Brillante Weblog Award

We get wrapped up in our busy lives...and "busy", I have certainly been these last two months. There have been times when I was sure I was going to be unable to meet my deadlines and many things have had to be laid aside in order to relieve some of the pressure.

I'm honored to announce that I've received the "Brillante Weblog Award" from three fellow Artists and Bloggers during July and August. Although I accepted them in a timely fashion, I'm embarrassed to say that I'm just getting around to acknowledging and passing it on to other deserving artists and bloggers.

I first want to say THANK YOU to the three inspiring artists and bloggers who thought enough of my words and my art to honor me with the Brillante Weblog Award. Be sure to visit their sites...grab a cup of coffee and plan on spending some time browsing.

• Jeanette Dobson, author of the Illustrated Life
• Dee Overly, author of Dee's Art Journal
• Karen Hargett, author of Karen Hargett's Fine Art Journal

Now to pass this award on to some of my favorite "daily reads". I'm sure you will find the blogs listed below to be both inspiring and informational. They post regularly, sharing their art, their thoughts, and their daily lives. Enjoy

• Sue Smith...Ancient Artist
• Diane Mize...Diane Mize: Bagatelles and Meanderings
• Angela Fehr...Angela Fehr: Painting Simplicity
• Terry Rafferty...Terry Rafferty: Paintings and Drawings
• Jennifer Bellinger...Jennefer Bellinger Studio
• Theresa Miller...Theresa Miller Watercolors
  
• Marilyn Moore...Marilyn Moore's Brush with Paint
  

All awards have their rules...the "Brilliant Weblog Award" is no exception.
I'm excited to pass this award on. You are all truly "Brilliant" artists and bloggers.

Rules of Acceptance:

1. Put the logo on your blog
2. Add a link the the person who awarded you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.
6. Participation is entirely voluntary (of course!).
7. Have fun...honoring the bloggers who inspire you regularly.

CONGRATULATIONS...to a fine group of artists who inspire me to be better.



Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Weekend Chat Line...Did you miss me last week?

"A sneak preview"
of the progress so far on Mr. Lincoln.

When I said I wouldn't be posting as frequently, I didn't expect to let a whole week go buy without saying something...but that's exactly what happened.

Time simply got away from me. Along with my regular job as a hairdresser (which I speak of often), I was working on "Mr. Lincoln" and replenishing my print bins in preparation for last weekend's exhibit at my home town art fair in Lincoln, Illinois...and then there is that "art related opportunity" that I mentioned in an earlier post. I might add it's developing quite nicely, but it has also required a portion of my time.

I will be announcing something soon...I promise.

The Art and Balloon Fest has always been a very good art fair in regard to sales but this year it was terrible...my sales were barely 1/3 of what I usually do. Some automatically say it's the economy, and I'm sure that is effecting everything this year. Yet so far my experience has been that my sales have held solid this year.

Just don't know...but was certainly disappointing. Attendance was way down and those who were there weren't buying. In fact according to other merchants in town the attendance last weekend was much lower than usual for the entire event...not just the art fair.

As for my progress on "Mr. Lincoln", you can see he's coming along quite nicely. I'm really pleased so far. He's actually starting to look like himself. The photo shown here was taken quickly so as usual doesn't show some of the finer detail...but still LOTS of work to be done yet. I'm so glad the due date has been moved to October...this took some of the pressure off. I now have time to "take my time", which in the end will produce a better drawing.

So I ask: Are you ever guilty of "just loosing track of time" and putting your blog on the back burner? Do you feel as I that you've let your readers down when this happens?

The "Chat Line" is open...I look forward to your comments and please feel free to comment on what others have to say. Remember...when you share, others are blessed.

I'm so sorry I neglected posting last week, hope to do better in the future. You notice I didn't say "promise". Things will remain a little hectic until the end of September, when my show schedule ends.

Today will be a "catch up at home day", doing all the things I hate to do...cleaning, laundry, paying bills, grocery shopping, etc. Mr. Lincoln is on my schedule for Sunday afternoon...YEA! Have a great holiday weekend. Hope you're doing something you enjoy!

Sincerely,
Marsha


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Weekend Chat Line...Getting some "Me Time"

This is Alexis...my walking partner.
Alexis is 14 years old now...not quite as sure on her feet
but as sassy and opinionated as ever!

It seems like all I've been writing about this summer is my hectic schedule...and admittedly it has been more hectic than usual. In the middle of all the insanity there is one thing that I always make time for in my schedule and that is what I call "Me Time".

I'm just one of those "busy" people. I truly believe if I didn't have something to do, I would create "something to do"....I'm sure you know someone like this or perhaps you to are one of these people.

I've developed the habit over the years of sitting with my morning coffee, pad and pen in hand, and prioritizing my day. (Of coarse, by now, you know I have already prioritized my week!!) I will admit, reluctantly, that I rarely accomplish all I start out to do in any given day...so my list always starts with a few "carry over" things.

The point I want to make is this...I always include some "Me Time" in each day...regardless of the length of my "to do" list or the importance of the things needing attention.

Pulling away from the things at hand and looking back gives you new perspective. Many times after a 20 min. walk or a trip to the park with Alexis...(this is her favorite thing to do). I will come back and have a totally new outlook on a commission piece.

I've been known to stop what I'm doing and pick a hand full of flowers from the garden...and yes, pull a few weeds while out there!! Sometimes I simply take a glass of tea and head to the sun porch and read for awhile...usually the Book of Psalms.

It's all to easy to become engrossed in the things at hand and become overwhelmed and defeated. It's fine to let your mind be occupied with other thoughts for awhile...it clears the cobwebs and refreshes it...giving you new energy to go back to the task at hand. I've even been known to leave my studio and sit quietly...thinking about "nothing". Yes day dreaming is OK.

You know, you don't need permission to do this!!

So I ask: Do you work some "Me Time" into your day? What are your favorite things to do...just for you? When was the last time you took a day off and did nothing?

The "Chat Line" is open...I look forward to your comments and please feel free to comment on what others have to say. Remember...when you share, others are blessed.

Today I've scheduled a Manicure, something I never do for myself, a special treat. Enjoy the weekend...and remember...do something special for yourself!

Sincerely,
Marsha


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Weekend Chat Line...Working Under Pressure?

I've finished the layout work on the large commission I've been writing about and today will start the fun part...developing the shadows and highlights that make the drawing come to life.

(my photo reference)

The subject of this commission is Abraham Lincoln...so there isn't a lot of creativity involved except for my chosen composition and of course the infusion of my "style" into the drawing.

Abraham Lincoln was born on Feb. 12, in 1809. Illinois will be celebrating Lincoln's 200th birthday all next year and of course my home town of Lincoln and our local college, "Lincoln College" (what else!), will be celebrating big time.

This piece was commissioned by a patron of Lincoln College to be donated to their Lincoln Museum. It's been quite an honor to be asked to do this commission but with the short time line for completion (August 19), it puts me under considerable pressure to produce.

Historically, I work well under pressure...in fact, I've even been known to thrive when the pressure is on. I just pray that this proves true in this instance!

Well I'm off to the drawing board, will try to find time to give you a progress report next week... perhaps with a photo or two if I have time to pause for a "snap".

So I ask: How about you...do you work well under pressure? Does the tension caused by the deadline closing in give you an "adrenaline rush" or does it push you into utter confusion?

The "Chat Line" is open...I look forward to your comments and please feel free to comment on what others have to say. Remember...what you say blesses others.

Enjoy the weekend...do something special for yourself.

Sincerely,
Marsha


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Arte y Pico Award

In mid July I was honored to discover that Deborah O'Sullivan of Art of the Horse had found my site worthy of the Arte y Pico Award. I'm a little behind in announcing this award and passing it on...but never let this reflect on the honor I felt at receiving it.

I'm passing this award along to five other artist blogs that inspire and enrich my life daily with their art and their philosophy. If you're not familiar with them...get a cup of coffee and prepare for a beautiful interlude. They will please the eye and tease the mind.

It was difficult to choose just five...you had better get that cup of coffee and prepare to sit a spell!
Marlyn Moore's Brush with Paint
Karen Harget's Fine Art Journal
Holly Bedrosian Fine Art
Angela Fehr-Painting Simplicity
The Flat Sound of Wooden Clogs

FYI...The Origin of The Art y Pico Award and Rules if you choose to accept.
You might be interested in the origin of the "Art y Pico Award" The designer of the award puts it like this..."The Arte y Pico Award has arisen from the daily visits that I make to many blogs which nourish and enrich me with creativity. In them, I see dedication, creativity, care, comradeship, but mainly, ART, much art. I want to share this prize with all those bloggers that entertain and enrich me day to day. Doubtlessly, there are many and it will be hard to pick just a few.

The Rules:
1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award through creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogger community, no matter of language.
2. Each award should have the name of the author with a link to their blog.
3. Award winners have to post the award with the name and link to the blog of the person who gave them the award.
4. Show these rules and the paragraph (above) explaining the awards origination.

Thank you again Deborah for considering my art, my thoughts, and my blog worthy...it's an honor.

Sincerely,
Marsha


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Weekend Chat Line.......The Little Red Engine said, "I think I can, I think I can".

Photo by Trever Steats

I've been inconsistent in my blog postings lately and I apologize to you, my regular readers. There are two huge projects on my plate that have to take priority. Both are absolutely the answer to prayer.

With the economy the way it is, my income just wasn't going as far and I was getting concerned as to what I was going to do. My salon work and the sales from my art just weren't going to be enough...and I was going to find myself in this situation sooner rather than later. In my prayers I pleaded for answers to what seemed a bleak future ahead and just when I felt my lowest opportunity knocked.

One is a large commission piece that I have to finish by the first week of September. I've been given permission to make and sell prints and I need a 10 day window to send it off to be high resolution scanned in order to do this.

The other I will tell you more about in a week or so, but for now I will just say this. It's a part time position with a company I have long admired and is definitely the biggest challenge I've ever experienced...and at my age that statement covers quite a few years!

So, of late, with these two time consuming projects on my plate at the same time plus my Real Job, I've felt like that children's book..."The Little Red Engine that Could". I've walked around saying "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can"..."Thank You Lord, I know I can" And then the next day it starts over again! I have to keep reminding my self that if God gives us an opportunity He has also given us the talent and ability get it done.

I do expect to be connecting with you occasionally in the next few weeks, but wont be back to "posting as usual" until sometime in September. The relationships I've developed through my blog and the support and encouragement I've received from all of you has been such a blessing.

So this week, I ask: What is your "Little Red Engine" story?

The "Chat Line" is open...I look forward to your comments and please feel free to comment on what others have to say. Remember...what you say blesses others.

Have a blessed weekend...The weather here is HOT and I'm so glad I will be at my drawing table this weekend in the air conditioning instead of sitting out in this heat and humidity at an art fair!!! Will write more later...I promise.

Sincerely,
Marsha


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment