Beyond Excited!

Yesteday I recevied word that my Art Show and Reception, "Nevada in Shades of Silver and Gold", has been approved as an official 150th Nevada Anniversary Event and will be listed on that state website with other celebrations and events around the state.  I'm just thrilled to have this designation and I couldn't help but share my excitement. Here is the official logo that I now have permission to use.  Like icing on the cake, they are even sending me official lapel pins that I can pass out at my reception.  You don't want to miss out on that.

I'm so happy about this that I've decided to have a drawing on Sunday that you can register to win an original drawing that I'm preparing especially for my reception.  All you have to do is come to my reception on Sunday, August 10th at the Centennial Hills Library from 2:00- 3:30 p.m.  I would love for you to stop in and say hi.

Making a Mark

I was stuck by that simple phrase yesterday- "Making a Mark".  What a great title for my journals and so I'm going to be working to add a tab on my website that showcases my journal entries and hopefully I can inspire others to grab a pencil or pen and join me in creating their own artist journal.

Yesterday, was a stressful and not very productive day for me.  I haven't painted anything for almost a week now and my studio is still in disarray from our long vacation.  So many things need to be put away and organized first.  I find that it is hard to be creative in the middle of a mess.  So distracted and disorientated, I chose to retreat to my journal and try to record my feelings instead.  

I have to say that I am having fun drawing simple cartoonish drawings that tell a story rather than focus on skill.  When I am done drawing, my spirits are lifted and I almost always feel like smiling.  

If you are interested in viewing my serious artwork, you can check my website out at JulieTownsendStudio.com.  

I Completely Agree with Vincent....Vincent van Gogh that is!

"I sometimes think there is nothing so delightful as drawing."
Vincent van Gogh (1853 - 1890) Post Impressionist painter

I couldn't have said it any better myself!  What a wonderful and simplistic way to express my own feelings about drawing.  I recently started an "Artist Journal" so that I could record an event or a thought artistically and without the pressure of trying to create something for public display.  I find there is something freeing about just sketching for fun and yet I am hoping that as I fill up my sketchbook with little humorous and even cartoonish entries that this book will be a treasure for my family to cherish long after I am gone.  I'm really thinking of starting a personal sketchbook for each grandchild.  Wouldn't that be a great thing to pass down?  

I have included a number of my sketches that span our recent 5 week camping, roadtrip adventure that tooks us through Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and a day trip into British Columbia and Alberta Canada.  What an amazing time we had and I thought it would be fun to share with you.