Concept and Development

Closing Doors so New Ones may Open

Video | | hatu
This elephant is the character I’m currently developing for a new book idea

Here is a little example of the new way I am working… Very different!!!! Where once I was surrounded by piles and stacks of papers, some textured, some not; some filed in drawers, some bits and pieces stashed away in drawers; it would take a considerable amount of time to figure out the right papers to pick with the right amount of contrast. Now everything is neatly tucked away in a tiny little file folder on a desktop on a computer screen and all I have to do is tap it to do whatever I want with it.

How I do like that!!! Well, especially because I will be moving shortly and space in the new place is going to be a luxury I imagine. I am paring down my life in all forms… adapting a new lifestyle — that is the plan anyway… Going minimalist. Right now I’m selling most of my belongings and possessions save art supplies and some keepsakes. It seems that suddenly I just have no feeling for anything in my past…well maybe a few things; centering around my son and our love and life together…but most of everything else has lost it’s meaning to me. Could it be old age? haha maybe I just don’t want to die with a lot of stuff that my kid would have to deal with and be burdened by.

But this change makes sense for me I think; because I have been a packrat for a great many years. I am now rejecting that mode of thinking. Where once before I had many, many interests I am trying to pare down and stream line my hobbies: my creative projects ~ because I have discovered that while pursuing many different things was exciting and kept things interesting; I didn’t give it much chance to flourish before I was off to the next thing. But then again, I was discovering who I am…I have a feeling I am not done exploring btw. But to be fair, life was chaotic for a good many years and there was a lot of changes to adapt to. At any rate, I’m happy to say it is getting less so chaotic….and I am now protecting that aspect of my life. Fiercely. A lot of doors are closing. AND the next time I buy something it’s going to have to be pretty spectacular to return home with me. That’s all I can say. I have stopped creating a museum in my home and now crave experiences. heh The next chapter in my life I hope to be quite adventurous; because I will be heading into my sixties. OMG. Weird. Time really does fly. And I hope to be having some good fun in the process of whatever lies ahead of me.

Winter is my Muse

| hatu

See that snowman mug Raccoon is offering to Fox? Well, I drink out of it nearly everyday. Not at the end of the day; I need it to start my day. My nice hot cuppa coffee — latte style please with plenty of milky froth. I look forward to the cup every morning when I sit down first thing with my bullet journal (I hold myself accountable for every half hour of the day) and then my regular journal where I take the time to self- reflect. I’ve been doing this for almost five decades. The journaling…not the holding myself accountable…that’s new! And that’s why you are reading this post. Because now I get stuff done; thanks to the bullet journal. I highly recommend.
trimming the tree this year…we had gigantic marshmallows; not like Fox and Raccoon who have the minis.

The current project that I am now developing is tentatively titled: Fox and Raccoon; A Christmas Story. It didn’t start out that way; it started out a few years back in the spring when everyone and everything becomes “twitterpatted” ~ myself included. It then came to a standstill when I couldn’t figure out where they were going with this twisted relationship of theirs…it got complicated…and so they got filed away in the cabinet. Banished from the brain.

too darn mushy for it’s own good!

This winter I decided to revive them and put them both in a different setting. Change their design and change some of their personality traits…change the story line. The magical element of Christmas might just do them both some good…and besides that; I kinda miss the bear and Christmas stories..and so here we go with another wintery tale…

Raccoon has changed his tune a little this winter…he’s a lot more stable than he used to be.
Fox is now a lot less smitten than she used to be; a lot more grounded and less prone to flights of fancy. She also has to find a new home…time to move on for this foxy lady.

I’m still having a lot of fun converting my cut-paper style to digital and have really embraced this new change. Winter has always been a time for reflection, new goals and plans for the months that lie ahead. Even here in California; we have to accept some degree of hibernation in order to be more innovative and progressive. It’s a more natural way of being to follow seasons. This is the time for planning; but soon it will be time for a lot more of doing…come spring and summer..and hopefully all that work will be harvested in the fall and then back to more planning for next year. Add to that during this period of time with Covid and Lockdown; just about a year now; I have been able to grasp the silver lining in all it’s endless isolation and frustration…and found a way to be grateful for it; hard as it may be. I’m reinventing myself and my characters as well as my goals and my intentions.

There is a lot of change headed my way this coming summer, but I look forward to those changes with great anticipation and grateful to be evolving with my art and the stories I want to tell. It’s another chapter that is for sure. The journey continues after all…what secrets will be revealed I wonder…for right now; we have been living in the belly of the whale, in the dark, in the great unknown for quite a long time.