"It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new.
But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more
security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in
change there is power." - Alan Cohen
So... I have been quiet on the blog front - as I have spent some time getting REAL with my art.
What CAN I do? What ARE the possibilities? What resources and skills DO I already have? Who supports and believes in ME? How can I use my time and creative energy wisely?
As a consequence I have set three new wheels in motion: I have selected to wholesale a selection of my woodblock prints, I have ventured into transforming my personalised designs into frameable prints and I am now the proud Chief Editor of my very own email newsletter.
What CAN I do? What ARE the possibilities? What resources and skills DO I already have? Who supports and believes in ME? How can I use my time and creative energy wisely?
As a consequence I have set three new wheels in motion: I have selected to wholesale a selection of my woodblock prints, I have ventured into transforming my personalised designs into frameable prints and I am now the proud Chief Editor of my very own email newsletter.
To be fair, all of the milestones above have nudged me out of my comfort zone. Whether it be opening myself up to rejection, developing new knowledge and techniques or adding "something more" into my ever-shrinking windows of free time.
But opening up these creative pathways has also felt just right (a bit like Baby Bear's Porridge). I have experienced a sense of freedom (by actually doing what I have toyed with in my head for ages), know more about what I want and what I can do (looking inwardly at little old me!) and set a distant beacon alight (so I can now really see those future goals to run towards).
And overall - I am establishing the bigger picture of my hopes and aspirations for Art Out Loud NZ!
I want to have my art speaking to more people (wholesaling prints and creating exposure), extend my product range and cater to a range of incomes (personalised design prints and The List to Listen For) and promote the wonder of words while connecting families with 'do-able' ideas to nurture imaginative children - it is my mission! (my newsletter - join up!).
So far I am elated to say that my prints will be featured in a brand new store called Kereru in Kaikoura, at The Arts Post and also Bel Merino in Hamilton, New Zealand. Any potential retailers are welcome to contact me for my wholesale details here (or Art Out Loud NZ fans with any ideas for local shops that they envisage my art could be on the walls of - please feel free to speak up).
My personalised print range has had a roaring reception and I just love exploring these new dimensions with my design work. Taking my "bare bones" drawings and utilising the latest technologies with colour and texture is exciting and motivating - so many possibilities! I can't wait to create more names and experiment with the nitty gritty. I can also add in text - like birthdates and fullnames along the bottom of the design concept. So beautiful in all their framed glory - and that is an element you can explore!
But opening up these creative pathways has also felt just right (a bit like Baby Bear's Porridge). I have experienced a sense of freedom (by actually doing what I have toyed with in my head for ages), know more about what I want and what I can do (looking inwardly at little old me!) and set a distant beacon alight (so I can now really see those future goals to run towards).
And overall - I am establishing the bigger picture of my hopes and aspirations for Art Out Loud NZ!
I want to have my art speaking to more people (wholesaling prints and creating exposure), extend my product range and cater to a range of incomes (personalised design prints and The List to Listen For) and promote the wonder of words while connecting families with 'do-able' ideas to nurture imaginative children - it is my mission! (my newsletter - join up!).
So far I am elated to say that my prints will be featured in a brand new store called Kereru in Kaikoura, at The Arts Post and also Bel Merino in Hamilton, New Zealand. Any potential retailers are welcome to contact me for my wholesale details here (or Art Out Loud NZ fans with any ideas for local shops that they envisage my art could be on the walls of - please feel free to speak up).
My personalised print range has had a roaring reception and I just love exploring these new dimensions with my design work. Taking my "bare bones" drawings and utilising the latest technologies with colour and texture is exciting and motivating - so many possibilities! I can't wait to create more names and experiment with the nitty gritty. I can also add in text - like birthdates and fullnames along the bottom of the design concept. So beautiful in all their framed glory - and that is an element you can explore!
My newsletter has been an aim of mine for quite some time... as I love communicating! And working with words in this context has also been rewarding for me. I love finding relevant links to share, encouraging literacy and creativity, spreading the word about my fellow New Zealand hand-makers (blessed to know such a talented bunch!) and of course, casting the spotlight on Art Out Loud NZ innovations, specials and giveaways.
Righto! I best be off to get cracking on a personalised Christmas line up of a ballerina, butterfly, fairy, saxophone, drumkit, headphones and something that whirs and purrs this week... you can have a guess... or simply wait and see!
Righto! I best be off to get cracking on a personalised Christmas line up of a ballerina, butterfly, fairy, saxophone, drumkit, headphones and something that whirs and purrs this week... you can have a guess... or simply wait and see!
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