Creative process - think small? - What is yours!

Happy Friday Everyone!

I was asked recently what my creative process is and I drew a big fat blank! I had never thought about it.  - please share your tips/process in the comment section below :-)

In a nutshell I think small - I know right?! We are suppose to think big! - I dream big, but as my Dad so wisely told me when I was WAY ahead of myself over a decade ago, is to take one step at a time. I/you can be so much more effective breaking things down into small manageable steps - Thanks so much Dad. I remind myself of this a lot :-)

I like it best when I wiggle into the creative side of work. (Really, I think it all has creative aspects :-) below are a few of the steps I take each day.

Exercise

I am not sure some of you would consider this part of a creative process, but for me, I need it.
I exercise pretty much every week day. If first thing in the morning, it wakes me up! OR, sometimes I will work out around the lunch hour to get me off the computer and out of my office. For me it clears out the cob webs. I will check emails on my phone while at the gym and trash a bunch that do not need my attention.

To do list

I keep a calendar of meetings, deadlines etc. and have a running to do list. Some think this isn't creative, but it saves me. I like to knock off my top 3 or so 'must do first' items each day (usually for graphic design clients) plus work on the social media for the day. Social media ranges from just an image post to the sites I am on, to writing/setting up blog posts. If time allows, I do pop in and comment/respond to people on social media through out the day.

Plate is clear

For some reason I have to clear off stuff before I can settle in and work on my current art collection. I prefer it to be quite - no people coming in my office. But I do listen to all kinds of talk radio & music. The music choices really vary: Fleetwood Mac 60's - 70's, Adel, and Baroque Classical music to name a few. Typically I am painting, setting up mocks, designing patterns and that kind of stuff in the afternoon, Break for dinner, and then usually back to it until about 10:00 pm. -- do it again tomorrow :-)

A Few Last Thoughts

Not every day is the same - but this is the schedule for most days of the month. I do have a standing date each week to have lunch with favorite son of mine and dinner with favorite daughter :-) We do family dinner night every Friday.

Don't feel you should be this scheduled. I personally like it and don't need to wait until "inspiration" hits me to paint etc. I schedule it and show up to do it. As ideas pop into my head through out the day, I jot them down in a notebook.

My office studio is typically cluttered. I used to fight it and pick up more often until I realized I am very visual. Out of site is literally out of mind! - These photos are from 2013 when I did a blog post on my studio/office - not much has changed other than some equipment updates - and the Christmas tree has been put away. Most of the art on the walls my adult kids did when they were in school.

 

 

Do we have similar approaches? Completely different? Can't wait to hear about you :-D

When is it Best to be Yourself?

A peak into what has been coming my way lately

Happy Friday Creative Peeps! I have found myself saying lately to my (adult) kids and a couple of artists I chat with, "just be yourself".

Don't think that just cuz I am writing about this I have 'being myself' mastered. I certainly worried about it when I was younger! (I am 51 this Saturday - YAY!). — Thoughts like: Will they like me, will they like what I created... You know what, maybe not, but that is Okay! Here is why I think being yourself is the BEST way to go:

• Who you are is going to eventually leak out anyway. You want to be yourself so that you can team up with people/clients/etc. that are a good fit for you! If you are not yourself, the odds go way up of the relationship/business deal/etc. not working out.

• Dang, it is just easier to be yourself! - I think you get trying to be someone or something your not takes a WHOLE lot more energy.

• If you like who you are (and the art you create). So will plenty of other people! You just can't be the only person on the planet who likes the things you do.

Now, I am NOT saying to be inflexible. If you are creating art to sell (in a gallery, on a product...). The person selling/buying the art knows what they want (and what is selling for them). As the relationship builds - they will be open to your ideas. Give it time and let trust develop. Put yourself in their shoes. You both want to make money off of your art :-)

Question: do you like this "Ask Ann Landers" kind of post? I like being reminded of things now an then, especially when I am worried/over thinking things.

Now go be your creative fabulous self!

Looking forward to all your comments! Thanks for stopping by.

8 Useful Sites for Art and Creating

Happy Friday Creative Peeps!

I have come across more useful websites that I thought you might be interested in. Let me know what you think AND if you know of any other great sites!  - thanks :-) More on my Useful Stuff blog page.

http://www.morguefile.com/ FREE reference images. I would contact the photographer if you are going to use the photo, give them credit etc. Read more here: http://www.morguefile.com/about

http://artistsnetwork.tv Art Workshops - I know of several artist who like the workshops - I have not taken one - have you?

http://artjournalist.com/ LOTS of prompts for art journaling. You may get inspiration for a new art collection here! Chelle did a FREE year-long Art Journal Workshop for 2014. I have emailed her to see if she will do it again this coming year (2015). It would be good for both ideas and art practice. —don't miss the Holiday Idea Prompts.

http://design-seeds.com/ Color palettes. I think many of you know about this one - but just to be safe I am listing it. AWESOME color palettes! 


 

http://paletton.com Create a color palette here - I really like it for monochromatics.

The Painting Ideas Machine - nuff said :-) http://painting.about.com/od/inspiration/l/bl-Painting-Ideas-Machine.htm

MAKING A MARK - BLOG:
I particularly like this art business resources page.

 http://makingamark.blogspot.com/p/art-business.html

http://www.posemaniacs.com/ - I Love that is is free and more life like than my little wooden mannequin

Let me know of any site that you really like! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.

Artist Spotlight - Jo Lynch

I started following Jo on Twitter in 2009 :-) Her images and technique are stunning!

Tell us a bit about yourself: Did you go to school for art? Are you self taught?
I have always loved drawing, but I did not work with it consistently until the early 90's.
It began then as so many things do, with a simple watercolor class one morning a week at an old school building. It grew quickly from there to a real love for the medium of watercolor.  Since that first watercolor class, I have worked with watercolor, and taken numerous workshops internationally in France, Holland, and Bermuda, as well as up and down the East Coast of the U.S. I have taken drawing & painting classes at Anne Arundel Community College, in The Maryland Hall School of Arts, The Casements in Florida, & various other institutions.  The classes I have taken have always been just a day or so, or week long workshops, and a few drawing classes that were a few months long, so I’m a mix of self-taught and everything I’ve learned from the various workshops and classes I took along the way.  I never went to “Art School”. 

What inspires you / where do you get inspiration from?
My inspiration comes from various places.  Some of my inspiration comes from my own wide collection of photos. Sometimes a trip to Blue Springs where the Manatees live in winter, or a trip to the zoo, or beach will fill me with inspiration.  Occasionally I’ll see a face that draws me in, a face with strong lines. Mainly I paint animals because I love them, and they make me happy. I can paint almost any subject matter in my “Whimzicals” style though, such as buildings, people, faces etc.  I like to find things that have a shape that appeals to me.  Inspiration comes in many shapes. :)

Do you work in just one medium? Several?
I work mainly in watercolor as it is by far and away my favorite medium.  I love it’s translucency, the beauty of the colors and they way they blend and mix together during a painting.  They are almost jewel-like when they are still wet.  The other mediums that I enjoy are pencil, colored pencil, and pen & ink. 

What are you working on now?
Currently I am working with a copper company overseas, and together we have created a line of “Whimzicals” copper jewelry.  It took us about 6 months of working together to get the designs sized so that they would fit on the small space of an earring, necklace or bracelet, and still remain recognizable.  They can be found at the link at the bottom of this interview.  Also at this time of year, my mind turns toward the holiday season, and I will paint a few holiday animals....and lastly I am always painting something, so the paint and paper call to me everyday, simply because I love watching the colors emerge on the paper. 

Anything else you want to tell everyone?
I consider my technique loose, which to me, means I prefer not to paint everything I see, but to give a loose interpretation.  I also love design and shapes.  I think I have a feel for design, rhythm and balance.  I love making shapes, thus the “Whimzicals”(tm) were born.  Prior to 2006, when I began thinking in design and shapes, I was a traditional plein air painter, painting on location wherever I was.  A sample of my art prior to the Whimzicals style can be seen on my website, under the Galleries page.   I also enjoy working digitally with my work, and I’ve learned how to separate each design from any background it may have, thus I am able to create a variety of uses for a single design.

Are you an early riser? or night owl?
Early .... I work best from early morning until mid to late afternoon.  After that, it’s all downhill other than working on the computer. 

What is your favorite food?
Without a doubt, Ice cream  anytime and always. 

Main website:  http://whimzicals.com 
Email: whimzicals@cfl.rr.com  
Jewelry: http://etsy.com/shop/whimzicals
www.twitter.com/whimzicals
www.facebook.com/whimzicals
https://plus.google.com/u/0/105670883120818115394/posts

THANK YOU for stopping by my blog!

Do you want to be spotlighted? Send me an email: anntroe@cox.net

Make my day and follow this blog :-D

FREE Audio Series! Starts August 4, 2014

 

I just signed up! Did you?! If you want, we can group email chat about what we get out of it each week. 

 

This is kind of like Tara's Ask Calls - delivered to your inbox every Monday in August!

I really enjoy Tara's Ask Calls for two reasons. 1. I am listening to people who get artists! 2. I ALWAYS pick up wonderful nuggets of information :-)

Even if you have been in the business for quite awhile - hearing another person perspective can give you just the insight or idea that you needed. SO, I would appreciate it if you click the image above to sign up - It is FREE, I won't make any $$ from it. It does let Tara know you heard it from me which I really do appreciate!

Here is the gist of the audios that arrive in your inbox every Monday in August - more info on Tara's site CLICK HERE.

WEEK 1. The basics of art licensing

WEEK 2. How to "package" your art to appeal to licensees (the manufacturers and retailers who license art)

WEEK 3. How your beliefs and mindsets can support or sabotage your success

WEEK 4. Tips to let the right people know that you have art for licensing

I am interested in weeks 2 - 4. If you want to group email chat with me, leave your email in the comments below. OR if you are worried about spammers picking up your email, send it to me directly at anntroe@cox.net.

Looking forward to connecting with you!

Toot Your Horn - Pattern Parade

Get Noticed! - New Month Reminder

Hi Everybody. It is a new month. Send a pattern and I will post it here and link it to your blog or website. Be sure to send  the link along with your pattern :-)

Creativity Feels Like...

What Does Creativity Feel Like?

Some of my "non-art" friends ask me what creativity feels like. I am assuming that they think I am more creative than they are. Maybe, but I don't think so.

It is just when you are a dreamer - yep looking out your office window and just relaxed in the moment. You can be lost in a project and loose track of time. When I played sports, we referred to it as being in the zone. Creativity can be enthusiastic, or just one of those moments when an idea pops in your head while taking a shower.

Tell me how you describe creativity? Thanks! ~Annie