My mantle is empty. The neighbors lights are gone. The melodramatic daily hum has filled up days. Christmas is over.
I looked at my mantle: a wasteland of disappointment.
“Guess I’ll be looking at this blank canvas for another 11 months.”
Then it hit me…MOM’S MANTLE!
I pick fun at my mother. Each season or holiday is welcomed with new decorations. Buckets line her storage with spring birds, summer flowers, fall leaves, wintery branches, and every holiday trinket imaginable.
“Why do you do this, mom? It is so much work! It takes so much time!”
I ask her the same question at the turning of each season or holiday.
“I don’t know,” she replies, “I just like it.”
My giggles are laden with “what a waste of time,” and “what a waste of money.”
The truth is she has tapped into a hidden power. The power to remind us of the hope and thrill of being alive. Like kids do! Her mantle decorations are a glimpse into why life is worth living, and why it is something to celebrate.
There is nothing hum-drum about a day. It is a new bright and shiny ornament. A rebirth of the mind and body. Mornings laugh with the reunion of the sun on one side of the sky and the moon on the other chatting like old friends. Evenings settle as the moon and sun, again facing, whisper their farewells.
Passing years lie to us. “Yeah…I’ve seen that before,” says our dulled adult heart. Sunrise, sunset, that tree loosing it’s leaves and growing them back…it has all happened before. No big deal. No miracle here, folks! Carry on.
The low hum of boredom returns.
Except for mom’s mantle. It winks at us and whispers truth:
“Don’t be disappointed! There is no such thing as the spirit of Christmas. There is only the spirit of life, joy, and wonder. Christmas just gives us permission to tap into it.
Don’t forget…there’s wonder right outside your door. Watch as the trees slumber and hold tight to life! See the chilly air and bright colored coats of the children as they play! Isn’t that worth a yippie? And what of spring? WOW! Look at all the flowers and birds and animals stretching their tired winter hardened legs!
Hop to it, now! You have permission! There is a child inside of you begging to be let loose! Strike up a chorus! It’s time for a party today!”
Giggling at and judging my mom’s decorating has proven to be a pie in my face. She knew a secret. She tried to tell me, but I was too daft to listen. Though I most likely will not go “all out” like she does, I will count this as a lesson learned.
Next week, I’m dressing up my mantle. It has much to say but doesn’t have the words. It’s my job to give it words. Life is worth celebrating…so celebrate!
First of all, I want to give a big internet hug to all of those who supported the “bad sheep” Kickstarter campaign! We made it to the goal! Hooray!
For those who are cheering the book on to success, I give you a big shout out of thanks!!
We are now in the post-Kickstarter stage. Preparations are being made daily for the release of the book. This post is for all of you following the journey from idea to actualization.
HOW “BAD SHEEP” WAS BORN
I awoke with the story. It came to me in a dream. I outlined the story to my groggy husband who was pouring his morning coffee, and he said, “Let’s do it!”
This same morning, I contacted one of my favorite cartoonist’s, David Hayward. After working out the details, he jumped on board.
While awaiting the sketches from David, I spent hours researching children’s books and publishing. I spent hours in my mind going over each detail of the story. I did not give up on finishing, and I did not give in to doubt. *Side note: for those of you starting a children’s book, I suggest doing tons of research on all things children’s books. The time I spent researching the different aspects of self-publishing paid off. However, you will make mistakes. I made a bunch of them. As mistakes go, I learned, and the next book will be smoother sailing.
A couple of months later, I got the email from David. It sent me flying! I saw him: my sweet little bad sheep! I was over the moon!!!
For the most part, the initial sketches are the same as in the book. This is a remarkable accomplishment for 2 artists, whom have never met in person and who live hundreds of miles apart. We were able to find a wavelength and a vision with very few tweaks. Here are some absolutely awful photographs of me showing David the expressions I wanted for the sheep.
Images sent to David Hayward to show facial expressions and the final product.
Then, the process took the turn towards graphic design. With the characters in hand, I spent a couple of months playing with the graphic design. Finally, after consulting my son for direction, the book began to have a fluid appearance. The color schemes worked, the font worked, and the overall design worked.
LEARNING
The fun part of art is conception to actualization. The not so fun part is what to do with the creation once it’s in your hands.
Though I had read about it, I am an artist…not a marketer. Want me to paint you a picture, write you a song, blog, story, novel, or make you a necklace? I’m your girl. It’s covered.
I looked in my hands at the pages of the book, and I asked the question, “What now?”.
So…I researched and found out. Even so, the “ah ha” moment didn’t come easily. I decided to just go with what I knew, and I did.
I needed the funds to get it published.
After asking lots of questions (the best way to learn), I discovered Kickstarter to be the safest bet for all involved: me and the people pledging to the book.
It took me a couple of months to research, layout, design,plan and organize the photo shoot, by Julie McCullough(hair and makeup by Janae Burnside, and assisted by Rachel Harchanko,) write the script for the video practice this script, and create the Kickstarter campaign.
Then, the hardest part for me and most artists, came promotions. Facebook, Instagram, Facebook, Instagram, Facebook, Instagram…………
The pledges came rolling in, and by the end of the 30 days, the Kickstarter was FUNDED!!
WHAT is NEXT?
Now, we are in the planning stages of the launch. Kickstarter has a 2 week hold on the funds. This has put us on an early 2018 launch date. I was hoping for Christmas. Oh well. Life goes on.
Until then, I am marketing my writing through blogs, engagement on social media, website updates, and email list building. The more engagement online, the better the book will sell. It is a simple process, but, it takes a ton of work.
THE ARTIST’S DISCOMFORT
There are days I want to run and hide from the world. There are days I wish I could be invisible online.
Here’s the thing: I want to create stuff and make money doing it. To do this, I cannot be invisible. Yes. There are days I can be quiet online and post an “oldie but a goodie,” but, for the most part, I have to kick my anxiety aside and show up.
Showing up also means book signings, book readings, lectures, stories, and new books. For me, this is fun! I love meeting folks. I love to make kids laugh (the best sound in the world). I love singing silly songs and smiling and listening. I also, like my grandfather, love the stage. I haven’t been on stage for a while, unless you count my dancing and singing in the car, so, it will be welcomed with open arms.
However, there is a level of discomfort in making your art, and yourself, known. Balancing on the tight rope of confidence and comfort has proven to be tricky, yet, it is not impossible.
FINAL THOUGHT
This last year has been a real world education in how to be good at what you do, and how to be loud about it. As I have said…the first part is easy. The second part is not. I am still learning.
The good news is I know more today than I did yesterday.
“Bad Sheep” has been a lesson in endurance, myself, accepting critical advice, measuring excitement in portions to last for days, taking steps daily, and giving up the expectations of others. The biggest lesson I have learned this year is this:
Not everyone will love my work, and it is ok.
I have a several mottos. This is one I wrote for myself:
Put the work out there for the world to see. Whether they like it or not IS NOT Up to me.
Enough people will like what I do to make my work successful. I am certain of it.
*Side note: if you are an artist, whether with the word, paintbrush, pencil, musical instrument, or otherwise, read the motto again…and again…and again. Your work has value not in the acceptance of it but in the essence of it. If one person’s life is touched by what you do, you have done well. Remember, to touch people’s hearts with your art, they must first be able to see (or hear) it. If you are afraid, release it anyway.
There will be more “Bad Sheep” news starting in January, 2018! Also, stay tuned for more projects to be released in 2018! I will be adding photos and blogs to keep everyone up to date!
Until then…
Wow. What an amazing ride.
To read more about Autumn and her work, click HERE!
I am a snowflake.
I am not the sky.
I am not the ground.
I am frozen water
Carved out of a cloud.
I am tender and fragile.
I am translucent and strong.
I am falling piece of time past
And a future life source for all.
As a single snowflake,
My presence still has worth,
But when those like me gather together,
A wonderland is earth.
The future for me is simple.
Again, I’ll be a drop of water.
Maybe I’ll be raging with the river
Or part of a rolling sea,
Or possibly part of a cloud again
But I will always be me.
Maybe I will help the beautiful to grow,
For this is my favorite task!
To see a life find hope in my gift
And all of their worries cast.
I am not just one thing.
I've known life in all of its stages.
I’ve seen the world and felt its pain
And written novels worth of pages.
To discount my validity is folly
Because I am part of you.
You can despise my existence or wish me away,
But I will continue to move.
I am a snowflake.
I am an avid watcher of the “CREATE” channel by PBS. The station plays shows containing information on tons of ways to create things with your hands. From food to painting, you can watch shows on “how to” do pretty much anything artistic.
Yesterday, I was watching a sewing show. The ladies on the show were all in their sixties or older. I began to think about it. What is going to happen to our society when these ladies are gone? How many young people actually take an interest in something which takes longer than 10 minutes to complete? Will people have to purchase a new “this” or “that” every 6 weeks because of the ill prepared content and construction? It concerns me for my child.
“What? Concerns you for your child?” you may ask. Yes! Our society has become so consumed with quick and easy. We run to the cupboard for a meal in a box. We run to the store for a pretty dress or quilt. We type a fast note to a friend instead of sitting down to write a letter. We go go go to fill in the spaces of our lives. I am just as guilty. Quick has replaced quality in our culture.
I watched the older lady carefully hand sew on a piece of fabric. You could tell she had made these stiches thousands of times in her life. Though she was obviously skilled, it was her manner which was impressive. She was steady. There was no rushing in her hands. She carefully moved. She studied each placement of the needle. She was in the moment. She was not concerned with how quickly she needed to complete the project. Her concern was how well she accomplished the task at hand.
I suppose what concerns me is that my child will grow up in a world that is lived out through a screen. It frightens me that he may grow up in a culture where it’s not about the care and consideration put into your work, but how quickly it can be accomplished. When the older craftsmen and women are gone, will the art die with them? Will it become more rare than gold? (If you look at the price tag of handmade items today, you would think we are already at this place.) Or, will our society become so engulfed with the virus of expediency that quality will no longer matter?
Of course, the irony of the entire thought is played out in my posting of this idea. Please be aware that I understand the importance of technology. As a matter of fact, I love technology. Trust me, every time I need a shower or I need to cook, I thank God for giving people visions and abilities. For myself, though, I am going to strive to slow down and try to absorb the creating of the art as much as the outcome. Maybe, if I can learn better to be in the moment of the creation, my son will notice. Hopefully, he will learn to take this skill into whatever career he chooses. So, whether he becomes a trash collector or doctor, he will know it is not about what you can get out of your work, but what you put into it that matters.
