WHITTLE THINGS

Caveat: not meant as medical advise...just friendly conversation.  

From time to time all of us end up in ruts, dilemmas, crisis mode, doldrums, dwelling in what we perceive as our own personal reality show of the moment.

Some moods are fleeting, some prolonged. Some you can deal with by using coping skills you already know, some you can't. Professionals can often give you guidance. Those of us who have already found some ideas that help can offer suggestions. Which ever you decide to try first, remember to keep an open mind and that not all solutions will work for you because we are all unique creatures.

Take a break. Slow down. Whatever ails you, take a breather from it. This is often hard to do, but "clearing the cobwebs" as my dad used to put it, really can help relax and put new perspective on things. Even if it can only be for a few moments at a time.

Do something you like. Try something new. Both approaches have merits in different circumstances.

• If your mind craves challenge, do a crossword or Suduko puzzle. Bound to get your mind off things.
• If a drive through the country inspires you, do it. Take a road you've never driven before and create a new experience. Be sure to take a map or your GPS! Getting lost may be a new experience, but probably not the one you want!
• If you enjoy walking on the beach, do it. Take some sand and shells home in a bottle to help prolong the experience.
• If you love whipping up a scrumptious dessert, do it. And then eat it of course!
• If creating something from nothing is your "thing", do it.
• If nothing in your repertoire of favorite "to do"s seems to appeal to you, it's time to try something new. If you've never done any of the things listed above, try one! Volunteer and help someone else. Take a class and learn a skill, language, craft, sport, etc. Visit a museum, a farm, a flea market, a historical town (ghost or otherwise), go to a sporting event, concert, kids school activity (doesn't have to be for your child - I love Little League and sometimes just go watch the little ones "play ball"). If money is a problem research FREE activities on the internet. Hmmm...while searching, have you ever wondered who your ancestors are and where they came from, what they did for a living? Try genealogy.

All of this should be done with YOU in mind. If solitary pursuits are not for you, do them with someone unrelated to the issues you have on your mind. For the time you are doing it, do not engage in conversation about problems...keep conversation light and lively.

Stay in the moment. While taking your breaks, concentrate on what you are doing at the time...not all the other old worrisome things that are trying to crowd the new experience out. Breathe deeply. Take in the atmosphere. Smile. Lose yourself for the moment. Refresh.

Okay, I'm convinced. Off to take a break! Hmmm...carving or brownies?!?!?

Comments (0)     

Some of you may have heard that last weekend's Toms River Art & Decoy Festival was my last show. Unfortunately, I have to say that the rumor is true.

Due to health issues I am no longer physically able to do all the tasks that are required when participating as an Exhibitor or Vendor at a show or festival. For the past year I have depended on other kind people to lend a hand or two so that I could do the shows I was obligated for. Even with that assistance I have found that the shows just take too much out of me.

I am saddened by this change and the loss of contact with my friends and collectors and new buyers will be sorely missed. An artist such as I spends most of their time creating in a secluded atmosphere, one-on-one with their creations. Shows allow the artist to bring forth their "other side" and share their passion for their work with the world at large. You who know me know that I am a "Chatty Cathy" at shows and love the people and the atmosphere. One of my dear friends, carver extraordinaire David Rhodes, commented on my "happy face" at the show last weekend. I truly WAS happy to be there, even knowing that I would be saying goodbye to an activity that I dearly love.

Now. To clarify this: I WILL STILL BE CARVING AND PAINTING! I will let nothing stop me from being my creative self! And maybe it's time to try some new things too, or re-visit some of the things I did years ago.

• YES, I will be attending some of the shows -- as a VISITOR! Look for me in the crowd, or sitting behind someone else's table while I rest. Please say "Hello!"
• YES, I will be competing -- I'm now considered an "Advanced" carver and I'm out to catch a Best in Show against "The Big Boys" one of these years.
• YES, you can still get a piece of my artwork. My work will be available through a select group of merchants and directly from me. Still working on this, so keep in touch for updates. New pieces will be put on the Painted Parrot website and Facebook page. Call, message, or email if you see a piece you'd like to add to your "Nancee Jo" collection.
• YES, you can talk "duck" or "decoy" or "bird" with me. Just give me a shout on the internet or by phone.
• YES, you can still hear my Tooby & Red parrot stories. Become my "Friend" on Facebook or call to say "Hello!" to the birds (or me too!).
• MAYBE, I will be able to do a demo or presentation. Please ask. I may not be able to do it, but there might be times when I'm able to.
• MAYBE, I will do a class or two. Informally. Subject to schedule changes at the last minute.

I thank ALL OF YOU for supporting me over the past few years at shows. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the most INCREDIBLE people around! And I have had the joy of knowing that some of you have a piece of me that you wear or that graces your home.

This is not a "Goodbye" but a "See You Later"...besides, I kinda like this blogging thing...

Comments (0)     

This weekend (Jan 22 & 23) begins the 2011 decoy show circuit here in Jersey with the TOMS RIVER ART & DECOY FESTIVAL at Central Regional High School in Bayville, NJ.

Precious few decoy shows still exist in these parts. This particular one has settled in finally after suffering several moves of location and date. The last 2 years at Central Regional HS have been good ones - attendance up, competition entries up, better food and set up.

The flip side has been the number of vendors and sales. Try as we might, January seems to be the time when vendors DON'T want to lug their wares out on the chance that someone will buy. Weather plays a BIG part in decisions about show participation and it isn't always pleasant here in Jersey. And the recession that experts tell us has been over for more than a year now STILL is having major impact on art sales of any kind. A large number of us are getting OLDer and can't do as many shows as we used to, or any at all. More importantly it seems that the younger generations are NOT COLLECTORS. Not just decoys or art, of anything.

So why bother? Because we have a PASSION! Even if we complain about doing shows, we LOVE it. The PEOPLE, the fellow ARTISTS, the wonderful ART. We love TALKING about it, sharing our knowledge and our stories. Oh boy do we have STORIES! And DEMONSTRATING! Showing how we make these wonderful creations! The comraderie of artists, who most often work alone...the sharing of a SPIRIT that has caught us all.

So come and join us on a COLD Winter weekend. Bring the family! Spend a few hours oh'ing and ah'ing over the spectacular carvings and artwork. Perhaps paint a duck or carve a soap shorebird, take a seminar. Have a nice lunch and chat with the artists. Renew old acquaintances and make new friends. Maybe even take home something that catches your eye or sign up for a workshop and begin a new hobby.

I'll be there...stop and say "hello". I'm looking forward to seeing YOU!

Comments (0)     

It seems that New Year's is a good time to launch a new website design and with all good intentions, this site was supposed to publish on January 1, 2011. But as the old saying goes...

Here it is January 2nd and there may still be a lag before it goes "live". Oprah is one up on me.

My hopes are that this website will be easy to navigate, pleasing to the eye, and of interest to a wide variety of visitors. You will see a lot of birds and ducks - both live and wooden - and hear stories of my artistic adventures and commentaries from Tooby and Red, my ever-faithful, crazy companion birds. Perhaps something will catch your eye or your spirit. Perhaps a spark will be lit that leads you to try something new or learn more about the beautiful birds that share our world with us. And may 2011 be a healthy, happy year for all.

Comments (0)