Stratosphere Mandala
Wed, September 19, 2012 at 12:01AM
9x9" mandala, aquabee drawing journal, slicci pen and watercolor
A bit of a reality check. I am feeling more and more that I'm spinning wheels here all by myself. The truth is that I am going to do art no matter what. I am going to create, paint, stitch, draw, doodle, read, write, photograph, problem-solve, brainstorm, alter, glue, sew, collage, stamp, sketch, drip, embellish, collect, dream. But I need to figure out how Daisy Yellow will fit into all of that.
My message from the beginning has been that adding art + creativity to your day can make you happier and can make life better. That is why I do this. I want people to know that art can make a difference. But I don't know if I am making enough of a difference. There are a lot of others with the same mesage, I think.
For a good part of October, we'll be traveling and I will be taking a bloggie break. On Saturdays, you'll see the Journal List Project Hanna and I are doing. There will be some other posts. Chances are, I'll return from our trip refreshed and write 100 new posts and go head first into Art Every Day Month in November.... but for now I wanted to share a few thoughts.
editor's note... after 10 comments...
OK, You guys are too kind. Thank you! I will be blogging until early October, then taking a break through late October. I appreciate each and every comment. And if you are ever not sure what to say in a comment on a blog {here or anywhere}, here's what I do on other blogs. I think about what went through my mind when I read the post or saw the art. Maybe I smiled when I saw a particular color or color palette. Maybe I am curious why the artist used a particular type of paint. Maybe something in the post gave me a new way of thinking about something or a new approach. I might want to know if the artist liked the particular watercolor paper they used. Maybe I tried something similar, and want to share a bit of the experience. Like a blog post about blueberry pie - I might say that the last time I tried it the pie was too juicy. Or the post might be about finding inspiration in nature and I just recently sat at the zoo sketching the zebras {OK, I've not done that but it sounds fun}. Think of a comment as part of a conversation. You walk up to a group at a party {a party where they do art all the time, a really cool party} and they are talking about stuff, and you chime in. It's like a wave, or a smile. I am trying to leave more blog comments, too, and I have to sometimes tell myself... "hey, time to pop around and say hello!"
Reader Comments (27)
you my dear have way more impact than you could ever possibly imagine. AND another thing - you have your very own unique spin on blogging - a really valuable asset in my mind. there is ALWAYS inspiration here and it's because your passion shows through Tammy. by all means - take a deserved break and enjoy your travel time - but know this - you will be missed!!! and we will be here waiting for you with whatever you have to offer when you come back :)
Ohno, please do not stop blogging! I like to follow your creative adventures!
Love your posts!!!! and your enthusiasm!!! Everyone needs a break once in awhile... please just don't forget to come back!!!!
You are definitely an inspiration as I begin my 'art journal' journey.....I agree...don't forget to come back!!!!!!
I've been very quiet, a lurker, but I'd like you to know that your posts have inspired me to add art back into my life by doing a simple daily sketch and to get out my old The Artist's Way book. I am happier with art in my life. The examples of your work that you post give me fresh ideas to try. Thank you and have a good month off.
I believe all bloggers go through this. We post and post and when we don't get the comments we think we should we question "what's it all for". Ultimately I think we blog for the connection and comments are the perfect way to SEE that connection. But really we are ALL guilty of not supporting one another all the time. We love to pop in check it out and move on. I hope your break gives you the clarity you need but really you have to do it because it brings you JOY!
Love your imagination and your spirit. Enjoy all your October fun!
~Dawn
You say there are loads of others doing what you do, but I haven't found them! I enjoy reading your posts and seeing your art and would be disappointed if you left us! I'm also terrible at commenting - It's because I'm not an artist and so feel a little funny about giving you an opinion. Not that my opinion is ever negative btw!
I have never left a comment before, but I look at your blog every day and have gotten so many great ideas and inspiration from it! I am pushing 60 and I am an absolute novice at trying art after a lifetime of thinking "I can't" -- and your blog has been THE main motivation behind my being brave enough to try it without getting so self-critical. The ICAD challenge has been an especially effective and fun catalyst to just get in there and do it. It also inspired me to reach out to others among my friends and host a "crafty hour" where we all did some ICAD pages. Your photos are gorgeous, your site is well-organized, I love the wonderful quotes you use, and there is such an amazing variety of ideas, techniques, materials here ... so take a break and take care of yourself, but please don't think you're not making a difference!!
I'm chiming in with all the others to say how much brightness your art brings to my world....I do hope you have a lovely break during October and return refreshed. I'll miss your posts till then! xoxo
Yours is one of the few blogs I read everyday. If there are loads of other bloggers doing what you do, I haven't found them (or at least they are not doing it as well as you so I haven't stuck around). Sometimes I don't get art in everyday, but at least I have you reminding me that it's worthwhile. Enjoy your break, I will miss you and look forward to your Saturday posts. In the meantime, you have a wealth of ideas that I haven't tried yet, so I'll just content myself with combing the archives. :)
Tammy, I look forward to your daily blog posts. You have a unique and inventive voice. Have a great October. I'll miss you!
I only found your blog recently, but I have checked it everyday since, I love it, don't go away too long! I am scared- so many of the art blogs I visit everyday are on break or shutting down!! I also found some great blogs I had never seen in the list of blogs you follow. It seems that you have lots of lurkers, we are just quiet observers soaking up all your creative joy!! Maybe we all should be leaving more comments! Jen
I read your blog every day and even if I don't particularly relate to a specific post or prompt, I always feel encouraged to keep going. Index Card a Day the last 2 years has been literally life-changing. But I smiled when you just wrote "You walk up to a group at a party {a party where they do art all the time, a really cool party} and they are talking about stuff, and you chime in." It takes me a LONG time to chime in, usually I just stand quietly on the edges, getting up my courage, overcoming 65 years of shyness. Same here....
Tammy! You do, indeed, make a difference and there aren't a whole lot of bloggers who do what you do as well or as consistently! You have definitely "earned" some time away and we'll (okay, I'll) use the time to catch up with so many of the projects and ideas that you've given us! Travel safely! We'll all be here to welcome you back!
Tammy, I too love what you do and I agree with Wendy, I haven't found anyone else out there blogging like you do. And I especially love your zines, they are fabulous! Enjoy your blogcation when it arrives and I shall look forward to your return. Since I don't visit your blog as regularly as I'd like, I know there will be lots here to keep me entertained while you are gone. (and I was excited to see your drawing on the Every Day Matters FB page!)
I really enjoy your blog & have learned so much from both the ICAD & the DPP. I tend to not comment all that much on blogs. I've found Flickr to be the place that I've connected the most with people. Mostly, because on Flickr, the dialog around a photo, etc tends to be more of a converstion. Often, when I post on blogs, I kind of feel like I'm talking, but nobody is listening.
I've been meaning to write about your most recent podcast with Rice. When you talked about spending money to go to a place like Six Flags vs spending money on art supplies, the words really struck me. A few years ago when I was with a friend & her 4 kids at Six Flags, I said "It's a good thing we all have different interests. If I was the creator of the world, the last thing I would ever create is a place with roller coasters, etc"
Also, I wanted to write & let you know that Olivia & I met up on Sunday. We spent the afternoon in the Boston Public Garden. We chatted non-stop, showed each other some of our DPP creations & we crafted a bit. If it wasn't for you, we would not have connected. So, thank you for all you do!!!
Like a few others, I've also been very quiet until now - i've only recently come to art journaling and stumbled across your blog (which inspired me to start), but since then I've checked it every single day, and it inspires me and reassures me in what i'm doing, and it was a fantastic find. I love seeing all of your work, and art journaling, from your inspiration, has changed my life. So, I want to thank you so so much - enjoy your break and traveling - I will continue to pop back to check out past posts because there are so many wonderful posts that I am still learning from and loving, but I'll miss you while you're away. Thank you.
I don't comment often, but I love the inspiration I find here for my art journal, and I,m here almost every day seeking new inspiration. This is especially true now that I've gone through all the Kick-Start Your Art Journal prompts I found the first time I visited here.
Lately I have usually found my inspiration in the No-Frills Prompts and the Daily Paper Prompts. Having only recently gone through the Kick-start prompts, I'm only at #3 on the No-Frills and #7 on the Daily Paper Prompts. If you did take some time off, I'd be OK because I'd get caught up on these lists.
But I'd be very glad when you came back, because once I am caught up, there are probably going to be a few pages I'd like to share. As well as be inspired by all your new ideas.
Your blog is awesome! I know what you mean about spinning your wheels and if you need to take a break then that's what you should do. I too, don't comment as much as I should, mainly because life gets so busy and I just pop around to see what everyone is working on. I have been inspired a lot by your blog like those others who have posted.
Tammy if I had not run across YOUR blog I would not be painting, journaling, drawing, or any other art! I adore your posts, prompts, photos, and thank you for the time you give. I loved the altered journal class too. I don't comment as much as I should, but you and your blot are amazing. I hope you decide to continue but you have to make the best decision for you. Have fun on vacation, and take time to enjoy it.