Arizona Designer Craft & Art Newsletter

Where does your creative inspiration come from?

Let's start with this definition - Inspiration (from the Latin inspirare, meaning "to breathe into") is an unconscious burst of creativity in a literary, musical, or visual art and other artistic endeavours. The concept has origins in both Hellenism and Hebraism. The Greeks believed that inspiration or " enthusiasm " came from the muses, as well as the gods Apollo and Dionysus.

How many of you had an unconscious burst of energy? During the summer it is my hardest time to be creative. Why? For me it's the heat. I like summer, believe me I do, but the heat wears me down. For me to stay creative during the hot months, I have read art books and listened to podcasts from artists. I decided to take this one step further and looked for an online art history class. I researched various classes and decided to revisit the Renaissance era. This time period was always interesting to me and taking this class again has gotten my creative juices flowing. The instructor is well versed and engaging in the subject of Renaissance Art. The course has just began, but we will be covering everything from Proto - Renaissance to Michelangelo and Mannerism.

For example, Giotto di Bondone never studied the human anatomy. His creativity led him to explore a three-dimensional world. He rejected the world of rigid Byzantine art and got "creative".

Giotto's frescos changed the narrative of art history. He broke the connection of technique painting and refused to follow all the medieval painting "rules". The image above is Giotto's "The Lamentation" portrays how he changed the position of the bodies, added detail in the clothing to show light and dark shadows and made the images more realistic.

How does reading and studying make me more creative? This summer I wrote a detailed plan of where I see my art going. It is bringing about my own creative "Renaissance" transition.

I would love to hear from you if any of you have gone through your own artistic creative Rebirth. You can email me at adorobellajewelry@hotmail.com

Stay Creative

The Divine Ms. N

---

Board Members

President: Warren Norgaard

Vice President: Pat Glover

State Jury Chairperson: Gail Jamieson

Exhibition Chairperson: OPEN

Secretary: Sonia Irvin

Treasurer: Chris Eggers

Parliamentarian: Sudha Achar

Board Member at Large: Michelle Startzman

Board Member at Large: Nancy Dorobiala

Board Member at Large: Barb Kingdon

AZDCA is actively seeking an Exhibition Chairperson and Social Media person. If interested please contact Warren Norgaard. You may contact him by following this link. Contact | AZDCA.org

---

WORKSHOPS

Sat. Oct 09 | Randolph Center, Bldg 4, Jewelry Studio

Hoss Rogers: Reverse Roller Printing on Metal

Sat. Nov 13 | Randolph Center, Bldg 4, Jewelry Studio

Momoko Okada: Essence of Japan: Ancient Art of Japanese Zogan - 2 Day Workshop

Sat. Dec 04 | Randolph Center, Bldg 4, Jewelry Studio

Fred Zweig: Hinges & Articulations - 2-Day Workshop

Sat. Jan 08 | Zoom

Darlys Ewoldt: Design for Makers: Increase Your Creativity - 3 Session Virtual Workshop

Fri. Jan 21 | Randolph Center, Bldg 4, Jewelry Studio

Lesley Aine McKeown: The Art of Intarsia - 3-Day Workshop

Fri. Feb 18 | Randolph Center, Bldg 4, Jewelry Studio

Alison Antelman: Mixing It Up: Milling, Reuse & Metal Fabrication - 3-Day Workshop

Fri. Mar 11 | Randolph Center, Bldg 4, Jewelry Studio

Joanna Gollberg: Making & Using Creative Prong Settings - 3-Day Workshop

Fri. Apr 08 | Randolph Center, Bldg 4, Jewelry Studio

Alex Boyd: Gold on A Budget - 3-Day Workshop

Fri. Apr 29 | Randolph Center, Bldg 4, Jewelry Studio

Gail Nelson: All about Enameling with Decals - 3-Day Workshop

Fri. May 20 | Randolph Center, Bldg 4, Jewelry Studio

Lynette Andreasen: Small Treasures in Hollow Forms - 2-Day Workshop

Fri, Jun 10 | Zoom

Paulette Werger: Ring! Ring! - It’s For You! Creative Approaches to Ring Design - Virtual Workshop

---

How to Make Money as an Artist on Instagram Instagram is Changing the Game “I can post a painting and it will sell before the paint is dry,” explains Ashley Longshore, who sells her eccentric pop art for upwards of $30,000 straight off of Instagram. And, she’s not the only one. Artist Chris Austin enjoys “flash sales” of his latest work, getting emails from eager buyers within minutes of posting on Instagram. With these examples and more in mind, it’s safe to say Instagram has become the social media platform for artists. It’s launching careers, eliminating the need for big-name critics to call the shots, and helping artists connect with buyers across the globe willing to pay for their work. So, how does an artist turn their Instagram feed into another revenue stream? It all comes down to getting more engaged followers. Because, the more popular your account is on Instagram, the more in demand your art will be. To help you get started, check out seven things you can improve on your Instagram account to attract more followers. Post High-Quality Images You wouldn’t dream of letting a piece out of your studio until you were satisfied with it, right? Well, you need that same attention to detail in your Instagram posts! Your Instagram account is an extension of who you are both creatively and professionally. Blurry, poorly-lit images give off a bad creative vibe—pretty much saying you don’t understand design. And, who wants to buy art from an artist who doesn’t understand, or at least care about, good design? A clean background and natural light are always a good option when it comes to capturing your artwork. Set your art up by the nearest window, and remember to tap on your phone screen to focus! Keep Branding on the Brain Branding can be an elusive concept. But it basically means posting images about different things, but using the same style (both in aesthetics and in writing) for each image. Why bother? It’s really a magical thing! In an instant, followers will understand who you are and what your art is all about, even with their short attention spans online. Artist Sue Rapley has a beautiful account—light, colorful, natural, inviting. Buyers can instantly get a feel for her art and decide on the spot if they are interested in buying. If they are, they can already tell she’s a credible artist from her impressive feed, giving her an edge up when it comes to collecting. As far as branding your images goes, the possibilities are endless! Whether you use a certain filter, hashtag, language, etc., find and stick to a style that represents you and your art so that your target customers are poised to buy. Keep the Content Creative In 2014, artist Ross Symons dedicated his entire year to origami, improving his craft and sharing it with the world on Instagram. He folded and posted a different origami figure every day, and in 18 months, he had increased his following from just 120 to over 100,000. With White on Rice’s strong brand and incredible content, Ross was able to quit his 9-to-5 job and use Instagram as a platform for his own business. Isn’t that amazing? This just goes to show, you can’t underestimate the power of posting really interesting content. When people are wowed by your work on Instagram, they follow you, share it, and get others to follow you, too. The door is then opened for you to sell more art and hear about other profitable opportunities. Create Captivating Captions Here’s a picture of my art you know nothing about and here is the price—something seems a bit off about that sort of caption, doesn’t it? There’s no hook. No pizzazz. No story! It may be an incredible piece at first look, but there’s always more to it than meets the eye. Letting people in on your inspirations, process, and story behind the work can be the tipping point for customers to click emotionally and pull out the checkbook. Of course, you can acknowledge when something is still for sale, but be creative about it. Ending with, “Excited to see where this piece finds a home!” does the trick without being too boring. Perfect Your Hashtags Hashtags are like maps in the land of Instagram. They make your posts discoverable for the people searching for art like yours, making them one of the biggest and best ways to grow your fanbase. Which hashtags reign supreme? Well, it takes a little digging to find the answer. Your first plan of action should be using the search feature in the app. After typing in keywords that relate to your art, other popular hashtags related to your search will pop up. Next, find artists who boast a large following and seem to have a good handle on their hashtag game. Check out which ones they are using (and how many) and take notes. Keep a list of the best ones you’ve found that you can pull from for different posts. Just be sure to match hashtags with what is going on in your image. #inthestudio won’t apply to every picture you post, and a mismatch can turn followers away. Finally, do some testing of your own and track how many hashtags get you the most engagement. Take the time to get hashtags down and you’ll be on your way to more followers in no time. Complete Your Bio While small, your bio should be not underestimated in its importance. It’s the only place where followers can click on a link, and the whole point of your account is to sell your work! You can change out the link depending on what you want to feature, but a link to your website or Artwork Archive Public Profile Page is the perfect place to send fans who want to peruse and purchase more available art. Paired with a short and sweet description dripping with personality, your Instagram account will be ready to go. Some other things to keep in mind... Post Regularly Social media gurus at CoSchedule determined that posting one to two times a day on Instagram is the sweet spot. But no matter how many times you post, keep it regular! You need to stay fresh in people’s minds, not forgotten. Connect Often It is a social networking app after all. Befriending other artists and influencers on Instagram who might someday share your work with their followers can open a lot of doors and help you gain followers of your own. Like other artists’ and galleries’ images, share helpful comments, and don’t be afraid to connect your contact list. Consider Sponsored Posts Here’s yet another way to make money from your artist Instagram account that you might not have realized: when your following becomes big enough, companies might be willing to pay you to promote their products in your posts. Of course, you need to truly love and believe in the quality of that paintbrush, clay, or watercolor paper, but it’s a great way to rake in some extra money for your Instagram efforts. In the end… The bigger the Instagram fan base, the more interested buyers will be fighting over your art. Following these steps for getting more art fans on Instagram will help you turn the social media app into something profitable for your art business.

---

Sally Hoffman Featured Member Artist

We sat down with Member Artist Sally Hoffman, to learn more about her work and her approach to art and life. What type of art do you create, and what motivates you to make it? I create unique handcrafted artisan jewelry. Sally Hoffman Designs' Passion was fueled early in my life. I was born into a family of creatives. As a small girl, I remember my mother designing beautiful doll houses complete with miniature furniture and gorgeous little dolls from the hollyhock flowers. At that young age I was infused with a rich spirit and creative talent. My inner passion and motivation to learn and create continued to grow and today it shows through my work. I am innovative in the way I combine my beads and metals and addicted to enjoying my beautiful and productive studio, where my ideas become reality. Sally Hoffman Designs invites you to wear their jewelry with love and passion. What process, materials, techniques, etc. do you use to create your artwork? ​ I use different metalsmith techniques, forging, form folding, enameling, soldering, cold connections, rolling mill and wire wrapping. I am always amazed that you can take a flat piece of metal and turn it into something 3 dimensional and wear it too. What does your art mean to you? ​ My art is an expression of my inner self. Free flowing, creative and fun. I love creating “funky” pieces that will make people smile. ​ Why do you make this type of art? ​ I make this type of art because I love to wear it. I have always loved jewelry, especially earrings so it made sense to me that other people might like this type of art also. ​ Are there specific subjects or themes you return to regularly in your art? ​ My main theme is usually organic and simple. I love the geometric shapes and work with them often. My granddaughter is a gymnast and I find inspiration while watching her compete. Is there a connection between your message and the way you make your art? ​ My message is love and giving back. I guess the connection would be that I love what I create and create what I love. My studio is my happy place and I can be found there ay time, any day doing what I love. What draws you to your preferred art medium? My love of jewelry drew me to my art medium - Jewelry Design and Creation. Are you creative in other mediums? ​ Yes, I am creative in other mediums. I have been a sewer and quilter for many years. I also dabble in stained glass making, etching metal and painting. What do you like most about being an artist? ​ Freedom of expression and the ability to express myself through my art. How did you get started in art? ​ My first exposure to art and creating was when I was a child and I got introduced to creating friendship pins and exchanging them with my friends. Actually, my first exposure was playing with pop beads as a very young child. I created necklaces and bracelets for my friends. My first serious art medium was ceramics. I was a brand new 2nd Lt. wife and it intrigued me so I pursued it for several years. Created the usual Christmas Tree, Ash Tray (back when smoking was in), Nativity set. I enjoyed it very much. Who or what inspires you? ​ I am inspired by several other artists. I became very intrigued with Jes MaHarry because I like her style - free and spirit driven. Every piece she creates is filled with love and meaning. What is your dream project? ​ I am in the process of trying to decide what my dream project will be. I have wanted to create a beautiful necklace incorporating crosses designed by me and several other artists. I collect crosses and I am certain that this project will be my dream project. ​ Professionally, what’s your goal? My goal is to one day create a project and have it go smoothly from start to finish! I just want to continue to improve with every project and learn everything I can about the processes. ​ Which artists are you most influenced by? ​ Jes MaHarry, I love her attitude, art and outlook on life. She gives back to many communities and always has a smile to give away to you if you are in need. ​ How do you define success as an artist? Are you there yet? ​ I would define success as the point in your life/career where you finally feel accomplished and you are deeply satisfied with your work. I am not quite there yet. What more do you hope to accomplish? ​ I hope to accomplish so much more! I strive to learn something new with every piece I create and look forward to the day when I can hold a piece up and go - yes!!! ​ Favorite or most inspirational place? ​ Easy answer - Sedona, AZ is my other happy place, and, of course, Santa Fe, NM, Land of beautiful, eye popping, luscious jewelry and art. ​ If we were to look at the music you listen to when creating, who would be on your playlist? ​ Josh Groban! ​ How do you deal with artist’s block? ​ I walk away and read a book until I feel energized again. If I am having trouble concentrating or coming up with a plan, best to just give it a rest and come back later. ​ How do you make sure you have time to create? Do you have a set time or build it into your calendar? ​ I am retired and 77 years old so I have plenty of time to create - however, there is never enough time to complete everything! What’s your biggest barrier to being an artist? How do you address it? ​ Hmmmmm, my biggest barrier is myself and I address it by concentrating on the power of positive thinking. I always try to guide myself around the many roadblocks we encounter as an artist - not always successfully. Is there something you do today that you wished you had known to do years ago? ​ Yes, there are many things that I wish I had done years ago. I wish that I’d taken a graphic design course, I wish I’d taken more business courses, I wish I’d taken copywriting courses. All of these courses would have paved the path to the current trends in business. We artists, speaking for myself of course, tend to focus on the creative side of life and ignore the business side of it. I would love to be able to hire someone to take care of all of the business issues and social media needs. What was the strongest influence you had when you were growing up (artists, movies, cartoons, comics, etc.)? ​ The strongest influence that I had when I was growing up was my father. He taught me how to be creative and follow my dreams. He was always working on projects and he taught me how to finish what I started. Sometimes I forget that lesson!! If you could pass on a nugget of wisdom to the next art generation, what would it be? ​ Follow your dreams. If you don’t try, fail and try again, you will never grow. What’s the best advice you’ve been given? ​ Listen to your inner self. Do not beat yourself up, telling yourself you are not enough - YOU ARE ENOUGH!! Let your shortcomings help you grow and become the artist you want to be. ​ What is your advice for a beginner artist? ​ The same advice that I was given when I was a beginning artist - Listen to your inner self and go forward!! Breath! Don’t get discouraged when you come up with an idea and then see someone else is doing it. We all had to start someplace. Also, it is a process and a lot to learn. Ask for help!! Always ask for help, somebody knows something you don’t, and that’s okay. One day you will be the person to answer the questions. To simplify - be strong, ask questions, be respectful of other artists’ work and ask for help! ​ What superpower would you have and why? ​ My superpower is tenacity. courage, mettle, spirit, resolution, tenacity mean mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship. I never quit!! What do you get from your membership in Arizona Designer Craft & Art? ​ I get the satisfaction of watching many fine artists grow and share. Wonderful classes are offered to the membership and opportunities such as this right here make the membership all very worthwhile. Thank you so much for the opportunity! ​ You can see Sally's artwork on her website, by click here