ADD MY ART JOURNAL

Updates

2008-07-12T23:17:58Z

Okay, I am a bit (a lot) behind on these interviews. I apologize, I ended up taking an impromptu and unplanned two week hiatus from posting to Carmine and an even longer one from posting to here.

On with business!

There was an interview with Amanda Wong (windwoodrose) on June 27, 2008.

There was also an interview with Julie Dillon (jdillon) on June 29, 2008.

Earlier today I wrote up an article talking about my love for Batman (the comics, television shows and movies) and put up a bunch of links to blogs that have written Suggested Reading posts in celebration of The Dark Knight. Here

Just now I posted an interview with Jinx in the Sky with Diamnonds (theirea).

New Nanamation Art

2008-06-28T04:13:44Z

Here are 2 new Nanamation artworks that I finished a few weeks ago. They should be up on my store for purchase sometime next week. On the left I call it "Pixie". It's a different style I have been drawing and playing with. I think I like it. The other one is "Peacock Geisha". I always loved peacocks so had to incorporate it in my drawing.

Zoetica Ebb

2008-06-23T19:55:39Z

venacava

What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
Zoetica Ebb: I tend to answer the same to this question, so I hope this isn’t too redundant: it’s just who I am. Drawing is something I’ve always done, it’s never been an option so much as part of me. In recent busy times it’s more vital that ever to continue with it. That aside, my biggest motivator is the understanding of life’s brevity. With such a small amount of time allotted to each of us I fell compelled to produce as much as I can. Tick tock.

Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
ZE: I graduated from the LA County High School for the Arts and spent a short amount of time at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Being in such an environment - the environment of an Art Institution - is incredibly inspiring and simultaneously disheartening. Being surrounded by creativity is fantastic, while understanding how much artistic success is governed by one’s ability to sell themselves is a kick to the aspiring artist’s groin. It’s a double edged sword, but I will say I loved and miss having unlimited access to the museum while at SAIC.

What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with?
ZE: For my drawings I use Micron pens and I paint with Windsor & Newton oils. I stopped using mediums for the most part, save for thinner.
(Read the rest of the interview here on CarmineMag.com)

Dapperfish

2008-06-20T01:06:47Z

fishbite

What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
Dapperfish: I’m not sure what drives me exactly, I just can’t imagine my life without it. I am constantly thinking of things I want to do whenever something new inspires me. Those things come at random, it might be a song and a pretty picture, but it can also be waking up really early in the morning and going to town for breakfast.

Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
D: I always have tried to learn by myself everything I took an interest in, and I have been drawing and painting ever since I can remember. So, in many ways, I consider myself self taught. The courses I decided to take are just an extension. I started studying oil painting at fourteen, and have continued to do so for six years. Art was my main subject in highschool, and on the side I took many other art courses and workshops. During that period I also taught myself graphic and web design and was very enthusiastic about it. Afterwards I went to the local Theatre & Cinema college to study Stage & Costume design. It’s a subject I love very much, learned a lot of wonderful things, but personal issues made me quit after three years. Although I think it was a good experience, I lost a lot of the freedom and confidence I had, and stopped all extra curricular activities. I felt I wasn’t good enough and that nothing I did was worth it. So it was kind of a bad period, and for over a year after I quit college I was unable to start a painting. But I still think art college is a good thing, it gives you discipline and experience, even if it didn’t work out for me. I never want to stop being a student! So in the meantime I got myself a diploma in make up, and occasionally work as a make up artist. Next year, I plan to take a three year course on Illustration and Comics.

What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
D: I used to be very fond of working with oil and pastels, and would like to get back to using them. But lately I can’t live without my 0.28mm uniball pens, they’re great for very thin lines, dry really fast and are a lot cheaper than most other brands. I’ve been working a lot with them, watercolours and my lovely Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens (more like markers, really). I don’t really know why, they’re just perfect for the kind of pictures I like to do these days. Working with pastels and oil is more about feeling their texture, and that’s what I miss about them so much. Actually getting dirty.

At what point did you realize that creating was going to be a large part of your life?
D: I don’t remember not realising it. I never wanted to be anything else but an artist, if I can’t do that I’m ruined. I suck at everything else.
(Read the rest of the interview and see more artwork here on Carminemag.com)

(This is tomorrow's interview, I posted it today because of scheduling conflicts.)

Sarah Ferrick

2008-06-20T00:12:12Z

okageaberdene

What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
Sarah Ferrick: I think what drives me to make stuff is the fact that I get bored easily and quickly.
I get inspired by other artists but I also draw from other sources such as astronomy, music,
mythology, geology, optics and lots of things I don’t understand very well at all. Sometimes I spend a lot of time on Wikipedia and just follow a whole bunch of links. I’ve got a folder labeled “ideas” with a big list of bookmarks to various random Wikipedia articles.

Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
SF: Both I guess. I think everyone is self taught in many ways, otherwise he or she wouldn’t progress. I’ve got some formal training too. I’m in college at the moment. I definitely think having some art classes has helped me a lot. It never hurts. I haven’t run into any bad teachers yet so I’m lucky in that respect.

What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
SF: Ballpoint pen, ink and acrylic are usually what I wind up using. I really dig Winsor & Newton’s drawing inks. They’re pretty good to work. I find myself using drawing materials most often because they seem more direct.

At what point did you realize that creating was going to be a large part of your life?
SF: Maybe when I was 11 or 12. That’s when I started drawing a bit more. Up until then I wanted to become a paleontologist or a bird breeder.
(Read the rest of the interview and see the artwork here on Carminemag.com)

Tanya Pshenychny

2008-06-16T22:00:42Z

nimnieu

What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
I just love to create and the drive comes from having little ideas floating around in my head, digging to get out. My inspiration comes from colors, faces, feelings, occurrences, and music.

Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
I consider myself self-taught because I have taken the skills and techniques I learned in high school and developed them on my own with the help of books and the internet. I wouldn’t say that not going to an art school has hindered me, because otherwise, I don’t think I’d be drawing the way I do now. It would have been a nice atmosphere, to learn along with other artists and get feedback from them and teachers. But I do get feedback everyday, from strangers and people who buy my work. And I’m very critical of myself. I’m also very stubborn and would rather figure things out on my own..

What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
Watercolor and ink are my favorite media and I use Van Gogh and Winsor&Newton watercolors in tubes and Higgins Black India Ink. The balance of the consistency of the paint and water is the main part of painting with watercolor and I love the effects that can be achieved. It can be sometimes unpredictable. You’ll think an area is dry and paint next to it, touching the other layer, and it starts to run together because it wasn’t completely dry! And I think the ink brings everything together, the black lines keeping the watercolor in one place, like a wild parrot in a cage.
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JPerkins

2008-06-13T17:53:47Z

johannabach
Jauxwee on Flickr

What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
Good music always makes me want to create. I am not a musician in any sense, but I can feel music like most of us. I am currently fond of hair-metal, corny, oldschool, hair-metal. … My work is inspired by my fellow students at the university I am attending and the art by which the internet provides me. Also, graffiti makes me strive to be a better artist.

Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
I have made art since I was in grade school. My first art class, however, was my first day in college. I feel like it definitely gave me an advantage over the other students I was surrounded by, but now in my senior year in a studio art program, I think that my now formal art training is starting to fail me and I’m only clawing my way through my classes to get out of it as soon as possible. I don’t feel emotionally creative anymore. I don’t feel like I am praying with my art anymore to the One who gave me my hands to create the art with. Formal art training is only helping me by quickening a skill development I could have trained myself to do in a longer time period.

What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
I am a watercolorist now. Thank you University of North Texas and Millie Giles. It’s a beautiful paint. Windsor-Newton artist’s Watercolours are beautiful and rich and lovely. Crayola tray palettes are choice too, except those aren’t watercolor. Also, Bic pens, they are tried and true.
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Laura Pelick

2008-06-12T20:57:13Z

gymnopedie
Shadowgirl on DeviantART
Fallenlights.net

What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
Everything drives me to create. Emotions, watching a movie, going for a walk outside, a dream, bored at work… As for inspirations, I am very visual (Words as well as seeing images). My childhood movies of Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, anime cartoons on Saturday mornings. I’ll often look at the clouds and see something growing out of it, or see a certain shape of a tree and think I could merge it with the body of a female. My husband is also an inspiration, since we often write stories together and I’ll get ideas from a line he says.

Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
I am both… I drew when I was a little child (according to my grandmother, I started as soon as I could hold a pencil), but from the age of 8 up until graduating from SUNY Alfred, School of Art & Design, I have taken lessons/classes. In Elementary school, once a week I was in the basement of a retired crossing guard’s house, copying pictures of animals from Ranger Rick or calendars.
College was a struggle for me, but it is where I developed my tree/human merging ideas, as well as goddesses, and there are some memories of working with grad students that will eventually get out of my head and onto paper. But, the teachers thought I had too much information in my work and wanted me to paint like THEM, not my like myself. Senior year, for example, my adviser’s critique was “You should draw the sky as a line, and perhaps leave out these trees.”

What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
Tea, watercolor, acrylics, gouache, pencil are all what I use the most. I love the flowing of mixing paint with water and seeing what happens when I let them puddle and dry up over time. They layer wonderfully, though I am itching to try my technique with oils as well, one day. I’m a fan of Windsor Newton, it’s just one I’ve used for many years and never seem to worry if the color I want is really what is in the tube.
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Sarah Coyne

2008-06-10T21:31:10Z

sarahcoyne
eggagogo

1) What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
I find everything in the natural world utterly fascinating. The open ocean and outer space terrify me but all of the things in, around and under both are wonderful. Most of my work features animals, of which I’ve always been a big fan and I love the fact that making a painting or print of an animal let’s you have one and keep it in your home - in a way. I make art because I have no idea what I would do otherwise. How do non-artists fill their free time? It’s a mystery to me. I bet they have lots of time to read books and go to the beach.
And I’m mainly fueled by copious amounts of milky, sugary tea.

Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
I have my BFA in Illustration from Mass. College of Art. The department was tough and my feelings are mixed, but I learned a lot about the business of illustration and art in general. I think it’s helped me a great deal in my endeavors as a working artist and crafter. Like everyone says, I wish I had been as focused and confident then as I have grown to be in the years since graduation.

What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
My comfort zone is acrylics (any kind will do, honestly, I like the really cheap stuff because it’s super opaque) on wood panels, sometimes with cut-paper. A friend is slowly training me in the fine art of silk screening. I think that my super simple style is conducive to the medium and I like learning new methods. I also love oil painting but don’t have the resources or space to work in oils right now… but just talking about it makes me miss it! Maybe this summer I’ll figure out a way!
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Carmine Magazine

2008-06-09T02:18:50Z

I just created an rss feed for the posts from CarmineMag.com (our sister site) here on livejournal.

Feel free to add it to your friends list! carminemag

You can also add CarmineMag to your bookmarks or an rss feed reader outside of livejournal.

We're still going through a lot of changes around here. Things will calm down soon!

Thanks for reading,
Jami

Nyela

2008-06-06T19:14:07Z

therebirthofme
Myspace

1) What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
I am driven by a need to create that I don’t even understand. It is a way to express everything for which I cannot find the words. I am inspired by stories and experiences, both my own and those of people around me. Black American culture, as well as the cultures of others of the African diaspora, is also a source of inspiration.

2) Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
I am formally trained, although it was after college that I really learned how big a role making art plays in my life. College helped me a great deal in becoming confident in my abilities. I miss the free exchange of ideas of academia.

3) Do you have a ritual, quirk or superstition that influences you and the way you create? (example: I must wear the green underwear when I paint hair or it will look horrid, etc.)
I listen to music. It influences my mood, and therefore my work. Sometimes, I just put iTunes on shuffle, but there are specific CD’s that I like to listen to when I need to focus, usually artists like Angelique Kidjo or India.Arie, or Putamayo compilations such as Women of Spirit or Women of Latin America.
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Sarah Deaton

2008-06-05T19:30:29Z

kittydoom
Kittydoom on Myspace
Kittydoom on Flickr
Kittyaid

1) What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
Honestly, I have no idea. 9 times out of 10, it’s completely spontaneous. I’ll be coloring Easter eggs and say, “Hey, let’s smash them all and take photos!” or I’ll just decide out of the blue to start sewing something. My head is a place I don’t even pretend to understand. I just go wherever it takes me.

2) Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
I studied art at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. It forced me to work in mediums which I would normally never work, which I believe helps give you a greater appreciation for those mediums and makes you more well-balanced in your view of art in general and in the approach you take in creating it.

3) Do you have a ritual, quirk or superstition that influences you and the way you create? (example: I must where the green underwear when I paint hair or it will look horrid, etc.)
No, I’m not the superstitious. I’m usually too spontaneous about things to worry about the color of my undies.
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Choosing a Name for Your Art and Business

2008-06-03T17:43:52Z

As an artist, the time will come when you have to decide whether to use your real name or something else to represent your work. This is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make regarding your business and opinions vary widely on which route is better. There is no right or wrong answer; a name choice depends solely on your personal preference and what you feel more comfortable with.

When choosing a name, consider the following:

1. A successful name should be marketable and represent your personality.
If your name is rather common, it may be better to develop something more memorable. At some point in their lives, most people take on a nickname or alias that differs from the name on their birth certificate. The change could be as simple as coming up with an online persona for a blog or an Ebay account or as broad as legally changing your name and leveraging it as your business.

A great example of a legal name change is blogging personality Gala Darling. She also uses her name as the domain for her blog and has been hugely successful in this approach.

Of the name change, she explains:
Of course I am my parents’ daughter, but I don’t have their name — or the name they gave me — to hide behind any more. I am me, I stand up for myself, I have my own convictions & goals & for some reason, shaking off the baggage of my old name really crystallised things for me. It’s definitely one of the best things I have ever done for myself. Not to mention, having a name you adore & are proud of makes you feel fabulous.

In my experience, I've always had loads of nicknames so developing the persona of Nubby Twiglet for my design business and art career seemed natural. My reason for not leveraging my legal name was simple: I wanted to create a vision bigger than myself, a brand name that encompassed everything creative that I do. And, why not? David Bowie did it with Ziggy Stardust, Andrew Warhola with Andy Warhol and Brian Warner did so with Marilyn Manson.

*As a sidenote, in many states a sole proprietor is required to use their own name as a business name unless they formally file paperwork for another known as an assumed business name (or "Doing Business As").

2. A name should be short and easy to spell.
This is important because chances are that it will be transferred to a website (Building a Home on the Web is an excellent resource on this topic), business cards, and promotional materials that the public will come into contact with. If they can't remember who you are or effortlessly locate your information, they will quickly move on.

3. Make sure your name is available.
It's a good idea to a do a preliminary search by Googling your proposed name to see if a similar enterprise is already using it to market services or products closely related to what you want to do. Searching for domains can also be of benefit; chances are that if the one you have in mind has already been reserved, you won't be able to use it for your business name (Whois.net can tell you who owns a particular domain).

Finally, the United States Patent and Trademark Office allows you to search for trademarks to make sure your name has not been registered.

4. Your name will become more memorable if accompanied by a logo.
When people see your business name, they often have an immediate visual image as well. Something that is simple, timeless and has positive connotations is preferable. More logo advice can be found here.

5. If possible, your name should give an inkling as to what you do.
A good example of this is Lola London Photography. There's no gray area about what she does! Another example is my brother's t-shirt company, Blacktooth Clothing.

Your opinion matters most (and rules are meant to be broken)!
In my case, I didn't follow any particular rules for choosing the Nubby Twiglet brand name, but I've also been using it for 8 years. Nubbytwiglet.com works for me because it is comprised of nickname that I often go by in my everyday life. I view it as a far-reaching creative brand that encompasses the realms of art, design and marketing and in effect, my public persona.

In the end, you have to choose a name that you feel good about. If you're confident about your business, it will show and potential customers will notice. No matter how you choose it, if your name has positive connotations and your personality shines through, the rest will follow.

Nubbytwiglet.com

Kayo Designs

2008-06-02T20:07:18Z

Official Etsy Store OctopusME

1) What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
My drive to create is driven by this inner fire. I get this idea in my head and I can’t sleep until I do it. It’s like an energy I need to get out! It almost becomes obsessive! I am very inspired by natural textures…trees, plants, animal skin, fur, rocks, you name it. I’m a touchy feely person so things aren’t real to me unless I can touch them. I’m also inspired by people, their stories in success and hardships and what they have to share.

2) Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
I wouldn’t say I was formally trained in art per se. I’ve been working with my hands and creating since I was a child. I took some drawing, crafts and ceramic classes here and there in junior high, high school and college. The most formal training I guess I’ve received is attended 5 months Revere Academy for Jewelry Arts in San Francisco. Attending Revere Academy for training was an amazing experience. Unfortunately, most of the classes there are between 1 – 3 days so you can learn a technique. Classes are really short so it’s up to you to bring yourself and your art to the next level. I wish I could have stayed longer since it was such a great experience. Afterwards, I was fortunate enough to work with one of the most amazing Crafts Persons and Master Jewelers, Vasken Tanielian now of CAD Works. If you ever get to meet him, you are a lucky person.
I think what has hindered me is not majoring in a particular art or attending an Art College. I think if you choose either, they prepare you more in business for art, design, getting your work in to galleries, starting a business, etc. I also think I could have met so many more artists so I would have a stronger network of people to work with and share inspiration with. I think as an artist it is important to be a part of a community because you are constantly giving, receiving, and sharing common interests.

3) Do you have a ritual, quirk or superstition that influences you and the way you create? (example: I must where the green underwear when I paint hair or it will look horrid, etc.)
Ha ha ha. I’m all about quirk. When I’m pounding metal, it’s all about the music getting me in the mood of the piece. Sometimes its rock and roll, other times Buddha Bar, 80’s music or some funky foreign music no on in the studio knows the words too – ha ha ha. Theirs lots of that and a lot of dancing. And funny enough, we make up words to the songs which keep every one laughing because usually they are really dirty!! I’m sure the neighbors think we are crazy but we don’t care!
When I’m getting ready to create some new pieces with the OctopusME Jewelry line and I’m all fired up about it, I get up in the morning, throw on my octopus shirt and have a little ritual I do to “Bring It”…to bring the good creative energy in to my life. Ha ha ha. It’s a little dance thingy. Usually I eat a lot of sushi!! And then of course, I play with my food a lot because it helps me work out the concepts. I guess it’s funny to say, but I also think about Sex a lot since the line is a bit sensual. It helps me create with positive energy. baby! .hee hee hee. But in the end the ritual is kind of like, wear it, eat it, be it, do it, think about it and bring it in to your life. I have many other rituals but you guys will have to stay tuned for those later. Or send your kids to bed. Ha ha ha!

4) What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
I work mainly in precious metals (sterling silver and gold). As for gemstones, I love Diamonds, Rubies and Sapphires. I also love minerals, odd shaped stones or sparkly things, natural textured things, plants, found objects, toys, stickers, dead things, you name it. In Fur I prefer vintage Mink. I guess it’s pretty much any thing that feels good, has nice texture or is funky.
As for tools, I love working with the 3m Radial Bristle Brush pack for metal. I think they are the most phenomenal things and a great secret to producing at a higher volume. You can move from course to a micro fine polish just moving up the color chart. Oh, and the Rio Grande Sunshine Polishing Cloths rock too! You can never have enough of either.

5) As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? And now?
When I was a child I wanted to save animals so I wanted to be a Veterinarian. I’ve always Loved animals so I would find the wounded one’s, take them home and nurse them back to health. There was a time when I practically had a whole petting zoo of like 20 animals at once. But, when one of them would die, I would cry my eyes out. Then one day my Mom asked me what I was going to do if I couldn’t save them and they died? That ended my dream of becoming a Vet.
And now, I love what I am doing. I’ve always dreamed of creating my own business and I have. The journey has been pretty amazing. In the end, I just want to make shit!!

6) If there was one style of art that you could take up, what would it be?
Hmm… This isn’t really a style, but I’ve always wanted to do some large scale metal sculptures. You know, like some big funky obnoxious thing on the lawn or something like that. I also would like to learn Glass Blowing. That looks like fun too.

7) Do you think the internet, technology, media, etcetera are helping or destroying the art world?
Oh, good question! I think it is a bit of both. It just depends on where you are. There are Designers who design stuff and have other’s make it. Then there are people who create with their hands or in other ways. I think technology is just another tool for people to use in art and design. People who use the CAD program have other endless opportunities with design which didn’t exist before with hand carving. Don’t get me wrong, I love the hand carving and more primitive styles or work but technology can offer you another dimension.
The internet, media, etc. are also tools in my opinion. I see so many new ideas, techniques and information which enhance my own work. Most of my OctopusME.etsy.com business has been from the internet. If I didn’t have that, I wouldn’t be sharing in this interview today. So I see it as just another avenue or opportunity for people to use if they choose to do so.

8) How do you deal with creator's (or writer's) block?
I’m still working on that one! When I get stressed out, it’s hard for me to create so I try to take a step back. I tend to be a work-a-holic so it’s important for me to give myself permission to not work. Usually a day off to hang out in the sun, go to the beach, hike or walk with my dogs helps. Their energy and ability to be so playful and in the moment both calms and inspires me. And many of my design ideas come from nature and observing plants as we walk so that helps too! Then other times running away from work on a spontaneous trip will do the trick.

9) How do you prepare for art shows where your work will be shown?
Oh, pretty funny. I’m a total stress case. I want to do too much in two little time, create these big over the top pieces and such so I find choosing 5 similar styles to show helps. I have to have a “no more casting rule” after Tuesday because then I end up with way too many projects I can’t finish. I try to add in an extra “fluff” day for unseen events or mishaps. That day is actually key. I have some great friends who help me out at the shows and calm my neurotic nerves too! Then, I just have to remind myself what is meant to be is meant to be so let it ride and be open to opportunity. Oh, and the cocktails definitely help!!! Ha ha ha!

10) At what point did you realize that creating was going to be a large part of your life?
Wow! I’ve just started coming to terms with this recently. I’ve realized, I’m happy when I am creating but when I’m not, I’m depressed or even self destructive. Creating is a part of who I am. When I create, I can feel myself. Now that I am aware of this insight I choose to never stop creating my life.

11) What was your worst experience with art?
My worst experience with art was when I stopped believing in art and myself. I went through tough period at the end of High School and in the beginning of college when I gave up. Originally in High School all I wanted to do was create art. I only went to regular classes to take the tests and cut to stay in art class. (I would get suspended or calls to the folks but I would do it anyway.) My father was worried so he would tell me every day that I was going to be a starving artist and beg him for rent money. We fought constantly, I was conflicted internally and the energy carried over to other aspects of my life.
Back then I was more superstitious so I thought every thing was “A Sign.” I remember preparing for the big School Art Competition and my project exploded in the kiln all over all of the other student’s work. I made due with the piece are received what I considered a pity award. Then later when I lived in Hawaii my photography camera was stolen when our house was burglarized. I gave up photography right then because I thought it wasn’t meant to be. After Hawaii I went to college and took a Ceramics course. The instructor chose my unfired piece to be in the college art show which was all cool. Then the piece cracked when fired in the kiln and was considered not of show quality anymore. That’s when I took all of these series of events as a sign it was time to quit. So I stopped believing in Art and myself.

12) What was you best experience with art?
My best experience with art is coming to terms with myself and choosing it as my life. It wasn’t until I took action, dropped every thing I was doing and sent myself to Jewelry School. That was a big turning point for me. Since then, I have seen nothing but signs telling me I’m on the right path. There have been so many serendipitous moments which would blow your mind. So this journey is my best experience with art.
I want to create. I want to work with my hands. I’ve created a business, I have chosen to make what inspires me, I have chosen to share and inspire others. This journey has been amazing and every day something new is to come. The feedback, the support of others, the stories, sharing my work as a part of other people’s celebrations…It’s all been so good and beyond my imagination of what could be. I feel very fortunate to be where I am.

13) How would you define your style? Is it an extension of yourself, or something else entirely?
I define myself as a swirl. I think my style is the same. I’m not quite sure how to explain it. Sort of like some people are straight lines. Maybe they call them square. Ha ha ha. I’m still trying to find a common element with all of my different styles I make. If anything it’s heavy, chunky and all sorts of textures. But the OctopusME line is different because I have a much deeper connection with it. I think it is me accepting myself and not giving a shit about what others say or consider being creepy, sexual, gross, weird and even a bit dangerous. The octopus is cunning, sexy, mysterious and playful. It has the power to transform itself and regenerate itself just like I believe people do. It’s a celebration of life and nature. I believe it is an inspiration. I guess I hope to be one too. I think my style is also playful and not serious. I guess all of my other lines are quirky too! Just like me.

14) What does your workspace look like? (Pictures or a description work for this one)
Oh, man! I call my workspace an organized mess. I have all of these little projects lined up on my bench to be finished. My projects are created with a basic idea and the rest happening on the spot. Sometimes the answer to completion is not ready to come yet so I put them down and wait for it to come. It’s a mini journey. Some projects have stones in front of them or pieces of odd shaped minerals I’m trying to fit together in them. I think there are about 6 projects on my bench right now. But, all of my tools have a home and are in order. And my best tool would be my post it pad where I write down what I need to do each day. I have so many ideas flowing through my head so I work with the “Out of sight out of Mind” Rule. Ha ha ha!

15) Aside from art what do you do with your time? Is there anything else that drives you or that you're passionate about?
I really get off on Being in the Moment and finding my flow. It’s like an intense rush when you are just flowing like magic…kind of like when you play sports or run and you feel like you don’t have arms and legs. It’s like a feeling when your body is just there… you are flowing and floating almost. I’m also passionate about seeing it in others. Kind of like when you see a musician singing or playing an instrument and all you can see is that they are one, they love what they are doing and they are in that Moment. Maybe even like there is so much noise around you too and you don’t even notice because you are in the flow. I often see it in people dancing. So I guess to sum it up I’m passionate about finding that high moment when life is just happening. I think that rocks!

Nan Hancock

2008-05-30T17:32:26Z

nanamation
Nanamation.com
Myspace

1) What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
My surroundings have a big part in my creative inspirations. People, cultures, books, the internet, and of course art have a lot of influences for my creative inspiration. I always try to carry a sketchbook with me wherever I go so I can draw things that inspire me.

2) Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
I was formally trained in college but I would say majority was self taught. When I studied art in college, it gave me a good foundation, but finding my own niche and style was something self-taught by practice and reading a lot of art books.

3) Do you have a ritual, quirk or superstition that influences you and the way you create? (example: I must where the green underwear when I paint hair or it will look horrid, etc.)
I can’t say that I do. Although, I do have to clean my desk and organize it before I start drawing or using the computer.

4) What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
I do all my work in digital. I first sketch out my illustrations and ideas in a sketchbook then I scan them into Illustrator and finish it off.

5) As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? And now?
I wanted to be a fashion designer. I just loved drawing girls with clothes as a kid. Now-I want to draw my Nanamation characters all day.

6) If there was one style of art that you could take up, what would it be?
I guess it would be what I am doing now. I really enjoy working in digital media. If I didn’t like it then I won’t be doing digital.

7) Do you think the internet, technology, media, etcetera are helping or destroying the art world?
I think the internet/technology is helping the art world. I get to see so many different types of art and get to talk to different artist around the world through the internet. How cools is the fact that you get to share your thoughts with a fellow artist that is on the other side of the world. It also gives artist a lot of art exposure through networking through blogs and websites.
I guess I am so pro-active and positive because I did not grow up with computers as a kid. The whole internet era came later for me, so it just really changed my art world. Back then going to the library, bookstores and art galleries were the only connection to the art world for me.

8) How do you deal with creator's (or writer's) block?
Honestly when I get creator’s block, I don’t feel depressed or worried. I know deep down I was born to create, so when I do get creators block, I just enjoy doing other things besides art such as knitting, cooking, baking, watching movies and cleaning (yes! Cleaning) After a while, I miss it so I go back to it. Also my new ideas come to me when I’m usually doing something else.

9) How do you prepare for art shows where your work will be shown?
I usually set goals and plan ahead of time so I can avoid last minute situations.

10) At what point did you realize that creating was going to be a large part of your life?
I can’t say there was a point in my life that I realized creating was going to be a large part of my life. Creating was always a large part of my life. I loved to draw as a kid so I feel like its part of who I am.

11) What was your worst experience with art?
I can’t say I had a worse experience with art. Most all of them have been positive learning experiences. I guess when I am on the waiting lists for shows and I don’t make the cut are maybe my worst experiences.

12) What was you best experience with art?
I think it was my first art show at Alternative Press Expo in SF. It was my first real exposure and I was so afraid of people not looking or liking my Nanamation Characters, but the opposite happened. I got a lot of great compliments, made good sales and good exposure.

13) How would you define your style? Is it an extension of yourself, or something else entirely?
CUTE would be the big one. I get that a lot from people who look at my art. I think it definitely is an extension of myself because I love collecting “cute” things. I am a big Hello Kitty fan so I collect a lot of cute Hello Kitty items.

14) What does your workspace look like? (Pictures or a description work for this one)

15) Aside from art what do you do with your time? Is there anything else that drives you or that you're passionate about?
Aside from my Nanamation, I like working on my hobbies and enjoying life. I try to keep a balance of everything because I get burned out easily when I spend ALL my time on Nanamation.

Angie Pasto

2008-05-28T19:24:05Z

bloodcurdling

Flickr
Abnormality World (Official Portfolio Coming Soon)
Animation

1) What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
I have no idea what drives me to create. I've been doing it for so long that it seems unnatural when I'm not creating.
As far as inspiration I gain a lot of it from surrealists and abstract expressionists. I'm a huge fan of guys like Salvador Dali and Frances Bacon.
Cuteness is a big factor in my artwork so I look at my cat a lot and gain inspiration from her. As stupid as that sounds. The eyes on my characters look a lot like hers.

2) Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
I was born with creativity and the talent to draw well but ever since I was little my mom helped my talent by always buying me sketch books and teaching me how to do certain things. Along with my mom, my grandpa (my mom's father) gave me drawing lessons. I was about five and I knew how to draw the face correctly (ie. the eyes are an eye apart--that sort of thing)
In highschool I joined the Commercial Art program where I spent a half day for two years at another highschool building a portfolio for myself.
Then, with the portfolio I created I entered the Columbus College of Art and Design where I spent four years and earned my Bachelors Degree.

3) Do you have a ritual, quirk or superstition that influences you and the way you create? (example: I must where the green underwear when I paint hair or it will look horrid, etc.)
I have to have a clean bedroom or work space before I do any sort of work. Other than that, no not really.

4) What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
I work with Pastel on wood as far as my fine art goes. I'm all about Prismacolor anything.
With my digital illustrations I use a Mac (once you go Mac you never go back--I've come to realize) and I draw everything in Adobe Illustrator and then take it all in layers to Photoshop and add subtle textures where needed.
As far as every day sketches I only use Moleskine notebooks. I draw with a real light pencil and then outline with a uniball pen or micron. For color I use my beloved Prismacolor colored pencils.
I'm starting to get into making pet toys (in the form of my illustrations) so I'm getting into sewing.
I also will animate my illustrations using Adobe Aftereffects.
Along with all that, I roll with a Canon for my photography.

5) As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? And now?
As a kid I wanted to be a Paleontologist. I was obsessed with dinosaurs. I had this dinosaur bone kit that my mom bought me and I used to get my dinosaur books out and pretend I was doing very important research and classification.
Once getting into middle school I had a pretty good idea that I wanted to do something with art.

6) If there was one style of art that you could take up, what would it be?
I'm happy where I'm at to be completely honest. I've come to terms that I can't be perfect in every type of art out there. Everyone has their little niche and that's what makes art so great.

7) Do you think the internet, technology, media, etcetera are helping or destroying the art world?
No way. A lot of people who have never done art on the computer may think it's easier than doing it "the traditional way". In some ways it can be easier like the erasing factor but I assure you--it takes just as much time and effort to create something digitally as it would if I were to paint or sculpt something.

8) How do you deal with creator's (or writer's) block?
Lately I'll just let it run it's course. I take a break from what I'm doing and then I find that I'll go back to it with new improved ideas as long as I don't rush myself too fast. I find that magazines such as HiFructose help as well.

9) How do you prepare for art shows where your work will be shown?
Just be confident.

10) At what point did you realize that creating was going to be a large part of your life?
I think part of me has always known.

11) What was your worst experience with art?
College. There were times where I was so sick of doing what I was being told to do that I almost quit. I'm glad I stuck with it though because even with the worst of projects that I had to do--I learned a lot.

12) What was you best experience with art?
College. The last two years of college where I really concentrated on my own work was just amazing.

13) How would you define your style? Is it an extension of yourself, or something else entirely?
Oh, it's definitely an extension of myself. I guess you'd have to get to know me but everyone can just see my art and be like, "That's Angie's, right? ...I knew it!" It's a good feeling to to recognized by my style of art.

14) What does your workspace look like? (Pictures or a description work for this one)
Usually it's my bedroom. I like to work on my floor near my bed. It's just always worked for me.

15) Aside from art what do you do with your time? Is there anything else that drives you or that you're passionate about?
I love to travel and document my travels with photography. I love film and good beers and wine and summer nights. I also love animals and am utterly obsessed with my cat. I can totally see myself at 60 years old with a few cats and having a bird watching group with my old lady friends where we sit around with cameras, binoculars and coffee and just enjoy the days.

Carmine Magazine

2008-05-27T00:30:27Z

I've gotten 12 interviews (out of the 34 or so that I have done here at addmyartjournal) copied over to CarmineMag.com. I still have a lot to copy, this isn't including the news posts, tips, links, tutorials, etc. Plus getting the site set up so that the other authors can post when they need to.

Still, I'm opening the site up to all of you. Leave comments, check back often, read interviews that you may have missed or that you had forgotten and, most of all, discover new artists!

CarmineMag.com

You can leave me feedback on the site either in the comments here, the comments on the site or email me at Jami@CarmineMag.com.

Lynette May

2008-05-26T19:19:09Z

justbepatient
Older Works
Myspace
Jewelry Line
Etsy

1) What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
I can't really pin-point one thing over the other that calls to me and leads me to create...it really varies. Sometimes music moves me, other times it's photos of models or friends, but then again mood....I'd say that "mood" over all drives me the most, it hits and I'm caught up in it with colors and mixed mediums. I'm very passionate about art, it's like needing air...I feel that way about my need to paint and create pieces of art.

2) Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
I'm self taught. In some ways I feel as though a more formal means of learning some methods might help more, but luckily there are a ton of great books that teach me these unknown things versus spending money on schools.

3) Do you have a ritual, quirk or superstition that influences you and the way you create? (example: I must where the green underwear when I paint hair or it will look horrid, etc.)
Hahaha, I can't say that I do...It's not anything in stone, but I typically wear what my boyfriend refers to as my "Charlie Brown" outfit...being a white t-shirt and gray sweats, when I paint. That's as close to "quirk" as I get, but there's nothing that I "must" do in order to prepare.

4) What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
I love acrylics, but aside from that being a main medium I also use gouache, watercolors, charcoals, and ink a lot. I'm pretty prone to using the following brands, because I love how fierce the colors come across (very profound): Liquitex, Winsor & Newton, and Prismacolor

5) As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? And now?
I always wanted to be a painter, and fortunately that notion stuck.

6) If there was one style of art that you could take up, what would it be?
I miss photography and throwing clay...if I had the space for a darkroom and a kiln, I'd be ecstatic.

7) Do you think the internet, technology, media, etcetera are helping or destroying the art world?
There's definitely a fine line between helping and destroying. I love that now-a-days the internet serves as a great means of self-promo, but at the same time so many people do it that there's a tendency for some to get lost in the shuffle...which really hinders a lot of blossoming artist.

8) How do you deal with creator's (or writer's) block?
Ugh. I'm still trying to figure that out. I have small random bouts, where I've over created and it stifles new ideas, but I try to give myself a break from time-to-time, so I don't get too burnt out.

9) How do you prepare for art shows where your work will be shown?
I'm all about music and a good glass of wine, for me..it really stirs up my create juices. I spread out all of my supplies on the floor and sit back a bit, until something really strikes me...then I work for days on end.

10) At what point did you realize that creating was going to be a large part of your life?
As I inched up closer to my mid-to-late teen years, when everyone began discussing what college they were going to, I began wondering what painting I was going to do next and decided I'd really give it a shot as a means of supplementing my income with it.

11) What was your worst experience with art?
When I was 19, I was working on a custom piece and failed to make sure I had the money in advance and ended up doing a $1,000 job for $600.

12) What was you best experience with art?
There's nothing more flattering than receiving a compliment on my work, but even more so...having numerous people tattooed with it. It's definitely one of the most rewarding things to have come from creating.

13) How would you define your style? Is it an extension of yourself, or something else entirely?
There's not a definitive word that comes to mind, when defining my work...but if I had to choose "illustrative" as simple or trite as it might seem...it fits.

14) What does your workspace look like? (Pictures or a description work for this one)
Cluttered. You can tell by walking through the door that I create art for a living. There's a ton of supplies that flow off my desk and all over the side wall of my living room. I think I need a studio. Heh.

15) Aside from art what do you do with your time? Is there anything else that drives you or that you're passionate about?
In my spare time, I enjoy spending quality time with my son, Joseph and my boyfriend, Shawn. They are a huge inspiration for me.

Monday Art News

2008-05-26T19:02:22Z

Just one story for today, content on here is going to be dramatically cut for a little while as I spend my time copying past articles, interviews, tutorials, etc over to the domain.

Remember
Art Marketing Action Articles
from Alyson B. Stanfield and ArtBizCoach.com...

It’s time again for my annual Memorial Day issue. This is the day I give you reminders of what you should be doing to build your career and reputation and to sell more art. This is an incomplete list that reflects some truths as I see them at the moment.

Remember that you are in charge. This is your life and your career. Don’t listen to anyone else’s definition of success, but know how you would define success for yourself. Don’t sit by as others try to steal your power.

Remember that your mailing list is your #1 asset. Get it organized, update it, and, most importantly, use it.

Remember that your images stand in for your artwork. Make sure they are first-rate.

Remember that your artist statement is the backbone of your marketing efforts. Until you can articulate what your art is about, you will find it hard to write brochures, Web copy, grant applications, and press releases. This reminds me of something else...

Remember that you are a work in progress. Don’t write your statement and forget about it. Allow it to mature along with your art.

Remember that artwork is always listed as H x W x D.

Remember that connections are important in any career. You can stay in the studio and keep to yourself, or you can get out and meet more people that might be able to help along your artist’s path.

Remember to be kind, thoughtful, grateful, and generous. We’re often scared to let our “secrets” out, but the most successful artists I know are also the ones who share information the most freely.

Remember that you’re human. You can’t do it all. But you can look at the available options and prioritize. Figure out what is the best use of your time at this moment.

(More from Alyson)

Megan Frau

2008-05-24T20:40:09Z

merum

Website: Fraunie.xepher.net
Flickr: Megan Frau
Myspace: Megan Fraunie
Deviantart: Fraunie
Livejournal: merum
Talent Database: Fraunie
Etsy: MeganFrau (Nothing's currently listed at the moment to sell.)

1) What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
A need to say something: a story to tell or a call for action. It's hard for me to make art without an intended purpose. I typically need to have an idea formulated entirely before I begin. I'm very project oriented.
Reading and writing inspires me mostly. I write more in my sketchbook than sketch. Also life experiences and social causes for me have impact on my work.

2) Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
Both. I grew up teaching myself to draw cartoons, but my more formal drawing was helped along with my college art classes. The emphasis of my art, printmaking, was entirely taught while in college as well.
To a small degree, I feel academic teaching could hinder you, but only in the sense of complete self expression. You spend a lot of time making sure that your portfolio is accepted by your professors to achieve a desired grade. I was lucky to have teachers that gave me some artistic freedom. I'm going back to school in the fall to start on my Master's, so my thoughts may change on the matter entirely.

3) Do you have a ritual, quirk or superstition that influences you and the way you create? (example: I must where the green underwear when I paint hair or it will look horrid, etc.)
I use to obsessively research ideas before starting. I would have pages of references, notes, and doodles pasted into my sketchbook. Lately, I've been trying to break from that habit so I have more spontaneity and happy accidents with what I'm creating.
I guess my new habit is to have a sketchbook that's not store-bought and boring to look at. A friend of mine only used handmade journals because she believe it inspired her to use it everyday. I think that rubbed off on me.

4) What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
I work with everything and anything. I don't restrict myself to brands and enjoy experimenting. For drawing/painting I've been experimenting mostly with inks and spray paint. I sometimes work digitally, but I have to mix it with natural mediums too, so it doesn't become too mechanical. I suppose the one consistent material I need to work with is good quality paper or illustration/masonite board. It makes all the difference when I'm printing or bookmaking.

5) As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? And now?
As a child I first remembered wanting to train dolphins! My mind changed 20 times until it settled on artist though. For some reason, I never thought that maybe doing what you like as a career should be an option.

6) If there was one style of art that you could take up, what would it be?
I geek-out over slick graphic design, it's something I wished I studied that while in school. Weird? Perhaps. It would also be rad if I could do renaissance art. Just because.

7) Do you think the internet, technology, media, etcetera are helping or destroying the art world?
Once again, both. The ability to have that exposure is an advantage, but then there are greater chances of art thieves and copycats. It's also harder to feel original when you can see what everyone produces. You're constantly thinking of ideas, but once you're halfway through making it you realize twenty other artists are doing similar stuff. I'd like to think that perhaps having that hurdle of frustration will push me to think more outside of what's standard. Hopefully.

8) How do you deal with creator's (or writer's) block?
I tend to have a billion "to-do"s that I always never complete. Whenever I have a creative block, that's when I take advantage and shift my energies. That means working on the website, scanning, applying and mailing off stuff for shows, enjoying leisure time, researching ideas, and finding inspiration. If the creative block doesn't include writing, I'll write a blog post or otherwise. Growing up, having a block was more difficult and I tended to be very grumpy. --->pseudo-angsty teen =)

9) How do you prepare for art shows where your work will be shown?
Most of the shows I've participated in have been big group exhibitions where I send my submission off in a big box and pay a hefty postage fee. If I'm lucky, my work is hung at a local gallery and all I have to do is drop it by framed. My BFA thesis show was another story. The venue was in a "renovated" space and our group had to clean, provide lighting, and my friend and I had to build a wall in order to have more space because most of walls were inadequate to hang art on. The floors were all uneven so everything I had on pedestals sat crooked and there was a bathroom was right next to the emphasis of my show. Never again.

10) At what point did you realize that creating was going to be a large part of your life?
Probably when I realized how much a creative block effected me. To inability to create was not an option. Art makes me happy, even if I never become successful with it.

11) What was your worst experience with art?
Hm, probably when my dog ate the face off one of my sculptures (no joke) that I spent my entire summer creating. Handling bad criticism is a far second.

12) What was you best experience with art?
So far being published in a book. It was a small publication, but I felt accomplished. I hope to have more to gain in the future.

13) How would you define your style? Is it an extension of yourself, or something else entirely?
Eh, the only consistency in my style is that it's inconsistent. I get bored way too easily with my work and always change the style drastically. It's constantly back and forth with using cartoons and realistic to the materials and color choices. I keep trying to have a "style" but I often ponder if it's all beneficial.

14) What does your workspace look like? (Pictures or a description work for this one)

It's an organized chaos. My desk is currently a place to put all my recently finished work. I hate working there, but it's more to do with it not being near a tv or some form of entertainment. I have ADD pretty bad, but I work best if I have a movie or cd playing in the background. So often I work on the floor of my living room.

15) Aside from art what do you do with your time? Is there anything else that drives you or that you're passionate about?
I probably come off very domestic, but I like to cook! I try to learn new dishes whenever I can afford to splurge. I've also been making a hobby of reusing old art prints/paper and converting it to sketchbooks or new art. I want to take on new hobbies like sewing once schooling is over.

Edit

2008-05-23T16:37:24Z

I will actually be posting today's artist interview tomorrow. Sorry!

I wanted to share one of my journals with you:

2008-05-23T00:40:27Z

So the quality is no good, I know, but I enjoyed making a little video of one of my moleskin journals where I do art inspired by shamanic journeying - see what you think:

Links!

2008-05-22T23:40:11Z

Hello everyone!

Just wanted to let you know that I will be out of town on Friday May 23 (tomorrow). I will be posting an interview later on tonight for tomorrow. As an added bonus I decided to make this entry to tide everyone over.

Here is a list of links to sites/communities that are either filled with inspiring things, informational things or creative things. I tend to get a lot of art information from these places and they make me quite happy.

NOTCOT.org
NOTCOT.ORG is a community of creatives, design lovers, and trendsetters - where .org serves as the studio bulletin board gone digital - each image and caption brings you to a place worth visiting. It's about sharing what inspires you. Bookmarks, del.icio.us, digg, blogrolls, etc. make you read, search and think. This is the PICTUREBOOK to their novel. NOTCOT.COM is the editorial face of NOTCOT, offering in-depth features on products, artists, technology, innovation, and up-and-coming trends.

Coilhouse.net
COILHOUSE is a love letter to alternative culture, written in an era when alternative culture no longer exists. And because it no longer exists, we take from yesterday and tomorrow, from the mainstream and from the underground, to construct our own version. We cover art, fashion, technology, music and film to create an alternative culture that we would like to live in, as opposed to the one that’s being sold or handed down to us. The result, in the form of articles, features and interviews, is laid out on our blog and in our print magazine for all to see. If our Utopia is your Utopia, then welcome! Anyone can contribute, and we encourage you to go to our submission page and get in touch.

WeHeartIt.com
We Heart It is a social bookmarking tool for images and videos.
We see many great images on blogs and websites around, and now you can put everything you saw and liked on the same page to look again whenever you want.

FFFFOUND.com
FFFFOUND! is a web service that not only allows the users to post and share their favorite images found on the web, but also dynamically recommends each user's tastes and interests for an inspirational image-bookmarking experience!!

TheDieLine.com
TheDieline.com was founded by Andrew Gibbs, a senior packaging designer in Southern California. “I started The Dieline because as a packaging designer, I wanted a resource where I could go to see the latest design trends and styles. When he realized something like that didn’t exist, The Dieline was born.” The Dieline was launched in January of 2007, and has quickly become the web’s leading packaging design blog. “Product packaging not only secures and protects a product, it is the direct link between the brand and the consumer. It is what determines if a product will be a success or failure. Packaging plays a pivotal role in influencing a consumer’s perception of the brand and product.” TheDieline.com defines good packaging and is the ultimate resource for packaging designers in the field.

ArtTradeSecrets
TRADE SECRETS is just that; a resource. One part work diary, one part advice column, I’m going to put forward what I know to help others. I often get asked about promotion, so I’ll give my two cents on that, as well as finances. I’ll provide resources of companies I’ve found to help with making certain items. In addition I hope to get more people into the fun either by guest blogging or interviews– I figure that learning together will help us all get a little sharper.

Livejournal Communities
artsource
creative_spaces
illustrators
jr__nal
open_panel
monstermanual

Now it's your turn!
What are your favorite creative places around the web? Leave us some links in the comments!

The Big Word Project

2008-05-22T18:11:47Z

The Big Word Project
BigWordProject.com

1) For the readers not familiar with The Big Word Project, how would you explain what it is?
Paddy: It's essentially a dictionary which has been given a clean slate. The definitions have been removed and they are up for grabs to whoever wants to redefine them. Our dictionary does not have traditional defintions, the words are defined by people's websites. Say you have a site about eggs, then you could buy the word 'egg' and point it towards your egg site. Your site will then be the new definition on The Big Word Project and when people click on your word they will be taken to your site.

2) What drove you (and your partners) to create The Big Word Project?
Lee: For our Masters course we felt we needed a small project to help develop some of our skills. Paddy was looking at viral marketing and I was looking at web applications so we thought why not setup a small mini project that combined our skills and that we could learn from. We always thought a 'mass collaboration' project would be the way to go - a lot of people contributing very little individually but as a collective is a huge contribution and success.

3) Why words? How did that idea come about?
Paddy: Both Myself and Lee have been studying together for the past 5 years and we have always been coming up with different ideas to pay off our student debts and promote ourselves as web designers. We knew we needed a Mass Collaboration project where thousands of people would contribute a small amount of effort or money to make it a success. One day we just thought, 'Why not sell the words of the dictionary?'.

4) What does the future hold for The Big Word Project?
Lee: The project is still going strong and as far as our database goes we have another 170,000 odd words to sell, as well as words that may not be in our list yet.

5) Is there any specific goal that you would like to see The Big Word Project achieve in the world?
Paddy: We would love to sell all the words and redefine the whole dictionary, at this time of writing we are approaching 5,000 redefined words, which is fantastic but we have quite a way to go with over 170,000 words in our list! We would like it to be seen as a pioneering project in the web 2.0 movement as we are using new technology (Ruby on Rails) to create it. We hope it inspires other students that you can reach a global audience and get your name out there if you really work hard.

6) Anything else you would like the readers to know or think about?
Paddy: We have a blog which we post on regularly about whats happening with the project, what the two of us are up to, any interesting websites or words purchased and any press the project gets. You can see the blog at: http://blog.thebigwordproject.com We also have a twitter feed which follows the project: http://www.twitter.com/bigwordproject/

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Just to let you all know, I recently bought the word Carmine for CarmineMag.com (our future home). I've gotten two of our interviews copied over to the domain already. I'm going to take some time this weekend (after a quick vacation to SF on Friday) copying more of the interviews over.
Don't worry, I will let you all know when the site is finished!

Kelly Price-Colston

2008-05-21T23:11:15Z

psychepreserved
PaperBallet.com (Official Site)
Myspace
Flickr

1) What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
Usually my drive to create is born from inspiration via nature, animals, relationships and loss/fear/sadness. Not all of my work is depressing, per se, but I do enjoy intensity. I think above all else, I value truth in emotions and my art seems to find a home within that honesty.

2) Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
I am self-taught, though I have had color & 2-d design classes as well as painting and drawing. but the current mediums I use I learned from experiential means.

3) Do you have a ritual, quirk or superstition that influences you and the way you create? (example: I must where the green underwear when I paint hair or it will look horrid, etc.)
I have a really strict routine. I am up at 7 am to get my daughter ready for school. I then go to my studio across town and walk my dogs for an hour. I then come back and work in my sketchbook and eat breakfast. Then I work until lunch and after lunch I work more until 3 pm when I go get my daughter from school and then she and I hang out. Routines are important for people with depression and artists especially. I think it can become very easy to get behind in your work and ambition if you don't create an atmosphere of professionalism for yourself.

4) What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
Because I am a collage artist, I would have to say I prefer old magazines the best. The paper has become worn and slightly brittle and it's very easy to tear and shape in the hand, as opposed to newer magazines. I also like watercolor paper to collage onto for it's strength and texture. I am all about details, so I love that watercolor paper will take splattering with gouache well. The color and beauty of the paper is beyond comparison. I swear by ebony pencils for sketching and a pair of micro-tipped Fiskars scissors are a MUST in my studio. I also prefer the glue sticks that are purple and not clear glue. I like to know where I am putting my glue.

5) As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? And now?
As a child I wanted to be a floral designer, fashion designer and singer. I still sing in my car and in the shower, but I am afraid I do not enjoy the limelight as much as I once did. Dare I say, I am even a bit reclusive... I was a floral designer for years but I kept fucking up my hands & wrists so I stopped. When I became fully disabled from my mental illness, I had to learn to occupy my time with something that was important to me, but that didn't put an obnoxious amount of stress on me or my family. I had always written and made art, but I didn't start to take myself seriously until a few friends online took note and bought work from me. One of them later gave me a few spots in her gallery.
And now? I want to be free from depression and anxiety. I realize that having obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder are not easy to recover from fully. But I don't lose hope. An enormous part of my art is grounded in the faith I have in miracles and learning to trust myself again.

6) If there was one style of art that you could take up, what would it be?
Mixed media. Ha!

7) Do you think the internet, technology, media, etcetera are helping or destroying the art world?
I love this question because I use photoshop and digital art is my biggest profit-producing medium. I don't think technology destroys anything. I think poor standards destroy art. And that happens, unfortunately, in every single medium and has since Leonardo and before. Some dipshit will ALWAYS try and create "art" because they just want to be an artist/art scene type. Me, I think art is in my bones. It's just at the core of who I am. Media and technology have not changed me; they have helped me. Whereas, new art accoutrements have helped artists for ages, so does the mouse. I certainly know that my art career wouldn't have taken off had I not had the internet at my disposal.

8) How do you deal with creator's (or writer's) block?
Sketchbook, sketchbook, sketchbook. I also have a library of art books I refer to. My studio tends to lend itself to working, but when I don't feel it, I don't force it. Sometimes, I only have that one sketch in my sketchbook and the rest of my time I flip through magazines or books. I am always learning and reading. But I think the sadness from not working keeps me from really letting artists block work me into a rut.

9) How do you prepare for art shows where your work will be shown?
I just try and keep my daughter close to me that day. As someone with social phobias and high anxiety levels anyway. It can be tough. I mean, an art show is usually what artists wait for- it's our chance to shine and show off, but that's just not who I am. I like to work, alone, and play with my doggies and my kid. Art shows are about 90% bullshit and 10% sales. Everything else is a potential contact and I treat it as such. I wish I had more time to prepare for shows and events, but it's just as well that I wait until the last minute, I've learned. You can invest a ton of money into matting, framing and work- only to not sell a damn thing. That can burn you. I think once that happens, you learn to take an art show at face value and not invest all of yourself into it.

10) At what point did you realize that creating was going to be a large part of your life?
When I was 7 or 8 I had one of those fashion designer change-plate kits. You could change out the skirt and the shirt and the faces. You turned the plates over and rubbed crayon on the textures and you could make your outfits have flowers or checkered or polka dotted. That was around 1980, I believe. At that time I wanted to design more than anything. I spent hours and hours with that little toy and I have been making things ever since.

11) What was your worst experience with art?
When my college special projects professor in art told me everything I painted looked like a vagina or had a "penetration" quality to it. I felt ill for days. Like, as a female artist, I was going to always be limited to my vagina and femaleness. I gave up art for years after that. it was only when my daughter went to kindergarten that I finally decided I HAD to work.

12) What was you best experience with art?
After I had many classes in art history and studied at the college level, I began to start seeing art in its many forms and with all the idealism behind the work. It wasn't just pretty pictures. I remember seeing many of Henry Moore's work in Kansas city at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and just being blown away. There were just so many little treasures there. T communed with the impressionist room for an hour. But I think seeing my first Caravaggio painting was the best. For the first time, I appreciated not only the beauty of a painting, but I understood the historical context of it. The vast importance of that piece melted my heart. it was like standing in front of a time line of the world and seeing it, that exact place, visually marked by this important object. It represented to me how holy and sacred creation really is in art.

13) How would you define your style? Is it an extension of yourself, or something else entirely?
My style is very paperballet. I just don't think I can explain how to make my style happen. Nor do I know why it has evolved into what it is. I can say that I add a lot more in the beginning than what I need to work with and then I end up whittling away the pieces that don't fit. I am not sure I understand what "the self" is, so I can't be sure who creates it. I just know that when I don't do it, the shit inside my head gets really fussy and makes me feel like clawing out of reality and holing up in the studio for hours until I can feel real again.

14) What does your workspace look like? (Pictures or a description work for this one)

15) Aside from art what do you do with your time? Is there anything else that drives you or that you're passionate about?
I love my daughter. She's amazing and totally smart. She is five years old and takes a lot of energy because I refuse to be a lay-in-bed "tv babysitting" type mom. I am involved and I really love talking to her and watching her make things. I love my dogs, too. Walking them daily and playing with them has developed my sense of "play" which was limited for a long time. For many years I thought being a grown-up meant being a boring asshole. I think differently now.