Vlogging Everyday of August!!

Vlogging in August

SO I took a challenge to Vlog (Blog+Video) everyday in August. I started yesterday on Aug 1 and uploaded an introduction. 

THE CREATIVE LIFE FOR THE CURIOUS

Today I continue to entertain you with a quick tour of my Shop where I do my metal work. 

Enjoy the show! Here is the link to my YouTubeChannel

SHARING FOR THE GENEROUS

Please please please share your creative space if your an artist! You can do so in the comments below or on my Facebook 

Sensational Cincinaturally

Title: Sensational Cincinaturally

©2015 Pattie Byron
Photo by R. Lindeman 

  THE CREATIVE LIFE FOR THE CURIOUS

One of my favorite things to do is run through the woods in and around Cincinnati. On my runs my imagination also runs wild! My sculpture, Sensational Cincinnaturally pays tribute to nature and my imagination. 

I have created a whimsical repurposed and recycled sculpture, using scrap from River Metal Recycling in Newport, KY.

 This sculpture should take you on a journey all the way around it where you will discover creatures, flowers, and plants. 

Play a little Eye-Spy. Do you see two shovels? Four butterflies? A kitchen whisk? Oh my, a slithering snake!, What about about a float ball? (yes, like the ones in our toilet bowls!) Smile, discover and imagine your running through a fantastical forest with me. A little teapot captures recycled rain water and feeds a pot where you can plant a flower!  A fish pays homage to our Great Ohio River that boarders Cincinnati. 

As an artist I am on a mission to empower through creativity, Nature, my imagination and Art is empowering to me. I create Art for public & private spaces using a variety of metals. 

For this sculpture I used ONLY what I found at the scrap yard. I added some weld wire, a dab of epoxy and I powered coated the finished piece. I cut using a plasma touch, welded, & engraved. I added texture by grinding the metal & then heated and powder coated the sculpture to finish it off. 

I hope Sensational Cincinnaturally empowers you to appreciate the nature right here in Cincinnati. It is important we care for our earth and all it gives us. Nature Empowers! Go get your nature on!

Please see photos of my work and process on my website. www.pattiebyron.com.

This artwork will be displayed at The Cincinnati Earth Day Celebration 2015 at Sawyer Point on April 18, 2015 from 12pm to 5pm Find more info HERE

                                                    SHARING FOR THE GENEROUS

Thanks for letting me into your world

visit me at pattiebyron.com

facebook.com/pattiebyronstudios

twitter.com/pattiebyron

I’m a Poet & I Know It!

I invited area poets to an open mic at my Open Studio last night - I was so inspired and blown away at their craft - the writing, the delivery & the emotions. I love the Arts because people in the Arts are authentic and open hearted.     

THE CREATIVE LIFE FOR THE CURIOUS

My studio space was on fire. It was a gathering of like-minds last night. The collaboration of Poetry & Fine Arts. It was such a familiar and home like atmosphere. I hope to keep it going on future Open Studios. You should come & check it out or participate or find an art opening, poetry reading or open mic in your area. Share your experience with me on Facebook .  

ARTIST TIPS FOR THE MOTIVATEDCollaboration - Team up with someone in field different then yours - the journey is always better with a partner.

SHARING FOR THE GENEROUS

Please pass on  - The Arts Empower

Thanks for letting me into your world

visit me at pattiebyron.com

facebook.com/pattiebyronstudios

Dumpster Diving

Dumpster Diving

THE CREATIVE LIFE FOR THE CURIOUS

I’m working on great project! The DJJ ScrapShowdown!! 
Last weekend I went to River Metal Recycling Yard in Newport, KY to collect scrap - I now have two weeks to build - I will be sharing my process so check back soon. The completed sculptures will be auctioned off on April 18, 2015 at Sawyer Point Cincinnati Earth Day Celebration!

It was great to have my son, Brian Luman, from NY here to help me collect and document the day.

SHARING FOR THE GENEROUS

visit me at pattiebyron.com

facebook.com/pattiebyronstudios          twitter.com/pattiebyron

A Lesson in Just Being

Initial pendent sold last night when
I just showed up

A Lesson in Just Being Last night I rushed into my studio for the Final Friday art walk a little frustrated. I was late, traffic was bad, and I didn’t get to run home & change like I wanted to.

I took a deep breath and repeated my mom’s favorite quote “It’s a great life if you don’t weaken” -John Buchan. I told myself, “I am here, that is all that needs to be.”

It ended up being a magical night with a great crowd, stimulating conversation, new connections and sales.

THE CREATIVE LIFE FOR THE CURIOUS

I met a women who was looking at my space as much as my art. I introduced myself and she began talking about how she would love to have the space & time to explore her creative side. 

I simply told her, “Why not? That is what all of us are doing here”. 

Just like my night, it doesn’t have to be complicated, or a big show or fancy clothes, just be, just show up.

I also connected with a life coach & we plan to work on some Empowerment Camps/Retreats together - I am so glad I showed up last night!

 I will be hosting some Open Studios on the Saturdays after Final Friday this year where people can just show up (pay $5.00) and create, share, express and be a part of a creative community. I will set out all kinds of art supplies add in some snacks & drinks and let people create - I will keep it cheap ($5.00) and keep it simple. If your interested in this idea send me an email and I will keep you on the list - pattiebyron@mac.com

ARTIST TIPS FOR THE MOTIVATED

Sometimes we make the simple complicated. Don’t fret over the details….. just show up and be present and open to possibilities. I think my dressed down attire and attitude made me more open and because of that I had really great conversations about art, politics, politics & art, creative communities and I also made some terrific connections. I sold a piece of art, a piece of jewelry & was commissioned for 6 more jewelry pieces! 

Sometimes the motivation is not there. I encourage you to show up anyway…come as you are…. the rest will just happen

SHARING FOR THE GENEROUS

Please pass on my idea about Open Studios and have people email me - I need to know there is some interest before I do it!! My email is pattiebyron@mac.com

Thanks for letting me into your world

visit me at pattiebyron.com

facebook.com/pattiebyronstudios

twitter.com/pattiebyron

Open Your Door & See What Walks In!

Open your doors

THE CREATIVE LIFE FOR THE CURIOUS

My door is open! I participate in Final Fridays in Cincinnati. It is when the Art world of Cincinnati holds open houses. I love to participate because I want to see where artists work & the behind the scenes of theatre, dance,  and the artist's process. I enjoy meeting the masters behind the talent. I visit to learn the stories and experience the process. I figure if I enjoy it, others do to. Every Final Friday of the month from 6pm to 10pm I put out some drinks & snacks & hang up art & open that door! I hope you come visit some time. http://www.pattiebyron.com/workshopsretreats/

ARTIST TIPS FOR THE MOTIVATED

Open your doors & see what walks in!

Here are 5 tips for an Open Studio

1. An open studio allows you an opportunity to get great feedback on your work. At my last open studio, I debuted a new process & was very happy when my visitors responses were positive. I pointed out that this was my new direction then I closed my mouth & listened carefully to their response. Use open studio as a time to expose your process. Visitors will appreciate & value your work more when they understand what goes in to it. New people will walk through your door so you will have an opportunity to introduce work to new clients. Make sure you take advantage of the new exposure by being ready to capture their email & contact information. 
2. Have a little something for everyone. Have several price points so those on a budget can have options to purchase from you too. Maybe it is less expensive prints or note cards of your work. I have a metal jewelry line that is priced lower than my collector pieces.  Give them options.  Offer payment plans or barter for services of equal value, I once received haircuts for a year!
3. Make it easy for people to visit your space. Make that night about your art, display your work professionally, pay attention to unnecessary clutter and lighting. Be welcoming, there is a fine line between welcoming and over bearing - make it easy for them to come in. Sometimes if your working on something it invites conversation.  Have take aways. Have your cards, postcards etc. available and near the door so they can take a bit of you with them! Be ready for the sale, be ready to take cash (have change), credit cards (I use Square) and checks. If you would rather not deal with one of these have your policy posted. I post my “options for payment” sign so my visitors can see it 
4. Promote, Promote, Promote. Don’t expect them to just come - use social media, press release, posters, email, website and what ever other avenues you can. Start 4-6 weeks before your open studio - write up a launch plan.
5. Follow up - hopefully you captured emails of your visitors and made notes - now do not forget to thank them for coming and keep the discussions that were started in your studio going (that is why I make notes.) Send them a link to your website or shop page - send a list of available work - send them an invite to other showings! Track the # of people who came and take note of comments and pieces that attracted attention. This is great market research.

Ok, so that was really way more than 5 - but whatever!

TRAVEL TIPS FOR THE  Inspired

Check out these cool open studio events coming up through out the USA!

Brooklyn, NY

http://artsgowanus.org/gos-2014

Greenville, South Carolina

http://www.greenvillearts.com/art-scene/open-studios/

San Luis Obispo, Ca

http://www.artsobispo.org/open-studios/open-studios-art-tour

The Center for the Arts , Grass Valley, CA 

http://thecenterforthearts.org/openstudiostour-post/

Denver, CO

http://www.stapletonopenstudios.com

SHARING FOR THE GENEROUS

Tell me when your opening your door - share what you do at your open studio - Tell me about your local open studio event

Thanks for letting me into your world

visit me at pattiebyron.com

facebook.com/pattiebyronstudios

twitter.com/pattiebyron

Energy

THE CREATIVE LIFE FOR THE CURIOUS

 This entire week has been moving into the new studio space at Pendleton Art Center, Studio 411 in Cincinnati, Oh. I have come home completely wiped out every night. I love a physical hard day of work. I feel most satisfied when I have spent all my physical and creative energy and I fall into bed begging for a good nights sleep. My studio practice has always been physical. Working with metal is heavy, dirty work - just like I like it. I cant wait to stop all this moving and get back to my heavy metal work! Rock on.  

ARTIST TIPS FOR THE MOTIVATED

Energy Check

To open the channels of flow you should align your creative work with your body/minds energy clock. Track your high energy times during the day. Mine are early in the day between 9am-2pm. I wake up between 6-7 and slowly welcome the day then I’m off. I always try and schedule my studio time during my high energy time when my mind is sharp and my body up to the challenge. I also know that I do my best creative work in 1 1/2 to 2 hour blocks -then I need a break - sometimes I go for a walk or just get outside for 15min. After the break I go back to creating for another 1 1/2 - 2 hour block. Spend a week really analyzing your high and low energy times and creative times. Use those high times to do your creative work and your low times to do those other tasks like marketing, social media, show entries, laundry etc. Match your  energy level with your desired work flow.

TRAVEL TIPS FOR THE INSPIRED

Spring is such a high energy time for Mother Nature. It is earths creative time.  Take a moment to explore those places you pass everyday. Today I took a walk in the woods behind my house and focused on the signs of spring and the changes that winter made on the landscape. It was fascinating when I allowed myself to treat my backyard like some great adventure. So I challenge you to travel a familiar path this week and rediscover the wonder of the everyday. This world is forever changing bring new adventure and discoveries to old places.

SHARING FOR THE GENEROUS

I want to hear about your travel on a familiar path - signs of spring - changes and discoveries. Also, when is your Energy Time - are you super charged in the morning, like me? Are you a night owl creating your best work under the moon? 

Thanks for letting me into your world

visit me at pattiebyron.com

facebook.com/pattiebyronstudios

twitter.com/pattiebyron