Back Rooms of My Mind Door #25113

Here's a new drawing from the Back Rooms of My Mind series- Door #25113

I know what you are thinking... boy is this guy crazy! It's understandable because it's probably true!

Prints available here.

I love creating these drawings because this is the way my mind works. If you are thinking of creating with ink I recommend Pigma Micron Pen Set 0.45mm 6/Pkg - Earth/Heritage (Google Affiliate Ad).
I started using these two months ago and I have been loving them! They are so smooth and I am able to add more details -very tiny details- to a drawing which gives them more depth. Bonus: These pens are waterproof!

Ordering from Amazon.com any time soon? Click on the web banner I have to the right of my blog or on the link.

Amazon will give me a few pennies from every purchase which helps pay for the blog.

Cheers!

How do you make time to create art?

There is no beating around the bush, WE ARE ALL BUSY and we all live very busy lives.  How does one make time to create art?

Ask anyone (artists included) and they will tell you, it's no easy task juggling what life throws at you: spending time with friends and family, paying bills, working multiple jobs to get by, enjoying life and oh ya- creating art. Unless you are a full time artist, (I wish I was) you are more than likely working another job to support you passion. A "hobby to some" and a way-of-life to others! For me it's a way of life.

This drawing "Ultimate Froggie" is from week 17- you can view it here.

No matter how you do it, it's not easy. You have to set aside time for yourself to be locked down in the studio and create. Life is about balance and it always will be. It's about give and take - the ebb and flow of life. I know that if I don't create something at least once a week - I WILL GO OUT OF MY MIND!!! For the most part, I am creating everyday. Whether I am creating a drawing, a painting, taking photos (wickednewenglandphotography.com) or designing something on the computer.... I am creating- And I am loving every minute of it!!

For the past two years I have been posting pieces of art for my One A Week Art Project where I display one creation in any medium on my blog. It's been a great outlet for me and has given me another reason to finish a project I started. Having a deadline gives me a little push to keep going. The deadline keeps me inspired to keep at it, especially on the days when I am feeling under the weather or less inclined to create and oh yeah- when I am feeling lethargic from doing too many things.

I recommend getting a calendar and circling the days each week that you will take for yourself and create art. You can buy a calendar here: At-A-Glance Recycled Monthly Wall Calendar - Blue/Red - 20" x 30" (Google Affiliate Ad)

The calendar will provide you with a concrete, visual deadline. I also recommend writing it in Pen or Permanent Marker. It's easy to erase pencil and yes, of course you can scribble or cross out your notes that you wrote in pen. However, every time you see that scribbled out a note, you will be reminded of the day you didn't create art- even though you intended to.

"The best thing I've done in a while was starting my One A Week Art Project. By doing this, I have created a concrete deadline and a goal to create one piece of art (I usually end up creating more) each week and post it on my blog. This deadline has really helped me grow as an artist."

If you are struggling with this issue of finding the time to create, I can sympathize. Start out slow by taking 15 or 20 minutes a day and set aside some art time. Take small baby steps towards a long and fulfilling journey by working up to an hour a week and eventually an hour a day (or whatever your schedule will allow).

Making A List

Another way to allot your time is by making a list.

Make two lists:

1. *All the things you Need to do 
2. *All the things you Want to do

*include a tentative time frame (soft date) and a definitive time frame (hard date) for when you would like to and have to accomplish or full fill each item on the list. 

By writing down all the things you need to do each Day, Week, and Month- you will allow yourself to focus on what's important from day to day. This visual reminder will allow you to focus on the immediate task at hand and not worry about everything you need to get done.


Keep in mind that your weeks will vary depending upon personal obligations. This is natural as you must keep balance in your life.... it all comes back to balance.

iPhone & Mobile Phone Calendar Apps

Your phone is always with you and while they are installed with a default calendar, there are some pretty cool apps available that make life even easier.

Here's a free app that I just read about here called Sunrise. (I have never used this app.)

Another app (that I have used) is called Evernote.

Have you ever written something down so you don't forget it later on and then lose that paper? I think everyone has... I just lost three (3) of them while writing this post. Anyway, Evernote allows you to take notes, photo notes and more. The best part is that you can access Evernote via your phone, computer or tablet. You can even share them with a friend.

They have a Free version and a Paid version. The app download is free and it works great!

Final Words

Try not to get too overwhelmed with prioritizing ever detail of your life. There is something to be said for allowing a little bit of spontaneity into your life. *I'm not talking about "How are you going to eat your next meal spontaneity"-more like- "Hey, it's sunny outside, lets go to the beach and leave the laundry for later".

Remember baby steps- Start small and go slow. Speed will be acquired over the long haul. This journey you are on is long and there is no need to rush it. Small changes now, will be Big changes in the future. 

If you have any questions for me and need some advice, you can send me an email and I will do my best to help you out.

Feel free to post in the comments section and let me and other artists know how you make time to create art. Any personal tips or tricks that could be helpful to others.

Ordering from Amazon.com any time soon? Click on the web banner I have to the right of my blog or on the link.

Amazon will give me a few pennies from every purchase which helps pay for the blog.

Like me on Facebook.

Cheers!

One A Week Art Project 52 of 52: Bird in a Cage 2

One a week art project 52 of 52: Bird in a Cage 2

YAHOOOOO! I finally made it another year of creating art and I know have 52 fine pieces of USA hand crafted and created art to show for it, which I might add... is available for purchase. *wink

Here is another rendition influenced by the Railroad Earth song “Bird In A House".
If you’re trapped in a cage or house, I reckon it may get lonely. I created this around the holiday of love so my mind was naturally thinking this way.

Prints available here.

Would you like to try watercoloring? Here is some watercolor that's great for starting out:

Pacon Artist Watercolor Paper Pad, White (Google Affiliate Ad)

I also wanted to announce that even though I am busy and life will always be hectic... I am going to stop creating art for the One a Week Art Project. Instead I am going to continue to create art as I have been and post as often as I can.

I have found that the deadline is holding me back because I am saving art for the art project instead of posting them for the world to see. I will still keeping myself to posting a new piece each week. Get ready for some more fantastic art!

Ordering from Amazon.com any time soon? Click on the web banner I have to the right of my blog or on the link.

Amazon will give me a few pennies from every purchase which helps pay for the blog.

Cheers!

One a week art project 51 of 52: Bird in a Cage 1

Here is the latest from my One a week art project 51 of 52: Bird in a Cage 1

Prints available here.

I’ve been wanting to create this drawing for a while now. I actually drew a few of these birds in one of my Back Rooms Of My Mind drawings Door #13113.

I was inspired to create this drawing while listening to a song “Bird in a house” by the band- Railroad Earth. I heard this song and instantly replayed this song over and over again. If it were vinyl, I would have to purchase a new record by now.

Here's a great watercolor pencil starter set 
Prismacolor Premier Watercolor Colored Art Pencils, 24 Colored Pencils (Google Affiliate Ad)

Over the course of a few months, the song would play and I would envision these birds trapped in a cage. Finally, I decided to put pen to paper and draw them. I created this by drawing everything out in pencil and then I inked this with waterproof pens. Then I added some color and water to the watercolor paper and I was finished.

I recommend you listen to the song as well. I feel that this song will resonate with lots people because there are so many people in similar situations where they feel trapped.
“There is a bird in a house and he’s trying to get out.” -RRE
Those words ring true with anyone out there in the multiverse?

Happy St. Paddy's Day and be safe everyone!

Guinness pint glasses for your favorite beverage!
Luminarc Guinness Zookeeper 4-Pc. Pub Glass Set (Google Affiliate Ad)

Cheers!

Ultimate Frisbee Tank Tops

I've been working on some new ultimate frisbee designs for a few weeks now and I finally finished them just in time for summer!

Buy a frisbee for summer here!

Ultimate 175g Frisbee (Google Affiliate Ad)

Here are the shirts I most recently uploaded:

Buy this shirt here.

Buy this shirt here.


These are custom printed and printed on demand which will result in a longer ship time. These designs can also be printed on a t-shirt if you prefer that over a tank top.

Please contact me with custom requests.

I also create custom shirts- email me for pricing.

View more shirts for sale at my etsy shop.

Cheers!

One a week art project 50 of 52: Back Rooms of My Mind Door #13113

WOW... here we are at week 50!!! Only 2 more posts left till another year of creating art has come to an end. Some days I feel like taking a break, but I've been creating so much art, I know I have to continue on. This One A Week project has been so much fun and it also forces me to take a break from creating and makes me scan, upload, and write. Most artists just want to create, we really don't want to write about are art because it takes us away from creating!

Truth be told, I am actually enjoy the time away from creating as it allows me to reflect on my work and the time it has taken me to create each piece.

Back Rooms of My Mind Door #13113   -    Prints available here.

I've been using some new pens lately, they are these Pigma Micron Pen Set Assorted 6/Pkg - Black - Scrapbooking (Google Affiliate Ad) and they work great for drawing and then I am able to water coloring over them without any bleeding. *Side note: Sharpie works good too but can sometimes spread easier than pen.

Ordering from Amazon.com any time soon? Click on the web banner I have to the right of my blog or on the link.

Amazon will give me a few pennies from every purchase which helps pay for the blog.

Cheers!

How To Make Money As An Artist- Part 1

This is probably the most discussed topic amongst artists. Why is it so hard for artists to make money? Perhaps it's because art is a want instead of a need. Music is want and not a need, yet it's a lot easier to sell a song on-line than it is for an artist to sell a print. There is always the argument that music provides one with more entertainment than art. Once a piece of art is purchased, the enjoyment is only in viewing and not being active with the art like some people are with songs. Some songs make us want to dance, help us through a tough time and sing at the top of our lungs. Can a piece of art do that? Maybe for some, but I would have to say that those are far and few between.

Alvin RSET-OIL3000 Oil Paint Beginner Box Set (Google Affiliate Ad)

How does an artist make money?

5 ways to make money as an artist.

• Selling originals
• Commissions
• Selling prints/t-shirts and other products (if applicable)
• Teaching
• Art Fairs

These are just 5 ways to make money as a full time artist. Do you have any other ways to generate income? Post them in the comments below and help your fellow artists out!

Ordering from Amazon.com any time soon? Click on the web banner I have to the right of my blog or on the link.

Amazon will give me a few pennies from every purchase which helps pay for the blog.

Like me on Facebook.


To be continued.....
Cheers!

One a week art project 49 of 52: Back Rooms of My Mind Door# 15113

Here is the newest drawing Back Rooms of My Mind Door# 15113.
I love creating these drawings because I come up with some many new ideas for other drawings. For instance, I had started drawing this a few weeks back and I drew the pig that you can see in the top left corner. Once I drew that pig, I knew I wanted make that larger and add some color. This drawing is actually my current cover photo on my Facebook page.

Buy Original- Ink on paper

Prints available here.

I've been using some new pens lately they are these Pigma Micron Pen Set Assorted 6/Pkg - Black - Scrapbooking (Google Affiliate Ad) and they work great for drawing and then water coloring over them without any bleeding. *Side note: Sharpie works good too but can sometimes spread easier than pen.

Ordering from Amazon.com any time soon? Click on the web banner I have to the right of my blog or on the link.

Amazon will give me a few pennies from every purchase which helps pay for the blog.

Cheers!

What Is Art?

Creating art can be difficult at first, however, it can also be as simple as making time, getting in the studio (or creative space) and as "they" say, "putting your pencil (or medium of choice) to paper". Some people say in order to create art you have to do X, Y, and Z. I guess in order to know how to create art, One must venture into the lengthy discussion on art and what exactly art is.

Art is a very universal & generic term that encompasses several categories. It acts as a global category for all things creative and depending upon ones point of view (art is subjective after all) it can make for a very interesting conversation. Art is more than an activity (Painting, drawing, playing music, writing, comedy, etc.)- Art is the ability of expression...Art to me is a way of life.

As a creative person, I can't stop creating! I'm serious, I have tried to take breaks but I can't stop my mind. My mind is continuously conjuring up new ideas.

So, What is Art?
Since this topic has been discussed several thousand times over - and will continue to be discussed - Here's what the world has to say about Art via a Wikipedia article.

Here are some interesting quotes which offers different view points:

Henry James in his short story The Middle Years:

We work in the dark—we do what we can—we give what we have. Our doubt is our passion and our passion is our task. The rest is the madness of art.

Steven Pressfield in The War of Art:

To labor in the arts for any reason other than love is prostitution.

Elbert Hubbard in a 1908 volume of Little Journeys to the Homes of Great Teachers:

Art is not a thing—it is a way.

Oscar Wilde in The Soul of Man Under Socialism:

Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.

Thomas Merton in No Man Is An Island:

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.

Digitize your life with a Nikon- More info here: Nikon Coolpix L810 16MP 26X Optical Zoom Black Digital Camera (Google Affiliate Ad)

In a much broader sense of the word, Art can be everyday objects such as (lamps or salt shakers) that go unrecognized. Once upon a time people use to make these objects with their hands and it was a craft, skills that created objects that served a purpose in everyday use. Now that machines create these objects we take them for granted; Are they not still art? Is art only art, when a living thing (being) creates something unique? The advancement of technology has allowed people to use machines to create art.
Canon PowerShot SX50 12.1MP 50x Optical Zoom Black Digital Camera (Google Affiliate Ad)

I dare propose the question:"What's the different between a person making something with a machine to sell in stores vs a person making/creating something on a computer to sell as "Art"?" I suppose that it's best left up to the viewers or creators to make that decision.

The bottom line is Art is and always will be different for every viewer. Some may love what I create and some may hate it because they don't or can't understand it. As long as I am creating the art I choose to create, I'll be happy.

Cheers!