Monday Artist Feature - GraceD Art Collage

 YES! We are kicking this week off right! Our very first Monday Artist Feature! And I'm so excited to introduce to you Michelle from GraceD Collage Art! She so graciously (and may I add courageously) said she would be first featured! And I couldn't think of a better person! So please, grab some chocolate (because, really there is no better way to read a blog) and sit down and check out this awesome interview with Michelle :)

 

 

1. Describe your wonderful self in 4 sentences: 

I have to admit that this was the hardest question...and that I did it last! (But I had to remember my own advice from #12!)... So here it goes...I'm trying not to over think this....

    1. I always try to look for the good in people and the beauty around us.

    2. I wouldn't be creating art if it wasn't for my loving husband.

    3. I love my faith, books, sheep, chocolate, decorating and architecture, and too many other things to write down.

    4. I'm thinking about painting our front door a beautiful peacock color!

 

2. What is the craft/art that you do?  I do mixed media/paper collage on cigar boxes, old tin to create magnetic art, on canvas and boxes to create clocks, and note cards. I've also done custom collage invitations and cake toppers for weddings.

 

3. When did you start? I've been doing collages for gifts for a long time, but I started doing them to sell in 2009.

4. What is one of your favorite pieces you've made? Why? I'm always tickled when I have used a lot of different papers on a project...So one of my favorites is the "Alice in Wonderland"-inspired writing desk. The clocks I've done have challenged me to be more dimensional and I've been proud of them...The first of which was for your brothers' graduation!

5. Who is your favorite artist or designer? When you get to know people most of them are artists in some way! And I've met so many artists locally that I am proud to call my friends and they definitely all inspire me in different ways...But I have to say that in creating collages, the original artists that inspired me the most were Sarah Lugg and Isabelle de Borchgrave. (Incidentally, there is a wonderful article in the latest Victoria magazine about Isabelle de Borchgrave's creations!!!!)

6. Your favorite supplier or craft that you use? I use things from a lot of different sources...But, my favorite papers and embellishments usually come from Anna Griffin and Webster's Pages. I also love Susan Lenart Kazmer's line "Industrial Chic" at Michaels!

7. If budget wasn't involved, what are 2 things you wish you had for your art-making? A craft studio in a tree house and unlimited paper!!!

8. What's your favorite cookie? Anything with dark chocolate and pecans!!!

9. Your #1 Fear regarding your art? That people won't smile when they see my stuff.

10. Where do you get your inspiration from? Everywhere...I love layers and you see that all around you. I've always loved mixing fabrics and textures...especially after working for an amazing fabric company! And I often get amazing ideas from my very talented husband! When I need an objective (and always supportive opinion) I can always count on him.

11. What makes you laugh the most? The silly conversations my husband and I have when we are really exhausted!

12. Any tips to fellow artists? Remind yourself that there is no wrong answer...I have to repeat this to myself a lot! I am always in pursuit of perfection and in art AND in nature the things I fall in love with the most are the organic, unforced, "imperfectly" perfect layers. And also, that there WILL be someone that will love your creations...I have to remind myself that I am creating because it makes me happy and that I hope it will make those people happy, too.

~Thank you Michelle SO much for your support and being the first to be featured this week!!

Now, please! Let's support Michelle! How? You can like her facebook page! Click here! GraceD Collage Art  

And if you want to make her smile, leave a nice comment on her wall! We all like being told we are the bombdiggity. I'm just sayin'

Remember!! Email us contact@saritneyphotography.com if you would like to be featured on our blog!!

Peach Tarts & YOUR Featured Artwork

It was a peaceful afternoon. Sitting in her cozy kitchen, the smell of the peach tart simmering in the oven was calming. We sat, had a quaint lunch that included spinach quiche, chatted and laughed. These are the moments I live for. Her and I talked about art. Both with smiles on our face, sparkles in our eyes and concern. How putting your art out there isn't just about that, what you are really doing is putting your heart and soul out for people to look at, appreciate, down grade, commend, praise, laugh at, whichever it may be. And that when you deem yourself an artist, it never is just simply that, but you must also seem to deem yourself an entrepreneur. "All I want to do is make pretty things!! Not run a business!"
Then before I knew it, there I was, playing with the crumbs on my plate, feeling like a million dollars. Just before she pulled the what now smelled like nothing-better-I-had-ever-smelt-before peach tart, she told me. "Don't worry so much, you are going to do just fine." She praised, complimented, really, spoiled me with good sayings about my photography. And that's when I felt like I could conquer the world. I hope my Aunt Michelle realizes how much of a wonderful woman she is and how much she helps me. I am definitely surrounded by an amazing support group, and she is most certainly one of them. Not only did she feed me good, she helped me a tremendous amount with my first art show.

Sometimes it's the kind words that keep you going. Saying "You can do it!" is like gasoline to the car. The electricity to the fan. uhh...the...yeast to the bread? You get where I'm going with this though right? It's the boost to keep us doing what we do even when there are haters. Yeah...I said it. Haters gonna hate ;) (I'm so thug, I know)

So I want to show the kindness to others that has been shown to me. And this morning while sipping on my coffee in my pjs with my rat-messed looking hair, sitting on my front porch, I came up with an idea....

Every Monday I want to feature an artist on our blog. Are you in school and aspiring to be a photographer, and have some pictures you are proud of? Do you paint on the weekends while you aren't laboring away at the job you hate? Make jewelry? Clothes? Use paper crafts? Know someone who has some amazing skills but may be too timid or modest to admit they're awesome?

Then please, please, please! Email us at contact@saritneyphotography.com Go ahead! Do it now! Be Brave, Love Life. It's the new motto to live by :) Especially if you live in Scottsboro, Huntsville, or other surrounding cities, I would really love to support local artists. (This isn't to say if you live in Ohio or Minnesota we won't feature you too!) And yes, I know, our blog is but a smaller blog, but it's a great start to let people know what you are all about. Why you do what you do. Why you want to continue doing it. So please! Email me today! Let's talk art! Let's get you featured! (Seriously, is it Let's or Lets? Where's my grammar police??) I'll be waiting......

....did that sound creepy? I should've stopped at grammar police, shouldn't have I? Ooops.

Peace, Love, & Oreos!