Little Miracles

     It's been awhile...I've been avoiding my blog for some reason.  Now that the major holidays are over and a new year has begun I will try anew to post something worthwhile.  I can proudly say that I accomplished one important goal.  I finished up my book Grandma and Grandpa are Going on a Mission.  I could have worked at least another year on this book, but by finishing it, I have learned a lot about Adobe Illustrator and   know I need to learn much, much more.  Three years ago I received inspiration for this little book.  I had been thinking and praying about it then the words just came to me in the middle of the night.  That might seem silly since it is a very simply written book, but to me it was a little miracle. During the last three years I've been trying to develop the ability to illustrate it.  I finally sat down and made some sketches and was encouraged by Dilleen Marsh to use Adobe Illustrator to finish the pictures.  I've been working on it here and there since September and finally chose  December to focus on it and finish it up.  I'm sure you'll agree that December is not the best month to get anything accomplished besides Christmas, but I hung in there and I DID IT!  I've got the book for sale in local bookstores ( Little Professor's, Uncle & Aunties, and Christensen's Dept Store) and my etsy shop SweetSusieJane.  Last week I sent a copy to Deseret Book and Seagull Book retail sales divisions.  I'm hoping beyond hope that they will pick it up.  If that doesn't happen I will take it to independent book stores throughout Utah.  Leaving grand kids to serve a mission  brings on tender emotions for the children and the grandparents.  I hope this book will help make the separation easier to understand.

     In November I did two landscapes in pastel.  I had great fun with the color on these and I'm hoping to do more right away.  The trick is finding the right place at the right time of day!

Three Kings

Are you from Dixie?

                                                                              

     I also did some Christmas portrait commissions, fifteen beautiful little kids and nine dogs!   It's amazing how connected I felt to these children when I drew their sweet faces.  I even liked the dogs--and I'm not a dog lover.  I think as I take the time to see details in a face or a landscape I feel so blessed for God's beautiful creations, and grateful for the desires I'm filled with to develop abilities He has given me.  I'm finding great joy in the process and doing what I love to do.  I appreciated this quote by Pres. James E. Faust, "In my observation, there are very few people who are of true genius.  Many are gifted, but most of the world's work and great accomplishments come from ordinary people with talent that they develop.  An ordinary talent can be nurtured and nourished into a great gift through hard work."

                       

                                              

Start where you are...

A page from my book-- a work in progress

     I'm sitting here on the last day of the month of September, kind of discouraged, a little anxious, but still happy.  I started out this month at an art workshop.  Just me and Colleen Howe Bleinburger.  It was a mentoring workshop.  She invited me to stay at her home/workshop in Smithfield, Utah.  It was a beautiful setting right by Summit Creek. I had a great time learning from Colleen, she is a marvelous teacher.  We walked every morning in a nearby, shady with pine trees, park. I spent the next 6 hours of each day learning and painting in pastels.   We worked on still lifes and landscapes.  The week passed quickly, but she has promised to let me return every year and paint with her. Of course I was hoping for that 'EASY' button that will magically turn me into an accomplished artist.  And, off course, I realized once again, it takes time and it takes work--DAILY work.
I have been working almost daily on a children's book.  I guess I'm discouraged that I haven't tried a landscape since I've been home from the workshop.  Wishing for more energy, time, etc. seems fruitless.  I've got to be happy that I am working on one project, then I'll move onto the next.   I'm just IMPATIENT with myself and I want to learn and grow quickly in my art abilities but it will just take TIME.  
     Elder Ian S. Arden said recently at a BYU-Hawaii devotional, "It is Prayer--coupled with hard work- that greatly increases one's rate of learning and it is through having a vision that individuals are able to achieve in life."
     I am constantly amazed that when I am prayerful, people are placed in my path to help me on my journey. Good, talented people who want to share with others: Dilleen Marsh, Colleen Bleinburger, Julie Rogers, Del Parson, and one other that I haven't mentioned before--Will Terry.  I stumbled upon Will quite by accident.  I was itching to find someone who could help me with illustrating.  After praying about it, I turned to 'You Tube' and wrote in 'Children's book illustrating'.  Up popped a video tutorial made by Will Terry.  Will is part of a fantastic resource of art videos found on  http://folioacademy.com/ .  Will is a successful children's book illustrator that lives in Utah and teaches part-time at UVU.  He writes an interesting blog at willterry.blogspot.com, and is truly dedicated to helping other artists. I hope to meet Will someday and thank him in person.  I also wish I could take his classes at UVU. (Dream on...)
     I came across a quote by Arthur Ashe that gave me encouragement this week-- "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can."

Forever a Student

My latest project

     Summer vacation is over and this teacher didn't go back to teach. It is my turn to be the student again and I'm loving it. I'm meeting with Dilleen Marsh on a weekly basis.  She is amazing.  When I arrive we sit down and she gives me an inspirational pep talk--and this past week it was exactly what I had been thinking about.  I've become somewhat of a Pinterest addict.  It is a great ap to find all kinds of beautiful and creative art and design (and recipes), which is helpful to fuel the imagination but on the other hand can also be intimidating.  Kind of like when you visit the 'Parade of Homes' and come away with lots of ideas but also knowing you will never own a house like that!  It's the same with what I see on Pinterest.  I can't imagine ever having the skills that those artists and designers have.  Dilleen reminded me that we are put on this earth to learn as much as we can and that includes developing our talents. I may never reach the  pinnacle I would like to, but at least I am trying. I am working on it every day.  When I tell people I didn't return to work I want to explain that I am still working and hoping to reach those 9,000 hours sooner than I first expected! 
     Right now my main project is a picture book that I wrote three years ago.  It's called "Grandpa and Grandma are going on a Mission."  I've finally got the sketches completed and I'm laboring to get it drawn in Adobe Illustrator--meaning that I am learning as I go.  I had one class in Illustrator, but there is soooo much to learn.  I am hoping to have the illustrations finished in two months, then it is off to the presses.  I'm excited about this book and hope it will be loved by the grandchildren of those brave grandparents who leave them for a time to do the Lord's work.  My husband and I hope to be able to do that one day--and we know that mission will be a blessing to our family.

  Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.  And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.  D&C 130:18,19

No Fear!

Children's Friend illustration by Dilleen Marsh

Illustration by Dilleen Marsh

     When I receive my monthly Children's Friend (the LDS magazine for children) I quickly flip through to see the illustrations first.  Then I get out my reading glasses and look for the tiny writing that gives credit to the illustrator on each page.  For years I've been a huge fan of Dilleen Marsh's illustrations.  She has worked for the LDS Church magazines and has been art editor for the New Era (for LDS youth).  I was excited to discover that Dilleen now lives in Southern Utah.  It's been on the back of my mind for months.  I woke up a few days ago, overcame my fear, and decided to contact her.  I found her web page and left a message.  She called me that same day and instead of asking me to come to her, she came to me.  She looked at my work and now I'm going to be learning from her on a regular basis.  (Perhaps she could see that I really needed help!)  She is very warm and kind.  She not only has an amazing artistic talent but is remarkably wise and willing to share her knowledge. It's a dream come true!
     Dilleen is currently showing her work at Dixie College Sears' Gallery with three other artists.  Her oil paintings of our area are gorgeous and she has several illustrations from past church magazines on display.  The show runs through August so take the time to stop in before it closes.  
     Another art show not to be missed is at the St.George Temple visitors' center.  Julie Rogers' paintings of the Martin-Willie handcart company are an emotional and visual feast.  
     On my last visit with Dilleen we discussed "the precious decade" we will both soon enter.  At our age the next ten years will be important ones.  When a woman is trying to reinvent herself it's best to face it with no fear.

     "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  2Timothy 1:7

Keep Trying

      You can see by the very vivid watermark that I am "thinking positive."  I had the opportunity to attend the Writers & Illustrators For Young Readers Conference (WIFYR) for the first time this June in Sandy, Utah.  I attended the Children's Illustrating class taught by Julie Olson.  She is a very talented illustrator and young mother of four.  It is amazing that she has been able to have a successful illustrating career and be a stay-at-home mom.  Right after graduating from BYU she took her portfolio to book editors in New York-brave girl- and it paid off. Some of her books are Dear Cinderella, Tickle, Tickle, Itch, Twitch and the The Happiest Mommy Ever.  She has also written and illustrated a darling ebook titled, Princesses,Princesses, Princesses (only 2.99).  She was very helpful and encouraging.  I also enjoyed listening to children's book editors and agents, learning about many aspects of the children's book business that I had never known before.  Fun stuff.  The best thing I learned was NEVER give up!  And I'll add...NEVER stop learning!

Julie Olson teaching her watercolor technique

 

Our group after taking Julie to lunch.

Priorities

Adde's Journal

     So, it's been awhile...the last two months have been busy ones.  I finished up teaching for the year which included last day field trips and programs, saying goodbye to those darling faces and a wonderful teaching partner, cleaning up the classroom, and bringing piles of things home.  I received a gift from my husband, telling me to quit my job.  I should have been ecstatic, but I was fearful and not sure it was the right thing to do.  I love my little students.  Yes, they are trying at times and my patience gets stretched beyond its limits and teaching is exhausting, but there is nothing like those sweet smiling faces greeting me each morning and saying goodbye to me at the end of the day.  There is something noble about teaching at Head Start and helping little kids that need it the most.  The place is filled with good, dedicated women working for practically nothing.  I love them all.  But in spite of all that, I wimped out and quit...and I haven't looked back.  I've been longing for more time to work on the projects I love.  I've got family books I want to write and illustrate, portraits to draw, and abilities to improve before I can do any of it successfully.  I needed time and now I have it. Which now brings me to this blog entry's title--Priorities.  My mind has been in a muddle.  What to do first, when to do it, and how to do it.  Clearly I need to prioritize and set goals.  I attended a workshop at a Relief Society Stake women's conference where the class leader offered help in goal setting.  In two minutes we were asked to write down five lifetime goals, two more minutes to write 5 major goals for the next year, two more minutes to write five major goals if we only had 6 months to live, and then the kicker...write down the ways we have spent time in the last week that related to any of those goals.  (The two minute time limit is important).  Try it, it is very eyeopening.  It is so easy to let the days slip away without accomplishing much.  I'm trying harder to get going and get to work.

     I was able to attend the "Quick Draw" exhibit at the Santa Clara Town Hall on May 12th.  I spent the entire morning watching two artists, Colleen Bleinberger and Julie Rogers.  They were both so kind and helpful.  I watched Julie splash beautiful colors onto a portrait of a little girl holding a flower.  I then went home and made a complete failure of my next portrait attempt with pastels.  Discouraged, I picked up my colored pencils and made the little sketch above of my granddaughter, Adde.  I felt a little better, but not much.  Adde wants to be an artist and she is well on her way.  She loves to draw and spends time doing it...and that will make all the difference.

     Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known. D&C 60:13

Julie Rogers painting at the "Quick Draw" 5/12/2012

I'll miss you, Teacher Patti!

Twirling

Twirling by Julie Rogers

     Julie Rogers, a Kanab,Utah artist painted this wonderful picture titled "Twirling".  I love her loose, energetic style.  I can't wait to watch Julie paint at the Santa Clara "Quick Draw" exhibit in May.  At least I'm hoping she will be there.  I've been wanting to attend one of her workshops but apparently she is busy working on an exhibit that will take place in Washington DC.  
     This picture reminds me of the movie "You've got Mail".  The main character Katherine Kelly (Meg Ryan) reminisces about "twirling" with her mother.  That part always makes me cry.  I think of my own daughter and wonder, "Did we twirl?"  My one and only daughter came to us after the birth of three wonderful sons.  I was thrilled to have a girl in the family, a little "rose bud" to dress in frilly clothes, to balance out my baseball card tradin', crawdad fishing, sweaty and love 'em, little boys.  The whole hospital heard me cry out, "IT'S A GIRL!"  (That was in the days before routine ultrasounds.) She has been a joy in my life ever since.  She had her feisty years but has now become a most kind, thoughtful and sweet young mother, daughter, and friend.  It will soon be her birthday and I just want to say ,"I love you!"  She is fortunate now to have three sisters, the spectacular girls who married my sons.  I am most grateful for these four special women who are the mothers of the my beautiful, brilliant, and sometimes challenging, grandchildren.  I know their job is difficult but hope they won't forget to "twirl".  In their honor I pulled out one of my favorite quotes from an LDS conference talk given in 2000 by Margaret Nadauld.


     "Women of God can never be like women of the world.  The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender.  There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind.  There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined.  We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith.  We have enough greed; we need more goodness.  We have enough vanity; we need more virtue.  We have enough popularity; we need more purity."