A Christmas Carol Isn't Just For Christmas

I know some people think the story of A Christmas Carol is a holiday themed story, and yes, I have to agree it is, in one sense- but in another sense, not so much.

You see, the other day I was pondering on what I wanted to work on next and it hit me- the main characters from the Charles Dickens tale of A Christmas Carol. Yes, it was May, and yes, it is 90 plus degress out, but I happen to love the version with Patrick Stewart in it, he made the best acting Scrooge I have ever watched! Anyway, as I enjoyed the movie, I found myself getting out my supplies and work away I did.

Christmas or not, the message of the novel and the movie has a strong year round lesson about life and how it should be approached- and I felt that though most think it as a Christmas themed tale, I happen to believe it is more of a life themed tale.

Oliver Twist and Charles Dickens

I am a fan of classic literature, (in case you haven't noticed!). I have slowly, but surely been working my way through reading all of Dickens great novels- including my most recent finished read, "Oliver Twist". I have to say thus far it has been one of my favorites!

I was so isnpired by the story, that I created a little Oliver Twist to add to my collection of finished works- so here is Oliver created from the sad little scene when Oliver walks up to the headmaster of the work home and feebly asks, "Please sir, may I have some more?" because he was still hungry.



Poor Oliver!

Creator's Block- We All Get It

If I go in my workroom and see all the fabrics stashed away, and the supplies I have collected- well, they seem to say "get in here and finish that Sheriff on Nottingham you wanted to do!" or "Isn't it about time you started crossing off one of those characters you have written down on your to-do list?" I really find myself at my most relaxed when I am sitting at my work table and finishing another project.



I have heard lots of other artists talk about "creator's block". Do I get that? You're darn tootin' I do! What do I do to get past it? That depends...I often will leave the work table and do something completely non related- like go out and pull weeds out of my flowers, or watch HGTV for a short bit, go for a walk, or -(one of my favorites) pull a book off my shelf and lose myself for while in a well written classic or bit of history. Sometimes I will even go as far as not to make a thing for a few days just to get away from the pressure of trying to make myself do what I think I should be doing.

I think the trick to keeping oneself from becoming too bogged down with always trying to be creative is to just let things be. If you don't feel like doing it, don't. Walk away a bit- however long you need to. Do something else for awhile, something fun, maybe even a bit out of the ordinary for you.

If ideas are your problem, then go look for them. Look through books or other places to get inspired,and keep an ideas notebook. I have a big binder that I have filled with pages of ideas and thoughts on projects I want to do. If I reach a blank, I reach for the notebook, and it jump starts my brain into getting busy.



What do YOU do when you reach that creative slump?

The Artist

It's quiet here in the house...really quiet. My dear husband has taken our teens for a morning outing, and I am not used to the silence. I thought about trying my hand at cart wheels or back flips, but, well... I am not sure if I did that I could reach the phone to call 911...ah well, just think I will enjoy the solitude and not try anything foolish!

Anyway, I will sit and work on some items and see how much I can get accomplished. I have my own little work area:



Here you can see me doing one of many steps to design my little friends. I enjoy each and every one- can't really complain that I dislike any of the process.I do have my favorite part though, and that would have to be the actual creating of the costumes they wear, and the painting of the faces. I have to often ponder to decide what mood I want the character to express, and that is fun for me!
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Here I am with just a few of the many characters I have completed, and I hope to get even more done this Mother's Day weekend.

Take care everyone and have a happy Mother's Day, too!

My Latest Projects

Well, I did it again, I went out to a nursery not once, not twice, but 3 times this week...I have a huge weakness for planting flowers. I purposely leave gaps in my flower beds just so I can change the look every spring with different annuals. (I almost enjoy flower planting as much as creating my art miniatures!)

I did find time today after planting to go to my work table and create a couple of new characters:

John Keats, the English Poet



Antonio Vivaldi, the famous violinist



I may get into such a working frenzy today that I may even create a third character!
(We'll just see how it goes though- I may have to go plant some more flowers!)