Sketching 13

Collages are super fun to make. Sometimes I just randomly grab images I have collected in a folder and try to make something with them. I really like how this one turned out.

Sketching 12

I really like those lattice shapes. I want to do more with them. They're just really fun to draw.

Sketching 11

More microbiology inspired sketches. I'm a little behind in scanning these--this drawing is from December of last year.

God's Grace

This was a note I wrote on Facebook back in December, but it's been a train of thought for me again of late, so I thought I'd share it here:

I  was looking back through my timeline this morning, remembering the drama and craziness of college. Reminiscing about the people who have passed through my life for a season and I no longer keep in touch with, and also the ones who remain dear friends whether near or far.
Skimming through highlights of my life from the past seven years is strange--I forget so quickly the struggles, the times of tears, carrying a wounded spirit and a broken heart. And it's just as easy to forget the joys, the bright moments, the times of happiness and fun, and maturing into someone new. My time in college has started to blur together, and I have to remind myself that those three and a half years were a huge turning point in my life.
I went through a lot and came out the other side a better person, stronger, wiser, more sure of who I am in God. I don't want to forget how good God has been to me, how He walked with me as I went through counseling, challenged me to listen to Him over stupid people, called me to return to Him when I'd messed up, and just loved me where I was.
I'm thankful that He never gave up on me, even though I can be so stubborn and have a thick skull to get through. There were times where God pretty much had to beat me over the head repeatedly for me to be like, "Uh, I think you might be trying to tell me something, Lord?" I'm glad He's more stubborn and patient than I am!
The thing I am most thankful for is that I found my voice. I felt like I had no story, no great purpose to my life--I couldn't see how God was working. But looking back now, I can definitely see it. He was there, when I was a super shy freshman, when I went through an unhealthy relationship for two years, when I was figuring out being an artist, when I was juggling working full time and finishing school, and just figuring out how to be an adult. I couldn't see it at the time, being so caught up in the day to day of life.
But I'm starting to see how He has been directing my life, guiding my uncertain steps, leading me towards something good. And now I'm beginning a new chapter in my life. Not just getting married, though that's huge, but also stepping into new opportunities, accepting new challenges, considering new ideas and ways of doing things, and being open to God's leading down new roads. I don't want to let myself get hung up on the past, staying in a rut and not growing as a person. God wants more from me, I can feel it....and I'm willing to follow Him, to be open and willing to grow into a woman after His own heart (whatever that looks like). 

Starting a new business

I finally stopped talking, and took the plunge today, setting up an Etsy shop. I've been batting the idea around for a few years now, never getting to the point where I actually made the effort to put my words into action. It was always something I'd do "someday," or "when I have the time," or whatever. I had plenty of excuses for why NOW was never a good time. It'd come up in conversation, and I'd list out my ideas and plans, brainstorming as I went....but it never led to anything concrete.

I'm really good at making work but not much selling it. I've probably got over 50 paintings and collages sitting in my parents' basement right now (and another dozen or two stalled works-in-progress). I had a full time retail job for four and a half years that sucked away too much of my energy and focus. By the time I'd get home from work, I'd be too tired to do more than poke around in my studio for a bit. I only had time to work in bits and pieces. I was actually pretty productive, but just didn't have the mental energy to focus on setting up my art as a business.

And then last year, I totally fell off the art making wagon. I barely made anything of consequence in 2012. I wasn't feeling very motivated artistically, and it didn't help that my job was taxing my energy levels more and more. You only have so much to go around when you live with chronic health issues. Then, I started dating Colin, which was absolutely life changing...but I had a decision to make. I had to decide where I was going to focus my energy. Art? Or my relationship? I wasn't going to commit to both and then half-ass it. I knew I had to really commit to one and let the other slide (for a time). I chose Colin. Which turned out well:

photo by Steve Coleman

So, we got married in February, and I quit my job right before our wedding. I didn't have a plan for what I would do next, but I knew I couldn't keep working in retail. I didn't have another job lined up, but after talking with Colin at length about it, we decided that would be the best course of action. My knees, legs and feet were hurting all the time. On my days off, I always had to ration my energy and turn down doing anything that was too draining.
When I quit, I suddenly felt amazing. I felt so energetic and alive--it was quite a dramatic change!

After settling into married life, getting our new apartment in order and just adjusting to a new life, I started job hunting. I've been applying to jobs since February, landing a few interviews here and there, but no solid leads. The market is still competitive, especially for the entry level office positions I've been applying for.

In my free time, I've been getting back into making art more regularly again. But living in a one bedroom apartment, I have less art creating space and need to be more intentional about my projects. I've already finished one street art project in the last couple months. It was a simple, small series and didn't take long to make and distribute. I wanted to settle into my next big, long term project, but didn't want to clutter up my apartment with artwork collecting dust. And I was ready to transition away from the assemblages I'd been making since college. I had started feeling like I was just repeating myself; my work didn't feel like it was evolving or going in any new directions. Being without a job and a lot of free time on my hands, I'd been feeling a bit directionless over the last couple months.

And then my older brother sent me over 50 small boards (about 4inx6in) as a wedding present (art materials are always a great gift!). A small germ of an idea started growing, and I realized now would be the perfect time to finally create that Etsy shop. Here was a chance to challenge myself to work in a more simple and pared down style so that I could make paintings with a more affordable price point.

So I've spent the majority of the day setting up my shop and listing items. I feel really confident in what I've done so far. It's time for me to stop saying, "someday" and starting putting my ideas into action.

You can check out my Etsy shop to browse through more pictures of what I have for sale: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AbstractAmbience

Petri Dish Street Art Series

It's been far too long since I hashed out a street art idea to completion....well, actually any art project for that matter. Over the last year, I've been doodling a lot and jotting things down in my sketchbook...but I haven't actually finished much work. This week that's going to change.

A box of a couple dozen heavy duty glass disc things came my way a while back. I knew they were too awesome to pass up (especially since they were free!), but didn't have any idea what to do with them at the time. They've been stuffed away in my parents' basement until just a few days ago, when I was picking up some more of my art materials. That box of potential has been in the back of my mind for a while--I was just mulling over the possibilities of what I might do with these glass objects. 

Behold, the Petri Dish series! 

Petri Dish #2

Colin actually suggested that name, and it's perfect. The glass circles reminded me of looking through a microscope. And I like microbiological lifeforms, especially creating art that looks like those microbes out of craft supplies.
So, in the next couple weeks, I'll finish creating these and send them out into the wide world. If you want one, just let me know, otherwise you'll have to keep your eyes peeled while out and about in the Twin Cities.

Petri Dish #4

A funny thing happened on the way to being an art superstar

Well, well, well, look who's back! Good grief, I can't believe I haven't posted anything on here since last summer! That's what happens, I guess, when you have chronic fatigue, a huge energy suck of a job, and then start seriously dating someone. There really wasn't much of me to spare. I prioritized the things I felt were most important, or that I had to focus on, and just let everything else go for a while. (I've barely made any art worth noting either. A few collages and sketches, but nothing I felt like sharing.)

As my priorities were shifting over the last 8 months, I realized that my idea of what success is has changed. A few years ago, I was willing to sacrifice relationships and a social life to focus on "my art." That was all that mattered to me, especially after I came out of an unhealthy relationship towards the end of college. I would squeeze in as much art making as possible into my days, whether before work for just a few minutes or staying up a few more hours once I got home. My heart had been burned, and I found solace in the quietness of artistic creation. I was content to fill my free time with playing in my art space.

But then along came Colin, and my world was turned on its head. He won my heart, helped me to see that being a successful artist isn't the most worthwhile thing to pursue, and is just generally encouraging me to be a better person. His influence on my life, from his quiet thoughtfulness to the way he calls me out on my issues without realizing it to observing his heart to serve and help others, has been transformative. I'm still amazed that I caught his attention. Colin has been so huge in helping me to see what true success is, and it has nothing to do with selling lots of paintings or creating a popular blog.

This changes everything!

As my life has completely changed over the last month (quit my job, got married, moved out of my parents' home, renting my first apartment and learning what it means to be a wife), it seems like a good time to solidify new priorities and resurrect dormant ideas and projects. Just today, I submitted a book proposal and started seriously exploring and figuring out how to make a line of jewelry I want to create. And I hope to begin posting semi-regularly on here again, though it is strange to realize that my name is actually different now (it's Morley not Preble anymore).