The Torn Edges of Life Are Beautiful
Mixing the bits and pieces of art and life
My dear friend, Joyelle Brandt is a singer/songwriter, artist and now she can add published author and illustrator to her resume. Over the last year we have gotten together several times and while sitting in a coffee shop chatted about our creative work. We marvel at our creations and we encourage and support each others visions. On those days when one of us feels like crap, we sit there and bitch and vent until we are laughing. As we sip our coffees and pick away at our sweet treats we are each other's creative sounding board. The ideas bounce and fizzle and spring to life. Regarding Joyelle's newest endeavour...this book, I have heard about these monsters from the letter A to the letter Z. This book was birthed by sheer love and a vision.
The monsters Joyelle created needed to be born. They needed to be drawn, coloured and named. Their personalities were born in the mind of someone who has drawn the monster inside her in several different ways. Their personalities mindfully painted.
Joyelle says, "I always felt like an outsider growing up because I didn't think I fit into the typical model of beauty. I want girls to read this book and see themselves in it, and know that there is so much more than just pretty."
We live in a time where there is so much being tossed at our young kids and I feel monsters form in a child's mind a lot earlier than when I was a kid. Pressure to be this and to do that and to wear this comes from every direction all the time especially for our young girls. There is no escaping sometimes except to your imagination. Even that can get foggy at times. The wish to wear one green sock and one red sock with stripes and a plaid shirt with your hair in a ponytail on the side of your head when all the other girls have their hair straightened and their clothes all matchy matchy often never materializes in real life for fear of being made fun of. All kids should know that being scared, feeling uneasy, different and maybe a little crazy is all totally ok and we all feel that way at times. I love that Joyelle has left a spot in the book for readers to create their own princess monster; how they envision their monster self to look like. I bet some of those creations are going to look amazing!
When I asked Joyelle what she hoped this book would bring young girls she wrote this:
"I want to inspire girls to imagine whatever kind of life they want for themselves. And maybe that starts with imagining what her Princess Monster self might look like."
the All Occasion Card...
Here are a few examples of why you should have a few all occasion cards kick'n around. When you choose a card that doesn't have an pre-designated occasion that card can stay up on a mantle (or put on a fridge) for a longer period of time and rarely sees the inside of the recycle bin. It's the gift that keeps on giving. An art card is simply just that art! Think of it as reducing your carbon footprint and really, let's face it they add a touch of colour on a grey day. Many of the cards in my "all occasion" section can be framed and given as gifts on their own. Two gifts in one, I love it when my customers tell me they have done this for their friends and family. All my cards are 5"x7" in size and therefore fit perfectly in a frame ~ no cutting involved. Here are some examples of my all occasion cards framed. Ooooh so lovely, dontcha think?
So.... the next time you are needing a card, think outside the big boxed store or the e-card store and scoop up some lovely art cards from a local artist...or, since you are here on my website...ME.
Growing up my we called my Grandpa, Papa. Do you know how hard it is finding a card that is specifically for "Papa"? Whether you call your Dad or Grandfather "Papa" finding a card with that specific word on it can be a challenge. Soooo, I made sure that in my collection of cards there are a few specifically for the Papa's of the world.
I just got back from having some R&R with my kids in the interior of British Columbia. It was so nice to get away especially when the weather was amazing. Being self employed you can never truly "tune out" so I did have some work time in there as well. It wasn't too bad though, sitting beside a lake staring at its beauty while editing new ad photos under the shade of an umbrella. I felt rather lucky and it got me thinking I should do more work on my back deck in the summer months. Getting outside while the weather is nice is so important, especially in the land where it can be grey for long periods of time.
It's back to full on business now and I am raring to go!
There are a couple new shops you will soon find my cards and/or notebooks in.
If you live in or near Alpharetta, Georgia you can find several of my notebooks at the Inner Quest Church. If you live in or near Santa Monica, California you will find my cards and notebooks at Arts & Letters on Main Street. It's always fun sharing my art with the world. I am grateful for every opportunity.
If your store would like to carry my line of greeting cards and/or notebooks, feel free to fill out my wholesale account form and we can get the ball rolling!
Here are a couple NEW things that are exciting me... stay tuned for....