ULLABENULLA

Being Prolific During an Artistic Drought...

 

I am often startled when friends call me 'prolific'. Lately I have been feeling deep in a hole of artistic drought with little water to feed me. So where do these observations come from? Recently a very artistic friend of mine Laurey Foulkes mentioned on Facebook, "The key is to keep at it, keep working, no matter what the results are...  Nurture those small efforts with a big heart like you would for a small child, giving her all your love and support." I thought this was such a lovely way of describing those days when nothing seems to feed us, but as artists we still NEED to do something. It's those little 'somethings' that can quickly add up to being 'prolific'.

I've certainly had periods where I could barely sleep because of being in an artistic full speed shower - but they are always followed by periods of prolonged drought.

Another wonderful artist and blogger Lisa Congdon has a post titled: On Doing The Work. In it she has three pieces of advice on making art for a living:  

    1) this could take awhile so get started now (ie: don’t wait!) 

    2) show up and do the work everyday

    3) be patient.  

She also writes, "Success and opportunity never come to those who sit back and wish things were different. They come to those who do stuff." I love this!  Simple, honest and true words of wisdom!

Working on my Moleskine Albums keeps me doing 'small efforts', and 'showing up to do some art work every day' even on those days I don't feel like it. Suddenly one day, it's filled and finished! It makes me feel as if the time flew by, despite it being months, and that I have something amazing to show for it! Suddenly it wasn't really a drought but instead I was slowly being prolific...

This particular album actually began a few years ago, with just the insects in the top photo.  I re-found it again this winter and decided to finish it. Now it resides with a dear friend of mine who recently became a grandmother - a book of nature to share with her first grandchild.

Margaux is having a Teaparty!

I am totally addicted to Moleskine Japanese Accordion Fold-Out Albums!  Currently I have four in progress.  Each one is a different theme.  This one is dedicated to dogs, and their crazy antics. For me its a little like collecting, you can draw a 'collection' of images and they all keep together in a rolling series...  

Shapeshifting and Looking for New Directions...

Shapeshifting, changing colors, moving media around, aiming for a different look. I miss blogging and want to be more faithful, find my community again...  

I turn 55 this year. A family year! I am a daughter taking care of my parents, a wife supporting my husband, and a mother guiding my own daughter, who will soon be leaving the nest. I long for routine, but cannot seem to find one. Days slip by, and I wonder where they went...  

My media of choice right now seems to be drawing, painting, and embroidery. I've found someone wonderful to draw with once a week - that keeps me going. I've taught some fun embroidery classes, that keeps me excited.

I still wish for escape, the ability to walk into a new story, a different world. My art helps me do this on a small scale. I close my eyes and imagine simplicity, tranquility and serenity...

Sketching on Porcelain...

After yesterdays post I realized that I also sketch on porcelain occasionally.  This little plate, started last winter - is an example of one of my more 'sketchy' porcelain pieces.  What is really interesting to me, is that my pencil sketches are usually drawn from nature (realistic) while my porcelain pieces are drawn from my imagination (fantasy).  Somehow I have given myself permission to 'play' when using a paintbrush, but not with a pencil - fascinating and enlightening!

 

Sketchbook Confession

Almost 30 years ago after graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Textile Design, I had it in my head that I needed an MFA too.  During a grueling interview at a prestigious art school (the name isn't important here) I was told "You cannot draw" by one of my interviewers.  I can still remember his face and condescending tone of voice.  I was so stunned and hurt.  Regardless of this man's opinion I was accepted into the school, but chose not to go - beginning my life then as a self-employed artist.  

I can remember loving to draw as a child, and certainly when I was getting my college degrees, I spent hours with pencil in hand, sketching whatever interested me at the time.  But that year, when I was told that I could not draw changed me. That one little sentence, told by a college mentor no less, robbed me of decades of pleasure spent sketching and drawing.  I didn't draw for nearly 20 years!  

As a teacher myself now, I look back to that day, and wonder what it was that made me stop drawing rather then trying to prove him wrong.  I may never know. But I do know that telling someone that they cannot draw, or paint, or create or whatever it is - can be a death blow - and just isn't the truth!  I have seen time and time again, that anyone can learn to be an artist!  Subjective opinions aside, whatever lines we create as individuals are important and matter to us!  

Today, I am at best a sporadic sketch booker.  But very recently I have become more inclined to pick up a pencil and draw. I feel compelled to prove this ghost wrong and discover what lies beneath my crumbled dreams. I have been drawing with my Mother when we visit together, and journaling when I feel the need to ideate or study something in detail.  Those horrible words, said so long ago, are nearly silent now.   

Images are from the last 10 years or so of occasional sketching.

 

Clara the Mouse dressed for Easter!

Clara loves eggs! Boiled, fried, or scrambled, not a day goes by without a bite of her favorite protein. But when she heard that on Easter Sunday almost all eggs served are chocolate, she nearly lost her whiskers in excitement! If there is one thing Clara loves more than eggs, it is chocolate eggs!
"Clara" by Ulla Milbrath and vintage easter boxes available at Castle in the Air.

Blessings...

Little Ruby Rae has found the perfect cozy nook to rest her weary bones.  Having just spent days upon days gathering nuts for her Mouseling friends - she may just sleep through the New Year - or until the Bluebirds sing!

(Ornament made for the annual Castle In The Air Christmas party - 2012)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Photo © Tue Nam Ton