A few days after sending my last studio newsletter I decided I wanted to move to Denver, closer to my job and my kids' school. In the last 3 1/2 months I have prepared my house for the market, sold it, bought a new house, moved and unpacked.

As a result I haven't made much art recently although I've got a temporary studio set up in my bedroom and I'm back at work as an artist and loving it. I'm going to add an addition on to house so I'll be back into a large studio by the beginning of next year. Images of the newest artwork from my makeshift studio are included in the newsletter.

I intend for this newsletter to be quarterly, sent in March, June, September and December. I'm a bit late with this issue. I view it a huge success to mail this newsletter later than planned, rather than to just skip it and blame it on the move. See below for more of my thoughts about success and motivation.

Thank you for your support of my artwork by subscribing to my studio newsletter.
 
---lisa

Although I haven't made much art the last 4 months I've accomplished a tremendous amount: selling my house, buying a new home, packing and moving and unpacking. I expect the rest of the year to be equally busy with the house addition and remodel. I'm in the design phase of the renovation now and it's huge fun to plan my dream studio/kitchen/house.

Before putting my house on the market I had a zillion things on my todo list: Uncluttering every room, fixing dozens of broken things, painting, replacing windows, refinishing hardwoord floors, landscaping, carpeting, tiling the laundry room, etc, etc. The list was huge and seemingly insurmountable when viewed in its entirety. Not to mention needing to purchase a new home at the same time.

It was the kind of thing that could quickly result in overload and then total shutdown, where nothing is accomplished. The all too familiar "there is simply too much to do and it will never get finished so why bother starting" feeling. I've faced these fears before and let them defeat me.

Not this time, and I've vowed to myself, never again. That's silly. I can do hard work, it's just a matter of not letting it overwhelm me. If I really want something, I'm not going to let the large amount of work stop me.

Here are the steps I'm now using to keep motivated when faced with big projects such as moving, or becoming a self supporting artist:

1. Manageable Tasks: When a job or goal is too big to complete in a single setting, or I'm finding myself procrastinating starting it, I break it down into small chunks.
    
   Putting "declutter house" on a todo list is overwhelming. It's too big to even know where to start. Instead I break the goals down into many small manageable steps that can be completed in an hour or 2. Things like "organize top shelf in pantry" and "sort through cookbooks" are easy tasks that I can get my mind around and finish in a single sitting.
    
   Completing these smaller tasks brings a sense of accomplishment that carries me forward to the next step in the project.
    
   
2. One Thing At a Time: A goal can still seem unreachable, even when I know all the smaller tasks needed to complete it, if I think about the amount of time need to do everything. To avoid these feelings of overwhelm I pick a single task and just get started. When it's complete I move on to the next.
    
   Focusing on the tasks one at a time is the key. I don't get all wrapped up thinking about the millions of things still left as I work on a small task. Instead I focus on the present moment looking to enjoy each activity. Or at least looking for what I can learn when doing some of the things that might not be my favorite.
    
   
3. Accountability: Telling someone I'm going to do something makes it a lot harder for me to back out of my commitment to completing small tasks and even the larger goals. I have a small artist support group and we email each other daily with our goals for the day. The next day we report back on how we did. Knowing I will have to report back is a huge help in keeping me on track. I don't like saying "no didn't do it" over and over again.
    
   I also use my blog in this way, posting goals and plans for getting things done. Having to publicly admit I decided not to do what I wanted to is a great way to keep motivated.
    
   
4. A Lapse Doesn't Mean Failure: Some days or even weeks I fall off the getting things done band wagon and become a slug. I don't take this as a sign I can't achieve my goal but instead as a learning opportunity. What prompted the slow down? Do I need to change my approach to things? Are there roadblocks that need removed before proceeding?
    
   I also don't beat myself up and just give up. As soon as possible I start right back up again doing the small tasks that will move me forward. We all have an occasional lapse, not letting it completely derail me is what is important.
    
   
5. Taking a Break: Sometimes the most powerful thing I can do to move myself closer to my goals is to do nothing. All activity all of the time can lead to frenzied behavior. When I start feeling that type of pressure I slow down and look for ways to add some space into my days. Be it through yoga or taking a walk or seeing a movie with a friend or just sitting on the couch with the cats. Building in breaks into my life allows me to maintain the focus and motivation necessary to achieving my dreams.
    
   

A few of my favorite blogs that help me stay focused, motivated and centered:

• Christine Kane
• Zen Habits
• Steve Pavlina

The following 5 ACEOs or Artist Trading Cards were inspired by my new piece, Markings #21. It was fun to start and finish these small pieces in a few days. The first truly completed art from my new studio.

	ACEO #7 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" $21
	ACEO #8 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" Sold
	ACEO #9 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" $21
	ACEO #10 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" $21
	ACEO #11 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" $21

These new ACEOs are available for sale exclusively to my newsletter subscribers during the last week of July. If you are interested in purchasing one of the art cards please email me to ask about availability. The price ($21 each) is in US dollars and includes postage to anywhere. I accept paypal and US checks.

The cards are signed and dated on the back and the 1/1 indicates they are one of a kind originals. I will never make additional copies of these cards.

ACEO stands for "art cards, editions and originals". Originally known as ATC, Artist Trading Card, and are traded between artists. When sold to the public they are referred to as ACEOs. The primary rule for an ACEO or ATC is they be 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" - the size of a trading card. They are created in many different mediums and are collectible, trade able and affordable art for everyone.

My house went on the market in early June and sold in just 1 day for a large margin over my asking price. I'm often asked how I managed to pull of this impossible task given our current economic climate and can summarize my answer with these steps:

1. Listen to the Experts
2. Start with Quality
3. Visualize Success
4. Take Action

I wrote a blog post that talks in detail about each of these and how it helped me sell my house and also how it also applies to my art career. You can read the entire article here: Achieving Success.

I ended up buying a house that is most definitely a fixer-upper. The list of issues, from mold to asbestos to hazardous electrical systems, is long and daunting. Many think I'm a bit crazy for taking on such a project but I see huge potential in the house and with my recent success in selling my old house I am positive I will achieve equal success turning it into my dream home and studio.

My new home. I love this huge crab apple tree in the back yard.

You can see my textile paintings in person at the following exhibits:

Structures #10	Depth and Breadth: Quiltmaking in the 21st Century Butler Institute of American Art Howland, Ohio October 12, 2008 - January 4, 2009 Museum Website   Opening Reception Sunday, October 12, 2008 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM I will be giving a gallery talk
Markings #6	Firelands Association for the Visual Arts - Artist as Quiltmaker XIII New Union Center Oberlin, Ohio May 18 - August 2, 2008 Exhibit Website
Structures #5	Rooted in Tradition: Art Quilts from the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum Traveling Exhibit Art Complex Museum Duxbury, Massachusetts May 18, 2008 - September 7, 2008 Exhibit Website
Structures #7	Elements Traveling Exhibit Exhibit Website Hays Public Library Hays, Kansas July 5 - Aug 16, 2008 Hays Library Website Stauth Memorial Montezuma, Kansas Sept 1, 2008 - Oct 5, 2008 Stauth Memorial Website

In addition to the above exhibits, my artwork is also available for sale on my website and through these venues:

Structures #70	Visions Art Quilt Gallery San Diego, California Gallery Website
Structures #34	The Artful Home Website By The Guild, the leading source for artist-made home décor products shipped direct from artists' studios to customers' homes nationwide. Offers consumers more than 12,000 works of original art for the home by top artists. My Artful Home Webpage
Structures #96	Lux Center for the Arts Lincoln, Nebraska Lux Center for the Arts Website
Structures #87	Direct from the Artist You are always welcome to contact me directly via email to purchase my artwork. My Website