This blog chronicles my yearlong journey of creating a collage every week for the year of 2012. As a frustrated artist living in the Virginia suburbs, I sought to both confront and integrate my multiple identities of artist, wife, mother, and suburbanite, determined to prove to myself that my land of mini-vans and cul-de-sacs could be compatible with inspired art-making. Breaking from the escapism of my previous body of work, depicting imaginary landscapes, I instead chose to embrace the real beauty to be found all around me as my subject matter, finding inspiration in the details of my everyday life.
Juggling a busy schedule of art, work and family, the steady practice of making small drawings became the foundation of my collages. A commitment to weekly creativity brought a new momentum and spirit of discovery to my work, resulting in a heightened sense of curiosity, gratitude, and the ability to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. This project explores what is achievable in tiny increments over time, by committing to small consistent actions and an attitude of openness to what is here, now, in the present.
After completing fifty-two collages in 2012, I decided to start living a full-time creative life. In the summer of 2013, I introduced Laura Wooten Studio, offering Surface Design, Art & Illustration for fabrics, stationery, books, and home goods. I am now living my dream as a full-time artist, with eyes wide open and a new awareness of what is possible through commitment, gratitude, and an open heart.
My Suburban Life 
You are AWESOME! I love the concept and the thinking behind this…best wishes to you as you take those spare moments to explore your talents.
Mary
This is amazing!!You are so spot on! No one can wait for everything to fall into place to fullfill their dreams. You are an inspiration!
Julie
What a wonderful idea. And I understand exactly what you mean by “Art happening inbetween life’s moments.”
Thanks so much for your supportive comments and thank you for visiting my blog!
So brilliant! What an incredible project. So important to create where you are, and not wait for that ever elusive perfect moment. Inspiring indeed!
Thank you for your supportive comment and stopping by my blog. I enjoyed reading your blog too. Glad to know you are out there, AWAKE and creating in suburbia!
Nice to see other artists have to fit their art making in between mini van trips, jobs, kids, etc! My “studio” is now a table in my living room, but I try hard to give myself time:) Cool blog.
I love the concept of your blog and am loving going back and looking at what you’ve done. Great blog!
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to look back thru the past posts. I really appreciate the encouragement!
Thanks for sharing this. Keep going on and creating! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the encouragement!
You are welcome! 🙂
You do lovely work:-) Your recent Eat Local piece caught my eye especially. Also, I’m in the ‘burbs as well and enjoy escaping when I can. Want to nominate you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Find details at http://foodcommunicationservices.wordpress.com/. Yeehaw, congratulations, and keep up the awesomeness!
Wow, thank you so much! Many thanks for the nomination!
You’re welcome. Am impressed by your dedication to your project. Looking forward to the outcome. (You will post it, yes?) 🙂
Hi Liz,
I posted my acceptance! Thanks again. Also included a studio shot of my 28 collages so far. I really appreciate your encouragement!
Hey, thanks for the shout-out. Your collage shot is awesome. Love what you’re doing in suburbia:-)
Thanks so much!
Hi Laura,
I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award, I hope you will accept it!
See: http://inesepogagallery.com/2013/01/18/the-versatile-blogger-award/
Hi Inese, Thank you so much for the Versatile Blogger nomination! I really appreciate it and have enjoyed checking out your artwork and blog as well. Best wishes!
so amazing laura! i love, love, love this.
Thanks so much Tammie! I really appreciate you taking the time to check out my blog. Your creative journey is a big inspiration to me! I’ve been taking the ABSPD e-courses and am working towards launching a surface design and illustration biz. Thanks for blazing a trail and sharing your journey.
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