Joy Hall

Sick Day

This morning I awoke to find I had a very runny nose and sore throat.  Since I am such a trooper (ha!) I drug myself out of bed and down the stairs to my studio.  After firing up the old Mac, I crawled down the hall to the kitchen to make myself a pot of coffee, stopping along the way 3 times to blow my nose.

I seldom get sick, but when I do, I become the biggest baby.  Feeling sorry for myself, I plopped down in front of my monitor to face my day.  After about 10 minutes I decided my Mac just wasn’t going to do anything without my help.  I opened files of unfinished artwork (I’m a digital painter) and worked a little on this and a little on that.  Meanwhile the mound of tissues on my desk is growing.

After about 2 hours of not accomplishing anything, I decided to set my work aside and explore the websites and blogs of some of my friends.  I visited my dear friend and “artist extraordinaire” Diane Knott’s blog and read about her repurposed vintage belt buckle find (beautiful) and the escapades of her cat (looks like I’m not the only one with a 4-legged boss).  Next I visited an amazingly talented artist friend of mine, Sue Zipkins’ blog.  There is no way one can look at her colorful creations and not begin to feel better. Both of these women are as nice as their artwork is beautiful!

It is truly amazing how the art that springs forth from one’s soul can minister to someone else.  I know that often I feel a little guilty that my “work” is doing something that I love so much.  I tend to feel a bit selfish.  I can only hope and pray that the body of work I produce touches others as much as my friends work, touches me.

Procrastination

On Thanksgiving Day, after the family dinner has been eaten and the kitchen cleaned, I begin my Christmas decorating.  This is something I enjoy.  I start a little at a time and continually decorate until Christmas day.  The house looks warm and inviting and I love it.  I stroll around the house and compliment myself on the outstanding decorating I have done.  “Why Joy…. You have outdone yourself this year!” But, somewhere midway into Christmas day, I realize I now have to UNDO all that I lovingly have DONE for the past 30 days.

Today I must tackle this job.  It has taken me this long to gather this much stuff (much more to go) around the door that leads to the basement where all of this holiday cheer will spend the next 11 months (or 10 months in my case).  There has to be a better way!  Am I the only one who faces this each year?  Where does it all go and where did it come from? 

As usual I promise myself,  “This will never happen again”.  But it does and it will.  Now, off I go to make things right.

Having the time of my life.

What a blessing it is to be able to spend each day doing the things you love.  Sometimes I feel a bit guilty when my husband has to bundle up and head for his office in 19 degree weather while I mosey down to the kitchen, put on a pot of coffee and begin my work (ha) day still in my pj's.  Don't get me wrong, there are hectic days with deadlines to meet and artist blocks to deal with but all in all, a dream come true.

When I was around 4, my father gave me a set of 12 markers and I began my artistic journey. After graduating from high school, I proceeded to college where I received a degree in Business. I thought this was the practical thing to do. However, a little voice inside kept whispering to me to pursue art. I was able to hush the little voice for many years, until it became too loud to ignore. I eventually heeded my inner voice and enrolled in art school.

Afterward, I began freelancing and raising a family. That combo worked well (a lot of late hours after the kids were in bed), and I gained much experience in working with people to meet their artistic needs My evenings and weekends were spent painting images for greeting cards to send to friends and family.  Little by little, I built up my portfolio (and nerve) and sent it off (the portfolio... I kept the nerves), into the vast unknown of art licensing.

Several  years have passed now since I first began licensing my art but I still get excited when a manufacturer selects my art to be on their products.  I truly am "having the time of my life".