Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Accomplishment

Crossing
6x6 Water Soluble Oils on Stretched Canvas
©BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts
It’s been an interesting first quarter this year. Work issues, kid issues, art business issues, house issues, etc..

All the issues have been creating challenges and opportunities, equally.

My “free” time (yes, the time for which you don’t get paid) has increased quite a lot. It’s been nicely liberating, yet, overwhelming, too.

I’ve been able to dive into all the projects around the house and in the studio that I’ve wanted to do for the last 2 years.

Rearranging, painting, planning for new carpeting in a some rooms. Cleaning and purging the other rooms. Three new paintings in as many months. Pulling prints and pieces together for various charity auctions. Developing both the website for Bronson Hill Arts as well as trying to keep up BHA’s Facebook page. Researching other online options, too. Preparing for the spring onslaught outside of the house. And, a few dozen more projects to touch on as each one is, ahem, completed.

And, all of this is being done simultaneously. Needless to say, my home is a mess and I’m tired. I think I’m wearing my husband out as well!

When this surge started, it seemed as if it was going to be so easy; all this extra time. And, really, how much time does it take to sort and dispose of the excess collection of gadgets, utensils, pans, dishes, and cleaning products in the kitchen. Well, so far, it’s been about 7 hours. Still have about 3 more hours of sorting plus another 4 or more to truly clean the cabinetry and flooring.

That’s one room. Add another five rooms currently in turmoil to that list.

But it’s slowly coming back together.

The shifting of furniture and things from room-to-room is beginning to appear logical. The rooms look and feel better as the superfluous junk is chucked. The website is starting to look like, well, a real website and the FB page is really starting to reach people and galleries. The response to the auction and show prints as been very positive.

It’s tough to tear the everyday fabric of life into so many bits and then reattach them again. That’s the challenge.

But, once the patchwork starts to take on a pattern, it’s nice to know that you’ve utilized the opportunities to the fullest. Accomplishment can never be overrated.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

A Little Giving...




Pink Rose
5x8 Water Soluble Crayon on 140# Canson Paper
©2013 BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts


I’ve been so fortunate in being surrounded by giving, kind friends and family, that when there is constant conflict in the air, it can be difficult to look comfortably beyond my own personal world.

In this era of in-fighting, where it seems that everyone is looking to block success for anyone who doesn’t agree with them, it’s so easy to forget that the world is full of generosity.

Generosity is still an intricate part of human behavior. It just tends to be overshadowed by the rush of everyday activities. We can be moving at such a frantic pace that we miss all the little things that make society successful on a daily basis.

The opening or holding of a door. “Clicking” on donation sites to help animals. Giving your time to help someone who is ill. Brightening a stranger’s day with a smile. Appreciating the person who serves you in a store. And so many other gestures that connect us.

These are all acts of generosity that make our lives smoother, better. Small as they seem, they are the bigger part of us.

Savor every moment of kindness that comes your way!

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Along the same line of thought, the art shown here is a sample of generosity: a gift card from a dear, wonderful friend for my, ahem, 50th, gave me the opportunity to try another medium. These are first attempts with water soluble crayons. Having fun working with something new and learning to illustrate flowers (one of my favorite things!). All thanks to the thoughtfulness of one of the many wonderful people in my life!

Purple Petunias
8x10 Water Soluble Crayons on 140# Canson Paper
©2013 BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts

Single Dahlia
8x10 Water Soluble Crayon on 140# Canson Paper
©2013 BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts

                                                                           
 
 

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