Art Marketing Action: Resist the urge to be The Fixer

I am swamped with my own projects/classes right now, and having difficulties finding time to do anything but the bare minimum for my classes, work and life in general. But again, I couldn't resist sharing these wonderful Art Marketing Action tips from the Art Biz Coach.

This one calls out to me as loudly because I admit - I am "The Fixer."

Art projects, Writing, Resumes, Blogs, Motivation, and everything in between; I will try to help. I don't even need to be asked, I WANT to help. But if the person is not ready, all it does is make me stretch my time thin and the person's life/art/whatever I am trying to "fix" stays exactly the same as it was before. So I am going to try my best to Resist the urge to be "The Fixer."

Art Marketing Action: Resist the urge to be The Fixer

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Check out this article and let me know what you think. I promise not to try to "fix" you.

I hope to have my life balanced a little more evenly soon. Then I can get some real blog posts and in progress pictures up.

Until then, Happy Art-making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Encaustic Sculpture & Art Marketing Action: Get your art out of the studio

3-D encaustic sculpture, detail view, © 2009 Jaime Lyerly
To see more of these encaustic sculptures, click on the link.

As I face another busy day today of work, classes, art and family, I have to share this article from the Art Biz Coach that, again, reminds me to get those pieces collecting dust out of the house.

As for putting this action tip into practice, I am working on it! I just submitted to the Women Made Gallery last week for a encaustic show in November. I also am going to submit to the Conrad Wilde Gallery for their 12 X 12 inch painting show (deadline is October 1, 2009). Locally, I am working on getting a space in one of the galleries at SDSU with two fantastic and innovative artists, Debra London and Julie Kitterman, for at least a few days. We are submitting a proposal, images and a group artist statement, which will go through a committee to decide if we are gallery-worthy. Wish me luck!

The image above is for a particular set of 3-D encaustic sculptures that I would love to get out into the public eye. Unfortunately, the fact that they should be viewed in a darkened room with a strong spot light where you can see the cast shadows limits where they can be viewed. If I can get the group show that we are proposing, then they will be shown there because we will be curating the show ourselves. Other than that, I would need a solo show - which is not yet going to happen. So, these will have to collect dust for a little while longer. How about your art?

Here is the article that you need to read:

Art Marketing Action: Get your art out of the studio

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Your Turn:
How about you? Any shows that you are applying for or places that you are arranging to show your art? Anything unconventional counts too - coffee shops, doctor's offices or friends' houses. I would love to hear it and celebrate your successes!

Happy Art-making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

The Creative Person’s Hierarchy of Needs by Cynthia Morris

I believe in synchronicities. Whatever you need to hear or think about will come just when it needs to happen. I have been stressing over how unbalanced my life is this semester. For those who don't know, I am a full-time undergraduate student at San Diego State University, studying art. Granted, it is stressful every semester, but this semester is already killing me and it is only two weeks in! It is hard being a mom, a student and working to make a living. But add being an artist to that mix and you have no time at all!

I have been feeling out of sorts and I know it is because my exercise and creative habits are being neglected. Intellectually, I know this. Yet I cannot seem to make myself do all that needs to be done. I admit that I have been choosing playing video games and watching movies over making art. I have only been working on art for my college classes, instead of doing my own work in encaustics. However, I am confident that all those ideas I have in my sketchbooks and projects that I have started will come into realization. I just need to reassess how what I am doing meets my creative needs.

Along comes this blog post by Creativity Coach and Travel Blogger Cynthia Morris. If you are not in the know about her blog Journey Juju and her free e-zine Original Impulses, it is time to be informed! I wrote about her wonderful e-book "Creative Toolkit for the Traveler" in this post about my preparation for my Japan and China tour.

So here is the blog post from Cynthia Morris called "The Creative Person's Hierarchy of Needs" Enjoy!

Perhaps you’ve heard of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. In a nutshell, as humans, our basic needs are: Physiological, Safety, Love/Belonging, Esteem and Self-Actualization. To read more, go here. To hear about the creative person’s needs, read on.

Creative people, those who are making things – books, businesses, design, art – have additional needs. Recognizing these needs and making sure they are met are essential to applied creativity.

When we don’t acknowledge our needs, we’re allowing life to dictate our experience. Knowing your needs and being willing to take action to make sure they are met will make the already challenging work of creating much easier.

In more than ten years of coaching and almost twice that time creating things myself, I’ve identified at least ten needs creative people have. But unlike Maslow, I don’t prioritize them. Each person will have their own hierarchy for these needs and will also have their own needs to add. Here they are:

1. Need for creative space, as Virginia Woolf called a ‘room of one’s own’. Depending on what you’re creating, you may not need as big a space as you think you do. Write or draw out your ideal space and then assess how you have elements of that in place now.

2. Need for creative peers. When you’re on the leading edge of creativity, you need other creative people who understand the risks you’re taking and who encourage them. We need creative peers to talk, share, get insights and ideas and to encourage us. Commit to connecting with people who ‘get’ you more often. This is one of the most common reasons people hire me, because I ‘get’ them and what they are trying to do.

3. Need for creative fuel. In her book The Artist’s Way Julia Cameron calls this need ‘filling the well’. I get so inspired when I am out in the world seeing what other people are doing. A favorite source of inspiration for me is museum shops. The Tate Modern shop blew me away and gave me an idea for my work that I love. You can get inspiration from books, magazines, blogs art galleries, and other well filling activities. Wherever you get it, get it often. (This is where you’d list coffee!)

4. Need for imaginative space. This is different than physical space. It’s the time we need for noodling, doodling, wandering, and gathering thoughts. While it appears to be the antithesis of productivity, it’s actually vital to a productive creative cycle. Don’t pack every moment full of activity.

5. Need for the body to be expressed. We’re out in the ethers most of the time, us artists. We need to remember to take good care of our bodies by walking, dancing, practicing yoga, playing tennis, or whatever moves you regularly. I get so many of my ideas when I am exercising. Get moving on your terms, but get moving.

6. Need for your creative edge. Solving problems, pushing boundaries, developing something new is at the heart of the creative process. Rather than despair about how difficult it is to write a really good article, embrace the challenge of your craft. While you’re at it, embrace the challenge of your creative industry. For instance, publishing a book traditionally seems nearly impossible these days. Take that challenge on by either figuring out the publishing game or self-publishing. Relish the creative edge – you need it.

7. Need for ample amounts of faith and belief. When we’re making something from nothing, we need to be able to rely on faith and belief in ourselves and our work. Without this we can operate from despair and give up before our work is complete. Tap into your belief that you are on the right track, and do it often.

8. Need to have our work responded to. Whether it’s ego or a deep desire to share your creative work, most of us need for our work to be seen and received by others. This will vary for each person, some wanting just close friends to see our work, others wanting a wider audience. Just be sure to get feedback from the right people at the right time.

9. Need for certainty. Ironically, one of the needs for artists is the ability to live in uncertainty. Traveling the creative path can make you feel lost most of the time. That’s why certainty in other areas of life: home, relationships, income, can help you have a sense of being held while you soar. Have some rootedness so you can be ‘out there’ as much as you need to.

10. Need for time. This seems to be the need that people struggle with the most. If you never get any time alone to work on your art, your life will be filled with other people’s ideas and thoughts. Make choices that allow time for your art. The laundry, your e-mail, your garden will all be there an hour later, after you have spent time with your art.

Again, I did not prioritize these. While I believe we all share these needs, everyone will have their own sense of the needs’ hierarchy. On my blog, tell me which needs have priority over the others, and add a need you have that I haven’t mentioned. To go further, make a list of your needs and assess how well those needs are being met right now. Brainstorm one thing you could do to work toward having those needs met, and then do it. This article is part of my year-long series of top ten lists to celebrate ten years in business at Original Impulse. Stay tuned until the end of the year when I bring all the articles together in one place for your creative enhancement.

Copyright 2009 Cynthia Morris. Cynthia coaches creative people to confidence and completion and inspires life as a creative adventure. Visit http://www.originalimpulse.com to get an infusion of inspiration for your art, writing and life.

Your Turn:
Are your actions supporting your own creative needs? Do you recognize when something is off? More importantly, how to you take the steps to correct this? I would love to hear what you think!
Happy Art-making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Art Marketing Action: Believe - from Art Biz Coach

If self-doubt about your art (and therefore yourself as an artist) plagues you frequently, check out this week's Art Marketing Action from Art Biz Coach Alyson Stanfield.

Art Marketing Action: Believe

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I would love to know what you think about this article. Leave a comment here to share with us all.

Happy Art-making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

P.S. More in progress photos to come of my current projects for the college classes I am taking. One is a full sized male head in red clay and the other is carved wood. They are not anywhere close to being done, but it is fun to show you what has been happening the last two weeks in my own art world.

Embedding String in Beeswax Video

"Stories -1," Encaustic, beeswax, string and collage on 12 x 12 x 1.5 in panel
© 2009 Jaime Lyerly

I am working on making my own tutorial videos on sculptural encaustic painting. However, I do not want to repeat what is already out there. So rather than fill up YouTube with stuff that already exists, I have been searching to find out what is already on there in the way of encaustic painting and sculpture. I have been amazed by some of the videos I have found and need to share them here with you. Once I know where the information gap is in encaustic, I will eventually fill it with my own videos. But until then, here is a gem from my diligent research!

This video is from Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch, author of Encaustic Workshop: Artistic Techniques for Working in Wax. Her book is a great way to get step by step directions on how to start in encaustic. My favorite parts of her book are the sections called "Lay it on" and "Break the Rules." "Lay it on" is about collage and embedding, and "Break the Rules" is about using other mediums than you would not expect with to be compatible with encaustic (such as watercolor and shellac burns).

The video below is about embedding fibers into encaustic. This is one of my favorite things to do in encaustic. If you have been checking out my blog, you see that I don't often "just paint" in encaustic (you can see my "just painting" in encaustics here). I usually collage, embedded, texturize and sculpt my encaustic and beeswax. String and fibers are amazing to work with and if you haven't tried to add them to your encaustic beeswax paintings, now is the time!



After watching the video, you can check out my own work that is related. Here is a link to a blog post that I did of Mixed Media Encaustic Sculptural Paintings a few months ago. These were obviously done way before I found this video, but the general idea of creating depth through embedding of string is the same. I love this particular variegated, maroonish-red fiber so much that I used it to create my free-hanging 3-D encaustic sculptures. I hope these inspire you to add some fiber to your own work. Enjoy!

Happy Art-making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Wordless Wednesday (Music-Style) - Prayers for a Beloved Sun by solarone

Prayers for a Beloved Sun by solarone

~Jaime Lyerly

San Diego Women's Drum Circle this Saturday!

I thought it was time to share my new monthly activities with the readers of my blog. Every first Saturday for the past 4 months, I have joined in a safe and healing space of the San Diego Women's Drum Circle. The group has such great energy and is drumming is the best way to start off a new month. Come sing, dance, drum or just sit and soak in the healing energy!

Here is the information from the San Diego Women's Drum Circle website:

Join Us at our next Drum Circle

We Women Drummers of San Diego gather on the 1st Saturday of each month; sharing and exchanging our rhythmic energy.

Elisa will be holding her DRUM class one hour prior to the circle from 5:30-6:30 pm. Cost is $8. Elisa is an incredible instructor. She will take you on a journey, introducing technique and sharing her knowledge of the history of rhythms. Drums are available to borrow or purchase. Call Elisa for more information: 619 417-6272.

When: Always the FIRST Saturday of each month.

Where: Universal Spirit Center in Hillcrest - 3858 Front St., S.D. 92103 - corner of Front & University (Masonic Lodge Building).

Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Donation: $7.00

More Information: Vicki: 619 563-4771 or VMorganMT@aol.com

Drums For Sale: from Mali, Guinea, and Ivory Coast Africa. Contact Vicki 619 563-4771 or VMorganMT@aol.com

I hope you can join me this week, and come and make some noise. Your muse will be happy to have you give her extra energy. I usually come home buzzing for about a week, and creating for another week after. Since classes just started for me, and it is has be STRESSFUL, I need this time for myself to unwind and get a great start to a new month.

Happy drumming and Art making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Back to Work and Classes!

Sorry I have been neglecting my blog! I was sick with a cold for about a week and half and it really took a huge toll on my body. But I am back to work, and will be blogging again about my art experiences soon.

I am going to start a new semester at San Diego State University, tomorrow which is always exciting. Because of my wonderful summer Study Tour to China and Japan, I am taking Japanese I this semester in preparation to apply for an exchange program for next Fall. I am especially nervous about this class because even though I am a senior and this is only a 100 level course, it is a language that I have just began to study. Is 32 too old to learn a new language? I hope not!

In addition to my language class, I am taking an online Anthropology class, beginning Woodworking and Furniture design, and figurative sculpture with Jess Dominguez. So I am looking forward to a busy semester. I promise to keep making art and posting in progress pictures like always.

Until then, Happy art making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Wine, Chocolate and Discussion - "Why We Make Art" at the Eclipse Chocolat Cafe

Here is another community event to sink your teeth into. See the information below from San Diego Women's Caucus for Art member Steffanie Dotson:

Why We Make Art
-A discussion hosted by the Women's Caucus for Art, San Diego Chapter

When: Friday, August 21, 2009 from 6pm - 8pm

Where: Eclipse Chocolat Cafe
2121 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92104
(at El Cajon & Alabama near Washington)

Why: The discussion is intended to get us all thinking and ACTING and inspired to make more art, and to find what our roles are in the community and in our careers as women artists.

10% of all proceeds made during the discussion will go to the WCA San Diego. So come thirsty and hungry for chocolates. Eclipse offers coffee, tea, wine and other delicious dessert beverages such as drinking chocolates. They also have an impressive array of handmade chocolate truffles, candy bars, cupcakes, and other yummy treats.

More about the Topic of discussion:
The question that at one time or another has perplexed us all as artists: Why do I make art?

Our discussion will pose this question and we hope to hear from each of you. Of course, we can't hope to answer or even have a fruitful discussion about this without posing other questions.

• What does it take to be a successful artist?
• And we pose this question as a very personal inquiry... what makes you feel accomplished, validated?
• When you really shave away all the layers of making, whether it be performance art, painting, sculpture, textiles, small metals, wood or clay... what is the essence of what you do?
• What is your goal? Is it intertwined with a social obligation?
• Who do you make art for?
• What's the response you hope to get from your viewer?
• What/who are you inspired by?

Over the next week, we hope you'll ponder this topic and possibly make a few notes about ideas that you'd like to share. Bring a friend or two. Forward this invitation to any women you think may be interested. ...and don't forget to scrounge up that couch change. Check your jacket pockets and the junk drawer. We hope everyone will at least buy a drink and a truffle.

Thanks to Steffanie for writing up these questions for discussion. And wine and chocolates to boot! Should be fun.

I am going to try to make this event. I have a very simple answer to the question of "Why I make art" which is to be a creator. I love to make new things come into being. In a world of mass production and "sameness," the unique calls to me. I need to make objects that lift you out of the mundane and live in a world of their own that you want to touch and be a part of.

Your turn:
If you cannot make this event, whether you are busy or in another part of the country, I would love to hear what you think about this topic. It is a question that each artist has to answer for themselves, and no two answers will be alike. Share your answers in the comments here!

Happy Art Making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Women's History Museum Suffrage Day Parade and Ball

Another great community event to put on your calendars!

Please check out the message below from the Women's History Museum Director Ashley Gardner.

The 2nd annual Suffrage Day Parade and Ball will be held on Saturday, August 29th in Balboa Park. The Suffragist's Parade starts at 4pm at the Kate Sessions Statue and is FREE!

Suffragist's costumes, banners, flags and placards are all welcome and encouraged. We march across the Laurel Street Bridge through the Park to the Balboa Park Club. (about 20 minutes). Lemonade on the lawn follows.

The Ball starts at 6pm on the BEST dance floor in San Diego - the Big Ballroom at the Balboa Park Club. A beautiful, elegant room perfect for "A Journey to the 1930's" our theme for the ball. Vintage cars, costumes, and cuisine will be part of the festivities. And of course, dance music by the Sue Palmer Orchestra as led by Jimmy Woodard. A Dance Marathon, Costume Contests and historical reenactments involving a 1934 Police Paddy wagon. (Rumor has it that Bonnie and Clyde will be there).

This event is part of the Educational Programming of the Women's History Museum.

Tickets and more information are available on line at www.whmec.org/ or by calling the Women's Museum at 619 233-7963. Email at info@whmec.org

Happy event attending! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Women's Caucus for Art, San Diego Annual Retreat

IT’S TIME TO REGISTER for the 12th ANNUAL Women's Caucus for Art/San Diego (WCA/SD) RETREAT for 2009!

Here is all the information from the WCA/SD Retreat Coordinator Jen Bottoms:

The retreat offers a special time to make art, make new friends and reconnect with old friends.

WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:

THE FAMILY FIELD AND CONSTELLATIONS, group healing session with Ellen Benfatti
PORTRAIT PAINTING with Judith Burnett
ENCAUSTIC TECHNIQUE with Jaime Lyerly
(More details about the workshops below)

When: November 13, 14, 15, 2009

Where: Camp Stevens in Julian
1108 Highway 78
Julian, CA 92036
Phone: (760)765-0028
We will be staying in the new Wolterstorff Lodge.

Fee: A $135 (member), $155 (non-member) or $180 (retreat plus basic membership) fee covers registration, 2 nights and 5 meals (organically grown and prepared by Camp Stevens), and all workshop fees. Note: There might be a small materials fee.

Directions:
From San Diego: Take highway 67 to Ramona, then Highway 78 east to Julian. Camp Stevens is located 2 miles east of Julian on State Highway 78.
There is a “Camp Stevens” entrance sign on the left side of the highway exactly 2 miles from Julian.

REGISTER EARLY!
A deposit of $35 (refundable before November 6, 2009) is required to secure your reservation, and the full amount of $135, $155 or $180, is due no later than Sept.13, 2009.

Registered participants will receive a detail map, a packing list, schedule, and other details via mail. Please let us know if you require a special diet, or have physical restrictions.

Note: There is no cell phone service.

Workshop Descriptions:
(A WCA/SD membership is NOT required to participate in the retreat)

The family field and constellations; group healing session with Ellen Benfatti
There is a “life force” that flows through families, generation after generation. This force is one, which relates family member’s to each other. This is part of the family field of consciousness. We call it the Family Soul. Ellen will be facilitating a healing session which works with the energetic patterns held within the family. Come ready to heal and restore balance to your body, mind, and soul. The time spent together during this workshop will most likely change your view of yourself, humanity, and your family in a way that fosters more love, compassion, health, and vitality.

Portrait Painting in oils with Judith Burnett
You will learn a basic portrait painting technique. You will learn how to pose your model in order to get a good likeness and a satisfying painting; what materials and colors you will need, and how to mix and apply your paint.

Encaustic painting with Jaime Lyerly
Encaustic is beeswax, damar resin and pigment applied to a surface hot and fused using heat. You will be learning the basic techniques of encaustic painting is this workshop. We will cover history, materials, substrates, tools and safety. We will explore layering, collage, incising, embedding, and transfers. There will be plenty of time for hands-on experimentation. Bring your own collage elements and get ready to try this “hot” way of painting. (see more of my encaustic work)

About Camp Stevens and WCA/SD retreat
We will stay in the new Wolterstorff Lodge, which is built from the ashes of the Bishop’s Lodge; destroyed in the “Angel Fire” in September 15, 2007. The lodge has 24 beds; 4 six person rooms with shared bath, and a meeting room with a fireplace. Outdoor Facilities include a tree house, outdoor chapel and other outdoor meeting and gathering spaces. Visitors can also enjoy a swim in the pool (seasonal), a stroll in the botanical garden, games on the lawns, basketball and volleyball, or an evening campfire.

For more information, or to register for the Retreat, contact Jen Bottoms at (619) 892-3429 or via email.

If you missed my encaustic workshop in Escondido, you can join me for this one! Hope to see you there.

Happy Art making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Acrylic Paintings by Jaime Lyerly - In Progress

As promised, here are some of the 21 acrylic paintings on claybord that I did during a frenzy of painting after the Artist Trading Card Workshop on Saturday, August 8, 2009.

I had not worked in acrylics since I fell in love with encaustics over a year ago. It was so much fun to work spontaneously without having to fuse each layer. I also worked with a "dirty brush" technique, using only about 5 brushes total for all of the paintings. Usually with encaustics, I keep my brushes in separate colors, unless I am mixing on the griddle palette. To see more about how encaustic paintings are done, check out the links above.

All of these paintings are in progress, and most are just an exploration of color. I favored soft formed geometric rectangles for this session, and some of these will be pushed up next to one another to form more complex shapes and movement. For now, here are 11 of the 21 claybord paintings. Enjoy!

Acrylic painting on 6x6 inch claybord, 8.8.2009.1 © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Acrylic painting on 6x6 inch claybord, 8.8.2009.2 © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Acrylic painting on 6x6 inch claybord, 8.8.2009.3 © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Acrylic painting on 6x6 inch claybord, 8.8.2009.4 © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Acrylic painting on 6x6 inch claybord, 8.8.2009.5 © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Acrylic painting on 6x6 inch claybord, 8.8.2009.6 © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Acrylic painting on 6x6 inch claybord, 8.8.2009.7 © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Acrylic painting on 6x6 inch claybord, 8.8.2009.8 © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Acrylic painting on 6x6 inch claybord, 8.8.2009.9 © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

These last two are done on 5x5 inch claybord; same exploration of color, but without the geometric shapes on a slightly smaller sized board.

Acrylic painting on 5x5 inch claybord, 8.8.2009.10 © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Acrylic painting on 5x5 inch claybord, 8.8.2009.11 © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Thanks for checking out my art in progress (see more by clicking these link). I have much more painting to be done on these and the ten other ones that did not make the cut for my blog. I did document the other ten, so you may get to see them if they progress into something more than they are now. I am going to work more on some acrylic paintings this weekend, and will have more to share soon.

Find some inspiration in color and Happy Art Making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

First 4 steps toward selling your art - from the Art Biz Coach

For those of you who not my Twitter follower or Facebook friend or fan, you may have missed all my posts about these steps. So, I present to you the Art Biz Coach Alyson Stanfield's "First 4 steps toward selling your art." They are wonderful and a great reminder that it takes more than just work in the studio to make it as an artist.

It is because of the Art Biz Coach's book "I'd rather be in the studio" and newsletter that I even started my blog and all this social networking. Knowing the steps and learning how to follow through with them is a must for artists at all stages of the game.

Here are the steps:

Step #1 is Devote yourself completely to a studio practice

Step #2 is Create your mailing list

Step #3 is Connect with other artists

Step #4 is Start writing about your art (and never stop)

I have steps #3 and #4 down. I love to write, blog, tweet, and connect with other artists. I write for my own blog, Art Making is a Journey and the Women's Caucus for Art Blog. It is even more fun to write about other artists than my own work. Over the past year, I have written about other artists such as Lisa Bebi, David Fobes, May-Ling Martinez, and events such as the workshops at the Escondido Municipal Gallery, the Women's History Museum's "Herstory" show, and Dance, Vocal and Drum Workshop led by Kat Fulton and Draza Jansky. Granted, most of these events I was somehow involved in, but what better way to write about something than to experience it firsthand?

Step #1 is simple, yet hard to manage. Devoted studio time. Do I have that? I spend lots of time making art, but I recently have been making art in hours of creative energy. When my college classes start again at the end of the month, I will be back on a normal routine of making art almost everyday. Then I will be back to devoted studio time.

Step #2 is the most difficult for me. I am just starting my mailing list, but am not sure which is the best service to use. I signed up for a free trial of Constant Contact email marketing service. I also have downloaded a free trial of Flick! which is a program to manage my art and my contacts in the same place (more information about software programs for artists on the Art Biz Coach Blog). I want to be able to send out art newsletters to announce my art and pass along the great information that I find on the web. If you want to be on my email list, please fill in the box on the right of blog post. Yet, I am still confused on which comes first. Do you have any tips?

So check out these first steps, and let me know what you think. If you have any tips on software programs, email programs or keeping up with studio practice, I would love to hear about it. Put it in the comments here to share with everyone.

Until then, Happy Art-Making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Blog Follower Drawing Winner - Kimber Scott

Encaustic monoprint #10, © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Recently, on my Facebook Fan Page, I started a doing a random drawing for an original encaustic monoprint done by me, Jaime Lyerly, for every 50 fans. I usually ask my son or partner Chris to pick a number, so it is quite random.

I have only done one drawing for my Facebook Fans, since I am currently at 71 fans. However, as I saw that my visible followers on my blog reaching closer and closer to 50, I thought "why not have a follower drawing, too?" So here we are!

The winner of our first Blog Follower Drawing is artist Kimber Scott!

Kimber is an amazing artist and I am so happy that she was picked for this drawing. She also blogs, Kimber Scott - In Progress, about her art work, which I cannot help but love. For my drawing, she wins an original encaustic monoprint made by me, which she selected from my Encaustic Monoprint tutorial from April 2009. Kimber chose Encaustic Monoprint #10, which can be seen above.

Congratulations to Kimber Scott! Could you be next?

Your Turn:

Love art and want to get in on the winning action? Become a Facebook Fan or Follower on my blog! You don't need to be an artist to win, but if you are, I will link to your work. I would love it if you follow me on Twitter too, but I don't have a drawing for Twitter. Send your artist or art-loving friends to my sites to join too.

Happy Art-Making! ~Jaime Lyerly

Artist Trading Card (ATC) Workshop Photos

Artist Trading Cards at the Escondido Municipal Gallery, Before the Workshop swap

photo © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

We had so much fun at the free Artist Trading Card (ATC) Workshop led by Renee Richetts and Lisa Bebi last Saturday, August 8, 2009 at the Escondido Municipal Gallery! It was great, and I have plenty of pictures to share. Plus, I finally met some of the wonderful artists that I have been connecting with on Facebook. It was an inspirational day!

Artist Trading Card (ATC) Workshop, Renee Richetts and Lisa Bebi standing

photo © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Most of the workshop time was spent creating the cards using whatever materials wanted. All materials were provided, and we could use anything or everything there. The only criteria to be an Artist Trading Card or ATC is that the card has to be 2.5 inch by 3.5 inch. So stay in that size and let the creativity flow!

Artist Trading Card (ATC) Workshop, Participates working
photo © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

My son, Xen, immediately started cutting and gluing cards together. My friend, Starry, took out tiny pieces of tissue and glued them onto a card. Her daughter, Pan, drew anime with pencils. Without much thought, I ripped up some book pages and started gluing them down to the pre-cut card. Grabbing some Golden fluid acrylic paints and brushes, I started to put color down on the cards. I had not worked in acrylics for at least a year, ever since I fell in love with hot encaustic wax. It was wonderful to be able to lay down color and not have to fuse every layer! I forgot how easy and intuitive it is to work in acrylics.

Here are some photographs of some of the cards we did at this workshop.

Artist Trading Cards by Jaime Lyerly, © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Artist Trading Card by Xen, © photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Artist Trading Card by Pan, © photo 2009 Pan

Artist Trading Card by Pan, © photo 2009 Pan

Artist Trading Card by Starry Wizdom, © photo 2009 Starry Wizdom

Artist Trading Card by Starry Wizdom, © photo 2009 Starry Wizdom

After we created the cards, and they dried, it was time to swap them out with the other ATC's available on the wall in the back of the gallery.

Xen and Starry checking out the ATC's available for swap,
© photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Starry laying out her ATC's,
© photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Starry and Pan deciding which ATC's to swap,
© photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

When we made out choices of what which card we wanted from the board above, we switched it out with one of our own. Here are some of the cards we made in their new homes (for the moment!)

Artist Trading Cards by Starry Wizdom in their trading cubby holes,
© photo 2009 Starry Wizdom

Artist Trading Card by Xen in its trading cubby hole,
© photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Artist Trading Card by Jaime Lyerly in its trading cubby hole,
© photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Finally, here is a photograph of the ATC's in their cubby holes after the workshop. Most of the original cards had been replaced by ones made by the artists at the workshop. The swap will continue for the duration of the ATC exhibit will be on display until September 3, 2009. If you are in the area, feel free to stop by Escondido Municipal Gallery and trade one!

Artist Trading Cards at the Escondido Municipal Gallery, After the Workshop swap
photo © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

The workshop did more for me than just a few hours of fun. I was so inspired by working in acrylics, that later on that same day, I did more painting. I painted for five hours straight and started 21 paintings in acrylic on 6x6 inch board. Yes, I know 21 paintings are a lot; but when I'm on fire, I go with it! I will have some pictures of those coming up this week.

Until then, Happy Art Making! ~ Jaime Lyerly