The graphics in this Father’s Day version are so cute!

This is the original by Owl City. So cheerful!

New York campaign featuring my faves, Pentatonix!

So cute, right?!? I am starting to feel like a commercial for the campaign, I just love it
so much. But, come on! Cute graphics and music?!? That is definitely the way to my heart.

Performing Arts Workshops at the City Theatre Company
Each of the three 4-day sessions in our performing arts series will take place at City Theatre on Airport, and runs from Tuesday-Friday, 10am-3pm. Participants will explore a sampling of theatrical elements including acting, set and prop design, costuming and makeup, and performing arts history. Curriculum is intended for kids ages 8 and older, and there will be a brief performance at the end of the week during which they can show off what they learned.

Dates: June 18-21, June 25-28, July 30-August 2
Cost: $100 per session (10% discount for families registering multiple students!)
Register here!

Summer Sunday Series at Fabricker
Come craft with us from 2-5pm at Fabricker! Paper crafts, illustration, commemorative art projects and more designed for kids ages 7+ (supplies included).

Upcoming summer workshops:
June 23 – paper crafts for kids $10
July 14 – DIY fashion accessories $15
July 28 – illustration (manga & comics) $10
August 11 – summer memorabilia art & scrapbooking $20
August 18 – back-to-school edition (tote bags, decorative pencils, & book covers) $20

Email jen@jenheartsart.com or call April at Fabricker -(512)323-2668- to register.

More info can always be found at www.creatifyaustin.com, and adult classes are coming soon!

There has been so much I want to share with you, but making time to blog has been hard. I started an online course called Make Art That Sells by artist agent Lilla Rogers. It has been pretty challenging. I like the challenge, but so far the subject matter has been things I don’t normally draw like mushrooms, pyrex dishes, and flowers – things I don’t really connect with.

I’m learning a lot and having fun stretching myself (and even came up with new characters I probably never would have come up with), I just wish I would have been more mentally prepared for the work load in a short time frame, but I’m glad the course content justifies the (hefty for me) price.

I’ll try and share our assignments next week, but I don’t want to promise anything. The way the course works is we get a mini assignment on Monday, then the main assignment on Wednesday, and it’s due that Sunday afternoon. Lilla prefers artists to not wait until the last minute, so the earlier I can turn in the assignment, the better. We also get really great informational posts Monday-Friday, so you could potentially be working on the course everyday of the week, which is what I did last week. I’m hoping to get my project done earlier this week to take Sunday off. Even though it’s pretty intense, I’m enjoying the environment. I wish I were more social in our FB group, but people are posting their progress on our assignments and I don’t want to be influenced by their work, so I try to keep out of there.

There are some people from the Austin area, and we are going to plan a meet up, which I am excited about. It will be nice to meet people in person that are working toward similar goals. I just wanted to pop in to let you know this blog isn’t dying, life is just a bit busy right now. Hoping to get back on top of my blogging this week. Are you doing anything to challenge yourself this summer? If this was the only new thing on my plate this summer things wouldn’t be so crazy, but Robo Roku is evolving, and we need to be ahead of that instead of playing catch up, like we’ve been doing. As new, challenging, and a little bit scary as everything is, I’m still eager to go down this path. Try checking out the hashtag #makeartthatsells on Twitter or Instagram to discover new artists. You can also click on the artwork by Flora Chang above to hear about school from one of my classmates.

Be sure to visit the Doctor Puppet site for more Doctor Puppet goodness.

Hi Adrienne! Tells us about your work..

I am an artist and an intuitive reader. I get most of my ideas through my meditations. I combine the readings with the art with something called an “inner portrait”. My artwork depicts unusual animals in ethereal and imaginary environments. I also do regular phone readings as well.

What is your medium and how did you get started?
I mostly work in watercolor. But I mix in acrylic, gouache, inks and pencil. Those are typically my favorite but I also love adding in some cut paper. I have been doing art as far back as the age of 2 but ventured away from a corporate job to start my own business in 2007.

Who is your creative hero?
I don’t think I have just one. There are so many I get inspired by.

What would people be surprised to know about you?
That I am an intuitive reader.

What’s the worst creative biz advice ever given to you?
That I can’t do art and intuitive readings together and that I can’t make money online.

What do you love most about your creative job?
That I am “employee of the month” every month!

How do you get through rough patches?
I try to take little breaks from my work and get creative in others ways, whether its through cooking or gardening or just hanging out with my husband and friends. The breaks give me time to pause and reflect which is important.

Who would you like to thank for helping your career?
My husband Aaron. I get a little teary eyed when I think about how much he has helped me, especially in the beginning.

To date, what do you consider your greatest creative achievement?
Starting my own business, hands down.

What are you currently listening to/watching while working?
I listen to a lot of stuff these days and I have my itunes on random selection. My list goes from classical to jazz to metal to dance music. I love when the dance stuff comes up because I can stop have a mini dance party.

Who is your favorite character from a movie or book? Why?
I have never really been a person to hold onto a movie, character or book. I know that sounds crazy but it’s probably because I am inspired by so many things.

Would you rather be a fork, spoon, or knife?
A spoon. It’s rounded and can hold anything.

What advice do you wish you would have received early on?
To not play it safe.

What are you excited about at Renegade Craft Fair?
I am excited to meet my customers and interact with them! I learn so much about them and it’s nice to have since I mostly connect with them online. I love debuting new stuff too.

Tell us about your current work, or any exciting upcoming projects you’d like to share.
I have some more animal portraits on the horizon, an animal totem pillow is in the works. I just debuted my “Inner Portrait” and “Intuitive Readings” online so those are pretty fresh and exciting right now for me.

Keep up with the ethereal works of Adrienne Vita online here:
Adrienne Vita
Facebook
Twitter

Sometimes we can get caught up in being the best at xyz, we end up losing sight of what truly matters to us. Creatives tend to have many passions and we can spread ourselves too thin trying to be the best at so many things and making impressing other people a priority. At the end of the day, we need to make life/career choices based on what will make us happiest and pay our bills, not what will “wow” people the most.

Are you suffering from the need to conquer the world in various fields, and starting to wander (or already wandering) all over the place?

Take a moment to imagine your perfect (and realistic) life.

What career or hobby are you doing five days a week in your perfect (and realistic) life?

Are you skilled at this? If not, start working toward your goal.

Creatives tend to be skilled in various fields, and it’s fairly easy to start doing things just to make money. Be careful with that move, you don’t want to sell yourself short on time.
I do web sites for clients as a part time gig, and do my best to limit our client intake.
Any time spent on client sites is time not spent working on new designs, which is what I’d rather be doing. We don’t need to put all our talents up for sale, it’s best to use our time toward accomplishing our number one goal.

Think about your number one goal. Write it down real big and hang it above your workspace, bathroom mirror, and/or bed. Remind yourself how precious your time is, and when you start getting involved in a project that steers you off course do your best to course correct right away. Spend this week taking steps to focus on your number one goal and plan for your “perfect” future. Let me know how the goal focusing goes and good luck!

I’m still using Sierra‘s
“sum it up” posts layout for my “sharing sunday” posts.

WORKING ON: client sites, a little revamping of the Robo Roku site, and a secret project.

THINKING ABOUT: The Knapsack reunion tour.

ANTICIPATING: The process of switching over to working smarter, not harder. It’s a scary change, working as hard as I’ve been has paid the bills, but I’m ready to take the leap.

LISTENING TO: Dig Me Out podcasts. Tonight I will be listening and dancing to The Postal Service and Ra Ra Riot live!

EATING: Not enough, been so busy. My diet this last week has mostly consisted of ice pops. Hello, summer!

THANKFUL FOR: My mom and Josh doing their best to convince me I need a break from shows.

PLANNING FOR: The Robo Roku revamp, loading up the site with goodies, something exciting I still can’t share.

READING: Lots of emails.

WATCHING: I caught up with Mad Men. Please, someone explain to me what you ladies see in Don Drapper, I still don’t get it. Seeing The Last Unicorn tomorrow, and hopefully Fast & Furious and Now You See Me this coming week.

Come back for episode three and How the Doctor Puppet Saved Christmas or check out the Doctor Puppet YouTube channel.

Here is our list of “not to miss” vendors…

The Plaid Pigeon is a local favorite. They are the original repurposed toy planter makers, and have been featured on Etsy, Daily Candy, and Apartment Therapy.

I personally have two of their planters in my kitchen, and hope to add more to my collection. The bottom striped plant is perfect for people (like me) that can’t keep a plant alive, very low maintenance.

Betty Lou Project specializes in handcrafted leather goods perfect for that gentleman in your life.

Meow Kapow has got the goods for comic book lovin’ Dads & Grads. Melissa, of Meow Kapow recycles old comic books into buttons, coasters, bottle openers, and sketchbooks.

She even does original art and cards. Grab this cool card for your pops!

I am really excited about Crayon Blood (how great is that name?!?) I keep missing them at the Flea, but I love their work. I’d love to own this print.

We’re happy that Robo Roku will be participating again, and our pals at The Burlap Bag will be there, too! Hope to see you at the Austin Flea!

Have you ever found yourself creatively stuck? Been in that place where you start spiraling into a dark cloud filled with negative thoughts? When we find ourselves at a creative loss we often begin to question every little aspect of our lives. It’s a bad place to be in, but I can give you tips on getting out of that place. The trick is to know when you are in that dark place. If you find yourself in a place of self doubt and gloom try answering these questions:

1. What is troubling me?
2. Did this trouble me yesterday? Last week? Last month? Last year? If so/not, what has changed or not changed?
3. What solutions are there to my problem? Just write down any possibilities, don’t over think this.

Sometimes when we have a string of bad times we lump all our problems together, making smaller problems seem bigger. Answer all of the questions for all your perceived problems. Notice I said “perceived problems”? It’s all too easy to take our blessings for granted and imagine our lives are worse off than they truly are. Here’s a reality check:

• Do you have a job that pays your bills?
• Do you have a roof over your head?
• Do you have food in your home?
• Do you have friends/family you can call?
• Do you have good health?

Those are wonderful gifts many people don’t have. Acknowledge your blessings.
Tough love coming up…. Don’t be a spoiled baby!!
If you think someone else’s life is perfect you are either fooling yourself, or being fooled. Either way, we all have obstacles to overcome. Maybe we are awkward and have a hard time opening up to people, maybe we have parents that don’t believe in us, maybe we are financially struggling, maybe our creative works are not selling, maybe we have health issues that make day-to-day living hard. We ALL have ups and downs, just not every one wants you to know that. The important thing is for you to not concern yourself with the successes of other people and just focus on trying to be the best you can be every day. There is always going to be someone better at something than you, just like you could be better at something than someone else.

via Keri Smith

Now that you’ve taken inventory of your troubles, reflected on your blessings, here are 6 ways to get those creative juices flowing…

EXPLORE – explore your surroundings, new music, new movies, your city, your dreams – write them all down and underneath each one write why you have that dream, and what living those dreams would look like. you may find some dreams are not ones your truly want after all.

ABSORB – absorb positive thoughts, fragrances you love, music that touches you, kindness given to you.

TRY – try new flavors, new mediums, new methods, try doodling, try finding a mentor, try exercising to get your adrenaline pumping.

PLAY – play like a child – fly a kite, draw with chalk on your sidewalk, play hopscotch, play with play-doh – create something, then smash it and create something new, play video or board games – this will get your brain thinking about something else.

RELEASE – release your fears of messing up, release your fears of looking silly, release yourself from pressure from other people, release your jealousy, release your hate, release your fear of the unknown.

JUST BE YOU – do that silly dance you do when no one is looking, rock out on air guitar, sing super loud along to your favorite tunes, just enjoy that you are living.

Once you’ve explored, absorbed, tried, played, released, and found yourself again, revisit your problems with hopeful eyes and a heart that knows this is just a moment that will pass, just like all the bad moments that came before.