Refreshing an art minded altitude

A post started early this morning, edited…

Trying to pull up a visual emotion to paint from is difficult for me. Impact worries take over, is the artwork meant to be or not. Painting a scene as the source of reference has issues, but not as much emotional mining as an image that at first sight of it, was a big wow moment. 

A 40 inch by 53 inch canvas physically feels stronger than  5 inch by 7 inch canvas you hold in your hand.  Bigger impact. 

Now that I can (almost) easily navigate around my easel space to paint again, I’m pondering what I want to achieve instead of what can I do. Do I continue with old projects I let go that were started months ago or start fresh? So, I gave myself permission to just grab what’s around and let worry take care of itself.

Ink & watercolor drawing started last year 
It was on the floor between cabinets. 
Placed in front now for me to see
and consider what next. 

In the photo, my stuff on the floor next to my recliner. Tissue box on the right and charger cord hanging down on the left.  

It’s been a long time

Pumpkin Studio has been going on Blogspot for several years (circa 2012). Then I read the word salty became popular a few years ago. A few websites popped up using the name salty pumpkin. 

As the story goes, Salty Pumpkin Studio is a perfect fit for me, my last name change, my forever name, my brand. Alas, having my own business is complicated. The way the American economy is, I’m thinking more on going back to work to at least pay for medical bills. The problem is my health limits what I can do. 

I am not alone. I’m sure many folks are thinking about work. What to do isn’t suppose to be a retirement worry. But it is. I watch YouTubers that sold everything to hit the road as an RVer. You can eventually earn income via YouTube videos. But it isn ‘t, I feel, a gig that can last forever. 

Dilemmas are all around us. Doing the best you can with what you have, I believe, is  true freedom. What I have mainly, is this blog. Dozens( sometimes hundreds) visit here every day. There is room to build. 

So, I start researching just how much income will being monetized bring in. So far, I believe, not enough. Think bigger as in what am I able to do to make big money. 

It depends on audience/the market that wants to buy/support my products. Road block right there. As a writer, every time I posted a story or poem, I can hear crickets, coyotes laughing in the distance and feel owls rolling their eyes. 

I continue to write anyway. I believe in me. I am sure my writing ability is as good, and, sometimes better than what ‘s out there. As for my art, selling art isn’t the same as folks reading a novel. My biggest problem is depression, having the energy to produce good stories and art. We shall see.

In summary, I am considering a change in this blog’s name as well as my focus. A better move is to start fresh with a new name, a blog. 

Salty Maple Arts & Crafts is the new blog.

Me at age 3 years

Moving Out From Under Shadows

Winter Shadows

 What will this week bring us in the news is becoming more predictable that something will shake our core. The issues are so big, it is easy to feel powerless. How we hold on is amazing. 

Ways that help me is to look at an issue from both sides. Considering both views without the emotional bias, can be very difficult. Being informed through multiple sources eases the difficulty. Instead of turning away from the news, lean into it, learn from it and support decisions with facts. 

An old subject like this is worth repeating. Decluttering emotions is as important as organizing stuff.

🌹🪻🌸🌺🌷🌻

In the beginning of a week, I think of what I want to do, how to organize the days ahead. My to do list is much longer than my done list. This week, instead of the olde list of many, a single theme will be interesting. 

I found a folder of photos I printed out to paint from going back to the early 2000s.  One of them inspires me to make this week ‘s theme, Art. Whether paint, pencil or using glue, daily creating is a must. The week feels brighter already. 

What theme do you like for your week?

A Word, Clutter, Still Life & White Coffee

For some reason, I believe, we latch on to words meaning things they are not. I thought a vignette, aside from a photo, is a small display similar to a still life. There may be a similar word that I’m just forgetting at the moment. 

The vase, ivy and faux flowers would make a nice still life painting. Maybe my clutter is just a matter of surrounding myself with art. 

😂

A fun experience happened yesterday. Remember the one about how distracted folks poured orange juice in their cereal? 

Well, I was going over in my mind about what I was going to do that day while making my first coffee. Out of instant, I boiled water for the French press. Cup ready, with a dash of sugar and half&half, I’m waiting, thinking, waiting. And before I know it,  pouring hot water right into my cup.

I stared at the cup for a second wondering why my coffee is white!

😂 

Then I took the coffee out if the fridge and put some in the French press that, btw, is not my cup.

Welcome To November 2025

Under a partly cloudy sky, the 1st day of November has a crisp and chilly vibe that goes well with hot tea and apple cider donuts.

This is the start of Branch Season. What to do with pencil sketched landscapes all around? There is snow in the mountains, leaves on the ground and birds eager to see the feeders back out. 

I’m thinking organizing photos, changing passwords, reading about cyber security, and such is a plan worthy of being top of a November to do list.

For artists, and everyone who has ever thought or said I can’t draw, putting together an art tote is a good idea: sketchbook. pencils, sharpener, eraser and 2 pens. That is basic sketch set up to have handy whether outdoors or in a waiting room. 

Sketching trees to research the botanical names can be an interesting goal to pursue.

Pick up a yard of fabric to use for hand sewing while listening to audio books. 

Take advantage of that concentration, by learning a new language from an audio course.

November to me is the month of being comfy, cooking and creating.