What has 3 heads, a clear conscience & about 50,000 cups of coffee?

With Michael Shipley @ Conscious Cup...

. 

I was hanging artwork yesterday in Crystal Lake's own Conscious Cup. When I got home, my son asked me why it's called that. I explained that it's because many people are pretty much unconscious until they have their first cup of coffee in the morning.

But seriously, it's a locally owned, fair trade coffee shop/cafe owned by the Shipleys (Michael, Jason & Jack). If you believe in supporting local businesses, local artists, fair trade & good, old-fashioned caffeine, this is the place for you.

And, if you purchase any of our artboxes during the show there and mention you saw it at Conscious Cup, you'll be helping local kids and single moms in crisis. How? Read on...

Reasons to go to Conscious Cup during the holiday season:

1. Coffee
2. Coffee!
3. 20% of artbox purchases made there will benefit the local shelter Turning Point.

One of the artboxes now on display..

And if you're like me, and would rather drink hemlock than go to a mall on Black Friday, consider a saner alternative: cozy up with a cuppa joe, hang out with a newspaper, ipad or a friend & leisurely shop the original art (yes, that would be ours) or the Ten Thousand Villages fair trade gift selection at this local haven.

If you buy any of our pieces showing there through the end of 2012, you can be assured of 2 things...(Yes, I know, I'm into lists today.)

1. If you need a gift for the person who has everything, they won't have this!
2. Your purchase will help McHenry County's women & children escape violence and enjoy a season of joy and peace. 

I know I'll be hanging out with the occasional chai--hope to see you there!

+ Visit the Conscious Cup website
+ Find out about Turning Point
+ See the artboxes online

Who Wants to Gamble on the Sabbath?

This Sunday, Nov 18, come gamble the right-brained way...

If you haven't heard, then you haven't 'haven't heard it' from me: It's time for

The Affair of the Arts Fair
 in Spring Grove, IL.
Sunday, 10-4

In addition to shopping, food & live music, there will be a raffle. I know I brought this up before, but this raffle is extraordinary in that every artist showing will donate a piece to be raffled off. (That's about 40 pieces of artwork.)

This means that your odds of winning are WAY better than winning the lotto. And better yet, it's FREE. (and the government won't claim half the earnings)

**Please note that some flyers say there will be a free artist raffle at this event. This does not mean that Joe or I will be auctioned off. Hope you're not too disappointed, but believe me, the art will be a lot less trouble to hang on the wall.

So how do you go about winning your loot? Read the blog below or go straight to affairofthearts.org for the full details. Hope to see you there!

Ps. Don't forget to go to church first. ;)

    Get updates - it's free!
   
   

I'm Having an Affair.

No, I haven't left my husband of 16 years, but we're both having an affair...more on this below!

Our house has been a-buzz as we get ready for the upcoming Affair of the Arts fair Nov. 18...The hubby's been wood burning so much it smelled like we had an indoor campfire last night!

As much as I enjoy pyromania, I've been sticking to drawing/painting to prepare. (Here's a shot of a piece in progress...)

What, pray tell, just is this "Affair of the Arts" of which I speak?

* It's a unique shopping experience, with over 40 artists presenting jewelry, glassware, ceramics, paintings, photography, mixed media decor and more. If it's functional and beautiful, it will be there. If you've wondered how to make the everyday items (& moments) in your home inspired, then you'll want to put this on your calendar.

* It's outside in a gloriously picturesque fall setting, yet it's also inside for those of us who want to stay cozy-like.

* Artists don't really like that whole 'starving' idea, so snacks will be available. (I hear tell there will be a cash bar as well.)

* The show is Sunday, November 18, 2012  10 am – 4pm

 @ 

The Shores of Turtle Creek: 7908 Winn Rd. Spring Grove, IL 60081

http://www.shoresofturtlecreek.com/

Want to check out details and the artists who will be showing?  Go to the Affair of the Arts website.

See some of our collaborative work (& the burned stuff) here.

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Some Say Tomato, Some Say Tomorrow...

For me the hardest thing about making artwork is starting. That is closely followed by the struggles of continuing and actually finishing. Why is it that I'm so naturally inclined to post-pone what I love? And why am I not alone in this special brand of insanity?  I don't have the answers, but I do know that I'm definitely not alone.

So what do I do when getting myself into the studio feels harder than putting a cat into a suitcase?  (That's really, really hard, by the way. I haven't tried it--I have a high respect for cats & good suitcases--but I vividly remember my mother's attempt to get our feline to the vet without a proper cat carrier. So not good.)

Mostly, my technique is to trick myself. I'll work while listening to an edifying podcast (or WireTap, not edifying, but fun) or insist on working through all of a piece of music or playlist (classical for drama or rock/pop for energy). Or give myself a set time to work for. In that I find I'm also not alone. Painter Robert Genn uses a timer that looks like a tomato. We all have to do whatever we can to get through the night, right?

The Pomodoro Technique described by Robert Genn:

Just as people learn to spell words and add numbers, folks can learn how to gain intention. It takes a bit of character and a Pomodoro. A Pomodoro is one of those red kitchen timers that looks like a tomato. Pomodoro is Italian for tomato. You can buy them on Amazon for $7.99. The Pomodoro Technique is a time-management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The timer is set for 25 minutes and then you focus and go to work on your predetermined job. At the end of the time period, the alarm goes off and you take a five minute break. Then you start on your next Pomodoro. If your Pomodoro gets interrupted by a phone call or a request to go down and drain the lake, you'll have to stop and restart your Pomodoro later.

To rise and become a "Certified Pomodoro Master" you need to determine how many 25-minute segments you're going to need to do a particular project--say a 20" x 24" painting. You need a notepad and pen to list and keep track of your staged Pomodoros. Give yourself a check mark at the completion of each.  

Want more examples of this? Find out more about how to use this Technique 

If you have any helpful advice, leave a comment & share the wisdom!

  

Right now, my favorite playlists I use to keep me occupied are on Spotify. If you want to suscribe yourself, they're "42" &  "I Love the Smell of Wagner in the Morning." Here's a sample from each...