The busy life

I am pushing on lots of fronts right now:

Writing.... articles, poems, stories
Photographing.... friends, family, life
Making.... cards, books, an altered shadow box thingy
Watching..... There will be blood, The Hottest State, Elizabeth the Golden Age, Helvetica
Schooling.... Matthew, Lily, Laura, Annie (sometimes)
Listening.... Glen Hansard, Anuna, Ray lamontagne, Eivor Palsdottir, Sigur Ros

among other things

I am zig zagging over it all, staying up so late. My days fast and busy and beautiful.

Check out my daily photos. Feel free to email me if you want to say hello! shonacole@aol.com

A Professional Artist Moment

In the latest Somerset Studio Quinn McDonald asks the question ‘What makes you a professional artist?”. “Is it the day you register your business…. Or the day you sell your first piece?”. Then she goes on to write very poetically “You are a professional on the day you admit you create art because art is important, because art speaks for those who can’t, because art defines a culture and a time in history.”

Well, last night I had my ‘Ok, I am a pro artist’ moment, but it wasn’t very poetic at all!

In my capacity as an artist on Call for Stampington & Co. I get to choose a few stamps from their latest stamp lines to make projects for the Inspirations magazine.

Professional brownie point #1: I was sent some stamps that arrived March 3 and required to make 10 pieces (with ‘how to’ write ups) and have them back to Stampington by March 10. Now that is a tight turn around! I conferred with some of the other AOC’s and we decided to make it happen and not ask for a deadline extension! I got my 10 in the mail tonight. Yeah!

Professional brownie point #2: I have to use the stamp line regardless of my style. The stamps we got this week are fun, whimsical and vintage. Not at all my preferred style. However, the deadline loomed and I got to work. Once I started working I found some great ways to use the stamps to express my vision!

So I decided, yep, this is me, a pro! Working to a deadline creating art for someone else. And enjoying every minute.

Oh, by the way I have a handmade book in the Inspirations section of Somerset Studio March/April 2008. If you look closely you will see a couple of verses of a poem I wrote to go with the stamps and photos. Poetry... photography... paint... stamps... my idea of art!

My kind of music

These songs are from the movie Once, which is set in my hometown of Dublin, Ireland. They are sung by the movies actors here, folks who are real musicians.

This is the kind of music I listen to when I create! Music that is beautiful, touching, music that makes me stop and close my eyes and want to write or paint to match.

Take a few minutes and listen!

My table is clean

I just finished up my biggest Artist On Call order for the summer publication of Inspirations. I mailed off a box with more than 3o pieces, all labeled and bubble wrapped. Phew! It was a lot of work, but I loved doing every single piece. The challenge of being given stamps or products that I would not have chosen myself and finding a way to create something, magazine worthy, is simply wonderful.

I am excited to see what the other AOC's do with the same tools and to see what Stampington choose to publish of mine. Even though I have been published a bunch in various Stampington magazines I still get nervous when sending something off. I worry will they like it, is it up to par, am I cutting any edges or merely repeating what I have done before. Either way, this is what I am working on and these images are a little sneak peak!

In case you wonder, all the stamps you see here are Stampington & Co. stamps:
Wrought Scroll
Ledger Flourish
Elegant Butterfly
Blooming Contessa
Polka Dot Heart
bird from Clearly Impressed 'Bird Sanctuary'
butterfly from Clearly Impressed 'Rock and Roll'
poppy pods from Clearly Impressed 'Fresh Flower Elements'
script from Collage Cube

altered pegs

My work is roaming around the pages of Somerset. In the Jan/Feb issue I am in the Inspirations section and on the Last Page. In previous issues I have been in With One Stamp, With One color, Expressions, Workshop. Where next?

This is a really pretty issue as usual. You have to hand it to Somerset! When I get it I read it cover to cover, even the ads and the small print 'how to' section at the back. I have learned so many techniques from these pages. Over the years I have come to 'know' many art bloggers who are in this magazine. It is now fun to open the magazine and see who is doing what. Susan Tuttle, Kristen Robinson, Lisa Guerin, Audrey Hernandez and Tricia Scott all have blogs I visit and are in this issue. It is like a gathering of friends.

Published

Another 'what I was published in' post! Firstly, Somerset Nov/Dec 2007 in the Artist on Call section. Secondly, in Stampington's newest publication Life Images, which hit newsstands Jan 1. It is an amazing and inspiring magazine, I am so delighted to be included!

I apologize that this site has become a dumping ground for announcing my achievements and I have not been posting about the art I am making or about living an artful life. I like to write, but I have found that I enjoy writing articles & poetry, writing that takes days and needs reworking and revision, better than free blogging type journaling. My personal journaling is a mess, and just not pretty enough to be seen. Also, I am spending so much time with my home schooling and photography (& photography blogging) and making art and writing that I am just not taking the time to hone down what I want to share here.

You may have noticed, I have taken down my comments here. I want to post here without worrying about how many comments I receive (or don't receive). It is not that I don't want community or communication with you, but the comment forum has been a magnet for my mind that has at times, shadowed my focus purely on my art. If you want to contact me, please do so at Shonacole@aol.com.

some great stamps

One of the perks of being an AOC for Stampington is that they send me stamps to use. I have lots of them that are wonderful and fit in with all I make, but my absolute favorite is the Clearly Impressed collection by Michelle Ward, Swirls. (and no I don't get a commission on these :), nor am I required to talk up Stampington stuff... I mention them only 'cause Stampington stuff ROCKS!)

I used them in decorating this little handmade book. I am working on projects right now that combine my own words, photos and paint. These swirls have just the right arty whimsical look I was going for.

Dance

Many of the folks that read my blog have children so I thought that you would appreciate these videos:

Behold! The joy and freedom of my 3 year old spontaneously dancing to Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. (try to ignore my voice telling my son off, the random kids moving in and out of frame and the dark room, we have no natural light in the living room :)





And now for a different mood. This is my 5 year old dancing to my favorite Tchaikovsky music 'Nocturne in C Sharp Minor' with her homemade flower tiara, on a darkened 'stage' with a spotlight (handheld torch) thanks to her big brother.

Indie Arts DVD magazine

I recently viewed an hour long tour of Stampington on a DVD magazine called Indie Arts. It was amazing!

I have long been a Stampington fan (it was Somerset Studio that introduced me back into the arts after many creatively blank years) and have wondered what the place looks like, what happens my art when it goes there, what the folks look like, sound like and all that. I was blown away watching this DVD that explained all that!

You get to hear the founder & publisher, who is a major visionary, Kellene Giloff explain where the magazine started and where it is going in the future. You hear from Editor-in-chief Jenny Doh, who is so wonderful to work for and who has an amazing energy and drive. You hear from Jana Holstein and Amanda Nolan and more. You get to see them sort, choose, arrange and photograph art work for Somerset Studio. It is a must see for all Somerset fans!


Check out this project of mine. It was sent out by email today for the new Stampington & Co. Creative Impulse weekly email. This project, the 2 sided Desk Poem will be located in "The Studio' on their web page which is dedicated to projects made by products they sell in their online store. Stampington are really stepping up their game with all the new publications and now this email program. Gotta admire their ambition!

October check up

I have been busy with homeschooling and art I have not had time to blog. So much goes through my mind about art in a day but I either talk to Shannon or Mark about it or I am just busy doing it. I have little time to reflect and journal. I am still doing my photo a day, so that takes up much of my self allotted blogging time. My art life is trucking along happily and productively.

I am meeting deadlines for Stampington; AOC work and most recently for their 'Project of the Week' slot on their new 'Creative Impulse' e-newsletter. Also, our church is putting on an art show at the end of the month, I am helping in the coordination of it. I foresee that I will be even busier as that approaches. I have all my art done and ready for it, the deadline was October 7, I have submitted 10 pieces, both mixed media and photography.

I have been published twice this month. Once in Sew Somerset and then in Somerset Memories Aug/Sept. In the latter, there are 7 pages of my art work - a 6 page article and then a one page in the gallery!! I feel the article is my best to date, next to the one in Somerset Home Vol II. My friend Shannon Mucha is also in these magazines, we are on the same page in both! How cool is that!

(I, I, I, I..... not a good style of post, but I can hardly see outside my house at the moment, Hello! tell me what you are doing :)

The next Somerset Studio theme

The deadline for the next Somerset Studio theme is October 12 and the theme is Le Chateau. So get creating!

All the stamps in this little piece are Michelle Ward designs sold by Stampington & Co. They are 'Clearly Impressed' stamps, which are transparent acrylic stamps without blocks. They come on a plastic sheet and when you want to use one you peel it off and stick them on either blank acrylic blocks, or, like I do, on the back of other stamps. They are stored on the plastic sheets, which is a great space saver.

and the winner is

Lily picked your name today, Tricia Scott. Email me your address and I will mail you your butterfly reminder. I hope you like it in person :)

For my other friends, this got me thinking I have other pieces that I will be giving away over in the future so stop back by. I have so much stuff here, why not give it away?

Artist On Call explained a little

The Artist On Call position for Stampington & Co. has recently been re-defined. Stampington & Co. sells art supplies and art stamps. The AOC position is designed to display mixed media work that is done using mainly Stampington products. To date much of the AOC work went in the formerly quarterly Inspirations magazine. Two changes are
1) Inspirations magazine will be annual (and includes a catalog of stamps they sell)
2) Somerset Studio and Stampers Sampler will now also include AOC artwork through out the year.

To me this is an exciting prospect. And challenging. While I am working on my next AOC deadline I have my eye on Somerset Studio's upcoming themes, the next one is Le Chateau (October 12) and I am working on a few ideas for that.

Last weekend I picked up a copy of the Stamper's Sampler to see what was in there (even an avid Stampington girl doesn't know all that is covered by the Stampington empire). I was excited to see a photo of my AOC boss, Christen Olivarez, who to date I had only really talked to via email. She is the Managing Editor of Stamper's Sampler.

There are a few other new AOCs. The new AOCs are not yet listed on Stampington's website, but two I know of are Lisa Bebi and Audrey Hernandez.

I have an October 1 deadline for my next Artist On Call work. I am going to be using some of these stamps by Lynne Perrella. Wish me luck :)

Give Away

In Somerset Home I did an article about what I called 'Butterfly Reminders'. I got on a roll making them a while back and have extras. I would like to give ones of these away to someone who would appreciate another bit of art around their house. It would be apt to give away the ones that reminds me to 'Give happily'.

If you are interested please leave a comment and I will do an out of the hat, bowl, basket or something pretty drawing Sept 1.

This piece is 3.5 x 7 inches. All are welcome to 'enter' old and new friends/bloggers!

Green Pepper Press Street Team

Michelle Ward, who is a frequent Somerset Studio artist, writer, designer and all around inspiration, has a fun blog which poses challenges or crusades each month. This months crusade is to add music to my blog.

Well some of you know my love for the music of Irish singer Jack L or Jack Lukeman. One of the highlights of my trip home to Ireland this year was to go see him playing. He was wonderful in person, what a performer he is! His voice just makes me melt, the deepness of it. I can't find any links to my favorite songs of his, but this one will do.

Somerset Home

Living artfully means to me having beautiful things around my home. Before we had kids my husband and I spent our weekends antique shopping (OK, old furniture bargain hunting). We have filled up our home with what we love. Now we only have space left to fill with small things, art and beautiful touches.

After reading the latest Somerset Home magazine I feel inspired to make more things that are beautiful for my home. Just finding the time is the issue! Somerset Home and Somerset Life combined have enough ideas to lat me years :)

I have an article in Somerset Home on p76, Butterfly Reminders, which I am pretty proud of. Somerset have included the first page of my spread in their online sneak peak, check it out here.

Back

Back in two ways - one) back from 5 weeks staying with my family in Ireland and two) back to my art blogging. In Ireland I had a chance to refocus and plan my art for the rest of the year.

I was reluctant to just post here 'this what I am working on' posts, the blogs I like to read go a little deeper and talk about life and artistic processes. But I have come to the realization that I am just not good at 'work it out in words' type journaling. I prefer to talk to my husband or good friends in person then write an essay or poem, something that takes me time to do. It would take me too long to compose daily posts that were meaningful and honest. So, by way of accountability I will post here what I am working on in my art in this space.

So, why would you take time to check out this blog if I am not posting the nitty gritty of an artful life? Well, I am now working as an Artist On Call for Stampington and Co., the publishers of Somerset Studio and Somerset Memories. So if you are interested in mixed media then you can check out here what projects I am working on for Somerset.

That said, you can check out my photoblog over at my My-Expressions site. There I am striving to capture the essence of my version of life and the beauty and craziness of childhood and motherhood through photography. This is something that I find easier to do than prose writing.

I am hoping to use my own photos and incorporating my poetry in my art work more. I used to write poems, but my constant self criticism and desire for perfection paralyzed my muse. I have been working on throwing off that burden and trusting what I write. I plan to post some of my poems with my photos in the coming weeks. So please stop by.

Taking a little break

I have lots going on with homeschooling, taking care of my house and my babies, 3 art projects for Somerset, learning photography, doing my photo a day blog, working on an art project with Shannon and Amy working on the plans for a new art ministry our church is starting. Something has to give. So I have decided to take a break from art blogging for a while. I will be back soon, I am sure I won't be able to keep away! I love checking on what my online art friends are up to... I have to say I have some blog addictions, and when I visit your site I find links to more and more cool blogs, there is a wonderful art community out there, but I find that it is taking more and more of my time. I feel that I have to focus on what is right in front of me for the coming weeks, so I am putting down my mouse, so to speak, for a little while :)
See you soon!

Photography

I have been so inspired by Michelle's beautiful photographs that I put it in my mind a few months ago that I want to learn how to take better photographs. So for my birthday I asked my husband for a new camera. Michelle let me know what she uses, camera and lens so that is what I got. A Canon Digital Rebel XTi.

This pic of Lily is one of my first efforts. Now the work begins. There is so much to learn I am a little overwhelmed. I don't have time to take a class so this will be another self taught venture.

The main thing I want to do with my camera is take photos of my kids. I know how blessed I am to have these children and I want to learn to capture not just how pretty they are but their growing character and personailty.

I am part of a samll group of folks from our church who take a photo a day. We each have a photo blog and visit each other daily to see what we captured that day. It is fun and it has been stretching me to 'see' my life and try to take photos that are true and somewhat interesting. I have of course tended to fall back into taking snapshots of my kids, it is hard to avoid that as they are the most interesting part of my life :). I am learning as I go.

We have just had a young man join our ranks who is a fabulous photographer, Andrew Rodgers. I am going to be learning lots from him as he has the same camera as me. So talented and only 18 years old! Check him out.