Hi there, everyone!
Carroll here, doing this artist profile thing...bear with me, ok?!
I
grew up as an army brat, the oldest of three, back and forth between
the US and Germany, until the parents split...then we just gypsied
around in pursuit of I'm not sure what, enlightenment, other granola
lovers, happiness, boyfriends...one would need an afternoon to explore
that subject with my mom.
Let's see, I have always been
encouraged to be creative by my parents,mostly my mom- she supplied the
tools, the time and the appreciation for all my endeavors, thanks mom!
She taught me how to sew, how to knit (twice), and how to crochet and
always looked for kits and projects to do with us. She is pretty cool.
I had some encouraging teachers
during my school age years, except the one high school teacher who told
me on day one that she could tell we would never get along!?! What's up
with that, right? Well, I skipped half that year any way...
I chose not to go to college,
instead spending some years doing volunteer work with the Camphill
organization, living and working with mentally handicapped grownups, and
also several other jobs (mostly within the food or hospitality field).
Art was a hobby and sometimes a tool during these years, especially with
the people I worked closely with in those Camphill communities.
Well, I fell in love and had
babies and that put a hold on art projects, but allowed me to become
well practiced in cooking, organizing and the seat of the pants way of
dealing with stuff that comes with raising kids, cats, chickens, etc.!
Now, as I've stopped working
outside of the home, and have gotten the boys to the stage where I can
have them help with the dailies of life and make themselves snacks and
entertainment, I have the fortune to be able to create for hours,
instead of minutes at a time...weee! And the best part is -- it doesn't
all have to be put away in between times...Yay!!
This is possible with the
lovely support of my dear spouse, who encourages me and (only partially
in jest) hopes that one day my art will support his old age! He is also
my tech support,as I am completely hopeless when it comes to computers
and online anything...He even had to untangle me from yahoo/flicker when
I tried to set up an account by myself!
I have found that doing something creative helps me keep an even
keel and stay sane . Sometimes it is being depressed that stops the
creative flow and then sometimes it's not being creative that gets me
depressed...makes sense, right?! I don't know how many nights I stayed
up into the wee hours (after getting a fussy baby back to sleep) doing
something creative, painty or glue-ish, maybe stitched,and possibly all
three... but certainly quiet!
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| Working in the duct tape journal I received from Terrie Purkey as part of the MMSA swap |
So, now my biggest hurdle with
the whole art thing is the possibilities of selling, for alas I am not
very good at representing myself fairly or confidently. It's always been
something I do for myself, and as presents, you see...
I have sold, and do really enjoy having my art go out into the
world. Our local food co-op even gives membership hours for hanging art
in their cafe space- very fun! ( And that's a further 4% off the mark-up
price...) Even if it only keeps me supplied i do want to sell!
So that's me, for now, except to say it's been a pleasure swapping
here at mmsa and getting to know some of you is a real joy.....
Thanks
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Note: Carroll's on-line name for commenting is Big Mamabird.
Note: Carroll's on-line name for commenting is Big Mamabird.