For the last couple of weeks, Jake and I have been stealing whatever spare time we can to build a 16x20 workshop in the backyard. This will be a place where he can finally have room to work his magic with wood; building furniture and boats and I can get back to doing stained glass again. At least, that's what we're telling ourselves.

Like most folks who aren't independently wealthy, we struggle to make time to pursue the things that stoke our personal creative fires. We've been pretty successful at finding time to sing and perform; it's the rehearsals that are the challenge. Many artistic people figure out that they really can't pursue all the avenues they would like to try. I struggled for quite awhile trying to decide how to limit and focus on what to pursue. And, honestly, I still do fight the overwhelming urge to take more classes in untried arenas: "Oh! Fused Glass 101 - cool! Hey, here's a session on Creative Writing. Oh, wait...I haven't finished this-or-that - how can I start something new?"

The reality is there are only so many hours in the day and so many things to try and/or create! So. If you find yourself pulled in one hundred different directions, narrow it down to just three (at any one time, anyway!). This month, just focus on those three things to work on. Keep the self-discipline; it's difficult but you can do it. If you need some free inspiration, go visit a gallery or two for ideas!

Upcoming Artisan Events:

• Fridays and Saturdays, April 15 - May 2, 7:30 p.m. - "Rounding Third" Comedy Live on Stage. Thursday Preview on 4/15 free to Marquee Members, Sunday Matinee at 2:00 p.m. on May 2. Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Thursdays - Saturdays through April 17, 7:30 p.m. - "Cheatin'" On Stage, Port Aransas Community Theater. Admission: $10-15. Adults Only.
• Daily through April 28 - "Island Women" Group Show. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Tuesday, April 20, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Daily through April 22 - "Love of God's Creations" Art Exhibit by Pamela Sijansky. Main Gallery, Rialto Theater. Admission: Free.
• Saturday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. - "Greezy Wheels in Concert." Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Daily through May 8- "61st Annual Texas Watercolor Society Nationals" Art Exhibit. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.
• Thursday - Monday, May 13-17 - "Fiesta de Mayo" Art & Songwriter Annual Fundraiser for Art Center for the Islands. Tarpon Inn Courtyard. Admission: Varies.

Jen Jones is a member of the Board of Directors of the Rialto Theater, an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization fostering art and education through visual art, music and live stage productions in the historic movie theater in downtown Aransas Pass. Her day job is in real estate at Coldwell Banker Myers-Gallagher. If you have someone you'd like to spotlight in this column, drop her a line atjen@jenscoastalbend.com.

For the last couple of weeks, Jake and I have been stealing whatever spare time we can to build a 16x20 workshop in the backyard. This will be a place where he can finally have room to work his magic with wood; building furniture and boats and I can get back to doing stained glass again. At least, that's what we're telling ourselves.

Like most folks who aren't independently wealthy, we struggle to make time to pursue the things that stoke our personal creative fires. We've been pretty successful at finding time to sing and perform; it's the rehearsals that are the challenge. Many artistic people figure out that they really can't pursue all the avenues they would like to try. I struggled for quite awhile trying to decide how to limit and focus on what to pursue. And, honestly, I still do fight the overwhelming urge to take more classes in untried arenas: "Oh! Fused Glass 101 - cool! Hey, here's a session on Creative Writing. Oh, wait...I haven't finished this-or-that - how can I start something new?"

The reality is there are only so many hours in the day and so many things to try and/or create! So. If you find yourself pulled in one hundred different directions, narrow it down to just three (at any one time, anyway!). This month, just focus on those three things to work on. Keep the self-discipline; it's difficult but you can do it. If you need some free inspiration, go visit a gallery or two for ideas!

Upcoming Artisan Events:

• Fridays and Saturdays, April 15 - May 2, 7:30 p.m. - "Rounding Third" Comedy Live on Stage. Thursday Preview on 4/15 free to Marquee Members, Sunday Matinee at 2:00 p.m. on May 2. Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Thursdays - Saturdays through April 17, 7:30 p.m. - "Cheatin'" On Stage, Port Aransas Community Theater. Admission: $10-15. Adults Only.
• Daily through April 28 - "Island Women" Group Show. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Tuesday, April 20, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Daily through April 22 - "Love of God's Creations" Art Exhibit by Pamela Sijansky. Main Gallery, Rialto Theater. Admission: Free.
• Saturday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. - "Greezy Wheels in Concert." Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Daily through May 8- "61st Annual Texas Watercolor Society Nationals" Art Exhibit. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.
• Thursday - Monday, May 13-17 - "Fiesta de Mayo" Art & Songwriter Annual Fundraiser for Art Center for the Islands. Tarpon Inn Courtyard. Admission: Varies.

Jen Jones is a member of the Board of Directors of the Rialto Theater, an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization fostering art and education through visual art, music and live stage productions in the historic movie theater in downtown Aransas Pass. Her day job is in real estate at Coldwell Banker Myers-Gallagher. If you have someone you'd like to spotlight in this column, drop her a line atjen@jenscoastalbend.com.