why I do what I do

I went out this morning in -18degrees celsius weather... at 8:30 ... in the morning.  On a Sunday.  And why oh why did I do this?  A friend/client wanted photos of her family and that was the time that worked, with snow in the background.  And so up I got and out I went... to the wrong location.  Phone friend.  Rush to proper location.  Pop out into the cold again.  Place them just so on a small hill.  Click off a few dozen photos.  Change position a bit.  Take a few more photos.  Realize the 3 year old is going to freeze shortly and decide we're done being outside.  Really done.

So then I come home and check out the few photos we did get.  Hmmm.... She let me know which one she liked the most.  I picked the one I liked the most, and then one showcasing her boy.  Fiddle around in Photoshop Elements, pulling from textures and frames and wordart I've amassed over the past 5 years, and apply a lot from what I've learned from a few classes regarding digital scrapbooking. 

And then, with trepidation (because I used so many layers and techniques and slightly grungy textures and I wasn't sure if she was into that) I emailed the samples off to my client.

And this email response, this is why I do what I do (which, like voodoo, I do so well - sorry, old song reference.)
______________________
Hi Michelle,


So I actually got tears in my eyes when I saw these, I really love them!  I love the snow flakes and the border! I really did get emotional when I saw the picture of just my little K. and the let it snow, so beautiful! Can’t wait to see the finished product!


Thank you!! Sooo much!!!!!!


J.& K.& K.


And then a little later....
__________________
I'm still smiling!!!
J.



So if I ever wonder why I'm doing what I'm doing, remind me about this please.  Thanks.
M

I can be the hoax

I'm not sure how I found this lovely girl & her beatboxing & her singing, but find her I did.  And after watching all the songs she did on The Sing Off, and other covers - I found this cover of Brett Dennan's I ain't gonna lose you and even though her voice breaks towards the end when changing notes, it is by far the better song.  Her emotion is so vivid and palpable - my heart breaks every time I watch her.

Ladies and Gents, I give you to Courtney Jensen. Enjoy.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w3cCwhaSK4&feature=BFa&list=LLvoHHtkIp2fRo6kBfwZP_YQ&lf=mh_lolz

Blame it on my ADD, baby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPtSKimbjOU

I simply can NOT get enough of this song.  A friend suggested I start listing music on my blog.  Not only because I'm obsessed with music, but also because then she could get a little more 'up' on songs (and maybe, in the process, impress her kids).

I found the song because someone posted the video of the basejumper (is that what you call it?) and the crazy dude http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWfph3iNC-k&feature=related used this song.  And now I've listened to it multiple times a day, over and over again, for the past 2 weeks.  And in the process I found this absolutely fabulous video as well.  Same song, but a totally different feel.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=JaAWdljhD5o

See?  Now you've listened to it 3 times, and I bet you want to listen to it again, right?

Love the song.  Love. It.

fabric rainbow

How inspiring!  I wish I had the gumption to do this (but for my paper, as I don't have a fabric rainbow like Jamaica does).  http://www.jamaicamakes.com/jamaica/2011/09/the-great-fabric-transition.html

Actually, if I could actually concentrate on one thing at a time, it would maybe get organized properly and stay that way.  I think maybe I need a week where I lock myself in my studio and don't do anything else. 

Winter is coming.  Perhaps then?  Anyone want to come & help?

The Business of Art

I was just at a class today put on at the Calgary School of Art put on by Samantha daSilva all about the Business of Art. So not just making my art in my studio…but selling it too.

The class was overfull, with 11 women looking to take thier art to the next level and I was very impressed by the information provided by Samantha, and the level of success already acheived by the attendees. Of course each of us has our own way of doing things – one described her highly organized approach to experimentation, and another professed to not keeping track of the shows she’s been in and her desire to be more organized.

As well, we spoke briefly about each going away and doing our ‘homework’ from Samantha and perhaps getting together in a month to touch base and share again. To that end, I’ve included all the websites for those of us who have sites, and for all the other ladies – they can comment to ask me to email the list if I’ve missed them in my email (which will happen after I’m done with this blog update).

Class of February 26, 2011

DarleneBeckFineArt.com
drogar.com/corevitality
PatriciaLangevin.com
LeilaMcDowell.com
VanessaKary.com
Karen-Oliver.blogspot.com
KennedyInk.ca

As for the ladies not on this list, I have their email addresses and will forward everyone in the class this list, along with the email addresses of the ladies sans websites (but not for long, right? we’re all going to set up websites, right?)

So, as for everything I learned? Well, let’s just say I have a heck of a lot of work to do, so I’ll sign off and get on it.

LLAP
Michelle

thankful

As per this blog post I recently read I was reminded to think of things I'm thankful for.  Alrighty then.  I think it can all be encompassed into one overall thing I'm thankful for - my ability to create.  If I weren't in the position in life that I'm in, I wouldn't create what I do, and how I do.  If I weren't with my husband, I wouldn't be able to pursue creativity as a career.  If I didn't have my family & friends as support, I wouldn't trust that I could create as a career.  And if I didn't have my little dog, my heartbeat at my feet, I wouldn't be in the mood to create anything uplifting.  So that's what I'm thankful for.  oh, and Thanks for asking!

so, this begs the question... what are you thankful for?

Decluttering

I'm starting up a little article posting spot at www.scribd.com/KennedyInk if you want to come and take a look.  I'm working with Karen Biko with http://www.31daystodeclutter.com/ as well, so you will find the articles will coincide with the decluttering that's going on.  If you feel so inclined, maybe join the challenge and declutter your home.  Feel the call of Spring?  I do.  And that always involved some decluttering.  Karen is taking it to the next level.  Check it out! 

I did my own decluttering of the studio a two years ago.  I hope my renos will be over soon and I can get back to actually doing something enjoyable in my space.

best photo monday, March 8

March 1964 - a photo of my Mum (in white) and her friends watching the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Shoe, whoops - I mean 'Show'

Art Deco

"The Studio - an illustrated magazine of fine and applied arts. Should be read by architects, artists, designers, students and all lovers of art." price - six pence monthly
I found this book at Mona Lisa's art supply store (Treasury of Art Nouveau Design & Ornament selected by Carol Belanger Grafton) and I simply love it! I didn't notice before, but I am drawn to everything Art Deco. Most of the book is samples of bookplates, but there is one prodominant word throughout - Studio. From what I can tell, there was a magazine called The Studio from 1894-1920 for artists (and it cost a six pence). Too neat. This image with the owls is from that magazine.

I'm not sure yet how I'm going to use this lovely book, but I'm glad I found it!