Artist, Mother, Geek – insights from a creative mind
I’m supposed to blog about green,
good luck or March seventeen;
but it’s nice out today
and I wanna go play…
So here’s a lil’ Irish tangerine.
As for any other thoughts on luck and green and St. Patrick’s day..
have a grand one… all of them!
Do you have a Limerick you’d care to share for the day?
This week’s Illustration Friday topic is “Intricate”. Running a business from home with three kids does not lend itself well to my first impression visions in my head of a detailed, complex piece of art. It would take me months to add in all the miniscule hidden treasures . However, what comes to mind first and foremost from my own available collection is this floral design I created last year…
I’ve always really liked organic lines, curves and movement. I love mixing solid spaces with fine lines and tiny details that aren’t always obvious at first glance. I love images that invite you to look again and again to discover something new.
I also really love those fun posters that are filled with teeny tiny details… the Where’s Waldo-esque sort of concept. They’re like mazes we get to explore instead of solve.
For me this floral design is about flowing lines and layers of color to create a moment… reminds me of strolling through the garden with something new to discover every time you visit.
I wish it were warm enough to sit outside and play in the mud today!
This design is available for purchase as prints and framed art or printed on a variety of specialty gifts, decor and t-shirts
Disney on Ice is coming to Denver March 12th-15th. You can get 4 tickets for $44 when you use the coupon code MOM (in the MC promotion box)
We’ve never been to any of the “on ice” events before but were invited by a friend with this discount package so we’re going this Thursday. If you were thinking about going or know someone else who who loves Disney, here’s a little discount for ya – looks like it might be lots of fun!
There’s a printable flyer with info available here.
Yay Mickey I say! Please feel free to pass the info and coupon on!
Today I am the happy me. I think I am a 36 year old mother of 3, wife, daughter, sister… and the list of labels goes on. yet some days I get confused and find myself wondering who I really am. I wear so many different hats and walk with so many different circles, it’s often hard to know which one of those is me and which one others see me as. They’re all me, yet each is only a facet of a bigger “me picture”.
At this very moment I am blog girl. Later today I may be doodle chick or grouchy mama. I could be comforting friend or the whiney geek… I don’t know which, I’m not there yet, ask me in a few hours.
I know we all have varying emotions and mindsets. What really matters is who we are to ourselves. I have things I need to work on, and flaws I’d like to fix. I have issues I want to work out and things I want to improve. But I like me. I’m happy. I know, happy is not a who, obviously… unless of course I get to be a smurf or one of the 7 dwarfs. (SMurfs would be more fun, the cookie crumbs would last longer) The point is, there have been chunks of time in my life where I was not happy. I was searching and scrounging – maybe enjoying moments, but not really happy. I’m glad to be back to happy now.
Ever see the movie Savannah Smiles? I always wanted to be friends with that girl. Hang out with her and see what it’s like to be next to that kind of happy all day.
Stephanie Lichtenstein said “Deep down in their hearts people still love the same things they used to love when they were kids.” when talking about growing up. Thinking about this, I am finding that at this point in my life I am revisiting the same kind of happy like I was when I was a kid. I’m returning to my love for slurpees and Saturday morning cartoons. I’ve always liked to color and the smell of glue still triggers a smile in my mind. I’m not as worried about what people think of me as i was when I entered my “professional era”. I’m finding my way back to that “ok with who I am” place.
Young kids have this amazing ability to live life with a love for exploring and learning and just being themselves. Today I feel as though I am finding my way back to that mentality… without worrying as much about what “grownups” are supposed to be. I’m hoping that I’m working my way back to be able to say I’m that cute, happy girl in the red dress… again.
Side note. While searching for the video clip I discovered that the actress in the film died from an accidental drug overdose at age 21. Regardless of what turmoil she went through in that part of her life, her happiness is what I will always remember her by.
It’s time to be more me, I say. I have had a blog of some kind since late 2005 or early 2006, I forget, although I’ve been online with a website in some form since around 1997. I’ve had this particular domain for a few years… and now I’m combining the experiences all in one place. I’ve moved my “main” blog from my business shopping site, JGoode Designs, to this domain, JGoode.com so I can be me. That sounds a bit odd I’m sure, but I’d really like to talk about a lot more than just my doodles on t-shirts. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed confusing and a conflict of interest to just ramble on about life on the same site as my goodies for sale. Yet, life’s rambling is what my designs are inspired by.
I don’t know if this is the right move. Some pros suggest that talking about one’s life is dull and shouldn’t be done on a blog. I think, if life is dull, you’re doing something wrong. Every moment is a new opportunity, it’s just a matter of whether we are paying attention that it’s happening. I can’t promise that I won’t be sharing poopy diapers or dinner recipes. I’ll probably mention mundane daily concepts from time to time. That’s what makes my day and my thoughts and my view… mine.
I don’t know if I will make a difference or make sense or make any kind of impact. But I do know that there is more to life than doodles, and I’d like to be a part of those conversations… Afterall, there’s more to JGoode than just a pile of links.
You can expect more conversations, more thoughts and more ideas. Hopefully I’ll have more sharing, techniques, observations and lists of great things. Maybe I’ll even have list of my lists… of lists. I hope to talk more about how I do what I do. How to promote your own art and sell it through print on demand – Programming and the obstacles it whacks upside my head – Things I’ve learned about marketing and fabulous people I’ve met along the way. I hope to point out resources I’ve found useful and methods I’d been able to grasp… Oh sure, I will still talk about my designs and things you can buy – grinning goodies to give as gifts, etc. etc. and all that fun-ness. Every day is grounds for a new conversation… what will we talk about tomorrow?
This change, for me, is also about doing something “on purpose”. I am intentionally talking with you – not at you – with a real goal of sticking with it for no other reason than to get involved. No marketing plan or set agenda. No more of this guessing where I am or what I’m doing. No more wondering if it’s right or wrong. This is an intentional step and I’m happy to make it… what’s next, I have no idea!
So here we go, into the world of talking – out loud – on purpose – more often. Someone bringing snacks?
Welcome to the new JGoode.com
I just finished watching the 2008 Idol Gives Back fund raising event on American Idol and again I’m in awe of how little is needed to help one child. However, there is a huge amount of money being spent… how can we help even more? There is so much we each have to offer and so much we can do with just a little of our own time and money. In this case, big names combine to help save lives and fulfill big needs.
Being the cautious and skeptical type, I did a little digging about the new charity organization “Idol Gives Back”. From what I understand, last year’s fund raiser monies were distributed by Charity Projects Entertainment Fund. This year the project is more directly overseen by the American Idol execs. I also learned that, according to an article at The New York Times, only about 7% of the total raised funds were used for administrative expenses such as phone lines to take in calls and legal expenses, etc. However, I read in other mini articles that the financial report for the 2007 fund raiser is not currently available.
I love that this program supports a variety of organizations both US charities and abroad. I also love that the focus is children.
This program is so inspiring to me on so many levels. Entertainers take time out of their schedule to not only visit the areas these charities help.. but also to entertain during the show and share their message. It’s a fun night with a real purpose and really it takes all of 5 minutes to make a contribution.. no matter the amount. It also only takes 5 minutes to stop and consider what the program is all about – the people involved, the potential life changes, the impact even a dollar can make.. or better yet, the impact of passing on the message. Take a minute to Help someone that needs help
My Favorite comment of the night was (paraphrased) “We though Bono had enough money to help everyone in africa… but he only has half, so we need your help”. – Rob Schneider (he plays a fun and funky Hawaiian man in one of my all time favorite movies – 50 First Dates)
I love this effort to help!
Today DFC is reopening – back and better than ever! There’s a new focus and a new plan. I’m so excited to get started again! I am relaunching Design for a Cause this month specifically, because it is my month of renewal and reflection. April is my birthday month (YAY for birthdays!). But…. instead of my usual birthday sales and coupons or birthday themed swag, I decide this would be a good year to celebrate helping others through charity.
To get things started, I’ve set up a registry at DonorsChoose.org
Donors Choose is a fantastic resource for both teachers/students/classrooms in need and the community wanting to help in the area of education. It’s a very personal experience to get involved with, regardless of location or ability to help. Teachers submit “projects” they need funded and the public then comes through and donates to the projects of their choice. You can search for projects to fund in a variety of ways… by state, subject, age, need, etc. All finacial information for each project is readily available before you send in a single penny. You can see exactly what the project costs are, who benefits and decide for yourself if it’s something you want to support.
I discovered Donors Choose right after Christmas 2007. For me, the most exciting part of the whole opportunity is the teacher and student feedback. After a project is completely funded, the teachers and students write up thank you notes and send photos so each donor can see how their money helped. It’s an awesome feeling to know there are real people involved.
So come along, join the joy of giving, if you want to get involved, now’s the time to do it! Check out my registry, if something sparks your interest, jump in! It would be such a great birthday gift! I’ve selected projects that reflect my personal interests… art, creativity, reading, colorado and of course, penguins.
Check out my
DonorsChoose.org registery!
It’s so exciting to me to see this kind of sharing – at such a grass-roots level – happening in the world! There is no minimum donation nor limit to how you can help
Reminder: If you find something else at Donors Choose that I haven’t listed, and you get involved – I’d love to hear of your experiences!
Live launch of Design for a Cause will be April 2008
Thank you for your patience and understanding while you wait.
We appreciate you
and everything you do
so bookmark us now
and watch how we grow
but before you leave,
before you go…
we’d love to hear from you
and we’d like to know
your ideas and thoughts and suggestions
If we GAVE you a $100.00, what would YOU do with it?