Listen

Listen.

Listen

I have been on a new adventure in listening over the past two weeks and I am more than amazed.  In seeking how to obtain inspiration from the Master Creator in my own creativity,  I came across several books that would aid me in this journey. 

Reading “Finding Divine Inspiration – Working with the Holy Spirit in your Creativity” by J. Scott McElroy, I found the needed tools to enable this adventure to begin.  And what an adventure in this first week! 

Here is a portion of my journal entry that reflects this amazing experience and sorry that it is a bit lengthy, but it all needs to be included:

“Monday, in my listening, one of the messages I felt that came from God was ‘heal the broken hearted–you will know how when the time comes.’  Well, that just seemed unusual for me as I am a therapist and trained to listen to people and help them in healing their heart.  Of course I would know what to do.  But God had a specific person in mind and a specific message to deliver.  And it had nothing to do with my training, and nothing to do with my own understanding of things.  Tuesday morning, my son’s cab driver pulls up a few minutes late and apologizes for crying.  She just received a call from a friend who had a nice dream about her son who was murdered last July!!!  She went on to say how Easter was so hard because it was the first Easter without him.  At that point, I did not remember what God told me to do just the day before.  So, I went into discussing, briefly, how grief is a difficult process and different for every person and it just takes what it takes to get through it.  A short time after she left, I was in the shower thinking about the morning and then it dawned on me.  I finally connected the dots.  God cares about her and it is my job to let her know that.  He cares so much for her that He told me on Monday, had her friend dream Monday night, had her friend call her on the way to my house to tell her about the dream, then had her share that difficult part of her life with me.  Too much coincidence to be coincidental!  I told my husband about this, then purposed in my heart to reach out to her that evening to plan a time together so that I would be able to share this with her. ”

We did meet Friday night!  She was overwhelmed with God’s love for her and said that she really needed to hear this message at this time.   

It is so important to listen and then obey.  What a blessing this experience was!  Even though I had been seeking direction in my artistic endeavors, it was first important for me to see what God was doing around me, hear how He wanted me to help in that task, then to do what He wanted me to do.  I had no idea how she would respond, but that was not my job to worry about that.  God was in control.

Not every day has an experience like this, but each day now begins with the anticipation of listening.

Biz-eee

Whoa!!! It is high time that I get back on the stick.  I have been busy making rainbows of all kinds, but have not been documenting it at all.  Bad Robin!

So let’s see if I can recap. 

• I have written three picture book drafts in 12 x 12 in 2012 challenge.  Two have good potential.  We shall see.
• I have found a color palette that I absolutely love and have been experimenting with that.  See how yummy it is.
• I have been in a monthly art therapy group that has been exploring new media. 
• I purchased a Wacom Bamboo Create digital tablet to use for my illustrations. 
• I’ve been watching scads of tutorials in order to learn how to use the new paperweight. 
• I was part of a team that wrote a grant for a parenting program (first I have ever written . . . we will see if the desired outcome arrives.)

I think I am tired from just remembering everything that I’ve worked on. 

• Oh yes, I made some melted crayon art and some monster feeling faces from what I found on Pinterest and am ready to make some kitty, dog, and bunny feeling faces too!

Yes, the biz-eee is here as always.  I guess biz-eee is as biz-eee does ;o)

Challenge

Every day a challenge is set before me.  Some days are more challenging than the next, especially when the day starts with the eyes refusing to allow the first morning rays to be reflected upon the retinas.   The greatest challenge, however, is how to best use the time I cross paths with, without letting it just run through my fingers.

With this challenge before me each day, what is the most successful way to filter the best choices for the use of my time?  Well, during the work day that answer is pretty easy–attend to the necessities and the situations at hand.  Do all of the must do’s and have to’s.  Communicate, clarify, simplify, and do what is best and right.  Easy?  Not always.  Especially at those junctures when I am not in control of the time.  At those moments my thoughts must turn to making the most of every opportunity.

Once I arrive at home, it is so much a different story.  There are many choices of what to do with the very small amount of time I have left until the cycle begins for the next day.  I have really developed a distain for time-wasters, stupid television (as opposed to educational programs), games (unless shared with another in developing relationships), shopping (without purpose) . . . whoa!!  Sounds like I belong in the 19th century or in a cave!  How do I choose what is best to do for the rest of the day?  Not just what is “good” to do, but what is “best.”

Thus far I have kind of set a schedule of what could be accomplished each evening, i.e. spending time with hubby & kiddo; domestic chores, researching and writing, drawing and painting, etc. with hopefully no more than seven categories.  I really need more days in the week or more hours in the day.  Maybe that’s why I can’t sleep in anymore.  I thought it was just those blasted hormones! 

So, what will help me make the correct choices for what is best to do?  Through writing this I’ve come to realize that I really need to rework my personal mission statement.  Yes, the glories of the writing process.  It has probably been over 15 years since I wrote my last mission statement.  My life has changed sooooo much since then and I am way overdue.  Anyone else have a mission statement that they’d care to share?  I’d love to hear from you.  And if you’ve never ventured into the land of mission possible, let me know.  I have a challenge for you!

Dig it!

Digging for gems

Yesterday was a full and rewarding day at the SCBWI Keeping It Real Non-Fiction Intensive.  There I was able to  bask in the wisdom, knowledge, and experience of  all of the wonderful speakers.  When I started on the journey of writing and illustrating picture books I had absolutely no thoughts about non-fiction.  None! 

While soaking in all of the information that was shared, I remembered something very long forgotten.  I love doing research!  That is where a majority of the time is spent for non-fiction writing, even for picture books.  Facts are facts and they need to be accurate.  In days  and jobs gone by, one of my duties involved research.  I used to spend hours in the library using their databases to dig up information during those B.I. (Before Internet) days.   Just being in a library was a joy for me.  While the internet does hold vast riches of information, it is just not the same as excavating book after journal after article to discover the rarest of gems.  The stacks, the smells, the enjoyment . . . I really miss those days! 

So what do I do about that?    A few months ago I started a story about someone in my family tree, but that story is more historical fiction than non-fiction.  I guess I will have to start digging to see what can be unearthed about the background story, and perhaps discover some little known facts or people that have a truly interesting and encouraging story that needs telling.  On to a new challenge, so . . . let the digging begin!

Focus

Today I felt pulled in many directions . . . finishing the afghan for my husband, watching the Broncos game, working on my draft 1 of 12 for the 12 x 12 challenge, and working on refining my color samples in order to submit my first book by the end of January.  Prioritizing the aforementioned tasks led me to one conclusion . . . I need FOCUS.  I did work most of the day yesterday on my color samples, leading me in a new direction for applying the color.  I did jot down notes on Friday for my first 12 x 12 draft.  I could always listen to the Broncos game while I was working on whatever.  So what is the best strategy?

What can be finished most quickly?  I sat at the computer, typed in my jottings from Friday, made a few revisions, and draft #1 is well on its way.  That was easy!

Next, what is the most important?  On to the color samples.  Not so easy.  I have been struggling beyond belief with the colors on my characters, so I decided to try a different technique.  I am using acrylics and I know that you can always repaint something you do not like, but I didn’t like my first tries very much at all.  Instead of using a gradient wash of the color from pale to dark, I decided to do a complete undercoat of the lightest grade of color and then dry brush on darker layers.  I do like the result and think that is the technique I will use.  I finally finished one character today . . . let me know what you think!

By the way, I did complete a few more rows on my husband’s afghan, and the Broncos with Tebow are the bomb even though I am a dyed-in-the-wool Bears fan.  And I did get to see the final overtime play.  Hey!  That was the only one that really counted ;o)

Clarity

I love challenges!  I have sometimes been compared to a pitbull when it comes to something I can’t  that takes me a while to figure out.  So the challenge for 2012 . . . dundunDAH . . . 12 new drafts of picture books in 12 months.  Thank you to Julie Foster Hedlund and the 12 x 12 in 2012 challenge.  You can see a link to this in the sidebar.  If you’d like to join, you have until January 29th.  Along with committing to the challenge come prizes.  Who doe not like a chance to win prizes?  Click on the 12 x 12 badge and come join the fun!

With this challenge comes the need for clarity.  Right now I am working with the lovely ambient tones of football crowds and announcers in the background.  (Love ya honey!  An episode of Bones is waiting in the wings ;o)  hehehe.  So, a few nights ago the constant bantering in the background while I was working on consistency in my illustrations saturated me to overload.  My mommy ears just were not working.  I couldn’t see clearly.  I couldn’t think clearly.  On came the wool sweater and I joined the lovely East Sacramento quiet of the evening.  Don’t get me wrong because I really enjoy a good football game, but that night it was not working for me.  Taking a walk in the chill of the night was refreshing and energizing.  I could think about what I was working on and roll things around in my mind and change the perspectives and size and tone as I enjoyed the remaining Christmas lights and the occasional passerby.

 

I can see clearly now . . . for all of us boomers . . . the rain is gone.  Knowing when you need to change things up for yourself is invaluable. You are the only one that truly knows what you need and what will work for you.  If your first attempt does not work, don’t give up, just move on to the next one.   You are worth it!

Consistency

Maddy

Consistency is something I strive for . . . I work hard to be even tempered no matter how I feel or what I am dealing with.  I know I don’t have a perfect batting average, but I do desire to be consistent.  Maybe threats of being sent to a deserted island if menopausal rantings begin have steered me in the right direction.

 

Before venturing into the land of kidlit, I had no idea how important consistency is in writing and illustrating.  Thankfully that lesson has been emphasized to me several times over the past year and I am working on applying that.  I spent part of my day today looking at this rough sketch of Maddy (my main character in the book I am working on) in order to make sure that all of my renderings of her are true to her original form.  That is not easy, especially when she is not always in this same pose.  I am not a trained artist but I am learning.  I really love the learning process and I really should buy stock in erasers!

 

Happy New Year to you all!  May you walk in the path of health and freedom!

Intention, Procrastination and Determination

Intention wanted to start a blog back in April, after the SCBWI (Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) Spring Spirit conference here in Northern California.  The speakers were so inspirational and I was soaking in every word in an attempt to shorten this steep learning curve of breaking into the children’s picture book biz.  I needed to start a blog.  I intended to start a blog.  So much for good ol’ Intention.   It is now December and Procrastination has kept many words and themes rolling around and around and around in this brain for much too long.  Mr. P is a very strong foe but he did finally meet his match today.  I am not entirely sure why today was any different, but Determination won out!  Finally!  Yeah!!!  So, here we go . . . and I hope you do follow along with me.   

Making rainbows is what I love to do most.  In my daily work I deal with an enormous amount of black and white and many grey areas too, but the grey areas do not even edge over to blue grey, or any other shade of grey.  Just grey, and black, and white.  I must have color!  Color is a requirement for me . . . in words, in action, and in form.  I try to bring color into my day in whatever way I can.  That happens most in my play time which is much too much abbreviated by all other life happenings . . . dust, dishes, errands, exhaustion, family, friends, fatigue, work, must do’s, must see’s, and on and on.  I value my islands of time that are my sanctuary to enter into the zone of rainbows. 

My primary goal is to create rainbows of images and words that will be of value to at least one other person in this world.   Secondary to that is the desire to have my rainbows published in order to reach more than one.  But just one heart touched will make me smile and say to myself, “Well done!”  I do know how to focus on the joy in the journey.  But one must take steps to be on that journey of making rainbows.  Step one, check.  Thank you, Determination!  I will definitely work to keep your volume turned up.