Do You Do it Too?

I worked on some mixed media pieces to match décor this week and my Artist Within that likes angst was up in arms. In my head I kept hearing, “You shouldn’t make art that matches a sofa!”

Also, a friend recently voiced apologetically that she was painting a room to match her art. These “shoulds” gotta go. What we should never do is feel guilty about any creativity we participate in. Our life should be full of joy, not guilt. So, I’m making the choice to ignore my inner artist as she obviously has some issues of her own that she needs to work out.

For me, I’m gonna keep making whatever interests me at the moment. There will be a lesson in all work that I do and I don’t want to miss those lessons because I was feeling guilty.

Those “shoulds,” and the ensuing guilt that comes with them, kill creativity. Don’t let them in. And when they do creep in from time to time, get rid of them as soon as possible. Honor your own special creativity and your true voice will emerge.

On that happy note, I hope you have a creative day!



Fruitful Life, 2011
Kim Radatz©



I’m Doing the Tango and She’s Doing the Jitterbug

She’s Come Undone, 52” x 27”

Kim Radatz

Mercy me.

This girl that has come undone is about to undo me. We just haven’t figured out our rhythm and keep stepping on each others' toes. So I’m leaving her alone for a while to work on other pieces. I’ll get back to her soon enough, but for now we rest. I have faith the ideas will come in due time.  At least, I hope they do. :-)

I'll keep you posted.

May you have a productive and creative day!

Show and Tell Sunday - New Possibilities

I’ve been working on the skin “She’s Come Undone, but boy, is she kickin’ my butt. We just haven’t figured out our dance yet, but eventually it’ll get worked out.

In the meantime, here are 2 new possibilities for pieces to wrap.  I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Until next time, have a great one!

In Transit

His and Hers

Tattooed Bits of Skin

Like cast off tattooed bits of skin, these pieces tell the story long after the moment has passed.

This is an excerpt from my artist statement about the “Skins” series that I am currently working on.

Hmmm, interesting. Maybe I should look at real tattoos as inspiration? And what better place to do some tattoo viewing than at the Bike Week event in Daytona Beach? Road trip!

Me at the Cabbage Patch
Daytona Bike Week 2011

But the reality is (and I knew this before I went, it was just an excuse for some fun in the sun. :-D) is that this series isn’t about tattoos that come from a tattoo parlor; it is about the marks that life leaves on us. Scars scattered everywhere.

I won’t lie to you and say I love all of my scars (physical or emotional), but I know they are a part of life. Permanent reminders of where we have been. So I will happily accept them if it in any way indicates that I am living a full life.

On that happy note, I bid you farewell and hope that you have a great one!

Show and Tell Sunday- She’s Come Undone

As we have talked about before, deadlines can be a very good thing. I could do without the last minute, drama and stress induced kind, but on the whole, I think deadlines help keep us on track.

I recently completed an application for a show, to the point of putting it in the envelope and sealing it up, only to get a notice that the deadline was extended for 2 weeks. Bummer, I first thought. But, no, wait. I need to think about this some more. This means I can keep on working and see if I like any of the new works better for the submission.

Life throwing me another chance to do something better. I like it when than happens. And I almost overlooked it.

Below is the piece I have been working on as a possible addition to my application. It's still in the very early stages, but there is more to come.  A little something extra on this piece.  I'll hope to have it posted before next Show and Tell Sunday.  Time will tell on that front.  But you will be the first to know.

Until next time, may you have a great one!

She's Come Undone

57 x 30"

 Kim Radatz

She's Come Undone, detail
Kim Radatz

Do You Give Good__________(fill in the blank)?

No matter what the blank is to you, are you good at it?

Do you go the extra mile?

Are you the best that you can be?

Even on a bad day?

I received an order of eggs today (nope, I no longer blow my own as I use too many) from The Feathered Egg. This is my second order from Corinne and both times her customer service has been way above average.

And I’m not talking about the condition of the eggs when they arrived. Though happily, there were no broken eggs either time as each one was lovingly (you could just feel it) wrapped in protective bubble wrap. It was the small pair of scissors included in the first order to assist me in unwrapping said eggs that let me know this was a company that was top notch.

But the box I received today made me break out in a big smile. On top was a tiny little pink chick, the kind you see everywhere at this time of year. So yes, they are readily available. And no, I can’t put it to good use, but it let me know that The Feathered Egg goes the extra mile each time they send a shipment. And it made me happy and warm inside. That can never be a bad thing.

Maybe I can put it to good use, after all. I think I’ll attach it to the top of my computer so that every day I am reminded that I too should go the extra mile and be good at whatever task is currently at hand.

Thank you, Corinne, for reminding me to reach higher!

Have a great day, everybody!

Honest Abe

As I have shared with you before, I love words of affirmations.

Actually, who wouldn’t? We all need a little "life is short" reminder from time to time, me thinks.

And still, with ALL of the magnets, coffee cups, drink coasters, etcetera, that I have I can still find little gems that make me sit up and take note.  I love it when that happens.

Yesterday as I visited my local Borders store for the last time I came across a set of note cards in a pretty little decorative box. Inside the cover of the box it said,

Whatever you are be a good one. 

-Abraham Lincoln      

Love it

Simply stated.

But profoundly important.

Whatever you are be a good one. Wonderful. I think I'll try.

And may your day be a good one too!