Auntie's Workshop

Book :  Real Artists Don't Starve. Author : Jeff Goins Info :  Copyright 2017: Nashville:  Nelson Books Where acquired : Library check out. Rating (on a scale of 1-4 stars):  ✮✭✭ ✭ What it's about :  Author Jeff Goins tackles the notion that a creative is only a "true" artist if he is constantly behind the eight-ball financially and must succumb to the image of the starving artist.  Through extensive research of both historical and contemporary examples, the author elevates the creative from starving to thriving. Woven through this volume are instructions and examples on changing one's mindset, marketing one's work, and dealing with money. Category :  Impulse Read :  I was watching a video interview of the author on Michael Hyatt's Facebook page. I'd never heard of Jeff Goins before, but his description of he subject matter hit home and I was immediately curious. Favorite Quotes : ...

  "Harvest of Friends" Crochet.   Psalm 18:19 - (KJV) He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.   ⌚ Well, I had two goals this month, to finish the 31 days blog challenge and to get an apartment. As you can see, I'm finishing day 31 now.   As far the apartment goes, I'll know something  before the end of the week.  So, Lord willing, I'll be moving this weekend.   Yay!   I spent this past Saturday plotting and planning out how I would like to decorate the place.  I looked at furniture, appliances, knickknacks, and craft supplies to create decorations.  There is so much to look forward to.    Most of all, rest.  Real rest.   I waste two hours a day in travel, which zaps my energy.  For the most part, I sleep well, but living out of a suitcase isn't soothing or restful.   Now, don't think I'm being unthankful.  Far f...

 "I Hear the Ocean" 8x10 acrylic on canvas   Malachi 3;2 - But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap.   ⌚   One of the lessons I have to relearn repeatedly is to know when to call a project finished.  I have a bad habit of trying to correct every perceived flaw in my work.  Getting into a refining frenzy usually doesn't end well.  I usually wind up making worse mistakes, getting utterly frustrated, and either starting over again or chunking it altogether. Minor changes are a fun part of the process of learning.  These aren't mere corrections, but a nearly OCD-level of repair.  This steals all the fun out of creativity and tempts me to hide all evidence I made the attempt. That is no way to create. ⏰ ------------------------- If you are interested in purchasing any of the art pieces featured, please e-mail me at auntiesworksho...

 "Taste and See" 8x10 Acrylic on Canvas  I Peter 5:5 - (KJV) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. ⌚   After finally getting back to my reading quest , I'm about halfway through a book by Jeff Goins called Real Artists Don't Starve .  I'll go into more detail about it when I write the review, but one of the interesting steps in becoming a thriving artist rather than a starving one is to set yourself up as an apprentice.  The author understands that you can't always have a one-on-one arrangement with someone, but the trick is to be teachable. So, who can I follow in apprenticeship?  Because of books and the internet, I've learned from some of the best painters, crochet artists, and quilters. Is there anyone who will allow me to pick their brain for specific answers?  I thought I migh...

 Puzzle Baby Afghan:  Crochet Psalm 35:18 -    I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. ⌚   Note:  Yes, I know we did this word earlier this year , but I don't pick the prompts.  This round finds me in a completely different place and state, so I could give a different take on it.  Enjoy. A while back, Pastor Staples (First Baptist Jacksonville) preached a sermon about us finding our place not only in the body of Christ, but in our particular congregation.  For part of the sermon illustration, he handed out puzzle pieces as a reminder. I wonder where my piece fits in this new congregation?  They have all the musicians they need (and, no, I haven't told them I could play ANYTHING), plus, quite frankly, I'm enjoying the break and the chance to serve in a different capacity.  Not only service, but where is my place in fellowship?  I met some wonderful ladies at the Tue...

   Mary Jane Baby Booties.  Crochet   Romans 8:36-37 (KJV) - As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. ⌚   I've never had to make the choice of life or death for another human being. I've never had to overcome the fear and guilt of a pregnancy out of wedlock. I've never had to overcome the anger and resentment after the birth of a child who's the product of rape or incest. I've never had to overcome my own selfish nature to carry an inconvenient child. I've never had to overcome the terror that the baby I carry is a danger to my own life. But... God has given me opportunities to help someone else overcome those fears.  Though none of these women have ever seen my face, they've had a pair of my handmade baby booties placed lovingly in their hands by a volunteer a...

 "Steel Magnolia. v. 2.1" Available as 4x6 greeting card.    Also available as 8x10 painting on rectangular or oval canvas. Isaiah 43:19 - Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. ⌚   The great Mark Twain said, "The only one who likes change is a wet baby."  Boy is he right. The weird part is, this statement holds true for positive changes as well as negative ones.  We get tired of the sameness, but we're so comfortable with it that putting up with it seems easier than making changes.  That, my friends, is a trap. I know, I've been there too many times. This year there have been more changes in my life than I've ever dealt with.  Nearly all of it is positive, and even the negative has worked out to my good (Romans 8:28).  Still, I fight the urge to bolt and run back to comfortable misery. I need to keep chan...