Can anyone be an artist?

   
      Thinking about what to write today a thought popped into my head. There are so many people out there who don't use their creativity because they are afraid it won't be amazing. This makes me so angry! I can't tell you how many times I hear, "I wish I could draw I can't even draw a stick figure." That is the stereotypical phrase anyone uses when they appreciate art but think they can't make something themselves.

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      If you think you can't, then you won't. I am a big believer in positive thinking. Yes, I do believe a great deal of my artistic talents have been passed down genetically and reinforced through growing up around art; but why does all art have to be a masterpiece? Why can't you try and make something with stick figures? Who says art has to be realistic and detailed?

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    So many artists throughout time have tried to think out of the box and make art that means something and expresses their feelings and thoughts. Look at most of Picasso's work! Most people would laugh at their paintings if it turned out like his work but he is one of the most famous and idolized artists of all time.

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Ever remember how satisfying coloring as a kid was. Even how great you felt after completing your horrible macaroni necklaces? I want you to feel that way again. Get carried away in something and not be afraid of it's outcome. OKAY, I think you are getting my point. So what should you do?

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Abstract art is a great place to start. Pick a few colors that you are really drawn to. Go to your local craft store and pick up a few bottles of acrylic paint for a dollar or two a piece. Get a canvas, or paper, or wood or whatever you feel you want to paint on! Then just start applying the colors however you want. It may mash together and look like baby poop. Or it may come together and look like a beautiful sea of colors. Either way don't be afraid of the final outcome. Get lost in the process and I grantee you will LOVE IT!

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Recently there has been a great business that has opened up called  "Painting with a Twist."  I am not sure if this is only sprouted in Metro Detroit area so far or if it is nation wide yet, but I am sure it won't be long before it is. It is a place to go with friends and family and have some drinks and learn how to step by step paint a picture of your choice. What a wonderful way to hang with good company in a stress free environment and create something! I am all for it!

So whether you are Van Gogh reincarnated or a regular business salesman, go make something creative! I promise it will really make you feel great.

Until Tomorrow - Dream Away

Samantha Menzo

Cloud Nine Studios

Etsy Featured Item of the Day:

Create Art Necklace in Sterling Silver - By rockmyworldinc

Song of the Day: (One of the most inspiring music videos of all time)

Coldplay - Strawberry Swing

Color of the Day:

Citrus Orange

Art with the help of Meditating.

Art with the help of Meditating.

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       Ever feel a lack of focus when trying to make your art? Ever feel a drought of inspiration? Maybe you can't find enough time in the day for the art time you have been craving? I have a secret to change it all. Meditation.

(Love this image? Click here for its Etsy Shop)

     I assume some of you have meditated before. You might even be a meditating professional! In case you have never heard of meditating or have always wanted to try and didn't know where to start. Here is a great beginner's video to meditating.

So now that we are all on the same page, how can meditation help with ART?

1. Meditation helps to center yourself and your thoughts, which greatly effect your art. If you are stressed or overwhelmed with daily life, just 5 minutes of meditating can set you back on track and put you in a perfect state of mind for creating.

2. Out of ideas or don't know where to start? I know this one is huge for me. When I don't know what to make or can't seem to organize my ideas I meditate and ask to see what I need to. I always know I have the ideas in there somewhere but sometimes moving all the other junk around first helps me see clearly!

3. Stepping away from your work. I don't do this nearly enough and sometimes it really costs me with time and energy. Ever been so immersed in a piece of artwork that you forget to step back and look at the whole thing? By the time you are done and you do step back you notice things you could have done different or that might be a little off. Taking a few minutes for a silent break can mean a huge difference in the finished quality of your work.

4. Do you want to make more meaningful art but don't know what you want to say? I tend to make a lot of "sell-able work" and sometimes I lose the love for a project because I am too focused on the money value it will bring me. By meditating I can look within myself and see what is on my mind that I want to express. This always helps me feel recharged and inspired to still make sell-able pieces but that say something at the same time.

Meditation is great for so many reasons but since this is an Art Blog I wanted to cover some of the ways it's really helped me and hopefully can help you! Creating comes from a very internal place that's is expressed externally and to ensure everything is in order I think the best and easiest way is through MEDITATION!

         How has meditating helped you in your life? Do you already use it as a tool for your art? Comment some of your thoughts on what this topic has done or might do for you!

Until Tomorrow -Dream Away

Samantha Menzo

Cloud Nine Studios

I want to start doing something new at the end of every blog. I think would be a great addition to the blogs! Every blog I will have a featured Etsy Item, Random Song & Color of the day! It's just a little extra flavor that I think might be fun!

Featured Etsy Item of the Day:
DIY Cross Stitch Pendant - Wood Pendant Blank - Small Heart (RedGateStitchery)

Song of the Day:

Matt Simons - Catch & Release (Deepend Remix)

Color of the Day: 
Benjamin Moore Regal Select Winter Gray 2117-60

Thinking about participating in an art fair?

        It's an early night for me tonight as I lay in bed rest for some sleep. I want to make sure I'm really rested to wake up tomorrow and be fully ready for my day ahead, so today might be a shorter blog since I'm feeling the sandman already trying to wisk me away. 

         I have an opportunity at the end of next month to participate in an outdoor art fair that is very DIY friendly, in fact it's encouraged. I have never been apart of an art fair and am apprehensive and motivated at the same time.      

     Being apart of an art fair can be very rewarding if you have a great booth with great products in a great location; so long as it doesn't rain out or have poor attendance. I have always felt that the type of art I produce would sell really well at a fair.

           Any artist thinking about doing a fair needs to take in account that you have to take off work all weekend. So you want to try and make at least as much as you would at your normal job to make it worth it. Also there is normally a booth fee to just be there as an artist and sell work. So if you think your inventory of work can sell more than the time you might take off and to pay off your booth fee then you are off to a great start!

 

Another thing to think about is the networking opportunities that an art fair provides. So maybe you don't make quite enough to break even for the weekend like you thought. The contacts you made with the other artists or people walking in the fair,  might pay off triple that in the long run! That alone makes a strong agreement to why it's always a great idea to do an art fair if possible. 

            I have been to many art fairs and some I've had some money in my pocket I was willing to spend and other times I have had little to nothing,  but I've always seemed to walk away with at least one item. When setting up inventory for an art fair I think it is extremely important to make sure you have a wide variety of different priced items. If you bring all large and high priced pieces you may bomb because the people walking around only have $20 in their pocket and they want to spend it but can take on your pieces because you only brought your best and most expensive work. So think variety in size and price.

         My current inventory is a decent size and when I get home after this week if I decide to go in on  this fair I will really start turning out some work to make sure I have a sizable stock. Anyone have some pointers they can give me that I haven't already covered? Is anyone thinking about doing their first art fair too but don't know where to start?

                                        Until tomorrow - Dream Away 
                                                 Samantha Menzo 
                                               Cloud Nine Studios