You're Reading the Blog of a Published Artist!

Really!  For real!  This morning, I walked out the door to take Dana on her walk and there it was- a large envelope from Stampington and Company.  Of course, that delayed the walk for a few minutes while I looked for my artwork.  Seeing Edgar Allen Poe on the front of Somerset Studio Magazine, I knew which piece it was, but seeing it there on the actual magazine page was something I just had to do!

It's very interesting to me that this is the first official art magazine I'm in when Halloween mania is in full swing 'round here (and never officially goes away).  How could I not enter this challenge, though?  Edgar Allen Poe!!  I'm a fan. :)

This issue isn't available on newsstands yet, but when the September/October Somerset Studio magazine is out, be sure to pick up a copy!

The cover of Somerset Studio Magazine

The middle image to the far right is mine!  Yep, right there on a magazine page!

And because it's hard to read my name (My Name!) and the description due to the spine, here's a close up.

This is my original scan of the art before I sent it off.  If you know Poe, then you'll understand the words.  :)  BTW, I would be flattered if someone shared this, but please credit the original source and note that others should do the same.  Thanks!

I do realize I'm being a bit of a geek about this, and I am perfectly ok with that. ;)

So, the news about the magazine was this morning and then this afternoon I found out that we have enough people registered for my Art Journaling workshop to hold it!!  There are still spaces left, so if you'd like to take a workshop with a published artist, be sure to sign up!! :D

I am overwhelmedly grateful. :) 

Feeling Wonderful :)

Yesterday, I got lots of art time. More than I normally get at one time. I even started with a trip to the book store and Michael's just to get out of the house. I spent all this art time on one project. One glorious project that I'm so excited about I want to dance. (and I did this morning, but more on that in a minute.) I haven't taken pictures of it because I'm going to be _wearing_ it this weekend at the WVU Spring Hafla. We are celebrating Earth Day by wearing costume pieces made from recycled or re-used materials. I've already deconstructed a skirt I wore in High School and made it into a panel skirt and this mystery project that I made yesterday includes a hand-rolled string/tie from a choli, which used to be a sari. :) I also used some fabric from this choli in a fabric collage last week. It's better that way and I don't have to worry about what to do with it. Beautiful fabric, just not on me. So, this mystery project is a mixed media piece. If you'd like to see it in person, come to the WVU Hafla on Saturday! Show starts at 7:30pm and you get to see bellydancing!!

I also scanned and submitted my Halloween projects to Cloth Paper Scissors last night- ok, technically very early this morning. I'm feeling brave and will be thrilled if they publish my pieces (and mildly crushed if they don't, but let's not focus on that). If Somerset Studio will accept my digital submission of a piece, I think I'll try to get something together to meet their April 15th deadline. Just saw that this morning. :( But, they are calling for something "timeless and elegant" in the vintage Halloween genre. That sounds like less time adding creepy layers to me. Maybe something small like a card...

Then, this morning, I had such a great practice with my little one running around! I didn't pressure myself to have the world's most efficient warm up and then Angelo was excited and dancing with me rather than wanting me to hold him while I danced. I think it's a great sign that he enjoyed the songs so much! :) Hope you can make it to enjoy them with me this weekend at the WVU Hafla! (I'm also teaching a props workshop during the day- veil, cane and basket. So fun!! I've extended the early discount pricing for a couple days, so you can get to the pay pal button here.

Hope you are feeling wonderful too! :)

Mixed Media Mania

Lately I've been working on Halloween cards. (No, it's not too early, especially with the long list of Halloween projects I have lined up. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Halloween. It's always been my favorite holiday. I decorated my birthday cake in 3rd grade with a witch.) They've been really fun and I had to stop myself from making more and more so I can move onto other projects before the big day. I hope to scan most of them and post. We'll see... :)

So, yesterday after my doctor's appointment (blood draw), I stopped by Books a Million to get the latest Cloth Paper Scissors magazine (and some Somerset magazines). OMG! The latest CPS (www.clothpaperscissors.com) may be the closest thing to a perfect magazine I've ever found! I was thinking last night that if it had included belly dance, I may just have to die of happiness. Then I just now was checking out a link that I found in the magazine .... if you all don't hear from me you know what happened. It doesn't directly have belly dance in it, but this is the email I just sent my husband:

"so, I found the perfect magazine that combined mixed media arts with Halloween and now a mixed media arts cruise that goes to Turkey and Greece?!?!!!! Are you kidding me?!f?! It's around the time of Pennsic, and Middle Eastern Dance Camp, but a girl can dream, can't she? Anyway, take a look: http://www.artandsoulretreat.com/cruises.php

Love you!

KImberly "

OK, my little one needs my attention, so gotta run. Enjoy!