Sarah’s Creative Journey

 Having art as almost a secret side passion because I talk about it so infrequently. I guess that is one reason I do art- to connect and talk to people in ways I can’t always bring myself to in person. (which is maybe why I tend to be a gift giver/quality time person for others). I also love the colors and getting lost in the PROCESS. The problem is that sometimes to sit down and start and do the process can be teeth pulling. Life or work tends to drain my activity-mental and physical - and I need to get past that. To really say this is what I WANT to do - which it is - at least in some way, what I have spent the last 5+ years trying to figure out. I guess in all ways - and in life - time will fluctuate. I have figured out a lot of things, just in the past year, and learning to deal with new things every year and new problems that come up.

  JUNE 6, 2021 How odd that I listen to a few 10 minute videos and find some huge relief! And something so simple!  Finished paintings are not the point of art! “The finished paintings are the BYPRODUCT of the PROCESS I get lost in.” Louise Fletcher Art is about the journey with yourself, to get in touch with what is lying inside.  It can improve your mental health and be necessary self-care. So in this past 30 minutes, I “made” 2 pieces because I was in it for the process and noticing what I love about painting! Crazy!  The more I love what I do and the process of art (and not expect an outcome every time), the better I will be, and the more my true self will be able to come out in my artwork. It doesn’t matter if I think the end result is good or bad. But how was the process of it?  JUNE 25, 2021 Once you learn to trust yourself, your inspiration, your habits, and your goals,  you’re able to trust your audience as well.  JUNE 26, 2021 Read some poems by Hanif and feeling moody, cozy,

 MAY 11 Overwhelmed by moving time we think we get ahead only to look behind and see that everything has flown by Always catching up after we try to stay present Breathe now to run again later MAY 16 Have to frequently remind myself I cannot do everything I want to do or am curious about. I need to remind myself to take a breath, relax a bit, and focus my energy into ONE thing at a time, and slowly more things will happen and get accomplished. Plus, the time spent on art, focuses my mind and relaxes my body and soul. MAY 17 "Vulnerability has boundaries." -Brene Brown Let me repeat that. Vulnerability has boundaries! MAY 28 As an artist, having a go-to activity to describe and convey emotions and feelings and a way to open up and share myself with others is an amazing gift. A gift that is also terrifying.  When we make something, we have revealed something about ourselves.

MAY 1 Wholly fucking May already!! Need to slow down this week. Had Wednesday off, and don’t think I did anything important, which was fine. Think I need more down time or brain dump time, but I don’t want to give up on art time either because it’s been holding me together and giving myself the time to invest in myself! “There’s an inner piece I own, something in my soul  that they cannot possess so I won’t be afraid  and the darkness will fade because there’s a light in me that shines brightly … precious love I’ll always have inside of me” ~Mariah Carey MAY 4 Trying to embrace the mess of notes everywhere and not being able to always organize everything... MAY 6 Just being my best self as my current state will allow. Letting rest and creativity have it’s time. Giving myself space to be vulnerable and be okay with my awkwardness.  Listening to the rain outside. to Charmbracelet stretching my back tall and straight letting myself breathe deep  getting comfortable at the end of the day l

 APRIL 1, 2021 Art (and coffee, and religion, and etc. etc.) has practices and rituals You DO the verb first It’s none of your business if you call yourself an artist or not. You start doing the act, and then someone will call you an artist. “If you wait for someone to give you a job title before you do the work, you might never get the chance to do the work.” -Austin Kleon SHARED EXPERIENCES and friendship “Move slow and fix things” Austin Kleon about his books: “They come out of the urge to share. Not out of the urge to teach.” “The great thing about dead people is they can’t refuse you as a student.” What you need is to become a student.  Really being yourself _ costumes you can put on that help you become more of yourself. Taking all the pieces of yourself to bring it ALL together to make something unique. RuPaul and drag- “we’re all born naked and the rest is drag” APRIL 12, 2021 Buzzed connections sharing memories sipping cocktails and enjoying the campfire  Bo runs around with R

MARCH 9, 2021 Focusing on the/my physicality and my vulnerability being on the paper/canvas. Lifting up other women (artists or other creatives I look up to and find inspiration in) Using my love of color and high contrast. Falling in love again with the details and the emotional attachment that I have for the women in my life. Showcasing love and support I want to give.  Always wanting to give to the people closest to me, but then learning and wanting to stretch to the greater community that IS around me, and actually SEE them for who they are.  MARCH 22, 2021 Cause it’s all about  the feeling           movement       and focus of language What a different way  to write to connect to express all by  using                    negative space.... MARCH 31, 2021 Andy J Pizza wisdom: “A lot of us start making art to be well known, but as we make art, we find ourselves and we know ourselves.” The most satisfying thing is really getting to know yourself on a deeper level.