Voting Open for March's Passion Challenge

Hey everyone! Thanks to all of those who entered our Passion challenge for March. All of the works entered are just beautiful. Marcia will be sending the winner a collage prize pack! We would like to limit voting to Artist in Blogland members, so if you are a regular around here, please take a look at the entries and vote for your favorite in the poll below the linky. Voting will close on Friday April 6th at 9:00 p.m. US Central time.

Here is a picture of the collage goodies the winner will be receiving!

includes a few scrapbooking borders, some postage stamps, some embellishments, a rubber stamp pack, vintage postcards, blank note cards and ribbons.

 

Creatively Featured - Beth Morey

Hi everyone! I'm happy to be on board and really enjoying getting to know everyone. Today we are featuring Beth Morey from Epiphany Art Studio. Please welcome her by leaving some love in the comments or by visiting her blog or shop.

Tell us about blogging and how it’s worked for you.

I started blogging in November 2007. At the time I intended to be a food blogger, but as I was (ironically) struggling with a devastating eating disorder, the topic of my blog soon changed. I blogged about my battle with disordered eating until 2011. Writing about it helped me to process many of the undealt-with emotions that had led to the eating disorder in the first place, and helped me to find my feet again.

In March 2011, I discovered mixed media art, and by God's grace that fully freed me from the clutches of the eating disorder that had kept me trapped for so long. No longer wanting to keep a blog about the disease that had lost its hold on me, I began an art blog at http://epiphanyart.blogspot.com/. I continue to write at my “general life” blog, http://www.bethmorey.com/. My daughter was stillborn on November 20, 2011, and my hope is that blogging will again prove to be a healing medium as I grapple with this grief.

Through blogging, I have met incredible writers and artists, forged precious friendships with people around the world, and been inspired more times than I can count. It has been a way to invite others into my life, and to walk alongside others in their lives. Blogging has been, in a word, a gift.


How did you discover your favorite art medium?

In March 2011, I randomly happened upon Suzi Blu's (http://suziblu.typepad.com/) online mixed media art classes. Once I drew my first stylized face, I was hooked! I never thought I had any artistic ability at all, but taking her classes blew my creative life wide open.

What inspires or influences you artistically?

My art flows out of my life. Most of my creations carry a theme of healing, which is informed by my eating disordered past and my present grief. I also am inspired by my faith, and so many of my pieces flow out of that.

How do you go about the design process? Do you work to a design or theme or just go with the flow…or something else entirely?

I typically start a piece by drawing a face or a girl. As I draw, I usually get an idea of what colors I'd like to use. I start to apply those, and go with the flow until the piece feels finished. I almost never have an idea of a finished product in mind before I start – and when I do, I feel stifled. I love to simply start and see what happens! The adventure of the process is one of the aspects of art-making that I love most.


Is/was there a significant turning point or defining moment in your style of work?

I am not sure. I do wonder how the recent traumatic loss of my daughter will affect my work long term. In general, though, my art reflects my life, and so when my life changes, so does my art. When I was grappling with the eating disorder, my art featured struggling women clutching onto hope and healing. When I was enjoying the incredible gift of pregnancy, my art was joyful and celebratory. Now that I am wandering through deepest grief, my art is bittersweet and soulful.

Which aspect of your art do you enjoy most?

The process! I love seeing how a piece takes on a life of its own, becoming more than I ever could have planned or imagined.

I also really love sharing my work. Many people have told me that my art is healing and soothing. Because art is healing for me, healing flows out to the viewer as well. I am so grateful for that. Knowing that my art affects others is a great gift.

Can you tell us a little about your methods and/or techniques?

I am a mixed media artist – so basically, anything goes! I usually begin by drawing the central figure, mostly girls and women's faces. I then work on the background, using whatever techniques feel right in the moment – collaging pretty papers, painting, dripping ink, gluing down fabric or lace scraps, and so forth. Next I work on adding color to the central figure, and then finish up by adding meaningful words to the piece. Glitter is often involved.


How do you see your future work and style developing?

Right now I am focusing on learning new techniques – drybrushing is a particular favorite right now. I am also investigating how I can take the methods I use to create backgrounds on other substrates. For example, I recently refinished an old jewelry box, covering it with paint and drippy ink. So my plan for the future is to continue to try new things, explore new methods, and blossom in unexpected ways.

How do you manage your time?

That is a present struggle! I am easily distracted by chores and other obligations. Right now I am focusing on sitting down everyday to make something. Even though I love making art, it's hard to get my butt in the chair sometimes. So I have made a pact with myself to limit my time browsing blogs and Facebook, and to spend at least two hours everyday getting messy on my art table.


What have you done this past year?

This past year I learned to make mixed media art, then began to grow into my own unique style –this has changed my life more than I can say! I went on to open my Etsy shop, Epiphany Art Studio (http://www.etsy.com/shop/epiphanyartstudio), in July 2011. In October 2011 I sold my originals, prints, and cards at my first live holiday craft fair. In January 2012, my art and words were featured as a part of Faces of Loss, Faces of Hope's healing creativity month (http://facesofloss.com/2012/01/4427.html).

What are your artistic highlights?

One of my favorite artistic projects has been the identity portrait (http://www.etsy.com/listing/80862508/custom-identity-portrait-an-original). I create a unique, one-of-a-kind portrait specific to a particular person. The portrait resembles that person, and highlights the qualities that make that person so special. I started this identity portrait project in response to the many ways that our culture tends to glorify qualities that have no lasting value – such as looks, weight, money. My portraits help to remind the recipient of the true reasons why they are precious and gifted.

Have you exhibited work or taught classes?

Right now I am working on my first online classes on creativity and healing. I will be announcing details on my blog soon!

What artistic plans do you have for the coming year?

This year I plan to investigate exhibiting my work in local art venues. I also am working on securing a permanent table at my city's summer outdoor arts market. In addition, I will be teaching courses both on my own website and as a guest teacher for other mixed media sites. I have also challenged myself to begin submitting my work to print and online publications.

Do you have any ambitions or goals you’d like to see fulfilled in the future?

My dream is to have an art studio where I can host art nights and teach classes about the exquisite meeting of art and faith and healing.  

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Would you like to be interviewed for Creatively Featured? If so, please contact Heather.

Weekend Recapture

Thank you to everyone who put their artwork on our Show and Tell Saturday this weekend.  The link is still open, so you can still add yours.  Here are a few examples from this week!  These pictures show the incredible diversity of our artists, don't you think?  Enjoy the art walk.

Rae:  this is a PAINTING!

A beautiful shrine from Rhea

CCreech Studio Bracelets! 

Cloth Doll from Mary Ann Tate-- very cool!

Pauline's Pretty Painting

Mixed Media by Heather, our newest volunteer at Artists in Blogland!

Natasha May's Cotton Candy Girls + info about her online workshop

And here's mine... it's a big finished collage/painting that I worked so hard on!  Have a fabulous week everyone---  ** Marcia*

Thank YOU Heather!

I wanted to say Thank YOU to Heather Santos for coming forward so quickly to volunteer to help out with the monthly theme challenges and the Creatively Featured artist interviews.  Be on the look out for some new artist interviews coming soon.

Introducing Heather, my new co-author!

"A little about me... I'm pretty new to the art world but have been a creative for most of my life. Most recently I was making cards and before that scrapbooking. I started playing with art journaling and mixed media in August 2011 and am having a ball. My current blog is  http://sparrows-journey.blogspot.com/  and my previous blog is http://kurly-q.blogspot.com/. In my day job I work at a university in the Midwest US converting textbooks into a usable format for students with disabilities. I have a husband, two teenage kids (one is in college), and three dogs. :)"

Theme: Passions LINKY

Our monthly theme challenge for March is PASSIONS.  What are you passionate about?  However you would like to interpret the theme of PASSIONS is fine with us!

Link up here until March 31.  Then we will vote for a winner!

A few other housekeeping things:
1.  Would anyone like to take charge and be responsible for hosting the monthly challenges?  Annie had computer problems and hasn't been able to do so.

2.  Would anyone like to give away a prize for this month?  Otherwise I would be happy to come up with a fun prize.

3.  Would anyone like to interview and create posts spotlighting members?

Show and Tell Saturday #22

Show and Tell Saturday #22!


Use this linky tool to share what you have been working on this week.

Please visit at least 3 other artists. :)

Please add either a link back to Artists in Blogland on your blog post OR put a button on your sidebar.





Grab a button for your page:




<a href="http://artistsinblogland.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAkavWgIt3j0JGaezCk5nI8yCAo_gHu9ded1SMT2R2dQ7kFY6zpG8wAsbbnoIqJaZykCBSWf9hfCwbKuiNlfpMxFkrsX5lIzwTgFDosb1BX2tm93y6npS-KgB_3jAle6wDotpqSi5PSk/s1600/003_picnik+%2528202x100%2529.jpg" alt="BWS tips button" width="202" height="100" /></a>

The Artist's Playroom

One of our members, Jennifer McLean, has started up a new challenge party on her blog.

It is called the Artist's Play Room.  The first challenge went up this weekend and it will continue every Saturday with optional challenges to give participants possible ideas.  The first theme is "Green" in honor of St. Patrick's Day.  So hop on over to Jennifer's blog to check it out!

Theme Challenge Winner

Congratulations, Hellopalz!  You are the winner of the February challenge. 

Email me with your address so you can get your prize! :)

A busy time! + Show and Tell Saturday

We are having a busy time here!  I have a number of things to tell you about, so pay close attention :)

1.  I will be announcing the winner of the February Challenge later today in a separate post.

2.  Next month's theme will be PASSION!  Interpret it however you wish and be sure to add your link later this month.

3.  The preview and pre-order is up for Featuring, the magazine which I've been busy writing articles for! Check it out here.  I'm not getting paid to work on or promote the magazine as it is a love we all just want to share with you! 

Also, consider sending in a submission for the next issue!  You can propose to write an article, or if you have a special project, we can interview you about it.

For our THEME GALLERY we seek artwork that is based on a given theme. The theme is meant to be a jumping-off point. We encourage you to interpret it in your own way. We’d like to publish artwork (lay-outs, journal pages, photos, paintings etc.) and texts/poetry that shows the theme from all viewpoints.
For the theme gallery in the second issue of the magazine: the theme is:
THE ROAD AHEAD…
Take it literally (travel, holiday) or metaphorically (personal/psychical journey) – just be inspired.
Deadline: May 31, 2012

4.  Do you have a special workshop, challenge, link party or something else you'd like me to highlight on Artists in Blogland?  I will write up a special post to promote what YOU are doing!  Just email me to tell me about it.

5.   Finally, you are also invited to submit a link to my Just Journals linky party which is on my own personal blog.  You can share an art journal or scrapbook page!


6.  And now, for Show and Tell Saturday #21!


Use this linky tool to share what you have been working on this week.

Please visit at least 3 other artists. :)

Please add either a link back to Artists in Blogland on your blog post OR put a button on your sidebar.






Grab a button for your page:




<a href="http://artistsinblogland.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAkavWgIt3j0JGaezCk5nI8yCAo_gHu9ded1SMT2R2dQ7kFY6zpG8wAsbbnoIqJaZykCBSWf9hfCwbKuiNlfpMxFkrsX5lIzwTgFDosb1BX2tm93y6npS-KgB_3jAle6wDotpqSi5PSk/s1600/003_picnik+%2528202x100%2529.jpg" alt="BWS tips button" width="202" height="100" /></a>

Voting!

You have until Friday evening to vote!  I will announce the winner on Saturday :)

http://artistsinblogland.blogspot.com/2012/03/expectations-voting-begins.html

Expectations Voting Begins

Hello all!  I was in New York for the National Art Education Association conference for the last 5 days which I will be writing all about on my blog so stay tuned.  So... I didn't have a spare moment (or reliable internet) to put up the Show & Tell Saturday or the poll for the Theme Challenge for this month.

Please visit all of the blog posts that people linked.  Then cast your vote!

The theme was Expectation. Which one best fits the theme of Expectation?  (OR) Which one do you just feel drawn to most?  Just like last month, there will be a prize for the artwork with the most votes.  Ildi, from Cukipok Doodles, will be generously giving away this month's prize.






Also please list any suggestions you have for next month's theme!