Insomnia

I know a lot of artists who struggle on and on with insomnia, myself included (as is evidenced by the fact that I am writing this blog post at 4 AM when I should be sleeping). Yet many don't talk about it and some even see it as a character flaw, sign of weakness or simply a private matter. Thus, I am going to offer some of my experiences here, so that others can relate.

I tend to get insomnia due to three main reasons: stress, unfinished work, and changes in my overall health. Stress and worry can keep me up when I am deeply concerned about something, even if I can't do anything about it right then. If I leave a project in the middle of it, especially if the creative juices are still flowing and it wasn't a long-term piece spanning several days or longer, I almost always have a hard time sleeping. Health can also be a factor, especially whenever I'm experiencing hormonal changes (like when I'm menstruating) or when I am sick or my allergies are acting up due to difficulty breathing from sinus congestion.

I have some means of combating insomnia. If I'm stressed or worried, it can help to write my concerns out by making a to do list for later so I can clear my mind and not worry that I may forget to act upon whatever woke me in the first place. If it's my health, a hot bath will sometimes do the trick, although sometimes I still wake up again later. The hardest to get back to sleep from is when I'm up because my mind is still occupied with an unfinished project, usually because I'm totally jazzed about it. However, I often find that when my creativity is the cause, the ill effects of having insomnia are greatly lessened and I can function on less sleep unless the problem is ongoing. When all else fails, I have some sleep aid pills, but I only fall back on those very rarely and will not take more than one in a two-week period for fear of becoming reliant upon them.

When I do get insomnia, I rarely ever get the kind that makes me unable to get to sleep as I tend to fall asleep easily without much hesitation. However, I can have difficulties staying asleep and sometimes cannot do so for more than two or three hours before I awaken again with my mind reeling. Anyways, tonight I'm up because of my sinuses. Having taken a hot, steamy bath that didn't help enough on its own, I'm writing this post while I wait for the sinus headache medicine to kick in.

Art of the Week: Summer Camp Intro to Weaving

Here is another fiber work I've created called Summer Camp Intro to Weaving. This piece belongs to the same series as Weaving 101 and incorporates finger knitting.

Snow Day; This Week

I'm sorry to say that the holiday boutique scheduled for today at Attitudes was canceled due to the inclimate weather. But please feel free to see me and my work later in the week. This marks the last week of Little Things Mean a Lot at the St. Charles County Arts Council. And there will be an artist's reception for my WCA Guest Artist Show at Jeane Vogel Studios in Crestwood Mall on Wednesday.

Little Things Mean a Lot
end of the year holiday bazaar
St. Charles County Arts Council
7443 Village Center Dr.
O' Fallon, MO
Nov. - Dec. 2010
I will be sitting at the gallery on Tuesday from 11 - 3 PM, so please feel free to drop by, visit and see the show.

St. Louis Women's Caucus for Art Guest Artist Show
Jeane Vogel Studios
Crestwood Court ArtSpace
19 Crestwood Court
Crestwood Plaza
Crestwood, MO
Enter the mall at Fletcher's Kitchen & Tap.
Dec. 2010
Reception with the Artist: Wednesday, Dec. 15, 6 - 8 PM
Please come and check out this show of my plein air paintings. Many shown and unshown pieces are included, ranging in size from 5" x 7" to 11" x 14".

Art of the Week: Sugar Skull Erasers

After looking at some amazing art dolls online, I wanted to play with polymer clay again. They now make eraser clay, so I decided to make some sugar skull erasers using a Wilton skull candy mold. Because they are erasers, these are not painted - all details and linework are sculpted in.

This Week

I am participating in several events coming up this week and next. Please check them out and do some holiday shopping while supporting local artists.

Little Things Mean a Lot
end of the year holiday bazaar
St. Charles County Arts Council
7443 Village Center Dr.
O' Fallon, MO
Nov. - Dec. 2010
Holiday Party: Thursday, December 9, 6 PM
I have several assemblages, scarves, blue jean purses and necklaces in this holiday bazaar, which features works priced $50 and under by several local artists. The holiday party includes a raffle to win a 6 foot tall white Christmas tree with lights and one-of-a-kind ornaments made by the artists in the show. For the tree: I made the garland, which is 25 feet of plush finger-knitted yarn in shades of purple, and an ornament called Santa Baby. Raffle proceeds benefit the St. Charles County Arts Council Lillian Yahn Gallery.

Holiday Boutique
Attitudes
4100 Manchester
St. Louis, MO
Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010, 2 - 6 PM
I will have jewelry on display at this holiday boutique that features paintings, Christmas decor and jewelry made by several local artists. And Santa will be there for pet portraits too. "Avoid the Mall. Come have some Cocktails and check everyone off your list!" One day only!!!

Upcoming next week:
St. Louis Women's Caucus for Art Guest Artist Show
Jeane Vogel Studios
Crestwood Court ArtSpace
19 Crestwood Court
Crestwood Plaza
Crestwood, MO
Enter the mall at Fletcher's Kitchen & Tap.
Dec. 2010
Reception with the Artist: Wednesday, Dec. 15, 6 - 8 PM
Please come and check out this show of my plein air paintings. Many shown and unshown pieces are included, ranging in size from 5" x 7" to 11" x 14".