I don't agree that illustration is about cuteness. Although in many many Nort American publications it seems that way. Illustration can be just as outspoken and complex as real art, maybe it even should be. Most art directiors would probably disagree though. Anyway, I was thinking about commenting something here, and then I saw Beth beat me to it. I agreee with her, maybe I would formulate is more harshly. I think you are seriously talented Keri, and you know I would never just say that. You don't *need* decorativeness and cuteness, drop it. But imo that has nothing to do with illo versus art.

I think I personally find a great tension between being an illustrator and artist. I know that for the most part they are one and the same, and that the reality is there should be nothing that seperates the two. Creation is creation. I just remember not knowing that such a thing as illustration existed when I was a child, only scary, self-important "art" with it's need for controversy and communication. I just wanted to make cute stuff. Then I found out that drawing cute stuff was illustration. Now I occasionally feel pangs of regret that I don't go "deep" enough. I think we're both discovering (me through you) that anything that comes from an honest place (shallow or otherwise) can be important, can be art. I just need to remember that childhood place where only creation is important. I always hated Ann of Green Gables when I was a girl because Ann had to give up her creative nature to grow up. I want to be an adult with a pure creative nature.

You know, what I always appreciated most about your writing - both here and in your book and in your other projects for your site - was that you always confirmed my belief that everything is possible. Reading what you write always boosts my confidence. Perhaps you're so good at doing it because you're dealing with those issues yourself? Anyway, I just want to send some of that positive energy back to you. You can do it, girl!

Having been an 'artist' for many years - studied art and made art and practiced my art. I still question my validity as an artist, question the purpose to my making art and question the importance of it in broader context. However when I stop making art is when I realise how important it is - to me, to my perception of self and the world. Does one have to always have to have a deep conceptual message everytime one has a thought or idea. And does every expression of thought need to be deliberated on until it becomes meaningless. I think you have the right idea about experimenting and taking chances - listening to your instinct.

Yes, and with best wishes for a wonderful journey!

Wow! I had to go back and read that part again about the re-evaluation every seven years, then it HIT me. 2002-2004 was a difficult period for me. I had a traumatic experience (miscarriage), which led to a domino effect of many other "things" happening in my life. Through all the *changes* I couldn't see that I was changing. All I could see and feel where the terrible experiences happening to me. And during that time period of changes...? Seven years of marriage. Coincidence? Now that I've read your post, I don't think so. :) Thanks!

Oh, the ongoing process of LIFE. It's ever-changing and always full of hope and despair in collision it seems. You are so bright and insightful and have such a deep sense of your own self awareness that all of this shifting is probably treacherous and yet necessary for you to grow as an artist. It's interesting because reading your journal your life always seems so perfectly rounded out - living in the country, in love, a successful artist - it is easy for those around you to not understand the depth of your internal process perhaps. Recognizing that you are changing, shedding old skin for new, pushing through latent ground cover, grasping for discovery means you have gone through the hard part and now it's a matter of plunging head first out of the darkness and into some light. Good luck!

Yes, I join you on the journey too!

Thanks for sharing such great quotes and wonderful tales and beautiful collages.

Keri--you've got the voice! I see you are about to embark on a life-changing journey and I can't wait to hear about the wonderful things you'll discover along the way.

I've been a long-time reader and your words always hit home (I too am on a new journey for a new career path). There's definitely that cycle in life, a seven-year reality check schedule!

Keri,

Several years ago I spent some absolutely wonderful time with a phenomenal art therapist, working through some really deep stuff. She taught me to create mandalas each week and used something called the MARI type index to decipher the images I created.

It seems that there is a set of 39 archetypal images that are completely pan-cultural, that is they mean the same things in every culture. I mention this because I have noticed in the last several of your journal collages images of multiple dots. This is a MARI type image of seeds, and psychologically it is an indicator that you are in a "new birth" phase, having previously cleared the ground. New things are coming into being in great profusion. Isn't that fascinating? It certainly matches your own writing about a new identity coming into being.

I hope that this information may give you an additional layer of insight into the significance of your art that will be fruitful for you in some way.

All the best! I love reading the blog, because it inspires me to keep the hidden artist in me alive and fed!

YES!!!

Hell, I am on a journey myself and I would sure love some company in discovering what ELSE lies beneath the surface of who I am. If you want some company, I am on board!

I really admire the depth of what you're doing. As with all deep self searching, I'm sure only good, whole, deep things will come out of it.