Long Overdue

Much has changed since my last post.  I have two part-time jobs, which have cut drastically into my artmaking time and changed the rhythm of our family life.  And probably more life-changing is that I am 8 months pregnant.  I've redirected much of my creative energies to crafting in preparation for the new baby and the acquisition of an entire kitchen's worth of cupboard doors.  

Letter to Columbus - still in progress.

I was thinking today about the difference between crafting and artmaking.  Crafting is so useful.  It making usable things aesthetic.  I like it; it's therapeutic and makes me feel accomplished and that I am doing something good for my family.  But artmaking - it's something different.  It's creating meaning for yourself and other people; it can be creating a whole new world, or understanding, or outlook.  It has the power to change.   

So what art am I making?  I am still working on the Columbus painting; albeit very slowly. I'm layering, and waiting (partially because I don't want to use oils while pregnant and partially because I want room to do some other things in my art/craft area).  I'm also starting a series of paper cut outs.  I think they'll eventually go into a book form for my kids, but we'll see.  I want to work with colors and shapes and building up layers without the issues of oil paints.  And I'm contemplating pulling out the watercolors to start working on some postcards...

We will see.  

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