Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Spring! And...the cure for what ails me



Spring has finally sprung here in the north country. The leaves are sprouting, little flowers are bursting forth, and of course I have a fabulous crop of dandelions in my back yard. (Note to self: mow the lawn!)

As for the painting...well...unfinished pieces litter my studio/living room, unattempted ideas float around in my head...and my brushes sit idle...poor things.

But I think I have found the solution. You ever have one of those jobs that just sucks the life out of you, but it is such a well paying job that you feel that leaving would be a really stupid idea? Well, I have one of those jobs. I'm a graphic artist at the local newspaper. It used to be a great job, but...new owners, new management, and it all went out the window. My job pays really well, plus has paid sick days, paid holidays, great benifit package, very secure...all the perks. And so...
I start my new job tomorrow.
http://www.peacephotographics.com
Check it out! Don Pettit and Kit Fast are the local photo geniuses in town. The other woman who works there is also an artist, and a really great and fun person. I will get to learn an entirely new graphics program - InDesign - and learn photography, and work on computers that were actually made in this decade, and all kinds of other wonderful things!
The pay starts at quite a bit less than I made at the newspaper, but I figure the lack of stress, learning new things, and working with great people will more than make up for that. (I hope my landlord feels the same way LMFAO!) PLUS! I will get to make art prints and cards for the cost of paper and ink!

And so...onward and upward. Here's hoping I have a lot more creative energy to put into my art, now that my stress load has lessened greatly.

Here are a couple of the unfinished paintings I have staring at me at the moment. The pears and plums are okay, but the plums are already overworked, and they aren't even done yet.
And the trail of petals...well, I'm sure I had a plan for it...but I seem to have forgotten what it was.

Pears and Plums unfinished watercolor 15x20"


Trail of Broken Hearts unfinished watercolor 12x31"

So that's what I've been doin' these days. Far too much fretting, and not nearly enough painting!

Drop me a line...kinda lonely up here...

9 comments:

Angela Fehr said...

Talk about a dream job! Enjoy it, Tracy! I learned so much at Community Printers that I use in my art marketing, and Peace Photographics would be much better!

I'm wondering if you worked with my Aunt Zola when she was with the paper? She was always a creative inspiration to me.

You've really done a great job of the cloth in the pears and plums painting - and the reflections on the fruit really make them sparkle!

RH Carpenter said...

Good luck with your new endeavor, Tracy! I've missed your paintings and your posting.

Nava said...

Ahhh - very cool!! Smart decision, I say. And - looks like it got you back to painting. So far, so good.

About said...

Hi Angela - Thanks! It is a pretty cool job. I'm a lucky girl.
I did work with Zola when I first started at the paper - she is fondly remembered and missed by all who worked with her.

Hi Rhonda - Thanks so much. I think I'll have much more creative energy now!

Hey Nava - Yeah, I think I made a good choice. Hope your creative muse comes home to roost soon too!

Sandy Maudlin said...

How I admire you...holding onto a great dream and taking a big risk! You are doing the right thing for your mental health, too. Have a blast!

Clive said...

Best of luck with the new job; sounds right for you. Good to see a post again, finished or not, good starts.

Joan said...

It was so good to see something new posted on your blog, and then to see your super news made me smile. It sounds like a fantastic job!!! Good for you! It's such a downer when the job stresses you out. This should lift your spirits immensely!!!

Nick said...

I'd be concerned about the pears "kissing" - maybe some overlap there would be good if you go for V.2. The broken heart trail is an intriguing idea, and I'm wondering if some overlap in a few places might be good there too....and maybe a line somewhere?

About said...

Thanks Sandy - Yes, it was a big risk...but what a wonderful risk it is turning out to be! Life is good.

Thanks Clive - So far the job fits like a glove!

Thanks Joan - Yes, the spirits are immensely lifted! And the muses have returned...stay tuned!

Thanks Nick - It's funny how something that looks kinda neat doesn't always translate to painting - the kissing was the thing I liked, but it doesn't really work, does it? Still working on the petals...