It's true. I really just did that.
Truth be told I'm feeling pretty lethargic today due to a sun headache hangover. Yesterday it was super hot here and I'm extremely sensitive to heat and sunlight. How did I ever grow up in Louisiana? I was only outside for maybe an hour, but that didn't matter. By the time I got home I was in bed with an ice pack until this morning.
Anyway, not the point. Or is it?
My brain has been struggling and juggling these days, trying to figure out the best, most constructive ways that I can use my time and energy. I'm not going to to write down all of the things I poured into my art journal from my brain, but I'll group the highlights.
TO-DO LIST
- Be a mom and a wife and a dog and cat caregiver.
- Deal with the business of selling art (e.g., photograph it, turn into fine art prints or pattern designs, describe and format it for sale on Saatchi Art, Redbubble etc., let you guys know when I have new stuff, email art directors, gallery owners, art walk venues to introduce them to my work, etc. ETC. E...T...C...E...T....R...A)
As you might expect, that last bullet point...well, sometimes the first one and middle one too...can feel overwhelming at times.
I started this email list a few years after I started my blog in 2009. When I started my blog, my primary goal was to write more. If you look at my life in terms of number of years wanting any one thing, most of my life I've wanted to be a writer.
I recently finished writing a feature-length article (and shot the photos) for UPPERCASE Magazine that will be published sometime in 2017. It's the most writing that I've done (except for journaling) in a long time. At first it was hard, but then I was able to leave paint mode behind and get into my word groove again.
Lately I've noticed that I've been thinking about more things to write about that are either related to the art that I'm producing or things that I notice in everyday life that I want to express using words. Sometimes I make a quick note of it in my journal, or record a voice memo to myself if I'm driving to a photo shoot, or just let it roll around in my mind while I'm putting paint to paper. I've even started writing a little more in the morning on Instagram with #melaniebiehle_morningcoffee.
All this to say...I'm going to start hanging out with you guys a lot more.
Once a week, to be precise.
All of my art notes won't be this long, I promise. But since many of you have been with me since I started this newsletter in 2012, I wanted to let you know what's going on before I start showing up in your inbox every week. I'm still working out the details – like what day of the week I'll pop in to say hi. Any preference? If so, email me back with the day you'd like to hear from me and I'll tally up the votes. You guys were here first, so you can decide if you want.
Also, I know that some of you may have originally subscribed to The Creative Brief for a different reason, but this is where I am now. I won't make any promises about where I'll be in the future, but if you like the journey so far, please keep hanging out with me. If it's not enjoyable or useful though, please feel free to say goodbye. I'll totally understand.
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One of the things I'll be doing here every week is showing you guys something that no one else has seen yet. They may never see the early version, so keep it on the down low, okay?
This is a painting I started this morning after feeling inspired by a recent episode of Steven Universe. Do you guys watch this show? Me, my husband Drew, and our six-year-old son Nathaniel all love it SO MUCH. I'm working on a series of four small paintings celebrating my love/obsession with this show.
This work-in-progress is tentatively titled Amethyst.
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Thank you so much for being here and supporting my art! I couldn't do it without you guys. I look forward to sharing more about the inspiration behind my work and my creative process each week. Seriously, if you have a preferred time to hang out with a cup of coffee or glass of wine and read about art and obsessive thoughts email me back and let me know.
Have a great week!
xoxo,
Melanie
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Sharing my work is one of the best ways that you can support me as an artist.
If you have friends or family that would like my art, please forward this newsletter to them, or share it with your social networks. Thank you so much!
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