An Artist's Christmas Wish List

Holiday Greetings from The I Believe In Art Studio

Dear Santa,

I've been a little busy decorating my home for the holidays but, now that things have calmed down, I've had time to think about what I want for Christmas.  So if it's not too late, here's just a few things I'm wishing for:

1. A Vacation For My Anti-Muse

That perfectionist anti-muse that tries to keep me from making art has been working overtime around here lately. I think she really just needs to relax, have an umbrella drink on a beach somewhere and be told that everything is going to be okay. So please give her a vacation so I can have a vacation from her, thank you.

2. A Watch For My Muse

My muse never seems to know what time it is. She is always sleeping on the job when it would be convenient for us to be working together and then late at night she keeps me up working on crazy ideas. Give the woman a watch or a clock so I can sleep, please!

3. GPS For The Cleaning Fairies

I keep requesting that the cleaning fairies come tidy up when things get messy in my art studio but they never show. Obviously they are getting lost for some reason.  Please equip them with GPS so they can find their way to my house.

4. A Unicorn Pony For My Inner Child

Sometimes I forget to not be serious and that imagination is my super power. Fortunately, I have my inner child to remind me of these things and make art and life fun again. I don't think there's anyone in the world who deserves a unicorn pony more than her, so could you make that happen? 

Wait, nevermind, she just told me that she already has one (wow, talk about hard to shop for!). 

Update: Click here to see what my me and my inner child did get for Christmas.

5. Peace, Love and Art for Everyone

More than anything I just want people to be nice to each other, for us all to encourage each other and for everyone to be happy creating or enjoying the creations of others. Maybe that's not in your power but if you could work some magic to remind the rest of us that it is in ours, I'd appreciate it.

Oh and a stocking full of art supplies would be awesome too.

Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas.

Love,

Victoria

IBelieveInArtShop.com

I Believe In Artists: Linda Todd

Artist Linda Todd

You know I love all things magical and whimsical and the art of Linda Todd definitely fits that description.  So of course I was excited about sharing her work when she agreed to do this feature.  However, I am equally excited to share her words.  I found them to be encouraging and inspiring and I think you will too.  Enjoy!

"Happiness" Art by Linda Todd

Question: I know art speaks its own language but if you had to describe your work in only six words, what would they be?

Linda: My work in 6 words... quirky, colourful, magical, happy, bright, dreamy.

"Spring Equinox" Art by Linda Todd

Question: Who is your favorite artist (in any medium) and how do they inspire you?

Linda: My favourite artist is Marc Chagall and he inspires me by his dreamlike scenes that look so incredibly simple and childlike. He paints from his emotions and always has a story to tell. His use of colour also creates an atmosphere, an intensity which accompanies these magical compositions.  I am drawn to storytelling artists, as opposed to a composition of inanimate objects.

"Follow Your Dreams" Card by Linda Todd

Question: What inspires you to create?

Linda: What inspires me to create is.......my own life which is a series of little stories. My love of nature, flowers, butterflies and my golden hare which is a theme that pops up in my paintings every now and then. I have a love for inspirational sayings and folk art of different countries. There is a creative mix which I work between and depending on how I feel I dip into words or images. Sometimes it's both. I recently designed a series of inspirational cards to inspire and uplift people that is also very important in making my art. I teach in college and inspiring people is my daily job, so it feeds into my art in a big way.

"Butterfly Dreams" Art by Linda Todd

Question: What is your favorite part of your creative process?

Linda: The favourite part of my creative process is sitting in front of a blank canvas or paper with a beautiful range of paints and responding to the way I feel. I do not tend to roughly sketch anything out anymore. I tend to just go for it and see what evolves as it happens. My intuition plays an important part in creating.

Question: What is the most challenging part of your creative process and how do you meet that challenge?

Linda: The only challenge I face is if my energy is low. Experience has taught me not to start anything if I am running on empty. For the results will be poor. The creative flow has to be able to move through you and in a way that it is completely free. Being creative is about knowing yourself and being in tune with what you can and can't do.

"Snowdrop Hare" Art by Linda Todd

Question: And finally, what does "believing in art" mean to you?

Linda: "Believing in art" means to me........follow your heart, be true to yourself and be grateful for the talent you possess. The reason I say this is because if we all start from the premise that it is a gift, and it is to be used in a true and honest way, it will never let you down. Your belief in your abilities will be with you for life and the satisfaction of being able to access your creativity will feed your soul.

Thank you Linda for sharing your magic with us!

To learn more about Linda and her art, connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

If you missed any previous "I Believe In Artists" interviews or are interested in being featured yourself, click here for more information.

My Many Muses: Rick Springfield (2016)

Just a normal woman creating a giant Rick Springfield chalkboard mural in her living room.

There is an amusing moment during the concert on the Rick Springfield “Stripped Down” DVD where someone in the audience shouts, “We love you Rick!” and he says with a smile, “No you don't, you're just projecting.”

It reminded me that I have been guilty of projecting my ideals and fantasies onto my celebrity (and non celebrity) crushes in the past, with some disillusioning results. However, at some point I grew up and started investigating those attractions. I began asking myself exactly what qualities I admired in these people and, most importantly, how I could develop those qualities in myself. This is how many of the creative, expressive and talented people I was drawn to went from being daydream idols to inspiring muses.

For example, these days when I look at my once teenage crush Rick Springfield, I see more than a beautiful and talented man. I see someone who doesn't give up. I see someone who doesn't let doubt or depression keep him from creating. I see someone who knows the value of persistence and putting time and effort into his craft. I see someone who doesn't let his past or his age define him but keeps moving forward.

And seeing all of this has informed my choices and impacted my life in very positive ways.

And then there was dancing.

So, I won't say that I love Rick Springfield but I will say that I love what he shares with his fans and the world and I'm grateful for what that has helped me discover about myself.

By the way, if you haven't heard the latest Rick Springfield album, "Rocket Science", you should do something about that right away. You should also see him perform live if you get the chance and be sure to watch him in the new season of Supernatural this Fall.

Until next time, Happy creating.

Peace, Love and Art,

Victoria

It was a pretty safe bet that #rickspringfield would show up in my #artjournaling sooner or later. He's always been a light in the darkness for me. 💛 #affairoftheheart

A photo posted by Victoria Lynn Hall (@victorialynnhall) on Jul 29, 2016 at 9:34pm PDT

Click Here for more "My Many Muses" posts.

Click here to see more of my chalkboard murals.

Oh, and you can see a clip of me performing Jessie's Girl here.

I Believe In Artists: Wendy Lee Gadzuk

Wendy Lee Gadzuk, Visual Artist and Musician

I got a fortune cookie message once that read: You discover treasures where others see nothing unusual.  I think that statement can apply to a lot of artists but none more so than my friend Wendy Lee Gadzuk.  Not only does she see treasure in discarded, broken or seemingly ordinary objects, she sees them as a medium, as pieces that can be used to construct something that is both familiar and fascinating in her mixed media assemblage art.  Her effort and attention to detail in these pieces, as well as in her ballpoint pen drawings, seem to me to be her super power, a magical process by which she creates something that becomes more than the sum of its parts - something whole with the power to move us.

I'm extremely pleased to be able to share with you Wendy Lee Gadzuk's powerful work and thoughts on her artist's life with you here.  Enjoy!

“Madonna and Child” by Wendy Lee Gadzuk - featured on the debut Andalusia Rose CD

Mixed media, 13” x 24” x 6”

Photo by Mike Rosati

Question: I know art speaks its own language but if you had to describe your work in only six words, what would they be?

Wendy: Capturing elusive images with tangible form.

“Kardia Dentata” By Wendy Lee Gadzuk

Mixed media, 23” x 23”

Photo by Mike Rosati

Question: Who is your favorite artist (in any medium) and how do they inspire you?

Wendy: There are so many great artists out there, it is hard to choose just one. But the first one who popped into my head was Cathy de Monchaux, a sculptor from the U.K. Her work is like a cross between Eva Hesse and Thierry Mugler…soft and hard at the same time. I love her juxtaposition of hard metal with softer, human-like forms, often resembling male or female genitalia made of leather or fabric. They sometimes bring to mind medieval torture devices…hauntingly, disturbingly beautiful. You can tell she probably had some training in metalsmithing, as did I, but she is doing something entirely new with these traditional techniques. I think this is what initially drew me to her work. I found it inspiring to see someone who had a foundation in a technical skill who pushed beyond the boundaries of what was commonly seen in that arena. And there seemed to be a very “female” aspect to what she was doing, which attracted me to the work. 

“Azabov”by Wendy Lee Gadzuk

Ballpoint pen on paper, 5” x 8”, unframed

Question: What inspires you to create?

Wendy: Well, mostly the fact that I know that I can’t not do it!

“Ethyl My Love, the Eternal Truth Serum” by Wendy Lee Gadzuk

Mixed media, 19 1/2” x 33”

Photo by Mike Rosati

Question: What is your favorite part of your creative process?

Wendy: I think my favorite part is the end! The process itself is often painful. It’s confusing, it’s consuming, often what seemed like a brilliant idea at first gets dulled down during the process, and sometimes I can’t figure out how to actually make it work. But I know that no matter what, nothing is a lost cause, even if I make what may seem like a “mistake.” I’ve learned that, at least in my process of either drawing or doing assemblage work, everything is fixable. Or workable. And at the end, I am almost always very pleased with the result, and that is satisfying. 

“The Padded Cell” by Wendy Lee Gadzuk detail shot

Mixed media, in a guitar case

Question: What is the most challenging part of your creative process and how do you meet that challenge?

Wendy: I’d say the most challenging part of the creative process is just doing it. Not listening to the voices that doubt, that make excuses, that want to do the dishes, that want to do everything but sitting down and making art. I do Bikram Yoga as well, and at times it is miserable. But I always feel better after i do it, and once I show up to that hot room, no matter how hard it is, I always make it through. Showing up is the hard part. The busier I am, the less time I have to think about whether or not what I’m doing is important, if it has meaning, if it has enough meaning, if it has the right meaning, if it is valid in its own right even if I am not making a lot of money from it, etc. The challenge is to do it, and not give in to the voices that doubt. These voices come from within and from without. Constantly. 

“The Countess” by Wendy Lee Gadzuk

Ballpoint pen, colored pencil, and acrylic paint on paper

8 1/2” x 11 3/4"

Question: And finally, what does "believing in art" mean to you?

Wendy: “Believing in art” means, to me, believing in myself and my ability to tap into something beyond myself. Believing that what I have to offer, that which comes from the truest place, is more important than doing what I think other people will like. That is ego. That is not art. Art, to me, is about tapping into the universal collective unconscious and transcribing what I see through my own filter. And believing that that meditative state of focus that comes from the act of creating is hugely important in making the world a better place. I believe that state of consciousness sends out positive ripples to the universe. 

Thank you Wendy for sharing your insights and creations with us.

Wendy will be showing 4 of her assemblage pieces in the upcoming Coaster Show at La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Los Angeles, which opens 9/2, and several of her drawings are included in the soon-to-be-released book “Black and White, Volume Three,” a book of black and white artworks published by Out of Step Books.

To learn more about Wendy and see more of her work, visit her website at www.wendyleegadzuk.com, like her on facebook or follow her on Instagram.

Wendy is also an accomplished musician who performs with her band Andalusia Rose.  Check them out through the following links:

www.andalusiarose.com

www.facebook.com/andalusiaroseband

www.instagram.com/andalusiaroseband

Until next time, happy creating!

Peace, Love and Art,

Victoria

Never Stop Creating (Free Printable)

I never was very good at staying inside the lines.

I sometimes hear stories about people who decide to give up on creating art.  My first reaction is always one of shock.  How could they do that?  How could they just stop creating?  But I don't have to think very long before I remember just how difficult creating can be.

It can be difficult when you doubt yourself.
It can be difficult when you start overthinking everything that you do. 
It can be difficult when you let yourself worry about what other people may think.
It can be difficult when you keep comparing what you create to what others create.
It can be difficult when you second guess your ideas so much that you never even begin to create and find yourself procrastinating all the time.

So here's what you do:

Stop doubting.
Stop overthinking.
Stop worrying.
Stop comparing.
Stop second guessing,
and, for goodness sake, (note to self) stop procrastinating!

But Never, Never Stop Creating.

And if you want something to remind you of all this, you can click here to download my Art Fairies: Never Stop Creating Coloring Page for free to color in (or not) and hang it up in your studio or use it in your art journal or give it to a friend (but no commercial use - personal stuff only, please).  This design is also available as a full color poster and on other fun products at The I Believe In Art Shop.

My finished coloring page. 

Okay, one more time: Never Stop Creating.

No matter what.

Peace, Love and Art,
Victoria

Art Fairies: Never Stop Creating T-shirt by IBelieveInArt
Create your own t shirts online at zazzle.com

Never Stop Creating (Stop Doubting, Comparing...) Poster by IBelieveInArt
Check out more Victoria lynn hall Posters at Zazzle

Art Fairies: Never Stop Creating 3 Ring Binder by IBelieveInArt
Create custom printed vinyl binder at zazzle.com

I Believe In Artists: Dan Radcliffe

I Don't Know Much About Art featuring Holly Cow by Dan Radcliffe

I met Dan Radcliffe through one of my many muses, Holly Cow.  Holly is a kind soul who delights in creativity and all of life's simple pleasures, so I figured any friend of hers would have to be a good person and I was right.  It turns out he's also a pretty terrific artist.  Not only did Dan create Holly Cow but he illustrates many other colorful characters, all of whom express his good-hearted values, intelligence and sense of humor.

I'm so happy to share my friend Dan Radcliffe's creations and thoughts with you below.  Enjoy!

Artist Dan Radcliffe

Question: I know art speaks its own language but if you had to describe your work in only six words, what would they be?

Dan: Only six words?  Fun, friendly, comfortable, silly, happy, feel-good.  (Is that last one a word, or two words?) 

Great Teachers Inspire By Dan Radcliffe

Question: Who is your favorite artist (in any medium) and how do they inspire you?

Dan: There are a lot of artists who inspire me.  DaVinci inspires me, because of the unquestionable genius and precision that shows in everything.  Makes me want to try to achieve that kind of level, although I know that’s a long-shot.  Matisse, because of the bold shapes and bright colors, his work just makes me feel good.  There are tons of others.  As long as the end product shows me that the artist is passionate about the art.  Charles Schulz inspires me.  

Library Invasion Reading Poster By Dan Radcliffe

Question: What inspires you to create?

Dan: Hard to say, really.  I can see a plant in the yard and have an idea for a drawing.  I can see a commercial on television for cat food and it might spark an idea.  My wife inspires me to create.  Or maybe it’s more precise to say she encourages me.  I like when people tell me they appreciate my work, that inspires me to create more.

Holly's Friendship Harvest By Dan Radcliffe

Question: What is your favorite part of your creative process?

Dan:  I like the feeling I get when I start to create.  It’s a feeling of satisfaction, self-worth... positive good feelings.  I enjoy sitting in the middle of my living room floor with my drawing pad and a pencil, a cup of coffee on the table, and just starting to draw.  It’s really therapy for me.  It’s relaxing, the time flies, sometimes too quickly.  Ideas just start to pop.  

Pour By Dan Radcliffe

Question: What is the most challenging part of your creative process and how do you meet that challenge?

Dan: The most challenging part is making the time, or taking the time, to actually create.  Life’s events sometimes make it hard, not enough hours in the day, and all of that.  I’ve had someone tell me, “You have to find the time.  If someone were to pay you a thousand dollars an hour, you would be able to find the time.”  If someone paid me a thousand dollars an hour to draw, I’d certainly find the time... by quitting my day job!  So yes, making the time to create is the biggest challenge for me. 

You Can Never Have Too Many Friends By Dan Radcliffe

Question: And finally, what does "believing in art" mean to you?

Dan: Believing in art, for me, means believing that what you’re creating is important, and that it makes a difference.  Sometimes that importance or that difference is nothing more than bringing a smile to someone’s face.  If someone can look at your art and smile and tell you that they like it, you’ve accomplished something.

Thank you Dan for sharing your art and answers with everyone!

To see many more of Dan's creations on fun products, click here to visit his Zazzle shop.

Dan has also just published a delightful book, entitled "Not So Scary Stuart" that you can find by clicking here.

And a book about my favorite cow, Holly Cow, can be found here.

Until next time, happy creating!

Peace, Love and Art,

Victoria

Paint Happens (And What I Do About It)

Paint Happens To Shoes

Paint Happens.  If you're an artist, you know what I'm talking about.  You didn't mean for it to happen, you don't even know exactly how it happened, but there it is: paint on the floor or the walls or yourself or the cat or any number of places.  So what do you do?

Well, first of all I want to say that it's okay with me if you do absolutely nothing and just be your paint splattered self as you continue on your creative journey in your paint splattered garb, surrounded by your paint splattered world.  However, if you find that you do want to tidy up a bit, here's some ways I get (or attempt to get) acrylic paint out or off of things like...

Paint Happens To Hands

1. Hands

This is the easy one.  Soap and water usually work pretty good.  For dried on, caked on paint (the best kind) it helps if the soap has some kind of exfoliating agent in it.  I use Brown Sugar Oatmeal Soap by Bubble Owl Soap on Etsy.

 Cruelty Free, Artisan Crafted, Plant Based Bubble Owl Soap

2. And Other Body Parts

To quickly remove paint from my hands or elbow or big toe or whatever while I'm working, I keep some exfoliating facial wipes handy.  They work like a charm.

Create And Exfoliate

3. Or Hair

Paint usually comes out of my hair with a good shampooing but when it is 2am and I just want to get it out quickly so I can go to bed, I use a little water and a detangling comb.

Paint Happens To My Desk (Paint Water Cups Available At The Shop)

4. The Floors and The Furniture

Most paint will come up pretty easily with a damp cloth when it's wet.  If it's dried and thick enough I can usually scrape it up with a putty knife or a razor blade.  If it's more like a stain, a little rubbing alcohol often does the trick.

5. And Finally, Clothes

This is the hard one.  What I should do is always wear the clothes that have already been paint splattered or remember to put on one of my aprons but sometimes I don't.  I find I can get paint out of my jeans if I get to it right away with one of those exfoliating wipes, or out of a shirt if I soak it right away, but usually these things just end up as new additions to my painting wardrobe.

So what do you do when paint happens?  I'd love to read your paint removing tips in the comments.

Happy creating!

Peace, Love and Art,
Victoria

IBelieveInArtShop.com