Markin' stuff off the list!

*Spoiler alert* If you are my mother, close this page down now! If not, please, carry on.

Okay, no day job today so I took a few chunks out of my long to-do list. One of the most unfun adult chores, paying the bills, was done this morning. With that out of the way it was time to do some more pleasant tasks. Lots of creating going on these days which, is lots of fun, but can also be exhausting.
Case in point, last night this Mama had had enough and promptly took a drink and a hot bath!
I found my mother's Christmas gift last month which is amazing, but I wanted to add something homemade from the boys. I believe I saw this idea on Pinterest, and did a similar project this spring for Mother's Day. Simple and fun personal art with my boys, that's right up my alley!
My sons each did their own separate canvas board, but I connected the lines for them so she can display them together as one. Now I can mail out her package tomorrow and check two more things off my list.

I love their little fingerprints for the colorful lights.

Art with my boys

Last night Harlon asked to paint with watercolors. I love that boy dearly, he reminds me of the painting I should be doing. Unfortunately I was in the middle of a Mrs. Claus costume for the school Christmas program, so I promised him we would do watercolor tonight, which ensures I will get some painting done too! I let the boys use my college watercolors, not the expensive paints but not the cheap crayolas. Tonight's theme? Well the boys have received many fascinating stories and wondrous gifts from the ocean via my aunt, and it is her birthday this Sunday SO I thought we'd create her some art. The boys had fun filling their page with some of the items she has sent them and other various mammals. I decide to paint one of the lovely cowrie shells she sent. The ocean has such beautiful treasures. Here are the results.


Harlon painted the large pinshell on the upper right painting.
James painted a conus seahshell on the upper left painting.
 

I loved spending time with my boys and watching them create. Plus I got to teach them ( and they didn't even whine about it), I showed them how to pick up paint with their brush when they got too much on their paper. Then we shared a pear and some cheese while reading, all in all a really great night. Not bad for a Monday, not bad at all.

Spendin' time

Recently I spoke with a fellow pinup artist to see if she had any suggestions for getting some art sales. My goal is to get enough freelance work to stay home part time or full time. So far I have only sold one art print, and thrown lots of money at it. This is very discouraging and some days I feel like throwing in the towel. Still something seems to drive me to create. I am not merely content with a "normal job", in fact it bores me to death some days. There is some balance to this, a day job keeps me in a schedule, something I think might go awry if I was a full time freelancer.
Back to my conversation with fellow artist, she had great suggestions, most of which I am already implementing so patience and persistence are the biggest factors. Not being my strong suit, I better figure out something to do in the mean time. So far I love making gifts for my friends and family, counterproductive I know, and it does take up some time. Currently I am making personalized Santa bags for my boys. More for my benefit, there is no wrapping, just a bag with their name on it filled with gifts from Santa on Christmas morning. Well, it makes me happy anyway, and hopefully inspired to work on some more of my art.