That Guy in the Art Supply Store

Wow.  I have been so neglectful of my poor blog!  The fact is, FaceBook is so much easier for me and I tend to post everything over there.  But sometimes you need a bit more than a "status update" to say what's on your mind.  Recently I was in the local art supply store and became engaged in a conversation with another artist and the guy who worked at the store (this was an actual art supply store...not Michaels or Hobby Lobby!).  The guy, who I shall call Ferdinand (Ferd for short, since I have no idea what his name was!), was talking about different products and their longevity.  I don't even know how I was drawn into the conversation, but at some point Ferd asked, "how do I know this paint will last for hundreds of years?".  I was astonished at that question.  I suddenly wondered, "oh, boy...I need to worry about my art being around for hundreds of years!!!!!".  I came home and mulled over everything.  The products I am using, my ideas, my own confidence in my art, the people who buy my art and their expectations, and then I had an epiphany: my art may not be around in 2113.  People may not know who I was or think my art was anything special. My work could go to the dump as bits of trash that the next generation just gets rid of.  2nd epiphany:  I don't care.  The reality is that I know I am never going to be a Van Gogh or a Picaso, and I am fine with that.  I make the work that I want to make and I live a wonderful, happy life making the odd creatures that I make.  I am beyond grateful that anyone else is interested, and that makes everything flow.  I feel that I am doing what I am meant to do and I am SO thrilled when others want the things that I make.  THANK YOU ALL.  That is precious to me.  I think we all may spend too much time trying to make art that we will see as pleasing or acceptable to others and not enough time pleasing ourselves.  The more you work at something, the better you get.  So begin by pleasing yourself.  If you are interested in owls, paint owls. Paint/sculpt/MAKE the things that you love.  The harder you work to that end, the more your work will please others.  If you made it to this sentence...you are in the lead!!!  LOL  Most people don't read this far! Hahaaa!  I appreciate you all so much.
A few things I have worked on this summer:

That's all I got to say about that...!  Hahahaaa (A little Forrest Gump reference!).  Thank you all for the constant encouragement, love, comments and support.  I appreciate you all so much.  xoxo  (P.S.  I will TRY to do better in the blog posting!).