ShannonsPortfolio.com transitions to ShannonsStudio.com

I have transitioned my website ShannonsPortfolio.com to

ShannonsStudio.com

which also means I have a

new blog attached to the new website

When I started my website 5 years ago there were not that many great website DIY services. I remember it took me several weeks to figure out how to do it. There are so many user-friendly services available now. Plus, I wanted my blog and website on the same site. I also was not thrilled with my current service provider's brand personality.

So, I decided to make a change.

ShannonsStudio.com is still under construction but enough is done to work with.

Why I Like It - iPhone

This has been a very busy week. But, I had to post my new 'why I like it'. My new iPhone. I know people already know this but it is very cool. The guy, Josh (above left), at the Liberty, Mo AT&T store was GREAT in helping us (my daughter got one too). I would highly recommend asking for Josh S. when you go in. All I have to say is... iPhone - that's why I like it.

Why I Like It Wednesday - Princess Bride

This week I have been spending a lot of time thinking about marriage. (For a future series of paintings) On Why I like It Wednesday I am posting one of my husband and my favorite movies - Princess Bride. What does it have to do with marriage?

Well, the movie is such a favorite that I had one of the quotes made for the wall of our bedroom.   

True love, you think this happens everyday

Princess Bride, True Love, and My Marriage. That's why I like it.

Why I like It Wednesday - Pop Up Books

Pop Up Books are my why I like it today. I think the tie in is obvious - paper, glue, scissors, imagination = pop ups and opening the book causes the pop up to well, pop up. Cause and effect.

Robert Sabuda is a master at the pop up book. I visited his studio in NY in 2004 and listened to him talk about his pop up books and passion for them. I need not say anymore after you see one of his books.

And here is another book I got that has some how-to info on making pop up books. How-to books are cause and effect type books in and of themselves. I loved making the few little pop ups that I have with the help of this book by David A. Carter and James Diaz.

Looking at these books and playing with the pages it's easy to see that, that's why I like it.

Why I like It Wednesday - Color Me Mine

I just realized I hadn't posted for today. That's what happens when playing catch-up, forgetting the day you're on. Well, I finally did remember and for Why I Like it Wednesday and nicknames I wanted to post this painting - 

and talk about a place that I really, really like. First, the nickname I use for my husband is Boyfriend. I don't know exactly when I started using that but it's been years. I won't go into all the reasons why I call him that because it's not part of this post but I painted this cup (that I painted in this painting, if that makes sense) for him at a place called Color Me Mine. It's a little creative shop that has bisque pieces that you can choose from then paint however you want. They fire them and you can pick it up a few days later. I am all about personalizing things, making them unique. And in this shop you can do that. You can make it all your own. I've done several pieces and have gone with friends and family members and you don't have to be an 'artist' or a 'painter' to express yourself a little. If you have one near go try it out, let the creative inner painter out. It's fun. That's why I like it.

Why I like It Wednesday - ASW & Creative Mark Brushes

Why I like it Wednesday goes along with the Rejection - Brush Off idea. It is the company and paint brushes I order from. I buy cheap paint brushes, (Creative Mark Pro-Stroke White Bristle Brushes) well, no paint brushes are cheap but I buy the least expensive ones. When painting I will sometimes get called away from my work doing something for the kids, home, or whatever. I will leave my paint brushes, thinking that I'll only be a minute, only to come back later or the next day to find that they have dried paint in them from when I left. GRRRR!! So I don't need expensive brushes to ruin, I can ruin the cheaper ones. Don't get me wrong they still are very serviceable and the filbert (flat with tapered edges) brushes are my favorite. ASW is an online company I order from with reasonable prices and a good selection. And I can order in the middle of the night. That's Why I Like It.

Why I like It Wednesday - Sephora

Art is about the visual. And I would say Sephora is about the visual of the face. Okay, it's all about makeup, that kind of visual. I wanted to try some new makeup so one of my daughters suggested Sephora. We went to the new one in Kansas City at Zona Rosa. As visual as I am, I am not so much into the makeup thing, I like it, I just don't know that much about it. So, that is where Stephanie comes in. She's a make-up artist (see I told you this was visual) and consultant. Long story summarized Stephanie is excellent at what she does. So you might wonder what this has to do with dreams, well, as we talked Stephanie shared one of her dreams. I was excited to hear her goal and judging from her confidence, determination and great people skills I think she will succeed. I highly recommend her. And I got some great makeup. That's why I Like it.

Why I like It Wednesday - HubSpot & Art

Since I am really just in the beginning of my art biz getting all the info I can on how to get my art 'out there' is important to me. The website and blog for HubSpot really has nothing to do with art but I use it all the time. It gives me a pulse on what is happening now in the business world of marketing, specifically in-bound marketing. (Don't know what that is? They have all kinds of articles to tell you about it.) It's just a great way for a non-business person like me to understand and take ideas and help my art career along.

- living rural (ie, isolated and away from resources) the internet is such a great tool and they tell me how to really utilize it

- they blog with great articles, all archived and easy to find topics I'm interested in

- tv spots

- webinars, the one I listened to, David Meerman Scott, a couple of days ago was excellent

- geeky videos but I think they're funny

- a cool grey/orange color palette, just had to throw that in

Maybe I'm a business geek under all this paint. But that's why I like it.

Why I like It Wednesday - LOVE the internet

Well... I LOVE the INTERNET! This might seem very strange for some of you but for us that remember life pre-internet (PI) this is an amazing tool. Things I can do...

- talk and see, for hours (without if costing a fortune) real-time, my husband when he is thousands of miles away. Everyday.

- have a 5 way (missouri, arizona, nevada, utah and nigeria) instant messaging laugh fest with family members. It's crazy how easy it is to keep connected now.

- desktop design anything and send it anywhere. When I got an electric typewriter (with changeable font dials) I thought I was really a design diva.

- research and answer any question, any time. Whatever random wonder comes up I don't have to stay ignorant about it.

- virtually meeting people I would NEVER have met before. Our social circles are as big as we let them become.

- be a stay at home mom and start a successful (not quite yet, but I'll get there) art career in the middle of nowhere.

- being in magazines, being on tv, ending up with opportunities that I never glimpsed before.

Is the internet great or what? These are just some of the things I couldn't do PI-Life that now I can. That's Why I Like It. 

Why I like It Wednesday - VW Bug Collection

 So today's Why I like it Wednesday is about collections. My VW Bug Collection. I don't really have too many collections but this is a fun one I do with one of my sisters and mom. It started with the Slug Bug game that my kids play. I don't know why or how the three of us got started but we would play it too. (Minus the hitting.) Still do when we are driving together. I think I may have been the first one to buy a toy VW and tell the other two that I had more than they did. (Hummm, a little subconscious competition need going on?) Then I felt guilty about having said competition issues so I bought them one. Then the next thing you know they are buying them, I am buying them, they are, I am, on and on. It's been a couple of years now that we've done this. I know very juvenile, BUT, guess who's winning? That's why I like it.

Why I like It Wednesday - Books on CD

OK, so I am thinking, "What happened to Tuesday?!!" My computer is saying that it's Wednesday. I don't think I had a Tuesday. Well, any way I look at it, it is Wednesday, so.........

I am loving books on CD. Since I paint just a bit it is so nice to be able to listen to some of the books that I would like to read. And when I have zoned out a little I can back it up and listen to what I've missed. Then after some time has passed I can listen to it again. Love it, books on CD. 

That's why I like it.

Why I Like It Wednesday - Bassenian/Lagoni Architects

Bassenian/Lagoni Architects

These are 2 books from these designers. I actually bought them. I hardly ever by hardbound large books like this. But... I love this style of architecture and I want a house like this someday. I've always been drawn to the courtyard idea but not too many house plans have that and I haven't seen any as well laid out and beautiful as these men produce. That's why I like it.

Why I Like It Wednesday - Gary Vaynerchuk, The Wine Guy

I was reading an article about marketing that had a link to this guy, Gary Vay-ner-chuk.  I went to his site and watched his vid on wine tasting - for 12 minutes. 12 minutes! I don't even drink wine. Or anything else he'd sell. Yet I watched for 12 minutes. Amazing. I was caught up in his passion for what he was doing. His wine site linked to his biz site. Now that's something I can get into. And I have and love his videos and inspiration. 

It has nothing to do with art. But, there is tons that he talks about that I have applied to my art biz life. After viewing several of his vids in a row I got out my pen and paper and just kept writing idea after idea I had on things I could do. Here is some of what he's about...

1. He's a little hyped but it works for him because that is him. He talks about being authentic, always.

2. He has short tidbits of info on video. Nothing you have to buy. Just sharing some brain power.

3. He has enthusiasm for ideas. Ideas, ideas, ideas. 

4. He has some great wine spots. Even being a non-drinker I like them. Liked the eating dirt part on Ellen.

Funny, a studio gal subscribes to a wine guy's site. But, what he does helps me, it might for you too. That's why I like it.

Why I Like It Wednesday - ArtBizCoach.com

I was thinking about what I was going to post for I Like It Wednesday yesterday and hadn't come up with anything I was really excited about. Then at 12:30 am I thought to myself, "Self, if you are up at 12:30 am looking at this website then you really like it. Post it." 

So, my post is about ALYSON B. STANFIELD'S ARTBIZCOACH.COM. This is a site that caters to artists working on art marketing skills. Before you stop reading (because you're not an artist) hear me out. I often go to sites that have nothing to do with 'art' and find all kinds of relevant information for my art life. So, you might be selling plants or selling yourself in the PTA but when you find good, solid information, like on Alyson's website, then you can find something that applies to whatever you're doing. 

Here are some things to get an idea of what she does...

1. She sends a regular newsletter to subscribers - I don't have to remember myself to regularly check for new things, I just click if I find something interesting. Which is more often than not.

2. She makes it easy. Easy. I am all for taking extra steps out of my life. 

3. She always has new things. Speakers, articles, ideas.

4. She has some things that are free. Of course she's in it to make money but she is generous as well. There's a nice balance. 

5. She has valuable products. I have purchased some audio and her book. All have been excellent. 

6. She's personable. Even online. Life's too short to work with cranky people.

Check it out. See if there is anything there for you but.... That's why I like it.

Why I Like It Wednesday - Quote

"IT'S NOT THE LOAD THAT BREAKS YOU DOWN

IT'S THE WAY YOU CARRY IT"       Lena Horne

I've had this quote posted in my studio(s) for a long time now. It just makes me think. Everyone has struggles. Everyone. If it's not money, it's health. If it's not friendship, it's career. If it's not a sound mind, it's love. If it's not one struggle, it's another. It reminds me that I am not alone in my struggles. We don't necessarily choose the conflict but we choose how we'll carry it. Will I bear it well like my grandmother did? Or will I cuss, complain, and cut out on life? What makes me a stronger person is the better choice.

When I read this I hear in my heart - Carry It Well. That's why I like it.

Why I Like It Wednesday

Manger Scene  38" x 34" oil on copper plate

It's Christmas Eve day and so I thought I would post some of Carl Bloch's work. His religious genre of depicting the life of Christ is beautiful. I have seen the Healing at the Pool at Bethesda (in Utah) in person. At about 9 feet by 10 feet it is impressive. I believe there are about 25 such paintings around that size in a Denmark church. Scale, brushwork, color, content, complexity - Amazing! That's why I like it.

http://www.carlbloch.com/php/index.php

Why I like It Wednesday - Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion Magazine

I've liked this magazine for years. I don't know how long I've subscribed to it.

I like it because

• it has her illustration work throughout the mag
  
• she includes a little print of one of her illustrations
• she gives a paper doll page as well, I just think it's cool
• it has great home decor, colorful and imaginative
• she has a section on the artist's workshop where she has artist's featured - out of the ordinary artists (my work is too traditional but that's ok)
• there's a section called 'the art of business' again featuring an artist
• plus there's arts and crafts
  

It's just an all around creative magazine and it inspires me. That's why I like it.