Newsletter: Issue 12

Article:
Sometimes I don’t feel like a real artist. My mind doesn’t always come up with new and exciting things, I say the wrong words or can’t think of what to say, and I’m very business oriented in my other “work” worlds, mainly marketing.

Painting is what I love and I’m lucky enough to do that some of the time in the 24 hour days. It’s normally only for an hour here and an hour there. I’m ready to jump into it more, but right now the world is not allowing me to. The world meaning, I need another job to sustain my art career.

Most artists do what they have to do to make art. Find a job here, and there, anywhere. Others stumble upon something that will allow them to paint more than work. There’s also the group that dreamed of making art “one day”, and now they’re sitting in an office, maybe a cubicle still dreaming that they once put themselves into the art world and actually made a career out of it. And then there’s that other group, the ones that are sitting comfortably in their office chair, only thinking about their job and not dreaming of anything else. Obviously, not everyone is the same, and I’m not putting anyone down for their decisions but it’s true, there are a lot of people that stop making art just because of a job.

So where do I fall into that scheme? I’m not totally sure. I’m not in the last group, mainly because when I had an office job I wasn’t comfortable. Some days were good, but most of the time I just wanted to get out and paint more and more. Now that I’m working from home, only 1/3 of the week, what am I doing with my time? Well…I just ran out of canvases after a terrible creative block. That’s a good sign…but now what?

What art am I doing that makes me a real artist? I’m doing something I love, I know that much. When I sell a painting, I think about how many more supplies I can buy…not I need to make more money. So maybe I am a true artist after all. Watching videos of artists or reading an article in an art zine, it makes me feel like there’s so much more to know, to say, and to paint. That’s good, art influencing art. That’s how it should be.

I hope that one day I’ll be an inspiration to other artists, whether I know it or not. Sure it would be cool to know who and when and where, but ….that’s ok. I can live with knowing that someone influenced me and I can possibly inspire others to keep creating, and learning. The term artist is a broad term when you look at the whole picture. It’s a tall order to live up to and I think that’s why I question if I’m a true artist or not. One day, and one painting at a time. Someday it’ll sink in that I’m an artist.

_________________________________________

What's New:
Studio 27.28 Jonathan and Leigh's gallery is having a sale on everything in the store, December 24th from 3-7pm. 15% off! Located at 2728 Girard Ave, Philadelphia PA 19130. Not far from the Zoo. Featuring West Coast and Philadelphia Artists. Also, handmade gifts like scarves, stuffed animals, small paintings, and pottery available.


Jan 3rd, 1st Saturday Opening, from 6-9pm
Studio 27.28 presents Jon Carling

________________________________________

Featured Shop of the Week - Edith and Lulu

When you think of buttons what do you think of? More than likely a button up shirt, a jacket with buttons and possibly jeans. Well this week's featured shop will change your ideas on buttons, and move it from function to fashion. Edith and Lulu

This store transforms buttons in to earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. All at affordable prices too. She also likes to use vintage buttons. Pictured is a pair that really caught my eye. Circles and Squares

Here's a little from "Edith and Lulu":
Well, I'm named neither Edith, nor Lulu. I just love the names and I think that together they fit my jewelry well. I found the names in a list of popular names from the 20s, 30s and 40s. Edith and Lulu jewelry is a little bit vintage, a little bit contemporary, a little demure and sometimes, a little wild. By the way, I named my pet Bearded Dragons Edith and Lulu also. Lulu turned out to be Louie, or Big Lou.

What is with all the buttons? I've been collecting buttons for years. I have so many and my challenge is to use them to make beautiful things. The buttons I use are found, recycled, vintage, collectible and sometimes new. Everywhere I go I look for buttons.

Don't forget to check out Edith and Lulu's Shop HERE


Enjoy!!

LOL Party #2

Last night was Leigh on Location (LOL), and we had quite the showing.
Tons of food, alot of talking, and I think everyone bought something for themselves.

Rachel's Thread was the sponsor of this party! Here is her display. Impressive to say the least.

And to add to the excitement, our newest entrepreneur had a little display selling
"Hooray for Crochet". It was a hit!

The Gallery will have some stuff from both Rachel's Thread, and Hooray for Crochet.

Rachel told me that her and Andrea decided that the wine color I used for the background was intoxicating. It's true, as soon as I started laying down that color...everyone started claiming pieces. Even before they knew what it was going to have on it, or what it was going to look like!

Never have I experienced something like that. It was a much needed boost after my creative block...what a relief. And let me thank my mom for taking these pictures. :)

Time to get some pumpkin soup started. Til Next time - Leigh

My Monday = Sunday

Since I've been working from home, Mondays feel like Sundays. They seem to be one of my most productive days at home. Today, I rearranged the back basement. It's full of boxes with office stuff in them, clothes still in trash bags, empty boxes from art being shipped to us, and a lot of other random things.

It took me 2 and 1/2 hours. I sorted, rearranged, and threw out objects and papers that weren't needed. It feels good and the back basement has never felt so large haha. I also sketched out some patterns for my newest work. I'm still sticking with into the depths as PART of the painting but I'm going to start incorporating patterns, like I just said. Or it could be inspiration from a doodle. I doodle when I'm on the phone, at church, or anytime I have a piece of paper in my hands. Along with a pen of course.

Don't worry, I'm still listening when I doodle. It actually helps me think! Here's some doodles from tonight.
Now it's time to finish up the mess I made in the other room from organizing. haha. and cook dinner....

Featured Seller of the Week - Canoo!

This week is Canoo. There's been an "influx" of scary monsters popping up, but I think Canoo has mastered this art. This shop makes scary BUT CUTE little monsters at affordable prices ranging from $7 for magnets and $35 for the larger scary cutenesses.

Check this one out! And they re-purpose sweaters to make these little monsters. What a great idea! What a great gift for a little kid :)

Here's a little something from Canoo: I want you to love monsters! and I also want to make good use of cast-off, unwanted, perfectly good materials! It helps me keep my costs down, and it saves a little bit of stuff from winding up in a landfill. protect the environment - reduce, reuse, recycle, reinvent!

iIm happy to consider custom orders, including making monsters out of your own cast-off sweaters. please allow at least 2 weeks for completion. Free hand-drawn gift cards or monster story cards on request!


Lastly, here's my favorite in the shop. To see "Guy Hollerin" Click here


Til next time! - Leigh

Pushing Through

So it's been about 2 months since I last painted, until this past Monday Night. I had a lot going on, and that's kind of an excuse but not totally. I wasn't thinking about art, I wasn't sketching at all, and when I was doing something artsy it was more with photos.

Of course photography is art, but both are very different and I have a hard time focusing on both. It's one or the other. So, talking to Jonathan he said just do something. So I did. and I'm overall happy with what I did....There's still a lot painting to be done, and series to be thought of but it's a step in the right direction.

I'm still incorporating my "Into the Depths" series. But also doing a little experimental things also. You'll see soon! BUT for now here's one of my new pieces I finished tonight.

Scribbles Book GIVEAWAY

The book that my dad and I wrote will be featured as a giveaway on this blog: http://woolies-woolies.blogspot.com/ I also wanted to say thank you for the opportunity to be a part of their wonderful blog.



Please visit their blog and participate! From what I understand, they do quite a few giveaways so be sure to check back after this one is over. I took some new pictures yesterday for the giveaway. Here's one:

And if you're not a winner, you can always pick one up at your local ETSY store. Here's a direct link to the book: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12000274

Thanks for reading!

The Art of Looking Like Yourself

Updates:

• I'm listed on The Little Black Boxes directory. I'm at almost a laughable spot, but hey...it's something and it didn't cost me a dime. (35 lines down.) Although, It was my "fault", I responded after the others did. 1st come 1st serve. I'm not complaining! I'm also happy to be associated with so many other great etsy shops! Here's the directory: http://thelittleblackboxes.com/directory.html
• The Scribbles Book is going to have a give away...starting today on another blog, thanks to another etsy shop! (more to be updated later)
• My shop is also listed on this website of another fellow estian! http://shefeltpink.com/links.php I'm 4th, it was also a 1st come 1st serve! How giving of other esty shops to promote. Speaking of, I'm going to be starting featuring some awesome shops I found on there.
• Last but not least, a newsletter is coming up soon! Next week or so. Keep your eyes peeled. (My dad would always say that when we were driving looking for a sign, I always pictured them peeling like bananas. In a non-gross way.)

Here's my "thoughts" for the day.
__________________________________

This is from the book "The Art of Imperfection"

As I said before it's a cute little book, it's also fun and endearing. I don't use the word endearing too often, but for some reason I thought this fits this book. It's just a little book to boost your confidence and embrace who you are and where you are in life.

This excerpt is from the section "The Art of Looking Like Yourself".
p28 The best beauty product is to have a life. A real life. With challenges, disappointments, stress, and laughter.

So, let this be your reminder to be yourself!

_____________________________

One more of the Beach Photography Shoot

o9.o6.o8

To those of you who made it to the opening at Studio 27.28 this past Saturday night, I wanted to thank you! It was down pouring, raining cats and dogs, torrential rain...or whatever you want to call it...BUT we still had a great turn out and met some new friends.

Also, thank you to the artists that participated, Cassandra Warren and Eric de Jesus! The artwork compliments each other better than we could ever planned. And thank you to Carl Franke who provided some bangin' (I had to think of another adjective and that came to mind first) music!

Pictures to follow soon. I just wanted to get a thank you out there before anything! - Leigh

Not Normal....weird

So on my drive from Philly to work today, about an hour, I was listening to mindless radio. Someone mentioned their showering habits, and one guy turns off the water while he's lathering up.

We all have our odd idiosyncrasies, but when does weird become normal and normal become weird? (I had a lot more to say to about this...but a co-worker just started talking to me and I totally lost my train of thought.)

I just posted a new listing on etsy for the hammerhead painting! www.PicturesByLeigh.etsy.com

I guess that will do for now! Until next time - Leigh

Baxter the Lobster!

So Baxter's getting some action on Etsy! Here's what someone sent to me about him.

"I wish I could afford Baxter the Lobster but...I just wanted to let you know that he's gorgeous. I have a tattoo of a blue lobster on my foot and really appreciate them...it's a beautiful painting and I hope he goes to a wonderful home!Cheers, xxxx"

I left out the name just incase they don't want it floating around in the internet. :) Also pictured above is Baxter hanging out at the LOL party....and the Rock Band I had. (sort of rock band). You can also visit him here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14835920

Creatively Yours, Leigh