Problem solving

Problems, problems! The children were off school on Friday so being nursemaid and general dogsbody.

I've been a bit stuck on my Summer exhibition entry so I spent the time I had on Friday trying different ideas out. I think I've finally worked out how to progress so here goes!

Saturday was spent at a scrapbook crop. I love scrapbooks, an artistic way of presenting photographs, and so much more than just gluing them into albums.

When I finally arrived home, domesticity took over and continued today - the old parental guilt trip at daring to have something in my life that doesn't revolve around them. Also frustration at not being able to move across children's bedrooms without climbing over the toy and clothes mountains with the lurking traps of broken toys pieces -especially the old lego brick under the bare foot. I managed to fit in a little reading as well - techniques and the like. I don't think I'm procrastinating, just redressing the life/work balance

So nothing new worth posting yet, alas, but I did tweak the old Kate Hudson picture, much better! Although the eyes...? No, they look like that on the photos!

....and now I'm off to paint. There should be no obstacles tonight and tomorrow. No, I shouldn't have said that...

Kate Hudson

Managed a quick sketch last night of Kate Hudson and no sooner do I post it than here I go spotting the flaws . No...not going there now. It's all practice. Bother, and I was quite pleased that I'd managed a likeness in such a short time! I might refine it a bit more and repost - there's definitely potential there... No, I'm not going to be negative. It is good, just needs finishing. I'm trying to be more positive about my work. Instead of dwelling on the flaws seeing them as stages of development. I read an interesting piece on "perfectionism and procrastination" the other day - scary how much I recognised of myself in the description. I found it from this page How to ruin creativity

I especially enjoyed the quote from Chuck Close:- “Inspiration is for amateurs; the rest of us just show up.” I then got distracted by the quiz on procrastination... ha, ha, ha!

So, I'm trying the old positive thinking approach. I guess I'm just very British - It's easier to find fault than see the good.

So despite the fact today has been very frustrating - too many personal things getting in the way. Five minute jobs taking an hour, children being ill and needing collecting from school. The "new me" is being positive - I managed to fit in a little painting done - in between the chaos. May joy be unconfined...

Now to try and resolve the issues for the big painting.