Tag Archives: mixed media

Welcome to my post on Seth Apter’s new book, The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed !  It’s a pleasure to be a part of Seth’s blog tour, and I’m happy to share a bit about his wonderful new book with both my long-time readers and new readers.  Welcome, new visitors!

I received an advance copy of this book last month, and really enjoyed pouring over the pages in order to get better acquainted with the book.  And though I’d love to keep this advance copy for my personal library ‘tis better to give than to receive, so please keep reading for details on how to enter my giveaway!

An Overview
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One of the things I love about this book is it’s filled to bursting with two of my favorite things: artwork and insight.  Not only are readers treated to the visual creations of many of the quoted artists, we get to peek inside their hearts, minds, and creative processes as well!  The creative process is often a solitary one, and this book gives us a chance to hear what other artists are thinking and feeling about the art experience.  Another great thing about this book is that it’s really thought-provoking.  Sure, you’re reading the responses of others, but it also helps the reader to think about their own answers to the very same questions the author asks.

Another plus?  Exposure to interesting new artists and their mediums!  For example, after reading “The Pulse” I’d like to try using plaster for the first time.  I’d also like to give encaustic work another try, and add some more dimension to my work.  We never know what seeds of creativity will take hold in our hearts and minds, and this book is chock full of “creative seeds”.

144 pages long and full of both text and original artwork, this book is a treat for anyone who’s interested in the creative process and life as an artist.  Whether you’re just dipping a toe in the lake of creativity or have jumped in and submerged yourself completely, you’re sure to find quotes, artwork and/or questions that resonate with you.

MY answers to 3 of Seth’s Questions
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Seth asked those of us participating in the blog tour to answer three questions from the book ourselves.  Here are my responses to three of his questions…

What do you think your preferred art medium says about your personality?

Well, given that my preferred art medium actually includes multiple mediums, I think it says I have varied interests and enjoy the challenge of working in different formats while still staying true to my aesthetic.  I’m most drawn to mixed media, photography, collage, writing, and card design.  And though I love vintage elements, and often incorporate them into my work, I tend to think of my art as “modern vintage”.  Not only do I mix modern elements in with pieces from the past, my work is usually clean and uncluttered, and I believe this can be said about all my work – whether it’s a photo, a collage, or a short story.

How has the internet changed your artistic practice?

I suppose the biggest change the internet has had on my artistic practice is this blog.  I launched it in August of 2010, and life hasn’t been the same since!  Blogs weren’t really on my radar prior to MY blog’s launch, truth be told, so I was a bit late to the party.  Since then, my horizons have definitely expanded.  I still don’t follow a ton of blogs, simply because I don’t have a lot of free time, but I have started following some blogs organically.  They’re mostly the blogs of creative friends/peers – folks I’ve networked with and/or come to know along the way in my own blog journey.

One benefit of the internet and blogging is the wonderful connections I’ve made with folks in my ever-growing network.  I’ve made so many new in-person and online friends, and it’s been great fun! From teaming up with folks like Catherine Ryan Hyde, Dawn DeVries Sokol, and Seth Apter on giveaways featuring their books, to receiving donations for my art journaling program for disadvantaged public school children from some of my wonderful readers, it’s all been a blessing. The more the merrier, I say, and blogging has definitely brought more wonderful people, laughter, kindness, and creativity into my life.  For that, I’m very thankful. 

Is creativity built-in, learned or both?* 

I think creativity is both built-in and learned.  Some people are driven by a need to create – the “obviously” creative people.  The ones destined to become artists, writers, musicians, and so on – regardless of what life throws at them.  They embrace and relish their creativity.  Just about everyone else is on a sliding scale of sorts, ranging from those who enjoy creating but are reluctant or afraid to call themselves artists in their respective medium to those who don’t think they’re creative at all.  I believe that every one of us has the ability to thrive creatively, particularly if we devote the time, make the effort to find our niche, and make creating a regular practice instead of an “every once in a while” endeavor.  This applies to art, cooking, interior design – the works!

How to Enter the Giveaway
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One lucky winner will win a copy of The Pulse of Mixed Media. To enter, please complete all three of the steps below:

1. Subscribe to my blog (via the email feed).
2. Leave a comment on this post.
3. “Like” my website’s Facebook Fan Page.

The winner will be drawn at random and will be announced on Thursday, April 19th, so please complete all three steps by Wednesday, April 18th.

Blog Tour Schedule
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Here is the complete blog tour schedule, including blog tour “stops” before mine, for those of you who might be interesting in hearing what other bloggers have to say about Seth’s “baby”.

April  2  Rice Freeman-Zachery   
April  3  Stephanie Lee               
April  4  Ali Edwards                  
April  5  Ro Bruhn                      
April  6  Roben-Marie Smith        
April  7  Nancy Lefko                 
April  8  Kelly Kilmer                  
April  9  Trudi Sissons               
April 10 Melody Nunez               
April 11 Dina Wakley
April 12 Stephanie Hilvitz

Thank you for including me in your blog tour, Seth – what a treat!  Good luck with the giveaway, everyone!

Warm regards,
Melody