Recommendations ...

If you haven't heard or seen Kirsty hall 's web site, you'll be in for a real treat...fascinating blog and her resources section for all creative people is just fantastic....Such a lovely and genuine person as well. I have been following her for some time now and am constantly finding new or great information!

Katherine Tyrrell from Making a Mark is also one of the most valuable blogs you could possibly find. A delightful person with a wealth of information, articles and resources. The links to her other sites are fantastic too.

Sometimes because I subscribe by RSS posts to my Google reader, I have found that I really miss seeing the actual blogs / web sites so am doing my best to visit as much as possible....although Reader is great for just reading through the posts, it really doesn't have the same 'ambience' as actually visiting the sites!!

Working, working, working ~

Yay . . . don't you just love it when you feel you are achieving something !! I've been working steadily away 'behind the scenes' so to speak.

A new series of work is evolving and some big changes are about to happen with my blogs!!

Not only are they getting a bit of a face lift (read as: yes; I'm changing them again !!) furthermore I have added a new Blog that will be linked to this one containing loads of information pertaining to resources!!

So yes lots of exciting, challenging and time consuming activities happening at the moment!!

Time and planning Systems...

I'm one of those people who needs 'Structure with Flexibility' in my life . . . .

My life, (like so many others), seems to be crammed to the maximum, with all that I need to, have to, must do, and that loathsome 'should' do!

 I often feel like a dog chasing its own tail . . . . running from task to task . . . oh yes I can say I am 'multi-tasking', however it often feels more like brain overload and 'brain drain' . . .  despite my repeated attempts 'to write it out, to let it out, and to de-clutter the mind' !!

I know that when I get to that point it really is time to STOP and slow down.

It also clearly tells me that my time management and action planning needs some improvement!!

The hardest part is to actually stop trying to complete the 4,218 tasks (well that's what it seems like!!) I'm engrossed in and take a deep breath . . . 

And, shaking my head, I know the theories about prioritising, completing one task before starting another, etc etc. . . . but when I'm in that learning, research, doing mode . . . the obsession takes over!!

Photo courtesy of picaland

So here I am, having taken a deep breath and plunging into sorting out the 452 pages of written notes (okay so another slight exaggeration!!) into their appropriate folders for filing when they have been properly assimilated, worked through or on.

Have I ever mentioned I LOVE paper, I love writing on paper, I love writing out snippets of info and writing lists and note taking etc.. etc..  I love it!!

I think I have an OCD.

Photo courtesy of Peter Skadberg

I love paper and writing lists . . . there I've admitted it . . . . yes there are all these online notes, and folders/files/documents I could use . . .   ah but the smell, the feel of paper with its crisp blank pages waiting . . . waiting for that first touch of pen or ink or graphite . . . aarh ~ the sweet pleasure !!!

Except for the filing of the then huge paperwork piles.

I'm working on creating a system/s that will be appropriate for all these different elements of my life. Terrified if I file it away I may forget the information and value that is contained within those pages . . .  pathetic isn't it !!!!

Oh well 'shit happens' ~ 

Late at night . . .

It's late at night, not always a good time to write a post, however it's been a full on day and what better place to pause and reflect on what is within ?

Late last night and today I have reconnected with Twitter and the community ~  those whom I 'follow'.

So what you may say. The big deal (to me) is that it's been over a month since I last was there.

The value that I gain from this social media platform is remarkable. The ability to connect to like minded people, to those whose wisdoms and teachings are pertinent, informative and invaluable. From connecting with creative individuals from all over the world to leading and cutting edge professionals ..... it's just amazing.

For someone like my self who not only loves learning but needs too, I cannot stress the importance and value in connecting highly enough...

The greatest difficulty is trying to read all the posts and articles that such people have links too or recommended !!

It was truly a pleasure and joy to connect again.

My mind though is full of information, of questions pertaining to thought provoking articles, of newly discovered remarkable people and perceptions.

I also did something I have never done before. I took a large breath and 'bit the bullet' so to speak by purchasing a mini course by Danielle LaPorte. I've never done this before due to limited finances and the fact that it's an international transaction.

I've been tempted by so many courses/ books etc. before, yet have resisted the temptation, hence why this is a 'biggie for me!

Even now, to sit here late at night, There is a feeling of having achieved something important in my life.....

Still reading and learning....

Once again I have spent hours pouring over the posts in other people's blogs . . . and in the forum pages as well . . . so much to see and read and so little time . . .

When I 'get my act together' a little more I would love to tell you about some of the brilliant and  interesting Artists and other gifted writers or bloggers that I have come across . . . and I will put these in the Creative Resources  and Links page . . .

In the meantime, you really do need to have a look at the following blogs . . . they are just (in my opinion!!) amazing and great . . . for a number of reasons . . . Empty Easel has a wealth of information on every subject that any artist could possibly want to know about.

And of course Art Business by Alan Bamberger is another great site with loads of articles and answers to artist questions . . . (And I thought some of my questions were dumb!! . . . I'll never feel that way again!)

Hope you find these of value, I know I keep going back to them !!