I went on a downward spiral for awhile there, which resulted in me being reclusive, not getting out much - and not working on anything creative. No art, no photos, no writing - apart from academic writing. Strangely enough, getting a tailoring license in Achaea and the gardens I've been constructing on my estate there kicked my butt a little in that direction, so *some* of the writing groove is back. I'm going to try and finish Earth and Root within this week.

I seem to have forgotten very important lessons I've learnt all my life.

Art is necessary, Art is also Therapy. Art is Hearts' Ease.

It's not just something you do. It's not about posturing although some may think all artists are poseurs. Art is what you are. It is necessary.

(Georgia O'Keefe, she says, "Art is a wicked thing. It is what we are." - I paraphrase, half-awake.)

And not creating or allowing your creative energy to be siphoned out of you is the worst thing you can do to yourself when Art is What You Are.

There are many kinds of deaths one can experience within a single lifetime.

Hmm, just pondering aloud, I guess. I should be in bed. I'm going to force myself out again tomorrow.

I think there was a break of about two-three weeks between the time I finished Remover of Obstacles till today. Hmm. Anyway, I forced myself to start a new painting and not get frozen thanks to all the nice remarks people have been giving me. This is the first time in my life (Well, barring the fact that I once did a medieval digital graphic set and an animated dragon as a "baked goods" commission for a friend; she "paid" me with books, I'm so easy like that!) that people are coveting my art and asking for it. It's quite gratifying but no, for now, I don't think I'm ready to put a pricetag on my work. I'm still learning, exploring, trying to improve and I don't want to put a pricetag or a deadline on that. But, it does make me happy that people _WANT_ my work.

I've made art for others before. A piece I did for my aunt back when I was 19 is still hanging from her wall in her house.

On Monday, I sent Remover of Obstacles as a gift to someone because it seemed the painting was for her as much as it was for me. So, that ended Promises to Keep. For now. No outstanding debts

I do not know what my next work in that loose "series" is going to be. Well, I have a rough, vague inkling but it's just an inkling.

My current WIP is Earth and Root. I've done the preliminary sketch.

I'll probably do the first wash tomorrow evening, if I'm not too tired from my plans for tomorrow

I've been a very good girl, lately - going to the uni everyday to study and do research. Having adventures in both the uni library and the city's public library. (I gush and go all nerdy over libraries in Growing Fins, if any of you are even vaguely interested in such things.)


So, in short: life is good, I'm good. Art is in progress, I'm studying, and gosh - music! And theatre!!

Well, I actually did finish the WIP, which is now called Postdiluvian Liberation. I am currently working on the Remover of Obstacles which is part of my Promises to Keep series. As mentioned in the scraps entry, I will probably re-do Yemaya as well. Or rather, do a watercolor version of Yemaya, perhaps, show another aspect of her.

I'm really loving the watercolor set I bought; while it was the most reasonably priced in the shop, it's still far more, vibrant in color than any of the paints I had back home. Well, it's more expensive too. I can't wait to get better, also to afford/get the Winsor and Newton when I am better. This is so exciting, really.

But, I have a new assignment for myself. My figure drawing and 3d stuff really sucks, so I'm going to try to do more traditional studies. Stuff I would have been too bored to do when I was younger. Wish I had models though. Meh. I wonder if I can drag some kid off the street and ask them to sit still for me? *grin*

Nah, just kidding. I don't want people to think I'm even more crazy than I already am

And none finished. Just started another today - Antediluvian, which is in scraps.

Got my watercolors. A modest 18 watercolour set (Eraldo di Paolo). I really wanted the Winsor & Newton paints but the price was painful. So, I'm leaving it as a reward for myself sometime in the (hopefully not too distant) future when I actually get good, or better or something. Or actually finish stuff!

The arts supply shop I visited was the HUGEST I've ever visited, rather bewildering at first but then I got drunk on paints, brushes and different papers available. And a great number of other arts and crafts related things which have my fingers twitching. But I made myself stick to the relevant purchases: 1 modest watercolour set, 1 modest oval palette, and a small tube of silver glitter for special effects

Ps: For those unaware, photography related to my adventures in Brisbane can be found here.

Brought my brushes over, but neither paper, nor watercolors. Now I get to figure out where in Brisbane I can get art supplies. I have a feeling that will be somewhere in the heart of the city, but everytime I'm there I seem to be rushing around, looking for a bus-stop so I can get safely back to my suburb.

Which is a pity, because I am dying to paint. Flowers in bloom here; it is spring.

In other news, I have, with grim determination, quit IRC. I am quite sure this time it will last. Conversely, I am back in Achaea. But not often, just for a peek or two. No time or inclination for anything else