Weekly Round Up

Oh hello there,

You've found me slowly sipping an incredible cup of hot tea; it's a chai apple cinnamon concoction with a heaping spoon of organic unfiltered honey and it's reminding me of my goal to find a quiet moment of pure bliss every single day. 

Here are some of the positives of the past few days:

1. Package Delivery: My art supplies arrived! In April I'm participating in a contemporary portraiture workshop/seminar hosted by artist, Benny Sanders. These are a few items I needed to pick up before the exciting day!

I have to say, I'm very eager for this workshop, but also a little anxious. I know it's important for me to practice my skills and network with other local artists, but I'm more competitive than is good for me. I don't want to be the worst one there. I'm not saying I need to be the best artist in the world (art is so subjective, there is no such thing as "the best"). I just don't want to be a laughable novice. 

I hope the other artists don't think, "Look at that bozo! She doesn't even know how to mix her colors appropriately. I can't believe she's using that idiot method. She'll never make it in the BIG BAD ART WORLD."

I'm overreacting; I know. The workshop is April 8th. I'll update you on whether or not I fit in once I go. 

This looks like a fake smile. So I guess I'm not perfect.

2. I made some serious progress on my girls painting and I'm hoping to make even more progress this weekend as I drink gallons of stimulating black coffee. 

I do have a few things to say about my work on this painting. Firstly, I know I'm taking a long time on this one. Secondly, I don't care anymore. I often feel a lot of pressure to be cranking out works quickly, and there is good reason for it. Even just from a financial standpoint, it only makes sense to be constantly churning out quality work...more to sell, more to show. With this piece however, I've decided to be okay with taking my time.

It's like reading a detailed lengthy novel or savoring a delicious Cabernet, one shouldn't plow through it as quickly as as possible but instead experience it. Certainly there is more work I need to be pumping out, but this painting is both a learning exercise as well as something to be perfected and truly enjoyed. 

I've found that when I'm painting it under pressure, I don't enjoy it and worse, I don't make the changes I need to make. I'm too focused on the finished product that I can't see what's right in front of me. That's life though, isn't it? 

Perhaps with more practice on this size and kind of painting it will get easier and quicker, but right now, I'm going to let the painting speak to me however it wants; I'm going to enjoy the ride. 

Outside of my art life theres my physical life, and that physical life has been tired. I've been so exhausted I wouldn't be surprised to find out I was sleep walking this whole time. Of course that would be a disappointment, because if I were dreaming all week, I'd have liked to have run into Ryan Gosling, or Ryan Reynolds, any of the "Ryans" really. I digress.

I've been combating my exhaustion with hot tea (detox tea), homemade chicken soup, water, and rest. I've found that sometimes treating your body like you would if you were sick, might make you feel even better than before.

This was some amazing chicken soup.

​I will occasionally make my detox tea if I'm coming off of a weekend of poor eating choices, or if I just want to clear my system. Want the recipe I use? Okay:

• Hot Water
• Lemon Juice (Fresh is best, but I use bottled usually b/c I'm cheap).
• Apple Cider Vinegar (This is the most important part. Use at least 1 TBSP)
• Organic Unfiltered Honey (I do not cheap out on honey. Fake honey is the worst. It is important to have about a tbsp of honey to sweeten up the drink and take the edge off of the vinegar)
• Fresh Ginger (Only if you have it, it's awesome if you have nausea, and it just adds to the spice).
• Whisky, if you're feeling a little frisky.

The only Items that are absolutely essential are the water, honey, and apple cider vinegar. This mix will help you poop and make you feel fantastic. I promise. 

And with that, I'll leave you for now. Please enjoy this lovely photo of my downtown neighborhood 

Yours, 

Angela