Friday, January 25, 2013

Taking off the pressure

zentangle
Fish

quick sketches

she danced to stardom

 I am the queen of creating pressure for myself.  I set goals that are unrealistic and of course don't accomplish.  Failure - right?  The good news is that I recover quicker than I used to.  For the past week or so I've been drawing whatever catches my fancy.  The one I took the longest on  was my zebra fish above.  (I am sure that you would never finid a giant grouper and a zebra fish together - but they are 2 fish in a book I found - so there!)  Of course, putting in all the zebra marks was what took a long time. I used pen and ink, watercolor and Pan Pastel (the background). The initial sketch was relatively quick.  I don't have all of my quick sketches up here - the two little boy heads are my grandson and his buddy playing a nintendo game across from me at Chic-Fil-A.  The lady - who isn't complete - is from a poster where I get my hair cut.  She's kind of a Marilyn Monroe headshot - but the poster is white on white with red and white in the hair.  First time I drew her months ago she looked like a male excon according to my husband (I agree).  This time she is coming out a bit better - I forgot to take a pic of the poster so I'll have to finish during my next appointment there.  The zentangle and the tangle star lady are my imagination drawings.  I know that all this sketching will get the creativity going again and hopefully increase my skills.

Whew - long post!  That's what happens when I only get to post once in a week.  I am linking to Paint Party Friday (here) hosted by the fabulous Eva and Kristin.  Hop on over to check out the wonderful artists entered there.  Thanks so much for getting this far (LOL) and leave a comment if you can.  I love to hear from you.
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45 comments:

  1. Valerie-JaelJanuary 25, 2013 at 7:18 AM

    Nice work! I have stopped setting myself goals and just do what I fancy, makes life easier! Hugs, Valerie

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    1. bellefrogworksJanuary 25, 2013 at 7:38 AM

      Yes - life is too short for intense pressure. Not the same thing as goals - I am weak in that department too (not short range but long range). It's the opposite of my memory at my age! Thanks for stopping by and commenting

      Delete
  2. LeoviJanuary 25, 2013 at 8:14 AM

    Very funny, I love these compositions, especially the exquisite zentangle.

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    1. bellefrogworksJanuary 25, 2013 at 11:24 AM

      Thank you - and I'm glad you think I'm funny - I have to remind my family when I make a joke! I really loved your art work today - it's always lovely - but today's composition and colors were just incredible!

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  3. carol l mckennaJanuary 25, 2013 at 10:19 AM

    Wonderful work ~ glad you are trusting your spirit ~ Carol (A Creative Harbor) ^_^

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  4. Mary C. NasserJanuary 25, 2013 at 12:40 PM

    Fun pieces.
    I like this quote:

    Pressure is something that drives and
    pushes all artists, makes them produce.
    Deadlines are very good for me.
    ~Thommie Walsh, choreographer

    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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    1. bellefrogworksJanuary 28, 2013 at 3:12 PM

      Thanks Mary - that quote is very true - I'm just trying to relieve the self-imposed inner pressure to "produce"

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  5. whimsyvilleJanuary 25, 2013 at 2:19 PM

    pressure yuck. Give yourself a break girl - these are great artworks ! Happy ppf !

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    1. bellefrogworksJanuary 28, 2013 at 3:14 PM

      Thanks so much - just struggling with those inner pressures (the ones attached to my left brain!!)

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  6. Kristin DudishJanuary 25, 2013 at 2:53 PM

    You have created a lot of very fun stuff (I love the grouper's color).
    Be kind to yourself!
    I can relate though, I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself too.
    xo
    Kristin

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    1. bellefrogworksJanuary 28, 2013 at 3:15 PM

      Thanks for stopping by - you are very encouraging! The only "pressure" I have right now is Life Book 2013 - just a gentle nudge to get me going

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  7. NettyJanuary 25, 2013 at 3:19 PM

    loving your fun pieces. Enjoy the weekend, happy PPF, Annette x

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    1. bellefrogworksJanuary 28, 2013 at 3:16 PM

      Thanks for stopping by Annette - you are encouraging!

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  8. Alicia CJanuary 25, 2013 at 5:05 PM

    the fish is perfect! I like to think of animals who otherwise couldnt meet and becoming buddies - like lions & tigers.

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  9. Tracey FKJanuary 25, 2013 at 5:16 PM

    The trick is to fail gloriously... I like to go out in a blaze of glory... all the fun of art is in the glorious failures... great fun drawings and post...xx

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    1. bellefrogworksJanuary 28, 2013 at 3:18 PM

      Ahh - the fun of failure - getting better at that but still got that critical left brain guy. Thanks Tracey for stopping and commenting

      Delete
  10. Linda KunsmanJanuary 26, 2013 at 6:54 AM

    wonderful art!! That zebra fish is amazing, and I love your star woman too!!

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  11. UnknownJanuary 26, 2013 at 7:25 AM

    loving your star lady especially! thanks for sharing all your thoughts here. I relate! Happy PPF!

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  12. GinnyJanuary 26, 2013 at 8:24 AM

    I love the way you are creating so many different things. Each one is special in its own way. It is fun doing whatever catches your fancy. I think we all put pressure on ourselves in one way or another. Love the starfish and the zebrafish. Both are great!

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  13. Ilona HeimböckelJanuary 26, 2013 at 8:49 AM

    Thank you for visiting my blog! I had thought of commenting on yours yesterday, but did not find the right words. (It is not that straightforward for me always.) And today you left a comment for me and gave me the opportunity for a revisit.
    So back again I make it simple: am liking your drawings and their difference!

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  14. Arnoldo L. Romero, MLAJanuary 26, 2013 at 12:43 PM

    I love all your work here, especially your fish and children drawings. Sometimes, I also need to draw spontaneously as inspiration comes, and eventually something grander comes through. Blessings!

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  15. Carolyn DubeJanuary 26, 2013 at 2:13 PM

    Congrats for letting go and drawing whatever your muse presents- that zebra fish had to have taken a long time with all that detail! Happy PPF!

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  16. Lynn CohenJanuary 26, 2013 at 2:22 PM

    I like those fish! Such detail! Look forward to more on the ex con, I mean woman! ( aren't husbands just priceless sometimes?) no pressure from me, however! HPPF! F

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  17. GlorV1January 26, 2013 at 3:06 PM

    I like your star lady and that zebra fish is awesome. Just do what makes you happy and it appears you are because all is great. Happy PPF!

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  18. CarolJanuary 26, 2013 at 3:47 PM

    Wonderful art!!! I USED TO SAY i THRIVED ON STRESS... I now realize that I really don't but I do need slight pressures of deadlines and goals or I really don't get anything done. Smaller goals means less pressure and less failure for me :0)

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  19. LeoviJanuary 26, 2013 at 4:35 PM

    Not if the pressure is good for the artist. I always set up freely and without pressure. My work has never been commercialized, so I have no such experience.

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  20. ANNEJanuary 26, 2013 at 4:35 PM

    I never set goals anymore, I just do what the spirit moves me to do. Sometimes it's nothing at all!! lol

    Love your star shaped lady and your sketches are fab.

    Have a great weekend!

    xox

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  21. FayeJanuary 26, 2013 at 5:49 PM

    Wonderful, Gina. I was disappointed I couldn't enlarge the fish like the other drawings. The heads of the ladies look great. Thanks for coming by my blog today.

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    1. bellefrogworksJanuary 28, 2013 at 3:21 PM

      Faye - I don't know why it wouldn't enlarge - I noticed the same thing myself. Thanks for stopping by.

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    2. bellefrogworksJanuary 28, 2013 at 3:33 PM

      Added the fish pic again and now you can enlarge

      Delete
  22. ChristineJanuary 26, 2013 at 6:04 PM

    nice sketches Gina! I do set little goals, but it's still stressful.

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  23. Joy MurrayJanuary 26, 2013 at 7:21 PM

    I like that the Paint Party is about works in progress, too, so it's a soft deadline, enough to keep me on my goal, but not so much to force me to finish to fast. Your fish are marvelous and the sketches are insightful I'll share a quote by Douglas Adams. "I love deadlines. I love the wooshing sound they make as they fly past."

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  24. Deepa GopalJanuary 26, 2013 at 11:20 PM

    Cute and lovely zentangles...I think any kind of pressure in creativity is no good :)
    HPPF Gina!

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  25. ElisaJanuary 27, 2013 at 3:08 AM

    wonderful attitude, gina. Hurray to you for still creating art even if sometimes things don't go the way we want to.:)

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  26. dentheJanuary 27, 2013 at 6:32 AM

    I can relate to the pressure issue. I'm very good in doing that to myself too. This year I don't want to do that anymore, but like Carol said, some people need a bit of pressure to actually get things done, and I'm afraid I'm one of them. I decided to make my goals more realistic this year. Wonder whether it'll work .... I love your zentangles, that fish looks awesome. And you're right: sketching and being creative is the best and only way to get the creativity flowing again. Keep up the good work!

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  27. Šolanje na domu-WaldorfJanuary 27, 2013 at 1:44 PM

    That a good way to recover and have some fun. Great drawings!

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  28. FallingladiesJanuary 27, 2013 at 5:39 PM

    It is easy to put too much pressure on ourselves, i am trying not to this year, trying to say no to myself more when i want to take on something new!

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  29. minnemieJanuary 28, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    All these sketches definitely does increase skill and boosts creativity - it is evident! The zebra fish is quite an accomplishment... such detail! And I love the tangle... I keep seeing a dragon in it, maybe because we just read about Eustace being turned into a dragon (Chronicles of Narnia:-)

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  30. janice smithJanuary 30, 2013 at 2:30 PM

    LOVE your drawings, Gina! My fave is the tangle star.

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  31. KristinJanuary 30, 2013 at 4:31 PM

    Oh yes, singing my song too :) But I LOVE that zebra fish! And I love the idea of you drawing while getting your hair done - now THAT's an artist's heart, xoxo

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  32. HeARTworksFebruary 5, 2013 at 1:59 PM

    Great job with the drawings! I wish i could remember to bring a notebook with me everywhere so i could doodle! Practice makes perfect! I am so amused with your description of excon! Yes sometimes our drawings come out funny! :^)
    Patsy from
    HeARTworks

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  33. MichellemFebruary 24, 2013 at 11:39 AM

    LOVE the details on your Zebra fish - so cool!

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