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.

Blurring the Lines

Sixty-one years is a long time for any artist event. This year, the Texas Watercolor Society is holding their national annual exhibition at the Rockport Art Center. Texas watercolorists, along with those from thirty-three other states, will be competing for honor and prizes. The opening reception and awards are going to be presented on April 10 and works will continue on display through May 8. And, of course, it's a wonderful way to enjoy art with no expense (unless you see something you just cannot live without). Please plan on attending; you'll marvel at the bolder colors - these aren't the washed out watercolors we all played with in elementary school.

And I hope they still do play with watercolors in elementary school. With funding cuts, school art and music programs are often the first to go. Though I have no talent for it, I remember sitting at the table, with a little cup of water, a brush in hand and splashing water on the paper. Once I gave up trying to stay within the lines and just went with the flow, I had fun and enjoyed the experience.

All of us could do with a bit of that attitude these days. Why do we try to stay within the lines so much, anyway? A sense of security? Doing what's expected? Who sets those guidelines, anyway? I think too often we try to force ourselves into a narrower focus than is necessary. Worse, we try to impose a rigid set of "rules" on others when, at the heart of it, our differences are what make the world so interesting. This week, try blurring your lines a bit and see where the journey takes you.

Upcoming Artisan Events:

• Thursdays - Saturdays through April 17, 7:30 p.m. - "Cheatin'" On Stage, Port Aransas Community Theater. Admission: $10-15. Adults Only.
• Friday, April 2, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - "First Friday" Art Reception. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Tuesday, April 6, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Saturday, April 10, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Opening Reception, "Texas Watercolor Society" Art Exhibit. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.
• Daily through April 22 - "Love of God's Creations" Art Exhibit by Pamela Sijansky. Main Gallery, Rialto Theater. Admission: Free.
• 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.
• Saturday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. - "Greezy Wheels in Concert." Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.

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.