The wasted time we use to worry ....

Today I spent my last day of annual holiday, worrying! Worrying that when I am back at school tomorrow I will again put my own work aside to help my students. End result time getting away from me. But after seeing past my fear I understand that I must be disciplined and time sensitive this year. It is possible to do all I have scheduled for 2012, as long as I keep to a schedule for my own art training, my own writing and my own down time. The old saying of working smarter not harder is definitely going to be put through its paces this year. on that note ...  I have been looking at my past work and appreciating it a little more, I think to make us work more creatively we need to visit the past from time to time and remember its a journey.

Nana from my claymation 'A witch' all copyrights A.Simpson. 2006

bee drawings on facebook

I have posted the drawing of my remembered bee on the facebook page for morepork, come take a look.
Morepork Creative

A buzzing in my ear...

'On my way here today... I heard a buzzing in my ear, and spent some time investigating what it was.

There was a short reprieve from the rain and I went out into the garden with the 'pent up dogs' as we all needed some time out of the studio. What caught my eye and ear was this little fellow busy gathering as much pollen as he could before the rain came back. I got as close as I could to get the photos but they don't do him justice, he was wonderful to watch, and completely oblivious to me and the dogs (until one tried to eat him) not successfully, I may add. What I found so great about this little bee was he reminded me of a very cherished memory, in fact one of my earliest vivid memories of lying on my stomach, head in hands, watching a continues squadron of bumble bees going in and out of their hive. It was located under my newly married sisters house, and to get to it their front door was a broken ornate iron villa vent. I spent many hour there watching them even letting them land on my hand as they entered the vent. This is why the little bee was so special, he reminded me of the enduring love I feel for that sister and also the complete lack of fear I had at 10. I think I will call her later today ... and remember to be a little more like that 10 year old more often. happy creating.

It rains it pours... and I had an idea.

The rain has drenched our Christmas break, we just can't escape it, raining everyday from soft drizzle to heavy down-pours. Everyone is complaining and upset about losing their time off to the rain. But I have to say I have enjoyed the studio time without the guilt of not spending time outside. This year I have promised myself more time to work on my creative development and time just to explore my own creative voice. Many people told me how much they enjoyed the 12 New Zealand Christmas Fairies I did on the Facebook page and have asked for more, but I must admit I couldn't contemplate doing a painting a day and keeping up with all my work and just time for me. What I have decided to do is a new section called 'on my way here...'   and what I will do is document anything that feeds me creatively from my daily journeys. So 'on my way to work, meeting friends, helping students, being with family or just on my way to my life... I will pay attention to quirky nothings that make my life creative.
I will keep it documented with photos and 5min sketches.

It is always worth the time...

I find that understanding how other creative people approach their lives, can give me ideas on how to best utalise mine. After all I didn't come with a manual so its always worth the time to just observe creative ideas and consider.


http://gu.com/p/34dbp

Don't expect the perfection ...

This is a trial run to see if people can find this blog easier than the previous Tumbler link.

So my message today is don't expect perfection then you are happy once it looks shinny and you can always improve what you are doing and striving for. But if you expect perfection you are never happy during the creative process and I have found perfection as elusive as a Moa. After all it's never perfect you will always want to add to what you are doing or change it next time. So no I don't suggest you just give up and not want to strive for excellence, I suggest you see the shinny excellence in every wonderful step you take. Here is to a fantastic shinny new year.