IF "New"

A New Position
6x6 Permanent Marker on Smooth Bristol
©2012 BEDeuel
 

Yes, it’s time for the dread New Year’s Resolution fiasco! Time to try something new, to stretch your boundaries, to turn your life around! Yay.

Oh, I mean, “Yay!!”.

One of the most stubborn tendencies we all struggle with is negativity. It’s a very easy trap to get caught in. Being weighed down by day-to-day details and frustrations, it’s easy to just throw your hands up and say, “It’ll never happen”.

Been there, too?

I know you have just by the support and encouragement I’ve received from this blogging/art community. Empathy and shared experiences help to keep the negativity at bay. Especially while learning to navigate the world of art and marketing! Not an easy challenge for certain.

That’s my goal this upcoming year: to bring a consistent thread of positive thought and action into other avenues of life. I wish I could say that this is the first year I’ve attempted this, but, it isn’t.

As we all know, though, it often takes several attempts to succeed. Sometimes, success never comes. But, yes, as we’ve all been taught, if you don’t try, success will never happen.

So, here’s to “new” (or not so new) efforts in the New Year! And, with some persistence, here’s to achieving success in all those efforts!

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For our neighbors, our friends, our heroes.

 

IF Stretch

Stretch
9x12 Permanent Marker on Smooth Bristol
©2012 BEDeuel/ Bronson Hill Arts

Yes, it’s been too long a “stretch” since I’ve done an Illustration Friday blogpost. It’s been too long since I’ve blogged about something other than shows and shops.

While this may look like an illustration of a couple of basketball players (yes, it is, I know), I’m looking at this IF metaphorically.

In this world of art, of marketing, of the home business, of computers, there are so many directions for which to reach. The dilemma is multi-faceted. If I take the time to create art, I don’t have enough time to work on the business. To work on the business, I need to work on the computer which is just one aspect of marketing. Another aspect of marketing is simply hitting the proverbial pavement in search of that one shop or gallery that will find the market for my art.

Arghhh!

Over the last several months, I’ve been trying the face-to-face approach with shops and craft fairs and galleries. While the work has been welcomed, there has yet to be that one big breakthrough. This is after a couple of years of trying the online marketing.

I’m still “stretching” for that ball. It just may be time to change the game plan again. To what? What will be next?

Will I ever reach it? Will it ever happen or will it always be outside my grasp?

I don’t know.

I do know that I still love doing what I’ve been doing. For now, I believe I will keep “stretching” to try to make the magic happen.

Man In the Moon- Monday Art Day

Man In the Moon
5x7 Graphite & Watercolor
©BEDeuel/ Bronson Hill Arts

The topic for Monday Art Day is Man In the Moon (www.mondayartday.blogspot.com). There are always 3 things that come to mind whenever I think of the Man In the Moon: Andy Kaufman and REM; Jackie Gleason's face on the moon in the introduction to "The Honeymooners"; and, of course, especially this past month, Neil Armstrong and the moon landing in 1969.

As noted in the blurb with my Monday Art Day posting, I am still- so very many years later- in complete awe of the landing of Apollo 11. The reaching for and the success of conquering the "impossible" was never so clearly presented to the world, to the U.S., to the then-youth of the day.

We may have been tainted by this achievement in feeling that the world was ours to take. Of course, the economy, the expectations and the reality of life rarely make it that easy for us. Few of us have accomplished all the goals we thought we could. Not for lack of trying or working hard for those goals, but often just simply thwarted by unforseen circumstances.

Yet, paradoxically, perhaps we're all the tougher for having witnessed the "impossible" becoming possible. We know that, with the right investment of time and effort, all things can be possible. At least, that's how we were taught to think.

Maybe that's why we never give in and let life roll over us. We can't and we won't.

We can't all be heroes like Neil Armstrong, but we can take a piece of his accomplishments, a piece of his moon, and hold on the hope it represents and continue to strive to succeed.

RIP, Neil. Thank you for all you've given us. Thank you for being the Man in the Moon.



 

IF Yield

Never Yield
6x6 Watercolor on Smooth Bristol
©2012 BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts

With the winds of March upon us, particularly here on the Hill, the vision of mightily fighting the gusts came to mind.

A damaged, broken umbrella has lost its purpose, while a swept-back coat offers little, if any, protection against the force she faces.

Yet, she still moves into the wind, determined to get to her destination.

From this point, I could launch a parable describing how this scene represents so many days in our lives. But, there really isn't any need, is there?

We can all see ourselves pushing to overcome the many hindrances that life throws at us.

And, thus the title: Never Yield.

Have a great and, however you might measure it, success-filled week!

IF Grounded

Grounded on a Rubber Sole
4x6 Watersoluble Pencil on 120# Paper
©2012 BE Deuel Bronson Hill Arts

“Grounded“. It’s one of those words that can mean so many different things.

In the mundane aspect, it can refer to the design of an electrical plug or the purpose of a lightning rod. In a child’s/teenager’s life, it can mean the end of the world; at least in the short run, which can seem like forever for them. In relation to the metaphysical, it can mean being well-adjusted and able to deal with reality.

Do I consider myself a grounded person? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

I’ve worked relatively steadily since I was 16, keep a decent home, support and love my family and friends. I can be so insanely realistic at times that I can irritate others with my apparent “negativity”. There is quite a bit of evidence that I am well-grounded.

But, even at that, I still dream dreams that aren’t practical. I would love to have an animal foster home and a fulltime art business. I have always wanted to write a book. It would be incredible to spend 6 months in an RV with my husband exploring the U.S. with cameras and canvas in hand!

On a smaller scale, I would be thrilled to have enough time to sleep and read in the hammock every spring, summer and fall day. Oh, actually, that would include the dream of being able to afford to hire someone to clean my house and weed my gardens! I would enjoy sampling a meal in every restaurant and diner in this area that we live in and anywhere else we‘d fancy.

I suppose what makes me a “grounded” person is that I know that the odds are that these dreams are, most likely, not going to happen in this incarnation. But what makes me happy, is still be able to enjoy those dreams and the reaching for those goals.

Yes, grounded is good, but happy is better.

IF Highlight(s) In 2012!

Highlight(s) for IF
6x6 Permanent Marker on Smooth Bristol
©2012BEDeuel

Recently, I was feeling like I was in a deep funk. Life's been ridiculously chaotic and full of petty annoyances from petty people. It was definitely getting to me.

While I'm not usually a cosmetic person, the thought of dying my hair again was appealing. Maybe it was just that I needed a different view when I looked in the mirror. My face showed every stress very clearly. I thought maybe a little color framing it would give it the perk up that my emotions couldn't.

And, honestly, I'm glad I've done it.

Has it changed the existence of the problems in my world? No. Does it really take years away from my appearance? No. Has it made the world a nicer place? No, not at all.

But I think I look brighter (physically, that is!) and I do feel lighter. Maybe even a little bit sparkly!

So, here's to a little thing that's made the start of the 2012 a little nicer for me.

Hopefully, you're doing something nice for yourself to start the new year and continue to do it throughout the year!

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I was going through a very old portfolio and came across a couple of pieces that I just love.

The Bette Davis portrait I did, as I remember, in my senior year of high school, back, well, a few decades ago. It's done in a pointillism style with ink. You can actually see where it was damaged at one time across the upper lip. But, I just couldn't part with it.

The other piece was a "doodle" of sorts. About 3 years out of high school, I had the luxury of having a ton of time to experiment with all sorts of artwork styles and designs. This picture of the Enchanted Crone is done in ballpoint pen, both black and blue. It was something that had flowed very easily and, again, I was thrilled with the results.

These pictures are reminders that every pursuit will have successful moments.

But that the time has to be invested in those pursuits to achieve those successes.

Like all new years past, I'm sure you've made your resolutions, which as we all know, are easy to keep for the first couple of weeks. It's the later weeks when it gets tough to keep your promises to yourself.

Don't overwhelm yourself with trying to succeed unendingly. Work at it patiently and success will happen, maybe in a small way to start, but all the same!

Enjoy everything you choose to undertake in 2012! This month, next month, and every month that follows!

'Tis A Season...

As always, life moves forward one day and backwards the next. It often feels as if we're on an escalator that never quite makes it to the next floor.

Whenever it seems as if I've figured out how to manage- or juggle might be a more appropiate word- my many interests, responsibilities and limited time, something always sidelines me. The best laid plans of mice and men, and all that jazz.

On the positive side of things, I've stumbled into another outlet for my painted wine glasses, another way of  creating some unique, perhaps even quirky artwork.

A newly revamped gift shop (and, now, florist) in town, Robbins' Nest, was looking for someone to create some painted glass pieces. After struggling for a bit, trying to do it the "right" or traditional way, I went, "Duh!". Why? Why not do it the way that I do it on paper? And, truthfully, I really liked the results. It also makes it more fun to do!



Floral Hurricane Glass









Practicing Making Roses



Wine Grapes Glass

            




Wine Grapes Glass Detail





















Time will tell if anyone else likes the work enough to buy the pieces. In the meantime, I'll keep playing with designs and colors, trying to find the right combination. Trying to find the time to keep creating new pieces and ideas while balancing everything else life throws our way!

IF Shadows: Stepping Out

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Dancing in the Shadows (B&W)
8x10 Permanent Marker
©BEDeuel 2010

A few years back, the middle daughter discovered the art of the Sharpie. She took any image that she liked, copied it and colored it in Sharpie, or permanent marker. She would (and still will) illustrate anything, including canvas shoes.

It was not, per se, something that I thought I'd enjoy doing myself. Until I saw an intriguing magazine cover.

The motion and colors of the dancers in the heavy shadows drew me into the scene. The intensity was there to be captured again, in a different medium.

So, I tried: Sharpies!



Dancers In the Shadows (Original)
©BEDeuel 2010

The uneven application of color detracts from the effect I was attempting to recreate. It was done on a mediocre paper and it shows.  I also, at that time, had a limited palette to work from so some of the coloring had to be improvised to a degree.

When the topic of "Shadow" was presented this week for Illo Friday, I had half-a-dozen different ideas, but stumbled across this picture in it's original form and decided to try it in a B&W effect.

And, I like it. Almost better than the original. Funny how that can happen at times, isn't it?

Since I did this sketch, I've done a great deal more with permanent markers. I've decided I like those, too. And, in working with markers, I started expanding into several different mediums I'd never thought I'd be interested in trying.

It's a series of links, like so many things in life. You're introduced to something different from the rest of your everyday world. You decide you like it, you decide to pursue it. It can lead to other new and interesting things. Some of those things you might like, others, not so much. Usually the positives outweigh the negatives, though, so the flow of new things into your world can be so exciting and energizing.

Embrace it, follow the flow wherever it goes and enjoy the results! Some of the most beautiful, yet unexpected, things can emerge from the shadows if you let them.

Finding Inspiration Everywhere

When first browsing through the wonderful world of blogs, I came across one called "100 Painting Challenge". I was immediately drawn in, watching over the days and months, as so many beautiful paintings were posted so frequently. At the time, I thought that there would be no way that I could produce 100 paintings in a year. I still don't feel that I'm there, but, I'm not as sure that it is beyond the realm of possibility now.

One of the artists, Teri C., is prolific. She works with so many different blogs and projects, she amazes me. And, she is incredibly supportive of artists across the spectrum. By following her activities I found Cactus Monday.

I've been attempting to join smaller, less-commitment laden "challenges" till I'm ready to take on a big, longterm challenge. This is my first try at Cactus Monday. It was taken from a photo of my sister-in-law's pride & joy Christmas Cactus. It's done with Sharpie marker on smooth Bristol paper 100#.

I like the effect of the marker on the Bristol paper, but, I didn't get quite the effect I wanted with the drawing itself, but, that's the point of these exercises: learning how to convey new ideas in new ways. I don't live in a part of the world that has cacti popping up wild and I can't honestly say that cacti are my favorite plants. That being said, this won't be my last attempt at Cactus Monday.

I want to find inspiration in as many unfamiliar places as I can. Where better to start than with something so alien in my world and life as a cactus?

So, thank you, Teri, and all other artists who promote and create these challenges. It's so nice to have my view expanded beyond the top of the hill!

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Speaking of artisans who are taking on "challenges":

Check out Stephanie's work for a colors-of-fall challenge at Crystal Allure Jewelry Blog. The results were stunning! I'm partial to the trendy colors. Stephanie's work is so original and sophisticated that I'm sure you'll find something that you'll have to have! I know I have!

"Sparkling" is living the dream! After exhaustive work honing her wordsmithing craft, she is now spending time getting to know her town and her neighbors and being paid to write about it. With her infectious positivity, she always brings out the best in those lucky enough to encounter her. On the path to success, I just know it!

Christie has started her Etsy shop and wishes for great results are being sent her way! I just purchased one of her Valentine's Day cards, and it was so wonderful: the design, the packaging, the quality. You can visit her at Christie's Scribbles & Stitches. I really think you'll love what you see.