01/14/12 - Can't sleep

Yeh, it's 5:40 and I should be up anyway but I wanna but I can't - I keep thinking about what I could be doing besides sleeping but then I'm so tired I just want to sleep and not do anything but the second I lay down my eyes are wide open. Or kinda wide-ish.

Haven't gotten much (painting) work do this week, winter has been rolling into town and that means pain. Crushing, relentless pain. However, I did get into the AS220 printshop twice this week which has opened me up to thnking about work in whole new directions again. the possibilities for work in print....

I have to say, I feel incredibly fortunate right now. For years I dreamt of living in a place with real artists, not just once in a while weekend painters, and seeing work that really is diverse and here I am. For years I wanted to learn different forms of printmaking, graffitti and urban art and welding and now I live in a city that makes it all possible. I'm learning and adapting, trying and succeeding, failing and trying again but it's all in an atmosphere of inclusion - the people I've met are able to teach and accept different forms of work. I don't have to fit in a little box anymore - that's incredible to me especially after spending most of my life on an island, Cape Cod, and it's conformist art community were I was told I was good but not quite good enough or I don't paint the right lighthouse the right way like all the other good little island artists.

Life beyond the bridges of Cape Cod has brought on friendships and opportunities I only could of dreamt of before. But here I am. It's 6 a.m.and I'm groggy and probably not making much sense. Back to bed for a nap while I make out today's to do list? I think top of the list is:

• Got to Fall River, pick up photo development equip
• Go to storage unit, pick up some finished work and find reference material!
• Clean out truck!!!
• Start more work

Here's a few pics of what I've been up to:

Setting up in the new drawing room/computer/lounging/staring at the wall room

"My toe points me in an appropriate direction" - acrylic on ink and pencil on paper. Not quite finished

Start of a portrait on masonite

Start of a two panel canvas portrait

Aesrosol and acrylic stage

Heavy acrylic. After this - a few more bits in acrylic and then on to oils.

Got caught in the first big winter (rain) storm. Soaked but happy.

....everyone loves the new digs. So cozy, so comfy. So brother-y.

Also follow Beck on her other blog:http://storiesfromscootertown.blogspot.com