Here is a quote which I love;

The greatest innovators in a wide reange of fields- business, science, painting, music–all have at least on characteristic in common: They spent many years in intensive preparation before making any kind of creative breakthrough. Creative achievement never came suddenly, even in those cases in which the creator later claimed that it did. Whether it was the transistor or the Beatle’s Sgt. Pepper album or the cell phone or Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, it always follwed a long, earlier peiod of extemely hard work, and in most cases, the creative products themselves were developed over a a significant period. Great innovations are roses that bloom after long and careful cultivation.

There is a very popular video going around which illustrates this exact thought. Take a look:

Drifting by Andy McKee. Andy, you are amazing.

I hope this inspires you to reach for originality and excellence each day. It does me. As an art licensor, I find that sometimes, we have to walk the line between putting out work which will sell some short lived, mediocre product - and that which will evoke “wow”s as clients look at our portfolios and know that they have found their next big program. Personally, I want my work to be memorable and sellable! I believe this is achievable and it comes about by continually learning and growing as an artist. And that, my friend, means putting in hours and hours of work. I’ve been exploring a new direction lately and know that it’s not ready. Not quite. I’m almost there but not quite. I’ve wasted quite a bit of paint, several (o.k., more than several) boards and hours of time. But, I want it to be “WOW”. So I’ll keep at it - even after years and years of painting and drawing, I’m willing to publicly admit that I don’t get it right each and every time. No one does. I could probably take this less than wonderful work and put it out there and it would be well received by many. But I know it’s not at the level of excellence I want for it and know that I can achieve. And when I do put it out there, I want it as a collection so it will have the very best chance of becoming a program with longevity and substance. In other words, I’m going for the gold.

A few years back, when I was selling my large, fanciful paintings at a local outdoor art festival, I was asked time and again how long it took me to paint a certain painting. (average, actual selling price range for my large pieces was and is in the range of $1200. to $2500.) The first time I was asked, it caught me off guard.
I responded with the actual hours, start to finish which in this case, was 3 days, approximately). One astounded young woman quickly did the math and proclaimed she was in the wrong business! I’m guessing she thought she could just as easily come up with the same painting? ) Anyway, after that shocking statement, my answer changed. “It took me 35 years.” That’s how long I’d been painting, drawing, studying, practicing, learning.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the feeling that everyone is passing you by. If you’re on Facebook or other social networking (and who isn’t???) the perception is that everybody is doing and achieving way more than you are. Don’t be fooled. There are certainly people who truly are doing that, but just as many if not more who are doing a lot more talking than action. The overwhelm of it all can be hazardous to our sense of self worth and to our ability to concentrate on our true, authentic talents. People tend to get caught up in the hurried “race” to be all things to all people and list their credentials and experience based on what they have bookmarked as reference. Personally, I long for the days when if a person said they were an expert or experienced or proven, they really were.

Here’s a painting from 2000, one of a series of 4 which I’m going to repaint in order to update the colors.
I painted this prior to studying color while a student at the Creative Circus in Atlanta, a portfolio school with concentrations in advertising, design, art direction, copy-writing and image making. It was here that I first began to really understand color. My undying gratitude goes to Sylvia, who still makes her students cry with frustration (even some of the boys). I’ve taken what I’ve learned from her and continued to study and experiment over the years since graduating. I’m so glad to have that knowledge and that’s why I decided to share it with others.

Have a terrific, original, excellently creative week, my friends!

Related items

• seeking balance
• Eileen Hull, Sizzix Scoreboard blog hop
• In honor of Robert’s birthday
• It’s been crazy here
• another beautiful, nature inspired color palette

Since my first grandchild will be here in 12 short weeks, I’m all about gathering  and nesting to make a little place here at my house for baby to visit! I’ve been having fun buying some little rattles, sleepers, etc and am going to start a few quick and easy sewing projects real soon! I’m convinced we’re having a girl but officially, we don’t know which gender baby will be. I can just notice a lot of estrogen floating around these days  so if that’s any indication, we’ll be buying pink.

I’ve designed the shower cards and they’ll be sent out tomorrow. It’s getting close so excitement is growing, along with my Brooke!

Here are some fun things happening right now - Several of my Designer friends helped Kathy Peterson launch her new line of Adirondack chairs by decorating one and showcasing it on a blog hop. Check out Julianna’s chair - How adorable is that???!!!

While you’re there, be sure to take a minute and watch the Introduction to Eclips, the fabulous new electronic cutter from the good people at Sizzix! I’m designing some new art for the Eclips so they just sent me one to get familiar with. It arrived yesterday and I’m planning on getting it set up tonight- can’t wait!! My husband is so funny- anything that is in any way a “gadget”- he’s all over it. I’m sure he’ll be playing along with me as we explore the possibilities offered by this new toy.

And, my new fabric line is out! Yaaaaaaay - Couleur Vie from Henry Glass! Here’s a little goodie I make yesterday, isn’t he sweet?

Have a great week, friends!

Related items

• Eileen Hull, Sizzix Scoreboard blog hop
• tending the creative garden
• cute cosmetic bag!
• flower vase and flowers
• It’s finally here!

We cooked, we laughed, we created, we ate….each and every day! I’m going to be sharing some wonderful pics over the next few weeks so check back for some inspiration.

Here is a picture of Susan Eaddy and Sharyn Sowell playing with some color palette exercises. 5 hours of kayaking off from Roche Harbor was exhilarating and beautiful!Good thing we worked up an appetite because Barb and Kristen outdid themselves with a fabulous dinner at sunset in Sharyn’s backyard garden. DELISH!

I can’t wait to show you more of the amazing fun we had but for now, must focus on the final preparations for my branding class I’m teaching next Monday at CHA. I hope to see you there!

Related items

• Sizzix Project and more!
• TerrorifficTuesday-week 3!
• Terrorific Tuesday Smorgasbord!!!
• Join me!
• Join me on Fave Crafts Radio!

We visited the newly renovated Atlanta Botanical Gardens yesterday and I’m so inspired by the incredible beauty that is everywhere you look. The gardens have a brand new sky walk which is a great way to enjoy the new section of the gardens and get a totally different perspective - birds eye view. Here is one of my many photos and I’ve called out an extended color palette, giving you lots of choices to design from.  I hope it inspires your creative muse this week - I can hardly wait to get started painting!

I have a very busy week ahead, finishing up some new art for my agents to show while at the Gift Mart. I’m also getting ready for a girlfriend creative retreat so I have some shopping to do for supplies, Dick Blick, here I come! And in addition, I mentioned earlier that I’m teaching a branding class at CHA so I’m putting the finishing touches on my presentation. If you’re coming to CHA, I hope you’ll be attending my class, it’s going to be a good one, I promise!

Have a wonderful week!

Related items

• BPCU-week two
• worth the risk…
• seeking balance
• Sizzix Project and more!
• Art Licensing, Originality and reaching for Excellence

If you’re coming to CHA next month, please come to the class I’m teaching - Branding for Artists and Designers. We’re our own worst enemies when it comes to branding…we have a really hard time committing to a look, a style, a “voice” because we want to be able to be all things and when we finally do land on what we want, we get tired of it really, really quickly. Designers typically try everything we do a million and one ways, right? That’s what makes us Designers. We have to try it as line art, as polkadots, as hand drawn, as distressed….it could on for ever and ever! It’s crazy hard to finally decide. There are lots of things to think about when creating your brand identity. I’ll be discussing some  hot spot issues to be avoided and will be offering a list of what TO think about when designing your logomark or logotype. I’ll also be discussing naming your business and why using your own name can be both good and bad.

If you’re not going to be at CHA, I’ll be offering this same class as an e-course in August so no worries! More about that later.

This Sunday, please join me on Artistically Speaking/Cre8Tive Compass -http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artisticallyspeaking where I’ll be interviewed about my colorU workshops and talking about all things COLOR! I’m really looking forward to it and hope you will tune in!

I love this quote;

The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has. (Confucius)

Related items

• (guess what I won?) Plaid’s New Horizon Award!
• Off to the Mart
• Busy, busy, busy
• Vivian Peritts Logo
• Some more eye candy

Related items

• Art Licensing, Originality and reaching for Excellence
• It’s all in the perspective
• tending the creative garden
• Ask First.
• worth the risk…

I’m feeling quite hot under collar about copyrights today after hearing over and over (in a forum) the following general sentiment:
I am an artist, I am an arist (clicking heels with ruby slippers heard in the background)…now, let me go find some art to use to make my art with….

Make your own art, people. If you don’t know how to draw, learn. If you don’t know how to paint, learn. Spend the time, just as I have and all of my licensing friends who have invested immeasurable amounts of time, effort, money, emotions and more into first, creating our art (patterns, icons, shapes) and then enormous amounts of time, effort and money marketing our art to get it sold/licensed. We do this for profit. (our own and our licensing partners - NOT YOURS).

If you say you are an artist, then be one.

If you use other people’s copyrighted works in order to create your “product” without asking and without permission, you are stealing. That makes you a thief. And if you then claim copyright on your “products”, you have irreparably harmed someone else’s livelihood.

My angel policy is:

Use my products, ie: fabric, papers, diecut shapes for personal use or for limited commercial use outlined below:

HANDMADE items, made by YOU the purchaser, for fundraising, for church bazaars, for a craft show, for charitable giving, always with my name and copyright information (© 2010 Brenda Pinnick) included and in quantities of no more than 50, not for sale on Etsy, EBay or any other on-line selling venue. No pieces and parts, snippets or clippings can be used in a commercial endeavor which involves reproduction of any kind. If you create a crafted project and sell the design to a publisher such as a magazine or  a newsletter, attribution is required as follows: ______(fabric, paper, diecuts_ by Brenda Pinnick, http://www.brendapinnick.com

I retain the right to change my angel policy at any time.

Now go get busy.

Related items

• Art Licensing, Originality and reaching for Excellence
• tending the creative garden
• FRESH
• copyright information
• sometimes saying “no” is just…

The first one is part of the Designer Education series and I am teaching a class on branding for designers and artists.  The topics I’ll be discussion include: consistent branding and identity systems, things to consider when choosing a name for your business, what to consider when deciding on a mark or logo, and much, much more. Go here to register: http://www.chashow.org

I’m also hosting one of the FREE round table discussions on how to effectively use color in your studio to create an environment conducive to creativity and positive energy. I hope you’ll come!

Here’s one of my recent Cool2Craft shows where I show how using a limited group of only three hues can yield you a wonderful palette.

Related items

• When it rains, it pours…
• Art Licensing, Originality and reaching for Excellence
• another beautiful, nature inspired color palette
• making plans
• seeking balance

I’m pretty sure this one will be a painting soon!

Have a great weekend, friends!

Related items

• another beautiful, nature inspired color palette
• meet Paisley!
• Nature’s Color Palettes
• Eileen Hull, Sizzix Scoreboard blog hop
• BPCU-week two

worth repeating…sometimes saying “no” is actually saying yes to yourself.

One of the disadvantages of being sort of well known in certain circles is that one is asked to do a lot of stuff - for free. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a giver - always have been. I believe in giving back. I believe in helping others along their path. I believe in pay it forward. But there is a limit and knowing when to say “no” is you taking good care of you. My rule of thumb is, if someone is trying really, really hard and is stumbling along because they just need some guidance, then yes, I’m happy to help if my schedule allows. But being in business is extremely time consuming, having to wear all those hats. Make the art, market the art, social networking, keeping up with technology, research, creative renewal, ongoing study…it all takes a huge amount of time and energy. If I’m giving away something for free, it needs to 1. benefit the receiver by them being open to learning and accepting the gift with the intent of using it and 2. benefit me by giving me the warm fuzzies or increased business or heck, sometimes a nice box of chocolates or a bottle of a nice red.  But it needs to be both. If it’s one sided, it’s just plain wrong.

“No” doesn’t have to be ugly. It can be beautiful. It can be kind and it can be often. I’m learning to say no a lot more often these days and am proudly feeling no guilt for doing so. If I give something away, I need to benefit in some way, even if it’s just a heartfelt smile on my face. If there is resentment at having said yes, then I’ve stolen from myself, from my reserve of good intentions. It benefits no one because whatever I agreed to will not grow, will not prosper and will not live on. It will use up my energy and spirit - that which I want to keep plenty of for those occasions when I really, really do want to help someone.

If you have a hard time saying “no”, remember that “no” can be a wonderful gift you give to yourself. Use it with my blessings.

Related items

• Art Licensing, Originality and reaching for Excellence
• worth the risk…
• spreading the love…
• this and that and the other thing
• It’s all in the perspective