Big Messy Flowers - Snail Mail

Happy Birthday A!

I am a big fan of no-pressure Art. Something quick and small made just for a friend to brighten their day. This is my favourite thing.

I may never make a living as an artist, but I make my life as one.

xo

Big Messy Flowers + Vintage Vinyl Stand

There is nothing quite like finishing a fun project and then waiting 6 months to blog about it...

I received this perfectly beautiful vintage vinyl stand from my friend Erika (cause she knows I like old things + records), but the top was kind of un-useable for like putting things on and stuff.

So I had my trusty carpenter BFF cut a top to fit. We attached it to the metal brackets on the shelf using some other brackets and screws underneath. And then I had a top. But that wasn't where my plan ended...

...obviously, or else that would be a really boring blog post.

I mean, the actual blog post resulting from this project is going to be borderline boring, but here we are. Can't split hairs anymore. Gotta just roll with it.

Here we go!

(My living room has been re-arranged 2-3 times since these photos were taken...I have a problem...)

I'm not a fan of sharing my (failed) DIY projects on the blog anymore, but I think this counts more as sharing my art, which I am definitely a fan of!

xo

p.s. For a laugh, try searching the DIY label on the right there. Ugh, what was I even thinking?!

Impostor Syndrome

I am jealous of the artist who doesn't feel like they are an impostor. Cause I sure as hell do.

But I'm working on it. Sloooooowly....

The panels below are from last month. They are in varying states of completion.

I haven't really pushed myself to create art, and I think that really needs to change if I am going to make the most of this. I'm getting too old to wait.

Hey, thanks for sticking around this year. I hope to have a couple of year-end-style posts up over the next couple of weeks.

How the fuck is it December 22 already?!

xo

p.s. I have been spelling impostor wrong my whole damn life. Thank you red squiggly line for correcting my shameful ways.

Big Messy Flowers On Envelopes

I have been painting envelopes because I have no canvases left. And until I sell one, I'm too cheap to buy any more.

Woe is me right? ;-)

Feels kind of liberating to practice on a "throwaway" item. There is no pressure. There is only experimentation and fun.

And because I am still, after all, a dork...

xo

p.s. if you would like a letter from Lisa, email me your mailing address!

Big Messy Flowers & Why I Don't Make a Living With Art

I finished painting this last night. I started the flower part months ago, adding on to the ampersand I did up on a whim back when I was still living at my old place. That's how long this has been in the making...

I have a hard time keeping the momentum going when I paint. I start and finish a bunch, and then I get busy at home, or I have an anxiety or depressed period, and nothing gets done. I can't make a living as an artist because I have yet to find a good balance between when I am inspired to do the work, and when I am not inspired but just need to do it anyway.

I could also never make a living at art because so far only my cousins have wanted to purchase my paintings. Family & friends count HUGE when it comes to getting started, but selling solely to people within my limited circle is not sustainable in the long run. And so, here we are. With a $40 painting (a steal of a deal!), 17 likes on IG as of this post (it's pretty & people like it!), I have no takers. Within my little circle or without.

Please don't hear "I give up" in that paragraph. I am not giving up on art, or even an art business. I am being a realist about where I am right now, and where I am working to be in the future. I might not sell a painting to a stranger until I'm in my 80s (ugh, I hope it comes before then), and I'm okay with that. I'm sure my paintings will be much different by then and will perhaps have a wider appeal. I am in this for the long run, even if it is just for myself.

I am really proud of where my art is going these days. I have finally just given in, and accepted that I PAINT BIG MESSY FLOWERS! I've been using neon paint on my recent work, and I love it. And I have been painting beautiful & unique ladies, that are a break from my traditional look, while keeping so many of the same, favourite elements. I'm in a good place, hell, a GREAT place right now, and I am so very satisfied with that.

Now, for reals, does anyone want to buy this painting?
xo