My new Etsy shop!

I finally did it! I've never liked my original Etsy shop's name...mybusyfingers. I'm just not known for coming up with clever names. I originally was just going to have one shop and I needed a name that encompassed everything I did...I like to try my hand at anything (I think it's a disorder for me), hence the name and yes, I realize I could have come up with something better but...ugh! No. Let's face it, I couldn't have come up with anything better. So, after months of agonizing over the idea of opening a second shop, I did. And I'm glad I did. I needed to separate my artwork from the rest of the stuff I make. Etsy doesn't recommend opening multiple shops but they also recommend continuity...so I had to do it. My new shop's name is artbycrixie. It's going to take me four months to move everything over, but I figured this is a good time to make the move since I don't have a whole lot of traffic coming through my doors.

Art on hold

The warm weather has put a stop to my artwork lately. It's been set aside as we're working to re-side the back of our house...something that has needed to be done for a couple of years.

Before.

Part way to after.

The warmer weather has also brought out some nature (besides the plant life) in our back yard.

This is a black rat snake that is apparently living in the rocks of our retaining wall.

A wolf spider with babies on its back. I found this one one morning when I let the dogs out. It was haging out on the side of the house next to the door to my studio.

To list or not to list

Yes, it happens. Occasionally I'll work on a piece that I just don't like once it's completed. I really admire those artists out there whose work seems effortlessly created and each one appears to be a masterpiece. Maybe I don't know what it's really like for them. It's possible that they allow the world to see only their very best. Well, I guess I'm just willing to admit that sometimes I fail. I actually fail a lot, especially when I'm trying something new, but as long as I don't give up, it's the only way I'll really learn and eventually get better. But still, what do I do with the tiny painting that took me three hours to complete. It hurts me to just throw it away...I just can't do it (but I don't want it). I've learned in the past that just because I don't like something, it doesn't mean someone else won't. I've also learned that just because I'm exceptionally pleased with one of my paintings, it doesn't mean that others will feel the same way. Art truly is subjective. So eventually I'll be listing this ACEO, whether I like it or not.

May 3, 2009

Just thought I'd add some pictures from our outing last Sunday. We were sick of sitting around the house so decided to go to Pea Ridge and visit the national military park up there.

A fence.

Another fence.

More fence.

One of the many cannons on the property.

More fence. Yes, there was lots of fencing but as you can see by all my pictures, I was quite enamored by it.

I believe this was a tavern. It's not original, it was rebuilt at some point.

A moss covered stone bench.

One last picture of yet another fence.