I long so much to make beautiful things. But beautiful things require effort and disappointment and patience.
Every year when I pretend I am financially solvent upon receipt of my tax refund, I make a small re-investment in my own creative process. Something that will make my art grow into new areas. I hear my mother's voice saying "You work hard - you've got to live, too!" As today is the anniversary of her death, it is fitting to think about her attitude today. Thanks, Mom, you are so right. She used to be so happy when I bought an art book and said "It is something you will have forever, and you need to do things like this for yourself." She didn't do much for her self in her life, but imparted this idea to me.
Sometimes it is a course or workshop, sometimes some books, sometimes equipment. This year I have made the jump to invest in a digital fabric printing setup that will open up many new doors for me. I purchased an inexpensive Epson wide format fabric printer that uses pigment inks (more permanent and lightfast than dye inks) and a "CIS" -- continuous ink system, that allows for large pieces to be printed without the small printer's tanks running out mid-print. I haven't set it up yet, but am giddy at the thought of starting with a printed image and adding fabric, threads, beads (and more!) to it -- keeping the excitement alive and the journey to a creative end interesting. While the health piece is an uncontrollable piece of my creative puzzle, keeping the excitement alive is well within my control and I love it!
What will you make today?