DOC-U-MENTING

Floating

    Oh friends, I have been a terrible blogger these past few weeks. I have a rather valid reason though. I've recently moved in with two of my best friends for the summer. I have got a lot going on in my world and I'm using their place as a means of embarking on the adventure of clearing my head and figuring things out once and for all. It's scary yet invigorating at the same time. Of course I've got my Littlebones to keep me company, though much is changing in my life in terms of what I had been used to for the past few years. I really can't predict what's going to happen next but I'm aiming to be ready for it. I expect much growth to come from this little room.
    I'll share more when I can, currently I do not have the internet where I'm staying. Thanks for always reading and supporting my work :) I hope to have more to share soon.

Love,
Mae

Creatures, Creatures

No matter how strong your passions are, life simply will not slow down for you.
You say you want some extra time for yourself? Time to create? Time to
read? Time to see family and friends, time to catch up on letters and email?
Silly, silly you. Life doesn't care about that. Your to-do list means squat to life,
it just wants to pile on more, more, more, and you my friend, are supposed to
smile the entire time and assume, "Yes, I can handle this."
Truth is, you can. It just takes some trial and error.

Busy isn't even the word. Yet, despite all the chaos surrounding
my list of never-ending this and that, I have finished up three
new art pieces, which have already been added to shop!

More from A Creature for Every Letter of the Alphabet series:


T is for Toucan

I especially love this guy. He seems so intelligent and sweet
with that sly little beak smile of his. The original was crafted with
gouache, thread, and masking tape on a vintage poetry page.


H is for Humpback Whale

Isn't this hunk of sea life just adorable?
The transition of colors almost cast the illusion
of water flowing over his body. Such an inviting smirk too.
He as well was created with gouache on a vintage dictionary page.


F is for Fiddler Crab

I am obsessed with these crabby creatures.
That one big claw and other teeny claw fill me with giggles.
Mister Crab here was also created with gouache on a vintage
book page with the addition of thread and masking tape.




Thanks for the awesome comments and messages
you guys have been sending my way.
It's keeping me motivated to the max, haha.
Well, I'm off to ponder creatures, watch The Finals,
see friends, and work my butt off this week.
Till the next post my friends.
-Mae Jane-

Crabby, yet not crabby.

I've been a busy one again.
Working, camping, going to the beach,
working, sleeping, eating awesome food, etc.
The summertime drill is all.
The three of us ended up swimming around
in that lake with our clothes on. It was a grand time.
We forgot our bathing suits, ya know, so we went with it.

Now that I've had some free time, I've been making some progress.
New little drawings are in the midsts,
soon to be mishmashed into little vintage paper collages.
I've had some random critters on the brain as you can see.

Oh yah, and cheesecake, of course.

I'm trying to change my approach to blogging these days.
I used to feel bad for not updating as often as I should, or even could.
But now, I'm starting to not feel so bad. Less and less. It's my life, after all.
I always wanted to keep superb consistency with this site, for the sake
of those of you who are so awesome and support me along the way. 
Yet the truth is, life is busy. Damn busy.
And life isn't about sitting in front of a computer.
No matter how pretty your iMac is.
In short, I'm taking the blogging without obligation approach from now on.

It's not that I want to share less with you, or I'm giving up on the site,
it's just that life is moving, altering, a transitioning phase taking hold really.
I want to savor my days and share the truth with you as it unfolds,
not as I try to force it into measly blog posts just for the sake of updating.
I guess I'm not one of those people cut out for daily blogging. I tried though. :)

Yet, I have too much going on and too much to experience for that, I think we all do.
I do hope to share progress of work during the week,
and updates of a documented life when I can though.
And of course there will always be new artwork and adventures to share.

Reality is, this blog, this project of documenting has always been a personal one,
shared here to inspire others and well, document for my own reasons.
My life is taking on a whole new aura and I'm sensing myself slowing down a bit.
And I'd rather not feel guilty about that. :) It's time to enjoy our days.

I'm ready. Aren't you?

-Mae Jane-

Meep

I'm here. And there. And everywhere in between.
A lot of consuming and not enough creating.
Tonight, the pencil meets the paper.
I work for the next three days, with
anticipation for the weekend.
Sunny skies, tents, and friends.

New-ish prints have been added to the shop! :)
www.maejane.etsy.com

Hello Job, Hello Summer

Oh where oh where have I been?

I've been stepping in ponds and chasing dogs.
I've been to the beach in crummy weather.
I've been to the beach in nice weather.
I've eaten chowder, clam cakes, and hamburgers.
I visited an abandoned military fort and climbed rocks.
I had a picnic with pickles and carrots and seagulls.
I've been upside down on roller coasters and spinny-rides.
I've gotten a sunburn three times.
I've had drinks by a late night fire.
I've attended a friend's college graduation party.
I sang my heart out to oldies on a road trip.
I planned my first camping trip with friends.
I cut my hair.
I watched the finale of LOST and still remain in denial that he is really dead.

   
    Among other things, I've mostly been working, working, and working. The new job is going well. The training was a bit overwhelming, what with being everyday and all day. But it was necessary. This week I finally start working my normal schedule which should feel nice to be able to get settled in a new routine, though I'm trying to avoid routines now. Dilemma dilemma..
   
    I've been so busy with trying to learn and remember things and not mess up at work that I haven't created any art at all in about a month. That makes me feel very empty. Tis why I've dedicated tonight and tomorrow to creating and brainstorming. And then shaking my bum to eighties music at night with the girls. Speaking of art though, some of my work is currently showing in a wonderful new gallery that opened in Brooklyn! Fact & Fancy at 75B Hoyt Street is having their very first show featuring over 25 undiscovered artists running from May 29th until July 11th. It's such an awesome gallery owned and operated by Christine and Danielle. Thanks again to them for asking me to be apart of it!

(My work is on the very bottom! :)

    And continuing on with my plans of getting back on track, some journaling shall be happening tonight as well. I gots myself a rather sleek and soft new Moleskine. It's perfect for writing stories from the core and brain. I also discovered a new book today. Feeding Your Demons by Tsultrim Allione. I wasn't looking for it, didn't know of it, yet it spoke to me from the shelves. And so tonight I read as well.

    Today was enjoyable, even if it was focused on errands and cleaning. Aside from the duties, I listened to classic rock (which is my all time favorite). I purchased fresh strawberries, Pink Lady apples, bananas, and key lime pie. I discovered the new book I mentioned. I helped a woman with her groceries at the market. I carried a 20lb bag of cat food effortlessly on my shoulder. I roamed Target and only bought what I actually went in for. I gathered up mushrooms, onions, and lemonade at the store. All because I woke up oddly early on my first real day off in a month. I am so glad to have some days off again. I've missed reading your blogs and twittering away on the interweb with you guys. I'm slowly finding my way again. I promise, I will have delights to share soon. Thanks for the sweet emails and comments during the past month. Hope you all are well!

Love, love,
Mae Jane