The Art of Words

Maybe I'm just gearing up for going back to college mode or maybe I'm just acknowledging my inner writer that has always been present, but I'm starting to merge writing into my art career.

Facebook Fanpage

First..a shameless plug for my new Fan Page. I originally created my first Facebook page as another marketing tool, like my website. As I quickly connected with friends, both old and new, I decided I really didn't want complete strangers seeing so much information about my life, especially my kids' lives. So I took the link off my e-mail signature, closed down the privacies and didn't worry about it. Then along came Fan pages..even better! Now I do both..keep up with friends and have a spot for my art! So..if you reading this on my blog..just look to the right for the button to my fan page. If you are reading this in a reader, click here to join my fan page.

The Writing

First, I'm now a writer (yes..paid writer!) for a website called Empty Easel, which is a magazine/blog for artists to help with both creating artwork and selling artwork. If you look down at the bottom on the right side..I'm even listed as a "EE writer!" My first series is all about teaching art to kids. I've been teaching art to kids in some form for over 10 years now with the last 3 years in my own studio. If you like to know how I got started or how to get started yourself, read Teaching Art to Kids for Fun and Profit: Part 1 - Is this for Me? The title is a little tongue and cheek humor but the content is serious stuff! Part 2 will be published in a couple of weeks.

The Poetry

Second, I'm starting to integrate the printed word in to my artwork. I've written poetry for years (first publication..6th grade yearbook!) but lately I've re-awakened my interest in haikus. It started, oddly enough, with the workout website I blog on.. SocialWorkout.com when the May challenge was titled "Push ups, Handstands, and Haikus: 26 Days. No Tears." Well..I didn't do any pushups or handstands but I started writing haikus for each workout. It was silly but fun. If you really love haikus or you are really bored..feel free to read them. I am Tsitra on that site.

May ended and I still had the urge to write haikus. So I bought a little journal, attached a pen and started writing. Bits of imagery started to work its way into the journal so I started playing around with collage elements and Pocket Poetry was born. The first three are pictured here and on Etsy.

I have visions of making some small, limited-edition prints of these both original size (7" x 5") and as ACEOs but I'm still researching printers (any advice?). To purchase any of these just click on the photo and it will take you to my Etsy shop.