Has this ever happened to you? You have grand plans but then they get pushed aside as days, then months, then years disappear. Have you let something slide because you figured it was too late to do it? The truth is, it's never to late to do something that matters to you. Here are six reasons to believe that it’s never too late.
Receiving feedback is hard. We need to open ourselves up to the potential of being hurt and of facing things we’d rather ignore. But I also think it’s essential. If you’re struggling with how to receive feedback without shutting down, lashing out, or feeling like a piece of garbage, here are my suggestions based on things I’ve read and my own experience.
Normally I'm too frazzled at this time of year to do any Christmas promotions but somehow this year - though I am still frazzled - I've also managed to put together some new products just in time for early Christmas shopping. Yes, I do consider November "early" in the Christmas shopping department. I've assembled a handy-dandy shopping list for you to peruse, along with deadlines to order so your gifts arrive in time! If you're looking for unique gifts that no one else will be giving, you're in the right place!
Back in April I had this crazy idea. I love receiving and sending mail. I love making small, personalised art pieces for people. Why not sell mail art subscriptions? So I did! I sold 3, 6, or 12-month subscriptions that included an envelope covered in 100% unique art and a hand-written, personalised letter. A handful of people bought them and I have spent the last 6 months making dozens of pieces of mail and sending them out into the world.
A year ago today, I published a blog post where I declared that I would give up my day job at the end of January 2018 and go full-time as an artist. It was both completely unreasonable and absolutely necessary. It filled me with energy and made me so anxious I felt sick. Today, less than three months from my self-imposed deadline, I’m looking back on how that decision has impacted my life and business and whether I’m on track to reach my goal or not.
I met Daphne when I started teaching classes at Edmonton's The Paint Spot, where she also teaches. We realized that we were both from the same small town and that we had both won a banner-painting contest in that town in separate years. Her figure paintings are incredible and it's been great getting to know someone who makes a full-time living as a fine-artist.
Over the years I’ve gathered a small collection of books about maps. I bought a few of them, a few were gifts from people who recognized my fascination for all things cartographic, and a few I’ve borrowed from the library but are still on my wishlist. To help get inspired for my upcoming workshop, Mixed-Media Map-Making, I’m revisiting my collection and remembering why maps are so inspiring. If you could use some artistic inspiration, check your local library or bookstore for these titles!
I use a lot of maps in my artwork: I cover my sculptures in maps, use them as backgrounds for my linocuts, and have started making mixed-media paintings of imaginary maps. I also collect old maps and have a couple framed in my home. The magic of maps is in the stories they tell: of the past and the future, of reality and the imagination, and of science and exploration. Here are 11 talented, inspiring artists who are telling beautiful stories through their unique use of maps.
