I'm never bored with a pencil and paper.

How could I be? The pencil never stops moving, always creating and learning.  I love to draw, I always have.  When I was a child I made my cousin Amy a tiger with my sister's permanent markers.  It's a fond memory of our mothers and a shining example of how I cannot be stifled.  I would draw on walls, and my mom would tell me that my art was beautiful.  One day, at the age of 15, I decided that my room needed sprucing.  I painted a tiger on the wall. ( Have you noticed I love cats?)  After I had finished I was mortified! My mom was surely going to freak!

 Vanilla Rose: 

done in Illustrator for package design

She came home and I immediately confessed. She came in my room and looked at it.  "It's wonderful, and this is your room so it's okay." (I also painted a dragon on my sister's bedroom wall.)  My mom never ceased to amaze me.  She is always so understanding and supportive.  My sister is a musician.  My mom dealt with fully amplified sessions until 1:00 in the morning.  She was and is proud of us.  It is because of her that we weren't afraid to follow our dreams.

 Glade Package design: 

done in Illustrator

I did follow my dream.  I went to school for graphic design.  I worked very hard and enjoyed creating.  After graduation I was clueless as to what to do with the degree.  Don't get me wrong, there are a trillion options for artists, but none brought me joy.  I wanted to make my heart happy.  Art makes my heart happy.  Forcing creativity for the sake of a deadline, however, did not.

 Egret: 

Acrylic on Canvas

So I then decided that art was a part of me and always will be.  I enjoy looking at interior design, package design, fine arts, sculpture, photography, architecture, craftsmanship. You name it, I love it.  However, I couldn't and won't pursue it as a career, because that would be a death to that enjoyment.

 Realism to Abstract: 

Graphite, Acrylic, and Ink on Illustration Board

Over the past year I've used photography as an artistic outlet, but there was a hole, a sadness that only creating could fill.  That is why I started this blog, as a means of motivation to create.  And already, I sleep better, I smile more, and I feel like I am finding "me" again.  That makes my heart happy.

  Avalon Blues, a Tribute to Mississippi John Hurt

Graphite on Cold Press Illustration Board

Until next time my friends, do something that makes YOUR heart happy.

<3 Jodi Ann!