Lots of new projects ...to busy to share...

So...as you know it's been a while since I've updated the blog! I've been really busy,busy,busy! Still looking for a home, still working on the website, still working on branding, still sketching, and still painting. I planned to share some of these small projects but time kept getting away from me !! So here goes....

This is a picture of a Hospital Door Hanger that I painted for my cousin's new baby Karsen !!! This is the first time I actually did a character painting. Here are the stages of that painting.

The rough sketch of the couple. If you notice the girl's eyes are not as bright and the guy looks kinda nervous. LOL!!! Let's see if we can change that ? 

See, alot better!  Now lets add some color for these black and white sketches. 

I also added another painting at the bottom. This will be a name plate for Karsen. I thought that the owl would be a cute addition. Now all we need is a little detail. 

And we'll need to add some detail to mom and dad !

Well I think were almost done, we just need to adds some cute ribbon so that we can hang this thang!!

My inspiration:

My Creation:

.Love This!!! Here are more pic of it up close. I just love all the details !!! 

There are still more projects that I'm working on...Just trying to find time to share them!!! Hopefully I can get them uploaded with the next few days or weeks.....I love doing pieces like theses as gifts. I hope they love it as much as I do. 

Figure Drawing Workshop with Jane Davenport

 Great Art Course offered by Jane Davenport! I absolutely love her work. I wish I could have enrolled in this course, but I'm looking forward to taking it in the future !!!!

 

I'm Back....after a much needed break !!

After my last post about focus, I decided to take a much needed break. A break from painting. A break from sketching. A break from ALL things Artistically Urban.


What did I do while on my break from Artistically Urban??? My wonderful hubby took me on a surprise vacation to Puerto Rico!!! We spend 4 days at this wonderful Resort called the La Concha!

 

View of one of the pools out side our suite !

Another view of the lounge area outside our suite !

Did I  mention that it was also our 6 year Wedding anniversary!!

 

Eric loves Trena and then our Anniversary Date 7-18 

Loved, Loved, Loved this Resort!!! We loved everything about this hotel and  the staff was wonderful !!! The minute we arrived curb side Felix one of the Valet Drivers greeted us as Mi Familia! Mi casa es su Casa !The resorts also featured not 1, not 2, but 3 infinity pools that were opened 24hours a day !

This is the view of one of the infinity pool and yes it was on the beach!! We spend 4 days in Puerto Rico doing nothing but relaxing! We went to the beach, did alot of swimming, and  enjoy a little bit of Old San Juan. It was so nice to go on a vacation and do nothing....you know, most of the time there are things that you feel that you need to do to enjoy your time while on vacation. We chose to doing nothing but relax and I LOVED IT !!!


So, since being back from my fabulous vacation, I have been able to ease back into Artistically Urban. I have really earnestly started to do a lot of research into this website and also talked to a few companies about branding and logo design. I'm also looking at another local business to display my artwork! I've been thinking of all kinds of new things to do with this business! Overall,  I'm just really feeling excited about the future of this Art Thang!! Looking forward to all the possibilities!

Oh, I almost forgot we're looking to buy our first home....So, we're super excited about that! Ahhh, just to have a room or a real space to paint !!! I can't wait! I have been all over pinterest.com pinning ideas for the new house that I may some day have. Go there and look me up following some of my boards !!

Focus.......Focus.....

The Definition

Focus:  to concentrate: to focus one's thoughts.

Something I can't seem to do right now....As you know a few years ago I took an e-course with Kelly Rae Roberts, and from time to time I go back and read over some notes I took. I remember that she talked about how she started her creative business right in the middle of working a 30 hr week. Don't know how she did it ? She also talked about setting realistic goals...taking small steps to reach big goals....That made me think.....

I've set goals for myself. Both big and small but, have I setup up those smaller goals to reach these big goals that I've set for myself? To be perfectly honest, I just feel like I'm all over the place now a days. Don't get me wrong I have been able to get a lot of my goals accomplished but not some of the bigger ones that Ive set for myself. There has been some things that I have been procrastinating about. Like.......

1.  Reaching out to some of those bigger blogs 
2. Sending my artwork to some of those cool magazines 
3. Reaching out to some of the local Boutiques 
4. Taking another e-course
5. So on and So forth........ 

I'm really trying to focus on one thing at a time.....(which is easier said that done). First, I need to sit down and come up with a plan, things I really want to focus on within the next few weeks, then months, and then things that I want to get accomplished before the end of the year. Second, I want to really do some research on turning the blog into a website. I've been all over Etsy...they have all kinds of cool packages there! ( If, anyone else is looking)  I think that will be the most important things to do right?...Especially if I'm going to be directing customer and companies to my blog I want it to really represent who I am as a Artist!!! 

Then.....I can start thinking about the list above ?  

My goals are to try to stay focus...set some realistic goals... and work hard to try my best to get those goals accomplished...

So... FOCUS..Trena....FOCUS!!!!

E-course...via A Beautiful Mess

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Dream Job E-Course

Dream Job is the first E-Course written by Elsie and Emma! We are excited to share all the practical and personal lessons we have learned over the years as we have watched Red Velvet grow into a successful and thriving small business. Here is what you can expect to learn from our Dream Job E-Course:
-Elsie and Emma's Personal Business Story
-Session 1: Branding-Developing a Name, Logo and Style. This session covers the importance of developing a solid brand style, creating a pricing model, tips for choosing a name and logo and the technical aspects of branding.
-Session 2: Product Development-How to Make an Idea into a Quality Product. This session includes tips for developing a new idea, market research, creating prototypes and pricing; as well as ways to streamline production and how to expand on popular products.
-Session 3: 10 Tips for Your First 5 Years. This session includes my top ten personal tips for creating a successful new brand. Everything I talk about in this session comes from my personal experiences in my first five years of owning an independent business.
-Session 4: How Social Media and Blogging can Help Your Business. This session outlines all of the social media outlets we use and tips for getting the most impact for your time. It also shares tips for blogging in relation to promoting your small business. There is a lot of homework and practical advise!
-Session 5: Press and Promotional Ideas. This session outlines how we pursue press for Red Velvet including tips on sending press e-mails. It also includes ten free promotional ideas!
-Session 6: Tips for Creating Customer Loyalty. This session covers creative ways to create a sense of loyalty among your customers. This session is all about adding personality to your brand!
-Session 7: How to Create Collections and Seasonal Workflow. In this session I share the stages and steps I go through to create a collection. There is advice for pricing and creating a cohesive product line. I also talk about workflow and share how we stagger our projects throughout the year and prepare for heavy sales seasons
-Session 8: Photography for Businesses: Products, Models & More. In this session I talk about creating a styling guide for your brand, lighting, styling models, styling product and tips for creating your first lookbook or catalog. There are also 10 tips for getting started in commercial photography.
-Session 9: Be Distinctive: Styling and Creating Displays that fit with your Brand. This session includes examples from my styling work and 5 Simple Tips for Creating Distinctive Displays and Brand Styling.
-Session 10: Creating and Maintaining Steady Growth for your Business. Growth happens slowly and in this session we share how to create and maintain steady growth. This session is focused on how to know when you're ready to go full time and learning to write your first business plan!
-Session 11: Nomadic Selling: All about Pop-Up Shops, Festivals, Wholesale and Consignment Opportunities. This session focuses on choosing the perfect places to market and sell your products. Emma talks in detail about the pros and cons of each and shares tips for getting your foot in the door!
-Session 12: Dream Space: Setting up a Studio you Love and can Work in. This session includes tips for setting up a functional and stylish workspace that fits your personality and inspires you to work.
-Session 13: How to Evolve, Re-Brand and Expand your Business without Losing Your Roots. This session tells the story of our re-branding process and gives tips for businesses wanting to evolve and grow without confusing loyal shoppers.
-Session 14: Work and Play-Having a Balanced Work AND Personal Life. In this session Emma teaches how to cut out things that don't matter and make time for work and the balanced personal life that we all need.
-Session 15: Necessary Evils: Hiring, Firing and Copyright Issues. This session includes tips for some of the trickiest things in business. Learn to handle these inevitable obstacles!
-Session 16: Money: Goals, Budgets and Fundraising Ideas. This session includes some great advice for managing business expenses, setting goals and fundraising!
-Session 17: Overcoming Troubled Times: Our Personal Story. This is the personal story of how we overcame obstacles in our first few years of business. It's encouraging to know that every business faces times like these and that there is light at the end of the tunnel!
-Session 18: Customer Service: How to be a Sweetheart without Getting Stepped On. Learn to write a solid return policy and educate your customers so that you have fewer issues. This session is packed with personal advice and stories!
-Session 19: When are you Ready to go Full Time? Think you are ready to take the leap and quit your day job? Learn to build a strong support system and prepare for the transition into full time!
-Session 20: Staying Inspired: 10 Ways to Collect Inspiration. This is one of my favorite sessions. It highlights ten ways that I collect inspiration and keep my creative pencil sharp!
-Session 21: Goal Making: Create a 1 year plan with Elsie. This session is a step-by-step guide to making goals for the coming year. It's full of examples and stories from my past goal experiences.
-(NEW) Session 22: Be your own HR Department, how to build your A-team. This session talks in depth about what to look for when seeking employees for your growing business. It includes our top 5 tips for finding and interviewing potential team members as well as what to do what you have your dream team in place!
Bonus: Tips for Local Boutique Owners
Bonus: Tips for Online Business Owners
Bonus: Tips for Handmade Business Owners
Bonus: Tips for working with Vintage
Bonus: Tips for Food Industry Business Owners
Bonus: Tips for Independent Musicians (written by: Jeremy Larson)

-This is a 'work at your own pace' course. There are no due dates. We encourage students to follow along at their own pace. When you receive login information you will receive the full course wilth all sessions, no waiting! 

-Login information will automatically be sent to you via email (so be sure to enter your email address while checking out). Be sure to check your spam box if you do not receive it. Also if we are receiving a large number of orders at once it can take up to a few hours for our system to email you. If you have any problems logging in or have any other questions feel free to email us: support AT redvelvetart DOT com

NOW: $38.00


 This is what I'll be taking for the next few weeks! Can't wait !

New Art!!!!!

So this is Brand New Art!!! This is the Artwork that was given to my daughter Teacher Ms. El Amin the last day of school! I wanted to give her something that I thought she would use and something personal she is such a good teacher. I love the way I came out.

I used a 11x14 flat panel canvas. I wanted the teacher to be in front of the black board and used a white gel pen to write the message! Love the way it mimics a real chalkboard with the chalk. I wanted Ms. El Amin to be stylist with a hint of vintage so I chose the yellow and red dress. Can you see the small white details in the dress? I had to dress it up with some classic pearls! I also wanted her to be able to hang this piece of artwork, my solution to attach some pretty ribbon to the back of the painting!!!

I love the ribbon! Love the way it brings out the red in the painting. The polka-dots just makes it look a little more whimsical!  I hope she loves it as much as I do!!!!! I did hear that she put it up in the classroom and other Teacher came by to take a look at it. That makes me so happy !!

In other news.....This was just one painting that I have been working on right now. I'm working on 6 others. So, I'm just just trying to stay busy!!! I have started the ABC's series. I have started a (A.) painting and a (B.) painting cant wait to share those characters with you! And still researching ways to update the blog and make it more cohesive with my art. So... If you guys have any suggestions for colors or logos I would love to hear them!! So,until next time later gator!

Busy, Busy, Busy....

Yay!! Picture above is my art display at local restaurant Betty Mae's!!!!  Though, I'm not completely finished with the wall I did want to post what I have done so far!!! Love how the yellow wall makes my artwork pop!!
So..So.. thankful for Ms. Tonya Turner the owner for giving me the opportunity to display my artwork there!

If you guys are in the area you have got to go there and check it out!! Don't get me started on the food! If your in the mood for some really good soul food....this is the place to go. The restaurant is located at 1222 Grace Street here in Huntsville. I love going there for lunch...I usually get the fried chicken, mac and cheese, fried okra, and mashed potatoes and she has the best peach cobbler. (sorry mom) That's the lunch special 1 meat 3sides and a dessert cant beat that! Ummm...just thinking about the food is making me hungry!!


In other news....I have just been busy, busy,busy..... I have been working to finish up two painting I'm currently working. I have also been working on a Alphabet series so I'm hoping I can start that series some time within the next few weeks. I have also received my artist postcards. Just working on packaging -( so happy to announce that I have already sold about 10 of those already !!!) We are really pushing to do more things this year with the art business!! Right now, we are looking to turn the blog into a website. I'm hoping to add a shopping cart and portfolio tab to the website! I want the website to be bright and colorful and urban!! Just like me hahaha!!! So much work to do but I'm looking forward to it !!!

Good Thangs are lurking!!!!!!

So did you hear? There are all kinds of good thangs lurking?

Who would have guess things would change so fast??

So...So... Happy to announce that I will have the opportunity to showcase my artwork at a local business!!
In a few days, I will have the chance to go and really check out the space, (art in hand) with the permission to decorate the dining room with as many pieces of art as I want.

Just think of all that exposure!!!

I can't wait!!!!

I realize that this is just a small step in my art career but I am taking time to enjoy theses small moments !!!!!

Nothing but up hill from here !!!

My Utimate Goal.....

So, if you haven't  read Kelly Rae blog lately you have got to go over and check it out! She just posted pictures from her gift show back in January that was held in Atlanta. The pictures are amazing!!  The one above is from the Demdaco gift line collection. I love what this company is doing with her line of products !

I love when she post photos from her shows like this. They are so inspiring!  Having a Gift line collection, like this would be my ultimate goal!! It would be so amazing to see my artwork displayed as a Gift Line. How cool would it be to walk into a show and see my own artwork displayed like this??!!  THAT WOULD BE A DREAM COME TRUE!

This is another picture of some of her new products in the gift collections. Love these vintage looking distressed frames and I love the way the art is displayed with them. I have got to get me one, if not a few of those. I am just so excited for her! A little jealous but very excited. She has doing everything that I hope one day I can do. She is such a humble artist and that's what I love most about her. She willing to share her story with us and tell us how we can do it.  She encourages us to "Reach for our own dreams !!" And I'm reaching!!

Last week I was able to complete my Art Query letter, and sent out 3 art submissions. Hopefully I'll hear something from them soon! Still working on trying to find time for art but I'm doing better... Small Step until they turn into Giant Leaps !!!!

So in doing this I have started taking small steps. Within the last few months I have been submitting my art to small companies and magazine. Sadly to say I have been rejected by some and that can be discouraging, but I am determined to get this art out there no matter how many time I get rejected! Right now, I'm working on packaging my art postcards with hopes of getting them in a few local boutiques. So, if you guys have any suggestions on some cool way to package this art bundles please leave a comment below !!!! 

Goals and Schedule.....

 GOALS FOR  THIS MONTH

• Complete my Art Query  Letter 
• Submit at least 2 art submissions this month 
• Paint 2x's a month ( even if it's just something small )
• Sketch for a least  45 min. 2x's  a week 
• Publish blog post 2-3x's a month
• Order my postcards and work on packaging them
• Personal Study 30 min. every night.

 SCHEDULE

MONDAY NIGHT 

• Research and Send Art Submissions 

TUESDAY NIGHT

• Personal Study 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT 

• Sketching 

THURSDAY NIGHT 

• Late night painting

FRIDAY NIGHT

• Free Night ( relaxing, family time, movie night and etc.)

 

MY STRUGGLE ........

My struggle.....Finding time to be creative. Lately there has been a lot of changes at my 8-5. Good changes more responsibility, which is great! I actually love my job. Absolutely love the staff that I work with BUT.....It's leaving me no time to be creative......No time to paint.....No time to research ideas.....No time for submissions.....No time to e courses.....No time for Blog Post......

Well...I shouldn't blame it all on the job. If you read my last post you would realize that I SUCK at time management! I know, I know I need to learn BALANCE. As you can see it is very hard for me to find that balance in my day to day life. I always feel like I'm not doing enough. I'm just frustrated. I feel like I have all these creative ideas but just not enough time and energy to make them come to life. I feel guilty for sitting at home doing nothing or trying to find time to relax. It makes me feel like that time was wasted.Right now I'm trying to juggle being a wife, a mother, a artist, a small business owner, and ect. I'm trying to juggle life in my current job, opening a creative business (with all the research that come with that), I'm trying to get my artwork seen, get it published, submit art packages, work on my brand, the list goes on....it's hard work!!

Right now the chaos of it all is to much for me. Right now nothing has my full attention. So frustrating!!!  I'm trying so hard to practice courage, determination, trying to hard to be brave in this journey. Trying so hard not to give up on this dream, not to put my passion on the back burner , not to let my day to day life invade my dreams and creative space!! IT IS A STRUGGLE!!

Maybe all artist go thru  this stage??  I'm sure all of us struggle with something from time to time. Maybe this is my time to prove it to myself that I am enough, It may take a little more time, I may have to learn how to adjust and really get more organized? I'm not sure at this point. What I am determined to do is Take some Time.... Time to readjust what I am determined to do. So.......that may mean for now, I will only post a few times a month instead of once a week.....I am Determined to chase my dream no matter how hard the journey may be !!!

Were 2011 goals accomplished ???

So, I wanted to know if I accomplished all my goals from last year?? Well, last January I posted this:

2011....

It's 2011!!! I must say that alot has changed in 2010. I am now a Artist. I am really a Artist... There are so many things that I'm working on for 2011 here are some of my goals.

1.) Work on turning my blog into a website.
2.)Come up with a cool banner.
3.)Sell my art online. (Red Bubble)
4.)Make mini prints of my artwork.
5.)Cont. to make BIG art.
6.)Sell some of that BIG art.
7.) Get my art into a Gallery.
8.)Be a featured artist on someones Blog.
9.)Have a art show.
10.) Cont. to define my style.
11.)Make more interesting blog post.



5 out of 11. I'm a little disappointed in myself. I should have accomplished more. To tell the truth, I'm also a little frustrated with myself. I wanted to do so much and I got a little lazy. Truth be told I haven't painted in about 4 months (that's a long time in the artist world) LOL ! I have been working alot on the business side of this creative career. Reading, Researching, Submitting Art, and Working on my business Plan. I haven't had any time to spend be creative!

I'm still learning how to manage my time and trust me "it's a work in progress".  I'm still learning to balance time creating, time to relax and be inspired, time spent working on the business, family time and ect. I guess that is a common theme for all artist huh? Time management? So, if you guys have any tips please share!!

Hopefully, I'll be putting a new list together for this year. Stay tuned to see what's going on that list.

What am I reading????

2012 Artist’s & Graphic Designer’s Market is the must-have reference guide for emerging artists, who want to establish a successful career in fine art, illustration, cartooning or graphic design. For years, artists have relied on us to help them find new markets and navigate the changing business landscape. The 2012 Artist’s & Graphic Designer’s Market introduces a whole host of new features and guarantees the most up-to-date, individually verified listings possible. In addition to the 100% updated market listings, artists will find new resources they’ll want to use everyday including:

• A FREE 1-year subscription toArtistsMarketOnline.com, where you can search listings, track your submissions, get the latest art and design news and much more
• Complete, up-to-date contact information for more than 1,600 art market listings, including galleries, magazines, book publishers, greeting card companies, ad agencies, syndicates, art fairs and more
• Articles on the business of freelancing—from basic copyright information to tips on promoting your work
• NEW! Special features on selling more art in 2012, secrets to social media success, pocket-sized promotion, creating an online presence, fine-tuning your sales pitch and generating referrals
• NEW! Informative articles on getting the most from workshops, handling problems creatively, applying creative thinking to running your business and managing your clients
• NEW! Inspiring and informative interviews with successful professionals including graphic designer Tom Davie and artist and illustrator Mike Maydak
• Information on grants, residencies, organizations, publications and websites that offer support and direction for creative artists of all types

New Art Journals !!!!!

Introducing Art Journals by Artistically Urban!!!

Things I Love - Red Stripes
created by: Trena D.

Take note of every detail with these creative and unique, personalized notebooks. Personalize the cover with text or photos to make it your own. These fun and inspiring journals make it easy to brainstorm, take notes, make to-do lists, jot down recipes, schedule appointments, record favorite quotes, or just write about your day. These conveniently sized 6 1/4 x 8 1/4 notebooks feature 80 high-quality lined pages. Printed on premium 50% recycled fiber paper.

This is the First in the Series.
Art Journals can be made from any painting that want!!!
They come in all sorts of colors and backgrounds!

Please leave a comment below if your interested in purchasing one!!!
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Brave New Voices Thinking About You

Very cool poem, thought you guys would like it!! I swear, If I wasn't a artist I would love to be a poet!!!! Enjoy!

I've been featured on Shatterproofglassdolls.com

Check out the website and see the feature:

 http://shatterproofglassdolls.com/dolls-on-display/the-shatterproof-and-talented-trena-darby/