I think I can, I think I can...

...be much better at keeping up to date with this and my other blogs. I must confess, the ol' grey matter isn't what it used to be and I forget my 'things to do' more readily now. I have just put my blogs on a shortcut on my desktop; the chances are better if I see it every time I open my desktop I may- just may- remember to post more regularly!
I have not been painting lately; Christmas usually sees to that but, now that the new year is here I have a few things I must do. I have a few children's illustrations that I need to do before the SCBWI conference in the Pocono Mts of PA and I am working (my 4th year) on an historical fiction YA novel set in the Indusrial Revolution. SOOOOOOOOOOO.......I have lots to do but also lots of which to look forward!

It's (A)LIVE!

My brand new, exciting, color-filled, professionally designed website is now LIVE! I am very excited about it and thrilled with the results and service I was fortunate enough to have recieved from the designer. Thanks, Aaron! (That's Aaron Kline of Branded Designs Inc =)


For those that may want to know a bit more about my artwork, my portfolio is there as is a listing of "Events". I have a "Shop" page where my book and prints of many of my watercolors are available for purchase.

I hope you have a moment to visit and please feel free to send me a note. The writer in me LOVES to respond so you can be sure I will!!! See you there! www.marypaladin.com

Anticipation...

It won't be long now until my newly designed website will go live; I am very excited! Months have gone by since I started to try and build it myself- to no avail... Well, there was a bit of progress but not enough to shake the timbers. I recently hired a web designer and things are rolling along very well! Nearly completed, it will feature my books, my artwork and my events. I am very excited about it and I feel as though I have really stepped into the new century- a decade into that century-yikes!

Bear with me once it does hit cyberspace because I will be a bit of a nuisance with its promotion. Feels somewhat like I hit the virtual lottery in Candyland! (It is very brightly colored... =)

Meltdown-although Punxatawny Phil says "No."

I am having a bit of a meltdown today. It started yesterday- well last evening, actually.

I have been writing (working on my MG historical fiction novel) more than I have been painting. Having had a collection of short stories published last spring, I worked on that all last winter...SO it has been sporadic (at best) when I have painted.

I got myself situated yesterday...got an idea as to what to paint...sketched it out...spent 3 hours painting...and----- hated it. I am super critical of my own work as a rule but, this was BBBBAAAAADDDDDD! What the heck happened to my 'sight' I was not able to 'see' what I needed to do. I quit, I turned on the boob tube (which is exactly what I think of it) and just sat. I needed to hide from myself, from my inability to do what I love. It scared me. I went to bed and barely slept at all.

Now for one (ME) who determines their self worth by the degree of accomplishments and/or production...Yesterday was a complete bust!

Today, I did my computer work-without opening my MG work in progress- then went directly to my paints. I sat and stared, I sat and stared...I went at it with absolutely no direction in mind and I must say it worked! Not the best painting by any means but I broke through-I think!

Writer's have "blocks"...they can't find "it" in their heads.
Watercolorists do too I realized...and not the kind of blocks on which they paint.
Tomorrow... will be an even better day!

New year, New thoughts

When the old paper calendar is taken from the inside of our kitchen cabinet (you know the one with the app'ts, scribbles and 'prospect' notes that control our lives)and the new one put up in its place, I get a feeling of excitement. A new year, a chance to start fresh!
When I removed our calendar this year(Norman Rockwell I must add)I got that same old rush as I do every year. Time to clean closets! Time to get organized! Time to lose weight(yeah, right)! This year, although excited, I promised none of those things to myself. Instead, this year I will take it as it comes...I'll do my best, I'll push myself(because that is what I do anyway) and I will not make promises to myself so I feel lousy if one or two are not acheived (the weight one, never is!).
TwentyTen will be a good one...I can feel it. It will be good because it is- not because I promised myself to make it that way!

'Bout Time...

It has been quite some time since I posted; I'm a bit dissappointed in myself. Although I never try to excuse my shortcomings ...I had a busy summer. I spent it doing book signings and presentations throughout the Adirondacks and had a blast! I met wonderful people; not only lovers of, and readers about the Adirondacks, but other Adirondack authors as well. It was a glorious summer (even if it did rain the entire month of July...) and the experience was one I'll never forget.

My next 'project' is to be more diligent in my postings on my blogs and updating my website so, we shall see how THAT goes!

I am back to revising my middle grade chapter book and will have that ready to send off in the very near future.

For any of you that are in the Glens Falls NY area on Nov.1 I will be appearring at the Chronicle Book Fair at the Queensbury Hotel 11am-4pm. Please drop by if you can, I'd love to meet you!

(sigh)...FINALLY!

As the saying goes, "all things worth having are worth waiting for" has proven to be true.

My book, The Adirondacks that are the Other half of Me has come out! FINALLY!!! It is gorgeous (can you tell it is my first book?!?!?!). It hit Amazon on June 26th; I have had a book signing in Lake Placid (my first one ever!) and I am out and about marketing like crazy! It is already 'a hit' locally, with many kind and generous reviews. I must now however, make contact and ask everyone who has been so lovely with their feedback to go to Amazon and log their review there! It never occurred to me until last night that I should have been mentioning that to each and every one! My excitement was almost too much to contain(oh brother...).

My next signing is in Inlet, NY @ the Adirondack Reader on the 19th 11am-1pm. I hope anyone who is in that area can stop by-even just to say hi!

Thanks to those of you kind enough to comment on my blog; I truly appreciate it. My apologies if I don't respond promptly; I am not as diligent with my blog entries as I had intended to be (I strive to be a techno contemporary, but I fail miserably at times); your comments don't go unnoticed and I am grateful for them!

It is a gorgeous day here in the Adirondacks so I must rush out and get some of that elusive sunshine!!!