An excerpt of Ann McCauley's interview by Mel. Edwards for Votre Vray Creative Women.
Ann McCauley is late coming to her knitting career, by way of 20 years of dance at the Denver Center Performing Arts, 14 years of choreographic adaptation of a Christmas Carol. “I joke that I’ve been in the arts and now I’m in the crafts,” laughs Ann, although knitting has been part of her life since the 1980s. She notes knitting and dance have a good deal in common. “They’re interrelated: shape, content, rhythm, design. They are similar. There is order, repetition. It is all about movement -- even if knitting is more intrinsic and less athletic.” In 1995 Ann did her last major dance performance, and now at age 56, she’s still in “really good physical shape.” Ann admits that “I knew one day I’d be in another market. Still, I have a vision of doing a dance about knitting. I can see it….” She goes on to describe her vision, but I will not steal her thunder here. Instead, I fully expect she will develop it, and when she does, I will let you know.
Ann says her creative spirit is given information at those soft moments that are connected to her truth. “It may not inform on the literal level, but maybe in some abstract way. You must learn to get out of the way. Open yourself to the deeper reservoir inside. Focus away from the daily routine. Let surface thoughts fall away. That is when I know I’ve found it.”
Where ever you find your joy and life’s work, it is not too late to learn to knit, or be creative in another medium. Whatever you do, Ann says, “Be true to your inner self.” So she is.
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Ann McCauley has been a knitting author since 2003. More about her and her books can be found at: http://www.annmccauleyknits.com/
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
From Corporate Fast Track to Natural Arts and Healing Path
The following is and excerpt of an interview from Dawn Clare, www.spisebliss.com, conducted by Mel. Edwards for the Votre Vray Creative Women project.
What would you do if you were on the fast track to CEO, Harvard MBA under your belt and full of energy? Would you honor your creative gifts outside the boardroom? Imagine for a moment, impact of metal on bone, and flesh, pain and your vehicle is demolished beyond recognition. Regardless of your fast track reality, just moments ago, you’re now immobile, allergic to pain killers, trapped in a brace – and you’ll stay that way for months. Do you dream of returning to corporate America? Or does the muse haunt your dreams?
Before Dawn Clare’s accident four years ago, she knew she was creative and had healing skills. An Indian shaman had shared his awareness of her gifts with her more than 10 years earlier. After the crash, “my gifts are now at a higher level,” Dawn admits. She’s helped parents previously unable to conceive find their truth in the process. Some have walked away knowing parenthood wasn’t what they wanted after all, and perhaps had blocked all along. Others, who had wanted to be parents most sincerely, now are.
Dawn says, “People are often afraid about their life gifts. I say, be open internally about what your gifts are, and what they are not. Once you understand that, it (your truth) becomes your anchor. If you have a core passion, your truth will come from it. No one can tell you what it is. Go internally to find your truth. Then find people who support it and they will become relationship anchors.” Her mantra? “Do what you love, be with those you love, and the rest of your life falls into bliss!”
What is her artistic passion? “Sunsets. To me, they are nature’s smiles.” Dawn began taking sunset photos from the same location each week for over a year. “I now have over 2000 sunset photos,” she beams. From what I can tell, she has every reason to smile back at Mother Nature, night after night.
**************
You can find more information about Dawn Clare and see her sunset photos via her website: www.spisebliss.com
What would you do if you were on the fast track to CEO, Harvard MBA under your belt and full of energy? Would you honor your creative gifts outside the boardroom? Imagine for a moment, impact of metal on bone, and flesh, pain and your vehicle is demolished beyond recognition. Regardless of your fast track reality, just moments ago, you’re now immobile, allergic to pain killers, trapped in a brace – and you’ll stay that way for months. Do you dream of returning to corporate America? Or does the muse haunt your dreams?
Before Dawn Clare’s accident four years ago, she knew she was creative and had healing skills. An Indian shaman had shared his awareness of her gifts with her more than 10 years earlier. After the crash, “my gifts are now at a higher level,” Dawn admits. She’s helped parents previously unable to conceive find their truth in the process. Some have walked away knowing parenthood wasn’t what they wanted after all, and perhaps had blocked all along. Others, who had wanted to be parents most sincerely, now are.
Dawn says, “People are often afraid about their life gifts. I say, be open internally about what your gifts are, and what they are not. Once you understand that, it (your truth) becomes your anchor. If you have a core passion, your truth will come from it. No one can tell you what it is. Go internally to find your truth. Then find people who support it and they will become relationship anchors.” Her mantra? “Do what you love, be with those you love, and the rest of your life falls into bliss!”
What is her artistic passion? “Sunsets. To me, they are nature’s smiles.” Dawn began taking sunset photos from the same location each week for over a year. “I now have over 2000 sunset photos,” she beams. From what I can tell, she has every reason to smile back at Mother Nature, night after night.
**************
You can find more information about Dawn Clare and see her sunset photos via her website: www.spisebliss.com
If Birth to a Loving Mother isn’t Enough of a Gift…
The following is an excerpt of an interview of Tisha DeShields, www.OriginalBellyWorks.com, conducted by Mel. Edwards for the Votre Vray Creative Women Project.
For some women, pregnancy is pure joy at the expectation and anticipation of a new life. Tisha DeShields was one such mother, four times over. “I wanted to leave something tangible but unique for each of my children, something that I could pass on the hopes and dreams for each child in a displayable or creative form.” Thus, the belly cast was born.
When Tisha began, she used plaster kits and sold those. Then, one day while she was in the dentist’s chair, a little voice inside her said, “Mass produce.” Knowing this was the step she needed to grow her brand, she rushed home and began using the power of the Internet to look at what options were out there. Soon she discovered a man who made fiberglass mannequins. “He was willing to do them in small number, and I won’t say they are indestructible, but I will say they don’t crumble (like plaster does). They bounce.” That made her idea less fragile and the options expanded from there.
Who would buy these fiberglass bellies other than expectant mothers? “I had a man buy one and put the family tree on it and give it to his grandmother for her birthday. Adoptive mothers can buy them too.”
What do her children think of the decorated belly casts? “The kids can’t wait to show them off to their friends. Now they help me design new ideas.” I’m not sure she needs much help in that area, as she goes on to explain, “DeAngelo (one son) has his covered with angels. DeLino (her other boy) has a baseball theme on his, and the girls, Diamond and Denim, have crystals and patchwork on theirs.”
So, if you could design a belly like a scrapbook to show the world who you are, and where your ancestors have come from…what would you put on it? Tisha can help you there as well. “This fall we have belly charms, and charm bracelets coming out. I’ve also designed a belly cake pan and cookies for celebrations.” Oh, mama! What amazing and fun show of love will you dream up for your babies next?
********
Tisha DeShields is the founder of the Original Belly Works and can be found at www.orignalbellyworks.com
For some women, pregnancy is pure joy at the expectation and anticipation of a new life. Tisha DeShields was one such mother, four times over. “I wanted to leave something tangible but unique for each of my children, something that I could pass on the hopes and dreams for each child in a displayable or creative form.” Thus, the belly cast was born.
When Tisha began, she used plaster kits and sold those. Then, one day while she was in the dentist’s chair, a little voice inside her said, “Mass produce.” Knowing this was the step she needed to grow her brand, she rushed home and began using the power of the Internet to look at what options were out there. Soon she discovered a man who made fiberglass mannequins. “He was willing to do them in small number, and I won’t say they are indestructible, but I will say they don’t crumble (like plaster does). They bounce.” That made her idea less fragile and the options expanded from there.
Who would buy these fiberglass bellies other than expectant mothers? “I had a man buy one and put the family tree on it and give it to his grandmother for her birthday. Adoptive mothers can buy them too.”
What do her children think of the decorated belly casts? “The kids can’t wait to show them off to their friends. Now they help me design new ideas.” I’m not sure she needs much help in that area, as she goes on to explain, “DeAngelo (one son) has his covered with angels. DeLino (her other boy) has a baseball theme on his, and the girls, Diamond and Denim, have crystals and patchwork on theirs.”
So, if you could design a belly like a scrapbook to show the world who you are, and where your ancestors have come from…what would you put on it? Tisha can help you there as well. “This fall we have belly charms, and charm bracelets coming out. I’ve also designed a belly cake pan and cookies for celebrations.” Oh, mama! What amazing and fun show of love will you dream up for your babies next?
********
Tisha DeShields is the founder of the Original Belly Works and can be found at www.orignalbellyworks.com
Monday, July 21, 2008
Attention All Votre Vray Artists ~ Call for Give-Aways
Dear Friends,
As mentioned in the blog the other day, I will be at the Upstate (SC) Women's Show August 22-24. In addition to promoting my poetry chapbook and cd, I will be focusing upon the Votre Vray stories of creative women. In doing so, I'll be asking local women to participate in the Votre Vray Creative Women project and telling them about you and your work. If you have any items you'd like me to give away as part of that show: books, business cards, cd's, dvd's, magnets, bookmarks, fliers, pens, prints, T-shirts, etc. please snail mail them to me at:
Votre Vray
P O Box 1106
Mauldin SC 29662
I will make sure every item is given to potential customers and encourage them to tell you Mel Edwards' Votre Vray sent them. All give-aways must be received by August 20th, 2008.
Until next time, keep creating!
-Mel.
As mentioned in the blog the other day, I will be at the Upstate (SC) Women's Show August 22-24. In addition to promoting my poetry chapbook and cd, I will be focusing upon the Votre Vray stories of creative women. In doing so, I'll be asking local women to participate in the Votre Vray Creative Women project and telling them about you and your work. If you have any items you'd like me to give away as part of that show: books, business cards, cd's, dvd's, magnets, bookmarks, fliers, pens, prints, T-shirts, etc. please snail mail them to me at:
Votre Vray
P O Box 1106
Mauldin SC 29662
I will make sure every item is given to potential customers and encourage them to tell you Mel Edwards' Votre Vray sent them. All give-aways must be received by August 20th, 2008.
Until next time, keep creating!
-Mel.
Why Votre Vray Creative Women Entire Artist Interviews and Images Do Not Appear Here
I, Mel., would like all participating Votre Vray artists and visitors to the blog to know that only artists or businesses profiled that do NOT have a full website available at this time will have images in this blog. Once all interviewees have been profiled, if time permits and there is no conflict with the publication, images will be added to profiles that already have working business web addresses. Please note any image in this blog or any part of interviews that appear here cannot reappear as is in the Votre Vray book, as the book contents must be unique. The same artists may appear in the play or the book, but additional information from the interviews would be used for that purpose.
If you have been interviewed and you do not see a link to your site, or information about you at this time, please be patient. I have about 80 interviews in queue as of this morning, and I'm trying to close on a house, find a new home, prepare for the Upstate Women's Show, conduct more interviews, and move my office before August 7th.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter, and best wishes in all of your creative endeavors. Remember, it is my mission to promote your work as well as create a play and a book that will benefit us both. Please be patient as I strive for the highest quality work possible.
If you have been interviewed and you do not see a link to your site, or information about you at this time, please be patient. I have about 80 interviews in queue as of this morning, and I'm trying to close on a house, find a new home, prepare for the Upstate Women's Show, conduct more interviews, and move my office before August 7th.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter, and best wishes in all of your creative endeavors. Remember, it is my mission to promote your work as well as create a play and a book that will benefit us both. Please be patient as I strive for the highest quality work possible.
Respect Your Dream and Others Will Too
An excerpt of an interview of Deborah Argyropoulos, oil painter, by Mel. Edwards for Votre Vray Creative Women project
Some of us know from an early age what we want to do for the rest of our lives, but those who love us often work hard at diverting our passions to make sure that we’ll be provided for in all social and economic climes. Deborah’s parents were no different. She knew from age 4, with a drawing of a horse, what her truth was. She was a visual artist but her folks made her go to a four year college. “They were worried for me,” she explains.
When asked if she’s do anything else for a living, she admitted that although art is her passion, she is also interested in health, fitness, yoga and nutrition. Her bottom line is that she has no interest in working for someone else’s business.
At age 39, she’s already thinking about her legacy. Her Big Dream? “Make a bunch of money and have a farm for animal rescue. Then leave something behind that will outlast me.”
To me, Deborah sounds similar to several artists: passion and altruism, first, and money enough to live on but not a life of excess, second. “Money is the hard part. I am kind of a pimp when it comes to selling my work. There is only one piece I’ve ever made that I won’t sell, but everything else is up for grabs.” When asked what the one piece is, she gushed, “A painting of my cat. That’s the one.”
Deborah is also quick to add that the work she sells she refuses to give away. “People don’t value or respect what we do. We should be paid more (than most think) because there is no formula. We need to show them, teach them, to respect the artistic process. Invite them into the studio and hand them a brush and say, ‘Go ahead. Paint,’ and then they’ll know.” She also admits making a living and being a success as an artist is an imbalanced system. “Just because you’re good doesn’t mean you can make money. But I’d kill myself (if I tried) to work for somebody else. There is no point in living if it means nothing to you.”
Although non-artists and people who haven’t found their truth may find Deborah’s statement to be grim, it is one that has come up continually through the Votre Vray project. Many women agree to do “it” (meaning your truth/passion) without concern of others’ opinions, guarantee of income or censorship of your spirit. I asked Deborah if her parents have come around, she said, “Yeah. Dad got a painting I just did called ‘Sisters’ of my nieces for Father’s Day. He was so overcome with emotion that he cried. I was a bit in his face and said, ‘Now? Now can I be an artist?’” Evidently, he considered it a rhetorical question, and so do I. Deborah Argyropoulos IS an artist, through and through.
*********
Deborah Argyropoulos can be reached at: dmcart@mac.com
She would also like you to know that the above image is of "Sisters" and measures 36" x 48" and took about 140 hrs to paint.
*********
Failure - Not an Option
An excerpt of an interview of Carla Sanders, www.CarlaSanders.com, by Mel. Edwards for the Votre Vray Creative Women project.
When Carla Sanders began following her truth, her husband was afraid for their future, and he said, “You can give it a year and then you’ll have to admit you’ve failed and you can get a job doing something else.” Sanders knew he had done his job for years with plans of retiring and handing the earning reigns over to her when the time came. He never banked on her choice and wasn’t prepared. It came down to Carla having to select her passion or give up her spirit by doing something else. Her spirit won, even if her marriage didn’t. “I like the line that Tom Hank’s character says in Apollo 13, ‘Failure is not an option.’ I’ve adopted it as my motto.”
I asked if it was scary for her to honor her truth. “Yes. If I said it wasn’t I’d be kidding myself. I’m mature, in my 50s, and I’ve been doing this for a long time now. Some busy years, and some light years when no one sees me. Is that fear?” I offered that her slower years maybe she was filling the well. “Maybe. That’s it. I need to fill the well.”
Still, Carla likes to keep her work around her, “to prove I’m an artist. Once I had a business card, and a one woman show, I still didn’t believe it inside. I had to learn it from the inside out.”
It also helps that Carla has had plenty of others support her path. “The director of the Temple of Women is my biggest collector. I have a lot of friends who support me, and my greatest feedback comes from people who are not yet my friends (strangers) who say, “You don’t know what you’ve got.” It is all important, regardless of how it landed on me. Still, the sincerest form of appreciation is when they pull out a checkbook.”
How does she stick with it now that she’s an adult orphan, and her marriage is gone? Sometimes it is a fight through a thicket with a machete or it is like rising to the surface for air as you challenge yourself. Sometimes it can be very fragile, with everything seemingly stacked against you. I just know now that it (my truth) is written on my heart. I have something treasured to give and what I offer means a lot to them (her customers). My work has transformed, inspired, healed.”
When she falls down the rabbit hole, how does she climb out and get back into her groove? “I give myself permission to create really shitty art. Some pieces I’ve just made (in silver) are going back to the refiners. I just work in fits and starts. Then, it just happens because you’re in the flow somehow.”
Carla also is willing to share the flow of her passion in other ways with women artists. “I’d love to see…love to hear, what you perceive your struggles are right now, and hear your triumphs. They go hand in hand.”
************
Readers may reach out to Carla through her blog, and view a 39 minute video of her titled “Love Medicine” located in the upper corner of her front page of her website. Tell her Mel Edwards’ Votre Vray sent you.
When Carla Sanders began following her truth, her husband was afraid for their future, and he said, “You can give it a year and then you’ll have to admit you’ve failed and you can get a job doing something else.” Sanders knew he had done his job for years with plans of retiring and handing the earning reigns over to her when the time came. He never banked on her choice and wasn’t prepared. It came down to Carla having to select her passion or give up her spirit by doing something else. Her spirit won, even if her marriage didn’t. “I like the line that Tom Hank’s character says in Apollo 13, ‘Failure is not an option.’ I’ve adopted it as my motto.”
I asked if it was scary for her to honor her truth. “Yes. If I said it wasn’t I’d be kidding myself. I’m mature, in my 50s, and I’ve been doing this for a long time now. Some busy years, and some light years when no one sees me. Is that fear?” I offered that her slower years maybe she was filling the well. “Maybe. That’s it. I need to fill the well.”
Still, Carla likes to keep her work around her, “to prove I’m an artist. Once I had a business card, and a one woman show, I still didn’t believe it inside. I had to learn it from the inside out.”
It also helps that Carla has had plenty of others support her path. “The director of the Temple of Women is my biggest collector. I have a lot of friends who support me, and my greatest feedback comes from people who are not yet my friends (strangers) who say, “You don’t know what you’ve got.” It is all important, regardless of how it landed on me. Still, the sincerest form of appreciation is when they pull out a checkbook.”
How does she stick with it now that she’s an adult orphan, and her marriage is gone? Sometimes it is a fight through a thicket with a machete or it is like rising to the surface for air as you challenge yourself. Sometimes it can be very fragile, with everything seemingly stacked against you. I just know now that it (my truth) is written on my heart. I have something treasured to give and what I offer means a lot to them (her customers). My work has transformed, inspired, healed.”
When she falls down the rabbit hole, how does she climb out and get back into her groove? “I give myself permission to create really shitty art. Some pieces I’ve just made (in silver) are going back to the refiners. I just work in fits and starts. Then, it just happens because you’re in the flow somehow.”
Carla also is willing to share the flow of her passion in other ways with women artists. “I’d love to see…love to hear, what you perceive your struggles are right now, and hear your triumphs. They go hand in hand.”
************
Readers may reach out to Carla through her blog, and view a 39 minute video of her titled “Love Medicine” located in the upper corner of her front page of her website. Tell her Mel Edwards’ Votre Vray sent you.
Driven by the Beat of Passion
An excerpt of an interview of Joey Wester of www.jdwdesign.com
by Mel. Edwards of the Votre Vray Creative Women project.
What would you do to get a shot at following your truth? Would you risk being arrested? Joey Wester of JDW Designs began her career with such a risk. “I snuck onto a major movie and television studio lot in Culver City and asked some of the master artists working there if they’d like to see my portfolio. I was so lucky the owner wasn’t around that day. After most of them rolled their eyes, one agreed, and he liked it. They weren’t hiring, but a few weeks later I got a call. I was the first woman they’d hired in seven years!”
Chutzpah is Joey all around. Other than covert self-promoter, she was in a rock band as a drummer for thirteen years. “I say, let people know who you are. See who bites.” It obviously worked in Culver City.
Now Joey works for herself. Her former employer was great in giving her exposure to the world of possibilities, and her pieces are in prop houses ready to be picked up by film and TV studios looking for art, but she seeks more. It is no surprise that Joey works on all kinds of subject matter and mediums including charcoal and pencil (many images of rock and roll figures in her online portfolio), florals, portraits, abstracts. Regardless of the piece,“I aim for balance and to keep it interesting. If I accomplish what I set out to do, I can step back and say, ‘Oh my G-d, that’s really cool.’ But if I’m frustrated, I can end up with a mess. You can just look at it and tell. It shows.”
Being a gutsy artistic woman can have its downside. When I asked who has encouraged her to move forward in her creative path, she admits, “Nobody specifically. They’ll just say, ‘That’s nice. That’s cool,’ but most of my friends don’t even ask about my work. No significant other ever has shown an interest.” So how does she keep going? “I don’t really think I have a choice. I have no time when I didn’t have a pencil in my hand as a child. Once you’ve found your passion, know you’re given it for a reason. You should do it. You have a responsibility to do so. It would be a shame not to use it.”
And it would be a shame to not know Joey Wester. Check out Jo and her work at: http://www.jdwdesign.com/
by Mel. Edwards of the Votre Vray Creative Women project.
What would you do to get a shot at following your truth? Would you risk being arrested? Joey Wester of JDW Designs began her career with such a risk. “I snuck onto a major movie and television studio lot in Culver City and asked some of the master artists working there if they’d like to see my portfolio. I was so lucky the owner wasn’t around that day. After most of them rolled their eyes, one agreed, and he liked it. They weren’t hiring, but a few weeks later I got a call. I was the first woman they’d hired in seven years!”
Chutzpah is Joey all around. Other than covert self-promoter, she was in a rock band as a drummer for thirteen years. “I say, let people know who you are. See who bites.” It obviously worked in Culver City.
Now Joey works for herself. Her former employer was great in giving her exposure to the world of possibilities, and her pieces are in prop houses ready to be picked up by film and TV studios looking for art, but she seeks more. It is no surprise that Joey works on all kinds of subject matter and mediums including charcoal and pencil (many images of rock and roll figures in her online portfolio), florals, portraits, abstracts. Regardless of the piece,“I aim for balance and to keep it interesting. If I accomplish what I set out to do, I can step back and say, ‘Oh my G-d, that’s really cool.’ But if I’m frustrated, I can end up with a mess. You can just look at it and tell. It shows.”
Being a gutsy artistic woman can have its downside. When I asked who has encouraged her to move forward in her creative path, she admits, “Nobody specifically. They’ll just say, ‘That’s nice. That’s cool,’ but most of my friends don’t even ask about my work. No significant other ever has shown an interest.” So how does she keep going? “I don’t really think I have a choice. I have no time when I didn’t have a pencil in my hand as a child. Once you’ve found your passion, know you’re given it for a reason. You should do it. You have a responsibility to do so. It would be a shame not to use it.”
And it would be a shame to not know Joey Wester. Check out Jo and her work at: http://www.jdwdesign.com/
Friday, July 18, 2008
Author’s Balanced Routine Yields Success
An excerpt of an interview of Linda Seger from www.LindaSeger.com by Mel. Edwards
When does an author become an artist? After the first book is published? The fourth? For Linda Seger (pronounced SAY-er) it was after her sixth book. At that time Linda read Anne Lamont’s Bird by Bird and fell in love with the playfulness of Lamont’s author voice and the rhythm of her language. Seger began to use Lamont’s style as a reference for putting more of her own voice into her writing. “Voice was the focus of my seventh book. It became more fun, playful, bold.” Perhaps Seger’s writing voice was previously accustomed the dry academic writing required in higher education, since she holds not one but three master’s degrees and a PhD. Even with these degrees, Seger had to work hard to become more emotional and spiritual in her writing and change her platform from screenwriting coach who “passes on information” to a woman who truly “writes books.” No matter the reason, Seger is now free of those binds and the limitations of a solitary platform, with her eleventh book due out in February 2009. “I have eight books on screenwriting but three spiritual books now, too.”
When asked if she could think of herself doing anything else for a career she admits she’s looked at everything else. “No. It makes my stomach hurt. I can’t imagine (doing any other career).” Seger believes creative people “bring creativity into the way you do everything in life.” She should know, as she works on a short film headed for Sundance, slogs through two to three scripts per week by other screenwriters, and does her own research and re-writes for a book and fits in kenote speaking engagements as time allows.
Seger credits her daily routine for her success. “In grad school creativity is a two year process. I had to learn to how it worked, not be scared, get rid of the mystery in creations. I learned how to meet the muse and get her here, with the expectation of ‘You have to be here at 7 the next morning.’ I don’t get blocked, but it doesn’t flow all the time either.” Although Seger is also a a multiple project personality, she knows balance in work and life. “I don’t work too hard. It is focused. (My day) is a natural flow for me. I remind myself, ‘This is supposed to be joyful.’”
******
To learn more about Linda and her work, please visit: http://www.lindaseger.com/bio.html
When does an author become an artist? After the first book is published? The fourth? For Linda Seger (pronounced SAY-er) it was after her sixth book. At that time Linda read Anne Lamont’s Bird by Bird and fell in love with the playfulness of Lamont’s author voice and the rhythm of her language. Seger began to use Lamont’s style as a reference for putting more of her own voice into her writing. “Voice was the focus of my seventh book. It became more fun, playful, bold.” Perhaps Seger’s writing voice was previously accustomed the dry academic writing required in higher education, since she holds not one but three master’s degrees and a PhD. Even with these degrees, Seger had to work hard to become more emotional and spiritual in her writing and change her platform from screenwriting coach who “passes on information” to a woman who truly “writes books.” No matter the reason, Seger is now free of those binds and the limitations of a solitary platform, with her eleventh book due out in February 2009. “I have eight books on screenwriting but three spiritual books now, too.”
When asked if she could think of herself doing anything else for a career she admits she’s looked at everything else. “No. It makes my stomach hurt. I can’t imagine (doing any other career).” Seger believes creative people “bring creativity into the way you do everything in life.” She should know, as she works on a short film headed for Sundance, slogs through two to three scripts per week by other screenwriters, and does her own research and re-writes for a book and fits in kenote speaking engagements as time allows.
Seger credits her daily routine for her success. “In grad school creativity is a two year process. I had to learn to how it worked, not be scared, get rid of the mystery in creations. I learned how to meet the muse and get her here, with the expectation of ‘You have to be here at 7 the next morning.’ I don’t get blocked, but it doesn’t flow all the time either.” Although Seger is also a a multiple project personality, she knows balance in work and life. “I don’t work too hard. It is focused. (My day) is a natural flow for me. I remind myself, ‘This is supposed to be joyful.’”
******
To learn more about Linda and her work, please visit: http://www.lindaseger.com/bio.html
Mel's Votre Vray to Attend Upstate SC Women's Show
August 22-24 at Carolina First Center (formerly the Palmetto Expo Center) the world of women's products and services will be at your fingertips and Mel will be there!
(One of the special guests is Lisa Rinna, who Mel used to watch on Days of Our Lives, many moons ago. )
Come meet Mel, and if you're not part of the Votre Vray Creative Women's project yet, you can sign a release form and answer the six interview launch questions on site.
Mel. will also have poetry chapbooks and cd's for sale, and will be available to discuss bookings.
Exhibit hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
For more information, visit: http://upstatewomensshow.com/
Hope to see you there!
-Mel.
(One of the special guests is Lisa Rinna, who Mel used to watch on Days of Our Lives, many moons ago. )
Come meet Mel, and if you're not part of the Votre Vray Creative Women's project yet, you can sign a release form and answer the six interview launch questions on site.
Mel. will also have poetry chapbooks and cd's for sale, and will be available to discuss bookings.
Exhibit hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
For more information, visit: http://upstatewomensshow.com/
Hope to see you there!
-Mel.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Big Dream in Multi-colored Animal Portrait Wrapper
Excerpt of interview of Kim Santini for Votre Vray Creative women project by Mel. Edwards.
For Kimberly Kelly Santini, it is all about community, connections and canines. Okay, all animals are dear to her, but Kim certainly knows her puppies! In October 2006, Kim of http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ set out to try something new. Instead of her over-sized animal portraits and being identified by a company name dedicated to her beloved rescued feline, she was going to try out new techniques on a smaller scale with a set subject: dogs. She decided that creating five new paintings, about 4 inches square, per week would do the trick. She also attached her vision of promoting canine rescue and love to her art. Kim laughs that she thought she’d do it for a year, but now she admits she had enough material and ideas to keep her going through September 2009! The work from this project can be followed at http://www.paintingadogaday.blogspot.com/. When asked if she ever veered away from dogs, she admitted that the subscribers can handle a little variation, but in the end, mutts to purebreds are what it’s all about. “Before this project, about 80% of my portrait work was of dogs, and Dog-a-day had a nice ring to it. I also wanted to try new things instead of working on just one portrait for weeks, so this met my needs.”
Frustrated artists, who think you must have huge blocks of time to do your art, think again. “I used to be guilty of the mindset of needing at least 8 hours to work on a piece, and then realized it was a rule I was making for myself. It took a little while to get there, but now I know better.” During the school year Kim gets up to six hours per day of uninterrupted time to paint, but summers whittle her minutes down to about two hours a day when her children are at the Boys and Girls club, or late nights once the kids begin to settle in the for the evening. Still, she has no regrets and her kids are used to it.
In fact, when she isn’t in the studio and puts on make-up because she wants to add a bit of personal sparkle, her kids ask, “Are we going somewhere?” Kim laughs again and says, “They know that when I’m in the groove, I’ve got my good music going, the right shoes on and chocolate on hand, I’m going to paint. Lipstick days are pretty out of the ordinary for me.”
What keeps her going besides music, good shoes and chocolate? Peer support. “Find a single mentor or a group of people knowledgeable of your medium. It is key to have someone you can ask, ‘What do I do if…’ and someone who you can share your work with.” Some supporting groups on the ‘net have been very helpful to her including: http://www.equineartguild.com/, the http://www.canineartguild.com/, and http://www.wetcanvas.com/.
Kim also suggests that artists be open to new ideas, always wanting to expand their capacity for earning and fulfilling their own dreams. I asked her what her Big Dream was, and true to color, Kim said, “Mel, I have it. I don’t think it gets much better than this.”
For Kimberly Kelly Santini, it is all about community, connections and canines. Okay, all animals are dear to her, but Kim certainly knows her puppies! In October 2006, Kim of http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ set out to try something new. Instead of her over-sized animal portraits and being identified by a company name dedicated to her beloved rescued feline, she was going to try out new techniques on a smaller scale with a set subject: dogs. She decided that creating five new paintings, about 4 inches square, per week would do the trick. She also attached her vision of promoting canine rescue and love to her art. Kim laughs that she thought she’d do it for a year, but now she admits she had enough material and ideas to keep her going through September 2009! The work from this project can be followed at http://www.paintingadogaday.blogspot.com/. When asked if she ever veered away from dogs, she admitted that the subscribers can handle a little variation, but in the end, mutts to purebreds are what it’s all about. “Before this project, about 80% of my portrait work was of dogs, and Dog-a-day had a nice ring to it. I also wanted to try new things instead of working on just one portrait for weeks, so this met my needs.”
Frustrated artists, who think you must have huge blocks of time to do your art, think again. “I used to be guilty of the mindset of needing at least 8 hours to work on a piece, and then realized it was a rule I was making for myself. It took a little while to get there, but now I know better.” During the school year Kim gets up to six hours per day of uninterrupted time to paint, but summers whittle her minutes down to about two hours a day when her children are at the Boys and Girls club, or late nights once the kids begin to settle in the for the evening. Still, she has no regrets and her kids are used to it.
In fact, when she isn’t in the studio and puts on make-up because she wants to add a bit of personal sparkle, her kids ask, “Are we going somewhere?” Kim laughs again and says, “They know that when I’m in the groove, I’ve got my good music going, the right shoes on and chocolate on hand, I’m going to paint. Lipstick days are pretty out of the ordinary for me.”
What keeps her going besides music, good shoes and chocolate? Peer support. “Find a single mentor or a group of people knowledgeable of your medium. It is key to have someone you can ask, ‘What do I do if…’ and someone who you can share your work with.” Some supporting groups on the ‘net have been very helpful to her including: http://www.equineartguild.com/, the http://www.canineartguild.com/, and http://www.wetcanvas.com/.
Kim also suggests that artists be open to new ideas, always wanting to expand their capacity for earning and fulfilling their own dreams. I asked her what her Big Dream was, and true to color, Kim said, “Mel, I have it. I don’t think it gets much better than this.”
Mel headed to Recording Studio
Now hear this, Mel Edwards, Renaissance woman is finally going to the recording studio!
That's right folks, the week of August 4th I'll be at a local recording studio making my first cd of poems, stories, and some content from the opening of the Votre Vray play. I have more material than can possibly fit on one cd, and I won't know until I'm in-process what will work together and what will need to be cut away before the final version is put out there, but that's what creation is all about for me -- trying, re-doing, and re-tooling again and again until I say, "Okay, that's enough for this piece. Time to let it go," even if the piece doesn't match some preconceived ideal.
The good news is most of the pieces will be available for sale within a few days from iTales.com where, like iTunes, you can pay per download to get the exact content that you want. This will make my work more immediately accessible for those who are interested in hearing my work but can't get to one of my gigs.
To learn more about me and my work, please visit my website: www.meledwards.com
Until next time,
(you know what I'm going to say....)
Keep Creating!
-Mel.
That's right folks, the week of August 4th I'll be at a local recording studio making my first cd of poems, stories, and some content from the opening of the Votre Vray play. I have more material than can possibly fit on one cd, and I won't know until I'm in-process what will work together and what will need to be cut away before the final version is put out there, but that's what creation is all about for me -- trying, re-doing, and re-tooling again and again until I say, "Okay, that's enough for this piece. Time to let it go," even if the piece doesn't match some preconceived ideal.
The good news is most of the pieces will be available for sale within a few days from iTales.com where, like iTunes, you can pay per download to get the exact content that you want. This will make my work more immediately accessible for those who are interested in hearing my work but can't get to one of my gigs.
To learn more about me and my work, please visit my website: www.meledwards.com
Until next time,
(you know what I'm going to say....)
Keep Creating!
-Mel.
Nicole B. Schmidt is Green Over Art!
Partial interview of Nicole B. Schmidt of http://www.nicolebcreative.com/ for the Votre Vray Creative Women project.
One of the key questions the Votre Vray project asks every interviewee is how they feel about being called an artist. Some embrace the concept, and others balk at nuances the term brings up for them. Nicole B. Schmidt is one of the later.
"I have two conflicting ideas when I think of the term ‘artist,’” says Nicole. “The first is the stereotype of the flighty, all over the place but not necessarily responsible type. The second is of someone who has the innate ability to be creative, outside the parameters of society or original intention.” Nicole then goes on to state she’s not sure she’s earned the right for the second definition yet but she’s working on it by getting away from traditional 2D and formulas such as copying the masters. For her, “It is more about the experience than the end product, let it evolve, go through the process instead of dictating to the piece, ‘You will be…’”
I asked if her new creative direction causes her to fear putting herself out there. “Oh yeah! The new direction of my work is more commercial and there is still an elitist view of who has made it in the world of art,” much like A-list stars in Hollywood. “You need to be in the scene to make it big, if you don’t fit that image, you won’t make it.”
Does she want to be “part of the scene”? Nicole laughs and says, “I want to make a sellable product. Every piece is not a child of yours. It is your work that will replenish itself. Let go of what you’ve made (sell it) and create anew.”
And create, Nicole does. When she was little her mother had to create a rotation system of the pieces on display on the fridge, keep it up a week, and replace with her latest work. She went on to take AP art classes in high school and some of her paintings are still in her parent’s home.
What does she advise to new artists? “Find yourself in your art. If you’re in it for money, find your direction, find what you really love – a subject or a medium – and see how far you can push yourself in that.”
What is Nicole’s latest artistic aim? “I am working on creating a line of art that is completely eco-friends – renewable materials, looking at dyes and milk paints – and making it affordable for younger people who want to feel good about purchasing something beautiful that is also a green product. I will be successful it I can create a modest living making art that others can enjoy too.”
I’m willing to bet Nicole will do just that.
One of the key questions the Votre Vray project asks every interviewee is how they feel about being called an artist. Some embrace the concept, and others balk at nuances the term brings up for them. Nicole B. Schmidt is one of the later.
"I have two conflicting ideas when I think of the term ‘artist,’” says Nicole. “The first is the stereotype of the flighty, all over the place but not necessarily responsible type. The second is of someone who has the innate ability to be creative, outside the parameters of society or original intention.” Nicole then goes on to state she’s not sure she’s earned the right for the second definition yet but she’s working on it by getting away from traditional 2D and formulas such as copying the masters. For her, “It is more about the experience than the end product, let it evolve, go through the process instead of dictating to the piece, ‘You will be…’”
I asked if her new creative direction causes her to fear putting herself out there. “Oh yeah! The new direction of my work is more commercial and there is still an elitist view of who has made it in the world of art,” much like A-list stars in Hollywood. “You need to be in the scene to make it big, if you don’t fit that image, you won’t make it.”
Does she want to be “part of the scene”? Nicole laughs and says, “I want to make a sellable product. Every piece is not a child of yours. It is your work that will replenish itself. Let go of what you’ve made (sell it) and create anew.”
And create, Nicole does. When she was little her mother had to create a rotation system of the pieces on display on the fridge, keep it up a week, and replace with her latest work. She went on to take AP art classes in high school and some of her paintings are still in her parent’s home.
What does she advise to new artists? “Find yourself in your art. If you’re in it for money, find your direction, find what you really love – a subject or a medium – and see how far you can push yourself in that.”
What is Nicole’s latest artistic aim? “I am working on creating a line of art that is completely eco-friends – renewable materials, looking at dyes and milk paints – and making it affordable for younger people who want to feel good about purchasing something beautiful that is also a green product. I will be successful it I can create a modest living making art that others can enjoy too.”
I’m willing to bet Nicole will do just that.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Divine Answer to Artist’s Dream!
Profile of: Connie Logan, www.cplogan.com
based upon interview by Mel. Edwards, for the Votre Vray project
If you live in Greensboro, NC, you might know the matriarch of painters, Connie Logan. Founder of Artstock, a local art tour now in its 11th year (with tours taking place in October), mother of three, and painting teacher of several local artists, Logan is a powerhouse not to be equaled.
Some may find it cliché, but Logan credits G-d where credit is due, including, telling her “Now is not your time,” when she first began to ask, “When do I get to do what I want?” when she ached to create instead of sitting on floor playing Legos with her sons.
1987, she took her sons to a Lenten service where the priest told the congregation, “If you want to identify with Christ in a small way, give something up for Lent.” She gave up television, and while she sat in a room apart from her then-husband, so he could watch TV, she prayed for strength and asked what to do with herself. She distinctly heard G-d say that her time had come. So she began painting two hours a day, and hasn’t looked back since.
She advises, “If you’re going to be a writer, write. If you’re going to be a painter, paint. Build a body of work.” By 1993 she had done just that, and while living in Budapest, due to her husband’s job, she not only flourished in her creation of works that honored her new home, but she gained a rare opportunity to have a showing at the Budapest National Opera House! “People came in tuxes, and I hired a quartet to play on the marble landing, with a gilded entrance. I had 35 pieces in that show.” It was a defining moment that changed her life.
When she returned to the States, her marriage ended and against the advice of “everyone” especially those who said she “couldn’t” do it, she had a studio built in her own back yard. She gave the workers all her savings and said, “This if for labor, and this is my credit card to (this building company) and when that maxes out, I have one to this building company.” In the end it took four credit cards and plenty of negotiating rates, and transferring balances, to created a studio $40,000. Due to her savvy, Logan paid no interest and the debt was gone within a year.
Although she continually teaches and encourages others, she also keeps balance by painting (or doing art- related tasks) daily. Logan states, “Follow your passion, what you truly believe in, even if you’re not good at it. You just require the desire.” She says she’s worked with several painters and taught them the techniques, the concrete side of painting, and their passion and commitment has carried them forward until they became good at it. Logan says painting gives her a stronger sense of self, and she believes everyone wants to know their purpose in life. Painting helps her identify with the Creator, as creating any art can do.
Logan is no longer scared to put herself and her work out there, and that she “really can’t” envision herself doing anything else. “This IS what I envisioned,” she states, adding, “Money isn’t what is going to motivate an artist. Self-fulfillment is.” She should know, as do her sons, and her students.
based upon interview by Mel. Edwards, for the Votre Vray project
If you live in Greensboro, NC, you might know the matriarch of painters, Connie Logan. Founder of Artstock, a local art tour now in its 11th year (with tours taking place in October), mother of three, and painting teacher of several local artists, Logan is a powerhouse not to be equaled.
Some may find it cliché, but Logan credits G-d where credit is due, including, telling her “Now is not your time,” when she first began to ask, “When do I get to do what I want?” when she ached to create instead of sitting on floor playing Legos with her sons.
1987, she took her sons to a Lenten service where the priest told the congregation, “If you want to identify with Christ in a small way, give something up for Lent.” She gave up television, and while she sat in a room apart from her then-husband, so he could watch TV, she prayed for strength and asked what to do with herself. She distinctly heard G-d say that her time had come. So she began painting two hours a day, and hasn’t looked back since.
She advises, “If you’re going to be a writer, write. If you’re going to be a painter, paint. Build a body of work.” By 1993 she had done just that, and while living in Budapest, due to her husband’s job, she not only flourished in her creation of works that honored her new home, but she gained a rare opportunity to have a showing at the Budapest National Opera House! “People came in tuxes, and I hired a quartet to play on the marble landing, with a gilded entrance. I had 35 pieces in that show.” It was a defining moment that changed her life.
When she returned to the States, her marriage ended and against the advice of “everyone” especially those who said she “couldn’t” do it, she had a studio built in her own back yard. She gave the workers all her savings and said, “This if for labor, and this is my credit card to (this building company) and when that maxes out, I have one to this building company.” In the end it took four credit cards and plenty of negotiating rates, and transferring balances, to created a studio $40,000. Due to her savvy, Logan paid no interest and the debt was gone within a year.
Although she continually teaches and encourages others, she also keeps balance by painting (or doing art- related tasks) daily. Logan states, “Follow your passion, what you truly believe in, even if you’re not good at it. You just require the desire.” She says she’s worked with several painters and taught them the techniques, the concrete side of painting, and their passion and commitment has carried them forward until they became good at it. Logan says painting gives her a stronger sense of self, and she believes everyone wants to know their purpose in life. Painting helps her identify with the Creator, as creating any art can do.
Logan is no longer scared to put herself and her work out there, and that she “really can’t” envision herself doing anything else. “This IS what I envisioned,” she states, adding, “Money isn’t what is going to motivate an artist. Self-fulfillment is.” She should know, as do her sons, and her students.
Avenue Q makes Peace Center Attendee Nearly Pee Pants from Laughter
OMG! Last night my darlin' hubby and I attended the opening night of Avenue Q's national tour's run at the Peace Center in Greenville, SC. For those who don't know anything about SC, remember that Bob Jones University is in town and most politicians are Republicans. Those who don't know the show, one of the main characters is Rod, a Republican, whose roommate is trying to get him to realize he's gay. Yuppers! What a show for this town! Sometimes I wonder how the arts community and the religious and political communities mesh around here.
What did the audience think? The guys who sat behind us are planning on telling one of their colleagues that his new nickname is Trekkie but not telling him why or what it means. For those who haven't seen the show, Trekkie's motto is "The Internet is for porn." I feel for that colleague of theirs, but I really am laughing my butt off at the guys who are going to start calling him that. You go, guys! The older couple that sat beside me were pretty quiet, but at intermission the wife took a call. I heard her say, "Yes it is, but we're adults. We can handle it." Her husband waited for her to finish and said, "Nice speech." They didn't even grumble when I cheered during the final number when the puppets and players sang about all the things that are just for now --- including George Bush. In my life, that's a major victory to not be scolded for such honesty.
What did hubby and I get from going? Well, we bought the original cast recording, laughed until I nearly peed my pants (that's what I get for drinking a big ice cold fruit slushy drink before the show and not leaving my seat until it was over), and we dubbed it a perfect night. I can't recall that last time I said that.
Oh, and adults who were raised as Sesame Street fans, as I was, will LOVE the puppets and the set. I said, "This is the closest I've even been to Sesame Street!" and I giggled as my husband looked at me like, "Awwww, ain't she cute...a bit soft in the head, but really cute."
WARNING: Do NOT bring kids to see this unless you really want to explain all of adult language, the sex scene that still has us making comments (since the puppets are basically heads with hands), and spend a good part of your life telling them they can't sing the catchy lyrics or say the four letter words that popped into the script.
Still...if you live close and can afford to attend: DO IT! Also call the box office. I read a blurb the other day that two hours before the show some tickets were going to be available for $25 each, first come-first served, limit two tickets per person. With that option, there is no reason to miss it!
http://www.peacecenter.org/show.asp?ProductID=873
What did the audience think? The guys who sat behind us are planning on telling one of their colleagues that his new nickname is Trekkie but not telling him why or what it means. For those who haven't seen the show, Trekkie's motto is "The Internet is for porn." I feel for that colleague of theirs, but I really am laughing my butt off at the guys who are going to start calling him that. You go, guys! The older couple that sat beside me were pretty quiet, but at intermission the wife took a call. I heard her say, "Yes it is, but we're adults. We can handle it." Her husband waited for her to finish and said, "Nice speech." They didn't even grumble when I cheered during the final number when the puppets and players sang about all the things that are just for now --- including George Bush. In my life, that's a major victory to not be scolded for such honesty.
What did hubby and I get from going? Well, we bought the original cast recording, laughed until I nearly peed my pants (that's what I get for drinking a big ice cold fruit slushy drink before the show and not leaving my seat until it was over), and we dubbed it a perfect night. I can't recall that last time I said that.
Oh, and adults who were raised as Sesame Street fans, as I was, will LOVE the puppets and the set. I said, "This is the closest I've even been to Sesame Street!" and I giggled as my husband looked at me like, "Awwww, ain't she cute...a bit soft in the head, but really cute."
WARNING: Do NOT bring kids to see this unless you really want to explain all of adult language, the sex scene that still has us making comments (since the puppets are basically heads with hands), and spend a good part of your life telling them they can't sing the catchy lyrics or say the four letter words that popped into the script.
Still...if you live close and can afford to attend: DO IT! Also call the box office. I read a blurb the other day that two hours before the show some tickets were going to be available for $25 each, first come-first served, limit two tickets per person. With that option, there is no reason to miss it!
http://www.peacecenter.org/show.asp?ProductID=873
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Telling the Truth ...One Artist's Perspective
The main focus of Votre Vray is for each person to find his or her creative truth, and to USE IT to be the best person you can be and live the life you were created for. Sian Lindemann gets that, so much so that she wrote her own version of what truth meant in her work here:
Go to www.thenationalnetworker.com
Lindemann says, "This month's article in Arts and Entertainment Department is a pretty radical turn from the content I normally write....but its powerful...and revealing about my nature as an artist, and as a human being...
Enjoy.
Sian Lindemann"
I certainly did enjoy it and learned a bit about Sian and her work.
Sian will be interviewed for the Votre Vray project later this month. Until then, check out this artist, her website and Keep Creating!
-Mel.
Go to www.thenationalnetworker.com
Lindemann says, "This month's article in Arts and Entertainment Department is a pretty radical turn from the content I normally write....but its powerful...and revealing about my nature as an artist, and as a human being...
Enjoy.
Sian Lindemann"
I certainly did enjoy it and learned a bit about Sian and her work.
Sian will be interviewed for the Votre Vray project later this month. Until then, check out this artist, her website and Keep Creating!
-Mel.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
NoHo Gallery LA featuring Votre Vray friend Joey Wester
CALLING ALL FRIENDS OF VOTRE VRAY!!
There is a Free Reception on July 16th, 6:30 - 10:30 at the NoHo Gallery LA and one of our interviewees is the featured artist! How cool is that?
NoHo Gallery LA
5108 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 761-7784
www.nohogalleryla.com
Show Dates are July 5th thru July 26th
Gallery Show: 'Visions'
A group show of existential, surreal and lyrical artworks featuring the multi-faceted talents of Joey Wester.
Group artists include Ayers Baxter, Renate Dartois, Delphia, Kate Devine, Sandra Cooper, Thurayya Hernandez, Rachel Weissberger, Rene Vasquez and more… Show Dates: July 5 - 26
This night should be an adventure ! Come have some food, wine, listen to live acoustic music, meet some cool people and grab some culture ! Life is short ! Come on out and play !
Joey Wester
www.jdwdesign.com
818-324-1290
There is a Free Reception on July 16th, 6:30 - 10:30 at the NoHo Gallery LA and one of our interviewees is the featured artist! How cool is that?
NoHo Gallery LA
5108 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 761-7784
www.nohogalleryla.com
Show Dates are July 5th thru July 26th
Gallery Show: 'Visions'
A group show of existential, surreal and lyrical artworks featuring the multi-faceted talents of Joey Wester.
Group artists include Ayers Baxter, Renate Dartois, Delphia, Kate Devine, Sandra Cooper, Thurayya Hernandez, Rachel Weissberger, Rene Vasquez and more… Show Dates: July 5 - 26
This night should be an adventure ! Come have some food, wine, listen to live acoustic music, meet some cool people and grab some culture ! Life is short ! Come on out and play !
Joey Wester
www.jdwdesign.com
818-324-1290
Friday, July 11, 2008
30 Fabulous, Funny and Talented Women Artists' Interviews Coming!
Woo Hoo! I've had the incredible pleasure to meet and interview thirty women artists already -- with specialties ranging from the folk tradition, to multi-degree holding visual, performance and wordsmith artists with every modality that one might imagine. This time next week I hope to have most (if not all) of their introductory profiles here.
Until then, spread the word about the Votre Vray project. Invite friends, women you admire, and past enemies too ('cause it's not too late to fix our karma).
Subscribe to the blog, and place a link to this blog on your website. The bigger buzz we create with the project the quicker several things can happen:
1. Participants get recognition for their work from new audiences.
2. Participants get a shot at making new artist friends.
3. Votre Vray can become a published book.
4. Mel can visit your town to do the one-woman Votre Vray: Your Truth is Your Way, Women Artists production.
Oh! Catch this! Britt Menzies, creator of Stinky Kids, (a.k.a. Miss-I-Love-You [her husband says she tells this to every women artist she meets on her creative path]) has volunteered to either be by my side when the book gets published and I have a book signing and/or be on hand opening night of the Votre Vray play! How cool is that?
Love Britt's idea? Well, so do I! If you're one of the women who participate in the interview process, you too can join us for both events. In fact, if you want to have me come to your community and do a special presentation of the play, let me know, and I'll be happy to see what we can work out.
Remember, Votre Vray is not just about us as individuals finding our paths and learning who we are through our creative selves, but also concerned with spreading the words: Support Women Artists who follow their truth! That means you, girl!
Please, dear friends of women artists, do the following this weekend:
1. Tell ten friends about Votre Vray
2. Subscribe to the blog -- 'cause 30 artist profiles will be going up in the next week and you don't want to miss it!
3. Start planning to have Mel. come to your town to do the Votre Vray play.
4. Plan on showcasing your talents at a Votre Vray event or sending treats/information for goodie bags to be given to play attendees. (...and go to StinkyKids.com and tell Britt you love her and her idea!)
Until next time,
KEEP CREATING!
-Mel.
Until then, spread the word about the Votre Vray project. Invite friends, women you admire, and past enemies too ('cause it's not too late to fix our karma).
Subscribe to the blog, and place a link to this blog on your website. The bigger buzz we create with the project the quicker several things can happen:
1. Participants get recognition for their work from new audiences.
2. Participants get a shot at making new artist friends.
3. Votre Vray can become a published book.
4. Mel can visit your town to do the one-woman Votre Vray: Your Truth is Your Way, Women Artists production.
Oh! Catch this! Britt Menzies, creator of Stinky Kids, (a.k.a. Miss-I-Love-You [her husband says she tells this to every women artist she meets on her creative path]) has volunteered to either be by my side when the book gets published and I have a book signing and/or be on hand opening night of the Votre Vray play! How cool is that?
Love Britt's idea? Well, so do I! If you're one of the women who participate in the interview process, you too can join us for both events. In fact, if you want to have me come to your community and do a special presentation of the play, let me know, and I'll be happy to see what we can work out.
Remember, Votre Vray is not just about us as individuals finding our paths and learning who we are through our creative selves, but also concerned with spreading the words: Support Women Artists who follow their truth! That means you, girl!
Please, dear friends of women artists, do the following this weekend:
1. Tell ten friends about Votre Vray
2. Subscribe to the blog -- 'cause 30 artist profiles will be going up in the next week and you don't want to miss it!
3. Start planning to have Mel. come to your town to do the Votre Vray play.
4. Plan on showcasing your talents at a Votre Vray event or sending treats/information for goodie bags to be given to play attendees. (...and go to StinkyKids.com and tell Britt you love her and her idea!)
Until next time,
KEEP CREATING!
-Mel.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Hyster-Sister Rant ~ a poem by Mel Edwards
Hyster-Sister Rant
by Mel. Edwards
Why did you think the only connection we could have would be spawn?
Does offspring = purpose?
Is my childless life without meaning?
180,000 hours, at least, I’ve been a substitute parent.
That’s 1000+ kids, at least one hour per day, times 180 school days a year, divided by 24 hours that birth parents own the role, totals out at 7,500 hours.
That translates to 20.5479425… years of parenthood, not of twins, triples or even quints but up to 31 angels at a time.
So, now that you’ve got that, let’s get down to the real.
You, woman, are not a wife/mother/sister/daughter/girlfriend FIRST.
First, you are a person who wants, needs and, dammit, desires.
Don’t categorize me by my role in the lives of others,
or yourself for that matter.
Learn the size of my brain, my heart, my vision
for a world where anyone
any single or trans/inter gender/image/size/color/age/brain
Can do whatever art, career, quest that
she/he/we
elect to shout, sing, dance, hobble,
toil, think, mumble, wobble and wail about.
Don’t tell me I need to be a wife/mother/sister/daughter/girlfriend so I can fill ancient rolls that you think my gender requires.
Instead, stop that babble of shoulda, coulda, woulda and SIT down.
I said,
SIT down,
not for minute, an hour a day
but until you’ve had all the stories your heart can hold:
My story,
Your story,
HERstory.
Then get UP, sister, and spread
My story,
Your Story,
OURstory,
knowing the vision of our world has come,
and help the poor bastards
that don’t know it yet.
by Mel. Edwards
Why did you think the only connection we could have would be spawn?
Does offspring = purpose?
Is my childless life without meaning?
180,000 hours, at least, I’ve been a substitute parent.
That’s 1000+ kids, at least one hour per day, times 180 school days a year, divided by 24 hours that birth parents own the role, totals out at 7,500 hours.
That translates to 20.5479425… years of parenthood, not of twins, triples or even quints but up to 31 angels at a time.
So, now that you’ve got that, let’s get down to the real.
You, woman, are not a wife/mother/sister/daughter/girlfriend FIRST.
First, you are a person who wants, needs and, dammit, desires.
Don’t categorize me by my role in the lives of others,
or yourself for that matter.
Learn the size of my brain, my heart, my vision
for a world where anyone
any single or trans/inter gender/image/size/color/age/brain
Can do whatever art, career, quest that
she/he/we
elect to shout, sing, dance, hobble,
toil, think, mumble, wobble and wail about.
Don’t tell me I need to be a wife/mother/sister/daughter/girlfriend so I can fill ancient rolls that you think my gender requires.
Instead, stop that babble of shoulda, coulda, woulda and SIT down.
I said,
SIT down,
not for minute, an hour a day
but until you’ve had all the stories your heart can hold:
My story,
Your story,
HERstory.
Then get UP, sister, and spread
My story,
Your Story,
OURstory,
knowing the vision of our world has come,
and help the poor bastards
that don’t know it yet.
Monday, July 07, 2008
New Votre Vray Website Launched!
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls of All Creative Ilk,
The fabulous graphic designer Duwan Dunn has created a website to behold! (And it just happens to be mine.)
Please visit my new website: http://www.meledwards.com/ [Also loads as: http://www.votrevray.com/ or if you prefer the proper French spelling: http://www.votrevrai.com/. Tried to cover all my bases so that if you can't recall Votre Vray, you can at least find me.]
I'd love any feedback you can offer, and of course, if you need a creative writing coach, a poet, or a storyteller: Call on me!
-Mel.
The fabulous graphic designer Duwan Dunn has created a website to behold! (And it just happens to be mine.)
Please visit my new website: http://www.meledwards.com/ [Also loads as: http://www.votrevray.com/ or if you prefer the proper French spelling: http://www.votrevrai.com/. Tried to cover all my bases so that if you can't recall Votre Vray, you can at least find me.]
I'd love any feedback you can offer, and of course, if you need a creative writing coach, a poet, or a storyteller: Call on me!
-Mel.
Novel Illuminates Dangers of Avoiding a Creative Life
Vianne Rocher wanted a fresh start, and moved several times since the end of the events in Chocolate, only to land in Paris, her childhood home. Now, she is known as Yanne, and has traded her colorful shoes and clothes, the same ones Anouk was embarrassed by in their former communities, for black, sensible footwear. Yanne has learned to blend in, to be the helpful assistant in a shop, and got in with the landlord, a wealthy, helpful sort who wants to be the knight to save her from her life of poverty. However, there are complications, including Yanne’s youngest daughter, who does not communicate through any means other than sign language. But that is the least of Yanne’s worries. Her biggest problems stem not from the identify thief in her midst, but from her loss of self. In an effort to provide a safe life for her girls, Yanne has sacrificed her soul, and only if she can regain it will she save them all.
Although this is the main plotline of Joanne Harris’s long-awaited sequel to Chocolate, entitled The Girl with No Shadow, the story is a common theme in my life, and in the lives of creative people everywhere, including several of the artists I’ve interviewed for the Votre Vray project.
I was once told a quote from the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas, that goes something like this: If you bring forth to what is inside of you, it will save you. If not, it will destroy you.
So often, as creatives we sacrifice our skills for the security of a regular paycheck, a stable residence, a relationship…or something we feel we have been missing in our quest to create. Occasionally, what we trade for is not our greatest desire, but what our loved ones, or society dictates to us as fundamental in a normal, productive, adult life. In exchange, we give up a part (or all) of our most essential elemental make-up, and in doing so, we become ill, angry, and sometimes feel like we are dying.
What will it take for us to listen to our hearts, minds, or souls?
Although this is the main plotline of Joanne Harris’s long-awaited sequel to Chocolate, entitled The Girl with No Shadow, the story is a common theme in my life, and in the lives of creative people everywhere, including several of the artists I’ve interviewed for the Votre Vray project.
I was once told a quote from the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas, that goes something like this: If you bring forth to what is inside of you, it will save you. If not, it will destroy you.
So often, as creatives we sacrifice our skills for the security of a regular paycheck, a stable residence, a relationship…or something we feel we have been missing in our quest to create. Occasionally, what we trade for is not our greatest desire, but what our loved ones, or society dictates to us as fundamental in a normal, productive, adult life. In exchange, we give up a part (or all) of our most essential elemental make-up, and in doing so, we become ill, angry, and sometimes feel like we are dying.
What will it take for us to listen to our hearts, minds, or souls?
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Four Women Artists Worth Knowing
Hello, and Happy July!
Most of us get a three day weekend coming up, and since you have time to sit back and relax a bit, why not meet an artist?
The Votre Vray interviews are moving along fast and furiously, with about 30 slated to be completed by July 11th.
Here are links to a few of the fabulous women I've had the pleasure of speaking with in the past week:
Carla Sanders is an artist who focuses upon shamanic and erotic sculpture, painting and silver work. You can't be more pro-feminine than this! Visit her at: www.CarlaSanders.com
Janet Perry, master needleworker and author who has her own designs (and promotes needlework of others through her shop as well) in spite of the fact she is battling MS.
Janet can be reached at: http://www.napaneedlepoint.com/
Violette, a sassy, spunky, Canadian folk artist with a genuine love of color and glitter. See her art, van, and watch a video
of her house (as was featured on the TV show Weird Homes). Violette's site is: www.violette.ca
Tisha DeShields, wanted to have a legacy all mothers could pass on to their children filled with memories and love, so she created belly castings that can be decorated and personalized for each child. You've got to see: www.OriginalBellyWorks.com
Keep posted as the first wave of artist profiles pop up as the holiday weekend nears, and continue through July 18th.
Until next time, keep creating!
Most of us get a three day weekend coming up, and since you have time to sit back and relax a bit, why not meet an artist?
The Votre Vray interviews are moving along fast and furiously, with about 30 slated to be completed by July 11th.
Here are links to a few of the fabulous women I've had the pleasure of speaking with in the past week:
Carla Sanders is an artist who focuses upon shamanic and erotic sculpture, painting and silver work. You can't be more pro-feminine than this! Visit her at: www.CarlaSanders.com
Janet Perry, master needleworker and author who has her own designs (and promotes needlework of others through her shop as well) in spite of the fact she is battling MS.
Janet can be reached at: http://www.napaneedlepoint.com/
Violette, a sassy, spunky, Canadian folk artist with a genuine love of color and glitter. See her art, van, and watch a video
of her house (as was featured on the TV show Weird Homes). Violette's site is: www.violette.ca
Tisha DeShields, wanted to have a legacy all mothers could pass on to their children filled with memories and love, so she created belly castings that can be decorated and personalized for each child. You've got to see: www.OriginalBellyWorks.com
Keep posted as the first wave of artist profiles pop up as the holiday weekend nears, and continue through July 18th.
Until next time, keep creating!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Ann McCauley on DIY Knitty Gritty Saturday!
Ann of www.annmccauleyknits.com will be on air in the Knitty Gritty episode entitled Delightful Details which is 6/28 on DIY network at 5:30 am EDT.
Don't miss it!
Don't miss it!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Mel Edwards' Votre Vray - Where I've Been, and Where We're Going
Since I've begun the interview process (thank you, Ladies!) many people have been asking about what my artistic focus is and what I intend to do with the interviews. Because this project is multi-faceted, so is my answer. Let's begin with the questions I ask those I interview.
1. How do you feel when someone calls you an artist?
For a long time, I have had difficulty with the term artist, mostly because the images I associate with the term do not match my self image. Do I create? Absolutely! What is my modality of choice? I'm a word wrangler with a theatre bent. My earliest memories were of standing on the hassock in the middle of the living room belting out nonsense words to entertain my mother. So, when someone says, after a performance, "You're such an artist. You have a gift. You're so talented. I could never..." I tend to bristle. Sometimes I'm bold enough to ask, "Is brushing your hair a talent?" When they look at me like I've lost my mind, I explain that for me, telling a story or creating print media is an extension of the way I think. My mother says, "It just flows out of you." My father calls me a wordsmith. I say, I'm a woman who loves words and showbiz. If that means artist to you, then feel free to call me an artist.
2. When you create a show or a story how is that emotionally empowering for you?
Storytelling isn't the same as theatre. I get to interact with the audience as I lay out the bones of a story. It is incredible to be able to stand up, say what I came to say and interact with those I'm sharing with. Nothing is more validating for me.
3. Who in your life or what in your life encouraged you to keep going forward in your path to be a creator of your own work?
I have a master's degree in storytelling, but that didn't empower me or encourage me, except it did motivate me to get the damned thesis done and graduate before I lost my mind. I would say those who have been my friends have always let me be me, even if my best pal of 35+ years rolls her eyes each time I start a new project, she still says, "Of course!" when I describe what I'm going to do and why.
That's not to say my folks didn't want me to be happy with a teaching career. They did. They wanted me to have more of a regular income than an artist has, but in the end, the sadness in my heart because I had no time to create and live my dreams cost me more than any low-paying performance gig could have.
4. Is it still scary for you -- ever, often, always -- to put yourself out there?
You mean, do I sweat, get weak in the knees and all that? Sure, sometimes. It depends upon the audience and the personal connection to the work I'm sharing. This Votre Vray project, even though I'll be sharing stories of dozens and dozens of women, will be my most personal project yet. If someone I've never met hates it, it will be their problem. If one of the women I profile hates her section of the story, I'll feel badly because my whole goal is to make her look and feel good about who she is and what she has accomplished.
5. Can you envision yourself doing anything else with your life?
That's one of my biggest problems. I can so easily teach or work at an editing desk or do something else related to words that when I worry about my financial future, I tend to grab at the first opportunity that comes my way. I have to learn to honor my own voice, my truth, enough that I can say, "No thank you. That is not what I do anymore," and mean it. Even if I fear being divorced, hungry and homeless. I just have to truth if I follow my truth, I will find my way. Each time I have done so, it works.
6. What is the best advice you have been given or can give in regards to following a creative path?
Do whatever it takes to find your truth, and don't be a weenie about it like I was. I quit my degree program in theatre in 1990 and have paid dearly to get back in that direction. I've wasted a good portion of my lifetime doing what other people thought was a wise career move, and even if I am National Board of Professional Teaching Standards certified to teach English, I'm not going to do it if it costs me my creative spark. I love kids, and love to teach, but I will do it on my terms. Otherwise, it simply isn't worth it to me anymore.
Goals of Votre Vray:
1. That by September 2008, I'll have stories completed of over 100 women artists following their dreams.
2. By October 2008, I'll have created my one-woman show of these stories to take on the road. A percentage of box office receipts will go directly to offering small scholarships to women who want to take classes or workshops in the artistic modality of their choice.
3. The stories of these 100+ women will be published in a book, hopefully with at least one image page of their work per participant, and at least will have contact information or web links to them and their work.
4. To build a strong web community where artists can come for news about others in their field and find inspiration to do their work.
5. To help artists find their truth, and with that, their way in life.
Whew! That's a tall order, but that's what this gal is all about (even if I'm only 5' tall)!
Until next time, keep creating!
1. How do you feel when someone calls you an artist?
For a long time, I have had difficulty with the term artist, mostly because the images I associate with the term do not match my self image. Do I create? Absolutely! What is my modality of choice? I'm a word wrangler with a theatre bent. My earliest memories were of standing on the hassock in the middle of the living room belting out nonsense words to entertain my mother. So, when someone says, after a performance, "You're such an artist. You have a gift. You're so talented. I could never..." I tend to bristle. Sometimes I'm bold enough to ask, "Is brushing your hair a talent?" When they look at me like I've lost my mind, I explain that for me, telling a story or creating print media is an extension of the way I think. My mother says, "It just flows out of you." My father calls me a wordsmith. I say, I'm a woman who loves words and showbiz. If that means artist to you, then feel free to call me an artist.
2. When you create a show or a story how is that emotionally empowering for you?
Storytelling isn't the same as theatre. I get to interact with the audience as I lay out the bones of a story. It is incredible to be able to stand up, say what I came to say and interact with those I'm sharing with. Nothing is more validating for me.
3. Who in your life or what in your life encouraged you to keep going forward in your path to be a creator of your own work?
I have a master's degree in storytelling, but that didn't empower me or encourage me, except it did motivate me to get the damned thesis done and graduate before I lost my mind. I would say those who have been my friends have always let me be me, even if my best pal of 35+ years rolls her eyes each time I start a new project, she still says, "Of course!" when I describe what I'm going to do and why.
That's not to say my folks didn't want me to be happy with a teaching career. They did. They wanted me to have more of a regular income than an artist has, but in the end, the sadness in my heart because I had no time to create and live my dreams cost me more than any low-paying performance gig could have.
4. Is it still scary for you -- ever, often, always -- to put yourself out there?
You mean, do I sweat, get weak in the knees and all that? Sure, sometimes. It depends upon the audience and the personal connection to the work I'm sharing. This Votre Vray project, even though I'll be sharing stories of dozens and dozens of women, will be my most personal project yet. If someone I've never met hates it, it will be their problem. If one of the women I profile hates her section of the story, I'll feel badly because my whole goal is to make her look and feel good about who she is and what she has accomplished.
5. Can you envision yourself doing anything else with your life?
That's one of my biggest problems. I can so easily teach or work at an editing desk or do something else related to words that when I worry about my financial future, I tend to grab at the first opportunity that comes my way. I have to learn to honor my own voice, my truth, enough that I can say, "No thank you. That is not what I do anymore," and mean it. Even if I fear being divorced, hungry and homeless. I just have to truth if I follow my truth, I will find my way. Each time I have done so, it works.
6. What is the best advice you have been given or can give in regards to following a creative path?
Do whatever it takes to find your truth, and don't be a weenie about it like I was. I quit my degree program in theatre in 1990 and have paid dearly to get back in that direction. I've wasted a good portion of my lifetime doing what other people thought was a wise career move, and even if I am National Board of Professional Teaching Standards certified to teach English, I'm not going to do it if it costs me my creative spark. I love kids, and love to teach, but I will do it on my terms. Otherwise, it simply isn't worth it to me anymore.
Goals of Votre Vray:
1. That by September 2008, I'll have stories completed of over 100 women artists following their dreams.
2. By October 2008, I'll have created my one-woman show of these stories to take on the road. A percentage of box office receipts will go directly to offering small scholarships to women who want to take classes or workshops in the artistic modality of their choice.
3. The stories of these 100+ women will be published in a book, hopefully with at least one image page of their work per participant, and at least will have contact information or web links to them and their work.
4. To build a strong web community where artists can come for news about others in their field and find inspiration to do their work.
5. To help artists find their truth, and with that, their way in life.
Whew! That's a tall order, but that's what this gal is all about (even if I'm only 5' tall)!
Until next time, keep creating!
Janice Johnson Smith – An Artist Who Rocks
Today I had the opportunity to interview Indiana artist, Janice Johnson Smith.
Website: http://www.janicerocks.com/
Artistic Focus: Drawing and Painting
Mel: How do you feel when someone calls you an artist?
Janice: Well…um…good. It feels right. It fits me, but it isn’t like most things you do. No one calls a restaurant owner a restaurant. They say you have a business. Art is a business too.
Mel: When you create a drawing or painting how is that emotionally empowering for you?Janice: Art connects head, to heart, to hand, to paper, to eyes and back to head and heart again. Because you begin with the artist and then the work is viewed, enjoyed and interpreted.
Mel: Who in your life or what in your life encouraged you to keep going forward in your path to be a creator of your own work?
Janice: I was active in art as a young girl and a bit in college, and every now and then since. My husband all along said, “Do it.” About give years ago of friend of mine encouraged me to paint something for her. Then another friend did, and she said, “I love it!” The support has been there all along, to pushing me to create, to “I love it.”Now I get my support through a networking group. I met a house designer who installed my work in a home. It has been great.
Mel: Is it still scary for you -- ever, often, always -- to put yourself out there?
Janice: You know what? I’ve moved past some of that. There always is scrutiny when you’re showing your work to others, but it depends upon the context. It is normal to feel a little sting if someone hates your work, but I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t believe in it.
Mel: Can you envision yourself doing anything else with your life?
Janice: Possibly, but not full-time.
Mel: What is the best advice you have been given or can give in regards to following a creative path?
Janice: The Best Advice Given? Stay inspired. Best Advice I Can Give? Follow it to the end. Just do it, and see. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
What is coming up for Janice?
She’s helping coordinate a First Friday art event through www.SmallerIndiana.com called the Elegant Funk group art show; slated for August 1st in Indianapolis. Admission is free with complimentary food and wine tasting. A cash bar will also be present.
http://www.smallerindiana.com/events/event/show?id=1736855:Event:94524
Website: http://www.janicerocks.com/
Artistic Focus: Drawing and Painting
Mel: How do you feel when someone calls you an artist?
Janice: Well…um…good. It feels right. It fits me, but it isn’t like most things you do. No one calls a restaurant owner a restaurant. They say you have a business. Art is a business too.
Mel: When you create a drawing or painting how is that emotionally empowering for you?Janice: Art connects head, to heart, to hand, to paper, to eyes and back to head and heart again. Because you begin with the artist and then the work is viewed, enjoyed and interpreted.
Mel: Who in your life or what in your life encouraged you to keep going forward in your path to be a creator of your own work?
Janice: I was active in art as a young girl and a bit in college, and every now and then since. My husband all along said, “Do it.” About give years ago of friend of mine encouraged me to paint something for her. Then another friend did, and she said, “I love it!” The support has been there all along, to pushing me to create, to “I love it.”Now I get my support through a networking group. I met a house designer who installed my work in a home. It has been great.
Mel: Is it still scary for you -- ever, often, always -- to put yourself out there?
Janice: You know what? I’ve moved past some of that. There always is scrutiny when you’re showing your work to others, but it depends upon the context. It is normal to feel a little sting if someone hates your work, but I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t believe in it.
Mel: Can you envision yourself doing anything else with your life?
Janice: Possibly, but not full-time.
Mel: What is the best advice you have been given or can give in regards to following a creative path?
Janice: The Best Advice Given? Stay inspired. Best Advice I Can Give? Follow it to the end. Just do it, and see. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
What is coming up for Janice?
She’s helping coordinate a First Friday art event through www.SmallerIndiana.com called the Elegant Funk group art show; slated for August 1st in Indianapolis. Admission is free with complimentary food and wine tasting. A cash bar will also be present.
http://www.smallerindiana.com/events/event/show?id=1736855:Event:94524
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Participate in Votre Vray Projects!
Still on the fence about participating in the sensational Votre Vray creative women project?
Not sure if you're "enough" to be included?
Don't be! Everyone has someone in the world they can connect to. Do you need to be differently-abled to appreciate that someone who is blind can paint? Must you be frustrated with depression to know that it is a terrible road travel? Of course not.
Below are the interview launch questions. Send your answers in the body of an e-mail (to: MelEdwardsConnect [at] Yahoo [dot] com) along with the release form below, and I'll be in touch to set a follow-up interview. Your experience can be exactly what another woman needs to hear! Don't judge yourself, let the world decide when they learn your personal story.
1. How do you feel when someone calls you an artist?
2. When you create (insert art modality of your choice) how is that emotionally empowering for you?
3. Who in your life or what in your life encouraged you to keep going forward in your path to be a creator of your own work?
4. Is it still scary for you -- ever, often, always -- to put yourself out there?
5. Can you envision yourself doing anything else with your life?
6. What is the best advice you have been given or can give in regards to following a creative path?
RELEASE for Votre Vray Interviews
DATE: ____________ Via: Phone or E-mail (circle or highlight one)
Name: ____________________________
Art/Business: ________________________
Address:________________________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________
E-mail: _____________________________
Phone: _______________________
Not sure if you're "enough" to be included?
Don't be! Everyone has someone in the world they can connect to. Do you need to be differently-abled to appreciate that someone who is blind can paint? Must you be frustrated with depression to know that it is a terrible road travel? Of course not.
Please join us!
Below are the interview launch questions. Send your answers in the body of an e-mail (to: MelEdwardsConnect [at] Yahoo [dot] com) along with the release form below, and I'll be in touch to set a follow-up interview. Your experience can be exactly what another woman needs to hear! Don't judge yourself, let the world decide when they learn your personal story.
1. How do you feel when someone calls you an artist?
2. When you create (insert art modality of your choice) how is that emotionally empowering for you?
3. Who in your life or what in your life encouraged you to keep going forward in your path to be a creator of your own work?
4. Is it still scary for you -- ever, often, always -- to put yourself out there?
5. Can you envision yourself doing anything else with your life?
6. What is the best advice you have been given or can give in regards to following a creative path?
RELEASE for Votre Vray Interviews
DATE: ____________ Via: Phone or E-mail (circle or highlight one)
Name: ____________________________
Art/Business: ________________________
Address:________________________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________
E-mail: _____________________________
Phone: _______________________
Web/Blog: __________________________
E-mail with consent to participate: YES
Date of Sent (to Mel): _________________
By signing below I, ____________________________, acknowledge and agree/give consent for my interview with Mel Edwards for Votre Vray to be used to promote women in creativity. In doing so, my interview:
*May appear in part or whole in her blog or website.
*May appear in part or whole in her one woman show.
*May appear in part or whole in the book Votre Vray: Found My Truth, My Way, Volume 1 (working title).
*May be used as an example for other creative people in Mel’s related workshops, coaching or teaching.
Furthermore, I acknowledge that I will receive no remuneration for my participation but Mel will make every effort to give me full credit for all of my work, promote my art and business of creating art. This may be done by naming me in any works I am included in and/or naming my business and/or artistic medium.
I will be able to access updates to all Votre Vray projects via Mel’s blog: www.votrevray.blogspot.com or via her website: www.votrevray.com.
Additionally, when any materials are released I will receive notification to include in my press kit, and when the book is released I will be able to purchase a copy at a small discount with a personalized inscription from Mel. for my participation in the Votre Vray project, to empower women in the arts.
Signed: ________________________________ Date: ________________
(For electronic signatures, only) Time of Day: ________________________________
(highlight one) Signed via: Personal computer or Business Computer
Please save signed copy for your records.
Alive? Then, it is NEVER too late, No Acceptable Excuse
In the past 90 hours or so, I've been given more proof that there is never a time that is too late to begin a creative life, and that no excuse you can come up with can't be overcome. Women I'll be interviewing have overcome homelessness, prejudice of all kinds, physical barriers, and religious expectations to allow their creative selves to soar at all stages of life. I look forward to sharing their inspirational stories.
Until then, if you haven't read the memoir, or at least watched the film, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, do so! It is the story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, former editor of Elle in France. The entire memoir was dictated by Bauby blinking one eye while an assistant read off the letters of the alphabet because Bauby was unable to speak or move any other part of his body after a severe stroke.
More about Bauby's memoir can be found at: http://www.amazon.com/Diving-Bell-Butterfly-Memoir-Death/dp/0375701214 or the film version: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401383/
Until next time, keep creating!
Until then, if you haven't read the memoir, or at least watched the film, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, do so! It is the story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, former editor of Elle in France. The entire memoir was dictated by Bauby blinking one eye while an assistant read off the letters of the alphabet because Bauby was unable to speak or move any other part of his body after a severe stroke.
More about Bauby's memoir can be found at: http://www.amazon.com/Diving-Bell-Butterfly-Memoir-Death/dp/0375701214 or the film version: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401383/
Until next time, keep creating!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Overwhelming Response for Creative Women
Ladies and Gentlemen, I declare that every woman I've gotten to know in the last 48 hours is a unique powerhouse of inspiration that you're going to LOVE getting to know.
As of this morning, I've had over 100 women write and say they're interested in being interviewed for inclusion in this blog, the Votre Vray play and/or the Votre Vray Vol. 1!
I have several interviews lined up this week with a variety of creatives. They all inspire me, so I'm sure at least one will speak your creative language.
Some of the fab ladies I'll be speaking with are:
Connie Logan, Impressionist painter, of www.cplogan.com
Kim Santini, painter, at www.turtledovedesigns.com
Nicole B. Schmidt, Graphic artist, at www.nicolebcreative.com
Linda Seger, Screenwiter, author and teacher at www.LindaSeger.com
I can't wait!
Until next time, keep creating!
As of this morning, I've had over 100 women write and say they're interested in being interviewed for inclusion in this blog, the Votre Vray play and/or the Votre Vray Vol. 1!
I have several interviews lined up this week with a variety of creatives. They all inspire me, so I'm sure at least one will speak your creative language.
Some of the fab ladies I'll be speaking with are:
Connie Logan, Impressionist painter, of www.cplogan.com
Kim Santini, painter, at www.turtledovedesigns.com
Nicole B. Schmidt, Graphic artist, at www.nicolebcreative.com
Linda Seger, Screenwiter, author and teacher at www.LindaSeger.com
I can't wait!
Until next time, keep creating!
Monday, June 23, 2008
A Celebration of African-American & Caribbean Arts
Want an excuse to go to the beach this autumn?
Attend the MOJA arts festival in Charleston, SC September 25-October 5, 2008!
Featured performances will include classic pianists, jazz musicians, dance theatre and a R & B concert. There will also a theatrical production of "We Be Gullah/Geechee Anointed People" by Carlie Towne Productions, and Author Pearl Cleage will be on hand at the Literary Corner. Don't miss the Community Tribute Luncheon at Lowndes Grove Plantation, 'cause you know southerners know good eatin'! (Luncheon requires advanced reservations.)
All events require individual admission. Tickets go on sale July 1st and may be purchased via Ticketmaster by calling 843-554-6060 or online via www.ticketmaster.com.
Additional information about the time of events and artists' offerings may be found at: www.mojafestival.com
(Information provided in this announcement was provided by the MOJA Arts Festival.)
Attend the MOJA arts festival in Charleston, SC September 25-October 5, 2008!
Featured performances will include classic pianists, jazz musicians, dance theatre and a R & B concert. There will also a theatrical production of "We Be Gullah/Geechee Anointed People" by Carlie Towne Productions, and Author Pearl Cleage will be on hand at the Literary Corner. Don't miss the Community Tribute Luncheon at Lowndes Grove Plantation, 'cause you know southerners know good eatin'! (Luncheon requires advanced reservations.)
All events require individual admission. Tickets go on sale July 1st and may be purchased via Ticketmaster by calling 843-554-6060 or online via www.ticketmaster.com.
Additional information about the time of events and artists' offerings may be found at: www.mojafestival.com
(Information provided in this announcement was provided by the MOJA Arts Festival.)
Women ROCK!
Today I had my query for creative women interviewees go out via Peter Shankman's Help a Reporter Out service and my mailbox has already been slammed with 35 women who want to be interviewed or know someone I should interview. People are wondrously amazing at sharing their stories to inspire others.
Thank you to everyone who has responded so far. Keep 'em coming and spread the word. If you belong to an online community that might have people interested, and won't upset anyone by cross-posting, please send them my way. I'd love to have so many interviews lined up that I can do an annual edition of Votre Vray: Women of Creative Truth! in addition to many, many more women featured in my blog.
Until later, keep creating!
Thank you to everyone who has responded so far. Keep 'em coming and spread the word. If you belong to an online community that might have people interested, and won't upset anyone by cross-posting, please send them my way. I'd love to have so many interviews lined up that I can do an annual edition of Votre Vray: Women of Creative Truth! in addition to many, many more women featured in my blog.
Until later, keep creating!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Women, Wymyn, Womoon Artists Sought for Interviews
Hear ye, hear ye! Wanted: Women, Wymyn, Womoon to share stories of how you've found your mode of artistic expression and use it in your daily life or work.
Some of the questions I'll be asking:
Some of the questions I'll be asking:
1. How do you feel when someone calls you an artist?
2. When you create (insert art modality of your choice) how is that emotionally empowering for you?
3. Who in your life or what in your life encouraged you to keep going forward in your path to be a creator of your own work?
4. Is it still scary for you -- ever, often, always -- to put yourself out there?
5. Can you envision yourself doing anything else with your life?
6. What is the best advice you have been given or can give in regards to following a creative path?
Naturally, you will be encouraged and invited to share where you're headed in your work, promote anything you've done and give any additional information you think readers/listeners may want to know about you or your art.
It is my intention to share interviews via a one woman show, much like Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues, through this blog, and one day, in a book.
Not a female artist? That's okay. Share how your support women in their art, creative expression in general and your hopes for equal recognition for all in artistic arenas. Or recommend an artist I should be speaking with!
Anyone willing to be interviewed should e-mail me at Mel Edwards Connect [at] Yahoo [dot] com.
Until next time, keep creating!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Word Warriors: 35 Women Leaders in the Spoken Word Revolution
Just before school was out, a female colleague and I had a chat about how women often feel like we don’t fit in. We’re the only ones who…(insert life factor of difference here). The truth is, we’re not the only ones, just a decent percentage of those who have been fed a concoction of what we should look like, want to do with our lives, and how to behave. Sure, men get the same bill of goods, but in this country, under Anglo-law, white men have always been in charge of nearly every political-social-cultural-religious-economic institution we can name and no one else has been able to catch up.
As a teacher and creativity coach, I’ve seen black boys dress like TV thugs, and music stars as they try to find an identity they can connect with. I’ve watched girls starve themselves, and do a variety of things (many harmful and irreversible) to get attention for their appearance (and that school up north that is surprised girls made a pact to get pregnant better wake up, ‘cause that’s not news to any teacher who takes time to know their students). I have listened to adult women tell me countless times they’re not “right” for me to profile in my creative work because they’re not good/smart/talented/young/wise/established enough in their art or otherwise.
What’s a person to do? How does one constructively change the way people view each other, treat themselves and strangers, and learn to find their truth without apology?
If you like slam and performance poetry, are a feminist, are pro-LBGT rights, or just anti-oppression in general (and who besides an oppressor would not be?), Word Warriors: 35 Women leaders in the Spoken Word Revolution, edited by Alix Olson, will certainly open your horizons and perhaps give you some answers to these questions that you can live with.
Will you be surprised by what you read? Find caustic venom within? Or finally feel normal because of what you have read within these pages? Only you can answer that.
You may recognize some of the names on the cover including Michelle Tea and Patricia Smith. However, to overlook the others, and miss the words of the trans-gender, intersex, queer, lesbian, and male authors, would be to miss the whole point of their work. These people have voices and they’re ready to be heard.
In the end, I learned a bit about walking in someone else’s skin and found several new poets I find fabulous. Check it out.
Have you read Word Warriors? Share your insight by placing comments here!
[Word Warriors is published by Seal Press. Edited by Alix Olson. Forward by Eve Enlser (creator of The Vagina Monologues and V-Day).]
As a teacher and creativity coach, I’ve seen black boys dress like TV thugs, and music stars as they try to find an identity they can connect with. I’ve watched girls starve themselves, and do a variety of things (many harmful and irreversible) to get attention for their appearance (and that school up north that is surprised girls made a pact to get pregnant better wake up, ‘cause that’s not news to any teacher who takes time to know their students). I have listened to adult women tell me countless times they’re not “right” for me to profile in my creative work because they’re not good/smart/talented/young/wise/established enough in their art or otherwise.
What’s a person to do? How does one constructively change the way people view each other, treat themselves and strangers, and learn to find their truth without apology?
If you like slam and performance poetry, are a feminist, are pro-LBGT rights, or just anti-oppression in general (and who besides an oppressor would not be?), Word Warriors: 35 Women leaders in the Spoken Word Revolution, edited by Alix Olson, will certainly open your horizons and perhaps give you some answers to these questions that you can live with.
Will you be surprised by what you read? Find caustic venom within? Or finally feel normal because of what you have read within these pages? Only you can answer that.
You may recognize some of the names on the cover including Michelle Tea and Patricia Smith. However, to overlook the others, and miss the words of the trans-gender, intersex, queer, lesbian, and male authors, would be to miss the whole point of their work. These people have voices and they’re ready to be heard.
In the end, I learned a bit about walking in someone else’s skin and found several new poets I find fabulous. Check it out.
Have you read Word Warriors? Share your insight by placing comments here!
[Word Warriors is published by Seal Press. Edited by Alix Olson. Forward by Eve Enlser (creator of The Vagina Monologues and V-Day).]
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Gail Blanke, LifeDesigns CEO - Dealing with Change
Gail Blanke's first book In My Wildest Dreams: Living the Life You Longed For has competition!
It is entitled Between Trapezes, also written by Gail, CEO and President of LifeDesigns. It includes six steps for thriving on change.
I don't know what you think of when you jump into a new project, but I get excited for days. Then, reality hits. What if I fail? What if I stink at this? What if I lose my friends, end up in debtors prison and the IRS wants me to tax evasion? Okay, most of that isn't likely, but the rabbit hole has a spiral that leads the way, and all it takes is one negative mental step and into the hole I go!
I haven't read Gail's latest book, but after completing In My Wildest Dreams, you can betcha it is on my "must read" list. Gail's also on my dream list of creative women to interview.
So...
What do you do to handle the challenges of launching your dreams?
Where do you go to ground yourself and keep from slipping into that rabbit hole?
Let me know.
It is entitled Between Trapezes, also written by Gail, CEO and President of LifeDesigns. It includes six steps for thriving on change.
I don't know what you think of when you jump into a new project, but I get excited for days. Then, reality hits. What if I fail? What if I stink at this? What if I lose my friends, end up in debtors prison and the IRS wants me to tax evasion? Okay, most of that isn't likely, but the rabbit hole has a spiral that leads the way, and all it takes is one negative mental step and into the hole I go!
I haven't read Gail's latest book, but after completing In My Wildest Dreams, you can betcha it is on my "must read" list. Gail's also on my dream list of creative women to interview.
So...
What do you do to handle the challenges of launching your dreams?
Where do you go to ground yourself and keep from slipping into that rabbit hole?
Let me know.
Laughing Rembrant worth $40 million
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080619/ap_on_en_ot/art_rembrandt_laughing
Above the the URL to an AP story of a Rembrant self-portrait that went up for auction. The purchaser paid a over $4million for it, but since experts have verified that Rembrant really did paint the portrait of himself, it is worth at least 9 times that.
Which brings me to a fun creative question. What are your artistic wildest dreams? Do you want to have a self-portrait worth millions of dollars (while you're still alive)? Perform at Lincoln Center?
I'll admit I want to make my Votre Vray play of women's creative lives into an HBO special, with Eve Ensler as my MC. I'll perform in front of a sold out crowd, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, NOW and...and....
Okay. I'll breathe. This is pretty heady stuff.
So? Share already! I would love to know where your creative vibes are headed.
Above the the URL to an AP story of a Rembrant self-portrait that went up for auction. The purchaser paid a over $4million for it, but since experts have verified that Rembrant really did paint the portrait of himself, it is worth at least 9 times that.
Which brings me to a fun creative question. What are your artistic wildest dreams? Do you want to have a self-portrait worth millions of dollars (while you're still alive)? Perform at Lincoln Center?
I'll admit I want to make my Votre Vray play of women's creative lives into an HBO special, with Eve Ensler as my MC. I'll perform in front of a sold out crowd, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, NOW and...and....
Okay. I'll breathe. This is pretty heady stuff.
So? Share already! I would love to know where your creative vibes are headed.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
One Great Deal and One Raw Deal...
If you're like most people, you're on the lookout for deals to help you enjoy your creative lifestyle. Recently, I came across two "deals" but only one worked for me.
1. The first deal was for a local brewery. They ran a full page ad in a local publication stating you can get a 22oz. "Ugly Mug" which they'll fill for you and you'll have one great story to bring home with you.
2. A colleague sent us all this link (at work...which I think was probably a no-no): http://www.SlickNewLaptops.com/get.cgi?sid=230159&cid=163674&e=w&k=1&mid=134108972
She then went on to explain you'll have to spend some time signing up for offers and it would cost you about $100 out of pocket and you might decide to cancel some (if not most) of the offers you sign up for, but in the long-run, you get the laptop you wanted. (She's gotten TWO Macs this way in the past two years.
Now, at first glance, offer #1 sounded like the best deal. I like hand-thrown pottery and "ugly" jugs and mugs are part of South Carolina art history. Even if I didn't love the beer, I thought I'd get the mug and have it to savor the memory of the night my sweetie and I went there.
The second offer sounded like a spam-filter nightmare, but since the notification came from a colleague who was upfront enough to let us know what work it would take to earn the laptop, and that two other people would also have to go through the process for it to ship, I thought I'd look at it as well.
The Raw Deal: Offer #1
Why? The advertisement for the brewery never said a few key facts: a. the price for a mug ($75!); b. that you can't pick up a mug there, but you must design it yourself, then wait for someone to make it; c. that all the mugs in the place, belonged to customers who had designed them for themselves (and that the mugs were supposed to remain at the pub). I was crushed. So much for making memories. The only good news for the night is the pint I did have was pretty good, as was the burger with homemade ketchup and pickle.
The Great Deal:
http://www.SlickNewLaptops.com/get.cgi?sid=230159&cid=163674&e=w&k=1&mid=134108972
Why? Because everything is spelled out up front. I know how much work it will take me to earn my laptop of choice and I know if I can't get two others to do this whole set of offers that I'll lose out...but there is no false advertisement, no omission of relevant facts, and I know where I stand up front. Maybe when I get my laptop I'll go to a potter who won't charge $75 for a cool mug, bring it to the public bench outside that pub, and drink sweet tea as I write my heart out on my new 'puter.
Until next time, keep being creative!
(And if you're looking for a laptop...my colleague was right about the investment, offers, etc. but I know $100 and some effort is a lot cheaper than a new Mac!)
1. The first deal was for a local brewery. They ran a full page ad in a local publication stating you can get a 22oz. "Ugly Mug" which they'll fill for you and you'll have one great story to bring home with you.
2. A colleague sent us all this link (at work...which I think was probably a no-no): http://www.SlickNewLaptops.com/get.cgi?sid=230159&cid=163674&e=w&k=1&mid=134108972
She then went on to explain you'll have to spend some time signing up for offers and it would cost you about $100 out of pocket and you might decide to cancel some (if not most) of the offers you sign up for, but in the long-run, you get the laptop you wanted. (She's gotten TWO Macs this way in the past two years.
Now, at first glance, offer #1 sounded like the best deal. I like hand-thrown pottery and "ugly" jugs and mugs are part of South Carolina art history. Even if I didn't love the beer, I thought I'd get the mug and have it to savor the memory of the night my sweetie and I went there.
The second offer sounded like a spam-filter nightmare, but since the notification came from a colleague who was upfront enough to let us know what work it would take to earn the laptop, and that two other people would also have to go through the process for it to ship, I thought I'd look at it as well.
The Raw Deal: Offer #1
Why? The advertisement for the brewery never said a few key facts: a. the price for a mug ($75!); b. that you can't pick up a mug there, but you must design it yourself, then wait for someone to make it; c. that all the mugs in the place, belonged to customers who had designed them for themselves (and that the mugs were supposed to remain at the pub). I was crushed. So much for making memories. The only good news for the night is the pint I did have was pretty good, as was the burger with homemade ketchup and pickle.
The Great Deal:
http://www.SlickNewLaptops.com/get.cgi?sid=230159&cid=163674&e=w&k=1&mid=134108972
Why? Because everything is spelled out up front. I know how much work it will take me to earn my laptop of choice and I know if I can't get two others to do this whole set of offers that I'll lose out...but there is no false advertisement, no omission of relevant facts, and I know where I stand up front. Maybe when I get my laptop I'll go to a potter who won't charge $75 for a cool mug, bring it to the public bench outside that pub, and drink sweet tea as I write my heart out on my new 'puter.
Until next time, keep being creative!
(And if you're looking for a laptop...my colleague was right about the investment, offers, etc. but I know $100 and some effort is a lot cheaper than a new Mac!)
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Money, Money, Money!!!
Let's consider the reality that artists need to make an income and that financial flow can come from a variety of resources: a "day job," selling your art/skills as an artist, wealthy benefactors, grants and stipends. The "where" often is not as difficult a concept for most of my artist friends as "how much," as in what amount is a respectable going rate for sale of artist works. Unfortunately, that depends on the skill of the artist, what the market will bear, and what other artists are earning doing the same type of work.
Where can you turn for solutions?
- Ask a peer what she believes is the normal going rate for someone with your level of expertise.
- Visit professional organizations' websites for details and related information.
- Figure out what you need to be solvent, and divide by the number of hours you can/will be willing to work.
The first option may require asking several peers and feeling out an average you believe the market will bear based upon your product.
The second option usually involves at least a web search and may require membership in professional organizations. Here's an example, Editorial Freelancers Association's website states, "Common rates reported to us by our members fall within the ranges indicated below. They should be used only as a rough guideline; rates vary considerably depending on the nature of the work, the time frame of the assignment, the degree of special expertise required, and other factors. The industry standard for a page is 250 words." Then they have a chart of the type of work a freelancer might get contracted to do.
That last option is what throws most of us for a loop because it requires self-evaluation, and as artists, we rarely trust our own opinions of our value. For example, as an educator, with a Master's plus 30 credits, but no PhD, I know what my former employer paid everyone with the same length experience. However, I also know not every state pays the same amount for the same work. Also, that income has to be adjusted for benefits that I cannot earn as a freelance storyteller, and I have to remember to take out Uncle Sam's portion of the pot. Additionally, every state requires different amounts and spectrum of duties for their teachers. It can be dizzying!
In the end, you have to decide what you value the most: doing your art not matter what income it gives you, following your creative path while living an adequate lifestyle or heading to the top of your class and earning every penny you can out of it while you can. Follow your internal comfort meter. You'll know when you're displease, happy or embarrassed by the income you hope to earn.
Sologig It!
Looking for a new creative career but don't consider yourself a master or mistress of fine arts? CareerBuilder has a division called Sologig that may just be up your tightrope! You can subscribe to e-mail notification of creative jobs in your area. I registered as freelancer, as that is one of the many hats I wear, and today's message looks like this:
"Bored? Get Creative! It is easy to get stuck in an uninspired rut by taking on projects that are similar in nature. With the help of Sologig.com, there is no need to bang your head against a wall. Following your passion is an important aspect of having an enjoyable career. For new project ideas to keep your creative juices flowing, check out some new trends.
Top 10 Creative Freelance Careers:
1. Scrapbook Design Consultant
2. Specialty Freelance Writer
3. Color Consultant for Interior Design
4. Waterscapes Design Consultant
5. Real Estate Marketing Consultant
6. Social Media Consultant
7. Event Coordinator
8. Jewelry Designer and Buying Consultant
9. Graphic Artist
10. Play Consultant"
Even though the second entry is the one I had in mind when I signed up, the other nine sounded pretty exciting as well, especially number 10, since I have been trained as an English teacher since 1991.
Check out Sologig today!
Until next time,
get creative!
"Bored? Get Creative! It is easy to get stuck in an uninspired rut by taking on projects that are similar in nature. With the help of Sologig.com, there is no need to bang your head against a wall. Following your passion is an important aspect of having an enjoyable career. For new project ideas to keep your creative juices flowing, check out some new trends.
Top 10 Creative Freelance Careers:
1. Scrapbook Design Consultant
2. Specialty Freelance Writer
3. Color Consultant for Interior Design
4. Waterscapes Design Consultant
5. Real Estate Marketing Consultant
6. Social Media Consultant
7. Event Coordinator
8. Jewelry Designer and Buying Consultant
9. Graphic Artist
10. Play Consultant"
Even though the second entry is the one I had in mind when I signed up, the other nine sounded pretty exciting as well, especially number 10, since I have been trained as an English teacher since 1991.
Check out Sologig today!
Until next time,
get creative!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Can everyone count on you?
"For most of my adult life, I'd prided myself in my competence and sense of responsibility. I was always the one people could count on to get the job done. I'd been sabotaging myself with my own sense of duty, pushing my needs aside to take care of everything else." - Diane Dreher, author of The Tau of Womanhood (p. 32).
Sound familiar? It was so familiar I not only underlined and put several asterisks next to it on my personal copy of the book, I called my mother and read it to her. My mother is a great woman in many ways, but she's very old fashioned in giving more of herself than she should and having nothing left to give others. After forty years of marriage she feels guilty if she calls dad at work and tells him to pick up dinner on the way home because she doesn't feel like cooking. Now, I'm not saying this to put down my mother, but to illustrate that we all have our limits, but when we reach them, because so many have depended upon us to do so much for them for so very long, people balk at our changes. Then, feeling guilty, we back off. That's no way to lead a creative life.
I am very lucky in that I live in a time and place that allows me to walk away from one of my vocations in order to follow my dreams. You may not have that luxury. You can still take baby steps. Diane Dreher went to a doctor who asked her three simple questions:
1. How much sleep are you getting (Not enough.)
2. How much exercise are you getting? (Not enough.)
3. How much vegetables are in your diet? (You guessed it....)
Diane's doctor prescribed two activity sessions per day of 15 minutes, and it didn't need to be some harsh butt kicking aerobic exercise that was beyond her energy level.
So, my challenge to myself, and to you is this:
Get 15 minutes of creative activity into your day.
It can be five minutes at a time, three times a day, or 15 minutes all at once. You decide. Don't make excuses. Don't start doing chores that "have to be done" and promise to get back to yourself later. It won't work and you'll keep falling into the same trap I do, my mom does, and Diane did.
If you do that for yourself, you might also have the energy to follow the three directives from Diane's doctor: 1. Get enough sleep. 2. Exercise 15 minutes at a clip, twice a day. 3. Each several serving of fresh vegetables per day. It can only help you. Why not try it?
Also, if you're looking for inspiration and fellowship, pick up a copy of Diane's book, The Tao of Womanhood, published by Quill (and imprint of HarperCollins), and read how she "combines the wisdom of the Tao Te Ching with straightforward advice." I read my copy in one day, just picking it up between other activities. It is now part of my recommended reading library for creative women!
Until later, keep striving to be your most authentic creative self!
Sound familiar? It was so familiar I not only underlined and put several asterisks next to it on my personal copy of the book, I called my mother and read it to her. My mother is a great woman in many ways, but she's very old fashioned in giving more of herself than she should and having nothing left to give others. After forty years of marriage she feels guilty if she calls dad at work and tells him to pick up dinner on the way home because she doesn't feel like cooking. Now, I'm not saying this to put down my mother, but to illustrate that we all have our limits, but when we reach them, because so many have depended upon us to do so much for them for so very long, people balk at our changes. Then, feeling guilty, we back off. That's no way to lead a creative life.
I am very lucky in that I live in a time and place that allows me to walk away from one of my vocations in order to follow my dreams. You may not have that luxury. You can still take baby steps. Diane Dreher went to a doctor who asked her three simple questions:
1. How much sleep are you getting (Not enough.)
2. How much exercise are you getting? (Not enough.)
3. How much vegetables are in your diet? (You guessed it....)
Diane's doctor prescribed two activity sessions per day of 15 minutes, and it didn't need to be some harsh butt kicking aerobic exercise that was beyond her energy level.
So, my challenge to myself, and to you is this:
Get 15 minutes of creative activity into your day.
It can be five minutes at a time, three times a day, or 15 minutes all at once. You decide. Don't make excuses. Don't start doing chores that "have to be done" and promise to get back to yourself later. It won't work and you'll keep falling into the same trap I do, my mom does, and Diane did.
If you do that for yourself, you might also have the energy to follow the three directives from Diane's doctor: 1. Get enough sleep. 2. Exercise 15 minutes at a clip, twice a day. 3. Each several serving of fresh vegetables per day. It can only help you. Why not try it?
Also, if you're looking for inspiration and fellowship, pick up a copy of Diane's book, The Tao of Womanhood, published by Quill (and imprint of HarperCollins), and read how she "combines the wisdom of the Tao Te Ching with straightforward advice." I read my copy in one day, just picking it up between other activities. It is now part of my recommended reading library for creative women!
Until later, keep striving to be your most authentic creative self!
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Time to Say Good-bye, Hello
Well, the magic day has arrived. My classroom is cleared out, keys turned in, report cards placed in the mail, etc. The difficult part was not saying farewell to my peers, because we have numerous options for keeping in touch, and I plan return and do a brief residency for one colleague in the fall when she's out on maternity leave. No, what killed me was the moment one of the last students in the building walked up to me and said, "I now know what I wanted to say to you. I know what I want to do in high school and it is because of you. You have been an inspiration." I choked out a, "Thank you, Sweetie. I needed that today. Take care of yourself and have a good summer." Then I turned away as he walked down the hall, so he wouldn't see the tears in my eyes.
You see, I coach and I teach, solely because I love people and I want people to love themselves and follow their dreams. If nothing else, I can say this year that at least one boy "got it" and believes in his future today.
Now, I said it "killed me" to live through his farewell, and I want to explain that comment. Being motivated in the moment is very different from holding onto that feeling long-term. It can be a terrible struggle to do the things in life we don't want to do while trying to keep our dreams alive. If you focus on the dream, all will be well, but if the struggle reigns supreme, you're sunk, at least temporarily. I wish I could be in that child's mind whenever he begins to feel sunk. I'd throw him a life buoy and yell, "Hang on! Help is on the way!"
So, as I say "good-bye" to my former students, I also ask them to say "hello" to their future, their hopes, their dreams. May they become close allies and may the darkness fade away.
You see, I coach and I teach, solely because I love people and I want people to love themselves and follow their dreams. If nothing else, I can say this year that at least one boy "got it" and believes in his future today.
Now, I said it "killed me" to live through his farewell, and I want to explain that comment. Being motivated in the moment is very different from holding onto that feeling long-term. It can be a terrible struggle to do the things in life we don't want to do while trying to keep our dreams alive. If you focus on the dream, all will be well, but if the struggle reigns supreme, you're sunk, at least temporarily. I wish I could be in that child's mind whenever he begins to feel sunk. I'd throw him a life buoy and yell, "Hang on! Help is on the way!"
So, as I say "good-bye" to my former students, I also ask them to say "hello" to their future, their hopes, their dreams. May they become close allies and may the darkness fade away.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Education vs. Experience
Our school principal gave us the following quote, from my personal favorite front porch philosopher, Pete Seeger:
"Education is when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get if you don't."
I am living that this week, with my students (and their parents) who didn't read the fine print on their exam exemptions. It stated, "Understand that the exemption status may change if assignments are not completed during the next few days of school. Only the current average reflected exemption privileges." We also have a policy that students in the 8th grade must earn an A every quarter all year to be exempt, even if the student's yearly average is an A. That said, seven out of my 85 students did not show for their exam yesterday that they were not exempted from.
What I have learned:
Even though I posted exemptions outside the classroom, posted them on my teacher website, announced them in class, and every teacher has reminded the students of the all A's all year to be exempt rule, seven students who had yearly averages of an A, stopped listening when I said they had an A for the year.
What I would do differently in the future:
Make the students sign stating they knew they were not exempt and send a NEW notification home stating so.
In the end, we only hear what we want to hear and bite back at anyone who goes against our deepest wishes. The experience we gain is often full of bitterness and turmoil, but we do remember. Those of us who learn, do so and let it go. Those of us who carry it around the rest of our lives poison ourselves in the process.
So, today will you read the fine print or gain experience?
"Education is when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get if you don't."
I am living that this week, with my students (and their parents) who didn't read the fine print on their exam exemptions. It stated, "Understand that the exemption status may change if assignments are not completed during the next few days of school. Only the current average reflected exemption privileges." We also have a policy that students in the 8th grade must earn an A every quarter all year to be exempt, even if the student's yearly average is an A. That said, seven out of my 85 students did not show for their exam yesterday that they were not exempted from.
What I have learned:
Even though I posted exemptions outside the classroom, posted them on my teacher website, announced them in class, and every teacher has reminded the students of the all A's all year to be exempt rule, seven students who had yearly averages of an A, stopped listening when I said they had an A for the year.
What I would do differently in the future:
Make the students sign stating they knew they were not exempt and send a NEW notification home stating so.
In the end, we only hear what we want to hear and bite back at anyone who goes against our deepest wishes. The experience we gain is often full of bitterness and turmoil, but we do remember. Those of us who learn, do so and let it go. Those of us who carry it around the rest of our lives poison ourselves in the process.
So, today will you read the fine print or gain experience?
Monday, June 02, 2008
Earn an Art Degree! (or not...)
So often when we're yearning to learn something new, we look to books about the topic or check into taking a course, or the ultra-motivated consider earning a degree. Then our next hurdle is to select a resource or plan that is best for our personal needs. This task can seem daunting. Where can you turn for help?
Naturally, you can ask those who have been down the same path for advice. However, know we each perceive differently and something that bores a friend to tears might keep you hopping with excitement.
Last year, when I began researching PhD programs I might want to enter, I decided to rely upon general marketing information from a university system expert: Princeton review. I joined the e-mail newsletter notification system from Princeton Review Recruiter Service. I've pasted one of their messages below so you can have an idea of what to expect from this resource. I honestly do not know anything about the program listed, nor do I endorse it over any other program. I simply want you to know what might be of interest to you as you move forward in your creative path.
If you like what appears below, sign up for a e-notifications from the Princeton Review and receive similar notifications personalized to your criterion! In the end, the decision on what step you're ready to take next is solely up to you.
Until next time!
- Mel. (p.s. Just three more days until I'm free to follow my creative path full-time! Sure hope you'll join the journey.)
********
Maine College of Art (MECA) delivers a demanding and enlivening education in visual art and design within an intimate learning community. Each student learns how to transform aspirations and values into a creative practice that serves as the foundation for a lifelong pursuit of personal and professional goals. Founded in 1882 and fully accredited, MECA offers both the Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts degrees as well as a Post-Baccalaureate certificate in Art Education. The College gallery, the Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA, has been hailed as one of the finest art spaces in the Northeast for the exhibition of leading edge contemporary art
Request a brochure from Maine College of Art
MFA Program Overview
The Master of Fine Arts in Studio Arts program at Maine College of Art (MECA) is a two-year low-residency program designed for emerging artists. The MFA in Studio Arts is based upon an open interdisciplinary approach that encourages students to think across boundaries and integrate studio practice with conceptual and interdisciplinary theory. With an intimate class size of 30 students, each MFA student pursues an individualized studio curriculum in their chosen area of concentration.
The MFA low-residency program is based around two eight-week summer intensives in Portland, two ten-day winter residencies in Portland and New York, a five-day May intensive in Portland for graduating students, and the 14-week fall and spring semesters in a home studio setting with supervised instruction from non-resident as well as resident faculty. An extensive roster of internationally recognized visiting artists and scholars supports the curriculum.
The summer intensives allow students to work on-site in state-of-the-art studios, (many students have multiple studios), attend seminars, discussions, and lectures by artists, critics, curators, historians, and theorists, participate in individual and group critiques, and help to develop a community through dinners, dialogues planned and unplanned, and various excursions.
Off-site during the non-residency fall and spring semesters, students in their home studios are partnered with a renowned faculty of Non-Resident Studio Instructors (NRSI) for one-on-one meetings that allow for a flexible, individualized, student-centered learning and year-round resident faculty contact.
The program travels to New York City during the winter intensives to visit artists' studios and important cultural sites. Graduating students return to Portland in the spring of the second year to hang their studio thesis exhibition and defend their written and studio theses.
The MECA Community and Campus is located in the center of Portland's Arts District, MECA's campus is comprised of five buildings all located within a four-square-block. The main studio building is a 150,000 square foot renovated department store. Cosmopolitan and comfortable, Portland offers all the advantages of a small city with close proximity to nature and recreation. It has an urban sensibility and energy that draw an eclectic population from artists to entrepreneurs.
The College gallery, the Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA, has been hailed as one of the finest art spaces in the Northeast for the exhibition of leading edge contemporary art.
Naturally, you can ask those who have been down the same path for advice. However, know we each perceive differently and something that bores a friend to tears might keep you hopping with excitement.
Last year, when I began researching PhD programs I might want to enter, I decided to rely upon general marketing information from a university system expert: Princeton review. I joined the e-mail newsletter notification system from Princeton Review Recruiter Service. I've pasted one of their messages below so you can have an idea of what to expect from this resource. I honestly do not know anything about the program listed, nor do I endorse it over any other program. I simply want you to know what might be of interest to you as you move forward in your creative path.
If you like what appears below, sign up for a e-notifications from the Princeton Review and receive similar notifications personalized to your criterion! In the end, the decision on what step you're ready to take next is solely up to you.
Until next time!
- Mel. (p.s. Just three more days until I'm free to follow my creative path full-time! Sure hope you'll join the journey.)
********
Maine College of Art (MECA) delivers a demanding and enlivening education in visual art and design within an intimate learning community. Each student learns how to transform aspirations and values into a creative practice that serves as the foundation for a lifelong pursuit of personal and professional goals. Founded in 1882 and fully accredited, MECA offers both the Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts degrees as well as a Post-Baccalaureate certificate in Art Education. The College gallery, the Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA, has been hailed as one of the finest art spaces in the Northeast for the exhibition of leading edge contemporary art
Request a brochure from Maine College of Art
MFA Program Overview
The Master of Fine Arts in Studio Arts program at Maine College of Art (MECA) is a two-year low-residency program designed for emerging artists. The MFA in Studio Arts is based upon an open interdisciplinary approach that encourages students to think across boundaries and integrate studio practice with conceptual and interdisciplinary theory. With an intimate class size of 30 students, each MFA student pursues an individualized studio curriculum in their chosen area of concentration.
The MFA low-residency program is based around two eight-week summer intensives in Portland, two ten-day winter residencies in Portland and New York, a five-day May intensive in Portland for graduating students, and the 14-week fall and spring semesters in a home studio setting with supervised instruction from non-resident as well as resident faculty. An extensive roster of internationally recognized visiting artists and scholars supports the curriculum.
The summer intensives allow students to work on-site in state-of-the-art studios, (many students have multiple studios), attend seminars, discussions, and lectures by artists, critics, curators, historians, and theorists, participate in individual and group critiques, and help to develop a community through dinners, dialogues planned and unplanned, and various excursions.
Off-site during the non-residency fall and spring semesters, students in their home studios are partnered with a renowned faculty of Non-Resident Studio Instructors (NRSI) for one-on-one meetings that allow for a flexible, individualized, student-centered learning and year-round resident faculty contact.
The program travels to New York City during the winter intensives to visit artists' studios and important cultural sites. Graduating students return to Portland in the spring of the second year to hang their studio thesis exhibition and defend their written and studio theses.
The MECA Community and Campus is located in the center of Portland's Arts District, MECA's campus is comprised of five buildings all located within a four-square-block. The main studio building is a 150,000 square foot renovated department store. Cosmopolitan and comfortable, Portland offers all the advantages of a small city with close proximity to nature and recreation. It has an urban sensibility and energy that draw an eclectic population from artists to entrepreneurs.
The College gallery, the Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA, has been hailed as one of the finest art spaces in the Northeast for the exhibition of leading edge contemporary art.
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