jamie shelman : artists who blog

Jamie's website: www.jamieshelman.com
Jamie's blog: www.smallexpectations.blogspot.com
Jamie's shop: www.jamieshelman.etsy.com

Why did you decide to start a blog?

I decided to start a blog to promote and share my new Etsy shop- The Dancing Cat. I studied painting at the Rhode Island Scool of Design and only recently started creating my little cat illustrations! I’ve always made silly little animal drawings but never took it serious and while at RISD I painted almost entirely abstractly. My cats have become another way for me to express my emotions and reflect how I feel! Plus I have a secret love and obssession for cats, I always want to squeeze them when I ever I see one! I love sharing this through my drawings...



How did you come up with the name of your blog?

I came up with the name for my blog, Small Exepectations - of the great kind - after reading Charles Dicken’s Great Expectations and enjoying it immensely! A reminder that it’s usually the small and simple things in life that make it great!



How has blogging affected your work as an artist/designer?

Tons of inspiration to be gleaned from the blog world, I love the feedback and immediacy of what I do- being able to share something I just drew on the same day is instant gratification.



What are your favorite artist/designer blogs? Why?

I like them all! Visit my blog for my list on the right, I’m the one that ends up going through and clicking them all to check in with what everyone’s doing!



Do you have any advice for artists/designers who are starting a blog?

Time Management! It is too easy to get sucked into computer world and never escape, all your time disapperaring into a void of nothingness!– make more time for drawing, thinking, creating , less time on the computer!



What has been the most positive and inspirational aspect of having a blog for you?

I love making other people laugh and smile, if I’ve done this I’ve done everything! (I’m especially good at making myself crack up with some of the silly drawings I come up with- this is good too)



What do you find the most difficult/most rewarding part of having a creative profession?

Income and understanding from those not involved in the arts is the most difficult! I love the arts, the more I draw and create the more I love it! I also really love looking at art and observing life! Plus an arts education has really sharpened my critcal eye and visual sensitivity which transcends art and enters into all aspects of life!



Other than your blog, what has been the most effective way for you to promote your art/design?

RISD Alumni shows, blog interviews, etsy, my website, group gallery shows



How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

Long walks, laughter, waking up early, bike riding on a really good bike on a windless day. My husband Tom cooking dinner and always making me smile ☺



What are your main goals for 2009?

Better promotion! More drawings! Never getting too serious about anything.



Thanks Jamie.

susannah conway : artists who blog

Susannah's website: www.susannahconway.com
Susannah's blog: www.inkonmyfingers.typepad.com
Susannah's shop: www.unravelling.etsy.com

Why did you decide to start a blog?

I began blogging in 2006 after I’d stumbled into the world of blogs and connected with a few bloggers by email. I was writing a book at the time and working through a particularly difficult period in my life, and the combination of words, pictures and community was very appealing to me. My readership was very small to start with, but that was fine with me as I really just wanted to get some words out there. Writing the blog gave a focus to my days.



How did you come up with the name of your blog?

Ink on my fingers is obviously a reference to the writing life; I’d scribbled a list of possible names on the back of an envelope, and this was the one that jumped out. As my photography path grew more prominent in my life I often wondered if I should change the name of the blog, but now I’ve come full circle and am writing again alongside my life in pictures.



How has blogging affected your work as an artist/designer?

Blogging has completely revolutionised my life as an artist. It was because of blogging that I picked up a camera again after many years of full-time writing; it’s thanks to my blog that I was inspired to create a self-awareness / photography e-course – Unravelling: Ways of Seeing My Self - and connect with participants all over the world. Blogging – and the internet in general – generates so many ideas, it’s impossible not to be in a state of constant inspiration.



What are your favorite artist/designer blogs? Why?

There are so many! Every day i check out the gems Holly has shared over on Decor8 – I love her aesthetic and she always introduces me to artists and designers I want to know more about. I also find Camilla Engman’s blog hugely inspiring simply because I find the lady herself inspiring – I always want to jump inside her photographs.



Do you have any advice for artists/designers who are starting a blog?

Be authentic. Share what inspires you, both in your chosen discipline and the world around you. The blogs I always come back to are the ones where I could imagine having a cup of coffee with the blogger; their personality comes over on the page and that gets me hooked. You don’t have to write intimately about your personal life, but sharing something of yourself with your readers is always interesting to read; I like to know what makes an artist tick.



What has been the most positive and inspirational aspect of having a blog for you?

The people I have met, without a doubt. I’ve travelled twice to the States to meet up with blog friends, and have had bloggers come stay with me here in the UK – I’ve made some true friends-for-life this way. I also love how the blog keeps me in check – it’s been the one constant in my life for the last three years and I appreciate the way it’s disciplined me to write regularly.



What do you find the most difficult/most rewarding part of having a creative profession?

I struggle with keeping my focus. I have so many ideas in my head, way more than i could ever carry out – actually, I probably could do them all, but not in one day. My expectation for myself is always to do everything at once. I’m slowly learning how to pace myself and in turn I get a lot more accomplished in a day. I’m a perfectionist, which can be exhausting!

But the most rewarding part of my job is finding a way to make a living doing what I love. Many years ago I was working in an office and it almost killed me (figuratively speaking!); now I set my own hours and get to work on projects I really care about. With my teaching I feel I am contributing something worthwhile to the world and that makes me very happy, and very grateful too.



Other than your blog, what has been the most effective way for you to promote your art/design?

Word of mouth and recommendations are usually the way people find me. I’m useless at networking, but i find that if you believe in your work and put it out there (this is crucial!) then little by little your business and reputation will grow. I’m slowly learning how to make myself more visible as an artist. Like anything worthwhile, it takes time.



How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

This is something I need to work on this year! I spend way too much time sitting at the computer poised and ready for action when what I truly need is more time at the gym or walking in the park. Working from home means I don’t give myself proper breaks as i feel I should be working all the time. It’s not so bad when I’m out shooting, but the rest of the time is computer-focused and you’ll often find me still typing or editing photographs at midnight.



What are your main goals for 2009?

At the moment all my focus is on my Unravelling e-course which is going wonderfully, with over 100 participants from 17 countries in the spring class; this year I want to develop more online classes and stitch together my Unravelling ideas into a book. Alongside this I’ll continue to fan the flames of my love affair with photography – more prints for sale, a photo book and an exhibition are all in the works. 2009 is going to be a busy year!



Thanks Susannah!

rachel hunnicutt : artists who blog

Rachel's blog: www.cornflowerbluestudio.blogspot.com
Rachel's shops: www.felicityshop.etsy.com, www.cornflowerbluestudio.etsy.com

Why did you decide to start a blog?

I was living abroad. I don't know how to describe it, but I was looking for something new and a connection with like-minded people. I lived in a little bubble, a shell, and blogging helped me break out of it. I was really inspired by all the amazing things I was seeing, but it was hard to meet people and share the experience. Starting my blog was a big thing for me at that point.


How did you come up with the name of your blog?

A crayon. My blog is named after a Crayola crayon that I liked as a kid! For some reason I was so interested in the names of colors in the big box - how can you name a color, where do you even begin?



How has blogging affected your work as an artist/designer?

Putting your work out into the world is a strange thing, it can feel very weird. I started doing it on my blog in baby steps, which made the process so much easier. I put up some photography, showed some of my knitting. Before I knew it, I was submitting pieces to juried shows and selling things at a gallery. Looking back, I'm kind of shocked that I wasn't more nervous!



What are your favorite artist/designer blogs? Why?

I'm a huge people-watcher, so I love artist blogs that give me a glimpse into daily life and a person's thought process. These are a few that I turn to when I want to feel inspired:

Aux Petits Oiseaux
A View To
Single Crochet
Little Yellow Bird



Do you have any advice for artists/designers who are starting a blog?

Your blog is a window into your creative world, so be yourself and let your personality really shine through! I love the fact that I can share what I'm working on, thinking about, interested in... it's a place to inspire and be inspired.



What has been the most positive and inspirational aspect of having a blog for you?

The best aspect of having a blog is feedback! Whether it's positive or negative, it's always helpful (although I have to admit I prefer the positive kind). I can't overstate the importance of the encouragement I've received through my blog, it's really given me the confidence to keep moving forward and trying new things.



What do you find the most difficult/most rewarding part of having a creative profession?

For me, the most difficult thing is making time for everything I want to do. I also work at a Montessori school, so a big chunk of my day is spent in the classroom. I always make time for my creative ventures, but it's not always as much time as I would like! Fortunately, my artwork is really an extension of my everyday life - I have to be doing something, so why not sketch or pick up my crochet hook? Other than your blog, what has been the most effective way for you to promote your art/design? I think that both Etsy and Flickr have been great tools for me. They've enabled me to sell work and make contact with people and galleries. I can't overstate the importance of networking within the creative community! Sights like these make a world of difference.



How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

I'm not sure that I've figured out how to balance things really well, I do feel rushed a lot. I work, volunteer, have pets to care for, meals to prepare... and then I want to work on my latest project or spruce up my Etsy shop! I find that it works for me to work on things in waves, focusing more on my day job one week, my artwork the next week, household things the next week... then the cycle repeats itself.



What are your main goals for 2009?

I would like to approach my artwork a little differently, build a more cohesive collection of pieces. Also, I'm planning to delve into some new themes and do a bit of traveling. That will definitely make it's way into my artwork!

Thanks Rachel!

sam hirst : artists who blog

Sam's website: www.inkloredesign.com
Sam's blog: www.inklore.blogspot.com
Sam's shops: www.inklore.etsy.com, www.inklore.bigcartel.com

Why did you decide to start a blog?

I had been reading a number of blogs for a couple of years. I stay home with my kids and it was one way to have outside contact with other adults. When my part-time job became even more part-time, I finally had the time to work on more creative pursuits, and I decided to start a blog to keep a record of the things I was working on, and so that could connect with other artists.



How did you come up with the name of your blog?

The name of my blog is the same as the name of my company - Inklore.
Ink (because I always use a little ink in my projects) + Lore (because I use traditional techniques like block printing).



How has blogging affected your work as an artist/designer?

It definitely encourages me to keep creating new things. It’s really fun to have almost instant gratification after making something new; whether an item sells or not, I feel like it has at least been shared with some other people. It has also made me take more notice of the things that are inspiring me so that I can share those things with my readers.



What are your favorite artist/designer blogs? Why?

Jezze - She’s a fellow block print artist whose work I greatly admire.
Cicada Daydream - Her work is always stunning and her writing is very personable; always a delightful read
Bliss - Lovely photos and I love her I Love Mondays...she always finds things that I would otherwise miss
Heather Smith Jones - her blog is always soothing, like having a cup of tea with a friend



Do you have any advice for artists/designers who are starting a blog?

Know what you want to say and say it often; I think it’s as simple as that.

What has been the most positive and inspirational aspect of having a blog for you?

Because I am a self-taught artist, it always inspires me when a trained artist loves my work. It’s just a delight to have other people take time out of their day to see what I’m doing and to comment when they are inspired.



What do you find the most difficult/most rewarding part of having a creative profession?

The most difficult thing is that because I choose to homeschool my children, there are just never enough hours in the day to work on new designs. The most rewarding part is knowing that the things I make are being used and making people happy all over the world.



Other than your blog, what has been the most effective way for you to promote your art/design?

I have been very fortunate to have been blogged by some bloggers with huge readerships and that has definitely been a big boost to my business. I’ve also been part of Poppytalk Handmade, which has given my work some great exposure.



How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

I’m not sure that I am entirely successful at maintaining a balance, but I’m trying. I’ve recently redesigned my blog and created a loose schedule for it which takes the pressure off of me having to come up with what to write about. I’ve also added some exercise back in to my schedule, and am fervent about saying no to having a busy life. I’ve kept all of my children’s activities to two days a week so that we can be home most of the time.



What are your main goals for 2009?

I have two goals this year. One is to put together a press kit so that I can begin to contact publications about my work. The other is to begin contacting boutiques about carrying my wholesale line. I’m also hoping to begin working on some art prints in the near future.

Thanks Sam !

sharon montrose : artists who blog

Sharon's website: www.sharonmontrose.com
Sharon's blog: www.sharonmontrose.blogspot.com
Sharon's shop: www.sharonmontrose.etsy.com

Why did you decide to start a blog?

I initially started the blog for my commercial work because my portfolio was growing bigger than my website could accommodate for and I needed a place for clients to go if they wanted to see more work - But since opening my Etsy shop, the blog has become a lot more than an expanded portfolio, and I’m really digging it.



How has blogging affected your work as an artist/designer?

I know this may sound cliche, but it’s true - Blogging has introduced me to some pretty amazing people who generously share all kinds of great finds. The fact that I can get up everyday, sit in front of my computer and look at images of a Sunday in San Francisco, an artist’s newest creation, find out about a new product, get inspiration for decorating my house, a recommendation for a good book – The exposure to these things at my fingertips naturally inspires me and my work.



What are your favorite artist/designer blogs? Why?

I could seriously make a list here that goes on for days, so I’ll just menion the top two blogs I look at even when I am too slammed to return a phone call or eat lunch:

1) A Cup of Jo. Because Joanna is kind and beautiful and you can feel it through her blog. Plus, she finds the BEST stuff.
2) Swiss Miss. Do I even have to explain why? Tina RULES.



Do you have any advice for artists/designers who are starting a blog?

Be yourself. Be real. Be humble.



What has been the most positive and inspirational aspect of having a blog for you?

I just did a giveaway on my blog for a set of Geese Valentine’s Day cards . Because of my schedule, I can’t produce and sell all the products I dream up like note-cards, magnets, notepads, bookmarks, etc. So decided to do one giveaway a month. That way, I can make one-offs of all the things I want to produce with my animal series, but no time to put in the shop. It has really inspired me and I have all sorts of stuff planned for future giveaways.



What do you find the most difficult/most rewarding part of having a creative profession?

The most difficult: My work hours are 24/7.
The most rewarding: I can do my errands at noon on Wednesday.



Other than your blog, what has been the most effective way for you to promote your art/design?

Promotion is always a tough topic. I find it extremely difficult to determine what works and what doesn’t. I say believe 100% in what you create and the pay off will come.



How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

I can answer that with a quote I heard once. It changed my whole outlook on life: „When you love what you do, you won’t work a day in your life“



What are your main goals for 2009?

I’m not really a goal oriented person. Probably because I change my mind every five minutes. If I can just keep doing what I’m doing and share it with the people I love, I’m good.

Thanks Sharon!

michele maule : artists who blog

michele's website: www.michelemaule.com
michele's blog: www.how2drawacupofcoffee.blogspot.com
michele's shop: www.michelemaule.etsy.com

Why did you decide to start a blog?

Well, after moving to Michigan, and once Michael started his graduate studies, I had a lot of time to spend by myself. I also wanted to be able to let my friends knew how things were going here without having to call all the time. It was also a good way to communicate how my day was going, what I was working on, etc.



How did you come up with the name of your blog?

Michael, my partner did, actually. It’s the name of this quirky little book I found several years ago. He started a blog before I did, and I wasn’t really too sure about it at first. I kept asking him questions about it, and he finally just sat down and started one for me. He asked me what I wanted to call it, and I hadn’t a clue. So he saw the little book on the shelf and the rest is history.



How has blogging affected your work as an artist/designer?

I think it helps me stay focused. I like showing people what I am working on, and my work in progress. One of the greatest things about being a visual artist and having a blog is that people can really get to know the artist behind the work on a much more personal level.



What are your favorite artist/designer blogs? Why?

Decor8 – I love Holly’s finds and I love her insight on the indie art scene.

MeganChapman - She is a working artist from Arkansas who writes a weekly blog on her work, art in general, and gives lots of helpful advice too.

3191 – Beautiful photography by two friends who live 3191 miles apart.



Do you have any advice for artists/designers who are starting a blog?

Have fun with it! Don’t think to hard on what you are going to write about. Just be yourself. Oh, and include lots of pictures!

What has been the most positive and inspirational aspect of having a blog for you?

The people who read my blog.
They are such a great support system for me! I love hearing what they have to say about a new piece of work, or if I am having a bad day, they always know just the right words to say.



What do you find the most difficult/most rewarding part of having a creative profession?

The uncertainty of it. You never know if it’s going to be a good month with lots of sales, or a slow month, with very little sales. Thankfully, I always seem to pull through. There are just too many rewarding things that outweigh the difficult things. Having my own schedule is defintely a plus, and I love being my own boss. I worked retail for a number of years, and was really unhappy. I wanted more than anything to work for myself making art, and now I do, and I seriously couldn’t be more content.



Other than your blog, what has been the most effective way for you to promote your art/design?

I use the Etsy forums quite a bit, and I make sure to keep up with my Flickr page. I recently discovered Twitter, and I have to admit, I am a little addicited to it.



How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

Well, I am not really sure that I do this very well. I do work a lot. Getting your name, and work out there, is a full time job on top of making art...
I do try to excersise regularly, and I always take breaks to play with my dog, Chloe. She really helps me relax, and reminds me to have fun and not be so serious all the time.



What are your main goals for 2009?

I’d really like to just keep working and expanding my shop.
I would love to get a studio space.
I also want to line up some shows in Portland (I’m moving there in May) for 2010.
Oh! And I would love to design my own blog.

Thanks Michele!