Have I lost my marbles???

I can't believe May 1st came and went and I didn't post my NEW BOOK! Egads! Well, here is my latest baby. I really love the layout of the inside pages. They made it look like you're flipping through a card designers' workbook! very fun--and I LOVE fun!

So many of you visiting here from IF and other Artist sites may be wondering what I'm doing writing paper craft books. And many of you who read and own my paper craft books may be wondering why I keep posting fine art work and illustrations.

Many of you might not care-ha!

But I thought I'd take a moment today to sort it out, just a little--I promise! I am an artist! Trained and everything! (University of Michigan School of Art and Architecture--GO BLUE!!). Because of my artistic prowess, I like to live as creatively as I can. I like to dress in bright colors, I like to crochet (my brain doesn't DO knitting), I like to sing, I like to go to the theater, I like to color with my girlies, I like period movies, I like to make sandcastles, etc.

Many of my artist friends also have "day jobs" that help them pay the bills. I do too. My day job is to share my creative living with anyone who wants to add a little more art in their lives. How lucky am I?!?! So, my day job consists of writing a column for Cloth Paper Scissors, writing books for Quarry books (see above!), designing product for the paper craft industry (currently via Creative Imaginations and Provo Craft), and teaching anything and everything. Phew, that sure keeps me busy. In my off time I like to create original, fine art, mixed media collages and assemblages--my "night job".

Occasionally I run into artists who don't like scrapbookers, scrapbookers the don't like rubber stampers, rubber stampers that don't like painters, painters that don't like collage artists and collage artists who don't like anyone...

Eek! My goal in life is to get ALL of the great ideas out of my head before I check out and to get everyone to play nice together. There is so much out there that we can learn from each other. Being creative lessens stress, increases self worth, and makes the world a nicer place. Right?

I have an collaged angel that my college roommate gave me and it says... "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say: I used everything you gave me." (Erma Bombeck) Regardless of your religious or non-religious affiliation, I think this isn't a bad wish to have. So lets not hold any of that creativity in and lets paint the town red...and green and blue, and a little old book page here and a little acrylic gel there....

as Paper Source says, Do something creative, everyday.

Planting Seeds of Music in a Childs Heart

Here is my Illustration Friday Art for May 2, 2008, the theme is SEED.

I had just finished a "flowery" piece for one of my upcoming Cloth, Paper, Scissors Magazine articles when I logged onto IF and saw that I could stay in the flower-groove. I especially love the transparent dixie cup and the memories of my kids bringing home a seed they planted for me in school. Mother's day ROCKS!

I was also just beeming after Thursday night with pride for my little Becky who just shined like a diamond in her PALS Chorus Spring concert. She never stopped smiling the entire performance and while I know I'm biased, she was one of the best up there. Not just in how she sang, because the choir is indeed made of many beautiful voices, but in the WHOLE package. She sang with her whole person. I was weepy with joy. I couldn't help it. I was proud of her, yes. But I was HAPPY for her too. Because the joy was spilling out of her while she was up there on stage.
Oh Drats, I'm getting weepy again!

Anyway, this lovely piece, is in honor of Becky who has discovered one of her many talents--a love of music. I look forward to planting many more seeds with you Bec--and thanks for giving mommy the perfect inspiration.

What will it take?

I'm not sure what it will take to get me to this computer every day to blog. I'm loving that so many of you are taking the time to read it and maybe I'm letting the pressure get to me!?! I want to blog every day! I mean, I really WANT to but I don't. Almost every day I think, Oh, I should blog now but then I can't think of anything worthy enough to blog about--worthy of you all! I want to take a photo to include in my blog, I want to add hyperlinks for your benefit and it all just stops me. Geesh!
Oh, and being busy every now and then doesn't help things either!
So here is my promise:
I'll keep trying! I'll stop apologizing and spend that time blogging. I have some great new ideas for the blog and my website, I have some fabulous new products coming out to market. My fine art work is just so taking on a life of its own that I find myself smiling quite often. I'm working on art retreat proposals, classes here, at local independently owned stores, classes for kids who deserve better art classes, and yes, even book proposals--can you stand it???

I know different people are inspired by different things, some do what they do to find a cure (3 day walk), some to provide awareness (Changing Lives), some to save innocent lives (Free Tibet), some to care for our four legged friends (A Place to Bark), some honorable families just do what they do to put food on the table everyday. I am inspired to make the world a more beautiful place. Sure, I suppose I'm not going to save lives, well, not directly, but can I make a child happy to see their work framed and hanging on a wall? Can I (co-)write a book that inspires a new mom with the baby blues (Celebrating Baby)to make something and thereby lift her spirits. Can I paint/collage a picture of a lovely cottage on the cliffs of Ireland that someone will cherish and pass on to their children one day. Can I design a product that encourages the keeping of family memories? I CAN!

Of course, I'm not totally selfless! I do so enjoy making art. My heart aches when I have to be out of my studio for a prolonged time. My personal batteries are indeed charged by getting paint under my nails. And lets not forget my pilgrimages to Brimfield--the wonderous and plentiful antique mecca!

So, here it is, the end of another post...I have links, and a photo and maybe a clearer message--even if it is just a message to myself. Be the ART you wish to see in the world...

Now off to Illustration Friday to see this week's challenge. (I'm writing this here so someone will hold me to it!)

By the way, this piece pictured here is called Mind Your P's and Q's: the beer machine and I find it quite hilarious.

If you give a mouse a hunk of brie...

If you give a mouse a hunk of brie,

she'll want a crisp grannie smith apple to go with it

and if you give her a grannie smith apple,

she's going to want a glass of pinot grigio to go with it

and if you give her a glass of pinot grigio,

she's going to want ANOTHER glass of pinot grigio to go with it

and if you give her another glass of pinot grigio on a Thursday night

she's going to fall asleep in the middle of the Colbert Report

and if she falls asleep in the middle of the Colbert Report she's going to wake up early

and if she wakes up early she's going to get hungry earlier and need a snack

and if she's hungry earlier and needs a snack, she might go to the refrigerator and see a hunk of brie

and you know, if you give a mouse a hunk of brie.....

Or so the story goes...

Open Studios, Great Reviews and New Opportunities

Yeah! It's done and it was a complete success! Thanks to all those who stopped by for Open Studios here in Brookline. A special thanks to all of you who purchased your own Jenn Mason Original artwork, book or necklace while you were here. I'm filled up with joy from all the kind words you left me with and from the compliments on our new digs. This is especially great because it is something I can truly share with Matt who makes my life so complete.

Becky had a great weekend too. She sold ALL 7 pieces of art and is looking forward to next year's show. She beamed all weekend! For those of you interested, she is splitting her profits evenly amongst spending, short term savings, long term savings (college) and charity--what a girl.

Abby had another Lilly show today and there was a great review by the globe too!

Speaking of interesting reads... I saw this new book by Suzan Lenart Kazmer is out called Making Connections. It is available through her website and looks facsinating. I have to get my hands on a copy and when I do, I'll make sure to tell you all about it. If you've read it, feel free to let me know what you think!

Also, interestingly enough I had a chat with a very dear friend today who proposed a new "genius" product. She's also asked me to jump on board with her. How touched am I??? So here I go, jumping on another project that I can't tell you anything about--YET! Stay tuned my dear readers!

until then--(or sooner!)

Time is of the essence

It seems like I'm right down to the ticker tonight. Tomorrow Abby has a final dress rehearsal, Becky has her first performance of Seussical, and I have the rest of the artists coming over to set up their "stuff".

I finished the Open Studio Window display and it looks pretty sharp. I've collected 18 or so bottles of wine for my preview party. I've picked up things that I should have picked up 2 or 3 months ago.

All in all, its looking pretty great around here--even if there are about 20 too many pieces of art hanging on the wall. If you're local, feel free to come by, ther are so many studios open here in Brookline that I don't think you could see them all in two days.

I have two more assemblages I want to finish before Saturday Morning and I hope I can pull it off. I've assembled all the stuff into two piles, now I just have to let the art muse out and let it all come together. But first--I had better clean off my studio table so there is some place for the magic to happen.

MISSING: Blogger!

Sometimes I feel like I spend my whole day going to or coming from school, so this seems an appropriate image today. I just HAD to blog before leaving for California tomorrow. I feel like I've been locked away in a remote location where I couldn't blog!

Rest assured I've just been extremely busy. I'm still working on the new product line for Creative Imaginations. I've also worked on my lasers for my Jewelry book, artwork for my articles, the window display for open studios, the postcard maps for open studios, ordering customized cards, notecards, postcards and magnets for open studios.... and working on a lovely birthday present for my dear friend's 40th!

So now that I've blogged I'm going to be off line for the weekend while I soak up some Southern California sun!
Look for me here on Monday--I'll be here with details of the trip and things to look forward to next weekend.

TGIW (thank goodness it's Wednesday!)