A QR What? (Day #3 AEDM)

Should take you to my latest newsletter.

Unbeknownst to me as I was putting together a notice for the show this weekend Mail Chimp produced this QR code for me! How cool is that? 

After you download the app that reads these, you hold your smart phone to it and it will (should) take you to the newsletter. 

Who knew!

More creativity tomorrow!

Susan

A Creative Qwickie...

Today required many things that aren't necessarily creative. Inventory of my jewelry, a run to the post office, kids back and forth to school, and an afternoon of grocery shopping. But I did manage to squeak out some of these guys...

Hooty Who!

Retro colored Owls ready to greet me tomorrow when I get into the studio!

28 posts to go! See you tomorrow,

Susan

Art Everyday For The Month of November Post #1 or Where The Bodies Are Buried

(Blog hop gals the post is down one!)

Well this is going to really be a challenge so I may as well dive right in head first! Yes, I'm going to show you where the bodies are buried....right now....right here...

I have about 30 linear feet of studio counter work space, I work in 4 square inches.

Look! There they are now!

My creative endeavor today includes all the lovely little digi ladies shown above. I created a bunch, even a couple of guys, and am working up a new line of crazy people. Not being one to do anything easy or that can be done fast, I printed all my gals on paper then cut them out in DETAIL. 

That lets me play with them, stand them next to backgrounds, place then in smaller areas, cut their heads off, it all depends on my mood. The mood today definitely had some heads rolling.

Here's a sneak peek of a few of the things that will be in my booth Saturday for the Irvine Fine Arts Show.

Before...

See? Many body-less images!

Still before...

Only one kept herself intact. 

Today's creative task complete! (almost...stay tuned, more tomorrow!)

Until next time,

Susan

Inspiration and Blog Hop 101

This post is a part of our first blog hop including quite a few of the artists that connected during the class ”Flying Lessons” presented by the fabulous Kelly Rae Roberts. The theme is “Spreading Our Wings” or how we were inspired by our experience. It could involve some of our artwork or whatever creative element we desired to write about. At the end you’ll find the list of amazing participants in the blog hop.

A few months ago I decided to participate in Kelly Rae Roberts course for creative’s called “Flying Lessons.” Little did I know at the time just how much of an impact it would make on me.

My thought was that the class would let me figure out how to take my little business to the next level. Honestly I’ve been feeling very stuck, like I’m only going through the creative “motions” and not getting anywhere. Loving Kelly Rae, her blog, and her art I signed up excitedly and waited for the first days post to come. Guess what the subject matter was? Fear…..!

Goofy daughter!

To say that I’ve been afraid over the past year would be an understatement. As the course continued the subject matter continued with a strong under tone of emotional churning. Each post dug deeper even though it was sprinkled with business tips and suggestions. My brain was in turmoil. How was I going to sift through all of this information?

Have fun with your own face!

Although I talk to my other half about everything and this was subject matter that he gets, but doesn’t truly “get” it. My friend circle is a myriad of different personalities and backgrounds but only one that I can truly say understands the angst of the creative. And she lives an hour away. Just about weekly someone will ask me what I do and when I reply artist I’m confronted with an, “oh you’re a stay at home Mom.” One gal I’ve known for almost 25 years refers to my creative work as, “that crafty stuff you do sometimes.” And I can’t tell you how many people drop off your radar when you’re in seclusion trying to work towards the holiday season. It’s one of my biggest frustrations.

Hmmm...

The course ran for five weeks. Five weeks of frantic thoughts, updates to all things internet, and dreading the end of the class. It was so enjoyable, and yet un-nerving, I wanted it to continue for as long as possible. From the start we all knew there would be a private Facebook group we could join if we wanted to. Open to all that took the course. I requested entry, not knowing what to expect.

Well, the group is 378 strong! The conversation runs the gamut from teasing to serious money questions, to art shows to trading techniques and much, much more. I commented and tried to jump in. Mostly I read and tried to take it all in. It was (and is) art talk that is going on everyday and into the night. It’s a group that “gets it” whatever that may be. It’s a safe spot that you can come to and chat about the things that are on your mind. A spot to try out new ideas. A place to get or give help. An area to share a heartbreak or physical condition that you can’t even say out loud to yourself. A group that takes you for who you are and lets you know you’re not as alone as you thought you were.

It was said somewhere in our comments that, “who knew the best resource we’d get from taking the class would be ourselves!” So true. My inspiration is ongoing. Everyday I get to interact with all of the fabulous members of our group. Everyday there is something new to ponder and chat about. I am inspired to do more, be true to myself, and go forward to fulfill dreams I thought might not be possible a few months ago. And if I take a day and don’t quite get where I’d like to? Well, I can turn to anyone in our group for support or a laugh. For that, and so much more, I want to say thank you! Thank you to all of you who “get” it, it truly means the world to me. ( and so do all of you!)

Free to fly the universe!

Now go forth and visit ALL of the following blogs for great art, great people, and tons of  inspiration!!!

Until Next Time,

(which will be tomorrow with the start of Creative Every Day

for November!)

Susan

If you like what you see, don’t forget to subscribe, like and follow us!!!

Amaranthine Violet:  http://magic-gypsy.blogspot.com/

Amy Hillenbrand:  http://amyhillenbrand.blogspot.com

Beatriz Peñas B.:  http://beatrizbepe.blogspot.com/

Beth Cougler Blom:   http://sobliss.wordpress.com/

Carmen Patti:  http://carmenpattistudio.com/wordpress/

Carol Bray:  http://theredpaintedcottage.blogspot.com

Christina Fajardo:  http://christinafajardo.blogspot.com/

Cindy Jones Lantier:  http://www.lantier.org

Connie Rawlins :  http://www.dabblinginlife.blogspot.com/

Dana Brock: http://www.dzynbydana.blogspot.com

Deborah Velásquez : http://deborahvelasquez.blogspot.com

Elissa Brown:  http://thefreckledarmy.blogspot.com

Hillary Courson:  http://www.hillarycourson.com

Jacquie Williamson:  http://www.jacquiewilliamson.blogspot.com/

Jane Paynting: http://inkspiredwings.wordpress.com

Janet Forrest: http://tatterednworn.wordpress.com/

Jennifer DeVille:  http://jenniferdeville.com/blog/

Jill Lambert :  http://www.jill-lambert.blogspot.com/

Julie Hamilton:  http://spaark.wordpress.com

Kanchan Mahon:  http://Kanchan-Mahon.blogspot.com/

Karen Claverie:  http://giddyupletsride.blogspot.com

Kari DeSaulnier:  http://karidesi.blogspot.com/

Kathleen Conard : http://newfromoldcreations.blogspot.com/

Kathleen McKinnon:  http://harmonyschoolhouse.com/expressions-blog.html

Kathy May:  http://kathymaydesigns.org

Kelley Miller:  http://www.kelleymillerartworks.blogspot.com/

Kelly Corso:  http://birdinatreecreations.blogspot.com/

Kelly Hoernig:  http://www.kellyhoernig.blogspot.com/

Kim Hyer:  http://www.apaperaddict.com/

Kris Lanae Binsfeld:  http://cherishdesigns.wordpress.com

Lenore Angela:  http://www.lenoreangela.blogspot.com/

Linda Barutha:  http://lindabaruthadesigns.blogspot.com

Lisa Michele Products:

http://www.lisamicheleproducts.blogspot.com/

Liza Zeni Baker:  http://lizazeni.wordpress.com/

Lynn Richards:  http://alittlebluesky.blogspot.com

Lori Leissner:  http://leissnerart.blogspot.com

Lori Moon:  http://lorimoonstudio.blogspot.com

Mary Cottingham:   http://www.barnbugstudio.blogspot.com/

Mary Sterk:  http://justmarydesigns.wordpress.com

Megan Schmitt:  http://www.schmittenwithwords.blogspot.com/

Melanie Douthit:  www.douthitgallery.blogspot.com

Michelle Dwyer:  http://www.magnetisedbylife.com/

Michelle Reynolds:  http://shellsinthebush.blogspot.com/

Rachél Payne (Rae):  http://collectingyourself.wordpress.com/

Rain Hannah:  http://honeyandollie.com/

Rhiannon Connelly:  http://www.starrybluesky.wordpress.com

Ruth-Mary Smith:  http://patchworkfamilieshub.blogspot.com

Sherry Richert Belul:

http://simplycelebrate.net/cherry-blossom-soup

Shirley Ann:  http://leonardarenaissancewoman.blogspot.com/

Stacey Chadwick

Brown:  http://staceybrownarts.blogspot.com/

Susan M. Walls-Beverly:

http://www.susanscharmingtrinkets.blogspot.com

Teresa Cash-Czech: http://www.asmilemaker.com/

Tina Carlborg:  http://www.tinachicky.blogspot.com/

Tonya Love:  http://passport2creativity.com/

Ursula Smith:  http://www.EasyScraps.com/blog

Zulma Cadena:  http://edustory.wordpress.com/

Mary Cottingham  http://www.barnbugstudio.blogspot.com

A New Class!

I'm a couple days late introducing you to a couple of the lovely ladies that took my new Resin + Polymer Transfer class this past Sunday. 

Here's one of the sample pieces.

We gathered at Stamping Details in Poway, California and had a ball! In the process of warming up the clay (Donna sat on hers the entire time) rolling it out, cutting paper, watering it down, baking, learning resin and everything else we shared, a five hour class turned into almost 6 1/2! And we were having so much fun I only took a few pictures but here they are...

Ashley, Alicia, & Darlene with a box of their new favorite product!
And aren't we lovely in our safety glasses!

Carla with her hair on fire! Lit with too many ideas and
tips given to her from me...

these are Carla's creations. She took the time before class to make some of
her own bezels from the polymer and they were spectacular!

Dear Carla a bit less overloaded...

...and I didn't get her picture but Paige made this fabulous creation with all her parts! How clever is she!

I have to thank the over the top creatrix Marsha Jorgenson of Tumble Fish Studios for giving me permission to use her art for this class. Her digital images are truly one of a kind and we loved each and every one!

Thanks to all my great students! I hope you had a fun day and went home with your head full of new ideas.

Until next time!

Susan

Fun With Photos...

Here's what we do for fun...












So now you know what we do with our time!

Be creative!
Susan
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

What's Up This Week...?

Well, I 'm in the midst of day two where there is silence in the house and I can pretty much run naked all day if I want to! But since I don't have time for that I have been taking tons of photos trying to get everything new documented. I had to take a break for a minute so I thought I would share my photo set up with you and maybe it's something you might want in your studio.

Photo area in my studio

Here it is! On top of a set of wire drawers I keep a home made photo box, which basically is a cardboard box with white fabric. I didn't take any photos while I built the box but let me see if I can break it down.

1. Find an appropriate sized, sturdy, cardboard box. For me this meant medium in size since I photograph mostly small items. For you gals that do larger paintings and collage you could definitely go bigger.
2. Gather some supplies: white cotton cloth, fairly sheer & inexpensive, white duct tape (cheapest at Home Depot), sharp box cutter or exacto knife, ruler

I chose to leave the bottom of the box uncut for stability then measured about 1 1/2" frames at the edges of the other 5 sides of the box. These will be your cutting lines. Once I got all the pieces cut out I loosely measured the fabric to fit in the holes, then just taped the fabric around the edges and to the box. Do this for 4 of your 5 sides leaving one side open for your picture taking (I almost did them all!) Also make sure you use the white tape to cover up any exposed corners inside the box and cover the inside base with  your fabric. This insures a totally white background that is easily manipulated in your photo editing software. I also put two small circles of Velcro inside the back at both the right and left corners. This allows you to have whatever background you choose stay standing tall in the back and not falling down all the time driving you crazy!

Voila! You have a photo box!

I am currently hoarding regular lightbulbs that mimic daylight.  In the above picture you can see that I have the window open towards the back of the box and also a light to each side as well as one on a tripod pointed down over the top. You really have to play with these to get the effect you want.

Inside the box

Here's what the light looks like from inside the box.

Photo without cropping or adjustment, shot from the front

One more, a little closer...

Shot more from the top of the piece and closer

And just so that I can share what it is I am trying to photograph as a whole, here's my table full of stuff!

Stuff to photograph

Wish me luck! I may need it to get through everything on the table!

Until next time,
Susan