My Creative Journey, thus far

Four years ago (40 yrs) I made a goal, it was; by the time I was 44 I would have a book published. Or a agent seriously consider my project.

April 1
 I began reading the Doctrine and Covenants. As I read a section a day M-F I felt prompted to read the parables of the Bible, in Matthew 25, King James version. As I read them I felt such a love for the messages they gave. I began using some of my old skills of drawing with ink. Before I knew it had illustrated a little story from the Bible. I suprized myself.

I began brainstorming and mapped out a plan for my writing and my art. I decided I would show friends my idea. It was well recieved. I decided to go to LDSstorymakers confrence (my 2nd time) and research art submissions in Utah.

Plan in motion -

 I entered  Utah's Springville 87th Annual Spring Salon. On April 5 I turned in two pieces of work, Tres Soles and Energia II.

Also that week a friend of mine S. called and asked if I would be intrested in meeting weekly. A way that  we could work on our own projects,  keep motovated, and be accountable for our works and progress. I jumped on that. For I had been thinking of starting a critiqueing group for writing. I tried to get a couple more people to join, but they were busy with other life pursuits.

April 11 -
Our first meeting. We came up with a time we could meet weekly, a mission statement for our group, a mission statement for self, and the format which we could conduct.

We decided the person who hosted meeting for that week would greet, give thanks for our talent, express a thought, and each person would have a strick 30 minutes monitored by a timer.

Within those 30 mins a report of what they had done that week was given in detail. The other person was not to interrupt, they were to listen and take notes if needed. When said person was done, then other person was able to suggest and ask questions.

At our first meeting we discussed why creating was so inportant to us. We also were honest and want to make money with our God-given talent.

S. a beautiful young woman who has many, many talents. She was going to decide which avenue she wanted to pursue.

I was already firm on the path I was going to pursue. I had just entered the Salon and was waiting til April 20 to know wheather my art had been accepted or not.

4.20
SAS - did not accept my work. I was very excited for those that had been accepted.
I did learn two things; one I under priced my art work one piece for $58.00 and the other for $88.00. The art that was accepted was anywhere from $250.00 to $125,000. I belive that shows that an artist belives in their art. Second, for that show, my artwork was to small, it need to be more grand.

**I get back on-line and find other shows that I can enter. I find the Provo's Spring Fine Art Show.

4.30
I take submit to the PSFA Show. Two pieces, "Following Shawn" and  "Tres Soles."

5.6
Both my pieces were accepted! My work will be displayed from May 6 til June 24. I feel great and excited!

5.8
I went to LDS storymakers. A great place to go for LDS writers. You meet the most kindest and motovating people there. I met extremely talented people there. Robison Wells an author of four books, three which I have read and enjoyed. If Robison wasn't a writer, he could be a stand up comedian. A woman named Kristyn Crow who does picture books, pointed me in the direction I want to go. I also met a man name Howard Tayer, who does a very succesful on-line comic called Schlock Mercenary, very talented. He was so kind and sketched me a ink of Ruby (me).

So as of  today, I have learned that Creative People don't have a problem being creative. That is innate. Creatvie People can have a hard time doing the managing part of creativity. This is what I am working on. Everyday I am looking for ways to move forward.

My project is illustrating Parables from the Bible, King James version.  I will continute to network and go to workshops with writers and trying to investigate agents.
I will continue to work with S. she is amazing! I can't wait to share what has happen to her last week. I will have to ask  her at our meeting on Monday if I can share before it hits the stands!