Starving Artist Forum

So many of us have way more supplies than room to store them. Creative storage solutions are a multimillion dollar business. There are specialty stores, aisles at your local stores and magazines devoted to helping us get all that excess into neat and tidy bins.

My latest wish list includes this bin for $33. A real bargain when you see what it holds! There is even a place for your sketch books! If you are like most artists you can't stop at one medium, one style, or one sketch pad...so this is a great way to keep you organized.

Pencils, watercolors, acrylics, even oils all have a place and dividers to keep you straight. If you are tighter budgeted than medicare you may have to pass on this gem, but don't let that stop you.

I live in a small apartment with a dog, cat, toddler son, baby girl, and a husband. Needless to say there is little Mom space to be found. I found a simple enough place. The closet. It is packed full with a folding easel complete with carry case, plastic totes for each medium, and charming little handmade tags.

It is not as fancy as this box, but it serves it's purpose. Browse your local stores and find what works for you. If you are still drooling over the super satchel model pictured, then click here and add it to your craft closet.

I hope you have more space than I have, and inspiration to spare. Enjoy!

(Featured on my group blog)

My friend's challenge paid off! It actually got me out of my rut and into watercolor! Here is the proof of 'life' again! The little artist inside me is stretching and yawning after her long, long slumber!

Above is the actual flower bud and the resulting painting. I have to give a special shout out of thanks to my DAWG sisters, Jenny M. who challenged me to complete a new painting and of course Dawn S. T. who took the awesome photograph which was my inspiration.

This was done in miniature scale, ACEO format of 2.5 by 3.5 inches and is available to purchase in my Etsy store, http://www.etsy.com/listing/45556431/spring-bud-aceo-dawg-personal-quest-from

Thank you! Enjoy Spring in whatever inspiring ways possible and share the joy!

I recently received a message through facebook from a friend offering a friendly challenge to get us both painting again. I would have never thought to do the same in reverse, but was so glad to have been challenged!

We decided on a Spring theme and are going for an ACEO or 4X6 size work of art that we can sell or auction off. It has to be water color and in that theme. We are both choosing from another friend's photos coincidentally and I cannot wait to see what she chooses!!

Just getting that email has started my creative processes again, and I am looking forward to plunging into watercolors again.

We may fail miserably, but as long as you try there is no true looser. So get out of your comfort zones. Challenge friends and neighbors to art offs and see what fun you can stir up. You might just help a stay at home Mom out of a rut or push a teacher toward new ground.

You never know how much you affect others until you try.

I have been feeling so low lately! Not at all creative, and very near blue. So to myself I thought am I entering a blue phase? Most artists are troubled individuals so it would not be a first or even hundreth really.

But all in all I believe I am just a plain ordinary woman with plain ordinary troubles. For someone who loves to be different this is far from reassuring! But it works.

To the point...I converted my low mood to a different path. So I don't feel like sketching or painting, I did however make a cute pair of earrings!

So the moral ladies and gents is that not every feeling you have is true, and when those negative ones are nagging you, convert it to something constructive. You never know what new hobbies await you!