Scholastic Art Awards South Jersey Keynote Speaker

I was asked to be the Keynote Speaker for the Scholastic Art South Jersey Jersey Awards evening to be held at Appel Farm. I am so honored to be chosen to share my story and experiences with talented young artists. I am also excited to return to Appel Farm where my art career began. It feels like everything has come full circle.

I was in the first class of the Salem County Vocational Technical School's Art Academy. During my freshman year we had the opportunity to work with International Artist, Ava Blitz, to create a permanent installation at Appel Farm. We took field trips to help carve, create molds, and pour cement to construct this work of art together. It was an amazing experience. You see the artwork below and can read more about the piece by clicking here. Later, our class also had the opportunity to work with Candy DePew on a permanent installation. We worked on sculpting the large piece at Appel Farm and it was then installed over our High School's auditorium doors.

During my speech, I plan to share my life experiences with the young art award recipients. I was also asked to provide advice for the students to encourage them into creating their own career path into the arts. I will be sure to share pictures and more about the experience with you!

Photo courtesy of Ava Blitz

Painting Progression: Sickler's Mack

During the renovation of our house, we had to decide on either doing poured concrete or pavers for the walkways up to our home. Our contractor had us visit a mutual relative who had a selection of pavers in his yard for consideration. While we were visiting, my husband, Chester, and Frank Sickler, struck up a conversation and were catching up with each other. After looking at the pavers I spotted Frank's old Mack truck.

I was drawn to this particular truck because of it's red color, the headlight, and plant growing between the bumper. I thought the contrasting colors and various textures would make a striking painting. I love the character that old farm trucks have: the diverse colors, dents, and rust provide such a unique subject matter. Almost every farm has an old truck that no longer runs but still can be found parked out back. Can you imagine the stories they could tell if they could talk? It's definitely something I pondered while I rendered this painting.

Below is the painting along with the progression video of it's creation. 

Please leave me a comment, I'd love to hear what you think!

The original painting is available for purchase.

It is also available in archival prints, greeting cards, and more. Click here to shop

New Painting Reveal Party

I will be revealing my new painting on Saturday, February 16th from 10AM -11AM in the Tiny House Art Gallery. Come listen to a brief artist talk, see the painting, and watch the progression video. Refreshments will be served and a free keepsake will be given as a thank you.

Space is very limited, please RSVP at: bit.ly/PaintingReveal

February Painting Workshop

Join me to learn how to paint this sheep on a 7" free standing, rustic bucket in the Tiny House Art Studio. All supplies are included and light refreshments will be served for $25. Class size is small to ensure everyone has assistance and an enjoy experience. (Greenery not included).

Click here to register

Music That Will Increase Your Concentration

Last week I wrote about how I stay motivated and focused as a full time mom and artist. Today, I want to share something along a similar line of thinking. Recently, I recognized a change I have made that has increased my concentration while working in the studio. Since I have short stints of time to work, having very focused sessions is extremely important.

Most, if not all, artists listen to music while they create. I enjoy listening to a wide variety of differing genres of music. If you looked at my pandora stations you would probably be very confused by the mix of country, acapella, heavy metal (thanks to sharing a room while growing up with my then gothic sister), alternative rock, Disney music, and more. I usually rotate between the diverse music stations I have curated over the years depending upon which stage of the creative process I am currently in.

However, I just started listening to a new music station that I have found to be very beneficial in my art making process: Instrumental music. While I was a studying for my Bachelor degrees (yes, I have two ;) ) I spent time at my mentor/professor's, Daniel Chard, home for small group critiques as well as summer intensive painting classes. While I was working within his studio space he would often listen to classical or instrumental music. And now I know why! It is extremely helpful in increasing concentration while painting.

If you are an artist or like to create, you know there is a certain mental state that you need to be in the make your best work. Personally, I have found that listening to instrumental music provides me with the opportunity to "get lost" in the process of art making. Instead of focusing on the words of a song or pressing skip to song I don't care for, the melodies and rhythms of the instruments enhance the experience.

I am so glad Pandora suggested that I listen to the Instrumental Chill Radio station. It's has definitely helped to improve the quality and amount of work I can accomplish in the studio. If you are on Pandora, give it a listen and let me know what you think!

Staying Motivated and Focused

I have been asked frequently by fellow artists and creative entrepreneurs how I stay motivated and find the time to make art while raising our young children. While I am flattered many people think I am accomplishing a lot, I sometimes feel like I am not doing enough. There is always more that could be done but I constantly remind myself that I am only one person with many responsibilities, just like everyone else. It is not easy by any stretch of the imagination! But I make my art practice and business a priority while still putting the needs of my family first. Below are some the strategies and systems I have found helpful in my art business practice that keep me motivated and focused.

Lists
There is no better way to keep me motivated and on track than a list of what I need or want to get done. I often joke that my lists have lists, which in all reality, they do.  I like to start my week by creating a "brain dump" list of all things I need or want to accomplish in the week. These things include household chores, errands, creative benchmarks, business items, and more.

Then, I organize my week by assigning my to do's to each day of the week. I try to group similar tasks on the same day or on days that I know I will have the time to successful accomplish those tasks. For example, if I know it's going to rain one day coming up, I'll schedule cleaning or paperwork for that day. If it's going to be a beautiful day, I'll run errands. You get the idea. I try to set myself up to be the most productive so I can check tasks off when completed.

This year I decided to combine my yearly business notebook (where I brainstorm ideas) with my planner. I purchased the Big Happy Planner in vertical format and it has been a game changer! Each week has space for my "brain dump" session and each day of the week has a section so I can designate which day I do certain tasks. I love that I can take the pages out and pop them back in place when I am done. You can view the planner I am using this year by clicking here.

Exercise
I know it seems counterintuitive to add another thing onto a never ending to do list, but exercise is a necessity for me. When I started to add in regular exercise to my day, it greatly impacted my ability to get more done and stay focused. By taking time for myself and moving my body, it makes me feel better about myself while providing more energy and motivation to get more done.

I also equate my exercise time to my once long commute when I was a tenured art teacher. I would drive 50+ miles one way to work and it provided me an opportunity to reflect and think. My drive was the best time to prepare for my teaching day by mentally going through all that I needed to accomplish when I arrived. I also had time to think of ways to improve my teaching and dream up projects. Now that I am a full time mom and business owner, my exercise time provides me with that same mental space to think and reflect about what I need to do or want to create.

Working Time
Another way that I stay motivated is by setting regular studio working time. Being a full time mom, it's hard to find the time, so I make it! I carve out nonnegotiable time to paint around my family's needs. For example, I wake up early to get an hour or two in the studio before my kids get up for the day. I also work after they go the bed. Even if I am exhausted after a long day, I make myself work to take advantage of the studio time. It's definitely not easy but it's easier to stick to a designated work schedule to keep myself focused.

Finding the Best Time
Another productivity tip I have discovered is to find the best time that I can successfully do a particular task. For example, I tried to exercise first thing in the morning. However, I quickly found out that it wasn't the best time for me do so. I performed better in the afternoon and could exercise while my kids played. That in turn freed up my early morning to paint in the studio before everyone else woke up.

I also categorize tasks by what I can do with my kids and what is best done with my full attention (i.e. painting). I usually run errands or clean the house with the kids. I save emails or other business related tasks for when they are sleeping or playing independently.

As my family grows and changes, I try to adapt to their needs while still striving to accomplish what I need creatively. It's definitely a work in progress that constantly needs balancing. I find it fun trying to figure out how to fit everything in. If you are an artist or business owner, how do you stay motivated and focused?

January Workshop Sold Out

The January Snowman Plate Painting Workshop on Saturday, January 19th from 10AM  - 1PM is sold out! Thank you to everyone who registered to join me! See you all then!