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Whew, hi guys! I know this blog has been getting dusty and musty over the last few months. We've been working on a site overhaul, slowly but surely over here, in between lots of traveling and working and toddler wrangling.
In the meantime, you can see my July newsletter, right here.
If you haven't signed up for my mailing list, you're welcome to email me and I'll add you, (the link is down at the moment.)
Hope you're having a great summer! Check back in August, for a new and spiffy site.
I wish I could send my brain on a vacation. A nice vacation, maybe a cruise where it could meet other brains, or a camp-out where it could sleep under the stars and sit around a campfire telling scary synapse stories...
But alas, my brain is stuck in my skull. And my skull is stuck on me, and we're busy, this body and brain and me. I can't always take the walk in the woods or the swim in sea that my brain would like. To avoid brain rebellions (the kind where I find myself avoiding all work, watching Dawson's Creek marathons and eating a sack of last year's Easter candy) I turn to these five online resources for mini brian vacations...
Hypnosis Downloads --- Do you have a favorite topic that makes everyone start rolling their eyeballs the second you start talking about it? Lucky for you, I'll refrain from preaching about my favorite eye rolling topic (hypnosis) and all of its glory, and send you straight to the source. These downloads are a little spendy (around 13 bucks each, cheaper if you buy a few) but well worth it. My faves are the body scan, and fear and anxiety.
Audible --- A great site for audiobooks. My brain's favorite thing to do on a rainy day is to paint and listen to stories. Nerd alert!
My Yoga Online --- When it comes to doing yoga on my own, I have the attention span of a very bouncy flea. This site is an incredible resource for anyone wanting to do some yoga at home but looking for a little guidance. There is a small monthly fee to use this site, but you can check out some of the videos for free.
Creative Visualization --- There's a lot of media available about this topic, now more than ever, but why mess with it when something awesome already exists? I found a copy of Shakti Gawain's', Creative Visualization on the bookshelf when I was a kid, and carried it with me through college. A few years ago, I bought the audio version, and I still listen to it weekly. I recommend the audio so you can do the exercises as you go.
When I was in my early twenties, I spent an August afternoon attempting to body surf in the murky waters of Coney Island Beach. I maneuvered around throngs of bobbing people and threw myself into wave after wave, After hours of coughing up questionable sea water, a jiggly man who looked exactly like Santa in a Speedo, gave me some wise words, "You need to ride it, not fight it!" He proclaimed.
Speedo Santa must have seen my confused expression (a mixture of fatigue and possibly mild water poisoning) because he was kind enough to elaborate. "Stop thrashing around in the wave and just...glide." He made a gliding motion with his hand before body surfing to shore with the grace of a knowing dolphin.
Since that fateful day, I've found that Speedo Santa's wise philosophy applies to most things in my life, especially creative projects. I used to fight creative waves to the point that I never rode one through to the end.
What has helped me most in recent days, is to break my creative process down into stages. By removing myself from the process enough to see it clearly, I've found it easier to glide over the tough stuff, and finish what I started. I made a handy (and/or super nerdy) acronym to describe the five stages of my creative process:
Spark
Nothing compares to the warm spark of a good idea. I could spend hours (days, years?) brainstorming, dreaming, and scheming. Though, sadly, frolicking in the waves of bright ideas, can only last so long. Sooner or later I have to take the train out of spark land and into the bleak landscape of...
When I was in my early twenties, I spent an August afternoon attempting to body surf in the murky waters at Coney Island Beach. I maneuvered around throngs of bobbing people and threw myself into wave after wave, After hours of coughing up questionable sea water, a jolly man who looked exactly like Santa in a Speedo, gave me some wise words, "You need to ride it, not fight it!" He proclaimed.
Speedo Santa must have seen my confused expression (a mixture of fatigue and possibly mild water poisoning) because he was kind enough to elaborate. "Stop thrashing around in the wave and just...glide." He made a gliding motion with his hand before body surfing to shore with the grace of a knowing dolphin.
Since that day, I've found that Speedo Santa's wise philosophy applies to most things in my life, especially creative projects. I used to fight creative waves to the point that I never rode one through to the end.
What has helped me most in recent days, is to break my creative process down into stages. By removing myself from the process enough to see it clearly, I've found it easier to glide over the tough stuff, and finish what I've started.
I made a handy (and/or super nerdy) acronym to describe the five stages of my creative process:
Spark
Nothing compares to the warm spark of a good idea. I could spend hours (days, years?) brainstorming, dreaming, and scheming. Though, sadly, frolicking in the waves of bright ideas, can only last so long. Sooner or later I have to take the train out of spark land and into the bleak landscape of...
Ugly Town
Oh, Ugly Town, the place where everything I make is ugly. My only friend here is the Ugly One. This is where my sketches are scribbles and my paintings look like spilled soup on canvas. The key here is to revel in the ugly. I keep making chaos and mistakes until the mess threatens to over take me, and that's when I fling myself into...
Really Hard Work
I happen to think that making kid's books is a pretty mellow job and nothing like, say, working in a coal mine or a chewing gum factory, or any other job that might qualify as really, really hard work. Though any author or illustrator (yours truly, included) will tell you that it's not all ponies and rainbows (unless, I guess, you're making this book, in which case, that's exactly what it is.).
In the 'hard work' stage there are late nights, frustrating moments, and difficult problems to solve. This is the time when I generally forget to shower, retreat to the studio for long hours, and stop seeing friends ( the 'no showering' and 'no friends' tend to go hand in hand, oddly enough...) Luckily, once I've worked and worked, there's icing at the end of the tunnel...
Finishing Touches
Oh how I love adding the finishing touches. There's nothing more satisfying to me, than cleaning up paintings and putting the fun details in. Almost as satisfying as watching a before and after scene in a cleaning product infomercial.
Share It
Yipes, this part is scary. Whether I'm posting something I've made online, sending it off to the publisher, or waiting for a book to hit the shelves, it's hard not to feel afraid of the reaction that it's going to get. On the pending publication of Lord of The Rings, JRR Tolkein said, "I am dreading publication, for it will be impossible not to mind what is said. I have exposed my heart to be shot at." There is no easy way through this fear, but isn't it a wee bit comforting to know that the author of one of the most beloved trilogies of all time, was scared of exposing his work, too? And this was even long before online reviews when anyone could post their opinions.
So the next time you're thrashing around in the middle of a creative wave, pause and picture Speedo Santa. Or, don't. All you really have to remember is that you have the power to let go, and surf, every wave that comes along.
I clicked on my own blog the other day, only to find that my site was digging up old random posts and putting them on the front page of my blog. It happened the next day, and the day after that. Always old posts from the days of yore.
What the heck? Has my computer been bored with my lack of new blog posts? Angry that I've neglected it? Gabe gave me a perfectly reasonable computer-y explanation that sounded believable, but I'm guessing it's more likely that this little machine has become self-aware. And we all know how that turns out.
So, I think we can all agree that I should start doing stuff right away to appease my computer. I figured, at the very least, I could post a new blog. How about a nonsensical string of things I've been up to over the last few months? Hopefully this will stave off any impending HAL moments...
1. I've done a few school visits lately that have made me dizzy with happiness. The kids have been so creative, smart, and funny.
2. Still writing the middle grade novel I've been working on for (roughly) three thousand years. I've enlisted a few friends to read what I have at the end of March, so done or not, eyeballs are going to see it once and for all.
3. Sketching, and plotting for my new book Orchestra Pit (Roaring Brook, Fall 2014). Which requires, you know, a lot of important research.
4. As someone who is a champion of fear and anxiety, I have spent a lifetime challenging my fears, and running from them, in equal parts. Running from scary stuff tends to make me miserable, and going through my fear makes me happy (eventually) but the middle part is excruciating and well, VERY SCARY. I'm guessing you all know the Eleanor Roosevelt quote, " You must do the thing that you think you cannot do." Well, I've really taken this to heart lately. I have a few things that I'm working on right now, that I'm desperately scared of and pretty sure I cannot do...more about that soon....
5. Right brains!
6. This year I’ve been attempting to get my mini paintings into stores. Thanks to all for your support and suggestions. I'm still making my wa
I clicked on my own blog the other day, only to find that my site was digging up old random posts and putting them on the front page of my blog. It happened the next day, and the day after that. Always old posts from the days of yore.
What the heck? Has my computer been bored with my lack of new blog posts? Angry that I've neglected it? Gabe gave me a perfectly reasonable computer-y explanation that sounded believable, but I'm guessing it's more likely that this little machine has become self-aware. And we all know how that turns out.
So, I think we can all agree that I should start doing stuff right away to appease my computer. I figured, at the very least, I could post a new blog. How about a nonsensical string of things I've been up to over the last few months? Hopefully this will stave off any impending HAL moments...
1. I've done a few school visits lately that have made me dizzy with happiness. The kids have been so creative, smart, and funny.
2. Still writing the middle grade novel I've been working on for (roughly) three thousand years. I've enlisted a few friends to read what I have at the end of March, so done or not, eyeballs are going to see it once and for all.
3. Sketching, and plotting for my new book Orchestra Pit (Roaring Brook, Fall 2014). Which requires, you know, a lot of important research.
4. As someone who is a champion of fear and anxiety, I have spent a lifetime challenging my fears, and running from them, in equal parts. Running from scary stuff tends to make me miserable, and going through my fear makes me happy (eventually) but the middle part is excruciating and, well, VERY SCARY. I'm guessing you all know the Eleanor Roosevelt quote, " You must do the thing that you think you cannot do." Well, I've really taken this to heart lately. I have a few things that I'm working on right now, that I'm desperately scared of and pretty sure I cannot do...more about that soon....
6. This year I've been attempting to get my mini paintings into stores. Thanks to all for your support and suggestions. I'm still making my way through the stores that folks have recommend that I contact, but if you have one that you would like to tell me about, please do!
7. Remember this post from awhile back? What the heck was that about? Well, I was kinda in the process of launching a line of my own greeting cards. Though, I was going about it like this guy, and didn't get very far. Instead, something much, much, better happened. Stay tuned for a real blog post about that, and the serendipitous tale that goes with it.
If I could give each of you a gift in 2012, it would be a time machine. (Before you get too excited, it's not a DeLorean, or a police box, or a phone booth, or even a hot tub...)
And actually, this particular time machine, will only go forward in time, not back in time, which is probably for the best. And honestly, it's not a machine at all, more like a website, mixed with the awesomeness of your own self. But trust me, it's still a really good gift. Are you ready?
About ten years ago, I heard about a site called futureme, where you can send emails from yourself, to yourself, in the future! I've been faithfully sending emails to myself ever since, with big, wonderful results.Confused? You can read more about it right here.
These days, I get so excited when I see a message from past me in my inbox. (All in all, a more positive thing than, say, reading my old journals...something that usually happens once every few years, inspired by a mopey Sunday and/or a chipped mug full of red wine.)
I'm sure you'll find your own way when writing to your future self, but if you need some inspiration, my messages tend to fall into one of these categories:
TOUGH LOVE
If I have a reoccurring problem or issue (like, if I'm trying to quit juggling knives or devouring marshmallows or gossiping about Mr. Petunia, or whatever...) I'll send some tough love to the future to make sure i've cleaned up that part of my life. Usually, just getting a reminder that I was dealing with the same old thing a year ago (or two years, or five years...) is depressing enough to inspire a real change.
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
If I know of a big thing that is going to happen in the near future, I like to check in and send myself some nice words. (I wrote my future self a lot of letters around the time that my daughter was due to be born.) Who knew that future me would love hearing some loving words from past me? Turns out, a lot.
If I could give each of you a gift in 2012, it would be a time machine. (Before you get too excited, it's not a DeLorean, or a police box, or a phone booth, or even a hot tub...)
And actually, this particular time machine, will only go forward in time, not back in time, which is probably for the best. And honestly, it's not a machine at all, more like a website, mixed with the awesomeness of your own self. But trust me, it's still a really good gift. Are you ready?
About ten years ago, I heard about a site called futureme, where you can send emails from yourself, to yourself, in the future! I've been faithfully sending emails to myself ever since, with big, wonderful results.Confused? You can read more about it right here.
These days, I get so excited when I see a message from past me in my inbox. (All in all, a more positive thing than, say, reading my old journals...something that usually happens once every few years, inspired by a mopey Sunday and/or a chipped mug full of red wine.)
I'm sure you'll find your own way when writing to your future self, but if you need some inspiration, my messages tend to fall into one of these categories:
TOUGH LOVE
If I have a reoccurring problem or issue (like, if I'm trying to quit juggling knives or devouring marshmallows or gossiping about Mr. Petunia, or whatever...) I'll send some tough love to the future to make sure i've cleaned up that part of my life. Usually, just getting a reminder that I was dealing with the same old thing a year ago (or two years, or five years...) is depressing enough to inspire a real change.
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
If I know of a big thing that is going to happen in the near future, I like to check in and send myself some nice words. (I wrote my future self a lot of letters around the time that my daughter was due to be born.) Who knew that future me would love hearing some loving words from past me? Turns out, a lot.
PSYCHIC POWERS
This is one my favorite games to play with futureme. First, I pick a time in the future when I would like to receive the email and then I sit quietly for about five minutes while I mentally place myself in that chosen point in time. I try to use all of my senses and truly experience what I imagine. Sometimes I have hard time visualizing clear images, but I get feelings and inklings about people/places/things. When I've gathered enough of those inklings, I type a nonsensical string of predictions. Often times these things fall flat, but I've had enough hair raising spot on predictions from past me, to make me a believer. Go ahead, try it. Whether or not you are actually predicting your future, or creating your own future by visualizing it, I cannot say. Either way, it feels pretty excellent.
GOALS
I love making lists of goals and hopes and dreams, more than just about anything. Sending them to the future is an interesting experiment, not just to see what was (or wasn't) accomplished, but to see the things that rise to the surface again and again. I've found that the goals that keep coming back, are usually the real deal.
RANTS
Feel like sending a crazy ranting email? Why not send it to the one person that will truly understand your unique brand of crazy? You! I've received a bunch of these types of emails from myself over the years, ranting about all kinds of people/places/things, and pretty much without fail, my perspective and outlook softens when I read them in the future. Which, I like to think, makes the world the teeny, tiniest bit more loving.
Thanks to everyone who came out to Crafty Wonderland this weekend. What a great show! It was fabulous to see your faces, and inspiring to see all of the amazing work from fellow vendors.
I have a blast of emails that I'll be sorting through this week, inch by inch. Thanks so much for your support and love. Having a booth at Crafty is like being dunked in a ginormous vat of positive affirmations.
Thanks to everyone who came out to Crafty Wonderland this weekend. What a great show! It was fabulous to see your faces, and inspiring to see all of the amazing work from fellow vendors.
I have a blast of emails that I'll be sorting through this week, inch by inch. Thanks so much for your support and love. Having a booth at Crafty is like being dunked in a ginormous vat of positive affirmations.
You can now order my artwork prints from Red Bubble.
Red Bubble handles all of the printing and shipping, so this will make things much more efficient and simpler, (you won't have rely on my sporadic post office visits and archaic filing system any longer!)
Not only that, but Red Bubble offers you a lot of printing options, (mounted prints, canvas prints, framed prints...) something I've always wanted to do, but have never been able to successfully pull off.
Let's face it. I prefer to be covered in paint and listening to a Harry Potter audiobook, daydreaming about my future treehouse, rather than packing and shipping prints. I've (finally) accepted that it's best to leave those details to the professionals.
I will be keeping my etsy store for original paintings, something I hope to have more time keep up with now that the prints are out of my hands. I will also be keeping one print in my etsy store, In Memory of Bridget Zinn. You can read details about this print right here.
Thanks so much for your support and understanding. Happy shopping!
Red Bubble handles all of the printing and shipping, so this will make things much simpler. Mostly because you will no longer have to rely on my sporadic post office visits and archaic filing system to get prints! Hooray!
Not only that, but Red Bubble offers you a lot of printing options, (mounted prints, canvas prints, framed prints...) something I've always wanted to do, but have never been able to successfully pull off. I've (finally) accepted that it's best to leave those details to the professionals.
But don't fret, I'm sure I'll fill my newfound free time with lots of important things...like cat wrangling and squirrel-pants dancing!
I'll be keeping my etsy store for original paintings, something I hope to have available soon. I will also be keeping one print in my etsy store, In Memory of Bridget Zinn. You can read details about this print right here.
Thanks so much for your support and happy shopping!
So excited to finally be able to share a tiny colorful corner of a new project that is starting to shape up into something real....out of the dream world, and into the real world. Inch by inch....
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So excited to finally be able to share a tiny colorful corner of a new project that is starting to shape up into something real....out of the dream world, and into the real world. Inch by inch....colors in you.
Back now from the luckiest, loveliest, vacation. Warm beaches, beautiful meals, family time, Juniper lose on the beach (thanks Lute, for the awesome picture!) and swimming and swimming and swimming in a warm ocean every day. Ahh, to say I'm refreshed and ready to start in on new projects, would be an incredible understatement. I feel cleaned out, and deeply relaxed in the parts of my brain and bones that have been holding onto tangled thoughts and stresses for many months. Hooray! More soon...
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