Why in the World . . .

. . . Why Do I Do This to Myself???

Last Friday morning I got up enthused to go out to the studio. I picked up the last Somerset Studio issue and thought I'd see what calls they had for art. I haven't submitted anything to them in a long while so I thought maybe I would. OH, the Halloween issue is what they are looking for now. Great. I love Halloween. And it was due four days from then. So, I can do that.

I grabbed a piece of watercolor paper, wet it, and started slapping some paint on it. Oh -- how fun -- red, orange. yellow -- Hey, that looks like some figures emerging. I whipped out my water soluble pastels and went to town defining the figures somewhat. I'm creating now. Yippee.

Detail from Halloween, Right? Mixed media on watercolor paper.

I had almost finished the whole piece when I looked up at the clock. It was 10 P.M. and it dawned on me that in order to get this piece to Stampington by the deadline, it would have to be mailed the next day. Oops, the next day is Saturday and my post office would close at 1 P.M. I reasoned with myself but, as usual, myself is headstrong so I worked until one or two in morning to get it finished completely. I planned to get up the next morning and get it ready for the mail. Groan.

(Detail from Halloween, Right?)

I awoke bright and early Saturday morning and started pulling together mailing envelopes and packing stuff. Well, let's see what all do I have to submit with this? Oh, mercy -- a description and a few words about the process, label it with my name, email, etc. Include a SASE if I want notification that they got it. Enclose a check for the return postage. Hurry!!

I frantically prepared everything until . . .Oh no! How much will I need to enclose for return postage? Well, I got the package ready, grabbed up my postage stamps, my check book, did NOT comb my hair, put on makeup nor earrings -- I DID change my pj top for a real shirt and throw on my jeans and clogs. (Was I really going to get out at the Elkins Lake post office where all my uppity friends might show up with me looking like death warmed over?) YES! Had to!! No time!!

I cannot even believe I'm posting how I looked! Forgive me.
(The disgusted look was directed at myself for embarking on this fiasco.)

Rather than calm down like any sane person would and just skip submitting to Somerset this time, I leaped into my car and at 12:55 (think: five minutes until the post office window closes) I arrived at the window. Whew! I asked the clerk to give me the mailing cost so I could write a check to enclose for return postage. I told him I wasn't ready to post the package but I had all the stuff in the car. I also asked him if the window was closed by the time I returned and I drop the package in the bin, would it still go off today. He assured me it would.

 

Detail of Halloween, Right? (Compare with photo of me above. Hmmm, is this a self portrait?)

Ok, so I'm in my car in the parking lot rummaging around, writing the check, closing the package, putting the stamps on -- OH NO-O-O-O-O!! I don't have Stampington's address. Yikes! But do I give up? Nope. I started the car and raced back home to get the address. Raced back to the post office and dropped the package in the slot. I resisted the urge to knock on the window and ask again if it would go out with that day's mail. He had told me it would - so I'll just trust. It probably won't matter. This piece didn't turn out to be the kind of lovely art that Stampington goes for anyway.

Stampington has not returned my postcard so I have no idea if it actually got mailed on time and I'll never know if it made the deadline. But it's all out of my hands now. I may never look at the "Upcoming Themes" section of Somerset Studio again for fear that I might try to get something created and mailed in a day and a half and leave myself frazzled to the bone like I did this time.

Detail of Halloween, Right?
(These four images are just sneak peeks of the piece. When I can, I'll post the whole piece.)

Comments

[Maija Lepore]

You are so funny, Sally!!! Those pieces are worth getting to Somerset - they will LOVE them!!

[Sharon @ norah'S]

Looks pretty amazing. Can't wait to see it in the mag.

[Amber Dawn]

You had me laughing and smiling with your words.
The pictures added such cool touch too.
You are a trooper!

Best wishes,
Amber Dawn

[kelly snelling]

hee, hee! that sounds a little too familiar, unfortunately! but they are only four miles away so i'm actually walking in looking like a rag-a-muffin. haw! i think this piece (i think these are all small pieces of one piece but maybe i'm wrong) look AWESOME! i really wish they would do more of this all year long, not just at Halloween. boy i sure do hope it gets there in time and is in the issue. not only did you work really hard but it just looks like a fabulous piece and i wanna see it!

[Karen Ouellette]

Sally, it's 4:05am here and you've really given me a good laugh as I head off to bed! You have such a way of teling things!LOL I LOVE your Halloween pieces, I'm sure they'll be published & PS.........I sure wish I looked as good as you do with no makeup! Hugs, Karen (who won't go anywhere without at least mascara! :)

[Sher]

Thank Goodness you shared this! I can't count the times I've done something similar. Now I know I'm not alone in my antics! Good luck with your submissions!

[Laura]

Sally, You're a hoot! I can so relate to your story. I did something similar but your antics were much funnier. Thanks for sharing your great artwork and delightful story. I bet Stampington will love these pieces...but they won't be hurrying like you did!

[Deryn Mentock]

Whaaaa! You're so funny! Hey...this piece is awesome. I can't wait to see the whole thing. I REALLY love it!

[Angela]

Ohhhhh!!!! THAT is so funny! I'm SO glad and relieved that I'm NOT ALONE!!! I've done this too, but I could never get up the nerve to actually post a photograph of myself and what a mess I must look like. Paint and ink on my hands, wearing old teeshirts and ripped out sweat pants, because I've ruined more clothes while making art, than I would like to even admit! So, I always look horrible when I'm working in my art room...

Well, I hope after all of this effort that you get published in Somerset! The piece looked cool!

Hugs,
Angela

[Nancy Berry]

Hi Sally,
I wrote you last year about your “junk bracelet” and I was wondering if you’re making any more. I’ve checked your web site from time to time but have been busy moving into a new home, getting our son settled in high school and starting in a new school district as a substitute teacher.
Hope you and your family are doing fine. Last time we emailed , you were dealing with your mother’s health and your foot surgery. I see from your blog she had eye surgery recently. God’ s blessings for a full recovery.
I’ve gotten very involved .with our church ‘s (Menlo Park Presbyterian)art group, Arts of the Covenant this last year or so. We did a collaboration with the writing group from church. We had an exhibition of the art and writing this weekend and have produced a wonderful book called “Women of the Bible ,mothers, harlots, wives and queens” a www.blub.com . Hope you take time to look at it.
God’s love and blessings,
Nancy Berry