Catching up and getting back into the swing of things!

Hello HELLO! It has been quite sometime since I have been able to last post! So today I want to just catch you all up so we can have a lovely Dream Scheme Friday tomorrow! I have been working super hard for my wonderful job at Habatat Galleries. It's a glass art gallery that has stunning work from all over the world. I have been with Habatat for over a year now. 

Every November, the Navy Pier in Chicago holds a Fine Art Fair called SOFA. Our gallery travels there to display and sell our work and our space is always HUGE! It's the most work I have ever done and it's non-stop for a week straight. 

As much as it is demanding both mentally and physically, it's also very rewarding. Chicago is a great city and although there is practically no time outside of working, it's still hard to deny that you are in such an alive place! 

Fine Dinning with my love. My favorite part of the trip!

Artist & Staff party at Howl at the Moon in Chicago

This year I was fortunate enough to have my boyfriend George with me. He came to help work the set up and take down of the show and we were able to have a few wonderful meals and nights to ourselves in between the yawning and napping. Below are some pictures of the show's set up and take down along with some of our galleries work and booth talk clips.

 Latchezar Boyadjiev - Habatat Artist

 Emily Brock Piece "Green" Close up - Habatat Artist

Owner Corey Hampson before set up began!

Martin Janecky during a demo at Ingite Studios - Habatat Artist

Now that I am back, I have to get back into the swing of things. Starting is always the hardest. While I was away I gathered up two more commissions that will be wood burned family tree gifts for family members from someone I know for Christmas. I also still need to finish the Rick and Morty Mug commission I started a few weeks back. Getting back into the studio to start the ball rolling again is a struggle.

I find myself avoiding the room completely and trying to do other things first.....it is so much easier to be productive in the studio if a keep a good pace going and spend even a little time in there everyday. If a huge break occur I get thrown off.

Also I have started extensive research and sketching on a planning a new series. I don't want to get too far into telling you about it yet but I will say that it should be a 12 painting series when it's finished and it's ALL I can think about. Which is also why completing the commissions I am getting even harder. All I want to do is work on this series....but Christmas is coming and I know that my commission work load will only get worse and I should be thankful for more time to actually plan out what I want instead of jumping right in and losing steam like I tend to do. 

Anyway! I am glad to be back and writing the blogs again. Is there anything you are interested in me writing about? An art topic, something about my art business or maybe more about my job at the gallery? Let me know in the comments below and always remember if you like the blogs you can subscribe with the blue button at the top right of the page! Much Love!

Until Tomorrow - Dream Away

Samantha Menzo

Cloud Nine Studios

Etsy Featured Item of the Day:

Fantastic Mrs Fox brooch by - gabiReith

Song of the Day:

Missy Elliott - WTF (Where They From) ft. Pharrell Williams

Color of the Day:

Benjamin Moore Carribean Blue Water

How To Art While Traveling.

     Hello and what a beautiful day! I have so many things I want to talk about in this blog it's hard to pick and choose what to focus on day to day. Today is the last day I will be in my hometown for the next week! (I know why would anyone start a DAILY blog and then go away for a week) but I will continue posting although the times I post might be inconsistent due to lack of service and time.

ANYWAYS! Tonight I will be packing clothes and other things for my week gone....which started me thinking about I and how other artists pack their art supplies for a trip.

(Image above is a quick little sketch I made when camping last month by the fireside.)

       Creating art while away on vacation is one of my favorite times to use my imagination in a new way! I love my little studio but sometimes getting out of my normal environment and seeing and smelling new things is just the thing my brain needs to explode with creative love!


Some of my traveling art essentials are:

Micron Pens or Fiber Castell
Ultra Fine Tip Colored Sharpie Markers
Hard cover spiral notebook
Mechanical Pencils
Acrylic Paint Markers
Book Light


The great thing about my list of traveling art supplies is that they all fit in a small tote bag that I can keep separate from my luggage and when in a car, plane or even train I have the ability to art it up!

I use to have a hard time with making art or even doodling if I can't finish it or I didn't feel it is living up to the certain standard I try to hold for my work. I have gotten better recently with just making what I can make, where I can make it. Sometimes the silliest doodle marks or ugliest sketches turn into the best ideas! So whether you are at home in your normal art spot or even on an adventure in the woods with a friend, if you feel inspired to create...then CREATE!

(This is not my work but an example of what my painted lady bug rock looked like)

I was just away last weekend for example and I found this perfectly round rock. I reminded me of a cute little lady bug. So I took out my amazing acrylic art markers and painted to entire rock to be just that. I little lady bug. I had unfortunately forgotten to take any pictures as I didn't think it was that great but I made another twin lady bug and gave it to two little girls who were camping with us. They loved them so much that they were inspired to create their own rock creatures!!! We pulled out the crayons and got to work. We had so much fun thinking of what animals certain rocks could be and I was surprised how many they knocked out in such a small time. 

So whether you are already a traveling art pro or just now interested in packing some supplies for the next time you travel.... Art is everywhere and can be made everywhere. You may not even think of who you might inspire by thinking out of the box in a new environment. So I challenge you to bring along your favorite crayons or markers and make art in a new way in a new place!

For those of you who do make art while away, What does your traveling art tote consist of?

What are some of your favorite creations or experiences you have made away from home?

Until Tomorrow - Dream Away!

Samantha Menzo

Cloud Nine Studios