by Linda | Jul 20, 2011 | my creative journal
If you would like to learn about the Notes to Myself project from the beginning, check out the introduction post here.
I believe that oftentimes we don’t celebrate enough. I don’t just mean big parties for certain milestone events though…I mean all the little things too. A little success here, a lovely family dinner together. Why not break out the wine? As a family, we often break out a nice bottle of wine or special beer and just make it an occasion. Sometimes we experiment and cook a special dish for a Sunday lunch…to have some fun and just celebrate a lovely time together.
Everyone gets really busy and we often feel pressured to throw those big parties for birthdays and big events. But it doesn’t have to be so complicated. You can celebrate with a nice dessert one night or a little something different to make it a special day. We need to celebrate the life we live…all the time. I have had to learn over time that it’s okay to indulge.
For this page, I printed out an array of photos from our little experiments, parties and get togethers. From formal events to just family dinners and lunches…celebrate life! I even kept some of the petal confetti from a recent BBQ we had…my brother-in-law just decided to buy fireworks and confetti poppers. Now that’s the way to have fun 🙂
Are you celebrating life…enough?
by Linda | Jul 19, 2011 | my creative journal
I am an Artist. That is how the chapter begins and it’s a huge statement… especially since so many creative people have a hard time saying that statement with full confidence and pride. It is definitely a journey to self-acceptance and I don’t know if it’s something you can teach someone or help someone with. It is a wholly personal journey.
Reading through The Artist’s Way (here’s a link to the copy I bought on Amazon) and in this chapter, what really hit me is when Cameron wrote, “we need to move out of the head and into a body of work..” because “Most blocked creatives are cerebral beings.” That really stopped me in my tracks.
I’ve always been the brainy, goody, practical, by the rules, the reason behind it kind of person. Decisions based on the pros and cons and planning things out. Jeepers. I’m too cerebral… in a negative sense, I think. There I go over analyzing again. Definitely something I need to work on.
I was inspired to create this design after reading the chapter. My first step to autonomy, acceptance and declaration. Here’s a little design I created…
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by Linda | Jul 14, 2011 | my creative journal
For those of us into social media, blogging and all the latest online marketing buzz…it can sometimes overshadow the importance of offline marketing. In fact, the best way to get quality business leads is through word of mouth. So I think it’s supremely important to cultivate your marketing efforts both online and offline.
Granted, I live in a little rural Italian town. Are they really going to need web design or illustration…a cute drawing of little girls anytime soon?! Turns out even the local meat shop is interested in some design work. When I finally opened up, letting people know what I was capable of…requests starting coming in. “So and so said you do design work…would it be possible…” and so it begins. It really got me started thinking about more offline marketing ideas.
- Do you include your business info on all communications? You know how important it is to have an email signature with your business information…but what about on snail mail? Something to consider because that mail goes through a lot of hands…hence lots of eyes.
- How about working with partner stores, leaving business card sand/or flyers inside the shopping bags of customers perhaps. If you are able to connect with a store that compliments your services or products…it would really be a win-win. Perhaps your service goes hand in hand, so you would be referring clients to each other. You might have to think a bit creatively, but randomly I thought about illustrators and tattoo parlors. A lot of people would like custom tattoo designs… or am I dreaming? Maybe yarn themed illustrations at your local yarn shop – you probably have the same target demographic. Stationery and graphic designers can partner up with bridal salons or wedding planners. The list goes on…
- Are you providing your services and products to family and friends? I know at times it might seem odd, because getting a similar gift every year might not seem so cool for family…(how many journals can I give to a person?) But to a certain extent it really is great advertising. When you offer something as a gift, there’s no pressure for them to do anything about it. But naturally if they like it or someone mentions a need, your info will be shared to other friends, neighbors or colleagues at work in an organic fashion.
- Do you advertise locally and list yourself in business directories? The newsletter or bulletins, community booklets and journals, sport team flyers, local business listings and kids team fundraisers sponsor lists. There are so many options that are FREE or reasonable priced when it boils down to a local area.
- Consider donating your services or products at charity events. It’s a great way to do good and get some advertising at the same time, whether it be family festival raffles or contest drawings.
- Leaving flyers at events that might relate to your business or general information locations, such as career centers, public libraries, post offices or continuing education centers. Of course you have to get permission, but you’ll be surprised how supportive the community is. The secret is finding a good match and giving them a good reason to provide the information. I started thinking about designers hooking up with print shops, where people might want someone to design a photo book or cover to be printed…
- For those targeting the mom demographic, would day care centers be a perfect place to advertise? Everyone takes a look at those bulletin boards or table of flyers. Maybe even the pediatricians office or similar locations. Or at the hospital new born section…new moms have a lot of needs and would be happy to find useful information on services that pertain to them.
- Networking events. I know, sounds super scary and a bit fake to many people. But honesty, they have been created to get business people together and these events have started the careers of many budding entrepreneurs. This is something I want to try for myself…to get to know the business people in the community and get over the fear of putting myself out there.
- How about offering giveaways to local shops in your community? In the online world there is often talk about guest posting and giveaways…why not do them in real life? When this idea popped up in my brainstorming, I started to think about how all the online tactics could be translated into real life marketing tactics… A whole new world, huh?
Do you have ideas to contribute? The idea is to spread the news about you and your work…to the communities and groups of people you have all around you. I’ve been realizing how odd it is that many folks do business remotely with people all over the world…yet not with their own neighborhood! There are cases where it makes sense, but oftentimes we are simply overlooking good opportunities.
Feel free comment below and share your experiences! I will definitely be trying a few of my ideas, but just pick one if you are feeling shy. Let’s see where it takes us!
by Linda | Jul 13, 2011 | my creative journal
With the rush of events in life, I was very tempted to just let my weekly routine die out. It’s already mid-week and I’m behind… but thankfully I was able to gather up some sense of self-control and get through another chapter in The Artist’s Way (here’s a link to the copy I bought on Amazon), so I can keep to my plan of finishing the book before I head off on vacation and really get lost in other things!
This chapter touches on understanding ourselves and all the possible blocks that stops us from creating. I noticed an interesting topic topic when first diving into reading though. We have all heard it said before…that many are afraid of success, that somehow they sabotage themselves…this big fear of succeeding. Is that really true? For me…I find it hard to wrap my brain around the idea…I want success and would run out and kiss it on both cheeks like every other Italian here! Or is it in disguise in my life, so I can’t make it out?
I have learned over time…that often not understanding something could just be a perspective issue. I will get it, if I can just look at the situation differently or if I discuss with a friend and turn the topic on it’s side. I like that part of analyzing and mulling over things…maybe that’s what I need to do on that particular topic. I read through each section and certainly agree that the issues stop many of us…
In the section about workaholism, I gained a new perspective on the term. Before I used to think…it means people who work too hard and don’t know how to take a vacation. I certainly know how to take time off, so I don’t think that’s a problem. However, in the quiz questions you are asked about when you do your work and if you postpone outings or do the job off hours or during family time. Even talking about work and work issues elsewhere. Has your family ever lamented, “oh you are working…” kind of thing? Hmm. Didn’t really think that all that little stuff could be considered a workaholic issue… sometimes you want to follow a spark of intuition before it dies out. Does that choice in the way of working, naturally put you into a chaotic way of life though?
Another section about the drought really hit me as well. Maybe it’s the heat again (an excuse, I know), but I’ve been experiencing those dry seasons in creativity and I feel like it’s all coming to an end or horrible crash of failure… boo hoo. Sometimes it’s hard to tell when it’s just a rough patch…or if perhaps it’s not meant to be. But I’ve always been an optimist at heart. I’ve always believe that you CAN do it… it might take a long time…but you can if you are persistent. I don’t like crushing dreams… what is life without that excitement and joy. That ambition and the something from nothing miracle of creating things from scratch? You know what I mean, right?
Another takeaway that is definitely sort of scary…when Cameron writes about unhealthy envy and how magazines and journals can do that to people. I started thinking about blogs and how many of us surf around and sometimes… get intimidated and crushed from the overwhelm of other peoples’ success. That is scary…and it is such a new thing if you think about it. Generations before didn’t have information overload…today, it is a reality that sometimes seems as if we have no control over…
So I’m going to spend the rest of this week working on the exercises and tasks… getting myself one more step along the journey of an artist 🙂 thanks for reading as always.
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by Linda | Jul 13, 2011 | DIY printables
Download this free printable to do list with a cute lady illustration saying “Check it Baby!” because we love to check off our lists!
Lots on my mind these days and so much to do! Of course, I had to stop and stall a bit by designing my own to-do list printable. There’s nothing like a little bit of cuteness to get me back on track and motivated to get all the tasks done.
I hope this free printable will give you some inspiration and energy to get through the day and check off all your tasks. We can be productive in style, right? So check it baby!
Download the free printable to do list images below:
Click on each image below to open a window with the full-sized version. Then you can save it to your computer at full size – both colored or black and white version. I hope these will help you get productive and checking off your to-do’s.
Keep checking this blog for upcoming posts and if you don’t want to miss out on free printables – Sign-up for my email newsletter to get all the updates >>
by Linda | Jul 8, 2011 | my creative journal
If you would like to learn about the Notes to Myself project from the beginning, check out the introduction post here.
Here’s the latest progress for my ongoing minibook project – Notes to Myself. I’ve been spending some time just journaling my thoughts and getting those text pages ready. Many of them are simply general accounts of my thoughts and feelings. They help to illustrate how and why certain phrases have ended up as a pivotal “note.” Of course, this means that a specific photo might not necessarily relate. In the case of – Enjoy The Ride – I have chosen to include a graphic print I created instead of a photo. Can you tell that it is rain or shine, enjoy the ride? 🙂
There is actually much significance in the graphic print though. I had created it after my father-in-law passed away…that bike illustration is modeled after his racing bike now on display in our living room. It means a lot to me…to have created something to represent all that he taught me about the slow life and living well and happy…
You can see in the photo above how simple and uncomplicated it can be. Just imagery and journaling. I added the consistent strip of patterned paper to the journaling side and also added some doodling to the top as I felt it need a bit of visual weight. Otherwise, it’s pretty darn simple and I am still debating on what embellishments to add. In the meantime, I actually added a bit of white gel pen embellishment to the cover…see the dotted lines?
I often go back and add little details to previous pages or throughout the minibook…whatever feels right at the moment. It’s important to realize that everything is a work in progress and it’s okay to change things up, add more or leave as is…for now. I think the fun in creating…is not having too much of a plan and going with your fancy. I believe even in the simplest little things you add in…personalize your work. And ultimately that is the important part to show…it’s your unique work.
For example, I add doodling here and there and even in my journaling I do a mixed english Italian type of writing at times…it’s an honest authentic reflection of me. There’s no need to do things like xyz, these are your memories and your scrapbooks after all! So after getting this first entry put in, I wasn’t sure on how to move forward with decoration. So I decided not to force it. Instead, I just to the back cover of the book and added the final element.
It’s a studio photo of my parents in 1959, when they were in Vietnam and it’s there to remind me of the most important concept they could have instilled in me. To be happy. Seriously. There were soooo many struggles for them and our family growing up, but ultimately they always said that it was important that we are all happy and living well. What else do you want in life ultimately? So I thought it was the perfect ending to this minibook…even though I’ve barely started.
Perhaps my jumping around seems chaotic, but really it’s still quite planned. I decided on my minibook structure and journaling structure to begin with. Now I can keep adding in the pages as I complete them, with the consistent patterened and color paper cardstock to match throughout…as well as consistent journaling for each story and note. Pretty cool, huh?
Let me know what you think and if you are creating a minibook of notes for yourself! Would love to see. Until next time!
by Linda | Jul 8, 2011 | my creative journal
A major part of my growth as an artist is simply in asking questions! You’ll be surprised how nice and helpful veteran artists can be. I always have a few questions floating in my mind about the world of art licensing, and the more I learn the more questions I have! I started reaching out to the masters in art licensing with a quick question…and guess what? They were all happy to share their point of view.
Question: Do you sign your artwork for licensing?
Tara Reed from ArtLicensingInfo.com said:
“Since you have to manipulate art so much to get it onto products, and it’s done digitally, my signature is a separate layer in Photoshop. I always try to have it included on products but there are times when it isn’t for one reason or another. Keeping it separate keeps it flexible!”
Cherish Flieder from Something to Cherish said:
“When I create my art I don’t put the signature on it because, depending on the product, it could actually be in the wrong sort of place. If I wanted a signature on a piece, I would add it in digitally so I or a production team can move it around on a separate layer. I think the identity of an artist is part of what is being licensed, not just the artwork itself. I am sure there are companies that are looking for generic art, but I think art is more meaningful to our retail customers when it is attached to a name or a person. So, if I don’t have my signature shown on the art used for the product, I would at least insist on it on being on the side, back or bottom of the product and/or its marketing and packaging. The artists’ copyright notice needs to be expressed as well in these types of expressions adjacent to the work. Having the artist’s name and/or signature adds value to the item for which the art is being licensed and is helpful in building the artist’s brand value. On a side note, I do sign my original paintings, but only after having a high resolution scan preserved.”
Joan Beiriger said:
“I put a copyright symbol and my signature on ALL my art for licensing but no date. The reason why I don’t put a date is that it “dates” the art. When I send a file to the manufacturer, the symbol and signature is on it. So far manufacturers have not commented about the signature. They just go ahead and print it. I suppose that I may some day find a manufacturer that wants to remove it and then I’ll have a discussion with them on the importance of having the symbol and signature on my art. However, so far that hasn’t happened.”
Pilar from Puffy P said:
“…no I don’t sign my work. For the type of thing I’m doing, it seems distracting. I do though add a brand logo where applicable, so that would be similar. I consider my work to be attached to my various brands. I usually have my brand logo or company logo on the product, which is in essence my signature…”
Khristian A. Howell said:
“I don’t sign my work as in the same sense that a gallery artist would. However, usually all the products that use my artwork have my copyright on them. To be clear, I mean on the actual product, not just the packaging. Depending on the product it may be as simple as ©Khristian A. Howell or ©my logo.”
Sue Zipkin said:
“Yes, when I submit my designs to manufacturers I always include my name on it. I usually keep my name (which is my standard signature logo) on a separate layer. In certain situations, depending on the product sometimes the artist signature will need to go on the back of a product and or a label. In most cases artists who are licensing do get there name on the products. If you are selling all rights to your work, then most likely you will not get your name on it.”
Kathy Weller from WellerWishes said:
“It depends on 1) the final use of the product and if it makes sense in the context of the product, and 2) the client’s flexibility. Each case is different. Regardless if signature is used or not, it is important to insist upon a printed name credit © name of artist printed somewhere on the product.”
One important topic I learned was how everyone stressed the importance and value of having an artist connected to the artwork. The exact location of a signature or copyright might vary by product understandably. Many illustrators work their signature into the artwork itself…whereas a surface pattern designer would have their name elsewhere given the nature of the work and final product. I was happy to learn about dates and copyrights as well. It’s funny how a little detail, can lead into so many different avenues of discussion. I am starting to believe that whatever works for you as an artist will help to determine your style and brand…however being flexible also helps you to grow and change with the times. Who knows how products might be manufactured and labelled in the future!
It’s been really helpful to learn what works in this industry today…and I’ve been reminded of the simplest way to grow as an artist – by just asking! My sincere thanks to all the artists that shared their thoughts on this question. Do you have questions about the art licensing industry? For more useful information, check out this article about branding and signing your work by Lance Klass, adding copyright to your artwork by Joan Beiriger and be sure to listen in on the live calls by Tara Reed at art licensing info, where art licensing masters answer your questions directly!
by Linda | Jul 7, 2011 | my creative journal
No doubt, you have probably heard of Pinterest. It’s the new thing to do online, a place to literally “pin” things you like from the Web. A great way to store inspiration and to follow other people’s pinboards as well. I have not jumped in on that game, simply because I haven’t the time and I already have a system of bookmarking and tracking my inspirations. However, I was wondering if people were pinning my content by chance!
And it turns out that it’s super easy to see what others have pinned from your website. Simply type in your URL instead of mine like so: https://www.pinterest.com/SOURCE/tortagialla.com/
You’ll get a screen of all the pins that link back to your site. Pretty cool, huh? Just a quick tip I wanted to share. It’s a great way to see what others – at least Pinterest users – find inspiring from your website. What do they want to bookmark or keep on their boards…safe to say some of your popular content. This gives you an indication of the type of content you produce that could go viral…
by Linda | Jul 4, 2011 | my creative journal
Amazing how the weeks are flying by, I’m into chapter 9 of The Artist’s Way that talks around the topic of fear. Fear of many things and I think we will be forever searching for ways to combat our fears in some way. I don’t think they will ever go away. The important point is to figure out what helps you to break through the fears and get to action. I really like how Cameron has stated that procrastination is not laziness… because that is what most people think. It’s more about fear blocking you from moving forward. I that that is an important point.
Interesting this week we are asked to read our morning pages as well. Yikes!
My handwriting is so bad, I can’t even understand half of what I wrote. But I understand the point of the exercise… to find out what we are rambling on about day after day. It’s very enlightening indeed.
For myself, I’ve realized, it’s amazing how much negativity can come out of me. Here I am judging myself, first thing in the morning. Lots of doubts and fears, driving me to be critical, so brutal.
I was thinking at some point, I might want to type my morning pages, since it’s a lot faster and easier for me. Easier to read after the fact as well. But then again, maybe that’s not the point, to read them back or go over them.
And perhaps writing by hand means something more? I’m not sure on this part yet.
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by Linda | Jul 1, 2011 | my creative journal
After playing around with bookbinding and creating journals for fun, I decided to go ahead with my idea of creating something more involving. Rather than a totally blank journal, I’ve decided to include some prompts to get you to start journaling and beat the blank page fear. A simple longstitch bound notebook, approximately 8.5 x 6 inches. Every journal is unique, a different piece of leather, a different cardstock lining inside. Pretty cool, eh?
I thought for the Independence holiday, I would give away one of these journals – in the spirit of freedom and letting go – in Art! I know there are many people out there who do not journal for fear of the blank page, for fear of judgement or what they think they should write or create inside. It’s time to let go of all preconceptions and just go for it!
Just comment below on what you look for in a journal or sketchbook for a chance to win. Open to anyone in the world, I’ll randomly pick a winner from the comments on July 5th. You can also buy one directly in my Etsy shop. Happy holiday weekend to those in the USA. Ciao ciao!
UPDATE: Giveaway has ended! Random.org came up with 9 – so the winner is Andrea – congrats!
