Monday's Muse - Gasparilla Festival of the Arts

Gasparilla Poster by Larry Paulsen and Sherry Camp Paulsen

Hey there! How was your weekend?

I had the good fortune to spend a gorgeous Sunday at the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. This is my favorite local show. Okay, there were some "sofa art"-type pieces. Fortunately they were sprinkled around. Mostly there was a fun variety of styles, mediums, and price ranges. Pretty much something for everyone.

Chinese Agate Fox Sphere by Pam Fox

This show gives away almost $75,ooo.oo in prizes, so a good number of artists apply. This really contributes to the diversity. There is also an emerging artists section, which I think is brilliant. It adds some new blood to the mix and gives a chance to someone who might not otherwise be unable to afford the show. Emerging artists are provided with a tent & $250 stipend. Plus fees are waved. They can not compete for most of the prizes, but they can try for a $1,ooo award. For more details on the emerging artist program, click here.

Acrylic paintings on wood by Suzi Scarborough

The fair was packed with folks enjoying the beautiful weather, redesigned riverfront and of course the art. I had a fantastic time searching out old favorites & finding new ones. Ended up buying 4 pieces and talked to some fascinating people. This week I will share my favorites (with lots of images & links). Click on any of the art in this post to visit the artists' websites.

The thought escapes me by Kina Crow

I'd also like to share some Art Fair Do's & Don'ts later this week.

I'd love to hear your thoughts if you've ever attended an art show - as a buyer, browser or seller. Please leave a comment or drop me an email (address in my profile). I'll post all contributions on Saturday. Today I'll kick start us with (what should be) a couple of "gimmies":

Business Card by Ted Head

Sellers, please display your business cards.

Yes, many folks that take 1 will not contact you in the future. But some might.

Or they may pass it on to a friend.

Or they may want to write your booth number on the back so they can find you 2 hours (& maybe 2 beers) later. While your amazing work may stick in that potential customer's mind, your booth location may not.

And if you shared the card in your pocket when I asked, Thank You.

Handpainted Linocut from Circus Series by Kreg Yingst

Excuse me, Miss Chatterbox, please don't bogart the artist.

Yes, the artwork is amazing and you may have made a mystical connection. And I am sure that you are fascinating. But please remember the artist is here to make money; he is trying to focus on everything going on in his booth.

On the other hand, please do acknowledge the artist if you want to.

Many people do like feedback on their work. And some even like to chat if their booth is empty.

Underwater photo by my 6 yr old.
No, this was not in the show. Just messing with you.

Maybe you (or your 6 yr old or your blind dog) could have made it ... But you didn't and the artist did.

And now he needs to sell it! So please move out of the way; there is a potential customer behind you.

Also, didn't your mother ever tell you that If you have nothing nice to say, please say nothing at all? Or at least save it for when you've left the booth.

Balance by Holly Hambrick

Just Be Nice - This one goes out to everybody.

Yes, this should be obvious. And yes we are all human. Maybe you are hungry, thirsty, hot, hungover, tired, broke, jealous, recently rejected or just want to go home. (1) I am sure you are not the only one. (2) This day isn't about only you so please don't spoil it for others. (3) Lighten up. Leave if you can and if you can't... just be patient - I promise it will be over soon.

I have a few more thoughts on this topic and would love to hear yours. Please send me your art fair do's & dont's and I will happily post them all on Saturday.

Disclaimer: I have never had a booth at an art show. I love to attend them. And to be honest, I enjoy the people-watching almost as much as the art. I do work trade & consumer shows for the day job and see similar faux pas there as well.

These are simply 1 humble gal's observations. Please add your own - educate me.

Musical Monday's Muse - Games People Play

Welcome!

I'm a bit late today
but it is still Musical Monday
so grab the button & play along!

What is moving you this week?

I'm having fun with last week's Mixed Media Monday prompt, Games People Play. Trying to think of some apt music when this little earworm gave my brain a tickle.

I have to agree with spyspace666 - pirates do make it better!

Want to share your tunes today or listen to what everyone else it up to today? Click the MM button & visit Diane over at Good Mourning Glory.

Games People Play WIP part 2

Here is the next phase of my GPP. Should be done soon.
Can you guess where I'm going with this?

Musical Monday - The Swell Season

I haven't participated in Musical Monday for a while

Here is what I'm listening to today

I still haven't gotten around to seeing Once but may have to now that I'm hooked on this album., Strict Joy. Great background stuff. Not the best compliment, I know - sorry. I'm always on the lookout for music that can keep the creative juices flowing but fades to the back of the mind when needed- do you know what I mean?

I caught The Swell Season on Studio 360 last night - you can listen to their Tiny Desk Concert Here.

What are you listening to today? If you've got a few minutes, click the button share your tune-of-the-day with everyone visiting Good Mourning Glory

Over at Maternal Spark's Weekly Inspiration they've listed their "Top 10 Mom Blogs By Design" & also ask "what's inspiring you this week?" I always enjoy stopping to think about this question. Helps me focus. I'm going with peace & quiet. Lately life has been too hectic, too fast & way too loud. I have (once again) lost touch with what matters while bouncing around like a ping pong ball. Need to chill - regroup, pay attention all the little stuff, and start creating again.

What about you? What are you up to this week?

Have you entered Thursday's random drawing yet? In a few days 1 lucky winner will receive a glass tile mosaic box from artist Maureen Tillman. To enter just leave a comment on this blog before 1 a.m. (EST) on 12/10

For photos of the prize and an interview with Maureen, CLICK HERE.

Maureen also took us on a virtual studio tour yesterday - click here to visit her studio.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you're off to a creative week.

Monday's Muse: Jamie Ribisi-Braley wants YOUR story

Morning All - How're ya doin? Hope you're off to a good week

Over at Maternal Spark (where I sometimes get my dose of "weekly inspiration") Heather is feeling restless. Perhaps she'd be interested in artist Jamie Ribisi-Braley's new project.

I heard about Jamie's Call For Stories last week & thought (a) How cool is that?! & (b) That would make a great post for Monday's Muse. SO check it out - here's the post:

I need YOUR story for a new art project!

So, I'm working on a new art project. I'd like to have other people help me by sharing your stories and photos. This can be about you or you can enlist someone else to submit their info to me. ((Feel free to pass on this info!))

Here's a vague idea-- I don't want to taint it with details so I'm trying to keep it simple:

Tell me how you feel tied down and/or rooted to something/someone/place/whatever OR how you have felt knocked down.

It can be a good or a bad thing.
It can be sad, funny, plain, or grand.
A story of any length will work (one sentence or a long story).
This can be anonymous to the world or have your name and location attached, your choice.
I need a clear photograph of the participant which I will slightly alter to work with my project.

Email me the above and if I will send you a release form so that I can use your story & image. jamieribisi {at} gmail.com

Pretty cool, huh?

I've been a fan of Jamie's art since I stumbled onto her etsy shop

Reclining Figure by Jamie Ribisi-Braley

At first it was the quality of line & vibrant colors that caught my eye

Ghosts of the Past 1 by Jamie Ribisi-Braley

Then I noticed a fun touch of whimsy to certain pieces, like the Amount of Tea I Drink In A Week series created in encaustic, wood & tea.

The Amount of Tea I drink in a Week by Jamie Ribisi-Braley

I'd also like to mention that Jamie lives in Manchester, Maine where she runs an artists retreat Sweetland Retreat. Click on the link for more info. In addition to lists of classes, there are some pics of her renovations & even a live webcam. Beautiful part of the country (but I am biased, as I grew up nearby).

Back the project - I found the whole thing intriguing so I asked Jamie for a little more info to share:

photo by Jamie Ribisi-Braley

JRB: This project slowly started coming into my mind when I was collecting sawed off tree limbs from some dead trees in my yard. As I picked them up I began to think that they looked like people and I starting thinking of the stories that they could each tell me. How they were all so different and so old, yet they all were made of the same parts. I planned on transferring images of the people whose stories I'm collecting onto each piece of wood and then using mixed media to enhance the pieces. I'll be attaching tags to them with their stories and may even get some multi-media going in conjunction with my husband, who is a media artist. I'd like to try to introduce some video & audio into an installation gallery setting once it's all complete.

photo by Jamie Ribisi-Braley

JRB: I just opened up an Artist Retreat in Maine, Sweetland Retreat. I've heard so many stories from instructors, artists, and other visitors about their lives and their trials. This got me thinking that it would be interesting to tell their stories as part of my project. I've started collecting stories and would love to have some more from people that I know as well as people that I've never met.

Ghosts of the Past #4 by Jamie Ribisi-Braley

JRB: Part of the work will be made with encaustic paint, which I've been using as my primary medium of choice lately (because it's REALLY addicting!) Encaustic preserves and encapsulates what you put inside of it and, because of that, I thought it really lent itself well to my idea. There's a long way to go before realizing the project but it all starts right now with the collection of the stories....which may very well prove to be my favorite part!

Rainbow Party Pack Handmade Encaustic Wax Paint set of 9 Made by Jamie Ribisi-Braley

By the way, Jamie makes her own encaustic medium, which she uses in her art & also sells on etsy. Click the above photo for more info.

So, Doesn't that like a cool project? How about giving Jamie a hand & send an email to jamieribisi {at} gmail.com with your story & photo. I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with, aren't you?

Want to find out more about Jamie's world & art? Check out these links:

http://jamieribisi.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jamieribisi
http://jamieribisi.blogspot.com
http://sweetlandretreat.com

Weekly Inspiration - My fellow Melange Team members

I have the good fortune to be a member of the Melange Team on Etsy. This is a wonderful group of talented mixed Media artists who help each other in so many ways. They inspire me to try new materials & techniques. And to jump in and say "yes" when faced with something new. Here is a new slide show of some members' artwork. (Special Thanks to Glenda Bailey of TwoCoolTexans for making this presentation)

Every day Melange members can be found sharing ideas on various Etsy forum threads. And on Wednesdays there is a new art challenge posted to the MelangeOnEtsy blog. Basically there is always something new going on to get the arty juices flowing.

I recently had some good fortune & decided to share it with my fellow team members. 2 months ago I hosted a random drawing of 250 custom printed greeting cards from DigitalRoom.com on my blog. Well, that generous sponsor then gave me the same prize as a "thank you."

I decided to print up some cards to promote the Melange Team & its amazingly talented members. They came in last week & I am really happy with the way they came out. Colors are bright, they have a glossy finish & are printed on a nice stiff cardstock. Thank You Digital Room!


If you are a Melange Team member, click on the card photo. It will take you to the Melange blog post where you can sign up to receive some of these cards. This is for Melange on Etsy team members only.


Also, Maternal Spark has been running a series on creativity this past week, 7 Steps to Opening the Door to your Artist Within. I don't know that I agree with all of the suggestions but the series provided some thought provoking ideas. Worth checking out if you have a few minutes.

Final Note - I'm hosting 2 Giveaways right now, click through for details:

Random Drawing for a Teresa Chipperfield Spring Blossoms art print (ends 10/15)

Custom Printed Vinyl Banner with grommets from Uprinting.com (ends 10/22)

Monday Music, Maps, Muses & A New Etsy traveling journal

Bleh - that's a mouthful. Need more coffee....must articulate... while I stumble to the kitchen, click the button & go visit Diane over at GoodMourningGlory, okay?

Ahhh...that's better. Here's some of my wake-up-it's-Monday-already?! music. I've posted these guys before but they do get me off & running. 1st some L'arc en ciel. followed by The Seatbelts....

Mixed Media Monday's Prompt is MAPS today - what fun! Don't think I'll get a chance to play but go check out what everyone else is up or add your own take on this fabulous art challenge.

Other Muses today include Maternal Spark's Weekly Inspiration - This week's feature is 7 Steps To Opening The Door To Your Artist Within by Whitney Ferré (author of the book - The Artist Within: A Guide To Becomming Creatively Fit).

The Next Muse is a doozy - Do you have a shop on etsy? Yes. Do you like to create? Yes. Do you have some free time? Heck No! We'll 2 out of 3 isn't bad! Check out this cool project I heard about in the etsy forums....The Etsy Collaborative Traveling Art Project!

Now, this project involves journaling and I don't journal. My feeble attempts have always devolved to do lists which have then been lost. I also haven't done anything collaborative in a very long time. But I love playing outside my comfort zone so I answered this CALL TO ARTISTS.

Then I contacted the person behind the idea, Heather of Decadence Designs on etsy:

So, Heather, what can you tell us about this collaborative art project?

Heather: For this project, four handmade blank journals are traveling the world by mail, each visiting 25 different participants. Each participant will have a week to fill a two-page spread in the journal with any artistic expression he or she chooses before mailing it to the next person. Spreads may include painting, writing, drawing, collage, poetry, photography, lyrics or any other creative technique.

Participants have no limitations on what they can create on their spread, but may not interfere with anyone else’s artwork. The public can watch the project evolve via scans and photos of each person’s work posted at the Etsy Journal blog.

The result will be four books filled with the creativity of 100 people. The goal is to create a collaborative art project that belongs to no one and everyone at the same time. The completed journals will become part of the Etsylabs Library in Brooklyn, NY.

Please Note: This project is named the Etsy Collaborative Traveling Art Project simply because all of the participants are Etsians and is not an Etsy sponsored project.

Are you still putting out a Call to Artists? And what are the requirements to participate?

Heather: Yes, we are still looking for artists! :) We have at least 50 more spots! Yes, all participants must have an Etsy shop name, even if they are just a seller.

How can anyone interested sign up?

Heather: To sign up, please email the following to me at EtsyJournal@gmail.com - Your Name, Mailing Address, Etsy Shop Name.

How many have signed up so far?

Heather: I have 3 books of 25 artists already signed up. I do have 1 book with 50 slots still open. I am also looking for other interested coptic book makers to donate books to this project. Please contact me at the above email address if you are interested in making & donating a book :)

What prompted you to pursue this project? What are your goals & hopes for it?

Heather: I was originally inspired by the Postsecret project. The art is so amazing, personal and unique! I didn't want the artists to share a secret, just their amazing art :) I also liked the idea of a traveling group project :) We have so many talented artists on Etsy!

I see your blog link (& flicker) are dated 2007. Was this a similar project?

Heather: This was the original leg of the project. Sadly, it never finished. All 4 books became lost, some in transit, others just MIA. One was lost somewhere in Israel, probably in customs. This time around, all participants are *required* to send the book Priority (or International Priority) so that I always have a tracking number. It is harder to lose the package that way :)

Where can someone find the Participation Rules?

Heather: All of the info can either be found on the Yahoo group page or on this forum thread. Basically, each participant gets 2 page spread. Use only the pages assigned to you. No materials thicker than 1/8 of an inch, please. Scan and email your finished pages. Then ship the book via Priority mail to the next participant & email the tracking number to me

Many thanks Heather! This sounds like a fun activity & I'm looking forward to taking my turn at the book :D

So, Etsy Artists, are you interested? Have more questions? Here's a list of the misc. project links:

Traveling Art Journal - Etsy Forum
Etsy Journal Blog
Etsy Journal Flicker
Etsy Journal Yahoo Group

Heather's Info:
DecadenceDesigns shop
Decadence Designs blog
EtsyJournal@gmail.com

Thanks for your patience with my rambling post today. To go off topic 1 more time, I'm still taking entries for 2 random drawings - click links for info:

Original Mixed Media Drawing Gazelle by Cara Walz (ends 10/8)
Custom printed vinyl banner with grommets by Uprinting (ends 10/22)

Musical Monday's Muse - Heartbreak PLUS Mixed Media Monday

Dang, That is a lot of Ms today!

Good Monday too you! Not trying to bring anybody down but Musical Monday's theme this week is Heartbreaker. Click the button to hear some more woeful tunes or add 1 of your own.

Got a workmate who is just too darn chipper for a Monday? Send them the link too ;-)

Worn Out

I notice that Maternal Spark is sporting a new look this week - very snazzy. Click through to find Monday's Muse, where the question is always "What's inspiring you this week?"

Originally I had a long fussy post about my Etsy Inventory Angst - toomuchstufftoadd&itisallsodifferentsowheretoputit - Blech!

But then I saw that Mixed Media Monday challenge today is Round , which is so much more fun than my whinging! So here's mine.

3rd Eye Mixed Media Pendant

If you hold pendant up to your eye this is the view

Clicking on the either photo will take you to the pendant's Etsy listing . There you'll find photos from other angles & more info about the piece.

To see more cool circles or to add your own just visit the comments section of today's Mixed Media Monday post.

Also, if you'd like to enter this Thursday's Giveaway, just leave a comment. 1 random winner gets a package of craft supplies. Click HERE for list & photo of prize.

Musical Monday's Muse - wiggle & no

Butterfly/faerie tag front & back

Good Mourning Glory is adding prompts to Musical Monday. Today is "Makes Ya Wanna Dance"

Click the button above to hear what's got folks moving this Monday. Then add your own tune.

I've gotta go with Jaan Pehechaan Ho - always gets me wiggling, especially with the video.

Each Week, Maternal Spark asks what's your muse?
Today I'm going with "No".

In order to get more done, I've got to commit to less....kind of sounds weird but is too true. Instead of trying to keep up with the hectic pace that evolved this summer, I spent the last week saying "Sorry, no thank you" a lot. It was hard at 1st but I think it will be worth it.

I fear that the Muse gets even more annoyed with playing catch up than I do. Hope to knock out a few more overdue commitments (some fun, some not). Then reevaluate how I am using my time. For instance how useful is it to google saying "No in over 520 languages" ?

Hopefully then I'll clean the studio (for real this time!!!). It used to look like a bomb dropped. Now it looks like the border dwellers built their post-apocalyptic city on top of the rubble.... and then another bomb dropped.

In the meantime, here are some more tags for Queen Bee's swap. They were tea died and stamped (the text & butterfly outline stamps are from Judikins). And then watercolor pencils & ink were added.

yet another tag front & back

Hope to finish the last 2 tags tonight. But before that I need to go hike Mount Laundry, put away about a bazillion toy trains & reclaim the vacuum from the cobwebs......

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By the way, there are 3 random drawings happening here this week:

To enter the 1st, just leave any comment on this blog before noon (EST) on 9/10.
1 piece customized jewelry from Etsy seller Jewelry By Solange

For the next 2 leave a comment stating how you would use each prize if you win.
500 custom business cards to 2 winners - ends 9/10

&

A 24" square custom wall sticker to 2 winners - ends 9/13

Music, Muse & Melange Transfer Challenge

It's Mmm..mmm..mmm...mmmonday!

Which M first? Musical Monday is the easiest place to start. Listening to Yusuf today while cobbling together my notes on tape & tile image transfers (see below). For more music & to share to your own tunes, click the MM button.

At Maternal Spark today, Monday's Muse wants to know - What is inspiring you this week?

My answer starts with yet another M - the Melange Blog Make a Transfer Challenge.

There are many ways to transfer an existing image from 1 place to another. Anything goes in this challenge - use printers, glass, fabric, paper, magazines, whatever. Here is the original post listing the (non) rules.

I decided to try something easy & went with a packing tape transfer. I used the contact paper transfer listed in Claudine Hellmuth's book Collage Discovery Workshop as a guide. I recommend this book, by the way - I have yet to try most of the techniques. But it is very easy to follow with great pictures and clear directions.

So here's what happened. Please note, I used the products I had on hand. Similar products by other brands should do the trick too.

I started with an original image that was laser printed onto basic copy paper over 2 years ago. (Yeah, I have some pack-rat issues). I popped the image a bit with colored pencils.

I taped over the image with clear packing tape & burnished with a bone folder.

More rubbing to make sure there are no air bubbles.

Soaked in water for several minutes.

Immediately, the piece curled up & kept sticking out of the water. I added more water & poked it a few times until it stayed submerged.

After 5-10 minutes I started gently rubbing off the wet paper. The ink stayed on the tape.

Still rubbing. Took a while to remove the last furry bits of paper that were only visible once dry. I just kept wetting & rubbing.

Here is the tape sticky side up. I was surprised it was still sticky after all the soaking.

Claudine Hellmuth adheres her transparent transfer to an altered playing card. I decided while my tranfer dried to use a white marble tile. Stamped the tile with this cool architectural stamp from Judikins. Pigment inks were used so that the line would soften a bit when sprayed with Krylon before the ink was completely dry (Figured this out while working on my last box)

Then I went in with a touch of color pencils & sprayed the tile with a Krylon Clear glossy finish.

After trimming the tape's edges, I glued it down with Liquitex gloss medium & varnish. I scraped across the tape's surface with the edge of my glue brush to remove air bubbles. An old credit card would work well too.

The contrasting finish was awkward (tape was too shiny), so I went over the whole piece with the gloss medium which I dry brushed again before it set. The faint texture of the brush strokes seems to bring it all together. You only see the strokes at certain angles. Viewed from the front, it has a uniform glossy finish. Now all is needs is some hanging hardware glued to the back.

Overall, this was a quick & easy process. A lot of fun too. If you give it a try, I'd love to see what you make. I have read though that you must start with a laser print or photocopy. Not an inkjet print, as the water will make the ink run.

To see more Image Transfer Techniques visit the Melange Blog. The comments on this Melange post have links to people's transfers. If you look over the past week's posts while you are there, You'll find several tutorials posted that show just how easy & fun image transfers can be

Musical Monday's Muse

Good Monday! How goes it? Been shaking off the last summer head cold this weekend. Spent most of Sunday reading, sleeping, sneezing & watching Mushi-shi. Got hooked on the opening theme song by Ally Kerr so here it is for Musical Monday:

If you have some time today, Click the Musical M. button & visit Diane at Good Mourning Glory. She's featuring the too-cool Djordje Stijepovic today. Then grab a button share your favorite sounds!

Over at Maternal Spark, the talk today is about solving problems. My Pigsty (formerly known as studio) is one of my biggest obstacles lately. It is so messy that even when I get an idea it takes so long to locate what I need that there is almost no point. I'm praying that once the little guy starts Kindergarten next week, I can bite the bullet & make some order out of chaos. Unfortunately there are so many home & work things awaiting my attention...... sigh.... Some how I'll tackle it all

Gotta run. Hope you are off to a great week!

Oh, and if you are interested in entering Thursday's Random Drawing for a $10 Michaels Gift Card just leave a comment before noon (EST) 8/20. For contest details & store locator link CLICK HERE

Musical Monday's Muse - Pay It Forward

If you've got the time, click the button & play along. It'll teleport you over to Good Mourning Glory for more Musical Monday goodness. If you're having a manic Monday, open this tune & enjoy a mellow minute or 3.

Over at Maternal Spark, their asking What inspires you this week?

I'm going with PIF's this week... Without going into details, someone gave me a hand today and asked me to pay it forward. Today, I've got this totally free ACEO, Reflection, in my etsy shop, ArtSnark. 1st come 1st serve:

Reflection ACEO

Check back for more freebies this week, I'll have something going on each day. And don't forget to enter Thursday's Giveaway. Just leave a comment on this blog before noon (EST) 8/13 to be entered in this Thursday's random drawing. Click HERE to see the week's prize, Alice With Tulips (a piece of original art). Drawing is open worldwide with free shipping.