Sunday, February 14, 2010

Adrift_stage one

 
Every week I think I will do something quick and simple for Illustration Friday, but it always evolves into a full blown illustration. So, again I am posting my work in progress because it will most likely take me a few days to get this one colored in. I had another idea that was a little simpler but, I was already drawing this one at the time. So many ideas, so little time. I have a very bad habit. I start projects but don't finish them. I can't tell you how many unfinished canvases, watercolor paintings, and just random sketches I have laying around. It is also not limited to art, I have unfinished sweaters, stained glass, half made jewelry, cut-out but, not put together sewing projects, embroidery, quilts... I could go on but, I am making myself a little sick. I am working very hard to change this about myself and am doing much better in recent years. Posting a work in progress tends to push me to finish, so whatever works, right? Anyway, thank you for visiting and taking time out to leave a comment. I can't wait to read them!

14 comments:

  1. Hi Karen! I feel your pain! (I have several unfinished novels, each with several hundred pages written, but haven't been able to get them quite together -- arghhhh!)

    I like the little balloon the young gal's releasing in your sketch. That moment of first release is full of emotion and possibility . . .

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  2. I have a tendency to do this myself! What I have found is that in times when I am feeling in a creative slump, I go back and revisit projects I never quite finished and finish them. Always gets me motivated and clears away any rust. Posting to a public forum is always a nice way to push to a finish.

    I adore seeing works in progress. Some people enjoy seeing a magic show...the magic to me is seeing the magig behind the show! Appreciate your bravery and honesty in seeing the magic created. Always inspirational.

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  3. I am the Queen of Unfinished Projects :-) But one thing that works for me is not to start out even thinking that it will be quick and simple. I just sit down and start working and how it develops, that just happens. If I don't finish today, I continue working on it tomorrow... and the next day... and after I've tended to the interruption... etc... until I am happy with it and call it finished.

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  4. Thank you guys, I am definitely getting better about it and that is exactly what I do when I start something now, Karen. I make sure that I know from the start it will most likely take me longer than I think it will. I try to make sure I am doing something I won't loose interest in, also. I tend to get bored with things.

    Jeffrey, thanks, I'm glad you like to see work in progress. It helps me to post it and visitors keep a blog alive. I also keeps me somewhat accountable. It's hard to have that when you are stuck at home and you aren't doing it for a paying job. I taught art for years so sharing comes naturally to me. I want the world to create because I love it so.

    Justin, I could add many manuscripts for childrens' books to my list,that never made it any further than first revision. I have one completed and as a dummy.I actually worked on it for 6 months straight through without letting myself stop. It was part of my Resolution January of 2009, along with draw everyday, the big one was complete the thing and send it out. I'm still in the sending out phase. But I have made some progress, so yeahhhhh!

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  5. Your work is so cute and special, I love your sense for creating the illustration, beautiful!. Thank for your comment, I'm trying to work with others things... not only my job of everyday... : )

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  6. Karen, this is going to be wonderful! I love how she has gotten all mathematical and scientific about this. She takes on new projects with gusto, much like I wish I did. I can't wait to see this all colored in!

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  7. Karen - wow, you really hit a nerve - I go through the same thing just about constantly - everything always takes longer than you want it to! I totally agree with you about the accountability piece of the process, posting in progress is not only fun, but does push you to get things done - this piece is going to be a beauty! I love the idea, you are so creative and original, can't wait to see your next move!

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  8. I think its ok to do what comes naturally! The more you do your process the quicker it will get too. Some weeks you may not get a full one done, but some weeks you might! It is a really neat composition and should turn out awesome!

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  9. This is such a fabulous concept!! Great thinking! She is a smart little cookie with her sketches and planning, and I love the hamsters!

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  10. Thanks for checking out my blog. I know what you mean when illustrations get complicated and very time consuming. Usually when I get too complicated an idea I never finish my illo in time for the I.F. deadline. For this reason I have been forcing myself to make my concepts as simple as possible.

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  11. Looks like this will be an fabulous illustration, really looking forward to seeing it brought to life.

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  12. great idea! i think that this unfinished piece is already some kind of a interesting illo.

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  13. It'll be interesting to see where you go with this! Thanks for commenting on my own "adrift" piece.

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  14. Hi, it's good to start things even if you don't finish them. Is a an artwork ever finished? Hard to say.

    You just need to abandon it in the right place!

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Thank you for taking the time to comment! You are the best!!!