Creatives, like President, in Right Mind!

Researchers have said for years that the right hemisphere of the brain controls the left side of the body, and if you look at the image above, you'll see the workings of a famous "lefty," aka Mr. President Barack Obama. If you're a creative person, you too are in your right mind. Don't let anyone tell you any different (and if you're feeling feisty, you might want to Shout: Kiss My Art).

Oh, and you're creative and left-handed, you might want to visit the official society here. The solution to marginalization is community. Thank you for being part of the Votre Vray community and supporting each other in your creative endeavors.

MLK Dream Finalist Notified: Congratulations, You Win $500!

The call just came from Sheldon, one of the judges from the MLK Dream Weekend committee. Votre Vray (and the work behind "Shout: Kiss My Art!) wins $500! I will be honored at the Diversity Banquet this Friday night!

Earlier this week I posted this. Tonight, when I hadn't heard, I admit, my faith wavered. I thought, "What did I do wrong?" The answer was, nothing. Thank you to all the Votre Vray fans, creative women who participated in the interviews and to those who believe, as I do, that anyone can live their creative dreams.

Winners of Shout: Kiss My Art! Contest Chosen

Last Tuesday I asked,

What Makes You Take Action?

Apparently, a "Shout: Kiss My Art!" T-shirt only appeals to a select few. That's okay, the entries were honest, true-life work of real women artists, and the winners are:

Aimee of Creative Flutter.
Kimberly of Painting a Dog a Day
Bailey of BaileyFiberArt.
Mimi of Mimi Artz

Congratulations, Ladies! The shirts will be mailed to you at the end of the week.
Until next time,
keep creating.
-Mel.

What Makes You Take Action?

Thanks to the most generous gift of Dawn, from Alex Year Two, of the free admission to the BlogHer '09 Conference, I've finally gotten myself together enough to join BlogHer.com and make my first post. Honestly, I run around the 'net and my office so much that there is a long, long list of "want to get to" items that appears not only on my vision board, and my white board, but also in my head. It took Dawn's generosity to get me to take action.

What nudge would you need to actually do one of those things that are listed on your "want to get to" list? For some, unfortunately, it takes a major life crisis to get motivated. For others, it is finally getting some hope that their dream is going the way they envision. Perhaps, you're a visual person and the above image of the KitKat bench (from Trend Insights) got your brain bubbling. My new year's challenge to myself is to cross one item of my "want to get to" list each week for the year...yes, my list is really that long. I'd love to have you join me. Create your own "want to do" list, and start acting. Then, please post comments here or e-mail me about what you're achieving for yourself. I'd love to celebrate with you, and I'd be happy to blog about your efforts if you'll let me.

In fact, I will give away FOUR free "Shout: Kiss My Art!" T-shirts to motivate you. One shirt will go to each four readers who post a comment here that sends me to your blog or website. Your blog or site must have a post detailing what actions you've taken on your "want to do" list. The actions you've taken to shorten your "must do list" have to be related to moving your dreams forward. Please be sure to tell us what your dream is! The contest begins Wednesday, January 7th and runs until Monday, January 12th. I'll post winners here on Monday.

Happy First Week of 2009 and good luck!

BlogHer '09 - Wanna Go?

Erin Kotecki Vest, aka Queen of Spain, is starting off the year with a most generous offer -- to give away 1 full registration to BlogHer! Queen of Spain will make this decision on January 5th and is paying for it out of her own pocket because she a. is a great person, b. believes in BlogHer, c. (in her own words) "I want this registration to be given to someone who would love to go, but really could use the extra help getting there."

I don't know about you, but I think that $198 (early bird pricing) is a HUGE help to most women in business - especially bloggers.

Where: Chicago @ The Sheriton and Towers When: July 24-25

Then, I started looking at the location's rooms rates. Rooms: $199/night (yikes!) -- Three nights with taxes $688.94!

..and I thought, geeze, Mel., how do you think you'd get to Chicago...since you sold your only vehicle...that means a plane or train, right?

Transporation: Up to you - $395 for me to fly round trip from GSP to Chi-town via US Airways.
But AmTrak, with my AAA discount, $272...and 27 hrs each way...leaves plenty of time for blogging and meeting new creative people. (I'd still have to figure out how to get from the train to the hotel and back...but I'm a pretty smart woman, and I have faith I could figure it out.)

Why Mel Edwards/Votre Vray Wants to Go

I live in a pretty happening little city with many wonderful men and women who are passionate and gifted in their craft. However, I admit, not once, ever, have I met anyone half as good at blogging as I think Queen of Spain (Erin) is. She knows her audience, seems at ease with all sorts of technology, and just getting to meet her would be worth the trip. Multiply that by all the other women (and men) who will be present, and then think of all the ways Votre Vray reaches out, stumbling, mumbling and tumbling, to creative people. I'm awestruck to think of how many more people I could teach and help through my blog if I really knew what I was doing with this medium and technology. (That also means more readers when I talk about you, dear creative friends.)

I admit, I have nothing to wear, no idea at this moment how I can afford it with all my other start-up expenses, but that free registration is the open door to my dream: to be the equivalent of the creative love child of Studs Terkel and Eve Ensler reaching out to creative people everywhere via this blog.

I've spent years telling the world I honestly believe you can live your dream if you're willing to do the work necessary to get there. Talent is nice, but hard work and determination can take you to realms you always dreamed of. I'm willing to figure out my end of the budget if Erin picks me.

Note for Erin (any any other new visitors to Votre Vray blog)
Since you don't know me or what I do, here's the quick summary. I'm a storyteller by education, and a teacher by training and practice, who has interviewed 75 creative women this past summer and wrote a one-woman show about women living a creative life called "Shout: Kiss My Art." The show is one step on the way to the big picture. The next step is March 13th and 14 I'll hold "A Weekend to Grab Your Truth" where women (and men) can come see "Shout: Kiss My Art" and then have a full day workshop on finding their best choices for living their truth -- or a fulfilled life based upon who they are and what they value. The third step is that the interviews will appear in part along with credits to all interviewees, even if they're not directly quoted, in the book (working title) Votre Vray Creative Women. I also list here (sidebar) all the "Friends of Votre Vray" to create traffic for the women I've interviewed and have two groups on Facebook to allow women to claim their art and crow about it (Shout: Kiss My Art group) and post what they're working on to create traffic to their sites (Votre Vray group). I do all this to empower people to live the life of their dreams and create avenues for creative people to find support networks as well as business to pay the bills, and I consider it my mission in life.

So, Dear Readers...are YOU in?
Visit the Queen of Spain's blog and let her know.
Just don't be surprise if you see my hat in the ring too...and may the winner have a wonderful 2009!

Until next time,
keep creating!
-Mel.

Ladies, Been to NYC Solo? Call for Stories!

CALL FOR STORIES!
Ladies, have you ever traveled to NYCity solo? You can submit your story to Gina Greenlee for consideration and you might just end up in her next book!

Gina Greenlee gave attendees of Votre Vray's Shout: Kiss My Art! November 11th performance a free copy of her book Postcards and Pearls, so you know she's a sweet woman who supports creative and artistic folks. Why not return the favor by sharing your expriences with her?

To submit your story for consideration, visit Gina's website and follow the links.

A Weekend to Find Your Truth -- March 13 and 14, 2009

Friday, March 13th:
8 p.m.
Performance of
"Shout: Kiss My Art"
A one-woman, grant-winning show based upon the
lives of creative women, featuring Mel Edwards.

Come embrace your creative truth
and offer no apologies!

Open to the public.
Tickets $20 at the door
or FREE with early bird workshop registration!

Saturday, March 14th
Deluxe Continental Breakfast -
Assorted Bottled Juices
Fresh Breakfast Pastries;
Danish, Muffins, and Bagels with
Cream Cheese, Butter and Preserves
Sliced Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Chilled Fruit Yogurts and Granola
Fresh Brewed Coffee, Decaf and Hot Tea
from 8:00-9:00 a.m.
and

Workshop:
A Weekend to Find Your Truth
9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
(1 hr break for lunch, on own.)

Learn how YOUR personal life narrative
and
story exploration
illuminate YOUR essential life path!

Find it.
Claim it.
Live it!

Take Home Resources for all
A Weekend to Find Your Truth workshop
participants:

• Votre Vray Exclusive! Find YOUR Truth Workbook
• Support Network of Like-Minded Individuals
• Guide for Living the Life of Your Dreams

HURRY!
This offer will NEVER occur in
Greenville, SC again!

Space is limited
This offer will become public on January 20th, 2009.
(On that day 20,000 invitations will be sent to homes in Greenville, SC.)

Beat the crowds by registering now!

Call
1-866-960-9458
or
e-mail Votre Vray
at
VotreVray@yahoo.com
(MasterCard and Visa accepted via PayPal.)

Early Bird Special:
$125.00
includes one
FREE ticket to Shout: Kiss My Art!
Deluxe Continental Breakfast
(offer expires February 13, 2009)


Pre-registration Discount:
$175.00*
Deluxe Continental Breakfast included

*Add Shout: Kiss My Art Ticket $20.00
(Offer dates: February 14 - March 1, 2009)

Late-registration
Workshop ONLY
Rate:
$250.00*

*Add Shout: Kiss My Art Ticket $20.00
*Add Deluxe Continental Breakfast $13.95
(Workshop Only Rate: March 2 - March 10)

Absolutely no registrations will be taken after March 10th!

Fortune's Smile

John Dryden, poet, literary critic and playwright said,

"Fortune befriends the bold."

I say, "Those who show up, and keep showing up, get the gig." It is almost a certainty that you will not be star material when you begin your journey of following your truth, but if you do the work, and keep at it, regardless of critics, one day, you'll get the gig of your dreams. The odds are in your favor. Those who do not have the conviction of their dreams give up and people who are in a position to select you and your work will do so if they continually hear of your efforts. One way to hear of your efforts is by telling them. Sounds simple but most creative folks seems shy about sharing their successes.

The other day I sent out the monthly Votre Vray newsletter and the key question I asked was what issues keep the recipients up at night. The number one response was marketing and an interesting note upon that is many artists stated they felt they didn't have a budget to do it at all and wanted to barter with marketing professionals to receive help with promotion of their work.

What should marketing cost?
That depends upon how much you value the service. One of the coaches I interviewed charges $5000 for 90 days of one-on-one assistance to bring an artist into global notice. If you told a CEO of a business company that was your fee they'd laugh because it is too low for what their market realizes is an essential step. However, when artists hear the figure they hang their heads, say, "I cannot afford that," and give up. Why? Because they don't value the service and haven't learned to look at the possible ROI (Return on Investment) for the money.

Guerrilla Marketing (or What can you do with little to no budget?)

• Get magnetic signs for your vehicle that promote your art
• Hang a banner that promotes your show or event.
• Give away T-shirts or gift bags that promote your work.
• Align yourself with someone more high-profile who will talk about you and your work.
• Join a networking organization.
• Print post cards of your work -- much like a business card -- and send them to people you wish were buying from you as an introduction.
• Do what Ariel Gore, author of Become a Famous Writer Before You're Dead, did when she found out an out-of-town event had not promoted her appearance: stand on a street corner in a gorilla mask with a sign waving at people the day of your show!
• Show up at open mics, mixers and other social events and meet the person in charge. Tell them who you are, what you do and ASK, "What can I do to help promote your work?" If people know you're willing to be a team player, you may wind up with a new promoter via good karma.

These are just the beginnings. The possibilities are endless. If you haven't read Gore's book (listed above), do so. Also read, Self-Promotion for the Creative Person by Lee Silber (who incidentally has a fantastic website that you can't afford NOT to browse and learn from). Then there are PR heroes who can help, like Peter Shankman, author of Can We Do That? and founder of Help a Reporter Out. (If you don't know HARO, the world doesn't know you -- and you probably weren't interviewed for Votre Vray Creative Women either. Seriously, Peter rocks!)

What does Mel do?
Well, more marketing, PR and networking that I do creating, until I have all my ducks in a row. Here are my top ten items that I do on a regular (daily or weekly) basis:

1. My primary business focus is helping others follow their dreams (because in doing so, I get to follow mine and make good karma).
2. I have several websites and this blog that are updated regularly because each update is one more thing someone who Googles my name will find out about my work and the work of those I aim to help.
3. I am a member of several social media groups including Help a Reporter Out and I answer my own e-mail daily.
   
4. I have a e-newsletter that goes out to friends of Votre Vray each month and always ask those I meet if I can add them to my newsletter list.
5. I am a member of a local networking group and am always learning what they do to promote themselves, then coming home and implementing what I can from what they taught me.
6. I am associated with other local high profile organizations including the Metropolitan Arts Council and the yW Empowerment Center, both who are supporting Shout: Kiss My Art! and are willing to e-mail, write and promote our co-ventures for free.
   
7. I ask everyone I speak with, "Who do you know who can benefit from what I do because I really want to help promote living the creative life?"
   
8. I give away T-shirts and gift bags in conjunction with other creative people who are marketing their services.
9. I ask questions like, "May I promote your work for free on my blog?" and then do it.
10. I am planning at least six to eight months in advance what my project deadlines are and share these with those who can most benefit from those details.

In other words, I don't create my art 40 hours a week and spend one marketing. One artist told me it should be at least a 60/40 split, with the higher concentration on marketing until you're reached your goals.

I will continue writing about marketing in future weeks, but until then, I've got some networking to do of my own.

Until then, keep creating!
-Mel.

Cheap, Good, Fast: Postcards for Artists

As of late, I've had quite a few people ask me who I use for online printing and I've been at a loss because I don't do the same type of printing that a visual artist might require. On Tuesday night, at Shout: Kiss My Art, a local artist gave me her card. It has four color images on both sides and also functions as her business card. I asked her who she uses and if she's satisfied with her service. She said, "I use nextdayflyers.com. They are cheap, good and fairly fast." Of course, do your own research and be an informed buyer, but this is one place you might want to check out if you're in the market for new postcards.

Use another vendor that you absolutely love? Then say so in a reply to this post and help out a fellow artist's search for a new printer!

Until next time,
keep creating!
-Mel.

Meeting New Artists

How long has it been since you went out and actually met a new artist -- especially one who does work that is absolutely unrelated to what you do? Here in Greenville, SC, we had the auspicious opportunity to meet 106 different artists during Open Studio the first weekend of November this year. Nothing inspires creativity like seeing the work that others are doing. 

One artist I was unable to meet during Open Studios just happened to be able to attend Shout! Kiss My Art! this past Tuesday. The minute she showed me her business card I said in recognition, "I've seen your work at the MAC!" (MAC is our Metropolitan Arts Council.) She smiled and said, that indeed it was her work I'd seen and she was quite gracious while I excitedly called my husband over to meet her and show him her card. It was a moment of synergy that highlights what the Votre Vray Creative Women project is all about. 

My question to you is, since you've heard about, and maybe even participated in the project, how many other artist have you met? Did you look at each other's work and give compliments or encouragement where it was due? Or did you only look to see where your name came up and ignored everyone else? 

I honestly believe the greatest resource all people have is each other. That is what life is all about. We need mentors, inspiration, kind words and friendship to help us through our life's journey. Are you a helper or do you suck up all the resources without giving back?

Ways you can give to others:

• Look at each other's work and give compliments.
  
• Read about what other artists and creatives are up to and tell anyone you can about what excites you in your field.
  
• Go to open studios, performances and sales and introduce yourself. Maybe you'll make a new friend, not just a network connection.
  
• Read each others' blogs and websites and tell the creator what inspires you.
• Buy each others' work.

These are just the beginning, but I want to strongly encourage you to talk to each other. Being creative is a lonely road sometimes. Your head is so full of what you're solving and re-solving that you cannot see all the beauty that surrounds you. The most beautiful resource we have is each other. 

Thanks to Laura Blume of Skirt!

Here's a special shout out to Laura Blume, Greenville, SC, editor of Skirt ! magazine. Laura generously added Shout: Kiss My Art! to the November 11th calendar and gave Votre Vray a nod. Thank you, Laura!

If you have never read Skirt! Don't despair. There may be an edition in your hometown! Visit Skirt ! and find out today.

Gift Bags Set for Shout: KMA Night!

I'm happier than a kid at Christmas, and for a Jewish woman to say that, is something remarkable indeed. I just finished packing the gift bags for the attendees of Shout: Kiss My Art on November 11th, thanks largely to the generosity of the Votre Vray community and friends of Votre Vray.

The gift bags are all a little different, but the items that everyone gets are:

Girls Fight Back: The College Girl's Guide to Protecting Herself by Erin Weed

Postcards and Pearls: Life Lessons from Solo Moments on the Road by Gina Greenlee

Three gift certificates (one each) from Creativity and Business Coaches: Sian Lindemann of Sian Design, Wendy Keilin of The Prosperous Artist, and Ariadne Moisiades's Sound Strategies Coaching and Consulting.

Also lucky participants may walk away with one of the limited copies of other books:

Mindfulness and the Art of Choice: Transform Your Life by Karen H. Sherman, PhD

The Sitting Swing: Finding Wisdom to Know the Difference by Irene Watson

Waltzing Australia by Cynthia Clampitt

I've also tossed in some creative items from fancy fur yarn in wild colors to boxes of crayons, and books from other women I had on hand and thought people would love. 

Also, all attendees will walk away with a Shout: Kiss My Art T-shirt and information from the local yW's Women's Empowerment classes for entrepreneurs. What a night this will be!

In Greenville, SC and not signed up to attend? It is not too late. Just message Mel at MelEdwardsConnect (at) yahoo (dot) com and identify Nov 11th in the subject line. Even though there will only be 30 gift bags, there are some extra goodies on hand and seats for 40 attendees. The show will be at the Hughes Branch of the Greenville County Library (downtown) with free parking. The show is at 7 p.m. Tuesday night and lasts one hour. See you there!

Until then, 

keep creating!

-Mel.

Sian Designs Offer to Votre Vray Creative Women

Sian Lindemann, of Sian Designs in Monument, Colorado, is an accomplished artist and visionary, and brings to the arts and entertainment community, 29 years experience in arts promotion, marketing, and career development for artists. An accomplished artist, in a variety of mediums, Sian is equally responsible for contributing to the success of hundreds of artists during her career, to date. Notably, as VP, Dolphin Galleries, Inc, Maui, Hawaii, Sian provided practical and financial expertise to an industry which is known to lack the ability to generate consistent revenues. Her capacity to promote, produce and launch successful showings of the artists in her care, Sian, contributed to the growth of Dolphin Galleries over a 10 year period, taking the company from 200K per year, to annual sales in the millions of dollars. Additionally, she contributes innumerable skills as they relate to all aspects of arts cultivation and artistic career development. A master mentor of the creative spirit, there is nothing short of wizardry she imparts to support the artist in the creation of new ideas, new works, while simultaneously encouraging growth, depth, and scope in the artist with whom she chooses to focus. And finally, Sian, is considered visionary in recognizing the most practical applications by which these works can then be sold or placed.

Adept in purchasing, gallery design, show design, professional and creative display, sales and sales training, creative framing, creative placement of public works, stage design, costume design, image design, vocal coaching, and, finally, an extremely refined skill in accessing the people for whom these works would hold the greatest value.

An award winning designer of environment, landscaping and floral design, Sian is masterful in her ability to create an awe inspiring, sensory rich experience for the viewer, the artists, and the company.
************
Sian has been featured earlier in this blog but since then she has sent gift certificates for the attendees of Shout: Kiss My Art on the November 11th date. This information is provided again in her company's branded information and in thanks from me, creator of Votre Vray. Together, each and every one of us as a team, we can stand tall for creative women everywhere.
-Mel.

Shout: Kiss My Art's Big Debut!

Tuesday, November 11th at 7 p.m. at Greenville (South Carolina)'s Hughes Branch (Downtown) of the County Library will host Shout: Kiss My Art!

Pre-register:
The first 30 women who pre-register via e-mail will receive a gift bag complete with a Shout! T-shirt, books from creative women (so generously donated by the authors) and gift certificates from creativity coaches -- all for FREE!

This show is made possible thank you to all the interviews of the Votre Vray Creative Women and Friends of Votre Vray, with the support of the Metropolitan Arts Council.

Ladies, this will be your first night to shine! You are the inspiration so many other women need. Cheers and kudos to you all!

-Mel.

New Writers Join Friends of Votre Vray

Recently, I posted a gift bag request to Peter Shankman's Help a Reporter Out and had several authors volunteer to send books for the audience of Shout: Kiss My Art on November 11th. In the near future I'll be blogging about their work in detail, but until then, I wanted to post their names and book titles along with a really large

THANK YOU, LADIES!!!!

1. Erin Weed, author of Girls Fight Back (Erin was not only able to send enough copies for every participant, but she sent me a DVD to learn self-defense, and stickers for every participant!)

2. Dr. Karen H. Sherman, author of Mindfulness and the Art of Choice - Transform Your Life, not only sent books and has agreed to be interviewed for the blog at a later date, but her publisher sent a few from another woman Irene Watson, author of The Sitting Swing -Finding Wisdom to Know the Difference. 

3. Cynthia Clampitt author of Waltzing Australia also joined with her supreme generosity to inspire others by sending her story as well. If you ever wanted to chuck it all and live life by your own terms, Cynthia has walked that walk!

Every day I am humbled by the generosity of the people who support women wanting to follow their dreams. Never stop reaching out to each other. We are our own best resource.

Dream a BIG Dream

What is your BIG creative dream? 

Not the one create full-time and make enough to pay the bills. That should be a must-do, not your no-holds-barred BIG dream. I like to say BIG stands for Best Ingenious Goal.

Ask yourself:

If money were no object, and no one would stop me, what is the largest impact I can imagine my creativity could have upon the world? 

Then, expand that vision. That's right. Don't settle for the first vision that pops into your head. Stretch it to its limits. Make it so outrageously large that you giggle when you think about it. If you can't giggle over it, it is too small. From now on I'll call this the giggle test.

Example:

My first big dream was for the Votre Vray Creative Women project to be so big that I'd get to do it for an HBO special.

Expansion: 

• We would have a national "Shout: Kiss My Art Day" with everyone in sky blue -- the color associated with the campaign -- with communities everywhere staging SKMA shows, where all artists could display their works and tell their stories.
  
• Then, we could have celebrities and politicians and other world leaders also shouting Kiss My Art.
  
• There would be a whole series of books, like the Chicken Soup series, where you could Kiss the Art of painters, sculptors, novelists, poets, actors, metal smiths, and so on. 
  

This is a pretty big expansion, but let's go up another notch because I'm not giggling yet:

• Have Shout: Kiss My Art action figures of heroines of the art world
  
• A cartoon show of art figures as action heroines
  
• Kid could dress up as art heroines for Halloween
  
• Lunch boxes and other collateral material could be marketed to promote art across America!
  

Artists, how does that sound to you? Not giggling? Okay, now imagine YOU are the person the action heroine looks like! Kids in your neighborhood run up to you and shout your name because you're an art celebrity! I can tell you that makes me giggle with delight. 

So, now you try it. What is your BIG dream? 

Until Next Time, 

Keep Creating!

-Mel.

Shout: Kiss My Art Preview Night TONIGHT!

Tonight, dear Votre Vray Creative Women, your name will be spoken in Simpsonville, SC!

Barefoot Annie's Coffee House and Tapas Restaurant 

7 p.m. doors open

8p.m. Show

Admission is free, donations encouraged

What is a preview night?

It is a dress-rehearsal open to the public and press. Hopefully, tonight's work will spur several to join you in living a creative life. 

When will the show be up "for real"?

November 11th is Community Night in Greenville, SC

This night is also free admission, but reservations are required by e-mailing Mel at

MelEdwardsConnect [at] Yahoo [dot] com

The first 30 women who register will be given a gift bag of goodies, including some amazing donations (to be discussed later this month) and a free Shout: Kiss My Art T-shirt!

Talks are in progress to bring Shout: Kiss My Art to a Greenville, SC theatre.

Do you want Shout: KMA to come to your area?

E-mail Mel and get the ball rolling now! The show will begin touring Spring '09!

Community to "Shout: Kiss My Art!"

On Tuesday, November 11th, regardless of who the new president-elect may be, Greenville, South Carolina women will have a chance to "Shout: Kiss My Art!" The Votre Vray Creative Women show is based upon the answers of the 75 interviewees and surveys from over 80 local women taken at the Upstate Women's Show. "Shout: Kiss My Art" will begin at 7 p.m. at the Hughes Branch of the Greenville County Library. Admission is free. (Please note this show is about adult women's lives, and is not suitable for children.)

I'm so excited to be able to offer this event free to the public. I truly want to reach out to populations that normally would not be able to afford or interested in attending a regular theatre event. To encourage women to come, the first thirty women who e-mail me at MelEdwardsConnect [at] Yahoo [dot] com will get a gift bag of goodies from sponsors and a "Shout: Kiss My Art" T-shirt with the blog address on the back. The goody bag will also have a listing of all the women who have been part of Votre Vray as well as their websites, even if they didn't get to do a full-blown interview. Basically, if you signed a release, gave your input on the launch questions, and got it to me in time, you're in! This is win for all involved!

Thank you, Votre Vray women! This is your chance to be seen as creative mentor for others who dare to dream!

Upstate Women's Show Reflections

Are you an artist that is thinking of being in a weekend show somewhere?

Do you have any idea what the traffic pattern for the event will be like?

What sort of giveaways will you have?

What is your main purpose in going -- sales? recognition? launch a new project?

All of these questions and more should come to mind when exhibiting as a vendor. The Upstate Women's Show in Greenville, SC, had a few challenges. First, all the spa/beauty/baubles items were on the right side of the venue. For some reason, they put me on the left side, next to the YWCA, and across from two home improvement companies. I had no choice in this, but did the best I could seeing I was the only creative girl on the block.

What I got out of the show: Recognition for Votre Vray and Shout: Kiss My Art, and several new artists who filled out questionnaires for the Creative Women project book.
What I would have liked more of: Sales.

Will I attend again next year? Perhaps, if they make some changes and let me exhibit near other creative folks, and if I have a new Votre Vray project ready.

All in all, I met some great people, gained a new friend or two amongst the other business owners, and learned how to best meet a non-creative crowd in future events.

Until next time,
keep creating!
-Mel.

Votre Vray Creative Women Update

Well, folks, if you have been following the blog about Mel Edwards' Votre Vray Creative Women project you probably have noticed that not a whole lot has happened blog-wise in almost two weeks. Here's the latest.

1. The Votre Vray Creative Women interview process has ended. If you sent a release form and answered the six interview launch questions and did not get a chance to be interviewed for Volume 1 of the Votre Vray project, have no fear. Your information will still be included in the final product. However, since the project is already one month behind, I just had to stop the interviewing process. I can't create a one-woman show and write a book at the same time, and certainly can't do either while talking on the phone. If you have something to add, please e-mail me by this Friday, August 15th so it can be added to my notes for the final piece. 

2. Mel has been in the recording studio! I've recorded nineteen poems, four songs and four stories this past week, and have enough material for TWO cds! I'll be sure to alert you when they're ready for sale. 

3. Shout: KMA (Kiss My Art!) T-shirts are for sale. Buy a shirt for $15 for sizes S-XL, $18 for sizes 2XL and 3XL and $5 will go to arts organizations to help offer free or reduced-price classes in the arts for women. 

4. Upstate Women's Show is August 22-24 at the Carolina First Center in Greenville, SC. Mel. will be there with Shout: KMA (Kiss My Art!) shirts, poetry chapbooks, and cds for sale. Also, local Upstate SC women artists can fill out a questionnaire for inclusion in the Votre Vray Creative Women project statistics and brief response sections of the book. (If you've done the interview launch questions, you've already done this, so don't worry about missing out.) 

5. Mel's been on Internet Voices Radio! Toni Quest, Votre Vray Creative Woman herself, interviewed Mel last night, August 11th. Go to www.internetvoicesradio.com, click on archives, and then select Toni's name. You then can listen to the interview. 

6. More Votre Vray Creative Women profiles are coming! Several profiles will be added to this blog by the end of the week (August 15th) with the final round by the end of August. Once your profile has been added, I'll notify you immediately by e-mail. 

Thank you ever so much for your support in this project. You can continue to make it a success by telling all your friends, relatives and business associates about Votre Vray. Ask them to subscribe to the blog. Add a link to the blog on your web pages and personal RSS feeds. Buy a Shout: KMA (Kiss My Art!) shirt to help other women follow in your footsteps. E-mail Mel and tell her where in your community you can envision her doing her one-woman show. Together, we can make an impact and improve the lives of women artists everywhere. 

Let's become the Oprah show of Creative Women!

Until next time, 

Keep Creating!

-Mel.

p.s. Mel's big dream is to have the Votre Vray Creative Women one-woman play become an HBO special. If you know anyone who may know anyone with HBO productions, please e-mail Mel! (MelEdwardsConnect [at] Yahoo [dot] com)