Balancing Parenting and Painting - what works for me

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Photo of Ruthie splattering liquitex white gesso over a canvas
(I was hoping she'd paint it smooth but this parenting thing seems to be  all about letting go....)

I had someone  in the comments section of this blog a few weeks back ask me how I balance parenting and painting so I wanted to speak to that in terms of what works for me and how I create time for my creativity and mostly single parent my daughter!

The first big thing I would suggest is have your art project(s) out in a place where you can see them regularly. Even if you're not working on it, your brain will be while you're busy doing other things.  Ahhhhh the power of the subconscious. This is actually a very powerful way to work. Put it out there and let the answers - that next layer, brush broke, collage piece - come to you.

I just recently moved and converted the living room of our apartment into my studio workspace. I purposefully leave paintings around so that when I walk by in the morning making my little girl's lunch, breakfast, dinner, snacks, cleaning up her lunch, breakfast, dinner and snacks I always have a good view of my paintings in progress. That way I am still 'working' on them.

Which brings me to bridging a concept which I've written about in previous blogs. Basically its a fancy word for being set up. Make sure you have your work area totally ready to go so when you have a moment - the kids finally takes a nap or gets absorbed into a game or is invited to a play date at a friends house (hallelujah), you can start working immediately. Have you water, paints, brushes, tools, notepad, canvas, paper all easily accessible and ready to go.

I have a stock pile of ready to go projects set up for her ahead of time: play dough, water colours, stamping box, kitchen play, water play, sorting coins and buttons, cutlery, making kitchen stuff - she likes mixing flour, eggs, water & spices, her own 'creations', stuff set up for making her own collages with stickers, glitter, colored construction paper, books, music, you get the idea - and this is really age dependent, but you know your child's needs best.


Sometimes I even let her paint on my paintings! ugh! This is not my favourite thing but it is sometimes necessary to let her in on the fun. In the up and coming 'Pure Abstraction' video about my work, techniques, beliefs and new Pure Abstraction paintings, there is a scene where I let Ruthie come and paint with me. It's a double edge sword because she looooves it but also I have to completely let go of what I was working on. My ego hates the loss of control!

(Stay tuned....video will be released in April along with the new website)

Above are my core methods of balancing parenting and painting and then there are the obvious ones such as:

- do small projects  that you can do anywhere in small amounts of time (Personally, I have a hard time with this one as I'm a sucker for big paintings and big projects!)
- set boundaries and let them know this is YOUR time
- hire a sitter
- off load children to willing friends, play dates, grandparents, sister, aunts uncles, etc (I envy those of you with  local and helpful relatives!)
- get up early and paint when they are sleeping! 
-put them to bed and paint when they are sleeping!

And... I've got  number of artist friend with children - Rosemary Gara-Hill, Desiree Davidson, Russel Young, Amy Roemer. So I will ask them to add their thoughts, comments, tips too. 

Good luck!

Art & Autism: upcoming book and art show this Saturday

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Went to get my hair extensions out last week... what an ordeal of chemicals, hair pulling, and several hours later....luckily some hair still remains. I miss the long hair but not the work to upkeep it. Justine, my new and great up-and-coming stylist recommended a new look so I went for bangs. Fun. Anyways, 2 1/2 hours later we told each other our life stories and I learned her brother, Kevin and mother were also artists and by the by he was having a show this upcoming weekend...

This Saturday at the Palm Lofts Gallery in Carpinteria is a very art special show by a young fourteen year old man, Kevin Hosseini and his artist mentor Steve Richardson.

Kevin, a prolific oil painter, along with his mom Debbie, were recently featured in a documentary By Keri Bowers entitled "Arts: A film about Possibilities, Disabilities, and the ARTS" . 

Debbie is also working on a book connecting art and autism called Artism ANew - Shattering the Myths of Autism through the voice of Art . In telling me about the book she says; "The book takes myths about autism, such as people with autism have no feelings or emotions, and presents visual counterpoints to that myth.  Artism Anew features 55 artists with autism or Aspergers (a form of autism).  Each artist has also given Debbie poetry or quotes for the book. Its a full-colored coffee table book and is very beautiful."

Debbie explained to me the relationship to autism and art is that 10 percent of people with autism have a savant skill, such as math, music, or art.  This compared to only 1 percent in the typical population. In her opinion, they are able to tap into the Creative Force much more easily than normal people. They are also able to immerse themselves in the work creating true, unaffected paintings.  Kevin's art mentor Steve Richardson says that kevin has a natural looseness in his painting that many trained artist strive for.

Personally, I have no experience working with or being around autistic people. My experience is limited to Rainman, however I have a friend from high school whose son is Autistic and I truly can't wait to hear her comments about this concept that perhaps autistic people do have easier access to the Creative Force, as Debbie calls it.

I do  think though that one of the biggest things that typically stops adults from being creative - painting, writing, etc - are a lot of their thoughts and beliefs that don't serve them. Perhaps autistic people don't have the mind chatter telling them they can't or shouldn't or aren't good enough and are therefore free to create and be in process more easily than the rest of us mind entrapped beings! 

Your thoughts? Please comment below.

For more information about Debbie's soon to be published book  Artism ANew - Shattering the Myths of Autism through the Voice and Art of Those on the Spectrum  please contact Debbie Hosseini at hosseini58@cox.net or (805) 259-6879.

Do you know any movie stars who buy contemporary abstract art?

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The new website is in process....yeah, yeah, yeah  JM I can hear you voice saying it's only been over a year!!! But when its done you can show all your movie star friends. (ha!)

Anyways,  here it is, my ultimate career success vision board of the dream painting studio - lots of light, wood, high ceilings, surrounded by trees and nature and quiet, lots of time to paint, play and create with additional space for teaching. 

Surrounding the studio is where I envision my work selling - to collectors including movie stars  and exhibiting in galleries all over the world - NY, LA, SF, London, Toyko, Vancouver, Paris, and Reykavik ( I need an excuse to get back to Iceland!).

I also made a dream vision board for my homestead and family life but there are a few more images I want to find and add...So i'll post that when I'm done.

Vision boards are a fun way to create and attract what you want in your life, just like they talked about in The Secret movie. You made one lately? Do share! ( I just changed the comments settings so anyone can share, you don't have to have a google account :))

Patchwork Paper ...paintings are photographed!

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The eight Patchwork Paper series paintings are back from the photographers and since they are all quite similar I thought I'd show you three of the eight. The rest will go up on the new website, which is currently being re-done, so stay tuned for this!

All the following art works are available for sale and several of them will be hung at Via Roma Boutique Located at 17215 Ventura Boulevard, Encino,Ca, 91316 Contact: Lizette Aaronson, Ph (818) 386 - 0736, Email viaromaimports@sbcglobal.net, Website http://www.viaromaimports.com.




Patchwork Paper v, viii, and i
Patchwork Paper Series
(c) Deb Chaney 2008
30 x 23 " 
Mixed Media, Acrylics, Various Collage Papers on 300 lb Paper
Dark Reds: Feng Shui Recommendation: Fame and Reputation. To enhance this area of your life, place this  piece directly opposite the front entrance of your home or doorway.
Pinks: Love and Romance. To enhance this area of your life place this piece in the back right hand corner of your room, office or home.
available for sale, debchaney@live.com 

What do you most want to know about living the artists life?

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OK, it's your turn....please tell me what you most want to know about my life as a professional artist. I want to share as much as I can that will inspire your life, support you, motivate you and contribute to your life masterpiece however you 'paint' it.

What would you like to learn or hear about from this blog?

Do you want to know more about products, processes, techniques?
About my work habits? What I do when I'm not painting?
About handling business of being an artist?
About parenting a 5 year old  and making time for my work?
About what inspires me and why I do this?
More photos of new art work? More photos of the studio, art works in process?
Other artist I love and admire? Teachers I've studied with and loved?

Dear reader, I thank you for subscribing, reading, following my journey. Knowing you're there keeps me going when I'm on a low. Please let me know how I can return the favor. Please write specifically below in the comments section on what you'd like to hear about from me that will add value to your life. Or, if you'd like to remain private, please email me at debchaney@live.com ---Thank you so much! Deb

YES!!!

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I was driving my girl to kindergarten the other day and she was in the back seat in her booster talking and singing to herself as she does, when I heard her say, passionately, YESSSSS!

You know there are probably books and magazine articles and scientific studies that I could look up and quote and hyper link to but assuming they are all in agreement my sense is that saying the word YES!!! in a positive passionate way is pretty darn good for us and our momentum our physiology our brain state and moving us along with our paintings, business goals, dreams and whatever else we are doing.

What about working on a painting and we do something that we are really happy with and saying YES!!! out loud and having a mini little celebration? Now wouldn't that be a great re-enforcement to keep going. ( I think when I start 
teaching Illuminate the Artist Within (R) workshops we will incorporate this somehow into the class. YES! the concept perhaps being to 'embrace' our mistakes and allow the process)

Now, what abut taking that even another step and doing it when you think you've fucked up and something happened with the work that wasn't planed, expected, wanted, anticipated - say in my case Ruthie comes in to the studio and decides to "help out" with my paintings ( we caught a great clip of this for the video and it ended up being an awesome co-painting experience! YES!) and at first we are initially not so happy about this thing. So what if we say YES!!! with Passion and enthusiasm?

Kinda like a  big YES!!! to life even if its going our way or not our way. Because its all beautiful. The mess the planned and unplanned parts. 

and YES I am intending on seeing YES Man as soon as I can get a sitter! 
Ruthie Firefly age 5 1/2 my little Yes girl, shining bright. 


Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate

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My current  inspiration and favourite quote:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; its in everyone. And as we let out own light shin, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are all liberated form our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

By Marianne Williamson, from A Return to Love

Pure Abstraction...work continues

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Here is a sneak peak of a painting which we used during the video filming recently. 

It's part of the Pure Abstraction series and incorporates beach sand, moulding paste, gloss medium and varnish, heavy gel matte, soft gel gloss, irridescent pigments, acrylics, alcohol, tissue paper and probably more I can't remember at this point. 

This piece will take a few more weeks to finish as every layer as to dry before I add to the next one. Need I say...so much fun!!!










Here's your chance to name a painting!

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I need your help and would love your input! This painting needs a title!

Best name will be chosen and winner will receive an 8x 10" print of this art piece.  Please leave your title suggestions in the comments box below this blog. Thank you. And Thank you Tai Kerbs for coming by to photograph this piece last minute in the studio!

(untitled)
Pure Abstraction Series
(c) Deb Chaney 2008
Mixed Media, Sand, Acrylics on canvas
24 x 36 x 1 1/2 "
Feng Shui Recommendation:  To support spiritual and personal growth place this piece in the left hand corner of your room .
Original available for sale, inquire debchaney@live.com


Support team & fabulous friends

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When I was doing the voice over for the video Josh and I are making about myself and my art- i an audio visual artists statement/bio if you will-  we went through a list of prompts or questions one of the last questions we went through was what advice I would give other artist or artist starting out?

I know I said a lot of things that I would encourage artists starting out to do including...writing morning pages, using affirmations, reading the Artist's Way, and setting scheduled work habits.
 
However, if I were to pass on one gem to other artists  starting out, the TOP thing, it would be to create a support system and surround yourself with a cheering team. 

Surround yourself only with people who believe in you, see your dream, applaud you, cheer you on, make you laugh, ask you question that propel you to move forward, bring you dinner, help clean your house, listen to you and call you at your darkest hour. Discard the rest. If they are bringing you down they are bringing your art down. Life's too short. 

As Madonna says: "Don't go for second best baby..."

So, I want to thank just a few member of my stellar team and keep on cheering and being in my life supporting my dream to sell my art to movie stars and support my family lavlishly from the production and sales of my work. Thank you!

The photo here is of me and my friend Meg hiking in Montecito. Meg  just had a piece published in the newly released book Conscious Choices An Evolutionary Woman's Guide to Life. Congrats Meg and thank you for continuing to inspire me on so many levels. 

Mathew- san...'darling you...bring me....bring me home" for the paperwork, love, pizza, stories you've read to Ruthie and pure friendship. Here's to sailing down the coast. Thank you.

Todd, thank you for being here, iphoto, mac support and being your cute barbie doll self - Ruthie just loves you!

Misty, for our call last week. For telling me I will find the positive in hard times, that i will thrive no matter what. Thank you for calling.

Heather, for your feedback, input and love. Can't wait to see your new house and hike in the rockies again.

Jeff for bringing over dinner the other night, hikes, calls, friendship and showing up.

Kath, Grace, Sharon, Jackie and all the girls I get to share and be with when we have our groups.

Geoffrey and Laurel, Miss Sal and Miss Liz for taking such great care of my girl, Ruthie Firefly!

Peter for your love, art, smile, understanding and friendship.

Lana Grow for being my pillar of art, teaching, mentor.

Michelle Y Williams for being a success, inspiration and creating the beautiful amaizng work that you do. 

Josh and Zach for all the work on the video, filiming, place to crash, love & encouragement. 

April for our hike and making me laugh big time! I'm never going to think about rent money the same again! Here's to Lazy Acres and cashmere blankets. Lov eyou babe.

Ann Blachke for yoru honesty and groundedness.

Sloane and Bob and Peggy Reali for Christmas dinner, love, music, understanding. 

Tai Kerbs for the encouragement and willigness to help me create this dream.

Hunter & Troy for those digital photos!

Jolina for the start of something great. Thank you for our awesome meeting and wonderful chat about men and motherhood.

Jordon at infusionsoft for staying on my butt!

Reyna and the team at back 40 Designs for patiently waiting...

Lyza loo I love you!

Jenn....my singing in the rain at Interlaken girlfriend, always there for me, standing by through the good and the bad. I love you woman. You are my pillar. Thank you for being so strong.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Getting started Painting, or getting back to it....

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I got a message on my facebook wall ( facebook is mylatest addiction, I confess!) the other day from a friend I met at business seminar in San Diego, specifically Sales Explosion by Frontier Trainings, several months back. He asked me how to get started painting....

It's a good question and something to consider is one that a child would never even think about, they just go for it. Somewhere along the way into adult hood we get all this beliefs and notions and fear and so on in our heads and even the smallest thing, like writing a few lines in a journal, let alone picking up a paint brush and pushing paint around become monumental, difficult, overwhelming....

I paint nearly every day and have been for years - 8+. I write in a journal almost daily. There is nothing special or different about me. Just that I went out of my way to find out how to overcome procrastination, overwhelm, artist's block and all the other things that stop us from pursuing our creative callings.

Here are my favourites that keep me charged up:
  • Look what I've already done - I was just at Samy's Camera working with Troy and going over the digital photos he'd shot of the first 8 Patchwork Paper paintings and I kept commenting on how energized I felt seeing m y completed work. Well done, Deb I kept saying to myself. Troy & I were laughing but it really was a genuine feeling of pride. That feeling keeps me going.
  • Bridging - Setting up the studio so that when I next come to it everything I need to start painting is in place ready to go, organized, water containers filled, paper towels available, counter space cleared to lay down a  painting.
  • Writing. See the photo above I am painting on a piece of paper in which I wrote using black  india ink (I like Higgins Black Magic) just to release some feelings and thoughts. After I clear out mentally it makes room for creativity to flow. In this case I was thinking of incorporating this into another patchwork painting piece....but anyways I'm working on some other stuff...( so much to do, so little time)
  • Evening ritual of writing down my successes. Every night before I go to bed I write out my successes. When I take the time to congratulate or honor myself for what I did today as a forward movement towards my long & short term goals - IE success - showed up at the studio, worked in Pure Abstraction paintings today! It makes  me want to do more. Hence it gets easier and easier to come back and start because I've created a positive neuro association with the task at hand. Make sense?
  • Looking at other artists work - this Friday my friend Lyza Loo and I are headed to the LA art convention in Santa Monica to look at other artist work! Do you know how jazzed I get when I see other artist making it happen and succeeding big time? Very. because I know if they can do it, so can I.
Keep feeding your well. Please feel free to share with us what keeps you going or gets you started. Best, Deb



Art inventory - fire under my ass

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I' Am finally back to completing an inventory of all my current available work! (I think I've been procrastinating for about a year! And If I was even more honest with you here I'd tell you this blog in itself is a little further procrastination to the job!!!). Anyways, since the goal in the next two months is to get the new website up and having the painting inventoried is imperative, as I told my Scottsdale artist friend JM - I've got "fire under my ass" this year!

Last year I was using e-artist for a while on my PC. Then the PC completely crashed and quite honestly I wasn't that excited on the e-artist program - kind of clunky and antiquated in my opinion. So I've left that one behind. 

However, there is light in the land of art inventory! I am using Iphoto. And since I have not used a mac since high school...Thank God for my friend Todd. We met yesterday and he's helping me understand albums vs folders and all the intricacies of the mac world. But quite frankly the details section for each photo offers plenty of room for all the info I keep on each painting. 

In case you're curious. Here's what I keep track of:

Painting Inventory Detail

Title

Belong to Group: ( this would be the name of the body of work, like Raw Expression)

Medium: ex. mixed medias, acrylics, oil, sand, collage

Substrate: what I painted on - paper or canvas

Size: I think the standard is  H x W x D (depth) but I need to double check with my art biz coach, I always forget this detail!

Year: year I completed the piece - that's usually when I wire the back and paint the edges and varnish the surface...hey and let me know if you're interested in this process and archival varnish, etc . I could write more on this. Pls leave comment.

Sold/Selling person/Location: Ex. SWiTCH Boutique Beverly Hill on consignemnt with Jen and Julia Cohen since January 2009.

Feng Shui: Something I do that is unique in that I give each painting a Feng Shui recommendation and also guide collectors as to where they could place the  piece in their home or a room to further energize the area the piece supports such as health, relationships, family, or creativity, etc. Look back on old blogs with paintings posted and you'll see this.


Photographed for prints? Y/N

Posted on Blog/Website/Cafepress? 

If you have any ideas on how to make this process more fun, pls do let me know. Until next week!

Art Career Success - vision boards & affirmative video

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My friend Lyza Loo and I are going to get together to create affirmative vision boards for ourselves and our successful lives as artists. I made these last year, one for my art career and the other for my dream homestead. I'd like to add to the art career vision board and make it prettier.


 I think this video might be as good even better and it's already done! Check out this Art Career Success video. Tres Cool!

New adventures in 2009 - SWITCH

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Next week I'll be driving down to Beverly Hills to meet with Jennifer and Julia Cohen, the two wondrous fashion diva owners of *SWITCH Boutique in Beverly Hills. They are currently showing and selling all my Raw Expression paintings (you can see these paintings on my website http://www.debchaney.com hompage.) 

These paintings were truly about getting it out there. Really, the series title "Raw Expression" says it all. The real honest story is that when I met Peter Moraites at Date with Destiny a few years back we had an incredibly sexual connection and Peter, being the man that he is, offered the suggestion that I used the energy to create art work, instead of venturing down other paths. You get the drift. So voila, 18 paintings.

Jennifer already bought "She fucked him for breakfast, lunch and dinner and still it was not enough" and my husband thinks she purchased this subconsioucsy because she wants more sex in her life???Who knows. These women are hot and happening. I'm sure getting 'it' is not a problem. But I must say it's one of my favourites of the series. 

Anyways, I'm going down to see how they've displayed the work and discuss having a few framed to hang on the wall as well as explore a few PR options and how to get the word out....Apparently movie stars and other celebs shop there so perhaps my work will end up with someone interesting...Will keep you posted!

*SWITCH Boutique
 Location: 238 S. Beverly Dr. Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Ph 310.860.1650 info@switchboutique.com

review and links:
http://yelp.com/biz/switch-boutique-beverly-hills


What brings you joy?

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A few weeks ago I drove up to Big Sur, CA to take some personal time and work on a new series of paintings I'm calling Patchwork Paper ( photos of works in process will be revealed next week!). During the drive I listened to a new book entitled A Thousand Names for Joy by Byron Katie. This book took me into an entirely different way of seeing myself and reality. I recommend it highly.





So, here's my question for you for today...what brings you joy?





I was thinking of this question myself this morning as I dropped my daughter Ruthie off at kindergarten and set myself up to make little artist gift cards at a local cafe. Making cards brings me so much joy, as well as making art. Lately Ruth has made friends with my friend Kathy's dog Zeus - it brings me such joy to watch them run around togher, down the lane through the autumn leaves...wonderful.

Some other thigns that bring me joy:



  • writing in my journal

  • taking long walks in nature

  • ocean swimming

  • thinking about new paintings

  • connecting with friends

  • working on a project
  • reading a good book

Patchwork Paper....new paintings in process!

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Here are some fun snaps of a series of collage paintings in process. The series is called Patchwork Paper. Each collage 'painting' is 23 x 30" on 150 pound paper and is a compilation of painted and textured papers put together in a patchwork pattern.

I paint and cut all the different papers and then organize the pieces to create the final piece.

This body of work has been created in various places - at a 24 hr paint-a-thon that occured in Santa Barbara in October, up at Esalen in Big Sur, and at home in my studio....

and, if you're wondering, the rocks are simply used to hold the paper in place before I begin to glue them down! (plus the rocks look nice!)

You can come and see the paintings in person this thursday December 4th at the DRAWN OUT group show, 125 E. Carrillo, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 5-8 PM

I start by painting the variuos papers - tissue paper, rice paper, hand made papers from tibet. I have been collecting these papers for years as I find them at art and specialty stores. Some of the papers were gifted to me.






Laying all the papers out to figure out what will work together.






During the process I write myself post-it-notes to remember what piece goes where. The pieces interlap so when I am in the glueing proces it takes all my focus and attention to remember what pieces goes where! The final piece is never the same as the initial.








After choosing the papers I begin by putting them on the 23 x 30 " paper and start working out the pattern.





A close up of the pink and gold patchwork piece.






A close up of the deep red papers.




Near the end when I have glued on all the papers, I lay down a plastic kitchen garbage bag (these seem to work best) and then cover it with heavy books to flatten the collage down.

Stay posted for the final art pieces which will be posted on my blog and website when they are finished and then professionally photographed. All works are for sale. Unframed $800 USD and framed $1200. Feel free to call to view paintings (805) 403-9879. Serious inquiries onlyl please. Thank you.

24 hr -paint - a - thon & ART SHOW in Santa Barbara

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On Saturday October 25th a group of Santa Barbara artists, including myself and my friend Lyza Fontana got together to paint for 24 hrs! The show was organized by Ethan Turpin -

Here are some picts from the event.


Some beautiful caligraphy writings were created on paper tags by Ulrike Kerber.









Ethan worked on a large scrolll with words and pencil drawings






Here we all are working







Julie did very realistic sketches of mosquitos and wonderful little abstract sribbles on papers.








Jonny Troyna working on his pencil drawings






The group art pieces we all added to during the day/night.






Saul Grey-Hilderbrand  is working on a 150 ft long scroll!





Lyza Loo (nickname for my wonderful friend Lyza Fontana) is working on her wonderful mixed media paintings on canvas. Love her work. Kind of reminds me of Kelly Rae Roberts's work.










Lyza Fontana in her groove making art. Go girl!





and I did not take any pictures of myself, except the Patchwork Paper collage painting series in process which will be my next blog post!


All the art will be shown:

at " DRAWN OUT" an exhibition of the 24 hr ARt Slam" thursday Dec 4th 5-8 PM

VIVA Design Studio Gallery
Located behind 'Labor ready'
125 E. CArRILLO ST.Santa Barbara.ca.93101