Museum of Paper

An Enmeshed Tale - Deep in the Heart of Texas

A treat from our popular guest blogger Mai-Liis Peacock

How can scorpions and mixed media art possibly relate? 
This is an easy question for any mixed media artist, but not so for anyone else.

As a California transplant recently moved to the Austin, TX area I was warned about "bugs"...and, indeed, I discovered that all of my neighbors are visited by a variety of exterminating companies on a rather regular basis.  I decided that I would do no such thing!  I'll take bugs over poisons any day, thank you very much.

All went well for eight months.  I had ignored the time that someone else found five scorpions in my garage.

BlueJude In An Altered World...PART II

Do I consider myself an "altered artist"? Well, despite the aforementioned credentials in PART 1 of this article, and let's not forget the dining room table - I would probably have to say no.

I am a mixed-media artist though; and after some time of being intrigued by this altered arts movement, I finally succumbed and decided to try my hand at an altered book. I figured, how hard could it be? I love art- I love books, why not?

Armed with a children's board book, a poem I wrote for my daughter, and some mannequin heads I found in the newspaper, I was ready to get out the art supplies and go to town. It was tons of fun; though more work and time-consuming than anticipated.

The finished product isn't quite up to snuff compared to some "altered art books"  in the trendy art magazines, but I'm happy with it. I have my own book, a keepsake for my daughter, and a whole new respect for altered book artists.

And though I question whether something is just "altered" or truly a piece of art, let me make it clear that I have seen some absolutely beautiful creations from this altered arts movement that are quite inspirational on more than one level. And I do think there is a lot of merit and validity to it all.

After all, we are recycling and therefore helping to save the planet and mankind. And, all the while we are still getting our artistic ya ya's out while being able to express ourselves on a whole new "canvas". How great is that!!  Maybe we should be calling ourselves "recycling artists" and then just maybe more people would  pay attention to our art. Especially in lieu of Time Magazine's recent issue covering Global Warming. Apparently altered artists are not only saving the world but are also  quite "timely" in doing so! (Sorry, couldn't help myself.)

BlueJude In An Altered World

It seems every time I turn around there is something new being "altered" in the art world. This is a movement that seems to be snowballing at a very rapid pace. We can alter just about anything and everything and call it "art". But is it really?

There are altered playing cards, Cds, books, photographs, shoes, purses, skirts, and even bras!

I did this at the ripe old age of eleven when I stuffed mine. It certainly was altered though maybe not a work of art

Then there's furniture

Yup, done that too with my old dining room table when I realized there were no funds to buy a new one - and well, with three kids why bother? It is a lovely shade of green now, with painted designs and decoupage. Very Tracy Porter-ish.

And let's not forget altered dolls.

I think as little girls we all experimented with that one. And I bet we all thought that our creations were lovely after we lopped off their hair and painted their faces.

I have also altered jeans and jackets, we all did - back in the day when I went to the High School of Art and Design. We would embroider them with band names, quotes, designs and the like. And we "altered" the bathroom walls with our paintings.

What can I say? Most NYC schools have graffiti in the loo, we were a bit more elite and creative, or so we thought. - Until we got caught and sent to the dean's office
...... read on ....

Artist Tags, a New Rage?

by contributing author, Mai Liis Peacock

Just as in clothing and home furnishings, paper arts are subject to fashion.  Just why this phenomenon of "everybody is doing it!" comes to fruition is a mystery.

In the paper arts, unlike in clothing or furnishings, there are no design or color councils which publish "trends"....thereby whetting every ones interest.

We artists are a passionate bunch, and we are always interested in exploring new ideas.  It is the popularity of one form of paper art over another which I wonder about. 

For a while, everyone was making cards, lots and lots of cards!

Artist Gets Athletic – A Step Along Life’s Path

An exclusive from guest writer Melody M. Nuñez

It’s amazing how one random idea can make such a drastic change in your life

. . . and I'm a perfect example of that.  Last year I was going about my normal life - work, lots of art, very little exercise, and minimal community involvement.

Then I received a mailer from Team In Training, a fundraising branch of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Team In Training trains individuals for endurance events like triathlons, century rides (100 mile bike rides), and marathons, and those individuals raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 
 

1. The mailer intrigued me.

2. I contemplated possibilities.

3. Enter random idea.

According to the mailer, one of the events that I could participate in was the Honolulu Marathon. 

I could walk a marathon, help in the battle against blood cancers, AND walk my marathon in beautiful Hawaii?! 

It was a win-win-win situation for me.

•  I needed to become more physically active.
•  I love to help others.
•  I love to travel.

I found myself at an information meeting last July, and though the prospect of making it all 26.2 miles on race day seemed daunting, as did the $4300 I had to raise to participate in the event, I took the leap and signed up.

Nearly overnight my main focus changed. 

Instead of creating art and sleeping in whenever I could, I was learning about gear, nutrition, hydration, and was getting up at the crack of dawn six days a week to train.  I walked over 500 miles to prepare for the event, and had an incredible time along the way. 

Not only did I improve my own health, but I also met wonderful people, who will likely be lifelong friends. I participated in something much bigger than me, and did something - however small - to help those battling blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and Hodgkin's disease.

I ended up raising over $5000 last season, walked all 26.2 miles of the marathon, and grew so much as a person as well.

My experience with Team In Training was so profound that I decided to participate again . . . and I'd also be a Team Mentor.

My own mentor, Pat, was such an amazing resource and support during my first season that I knew I had to help others as they faced their challenges - and fears.

I also knew that my art and writing would take back seat for another five months or so, but instead of seeing it as a negative I decided I was simply "on sabbatical"!  Besides, I could sneak in a project here and there and would continue to carry my art journal around in case I had a few minutes to create or brainstorm.

So here I am, one month into the summer marathon season. 

I'm mentoring 8 people on our team of 52, and am fundraising for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society once again.  I'm also working full time and am helping with the preparations for an art retreat that'll take place in late March.

Sure, I may have bitten off a bit more than I can chew, but I'd rather be ambitious than complacent.  I'd rather stretch myself, and help others along the way, than play it safe. 

Growth, new experiences, setting goals and meeting them, laughing and loving and giving, connecting with others in kindness in this mad world - that's what it's all about, isn't it?

And on June 17, 2006 I will walk the Mayor's Midnight Sun Half Marathon in Anchorage, Alaska!

. . . and have committed to raise a minimum of $3220 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 

Please help me, and the Society, by making a donation today.

Not only does LLS fund incredibly important research in the quest for a cure, past research has made great strides in developing improved treatments.  LLS also educates the public and provides assistance to patients and their families.

To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit my personal LLS fundraising site at: http://www.active.com/donate/tntors/mmn

I don't know exactly what my next random and life-changing idea will be. . .but I welcome it. 

Thank you for sharing in this bit of my life's adventures, if only by reading about it, and thank you for your time and consideration.

Art Doll Class

from Guest Author Mai-Liis Peacock -

I am very excited about the online Art Doll class through Joggles.com. This class was very popular when offered last year, so we are pleased to offer another opportunity to those who missed the last class. 

 

No sewing or prior experience is required, and though a new lesson segment is remitted every Tuesday, beginning March 7, both the lesson and the opportunity for having your questions answered remains available for as much as a month after the end of the class.

• online store for supplies or to sign up
• examples & more art dolls

I think you will be amazed at how easy my method of wrapping is, and how beautifully your doll turns out!

 

Guest Writers - Your Chance for Visibility Awaits

• Do you love people, art supplies, ephemera, paper dolls, markers, pencils, buttons, ATCs, papers, inks, yarn, rubber stamps and more?

• Would you welcome the excuse to try a new technique, a specific paper or ink or embossing powder . .  or whatever?

• Do you find most of your thoughts during the day drifting towards what you can make next, what art supply you want to try next, what swap or project you want to get involved in?

• Do you want a place to show off your creations and show others how to do what you do?

• Have you ever felt strongly about some part of an art/craft topic and wanted to find a media site to express your thoughts?
  

If a number of these answers are yes, you should strongly consider becoming a Guest Writer for the Museum of Paper Arts Blog.

The Museum of Paper Arts Blog presents a fun opportunity to play a part in producing content that has the potential to be read by thousands of followers.

 

The Potential to Profit from Blogs

Angie Pedersen (marketing consultant and best-selling author) recently posted about the possibilities of exploiting her considerable blogging skills for the benefit for companies in the scrapbooking industry. Her thought-provoking post says,

"What's interesting to me...is that while blogging is definitely catching on among scrapbookers, it's not being used by the companies and manufacturers that FEED scrapbookers."

She wonders why so few companies are blogging and concludes that the main culprit is time: no time to learn about blogging, set up a blog, or maintain a blog. I suspect it may also--for scrapbooking companies and many others--have to do with a lack of understanding about how a well written, professionally presented, regularly updated blog could benefit them.

So can companies benefit from hiring bloggers? Angie's post shares several ideas from an article by Steve Rubel, a senior marketing strategist, describing ways that for-hire bloggers might assist a company in its marketing efforts. Comments to Angie's post provide even more food for thought.

I predict that over the next year or two, the blogger-for-hire scenario is going to become as commonplace with small companies as the webmaster-for-hire scenario is now, because . . .

Remove the Stumbling Blocks!

A submission from Mai-Liis Peacock

As artists we recognize the necessity of marketing while at the same time disliking the whole idea of it.  And, of course, it is not too likely that we find time to do those things which we dislike.

I propose that it isn't so much that marketing is unpalatable, but, rather, it is how we view it which makes it so. And, being human, we cling to our belief systems as our very lives depended on it.  Just for fun....call it a game, if you wish....you might try a different way
.

If you change your paradigm..your mindset...you will experience things in a totally different way.  What, for example, would happen if the things you believed about marketing were not true?  Interesting?  A good way to begin is to read two wonderful online newsletters...one by Alyson Stanfield, and the other by Robert Genn.

http://www.artbizcoach.com    Alyson Stanfield

http://www.painterskeys.com   Robert Genn

http://www.mai-liis.com   my art being shamelessly promoted!

It is never too late to learn or to change. Okakura Kubuzo said

"The art of life lies in a constant readjustment."

Mai-Liis Peacock

Artist Meets Rubber Stamps : a New Media Adventure

Mai-Liis Peacock is a delightful and talented artist, designer and teacher who I met through a yahoo group connected to Holy Moly Mackeroly, a book by artist Gloria Page (also author of the new: Art Stamping Workshop).

I wasn't too surprised when the often offbeat Mai-Liis submitted an entry in an email with the subject line: Welcome Serendipity about her experience with new media.

As you can see from the images of Mai-Liis' Shrine which accompany the article, she has taken simple rubber stamps to a whole new level.

And with that introduction, here's what Mai-Liis has to say.

---

 

Several years ago, my daughter commented that she was surprised I had never checked out the rubber stamp store near where she lives.   

The last time she said this, I remembered that I had heard her make this comment many times. At the time I thought rubber stamps were for children, but to amuse her, I stopped by. 

Wow - maybe that preconception had been wrong.

I looked around, feeling a little ill at ease until my eyes caught the many samples displayed in the store. I was enthralled.

My husband had been waiting for me outside and later I told him that I wanted to teach in that store some day.

I kept my goal in sight, reached it, and surpassed it. Rubber stamping was the launching pad into other art: collage, assemblage, altered books, shrines, and art dolls.

I now follow all the interesting "threads" which present themselves to me.

For example, seeing the word "milagro" was the launching pad for my trip to Oaxaca, one of the highlights of my life.

Visit Mai-Liis at her studio