This week and next week in Atlanta Ganz™ will debut my ©Summer Frolic collection! Stop by Bldg 2 rm 1519 in the Atlantasmart and see the melamine dishes, stationery and tumblers. These so were so much fun to create and they will brighten up your day for sure.
Ellen
Well it's here...2012!! Some people may say it's the end of the world but I like many others believe it's the beginning of a new world. Many people believe since the Myan calendar ends on the Solstice of this year that this is the year the world ends, but many others like myself see this as the Myans did as the birth of "The Awakening". What that means is that our vibrations rise and we embody more traits of the new human, which ultilize our natural intuitive and psyhic abilities.
Okay you may say "Ellen I didn't know you pay attention to all of this psychic mumbo jumbo," but you would be wrong. I like to learn about all things and the supernatural and unknown are some things that just fascinate me. I don't think you have to be a psyhic to notice that there is a huge shift going on in our world right now. The Occupy movement is just one of these shifts. I believe you will see more and more people protesting for what they believe is injust. The veil of corp greed and corruption will fall more than ever this year, and I am looking forward to it. The little people including myself have had enough!!
So what hopes,dreams and goals do you have for this fantastic year?
I have several goals I am striving for, but one of the biggest ones for me which is not an easy on is to try and be present in my day to day living. I like so many get caught up in planning and creating for the future without paying attention to the present. I am making it a point just to enjoy the moment no matter what it is. Life goes by so fast and sometimes we forget just to step back take a deep breath and be still.
Yes, as an Aries with a Sagitarius rising being still will be a huge challenge!! So if I can master this I have accomplished more than you know.
I have many fantastic new news to share soon and I have a feeling that 2012 will be a year that is both challenging and amazing all at the same time. I feel closer than ever to the biggest dream I have dreamt about since I began my creative journey. Looking back at 2011 I can tell you that it was the hardest year of my life and if I can make it through that I am sure I can conquer anything.
Welcome 2012.. I cannot wait to see all that you bring!
Ellen
Fun new original paintings are now up in my shop! Check out the shop daily for some more new things to come. These paintings make great Christmas gifts. All are gallery wrapped canvas and are one of a kind!
I am busy at work here in the studio on all kinds of projects. I will let you know all the details as soon as I can.
Ellen
Hello all yes yes I know I have been a very bad blogger- sorry but work and family come first!! Anyway I wanted to share with you another side of me. Here are some original paintings I have been working on for my dad's upcoming Open Studios this weekend. I haved always loved to paint canvas and its sad that I do not get to do it often. After I graduated Pratt I had a studio with a few friends of mine and could paint large oil paintings, but since then I had to just paint in my house so its only acrylics because of the toxic smell.
If your in the Boston area this Saturday and Sunday you should stop by my dad's studio Open House. My dad has been painting and creating as long as he has been alive I guess- his studio is full of paintings, sculptures, prints and all kinds of other goodies. I myself will have some paintings, pastels and ornaments there as well to sell. The building his studio is in is full of artists so it will be a great time to walk around and see other artists as well. You can check out my dad's work here!
I should be there on Saturday and there will be food and drinks there as well.... so come on down and take a peek at some great art!
Ellen
Man how the hell did it get to be the week before Halloween? I feel like a hamster on a wheel getting nowhere while the time just keeps flying by. Usually by this time our fun Halloween decorations are out and ready for the trick-or-treaters but not this yr. We have been running ragged non-stop with home repairs, kids school/activity stuff that there has been no real time for any sort of Halloween fun. I get the feeling it will be the same for Christmas too. The few moments I have I just want to sit on my couch and veg and watch trash t.v. like the Real Housewives. That show is so chock full of female bashing its just fun to watch!
This week I am working on all kinds of new collections for my clients and I hope to get some quality fun time in for Halloween. Is anyone else running on that hamster wheel? Do you feel punked on this yrs Halloween?
Ellen
Are you part of the Revolution? Are you fed up with the corrupt FED?? Do you believe in "real" Democracy?
Stand up and make your voice heard-!! The movement has started and I am jumping on board, enough of the Corporations buying our politicians, and Banks getting away with destroying people's lives!! ENOUGH!
I personally am taking my kids over Columbus Day weekend to NYC to #OccupyWallStreet to show them what it means to stand up for what you believe in. While it's nice to talk about it, it's better to make your voice heard.
I just read today that over 100 NYPD officers have now refused to work in solidarity with the #OccupyWallStreet movement and I for one am glad. These hard working men and women are part of the middleclass that is getting rapped from the FED and banks. I expect that the list will just grow and not only in NYC allover the country.
How do you feel about what is going on in our country? What would you do about it to help bring about change? Let's all stand together and let these corrupt people know- WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!
if you want to follow the Livestream protest in Wall ST. just look here! Come Join the Revolution!
If you feel a theme brewing here on my blog you are correct. The beauty of living in this country is the ability to have free speech and when I feel like saying my peace I will. I make no apologies for how I feel, I can only apologize when it goes beyond my intention and hurts people. There is nothing wrong with dissagreements it is what makes the world and the people in it unique.
So go and make your voice heard!
Ellen
This post has been brewing in my head for quite some time now, and after the day I had I finally have had enough and have to write it!
I know that I am no Michelangelo and Rembrandt but I do pride myself that I have some talent and come from a family of artists ( my dad is a fine artist) and with that many years of studying and training to further my career as such. I have taken all the necessary steps in life to bring me to the point of where my craft is now and up until a few yrs ago prided myself at how my skills bring in a nice income.
I along with my fellow artist friends have been very discouraged by the current market and state of which the Licensing business has taken and find ourselves working even harder than ever for very little.
So when I see people who claim to be artists that merely copy styles and are great marketers get big deals with companies because their blogs or pages have a huge following I simply want to cringe!!!
What do you think Michelangelo would say about the artists living today? Do you think he would feel that they are unique, revolutionary, and talented? Would he think copying artists styles and patterns to only be collaged into something else is showcasing huge talent?
I understand this is the Social Media age and more than ever before people are connecting on a differnent level, but to what extent? Are we losing the essence of true marks of creativity and talent? Is it all a marketing scheme?
I am sorry but for me and call me old- fashioned if you have no real drawing skills and have not done the work that it takes to be what I would call a true artist then in "my" opnion you are NOT one!
Yes, maybe I am upset that companies just go the easy way out- taking on people who have huge blog followings so that their product is sold, without considering other artists that probably know more about the business and how to create a much better product. Maybe I am bitter about it all- that the loyalty has gone out the window and its always about the bottom line now, or maybe its just because I am sick to death of the ARTIST IMPOSTORS!
I also hate to burst everyones's bubble but NOT everyone can make money licensing their art! There are people out there who claim they can teach you how, but really it takes a certain type of person to do this business. Do you think anyone can be a sucessful financial advisor, doctor, lawyer, writer etc.? No! Some can do it and some can not- Yes everyone is good at something but not everyone can do what you do- and to say its easy is simply mocking those who have put blood sweat and tears into this business!!
I am sure I will offend people by writing this blog but I would not be who I am if I didn't- someone simply just had to say it!!
Sometimes nicey nicey gets you somewhere but sometimes the reality is what you really need!
Ellen
So are you "Following your dreams" ? What are you doing today that you have dreamt about? Or are you still waiting to do what you wanted to do?
Ever since I was young I always knew I would be an artist but as I grew older I came to define what that really means and what type of artist I wanted to be. In college I had great aspirations of becoming a fashion designer at first, but then quickly realized that dream had to go... I just couldn't drape or make patterns as well as my roomates and while I love fashion I knew I needed another dream. When I changed my major to Illustration I began to find my niche. I loved making fun decorative illustrations and new exactly what I wanted to do when I got out of college, I wanted to be a children's book illustrator. This seemed like an easy task no? Well during the late 80's and early 90's no! Most companies only wanted established illustrators to do their books, I quickly got discouraged every time I would drop off my portfolio at another publishing company. I became sick of hearing " We love your work but since you haven't done any professional pages at this time we are going to pass." Seriously? How the hell am I ever going to get professional unless you give me a chance?
So then I had to wake up to reality and get a decent job which ultimately landed me in the Children's Wear biz- how ironic, I went to school for Fashion changed my major to illustration and here I am back at Fashion again.
If you know my long dragged out story you know I got into designing freelance prints next, then started Licensing my work to companies on products bla bla bla.. but wait I never gave up on my dream, I always thought that one day I would get to the place where my characters are brought to life. It may be 22 yrs later out of school that I finally get to do it! When the time is right I will reveal all, but for now I can honestly say I am closer to my dream than ever before and I see how the road in life has taken me full circle to this point, because it wouldn't just be a book, it would be something so much more!
So are you "following your dreams"?
I have a few colorways of this new doodle/design I did recently posted here- what are your thoughts on which colorway you think I should put up in my Shop?
Also on a side note- I had such a fantastic time this past Saturday going to the Meet & Greet book signing event of the fabulous and talented Holly Becker of Decor8. I was so happy to get to meet her finally after reading her blog all these years, and how funny that she used to live in the state where I live but I only met her after she moved to Germany!
There were so many beautiful creative women at this event and I throughly enjoyed having lunch with them. What a great diverse group of photographers, writers, bloggers, interior decorators, artists,etc. I loved chatting with the beautiful Rochelle Greayer who is a landscape designer with her fantastic blog Studio G and now changing careers to publishing an online magazine called Leaf. I can't wait to see the first issue! One of my fabulous friends Miss Kathy Weller did a post about it and you can read it here! She called me a firecracker but I think I am much more louder and colorful than that-!! haa Another great post was done by the beautiful and talented Desha Peacock. She has a tv show in Vermont that is all about how artists began their careers, you should check it out.
Another fabulous thing about the event was while I was waiting in line with Kathy to get her book signed I noticed the fabulous Matthew Mead was in front of us. I naturally just had to talk to him and his wife Jennifer who are just so lovely and down to Earth. I have admired Matthew's work for many years so it was such a great pleasure to finally meet him. I left the lunch exhausted and full of inspiration and happy to see all these women following their dreams.
I am off to keep plugging away at my dreams....
Ellen
I have been busy busy busy busy, Since my last post I exhibited at the Licensing Expo, went to NYC for some meetings, then Atlanta for more meetings, and in between worked on some big projects! Here are a few photos of some great new products showcased in Atlanta in the July mart. These are from Raz Imports and they are just fabulous!! Bright colorful metal work that I cannot wait to get my hands on, I think they did a fabulous job with my fun doodle flowers.
Also some fun new embroidered towels from Peking Handicraft! This is from my BeeWhat™ collection. I think you may be seeing more of these fun guys down the pipe, stay tuned for that info.
I have never been so busy in my life and its summer so it has been really hard to stay focused when all I want to do is hit the beach everyday. I have some days my boys are with a friend and the other days I take a half day to be with them at the beach or wherever and then work the later half. This has been exhausting to say the least but necessary. I used to put the boys in camp but this year for personal reasons we opted not to do that so it's been quiet the juggling act to say the least.
I am hoping to share some major news soon, it is so hard to not say anything when I am so excited. I have never been good at keeping secrets but when it is a doozy I do my best. So hopefully in the next few months I can spill the beans on some amazing new ventures.
I hope you all are enjoying your summer it goes by so fast, and I am not looking forward to Winter again after our last Winter. I think we had about 12 feet of snow if you add up all the blizzards we had! Here is to a mild Winter!!
Ellen
Finally it's starting to feel a little like summer around here, so I thought I would post my "Funky Summer" designs for you to see. How fun it was last week to see my melamine tray on Print & Pattern blog. They showed the above design tray I did for a client. I love that it was in the UK. I know it was in Homegoods but that is all. Here is a pic of the tray below. There were also many other products as well, like bowls and serving platters and condiment trays.
I am super busy getting ready for the big Licensing Expo in Vegas June 14-16th!! I have been working on a fun new character group and will reveal it at the show. I can't wait to see the response from potential clients. If you are going to the show please stop by my booth- #5313 to see all the new fun designs I have!
Until then I hope you are enjoying some great summer type weather, I know in New England we sure are!
