A room of one's own is a luxurious thing. My new job at the Springfield Regional Arts Council has its own office, complete with a window, nice lighting, and a chair on wheels. It. Is. Amazing. Part of me wants to set up shop there permanently, and bring my art supplies and easels for when … Continue reading A Room of My Own
In 2016, I decided I needed to be more intentional with my creative process, but had a hard time knowing how to start. Enter Crystal Moody, and her Year of Creative Habits. It's a guided program to help artists of all media set goals and work toward them in a 365-day span. Crystal checks in … Continue reading Q&A with Crystal Moody
I started The Dream Diary Project in January as a way to commit to intentional artistic creation, have a theme, a focal point, and a goal. I always dream, and I always dream BIG. In fact, I've been keeping track of dreams since elementary school, writing them in journals. By interpreting dreams visually, I'm able … Continue reading Dream Diary Project: Black Animals
Michelle Houghton is one of those gals that's good for the soul. After some one-on-one time with her, I guarantee you'll feel like you can conquer the world, be an expert succulent grower, and paint until you faint. She makes it look easy, but is honest about the hard work and determination it takes to … Continue reading Q&A with Michelle
Near or far, here are some opportunities that might be up your alley if you are looking to push yourself creatively, desire accountability, or want to finally dive in feet first. For Artists of All Media All Over the World (Crafters, Knitters, Drawers, Painters, Quilters, Photographers, Writers!): Queen City Art Swap Artist Trading Card Registration … Continue reading Creative Opportunities in June
Having a booth at ArtsFest was a great learning experience, a lot of fun, and totally exhausting (I'm hoping to get down my thoughts about it soon!). There's a reason I chose to focus on art over the last few years, and it's because my body gets tired very easily. Working full steam for months … Continue reading Working Hard, or Hardly Working?
I am obsessed. I love newsletters. I always have. I love writing them, reading them, making them, sharing them. Here are a few I receive that are worth checking out: AUSTIN KLEON, a writer who draws...or is he a drawer who writes? Either way, his book "Show Your Work" was the cheerleader I needed to get … Continue reading Newsletters
I didn’t get the job. I applied for a marketing position at a local arts advocacy group, and made it to the final 2 candidates in what seemed to be an extremely competitive process, considering I had three interviews with a total of six different people. The job itself came to me by serendipity. I … Continue reading Permission
At night, I dream of zombies and being locked in old hotels floating on rivers; of giant tidal waves from Lake Michigan splashing into my 5th floor balcony window, while I am unphased, drinking coffee; of a constant knocking noise that turns out to be a dog throwing a bone at the wall; an airport … Continue reading End of August
"Machine Holding Two Crystals," acrylic and Sharpie on canvas, 2014 Nicole and Jasper If you can't beat them, let them join you. But only sometimes, because letting kids paint with acrylics and gouache and expensive brushes, for me, is stressful and energy-sapping. I feel less creative when my children paint with me, because I … Continue reading My Kid Could Paint That
