To be or not to be… JADED

A few days ago, I expected to announce fantastic news of JADE Studio® Christmas cards — hot off the press — boxed and ready for delivery. Now I learn my geographical area is not served by “Facebook Shops.” My plan for a shop on Facebook is foiled before it’s begun. So chuck the lemons, I just don’t feel like making lemonade.

Hope Deferred

Foiled or failed, the result is the same – we’re screwed. We all know the feeling of failure that comes sometimes through no fault of our own. But “foilure” or failure brings the same heartache, and heartache hits the instant hope is gone. Learning my JADE Studio® shop won’t be opening after weeks of work was more than a little disappointing. You can say, my hope was, most surely, deferred.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but, when desire comes it is the tree of life.

Ancient Proverb

Heartache can make us so sick we’re tempted to quit. We may believe in ourselves, we may have faith in our idea; but, how many times do we beat our heads against a brick wall without going crazy? Doesn’t it make you just want to give up completely? Trash the idea — pull the covers over your head — who cares anyway? Wait a minute! I care!

While in a state of anger and discouragement I wondered, “Who can help?”  Who. Can. Help? Then my skewed thinking shifted, and I began a mental chant; like the Little Engine that Could I said, “I guess I can.” And like that “Little Engine,” I started assessing my ability to DO. “I guess I can” evolved into, “I think I can” and slowly my confidence grew. Now, I’m faced with one basic question: Do I go forward publishing cards under JADE Studio®?

Being “jaded” is part of my success story.

JADE Studio® began twenty-five years ago in my home. I started Jade mainly to illustrate and publish greeting cards but did other design work, as well. A few of the designs and illustrations from that early studio still rate as some of my favorites.

 

 

First Business Card

“Girl w/ Pin Cushion”

“Charity”

“Christmas Horse”Thank you notes 1993

Over time, I invested myself more in watercolor painting and the printed artwork was set on the backburner. Now C HINTZ STUDIO is the home of my original artwork. Naming my art studio allows my printed work to resurface: JADE Studio® now continues as an imprint of C HINTZ STUDIO for greetings cards and all printed artwork.

 

CHRISTMAS CARDS 2017 

You bet I’m going forward! JADE Studio® Christmas cards have been printed. We are starting with two Christmas card designs, but there will be other cards and maybe bookmarks, postcards, etc. down the road. I have hope for the future, and — while not the tree of life — I have a higher perspective. I’m so happy to be a jaded lady!

This first card, “Contemporary Nativity,” is a card originally produced in 2003, which I am bringing back this year. There is no written greeting – the illustration says it all. This card is die cut in a shape that can fold to become its own envelope – 3X5″ when folded. They come packaged in eights with 8 gold seals.  

 

 

“Contemporary Nativity” Pen & Ink – original design © 2002.

“Christmas Treats” Watercolor 2017

 

This second card, “Christmas Treats,” is a new design from my 2016 watercolor painting. This is the first year for Christmas Treats, It is a 5X7″ Christmas card with Merry Christmas in hand-scrawl, are blank on the inside, and include envelopes. They come boxed in eights.

You can find more information about JADE Studio® cards on the “Contact” page.

 

Love and Joy,

October Harvest

We Reap What We Sow

In this nuclear age of technology and days of light-speed advancements, it is somehow grounding to know the ancient wisdom of reaping what we sow still applies to our world. It certainly does to mine.

“Autumn Fruits and Veggies” Colored Pencil 16X8″

I invested a great amount of energy into planting during this past growing season. I wasn’t looking ahead but just merely enjoying the moments of tending my metaphorical gardens. There was a great flurry at times, especially in early May and July when I was so occupied with events and activities. The work was all I needed. Sharing my experiences on Facebook was added fun, you were so responsive.

Creativity flowed in and around my studio all summer. I embraced it and carried it with me wherever I went. No matter how far my journey, my watercolor kit came too. And every night I posted my “produce” to C Hintz Studio on Facebook. I soon began to notice a lovely byproduct outside of the physical artwork I was producing.

I began noticing you.

I’ve always been a solo artist. I work alone and tend to hibernate. When I launched my portfolio online and dove into social media last spring, I felt a bit in shock and overexposed. Naked even. Luckily, I had help from experienced artists who kept me focused or I’d have quit before I got started.

It took me some time, but I finally noticed you. You got my attention with your support and comments.  I began to look for “smiley faces,” they encouraged me and every “like” you sent energized me. When I forgot to respond to your comments, I would double my efforts, determined not to let you down. Somewhere along the way, I shed my cynical skin.

I was a Social Media Cynic

I used to think social media sites were vain – No more! Of course, it’s important to keep balance and moderation in life, but my internet connections have become important to me. Not because of business – this isn’t about money at all – it’s about developing relationships with people who love art. It’s about an online community. You don’t even have to love MY art. Spending time on my Facebook page, responding to you, posting new paintings, putting up albums and videos, planning events – that was time well spent. I’m pleased with this year’s harvest…so to speak.

My love is like an orange, orange… pumpkin?

I’ve also learned that when I neglect to tend you, weeds grow between the rows and separate us. There will be times I will still hibernate – it is part of my nature – especially in the fall. Consequently, the next time I want to make contact I expect I’ll have a “long row to hoe” before I reestablish myself with you – if I can at all. But I hope you know that I will be back, I haven’t given up. Art is my life. And there is no one I’d rather share it with than you. I appreciate you more than you know.

Wishing you autumn bliss

PS: Many thanks to those of you who signed the Reverse Boot Camp Petition. We are now over 41,000 signatures strong. If you feel a call to pass the petition on to friends, there is still time to reach our goal before November 11, Veteran’s Day, when the campaign ends.