MMCA Marketplace

We've Moved!!!

As an artist and creative entrepreneur I am excited to share with you - the marketplace blog has a new home.  I have combined both of my blogs under one roof in order to free up some of the maintaining of two blogs/websites/facebook/twitter & etc.  This will allow me more time to promote other artists and their artful journey while at the same time allow me - the artist - time to follow my own creative ventures. 

I hope you will join me at Debbie Overton ~ Fresh Approach connecting Art & Business.  All the blog posts and comments have been moved to our new home.  Thanks for visiting and hope to see you at FA!

Debbie

Taking Care of Hubby - Update 10/15

10/25/10 Update:  Again thank you for the continued emails and prayers.  You really know who your friends are in times like this.   We did have a follow up visit with the cardiologist and Steve is happy with the course of treatment we are taking.  Meds and increased excercise along with the healthy eating we had already been doing plus the nitro patch when he is working for the next month.  Since the 50 & 70% blockages in the main artery have not calcified they are very confident the aggressive approach of meds and life changes will reverse the problems.  If he continues to have chest pains which he has a few times we will re-evaluate.  Stents would cause delays should a by-pass be needed later on.  We are both very confident in the physicians at this time and are willing to do whatever it takes to avoid further surgery if at all possible.

For those wondering when the Marketplace blog posts will resume, soon!  I needed some time to deal with everything and my first priority is my family.  Fall has brought about some changes in the air as well as here.  Stay tuned!

Debbie

10/15/10 Update:  First I want to thank each of you that took a few minutes of your time to leave a comment sending us your prayers and support.  It has meant so much to both Steve and I.

The Arteriogram went well although we would have loved a better outcome, but considering the alternative we can live with it now knowing we have answers.  He does have coronary artery disease with 4 blockages @ 40-50% each and one at 70%.  Many of you have been through this with your own families just as we have many times know they usually do not do anything unless the blockage is 70% or more.  The main artery did have two blockages (50 & 70%) but since this is also the one used should a by-pass need to be done at a later date they did not want to fill it with metal.  After 9 hrs we made it home last night and he has had a really good day.  Our cardiologist is going to review the angio and the nuclear stress test images with his partners as well as a specialist in Jacksonville this coming week and we will talk about all the options at that time.  Treatment for now is a nitro patch daily, am to pm and to carry the magic pill bottle with him at all times until our follow up next week. 

Debbie

Thank you for stopping by!  I have been out of pocket for the most part for the past 3 to 4 weeks due to my own health problems as well as Steve having some problems.  During the past 2 weeks he has been taken to the ER via ambulance from work and then admited 2 days later with chest pains again.  We saw a wonderful cardiologist today and after 4 hrs of history, EKG, Ultra Sound and more he is scheduled for a coronary arteriogram tomorrow.  We know there is some heart damage and hope that should he have to have anything beyond the heart cath they can use stents.   Best case is there is no blockage and as she put it a "magic pill" and some changes to keep it that way.  Worse case is that stents will not fix the problem(s) and they transfer him to Jacksonville for surgery.  Now is when we wish we were back in Arkansas close to family, but we will make it knowing God will not give me more than I can handle on my own.  As I told the kids, say an extra prayer, think positive thoughts and should you hear someone pacing the floor, that would be me as I can't sit still for very long!  Hope to be back sooner rather than later.

Seth Apter ~ The Copy Zone

By Creative Contributor: Seth Apter

The following images are from Seth's personal collection and clickable for enlarged viewing.  

 

In the world of mixed media, there are many themes that seem to periodically reappear on the blogs. And usually when an issue is revisited over and over again, it is most likely a controversial subject.  One of these topics is art and originality. Or, in less politically correct terms, copying. This is a sensitive subject for many people as it reaches to the very core of being an artist. But I think that this is a complicated and confusing issue as well. Just how do we know when we have crossed over into “the copy zone?”

 

I imagine that there are as many opinions on this subject as there are artists in the world. Just how do we define copying? For example, is it copying if somebody purposely emulates the style of another artist as a way to learn a technique or try a new product? Or does it become copying if that person then puts that artwork up for sale? Is it copying if somebody follows a teacher step-by-step while in a workshop? Or does it become copying if that person then teaches that same technique in their own class? In both cases, perhaps it crosses into the copy zone only if that person consciously states that they are the originator of the style or technique.

 

And what about images? Many objects seem to be ubiquitous in the mixed media world: birds, trees, wings, nests, women’s faces, hats, crowns, and hearts, to name a few. Does that mean that any use of these images is copying? Can anybody actually say who was the first person to use any of these objects? Now take it one step further. What about using these images in a very particular way? For example, babies with wings and hats? Trees with branches and no leaves? Birds perched on a wire? Are we now crossing over into the copy zone? Does anybody actually own the copyright to these particular ideas?

 

These issues touch on another topic that periodically makes the rounds among the blog community: art versus craft. For many people, craft is defined as an activity that follows a step-by-step recipe and leads to a similar, if not identical, creation. In contrast, art is often considered more of a unique process in which the contribution of the individual artist surpasses the ingredients used. So does that mean that by definition, copying cannot occur in the world of craft?

 

The intention of this essay is not meant to answer these questions but rather to raise them. By initiating conversation and raising awareness, we can all become more sensitive to this issue. Perhaps the answers to these questions are not so clear-cut, except of course at the extreme when an individual blatantly and knowingly plagiarizes. For me, one of the pleasures of being an artist is the fact that ideas that come from others are automatically filtered through one’s own creativity, approach, skill level, inner emotions, artistic style, and the like. The question then becomes:  just why would anybody want to enter the copy zone in the first place?

Seth Apter is a mixed-media artist from New York City, focused primarily on paper arts, book arts, and textural assemblage.  Using layers of paper, paint, ink, text, transfers, found metal, and other altered objects, he creates highly textured and distressed artworks. 

His work has been highlighted on multiple websites and published in books, national magazines, and independent zines.  His blog, The Altered Page, is a visual journal of his own artwork, photography, and collaborations, as well as a showcase for artists he admires and his creative experiences in NYC.

Blog:  The Altered Page   
  

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To publish/reprint this article you must respect the copyrights of the author and MMCA Marketplace by publishing the entire article as it is with no changes, including title and content with ALL links active and clickable.  You must include the following (between the dashed lines) in the same font size at the end of the article.  Without adhering to ALL of the above is a violation of copyright laws.  Common courtesy is to let the author and MMCA Marketplace know when you reprint this article.

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This article is courtesy of the MMCA Marketplace Blog, a place to connect, promote, inspire and share resources to help others live a creative life in their artful journey!  The MMCA Marketplace Blog is a subsidiary of Debbie Overton Designs LLC.

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Artist Interview with Alicia Caudle

Today's Artist Interview is with Alicia Caudle of Altered Bits.

All images courtesy of Alicia and can be clicked for enlarged detail viewing. 

MP:  Please tell us a little about your self and the art you create.

I am a self-taught mixed media artist.  I began creating altered books and "eerie" shadow boxes around the age of 14, having my fist exhibit at 15 per the imploring of an art teacher I'd had. Over the years I spent much of my time creating abstract paintings and mixed media art pieces (mostly shadow boxes and assemblages), selling most of my work the greater Portland area, Scotland and Austria (random, but true). After taking a few year hiatus from art to raise my fireball son, my work could once again be found in galleries, shops, restaurants and bars in Oregon and Washington as well as various print publications.  I have taught various children's art workshops over the course of the past two decades and also have a children's art book in the works (kids are more fun to play with most of the time, and far less intimidating).

I reside in Portland, OR with my small but happy creative family: musician husby® Paul and seven-year-old son, Finn. Both (thankfully!) share my penchant for anatomical illustrations, bird nests, vintage photography, miscellaneous doll parts and "creepy things".

 

MP:  Can you tell us about your creative space?

My creative space is a labyrinth of organized chaos, at least on a good day.  I have several bookshelves with tens of dozens of large and small vintage wooden boxes, antique sewing machine drawers, bins and old jars filled with a menagerie of objects: rusty metal bits (organized by small, medium, large, plain, ornate, etc.), fabrics and fibers (light hues, dark hues, colors, vintage lace, doilies), pen sets, paint sets, pastel sets, bugs, bones, doll parts (porcelain, bisque, plastic, etc.)...  I have dresser drawers full of papers, vintage photos, collage sheets and ephemera, shelves and shelves of canvases, chipboard, mat board and foam core, vintage books, etc.  My walls and book cases are adorned with many of my friends and favorite artists' art (Michael De Meng, Raea Zani, Seth Apter, Joanna Pierotti, Kerin Gale, Lisa Jurist, Debbie Price-Ewen and even a signed Egon Schiele limited edition print).  I also have an audience of dozens of vintage dolls sitting upon three desks and two bookshelves to keep me company.

 

MP:  What inspires you?

I think a better question for me would be "what does not inspire me".  I find inspiration in all most all facets of life -- a song emanating from my husband's basement studio (he's an amazing musician), our son's crazy-cool stories and ideas, cracks in the sidewalk, a rusty old truck...

 

MP:  What is the best ART tip you have ever received?

The best art tip that I ever received was from my 9th grade ceramics teacher.  Our assignment was to create a box with a lid.  Everyone in the class made cubed or rectangular shaped boxes with lids, but I created an 8 inch tall octagonal vessel with a large flower for a lid.  Most of the class made fun of my "box".  The teacher said "you should always create from your heart and imagination.  I developed this assignment to discern who was creative and who was obedient.  Today, Alicia wins the 'most creative student in the class' award."  Rather than feeling different and odd for always going against the norm, I felt empowered to continue creating what I felt driven to create, odd or otherwise, whether other people liked it or not.  I am not certain that is an "art tip" per se, but it was a very good learning experience for me none the less.

 

MP:  What are two art supplies you don't think you could live without and why?

That is a very tough question!  Being a mixed media artist and having a deep adoration for so many mediums, I could go in so many different directions.  I love painting, collage and fiber arts, assemblage, and book making... but I think I'll have to chose acrylic paint and glue.  I say this because I have a fondness for making my own paper and paint brushes already so I think I could easily survive with just those (my glue recipe is still lacking)... then wander the streets of Portland to find more items to work with as needed.

 

MP:  Do you work on multiple pieces at the same time?

Oh yes!  I was just laughing the other day about the fact that I actually have a "works in progress" bookshelf.  My current unfinished inventory includes 9 assemblages, 6 paintings, 4 altered books, 2 handmade books, 7 pieces of mechanical art (things with motors, LED lights and such), 3 shrines, 6 collages and a few wearable art pieces (cuffs and chokers, mostly)... all needing finishing touches.  I swear I have adult ADD as I'll be working on something when suddenly another project idea will pop into my mind and rather than just writing it down as I'm sure most organized (and sane) people would, I just push what I'm working on aside and start in on the new idea.  This helps to alleviate drying time boredom and such at least -- always plenty to do around here!

 

MP:  Do you set goals for yourself?  Are they daily, weekly, etc.?

One of my biggest goals is to start setting goals for myself more often than I current do.  I go through bouts of goal setting -- it will start daily, last about a week, then slowly morph to weekly, then monthly.  Even then, my goals are typically quite lose, such as "I must finish at least two pieces from my works in progress shelf before Friday".  I don't like strict rules or rigid schedules so this seems to work well enough for me.

 

MP:  How do you promote yourself?

In order to adequately answer this question I'll have to reveal a deep, dark secret.  I am HUGELY shy and initially quite uneasy and anxious around people.  As a result, I don't really promote myself at all.  I have my little online shop (http://alteredbits.com) which has some of my art on it.  Because I have 17 years of web design experience, my site gets pretty darn good traffic.  As a result, lots of people see my work and purchase it there.  Around town, I've kind of been forced into various shows and exhibits, none being scheduled by my own doing.  About seven years ago, right after my son was born, my sister purchased a restaurant and "made me" hang 20 pieces of art for the opening.  Several pieces sold and I was approached by two other business owners who wanted me to have exhibits in their establishments.  By being pushed into doing these small shows and exhibitions, I've been approached by gallery owners and such who have seen my work in passing and things have just flourished from there.  Still to this day, I have yet to go into any of my local shops to try consign my art like everyone keeps trying to get me to do (I have two shops interested in my art and cuff bracelets though so this will change in the coming months).

 

MP:  What upcoming projects, books, or events can we look forward to seeing from you in the future?

I am thrilled and honored to share that I was invited to be in the gallery section of Kerin Gale's magnificent book "Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams" which will be released this December. 

For those in the Portland area, I have two shows coming up between September and October (I was forced into them) -- dates and locations will soon be announced on my blog. 

Altered Bits' first print zine will soon come to fruition.  It was put on hold for several months but things are rolling now.  The zine's theme was voted upon by previous participants and there was a tie: Notorious, and Letters and Symbols.  I will also be announcing the additional sections and ideas for the zine as well as a call for entries very soon.

I have also been taking part in a five-lady international altered book collaboration called Pulp Redux, which spans from the US, to New Zealand and Australia (and back!).  It has been tremendously fun working with the girls on all of our books and together we have created some amazing art and stories.  You cal follow our work and our books' journeys and transformations on our group blog at http://pulpredux.blogspot.com.  I am hoping, with the assistance of the other ladies, that we can create a small publication to share our stories and books, or at least have them be featured in one of the future Altered Bits zines as they are all quite stunning, if I do say so myself.

 
 

MP:  What advice would you give an emerging artist?

Be patient, create from your heart, and don't be too self-critical.  A local artist friend of mine (we've been friends since we were little girls) called me a few days ago and said "I posted four pieces of art in my new Etsy shop three days ago and none of it has sold!  Should I just accept that no one likes it and take it down?"  I told her to just keep creating from her heart, doing what she loves and is passionate about and things will happen.  I don't create art for the purpose of selling it but rather because I must create it -- I would probably be locked up in a crazy house if I wasn't able to create art every day.  I think that people can tell the difference between passionately created art and something you've made solely to sell, but then again I'm a bit nutty so I could be wrong.  Regardless, I told her to just keep doing what she loves doing and not worry about dollar signs or what she thinks people want to buy.

To see and learn more about Alicia and Altered Bits click on the links below.

website: http://alteredbits.com
blog: http://alteredbits.wordpress.com
etsy (art): http://etsy.com/shop/digit13
etsy (antiques and supplies): http://etsy.com/shop/salvagedbits
 

Alicia thank you for sharing your art with our readers.

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To publish/reprint this interview you must respect the copyrights of the artist and MMCA Marketplace by publishing the entire interview as it is with no changes, including title and content with ALL links active and clickable.  You must include the following (between the dashed lines) in the same font size at the end of the interview.  Without adhering to ALL of the above is a violation of copyright laws.  Common courtesy is to let the artist and MMCA Marketplace know when you reprint this interview.

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This interview is courtesy of the MMCA Marketplace Blog, a place to connect, promote, inspire and share resources to help others live a creative life in their artful journey!  The MMCA Marketplace Blog is a subsidiary of Debbie Overton Designs LLC.

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Great Art Finds ~ Rachel Whetzel

Meet Rachel ~ Thrift junkie. Free Spirit. Believer. Artist. Photographer. Mom to boys. Rust Lover. Worm Farmer. Blogger. Creative Soul. Rule Bender. Spider Saver. Coffee Drinker. Cream Lover. Chook Farmer. Sailor Mouth. Music Listener. Phone Talker. Garden Grower. Mess Maker. Risk Taker. Chewy Mom. Good Intender.

 

 

To learn more about Rachel visit her Etsy Shop and her Blog.

Rachel, thank you for submitting your Etsy Shop to MMCA as a Great Art Find.

Is it easy being 'green'?

Guest Blogger:  Roxanne Mendoza of Roxi Designs

A few weeks ago in my inbox just like many of you I received my newsletter from Stampington & Co and had a fun idea I wanted to share with the Marketplace readers.  Volume 3 of the GreenCraft magazine was available for pre-order and if you saw Volume 1 & 2, I am sure you were looking forward to the August 1st release of Volume 3!   I love the photos and they always seem to inspire. As I was checking out a preview of their new GreenCraft issue I started thinking about being 'green.'

 

Now, most of us have probably been 'green' before being 'green' was even trendy. I'm sure most of us and our moms included saved every little bit of fabric, ribbon, and scraps of paper because we knew we could use them again one day! We didn't know at the time what we would create but we knew we would create something in the future and couldn't bear to part with the items that some might call scraps.

Recycling bits and pieces may have seemed frugal to some but now it has turned into an art form. It does take a certain vision to create something whether it is from entirely new products or from our saved bits and pieces that have been waiting to see the light of day.

Is it easy being 'green'?  Have you created something out of your recycled bits and pieces you have been saving in your workspace? If so, please share and inspire us!   Send Debbie an email ([email protected]) with an image of your ‘green’ creation, a short description telling us how you made it 'green' and don't forget to include your blog link so we can check out your other 'green' creations and in a future Marketplace post Debbie will showcase your artistic creations! 

And in the meantime don't forget to check out GreenCraft.

You didn’t think I would leave you without sharing one more of my ‘green’ creation using bits and pieces I have been saving, did you?

 
Guest blogger Roxanne Mendoza, owner of Roxi Designs ~ Vintage inspired with a modern twist. The mixing of old and new elements are the inspiration behind most of Roxi's designs. Most recently, Roxi is inspired by vintage earrings which are given new life and turned into stylish fashion accessories. Her designs are limited editions or one-of-a-kinds.

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To publish/reprint this interview you must respect the copyrights of the author and MMCA Marketplace by publishing the entire article as it is with no changes, including title and content with ALL links active and clickable.  You must include the following (between the dashed lines) in the same font size at the end of the article.  Without adhering to ALL of the above is a violation of copyright laws.  Common courtesy is to let the author and MMCA Marketplace know when you reprint this article.

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This article is courtesy of the MMCA Marketplace Blog, a place to connect, promote, inspire and share resources to help others live a creative life in their artful journey!  The MMCA Marketplace Blog is a subsidiary of Debbie Overton Designs LLC.

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Great Art Finds ~ Joann Loftus

Joann Loftus has been making art every since she can remember. Having grown up in a creative household with a mother who is a professional artist, she has always had the influence of art in her life. Joann is a native Hoosier, born and raised in central Indiana. She maintains an in-home studio where she creates her expressionistic and whimsical art.

 

 

 

You can learn more about Joann by visiting her website, blog & etsy shop.

 

Joann thank you for submitting your etsy shop to MMCA as a Great Art Find.

DVD Giveaway: Metalwork by Ronna Sarvas Weltman

 

Interweave has recently released Metalwork: How to Shape, Texture, and Antique Wireworked Jewelry by author, designer, and nationally-known instructor Ronna Sarvas Weltman.

Metalwork offers five lessons in how to add depth and sophistication to simple wire jewelry through texturing and antiquing. 

You will learn how to:

• Perfect technique with tool and material tips.
• Add a personal touch to jewelry with handmade clasps.
• Make a fabulous ring in only 5 minutes.
• And more!

Weltman's work has been featured in Wire Artist Jeweler, Art Jewelry, Bead Style, Lapidary Journal/Jewelry Artist and Step by Step Wire Magazines.  She regularly teaches workshops in polymer clay and wireworking and has appeared on That's Clever! on HGTV. 

You can learn more about Ronna HERE.  Visit HERE to watch a preview of Metalwork and/or to purchase a copy.

Interweave  has gifted the Marketplace with a copy of Metalwork and we invite you to leave a comment telling us why you would like to win this DVD.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 3rd at Midnight EST.  The winner will be announced Sunday afternoon, September 4th.

UPDATE:  The Giveaway has ended and we have a winner!

The lucky winner of Metalwork with Ronna Sarvas Weltman is 

"I love Ronna's work and would be thrilled to have a copy of this DVD! What a great give away!!

Posted by: Kerry Bogert | August 2010 at 09:51 AM"

Kerry please contact me via email [email protected] with your mailing address. 

Atteka Abdou - Dangerous Attractions Art Exhibit

Artist Interview with Debbie Price-Ewen aka Debrina

Today's Artist Interview is with Debbie (Price-Ewen) - aka "Debrina" from New Zealand, the "Governess" and various other pseudonyms. Debs is a mixed media artist but also loves to paint. Her other jobs include being a mum to her son Jason (born 2008) and a librarian (where she can get all the inspiration she needs from her books!). She also loves writing and reading poetry, trading atc's, writing letters to random people and including a bit of art in and on the envelope, her witchy house and garden, cooking, sewing, knitting, and any other domestic goody yum yum pursuits...

Artwork courtsey of the artist and can be clicked to enlarge for viewing details.

MP:   How do you describe yourself as an artist?

DPE (my real name is Debbie Price-Ewen): Very fluid and open to experimenting.  I like to begin a project with an “idea” that evolves.  I love the process as much as the end-result.

MP:  Describe your creative space.

DPE: Large but cramped because I collect a lot of stuff. 

MP:  Is there any time of day that you find you are the most creative?  Do you try to schedule studio time or do you p refer to follow the muse?

DPE: All day is creative time for me!  Well, that’s the ideal, but as you know from reading the day in the life of Debrina, mornings are the best, then night if I am desperate to get into the studio.

MP:  What are three words that your fellow art fans would use to describe you and your art?

DPE: I’m scouring my blog for some adjectives…hang on a minute…
Right, here we go: earthy, evocative and awesome He he…that’s me! 

MP:  As an artist, we have many roles, which do you find to be the most rewarding and which the most challenging for you?

DPE: I love art blogging – it is my most satisfying and rewarding role as an artist.  I think the artist network on blogger is one of the most amazing, generous communities I belong to.  I have made so many friends around the world and have participated in many swaps and collaborations. My greatest source of inspiration, in turn, is from fellow artist’s blogs.

My most challenging role has been that of a mother/artist.  As a new mum (well not so new now) my two year old places huge demands on my time.  Sometimes I feel guilty if I want to just escape to the studio!  However, I get frazzled if I don’t get in there, which in turn makes me a frazzled mum.  I think this role, particularly for women artists, has always been a challenge.  I remember seeing the most amazing video on YouTube about that once.  Let’s see if I can find it (can you tell I’m also a full-time librarian?)…hang on one mo….
Yes, here it is: http://www.whodoesshethinksheis.net/
When I saw that video, I threw my hands up in the air and went “Yes, halleluiah!” I don’t have to feel guilty anymore. 

MP:  How do you manage to get in your social networking time?

DPE: Late at night usually; I can only manage once a week; sometimes twice, but that’s very rare. 

MP:   When you’re not working, how do you spend your time?

DPE: I like to art first then read (I’m traditionally a big reader) and I love to exercise whenever I can.  Exercise before I art is ideal; the latest research from Aberdeen and Leeds Universities proves that students in schools perform better at tests, etc. after they’ve exercised.  Oops, that was the librarian in me again, sorry! 

MP:  Is there anything you would like the art world to know about you that we did not cover in our interview?

DPE: Um, well, I have this odd liking for teeny tiny things and I like to probe around in people’s minds for stories.  If you were ever lucky enough to be interrogated by me, don’t be offended; I’m just prizing open the oyster shell to get to the pearl. 

To learn more about Debrina visit her blog and learn more about the Pulp Redux Project here.

Debrina, thank you for sharing with the Marketplace readers. 

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To publish/reprint this interview you must respect the copyrights of the author and MMCA Marketplace by publishing the entire interview as it is with no changes, including title and content with ALL links active and clickable.  You must include the following (between the dashed lines) in the same font size at the end of the interview.  Without adhering to ALL of the above is a violation of copyright laws.  Common courtesy is to let the author and MMCA Marketplace know when you reprint this interview.

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This interview is courtesy of the MMCA Marketplace Blog, a place to connect, promote, inspire and share resources to help others live a creative life in their artful journey!  The MMCA Marketplace Blog is a subsidiary of Debbie Overton Designs LLC.

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