DOC-U-MENTING

THEME: ARTISTIC DIRECTION

Recent journal work, reflecting on the theme of reinventing my artistic direction:



I want to concentrate on elements of collage that blend nicely,
creating an infusion of reality and dreams as well as creating simple,
delicate pieces that evoke a moment, or temporary emotion that
lingers within it's bare page.

I want to try new mediums and techniques, adding less, subtracting more,
aiming to find a focus with tools and methods, creating madness
from the methods that become trial and error, but mostly, to not
be afraid to try something different.



What is nice is that some of my friends have asked me to make custom pieces
for them. My goal is to achieve their desired creation while adding my own
artistic touch that sets it apart, yet that still relates in some way, to the
work that I already do and will begin to create.

Brainstorming, brainstorming!
Check The Little Fawn for new work!

;mj

DAILY DISCOVERIES

Here I have a small selection of photos from the past few weeks.
Always of such typical things such as food, animals, and nature.

It makes the most sense I suppose, as these are the things that
fuel and capture me, causing me to pause and consume.
What do you find yourself constantly capturing?

The Daily Discovery Set has been properly updated as well :)

xxo; mj

BACK & BETTER THAN EVER! (mostly)

      Phew, it's about time! I cannot believe that for more than two weeks I was unable to find the strength and even desire to create, write, and work on my websites. These things make me oh so happy, but when you're as sick as I was (influenza + bronchitis) it takes quite awhile to get back into the swing of things. I'd say I'm about 80% better now. All I have left is the junk congestion from bronchitis and the occasional fatigue and fever. But finally, I have enough strength to get out of bed and back to work and school and a social life and my passions: creating! I do have to admit that I am a bit behind though. Remember how I talked about my super plans for a huge theme of reinvention? Well I haven't forgotten about it and in fact I still have more I want to do for the first part of the theme: artistic direction! So I have decided to forgive my absences and just continue on with the theme.  I can't decide if I will make it last till Weds or just carry it on and start the next one on the following Monday. We shall see. I hate to put limits on myself and tend to just let my work dictate my directions. I do have much to share with you though. Even some daily discovery which I plan on getting back into the habit of.
       I plan on devoting much of my time this week to my projects and work as my "day job" didn't give me many hours and I have no class this week. Getting sick like that was completely inconvenient and the absolute worst timing for me. I had to miss three days out of my job, and since they are a retail job from hell, they required that I have a doctor's note in order to avoid being "written up." So, since I ended up so sick, I had to resort to the doctors (I have no health insurance, so it was cheaper to call out of work than it was to actually be seen emergency by my doc) and I go back to work and give them my note, still sick mind you. Well, I guess a note wasn't good enough because I still got a "verbal warning" and am now on three months probation, meaning I cannot call out once in the next three months unless I have a doctor's note. That's just fantastic as winter is nearing it's approach. Oh and if I dare get in a car accident? Eeesh. I hate that place. There, I'm not afraid to say it! For those of you who don't know, I work at Old Navy hell. I do the shipment and merchandising and go in at 7 or 6 am during the week. I really hate big companies like them, but I need a dependable paycheck, ya know? I don't mind the job most of the time because I hardly deal with customers and they are flexible with school. But seriously, this probation thing is crap I say.
       And to top it off, I had to miss my poetry class a couple of times and my professor advised me to drop the course as it would be impossible for me to pass now because apparently they have a new absence limit on the major and she wouldn't accept my doctor's note, or meet up with me another day to catch up, or even give me an extra paper to write to get caught up. I felt like I was at such a loss! I didn't choose to get sick. I had to miss work and school, I mean, I was coughing up blood! Oh tis life, right? Not only all that, but it cost me 100 dollars to see the doctor and 50 dollars for generic antibiotics! Though, I've decided to not let it bother me and just go with the flow, maybe it's some sign that I need to step back and dissect my current job and education choice. More on that later. For now, I want to dive head first into some art, journaling, and daily discovering since it is SO beautiful outside. Be back soon!

XXO;
Mae Jane

P.S. Thank you to those who sent me well wishes during the past few weeks. I apologize for not responding to messages/comments in a timely fashion. :D Oh and what a way to start an October morning, Young Frankenstein is on t.v.! I also watched Spaceballs yesterday, gotta love that one! I <3 Mel Brooks!

THEME: ARTISTIC DIRECTION

So far I have been analyzing what elements, materials, and inspirations
make up my artwork. I've also been brainstorming new methods & materials to try.
I am aiming to find a way to combine all of my past creations, techniques and ideas
with new ones, finding a way to blend it all into something much more concrete,
something relative and geared towards a general direction.

I've always had an interesting time trying to explain what my artwork is, looks like,
and what it's about. Today I sat down and got to thinking, trying to sum it all up
in some pretty magical sort of way and that's when I came up with:

The Little Fawn:
A fusion of peculiar characters and enchanting little critters,
abstractly arranged on natural and vintage elements,
meshing together with modern emotion and personal growth.

What I've learned is that in order to become who it is and what you want,
you need to believe it. You need to think it, breathe it, and love it.
You create the world you live in, and to find any happiness, you have to
have a true passion for what it is your spending your time on.



Often I find myself forcing myself to create something, out of fear, of failing.
Out of fear of not creating enough to increase my skills, out of fear of not
exposing enough of my work to get recognized as an artist. Out of fear
of not living up to the expectations I have put on myself.
It is vitally essential, when it comes to creating, anything, to
create out of passion, not fear.

Today I am working on a few new pieces of art, in varying formats,
trying to find a way to cohesively bring all of my ideas and methods together.
It's through continuous practice that I will be able to uncover new depths within my skills.

Happy hump day!
I love Wednesdays.

xxo; Mae Jane

Habitual Habitats

As you can see I have been drawing quite a bit.
Forcing myself to draw just a little bit every day
is really starting to pay off. Creating weekly themes
enables me to find a workable limit and create something
I probably wouldn't have thought of initially.

This week I'm focusing on Habitual Habitats.
This refers to homes that are created in nature by habits.
Such as birds living in man made bird houses, fish living in
water bubbles, or fireflies getting caught in glass jars.





Being from New England, I naturally have a strong love
and appreciation for trees and all that relate. This is
perhaps another reason why Autumn is my favorite season.



Hello podlings! I was attempting to draw an acorn at first,
and low and behold, two twin podling sisters escaped onto the page.



Obviously, they are my new love.

I hope to be back with more.
Concrete thought-filled writing will be coming soon.
There hasn't been much of that lately.

xxo; Mae Jane