I’m horrible at networking except in those weird circumstances where it doesn’t matter to my own work. In other words I  can talk about my DayJob all night long but once the subject of what I actually DO outside of the DayJob approaches I clam up.

Case in point. Years ago I was working as a Florist and a woman paused in front of my display, she had on a UMaine hockey hat. It looked as though she’d had it for years. I nonchalantly said, “Did you go to UMaine or are you just a fan of the hockey team?” She smiled, touched the hat, said, “Both, why?” We then launched into a conversation about UMaine, dorms we lived in, frat parties etc… It turned out she worked for a local company and was involved in the higher up aspects of its running.

I ended up scoring a great deal of business for the company I work for but could have easily have turned the conversation to what I DO, and perhaps turned that conversation into business for me. But you see back then I didn’t have the words. It wasn’t that I lack passion or drive or ambition it was simply that I lacked the words.

I’ve done a lot of reading about elevator pitches, guerilla marketing, punk marketing (worst book ever) and other assorted crap that tells me how to market myself. Heres the real deal: People feel it when you do. You can’t fake being authentically excited about what you DO outside of your DayJob.  When people feel that real excitement, they smile, lean forward and listen.

In the past when I talked about bookbinding, something I truly enjoy, I got that response. I wasn’t able to follow it to excited discussion. Why, I’ll never know. Recently I’ve been talking about the eZine, art journaling, my classes and art; people seem to get it. Even if they aren't into art, journaling or the internet they listen.

All the stuff I’m interested in is converging into one big amalgamation of excitement and love. It shows when I talk about it. People can see and feel my excitement about all this STUFF. The best thing is that I can talk about it; I’m finding words to describe what I’m doing.

My DayJob boss could tell you this is probably due to me spending time in her office telling her all about it. I think I may have told her I was practicing my elevator pitch on her, I may not have. Hopefully she does not mind my using her in such a manner.

Two months ago we put together a publication, throughout the time we were working on it, about 4 months, we called it the “Top Secret Project.” We all wrote about it, we had a great time working on it and it is awesome. We learned a lot about publishing an eZine in that time, things to do and things not to do. Our goal in the 2nd issue was to put that newly learned info to use add 10 more pages to the mix and produce an even better eZine.

We accomplished that goal. Issue 2 comes in at 55 pages and is packed with lots of information about working in an art journal with no stress. There are 101 journal prompts inside, 2 book reviews, articles by Connie of DirtyFootprints-Studio.com, Jonathan of Artisticbiker.com, Eveline of EvelineTimeless.blogspot.com, Klair of Rhomany’s Realm, and of course an article by me, loads of technique pages and we’re introducing a scholarship program. This issue is even better than issue #1.

For each issue we only take enough of the profits to cover expenses. The rest of the money is donated toward a charity that deals with art. We found the wonderful UCSF’s art for recovery program. They use expressive (art) therapy to help cancer patients’ deal with their illness. It’s a fantastic program and one that we will most likely donate to in the future. In short if you haven’t bought the new issue of the zine you’re totally missing out and really should consider picking it up. Its well worth every penny of the $5 we charge.

Find it here.

Paula is awesome, the guy from Sheldon's art academy is a donkey. I messed up my code and when I enter stuff I can't see the video until it posts, so I'm sorry I confused the 2.

Paula details how you can make your own glitter paint, while glitter ain't my thing I'm glad she shows people HOW to make their own glitter paint. Paula is awesome, all kinds of awesome.

The new issue of Art Journaling: It's All Good just came out and it's ready to roll. 55 pages of non stop art journaling action. An interview with Tracey Moore, book reviews, a piece by Dawl Sokol about NaNoJouMo, and all kinds of great articles. It's $5 and the profits after expences go to the UCSF's Art for Recovery Project. You know the brain child behind the Breast Cancer Quilt Project… Wicked cool stuff.

Head over here to get a copy. Allow me 24 hours for processing.

I have a confession to make.

It’s not a big deal, but it’s kind of embarrassing given the amount of time I spend online, blogging and etc…

I have signed up for NaNoWriMo every year since 2001 and never actually participated. The first year I had no ideas, the second year I was breaking up with my stupid ex, the year after I’d started working retail and had no time, so on and so forth the excuses piled up. This year WILL be the year I not only participate but actually get my novel written. Wait, Is non-fiction allowed? Do footnotes count toward my word count?

There is always NaNoJouMo, which I actually participated and successfully completed!

Damn, the excuses are already starting!!!!!!

For the last 3 Art Field Trips it’s been just Jane and I. Today Jane’s friend Leeann joined us. The theme was “bring a still life object.” I knew we were in business when Leeann pulled out a toy which went well with my rubber ducky. Par usual our conversations ranged from art to work as well as the techniques we used. Leeann went high tech and drew on her iPad while Jane and I stuck to our sketchbooks.

Many cups of coffee were drunk between the 3 of us. As we talked Leeann explained her friend’s project, a sketchbook exchange. One person drew on one page, the next responded on the following page. We talked about 1000 Journals and the MolyX moleskine exchange and how fun it would be to do an exchange ourselves. And thus the art field trip sketchbook exchange was born.

We headed down to artist & craftsman and each purchased a 6.5×9.5 inch Holbein multi drawing book with a fabric tie, coil bound with fabulous hard covers and lovely 110lb multimedia paper. The idea is that we each draw on the left page and then the next person responds on the next page, each time the Art Field Trip group meets we exchange. I can’t wait to see what we each do, as our styles are so different.

I’ll be honest, I’ve balked at the idea of art journal exchanges because, I’ve been burnt in the past. I was a member of Nervousness.org and lost several packages of ATC and a journal to the bowels of the exchange and theft. This time I know the participants and we’re going to see each other every 2 weeks. No pesky USPS involved. Frankly I’m excited.

Of course a trip to Artist &Craftsman leaves me busy purchasing way too many art supplies.

When your inside's out
Originally uploaded by Art Informel

LOve the recycling of a door.

I'm not a glitter type if girl but if  you are this is a great tutorial!

Jadvyga
Originally uploaded by Mony Pussoni

amazing pencil work. Note how the pencil lines follow the contours of the face