How was your weekend everyone? Ours was busy but great.
Recently I was reading Somerset Studio and came across the artwork of Randel Plowman.
Did you all see this article? He creates a collage a day and posts them on his blog. His archives on his blog go back to 2006! I really felt inspired by Randel. He said "The more I thought about making art, the less I did it. I decided to stop thinking and start making." I felt like this was a huge message for me.
Day 1-assorted papers and colored pencil
So I decided the same thing for myself. Stop thinking, start making. It was a great decision. Just getting there and starting AND saying something is done that day, that is huge for me. So I am on day 9 and I did miss a day. That is o.k. for me. I can't really say how long I will do this. I started with collage using matte medium, then I began stitching my pieces. I LOVE doing that. Then I started painting. It of course comes with challenges but so far I am excited.
Day 2-assorted paper and colored pencil
Day 3-paper, fabric, colored pencil
Day 4
Day 5-started sewing
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8-Started painting
Day 9-Sewing, Painting,
I am really loving the progression, the trying things out. I really encourage anyone to give it a try. You can do anything for a week right? And I am sure you won't want to stop. Let me know if you decide to start.
An ARTIST, a MOM, a CREATIVE BIZ OWNER. What happens when you combine all three? Welcome to Art Biz Mama. A series of inspirational interviews about being a mom, an artist and a creative biz owner.
In an effort to connect, share and get to know some of my favorite artists (and I am sure they are yours too) a bit better and because I am a mama who has creative biz visions myself I have asked for a sneak peek into their very busy lives. To share a bit about just what it means to juggle these roles and how it all really plays out.
I know this is a topic that has been discussed plenty but for me (and you) I need to hear these stories. To know there are others reaching for their dreams and maybe stumbling at times, all the while caring for themselves and their family.
I believe we will glean a bit of insight from these smart and talented women that can inspire us all.
This week we have such a great interview with the lovely Regina from Creative Kismet. Regina is a very talented and sweet lady. She does it all. Sews, paints, bakes!! All this while working AND being a mama. She is a huge inspiration let me tell you! Her blog, art and spirit really shine.
Hi Dana! I'm so honored to be able to share a bit about myself with you and your readers. I am a mother of two boys, ages 9 and 5, and have been married for almost 17 years(!!). I am also a registered nurse, currently working as a lactation consultant on a Mom/Baby unit at a local hospital on a per diem or as needed basis. Besides this, I am also working on my own creative business called Creative Kismet. I make a variety of things, but my greatest passion of all is painting. It's the thing that keeps me happy and
sane.
First, let me say a huge “Thank You” for taking the time to answer these questions. I know howbusy you are so it really means a lot to all of us that you took the time to be here today! So let me start by asking when did you make the decision to start your creative business?
I decided a few years back to get a creative business started, but it took me a while to actually set it up and get it going. I am a nurse by profession, but working as a nurse can be very mentally and physically exausting. I incorported art and craft projects into my life to decrease stress and flex the creative side of my brain which I've decided is an absolute necessity for my well being. I started my blog in 2005 and saw others great bloggers successfully starting creative businesses. By 2008, I finally took the plunge and threw my heart out onto an Etsy page. Since then I've gathered up even more courage to submit projects to various books and magazine. The more I do these wonderfully creative things, like blogging and getting published, I can feel my spirit really soar. This is my passion and it is my dream to be able to share, teach and create for a living.
How has having children affected your business and creativity?
I've always been creative, taking every art and photography class I could during my school years. But then there was a big period in my life where I didn't make anything outside of holiday gifts (usually food items). It wasn't until I became pregnant with my first child that my creative bone came alive again. Having babies and small children is hard work, but I managed to start sewing (a new hobby for me at the time) and I would ocassionally get out my sketchbook. Taking pictures of my children was my biggest hobby during their baby years. Now, my kids are a little older and the are able to entertain themselves and each other giving me a lot more time to be creative. Still, it takes quite a bit of juggling between what needs to be done and what I want to do. It can be very frustrating at times, but I have a wonderfully supportive husband who helps me with the juggling quite a bit.
Would you please share what a “typical day” is like for you? Is there school or childcare, etc. while you are working on your biz?
In the summer we have a much more lax schedule than during the school year. It's also our indoor season as it is over 100 degrees throughout the summer and the kids don't like going out to play (I don't blame them). When I'm not working at the hospital, I set up my space on the dining room table, where I am able to check my emails and work on projects. The kids usually play in the living room where I can watch over things from where I am. They will play on their own or come join me at the table, especially if I have my paints out. There is a lot of getting up to fulfill there eating needs, which seems constant right now. Their dad mostly works from home as well, and we will take turns occupying the kids while the other works. It's also important to us that we get the kids out to the library, swimming and up to the mountain to cool off on a weekly basis.
During the school year things get much more hectic. This coming year will be our little guy's first year in school for half-day kindergarten. Although we will have a bit more time alone in the morning, we will be spending a lot of time driving back and forth taking the kids and picking them up for school. My husband and I are currently in the process of formulating a plan so that we both have the free time to do what we need.
How many hours do you give to your business each week? Are you working during the days/evenings/weekends?
It's hard to give hours when so much of what I do is indirectly related to my creative biz. I work hard to keep up my blog place and keep readers interested in what I'm doing. I spend a few hours a day making something if I can, whether its a food item, snap shots of my day, inspiration, or an actual project. I can really get things done after the kids have gone to bed. That seems to be my magic time, when I really become focused.. If I had to put a time on it, I guess I'd say anywhere from 15-25 hours a week. I've got lots of new ideas and plans for my business and am hoping to be able to more hours in soon.
I know this is a subject that is always being addressed but I need to bring up balance. Do you feel you have a healthy balance between your work life and your family life?
I NEVER feel like things are in balance for me. I have a job, I try to spend time with the kids, with my husband and with my friends. Sometimes it can feel like I'm being pulled a hundred different directions and there are weeks when things are definitely lopsides and totally unbalanced. But I'm trying really hard to just go with the ebb and flow of life and not get so freaked out by the chaos that is normal in an active family. Some weeks I feel really happy with my creative time and other times I crave it, because I've had no time to sit and paint. I'm slowly learning to stand up for myself and say "no" to requests that undermine me and my creative goals, making things even more chaotic than they should be.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with us today? Any words of wisdom for other artists/moms out there who wish to create a business out of their art?
Yes! I've learned that as your kids grow they began to understand how important it is for mommy to have creative time. That it makes mom very happy to do things she loves which in return makes a happy family. The house hums when I've have time to be creative and the kids love a happy humming house. So does the hubby. Recognizing everyone's passions, hobbies and needs is so important. And, my hopes are that my kids will grow up happy, with a passion and love for what they are doing in life.
AND I hope she doesn't mind that I share but Regina was also a guest on the Martha Stewart Show!! I was very excited to find that out. Here you can watch her video!
This is my submission for this weeks Creative Color Challenge over on Louise's blog. The color was sunflower yellow. This isn't a color that I generally gravitate to in my art but it is a color I love. So I kept thinking of fresh, clean and bright. I painted paper, used color pencils, cut and stitched my pieces together with the machine.
I really began to enjoy working with this color. So thanks Louise for challenging me with this one. I can't wait to see next weeks color.
This challenge fit in well with a challenge I have going on for myself to create a piece of art a day. I will be back to talk about that later but in the meantime please stop over at Kim Klassen's Inspiration Stay-cation where you will find a post from me on my making of a collage. There is tons of great stuff over there. She is doing a great job!
Please come back tomorrow for this weeks Art Biz Mama interview.
The dryer had stopped drying and the kids were starting to fight yet again and then the mail lady dropped this into our mail slot in our front door. I was totally surprised. I knew the issue was out I just didn't know that I was getting the issue complimentary. So thankful for that. I just feel so grateful and honored to be a part of this beautiful Stampington publication.
There is something so surreal about seeing your work in a magazine. It is very gratifying and amazing! I encourage anyone who is thinking about getting their work published to go for it!
There are lots of great projects. One from Jen Swift and another from Regina at Creative Kismet who is going to be next weeks Art Biz Mama.
Check it out if you have the chance and have a GREAT weekend!
An ARTIST, a MOM, a CREATIVE BIZ OWNER. What happens when you combine all three? Welcome to Art Biz Mama. A series of inspirational interviews about being a mom, an artist and a creative biz owner.
In an effort to connect, share and get to know some of my favorite artists (and I am sure they are yours too) a bit better and because I am a mama who has creative biz visions myself I have asked for a sneak peek into their very busy lives. To share a bit about just what it means to juggle these roles and how it all really plays out.
I know this is a topic that has been discussed plenty but for me (and you) I need to hear these stories. To know there are others reaching for their dreams and maybe stumbling at times, all the while caring for themselves and their family.
I believe we will glean a bit of insight from these smart and talented women that can inspire us all.
Today we have a special interview with the very sweet and kind Kim Klassen. Kim is always such a positive light in this world. She creates beautiful art and photos. I am so happy to have "met" her. So grab a cup of your favorite drink and be ready to be delighted!
Kim, first, let me say a huge “Thank You” for taking the time to answer these questions. I know how busy you are so it really means a lot to all of us that you took the time to be here today!
Would you please share a bit about yourself, your business and your family?
Dana, I’m really happy to visit with you. Thank you so much for including me in this fabulous series. I’m truly honored.
Let’s see. I’m a wife and a mother of 2 boys. Brett is almost 20 and Bryce is 18. I can not believe my kids are adults already. The time zipped by so very quickly. We live in the tiny town I grew up in. My husband works at the hospital across the street from our home. I have been a working artist for 16 years now. Wow, I can’t believe that. Anyhow, my first love was painting. My business progressed from making art for sales, to teaching painting classes, selling on eBay, designing for magazines, then licensing my art as prints and giftware. Last fall I found my true love… my Nikon. I have fallen for my camera. I mean really fallen. There is something so gratifying about photography. I will always paint. I love it as well. But when I have my camera in hand I feel a sense of completeness. It’s a beautiful thing. :)
I would love to hear when and why you made the decision to start your creative business?
I started painting after we purchased our old brick house. I would flip thru country living and country sampler magazines and long for all the beautiful hand crafted items. So one day I paid a visit to an art store and picked up a few supplies. And so it began. Before long I was making art for sales. Then I was flipping through a new painting pattern book and thought I really want to do this. I want to design patterns. I remember telling my husband that I was going to do it. And he. being the awesome guy that he is, said ‘I know you can do it, kimmy’. (That’s what he calls me.) That evolved into a 4 plus year series of designs in Create & Decorate magazine along with designs featured in several other publications. I also signed a contract with a print publisher and licensing company. Due to a very stressful family time that lasted for over 2 years, I had a hard time creating. I stopped producing. This was all around the same time that the recession hit. Anyhow, the money that we had become accustom to started to decline. Last spring I knew I needed to recreate my path. That lead me to blogging and then to photography. I’m so thankful for the tough times, because they lead me to my 2 passions ~ photography and blogging.
How has having children affected your business and creativity?
Having children is probably the very reason I chose art as my business. Once we had our first child I knew I had to find a way to stay at home with our kids. I hated being away from them. I opened a daycare and I would sneak a bit of creating in during the day. I would then work late into the night. Once the kids were in school I closed my daycare and started making ART fulltime.
Anyhow, it’s definitely been a balancing act, and not always easy. But it really allowed me to be available to the boys throughout their growing years. My youngest son says he wants to find a job like mine. He thinks it’s a pretty good life. I have to agree.
Would you please share what a “typical day” is like for you? Are your children in school, etc.?
My day begins at around 7:30. I wake Bryce up and he is out the door by 8. My husband leaves for work at 7, so it’s just me from 8 til noon. Then the boys file in for lunch around 12:00. Somedays I find the interruption frustrating. I’m just being honest. I love having the studio to myself, working away.
Anyhow, at around 8 am I check my email, visit my favorite blogs and flickr friends. If I plan on posting on my blog I try to get that up as soon as possible. I spend a few hours a day creating, whether it’s with photography or painting. I also spend a lot of time in photoshop. John comes home around 4. We usually sit on the porch swing for about a half hour. I head back to the studio for an hour or so, unless I need to run errands or head to the post. Then it’s time to feed the hungry their dinner. Sometime between dinner and 8:00 I do some everyday stuff like laundry, tidying up. I then head back to the studio for an hour or 2 or 3. J Lately I’ve been heading to the trail in the evening as well. I lost our beagle andy just a few weeks ago. Our walking schedule was more routine. Now I tend to fit it in around my schedule and what’s happening during the day. I wish I could make a habit of heading out first thing in the morning. But I seem to be more inclined after dinner.
I’m a complete homebody. To be honest I could easily skip leaving home, other than for walks, all together. My boys tease me all the time about my lack of a life.
How many hours do you give to your business each week? Are you working during the days/evenings/weekends? Or all of the above?
Dana, I have a hard time distinguishing been work and play. I love what I do. So I have to be honest and say I work at least 12 hours a day and probably about 10 hours on weekends. But it does not feel like work. My boys are independent now. John works full time, then comes home and works in the yard. He’s also incredibly helpful around the house.
I have asked all of the other Art Biz Mama’s about balance of work and family. All of them seemed to agree there isn’t much of it. What is your experience with being and artist and a mom and trying to juggle it all?
I would say balance is a dream. I think it’s pretty much impossible for a wife, mom and entrepreneur to have true balance. And to be honest, I’m not sure balance is what I am looking for. I love having my head so full of ideas and possibilities… trying to get as much accomplished as possible. I love deadlines and time lines and big DREAMS.
I go to bed at night, completely excited to wake up and start this crazy ride all over again the next morning. I feel so truly blessed to be living a creative life. I wouldn’t trade it and all its chaos for the world.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with us today? Any words of wisdom for other artists/moms out there who wish to create a business out of their art?
I suppose I was say go for it! State your intentions and just start doing. Give up on perfection. It’s futile. If you are unsure of what your passion is… experiment, try new things and see what comes to you.
Reach out to like minded people. It’s so easy to connect with other creatives, thanks to the web. There are so many passionate, inspiring individuals sharing so much online. There are courses available on almost any subject/skill you may wish to pursue.
The opportunities are ENDLESS. It’s awesome!
Let it flow and if you are truly passionate, you will be blessed with an abundant fulfilling life and business.
…..
Dana, thanks again for having me here. Truly thank you!
I did search for something today using google images. I have used it before but it didn't look like this. Now it displays your results in this beautiful gallery format. This is where I found the art of Paul Villinski..
He makes installation art with BEER CANS he finds on the streets on NYC. His p9eces with butterflies are of course my favorite!
From his site, which is equally as gorgeous as his art:
Who leaves these crushed beer cans – forlorn evidence scattered in the streets of the city? I take these “dead soldiers” – every one of them once raised to someone’s lips – and breathe new life into them, changing them into images that suggest the possibility of change itself. A kind of conceptual unity develops between materials, process and imagery: my practice in the studio mimics the act of transformation that butterflies symbolize everywhere, in all cultures.
birds and butterflies
These pieces explore themes of transformation and recovery through the metamorphosis of crushed beer cans from the streets of New York into flocks of realistically crafted butterflies.
LOVE this one!
This one too!!
So if you have a second do a search using Google Images. You never know what you may find that may delight and inspire you!
