Quote of The Day

Friday, February 21, 2014

Be YOU! Paint Party Friday




Note books and a quote book I had made up by Vista print..  The color turned out fabulous!


#12.#13#14#15 for 29 faces of February

Over the years I have watched certain  bloggers emulate those they envied or admired!  It was much more blatant than they probably realized....all the while they were extremely talented with their own style. Somehow they felt the need to take on a part of another bloggers persona. I find that so sad... I myself have taken a few online classes and find  it could be very easy to imitate characters similar to those I have been taught by. However I am so cautious about letting that happen, still at times it slips past my radar too!  Without ill intention of course! I always revert back to my love of color, black lines and quirky digital characters! That's who I am!
Mugs and a mouse pad made up with my art! Looks much better in person!


#16 A card I made for gypsy goddess also better in person...I didn't get a good photo!
A good teacher explains their process  encouraging you to add your own voice to the work. Teachers who advocate finding your own style with the  influence of their process produce the most exciting results from their students! I love watching artists evolve with that kind of direction!!  Sadly a few admired bloggers are often copied. Once a blogger starts emulating another successful blogger diverting from  their own style or voice they usually lose me! I love visiting blogs that are authentic and unique with the artists soul splashed across the page!
I painted Lynns shoe  a while back and added her quote to it for my personal quote book....





My post was long last week, many may have missed Will Terrels video link. He is such a generous teacher you can watch his videos and hear his sage teachings free. Even though he is a cartoonist his words apply to all artists. I dare you not to learn something invaluable in those videos. I know I have!
There was a half price sale so I made up 40 pages of my shoes accompanied with favorite quotes including a few of my own!
Being yourself is always so important. I hear so many musicians and  artist underestimate their talent. I know I need more practice myself...but as years go on I learn more, picking up tips along the way from other bloggers.  Sometimes I'm horrified by what I produce...still I plug away hoping to get better! Consider your talent part of your soul, no two matching we all have something unique and different to share! That's is why I love Paint Party Friday so much....because there are so many different levels and styles of art that make my heart sing every single week!! 


I don't think it can be said enough, we are all born with a gift....all of us...whether it's comforting others, teaching, doctoring, defending or creating....what ever it is probably started to be noticeable at eight years old, some even younger..however we may have dismissed it, forgot about it, let it go feeling it was irrelevant... but truly it's who we have always been. I've loved to write as long as I can remember. I had pen pals, I wrote poetry as a little girl, coloring and reading was my favorite pastime!! I was always creating something.... How about you? What were some of the things you did as a child that you totally dismissed as irrelevant? What is something you passionately did as a child but thought it meant nothing...still you loved it?

Remember a copy is never worth as much as the original!  Always be yourself!
It's never too late to find your own voice!
I was very happy at how my vista print items turned out! The color is vibrant and accurate and the pages were a very good quality!  

     I can't tell you what a thrill it is to see my art on certain items!
Give it a shot if you haven't already done so....     

52 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Enjoy your gorgeous printed works, they all look wonderful! Valerie

Netty said...

Love your new girls, so fab and truly your own style. Good to see your vista makes, so colourful and full of fun. Happy PPF, Annette x

http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

Saskia said...

I like your colourful work!!

Smiles, Saskia :)

Carol Rigby said...

I read your post with great interest.
I am striving to find my own style. I am also taking part in 29 Faces and I have produced lots of different styles along the way. I am hoping when I look back at them I can see something reoccurring so I can say 'Yes there it is.'
I love your group of faces.

Kokopelli said...

Love the books. Your art is perfect for them. So colorful. Happy PPF!

Anonymous said...

I would recognize you anywhere, and that's a good thing. xox

Karla B said...

I always like your posts not only because of your fantastic art but also for your thoughful words. I think I still do everything I used to do as a child. I abandoned art for some time. When I was at university I tried to quit studying Literature but my father said that artists don't make money and I wouldn't be able to support myself. Weird thing but teachers here face the same dilemma. I am glad art fills my days now. I have always love drawing and I used to create cartoons when I was a little girl. I still have my notebooks filled with poems and I still write. I guess life is nothing without art and poetry.I am teacher and I do think we have to encourage students to find their own way in all subjects.life is all about encouragement and kindness. People are like plants: sun, water and good words make anyone blooms.It is always good to visit you.Have a magical Friday!

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

I love all the articles you incorporated your artwork into. Being an original is what I thrive for too. Blessings!

denthe said...

Oh yes, isn't it great to let them make these things out of your art!? So wonderful what's possible these days... I love your 4 ladies, and what you're saying in your post is so true. I think when you do a workshop it's normal in the beginning to make art influenced by what you learned, but I find that the own style usually always comes through after a while.

Linda Kunsman said...

I am so thrilled that you have had prints made of your happy, vibrant art-especially the book of shoes and quotes! That must make you and your loved ones so happy. I do try very hard not to copy too much from a lesson or class but sometimes I find that I need to in order to completely get the process.I would hope I still put my own thing into what I do.

Lynn Cohen said...

You are a hoot and a half! I do remember you painting my shoe, but I have no memory of saying "Done is better than perfect!" I'm honored that you found my words worthy of publishing!

As a child and young girl I made things: doll furniture out of little cereal boxes. I drew paper dolls and doll clothes. I remember a chalk painting of a big yellow octopus my 3rd grade teacher put up on the classroom wall! A clay squirrel at Girl Scouts. And I wrote... In diaries, stories, essays. As a young adult I made macrame art, crocheted , sewed jean wear, doll clothes, cowboy shirts, kids clothes, long hippie skirts!
In more recent years art quilts, taught myself to knit. And now drawing, painting. Yes, I have always been an artist, but I've only called myself that in my 7th and 8th decades! It's taken a lifetime to recognize who and what I am! Thank you for continually validating that for me!

I adore you and your art in all it's bright and shiny ways!

Lynn Cohen said...

You are a hoot and a half! I do remember you painting my shoe, but I have no memory of saying "Done is better than perfect!" I'm honored that you found my words worthy of publishing!

As a child and young girl I made things: doll furniture out of little cereal boxes. I drew paper dolls and doll clothes. I remember a chalk painting of a big yellow octopus my 3rd grade teacher put up on the classroom wall! A clay squirrel at Girl Scouts. And I wrote... In diaries, stories, essays. As a young adult I made macrame art, crocheted , sewed jean wear, doll clothes, cowboy shirts, kids clothes, long hippie skirts!
In more recent years art quilts, taught myself to knit. And now drawing, painting. Yes, I have always been an artist, but I've only called myself that in my 7th and 8th decades! It's taken a lifetime to recognize who and what I am! Thank you for continually validating that for me!

GlorV1 said...

Hi Sherrie. I love your books and I too would recognize your work anywhere. It's unique and I love it. Thank you for this post. I think we all need to remember to just be us and stick with what we love. You are a good person. Take care and enjoy the day. By the way, I too have many book that I have had printed up and when I am done doing 29 Faces 2014, I will have the faces printed up as well. It's fun and well worth it.

Unknown said...

love your colours and your style!!!! Happy PPF and I wish you a wonderful weekend!!!!

Christine said...

always love your colourful art. I should try vistaprint too.

Faye said...

I love the colorful works of art, Sherrie, and the words of wisdom you exude each week for PPF. This week, your shoes are what have caught my attention and I am crazy about them.

Carol said...

Love your post... with your wise womans words and your fabulously wild and colorful art ♥♥♥♥♥ I have no idea what my style is but I know I'm having a blast creating all the crazy stuff I make.

Unknown said...

Beautiful, beautiful and wisely written post. Be yourself and loving yourself is very important. It is even one of the most important tasks in my life! Fantastic post, Giggles and beautiful illustrations as well. Thank you so much for sharing your art and thoughts.

Ariel said...

Love your notebooks and mugs. I would love to do something through vistaprint too. Being yourself in creating art is so challenging. I am still tying to find my own style.
Happy PPF
Susan

kat said...

Your art is certainly full of you, bold and full of heart, your posts are always interesting. Keeping that eight year old alive in us is so important! Thanks for sharing dear friend,
hugs
Kat

sharon said...

Love your ladies! I think following other styles is a sign of insecurity and it is hard when learning to develop your own style, If you are creative in the art field your originality will shine through eventually. The problem for some people is to find where ntheir creative soul is, it is so easy to go down the wrong track for many people.

EVA said...

I always love your unique, colourful, bold and beautiful paintings and artwork! What wonderful keepsakes those notebooks will be.

Tammie Dickerson said...

What a wonderful post! You are totally right - done is better than perfect, and each of us has our own unique voice - a special gift! I learn from every stroke and every painting, and of course there are some I don't love, but each one teaches me something. It is like climbing a staircase, and I can only get to the top one step at a time! Happy PPF!

Alicia C said...

I think you are gifted at having interesting, provocative things to say. Though long, always worth reading. I must admit I don't share that phobia against copying, or emulating, or whatever it's called. I think it's silly to eliminate the possibility of learning through imitation - it's how children learn to do the most basic things of life. We wouldn't chide them for copying adults in regards to learning to walk, pretending to cook, etc would we? Same with apprentices throughout history. I say if going through a phase of copying some special blogger or artist or whatnot gets you where you need to go... then great! Hopefully you'll grow out of it, but it shouldn't be condemned outright. My 2 cents anyway

Kate Robertson said...

Fun seeing your art right there on a mug. Happy ppf

Deepa Gopal said...

Wonderful collection of your work! It must be a great feeling to see them all in various forms :)
Deepa
http://deepazworld.blogspot.in/

Terri Stegmiller said...

Just finally getting around to visit and see your faces. There are so many participants that it's challenging to catch up. I totally get what you are saying here in your post about finding your own style. I have always worried about doing that through my art career. I still do worry about it, hoping that my stuff looks unique. I think, sadly, that some people do not care about this though.

Paper rainbow said...

You have such a unique and vibrant style, I am sure it reflects your bright and beautiful soul.

Renee Dowling said...

Your words are very important, and a good reminder, as we all try to find our own true artistic voices!

I really enjoyed seeing your four ladies. The colour and your own style are very appealing!

Janet said...

Great post and as always, thought provoking. I have emulated artists mostly as a way to learn from them but then I try to bring their techniques into my own art. Someone said there's nothing original in art. It's all been done before. As for me, I just try to put my own stamp on it.

LOVE your girls!!

Tam Hess said...

So true. SO SO true! As I wander though the world of card making, my new thing, I've discovered; I'm not the best designer. SO I'll just find the peeps that rock at it and give them the credit. Being humble and giving credit where credit is due is so important. Your words meant a lot to me this week. Thanks for sharing. I especially love your faces. LOVE the colors!!

Happy Paint Party Friday!
Tam

bellefrogworks said...

I always love your joyful colors. I think my favorite is that colorful sneaker on the quote journal. The ladies are terrific too. I work very hard as well at incorporating what I love about other artists - but making it my own. That's why I started painting to begin with - wanted my own work instead of commercial stamps on my cards. Your post is so good - I think it might even encourage someone who copies to be themselves.

Paula - Buenos Aires said...

Just today I´m redoing my guests page and as I saw the stories about shoes you had shared I came to check in with you. :D More shoes! Yay!

Studio Kaufmann said...

You are so inspirational. Your ladies are so colorful and make me smile. You are so right we should strive to express what is inside of us and not emulate others. When I was a child I loved looking after animals and babies ....that has not changed ....I am still a big kid at heart. Happy PPF

pauline said...

oh, there is such wisdom here, my friend... LOVE your gypsy goddess card! What fabulous pieces. And yes, i also colored a lot when i was younger, and loved writing (had a ton of pen pals too!). I love that your colors are bold & daring. Wishing you a peaceful Sunday... xox

Victoria said...

Super beautiful art..how I love the one of the girls/ladies..so gorgeous and full of life! I love all of your artworks and always shining and vibing with your unique true nature and beautiful spirit! I only know how to be me and keep flowing with it! Wonderfully said and expressed. Shine on!! Yay..your books and creations looks fantastic..super-cool! I have always wanted to try and print some of my stuff out..always wonder which/what places to use..yours looks stunning..congrats..so exciting!
Wishing you a magical day..thanks for your powerful wisdom always!
hugs

DVArtist said...

Your art is so happy and inviting. I have said that many times and hope your don't get tired of hearing it. Being original is the best part of art. There is a great difference from learning a skill or technique from another artist than copying their art. This has been a great debate. You have people who think once it is out they can take it. My motto is
Honor and Integrity in art, in life.
I am also glad I found PPF it led me to your blog that brings such joy and inspiration to me
Have a very nice Sunday
Nicole/Beadwright

Jez said...

I love the wonderful person you are, and your colourful art always fills my heart with happiness. All the items you have had made with your artwork on looks so good.
As for your writing, well I've told you before that you are a gifted writer and I never tire of reading your thoughtful words, that linger in the mind. And one of the marvellous things about your artwork is that it only needs to be seen and it shouts your name as the original artist that you are.
I think there are two kinds of copying. I spend time copying images by the Masters of the past, which helps me to learn about them and their techniques, and which help me to keep practising careful observation.
Then there is the kind of copying you mention, which may be unintentional, but if it is used to help someone develop their own style in a different direction is valid. Unfortunately there is always copying that is then claimed as the copier's own, which is sad but there is nothing that can be done about it except regard it as some kind of compliment.
I always hope that one or two people at least will see my work, and use the techniques or ideas I use to create their own works in their own different way.
The face that your posts always generate so much discussion and lengthy commenting from so many people illustrates the way you connect with people through your writing.

Unknown said...

Hi Giggles! It was so fun to see your comment on my painting at Lynn's (our) blog! And now I get to visit your blog! Love all your colors, and your wise words. Nice to virtually meet you!

Margik said...

Amazing all faces so colourful.

JKW said...

The notebooks are a great idea. My daughter and I sell on ebay. She is constantly copied (and because the other person has a bigger following, sells at a higher price) it is so aggravating. So I totally understand. I order (cloth doll) patterns and because I never make it like the picture (just don't have the knack I guess) the doll is always an original, lol. Love your blogs and your wonderful art. I WILL go into the link when I have time, thank you. Blessings, Janet PPF

Karla Lawrence said...

So so true!! It's always great to have that reminder. I'm finding that the more time I create, the more connected I feel to my sense of style and am learning to really enjoy it!

Tameko said...

Such beautiful colorful unique art! I really enjoyed your eye candy as well the thoughts shared. My art is evolving, and I am glad that I am in a place where I can just be free and create. I never considered myself an artists, I just enjoy the process.

Kristin said...

Hi!!
I couldn't wait to read the responses to your post! I am always inspired by you and your point of view, and I knew that this would make for interesting reading :) I love it.
AND your faces are just wonderful! Colorful, whimsical and fun. I love the pink hair and the bun too :)
As a child I was into singing and acting, and spent much of my teen and collage years in plays and musicals. xoxo

Clare Lloyd said...

Love your group of faces and fab colours.

Annabelle said...


Love your original style, very powerful with it's vibrant colours and just perfect on those mugs!All of your art work looks lovely in print.

Annabelle : )

Kristin Dudish said...

This is a great post! I am so impressed with your vistaprint items... I've used them for postcards, but I never thought to give their other items a try... Good to know that they're good quality :)

xo
Kristin

Ginny said...

I love your girls. They are so bright and strong. I would know your work and your style anywhere. I think you are fortunate to know who you are as an artist and a person. It shows through in both your words and your art.

Ginny said...

I love your girls. They are so bright and strong. I would know your work and your style anywhere. I think you are fortunate to know who you are as an artist and a person. It shows through in both your words and your art.

Paper rainbow said...

Wise words indeed, individuality is a rare and precious commodity yet we all have it, it is just the capturing and bottling it that is the tricky bit! You stick with your style, it has *you* written all over it, bold, authentic, humorous and INDIVIDUAL :) x

Christine said...

very inspiring post today! I always love your colourful work!

*jean* said...

how fun! your art looks good in those venues! happy PPF!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...