Clarity + Watercolour Painting

For the past few years I’ve been freaking out a lot about where my life is heading and what I really want to get out of it. I was constantly comparing my lack of success with other people’s successes (I still do) and my life got stuck in a rut.

This year I feel more clarity. I still don’t know where my life is headed and I still feel bouts of disappointment when I think about what I haven’t achieved. However, this time, I don’t spend weeks analyzing my lack of success until I burst into tears, which, I hope, is a good thing and not just a way of ignoring my issues by sticking my head in the ground.

One of the main things helping me feel more comfortable with where my life is going is just doing more things. Maybe I’m just distracting myself from the real issues. This year alone I’ve read about 8 books (I read no books last year!), took up painting, listened to more new music and I’m starting pre-production with my film. They’re all small, insignificant activities but they’re keeping me positive. As for work, I’m slowly being forced into social situations, which is good for developing my “people” skills. I still have days where I just can’t be bothered making an effort, but it is becoming easier to pull myself out of those moods.

One thing I want to do more of is write and showing people my work, no matter how bad it is. I have low confidence and I’m always horrified about showing people my stuff in case they hate it, but criticism is good for improving skills. So, I’m going to write more, share more and plug myself a bit more from now on.

To start this process, I’m going to share with you some of the paintings I’ve been doing. They’re not amazing, they’re really just to help me with my painting skills. I’ll be taking a course in water colour painting in three weeks and I hope I learn heaps there!

This is the first watercolour painting I did. I didn't use the proper paper because I didn't want to waste the paper I bought on my first painting. It's a bit rough and I had a hard time mixing the paints. I was so used to using acrylics that I was rather rough with my application.

This is probably my favourite paiting to date. It turned out pretty well, although I think a lot of it was just a fluke! Here's the original image.

 I wanted to try something a bit different so I painted these tree frog embryos. They didn't turn out the way I wanted but it was still a bit of fun. You can see the original image here.

I painted this one today. I'm not very happy with it because the sky looks so boring, but the more I look at it, the more I think it's not as bad as I think it is. Here's the original image.

First blog post about my script

I posted a rather effective image on my work’s facebook page this afternoon. It was one of those inspirational images/posters, but not a lame and cheesy one that’s doing the facebook circuit.



I got this image off the website Creative Something. I find it useful because I’m always making excuses for not doing creative activities and this year I want to stop making excuses and start doing them.

So today I’m going to be a bit fearless. I’m going to write my first blog post about a script I’m working on. I think reflecting on the process will help clear my head a bit and aid in productivity.

The script has no title yet, but I call it The Roof because it sort of takes place on a roof. It’s still going through some rewrites, but it’s got potential. It’s a modest film about how a child watches her family go through grief. I think it’s sentimental without being sappy and it doesn’t try to solve anything. I’m at the stage where I might need a producer, but I’m not sure how I go about finding one. I certainly know a few producers but I don’t know if they’d be interested or if they’re even the right producer for it. I guess I should ask, but if anyone knows what the protocol is or has tips on finding a producer please leave a comment or send an email to choux.street[at]gmail[dot]com. I think I’m ready to start location scouting and holding auditions. I want to get this film to production stage by the end of the month.

I’ve shared my script with some close friends and they’ve given me some great feedback. I hope to get together with them again after my rewrites. I guess I should also ponder the whole “directing” aspect of the production. I’ve never directed anything, and frankly, I don’t think I’ve worked with any great directors so I don’t know what to model my practice on. Most of them seem to just wing it. I see directing as a very... unmethodical practice. I’m so used to editing and filming, which is more regimented than directing, but I might be completely wrong.

My homework for this week:

- Do a few more rewrites
- Approach some producers who might be able to help me produce it
- Watch films that explore brother-sister relationships and father-children relationships, like Grave of the Fireflies and Little Miss Sunshine. If you have any suggestions, please let me know of them.
- Start paying more attention to housing

Day 2 of TV Ban: Boredom

So this is my second attempt at a TV ban. This time I'm banning TV from Mondays to Thursdays. I gotta start slow! I'm going crazy though, and it's only the second day of the ban. I am just so bored. I suppose it doesn't help when I've got nothing planned this week after work and I'm too tired to even accost friends to hang with me. I just feel physically and mentally lethargic, although I was really proud of myself yesterday because I concentrated really well at work and got a lot of things done. Yay! I just wish I had the same concentration levels after work for my own activities. I'd like to write my Alien review sometime soon! I've got my boyfriend pestering me about it so hopefully that should help. Hmm.

Last night's procrastination included reading the $120 Food Challenge blog. It's full of homey recipes and I just enjoy the way Sandra writes. Recently, Sandra made a hamper of yummy food for fellow blogger Carly Findlay to brighten her spirits while she was in hospital. Not only is this such a lovely gesture, but Sandra has put a lot of thought into what foods are best for people feeling unwell. You can read about it here.

So tomorrow is will be my 4-year anniversary with my boyfriend. We've booked a table at Bistro Guillaume on Sunday night and I am super looking forward to it! I'll bring the nice camera with me so I can take photos and maybe to a quick review post or something. YAY FOR PROJECTS. I've checked out their menu and I really want to order the steak and fries. It just sounds amazing, as do their desserts (chocolate delice COME AT MY FACE), although their macarons cost $6, which is a bit dear. Actually, everything on their menu is super dear. Steak and fries cost $50, so that better be some legit steak (I'm sure it is).

I've been reading a lot of blogs about creative inspiration and productivity. It's mostly for work, but I do find some of the articles are really useful. The problem with them is you can end up reading a lot of them and not do any actual work. However, sometimes it does help to read a few just to feel inspired. I'd recommend you check out:

- Marie Forleo's website. She's a super sassy and fun marketing strategist who offers tips on productivity and motivating yourself. She does Q and A Tuesdays so people can ask her questions. It's just awesome. I love the community on her website.

- Creative Boom. These guys have some great tips for freelancers. If you're interested in social media, productivity and want tips on dealing with clients, this is a good one to check out. I think stand out post for me is the one they did about experiencing and dealing with burnouts. If you're having a tough time, please read it; it might be helpful.

- Keri Smith's website. She's a writer full of fun ideas to get your brain in creativity mode. Plus her website just looks cool. Check out her post on 100 ideas to generate creativity.

I'll probably post a few more later in the week! Hope these come in handy!