Appropriation

ap·pro·pri·ate
Pronunciation: \ə-ˈprō-prē-ˌāt\
1 : to take exclusive possession of 2 : to set apart for or assign to a particular purpose or use 3 : to take or make use of without authority or right


I have had such fear of being seen as unoriginal that I have shied away from things that I have a genuine interest in documenting visually. My idea was this week to show some of my favorite artists doing just the thing that I fear to do.



The first and best example of appropriation has to be Roy Lichtenstein. He is the king of comic book art as fine art. The reason I chose this image is because I have done many pieces with Converse sneakers (one of my many obsessions) and have never seen this painting before. It just goes to show, you can be derivative without even realizing it.

Keith Haring has been a favorite of mine for a long time. His work is very minimal and also quite derivative of comic book art. He started out as a graffiti artist which makes this piece interesting to me. It definitely borrows themes from ancient Egypt, some of the original graffiti artists. Those guys really knew how to decorate a wall!

Lastly, I had to talk about Pablo Picasso. Definitely the most famous of the three artists I am discussing. Partially because he has done the most work, but also because he has the oldest work. The picture on the left shows a painting based on the famous story of Don Quixote. Like many artists he has taken a story and brought it to life with his images.

Basically, the point of this was to convince myself that it is OK to use what you know. Not everything can be 100% original, in fact it is impossible to not have the things around you inspire the art on the page.

Great Opportuntiy!

Handmade Success, creator of such guides as the Etsy Seller Success kit, is having a giveaway!



This is what she is giving away:


The Handmade Success Consultation is a 30 minute telephone conversation with yours truly. Over the course of the consult, we will review everything and anything related to running your handmade business - your product line, your Etsy shop branding and copy, your marketing efforts, and your advertising strategy. I will listen to your concerns and craft a strategy for you to improve upon each of these areas and give you advice on how to streamline your efforts so you can spend more time creating your product and less time on the computer. We will talk about your goals for this month, this year, and beyond. At the end, I will follow up in writing with a concise marketing & business plan for you to refer back to. Sound good? The charge for the consultation is normally $75.

I will be selecting 5 entries at random to win the free consult. Entries must be received by midnight PST Friday, October 16, 2009 and I will announce the winner on Monday, October 19th. Good luck, and I really can't wait to work with you!

visit her blog for more information.

doodling brings inspiration

since I have been busy with my FIL's death, the holidays, and my first craft fair, I have not been creating new art for a few weeks now. I can tell you, sometimes it is hard to get back into it. but I have found the answer; doodling!

while doodling last night, I started to draw an eye. The eye itself was very cool so i scanned it. Then I went on to draw other things. That eye was still at the top of the page begging me to add a little something. Since it was already scanned, I had no fear of ruining it and started to play with it. More lashes, makeup, etc. and the final result was the Eye of Horus.

I am most proud of the things that come from my imagination, whether they be translations of life drawing or totally from my head. I just hope I am able to keep up the pace and create some more great doodles to share. I know that I am going to be painting again soon, so this is great preparation. Can't wait to see what comes out of that!

RIP Rich Rediker

i am a very lucky person, I have always had a good relationship with my in-laws. They have always loved and cared about me but are sure to keep their distance and respect my family relationships.

My FIL, a passionate family man, died yesterday at the age of 65. He was battling a number of problems, most loudly of which was his shoulder pain, but none of which caused his demise. Basically, his heart had no more fight left and when challenged by a new infection, it couldn't beat heard enough.

I know there are many people who were touched by him. He was born and raised on the jersey shore but his reach was vast. Once while in Kinkos in NYC, my husband mentioned his name at the counter to a clerk and a person behind us in line began to sing his commercial jingle!

Thank you all for listening.

Get Ready for Fall Fest

Getting ready for my first craft fair has proved itself to be very difficult. I know I was going to have to up my game and create a much larger inventory of images and finished work to sell. I also knew I needed to get stuff to be able to make my setup look professional. i had no idea the kinds of things that would be monopolizing my time!

Last night I spent the evening redesigning my business card. Yes, I said redesigning. I also worked on a label to put on the back of every item sold. This is after i spent the morning coloring one of the cutest dollies ever then couldnt get the damn scanner to capture the color in her face correctly.

Today my goal is to draw something new. i am not quite sure what it is going to be but it will be new. I want to go into this fair with 10 fabulous drawings that are of unquestionable quality.

If you are interested in stopping by, my fair schedule is listed here. Pass it on to your friends, lots of fun will be had by all!

EtsyNJ team - SusanItkinBatik

As the new year is quickly approaching, I was so happy to find these beautiful holiday cards from right here in New Jersey.

The images on the cards are collages created from pieces of old batiks.

There are even cards for for your non-Jewish special occasion, birthday, thank you, congratulations, etc. The ones shown are prints of some of her favorite batiks with various greetings already printed inside.

For more then just cards, you can check out her site: SusanItkinBatik

Wine a little

In preparation for the beginning of the holiday fairs I will be participating in, I have been working feverishly on new illustrations. The new one shown, Wine Bottles, has not been colored in yet, but I think it looks pretty good this way too.

Other then that, I have been trying to figure out a way to bring in more fans to my facebook fanpage. I hate the super long URL and you can only change it once you have hit 100 fans. I am more then halfway there, but it is a very slow process. Maybe a giveaway?

Enjoy your holiday weekend, and be sure to take advantage of all the labor day sales on handmade. Make sure to search etsynj, etsytwitter team, and etsyknitters for great deals!

Festivals are coming!

Just in case you live in New Jersey, be sure to write these dates on your calendar:

Saturday, September 26, 2009 10am-4pm, Joe Palaia Park, Ocean Township, NJ
5th Annual Fall Fest
Craft Vendors, Apple Pie and Chili competitions, Classic Car Show, and a parent/child tennis tournament.

Saturday, October 4, 2009 9am-3pm, Jackson Township Fire Co. no.1, station 55, Jackson, NJ
Fall Craft & Vendor Fair
Holiday Fair & Fundraiser
Arts, Craft, and holiday merchandise for sale. All proceeds go to the Jackson Fire Department.

I will be selling my hand-colored illustrations at both these events, as well as my greeting cards. Stop by and check out my work in person!

seriously geeky etsy shop

I am in love with this shop:

Paw & Claw Designs!

Talk about Geekery! I am seriously considering trading in my old, boring earrings for these cool silver disks. They hold the answer to life, the universe and everything:

When I have all the answers, I will surely want to take a roll of the dice and play some D&D.

If you want to get in touch with your inner (or not so inner) geek, this is the jewelry shop for you.

This is what she has to say about her shop:

Paw & Claw Designs specializes in Handmade Bead & Wire Artisan Jewelry for One-of-a-Kind People with One-of-a-Kind Taste.From a funky signature piece, to a stunning set for your wedding day, Paw & Claw Designs has the unique jewelry you want, at a price you can afford.

Paw & Claw Designs is run from my design studio, which is a part of my (very) cat friendly home in Northern WI, USA. Our cats like to visit my studio, and sometimes help me make interesting color combos by knocking my beads all over the floor in a fevered attempt to divert my attention from my work.All pieces are cleaned before packaging in zip bags and stored to protect them from the household environment prior to shipping. Each piece is hand inspected prior to shipping.

I'm mostly self taught, spending my early mornings tinkering with wire and beads until they make something purrfectly pretty. ( sorry, I couldn't resist)I love reading about and learning new techniques, so check back in my shop often to see what I've learned to do lately.

Another treasury, somebody likes me!

I must be doing a good job with my tags because this is the second treasury this week!



This one is more of a Fall/Halloween theme. Most of the items are green and orange, making my pumpkin photograph a perfect fit.


I have been trying to create a treasury of my own. It is much harder then you would think! First, you have to be logged on at just the right time of day. Then you have to have all your choices arranged and ready to go. Lastly, you have to be quick about deciding on a name for your treasury or you might miss out. That is what happens to me, I take to long to type in a name and I lose it. The best help I have gotten is from this site. The treasury clock will tell you the next time the treasuries open up so you can be sure to be there on time.

Scary Treasury

Just when you thought it was safe to shop handmade...

This picture was featured in a "scary" treasury on Etsy. All the items in this collection are perfect for that vampire in your life. Lots of red and slasher themes. There is even the cutest pillow which looks just like a hockey mask. Be sure to check it out before it closes on Thursday.

Thinking of Fall

I always watch those fashion shows and am amazed how designers have to think about holidays and seasonal change half a year in advance. Now that I am a shop owner i have to do it too.

Just listed on Tracey Knits; Pink Baby Hat. It is so cute and little, just the right size to fit your newborn's head. Plus, it is made with the coolest yarn, it is anti-microbial! That means for you germaphobes that if it drops on the floor in your local mall it will naturally keep off any germs. AND it is machine washable!!!!

Also, I re-listed on Red Linc Art a great photograph entitled Tires. It has beautiful Autumnal colors and a rugged, manly theme. This would look great on the wall in a man's office or a fancy garage.

I'm Back!

Not that I was taking time off, I just wanted my giveaway to take center stage for a little while so I could concentrate on other aspects of my creative empire.

What I have accomplished thus far:

I sold some of my sports themed golf club covers AND one customer was so pleased he immediately put in an order for a complete set.

I have several new illustrations available for sale.

My August sale on prints is still on. All prints in all sections of my shop are listed at 60% off their original price.

I cleaned up my studio! A major accomplishment in and of itself.

Now I have to get to work on new items for fall, it is just around the corner your know. So far a have a small collection of baby hats, but I would like to make some kids and adult pieces as well. be sure to check out both my shops for the latest items.

Giveaway time again!

This time it is for my current favorite etsy shop: Studio Polka Dot!

The Ladies of Studio Polka Dot have generously offered to give away the coffee cuff of your choice from their fabulous shop. All you have to do is take a look inside and let us know which one you like.

Smart sleeves! Keep your coffee or tea warm and your fingers protected with a reusable coffee sleeve. If you frequent the coffee shops, you could eliminate as much as 4.5 pounds of waste per year. The outer fabric is 100% cotton. The lining is a white fleece to keep your beverage hot and your hand nice and cool. The cuffs fit standard cups from your favorite coffee shop. They will fit iced beverage cups too, keeping your hands dry and not too cold and reducing condensation drip. There are a variety of coffee sleeves to choose from in botanical patterns and whimsical fabrics. So show a little personality with your coffee and save some trees in the process. Take a reusable coffee sleeve and tell the barista to "hold the cuff."

How to Enter:

each of the following suggestions will get you one entry into the drawing

1) comment on this blog post and be sure to tell us your favorite sleeve

2) let everyone know about this giveaway on twitter (be sure to @TRedArt)

3) write a blog post about Studio Polka Dot (with link) and/or this giveaway and be sure to contact us with the info

4) Post about it on facebook to all your friends/fans and let us know

5) Post about Studio Polka Dot on the Etsy boards

6) Include Studio Polka Dot in your next treasury

7) come up with some crazy creative way to shout about Studio Polka Dot to the world!

Winner's name will be drawn on Friday. August 21st. Spread the word!

finally at peace

Only an artist can understand what it must have been like for me last week. I was forced to rest my arm due to tendinitis, as I discussed on my blog, so I could not paint, draw or knit. I only allowed myself on the computer in a well supported position. I was bored out of my mind!

The good news is that yesterday I was back to work. I felt totally myself again, at peace if you will, and ended up with this drawing. It is particularly good timing because I am having a sale on all prints. I am planning on doing several of these hand drawings with different signs; possibly "live long and prosper" and "devils horns", we will see.

Tendonitis and the Artist

IMMOBILIZED!

I had to put that in caps because that is how I am feeling. I cannot paint without pain. I am not knitting for fear that it will aggravate it. I really shouldn't be on the computer. This is far and away one of the most frustrating experiences of my life. The only thing worse would be if I had an actual cast so I lost full use of the arm. Or maybe losing the arm completely, but then I would just try and teach myself to be a lefty because I couldn't wait it out.

The good news is I have been seriously looking into selling my art. I know I have my etsy shop, but I am talking about getting into galleries and making connections with consultants that sell art to collectors. I have been in contact with at least a dozen art reps, consultants and advisers since Monday and have spoken on the phone to about half of them. They all have one thing in common, they want money. Ah, how we all love money. I don't even know how to judge if one is better then the rest!

SO... if you know of someone or you work with someone you can recommend that helped you kick-start your career as a visual artist, please let me know.

Sale!

In order to participate in an emerging artist art show in NYC, I need to raise money quickly. This means great deals for art lovers everywhere! Every print in my shop including photography, illustrations and paintings are 60% off their original price. This means an 8x10 photograph, regularly priced at $25, is now $10.

I am also including in this deal any "special request" prints of my paintings. So if you want a 20x24 poster of one of my larger pieces, regularly $60, you will now be paying only $24!

If you have ever considered buying one of my prints before, now is definitely the time to take full advantage of the deals. Check out my shop now for the full selection: Red Linc Art

Bleh, twitter

Social Networking can be a bitch.

I have tauted the merits of connecting via twitter but when the bad stuff starts to happen, it is hard to get motivated to start all over again. About a week ago I began to have a problem with some of the follower programs i signed up for. It was tweeting without my knowledge, but at least I was able to stop it by unsubscribing from their service. Then, out of nowhere, my twitter account sent out a tweet that got reported and got my account cancelled.

Well, this time I am doing it right! No more easy-way-to-followers programs. I am going to find people through organic means (like twellow) and hope they follow me back. I am going to tweet more about my day and less about my shop and blog. I am going to get involved in more discussions.

check me out on my new twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TRedArt

My current favorite Etsy Shop

I found this adorable shop on etsy and I just wanted to share: StudioPolkaDot

I spoke with Penny and she was kind enough to tell me all about herself and her shop. Mother daughter team, Martha and Penny, created Studio Polka Dot in 2009. They sew handmade creations inspired by the children in their family, their own wants and needs, and their beautiful surroundings in Asheville, NC. They repurpose, recycle and upcycle materials to give them new life whenever possible.They are just getting started with Their shop but you will already find kids' aprons, hats, tote bags, wristlets, boxy pouches, and coffee sleeves. Stay tuned for hats and Christmas stockings from recycled sweaters, flower hair clips, flat zippered pouches, Nintendo DS cases, and a beautiful bird mobile.

Be sure to check out their blog and follow her on twitter for all the newest items

Beach Inspiration

I have been going to the beach, obviously. I decided to bring the painting supplies with me. It was quite a site, me in front of my portable easel, brush in hand, grooving to my ipod while trying to capture the beauty and serenity of the surf. Several people stopped by to ask me about what I was doing and the lifeguards came over just to compliment my work.

Painting can be quite an isolating activity so I always happy to engage onlookers. I am looking forward to being outside while the weather is nice. It will also be nice in the fall when I begin selling some of these pieces at craft fairs to have work that reminds them of the summer months.

Painting Again

I decided that it was too nice a day to sit inside so I grabbed my acrylic paints and drove over to Yarn-It. I expected to paint a semi-urban landscape (which you could say I did) but fixated on this little tree outside Bari's store. It was all alone in its concrete box while plants and trees flourished in the open just across the road.

I sat outside in the heat for 2 solid hours before I was forced to take a break and sit inside in the air conditioning. It is for that reason alone I am glad I chose not to paint on the beach. There would be no escaping the heat there! Plein air painting is a lot harder then it sounds. Besides the fact that it was hot out, the sky was constantly changing and shifting shadows over time. My canvas got knocked over several times as well, thank goodness I was using acrylic! I did enjoy the aspect of being outside though.

I dont like mondays

It is inevitable that I will be tired on Monday morning. No matter what the weekend activities are, I wake up with little energy for the busy day ahead.

This weekend, we spent Saturday at Great Adventure and Sunday at the beach. Though there was little "activity" at both these activities, catering to the needs of my children is emotionally exhausting. My poor little boy was scared by one of the costumed characters at the theme park and spent the entire day trying to avoid a central area. He only went on one ride the entire day. My daughter, on the other hand, was off riding coasters with her dad. She was able to fully enjoy her 6 year old day.

The beach was less eventful. My children splashed in the kiddy pool while I sat in the shade. We were ejected from the beach when a storm began looming in the distance. An hour later, the storm was over but we were already home in pj's watching WALL-E and eating popcorn.

The force is strong here.

I think I have gone a little crazy with the star wars themed golf club covers. The chewbacca is the second one I have completed, but Princess Leia is just waiting to have her famous hair attached to the sides of her head. As you may have seen, Yoda has been listed for a week.

I would love to say that I was inspired by the recent excitement over Comic-Con, on now in California, but that is just not true. I am a super geek. 

My Current Favorite Etsy Shop

I was browsing through the site (like I have nothing better to do) and found this page:

Handmade by Sandi

Her designs are eclectic, as you can see. She does have an underlying theme. Every piece is beautifully handcrafted.

Why I love it: well, I have kind of a personal connection to a felted bowl. When my son was a baby, we used yarn and a felted bowl to duplicated the picture "baby with a bowl of spaghetti on his head." It is one of the cutest pictures, and no mess! Her market bags are just really beautiful and useful.

Why you should love it: Her prices are very reasonable for high quality, one-of-a-kind items. The market bags are like carrying a piece of art on your shoulder!

We Have a Winner!

Sadly, the July giveaway is now over. But the good news is the winner has been chosen and it is KnittyKitty! KnittyKitty Re-tweeted my giveaway promotion to all of her friends and was randomly chosen by a cool slot machine type name picker. I am not sure yet which photo is her favorite, but as soon as I hear from her, I will be getting that in the mail.

If you are interested in buying the print you chose, there is currently free shipping on all photographs at Red Linc Art. And you can find all of my golf club covers on for sale now at Tracey Knits.

The Girls Are In The House!

Just finished a couple of new golf club covers, the girls (and soon to be boys) club.

They are just too cute for words. The original pattern is in the archives on my blog. These were originally designed as a mother's day present for my mother in law, an avid golfer. She has 3 grandchildren so I was able to make her a perfect set for her golf clubs. Since i chose not to put numbers on them, each has on a different colored shirt. Sadly, they were so cute that recently one of them was stolen from her bag! I have been asked to duplicate it for her and am currently working diligently to get that done.

Make sure to check out all the new golf club covers as they go up, and enter in my giveaway. Win a print of your choice from my shop.

May The Force Be WIth You

Just listed: the Yoda golf club cover. As you can see from his picture, he is super cute, just like his namesake.

I am working on patterns for other Star Wars characters so that I can create a set of three. The most likely contenders: Darth Vader, The Emperor, Princess Leah, Padme Amidala, or maybe a wookie.

If you happen to be a creative person, you can do it yourself! The pattern for this cover can be found here

Be sure to enter my giveaway! Win Your Choice of any print from my shop.

Weekend Away

I spent the whole weekend making art and you will probably never see any of it.

As I mentioned last week, I spent the weekend camping with my mother at the Omega Institute. Together, we took a class in which we learned a process called Touch Drawing. To briefly describe the process, paint is spread on a board and paper placed on top. Then with only your hands, images are created on top of the paper. In this class, the process was used in tandem with mediation and introspection.

Being such a structured artist (I cant believe I am saying that) I had a difficult time letting go of formalism. When I finally did, I saw things in the looseness of my scribbles and was able to bring them to the forefront. Because images are created so quickly, I have piles of sketches from the class and only 2 finished pieces.

The process itself is wonderful for those that cannot hold the small tools required for most art or who do not have formal training. There is no one way to approach the paper. And, it is more about what you are bringing to the art then what the final image appears like.

Make sure to sign up for my giveaway! Entries accepted until July 20th!!!

On my way, away

Today I head out for an art class at the Omega Institute. It is a holistic retreat with my mom. We will be camping on the grounds and eating vegetarian meals in the cafeteria. I have gone a few times before, but never without my step-father.

On one hand, it will be quite relaxing to get away from my children for 2 full days, but on the other, I will be with my mother without children to distract her. We have a good relationship... I am going to keep saying that as she lectures me on how to run my online business, something she has never done or knows anyone who has done. I am just hoping all the art supplies I have brought will distract both of us from getting into it.

And don't forget to enter my giveaway! Any photograph in my shop, yours free!!!!

GIVEAWAY!

In celebration of July's photography promotion, I have decided to do a giveaway!!!

You could win a print of YOUR CHOICE from my shop, Red Linc Art. A print will be dropped shipped to your door directly from the printer, a $25 value! Entries must be in by Monday, July 20th, 2009.

How to enter:

each action will give you one entry in the giveaway

1. visit my shop and post a comment on my blog. Make sure to let me know your favorite item!

2. share this giveaway with your facebook/twitter/myspace/blog friends and let me know

3. list your favorite in a treasury on etsy

4. come up with something creative to let others know about this giveaway and make sure to let me know what you have done.

Cant wait to hear from all of you!

Just doing my job

Today I am not going to talk about my etsy shop, as I can imagine it is getting quite boring. I do find the whole process is taking over my life. I wake up in the morning, turn on the computer, eat breakfast, check in to etsy, list and re-list items, twitter then blog then twitter. This is the plan I have come up with to limit my time sitting at the computer desk. Good plan? Maybe, we will see if it works in the long run.

Unfortunately for my plan, I do have children. So far, in the two days i have been doing this very basic plan, they have slept in. That saves me a lot of grief. But children are unpredictable, and I am imagining that by day 4 there will be some major change that will make this schedule impossible.

In the meanwhile I will sit back and enjoy the fruits of my labor, knitting in the backyard instead of sitting at my computer!

Tracey Knits is Online!

As promised, I have begun to separate the two diverging sections of my shop, knits and fine art. This little guy here, can be found at my new shop; Tracey Knits. He is made from durable acrylic yarn in the miami dolphins football team colors. I am only creating one at a time, but if you are looking for a set of 3 with numbers I would be happy to make them for you.

If you are craftier then the average bear, make them yourself! The pattern for both the golf club cover and the add-on football helmet are her, on my blog. The ones for sale at my shop are a slight variation on this pattern, but look almost identical.

Fabulous July Promotion

I am so excited to be offering FREE SHIPPING on all photography purchases through the month of July!

Many of my images were taken at the beach near my home on the Jersey Shore. A perfect way to have a beach holiday year round.

You can also find lots of other fun summertime items like my very popular golf club covers. These, by the way, if you are in the neighborhood, will be for sale at the Deal Sidewalk sale July 22-24. Stop by and check out the full range of covers in person, place custom orders or just chat. I will be located in front of Yarn-it on Norwood Avenue.

as you can see by the banner above, changes are being made in my Etsy shop. So far I have changed the banner, avatar and front page. The other changes will take more time. I am planning on splitting my shop in two; one will be all of my art, the other all of my knt items. It was starting to look odd and I dont want the dominance of my illustrations to overwhelm the cute golf club covers. My knit shop will open shortly.