Merry Christmas!

Hat's off to a job well done!

Wishing everyone a wonderful & relaxing day!  Enjoy!

A visit with artist Meredith Dada - Part 2

Beaded Bird Ornament from MeredithDada.Etsy.com

Glad you could drop by! Today I'm visiting with "fourth generation crafter/artist" Meredith Dada of MeredithDada.Etsy.com. Last week she authored a thought provoking piece on Etsy titled  "Do The Work ....Stay out of the results."  

Her post about art, identity & social marketing is worth a read. It is mostly a conversation she had with another artist, David, who is pretty much off the social networking grid (no website, twitter, Facebook or even a cell phone). Meredith kindly allowed me to reprint her post here last week. If you missed it, go ahead & click through. I'll wait for you (insert humming of random Christmas carols here)...

... So, Reader, what do think about David's advice? Are you a "little fish"? Can you get out of your own way & just create? Do you even want to?

I was intrigued by both of these artists and invited Meredith to stop by for a visit today. Go ahead put your feet up by my imaginary fire while this talented soul shares  her thoughts and  colorful creations with us. Just let me get these cookies out of the oven and then we can settle in for a nice chat. (By the way all  photos are courtesy of the artist. For more info on the art, click the captions that mention Etsy to visit the listing.) 

Meredith, when did you first become interested in art?

MD: I was born into it really. My family is full of creative people, artists, and general crafty folks. Art has always been a part of everyday life for me. My mom is a very talented artist, known mostly for her pottery and ceramic work.

Meredith's Mom, artist/teacher Meg Johnson

MD: She was also an art teacher for most of my life. Her mother was also a talented artist and avid crafter. She too was an art teacher, she held weekly China painting classes out of her home studio for years. They were teaching me the art “basics” from the start. I was playing in clay by age two in my mom’s studio. I was oil painting at five years old in my Grandma’s studio.



Meredith's Dad, photographer David Johnson

 
MD: My dad has always been interested in photography and had a darkroom built next to my Mom’s art studio in the backyard. I was shooting pictures and developing in the darkroom in elementary school. Artistic expression in our family was pretty much mandatory. When I was little I just assumed everyone had an art studio/darkroom/woodshop in the backyard!

What are your favorite materials & why?

MD: Since I grew up surrounded by all types of art, I worked with everything I could get my hands on. I have always loved working with ceramics, sculpting, and throwing pottery. I also loved to draw and paint. About ten years ago I combined my love for ceramics and my love of painting into mosaic work. I was essentially “painting” with my own custom tiles and ceramic pieces.

I had this butterfly ready to mosaic, but I needed more color, more detail...then it hit me, BEADS!

MD: About six years ago my Grandmother passed away and I was given her big plastic bins full of craft supplies. One of those bins was full of beads and rhinestones. We used to stay up late and watch old movies while beading Christmas ornaments or ball gowns for my Barbie dolls. When I saw all of those jars of colorful glass beads, they reminded me of little jars of paint. I immediately started “bead mosaics”. Suddenly everything fell into place for me. My process now combines all of my favorite materials. I get to sculpt with clay, draw and paint my designs, and mosaic with beads and rhinestones. 

Blue Lotus Flower hand beaded dish at MeredithDada.etsy.com

  
Where do you find inspiration?

MD: I consider myself very lucky. I live in beautiful Ojai, California. I am surrounded by nature, I live just a few blocks from the base of the mountains and we have the best weather! Sometimes a nice long walk with my son gives me all the inspiration I need.

MD: Occasionally I will find a piece of jewelry or a charm that I love and I will design a piece around that one component. Sometimes I just see a particular bead color and I want to make something to showcase it. I keep a small sketchbook with me and the camera phone is such an awesome invention! I always have my artwork in the back of my mind and I try to look at everything around me with an artistic eye. 

Meredith & her art at Olive Hyde Art Gallery

MD: Recently I had a gallery show in the bay area. My husband and I used it as an excuse to take a little mini vacation in San Francisco. I find if my creative well is running dry, a change in environment breaks open my artist eye and I see things with a different perspective. We don’t live that far from San Francisco, and we have been there before. That said, I always try to find the “new” in things, so we decided to stay in Japantown, and look at a city we have visited before in a new way. I feel it is essential to one’s creative flow to avoid the ordinary and experience things outside of your routine whenever possible. So don’t be surprised if my future work has subtle Japanese elements in it!

Do you listen to anything while creating? If so, who is on your current playlist?

MD: Music plays such an important role in my creative process. Certain songs, a particular musician or band can have very strong emotional ties, how can it not affect how I create? If I handed you my MP3 player and you scrolled through my music collection, you would probably think I was a total schizophrenic! You would see Tom Petty, then The Shins, and random 80’s Madonna, The Beatles, and then Weezer. I am all over the place but if we are just talking about my current playlist you will defiantly see a lot of Dave Matthews (the hippy girl in me has loved him forever). There is a lot of Death Cab For Cutie, Band of Horses, Guster, Cake, She and Him, and The Morning Benders.

The Morning Benders - "All Day Day Light" from Jack Ferry on Vimeo.

That last band was one I had never heard of, but while in San Francisco we found out they were playing near our hotel, so we decided to check them out. Again, it is about thinking outside your usual bubble. The worst that can happen…you see a lame show. The best that can happen…you find new inspiration!

How long have you been selling your art?

MD: I have a picture on my flickr page of me selling my “art” during one of my parent’s backyard art shows when I was about five years old.

MD: However, if we are speaking technically, I started selling my mosaic work about eight years ago. Since most of my work was large pieces of furniture, I sold it on consignment in galleries. With the encouragement of a few friends I opened my Etsy shop in August of 2009 for my beadwork. I didn’t get up the courage to start listing and selling until this year. I wish I started sooner! 

What is your favorite piece in your shop right now?

MD: My favorite piece in the shop in the shop is “Motherhood” mommy and baby bird.

Motherhood beaded birds & copper beaded nest at MeredithDada.Etsy.com

MD: Becoming a mother has changed me completely, and I will never be the same person I was before my son came into my life. I feel honored and lucky to be his mom and having him inspired me to take my art to the next level. Being a stay-at-home-mom has allowed me to focus fully on being an artist and a mom. I feel like I poured all of my emotions about being a new mom into this piece, and it holds a special place in my heart. 

Meredith, thank you for stopping by today. And thanks for the invite to your studio on Sunday. I'll be there with jingle bells on.

Reader, will you join me?  If you've enjoyed this conversation, pop back here 12/26  for a  visit to Meredith's studio. She has also promised to share her favorite Etsy shops - plus some excellent advice from her grandfather that made her  think about the true meaning of success.  C'mon it will be fun....I'll even bake more virtual cookies. What's your favorite?

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Before you go - have you entered the 12/30 random drawing for a 100 piece art supply set? Leave a comment on this blog before then & you are entered. Besides the visiting artists always enjoy your feedback. Want more info on the prize? Then click here.

Michael DeMeng online class starts 1/11/11

A few years ago I was in an art-book group. We would pick a book, read a chapter, create something & then share our pieces. We had a lot of fun with Michael DeMeng's Secrets of Rusty Things, a fabulous book by the way - great projects but also an entertaining read.

 

Secrets of Rusty Things: Transforming Found Objects into Art

Last week I sold a piece that I'd made for that group on the same day I heard about DeMeng's Art Lab, a series of online workshops. 

If I Were A King funky flower vase - Sold

The first  topic, Color Washes, begins January 11th.  I'm a big fan of this artist's palette. Many of his pieces have a wonderful recently-excavated feel... but with an otherworldy twist, like relics from Atlantis. I also need a creative kick in the pants now & then. So this sounded like the perfect place to spend my new found wealth.

 

Registration is still open. Find details at MichaelDeMeng.blogspot.com. While you are there, be sure to have a look around. It is one of my favorite blogs featuring lots of cool art  - plus great posts on some of my favorite topics like alchemy, Golems, Faust and many other goodies.

Want to save a few bucks on the Color Washes workshop? Become a member of CreativeSouls on ning and then register through their link: http://creativesouls.ning.com/forum/topics/michael-demeng-online-class .  Creative Souls members who use that link pay $35.95 instead of $39.95 for the class.  If you are already a member, just follow the link. 

Not yet a member of Creative Souls? Come out & play with us! Just visit CreativeSouls.ning.com & sign up. It is a cool meeting place for all sorts of imaginative folks. There is all kinds of  entertaining stuff going on over there - from copyright free vintage images to digital  art  discussions, marketing advice to contests & everything in between.

Founded by the wonderful artist Izabella, Creative Souls is "A diverse gathering of creative souls, a place to help promote each other. Discover new & interesting people. ~ALL creative people welcome~". So c'mon. What'cha waiting for? Pop on by & see what is going on.

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Change of topic: If you are in this part of the blog-o-sphere tomorrow stop by for Part 2 of the interview with bead artist Meredith Dada. If you missed Part 1 click here.

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Have you entered the new random drawing? On 12/30 one lucky winner takes home a 100 pc art supplies set. Click here for details & photo of prize

Do The Work ....Stay out of the results.

A couple of weeks ago I was wandering around in the Etsy Forums when the command "Do The Work ....Stay out of the results" made me stop.  This eye-catching post from Etsy seller Meredith Dada is mainly her conversation with another artist about creating, identity & social marketing. It really clicked with some questions I've been mulling over about what it means to be an artist. It seems to have struck a lot of nerves; there are 37 pages of comments.

Meredith is a mixed media artist and self proclaimed "bead-a-holic." She comes from a family of crafters and artists. Always creative, she inherited her grandmother's bead collection years ago and then...  "Everything fell into place for me. I finally feel that I have combined  all of my favorite forms of artistic media into one process... My work has a meditative quality, since each bead is glued into place  one at a time. This process is my time to relax, and recharge. "

Dragonfly Dreams Handbeaded Bowl by Meredith Dada

Meredith will be popping by for visit in the next week or so. Please join us for a chat. We'll be talking about art and creativity, while enjoying photos of her colorful  pieces.  But for now here is her thought provoking forum post:

Do The Work ....Stay out of the results

Sales....Circles...Network....Tweet....Renew...Oh My!I am still  fairly new to this whole world of creating and selling said creations.  Don't get me wrong.I am having a great time learning how to run my  little shop, take photos, network, show in galleries, etc. I did feel a  bit overwhelmed yesterday, so I went to visit an artist friend of mine.  The business side of this process has really been a downer and I needed  David to cheer me up. He is a very successful ceramic artist, but kind  of  a hermit. I arrived at his home studio where he was already sipping  sangria at 10am and glazing a stunning sculpture piece. He is a shy man,  who works in his studio, gardens, goes for hikes, and has a very small  circle of friends. No website, no Twitter, no Facebook, no cell phone! I  pointed these facts out to him and asked him how he promotes himself  without these things, yet still has top galleries showing his work,  collectors, television features, and consistent sales. He pointed out to  me that he also has, a modest house, a used car, and a simple life.

David: "If I wanted to be rich, I made a poor career choice. I do my work, put it in a few places and let it be. It takes time."

Me:  "What if you don't want to be rich, but you want to be able to live and  do what you love, but there is so much competition out there. I feel  like such a small fish in this huge pond. I'm afraid I will never be  seen. I haven't even sold anything yet during this Christmas rush. I've  hardly sold anything period!"

David: "Do the work, stay out of the results"

Me: "What the heck does that mean?"

David:"  You are a small fish, deal with it. Just do your work, do it well and  with integrity. Do the work to please yourself and maybe the rest will  come, maybe not. Maybe you always drive a used car. Maybe you don't sell  and have to work two jobs, so what! You work just to sell...you kill  the spirit!"

Me: "But if I don't sell my work, I don't feel like I can call myself an artist."

David: "What would you say if I told you, You are not a woman?"

Me: "I would beg to differ."

David: " What would you say if I told you, You are not an artist?"

Me: "I would probably be hurt."

David:  "There is your problem! Fact...you are a woman, yes? To say different  would be laughable. You would laugh at my stupidity to say otherwise!  Yet I say you are not an artist and it hurts you because you don't  believe it is fact! If you don't believe how will anyone else believe?  You are too worried about results! Do the work little fish."

I poured myself a large glass of sangria. 

To see the original thread with oodles of comments, click here.   

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you make it back here next week for Meredith's visit. In the mean time check out her
blog meredithdada.blogspot.com 
twitter http://twitter.com/meredithdada
online shop www.meredithdada.etsy.com

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For Part 2 of my interview with Meredith Dada CLICK HERE

For Part 3 which includes a tour of her art studio CLICK HERE

Enter to win a 100 piece Art Set from Creatology

Feeling Lucky?

How would you like to get your creative juices flowing with this 100 pc Creatology Art Set ? 

It is promoted as a children's set but would provide hours of doodling pleasure for all ages. Set contains: 14 color pencils, 12 markers, 24 watercolor cakes, 1 plastic palette, 1 sketching pencil, 1 eraser, 1 plastic brush, 14 crayons, 12 mini oil pastels, 1 pencil sharpener, 18 drawing sheets of paper & 1 plastic storage case.

On 12/30 one winner will be randomly selected to receive this art supplies set.  This giveaway is open worldwide & prize ships free to winner.

To Enter: Simply leave a comment on this blog before 1 am (EST) on 12/30. Winner will be picked using random.org. If your contact info is not in your profile, please leave an email address in the comment.

Thanks for stopping by & good luck!

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Looking for the new artist feature? 

Prompted by Seth Apter's thought provoking questions in his recent Call For Entries I've been reevaluating my creative dreams and goals, what it means to "be an artist" & lots of other fun stuff. It seems like lots of other folks are too (maybe it is the time of year.). Later today I'm posting part 1 of a visit with a mixed media artist whose comments in the Etsy forum recently caught my attention. Click here for the new post.

The Luck Winner of Wishes Fishes print is.....

SeeminglyDomestic!

Congrats SeeminglyDomestic! I'll contact you today with instructions for claiming your fantastic prize.

Fishes Wishes by Kailey Lang

Many thanks to the talented Kailey Lang for donating this fantastic prize! By the way, this wonderful print & other fantastic creations are available in Kailey's online shop BumblebooHandmades.Etsy.com.

And thank you to all who left a comment & entered this great giveaway! Be sure to pop back later for info on the next random drawing, scheduled for Dec. 30.

You Tickle My Fancy

You Tickle My Fancy by Nancy Lefko

Isn't this a fun collage? I was, ehem, helping Santa & looking for cool stuff on Etsy when this charming gentleman offered to carry my bags. Next thing I know, he's taken up residence on my wall-o-other-people's-great-art. 

An Odd Variety by Nancy Lefko

He fits in nicely but is causing a bit of a stir with the ladies.

Cocktail Party Fairy by Nancy Lefko

Hmm... 

I'll have have to keep an eye on those 2...or maybe he has a brother?

I am thrilled to own these original collages by the talented Nancy Lefko, but you can still pick up a print of An Odd Variety by clicking here. If you've not visited this artist's fun online shop, CollageArtGirl.Etsy.com,  pop by for a few minutes. She has a wonderful collection of original collages and prints in a variety of sizes. Most feature vintage portraits and all are really well priced.  These lovely ladies are easy on the eyes & budget!

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Ooh - I almost forgot - It is your last chance to enter the 12/16 random drawing for a print of Kailey Lang's Fishes Wishes. Leave a comment on this blog before 1 a.m. (EST) on 12/16 & you will be included in the drawing. For more about the artist & to see the prize, click here.