hard at work

114 days to go.

Here's a glimpse of the chaos in my studio. Just keeping my head down and trying to get at least 22 pieces completed before my deadline. As of this week, I'm also keeping my eyes and ears peeled for venues to exhibit at in Doha.

Online

I've finished what I can with the website , and now I must sleep. I'll fine tune more tomorrow, but I'm pretty happy with it. I hope you enjoy you looking at my work. Cheers!

Numbers

• 22 - That's how many canvasses I have on the go.
• 4 are paintings I have on easels while I wait for things to dry.
• 5 are the months I have left until my next art exhibition.
  
• And 2 are the blogs that I've decided to start and re-start to motivate and inspire me.

This blog is just a glimpse at what's going on in the studio with my work. The other one's a jump farther into the rabbit hole where I want to force myself to complete one thing artistically everyday in any medium. They've both started off the same, but today is where that changes.

the truth

"Al Jamal" (a.k.a. "The Sassy Camel") - acrylic on canvas, © 2008; SOLD

Wow. What was I saying about that momentum? I fell into a painting blackhole grasping for ideas and came out gasping with only 3 new pieces to show for all of 2008. I was blessed enough to have a small exhibition (see photos)with my friend and fellow-painter, Basma Kavanagh.

In truth, I was happily engrossed and fulfilled and absolutely busy with other things. I had my first baby on August 13th, 2008. And between learning, reading about and trying to figure out this motherhood thing, entertaining out-of-town family for months at a time...and wonderful, yet hectic extended vacations of our own, I've only started working again this past September.

And I do mean really, really working. I had tried to prepare myself for the idea that I may not have time or energy to paint once my daughter was born. But found out that in reality, for me, the hormones that helped me feel "happily engrossed and fulfilled" were not enough.

It's so obvious in retrospect, but 'not painting' is not an option. It just took me longer than it should have to figure that out...