Mixing It Up

There is something really awesome about creating mixed-media art!  The textures, the dimensions, the colors … combining these aspects with different papers, nature, antiques, {the list goes on} … it’s one of my many creative passions.  I like to capture the essence of life around me, the life of the past and the possible life of the future in a dimensional form.  For instance, I just love little quaint villages.  The shops you can poke through, the ‘family’ type of feel you experience when you visit them and the easy, relaxed atmosphere the surrounds you.  So, in my latest creative adventure, I wanted to try and capture the many emotions that we experience upon a visit to a ‘village’ and I placed my focus on the beauty of yarns.  I created a ‘village-like’ store front painting in watercolors and ‘mixed it up’ by adding beautiful yarns and a pair of antique scissors.  I hope, when people view my interpretation, they get drawn into the feelings I am creating, can experience the essence of a village and then happily evoke their own love for these special corners of our world.  The possibilities are endless as to what I can capture dimensionally!  Hmmm … my creative mind is primed … now, what to ‘mix up’ next is the question!

Artfully Yours, L   

Look … There’s Inspiration!

Don’t you just love it when your mind is open to the inspiration around you?  The conversation you are having with a friend, the ocean breeze that caresses your face, the random act of kindness you witness or the beauty from a quiet forest.  Inspiration surrounds us everyday yet we are sometimes so busy to open our eyes to the wonders around us.  We miss the beautiful moments that could change our careers, uplift our relationships or motivate us to create a great masterpiece.   Now and again I wish my wonderment could be ‘on’ more often.  Be alive in the experiences instead of feeling overwhelmed by the tasks around me.  Today I feel grateful that my eyes are open so I can appreciate and fully see the inspirations around me in this moment.  I will take those feelings and create something awesome with them … even if it’s to bring a smile to someone’s heart!

Will you inspire today or drink in an inspiration?  I hope I can do both … Whooo Hooo!!!!

Artfully Yours, L 

Summer Treasure Hunting

The time has come!  Spring is here with summer just around the corner and it’s time to start outdoor ‘treasure hunting’ again.  As a mixed-media artist, I just LOVE getting out to flea markets, yard sales, recycling centers and spending hours poking through things!  You never know what treasure will contribute to your next inspiration.  Yes, you may come across a rare {moola making} item but I prefer the fun of finding the perfect colorful fabric, a box of unused watercolors or the ideal frame for my next art design.  What is it about the ‘hunt’ that is so attractive?  Hmmmm, I think it is a combination of many fun things.  The hunt for the best bargain, the hunt for that elusive treasure, the hunt for that rare item to add to your collection, and much more.  This weekend I will start a new hunt and hopefully arrive home with lots of fabulous finds!  What is your favorite treasure found on one of your ‘hunts’?

Happy Hunting!

Artfully Yours,   

Any New Fresh Marketing Ideas?

We all try to ‘get noticed’ regarding our businesses and careers.  Do you ever wonder if you are doing enough to get noticed?   I wonder sometimes about the avenues I use to sell my art work.  I certainly don’t want to live as a starving artist *wink*  I try to approach my work as a marketable artifact as much as artful beauty so I can ultimately boost my visibility and, hopefully, my sales.  I try to use as many fresh ideas as I can and get the word out in as many ways as possible.  Here are some of the things I do to help my sales;  Networking with other artists, a complex web presence, entering art shows, entering juried shows at local galleries, and, most importantly, bringing as much passion into my work as I can.  I would hope this passion translates through my designs and, in turn, my art finds a beautiful home. 

Do you have any marketing ideas that have worked for you?  I would love to glean any new and fresh ideas.

I hope you find this day to be a ‘marketing’ success … Enjoy L !

{I} Live the Good Sticky

What makes good ideas or concepts ‘stick’?  Stick in the minds of the masses.  There have been lots of business books, seminars and video programs on that very question.  I am fascinated by the phenomenon and inspired by the possibilities of what ‘could be’ when you put your heart and soul into an entrepreneurial project.  The one ‘good sticky’ I don’t hear a lot about is humility.  Ok, here is where my mind is going … when you put your modest self into a project I think that positive thought process comes out and is reflected in your end result and, in turn, you have a better chance to make your project or idea ‘stick’.   Here is an example;  you have a great new invention, you engineer the design, but market your design with the pure thought of ‘making tons of money’ and ‘telling people that didn’t believe in you to go ____ themselves’ … ummmm not a good thing.  I believe people can ‘feel’ the negativity that surrounds that ‘end result’ and will shy away from it.  Yes, we all want to be a success.  Yes, we all want to have the freedom to live our lives as we wish.  But it can be done in a positive, humble way which can only benefit you and others … a win, win ‘good sticky’!

I hope you create many great, new possibilities today everyone and here are a couple of books that I have on the subject … Enjoy L!

Made To Stick

The Tipping Point  

Today Matters 

Pursuing the Ideas {I} Love

Sometimes I run out of {metaphoric} breath trying to catch all the ideas that are running around in my head.  I think of a design, get excited about creating it to fruition then, oh, wait, here comes another idea … and the chase is on.  *wink* I end up with 20 ideas in my head, out of breath {well just figuratively} and not enough time to create all of them.  How do I pick and select the ones to focus on? All are good and exciting.  I think creative people always see the wonderfulness in almost everything around them which makes it difficult to focus on one of the greatnesses.  I sometimes get a bit frustrated and feel like I haven’t accomplished anything because I have too many ideas I’m chasing.  So here is my little ‘Lisa’ solution that has worked for me … I simply write all of my ideas in my creative journal (that’s the catching them part), then , depending on my time during any particular day, I focus on just one idea.  Now, here’s the secret … I have to be HAPPY with my choice for the day.  Let the fact I didn’t get to everything be ok!  I will eventually get to that project … hey, I’m only one girl.  Sounds simple but the ‘letting go and being ok’ plan is the toughest part. 

How do you pursue all of your ideas? 

Make your day a happy one … the ‘production’ of the day will fall into place and be good!

Enjoy L!

I Create Small in a Large Way

I have discovered and have grown to embrace my allure to create small.  What does that mean?  Well, when I paint I can’t seem to organize my designs on a large piece of paper or canvas.  I just can’t think that ‘wide’ if you will {I have much admiration for the artist who can}.  When I write I want things to be simple, to the point and inspirational so haven’t been able to create pages of the written word {I have much admiration for the writer who can}.  On the other hand, I believe my ‘small’ designs or words are ‘large’ in beauty and love!  I create ‘Splendor for Small Spaces’ for that little nook in your home that needs some brightening, for the person who is rushing out the door but needs a little inspiration for the day, for someone with a small home who desires a beautiful ‘small’ piece of art … small creations in a large way!  My wish is to inspire, to cheer on love and to bring joy to the ordinary.  Thank you all for your support in my endeavor!  It is appreciated beyond words!

Enjoy L {of The L Studios}!

The Art of Music

As an artist I am continually inspired by not only other artists but by the creativity thru different mediums as well.  I use a paintbrush, ink, canvas, paper and keystrokes to create but other artists use clefs, rests and C Major Scales to move your passion.  I hold a great deal of admiration for the artist musician mostly because I can’t sing a lick or begin to understand music theory.  Music is a very big part of my life and inspires me every day!  I think when you can’t fully create something you love you hold the designing path with a higher regard.  I listen to all genres of music and mostly select my ‘music for the moment’ based on the activity I am completing.  Painting – 70’s rock baby!  Writing – those Great American Songbook Crooners!  Cleaning – I get down to Motown!  It’s tough to pick my favorite genre they are all so awesome! 

What type of music turns you on? 

Hope your day is filled with lots of love ‘notes” thru the art of music!   

Some of my favorite songs … Enjoy L!

70’s Rock

The Great American Songbook

Motown

Excite the Right

I’m sure you have noticed that most individuals have a distinct preference for using either the right or left side styles of thinking. In general, schools tend to favor left-brain modes of thinking, while downplaying the right-brain ones. Left-brain scholastic subjects focus on logical thinking, analysis, and accuracy. Right-brained subjects, on the other hand, focus on aesthetics, feeling, and creativity.  Numbers and logic seem to be the way of the world and almost the sole focus when it comes to education but I believe you cannot be a whole person {or a successful one} without creativity!

Spatial intelligence is defined as the ability to interpret information from visual sources such as pictures, art and plans using creativity to solve or understand the image before you.  Ask a CEO or an engineer if they listen to music, play an instrument or paint … of course they do! Creativity thru music, reading and art stimulates your spatial IQ and opens your mind up to the diversity around you.   A person with spatial intelligence can decide if a piece of furniture will fit through a door without a measuring tape {a pretty important skill don’t you think?}  Art in all forms sometimes doesn’t get the ‘credit’ it should in our society.  I’m ready to change that, how about you?  How can you excite the right side of your brain today?

Visit your local museum or craft center to check out some creative workshops.  In the meantime, here are some spatial stimulus … Enjoy L !

Morning Star Games

Hasbro’s Cranium

Hasbro’s Pictionary

The Elegance and Art of Wine

I’m not sure when I began enjoying the elegance and exquisiteness of wine but certainly have grown into a love for the ‘art’ of the enjoyment.  I gravitate towards the dark, full-bodied wines.  The rich flavors, smooth textures, sexy legs, and the romanticism of sharing a bottle with the one you love.  In our family we call the celebration of the ‘drink’ ‘toes up’.  Sitting back, glass in hand, with your feet up after a long day at career … WOW! What a tremendous feeling.  Wine embodies my love for art as well.  Generations of families have made the celebration of creating wine a lifelong love and passion.  It’s in the fête … it’s in the styling … it’s in the art … it’s in the joy of pride in the family business; all to bring you the bursting flavor discerning your palate right now.  I have begun creating some mixed-media art in celebration of my love of wine … stay tuned !  ‘Toes Up’ everyone!

Here are some ‘vine experiences’ that I am hoping to partake in someday … Enjoy L !

Kendall-Jackson

Belhurst Castle

Boston Winery