Thoughts from the peanut gallery

Some artists like to paint or sculpture. I love to sew and make coats for dogs. I love my dogs, I just love dogs. My imagination is overrun with ideas for coats. I dream coats, I wake up and quickly make a drawing or jot down something my mind has conjurred up. I have a plethora of coats to make that are all swimming in my head. It's a wonderful dilemma to be in, not enough time to make all those great coats. My diningroom is a disarray of fabrics, threads, patterns and chaos that only make sense to me. Thankfully the room is rarely used except for holidays or special ocassions. It now breathes new light as my studio.

I have to follow this vision through. I wanted to do something different, something that was me and follow my own drummer so-to-speak. I'm constantly thankful that a soulful prayer was answered back in the Spring. I felt lost and prayed for some inspiration to do something that released that creative drive in me, I had stuffed into a box of somedays while staying at home to raise young children. I realized that my children needed to see that their mom was a person who had interests, passions and goals. I think that this 'fire' has come to the surface and is reflected in every coat that I create and call a Janey Mac.

The dog that made me think outside the box and take a leap of faith -- I thank because she is as human as any of us yet she launched me outside my comfort zone to follow a wish, a prayer, a silly dream. It's okay to be silly and let go of things that held me back at times. Maybe it's my age and the realization that I'm past 40. What have I done ... sigh ... the tortured artist syndrome. Get over it - just do it - win, lose or draw ... doesn't matter. Just climb out of my shell and take a chance to express myself as an artist.

I hope the coats will bring a smile ... Janey Mac Attire ... makes me laugh ... that silly dog and her silly name. Janey Mac, I'm looking back at all the coats you've inspired.