Trying to decide what to do first this morning. I don't have a "plan" or a "to do list" so I will probably do that. I know there are a few things that must be done and the rest is for me to decide. Not even thinking about housework or that sort of thing. Only art related today.
I was on Facebook and one of my friends mentioned she was hitting Starbucks. Made me think about how much I have always wanted to live in a quaint little town. The kind where you can walk everywhere and you know everyone. I would have an art studio there and people could stop by and say hello.
Chances are that sounds nicer in the imagined world than in the real world. LOL
Thinking about my website. I am still using an old program. Poor thing is more a hodgepodge of over 10 years instead of a well oiled machine. Gotta look around for something new. I learned that old program, I can learn a new one.
So off to the races. I have a Mighty Mugg to finish, pictures to take, coffee to drink! Let's go!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Why I like fan art...
My boyfriend sent me a link to a wonderful artist. I was looking at her work, admiring it and followed a link to her blog. There I found this wonderful quote! I don't know who it is by and pardon the "French" but I love it so here it is.
"Drawing is fun, but making fanart is the best. Because fanart gives people permission to like things. So much today, there’s this attitude that it’s not cool to like things, that you have to like things ironically or not at all, that you have to act restrained, unenthusiastic, bored, and that it’s better to scoff and keep your embarrassing pleasures to yourself. So I make fanart because fuck all that. I’m a nerd, and I like things, and I enjoy liking things. If I draw something, and it makes a person feel like an unabashed kid again, then that’s worth it. If I draw something, and it makes a person feel like they have an ally, like they’re allowed to smile, like they have someone to share their geek-out with, and they’re reminded that there was once a time when stories could capture their imaginations, then that’s good enough for me."
This quote was found here.... enjoy her work!
http://alicexz.tumblr.com/
This quote was found here.... enjoy her work!
http://alicexz.tumblr.com/
Thursday, July 7, 2011
La sigh....
Okay - so I have worked a little since my extravagant three day holiday weekend. I did manage to create a doll I am so proud of and she will be up for auction tonight. I am also working on a little side project that I really must finish. I actually love this little project and can't wait to share.
First off... here is my newest doll. She was created out of a Birthday Bella and she happened to remind me of Scarlett Johansson as she appeared in Iron Man 2 as Black Widow. She is a favorite creation of mine and I hope you like her as well.
My other little project allows me to stretch my creativity. I found an artist through Facebook and followed his work. I put a link to his blog below. I just fell in love with his stuff and while looking through it I found these little doll like toys he paints. They are called Mighty Muggs. I loved what he was doing with them and thought it might be something I could enjoy putting my own twist on. So I looked them up and sure enough I was able to find them and picked up a few.
The first thing I decided on was Derek Jeter. I am currently watching a lot of Yankees baseball and discovered that Derek Jeter will, any day now, have 3000 hits. He will be the first Yankee to do this and one of only 20 or so baseball players in the history of the game to have 3000 hits. He is literally 3 hits away as I write this.
To commemorate this I have created a Derek Jeter. I will have 3000 hits on his back above his number and the date it happens below.
I love these little Mighty Muggs and am considering creating more in the likes of some of my favorite characters in pop culture including the Twilight saga and Star Wars.
So that is what I have been up to this week. Current commissions I am working on to look for are Legolas, Jasper (Twilight), a 12" Megan Fox, and several more just waiting for some creative love.
I can't believe it is Friday tomorrow already!
XOXO
First off... here is my newest doll. She was created out of a Birthday Bella and she happened to remind me of Scarlett Johansson as she appeared in Iron Man 2 as Black Widow. She is a favorite creation of mine and I hope you like her as well.
My other little project allows me to stretch my creativity. I found an artist through Facebook and followed his work. I put a link to his blog below. I just fell in love with his stuff and while looking through it I found these little doll like toys he paints. They are called Mighty Muggs. I loved what he was doing with them and thought it might be something I could enjoy putting my own twist on. So I looked them up and sure enough I was able to find them and picked up a few.
The first thing I decided on was Derek Jeter. I am currently watching a lot of Yankees baseball and discovered that Derek Jeter will, any day now, have 3000 hits. He will be the first Yankee to do this and one of only 20 or so baseball players in the history of the game to have 3000 hits. He is literally 3 hits away as I write this.
To commemorate this I have created a Derek Jeter. I will have 3000 hits on his back above his number and the date it happens below.
I love these little Mighty Muggs and am considering creating more in the likes of some of my favorite characters in pop culture including the Twilight saga and Star Wars.
So that is what I have been up to this week. Current commissions I am working on to look for are Legolas, Jasper (Twilight), a 12" Megan Fox, and several more just waiting for some creative love.
I can't believe it is Friday tomorrow already!
XOXO
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The hazzards of working at home...
I have been working at home for over 10 years now. The decision to do this based solely on one year of starting my own little business was pretty scary. I had been listening to some self help tapes (okay - Tony Robbins) and I was totally motivated. I was beating my income earnings at work and while I would be losing money, I felt I would have more time to work SO I would make more income eventually.
Wouldn't you know it... a few months after I started working exclusively on my art at home, the market on eBay got flooded with new artists. Wonderful! Other artists were aware of eBay and collectors were spreading the wealth. I got nervous.
Around the time I left my "day job" to work at home I learned about doll art. This, I felt, was something I could sink my teeth into. With a little trial and error I eventually found my perfect niche. It didn't take me long to recover and before I knew it I had a thriving business. To top it all of, I was doing something I absolutely loved. What could be better?
The flip side of all this is that I was working from home and I fell into every pitfall you can: I overbought supplies; I worked too much; I never left the house; I became stressed; my house got messy; I gained weight; and worst of all... I burned out.
When working at home you have to learn to overcome these things or get your butt back to your day job. I knew this was what I loved so I just kept plugging along.
1. The first thing you do is plan! When you have a "day job" you are on a schedule. You have a plan. If you schedule out your day and plan things, it is truly amazing what you can achieve.
2. Take your weekends off. I will often work until midnight on the week days if I need to just to have the weekend off. Generally people get a few days off... it doesn't have to be specifically Saturday and Sunday but you need at least a day or two to unwind. If you can get out of the house... even better. Remember, you are there all day long. You don't want to smell the burn out.
3. Plan your meals or buy healthy snacks. I literally get up in the morning, make coffee and come straight into my office to answer emails. I am already at work. This is freaking awesome because I can wear anything, however, it is hard to tell if you are gaining weight when your stretchy, comfy clothes keep stretching. I do not advocate wearing anything less than comfortable BUT I do recommend planning your meals and fitting in some exercise. Promise you will not regret it. If you don't have clothes that you have to fit into for work AND you don't have anyone really watching you, things could get out of hand. This is something I have failed at time and again because when you are busy you just grab whatever. But I have started walking in the mornings and this week I am planning those meals. Girl wants smaller comfy clothes!
4. I used to give myself a day to clean. I have since taken that away because I have a weird habit of needing to be alone to clean and currently my daughter and her family are living here. So, I don't do my typical cleaning day... I do what I can. When I have my days alone I like to have a day designated to cleaning. This can be one of your weekend days.
5. Have a designated working space. It is impossible to get anything done when you are constantly taking things out and having to put them away. Find a space in your house and set it up.
6. Watch out for wasting time (for instance, blogging when you need to be working). The internet is a time stealer. Especially Facebook! I watched a little video on procrastination that suggested you turn your sound off on your computer when working... otherwise you will be constantly checking your emails and Facebook messages, etc... Turn it off and turn on some music (or whatever you like to listen to).
7. Make sure you are doing something you love and always always challenge yourself.
8. Watch out for distractions! It is so easy to get distracted, especially when you aren't "feeling it" that day. Listen, everyone needs a mental health day here and there but be careful of those. Don't work to "just get by". That is a recipe for disaster. You can still be there for your family and friends in your designated free times but when at work stay on task.
9. Challenge yourself, yes... but stay focused on what you are good at. I love art... and often I will go off and start doing something that is not usual work. That means it is untried and if it is unsuccessful, well I just don't get paid that week. So do your work first and then experiment with new things.
10. Don't take on too many jobs and become overwhelmed. This can cause instant shutdown.
11. Make a budget. This is crucial.
12. Finally, (and I am sure I am forgetting a dozen other things) just have fun! Yes, work hard too!
Wouldn't you know it... a few months after I started working exclusively on my art at home, the market on eBay got flooded with new artists. Wonderful! Other artists were aware of eBay and collectors were spreading the wealth. I got nervous.
Around the time I left my "day job" to work at home I learned about doll art. This, I felt, was something I could sink my teeth into. With a little trial and error I eventually found my perfect niche. It didn't take me long to recover and before I knew it I had a thriving business. To top it all of, I was doing something I absolutely loved. What could be better?
The flip side of all this is that I was working from home and I fell into every pitfall you can: I overbought supplies; I worked too much; I never left the house; I became stressed; my house got messy; I gained weight; and worst of all... I burned out.
When working at home you have to learn to overcome these things or get your butt back to your day job. I knew this was what I loved so I just kept plugging along.
1. The first thing you do is plan! When you have a "day job" you are on a schedule. You have a plan. If you schedule out your day and plan things, it is truly amazing what you can achieve.
2. Take your weekends off. I will often work until midnight on the week days if I need to just to have the weekend off. Generally people get a few days off... it doesn't have to be specifically Saturday and Sunday but you need at least a day or two to unwind. If you can get out of the house... even better. Remember, you are there all day long. You don't want to smell the burn out.
3. Plan your meals or buy healthy snacks. I literally get up in the morning, make coffee and come straight into my office to answer emails. I am already at work. This is freaking awesome because I can wear anything, however, it is hard to tell if you are gaining weight when your stretchy, comfy clothes keep stretching. I do not advocate wearing anything less than comfortable BUT I do recommend planning your meals and fitting in some exercise. Promise you will not regret it. If you don't have clothes that you have to fit into for work AND you don't have anyone really watching you, things could get out of hand. This is something I have failed at time and again because when you are busy you just grab whatever. But I have started walking in the mornings and this week I am planning those meals. Girl wants smaller comfy clothes!
4. I used to give myself a day to clean. I have since taken that away because I have a weird habit of needing to be alone to clean and currently my daughter and her family are living here. So, I don't do my typical cleaning day... I do what I can. When I have my days alone I like to have a day designated to cleaning. This can be one of your weekend days.
5. Have a designated working space. It is impossible to get anything done when you are constantly taking things out and having to put them away. Find a space in your house and set it up.
6. Watch out for wasting time (for instance, blogging when you need to be working). The internet is a time stealer. Especially Facebook! I watched a little video on procrastination that suggested you turn your sound off on your computer when working... otherwise you will be constantly checking your emails and Facebook messages, etc... Turn it off and turn on some music (or whatever you like to listen to).
7. Make sure you are doing something you love and always always challenge yourself.
8. Watch out for distractions! It is so easy to get distracted, especially when you aren't "feeling it" that day. Listen, everyone needs a mental health day here and there but be careful of those. Don't work to "just get by". That is a recipe for disaster. You can still be there for your family and friends in your designated free times but when at work stay on task.
9. Challenge yourself, yes... but stay focused on what you are good at. I love art... and often I will go off and start doing something that is not usual work. That means it is untried and if it is unsuccessful, well I just don't get paid that week. So do your work first and then experiment with new things.
10. Don't take on too many jobs and become overwhelmed. This can cause instant shutdown.
11. Make a budget. This is crucial.
12. Finally, (and I am sure I am forgetting a dozen other things) just have fun! Yes, work hard too!
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