Friday, December 31, 2010

Inspiration Avenue Weekly Challenge: Well, how did it go?

What were my artistic objectives in 2010?

The first one that comes to mind is that I wanted to make canes and sell them. I wanted to know if I had truly latched on to an idea that would satisfy me and that I could sell enough of to allow me to continue to make them.

The conclusion to this resolution:
I've sold right around 20 "Inspirational Puzzle Canes".
I did my first "Mega Show"
I didn't sell enough to cover the cost of the show, I did sell enough to convince me to keep on trying! I know what to do to be more successful at the show I'll be doing in March.

My second objective?

( my "Alms" bowl; Throw your spare change in,
and when it's full send it to the charity of your choice.)



To call myself a professional potter.
I bought a kiln in October, 2009.
I started reaquainting myself with the medium in December, 2009.
I bought a kick wheel in April, 2010

My year end conclusion?

I have developed the biginnings of a line of ecumenical ceramic pieces that I hope to refine and present for sale in 2011.

I've also taken several custom jobs, providing folks with pottery items that are
"just what they wanted!"

My third objective:


To move into the little cabin I own, which I've had to keep rented in order to pay the mortgage, and to make enough art to pay the monthly rent. I use it as a studio. I don't live there, but I sure could!

The conclusion:
Well, not yet. I only moved in in September. But I'm well on my way! And the joy I feel while working in my special place is, indeed, priceless!

My fourth objective:


To treat my art as a full time job.
To have a "Place to Go" to get away from phones, friends, family and concentrate soley on my "play". It takes up many hours. (Or, rather, the time I'm not there takes up many hours. The hours I'm there fly by like minutes!

So?

As a Christian, my goal has always been to hear what the Lord is saying to me and to do His will. I think, maybe, I'm finally listening!

I don't think I could be much happier than I am right now!
It's like I've found the life I've been looking for all along!

There is a contentment in my center and an anticipation of continued success.

God is very, very good to me!









Whimsey Wednesday: The Queen is not amused!

I have been commissioned illustrate a little book about the ant and the grasshopper, or in this case, cricket!

This is a rough sketch of the "Queen Ant".

By the time I'm done with her, I'm sure she'll be Opulent!

Maybe I'll have her finished by next Wednesday!


Monday, December 27, 2010

Illustration Friday Challenge: Winter

This is my kitten, Angela, during one of her more quiet moments. Usually she's what we affectionaly call "Superconductor Kitty"

Right now she sits quietly on the window sill and waits, waits, waits. It's as if she's asking, "What time does the show start?" Answer? Not until she stops sitting there!

This print, with two others are available for sale as blank note cards in my Etsy shop, at


Thursday, December 23, 2010

Tea, Anyone? World of Whimsey enty

I've been doing a whole of Alchemy searching lately. I've been accepted to a show in March that costs $595, which means I gotta do a lot of art to pay for the space!

This is one of the sillier ord
ers! My customer is a college student who wanted me to paint a particular dinosaur on a tea cup. Her friend eats, breathes, lives dinosaurs and he just started a tea cup collection! Go figure!
I've been having a wonderful time fulfilling folks wishes, the crazier the better!

Do you have something off the wall that I can produce for you?? Just let me know!

Monday, December 13, 2010

The Juxtaposition Between Faith and Fantasy

How's THAT for a title!?
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
I'm submitting my Christmas Card, for now, although many of you have already seen it in the challege for Whimsey Wednesday.

I really think the theme lends itself to further contemplation.

(my, my! how wordy she is this morning!)

See, the thing is, I've always been one of those folk who really, really, really want fairies to be real! But I'm also a person of deep faith in the reality of God and His plan for my life.

So, while raising my kids, I truly wanted to let them know that imagination is a wonderful gift and we should use ours every day.
✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼
So, with that said, when you look at the image on my Christmas card, what do you think of?

Now...

Let me submit to you the inscription on my card...


"Santa's Helper wanted to wish you a happy holidays, But.....

He was momentarily distracted by the truth.

Our wish for you is a Very Merry Christmas and the deepest blessings for 2011."
☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝☝

And that goes to all of my incredibly important cyber friends, who, although I may never meet you face to face, I love and appreciate with all my heart.

Judy


Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Whimsey Wednesday: Santa's Helper

Here comes Santa's Helper with a candy cane just for you! When, suddenly, the light of a star arrests his attention.


This is my Christmas Card for this year.
For those who have not yet been informed....

While our children grew we chose not to emphasize Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, et al. Instead we invented gorillas to bring the Easter eggs, tooth money, valentines, etc.

I hope you enjoy my bit of Whimsey!





Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Inspiration Avenue weekly challenge; Once Upon a time.... The Tim Tam Tree

THE TIM TAM TREE

A Po-em by Judy Goddard
(She holds a daisy and bows)



Willie was a little boy who very slowly grew.

He lived in the far off land of the red kangaroo.

Wille didn't want to eat, each meal he'd try to flim flam

The only thing to pass his lips were biscuits labeled Tim Tam

Each night his mum and dad would shake their heads and worry.

Willie climbed the stairs to bed, but he was in no hurry!

He snuggled down beneath the covers to wait for sleep to come

And as he drifted off to sleep, he pretended he had, at least, a crumb.

A dreamy dream came to him and what did he see?

Upon a distant hill a wonderful and dreamy tree!

Running in the dreamy grass, he couldn't wait to reach

The lovely hill and fancy tree bright with fruit, he could not reach!

Up he spread his little arms and joyously he found

The branches of the mighty tree bending toward the ground.

At last! He thought and then he danced round and round that tree

And gathered up the those wondrous fruits, Tim Tam biscuits falling free!

All that night he sat and ate until he couldn't eat no more

And when he woke, here's what he found;

Tim Tam wrappers, like fallen leaves, littering his bedroom floor!

☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃

This painting was one of my first "Alchemy" special Etsy orders, painted for a five year old boy.

You can see other examples of my whimsical artwork at my Etsy shop!
www.JudyAGoddard.Etsy.com

Thank you, Pat for spurring my imagination to write this poem!










LIFE IS JUST SO FULL OF COOL STUFF!

My photo
Manchester Township, New Jersey, United States
My nane is Judy and I've been a christian for more than 3/4 of my life. I believe in redemption through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, that God, the Spirit lives in me and gives me the power to do His will and to live a joyful life. I have a Godly husband, a grown son and daughter. I live on a farm with 3 goats, 2 chickens, 2 horses, a cat, a dog and a python. I am an artist and a singer. I was a full time stay at home mom, the hardest job you'll ever love! I have two handmade shops on Etsy. Leaning on the Promises www.leaningonthepromises.etsy.com (Hand Painted Walking Canes) and Beaver Creek Pottery www.beavercreekpottery.etsy.com and an Etsy shop for selling Vintage and Antiques. Jersey Pine Pickers www.jerseypinepickers.etsy.com I post about my relationship with God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, about the things He teaches me, delights me with and how He uses me.