It's Cheaper Than Therapy

I know a young mother with five children under the ages of 10.  She's an artist as well, but often a frustrated artist (as you can imagine).  If you've ever dealt with a houseful of little kids full time you'll know how hard it is to get the regular chores finished, let alone carve out a little creative time for yourself.  

Her name is Katie Kellogg.  She's never shown any of her work before, but grudgingly allowed me to write about her latest craze here.  I'm honored!  

I thought about cropping this image so that the drawing was the center of focus, but decided the process is as fun to look at as the fruit!  

Normally a fiber artist, Kellogg creates beautiful quilts and costumes for her family.  Trying to take on a project as time-consuming as a quilt with as much going on as she has gets tricky, however, and she often finds herself having to choose between making supper and the creative energy that drives her.  

The artist's son

Recently, she found another outlet for the artistic side of herself  in colored pencils.  She can dash off a quick sketch or work over a larger drawing over a couple of days and have a finished product that satisfies her need for creative expression.  At the season of her life she is in, this fits for now.   

Simple motifs are so effective

As her sketchbook becomes filled with her wonderful drawings, she has found a place to gather some peace and stillness around her within it.  Should her two year old decide to flush her cell phone down a toilet or the 4 year old pull the drapes off of the windows, she has found that after the crisis, she can find solace in her art, helping her maintain a sense of balance in an otherwise crazy life.  

Sitting in church..

As her children become increasingly independent, she will have more and more time to create the clever things she dreams up, but for now, the sketchbook process is a great way to deal with the stress that comes from everyday life.   

The Pepper Pots

I find it works for me, too.  Stress has to have an outlet or it can take all of the joy out of our lives.  We can run or eat or shop, or we can create things.  Even if there is only time for a quick sketch, I find it helps me clear my mind and handle the events of life more smoothly.  Who couldn't use a little bit of that?  

Thanks for stopping by!