Keep Calm and Click On

Hello my sweet friends,

How are you?  Oh my, I can't believe I'm just popping in... I really had plans to post on Thursday.... But I have to tell ya.... I've been fighting the artist 'blues'.... a creative dry spell. Definitely not a full blown drought... more of a lull... 

But I'm happy to tell you... I believe it's OVER.  And I wanted to share with you...  my CURE.  

Ready for a little story... the short version...  ?  

Some of you may not know... before the photography bug BIT ME. I made a living as a painter. I have a whole line of folk art and primitive designs out in the world.  If you pop over to art.com or google me....  you will see what I am jabbering about.  Anyhow, it's been a long time since I painted anything but textures.  Yesterday, I was in our overflowing garage...and tripped over a FABULOUS chunk of barn board....and an idea was born....

It was time to paint a sign.... one I've been wanting to paint since i saw this FAB print at photojojo.

And so, here you have it.. the pic ain't great I know.  The sign is 4 feet long.... so I had to place it on my old front porch ladder.... to click a pic.  It will hang in my white on white studio. I will share pics of the studio when it's complete...  but it's been a work in progress...little bits at a time...

Ain't it the perfect quote for us all? 

(what's with me saying, ain't today?) hmmmmmm.

Anyhow, I believe pulling out the brushes, the paint and hands on creating...simply cause I wanted to... cured the creative blues.  

I wanted it to have a vintage vibe...  simple and bold.... as you can see it's pretty plain-jane. I love the texture in the wood.... and the rough ends.... Years ago I made and sold a ton of painted barnwood signs on eBay.  And honestly they were some of my favs....

I also had fun using my new sign as a backdrop for a few photos.... 

I suppose the moral of the story...sometimes you just gotta let it flow... give your creative self a break..... trust it will find you again. I've been doing this creative thing ... what seems like almost forever.... and honestly... it's just how it flows. 

I often think of this quote... what you resists persists..... and I have found it to be so true in life. The more we focus on what's not working... the more it'll tend to carry on...  So as I worked thru this 'lull'...I tried very hard not to give it any credit... NO saying it out loud...NO dwelling on it.  And today I feel aNEW...  and for that I am most thankful.

....

I haven't forgotten your freebie....  

Here you have it.... my sweet and oh so fabulous texture lovin' friends...

I give to you..... 

'pour vous'

If you are on my list, I will send the download link out in just a few.  

If you are not on my list and would like to start receiving freebies, click HERE to sign up!

Before I sign off... Just a reminder... the FREE Skinny-Mini Photoshop eCourse starts tomorrow.  You can get the scoop HERE.

xxo,

p.s. 

oh my gosh.... I almost forgot....you may have heard me talk about the Mondo Beyondo eCourse before. It was life changing for me! Well i just had to encourage you to grab a friend and sign up. Class starts tomorrow. I'm taking it again...and I can not wait. They are running a bring a friend, 2 for 1 special... So it's a FAB time to hop in. Click here to visit Mondo Beyondo.

Comments

[Silvia]

I remember you from when you were doing the Primitive Folk Art Painting, even made a purchased or two. I love the sign and am glad to see that the 'old' has helped you with the 'new'.
Can you maybe tell me how you get you photo to be all blurred in the background yet the object is nice and sharp?
Focus or Photoshop or a bit of both?
Thanks for always sharing your free textures

[Sylvia]

Thanks Kim, I love textures with handwriting!

[Kim Klassen]

Hi Silvia - it's focus and a wide aperture... :) I didn't do anything with the focus or blur in photoshop. i used my 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens for today's shots.... it makes delicious blur....
but the 50mm f/1.4 or f/1.8 works great as well.....

you want the aperture number to be as low (wide open) as possible.... and getting in close will also help create some beautiful blur as well.

hope this helps....xxo, kim

[Marcie]

Me too - I've always loved the quote 'what you resist..persists'. And - what a fun and creative sign. So inspiring. Sometimes - you just need to change your point-of-view (as if that's as easy as all of that!!).
Carry on..my friend...:-)

[A Box of Chocolates]

love your new sign fab fab really glad your dry spell is over enjoy enjoy

[Judy Howle]

Great texture! Thanks for all of your lovely textures!

[Barb]

Your sign is awesome! You are truly are a talented artist (as if you hadn't heard that before) :)
Thank you so much for the beautiful new texture!

[Kate]

Thank you so much, Kim. I'm totally into handwriting textures at the moment, so what a treat this one will be. Hope you're over your slump soon. They're par for the course, as far as I'm concerned. xo

[Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams]

One amazing woman. I love your photos, your textures, and your courses.

What a beautiful sign, so glad that you found your inspiration again.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

[Karla]

Such a lovely post today in many ways Sweet Kim.

I love hearing about your creative past and how you got through this creative lull. Playing with paint, brushes and wood is a great recipe for the soul. Your sign is perfect and that first image is my favorite of the bunch and those tips you shared with Silvia really helps me when I'm out clicking around with my camera too.

Love the new texture Kim and I am happily clicking along in Photoshop with you still.

xoxo, Karla

[Kimberly]

Love the painting and the fact that you found your mojo again! Thank you for another fabulous texture!

[Shelly]

Kim - this texture is once again, absolutely amazing. I really love writing in textures. I cannot imagine you having a creative lull - you probably just need to give your brain a break. Nothing wrong with that as long as you can recognized that is what is and only that. What you have done with this barnwood is so wonderful - I would love something like that to use in my photography.

[Anita]

Love the sign Kim. Did you free hand it or use a stencil? Wish I had some old barn wood to play with. Thanks so much for the texture. I can't wait to try it out.

[Denise]

fabulous!! Love this so much!!!!

[Elaine]

What a fun sign and what a perfect take on the "Keep Calm" theme! I read through your entire blog a couple of months ago, so I learned about your Previous Artistic Life~~I hope you don't think I'm stalking you :~)

I'm in a bit of a creative lull today, too, thanks to sleep "issues" :~( But I cant' stay away from Photoshop, even if I'm half asleep or in pain as I was when I was taking your classes :~) It's all your fault ❤

I need to work on the Texture Tuesday project~~maybe that will perk me up :~)

[bella]

Love that you painted yourself out of the lull.
:) makes me smile BIG.
Gorgeous texture, Kim... I can't wait to use it.

[Nanette Gordon-Cramton]

Thank you, Kim. I am new to the use of textures. Do you have any tutorials or anything on how to use them?
Thank you,
Nanette
P.S. Love your sign!!

[Donna M.]

Oh yes, I do remember your earlier creative days! I have one of your snowman plates, LOL! We love it!

Your new sign is adorable and it makes a perfect prop!

[linda]

Oh my! what a treat. You are so talented and so very generous with that talent! Glad your temporary lull is over ... you are my inspiration!
xo Linda

[Jan]

LOVE the sign! and yay! for getting the creative juices flowing.
Thank you for another gorgeous texture, Kim xoxo

[Sheedia | InspirU CooCoo]

Oh mine, this weekend there was an event were people could visit different ateliers. There were some great artwork on wood that I absolutely loved. I'm gonna experiment with it myself and see what comes out of it.

[Cassie Sheridan]

I enjoyed your story. I think most of us can relate to it. Thanks for the great texture.

[Geri]

Lovely texture - looks like your art is still alive and well on eBay http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=kim+klassen

[jenni Connolly]

Kim, Thanks for another wonderful texture, I can't wait to use it.
I enjoyed the story of the sign and renewing your muse. Love the sign too..
Jenni

[Kelly]

i love handwriting textures...your's are wonderfully warm. can't wait to use it. Thanks Kim.

[Gwen]

Love it!! That's a great sign. :) The letters are so neat, and I agree, the texture of the wood along with the rough edges really is terrific.

And thanks for the latest freebie, I've really been enjoying your textures since I signed up last month ... or maybe it was March. Either way, totally love your textures.

[Nadege]

Thank you for the new texture, I have been waiting and hoping for one with handwriting on it. Glad you have found your mojo.

[Charlotta {ohlovely.se}]

Wow! I love it and thank you for the lovely texture. :-)

/Charlotta

[Ar~Pic]

Kim, you are SO amazing and inspiring...WOW! I am so glad to get to be a part of all this...and hope to pass you on so others can experience YOU as well! Beautiful!!!

[Miriam]

Thank you so much for this and all your beautiful textures. I took your skinny mini to learn a little about photoshop, started playing with your textures on some photos in my library and now I take pictures with your textures in mind!
Your sign is wonderful, I am so glad it has renewed you. x

[yvette]

What a great sign...I too love all type fonts, and each can create such a different theme and atmosphere, My 'art' life has has taken many directions, ups and down= highs and lows. Photography has always taken a back step but an underlying one. I'm sooo new at using all these wonderful textures, and I'm having fun, but I know I still have alot to learn. Thank you for the opporunity to enhance this new creative direction! yvette..x

[silviaON]

hi kim -wonderful work again :))
and thank you for this lovely texture - a big hug to you

[Julie]

Thank you for a great texture Kim. I used to paint too and have been missing it lately. I'm glad you found a way out of your creative doldrums. Sometimes a change of direction helps us to get started again (note to self, why not try it?). I love text in textures so I will enjoy using this one :-) Have a great week. x

[Debi]

A lull......I like that! Yes, that is what I have been in also and trying not to freak out about it! I love this quote and I will no longer think of my lull............I will just let it pass and hopefully my creative juices will start to flow again soon.

Hugs and love to you!

D

[dymphie]

thanks for another texture, a text one was just what I was looking for :)

[Leah C]

Love it...the sign, the post, the texture!!

[Jillsy Girl]

I love that quote and your wonderful sign! I must make myself create something with it as well! It's such an inspirational quote for us photogs!

[Evelyn in Oregon]

Of course, I had no idea of your sign painting background! But I went right to Art.com (used to love to visit there) and I found all sort of items that I want. Your new sign is fabulous. Love your photos with the sign, too.

BTW....thank you so much for the new texture!

[Anna]

Kim, love the sign - perfect! Interesting how that change of medium or project type is just that inspiration that is needed to jump-start the creative engine!

[Kellie]

Thank you so much for your encouraging words today Kim, they were just what I needed. I was recently unemployed, and at first felt that it was a real chance to reinvent myself and start to follow my passions. As the bank account has been dwindling it's been harder and harder to hang onto that belief. Your sign and your words about what we focus on were just what I needed. Going to start your Skinny Minny course today. Yay!

[Cheryl]

I love this new texture. Can't wait to try it. Thanks Kim for being such a giving person. xoxo

[Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage]

Okay... this is exactly what I needed to read! Thank you!!!! I've been emerging from a creative slump slowly since my surgery. I am going to remember your wise words.

[Kia]

Oh yes, I remember your paintings! :) I was soooooo in love with your "Live Laugh Love" sign. Also all the coffee ones were stunning :) Alas, our landlord does not allow us to hung ANYTHING in the house *sob, snif*.
BTW, you photos are awesome! Yes, yes! And thank you so much for the beautiful new texture! You just made my day! *huggles*

[Kelly]

Love your sign, the saying, and also the "what you resist, persists." S true. I think sometimes our brains just need a rest to "refill" themselves with new ideas and energy. But it can be so hard to be patient while it's happening!

This pour vous texture is destined to become one of my faves...

[Patti A]

Thanks so much for the texture. You are so gracious with your knowledge. I seem to be in a slump myself. Maybe i just want the weather to be nice once and for all.

[Sandy]

Thank you Kim for writing this! I am in a creative lull and I so want to find something to get out of it...I will remember this quote, perfect timing for me.
Thanks for the lovely texture. Your sign is great!

[shiela gerleman]

Thank you Kim, for yet another beautiful texture. I am having such fun with the textures from your collections - the squares, rectangles, overlays - all of them. They certainly have helped me with my creative juices since I've started using them and turning my photos into something special. Thank you thank you!

[linda tipton]

great work the best part is you got up and did it....