tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30209830452154213472024-03-14T02:34:40.378-05:0030silent MockingbirdsSome just want their own song...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-4933163110354049722014-03-11T22:44:00.000-05:002014-03-11T22:45:59.463-05:00So what do I do exactly?<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So what do you do exactly? I get that question often! So today I am going to try to give a little overview of what I do. There can be a little confusion when a client request a certain outcome of a product and it ends up being something I don’t produce. Some examples being- resizing current prints (Digital), or tiny typesetting for invitations (Letterpress), or just very personal customization like changing names or images.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here to clear a little of that up: I am a Linocut Block Printer. I hand sketch, then hand carve that sketch with tools into a block, and then hand print the image using ink and pressure. Once the image is carved very little can be changed. Also, it can take days or weeks just to carve one block. I started block printing to be able to produce something handmade but could be reproduced a number of times.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make any sense? Here is a longer more detailed version:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHAT IS BLOCK PRINTING?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Block Printing is one of the oldest types of printmaking that originated in Asia. The origin of this style began with wood but can also be made with linoleum (linocut), Styrofoam or other mediums. What is printmaking you ask? Printmaking in general is creating “master plate” from which multiple images are made with the use of ink and pressure.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are four our main types of printmaking. Some may be familiar some not so much. Examples:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Relief ("raised surface" Ink stays on top of plate. Such as Woodcut, Linocut, and Letterpress)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Intaglio ("cut surface" Ink goes down inside of plate. Such as Etching)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Planography ("flat surface" Ink stays level on the plate. Such as Lithography stone and metal using the reaction of grease vs. water)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Serigraphy ("block-out surface" Ink is sectioned off in the plate. Such as Silkscreen/Screenprinting)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linocut printing is a technique for producing patterns by means of carving a design into a type of block. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">The raised part (part left un-carved) is coated with ink and then able to print the design on fabric or paper. Images that are printed with this technique are typically much bolder than other types of printmaking. Since the blocks are carved by hand, there is often less detail and more texture to the prints. Typically block printing is done by hand, so the ink sits on the surface adding a raised texture to the paper unlike in letterpress, where it is typically indented into the paper with a press.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Block printing is one of the easiest forms of printing to try if you are interested. A press isn’t needed and most supplies are easy to find.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HOW TO BLOCK PRINT:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everyone varies in technique but here are the basics:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. DESIGN: Starting with a sketch then transfer sketch unto a block. The printed image will be the reverse of what is on the block.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. CUT: Using various tools made for carving, carve away the parts that will be the without ink Producing positive and negative space.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. INK: Ink is rolled out with a brayer making a thin sheet of ink on a surface such as glass, and then spread onto the block. The ink will stick to the parts that were un-carved.</span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-2b2db3fd-b45e-3c73-4f56-373fe601160c"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. PRESS: Taking a piece of paper and laying it carefully on top of the block and pressing with a barren or a preferred tool such as a wooden spoon to transfer ink onto the paper.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-56083033318071464012014-02-28T09:35:00.000-06:002014-02-28T09:52:19.998-06:0014 Things: Dreaming of Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Sorry it been a while since I posted. Turns out building a website is hard and then its even harder when you cant log into it for a couple months!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">You know I love lists so I’m going to dive back into things starting with one! I am sure you are with me in the thought that, ” THIS IS THE LONGEST WINTER EVER!”. I really can't scream that loud enough for it to come through in type. So here are some things that I long for that maybe you can relate to.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">14 Things: Dreaming of Spring</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">1. Of course, first and foremost: OPENING THE WINDOWS. Letting it blow all the winter funk away.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">2. Porch swing time with a Blue Moon and a perfect slice of orange.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">3. Outdoor craft fairs!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">4. Wearing one layer of clothing. Heck, even just two.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">5. Color. Any color. Blooms, skirts, heels, food, anything.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">6. Food trucks</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">7. Painting in Plein Air</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">8. <a href="http://www.nashvilledowntown.com/play/first-saturday-art-crawl" target="_blank">1st Saturday Night Art Crawls</a>. With no ski mask, parkas, snow boots, or coffee required. Bring me some bright art and some wine please!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">9. More salads. Less soups.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">10. <a href="http://nashvillefarmersmarket.org/" target="_blank">Farmer’s Market</a>. Crowded, with lots of things to look at. Coming home with a car full of flowers.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">11. Leisurely walking home from the bus. No more shiver running.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">12. Redbuds</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">13. Seeing all my wonderful neighbors out and about. Walking dogs, planting flowers, and mowing grass.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">14. Wait. Can you just smell it? Fresh cut grass.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Anybody with me on this one? If so, what are some things that you are dreaming for this spring?! spring?!</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-31109321059268011562013-08-07T17:41:00.000-05:002013-08-07T17:42:10.275-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi Yall!!</div>
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Just letting you know that I now have a website!!! <span style="color: #e69138;"><a href="http://30silentmockingbirds.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">30silentmockingbirds.com</span></a> </span></div>
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My blog will be there along with my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/30SilentMockingbirds?ref=pr_shop_more" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Etsy Shop</span></a> and Links to my other social media! Yay!</div>
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<a href="http://30silentmockingbirds.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypvOe1BOHkI/UgLM8e74q5I/AAAAAAAABaU/jJ7kgQmBIS8/s640/30+Silent+Mockingbirds+website+nashville+tn.JPG" width="578" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-17407655253297980652013-05-01T19:14:00.000-05:002013-05-02T11:41:30.884-05:0030 Silent Mockingbirds background roulette <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Is there anything about this job I hate? Yes, cleaning up is one. Taking photographs for listings is another. Its not that I don't like photography.. I love it! I just really really do not like taking the still shots. Its just so much pressure! There are a couple other factors that play into this... I take my photos with a cracked iPhone. I don't actually own a computer that works, so I am about town on a daily basis being a computer nomad, and I haven't figured out the right place to take the pics. Block prints I have found are difficult to photograph. I am picky about the light and the color being correct. The studio is a no go so far. An iPhone taking photos requires light, so off to the outdoors I go! The weather has to be perfect... no wind, the perfect shade from the sun, the perfect amount of sun being around, and a clean dry place to hang or lay the print. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, there is a little happiness in this sad sob story of mine. <i>Texture</i>. To make up for my not-so-perfect photographing conditions I have had to get creative in my choice of spots, which has (in my mind) turned out to be an interesting collage of textures. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Part of me wants these perfect photographs I see out there on Etsy and ScoutMob and I start to get down on myself. Then, today when I was walking random streets of downtown Nashville (and people are staring at the crazy girl taking photographs on the sidewalk) I remember I'm not perfect myself. I have a lot of textures, layers, and change within myself and do what I have to do to get things done. Maybe all of that is supposed to just show through my work.. even in my still shots. If was waiting for my perfection to show up.... I would never let myself step out and show my work. </span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-7590348877229559962013-05-01T17:26:00.001-05:002013-05-01T18:15:27.112-05:00Artist interview with Melissa of PAGEFIFTYFIVE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">This week we sit down with Melissa owner of a small paper and creative </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">goods company called
</span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/pagefiftyfive" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">PAGEFIFTYFIVE</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> in beautiful Fort Collins, Colorado. She designs and creates greeting cards, notecards, stationery, gift tags, paper goods and
embroidery hoops! Melissa is such a fun and laid back gal (yet a super savvy creative business woman) I couldn't wait to hear what she had to say! </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #141414; font-family: inherit;">Hi Melissa! Explain to us your current line of creations and what was it that inspired you to
start?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">PAGEFIFTYFIVE is a small greeting card, stationery, papergoods and creative company. We revel in the simple, delight the quirky, and combine these two ideas to produce products that everyone will love! Our wish is that our products will make you smile, make your heart happy, and motivates you to pass that good feeling along! </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: inherit;">Recently, I have been focusing not only on my paper goods
designs but also on my embroidery hoops. I love, love, love embroidery and am
usually inspired to create a hoop from a card idea, or vice-versa. It’s another
artistic outlet for me and I just absolutely love getting away from the
computer and the hands-on process of taking floss, fabric and a wooden hoop and
making a piece of wall art that someone will love. I am also working on a
custom order for a floral design studio that consists of their marketing
materials, gift tags, business cards, thank you cards, etc. I love it all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #141414;">Tell us what makes your process unique?</span></b><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #141414;">I’m not sure exactly makes my process unique because graphic
design and embroidery has been around for a long time. But what I bring to the
table…my ideas, my creations and my designs are what brings it a personality
and makes me stand out from the rest. I have also self-taught myself all of
what is now PAGEFIFTYFIVE. From actually learning to design and draw graphics
on the computer, to learning about paper weights and textures and becoming
business savvy. I come to this career with a BA in English and a Masters in
Education…and here I sit loving my life and living the creative dream! </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> colored pencils..the first step in designing a card</span></span></td></tr>
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<b style="line-height: 24pt;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Were you always creative as kid, or did you find it later in life? </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d;">As a child, I was ALWAYS creative. Both of my grandparents were
extremely talented and taught me so much that I use today. I can remember sitting
on the kitchen floor at around 3 years old, making Christmas cards for my
family (and a mess I’m sure). As a teenager, my grandpa showed me all there was
to know about painting, woodworking, and card making. In the meantime, my
grandma was teaching me how to sew, quilt and embroider. I was a very creative
child and it really created who I am today!</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d;">What is your
favorite style of art and why?</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #141414; font-family: inherit;">I love simple lines and am definitely a lover of minimalist,
simple, quirky ideas.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Custom order for a family that moved homes!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I turned it into a card and it's now in the shop!</span></span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d;">How do you come
about your ideas? Is there anything particular that inspires you?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d;">My inspiration seriously comes from all over the place! My
friends, my beautiful surroundings in Colorado, little snippets of conversation
I overhear at the park, what I see while riding my bike, things I notice while
people watching…I draw inspiration from all over the place (and my creased,
folded, drawn on, worn-in notebooks would have to agree) :) </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjOdopLOOGE/UYGK4iTtUgI/AAAAAAAABWE/Zk8SMZ6vohA/s1600/IMG_3484.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjOdopLOOGE/UYGK4iTtUgI/AAAAAAAABWE/Zk8SMZ6vohA/s400/IMG_3484.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Beautiful Colorado!</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d;"><b>What is your
favorite piece you've ever made and why?</b></span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d;">I love, love, love the new embroidery that I have been working
on lately. Most of my embroidery starts out as a card design and I love it so
much, I turn it into an embroidery hoop that can be hung in the house and
enjoyed by all! I think my favorite is the “you make me happy when skies are grey”
embroidery that is currently in my Etsy shop. It just makes me smile.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IQYq40zXxQo/UYGLDtMqFzI/AAAAAAAABWM/0po_ClPsy9s/s1600/IMG_1189.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IQYq40zXxQo/UYGLDtMqFzI/AAAAAAAABWM/0po_ClPsy9s/s640/IMG_1189.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of my favorite embroideries</span></span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d;">What’s the best
compliment you have received about your work?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #141414;">My day is made and I am stunned every time I get an “out of the
blue” compliment. Since opening my shop in September, I have been lucky to have
a ton of support from my friends and family that purchase my art, love my art
and pass it along to other people. I just recently received an email from
another shop owner on Etsy who just wrote to tell me how much she loved my shop
and said she was “speechless.” I feel so lucky when this sort of thing
happens. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Glimpse into my studio</span></span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d;">Describe your
work space.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d;">I love a clean, simple, minimalist workspace. That’s how I do my
best work for sure. Sometimes that’s not always the case and I find myself
buried in paper scraps, fabric, glue, bits of thread and paper corners. My
friend always says when her bedroom is messy, it means she needs to give
herself a time out and readjust some things in her life. I think this goes for me
and my studio. If it’s a mess…odds are, I’m a bit of a mess and I need to chill
out and reassess.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #1d1d1d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is a
typical day in your life?</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1d1d1d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Honestly, when you’re working full time in a creative field like
I am, it seems like no two days are the same. This is a constant struggle for
me. Seriously, would waking up at least in the same span of two hours hurt me?!
haha. Seriously though…this is a day in the life of me.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d;">I wake up and head straight to the kitchen for coffee and
breakfast. With coffee in hand, I head to the studio (aka spare bedroom in our
house) and get to work. Typically, I putz around on FB, Etsy, Twitter, Pinterest,
and blogs for about an hour. My day definitely varies depending on what orders
I am working on, custom designs I have to complete, or designs bouncing around
in my head…but my morning is usually full of work. NPR and podcasts get me
through my morning. Having an iPhone is like having a little friend in the room
with you :) In the afternoon, I always try to make it to the gym and post
office. I think there are times that working alone in a studio all day gets
lonely…it’s like a field trip when I go to the post office and gym. I can
imagine that the people working at the post office may think I’m nuts for all
the conversation I try to jam into the 3 minute transaction haha. Then the rest
of the afternoon into evening is spent working! My goal is to try and end the day
around 5:30/6. It doesn’t always happen…but it’s nice to give myself a little
downtime at night. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Craft show setup</span></span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #1d1d1d; font-family: inherit;">What are your
interests or hobbies other than your work we have been </span><span style="color: #1d1d1d;">discussing</span><span style="color: #1d1d1d; font-family: inherit;"> ?</span></b><b style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When
I’m not creating new ideas for the shop, I am always consumed with another
creative project. I dream up new DIY projects, I research new juicing recipes,
I decorate our home with repurposed finds, I embroider quirky ideas onto hoops,
I take adventures through novels, I dabble in photography (okay….mostly just
obsess with Instagram), and do a bit of cooking and baking. I also
love to ride my bike! I try to get most of my errands done on my bike as
much as I can. It makes me feel alive!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> DIY home decor</span></span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d;">Is this your
full time job, or do you have a job out-of-studio?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d;">This is it! It’s my full time job. Scary and exhilarating all at
once! I’m truly living my dream.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #1d1d1d;">That is great! I'm sure lots of creatives reading this are dreaming of going full-time. Do you have any advice to give another artist
to jump in? What is the best part of working for yourself? What
is the worst?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d;">My best advice is, “fake it til you make it.” It can be really
scary to own your own business and cut off the weekly paycheck, paid health
insurance, paid time off things. But if you show that fear, or let it overpower
you…it wins. I think just walk the walk until you own it. And one day, you look
back and realize how amazing it is to truly be living your dream!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KA2EAfYmzrM/UYGLTflZaDI/AAAAAAAABWU/MuRyCA_fY84/s1600/IMG_1395.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KA2EAfYmzrM/UYGLTflZaDI/AAAAAAAABWU/MuRyCA_fY84/s640/IMG_1395.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gift Tags in the shop </span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d;"><b>What goals
are you trying to accomplish right now? Describe any future goals you have.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d1d1d; font-family: inherit;">Oh my gosh…my goals are vast! I am a huge goal setter, have them
posted on my idea board and constantly hold myself accountable to these goals.
And I also love lists…so it’s a win win! Ultimately, I want to live a simple,
healthy, creative life…I’d say so far, so good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">So there is PAGEFIFTYFIVE and a little about its creator Melissa! If you love her work and would like to purchase or want to find our a little more about her click on the following links!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Shop: </b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/pagefiftyfive"><span style="color: #b45f06;">www.etsy.com/shop/pagefiftyfive</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Facebook: </b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pagefiftyfive" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">www.facebook.com/pagefiftyfive</span></a> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Pinterest:</b> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pagefiftyfive"><span style="color: #b45f06;">www.pinterest.com/pagefiftyfive</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Instagram:</b> <a href="http://instagram.com/PAGEFIFTYFIVE" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">PAGEFIFTYFIVE</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Twitter:</b><span style="color: #b45f06;">
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/pagefiftyfive"><span style="color: #b45f06;">www.twitter.com/pagefiftyfive</span></a> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Email:</b> <span style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="mailto:melissamika55@gmail.com"><span style="color: #b45f06;">melissamika55@gmail.com</span></a> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-51728744247236454582013-04-22T10:23:00.001-05:002013-04-22T13:51:54.819-05:00Interview with Maggie of No Mommy BrainToday in my <a href="http://30silentmockingbirds.blogspot.com/2013/04/talking-about-myself-gets-so-old.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Fellow Artist Series</span></a> I am featuring a Nashville local Author and Children's illustrator Maggie Day Conran. Maggie is known for her well written-witty-every mom can relate blog <a href="http://nomommybrain.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">No Mommy Brain</span></a> launched in 2007 which also appears in The Tennessean. She calls East Nashville her home along with her husband and two sons where she creates paper craft as used in her book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christmastime-Me-Maggie-Day-Conran/dp/144991991X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366641959&sr=1-2" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Christmastime from A-Z</span></a> and illustrated <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Just-Right-Julia-Theresa-Sull/dp/1463765533/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366641928&sr=8-1&keywords=just+right+julia" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Just Right Julia</span><span style="color: #e69138;">.</span></a><br />
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<b><i>Hi Maggie! I love your blog! Tell me about your current line of art creations? What inspired you to start? </i></b><br />
I make cut paper art, usually in the form of illustrations for children's books. I got started a few years ago when I tried to make a simple ABC Christmas book for my son, Liam. Once I began cutting and pasting, the ideas started pouring out of me and the project took on a life of its own. Now I love creating cut paper art - something I didn't even know existed a few years ago!<br />
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<b><i>Tell us what makes your process unique? </i></b><br />
I'm not sure my process is unique! When I started, I chose this medium because it was the only way I could figure out how to make the ideas in my head come to life. It was only after I had been doing it for a while that I discovered there were other cut paper artists out there. From what I can tell, most people probably use fancier equipment than I do. I've done most of my cutting by hand, usually with a pair of scissors. I can't say this won't evolve as I learn more but for now, I'm pretty old school. <br />
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<b><i>I would think the detailed process of your paper craft takes a lot of creativity. Were you always creative as kid, or did you find it later in life? </i></b><br />
I was always creative but never felt like I was very good. In college I took tons of art classes (English major/art minor) but they usually left me feeling more frustrated than inspired. Nothing I tried made the ideas in my head translate to paper the way I wanted to. Discovering a medium I could control was so exciting - but I definitely had to wait until later in life for that to happen. <br />
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<b><i>As someone with an art minor do you have favorite style of art?</i></b><br />
I like all kinds of art. Photography, letterpress, watercolor paintings, collage, you name it! <br />
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<b><i>How do you come about your ideas? Is there anything particular that inspires you?</i></b><br />
I use a lot of different patterns and textures in my work so a trip down the scrapbook paper aisle always gets ideas flowing.<br />
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<b><i>What is your favorite piece you've ever made and why?</i></b><br />
I like the cover of my first book, Christmastime to Me from A to Z, because it was the first time I attempted to recreate a character (the cover features several of the children from inside the book). I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do it; that up until that point it was just dumb luck every time something turned out looking good. But I did it! And from then on I had the confidence to create whatever I wanted.<br />
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<b><i>Whatʼs the best compliment you have received about your work?</i></b><br />
Seeing a kid pull one of my books off a bookshelf and get instantly engrossed in the pictures is an incredible feeling. There is no better compliment.<br />
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<b><i>That has to be amazing to see, you must be proud! </i></b><br />
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<i><b>Do you have a particular work space that you can get such a craft accomplished?</b></i><br />
I created an office for myself in the laundry room! I have a long desk in front of a big window that overlooks our backyard. I can close the door which helps keep little ones out of my stuff (at least, that was the plan...) and allows me to get as messy as I need to without having to clean up when I'm in the middle of a project. <br />
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<b><i>With the blog, paper cutting, and kids, what is a typical day in your life?</i></b><br />
I stay home with my two sons, Liam is 7 and Finn is 2, so my days tend to revolve around them (we started homeschooling this year). I try to fit in some creative time for myself every week but there's definitely not a typical day at this point. At this time, my full time "job" is my family. The pay is awful but I love my work. : ) I would LOVE to make a good living writing and making art but at this stage in my life I'm not ready to dedicate as much time and energy to it as I would need to to succeed. I think when my kids get a little bigger, I'll be able to dedicate myself a lot more to my work.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7WgqNVBX3JI/UXVIYAfUIUI/AAAAAAAABU8/sSpxrrWVucI/s1600/julia+and+grandma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7WgqNVBX3JI/UXVIYAfUIUI/AAAAAAAABU8/sSpxrrWVucI/s320/julia+and+grandma.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><i>What are some interests or hobbies other than your work discussed here?</i></b><br />
I like to read, write, hang out with my family and friends and spend time outside.<br />
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<b><i>What goals are you trying to accomplish right now?</i></b><br />
I'm sort of in an in-between period right now - still settling in to the homeschool thing I guess. But my near-future goal is to do something big with my books - like get a publisher or an agent or start hustling or something! It's the part of the process I don't really like - the selling myself bit. I'd much rather sit around making art all the time.<br />
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So there you have it! <a href="http://www.maggiedayconran.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Maggie Day Conran</span></a> blogger, mommy, and paper-craft artist! You can find Maggie and follow her fantastic blog: <a href="http://www.nomommybrain.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">www.nomommybrain.com</span></a>. Also, find her on <a href="http://pinterest.com/maggieconran/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Pinterest</span></a>, Instagram: <i>nomommybrain</i>, and Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/nomommybrain" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">nomommybrain</span></a><span style="color: #e69138;">.</span><br />
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Check back for future artist interviews coming up soon and if you missed Sarah from monster in the closet last week you can see it <a href="http://30silentmockingbirds.blogspot.com/2013/04/interview-with-sarah-of-block21-and.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">here</span></a>.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-21201710128477595612013-04-15T12:17:00.000-05:002013-04-15T12:57:48.862-05:00Interview with Sarah of Block21 and monster in the closet<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today starts my <span style="color: #e69138;"><a href="http://30silentmockingbirds.blogspot.com/2013/04/talking-about-myself-gets-so-old.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Fellow Artist Series</span></a> </span>! I have chosen to start with one of my personal favorite block printers: Sarah, the owner of <i>monster in</i> <i>the closet</i> and her newest addition <i>Block21 Prints. </i>She lives in Connecticut with her husband and two kiddos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't actually know Sarah "personally", we somehow connected on Instagram, and she was the winner of one of my give-a-ways! I love her monster in the closet <span style="color: #e69138;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/monsterinthecloset?section_id=6963958" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Alphabet Prints</span></a> </span>(esp E is for Emu) and her recent <i>Block21 Print</i> <span style="color: #e69138;"> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/block21prints" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Mason Jar Series</span></a> </span>(which the print shown to the right is a future purchase of mine for my kitchen!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From what I know of Sarah she is the kind of person I could go grab a coffee with and talk shop like... "I am working on____ next what do you think? and "My kid did _____ this morning can you believe it!" and such things as "Wanna compare carving knife scars?" Maybe someday, but for now I got to have an up close and personal virtual chat. Here is a little bit about who the gal who loves little monsters:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Describe you current line of creations? </b></i><i><b>What inspired you to start?</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My current line of creations are block prints. I've always loved stamps and can actually remember getting my first set! (which I still have!) I started getting serious about linoleum carving when I was doing my masters of education with a focus on printmaking. My thesis show was a series of reduction prints with food as the subject.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What makes your process unique?</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m not so sure my process is unique as relief carving has been done for centuries but I suppose what I bring to it is what every artist does, their own visions and personality.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Were you always creative as kid, or did you find it later in life? </span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've always been creative, I think that has always been my strength. My technical skills have grown and improved dramatically over the years. I have never been that kid in class that could draw like crazy… I've worked really hard at it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>What is your favorite style of art and why?</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Honestly, I don’t know if I can choose just one style of art…I love relief prints, obviously…I’m a big fan of Hokusai and Japanese prints but I love all kinds of art. I tend to veer towards bright and colorful art (Matisse), art with tons of texture (van Gogh) but I also seriously love children’s book illustrations.</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">How do you come about your ideas? Is there anything particular that inspires you?</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ideas come from every which direction…my brain never stops. I get ideas from music, everyday objects and my surroundings, my children and family, my students, famous artworks…you get the idea.</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: inherit;"><b>As artist we are tough on ourselves sometimes but we are always proud at least of one thing. What is your favorite piece you've ever made and why?</b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One of my favorite pieces is a reduction print I created of an Artichoke for my masters show. It was created on a piece of linoleum 18” X 24” and took me a long time and lots of sweat and swearing but in the end I was (and still am) so incredibly proud of myself. It seemed that it was the artwork that allowed myself permission to call myself an artist.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">That is really amazing! I am actually scared of trying a reduction print it I know what kind of work goes into it. You did a beautiful job. </span></b></i><br />
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<i><b>Whatʼs the best compliment you have received about your work?</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I seriously appreciate any compliment about my works. I think some of the best compliments come from my mom and my husband because I know they will be totally honest with me and not say nice things just because they think they should. </span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Describe your work space. </span></b></i><br />
An organized chaos </div>
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<i style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><i><i><i><i><b><i><b><i><b><i><b><i><b>What is a typical day in your life? </b></i></b></i></b></i></b></i></b></i></i></i></i></i></b></i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Up early, get myself and kiddos out of the house, teach 6th, 7th and 8th graders art, pick up my children from school, art if the day allows, put kids to bed, fall asleep on the couch! It’s always crazy and I’m quite tired by the end of the day. I wish I had more energy to accomplish work at night but it’s just not a reality. I do a lot of work on weekends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Wow! you seem like a busy gal! Do you have any other interests or hobbies other than your art we have discussed?</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve always loved sports and am a big baseball fan…go Red Sox! We have a great bunch of friends and lots of family close by so we are always hanging out and having fun. I enjoy reading, sewing and taking photos.</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">So who are some of your favorite fellow artist and why? </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">(click to view their work)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can't just pick a few! ::Heehee…::</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Marianne Johansen-Ellis has two fabulous Etsy shops: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/artcanbefun?ref=shop_sugg" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">A</span></a><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/artcanbefun?ref=shop_sugg" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">rt Can Be Fun</span></a> &<span style="color: #e69138;"> <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/mariannjohansenellis" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">M</span></a></span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/mariannjohansenellis" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">ariann Johansen Ellis</span></a> her prints are so cool and technically awesome. I love her work! </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Aidan of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/bubbledog" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Bubbledog</span></a> has such adorable and well made items! I have numerous and continue to shop there! </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Zoe Badger of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/Zebedeeprint" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Zeebede</span></a> prints has amazing linocuts! </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I LOVE <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/strawberryluna" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">strawberry luna’s</span></a> work! It is so colorful, fun and I would love any and all of them up in my house!</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My new favorite is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/InkyprintsOriginals" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Fiona Humphrey’s</span></a> work…I just received one of her prints and holy guacamole it’s amazing!</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And you know I love your shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/30SilentMockingbirds" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">30 Silent Mockingbirds</span></a>!</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <i style="text-align: center;"><b>Thanks Sarah! Now I have 6 more favorite artist and I'm going to have to get more walls! </b></i></span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">So I can see that from your favorite artist not only do you make prints you LOVE prints! Is block printing your full time job, or do you have a job out-of-studio?</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is not my full time job, I am a full time public school art teacher!</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Would you ever want to be a full time printmaker? </span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Honestly, I don’t know if I’d want it to be my full time job…artistically absolutely! Financially and stability wise, it scares me.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">I can understand that! I have the same feeling! With that said I know there must be challenges you face doing both jobs. Do you have any and if so, what are they?</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The biggest challenge in doing my art as a business is time…not enough time!! I find it difficult to do something start to finish. It’s frustrating and at times I feel detrimental. I wish I had more time to do research, advertise, get my art out there more etc…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My other challenge is “knowing” the business. I’m constantly learning, trying to be efficient and find ways to sell my art.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love everything you have said here and its been so nice getting to know you! In closing, I would love to know what the future holds. What are some goals are you trying to accomplish right now? </span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Goals? I have lists of them! My main goal is “get your art out there in 2013” and within that I have smaller goals. I’m trying to be more social media savvy, research and participate in more “calls for art,” be my own advocate, broaden my line while keeping my own style and am just trying to always make more art. I also really want to write, illustrate and publish a children’s book. I have start to write and illustrate one but am not finished and am not sure of the whole publishing process.</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Thanks so much for sharing what you do and answering all of my tough questions! I cant wait to share it with the world!</b></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Happy to do it! Thanks for asking me!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">So there you have it! Sarah of <i>monster in the closet</i> and <i>Block21</i> <i>Prints!</i> Click to follow links to her Etsy shops <a href="http://www.monsterinthecloset.etsy.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">monster in the closet</span></a> & <a href="http://www.block21prints.etsy.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Block21</span></a> to purchase her art. Also, "Like' her <a href="http://www.facebook.com/monsterinthecloset.fanpage" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Facebook page</span></a> to keep updated on her work. She can also be followed on<span style="color: #e69138;"> </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/monstercloset1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Pinterest</span></a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/monstercloset1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Twitter</span></a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/u2girl21" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Instagram</span></a>. Check out her <a href="http://www.madcraftymonster.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Blog</span></a> that has great how tos and behind the scenes post and <a href="http://www.monsterinthecloset.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Website</span></a>!</span></b></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-83848471758970747702013-04-11T12:55:00.000-05:002013-04-11T17:15:22.293-05:00Talking about myself gets SO old!<span style="color: #222222;">When thinking about writing some genius-ly funny and interesting blog post I had nothing. I realized however, I could interview some of my favorite fellow artist which would be far more interesting and genius to share with everyone! So I sent out a call for interviews and I will feature artist from time to time to get a look inside how and why they choose to create. Mind you, there may be some that don't fall under the usual "artist" category in the sense of craft or trade but have businesses or go about things creatively. I can't tell you how excited I am about getting these in!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"> Here is a little sneak peak of a few:</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/abedesign" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ev0nuWEvkDo/UWb2oHK6zEI/AAAAAAAABMs/ZWComwYG1cg/s200/use2.jpg" width="200" /></a> <span id="goog_1569576587"></span><span id="goog_1569576588"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/Block21Prints" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqA_EYHqyzg/UWb2oOkDNAI/AAAAAAAABMo/43dmbVTxyQI/s200/use3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #e69138;"> </span> <br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EvilBdesigns" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MinktLIHWuI/UWb2oNvCeQI/AAAAAAAABMw/9uPqjTHhVW0/s200/use4.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://nomommybrain.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-otL8XmR1RYw/UWb2oml5lqI/AAAAAAAABM4/FcDr1KrPZNQ/s200/use5.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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If you are an artist or you know an artist who may be interested in being featured email me at 30silentmockingbirds@gmail.com</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-31579753938545372232013-04-01T16:23:00.000-05:002013-04-01T17:18:45.618-05:00April Listography<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-piSqXueUPfM/UVn1HNPDCtI/AAAAAAAABLg/TfQkdGEJZbM/s1600/photo+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-piSqXueUPfM/UVn1HNPDCtI/AAAAAAAABLg/TfQkdGEJZbM/s320/photo+(6).JPG" width="310" /></a></div><br />
Continuing my <a href="http://30silentmockingbirds.blogspot.com/2013/03/just-little-list-challenge.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">#78List</span></a><br />
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Day 20-April 1- SO funny<br />
Day 21- April 2- I loved my childhood..<br />
Day 22- April 3- If I won the lottery<br />
Day 23- April 4- Art mediums I want to try<br />
Day 24-April 5- Parties I would throw<br />
Day 25-April 6- Habits to break<br />
Day 26- April 7- Dream Jobs<br />
Day 27-April 8- Things I saw today<br />
Day 28-April 9- Pet peeves<br />
Day 29-April 10- Things true to my zodiac sign<br />
Day 30-April 11- Random thoughts inside my head right now<br />
Day 31-April 12- Life's best moments<br />
Day 32-April 13- Things I like about my neighborhood<br />
Day 33-April 14- Things I don't like about my neighborhood<br />
Day 34-April 15- Sounds I love<br />
Day 35-April 16- Signs I'm still a kid<br />
Day 36-April 17- I would never...<br />
Day 37-April 18- Favorite romantic comedies<br />
Day 38-April 19- Drinks at the bar<br />
Day 39-April 20- Guilty Pleasures<br />
Day 40-April 21- 5 random facts about me<br />
Day 41-April 22- Things that need to change<br />
Day 42-April 23- Best things about spring<br />
Day 43-April 24- 7 wishes<br />
Day 44-April 25- S is for<br />
Day 45-April 26- What my kid would do if she was in charge<br />
Day 46-April 27- Traditions<br />
Day 47-April 28- Things grateful for<br />
Day 48-April 29- Today I...<br />
Day 49-April 30- Music is..<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0Nashville Nashville36.167068 -86.782325tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-13977268165724322582013-03-14T17:52:00.000-05:002013-03-14T17:55:36.174-05:00March Current Reads<br />
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Books not only on the shelf but currently reading...<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Family-Encourage-Imagination-Connections/dp/1590304713" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s_SeGTRewqw/UUJS-PqsXeI/AAAAAAAABKg/3sixTIfnUXU/s320/creative+family.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Tattoos-Book-Old-School-Skin/dp/0789318245" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rj1O9eEw-sg/UUJVQeBY_xI/AAAAAAAABLQ/shBd5RpGilA/s1600/tattoo.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Printmaking-Bible-Complete-Materials-Techniques/dp/0811862283" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NyoKL-lTGgU/UUJTD37H5DI/AAAAAAAABKo/QepjSrgPzMw/s320/books_printmaking_bible.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Boss-You-Everything-Maintain/dp/1580052363" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGRrxjj-amQ/UUJTDzCAq7I/AAAAAAAABKs/sBzRiDhlW5Q/s320/boss+of+you.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Anti-9-5-Guide-Practical/dp/1580051863" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UmFTBm-vYbU/UUJTD4hjpsI/AAAAAAAABKw/SMDjI7y7uhY/s320/anti+9-5.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Craft-Inc-Revised-Ultimate-Successful/dp/1452101418" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWp9xTTBK_k/UUJTEEuzixI/AAAAAAAABK8/XqpBgZaJHoA/s320/craft+inc.jpeg" width="221" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/WordPress-The-Missing-Manual-Manuals/dp/1449309844" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1fZ9QoOclCQ/UUJTESZV4aI/AAAAAAAABLA/EONB43CxDvk/s320/rNAcDYVt.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-89674300448403466252013-03-13T22:20:00.001-05:002013-03-14T14:38:59.979-05:00Just a little list challengeI tend to be a list maker. Kinda...? I'm that person who makes a list and then never looks at it again. You may think it's a worthless waste of time but I swear, it helps! Just the writing down helps me remember or puts my thoughts in order so I never really need to look at it again. Ok... Maybe I SHOULD look at again but that is a whole issue in itself. ;)<br />
So last year I did a 365 Photo Challenge and actually made it! It was so hard and it may seem silly but.. Rewarding. It was truly a huge challenge to keep up with but now I have so many things captured to always look back on. I decided not to do it again but now I'm itching for something else. <br />
You may have seen the trends of "sketch a day" or "list a day". They have certain requirements and time allowed. I decided to combine both of those ideas, make my own rules, and go with it. I have this little miniature moleskin which I have had for around 3 years. It only has one page (terribly) drawn in it. "A moleskin! They are expensive and just too nice to actually write in!" screams my head. The thing is: this little guy needs a purpose! <br />
My little book has 78 pages so I will do it 78 days. Combining (hopefully) a little doodle and a list that I made (& some stole). <br />
I will be posting my picture on<span style="color: #e69138;"> <a href="http://instagram.com/30silentmockingbirds" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Instatgram- 30silentmocking</span></a><a href="http://instagram.com/30silentmockingbirds" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">birds</span></a> </span> if you want to follow or if you wanna get all crazy join in hashtag #78list<br />
My hope is: that it will help with my creativity. My goal is: well its just for kicks and giggles. <br />
So here we go for march and good start 3-13-13 right? <br />
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1. March 13- why I list<br />
2. March 14- who am I <br />
3. March 15- goals this year <br />
4. March 16- what makes me happy <br />
5. March 17- where I live <br />
6. March 18 - I need to start<br />
7. March 19- my faults <br />
8. March 20- books to read <br />
9. March 21- borrrring!<br />
10. March 22- summer to-do<br />
11. March 23- states I love<br />
12. March 24- yummy eats <br />
13. March 25- daughter <br />
14. March 26- life songs <br />
15. March 27- if you're feeling blue <br />
16. March 28- cats <br />
17. March 29 - places to go<br />
18. March 30- Friday nights<br />
19. March 31- don't make me<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-18896053104241711882013-03-06T17:40:00.000-06:002013-03-07T09:13:57.744-06:00Anybody there>?Here! Here!<br />
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Everyone has been inquiring about where 30 Silent Mockingbirds has been hiding. The answer: researching, sleeping, printing, thinking, staring, sketching, reading, reading, reading.<br />
When Mockbrd began it was just hanging out in the nest, kinda peeking over the edge to see what was out there. Like a test of ideas. Is this what I want to do? Where will I find the time? Where will I find the funds? Will anyone even appreciate it? Then I creeped up to the side of the edge and realized I had to just jump and figure out how to fly fast.<br />
Here is my little secret: I have a full time job. Like one where I work somewhere else that isnt 30 Silent Mockingbirds. I know, I know, I'm not supposed to admit that as an artist. It kinda kills that whole Starving Artist Romanticism thing. I mean... you aren't a legit artist till you can say "self employed" right? Oops, I guess I wasnt supposed to tell you that I have a separate job to pay the bills (for now). However, it IS my dream, does that count? I AM a starving artist! I am STARVING to be myself.. I am STARVING to create. I am STARVING to fly on my own. But alas, I am not there yet, I have a mortgage, I'm a single mom to a five year old, there is that whole insurance thing, and the cat, and the dog, and the fence, and the and the and the....<br />
So back to "where have I been"..<br />
The success (at least what I find it) of Mockbrd smacked me in the face at the busiest time of the year at my "day job" in addition to life busy as it is in general: Christmas. I didn't sleep for two months! So I ended up taking a month off to rest, move my studio, and to evaluate. Then I took another month to research.<br />
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I did so many more things last year than I had planned on:<br />
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1. Started 30 Silent Mockingbirds<br />
2. Produced over 30 variations of block prints<br />
3. Actually added items to <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/30SilentMockingbirds" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">My Etsy Store </span></a><br />
4. Made a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/30SilentMockingbirds" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Facebook Page</span></a><br />
5. Entered the <a href="http://instagram.com/30silentmockingbirds" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Instagram world</span></a><br />
6. Joined <a href="http://pinterest.com/30silentMockBrd/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Pinterest </span></a><br />
7. Crashed in to <a href="https://twitter.com/30silentMockBrd" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Twitter</span></a> (kinda)<br />
8. Started this <a href="http://30silentmockingbirds.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Blog </span></a><br />
9. Somehow made all those things connect together<br />
10. Was Scouted by <a href="http://shoppe.scoutmob.com/nashville/30-silent-mockingbirds" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Scout Mob Shoppe</span></a><br />
11. Threw a few custom orders into the mix<br />
12. Survived my first online Christmas<br />
13. Did my first art walk<br />
14. Ate a lot of candy<br />
15. Showed myself to the world (eeks! and by far the hardest)<br />
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So here I am now in March refreshed and ready to jump back into things. I have a little list of things I want to accomplish this year<br />
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1. More designs! (duh)<br />
2. Shows. So far I will be at <a href="http://www.fullmooninc.net/fr_home.cfm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">The Full Moon Tattoo and Horror Convention</span></a> (random? yes.)<br />
and <a href="http://www.firstfridaysflorence.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">First Fridays In Florence</span></a><span style="color: #b45f06;">. </span>More to come...<br />
3. Legitness. Like boring business stuff.<br />
4. Website.TADA!!!!!: <span style="color: #e69138;"> <a href="http://www.30silentmockingbirds.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">www.30silentmockingbirds.com</span></a> </span>Click and there is nothing? Yea, I didn't say it was actually working.<br />
5. Par-tay! So excited about this one. Kinda like a "Grand Opening" party at 30 Silent Mockingbirds to show off the studio "theRoost", have all the artist friends over for a <i>yART sale, </i>AND celebrate with friends, wine, art, and happiness! <br />
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So excited about this year! <br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OJRhw2PVXtc/UTijVj2uskI/AAAAAAAABJ4/twLy7xkIadY/s640/blogger-image--1646467252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OJRhw2PVXtc/UTijVj2uskI/AAAAAAAABJ4/twLy7xkIadY/s640/blogger-image--1646467252.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-40268351073549215312013-03-06T16:04:00.000-06:002013-03-07T08:26:07.683-06:00Caravan love<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ABjPgv5f0NY/UTemzZ0Dy9I/AAAAAAAABJk/njKScs77zTY/s1600/105+camper+redorange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ABjPgv5f0NY/UTemzZ0Dy9I/AAAAAAAABJk/njKScs77zTY/s320/105+camper+redorange.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Back around Christmas I had an order go out to Italy. Yes, Italy. The place where romantic dreams are made of! Right? Who's with me!?!<br />
When I held the package in my hand I was beside myself about how cool it was that a little piece of me was going to go all the way across the big pond to a place that has everything amazing (Food + Wine= Happiness). I filled out the customs form carefully, gave it a little farewell kiss, and hoped for the best for its little arrival.<br />
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Fast forward a month.. it didn't arrive. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!<br />
Darnit stupid US postal Service and Darnit stupid me for sending it through them!<br />
Oops, turns out it was just an address mix up and we finally got it going to the correct place. It has finally arrived safe and sound. *whew*<br />
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I realize again... I WENT TO ITALY! It gets better though... It has a story:<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>"My husband and I got married last year beside an old caravan that had been parked at my family's beach house for years. We love the old retro styles.... </i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>The caravan print arrived and it is truly gorgeous. You have great talent and we are thrilled to have your image in our home."</i></span></span><br />
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</span></span>So sweet! Now i'm not one to get super mushy but I am so thrilled that not only did my print go to Italy, but it is part of a beautiful memory! A lot of love goes into what I make and when it is enjoyed by someone else...<br />
yay!<br />
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</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-78988439758256268982012-12-17T11:42:00.001-06:002012-12-17T11:42:22.422-06:00Last minute Sale!Receive 30% off today December 17th and tomorrow December 18th in My Etsy store! Click on the right panel to be connected! All orders must in in by December, 19th at 8pm to mail for Christmas!!! <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZJMKQpeEfxE/UM9ZfeT_miI/AAAAAAAABJM/YuyuXmSXLQM/s640/blogger-image--1705072774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZJMKQpeEfxE/UM9ZfeT_miI/AAAAAAAABJM/YuyuXmSXLQM/s640/blogger-image--1705072774.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-72146742775666338472012-12-11T09:14:00.000-06:002012-12-11T09:14:19.459-06:00Christmas gift wish, wish, wishing list<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
All I <strike>want </strike>(wouldn't mind) for Christmas is..</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UTQOPEMLBu0/UMZNoiaI_pI/AAAAAAAABIw/OkNtMCdCZws/s1600/scrab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UTQOPEMLBu0/UMZNoiaI_pI/AAAAAAAABIw/OkNtMCdCZws/s320/scrab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod190063&categoryId=search" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Scrabble</span></a> From Restoration Hardware</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dLeUQIvgZdw/UMZGcjqcHoI/AAAAAAAABII/yYefiDMFKsk/s1600/headbacn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dLeUQIvgZdw/UMZGcjqcHoI/AAAAAAAABII/yYefiDMFKsk/s320/headbacn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/105933259/lace-headband-one-custom-ariadne" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Headbands</span></a> From Branchbound</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAQnDp73JDU/UMZFFx_JGZI/AAAAAAAABHY/I-ALF9Zhvhs/s1600/Topknot_slouchy_purplefront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAQnDp73JDU/UMZFFx_JGZI/AAAAAAAABHY/I-ALF9Zhvhs/s320/Topknot_slouchy_purplefront.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://shop.elsagedesigns.com/product/slouchy-crew-topknot-girl" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Slouchy Tee</span></a> From Elsage Designs</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MJA5Nw2fS6g/UMZLpy6GpjI/AAAAAAAABIo/UWrb3-hU5Pc/s1600/note.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MJA5Nw2fS6g/UMZLpy6GpjI/AAAAAAAABIo/UWrb3-hU5Pc/s320/note.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://wanelo.com/p/260731/shit-i-gotta-fucking-get-done-notebooks---cool-material" target="_blank">Notebook</a> From Cool Material</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1a8-pOkVzx0/UMZFH1vygsI/AAAAAAAABHs/pk6NxL2QxWw/s1600/wishbone.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1a8-pOkVzx0/UMZFH1vygsI/AAAAAAAABHs/pk6NxL2QxWw/s320/wishbone.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://shop.uncovet.com/tiny-wishbone-studs" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Wishbone Studs</span></a> From Diament Designs</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tbH11k4W4WU/UMZFn2xRHJI/AAAAAAAABH4/Ik3mtVubGMM/s1600/pomegranates-tea-towel-1354856507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tbH11k4W4WU/UMZFn2xRHJI/AAAAAAAABH4/Ik3mtVubGMM/s320/pomegranates-tea-towel-1354856507.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><a href="https://shoppe.scoutmob.com/nashville/wonder-thunder/pomegranates-tea-towel" target="_blank">Tea Towel</a> </span>From Wonder Thunder</div>
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<a href="https://shop.uncovet.com/arrow-bracelet" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Arrow Bracelet</span></a> From I Adorn You</div>
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<a href="http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/martha-stewart-collection-figural-casserole-3.28-qt.?ID=727986&CategoryID=30191#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D35%26ruleId%3D52%26slotId%3D21" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Animal Cookware</span></a> Martha Stewart</div>
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<a href="http://www.flytrapstudios.com/product/chevron-scarf-emerald" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Scarf</span></a> from Flytrap</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-18287363304578927402012-12-10T13:44:00.001-06:002012-12-10T15:27:49.572-06:00Random find of.. myself?<div style="text-align: center;">
While passing some time at lunch I did what cool people do and Googled myself. Not my real self but my business-self to see what was popping up. When I looked in the images I found this...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IRlIKROLaKQ/UMY5oaYLg1I/AAAAAAAABHA/8ERlUwxel7Q/s1600/vintage+instamatic+flash+products.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IRlIKROLaKQ/UMY5oaYLg1I/AAAAAAAABHA/8ERlUwxel7Q/s320/vintage+instamatic+flash+products.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Wait. That's my print!</div>
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Turns out I gotta little love on a Vintagesque blog! I love vintage cameras so I enjoyed <a href="http://www.jenx67.com/2012/10/say-cheese-remembering-sylvania-flash.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">this post</span></a> especially the photos of the Fisher- Price toy camera!</div>
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An interesting blog all around if you wanna check it out here is the main page<a href="http://www.jenx67.com/" target="_blank"> <span style="color: #e69138;">GENERATION X</span></a></div>
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Thanks again <a href="http://www.jenx67.com/p/about_1.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Jennifer</span></a>! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-90904351269784112552012-11-16T09:19:00.000-06:002012-11-16T16:20:26.014-06:00WHHOO HHOOO 100 likes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ge9fRv5Pfvk/UKa7GNGjOVI/AAAAAAAAACc/Dd-nswXbXz0/s1600/MOCKBRD+GIVAWAY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ge9fRv5Pfvk/UKa7GNGjOVI/AAAAAAAAACc/Dd-nswXbXz0/s640/MOCKBRD+GIVAWAY.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Go to "like" <span style="color: #e69138;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/30SilentMockingbirds"><span style="color: #e69138;">30 Silent Mockingbirds Facebook Page</span></a> </span>when I get 100 likes I will have a drawing to give away a FREE print! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17190393339899379560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-54370912984921362162012-09-09T10:05:00.001-05:002012-09-09T10:06:33.707-05:00Camper love<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4D0fYhIMe40/UEywePqX-rI/AAAAAAAABGo/ISCRdaFTcrk/s640/blogger-image--42741919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4D0fYhIMe40/UEywePqX-rI/AAAAAAAABGo/ISCRdaFTcrk/s640/blogger-image--42741919.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-77303167433351314692012-08-30T12:21:00.001-05:002012-08-30T12:43:31.375-05:00Today.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-85548434231769650042012-08-30T08:51:00.000-05:002012-08-30T10:03:47.628-05:00CamperI was a camper kid so I am SUPER excited about making this a print!!!<br />
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MJb88_viW0I/UD998a4wUCI/AAAAAAAABE4/FaZ-3UyY4oU/s640/blogger-image-1937547874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MJb88_viW0I/UD998a4wUCI/AAAAAAAABE4/FaZ-3UyY4oU/s640/blogger-image-1937547874.jpg" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-34581531487807577912012-08-29T16:44:00.002-05:002012-08-30T12:16:39.931-05:00MY Nashville<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVKl6EtpUgg/UD6M5J0lHEI/AAAAAAAABEU/joMD9eIT2Do/s1600/USE+SKY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVKl6EtpUgg/UD6M5J0lHEI/AAAAAAAABEU/joMD9eIT2Do/s640/USE+SKY.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"My Nashville" came to being right after I moved here. I met a couple friends.. all of us from small towns.. we just fell in LOVE with our new city. The first time I recall saying the phrase "My Nashville" was on the way back from a multi day kayak trip with my friend originally from South Carolina. As we came around the bend and saw our beautiful skyline we both said together "AW! Its My Nashville!" We laughed that we said the same thing and ended up watching the 4th of July fireworks over our skyline from the interstate that night.<br />
That wasn't the last time I said it. I find myself saying it alot. Maybe on the way back from a long trip or after shopping a couple miles away.<br />
Now, I have called Nashville my home for 7 years and have found its not only my friend and I who say it... alot of people do. Even my little 4 year old daughter started screaming "My Nashville!" as we turn the bend on the interstate.. turns out, she loves this city too! So here, I made a print for all of us who call Nashville "MINE"!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>To purchase visit <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/30SilentMockingbirds" target="_blank">MY ETSY STORE</a></b><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-77575586579553338902012-08-10T15:24:00.003-05:002012-08-10T15:26:07.001-05:00backwards life.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pDhud-Mpj6U/UCVt_bRCX2I/AAAAAAAABD8/P7E6lbDiXWE/s1600/map.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pDhud-Mpj6U/UCVt_bRCX2I/AAAAAAAABD8/P7E6lbDiXWE/s400/map.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-23624566928593959742012-08-08T09:00:00.000-05:002012-08-08T14:26:22.697-05:00Sundown Print Pt.2<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K3NX0TJKd2E/UCKE18OrudI/AAAAAAAABDU/Ue3wu_P4fCI/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K3NX0TJKd2E/UCKE18OrudI/AAAAAAAABDU/Ue3wu_P4fCI/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We are just gonna ignore the test print pictures ok? They just arent pretty. I usually use some cheap paint or mix up a color I'm not sure about so that I'm not wasting my good color ink. I test at least once or sometimes up to 10 times. This is the process where I get all my kinks out, find where I didn't carve out enough, or have uneven lines. </div>
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This is also where I see how bad my mistakes are... like really big mistakes. I made a very large mistake at the beginning so I had to figure out how to make it work. I was humming along until my cutter took a long route straight out of the sun. I seriously screamed out loud thinking there was going to be NO way to fix it. The good thing is sometimes mistakes make a design even better. </div>
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I was really unsure of the colors to use so I asked everyone in the group if they wanted any specific colors. It came out to be a broad range so I tested out colors thinking I would use one singular color on the print. I promised one person I would do an ombre' look thinking it would be to difficult and time consuming to do multiples. I ending up loving it and doing the most of those since it turned out easier than expected. </div>
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Here is step 2 </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kEC8SAGhiZA/UCKE04dRPnI/AAAAAAAABDM/dB8423lXQzE/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kEC8SAGhiZA/UCKE04dRPnI/AAAAAAAABDM/dB8423lXQzE/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Block inked with a brayer and ready to be pressed. </div>
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I use a mat the same size of my paper to help with the centering of the image. With luck I set the paper, lightly rub it with my hands to make the image adere so that it dosent slide around while pressed.<span style="text-align: center;"> I dont have an actual press at this time but I like hand pressing so I am ok with that. :) I use a baren which is like a flat disk with a wooden handle(or a wooden spoon) . Then finish it by pressing with my hands one final time.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fTvQ_NE90ic/UCKEtm12oxI/AAAAAAAABCk/mwEJ9ffUiFc/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fTvQ_NE90ic/UCKEtm12oxI/AAAAAAAABCk/mwEJ9ffUiFc/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Cranking the greens and blues out. I am in serious need of a drying rack.</div>
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My dining nook turned studio. It hasn't seen food very much lately. </div>
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Final Blue/Green</div>
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I seriously get ecstatic when I roll out the ink.</div>
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I am need of one more brayer if I am gonna do the ombre' more often. It worked with two but I had to do alot of mid washing.</div>
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Final Red/Orange</div>
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<a href="http://30silentmockingbirds.blogspot.com/2012/08/sundown-print-pt-1.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see Sundown print Pt.1 if you missed it.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-29238249297943173222012-08-07T14:31:00.001-05:002012-08-08T14:39:19.309-05:00Sundown Print PT. 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So it's been a bit since I have done anything art wise of importance. I've been mostly creating out of frustration. I found this folder that I used in college that had magazine cut outs used for inspiration. I looked through it thinking, "geez this stuff is crap" and then in the back I found the above sketch... its a messy sketch but one that I used trying to come up with ideas for a print we were making about <i>memory</i>. I ended up not using this exact one but I did use the amusement park ride in a painting later.<br />
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The places the sketches represent a huge part of my life. I grew up spending my summers in the mountains at a place called Sundown Resort. Turns out we were having a reunion of sorts after a good 15 years of truly getting to hang out together. One of the photos on our Facebook group page happened to be one of this payphone. The payphone is long gone but everyone had great funny memories of hanging out around it and ended up being the most commented photo. Funny how a stupid payphone brought all our memories together!<br />
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So here it is Sunday night before the big get-together on the upcoming Friday and it hits me.... I HAVE to do a commemorative print. This is a RIDICULOUS idea. I just started making prints again, I am very rusty, AND my daughter was starting kindergarten. I rack my brain how to do a payphone with the words Sundown Resort on it and make it work. I had nothing. But what I did have was my old friends: the Sundown kids. The group admin titled us "the Old School Sundown Crew" for the event. We are the teens of 90's after all right? That is what stuck and I ditched the payphone (for the moment) and just went with our theme for the weekend.<br />
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Here is Part 1:<br />
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Lettering.. do I even remember how?</div>
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Adding in some graffiti style to match our name.. and our gansta ways as teens... wait, nm.</div>
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Finished drawing</div>
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The image has to be backwards on the block for the print correctly. </div>
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Traced backwards.</div>
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Image on block.</div>
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I tend to daydream and I am using an easy cut block which is unforgiving to mistakes so I shade the parts of the plate that will be positive space.</div>
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A close up during carving process.</div>
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Block ready to be inked and a test print made.<br />
I'm out of time.</div>
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to be continued....</div>
<a href="http://30silentmockingbirds.blogspot.com/2012/08/sundown-print-pt2.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> to go to Sundown Print Pt.2Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020983045215421347.post-56014411334024460272012-08-05T10:08:00.000-05:002012-08-30T10:10:12.296-05:00Woods Mural<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1M8b87FIi8k/UD-BsaMPkEI/AAAAAAAABFQ/7-dvTiJ1fYo/s1600/sia+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1M8b87FIi8k/UD-BsaMPkEI/AAAAAAAABFQ/7-dvTiJ1fYo/s640/sia+room.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mural I painted for my daughter. She helped me with her "Tangled" laterns :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16228642088077453351noreply@blogger.com0