Tag: quirks

(Artist+Geek)^2=Family Episode #1

 

Artist+Geek Podcast

 

Introducing our new podcast! Yes…we did it! Here’s the description…

Our recipe for family is most times sprinkled with comedy, sometimes serious, and always keeps it real. 
Join artist Susan, of Susan’s Art Circus, and geek husband Wendell, of Slog Belly Studios, as we chat through the the benefits of being best friends in marriage, 24/7 living and working under the same roof,  the constant yin yang of the artist and the geek, and keeping open relationships with our two teens, AdaLee and Paul.
Episode #1: Teenagers hijack the show and how the introductory outline goes right out the window…our first episode was supposed to be an introduction but quickly evolved into topics our teens wanted to chat about. From phone aggravation to LGBTQIAP to marriage they both definitely have opinions! Add some funny experiences, some wine talk, childbirth, a couple “f” bombs, a random list of topics, and  there you have it! More to come…
Links for things mentioned throughout the podcast:
Susan’s Website: www.susansartcircus.com
Wendell’s Website: www.slogbellystudios.com
To see the movie trailer for Extinction
follow the artist on Instagram: @susanmwb
follow the geek on Instagram: @slogbelly
follow the teen artist on Instagram: @tera.toma
follow the teen geek on Instagram: @the_es_muy_litster
subscribe to our podcast on Itunes: waiting for the link
music attribute:  ♫ Music By Bass Rebels https://www.youtube.com/c/BassRebels ♫
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When I Don’t Feel Creative: My Top 6 Fixes

Am I the only one that has moments when the creative muse takes a vacation? When you don’t feel creative…what do you do?

This is a topic that seems to raise it’s head when I’m the busiest. I have tons to do but can’t seem to rid myself of the cobwebs long enough to get through it. Well…when I don’t feel creative here’s my top 6 fixes I put into action to try to coax my muse around.

Seth Apter messy worktable 1
1. I clean. Believe me when I say cleaning is not my favorite thing but wandering around the studio, organizing, and picking things up always seems to loosen up the creative spirit. Not only does it help clear the cobwebs but I always seem to find things I had forgotten I had. And those things seem to sneak into my next creations!

Doodling
2. Pull out the sketch books and doodle. Draw anything…straight lines, stick figures, swirls…anything and everything! Just put pen or pencil to paper and see what manifests itself. I draw whatever comes to mind and pay no attention to whether it is “art” or not. Just the simple putting pen to paper allows me to feel more creative.

A break with coffee and sweets...
3. Take a break…go eat something, have tea or coffee maybe a glass of water or take a handful of vitamins. Just be for a few minutes.

UnoUs3stillgoofy
4. This goes along with taking a break but do something goofy with your family. Go lighten up and be free with comedy! Laugh lots and then laugh some more. Play cards, dig out a board game…watch a silly movie. I promise being crazily happy with laughter will take your mind off things and your muse will crawl back without you noticing.

CHA 2014
5. Find your creative peeps and do something together! Lean on your tribe for support when you can’t find your own muse…maybe one of theirs will pop over and let you borrow some ideas!

Sleep it off
6. Sleep it off until the next day. Sometimes all you need is a good nights sleep and all things appear new again.

Be kind to yourself.  Those moments of “stuck” never hang out for long. That muse will come running back.

Until next time!

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My Messy Studio Table Courtesy of Seth Apter

A couple of weeks ago Seth Apter’s blog was recommended by a friend as a “don’t miss out” blog to read. Upon arriving the first post I read was one about allowing the world to see us, we as artists, in our true habitat. (you can read the post here: Seth’s Call for The Studio Table)

Also known as the cluttered studio and messy worktable!

Seth Apter messy worktable 2

 

This is my main work table area. Normally this is 4′ X 3′ but, as you can see, I’m working in about 1′ X 1′.

Why are we always worried about cleaning everything up? What’s the deal? Isn’t it true to form if you’re a working artist then you have a messy work area?

I know for me that this is completely, without a doubt, true almost everyday.

So here goes…here’s your MESSY tour. And believe me it is. I’m in the midst of working at the stocking of several shops and three shows plus two classes in about 6 weeks time. Oy!

 

Seth Apter messy worktable 4

 

This is the opposite side of my main work area, also the same size, but now covered in resin supplies plus some other things.

I know where everything is…it appears normal to me.

 

Seth Apter messy worktable 1

 

And this is another work area usually 8′ X 3′. Not sure there’s even an inch there if I wanted it to be.

I have two more full lengths of counter space that I’m not showing off. They look pretty much the same just serve different purposes.

So…what does your space look like? Are you productive? I may be have a messy space but I can crank out some artsy stuff!!

Lots of good things happen over on Seth’s blog!

Until next time!

Susan
createschizo1

 

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Artsy Fartsy Almost Fail

On the ever present train ride that is the artistic journey one tries to do things that are different…intriquing…maybe with a twist…?

Whimsy Sculpture

 Forgetting that the universe includes something called the K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid) principle i seem to forge ahead most days achieving close intimacy with the complicated. Seems i needed to come up with a class proposal. A new idea, a fun idea. To say i labored over this would be a gross understatement. I pulled out all the supplies, drew a bunch of templates, created a couple dozen pieces of God knows what, resin’d, shrunk, journaled, sculpted, painted, trimmed, and cut. For about three weeks. Everyday. The pictures are the result of my efforts.

Sculpture Back

Lets see if i can explain what these would be in a class situation. First, what i hope would be, a group would learn how to do some doodling to come up with a template which would then be cut out of shrink plastic. One side we color the other we journal on…random words. While these are in the oven we pull out the pictures or, my original idea, was to have the group take selfies (the black and white photos are me, i was about six), which we would cut to fit the shrink frames. Then we glue, then we resin…then we play with polymer clay for bases, bake again, paint them in funky patterns, insert bunny eared and crowned semi sculptures of shrink with selfies…and admire. Maybe not quite that fast but….

More

So…once finished i submitted the class proposal and thought, “ah, good work done!” About two days later i got a “thanks but no thanks” note. (Not really that abrupt but they let me know it wasn’t an idea their clients would enjoy) At first i was upset…all that work and an end product i thought was quite fun. Ahhhh….back to the drawing board.

And another 24 hours, i re-arranged the class practicing the K.I.S.S. principle and the second one they liked. All was not lost.

The moral of the story…stop overthinking, obsessing, hyper-focusing about your artwork. Let it flow…go with it…allow it to run freely from you. Stop doubting your ability and over doing your work. Everything you do is worthy and wonderful.

And always apply the K.I.S.S. Principle…

(Anybody want to take a crazy class? I have some ideas…)

createschizo1
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Simple

So it’s tomorrow…here goes simple…

Sunny my goofy dog.
Dog! My dog! My upside down dog!
Her name is Sunny and she’s my goofy, shy daily companion.
(How’s that for simple?)
Always cre8ive,
Susan
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