I mostly paint now, or work in my art journal (which I haven't done in a while.) I'm not totally done with it yet though so I'll post a picture later if I finish it. I also made an art funds jar. It's from a candle that we had used up. So I just cleaned out all of the left over wax and I made a cute label and glued it on. This jar will be for any spare change we may have, or for the money that I make from selling art. It will go in this jar and then we'll go on an art shopping spree or something. I'm pretty excited about it. We actually end up with a good amount of money just from spare change. You should try it yourself sometime. It doesn't have to be from art, it can be for whatever your hobby is. I'll update later with a picture of my jar and sketchbook. Thanks for reading :)

Day 20

Well the past few days have been a bit emotional. Things have not been going well, and I won't get into it all but in short we are poor. Well maybe not really poor because we can pay our bills this month at least, but we are really struggling. It's one of those times when it feels like I'm stuck in this darkness, this storm, that will never end. Like there will never be light again. I know that's not true, but that's how I'm feeling.
So out of all these emotions I'm hoping something creative comes to the surface. I haven't done anything for a few weeks now, well since the tree painting which still isn't done, and that's not ok. I need to do something creative, I just haven't really had any ideas lately. I think it's time to go to my idea jar and pull one out.
I'll update later if I do end up painting or drawing or something.

Day 16

Sunday is always pretty busy for us with church in the morning, grocery shopping right after church and then youth group at night. It doesn't leave much time for painting or anything. I don't remember the last time I painted. It's been a few weeks I think. That's a bit sad, but my mind has been on other things. This week has been difficult, and it's not really getting better so far. I don't understand why things are so difficult financially. I mean it's just the two of us, we don't have children to take care of. But, I know families with children and only one parent working, and they are doing just fine. How does that work? I keep thinking eventually things will get better, but I really don't see how right now. I'm trying to stay positive and just know that God is taking care of us, but it's really hard right now. Maybe that's the whole point of it though. Maybe God is putting in a situation where we have to completely trust him because we've been trying to do things on our own. I just don't know what to do... maybe we aren't suppose to really do anything, maybe we are just suppose to have faith. I just wish I knew. I think this may be one of those times when I'm thinking to much, it's hurting my brain.

Day 15

Once again, nothing creative to report today. We spent the day with my mom and sisters. We went to a jungle safari thing which wasn't really very cool, and then we played mini-golf. That was really fun because my mom had never done it before. So she was pretty silly, and we laughed a lot.

Day 14

So the reception for the exhibit was tonight. It was alright. I didn't win anything, but that's ok. Not really sure what I my overall opinion of it was though. I have mixed feelings. But my art will still be up for a little over a month so people will still see it. I felt a little like I didn't fit in though because my art was totally different than everything else there. So I'm not sure what people think of it. I hope people like it, but I don't know.
Hopefully sometime we'll get to display our art in a gallery where it will be for sale, and not to be judged for a competition. That will be so much better. So I guess just pray that things work out for us to be able to do that, and I'll have to work on painting some things that I'll be willing to let go of and sell. I have a problem with that most of the time. I really like the things I paint, and I don't want to get rid of them I want to keep them all. It's my own creation, and I'm the one who forms it from the very beginning, it's hard to let go of.
I'm learning that it's pretty hard to get support for art. So many people say the like it, but they aren't willing to invest in it and that's pretty sad. Like I'm not just posting stuff for people to look at and say it's good. I'm posting it all so that people will want to buy it. Maybe it's just not that good... idk... if you read this please tell me what you really think of my art. I really want your honest opinion. Please. I'm begging you. Tell me what you think.

Day 13

Today I'm working on adding my photos to the Shackle Designs Facebook page. It's taking a little while since I'm watermarking them all first. It's been kind of fun looking through all of our photos though. Right now I'm going through Adam's edited photos, and they are amazing. I'm thinking that we need to get some of them printed to put up on our walls. But you all should check them out if you haven't already.