Do you ever have one of those days?

I'm not sure what's going on, but it sounds like one of those "your copying me!" things, or a derivative thereof. Remember, there is very little new under the sun and moon. Years ago, when I was painting, someone I know started doing watercolor florals with black backgrounds. I happened to do a painting on an over-sized fuschia blossom on a black background. Why black? Because I had taken a picture of the flower and the background on the picture was black! I was copying a photograph I had taken. It almost ruined a friendship. someone else pointed out that millions of paintings of flowers have been done over the years that have black backgrounds. Artists tend to be a temperamental lot. You just keep on doing what you do. Stay true to yourself, the rest will work itself out in time. Barbara Dream Master

If you want to make God laugh, tell him your future plans. Woody Allen

That's pretty simple. Fishing lines get broken. They get tangled on things underwater and have to be cut. The list is endless. Fishing line gets left in the wild, animals get tangled in it, etc. If it biodegrades, the problem solves itself. Barbara Dream Master

If you want to make God laugh, tell him your future plans. Woody Allen

(((((((((((((((((((((Starlia))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Sleep on it, sweetheart and if it is not better by tomorrow, then sleep on it again. Until it is. And like Tinkster said -- don't sell your torch.

Becki "In between the moon and you, the angels have a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right." -- Counting Crows

Starlia -- and the ultimate answer is: Move to CA. If all else fails, move to CA. It sure as hell worked for me.

If your only problem, sweetheart, is bombing on the internet, then allow me to tell you -- you will live past that. I have done it MANY times. MANY times, LOL. NBD.

Becki "In between the moon and you, the angels have a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right." -- Counting Crows

Thanks Becki. Moving to California isn't an option. I'd rather move back to Alaska to be closer to my daughters...if I only liked snow...

I don't know you personally, or what happened to you, but nothing is worth the loss of your art. For me, when everything else is gone, it's all I have that is truly mine and the only place I can go to heal when I hurt, where no one has to understand anything. It's just me and y tools. Ya'll all know I have had a horrible year. And as part of that, I had a friendship with someone that was a new friendship and growing. I really thought this was goingto be a cintinug thing. But. the other person became too controlling, and I tried hard to make them understand who I am, what I need and how I will be treated ... with respect, that is. And there was no understanding, so I called it off. Curiously, I had said I didn't care, but I am a liar. I had a really large sense of loss and I did not like this at all. Part of our problem stems from creative differences, and part of it is misunderstanding what each other is and wants. I was alot more giving than she was, and alot kinder, but I will not give up a large chunk of myself that I love and I will not be pushed to do something I know I don't want to. When you compromise with someone, you do have to give and take, but you don't have to give up everything. I am holding on tighter and tighter to what I want for me and what makes me feel good about me. In that respect, I am the most important thing to me. I come first. Rainbow

Am I getting that someone tore you up about your art ? Please read all of this ... at no time during my creative life have I been "usual". In fact I often veer off the road ON PURPOSE, just to stir people up. It's the nature of creativity. To want people to look, be spurred on to some opinon that they might not have had before. "Cause ifyou did otherwise, what fin is that ? Ifwe all did the sme stuff the same way, that's creative mastrbation ! ( Whoops, bad word alert ! ) ... art is freedom to choose and explore, your way. And all the critics are just voices. They are not your creative heart and soul. Screw 'em ( whoops. bad word alert again !) ... !!!!! Lemme talk a little bit about my clown / performng character. I am flat out, in your face different, and it is with intent that I poke others in the eye, so to speak, because I want to be different and I want to make a statement about performing. I never win awards at the competitions. I cross too many lines and they have to shave off my edges to fit me in to a convenient pigeonhole, and since I am claustrophobic and don't like pigeonholes, I find myself standing alone, often on the fringes. I am too cutting edge, too controversial. And I love it here ! I make them look and I challege them to be different and 'cause them to explore places they rarley go. I am top of the line on techniques, but my vibrant little light, shines a different way. How could I respect myself otherwise ! How could they ? I have been the horse of a different color for so long, it doesn't occur to me to be otherwise ! Even if begrudgingly, I get fingers pointed at me and ocassionally, someone will seek me out and tell me they like me, but never in front of others. They are afraid not to conform or appreciate what I am trying to do. Some others consider themselves the grand high all ruling know it alls. and if it suits 'em to be so, well, who am I to stop them from running off at the mouth. Just let 'em squawk ! Some time back, the most high reighning member of our performing community told me he liked me. Then a couple of other higher ups did. The people who most matter realize what I am. The rank and file is really busy trying to slither up the ladder and to suck up ( whoops, bad word alert ) to people who compliment them, that they really miss out. DO NOT get cought in a trap where someone has criticized you unfairly and you let it get to you. Try to really understand why ! SO tomorrow, regional convention starts here in Vegas. I'll still compete, although I won't win anything ... but I do get to stand up and proudly express myself .... Oh yeah, I forgot the most important things, being true to your artistic self is the goal, as is, knowing all that really matters in the end is that audience or those patrons. Rainbow

Oh my, did someone accuse you of copying ? If that is so, then shame on you, but I know this can't be ! Back during the 70's people used to copy mine and my sister's jewelry, or TRY to. I was never up to par with ours. As creative folks, who look at other people's stuff we can't help but be influenced. Rainbow

I just can't imagine that a fishing line is biodegradable. Why would anyone use it then? Interesting topic though. I can't wait to hear some more answers.>

there is a large demand for all fishing line to be biodegradable - because when fishmern get snagged - they either break or cut their line. The results -- when it gets tangled up with wildlife -- are NOT PRETTY.

Cheryl last semester of lawschool! yipee! DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass

((Starlia))

Sometimes not so good stuff happens between friends and it seems like a disaster. It may take time, but there is a chance you could retrieve the situation. It's happened to me and yesterday I received a letter from that friend which I did not hope to have ever recieved. Push on sweetie and I hope what ever happened will be resolved. Marisa (AU/NZ)

I never mentioned that I love "bite me" especially coming from a woman. And love people who speak their minds.

Becki "In between the moon and you, the angels have a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right." -- Counting Crows