I decided to help myself by organizing my runaway ideas into loose notes. I made myself a lightbulb sketch above (feel free to download and use for your personal organization) – I printed it out 6 on a page to make little notecards.  Of course, you can just use scraps to collect little sketches or words bubbling inside of you. I’ve put mine in a goodie jar to draw from at a later date. I feel that these types of ideas can often get lost in a big journal or lists, that’s why the loose leaf method is nice. I can save all of them in one place, but pick at random when I’m ready. I also have really crazy ideas at times, so it’s not like planning a painting in my journal.  They are things to experiment or one day think more about. I just don’t want to lose or forget about the idea completely and I don’t want to dismiss it just because others might think I’m joking…maybe… Happy Spring Cleaning!

I have one more note to finish up and that would make ten prints in this series. I do get obsessive compulsive at times with round numbers You can see the prints in my Flickr set as well. So, lately I’ve been in one of those slumps and I suppose that contributes to why I chose to do this particular note to myself. I am feeling disorganized and it’s really impeding my creative flow.  Looks like it’s really time for Spring cleaning!

You can visit Gnagy’s webpage and check out more broadcasts from the past.  Pretty darn cool, the way he talks and presents the lesson. So encouraging and reminds me of Bob Ross and watching shows geared for children as well.  They are always so nice and I’m a sucker for the old fashioned anyway. Things can be presented in a simple and charming way – that’s the best. Hope it provides you with a bit of inspiration today.

You can also see some of my Spoonflower printed fabric swatches above as I’m still trying to figure out colors and just ordered a color palette swatch to help out.  I realized after ordering that I probably need to order color swatches on all fabric types.  Don’t think I can invest in that right now, but we’ll see. Until next time…

My first experiment was setting up my big cartel shop with the cute kitchen prints you see above.  I can only list 5 products with a free account, so I suppose it’s not a long term solution.  However, I did want to try it and it is certainly very simple to add products and set up shop.  Creating these graphic art prints sort of replaced last weeks notes to myself art print, but I did get to illustrating one this week – Smile!

Again, due to listing costs I won’t be listing these prints into my Etsy shop anymore…will have to figure out a way to share them somewhere.  Although it’s nice to be part of the Etsy community, there are so many shops it doesn’t seem like listing there helps you to be seen really…you have to get people there no matter what.  In which case, isn’t it better to just list items in your website and have a Paypal button?  I wonder…

In other musings, I also created a new digital stamp set of owls and gave them funny names like big mister, chubby and wiseguy… I liked them so much, I had to use them for a repeating pattern.  Here’s a little peek of the pattern as I play around, but not done yet. What do you think?

All artwork copyright Mary Engelbreit

I hope her work can inspire you as it always does me…her artwork is especially happy inducing this gloomy Monday. By the way, if you would like to ask Mary a question regarding art licensing you can submit one here for a teleseminar happening March 17th.

When blogging I feel like I’m talking to friends and even that is comforting (whether folks are reading or not, I guess that’s not the point…tee hee!) I should say thank you to my lovely blog readers though, because this place has been one of learning and growth for me. I so appreciate the time folks take to comment and share their thoughts, providing encouragement and asking nothing in return.  *shucks* You guys and gals are just super and it’s another place where I can get support.

I got to thinking about how important it is to have a wide network of support.  This goes for everyone, not just artists or creative types that seem to go through more ups and downs in work life.  I read somewhere that knowing what to do is one thing, but knowing how to apply it to yourself is another.  Such a true statement and that’s why we need our family and friends to support us and get us through good and bad times. It’s funny how it’s easier to give advice and help others at times, than to help yourself. We are social animals after all, something about interaction just makes it all go more smoothly.  It’s motivation and accountability at times and I realize how important the community really is for me to have a balanced life. Digital friends are great, but real life ones are essential too…we can never replace those in person talks that help us get through difficult or doubtful times.  So this Friday I just want to encourage you to appreciate your network of support.  Give your loved ones an extra hug and feel happy and cozy in all that goodness.  Life is beautiful and there are caring people there, you just have to open your eyes and embrace. Ciao ciao!

The design you see is one of the kitchen prints I’m working on and adding to my tortagialla big cartel shop – a totally new experiment.  I am not sure where or how to sell my art work, but I’m all for trying out new ways and seeing what happens. I already have an Etsy shop, but wanted to try big cartel because there is a totally free, but limited option. I signed up in less than 5 minutes and just uploaded some kitchen prints.  We’ll see how it goes.  I do like the fact that they do not charge any commission per product, it’s a flat monthly rate if you want more features.  I wish they would add digital product delivery though…maybe one day…anyhoo.  Hope you enjoyed taking a peek into my digital-ish world today.  Ciao ciao!