Boss Me Around Please

Since I was a little kid, I knew I wanted to be my own boss, run my own business, do my own thing. I had all sorts of business ideas when I was a little girl and I was quite enterprising. I sold paintings to my moms friends when I was 5, beguiling them with my talking to them about "the importance of balance in abstract art". Yes that is a quote. Once when I was about 8, I decided that I wanted a garden in my back yard. Now at 8 obviously cash flow is a bit of an issue, so I went through my things in the basement, put a table in the front yard and turned my old toys and books into cash. I promptly went through the Frank's nursery ads and circled everything I needed to buy keeping in mind my budget. Turns out I was not born with a green thumb but the point is I had a goal and was determined to achieve it. I got myself into magnet schools for both middle school and high school studying art and dance. I went away to college throwing myself into the art department and an amazing study abroad opportunity (where my goal was actually to find Colin Firth and make him fall madly in love with me...in this, I failed). Fresh from graduating I took over Moon River Art gallery, even being featured in the Evansville Business Journal for my accomplishment. I then decided I wanted to make myself a working artist and have been doing that ever since.

I have lived my life setting and achieving goals for myself. In any management situation, my take charge attitude has worked well for me. But in working for yourself, by yourself, I have found self-discipline to be the most important thing to posses. Generally I am very self disciplined but lately I am faltering.

My time has been spent with my nose in books where it should be spent at my work bench. The last two nights I was up until 3:30 am reading. READING! I have set my alarm to go off at 8 but lets be honest, that wasn't going to happen.

For the first time in my life I feel like I NEED someone to boss me around. I can not even believe I just typed the words, but there they are in black and white. How do I rectify this situation? Where to I rediscover my self-discipline? It is an odd thing for a somewhat bossy  take charge individual like myself to suddenly desire someone else to hold the reins. Even if it is only long enough to ruffle my feathers and put me back where I am comfortable.

I Am Having A Lonely Moment

They do not happen that often, but I am in the midst of a lonely moment. I suppose it is natural to feel this way when one's partner is gone for an extended period of time but at least most people have co-workers and or children to socialize with. When you are childless, save for one ridiculously entertaining dog, and you work from home, there is no one there to stop you from a bout of melancholy. My house was so full of people this past weekend and now with everyone gone, it just feels so quiet and empty which most of the time I enjoy. Not today.

Last week my friend and I stumbled upon a bar in Pasadena called Brian Boru and it happened to be Lady's Night with music and $5 drinks. We joked that we would make it a Thursday tradition. Perhaps, this will in fact happen. I could use something super fun to break up the week.

Well I will get back to making bridal jewelry and hope that creating pretty things will yank me out of sulkiness. I am being a baby. Someone call me and yell at me!

My Soul's Bones

Last night my neighbor and I were sitting outside by the pond drinking some wine, building a fire and talking about art and music and of the silliness in life. I had recently been telling him about my recent musical obsessions so we were listening to them as we hung out. I was trying to explain to him how some songs just get inside and sort of fester. I was stumbling on words trying to make my feelings clear when I finally told him that some songs just get down in there, deeper than my heart, deeper than my soul but like in my soul's bones. He understood me immediately. Soul's Bones has become our new phrase for something that moves you to that point where you can do nothing but feel and maybe cry a bit....or a lot. Music takes me to that place. It always has. 

The hammering in my studio is incessant. All day long the sound of metal on metal fills my home. Then I use my tumbler and it is worse. It is filled with 2 lbs of steel shot and rotates and vibrates until you are sure the floor is going to collapse. But when the sounds of hard work subsides and the house is quiet, I fill that void with music that touches me to my soul's bones. I have a couple obsessions currently. Nay, I have a undying love for a couple musicians as of late that rival that of everyone else I have ever listened to.

First and foremost,  Mumford and Sons. I discovered them on Pandora on a Flogging Molly station. Every time they came on I perked up, saying to myself, who are these guys. I eventually changed my Pandora station to Mumford and Sons and then just bought the album. I could literally weep while listing to them and I am pretty sure I have. Their lyrics are just amazing and their sound in general hits me deep. Their voices alone...amazing! I listen to them and feel home. I don't know how else to put it. Heartbreaking, honest, beautiful are just some of the words I can use to describe them.

Check out http://youtu.be/Xd8tOAJMA8Q This is the song that lead me down the rabbit hole. Check this one out too http://youtu.be/oMO4xdOS5jY . Screw it just buy the album.

Next is Gotye. He is my most recent obsession. His sound is so strange and beautiful and really haunting. Talk about reaching my soul's bones, listen to http://youtu.be/8UVNT4wvIGY . After hearing this song I bought the album. When I listened to the rest of it, I was sort of on the fence, but the more I listened to it the more I loved it. There are so many great songs on that album that carry with them so many different musical influences that you wouldn't think would go together. Oh but they do!

Anyway this is my piece for the evening. Maybe these songs will touch your soul's bones maybe they wont, but they make me want to create, and love, and be loved, and be a better person in general so it is at least worth a shot.

In The Studio

I have barely left the studio since I got back from New York. The dirty dishes and coffee cups piling up around me would tell anyone that I don't even leave for meals. I start my day in my little corner of the world and end my day in this very chair. My life becomes smaller as my business becomes bigger, but I find it sort of exciting. I just sent out two large orders and I am about to deliver two huge ones to the boutiques I am lucky to be a part of in Rehoboth Beach Delaware. I will stay down there for the night and allow my hands to rest as my feet become re-acquainted with the sand.

Isn't this how prisoners keep track of their days in captivity?

The Adventures of Teddy

My love affair with travel began at a very early age, though most trips were to the beach or Canaan Valley West Virginia, just the idea of a change of scenery was, and still is, very exciting to me. When I was 16 I was lucky enough to travel internationally for the first time. My family took a two week long vacation to Israel. It was there that the adventures of Teddy began. To be completely honest with you I am not sure why I brought Teddy with me, but whatever the cause, I stumbled upon something amazing.

Teddy at Caesarea aqueduct , Israel accompanied
by my sister's creature, The Inspector

Since that first international vacation I have been to at least 11 countries and countless cities around the United States. I love taking pictures of the amazing places I have been! Let me take this moment to tell you that I am the least photogenic person in history, but having something with a discernible mark that says "I have been there" is very important thing to most people who travel. Nostalgia, I suppose. A mark on the world. To avoid that weird "would you mind taking a picture of me" moment and the subsequent "I look like shit in the only picture of me in Italy" reaction I discovered a solution. Teddy. He is small enough to fit into any bag I carry. He is always photogenic. He will try anything. He is not afraid of heights. And best of all, he enjoys costuming. Now you may or may not recognise his precious little crocheted self from the amazing, and one of my all time favorite shows, Mr. Bean, so he came to me being quite used to the spotlight which was convenient given that I have served as his very own paparazzo for the last 12 years or so.

Taking pictures of Teddy around the world has become quite a little hobby of mine over time. I have to admit there have been some great places I have been where I regrettably forgot Teddy (So sorry Teddy). I have not yet forgiven myself for my adventures with out him. But I do have some really great shots of him. I wanted to share with you, some of my favorites.

Teddy somewhere in the Highland of Scotland

Teddy in Wales atop Caernarfon Castle

Teddy in Amsterdam, Holland

Teddy at the ruin of Lochness Castle, Lochness Scotland

Teddy on a Gondola in Venice, Italy
 (It was December, hence the hat and scarf)

Teddy, relaxing on a park bench in NYC's Central Park

Teddy, rocking his cowboy hat at the Alamo,
San Antonio Texas

Teddy, at the Tower of London, London England

Teddy on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.

Resolved.

To say you have a new years resolution is like saying for 2 weeks you will half heartily try to change and ultimately end up the same. Now to say you are resolved to do something somehow changes the sentiment. There is no wiggle room. You no longer "have a resolution" you are in fact "resolved" to change. Having a firm decision versus being firmly determined. Well for a person like me who questions what decision I make from a restaurant menu is the same girl who was determined not to cook that night. For me the difference is huge. So this year I am resolved to spend the year fixing those things that annoy me about myself.  Like hitting refresh, this time the page will open as it should.

I am resolved to keeping my ever present pile of clothes off the bedroom floor. Perhaps this is more for my husband than myself. It is no secret he loathes this part of me. I have always been incapable of keeping the bedroom free of my pile. This year it stops.

I am resolved to getting this 7 lbs of holiday cookies and cheese puffs off my ass.

I am resolved to stop freaking out about the possible Apocalypse this year. This will be the toughest to overcome but I will be a sensible person and not live like someone who has watched one too many History Channel shows on the end of the world.

I am resolved to drink more water.

I am resolved to doing my absolute best at using all the food in the fridge before it goes bad.

I am resolved to limit the amount of bras I buy. When one has had enough, then I can replace it, but I may no longer bring them home just because.

I am resolved to keeping my work space neat and under control. It was such a disaster before Christmas I spent two whole days reorganizing before my family came over for Christmas dinner and saw what a monster I really am. I am determined to keep it that way. I even took pictures to remind myself of what an absolute joy a clean workspace is.

I am resolved to learn Quickbooks this year. I have had it for two years now....this will be the year I finally figure out what the hell I am doing.

I am resolved to stop being such a chicken shit and go to the dentist. If I have to get my wisdom teeth out so be it.

I am resolved to keeping the dining room table clear. This will begin once I have cleared it for the first time this year. OK I'll get back to you on that one...it appears as though I am not off to the best start.

I am resolved to stop all the regret and just take dance classes again. Why not?

Well, I have much to work on this year. I better go clean the dining room table off and get this ball rolling. I would love to hear what some of your resolutions are this year. Post post post!

Happy New Years everyone!

Interview with Melinda Byrd of Byrdcall Studio

Melinda Byrd is an artist I met in the past year and while we haven't known each other forever, I have so much admiration and respect for her and her work. She has been running Byrdcall Studio full time for nearly 13 years now and her business is a beautifully oiled machine. Her quality of work, her dealings with customers, and her passionate connection to her work proves everyday that Melinda chose the right path for herself.


Melinda, a former Park Ranger, carries that love of nature throughout the broad spectrum of her work. While most of her works are carved woodblock and linoleum prints, she paints murals, glassware, floor mats among other things. The breadth of her work is amazing! It seems like there is nothing she is not good at.


The hand printed t-shirts are what Melinda mainly sells at shows, and let me tell you, having helped her at shows from time to time, there are Byrdcall Studio t-shirt collectors out there! Her shirts are awesome! Each one is so special. Whether its cats you like, or dogs, or beer, or the blues, or fishing or you are just an environmentalist....there is a shirt that you will feel was made just for you. That's because it was. Each time Melinda inks up that hand carved woodblock and set it to a shirt, she is spending quality time with it. Then each shirt is hand signed. Each one, a work of art.


Be sure you check out her website at www.byrdcallstudio.com and her etsy store http://www.etsy.com/people/Byrdcall to see all of her amazing work for yourself!

After the excitement of The American Visionary Art Museum's annual Bazaart Holiday Marketplace this past weekend, I had a moment to talk to Melinda about her take on the show. Here is what she had to say...


How many years have you participated in Bazaart?
 This year was my fourth year at AVAM's BazaART and I'm already looking forward to next year.


What do you think sets Bazaart apart from other shows you do? 
Most shows where I set up my hand-printed woodcut shirts are geared to be attractive to "the masses" where beauty and interest are expected but maybe only in predictable "socially acceptable" ways.  The BazaART is different because everyone exhibiting their work has thought out of the box and created art that amazes the visitors.  There is humor, skill, simplicity, and a connection with things that are more meaningful in life--to me personally anyway.  The patrons of the event spend time with each artist knowing that there is something special within each booth and each artist.  Patrons of BazaART really appreciate the work that goes into my shirt-printing...and they buy which is so appreciated.  The BazaART is a wonderful alternative to the Black Friday craze.


 As an artist myself, I know I always have a favorite piece I have made. Do you currently have a favorite piece of your own work? 
While I tend to focus just on the hand-printed shirts when I do a show--so as not to confuse visitors which the multiple art forms I enjoy--my favorite individual pieces are probably not the shirts.  I mean I take the shirts for granted since I wear them every day.  What really excites me is anything new I am learning at the moment.  Like right now, I am fascinated by with pastel paintings I have been working on.  I'm learning new techniques which are very exciting.  I also love each floorcloth I make, but they go off to a new home as soon as they are done, so it is pointless to fall in love with them.


I know you didn't get too long a time to walk around but did you have a favorite vendor from this show? 
I wish I had picked up a card from the birdhouse maker.  A couple created the most beautiful birdhouses in lots of gorgeous colors.  The thing I liked most was that they were made to really go outside and last many years.  Metal work surrounded the cavity holes so gnawing creatures would not destroy them.  They were very artistically created...and did I mention colorful!?


Are there any exciting up and coming events for Byrdcall Studio that you would like to mention?
 Well, yes.  Next weekend, Dec. 3-4 I am participating in the Carroll County Artists Studio Tour both days from 10 AM -5 PM.  This is the first time I've opened my studio doors to the public (without appointments).  There could be a few people at a time or there could be dozens at a time.  I'm making cookies every other night to have enough to offer to my visitors.  The special thing for me is that I do so many artistic creations that few people know about because I don't take them on the road so to speak.  people in my studio will see the effects of a busy artist playing without limitations among papers, canvases, glass,shirts, and lots more.  I'm going to be straighten up all week, but surely the studio will retain its "workshop qualities."   www.ccartists.com/  Check out the Studio Tour map .  And check out my web site while you are at it.  www.byrdcallstudio.com.

Self portraits

Until recently I was feeling stuck in the studio. I was in a phase where I wanted desperately to make something brand new. I started thinking back to the days of art school where it was much harder to get stuck because you always had a new assignment ahead of you. I decided to play the part of my own professor and give myself an assignment. I thought immediately of the self-portrait. Of course this has been assigned and tackled in almost every art class I have ever had but never once did I ever have to to a self portrait in metal, and definitely not in jewelry. As soon as I challenged myself with this new project the familiar internal dialog began. How would I go about this? What techniques would I utilize? Would this be something I did to simply fulfill the assignment or would this be something that I would hold dear? Something I would wear?


I decided immediately to write out my self portrait. No drawing, no sketching. Just the words that make up who I am. This is the full version I came up with.

"SELF PORTRAIT"


Former dancer who mourns the loss of movement and suffers terribly from wanderlust. fascinated by the sea, the capabilities of the human body and late night infomercials. Sings in the shower. In love with a Mr. fitzwilliam Darcy, so sure he smells of England and lavender. Obsessed with red hair dye, impractical shoes and the eternal quest for the perfect bra. Troubled sleeper yet still a morning person, though strong coffee is a necessity. Loves cucumbers, dogs, Elvis, archery, and kisses for no reason. Curses to much and drives too fast...always feeling late and always arriving 15 min early. Needs change for survival. Finds most things funny, feeling most particularly the real joys in life like running in the rain. Lives in sunglasses and with the hope that I will die unafraid.


Now, obviously this is impossible to wear around ones neck so editing was key. I found it tough to edit my life so I decided to break it apart instead, mixing the semi-serious with the totally ridiculous. These pieces may ring true for a lot of folks which I find so fun. Already I have sold one that said simply "unafraid" and I hope it makes her feel that way.


I found this project so interesting because it brought something to my attention that I can't believe I never noticed before. My whole creative life, I have used words in whatever it was I created. I wrote prolifically when I was younger and used it in everthing I did, whether it was a collaboration with another artist, or a multi media piece I was doing for fun. Even in dance I choreographed a whole piece set to nothing but my dancers reading my favorite childhood story and a poem I had written. How is it that I lost this over the years. Something that was so clearly important in everthing I did. This was a welcomed rediscovery for me.

What I really learned from this is sometimes you need to really stop and make something for yourself. Sometimes you need to be your own professor, you need to challenge yourself. You never know what can come out if it. Perhaps it will just clear your head. Perhaps it will make you fall in love with what you do all over again. Perhaps it will snowball into a new product line. The point is, there is nothing wrong with taking time to make art for yourself!!

"I love tall brown eyed men & nacho cheese"

-Sterling silver with gold plated accents

Our Greatest Assets

Today was a fabulous day! I knew waking up today that I would be having company over, so I got out of bed extra early and cleaned up the disaster area which was my studio/office and the hair ball that was the rest of my house. I just love a clean house, but when I am in the midst of a busy streak, like I am right now, cleaning becomes a very low priority. My entire desk was nothing but a mess of stones, wire and plastic bags and I would just sit hunched over working on my lap, cursing because I kept dropping everything or sitting on my tools. But I just couldn't bear to spend the 15 it would have taken to just put things away. Some call this laziness, I call it an uncanny knack to focus solely on work and lunch. Naturally I would never let the outside world see that I am such a dirt ball so I clean for company. Cleaning for company is the best! I love entertaining as much as the bi-product which is the drive  and ability to clean your whole house in under an hour!

My reward was the company of two fellow artists. Talking to them was a treat that I do not often get. This little community I have found myself in is something I value so much! I have been working as a jewelry designer and a small business owner now for about 5 years, full time for the last two years solid, and in doing that I have so longed for the camaraderie that I have now found.

This past fall I had the opportunity to go back to the University of Evansville to speak to the senior art students.  I told them all, be confident in what you do and how you work because when you graduate, your artistic sounding board is essentially gone. It is something I wish someone told me when I was approaching ex-art studenthood (like adulthood...but not quite). It came as such a shock to me when it finally dawned on me that days were spent alone in one room with no one to talk to other than my dog...who is great to talk to but is not as skilled on giving feedback.

The full time, self employed artist is perhaps not as rare of a breed as it once was thanks to the surge of people coveting all that is handcrafted, but we do work in special circumstances that others do not. I was told by one of my artist friends this morning that when she was in art school artists were so competitive with one another. This, I am sure, is still very true in many ways and places but you can find people out there who are there to support you and you should find joy in supporting those artists right back. I am going to say this...I am going to put this out there for anyone who has perhaps not realized it yet, but for us artists.......OUR GREATEST ASSETS ARE EACH OTHER!

Thank you Melinda (www.byrdcallstudio.com  www.byrdcall.etsy.com ) and Sarah (http://abelartist.com/) for the inspiration, conversation and coffee talk this morning.

One Woman Show

I have spoken before about being a one woman show. Until recently I was simply musing on the challenges of being a working artist, now I write seeking support. For those out there running their own businesses perhaps you know the feeling.


Finding balance it not always easy. I am a jewelry designer. I am an accountant. I am a marketing director. I am in Public Relations and sales. I am a financial planner. I am a buyer. I am both boss and employee. I am a master of social networking and technology......ok with that I am a novice at best. I am simply a one woman show and I may be in need of a nap.


How does one find the time to do all of this in one day? I am at the computer for hours taking care of the business side of things while my bench sits waiting for me to come and create. I can't possible do one without the other but it just seems there are not enough hours in the day to do everything.


I feel unbalanced today. Even as I write this my hands are itching to use my tools, and to play with metal and fire. My brain is tired and my task list is still far from complete. If you are a one person show like myself, do you ever have days like this??