people usually light up when i tell
them i am an artist.
then they seem to get this childlike expression on their
face like i know something that they don’t.

(i really don’t)

then they tell me that they suck
at art.

and i tell them so do i
and that does not matter.

truth is,
yes, i make a lot of shitty art and things
that don’t work out or sell or whatever.

it is not the most fun experience but
it is part of my decision to put myself out there.
and it comes with the territory.

i also make stuff that doesn’t suck
and teach classes where people sign-up/show-up
and i get to feel good helping people.

probably the most ironic thing about this journey
and documenting it here on this blog is being told
i am (u-hem) brave.

brave is a loaded word.
it gets thrown around a lot in blogland.
with good reason though.
there are a lot of bold, brave, kick-ass people
out there.

i am not saying i am one of them
or not one them.

but i am saying that i think it is ironic
that people may see me as brave when i feel
scared all the time.

i have a lot of doubt and fear and there
are many days where i feel like i made a huge
irreversible mistake and maybe should get a normal
job like everyone else.

i also have the most surreal moments
where i feel like i am exactly where i am
supposed to be and everything will be okay in the end.

its light and dark.

i write this because i know many of you
out there perhaps can relate.
whether you are an artist or not.
(although you know i think we ALL are artists)

you hear a lot about the artists that have “made it”
and it may seem easy for them.
i am often surprised when i hear friends who
are established artists admit insecurities.

i really truly believe with all my heart
that there is room for everyone to create.
whether you want to do it for a living or just
for the joy of it,
there is a place for you.

the world is abundant in opportunity.
there is no lid.

for the times when you struggle or doubt-
i wish i had a piece of advice for you to make
you feel better.

i am still learning myself how to deal
with those times in my artist path that seem
uncertain.

i talk to friends who i trust and can relate.
i walk outside, touch a tree, visit the ocean.
i make some piece of art just for me.
not to give away.
not to sell.

i love what i do and i also
feel scared about it.
i believe in my vision and i still
have doubts.

but i do it anyway,

cross my fingers.
say my prayers.
throw pennies in fountains.

and do the work
to get me there.

the end.

this camp has been brewing inside me for awhile…
i just was not sure what form it was going to take.

here is the thing:
blogging is still relatively new,
especially those who write personal blogs.

through many discussions with my friends
and fellow bloggers-
i have learned that many of us struggle with
the same issues regarding our blogs.
there are many topics that no one really talks about
and therefor it can be confusing on how to navigate.

i want to help,
i want to share the things that have
and have not worked for me.

i am calling this a camp instead of a class
because i want it to be light-hearted and fun
as well as informative.

you will have no homework
or deadlines.

what you will have is bi-weekly discussions
written on a private blog and inspirational
videos to get those creative juices flowing!

this camp is opened to everyone:
seasoned bloggers
new bloggers
people who are thinking of starting a blog

it will be a really comfortable, safe space to
give and receive encouragement.

in addition to discussing the ins and outs
of having a personal blog,
i will also supply creative writing prompts
and share how i come up with my ideas.

does this sound like something you would enjoy?
i would love for you to join us.

registration begins today!

***********

creative assignment: if you are scared today, do the opposite of what you would normally do and see how that feels. (but nothing illegal folks)

HI FRIENDS.
long time no see.

goodness i have missed you and this
little space!
i had the flu which wiped me out for
a few weeks and then it was frantic-crazy-catching-up.

i started to feel like i was buried under
a lot of expectation….
do you ever do that?

anyway, i took a couple of days,
worked really hard to catch up and simplify…

and i feel much more myself.

i am loving the warrior 3 class!
if you are interested you can still join
in the fun!

i have a video version of the projects/process
and a full package membership.

its nice because this time around i am blogging
along with the videos…and i can interact more
with my students.
it really feels like we are all students together
which i love.
i am learning from them! its awesome.

for those of you who have never taken my class
before, i wanted to share a video to give you an idea
of what it is like:

mini bookmaking 101 from mccabe russell on Vimeo.

(i made it to go with this book-kit.)

in other news-
i am teaching a brand new online camp in april!
it is all about blogging warrior style.

more details tomorrow……..
am looking forward to sharing it!

these great little cats will all
at the adoption fair
today and tomorrow and petco!
(along with a lot of other cats)

all cats are rescue cats and so so sweet!

its been an emotional week-
i am really looking forward to helping out
and finding these critters a home.

if you are in encinitas,
stop by!

these awful reminders
of how fleeting life really is.
when the cliche becomes real
and in a matter of seconds
your entire perspective changes.

we all know what it is important
in life.
we all know that we don’t live forever
and to make the most of everyday.

but how those words get so easily
pushed aside in the grind of it all.
i get caught up too-
shamefully so sometimes.

in ego.
in money.
in comparing.
in bitterness.

the easy road would be:
“well, what do they know?
they are just HAPPY because they
have it easy.”

do they?

because even the best of us wrestle
with the worst kind of demons,
mostly always in private.

and its always easy to be positive
when life is flowing your way.

i think the real warrior of happiness
steps up when things are crap.
makes a hard choice to believe in
love even though the world is full of hurt
and completely not fair.

these beautiful warriors of happiness
are the ones that lift us all up,
whether we are aware of it or not.
and we should thank them.

and really, i don’t think they are so different
from you or me,
i just think they have somehow learned
to love without understanding.

who was fond of sleeping with seaglass….

(and thank you for the link, knox)

rest in peace, sweet girl.
we love you.

silly girls from mccabe russell on Vimeo.

without it i would surely
have drowned by now.

is miss ANNSLEY!
yay! applause, applause.

i have unfortunately come down with
the worst cold ever…will began posting again
when i no long feel like i have been run over by a truck.

till then…keep making art!

xxx

love from mccabe russell on Vimeo.

hi friends! i wanted to introduce you to my beautiful friend andrea:
fellow mermaid lover, color seeker, and creative leader.
read on….
***********************

hello, i’m andrea from ABCcreativity. i am an artist, creativity workshop creator and facilitator, guided meditation leader and creator of dreams come true.
i am also part mermaid and really enjoy hanging out here at dancingmermaid. today i want to gift one of you lovely mermaids with my first ever mermaid paper doll print:

paper doll print hanging on my corkboard:

the print is glittered, covered in beeswax and wants to come and live with one of you. to enter the draw to win her, leave a comment here. the winner will be selected on friday.