Friday, August 26, 2011

Loving the Little Moments

I have been trying to spend some time "in the studio" each day this week, even just for a few minutes if I can. I feel so much better when I can actually work on something creative EACH day. Maybe just a page in my journal, a background, finishing up a canvas, working on some DIY project or craft (thank you Pinterest), painting with my little one...just something. Even for a short time, it is SO worth. I used to convince myself that if I couldn't sit down for long stretches of time, it wasn't worth it. I have learned that those little moments count. Every. single. one.

My creative time is a little "self love" or therapy for myself. I unwind, relax, dream...what I find is that sometimes I spend too much time "looking" at other people being creative. You know what I mean?  Anyone else feel that way? Don't get me wrong...I love reading blogs, watching technique videos on YouTube, and looking through Pinterest. But, all in moderation. I need to make sure that I am doing & not just observing all the creativity around me. :)


I painted this little girlie in about 10 minutes on a piece of chipboard. I have been painting lots of these little faceless girls with quotes & scriptures. I am really falling in love with them. It's funny...I always come back to art for children. I know I have mentioned that before. It is where I started (painting for my daughter's nursery & friends) and where I continually end up.


I have painted several small canvases too. I think they may make their into my poor little neglected Etsy shop. My poor little shop needs some TLC. :)

 All you need...
 So simple...but, so true. :)

I am going to link up to Paint Party Friday and Sneak Peek Friday at 

Before I go...thank you to sweet Diane from Diane Writes who mentioned me on her blog. I love reading about her, her family, her beautiful country & culture. It is amazing that through blogging our small corner of the world can somehow grow larger and our circle of friends broader. 
I feel very blessed! :)

XO,
Jen

37 comments:

  1. So adorable! Love your painting!

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  2. She is adorable. And good for you for taking the time to create. I still feel that way sometimes. That I need to have the time to finish the project before I even start. But luckily I paint in the way that needs drying time in between so it takes less time.:)

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  3. My art with my paper is art for kids too.

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  4. Hi Jen! Thanks for the mention too. :)

    This is another great creation and I just noticed that you really have the heart and talent for making those faceless girls. Even though they don't have faces you have the talent to make them look and feel beautiful and meaningful! Have a great weekend!

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  5. I think it makes such a difference in our life to take time for our passion no matter what it is. It makes us happy to do some of the other things that we're not to crazy about doing (like house cleaning :) And our happiness most definitely effects our family too--when we're happy--so are they!!

    These girls are brilliant--I can see a line of greeting cards in you Etsy shop.....

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  6. Hi Jen, thank you for the lovely comment you left. I love your faceless girlie...she's gorgeous. I've given up trying to do grown up art for now..it just doesn't come out the way I want...I always end up doing something more little girlie and fun and silly...my motto "A little fun and nonsense". have a good weekend... love your blog btw..

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  7. She's adorable...I can't believe you produced her in only 10 minutes! Thank you for sharing at Studio JRU!

    Anita
    amkreations.blogspot.com

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  8. Sweet! I do like your post...and I agree! Now I am going to sing "All You Need is Love" in my head all day...!

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  9. I love your painting and the quote is so true! Sometimes I get frustrated not having enough time to do creative things but lately I have been setting aside part of every Sunday for painting. At least my day job is enjoyable too. We don't get to invent new stuff but we get to make things. It just feels really good holding a soldering iron and the challenge of making pretty connections on teeeny weeeny little parts can be an art in itself.Happy PPF! Deb

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  10. I so know exactly what you mean about looking at others too much and not actually doing enough ha ha I get a lot out of it for sure but I also find that the computer(I don't know if it's the electric energy) saps my mojo my creativeness. I just feel drained and unable to create. So I totally know where your coming from. I love your faceless girlie and the quote to ;0) Dxx

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  11. oh what fun!!! love your painting...and I hope you will join us every Saturday on my blog for Sweet Saturdays.....

    Have a great weekend!!!

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  12. Really love this one!!! The message is so simple and true :)

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  13. Sometimes the best paintings are the ones we dash off in a few minutes. This is so sweet.

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  14. A great message and love the whimsical painting you have created to share! Happy PPF! POP ART MINIS

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  15. Love this... she is just precious! I have also been creating with little faceless girls lately. Love them! I totally understand what you said about making time to do and not just observe. There is so much inspiration out there, it can easily take away your time! :)

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  16. Adorable is right! Love your art work, love your art style, thanks, namaste, Carol ~ Happy PPF ^_^

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  17. Beautiful artwork and loving the theme. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  18. Hi Jen, I think it's working with the short creative bits of time, because I adore your little faceless girl. I love art for children too! Very sweet. Thanks for stopping by to visit me too and happy late PPF! :-)

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  19. Hello Jen,

    Coming to you from Sneak Peek Friday. Love your little girl, you are really good at this. I often wonder, why do we paint girls with no faces?? I do the same thing. Hmmmm......

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  20. Such a sweet piece. I really like it and it's not just for children, I think. I do know what you mean about spending more time observing and admiring than doing.

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  21. This is such a great post! I agree that the little moments are very important! Sometimes it's hard to find long stretches to create, so any time is good time :)

    xo
    Kristin

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  22. Definitely need a balance of looking and creating. The creating is the most rewarding but requires more input too.

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  23. Daer Sadie-I totally agree with you...every single moment creating counts! and when you have kids...you don't always have stretches of time to spend in the stdio. Hey!! I just love your shoebox idea! How super cool is that??? And your bird is adooooorable! I think that would be a good reason to buy shoes:) Oh! it must be super stressful getting kids back to school...all that shopping and prep! It exhausts me just thinking about it!
    love Pinterest too...addicting or what???

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  24. Hi Jen! beautiful artwork!! 10 minutes only? wow. she's adorable and I love the quote.
    xoxo

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  25. Oh your painting is adorable. You are very talented. Glad you are getting to spend at least a little time to be creative everyday. So important.

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  26. beautiful painting and writing is so true...

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  27. She is gorgeous.. love her.. great post and so true.. think I'll give it a try too.. doesn't seem like there's enough time.. or creativity these days.. thanks..
    xx

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  28. Jen, I love the little moments too! Thanks for the encouragement about making time for creativity everyday, even if it is only a few minutes. And thank you for your kind comment on my blog this weekend. :)

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  29. Wonderful theme and her being faceless really draws you in and makes you feel part of the work. Love your style. Happy PPF!

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  30. What a great painting! I totally know what you mean. It does something to our soul to sit and be creative and dream. I love it!

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  31. I am in LOVE with this painting! And I can totally relate to the whole spending wayyy to much time on blogs/pintrest and not enough time actually crafting...it makes me sad sometimes.... but I try to only do the blog stuff when i "want' to.... which is harder than i thought because I just love to stay in touch and be inspired by other wonderful bloggers---like you!! Sooo anyways, please please put your painting on etsy so I can buy it right up because I am IN LOVE!!!!! p.s I would SO love it if you would consider linking up to my party this week Thursday.... :o) it would make me super excited!
    -Jaime from Crafty Scrappy Happy

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  32. I am in LOVE with this painting! And I can totally relate to the whole spending wayyy to much time on blogs/pintrest and not enough time actually crafting...it makes me sad sometimes.... but I try to only do the blog stuff when i "want' to.... which is harder than i thought because I just love to stay in touch and be inspired by other wonderful bloggers---like you!! Sooo anyways, please please put your painting on etsy so I can buy it right up because I am IN LOVE!!!!! p.s I would SO love it if you would consider linking up to my party this week Thursday.... :o) it would make me super excited!
    -Jaime from Crafty Scrappy Happy

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  33. I love your painting! I can so relate to your post~ Lately, I do this look and I'm not creating. It is frustrating; I too like you, think I don't have the time. I am finding out
    small amounts really do add up~ Glad we are blurring the lines ;D

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  34. I'm totally with you on needing creative time and not just observing others being creative...ha! I feel so much happier playing with paint. :)
    Your little paintings are so neat!

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  35. I'm totally with you on needing creative time and not just observing others being creative...ha! I feel so much happier playing with paint. :)
    Your little paintings are so neat!

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  36. Thank you for all the wonderful comments!! XXOO

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  37. Oh she is so charming!I love the concept. Art for children is a special kind of art isn't it? It's one of my favorites and your style lends itself very well to an younger audience (all ages, really)!! have a great weekend!
    ~Scarlett

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