Weekend Update

What a gorgeous weekend!

Our plan was/is to hit the Parade of Homes as we love to see the builder's solutions to the ever evolving tech-in-home issues -alas, I'm still in the studio designing paisley. Fortunately, PoH runs thru next week as well.

Dropped off my application to the annual Boylan Heights Art Walk that's held first weekend in December. This will be my 4th year (*I think*) but unfortunately, they continue to jack up the entrance fee. Honestly, I may have to drop out next year if their plan is to increase by 23% annually.

I had to check the Farmer's Almanac long-range forecast for December but to no avail, the immediate outlook runs only thru the end of October. Although, the regional forecast is published and oh boy! it looks miserable for the SE -cold and wet.Yee -haw. In the past, I used to rely on the FA exclusively because they were so spot on, but due to warming, I just can't bet on it anymore. However, I did find entertaining the Best Days activities calendar. Looks like I missed the best day for retarding my hair growth; ostensibly it was cut on the day where I wanted to increase hair growth -guess I'll be visiting Robin for another trim soon.

Meanwhile, my MAndrew continues to wow me in the kitchen. He found swordfish on sale and cooked up a mean batch of Swordfish Kabobs. Oh! and were they delectable!!

Four Eyes Reprise

This week's been a pretty good week -busy, but good. I've had a mfg call and ask for imagery, so between Halloween (my favorite holiday!) and paisley -my studio looks like I've had paisley explosion.

Now I sleep, eat, dream and draw paisley. This week I was caught sketching paisley ideas from a customer's shirt at Trader Joe's. I do my best to look inconspicuous, but hey! When I'm jonesin' for paisley, can't stop this girl -unless we're wandering thru the wine aisle. "Ohh, Cabernet!!"

My annual eye visit was this week and I knew that I was due for new lenses -my eyes are changing so fast that I had issues back in March. I was so very disappointed that my current frames (they're so sexy!) would not hold the new lenses as I'm getting the progressive. Alas, I found ones very similar and I can have new lenses installed in the current ones for reading in bed. Yay!

My hair finally got a badly needed overhaul (humidity and fine hair make good partners not) and dinner with Amy & Phil -Amy cooked this time and we brought the wine. Again, she hounded me about joining the Y, so I acquiesced and became a member this week. Now Amy wants me to join her for yoga! I just need Andrew to kick me out of bed so that I can work toward becoming svelte before our honeymoon in December!!

Looks like I'll be spending all day at the gym -I'd better look good in December!

Business Is Human: Relationships Power Your Growth

You've read my entries (here and here) on Keith Ferrazzi's "Never Eat Alone."

Last week, I participated in a Webcast based on Keith's book: Business Is Human: Relationships Power Your Growth, hosted by the AMA (American Marketing Association).

In this Webcast, Keith shares powerful advice and tips to amplify your personal and professional relationships. The key secrets show you how to enable everyone in your personal and professional life to win. He illustrates the generosity pyramid, outlines personal destructive behaviors, and defines the 7 stages to relationship building. Essentially, he empowers one to get out of one's own way -I know I have found great benefit.

It didn't occur to me to alert you the Webcast -for that I apologize. However, good news afoot: the AMA has posted the Webcast is now available for you to enjoy at your leisure as are the slides. You'll have to register with the AMA, but it's free.

Go here: Business Is Human: Relationships Power Your Growth

Knitting Up Sweets

I just have to try my hand at making these for my MIL -they're cupcakes made of marzipan!! I can't stand how adorable and hilarious this concept is.

http://veganyumyum.com/2007/06/knit-night-cupcakes

Sad Passing: Laurel Burch

I was sad to learn this weekend that one of my beloved inspirations Laurel Burch, has died. Laurel was one of the very reasons I became an artist due to her artistic achievements despite her adversities. I will miss her evolving works.

Back when I aspired to become an accomplished artist, feeling destitute and alone, I'd walk into Hudson's Department store to examine the latest fashion. I absolutely love scarves and remember finding Laurel's gorgeous scarves with fabulous cats and horses amidst the sea of color. Although reasonably priced, I could never afford a scarf and always saved a place in my collection to include one or two of her pieces. Later in life, I came across her Fantastic Feline mug on a department store shelf and coveted it for my very own.

Today, I drink out of her Fantastic Felines mug today to salute her and her artistic perseverance through her illness, heartache, and success.

You can read the NYTimes Article Here

Giclée Matters

There's been quite a debate and assumption about home inkjet printers being a reliable source for a Giclée product.

Giclée (pro: "zhee-clay") has two definitions translated from French that I can find:

• To squirt or to spray
  
• Gicleur: meaning "nozzle"

This process was created by Jack Duganne in the late 80s/90s, a printmaker working in the field, to represent any inkjet based digital print used as fine art.

Meanwhile, I'm learning that folks are calculating the assumption that that if the inkjet sprays, it's Giclée. I didn't necessarily think this was so and thus, Googled the word until my eyes swelled shut but to no avail. I tried calling Epson, but they sent me to India and India wanted me to spell the word -I hung up as I knew it was futile. So, in search of the industry standard definition for Giclée printing, I went to my trusted source: my printer Mike of Theo-Davis Sons where I have them print my notecards and fine art prints.

I asked Mike if Giclée is a process (from color calibration, to print methods, to varnish at the end) or is it merely pigment vs dye inks?

While Mike doesn't claim to be an expert in the Giclée world, this is what he conveyed to me:

The original Giclée prints were printed on an Iris inkjet device originally sold by Scitex for use as a high-res proofing device in the printing industry. Some enterprising folks found they could make one-off prints for the art community and earn a bit more money from their expensive printer.

I’m not sure the Iris machine is still in use as it was a royal pain in the a## to maintain. Also, the major inkjet vendors (Epson, Canon, etc.) have produced machines that are far better than an Iris.

There are several factors that determine if someone is getting a Giclée or an inkjet print:

1. Inks used. Should be pigment based with archival quality (usually 90 plus years).

2. Printer used. I’m not sure what the preferred print device is, but I read an article last week about a company in Key West that uses an Epson 9800 like we have. I don’t think there is an official list of Giclée printers.

3. Paper used. Should be archival quality. There are lots of textures and finishes available.

4. Original file prep. The piece of art, unless it’s a digital photograph, has to be digitized and color corrected. I believe this is the most important step. My personal opinion is that large art pieces should be photographed in a studio using a studio camera with a scanning back on the camera. In other words, don’t shoot a transparency. Like all things digital, there will be some color correction and file retouch required. The big name artists usually play an important part in this process.

5. Marketing. You can probably get away with calling any inkjet print a Giclée if you can convince the customer that’s what they are getting.

Bottom line: If you are going to sell it as a Giclee, ask around in the art community and get recommendations on reputable Giclée shops.

I hope this clarifies your printing endeavors.

Tuscan Sojourn

Ahh... how I wish it were me. Alas, one of the artists that I stalk (honest, I'm benign!) has taken a wonderful sabbatical to central Italy. Okay, it may not be a sabbatical, but hanging out in wine country to illustrate until December sounds like nirvana to me!!

Enjoy Vicarious Living thru Fine Art by Kelly Borsheim

Autumnal Teaser

We're working hard in the workshop. Stay tuned for details!

Mid-September Activities

Lately, I've been feeling as though life is having fun throwing me a few curve balls and last week I've been lamenting about how I didn't feel like I had much on which to comment. Fortunately, my Aspirations Show is going strong and I'm very happy that it's been well received, specially by my enthusiasts -thanks Christine and Jenny! I'd like to spin a few products off the series... Got any ideas? I'd love to hear them.

Currently, I'm having a quiet sale on my sterling silver jewelry. I'm not sure how long it's going to last, but would love to have you consider it as early holiday gifts.

Meanwhile, I had a mfg call on me late this week loving some of my wine series and also want a few other pieces not yet designed for licensing. Yea! I'm not going to say much because I always seem to jinx myself. Argh. Anyhow, Andrew and I are also busy in the workshop creating new product prototypes to determine their *worthiness.* Can't say much now, but the surprises will be revealed soon.

Now that the weather is cooling off (how 'bout those storms last night thru the SE?) I've been enjoying new recipes that my Culinary Alchemist has been developing, like the garlic toast with real garlic (found at Costco) and honey. Who knew?

Halloween: My Favorite Holiday!!

We found this on our newsstand and just had to pick it up! If you're dying to make some spooktacular scenes in your abode, you'll find great ideas to install LEDs in your pumpkins to floating imagery in the corner of your living room. They've even got a great diagram of how to haunt your own house. Love it!

If you're going to haunt the town, you'll want to know how to become a Headless Marie Antoinette or ghastly ghoul.

Andrew, Halloween 2002
I thought I did a pretty good job. This photo now sits on Madam's side of the bed in our guest bedroom *just for her.* After all, he is her number one son. ;)

Poll Results: Mystical Explanations

"Mystical explanations are thought to be deep; the truth is that they are not even shallow." Who said this?

***
Answer: Although it sounds as shallow as a Jack Handy, it was actually F. Nietzsche.

Aspirations: Symbolic Inspiration

Aspirations - It's installed!! Even though I was under the weather, Andrew was a sweetheart to help me ready the pieces and install them.

I've got one of a kind framed pieces as well as classic framed and unframed prints.

Go to show Aspirations

This Week's Activities

I'm still beat from taking a week off to create gifts for my neices & MIL!! My MIL is blogging on the family blog wondering where the heck everyone is after our huge party last weekend -she's such a party girl -I can't keep up! Wish I could take some time out to explain my bon-bon couch routine but she'll just have to pop on over 'ere to read up! :)

Meanwhile, I'm in the midst of installing my Aspirations show at EVOO and there is so much involved.

• Andrew made awesome floating frames for only 12 pieces and because it's so much work, I decided it wouldn't be a common feature among our framing efforts.
  
• I launched an email campaign yesterday (that's a 2 day effort) to my Mewsmembers as an exclusive exhibit before the public show on Friday. Wow -immediately sold 2 pieces!
• Realized I need to replace the graphic on ecstewart.com
• I need to update calligraphypets.com homepage to reflect current events.
• I need to finish designing my restaurant poster, postcards & tabletop tent cards for EVOO and get them printed.

I just finished my poster that's going to be inserted in the little plexi-frame and it reminds me of the ads you find in UTNE. For zen meditation, please visit x.com, for yoga instruction, visit x.com, if you want to hear a duck quack -sorry, I digress.

I'm just about finished with my postcards and intend to have them printed at Premium Postcard, so I'll let you know how they turn out.

Ugh. Back to work.




Update: I've been doing quite a bit of Web research on printing-on-demand (POD) and finding it difficult. Some of the challenges I'm running into are the fact that this show is small and Raleigh isn't an art mecca. Folks don't travel in bands from one opening to another and therefore, not many cards are needed -say about 100 and I keep about 50 in my personal stash for promotions. Another is that because I don't require a large number, many of the POD services are requiring a person to purchase at least 500. I have that kind of following, but it's my client list and Premium Postcard offers the service of print & mail that I need for said list. So, my needs are the inverse of what the services dictate.

What I haven't told you is that I usually go to my preferred local printer, Theo-Davis, for my print jobs and decided that it would be best for my biz to continue to shop around. I've looked at some of his old quotes and he may just be the best resource yet.

Lastly, I'd like these card by Saturday. Ugh. Is that too much to ask?

I'm tired of all this shopping 'round -I'm having another glass of wine. Oh, and it's time for dindin.

IF: Visitor

My submission for Illustration Friday: Visitor



"Welcome" extends to visitors, friends, confidants, and family alike.

"Welcome" is part of a brand new show that I'm hosting locally called "Aspirations." There are only 11 pieces that have been mounted on floating framed (built by Andrew) that will be available exclusively to Mewsmembers tomorrow.

If you want to become a Mewsmember, you might want to head here now to gain access.

Thanks for "Visiting!"

Introducing: Your Studio Mascot - A New Blog!

This evening, Andrew and I came up with a fun idea: we created a new blog called: Your Studio Mascot.

After submitting my studio to a 'Messy Studio Contest', Brenda's comment about Pip being my mascot hung with me. Studio mascot? Hmm... does everyone have a studio mascot? If so, who are they and how adorable are they?

We wanted a way to showcase beloved fuzzy faces that remain by our side as we work and I'm hoping you'll join us!

http://www.your-studio-mascot.blogspot.com/

Home Away From Home: IndiePublic

I've been remiss in telling you all that recently I discovered IndiePublic -a great place to hang with other like-minded creatives. This community is different than MySpace or FaceBook or neatly categorized groups such as 'Illustrators' or 'Polymer Clay' or 'Ceramic Dolls' -not that there's anything wrong with that.

However, if I'm expanding my porfolio beyond pen & ink -and those of you who know me and my penchant for getting my hands dirty- it's a great envirnoment to be among new friends and learn.

So, I've been busy just cruising through other creative pages and learning IP's technology to craft my personal space -this is why I've been delinquent. My Creative Space can be found here.

Oh, and IP does have subgroups to join (for free) for those of you who feel you must be niched. I belong to at least 5. ;)

Getting Started with Credit Cards

Indie Craft Shows has an article about getting started with credit cards.

I know that for now, I'm still with Paypal using Paypal Pro. I've adopted the virtual terminal to accept credit cards over the phone, fax, or snail mail which as been a God send. I don't do enough open air shows to warrant a device that allows a business gal to take cc on site -but I think they exist.

Meanwhile, if your a CostCo member, it seems that they've got a pretty competitive rate for small biz.

Studio Featured

The Licensing Group to which I belong is currently running a contest: The Messiest Studio. I, however, in good conscience, could not participate after all the time my husband, Andrew, took to construct and install my 'designer studio.'

Meanwhile, my drawing table, scanner, and printers are downstairs in Andrew's office due to the potentially damaging cat hair that accumulates.

I'm posting the rest of the picts on Flickr.

Yeah! I'm a Copyright Beta Tester!!

After waiting weeks for a response, the Copyright Office has selected me to become one of their beta testers!!

At their request, I've set up my account. Now I just need to hear from them to determine when I can begin submitting my work!

I let you know how it goes!

Female Porn Redux

Last night, we had our friends Amy and Phil stop by for dinner. Somehow, we began talking about the FemalePorn we each had just discovered separately -Amy found a book replete with epigrams! Coincidentally, we both loved the same one.

Meanwhile, Andrew's cooking dinner (isn't he always?) and we decided it would be good to set up a scene paying deference to the published work. I love that man of mine.

Anyhow, if you want visual stimulation -er, not porn! On second thought, maybe... We brought out Cirque du Soleil's Quidam on DVD. Wow! It's been well over a year since I've watched it and it's such a visual feast! I need to watch it monthly just to remind myself to get to the gym -very inspirational!