Changes

As I've mentioned,

Art & Soul this year was a deep and meaningful experience for me.  The classes I took and the people I met clarified a few things about both my public and private creative work.  These little epiphanies, combined with my aim to make authentic choices means there's a new way of doing business around here. 

 

I've made a small but meaningful change to my blog.  When I launched this blog in 2006, its purpose was to support an article I had written for Somerset Studio magazine.  I picked a blog name and it was fine but it wasn't all that; it was what I came up with on the spot.  I've kept the name all this time because I had some irons in the fire and it seemed important to other people that I remain consistent. A couple of years ago, I launched a second blog, a writing-oriented blog, with a name I loved from a poem I'd been composing.  After a short time I decided to close that second blog because really, who has time to keep a blog for every interest?  I was not happy breaking myself into pieces and compartmentalizing myself.  I've taken the name of that second blog, The Other Side of Somewhere, and applied it here.  {art*play*possibility} was nice and served its original purpose, but I've not been happy with it for a very long time.  It just doesn't fit me anymore.

 

Maybe someday I'll write a post about the meaning of the new name, or share the actual poem (still tweaking it).  For now it is a name that fits me and a name I'm madly in love with. It is not a strict definition of content you might find here and offers wide open spaces for all of my creative interests to roam about.

 

If you link here, I am beyond honored.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  If you wish to continue linking here you can update your link to reflect the name change, use my real name, or leave things as you have them.  The url for the blog remains: http://jperegrineart.typepad.com.

 

As for my artistic work, I've decided to step back from selling and a general sense of striving.  Oh, my etsy shop is still open and I'll continue offering work there occasionally, but I need to take the money component out of my creativity.  It confuses me.  It clogs it up.  It puts pressure on me to produce, produce, produce. The soul of my creativity is in playing, experimenting, happy accidents, and discovery, things that money doesn't have time for.  I've been asking my creative work to do things for me it isn't meant to do, at least at this particular point in time.

 

My experiences over the last few years have taught me a great deal; I've had quite the education.  I know too much to go back to working in a vacuum, but I don't want to continue the way I have been.  For now I'm just going to "be", enjoy the journey, and see what happens. 

Comments

[Andrea Mitchell]

I like the new name, and your story behind it! I know what you mean about selling your art and how it can put too much pressure on your creativity - it sounds like a good plan to step back for a while.

I'll change the blog name in my links :)

[Angelia]

Ha Jeannine, we seem to be on a similar journey this year. Hope to see you soon. The bird collage is so lovely.

[Heather]

Following your heart is always the best plan! Love the new name, and there's no reason you cant combine your loves here in one blog. Cant wait to see what your new inspiration brings!~

[violetkey]

I too like the new name. Your new plan to "be" sounds good! I'll be sure to update your name in my links.

[Marie]

Great sentiments. Going forward at your own pace and for your own reasons is always good!
xox
Marie

[Joy Logan]

Love this bird,nice piece! Nice blog also.