Remembering Magic

 On this Winter Solstice Eve I am inspired to remember the magic of creativity;  why I started, why I do it, and what it means to me.  What it means to create, to share, to inspire others.

Last week I was listening to Elizabeth Gilbert's audio book Big Magic, for probably the fifth time.  There are so many nuggets of wisdom for creatives in that book, not to mention stories!  She's a great story teller and it is even more enjoyable to hear it in her own voice.

I wrote down something she said and it keeps coming back to me.  Creative Entitlement.  Think about that.  A right to create.  No matter who you are, where you're from, or what your beliefs are.  OK, maybe not in all countries, but most places you could claim that statement. 
This concept leads to unlimited possibilities doesn't it?  Imagine giving yourself permission to create anything you want.  

The Winter Solstice is my favorite holiday because it represents the Return of the Light.  Celebrated for centuries as a rebirth, renewal, new beginning.  That's magical right?  A chance to recreate yourself every year, start a new project, new life, new cycle.  Creative Entitlement!
I think of it as my new year, a time to reflect on the past year and look to the next year.  Give thanks for what was and move on, looking forward to what will come and set a few new intentions, easy, attainable ones. 

I am also extremely grateful for my fellow creatives, blog readers, and Facebook group members.  It has been such a joy to interact with all of you this year!  A special thanks to all of my Featured Artists too, what a gift you've given, to share your own creative entitlement with others.

Happy Solstice Creatives!  Keep creating magic!

Artists Supporting Artists

Over the years I have connected with some great artists online.  The majority are photographers, and mostly in the black and white medium.

We have messaged, shared each other's work and worked through technical difficulties.  It's been a great support system!

Although many of us are still pinching pennies to get by, the desire to support one another is strong.  I try to buy their work when I can afford to, usually in forms of greeting cards or smaller prints.  By the way, I have a great collection of these things from over the years, which makes it even more enjoyable. How many people can say they know the artists personally whose work hangs on their walls?

My most recent purchase is from a well know photographer who has made a name for himself through prints, licensing, and exhibits.  I don't know how he does it, well other than have great work of course, but he's succeeded in all of the outlets I aspire to.

I wanted to thank him for some behind the scenes help he offered that really saved me.  He's quite humble and says he's done nothing, and happy to help, but it would have taken me hours if not days to sort out some technical issues I was having.

I purchased this set of cards as a small way of saying thank you.  

Keith Dotson Photography is where you can find his great images.  Google him and you'll find several locations for his work.

On my Facebook page Gray by Design, I also try to share as many helpful articles as I can find for all mediums of art, especially in marketing, as we are all diligently working on this every single day.

So I encourage my fellow artists to support your tribe.  If you can't afford to buy their work yet, at least share their page or their works, to show support.

We're all in this together!

Finding Your Pace

I have been in a whirlwind of activity since I returned from my mini vacation out to the Washington State coast in September.  I took over 300 images on two different cameras, one film, one digital.  Shot some infrared too, on a vacant Ruby Beach!  Unheard of - unless you're there really early.

Once back home the editing began, and lasted, for over a month!  Other things to do, pesky chores like work and bathing, but once those were complete, back to the computer I went.

RAW conversions, cropping, a little exposure adjustment here, or straightening that crooked horizon there (oops!).  In the end I had about 60 images I liked, good enough for the website.

I'm proud of this collection, best work I've done in many years.  Basically organic in nature, all black and white, no HDR or over processed looking.  Just nice fine art.

Every artist goes into a project with giddy excitement, or dread, sometimes, but anticipation all the same, for a successful outcome.  They're not all masterpieces, but they are ours, our art, our creation, our heart and soul.  But it's like a bird, you've got to let it fly, release it to the world.  Some will like it, some won't.  I make it for me and for those that like it.  I don't spend any time fretting about opinions, you know what they say about those...

Along with the creation of this new collection, I have had to update some things.  Acquired a new domain name for the site I'm currently using, you can visit there anytime at www.jenigrayphotography.com .  By next year I hope to have a stand alone site with e-commerce and my own printing company, but for now I'll be using the reliable folks at Fine Art America who do everything from printing to matting to framing and ship it directly to you!  

I've also acquired a new laptop that is more current and can handle better photo editing software - soon I hope to be using Lightroom, just like the big kids!  For now I am going back and forth between two computers to make it all work.

A million other things, glitches and challenges have come up too, but I just kept going and moving forward, and staying sane.  Lots of breaks, rest and positive attitudes had to be in order for this journey.

So my lesson, and my advice, is Pace Yourself!  If it's your passion and you love it, keep doing it.

Like that line from The Pursuit of Happiness "If you have a dream, do it, period".  

Catching Up

I have some explaining to do!  This blog has changed its format a few times, I apologize, but the content remains the same. I'm still creating, still selling, still talking.  Most of my sharing has been on one of my Facebook pages.  I have been writing poetry again, self publishing the books with my photos and making jewelry.

Fast forward to now, I am ready to get back to blogging about all of it.  I want to share my work and my experiences, but I also want to engage with other artists and creatives.  In the past year I have come to realize how important it is to stay connected to others, preferably like minded others.  Time can slip away and before you know it ten years have passed.

So in this (yet again) new format, let's share some ideas, feelings, challenges, and rejoice in each others art.  

I'll start the ball rolling with what I've been up to.  In the next couple of posts I'll catch you up on what I've been creating.