Friday 23 April 2010

Stealing Time


Son of  the Moon

I'm not running fast enough. Either that, or time is actually gaining on me. Checking my schedules and e-mail messages everyday doesn't help when all I can see is a list of deadlines screaming at my face. Strange as it may sound, I'm saying that the work I love so dearly can actually wear me out to near exhaustion. As much as I love to draw for a living and make other people happy, sometimes I have other stuff in my mind, dying to come out too. Well, I am human after all.... I blame myself, really. I day dream too much, even when I'm working.

So today, I stole time...Well, borrowed a couple of hours was more like it...only because I wanted to be alone with my dream and this magnificent creature that's been haunting my head for a few days!

I hope you find a way to steal some time too! (^_^) oxox

39 comments:

  1. Hello Amalia,

    First of all this owl is gorgeous. The key around his neck is a beautiful touch. It is amazing to see your hand drawing it though the lines and texture.

    Time. Do you know when I was a Girl Scout Troop leader, I read that if one was looking for a volunteer, ask the busiest mothers. They always find the time. I found that statement to be true. The busiest and most productive people are those who always find the time and have the time. The idle ones never have time.

    I hope you find the time, not just steal it but claim it for yourself. You dserve it so much.

    Take care Amalia.

    Tsup!

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  2. Yes, so you find time? You are lucky! I keep looking for it but there is none around here. I think it has flown with the sun and the summer.

    As Ces says, well apart from the beauty of the owl and the leaves and the textures the 'key' is the element that lifts the image into our subconsciousness, Suddenly it's just not an image of an owl, but the key makes it a mystery.

    Umm, let me read that again :)

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  3. Honestly everyday I have to find time to steal away. If I don't I become so stressed and tried. You are so right. This is wonderful. I really understand fully what you are saying and I totally agree.
    This owl is a amazing! He is sooooo gosh darn handsome! Great post!

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  4. Deadlines are always stressers, aren't they? It's good to take some breaks every now and then.

    Lovely work : )

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  5. Ah, Ces! I always love your Girl Scout stories... I guess it's never really just about selling cookies after all... HAHAHA!! But joking aside, I agree with you, it's amazing how time can seem to expand when you put enough will to make it work for you...

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  6. Aww, Monsieur Finnie, too bad your time flew away with the sun and summer... Maybe you should go follow it wherever it went? Like Rio??

    Now the key, ah yes, the key... it opens up to a place you'll never guess! Hehehe...

    And why are you upside down????

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  7. What a gorgeous wise owl!!! Such beautiful pencil work! I totally agree with everyone else you have to steal some time away for yourself. On a different level I find I have to steal some time away for myself too as I always struggle with the guilt that I should be doing something else with my time other than art. That I should be cleaning, washing, spending time with the kids (which I do do but always feel guilty when I want to do something for myself). But I have to remind myself why I started drawing again, and blogging in the first place. I needed something for me, some sort of outlet and I'm so glad I found it. You must enjoy your time too, if it's all work work work then where is the fun in that?
    Lovely piece! :0) xx

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  8. ¿Puedo decirte algo?, Yo oscurecería toda la zona que está detras de las patas, la cola y la rama para que la lechuza se "despegue" del fondo

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  9. this is lovely Amalia; I am adding your blog to my favorite blogs list! I'm loving your dreamy work! I wondered why Andrew was upside down myself ;)

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  10. Nicola sweetie... thank you! You know, I feel that guilt too?? The funny thing is, my 'alone' time usually involves drawing, painting or any other artsy things... So I can't help but laugh when my daughter once ask me why was I still drawing when I told her I was taking a break...heeheee... :)

    Karen dear, thank you...you're so sweet. Oh, and I think Andrew is experimenting to become a bat! HAHAHA... (^___^) ox

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  11. This is beautiful! I love this post because I say almost exactly the same thing about the main character in the book I'm writing...Which of course must be an extension of me...I'm always trying to find little snippets of time for my drawing or writing. With 7 kids it's no small thing either.

    Good for you for taking care of you and making it a priority to nurture yourself. We all need to make sure to do this on a regular basis.

    (I'm so impressed with your talent and envious of the fact that you get to draw for a living!)

    Smiles

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  12. Oh my Amalia, what a wonderfully handsome owl, I love raptors. Your skill is so refined the feathers are gorgeous. Time HA! What's that? Good for you ya gotta steal that time once in awhile - my problem is once I do steal some time, I never want to give it back! Love your comment about the colored pencils - I thought you were a purist and didn't go near that nasty photoshop at all - you're full of surprises my dear!

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  13. This owl is so beautiful!! So much fine detail. Good luck with those deadlines, I hope you have more time for yourself soon! :) ~Lauren

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  14. Dear Amalia, I know what you mean when talking about "stealing time". I'm doing it right now, for example, although I must prepare for tomorrow's rehearsal, which will be the most important one(the premiere is on Monday). Last couple of weeks I was too busy and overwhelmed by my work, so I couldn't gather myself to blog. But I did find /steal some minutes to follow the exciting story of your life and to enjoy your beautiful drawings. I don't like when the deadlines "knock on my door", because I always think how much better it could be if I had some more time... But the truth is that when time pressures us, we find forces to manage with everything and sometimes this is a real miracle. If you read my last post you'll see how I felt recently and what helped me to pass through the difficulties.
    Your owl is brilliant! When I watch his feathers I have the feeling I see him breathing. He's a wise bird and the key emphasizes it. But I wonder... where's the lock?? A big hug!:-)

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  15. your owl is wonderful
    and I love your pencil style
    it is soft and alive and just wonderful.
    wishing you more time~

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  16. Julia, 7 kids??! REALLY??!! Ackh, I must sound like a complete moron to you, complaining about time when there you are with SEVEN in your hands... I salute you, lovely lady! :)

    Susan, hehehe...you'll be surprised to know that I actually majored in Graphic Design back in college and spent a few years working in that field until I got so completely bored! :D

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  17. Rossichka deary, I read your post and I'm so sorry that you're feeling low. Life can be so overwhelming sometimes, I find it useful to steal an hour or two just to cool down and focus. Thanks for your lovely words on my friend owl, oh! and the lock is hidden somewhere in a special place...heehehe. By the way, what are you rehearsing for?

    Lauren and Tammie, my new owl friend is keeping me happy now...thanks for your sweet comment! :)

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  18. Hi Amalia!!! so sorry to hear that you are so busy your head is spinning...but that is a good thing!!! I love this owl...I have always had a thing for wonderful owls...

    Hope you can catch up and get back into your happy space!!!

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  19. I'm putting on stage "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" in the puppet theatre of my town. I,ll post some new photos soon.

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  20. A lovely owl, so wise and mysterious! Time well spent!

    And how is Miss Luna?

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  21. ah kalo aku sih mending belanja loh ke metro gitu, what else can i do.

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  22. bagus nih komennya kaga ada kapca kapca keparat bikin mata gw juling.

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  23. yu ah daahhhhh, ada si pipi disini JB.

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  24. Even before reading your post, I visited your other blogs and wondered, "how does she do it all?"
    Wonderful delicate lines, yet so strong - lovely!

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  25. I love this drawing!! It is magic!

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  26. Thank you Kat & Ana.. you're so kind! :))

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  27. Amalia - what a wonderful, wonderful post this is, as was the tribute illustration to Ces! WOW, you are amazing..these pieces look as though they took days to work on..they are gorgeous. I hear you, regarding time and stealing away...it's true, why do we feel that we must steal away, but not claim it when we can? I'm trying so very hard to move the clock for my benefit and I'm so glad I have a supportive family to help me with that. I am so glad to hear from you - I'm sorry for my far and few between posts and visits..I suppose you can say that I'm claiming the time now for my illos and website...wow, it's been great, though I've missed everyone. Hugs to you Amalia - I'm always SO happy when you visit!

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  28. what a wonderful post...with wonderful words!!
    You have such a dreammy-magical style!!Love it!!

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  29. thanks so much for stopping. I send you hugs!

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  30. Thank goodness for stolen time ;) so so so beautiful :D

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  31. your work is beautiful....don't every feel guilty for stealing moments for yourself, look at the amazing work you produced!!!! good for you.

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  32. Hey Amalia! I can't wait to show this to my wife. She loves owls and this illustration is stunning! You are so talented! Don't ever stop day-dreaming... it is our secret ingredient that puts the pizzazz in our creativity.

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  33. Thank you everyone for stopping by and saying hi to my friend owl... (^_^)

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  34. Thanks girl you are the best! I send you lots and lots of love and hugs!

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  35. Hi there Amalia.. thanks for your visit!!
    Yup I too am struggling with the not enough time thing too!! Gee whiz it can get overwhelming.. especially when you have 'little humans' too ..right?

    I LOVE this beautiful owl.. I just want to stroke those amazing 3d feathers! Ahh this must have felt good doing this.. beautiful!
    Cheers , Helen

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  36. Teh! kalo YMnya sih udah di-instalin sama si Bos, cuman ga pernah dipake karna gaptek gw ga tau caranya :D
    pernah ceting cuman berapa kali doang itu juga cuman sama si bos doang sambil diajarin cara makenya, tapi lupa lagi sekarang xD

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  37. Hooo hooo! Hooo am I? I have been a stranger from here for far too long. Fantastic owl with his beautiful arrangement of feathers. And that great big golden moon! Glorious. Ooh, and I love that swoopy night sky.

    I think I have quite the opposite problem. I have time. It's just that I squander it away on daydreams and laziness.

    Hope you are well, Amalia. xoxo

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Tell me your lovely daydreams, they always make me smile! ♥