Over the slump...

I am so easy to please, and perhaps too easily pleased with myself (grin).  It was so gratifying to get responses to my last couple posts. (Thank you!) It broke me out of my bubble. In my search for connection I came across a new website I hope you will check out called the House of Art, ( link HERE) where artists can talk about art- techniques, frustrations (like artists block, isolation,etc.) and anything else art related.  Sounds like a good place for me, right? I think so. I left an introduction, and a post in the forum, and I intend to visit every day for a while, and see how it goes.  I am very excited about this idea and give props to the industrious and initiativeous (there, I made up a new word in honor of your efforts!) Emme and Melisse who envisioned it and are running it.  Kudos to you!
Also, I finally managed to produce some art, thus ending my dry spell.  (click on it to see full size)  As it says, part of the reason was the common artist pitfall of putting pressure on myself to come up with something amazing - to be attractive, unique, clever, meaningful, desirable, ...I'm sure  you get the picture. In addition to that, I am feeling a strong desire to develop my own distinctive look. I've been suffering from artistic envy. It's fine to admire, but I end up feeling worse about myself. Now that's not good for our creative spark, is it? So, I see other things I like and I emulate because it "speaks to me", but it is just my spin on someone else's idea. I am sure many will recognize the influences on the journal page below. I am pleased with it, even tho it's not my own signature look:

 

Some images are  bits from magazines (I especially like the moldy bread skirt, which seems metaphorically appropriate to me! tee-he) Most of the images and border elements, text, etc. are thanks to Nancy Beaumiller of Crowabout Studio.

And now, since I was up literally all night and all day, it is time to go get some sleep. BTW- I noticed I am more creative late at night, as if my brain's right side (the art side) doesn't function well when my left side is active during the daytime, when I must think about bills, housekeeping, and managing my health.  Maybe the next time I am feeling stymied, I should just try staying up late. Of course, there is a price to pay, but I feel it is worth it for my art.