Wordless Wednesday [100th Post!!!!]

Street Signs

My artist's eyes stay ready for action most of the time. Over the years, it has become second nature to scan my surroundings, wherever I am, noticing colors, shapes, etc. that speak to me, and can inspire new ideas and work. I don't just do it for work, though. It's also nice to max out my senses on the world around me for pure enjoyment (that's what they're there for, right?).
Out for my morning workout over the last week, around my neighborhood, I began noticing funny patterns of patched road. Tar swirled in designs I had to wonder about. Did someone show up to patch a crack or two and get inspired to make a statement, or were these lines really how the road cracked (making the pavement a silent artist?).

I snapped pics for my own reference later, but felt I had to share them. They were taken on my phone, as I was paused and panting, so cut me some slack on the quality and see the designs for what they are/have the potential to be (on canvas, or on a handmade object?)! The series, continued from my brand-spanking-new Instagram account:

 

 

 

There were more. I plan to capture more! I thought these were beautiful abstracts, but then I also started looking at them like they do Rorschach tests, and saw things like hearts, blossoms, and cityscapes. What do you see?

 

follow me on Instagram

 

 

 

Flashback Friday

Okay, I don't know if "Flashback Friday" is a "thing", but I just made it up to serve my purpose. And that purpose here today, my friends, is to take a little trip back in time, to a post far, far away. Well, actually to a blog post I originally wrote back in 2009, on my first blog, when I was a babe in blogland. Hey, I recycle lots of things- why don't we throw blog posts into the mix? Reading through this post, I saw some things that I might have written differently today, or maybe just tweaked a little, but in the interest of being true to the original intent, I'm reposting it here, unedited. Happy Friday!

The Underrated P.O.E.

Like most living, breathing human beings I've always liked the thought of having my cake and eating it too.  But since in the real world, that is often just not possible, the need to make choices exists. I could go on and on all day about how much the choices we all must make everyday, large to small, impact our lives and, more often than not, the lives of those around us. And most of us take for granted the number of choices we consciously and subconsciously make every single day. If I mull over the decisions I made just yesterday, I bust myself being on autopilot through a number of them.  And I know I'm not alone. But the pace of society today frequently demands that we make many quick decisions, give up the luxury of lengthy consideration, and multitask decision making, often just clicking the "yes to all" button to make things easier on ourselves. I must admit that this form of adaptation to information overload has forced me, having once been constantly guilty of indecisiveness, to reform and learn to choose and move on. So, in a way, it's a good thing. To give up the combined self-indulgence and paranoia of lingering and pondering way longer than the matter was worth and become a reborn master of what I call the P.O.E. I'm not at all the creator, nor have I googled it to see if the acronym already exists. In fact, I'm positive someone else, somewhere has used it because it stands for the widely known 'process of elimination'.
I started thinking about this undervalued, extremely simplistic technique a few weeks ago, considering how it has helped my chronically decision impaired self evolve to cope with the pace of things in this day and age. I remember first learning the concept of  P.O.E. back in grade school. Our teacher, Mr. Arthur, first explained process of elimination as it related to multiple choice tests, specifically the hated "scan-tron" tests, on which we were required to fill in bubbles on an answer sheet that corresponded to the questions on the test. My classmates and I were already very familiar with multiple choice questions, but Mr. Arthur's explanation on eliminating the least likely choices first changed the way we (or at least I) looked at making decisions. For people who tend to obsess over choices (like myself sometimes) there was a new level of comfort in the process, knowing that one would start by removing the options that were definite "no's" or highly unlikely first, leaving only the best, most likely options. Anyway, as basic as this thing is, and even though it doesn't guarantee the right or best choice, I truly feel it's something that has helped me for many years now to get things done. I think I use it now more than ever, considering our choices in life seem to have quadrupled. I am constantly saying that my time is my most valuable commodity. And since I don't want that much of my life being spent deciding what color my cell phone should be, what flavor smoothie I want, or what shade of lipgloss to buy, I put P.O.E. to work and get on with my day.   Decision making is definitely a necessary skill, and I'm getting better all the time. Thank you, Mr. Arthur.

Have It Your Way

I recently simplified my blog layout and switched to Blogger's "dynamic view" option. What that means to you, dear reader, is a fresh, clutter-free blog where you can now choose (in the dropdown menu at the top left corner) how you view/read my posts. Dynamic views offers 7 styles in which you can view this blog. I've set one, but you can change, based on your personal preference, the moon, the tides, whatever. Who doesn't love options?

menu options

An Artist's Tools

In this edition of An Artist's Tools, I am highlighting tools that fall on the opposite end of the spectrum from the very first edition of AAT. I guess this thing will be all over the map, depending on my moods and the tools handy for photographing. The first post featured my most basic drawing tools. Today I'd like to share the mini marketing and sales kit that fits right into whatever purse I happen to be carrying on a given day. Pared down over years of trial and error (and a few missed opportunities), here it is:

 1. Handy mini measuring tape, great for supply and part measuring when shopping for specific projects, also good for measuring a space for art installation. 2. Square card reader with custom QR code sticker, so customers can pay with a card or cash, receive a receipt via email, and then scan the code with their device to visit my website instantly.
3. Folding pocket stamp with my phone number. I don't include it on my cards because I loathe talking on the phone (and the lack of paper trail with phone conversations about projects!), so I only stamp it when absolutely necessary. 4. Mini pen 5. Business card case. 6. Smart phone with a mirrored screen cover, to make sure there's no spinach in my teeth. ;o) 7. Mini notebook.

"Be proactive!"

card swiper with sticker, close up

That's it. Ready for (almost) anything.

 

 

Whew! All New!

I've been pretty quiet here and elsewhere on social media. And when I'm quiet, it usually means I'm up to something, lol. These first months of the year, I've been spending time creating lots of new things and broadening my horizons. To that end, some of my work is now part of one exhibit underway, one opening in April, and more to come. Yay! And in the midst of the hustle, bustle, and new opportunities, I am excited to announce the fresh new version of my website! I'm getting better and better at multitasking and juggling projects, lol, and so somehow I completed the overhaul in between all the other stuff. The objective was a fresh, clean look (back to principles learned in art school), where the focus is on the work itself, rather than gizmos and gadgets on the site:

 

I'm thrilled to have this clean slate through which I can share my work! I hope people enjoy poking around there. To learn more about current and upcoming events, like the exhibitions I mentioned, visit the media page.

 

Here's to that, and other great things in the months ahead!

 

 

 

 

Troll Trouble

Not long ago, I opted to change my blog address. I never expected, as I settled into my new address, that a "troll" would move into the old one and get into mischief, posing as me.

 

the perp

A troll who called himself Melvin had taken up residence at my old address (http://heartreneezanceart.blogspot.com/) and was using my name and tagline to send bogus posts out to subscribers. I'm happy that a few of you regulars knew something was up when you started getting rambling posts of nonsense about Popeye the Sailor.

 

The correct/new address for my blog is now http://theartofrenee.blogspot.com/. If you subscribe, and you've received one of these posts via email, simply unsubscribe from those emails. You can easily resubscribe to the correct address in the menu to the left.

 

My sincerest apologies for the confusion- I alerted Blogger and Google, and, as you can see if you attempt to visit the old address, the troll has been stopped! (Thank you Blogger/Google- the wheels of justice move fast!)

 

 

 

Before and Afters

Believe me when I say that I am a total nerd. So when I tell you that I think I had to squelch a little excitement over what I'm about to share, you don't have to laugh- you already know.

 

Not long ago, my dad suddenly decided to gift me the monstrous Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary he has had for many years. I may have had to wipe a little perspiration from my brow as I got over the surprise and excitement (go with me here, okay?) of this unexpected gift.

 

This is a mammoth book that I have cherished and coveted for my own library since I was a kid. Not just an epic dictionary, this thing contains the U.S. Constitution, practical business math, popular names and abbreviations, presidents and vice presidents of the U.S., foreign words and phrases, - well, let's just say everything you will ever need to know in your entire life (or a round of Jeopardy). In the age of digital access to any info we desire, this thing still rocks.

 

Anyway, as major as this beast is, it was definitely showing its years. The cover was a true testament to the old cliché (don't judge a book...), because it had seen better days. So prior to giving it a permanent spot among my other books, I decided to give it a minor makeover. Here's the before:

 



Beautiful on the inside

I gathered some funky, patterned duct tape and some brown wrapping paper...

 

keep it cheap

And the after:

 

word.

The Webster's has now officially become a part of the Renée Parker library.

 

 

Just a note: for my friends who like to borrow books and "forget" to return them (you know who you are!), this puppy is non-circulating reference, thank you very much. :o)

All Aboard

A conversation I was having with my parents the other day stirred up a childhood memory long forgotten. Whatever we were discussing somehow came around to the subject of natural aptitudes and we began talking about things my brother and I had been drawn to and picked up easily as children. I suddenly remembered having asked my dad if I could have a piece of the scrap wood in the garage and the use of his hammer and some nails. I was a little girl who loved her toys, especially my Barbie dolls and Legos, but I also had dreams of enlisting my little brother and building a robot, or a fort, or a tree house. I remember how excited I was when my dad said yes (with a stern warning about smashing my thumbs), because for some reason, in my mind, that board could be the beginning of all kinds of wonderful things. We were going to build something magical. In hindsight, I appreciate how my parents gave my imagination space and permission to fly, and let me see where it could take me. That has definitely contributed to my sense of "anything is possible!" when it comes to things I want to create today.

I know I smashed my thumb at least once in the excitement, but knowing hammer privileges might be revoked, I kept my mouth shut. And in my experimental play, kept my mind open... to this day. 

Enter 2013

Alrighty... I know I haven't posted in FORever. Well, I think a month is like forever in blogland. But here I am, excuses in hand, just about ready to get back on track for the new year. I say "just about", because the last month in my world has been about keeping up with my customers' (and my own) slew of ideas and projects, wrapping, shipping, organizing, assessing, and planning what I want to accomplish in this fresh, new year. It's also been an important time for family, giving back, reflection, prayers, and fitting in a little time here and there to acknowledge the wonders of the season (including witnessing my very first winter halo!).



my first lunar halo, and pics from my shipping department

Let's face it, with everything that has occurred in this country (and worldwide) in the home stretch of 2012, many of us have been in a bit of a tailspin. The happy take is, that once the dust settles, we can charge forward with a fresh perspective on things, (and for me, at least) an even greater determination to make good things happen, great and small, and make the most of the time and resources we're all given. Each of us has a purpose, a reason for being here, whether or not we realize it, and each of us has been given what we need to accomplish that end, if we figure it out and focus.

A little known fact about me: I love Latin, even though I never studied it, and I think a couple of my favorite phrases are very apropos right now:

carpe diem- sieze the day

vincit qui patitur- he conquers who endures

 

I expect to be back on track with posting this month, hopefully things that interest a wider audience. In the meantime, I've been breezing through my facebook page with updates, since it's a quick way to share- feel free to visit me there ;o)

 

oh, and Happy New Year!!!

 

 

Wordless Wednesday

An Artist's Tools

New feature! If you're new to my blog, I'll just let you know that I'm a multimedia artist. What that basically means is that I'm a creative person with a short attention span. No, seriously, what it means is that I love working in many different materials and disciplines. It's a wonderful thing, because I never get bored. I'm always challenged as I discover new things in my work, many of which can be taken from one medium and applied to another. So there's a serendipitous fusion kinda thing that happens frequently in my workspace. I love it.

 

Anyway, in this new regular feature, "An Artist's Tools", I will share some of the fun, bizarre, and, I think, unexpected tools that I use to get the things I create. I'm excited, because I've got a LOT of tools that I use in my various pursuits, and I think they might tell you a lot about me. Anyway, here is the very first of this new feature, highlighting my most basic pursuit, drawing. Drawing is the seed for a lot of things in my work, and is often the conduit through which bigger, grander things can develop. Here are some of my tools:

 

1. sketchbooks in assorted sizes that can go everywhere easily

2. bull clips for clipping scraps from magazines, etc. into sketchbooks for inspiration

3. compact pencil sharpener 4. gum eraser 5. colored pencils 6. rubber eraser

7. pencils 8. pens

 

There you have it. I look forward to sharing more soon!