Recharged

I had been extremely exhausted lately. Life has overwhelmed me this year with choices, and responsibilities that have helped me to get over things that have always made me uncomfortable or have even feared. I've had more honest and open conversations with my mom and dad about family stuff that has bothered me. I've become more comfortable in allowing myself to be more vulnerable and to ask for help(I'm still taking baby steps, but its happening a bit more). And I've come to realize and accept some of my flaws that I never wanted to see before. But the journey of all of this and the process has been draining. It's like an emotional roller coaster that gives you no breaks from the ups and downs. The small changes that I thought would be easy to handle and adapt to had more of an impact than I could have ever imagined. As a result, I have felt drained of all the happy magic that makes me feel whole. I desperately needed to not be home. So I packed up and flew out to see my best friend in Chicago. Our other best friend was able to join us and we had a brief, but wonderful girls weekend. Laughing, talking about some real issues and digging a little deep into ourselves, and walking, walking, and walking was the agenda for this weekend. It feels like there is a lot of enthusiam, hope, and new starts that are happening or are about to happen.

As I'm sitting on the plane flying home, looking out the window at the beautiful world below me. I find myself thinking how much this activity used to terrify me. I used to hate flying, especially the take-offs and landings. I especially had difficulty sitting near the window and looking down. But I'm sitting here absolutely LOVING IT! I even requested the seat to begin with. I'm also wondering at what point did I stop being so afraid of this. I'm starting to realize that there are many things that I've "feared" and have allowed other things in life to become excuses for me. And I know I have to stop doing that. My body is itching for me to make changes. This trip was just the start. I'm feeling recharged and ready to start running down the path I was originally mapping out for myself. I've fallen a bit behind and need to get caught up.

I've attached a few photos of Kelen Mermizzle and Larry Mizzle, who went with me. Unfortunately, they didn't get to see that much of Chicago. And a photo from my flight home. I haven't done an email post, so I'm not sure if all of the photos will post. I guess we'll find out soon enough. Almost home :)

Inspired by life

I like how certain things in my personal life inspire my latest creations.  I feel like it helps me honor or show my appreciation for the things and people I have in my life.

I have been going to Fit Body Bootcamp in Brea since October.  I love it!  The workouts consist of 1-2 exercises per section and we rotate.  I enjoy the workouts because they can easily be tailored to your needs.  Everyone there is extremely encouraging and supportive.  It's like having an exercise family.  Well, we had this one workout a few weeks ago and I was just motivated to draw it.  It became one of my daily sketches.   The sketch was fun to create, but it didn't look right to me.  It felt really scrunched together. 

I thought it would be fun to do a color version.  I rearranged some of the characters and added a few more. 

I am working with Derwent Inktense Pencils. 

 

 

 

Another piece I've been working on is a painting for my mom.  A few weeks ago, she was telling one of her co-workers that she has my artwork hanging in every room in the house, except the bathroom.  I was telling my students about the conversation, when one of them mentioned that I should make a painting for her bathroom.  Another student laughed and said the painting should be of a squirrel sitting on the toilet.  I laughed really hard and then I saw the image in my head... the squirrel sitting on the toilet, and a line of Mizzles doing the potty dance waiting for their turn. 

  I am working in acrylic, so this painting is taking longer than I had hoped. But that is because it is not really a portable painting, where I can just work on it at any time or location. 

 

 

 



Radio Silence

I've been quiet lately.  Part of it is that it is that time of the school year when life gets crazy with AP testing, state testing, award ceremonies, trying to finish murals, trying to help those students who are failing get a passing grade, dealing with changes within my department, and helping out with family stuff.  It amazes me how a few small changes has a huge impact on your life. I've been pretty exhausted lately.  I've been in this state of not wanting to think or have to make decisions, which is never good.  Laziness has been my enemy lately, but I feel like I'm putting up a good fight.

In the midst of my busy schedule, I participated in my 4th RAWartists showcase.  This time it was located in Costa Mesa at the Shark Club.  The venue was much larger than the previous locations.

Photo by Alex Gomez

To be honest, I was a bit disappointed with this showcase, but I guess those details really don't matter considering this was my most profitable show. It seemed like the whole night I was making a sale. I sold mostly prints and dolls, but a few originals went to good homes. I like doing these shows because I enjoy meeting other artists...or realizing how small the world is and running into familiar faces.  I like hearing the stories of other artists and their journey.

Mom's paper weight on her desk

As for my art journey, I've been creating a lot of small pieces.  Carpooling with my mom a few days a week means having to kill time waiting for her to get out of work.  So, I've been working small, so that it is portable and I have something to do while I wait.  

Some of the drawings were done on her post-it note pads because I was really bored and forgot to bring something with me.

 Most of the other drawings were done in my sketchbook.  Here are a few of the sketchbook drawings:

The sketches I like the most, I would redraw them onto mixed media paper and begin making color versions. A lot of them are incomplete, but they keep me busy as I wait.  By the way, I'm in love with my Derwent Inktense pencils!  The color is so vibrant!  It doesn't work well for large areas, but I'm figuring out ways to work around that.