Art Angels

wow, just when i think, "i give up! i can't do this artist/mom thing anymore--one of us has got to go!" art angels come to my rescue. whether in the form of kind and encouraging words from fellow mom/artists or sweet handmade artmail gifts (see above! thank you, catherine!!), the timing couldn't have been more perfect. and the message is clear: i am a mom and an artist and i cannot separate one from the other. and there will be a time when i can spend endless hours in the studio, but that time isn't now. now is the time to enjoy watching my children grow and enjoy and savor the best moments and saving them to memory so i can get through the rough spots. and if i have a few minutes here and there, i can sew a few pages in an art journal or jot some ideas down in an idea book to save for a future me (again, thank you, catherine!) ;)

or make some pretty post-it note mail labels (ala julie of the adventures of bluegirlxo)

or if i'm just in a rut and feeling kind of blue, i can make a treasury on Etsy (my first one! they're hard to get. if you don't want to stalk the treasury and wait for a spot to open up, you can always make a practice one here)

art will always be here. but these days of chubby toes and giggles and first steps will be gone in a blink of an eye. i will always have time for art but i won't always have these little bitty babies (my oldest are already in high school and my middle child, my first baby, is in second grade going on middle school!).

a little triumph tonite: sureya went to bed at 9 without much fuss! let's see how long she stays asleep (knock on wood!) here's to relaxing art-filled evenings and babies who sleep through the night! (10:17pm...i hear some crying, i spoke too soon!..maybe she'll just go back to sleep? ah, the joys of motherhood! can't a mom just be done at the end of the day and "clock out" like everyone else?)

i know, she'll be all grown up before i know it. and some days, i feel like it couldn't come sooner! here's to another long night. but i know there's light at the end of the tunnel. and a little baby that needs her mama right now.

LOVE is in the air

I don't know what to write these days...I barely have time to think let alone write a coherent blog entry. ;) So I will let the photos do the talking.


I've been busy with the little one. She's crawling like a pro now and just started pulling up to a standing position--even letting go and standing for a few seconds (!). She will be walking soon for sure. And she's only 8 months old! We are baby-proofing on the fly as her abilities increase. So besides baby stuff, I've had art on my mind a lot lately. I'm always dreaming of all the things I could be making and doing and sometimes I even find the energy and the time (both at the same time, even!) to start or finish projects.

My "Remains of the Day" journal with Mary Ann Moss

I have been taking a few online art courses. Perfect for moms of wee ones who can sometimes only find a few minutes in the middle of the night or between naps to piece together a few things. I love the online courses because I can start them and stop them whenever I want and I can watch the videos over and over and over until I really GET IT (because my brain is pretty much mush these days with only 2-3 hour chunks of sleep!).


I participated in a mini book swap hosted by the ever-so-talented and inspirational Julie Collings. I have just recently discovered her blog and I must say that I love every post! Not to mention her very lovely Etsy shop. (I also dream of attending an Art Nest retreat some day.)


I also have a Valentine post card swap to finish up that my art sister Carol is hosting. I'm hoping to make it to our next meeting which is on Valentine's Day! But my mom will be in town that weekend (hopefully!) so I might have to wait until next month to meet with my lovely and talented Bay Area Art Sisters.


I should get some sleep! Baby is sleeping--actually, everyone in the house is asleep right now. My most treasured time of the day. But the longer I stay awake, the more I will be miserable in the morning!


And regarding the art vs baby thing...I've decided not to sweat it that I don't have as much time for art these days. Sureya and Maya are growing so fast--TOO fast. I will always have time for art when I'm old and my children are grown. I want to enjoy my time with my kids and really soak up the goodness of this time. Looking back, I don't think I'll regret not making more art or taking more classes.


But I know I will be sad if I feel I've missed out on the little things: walks to the park, playing "Go Fish" with Maya, Mommy & Me sing-alongs at the library...you know that kind of stuff. But I will continue to scribble here and there in my art journal or help Maya make cute little valentines for her class. Gotta find that right balance. And right now it feels good to let go of the art part--not worry so much about it, at least--and just be happy with the little things in life.