Nothing into Something

For some reason I've had two different students interview me lately, one in high school and the other in college.  The college fella whipped out a video camera on me, but assured me only he and his teacher would see the footage.  Whew.

One of his questions was:  What is your favorite thing about being an artist?

The answer? 

This- 

Technically, that's a blank piece of watercolor paper.  But when I look at it I see so many different things.  So many possibilities.  And that's my favorite thing about being an artist.  I love the creative process.  I love the transformation of nothing into something.

Alas, the actual painting process is just one aspect of my work though. 

This week my energy is focused on production.  I have a wholesale order to fill and after selling at art festivals two Saturdays in a row, I've got jack.  (Which is so great!!  Obviously I'm in the business of selling and I really, really appreciate it when people purchase my items.)  It just means, for the next week or so I'll be making, not painting. 

Every print that is purchased is one that I have printed, trimmed, signed, labeled, and packaged myself.  Same goes for the note cards, bookmarks, and magnets too.  There's folding, cutting, gluing...  it's kind of like kindergarten only the blades are sharper and the glue is hot. 

Oh, and there's no nap. 

Unless you're Rusty. 

In which case, your whole day is one big kindergarten nap.
 

I swear that dog naps the most on days I wish I could for just a few teeny minutes. 

Surely he's not rubbing it in!

Surely.