|  | | “First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you're inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won't. Habit is persistence in practice.” - Octavia Butler |
| |  | Untitled WIP (What should I name this one? Don’t say “Painty McPaintface.”) |
| | | Inspiration is a warm and lovely little spark. It’s enough to get us started, but it’s not enough to get us through. I think people often categorize the arts separately from other skill sets, but the terribly unromantic truth is, even if we love it, it is often still labor.
Someone recently complimented me by referring to me as “effortlessly talented” and I accept that it came from a place of sincere kindness, but I have to say I really dislike that mindset and phrasing.
It ignores the struggle and overlooks the skill.
I don’t do what I do because it’s easy. I do it because I feel compelled to, because I love art, and because creativity is really important to me.
We would never look at a strong, successful athlete and call what they do '“effortless”. A great deal of training, practice, and discipline is required.
The good news is (because most people are not born effortlessly talented) skills can be learned, and if it is truly important to you, I believe with time and practice you can do or make pretty much whatever! It certainly won’t be effortless (and the inspiration may wear off), but isn’t that what makes it all the more valuable?
When I wrote and illustrated a children’s book years ago, and when I completed my recent collection of oil paintings, I really felt (with both big projects) that I was attempting to climb an insurmountable wall. Habit is what got me over that wall.
Surely all the swearing and crying proves it’s not effortless. |
| |  | The Night Garden (Procreate, 11x14 Print) |
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The Night Garden
Oh little night garden Away from the heat All prickly and glowy The day can’t compete
The dead come alive And take on new form And stranglings feel welcome That isn’t the norm
The darkness inviting Is really a treat I think a night garden Would be very sweet
🖤 - dolly
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| | | Because I have focused so much this year on show preparations, I have had to neglect other aspects of my business. Now I am trying to catch up. I offer products through Etsy, Faire, local shops, and markets and I have been unable to really supply buyers with new merch in quite some time. I’m having fun focusing on that right now.
Fall is (hopefully) around the corner, and thus starts my busiest two seasons. I’m trying to get ahead by creating some cute spooky things. I had so much fun drawing the illustration above which I plan to turn into a print. It’s a busy composition, and I wanted it to feel like a garden bursting with sweet little details. I put a lot of thought into what to include and how to balance all the elements and colors. I also enjoyed deciding which plants, fungi, and critters I wanted to add and managed to cram a bunch of favorites in there. (When you’re the boss, you can do what you want!)
Creating pieces like this is a bit like solving lots of little puzzles. How do I add highlights to eyes without eyeballs? How can I create the illusion of an ear and headband on a skull? Can I fit in more plants if the pumpkins grow up instead of out? Should I give the bat a bellybutton? Obviously, yes.
Do you have a favorite little detail? |
|  | | It may feel like a huge contrast to view my fine art one minute and my cutesy illustrations the next, but if you’ve observed my work, you’ll probably notice there are often similar themes, elements, or palettes regardless of medium or style.
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| |  | | | My show opening happened!
While the year leading up to it was challenging, I tried to consistently work on myself while I was working on my art. (Sometimes that makes things easier and sometimes it makes it harder! Ugh!)
I typically struggle so much with social anxiety and self criticism that I was really dreading my show as it got closer. That being said, when the time actually came, it was completely bizarre to realize in real time that much of the work I’ve done to heal has somehow actually taken root. During the event, I noticed myself being able to feel completely present, actually genuinely wanting to hug people, not worrying about things out of my control, not feeling like I needed to be rescued, not feeling like I needed to hide, letting go of expectations, not needing to over explain myself or my work, not needed to apologize for myself, not taking other people’s behavior personally, not going home and beating myself up over things I said or did, not looking at photos later and mercilessly picking myself and my work apart. A year ago I would not have been able to do that.
I’m sure I’ll have other shows and I’m sure my work will improve, but I’m not sure I’ll ever have another show where the body of work was so synchronized with mine. It was a strangely beautiful experience. (Yes, I was sober, haha.)
I think my therapist is pretty dang proud of me. I know I am. |
| | |  | While I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, I don’t think for one second I could do it all alone. I am no rock or island. ( Although I try to be sometimes!) I’m so grateful to my little family, friends, and community for cheering me on, supporting me, and showing up for me.
Sometimes art is more than self expression. It is a form of communication and communion. Even if we do it for ourselves, even if it’s personal, sometimes meaning expands when we let other people in on the conversation. It’s a language. Some people won’t understand it, but the right people will respond to it. |
|  | If you haven’t had a chance to view the show yet, In Her Nature will be on display in the gallery and online at Libertytown Arts Workshop until the end of August. |
| | | Last month I really enjoyed interviewing two of my models (from the show), and this month we get to hear from the other two. Both of these women didn’t see their portraits until the show and it was so lovely to see and hear their responses. |
|  | Becky (Born Again)
Q: What’s something you want people to know about you? A: When I’m not busy doing fun things like having stem cell transplants and going to chemotherapy, I love to run, walk and hike. Being outside keeps my spirits lifted. It’s pretty much as essential as oxygen for me.
Q: What’s something you love about yourself, inside and outside? A: Inside- my resilience. I was soft and sensitive for a long time. I’ve been through a lot that’s left me a lot stronger. I’m still soft and sensitive, I just channel those feelings differently now. Outside- my hair right now. It’s been growing back curly since I lost it after chemo, and I’ve finally started seeing some gray!
Q: What was it like posing for me? A: Comfortable, like we were just hanging out, but I was nervous too. I knew I was about to be part of something big and beautiful. It truly has been an honor, and I’m humbled to be placed among women I know to be strong and amazing.
Q: How did seeing your portrait make you feel? A: Amazed. I couldn’t believe how well you’d been able to portray my journey through a painting, and how you made that version of me into a stunning work of art. Your style of art has always appealed to me, so it was interesting to see myself painted with that style. I also felt as though i was looking at a past version of myself that doesn’t exist anymore. I’m glad she gets to live on this way.
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|  | Megan (Attachment Theory)
Q: What’s something you want people to know about you? A: I’d like people to know that I’m someone who is continually asking myself what it is I’d meaningfully like to put my time and energy towards to make the world a little brighter. I say this because I think it’s easy to feel alone and overwhelmed in feelings of confusion or aimlessness about the future and, hopefully, this can be a gentle reminder (for the reader and myself!) that not always knowing where you’re going is a healthy, natural part of life.
Q: What’s something you love about yourself, inside and outside? A: I love that I am someone who aims to be the friend and the good I wish to see in the world. I love being someone that breaks down social barriers just by how I choose to show up - I have passion for fashion, art, and self-expression, and in these ways I hope to show others that I’m a warm, joyful, and accepting person.
Q: What was it like posing for me? A: It was great fun! I had never posed for anyone, so suffice to say I was a bit nervous. Thankfully, Dolly was reassuring through every part of the process. I was especially grateful she wanted me to be comfortable and just as pleased about the outcome as she was!
Q: How did seeing your portrait make you feel? A: It’s hard to put into words - when I first saw the portrait I just kept repeating, “what an honor!”. I felt beautiful, and I felt seen. It’s a true delight to be painted, especially by an artist I’ve admired for years now. Truly, I’m overjoyed. Thank you, Dolly!
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| Thank you again to the lovely women who participated! Thank you for trusting me. I am so lucky to know you. (Photos: Aaron Spicer) |
| | Current Amusements
Listening Gallery Daze
Tunes chosen more for feel than lyrics. I originally curated this list to play at my show opening. I think if I was wandering around an art museum alone on a rainy day, this might be what I’d want in my ear.
Reading Parable of the Sower, Octavia Butler
I’m enjoying this one so much, although I’m reading it slowly. A part of me regrets not picking it up sooner, but at the same time it’s the perfect story for right now. While written in 1993, this dystopian sc-fi parable begins in the year 2024, and tackles some difficult, thought-provoking, and timely topics. I am often not a fan of reading this genre, but this book has been an impressive and delightful exception.
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| | |  | Dexter reminding you to stop and smell the roses, or whatever you have on hand. |
| | I always love hearing from old friends, and new friends, and friends I’ve had for a moderate amount of time! If you enjoyed this email, please reach out or share it with someone you like.
Work in progress, always, dolly
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