LizzyHouse

wonder of wonder

This year has been something else. Last year this time I graduated from school, and I think, just as everyone thinks, that I thought that things would have been different then they were. They were different alright. I just have to remind myself, that along with the hard stuff there have been successes.

So Amy had a great idea. She listed 10 things she's dreaming/thinking/working on in 2010. So I've made up a list too.

10. I'm really going to try and not be so hard on myself for being human. Because that's what I am. You heard it here first folks. I work really hard, I travel really hard, I make mistakes, and then I tend to beat myself for the fumbles and the exhaustion. This year, I am going to try harder to recognize things for what they are. A rest is a rest.

9. I want to be a better sister, daughter, and friend. With all of my bouncing around, I do a champion job at not only separating myself from the world, but the people who really love me. I make myself unavailable.

8. To be more grounded. Literally, Figuratively.

7. Develop new products. Hard-Goods... and things of a home-good nature.

6. Get 3 exhibits with my fine art Printmaking

5. Stop shooting down my own ideas. I can be really hard on myself. I've made quilts and prints and things that I haven't shown anyone or posted or anything because I am being too hard on myself. I need to move past that.

4. Draw/create more all the time. Everyday.

3. Finish a Book, write a book for a publisher.

2. I want to help. I feel like I have been so blessed, and I want to be of use in whatever way I can. I know that that sounds abstract, but I want to make myself more available, by being more present.

1. Someone said that people make decisions based on one of two things. Fear or Love. I want every decision that I make to be because of love.

I just want to say, that I am a firm believer in miracles. I know they happen everyday in my life, and I see them in my family, and really everywhere. I am grateful for a God who loves us. I want to make this a good year. I've got some plans, and I've got a lot of hope. Do you have any goals or plans that you have been thinking about?

I am wishing the best for all of you and your loved ones. Thank you with all of my heart for your comments, emails, kindness, and time. It has been a strength to me

love,

Lizzy House

ps. Melissa is doing fine. The surgery went well and she has been home recovering!

Printmaking and Prayers.

The Printmaking:

I stayed longer in Rexburg than I had planned, because I felt compelled to. Because of all of the ups and downs this year, I felt like I wasn't a very good artist anymore. If we haven't covered this already, and we have, I am very hard on my self. I think the biggest problem was that I hadn't been able to print since April, and I found through earning my degree that printing with a press is not only an integral part of my creative process, but a major factor in my mental/creative/emotional well being.

So by staying in town, I was able to spend some solid time printing, and I feel more like a whole person. Like I said, I have been doing some monoprints-monotypes, and I pulled one last night, after the final run, and I nearly cried. It was like a blessing or an answer to a prayer to be able to complete something so solid, and wonderful. It made me remember why I print-make, and that even if I haven't printed since April, I am a fine artist.

The picture above is of the first run on a print. It's called Miracle Fish. Funny how much expression a little fish with a single eye can have.

The picture below is of my little sister, Melissa.

The Prayers:

The prayers are for my littlest sister, Melissa. After a terrifying chain of events this weekend she had to have emergency surgery last night. Luckily she goes to school at Johns Hopkins, and is in good hands. So my grandma is flying out to Baltimore to be with her tonight, to be followed by my Mother. So if you could remember Melissa in your prayers, it would mean so much to my family.

some news, and an almost update.

first the news. Castle Peeps, won't be released until April. Boo Hiss Boo! I know, I know... If you think that you are growing impatient, think of me, your littlest Lizzy, who grows weary of always waiting. But, in anticipation, starting the New Year, I will do a new tutorial each month for something grand using Castle Peeps, so when it finally arrives, you will know exactly what to do. There will be a plan. I love a good plan. Don't you?

my little update is this. I've finally started doing some monoprinting. For those of you who don't know what monoprinting is, it's essentially painting on a piece of Plexiglas, applying a great deal of pressure, from either a press, your hand, a car... or even a pencil, by applying the pressure you transfer the ink from the glass to paper, or fabric, or whatever. Also, because it's a "mono" print, there can only be one. You know... like the Highlander. So each piece is an original, like a painting.

I've got to tell you though, printing these past couple of days has made me happier than I can remember being in a long time. It's so fulfilling to produce work that you are happy and excited about.

My pieces aren't dry quite yet, but I will give you a little look.

More to come soon! and soon a shop update!