What I'm up to

Posted by Melissa

 I had hoped this blog would help structure and focus my creative energy as well as support an online store, but soon after I started blogging, I began a venture that shook up my plans. A business-minded artist friend for whom I’ve done design work was inspired to get behind some cute characters I drew and develop their money-making potential.  At this point he’s risking time and money. I’m risking time, although it doesn’t feel risky. If  business hopes don’t pan out, I’ll at least have a body of work to do something with. Perhaps more importantly, I feel like I’m getting an education both in illustration and in my particular creative process. I’m homeschooling myself in art. To give me time, my husband has taken over household work I’ve usually done. It’s wonderful.

A small disappointment, however, is the way I approach this blog. I make art every day, but its not connected to the blog and I don’t feel great about posting it. I don’t actually expect someone in my vast readership to steal it and get rich instead of me, but putting it online doesn’t feel right.  I read somewhere that introverted children don’t show the leading edge of their development. What you see  is not as developed as what is hidden, though not by choice --it’s just the way they are. Maybe I’m just an introverted artist, and what  is developing needs to stay enclosed for now.  I can’t imagine putting work in progress pictures online like some art bloggers.  How do they remember to take pictures, even?

I think it’s like giving birth. I don’t want a lot of people around when I’m doing that, though some moms like friends with them during labor. After the umbilical cord is cut, however, I’m glad to show off my darling baby.

 I’m not sure what I'll do. I might show some  work in spite of discomfort,  or I may do more pictureless posts, with thoughts about creativity. I actually love reading what people think and feel as they create.  We'll see what happens.