whimsical women #4

i'd like to apologize for the delay in this post...life has gotten in the way. but i am delighted to introduce you to october's whimsical woman:  kerri arista! i am committed to promoting all types of artists and this month we will meet an artist who has a talent i could only dream of possessing:  a gorgeous singing voice. (yes, i finally gave up my dream of joining the dixie chicks.) so without further ado...welcome kerri!

as i leave behind my old blog, the year of discovery, i'll ask for one thing you've discovered in the last year…

I’ve discovered, or I guess I should say rediscovered, that if I plant myself in a chair and put a guitar in my hands, I can write a song whether I’m “in the mood” or not. It may not be great, but I can create something that wasn’t there before. And if I just do that regularly, eventually, I’m able to find creations worthy of keeping, and sharing. I think that is true with any creative endeavor. Just do it. Often.

how do you bring fun into your life…anything you do regularly that makes you feel like a kid again?

I love going to the movies. More than just about anything I can think of. I have always loved going, as did my mom. I go by myself a lot, which I sometimes even prefer, because then I can pick any movie I want!

how do you maintain balance in your life (IF you do), between creative endeavors and the other parts of your life that need attention?

Well, I have sorta learned to be okay with NOT having balance at times. When moments- (or however long it lasts!) of creative inspiration strike, I try to let that take priority over just about everything else. Then I apologize later. :)

what does community mean to you? describe a community of which you're a part

People sometimes laugh when I say I’m introverted, (because they are confused on the meaning!) but I am! So I’m not really involved in many “group” or “community’ things. I have to say, I am so thankful to the blogging community out there! It was only about 6 months ago I started leaving comments on blogs that I visit. I use to be shy about commenting. But once I started getting comments from others on my own blog that were so meaningful to me, I realized it’s that back and forth that makes blogging so much fun. So now I comment- I want those bloggers to know I’m listening! And I want to be a part of the conversation.

what is the BEST costume you've ever worn?

Nothing comes to mind at all on this one. However, my brother who is in his mid-40s called me the other day to tell me he got the banana costume from Jamba Juice to wear for Halloween. We laughed and laughed. We hung up the phone, and within 5 minutes, he called me back to tell me he had just gotten his hands on the strawberry costume for me. So this year might be a big one for me!

if you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? and who would you take with you?

I’ve been wanting to go visit Europe- specifically Italy for years. Eventually, I will. My husband and our best friends, Allyson and Kevin are going with me.

tell us something about yourself that only a few people know…

Well, my sister once told me that if I ever died in a tornado she wouldn’t feel sad because she’d know I had died happy. And that’s probably true. I LOVE stormy weather. I am actually a little obsessed with weather. I love it when we’ve got a big change coming. The weather portion of the nightly news is the only thing I would even consider watching.

That’s another thing--- I really dislike the evening news. I’d much rather focus on the good stuff, and the news rarely does that.

and last, what's something you've been working on…or an upcoming project/event you want to share with us?

I’ve been working on, and just finished, my 3rd CD. It’s called “50 Different Ways”- I have participated now in an online challenge called “50 songs in 90 days”. This upcoming CD is 10 of the songs I wrote during that crunch time last year. It’s about to be sent off for duplication and should be ready within a month. I feel like it’s definitely my very best work so far! I can’t wait for people to hear it.

*********

and i don't want you to wait to hear her....so check this out:


you can also visit her blog here....or buy a cd here.  thanks so much to my last texas woman...stay tuned as i widen my net to catch even more whimsical women to inspire you. and if you have suggestions of artful bloggers who embody this ideal, please share them here!  i'm always looking to expand my community of creative women. happy halloween!

whimsical women interview #3

i’d like to introduce you to my whimsical woman of september…jennifer williams of blueskysunburn creations! one of the most incredible things about jennifer is her ability to juggle her creative life with her full-time job and spending time at home. i know most of us are struggling to find that balance between our “two lives” and jennifer’s honesty about the challenge is so refreshing. enjoy all of the art and photos…everything here was handmade by jennifer!

 as i leave behind my old blog, the year of discovery, i'll ask for one thing you've discovered in the last year…

In the last year I’ve discovered that I’m only as limited as I allow myself to be. I made excuses for why I didn’t do any sort of schooling or why my business isn’t as successful as I want it to be and I realized I was the only one holding me back. My 30th birthday was a major turning point for me. I’ve been able to accomplish more in the last four months than I have over the last four years.

how do you bring fun into your life…anything you do regularly that makes you feel like a kid again?

I’m pretty much a homebody. On rare occasions my husband and I will go out to the movies but usually I’m at home spending time with my husband, playing outside with my animals or in my studio creating. It may not necessarily make me feel like a kid again but it’s what brings me happiness.

how do you maintain balance in your life (IF you do), between creative endeavors and the other parts of your life that need attention?

It’s a juggling act, that’s for sure! I currently work full time in mortgage law doing doc prep, I’m in school to become a certified paralegal, head up Etsy Fort Worth which also includes being very involved in the planning their semiannual craft show, the Cowtown Indie Bazaar, and of course my own business, Blueskysunburn Creations. In the last few months I’ve been focusing more on profits from my business which involves going to two or more craft shows every month.

Balancing it all is hard. I’ve learned to multitask like you wouldn’t believe and to-do lists are a must. On my lunch breaks you’ll find me answering emails and working on Etsy Fort Worth, at home (after I’ve answered emails) I’ll be listening to my classes while working on pendants and painting while watching tv with my husband to get some time in with him. I try to spend at least ten or fifteen minutes each day with my pets but it doesn’t always happen. I’ve discovered my house tends to suffer more often than not as I don’t have a lot of time for housework.

what does community mean to you? describe a community of which you're a part. 

To me a community is a support team of people that encourage your endeavors and your interests. Finding the handmade community was very eye opening for me. It led me in the direction of founding a street team, Etsy Fort Worth, in February 2009. It’s a group of roughly 50 handmade artists who meet in person monthly and socialize with one another online. There is so much to be said about the impact on your own creativity when you are around other creative people.

what is the BEST costume you've ever worn?

My best costume wouldn’t necessarily be the best as much as it was my favorite. Last year I was a red Lego block for Halloween. I made the costume myself out of paper bowls, cardboard and paint with instructions I found on the internet. I even one third place at the office costume contest!

if you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? and who would you take with you?

Wow, that’s a hard one. There are so many places I want to travel to. If I had to choose only one I think I would choose to go to Italy with my husband. I would love to see the ruins in Sicily or see what Venice has to offer.

tell us something about yourself that only a few people know…

Other than some mundane fact there isn’t much I can tell you that I haven’t publicly posted in my blog, Trial and Error. I pretty much put everything out in the open be it accomplishments, failures, angry rants or vacations.

and last, what's something you've been working on…or an upcoming project/event you want to share with us?

Due to the holiday season and the amount of shows I’ve been attending I’ve mainly been cramming to keep my pendant stock up as they are my best sellers. Just this past weekend I started creating larger pendants with art prints of my work and also I made a handful of pendants with crosses out of demand.

Aside from that I’ve been working on commissions. Come January I plan on working on larger scale pieces to get into local galleries and to sell consignment at stores.

*************
thanks so much to jennifer for taking the time to share a bit of herself here in the playground. if you'd like to see more of her creative process...and her mischievous puppy...you can visit her blog here. and look around in her etsy shop over here.

i am winding up the “tour of texas” next month with my interview of a whimsical singer/songwriter from dallas. after that i will open it up to the women who inspire me from all corners of the globe…i can’t wait to explore the blogosphere for more whimsical women! and maybe some pictures of the spaces in which they create…i love to snoop around in other people's studios.

whimsical women interview #2

 

today i have the pleasure of introducing you to a fellow houstonian--and someone i have an abnormal amount of bizarre similarities with.  (for example: we don't like to talk on the phone, we love butterflies and power tools, and must at all times sleep with a fan for white noise!) Jen DeDonato is a full-time artist and mom to two boys, not to mention the founder of colorfly studio!

 

she will be joining me at the women of texas art show at mariposa studio this month and i'm thrilled to see her art in person {finally}! jen's artwork is featured throughout this interview and she has graciously offered a giveaway to whet your appetite for the upcoming show! but we'll talk more about that later...first, let's meet august's whimsical woman:  jen dedonato!

 

as i leave behind my old blog, the year of discovery, i'll ask for one thing you've discovered in the last year?

I would say what I've learned this year is not to take your health for granted. I've been really sick for exactly one year and it's been hard on me. Waking up every day and feel good is something no one should take for granted. A not so serious discovery is that I've discovered I love pedicures! Nothing better then to look down and have happy toes looking back at you.

how do you bring fun into your life…anything you do regularly that makes you feel like a kid again?

Go carts! It’s been awhile but I love riding them with my boys. I am blessed because I have a wonderfully fun family and friends. We go to plays, sing-a-long movies, theater, day trips, art exhibits, new restaurants, street fairs, festivals you name it we will find it and enjoy ourselves.  

 

how do you maintain balance in your life (IF you do), between creative endeavors and the other parts of your life?

I have to break my day in half…in the morning/afternoons I work on art and then late afternoon/evenings I have to tend to home and family. This schedule is easy during the school year because my boys are gone but it’s much more difficult during the summer months because we keep crazy hours.

what does community mean to you? could you describe a community of which you're a part?

I am a part of a great art community here in Houston. I have been surprised how everyone really sticks together and helps each other. What I’ve experienced is that it’s not competitive and crazy. The monthly artist market I am part of (First Saturday Artist Market) is great because all the artists are so helpful.

  

what is the BEST costume you've ever worn?

I love handmade costumes and the best one I ever wore was done by my friend’s Mom. She made me into static cling. It was awesome because it cost nothing! All my clothes matched and then she put socks, pantyhose, shirts and such all over me. I don’t have a picture but I wish I did.

if you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? and who would you take with you?

I would go to Egypt hands down. I have always been intrigued with the history and to see the pyramids up close would be amazing to me. I would take my husband because I would love to have that experience/memories with him. Plus he would have to tell me which direction to walk.

tell us something about yourself that only a few people know…

I have to sleep with a box fan. I have to take it with me when I travel. I won’t take it on planes but if I could get it into my suitcase I would consider it! My son’s doctor suggested it to sooth my son because he was a screamer baby but in the end it ended up soothing me. It’s the sound I guess that makes me feel comfortable and cozy…can’t explain that one.  

and last, what's something you've been working on…or an upcoming project you want to share with us?

 I am working on soldered pendants with my artwork in them. I am really excited about them because they are just cool beans! Also, I am illustrating a wonderful book that a friend of mine wrote. It’s super clever and creative.

*************

one lucky winner will receive the above 8x10 print on wood block

to enter the giveaway, you'll need to either:

1. comment on this post, answering the question: what makes you feel like a kid again? OR

2. comment on tomorrow's flashback friday post

i'll choose the winner from the comments from both days (and yes, you improve your chance if you comment twice!) and announce it on monday 8/16.

************
thanks so much to jen for visiting the playground...if you're loving her artwork and can't wait to see if you win the incredible giveaway, you can peek at her etsy shop here. i'll leave you with one of my favorites...

whimsical women interview #1

i'm so excited to introduce you to the very first joy rebel...brandi reynolds! not long after my initiation into the blogosphere,  i stumbled upon brandi's joy rebel army and am now a proud member. i could go on and on about how i drool over her photographs and that sometimes her blog posts make me laugh so hard milk comes out my nose, but it might embarrass her.

so, i'll let her describe the essence of the joy rebellion in her own words: "One idea: We could watch the news, read a fashion magazine that calls anyone over a size 6 'plus sized' and become more jaded with every commute through traffic. OR we can rebel; find the beauty, get doggie kisses, make messy paintings, write sappy love songs, compose bold memoirs, forgive radically, hope abundantly, shine encouragingly and otherwise claim the inner joy that I believe is at the core of each of us."  you took the words right out of my mouth....

let's get to know brandi {and her incredible photography--pictured here}, shall we?

as i leave behind my old blog, the year of discovery, i'll ask for one thing you've discovered in the last year?

I’ve discovered a need to get back to basics, to slow down, to breathe and to have fun with other venues of creativity (other than photography). And that I can’t do it all. And that I can’t give up *crack* dr. pepper.

how do you bring fun into your life…anything you do regularly that makes you feel like a kid again?

I laugh as much as humanly possible. Fortunately, both my husband and I have the same 12 year old boy sense of humor so laughing is pretty easy in our house. And whenever I am in water, I totally connect with that joyful kid energy.

how do you maintain balance in your life (IF you do), between creative endeavors and the other parts of your life?

*crack* dr. pepper. Kidding! I’ve figured out that I HAVE to take time for yoga and quietness. It seems that if I can give myself that space and that peace, I am better able to balance everything else.

what does community mean to you? could you describe a community of which you're a part?

I am so fortunate to be part of a community of creative bloggers. People like you, Jodie! And the wonderful group at wish studio and Connie and Darrah. I get so much inspiration, support and joy from this group. And that’s what community means to me as well.

what is the BEST costume you've ever worn?

Dressing up for a renaissance faire was so fun! I was a gypsy.

if you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? and who would you take with you?

I’d go to new Zealand and visit all the sites where lord of the rings was filmed. (total LOTR dork here!). And I’d take my husband with me.

tell us something about yourself that only a few people know…

Um….I don’t think that’s possible. I kinda blather about everything on my blog….lol.

and last, what's something you've been working on…or an upcoming project you want to share with us?

Well, I am totally looking forward to the art show with you sweetness! But other than that, I am allowing whatever comes up to come up.

************

ahhhh, she mentioned a little thing called the art show...so much fun coming in august my friends. i am kicking off my whimsical women series with a tour of texas, and all the artsy-love we've got going on down here. i'm bringing the girls together for an all-women's show at our studio in one month. and to start the celebration a little early, brandi has graciously donated an incredible print for one lucky winner!

to enter the giveaway, you'll need to either:

1.   comment on this post, answering the question: what makes you feel like a kid again?  OR
2.   comment on tomorrow's flashback friday post

i'll choose the winner from the comments from both days (and yes, you improve your chance if you comment twice!)  and announce it on saturday 7/31.

************

thanks so much to brandi for visiting the playground...if you're loving her photographs and can't wait to see if you win "dive," you can peek at her etsy shop here. she also has a fabulous new website she created herself. yes, she is kind of a show off...

but i forgot one very important question: are you more of a swings or slide kinda girl?