Validating my work

Went to a networking seminar today for artists. No one had samples of their work. Very very artsy group. The speaker was a Bank Executive, very together, well dressed, great hair, great speaker. She looks for new artists as she sits on the board of the banks charity foundations. She was great. Very inspiring. But artists have no business sense at all. I must be lucky that I have some understanding of business. I don't even know how these people pay the rent. Art school needs to teach the business of art to their students. Most of the artists had no formal training. Many emailed me links to their artwork. It made me feel better. I was doubting my work. But after I saw some of their sites, I was proud to say that I earned a livign for a long time as a commercial artist. However I was jealous. These people would just sit down and make art. For so long, the only way I can do art is for someone to give me a project and a deadline and then I can pump it out. You need 15 screenprint ideas for boys tee shirts, not a problem, 8 floral patterns with matching stripes, only using 6 colors and all in perfect repeat, easy, design a line of jeans with cool back pockets in one day, deliver it to the buyer and have the details to Hong Kong in 4 hours, sure. So when I get to sit in my studio without someone barking orders at me, I am lost.
I took out my slides from Junior High (I did my art portfolio for Art college in 8th grade, knowing that I would graduate early, of course my parents had other plans) and I was shocked. Some of the pieces art great. I can't believe that I did that work. But then again I was given guide lines as to the project. One piece I remember so vividly. I was inspired by Romare Bearden and I remember each step I took to make that piece. So I decided that for me to work, I must set up guidelines or a theme and work into it.
So I picked up the brushed, looked at the canvas, gave myself a guideline and went for it. Not bad I thought, but I needed some validatioan. (see the brown painting) So I emailed my critic (my sister, who has different taste than I do) and if she enjoyed the painting, well then I guess I maybe able to be successful. At least for today, between the artists from this morning and my sister, I feel that my artwork may have some merit.

Return of the Dragon

I live in the jungle. Not actually a jungle. But this is the "Dragon" one of three that inhabit my yard. The largest is HUGE; about 3 feet long. This one is the Horny-Thorny Dragon- as the name implies and is regrowing his tall (Zoey ate his tale a few months ago), he is about 1.5 feet long and he has taken up residence on the side of the house in the rose bush. The third is currently inside my screenhouse and is brite green and smooth. It refuses to leave the screenhouse, and the dog just growls at it and the dragon just moves further up the screen. There is also the "roadrunner" dragon, small-brownish thing, that looks like a dinosaur with huge flaps on the side of its head, and runs on it hind quarters. Hence the name "roadrunner". He usually hangs out in the front of the house and I have had the unpleasant experience of "IT" run over my foot. I never go outside at night unless I turn on the lights. We have other creatures:a snake, 6 Rabbits, 1 large box turtle that comes up from the lake now and again, salamanders that drop from the walls, frogs and toads, and something that is eating the ducks in the lake. Must be an alligator. Also the other nite, saw a opposum on the fence, ugly thing. Poor creature, no wonder they only come out at night.
I just don't like creepy crawler things at all. Dogs and horses are the only animals that I can handle with ease. The bunnies eat out of my hand, but the Dragons just got to GO!!!