Alease Michelle - A Mixed Media Artist

A Gift for his Sister

Over the holidays, I was commissioned to create a mixed media collage for a co-worker's sister. Well of course I completed it before Christmas, but I did not want to post it, caused I feared that maybe his sister would view my post from his blog. So I decided I would post it today.

I going to send you to my new blog -Studio 2229. Here is where I have posted A Gift for His Sister.

Note: Studio 2229 will serve as a place I'll discuss my artwork in progress, art shows, and anything relating to me creating artwork. I will still post to the Mixed Media blog- it will still remain a place I write about the business of being an artist. I will write more about the purpose of these two blogs later in the week. But for now go read- A Gift for His Sister.

10 Tips to Staying Happy and Positive

Today I wanted to share 10 of my favorite Tips of on Staying Happy and Positive.  During the stuff times I have to often reflect on these tips to help me get through my day. We all have bad days, but what is important is how we handle those days so they don't become part of our everyday lives. Take some time and read over the following 10 Tips of Staying Happy and Positive.

1. Don't Put Yourself Down- It's important to recognize your weak areas, but it's not important to beat yourself up. Instead of thinking about your weaknesses, match them with strengths to help keep confidence levels high.

2. Stretch Away Toxins - During the winter months we sometimes neglect exercise. But still try to add some type of activity to your lives, even in the cold months. Try walking around the house, or doing yoga or pilates by video. Keep your body's circulation going and get rid of those winter blues.

3. Have a Tea Party - Simply going through the motions of making a cup of tea can reduce stress. There are four (black, green, white, & oolong) types of teas that have their own health- giving benefit.

4. Make it Moody- Put on your favorite piece of music. It can be something that reminds you of a pleasant memory like a happy holiday (Christmas music is my favorite) or your first romance. Then sit back in a comfortable chair, dim the lights and just listen. Music is said to appeal  directly to the primal part of the brain to calm and soothe.

5. Be Beautiful - Fill your home with things that give you the most pleasure. Do worry about conforming to others' perception of beauty; simply choose things that appeal to you and just sit around and enjoy your beautiful things.

6. Write it Down - Keep a pen and paper by your bedside. It can help you in two ways: first, write a list of things you need to tackle the next day; second writing it down allows you to let go of anything playing on your mind.

7. Bath before Bed- A warm bath will gently warm and relax you, and not only that, the reduction in your  body temperature mimics your body's natural sleep rhythms.

8. Learn for Another - Find a story about someone who has achieve greatness. Use their story to help you stay positive about your life and the opportunities you have.

9. Admire your Reflection- Make time each week to reflect on the decisions you have made and how they affected your life positively or negatively. Then make a promise to yourself to learn from your successes and failures.

10. Embrace Challenges- It's all too easy to be grateful for things like your house, family and loved ones, but remember to be grateful for life's challenges too. Often, it's facing challenges that helps uncover hidden strengths.

If you have any tips on how you stay happy and positive, please share them, I would love to add them to my list.-

Pictorial Webster's: Inspiration to Completion by John Carrera

Pictorial Webster's: Inspiration to Completion from John Carrera on Vimeo.

Check this video out. It is a wonderful piece of art. The actual start to end process of creating this book. Please watch it, especially if you have a love for books and book making & binding

Quoted from John site:The deluxe copy shown in the video is from an edition of 26 is $4600, but there is also the regular run of 100 books (doesn't have fingertabs) in $3200 binding, $2600, and $1800, and now from Chronicle Books a very splendid $35 version. Chronicle has a contest on their website where you can WIN the deluxe in the photo!

Creative Collage Workshop Went Very Well

Friday was my Creative Collage Workshop on Story Telling Through Collage. 10 creative souls attended the workshop and I must say I have a blast and the participants all seem to enjoyed the workshop as well.

Below are photos from the workshop.

 

 

Package Tape Transfer

Creating package tape transfers has to be the simplest and cheapest transfer technique I know of. It is a cool and neat trick- how the image sticks to the tape. I call it my magic trick- I once showed it to my dad and he was just amazed. He wanted me to tell him my secret.

Today I wanted to share my magic trick with you. - well am not, but The One Minute Musewill, she has posted a great youtube video on how to create a package tape transfer.

Below are examples of my attempts of using package tape transfers in my artwork.

2 Steps toward Creating a V.I.P. Artist Client List

Do you have a V.I.P. client list?  If you don't, then it's ok, I will show you how to create a V.I.P. Art Client list in 2 steps.

 Why is a V.I.P. list important? It's important 'cause when you work with clients you love and like to be around, you'll truly enjoy the work you are doing. And we all know when you love doing something, you'll do your best work, which is essential to becoming a successful artist.

Ok enough with the pep talk- lets get down to business.

Step 1 Dump the Duds

Yeah I said it- Dump the Duds

Identify the types of clients you don't want to work with. List their characteristics or behaviors you refuse to tolerate. Think about what really pisses you off and what type of people should not be placed on your V.I.P. art list.

Now take a look at your list and think about who among your current clients fits the profile you've just created? The next part might be little hard- but you are going to have to dump the dud clients. I know this is a bold action and requires some courage, especially if they are friends of yours. I too faced this same issue, but after I decided not to take on anymore projects from them, a ton of weight was lifted from my shoulders.

 

Step 2 - Create Your V.I.P. List

Let me start out saying the benefits of working with V.I.P. clients totally out weigh the negative. Currently the benefits I've noticed are: I am more invigorated and inspired, I connect with my clients on a more deeper level, I feel more successful and confident, I now know that the time I put in creating my artwork matters and I am surrounded by positive energy which allows me to do my best work.

Ok, lets get down to identifying your ideal clients. Ask yourself what type of people do you enjoy being around?  What do they like to do? What do they talk about? What ethical standards do they follow?  And what kind of environment do you want to create in your artist life?

Now look at your current client list? Does any of them have qualities you've listed? If so, they are keepers. If you are just starting out and have no current clients, then look over your list. Picture in your mind what your new clients would look like and then write down 3 to 5 characteristics of these clients.

CONGRATULATIONS you've completed the first part of Building a Foundation for Your Artist Career!  But I have to remind you,the process we've just completed is one that you will have to do on a regular basis. Just check over your V.I.P. every so often and dump the duds that need it, and reward those that are keepers.

In Wednesday's  post I will discuss "Why People Buy Art?"

See you then! Peace & More Love, Alease

 

 

Building a Foundation for Your Artist Career

Hello, and welcome to a wonderful week of posts. This week I plan to post a series of  5 posts on Building a Foundation for Your Artist Career. The advice and suggestions I 'll present in the following posts can be adopted and used in any creative careers. 

I've used them alot in my emerging artist career. And many times I come back to my foundation to check for leaks and cracks. Building a foundation for a house is very important, and building a foundation for your artist career is the same. Making sure the foundation is strong is the key to living in your creative house for a long time.

The Building a Foundation for Your Artist Career will begin with:

1. How to choose your ideal clients so you can work only with people who inspire and energize you.
2. Learning the reasons why people buy art.
3. Creating a personal brand so you're memorable and unique
4. Learn how to talk about your artwork without sounding confused or plain.

 

Over the course of the week, I will take you through the process of building your foundation so that you'll have a platform on which to stand. This platform will become the support you'll need for your business development, marketing and personal growth.

To prepare yourself for this week's post, I ask that you come ready to work and to really think about what you exactly want  and need to do to become a successful artist. To ensure that you don't miss any post, make sure to subscribe by email to my blog. And if you think any of your friends or family might be interested, then please send them a link to my blog.

How to Make Your Own Canvas Panels

Hey guys , As you may have read, I have mentioned art panels before in a previous post. And most of you know about my love for canvas panels. If not, I use them alot when creating my collages. They make for a stong surface to add many emblishments, sanding down elements and to take about any amount of abuse.

 But anyway I wanted to share with you what I found on blogs.com. As I was searching though some of the top Craft and Hobbies blogs, I stumbled across this Video Art Lesson: How to Make Your Own Canvas Panels on Craft Leftovers (cute name).  It looks very easy to create and plus you are able to use leftover art supplies. 

5 Online Art Challenges to Get the Creative Juices Flowing

Sometimes even the best artists get lose thier "Mo Joe". If you are coming up short with creative ideas,  then I suggest you participate in an online art challenge. Art Challenges are fun, inspiring and these challenges can help you become part of a community of artist sharing their work online. I have recommended 5 online art challenges that would help you get your creative juices flowing.

5 Online Art Challenges

Show and Tell Sundays-Every other week a new theme will be posted and all artist, of all mediums are invited to show us what they have! Then on Sundays, The Show and Tell Sundays crew (Cerri and Cindy) will  host a  blog party and post links to your blogs so everyone can enjoy your collections!

Mixed Media Monday- Create a mixed media piece, according to the current theme and upload it to your blog ,flickr account or online portfolio. Then add a link to the Mixed Media Monday site. Then post a comment on Mixed Media Monday with a direct link to your artwork. Next Challenge is "I am Woman" for November 16th.

Inspire Me Thursday- For all mixed media artist and creative types! It is an invitation to indulge in a weekly dose of inspiration.

Illustration Friday- Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation. Topics are picked each week from a list of suggestion that have been emailed by participants. I have participated in this challenge a few times myself.

Wednesday Stamper- This challenge is for the rubber stamper. You are to post your project using at least one rubberstamp on your blog/journal/ picturetrail... and mention Wednesday Stamper with a link. Then leave a comment with the static link to your direct post.

 

5 Ways to Experiment with Alternative Approaches in Your Artwork

 
As an artist grows into a successful artist, the artist will also need to grow with the types of art supplies and materials he or she uses. I believe part of an artist's professional development deals with his/hers freedom to experiment with alternative approaches.  Consider it an art challenge or another creative inspiration.

5 Ways to Experiment with Alternative Approaches in Your Artwork

1.  Use Unorthodox Art Surfaces. Think about using metal, wood, plastic, clay-board, handmade paper, woven or synthetic fabrics as supporting material for your artwork.

2. Work with Unconventional Art Tools - Instead of a paint brush, paint your unorthodox surfaces with a comb, draw into the paint with a stick, spread paint with a putty knife, or create texture with serrated scrapes.

3. Imaginative Under Painting- Sometimes laying a sheet of color on a canvas isn't adventurous enough. An artist can create touchable backgrounds with natural elements such as plastic wrap, crumpled aluminum foil, string, and salt. Dab wet surfaces with paper towels,textured cloth, and sponges.

4. Low Relief Surfaces -Printing making is a fun and inexpensive art technique. An artist can create a print from a leaf, flower, or feather. Use man-made materials such as lace, decorative tile, corrugated cardboard, or textural wall paper. Custom stamps can be made from stenciling, rub on lettering, and solvent based transfers.

5. Collage - Collaging creates a dynamic sense of order in any artwork. Use new or old newspaper, sewing patterns, maps, diagrams, wallpaper, journal pages, postcards. Create texture with wrinkling paper, distressing paper by standing or burning the edges. Use stitching, weaving, embossing, tea/coffeestaining and dyeing to enhance the overall appearance of the paper.

Experiment with a few of these alternative approaches and watch yourself grow. To get more valuable artist tips subscribe. Peace and More Love, Alease Michelle