tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7054289488992049692024-02-20T03:01:11.973-08:00kat mcd. ~life lived seriously, all in good fun~kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-39526203478748217422020-03-20T17:41:00.000-07:002020-03-20T17:41:01.760-07:00Even In a Pandemic, Your Creations Matter<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You must take your art seriously, others may or may not.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">You must take yourself, as an artist, seriously others may or may not.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don't rely on anyone other than you to deem your creations worthy of existing and in which form.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Take joy in your unique creative process. However your work ends up, enjoy the time spent </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">creating it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When you put your creative projects out into the world, others may or may not appreciate them or like them. That's OK.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Listen to the voices of those in whom YOU have chosen to be your creative guides. Not everyone has to have equal space in your head.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ideas are free. But you can't hoard them. If you don't use it, you will lose it to another artist. Ideas and inspirations want to be born. They won't wait for you forever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now that we all have a bit more time on our, very clean, hands, use it to bring some amazing art into the world. It needs it right now..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">kat >'y'< </span><br />
<br />kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-76498277976459319912018-01-08T11:20:00.001-08:002018-01-08T11:23:57.251-08:00 No Thanks in 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9gRaT4AeP9l26_TW19JYUGbV2kAIDqtbPuD3Sg79I62HerZQMm0LqqnYoPNYIaQAjEDz0_IMm7BKS_1Vur9BoS5ssjae71o821DmaFdubCFJAFSKHTVLDM9zvRrVg2314ydCw-rzFAOm/s1600/IMG_6035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9gRaT4AeP9l26_TW19JYUGbV2kAIDqtbPuD3Sg79I62HerZQMm0LqqnYoPNYIaQAjEDz0_IMm7BKS_1Vur9BoS5ssjae71o821DmaFdubCFJAFSKHTVLDM9zvRrVg2314ydCw-rzFAOm/s320/IMG_6035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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At the start of 2017, my plan was to make it my year of saying, "Yes." And it was a success. </div>
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In 2018, I will continue to say, "Yes" to opportunities and challenges, but I will add, "No thanks," too.</div>
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No thanks to social media that doesn't inspire, instruct or make me feel hopeful or helpful.</div>
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No thanks to news programs that hold me hostage in the hopes they'll finally tell me it's all going to be ok. They will never say that.</div>
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No thanks to people who make excuses for awful behavior.</div>
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No thanks to giving up my time in exchange for nothing or worse, negativity and loss of productivity. </div>
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I think it's going to be a great year!</div>
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Kat >'y'< </div>
kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-37159913812865259042017-05-24T13:00:00.000-07:002017-12-26T15:50:56.107-08:00An Instagram Virtual Art Show I always enjoy the camaraderie of other creatives. It's more fun trying new avenues of promotion as a team, then going it alone. My art group, 818 CREATES, thought we should better utilize Instagram as a marketing tool for our art. So we came up with having a Virtual Art Show. The plan is this:<br />
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1 Come up with a theme for our show. Our first show started with SUMMER, we've stayed with each theme for three months. Now we're on our second month of WINTER</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivq6bMK2Ji1vqzE0TmWveVTDfLnCm7SBAwSY1DRkkK0lzTYHXSlPi68pkPxmsAAhDLRIgQ-vgE4XExW2USQdFHNAYfvO0qZlsYb_GPBV5a-U1IJ_GwCgdMFZjV_xVmVAlr8ypbb8LN-duV/s1600/818CreatesfWinterInvite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="288" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivq6bMK2Ji1vqzE0TmWveVTDfLnCm7SBAwSY1DRkkK0lzTYHXSlPi68pkPxmsAAhDLRIgQ-vgE4XExW2USQdFHNAYfvO0qZlsYb_GPBV5a-U1IJ_GwCgdMFZjV_xVmVAlr8ypbb8LN-duV/s320/818CreatesfWinterInvite.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
2. Create a unique hashtag for our "gallery" where we'll "hang" our work <b>#818CreatesWinter</b></div>
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3. Create a unique hashtag for our group ~ to pool our ongoing work in <b>#818Creates</b></div>
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4. Schedule our "opening." We chose three dates to post with this theme. And we'll send an invite out for each.</div>
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5. Create an invite to promote via Twitter, Facebook and good ol' email. Ask for likes and comments. This will help to get feedback for future work/shows.</div>
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6. Post work at designated date/time with the two #'s, then add 6-7 more hashtags pertaining to work</div>
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7. Include a link back to our commerce sites in our description in post</div>
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I love the direct feedback I get when participating in a gallery shows. This virtual show allows for that and gives us the opportunity gain new fans, friends and followers from around the world with our "opening." The only thing missing is providing the wine and cheese.<br />
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It's great way to become more familiar with Instagram. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this will grow our presence and followers and customers! </div>
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>'y'< <a href="https://www.instagram.com/katmcd_art/" target="_blank">Kat McD Instagram</a></div>
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kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-86968369150148561942016-08-16T09:44:00.000-07:002016-08-16T09:44:41.274-07:00Summer Camp<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDwpk15-q7Qr3aesyWMbkMddksdP7ZQR9AmTZE6EPp7oZS-S0sn-TCrRZnhTV1utVizXKdefiuEv6AneewkCTJiA6INwruhNW8frFWn-JqljIosHUXCY51W_1tsDlH5qgyAdyycELoJLY/s1600/papermache.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDwpk15-q7Qr3aesyWMbkMddksdP7ZQR9AmTZE6EPp7oZS-S0sn-TCrRZnhTV1utVizXKdefiuEv6AneewkCTJiA6INwruhNW8frFWn-JqljIosHUXCY51W_1tsDlH5qgyAdyycELoJLY/s320/papermache.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Few Of My Works In Progress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Need a boost to your creative engines? Lost your whimsy? Try hunting on YouTube for it. I've mostly used YouTube for plumbing fixes. But over the summer I took an advantage of generous artists, willing to share their talents and techniques for free. I began the summer knowing I would not have much in the way of quiet time with a teenager at home. So I decided to attend "Craft Camp" via YouTube. Lack of exciting local classes and library shelves light on "crafty" books, I turned to the very cheap, ie free, craft classes on line. It didn't take long before I felt as giddy as a Pokemon Go player catching a Pikachu. Each new channel, filled with inspiration and information, got my creative energy flowing on my own camp schedule.<br />
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I suggest:<br />
<ul>
<li>Follow YouTube's suggestion on your search. Watching a video brings ups a bunch of new suggestions</li>
<li>Change up your search criteria. Start out with a broad search. After you've watched a few videos, include specifics search criteria that will give your skill building some depth</li>
<li>Subscribe to your favorite channels. </li>
<li>Watch channels even if you think you won't ever try the craft. Inspiration can be found in many places.</li>
<li>Companies that manufacture art materials have very informative sites.</li>
</ul>
After weeks of "YouTube Camp," I had notebooks filled with instructions and ideas. I felt the joy of being a kid discovering new ways to be creative. I made some fun stuff. I found papier mache was a great way to learn sculpture. And I have loads of ideas for future projects.<br />
I am so grateful for the free tutelage. Maybe my next project will be to create my own channel. <br />
See ya on the screen!<br />
<br />
Some favorite channels :<br />
https://www.youtube.com/user/UltimatePaperMache ~papermache<br />
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXJrmqUYTtQ224N0QcUcnYw ~Polymer Clay<br />
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGbxOeCBuGSsKvt4g9lEv3A ~Book Making<br />
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOKYjvA0xYeHXAnQCmTlIQ ~Feltingkat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-16349684288237429782016-04-26T09:28:00.000-07:002016-04-26T09:28:19.501-07:00Color Me Happy~How?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1Co5MzbFeICAplD4Srte5fWfJzeqn8pg4ecVGOkOymGYQlj1MqwJkjkX0cWDO1IH9dA1wQhmVP2MUAEv5gm5s_SeOYArQCjwsrjVK8OI0dbWYKa-gApJP7gixY3UUgdCxniowC0CaqO2/s1600/colorbook1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1Co5MzbFeICAplD4Srte5fWfJzeqn8pg4ecVGOkOymGYQlj1MqwJkjkX0cWDO1IH9dA1wQhmVP2MUAEv5gm5s_SeOYArQCjwsrjVK8OI0dbWYKa-gApJP7gixY3UUgdCxniowC0CaqO2/s320/colorbook1.JPG" title="Color Me With Kat McD Adult Coloring Book copyright 2016 Kat McDonoug" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A page from Color Me with Kat McD. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I've been diligently working on creating an adult coloring book through Createspace with Amazon. The process was a bit of a learning curve, but I'm so happy with the results. Always looking to re-purpose artwork and with the piles of my Day of the Dead line drawings growing, the adult coloring book craze could not have been a better fit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GNWOk6sHb5516siyahiatpnGi-C9ZS5SVn-GaW8GilGCwh1ZzJvDKIAwe9UNePTf1K3SFXvJMJxg1p8TmytPArWFb-YIku0PRH4FjibfOk43LCgnt-RRYUvdpPmwKNDRIXInMNB9XeR6/s1600/colorbook3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GNWOk6sHb5516siyahiatpnGi-C9ZS5SVn-GaW8GilGCwh1ZzJvDKIAwe9UNePTf1K3SFXvJMJxg1p8TmytPArWFb-YIku0PRH4FjibfOk43LCgnt-RRYUvdpPmwKNDRIXInMNB9XeR6/s200/colorbook3.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvtHr0CSkLd1QHPI9lcQWstBX3FXUcLqhgbQWK8XUfqhA6v0uUa5GfvvwxvOVOWWnjrXR-EyCvdUO-fHsq6-wL8qmNubYlyfUp8plM38yYHn9tJG-jVM3yetyEw7TLJomNsfqJQtCJP06/s1600/colorbook2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvtHr0CSkLd1QHPI9lcQWstBX3FXUcLqhgbQWK8XUfqhA6v0uUa5GfvvwxvOVOWWnjrXR-EyCvdUO-fHsq6-wL8qmNubYlyfUp8plM38yYHn9tJG-jVM3yetyEw7TLJomNsfqJQtCJP06/s200/colorbook2.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
Here is what I had to learn:<br />
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<ul>
<li>How to clean my artwork very well in Photoshop</li>
<li>How to increase the stroke size for the line work</li>
<li>How to save files to PDF - </li>
<li>How to design a cover with the help of great artist friends</li>
</ul>
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Here is how I did it ~ for Createspace in Photoshop<br />
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<b>Scan/Clean</b><br />
Scan interior art at high res 1200 dpi, grayscale. Clean with magic wand, erasure tool - delete all<br />
the white .<br />
<b>Stroke</b><br />
Select white, inverse to the black lines and go to stroke, add 1 or 2 pixels<br />
<b>Interior</b><br />
I used MS Publishing Layout. Keep in mind your gutters and bleed. I kept all odd pages blank so that markers won't bleed into images next page. insert each image to new page.<br />
<b>PDF</b> - on mac MS<br />
Save cleaned Photoshop files as tiff, then change dpi, Save As 300 dpi png<br />
This was the most frustrating part to figure out. To Save this interior file as a PDF, go to PRINT and click on the button left labeled PDF. Here you can save as a PDF.<br />
<b>Cover</b><br />
Design your cover so that it is clear when viewed as a thumbnail.<br />
Create a template that includes bleeds and page count. Get friends to critique it. <br />
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I hope this helps those of you who are working on publishing your artwork into a coloring book.<br />
I just got my proof and love the quality. kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-41011603006077004492016-04-20T07:15:00.002-07:002016-04-20T07:15:51.655-07:00Hooray! Yay! Oh Happy Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIVhCyOD6fxVIKNyBkrzzRco9yDHqmk6DxC0K1DHzJXdLZRKSe1KbW9LuiZDSQLaS17CEWJd143rCMy2uNkFM6PRdxP-Jm3XpB3iepFMQhKF6KbFEoQqVgEXcmp8UL1w6g-ZtHUrUmZ-L/s1600/DODCOVERFrontwCOLOR.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIVhCyOD6fxVIKNyBkrzzRco9yDHqmk6DxC0K1DHzJXdLZRKSe1KbW9LuiZDSQLaS17CEWJd143rCMy2uNkFM6PRdxP-Jm3XpB3iepFMQhKF6KbFEoQqVgEXcmp8UL1w6g-ZtHUrUmZ-L/s320/DODCOVERFrontwCOLOR.png" width="249" /></a></div>
I'm so proud! I've completed my first Adult Coloring Book, Color Me with Kat McD! It's filled with cats, dogs, blossoms and birds. All inspired by the Day of the Dead.<br />
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You can find it on Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Color-Me-Kat-McD-Dead/dp/1532721013?ie=UTF8&keywords=color%20Me%20with%20Kat%20Mcd&qid=1461161284&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1<br />
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Color Me Happy!kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-36570895909565895152016-04-19T09:40:00.000-07:002016-04-19T09:40:30.902-07:00A Video Game For Me? Never Alone. Well crafted characters, beautiful artwork and an intriguing story make up a perfect book for me. In some instances, they even exist in the video games my son plays. He knows the only way to get me to consider a purchase, or to watch him play, is to sell those aspects of the game to me. Have to say, it will keep me interested for at least a few minutes. So, while I am no video game aficionado, I am going to recommend one to you.<br />
While binge watching/listening to The New Yorker Presents, (seriously addictive) in my studio, I perked up when a story came on about a video game called Never Alone. http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/never-alone-video-game-help-preserve-inuit-culture<br />
Developed by the Cook Inlet Tribal Council of Alaska and E Line Media, to keep Inupiat's rich story telling, language and history alive and relevant. The artwork that inspired the game, along with the melodic language is almost meditative. It's storyline imparts the important message, that we all are in this together. A universal truth quite evident in the harsh environment of Alaska, but one that would serve all of us to remember. I may have to take up gaming, or, at the very least own this so that I can explore the beautiful universe and traditions of the Inupiat people. My son better watch out, I may be beating him at a video game yet.<br />
Check it out for yourself. http://neveralonegame.com/kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-90922336765489965292016-02-08T10:20:00.002-08:002016-02-08T10:20:58.504-08:00Organize Your Ideas<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a great January Westsider's SCBWI Schmooze/Mingle/Schmingle meeting to start out the new year. We discussed
goals for the year and beyond. How
do you keep track of your short term/long term goals and new ideas? Thanks to our Schmingle coordinator, Suzy Engelman Block, who gave us the simple idea of using a folder and some
post-its keep us on track. </div>
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Post-its are great for rearranging priorities, for adding and
subtracting from your idea/goal folder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As soon as I open my folder, I see the art and writing projects I want to tackle first or remember a promotional idea, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many colors and style of Post-it's, you'll easily be able to find what works for you. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rY4J4ZooAZfReCDydmDOXLei_ynUQ87zT45Zv8E5-oAfwhEny7xH5UF31ISN3ab9LT_xnqy8uvW8GFz_1xUUXk6dTvoERRJu4YK1I_UW5Q9B1Rplj0jRkaEE_aK77T8DUPsgj9ofDgBq/s1600/IMG_3084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rY4J4ZooAZfReCDydmDOXLei_ynUQ87zT45Zv8E5-oAfwhEny7xH5UF31ISN3ab9LT_xnqy8uvW8GFz_1xUUXk6dTvoERRJu4YK1I_UW5Q9B1Rplj0jRkaEE_aK77T8DUPsgj9ofDgBq/s320/IMG_3084.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you’re like me , you have these items in your studio
already or can use whatcha got on hand to do the job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get as fancy as you like, or keep it simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is how I made mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I used:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Poster board<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Vellum – enough for
four pages. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Linen book binding
tape</b>, but duct tape or artist’s white tape will do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Clear Con-Tact shelf
liner</b> for my cover ( I use this for everything. Even covering my studio
table.) It’s easy to remove (NOT FROM PAINTED WOOD) and replace when it gets
dirty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Label maker<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Post-its</b> of
various sizes and colors<o:p></o:p></div>
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1, Cut two pieces of poster board for front and back cover<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Cut one piece of poster board for center “page.” 1/8” smaller
in the width<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. Tape the front cover to the center page with book binding
tape.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Tape the back cover to the center page with book binding
tape<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-prop-change: "Scott Grossman" 20160107T1025;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
will give you a folder four pages. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntHVw6w9iazcXuC_eO46WOKzldkWoxohyphenhyphenxQO2RpT4GRWZbRWEJqkl83Bt6pLja85K2-_3iaFjBD8y0rJLGW530wD3gHyI2J-YrkVEI-KAS_LONlSOn9V4bKJmW2WgUNw75IB9VTzZqbVc/s1600/IMG_3082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntHVw6w9iazcXuC_eO46WOKzldkWoxohyphenhyphenxQO2RpT4GRWZbRWEJqkl83Bt6pLja85K2-_3iaFjBD8y0rJLGW530wD3gHyI2J-YrkVEI-KAS_LONlSOn9V4bKJmW2WgUNw75IB9VTzZqbVc/s320/IMG_3082.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-prop-change: "Scott Grossman" 20160107T1025;">
5. Decorate
your cover. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Collage works great.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-prop-change: "Scott Grossman" 20160107T1025;">
6. Cover
with clear Con-Tact (this is easier than you think and makes it easy to wipe clean)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-prop-change: "Scott Grossman" 20160107T1025;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cut
Con-Tact slightly larger than folder when opened. Lay Con-Tact out and set folder
on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Smooth with a credit card
or fingers. It’s easy to reposition.<o:p></o:p></div>
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7. Cut
4 pieces vellum slightly smaller than your cover and pages.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-prop-change: "Scott Grossman" 20160107T1025;">
8. Hinge tape them to the top of each cover/page.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCV6nYD7apZJmYSxIN05bW9vcC2gNmxlb2s2Q5WHWzYYdA7TCJdDXlYVpSAJyuq5gnWa-yh2jzcO1JjsuySwhWKpwEM-0MND6tlGYNYB6R01lj1d2HBk2FXkYKTxGoHCyPX-1BYjIyU0CE/s1600/goalfolder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCV6nYD7apZJmYSxIN05bW9vcC2gNmxlb2s2Q5WHWzYYdA7TCJdDXlYVpSAJyuq5gnWa-yh2jzcO1JjsuySwhWKpwEM-0MND6tlGYNYB6R01lj1d2HBk2FXkYKTxGoHCyPX-1BYjIyU0CE/s320/goalfolder.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-prop-change: "Scott Grossman" 20160107T1025;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-prop-change: "Scott Grossman" 20160107T1025;">
9. Create
labels to name your pages.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-prop-change: "Scott Grossman" 20160107T1025;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-prop-change: "Scott Grossman" 20160107T1025;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
folder is organized: with Art/Writing/Promo for three of the pages with a
fourth page for “FUN” misc art projects.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-prop-change: "Scott Grossman" 20160107T1025;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Each
of my four pages includes: a NOW sheet of vellum and and LATER page on the
poster board under the vellum. Post-its are easy to transfer,add or remove. I find this set
up easiest for me to “see” in an instant what’s I need to work on. It’s also
super simple to add your ideas to the "later" pages. All your idea & goals in one place!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-prop-change: "Scott Grossman" 20160107T1025;">
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Happy Goal Setting and Organizing!<o:p></o:p></div>
kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-83633049014802262822016-01-04T10:32:00.000-08:002016-01-04T10:32:23.442-08:00Fear or Love- The Year I ChooseOn a recent visit from my brother, Chris, he asked me to go with him to see Marianne Williamson speak. She was very inspiring and one part of her talk really resonated with me. She spoke about how we can choose to see the world through fear or love. I've always struggled with anxiety. Fear has accompanied me most of my life. After meditating on that choice, to see through love or fear, I had an epiphany. Fear hadn't been my passenger along life's journey. It was driving me. Where ever it wanted to go, In a vehicle with very dirty windows. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Seeing" through fear and not love, has distorted everything. And I've spent all this time not seeing my life, my art, my family clearly. In reference to my artwork, I wasn't seeing it with any truth. How can people tell you that they love your work and you kind of scratch your head and say, "huh?" <i>They</i> are not looking at it through a filter of fear. They are looking at it through love. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's to 2016! The year I choose. Here's to taking the wheel with a new pair of windshield wipers! </div>
kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-35878969206407688652015-11-09T10:25:00.000-08:002015-11-09T10:25:38.946-08:00Postcard Printing Problems<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dDBk4QXp9Ik3h92QDGhi3yRoCjVKAafFSU4DFBViiorIlN2ZHE__JXNUmmnGlYcYLIGL8AIDZpQETI1nGska3NWX7vnM1lVgrldjpt4V72C8D3xFhY92CCRFhevmm2pxYnlAk5Nn-quY/s1600/promocardblog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dDBk4QXp9Ik3h92QDGhi3yRoCjVKAafFSU4DFBViiorIlN2ZHE__JXNUmmnGlYcYLIGL8AIDZpQETI1nGska3NWX7vnM1lVgrldjpt4V72C8D3xFhY92CCRFhevmm2pxYnlAk5Nn-quY/s320/promocardblog.JPG" title="Copyright 2015 Kat McDonough" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The woes of black and white printing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Can you see the difference between the card on the bottom and the card on the top? When I sent this file to Vistaprint, (shout out to Vistaprint, who reprinted these for free) it appeared to me to be a solid white background. My monitor did not show this square of grey on the bottom card. (I pumped the contrast for you for this photo) I thought a black and white promotional mailing would be a bit easier to prepare than color postcards. No calibration of monitors that are off. No RGB to CMYK disappointment. But, surprise, surprise there is always a way for the simplest things to become complicated. What shoulda, coulda, woulda to do?<br />
<br />
1. Print the card on your own printer before sending off to printing house. The light from my monitor is enough to obscure this small amount of gray. The print out proof would have shown me an obvious problem.<br />
<br />
2. Use the eye dropper tool in Photoshop with the info box open. This will show exact percentages of color (even tiny amounts of black) anywhere in your image. Even if they look pure white on screen.<br />
<br />
What I did wrong: I took a greyscale image and then added a couple of layers with truly white backgrounds for the text and added width of the card. That art layer did not have a pure white background. Once I added the other layers with truly white backgrounds, I should have seen the difference. But my monitor did allow. If the grey would have covered the entire printed piece, it would really have looked fine to send out. Next time I will be sure the background of any greyscale image is pure white using, the lasso to select and delete, bump the levels or using curves. Lesson learned!<br />
<br />
Promotional mailings may be the first time a client sees your work. We want them to say, "I want to see more!" Not, "I wonder how that happened?"kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-59598928567601106412015-02-18T13:16:00.000-08:002015-02-18T13:16:20.827-08:00Being a Pack Leader<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtbpS7RhXGyTEf7X48DhoGVIxDOp1OCi1tnVCcqgmHy1afig43-Xyif0CvqmIPzt8OIwjyDj0h8elFzLshJGGn0-Ivd0U8m7GIQeKYLF8ab3M0og1F2C27w8HYI3nkByrqKfMPxvWbroS/s1600/three+dogs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtbpS7RhXGyTEf7X48DhoGVIxDOp1OCi1tnVCcqgmHy1afig43-Xyif0CvqmIPzt8OIwjyDj0h8elFzLshJGGn0-Ivd0U8m7GIQeKYLF8ab3M0og1F2C27w8HYI3nkByrqKfMPxvWbroS/s1600/three+dogs.png" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
like a simple life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have one
dog, one kid, one husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
often wished that I had one focus for my creativity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see so many of my fellow artists and writers stick to
their pursuits with such single mindedness I can only dream about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve often questioned why I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>have a studio cramped with a sewing section, a clay section,
a bookmaking section and a painting section. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve wondered why, on some days, my abilities are illusive, my
priorities unclear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I’ve finally
realized that I have been blessed with a multitude of muses. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally have accepted my “jack of all
trades” approach to creativity isn’t the work of one wacky muse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve got a bunch!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just need to step up and be a good
leader to them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m starting
to listen to those creative partners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ignoring one’s desire for attention over another, gets my head spinning. Not allowing the right creative spirit to be in the lead wastes away my day as I force the work, when I should
be flowing with it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cesar
Milan says, we should be the pack leader with our pets. I say that applies to my
pack of creative partners as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My multitude of muses, have been stuck in the wrong order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have not been the best leader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I have tried to control the outcome without listening to the needs of my pack. If my muses and I were a s</span>led team, many days I've placed the wrong dog in the lead and we've ended up with disastrous drawings or wretched writing. Art was created, but it was slow going and anything but good. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I vow to my pack, from now on, I will send up the right partner to whisk us down the trail of creative bliss. Hike!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-76756610477619678112014-10-28T09:14:00.000-07:002014-10-28T09:14:06.092-07:00Spooky Sketch<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivA70mFIKkChfnVml2btHBnkMa1tl6R7rT0wqpu1cgoibPJkkmLgKy0spK7clvULwm4NEKvsEQuwfHA2w2U_PO5zJbshnKoeMLFJ5oB1ofVx646YaU8HfNzqBD8NgrCXiOssjdD_PNMdEI/s1600/4x4moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivA70mFIKkChfnVml2btHBnkMa1tl6R7rT0wqpu1cgoibPJkkmLgKy0spK7clvULwm4NEKvsEQuwfHA2w2U_PO5zJbshnKoeMLFJ5oB1ofVx646YaU8HfNzqBD8NgrCXiOssjdD_PNMdEI/s1600/4x4moon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 x 4 Spooky Sketch Challenge by kat mcd. 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Took part in my friend, Joan Charles', 4x4 halloween sketch challenge. (see more at http://illustrationmatters.blogspot.com ) Thought this came out creepy and cute at the same time. I guess I'd describe most clowns that way. Love doing challenges like this one. Gets my creative juices flowing. Gets me focused. Gets a finished sketch that might become a full illustration out of me with out tears and gnashing of teeth.<br />
<br />
At the Los Angeles Westsider's Illustration Schmooze, our leader Suzy, came up with "baby steps." Tiny goals that you can complete before the next meeting. One of the great ideas that has come out of this is her, doodle a day challenge. For those beginning their drawing career or veterans, it's a wonderful warm up, without needing to plan out where it's going. I usually think way too much before I pick up a pencil. <br />
<br />
So try out an existing challenge or create your own. I dare you...Happy sketching!kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-52037480697295439532014-09-22T09:57:00.000-07:002014-09-22T10:02:23.040-07:00Cat People = Great People <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Whew. I made it through my first ever art/film festival and I had a blast.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBF3u3KxdfxyNfcn4lv-e8l6h90RwgUz7fOltN5Kh2aIUWTRsUVZZG976aKiwkCShVIDpTuHfahAFl1yKB7_-VGhjZ4SM_YcfC50wj_h6nJ1oGx6njvnfwCKAytY-uwMyGK-fT5URFr3E/s1600/20140921_125027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBF3u3KxdfxyNfcn4lv-e8l6h90RwgUz7fOltN5Kh2aIUWTRsUVZZG976aKiwkCShVIDpTuHfahAFl1yKB7_-VGhjZ4SM_YcfC50wj_h6nJ1oGx6njvnfwCKAytY-uwMyGK-fT5URFr3E/s1600/20140921_125027.jpg" height="320" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at LA Feline Film Festival 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here's what I learned:<br />
<br />
Plan, prepare, plan some more. All of my research and planning made the day a lot let stressful. Being organized, made the set up much easier but it still took twice the time I thought it would.<br />
<br />
Sheets make great walls! As does burlap. I was very happy with my backdrops for my original paintings. The burlap allowed a nice breeze through and still created a semi solid "wall" for my banner and Enormouse Orange Kitty. The sheets worked well and gave us shade. With 100 plus temps the previous week, I was concerned about melting in my booth. Lucky for all of us and the cats too, the weather goddess took pity and provided a gorgeous day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Chains are great for hanging....and swinging in the wind. I didn't anticipate the height of the tent and should have gotten longer chains and staked them to the dirt. The lovely breeze had my canvases twirling. Instead of "s" hooks I would have used C clamps to make sure none could fall.<br />
<br />
Signage. I think I would have had more signs with information all around. Giving customers a reason to hang out and read all about the cats in my paintings.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5G5Op3I6JF_e2Us6nJRplYEl9hrtWcH4sH8COGdhIuqcMtBYDhMFv9cnaiujbwoJbcLwS1HBTRe64eRIMd619OfRDH9xyl2pt4BsJFDSV4BDk142LUILEFWfZvTItwHqCOXvkwBAkqoXt/s1600/20140921_154737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5G5Op3I6JF_e2Us6nJRplYEl9hrtWcH4sH8COGdhIuqcMtBYDhMFv9cnaiujbwoJbcLwS1HBTRe64eRIMd619OfRDH9xyl2pt4BsJFDSV4BDk142LUILEFWfZvTItwHqCOXvkwBAkqoXt/s1600/20140921_154737.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper Dolls, Prints and Original Cat Art</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
What sells? Can't be sure for next year. This year it was original paintings and prints. I did sell a bag, <br />
but I think they make better displays than product. There were lots of free bags at the festival and with so many people having too many bags cluttering their cars, even a hand painted one becomes an extra item. That was right out of a few customers mouths. So I'll use them to attract, but unless I make high end styles....there's an idea.....I won't expect them to be a big seller. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcLVsf6tiU02IXk9Teh1gItR2O27yQu8VYsLHbIoqG-SU21cu0cVWLmjGPl6_5aIOz3oT7k3WSLSkUrhpvw0N7S9ZuMovcisRQrFcLzLBI2VdVyAm29S-uapAXURY7sTzXRZ9XBLkpExK/s1600/IMG_5474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcLVsf6tiU02IXk9Teh1gItR2O27yQu8VYsLHbIoqG-SU21cu0cVWLmjGPl6_5aIOz3oT7k3WSLSkUrhpvw0N7S9ZuMovcisRQrFcLzLBI2VdVyAm29S-uapAXURY7sTzXRZ9XBLkpExK/s1600/IMG_5474.JPG" height="186" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son "helping" out >'y'<</td></tr>
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Oh, and if you bring your 12 year old, you'd better let him bring his ipod. It's a loooong day. He did get to see his mom "at work." And see how lovely cat people are. I had a wonderful day just soaking up the "catmosphere" and appreciating people's reaction to my work. Didn't get to meet LiL Bub, but there is always next year. Meow!kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-51606070467166548132014-09-05T09:19:00.002-07:002014-09-05T09:19:16.106-07:00Festivus for the Rest of Us Cat Lovers.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1424790297770352/">LA Feline Film Festival</a><br />
Join me for some fun, films and fur!kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-73934824421630676112014-09-03T09:23:00.003-07:002014-09-03T09:23:37.838-07:00What Was I Thinking?So I was approached via my Etsy site, to participate in a festival with my artwork. http://lafelinefilmfestival.com/ Do you love all those cat videos on line? Well this is the festival for you!<br />
I have a lot of cat paintings and I thought, "This would be a great way to meet a targeted audience, schmooze with some nice people and sell some work. I've never sold my work out of a booth at a fair before, so this will be an adventure and push me out of my box. aka my studio." <br />
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I asked the universe to send me the $200 fee for the table and a week later we got a rebate from our insurance in the amount of $197. Can't argue with that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bean</td></tr>
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I informed my hubby and my son they were "hired" for a day of play, eh....work and we'd be making some new memories. We all love movies, check. We all love cats... We all love<i> my</i> cat paintings, check. With massive amounts of enthusiasm.....on my part, I went to work, and I mean work, preparing for this show.<br />
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Some of the long list of items to get ready:<br />
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<b>Inventory</b> I decided to bring: original paintings on canvas, prints matted to 8 x 10 and 11 x 14, and a I created a trio of kitty paper dolls with their own theme. These I really am happy with and will sell on my Etsy site in a digital form. Looking forward to seeing how well they are received. Here is Lucy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucy's Spring Wing Paper Doll</td></tr>
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<b>Display</b>, I want to keep the backdrops neutral so that i can use them for my "a Little Beachy" items if I want to sell them along with my animal art. And make the artwork stand out. I did purchase inexpensive curtain panels in a bright green to hang at the corners of the tent, so that they'll bring some attention to the booth from far away. Tablecloths~ I decided on burlap. And for the "walls" I got three flat sheets to create a solid back ground and give us some shade,<br />
The tricky part is how to hang my paintings from the tent. I saw lots of people on line with very expensive panels, but that wasn't an option for me. I finally found a picture of a booth where the artist draped metal chains and used "S" hooks to hang her work. This was brilliant. It will give me flexibility to hang wider pieces and many smaller up and down the chains. Will let you know how this works after the show.<br />
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<b>Signage</b>: I'm getting a banner printed. Figure this would be a nice large display that will be something I can use for future shows, if I enjoy this experience. I also scored a large, very light weight, unfinished wood frame at Michael's and painted it. I'll hang a sign inside that as well.<br />
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Along with all the above, there seems to be a never ending list of "to do" items to accomplish. Keeping my fingers crossed that it will be a fun experience (for the whole family) and I'll find some good homes for my kitties. <br />
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I must say thanks to all the veteran craft/art show sellers out in the big wide world who are so generous with all the information they've posted on line in their blogs or on Pinterest. Truly feels like a community has helped me prep for this.<br />
http://www.bobestrin.com/artshow.htm<br />
http://daskendesigns.blogspot.com/2010/05/10-tips-for-outdoor-craft-shows.html<br />
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<br />kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-73415646037960822182014-07-01T12:21:00.000-07:002014-07-01T12:22:48.558-07:00Polished to Perfection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I collect sea glass or beach stones, I have very high standards. Nothing comes home with me unless it is fully polished to a velvety smoothness. Any roughness or "unfinished" areas, sends it straight back into the ocean for nature to finish her work. The sea always accepts my critique and just keeps doin' it's thing. No voice yells back at me, "Hey, I put a lot of time and effort into that piece! It's almost done. Yeah. It's good enough!" Time and again that has been the inner dialogue/excuse I've had with myself when judging one of my own sketches or paintings. Spotting a glaring error or a tiny mistake can sometimes starts a whole negotiation. It wastes my time and clouds my judgment. Well, no more.<br />
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As I sorted my recent finds from the Great State of New Jersey's Manasquan Beach, I delighted in each piece in my collection. Then it dawned on me, this is exactly what I strive for in my portfolio. A perfectly polished group of work. But why, when I have the ability to see improvement needed in others work, is it so hard to have the same clarity and ruthless judgement toward my own? Don't I possess the ability to judge my own work with equal confidence? I believe I do. I seem to possess a very loud, sometimes insecure inner voice, that can be kind of a bully. Being aware of the problem isn't fixing it, but until the arguments stop, I'll rely on my amazing critique group to point out which piece is finished and which doesn't belong in the collection yet.<br />
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For now, my soft beach stones sit on my studio table. A reminder to get on with creating a polished to perfection portfolio. Each piece a keeper!kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-63374131185629920192014-05-09T09:57:00.000-07:002014-05-09T09:57:12.061-07:00Poems and Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sloth is slow</div>
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So?</div>
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She can grow</div>
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Head to toe</div>
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A coat of algae</div>
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Never a worry</div>
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To be in a hurry</div>
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A furry </div>
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Eatery</div>
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While Sloth munches</div>
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Bugs in bunches</div>
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Take their lunches</div>
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Keep her company</div>
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by kat mcd.</div>
kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-3397384457261222492014-03-06T10:34:00.001-08:002014-03-06T10:35:31.821-08:00Fun Finds at the Thrift Store I'm such a sucker for thrift stores. And living in the San Fernando Valley there is an abundance of them. Much to the chagrin of my son, who'd rather be doing anything else.<br />
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<span id="goog_1112602268"></span><span id="goog_1112602269"></span>Found this wonderful book yesterday at Goodwill. The Natural Way to Draw, "A working plan for art study" by Kimon Nicolaides. Published by Houghton Mifflin1941.<br />
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A mere $2.99 for an entire class on drawing by an instructor at the Art Students League in New York. I love that it has pencil marks on it's cover. I love that he includes very serious schedules for the student to follow. I love that it's called the Natural Way to Draw. So aptly named because his method for teaching asks the student to become so completely involved with observation, through all of their senses, that they will learn to draw from their own experience. Not through some magic formula they hope their teacher will convey to them. Sounds like he had his ego in check. Unfortunately, Mr. Nicolaides died before he saw it published. Luckily. he had a first draft finished. He must have been an excellent teacher. I'm so glad his "class" lives on. <br />
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kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-80863986818400902962013-11-12T09:50:00.000-08:002013-11-12T09:50:12.020-08:00Sweet & Savory This weekend I enjoyed volunteering at SCBWI LA's Art Directors Day aka Illustrator's Day.<br />
In the six weeks leading up to the event, I had been diligently getting my portfolio ready......eh creating from scratch, for a critique. I was very happy with my "finished" book, but was eager to hear what the Art Directors and Cliff Cramp, my reviewer, had to say about portfolios in general and mine specifically. This year the faculty was going to pick six portfolio's to give a private review of. An enticing carrot for me.<br />
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Over the last year I struggled to feel really good about my work as an illustrator. I took a break. Did lots of experimenting and found a way to create illustrations that feel lively and allow me to play while keeping a consistency of character. The upcoming Art Directors Day was a great deadline for me and I was happy to hear a lot of the talks were about what should be in a portfolio.<br />
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I've always know the basics; kids, animals, character in a sequence, scenes with groups of kids, non fiction and black and white. But this time I heard a different message. It got me thinking differently about the work I've included. And the promotional mailers I'll be sending out this year.<br />
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Isabel Warren-Lynch, Executive Art Director at Random House, spoke about "tender moments" in children's book illustration. She stressed how important the subtlety of sweet scenes can convey much about friendship and character. She used E. E. Milne's, Pooh illustration and the great Garth Williams as examples of illustrators who are masters of this. Their work resonates with the viewer and we hold those illustrations in our hearts into adulthood, long after we've closed the book.<br />
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My reviewer, Cliff Cramp, http://www.cliffcramp.com/ teacher and speaker extraordinaire, gave me very good advice regarding color temperature and keeping the viewer's eye on the focal point of the illustration. This subtle difference in my work could take an illustration from "Oh," to "WOW!" He's so right. When we look at a great piece of art, we may not even recognize why it's amazing, but we'll keep staring at it, savoring it. <br />
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That is the work I'm striving to do. Illustration that is sweet and savory and will be remembered after the meal.....I mean after the cover is closed.kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-85012606963938901192012-09-25T09:40:00.001-07:002012-09-25T09:40:14.016-07:00New Perspective<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After a few years with our lovely dog Bixby we had settled into a happy zone of, I know what to expect of you and you know what to expect of me. He was past his destructive phase, except for an occasional shoe. He couldn't be bothered running away if given the chance. And he slept most days away.<br />
Say hello to my fresh perspective, Frankie. Before we brought this new dog home, our house needed a good once over. I got down to a thirteen inch point of view, so as not to overlook any potential vet visits or escape routes. A To Do list much longer than expected emerged.<br />
Looking at my home from a foot off the floor exposed a world of cracks, cleaning, and caulking that I would have blissfully stayed ignorant of, but now begged for correction. The house is grateful for this fresh look, even if I am not. <br />
I began to wonder if my illustration portfolio needed such an inspection. Getting a new perspective of my work, my be the answer to my ho hum feelings about promoting it. After careful scrutiny, I've decided my portfolio needs a complete demo and remodel from paper to paint. Not sure yet if I should be thanking this pint muse yet.<br />
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<br />kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-88612545820461597522012-04-04T16:08:00.002-07:002012-04-04T16:08:36.904-07:00Bixby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-fxUXAxem4MgeAh7L5BgzOhIVLdUzj86FiKN-bcyx-P2MCkXA49BLsJDgRh7MigALYezxFpph9qK0wh0OfsfIaAEKSysMmNy3i5fJ4A-dnhAhga7Qe73yxeL0RDPm6HWXOlG5wk4i3pL/s1600/scarylandscape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-fxUXAxem4MgeAh7L5BgzOhIVLdUzj86FiKN-bcyx-P2MCkXA49BLsJDgRh7MigALYezxFpph9qK0wh0OfsfIaAEKSysMmNy3i5fJ4A-dnhAhga7Qe73yxeL0RDPm6HWXOlG5wk4i3pL/s320/scarylandscape.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-83941569219764563682012-04-04T16:07:00.000-07:002012-04-04T16:07:32.078-07:00Empty SpotToday my crazy, obnoxious, much loved dog passed away.kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-83026438211960192112012-03-12T10:21:00.000-07:002012-03-12T10:21:14.164-07:00Joy Ride<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"> Take a joy ride with your muse. Say, “Yes!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Accept the invitation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give over complete control and no back seat driving. Let her take you to a new landscape, new diner, or new town. See it through the eyes of a stray dog or your grandmother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can say yes without guilt. It’s necessary for you and your art. Don’t wait until your blocked to finally pick up your head and look around for inspiration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make time each day, each week to enjoy this friendship with her. She’ll nourish your creativity helping you over little speed bumps before they become impassable mountain roads. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once you’ve opened yourself up to her influence, you’ll know she’s not keeping you from working. Instead, she’s showing you that play is part of the work. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>A little play-date with our muse can keep our inner child from being bored to frustration. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>It might be a short detour into your backyard to pick some flowers to draw, writing and chanting silly mantras or making a list of five things to be grateful for. Or whether it’s a time spent at a messing around with a new medium or sketching dogs at the local shelter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’ll lead you right back to your easel inspired and eager to create. </div>kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-51219949602222299672012-01-23T09:37:00.001-08:002012-01-23T09:37:41.776-08:00Fear<style>
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</style> <span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">Embrace your fear. Give it a big hug. Tell it you love it for making you what you are. Then leave it stunned in your wake</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b>kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-705428948899204969.post-16321438381860629892012-01-05T10:33:00.000-08:002012-01-05T10:33:35.331-08:00The Beast<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">Back to a year ago:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Morning Pages had been doing their job. They cleared my brain and kept it swept clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had thrown open the curtains and let in the sunshine. Soon I realized that my “place” wasn’t as clean or safe as I had thought. There was a sour thing living in my subconscious and until then I wasn’t even aware she existed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The morning pages were keeping my “space” clean, but deep in the corners, a destructive Beast was lurking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had been fed for years by crummy criticisms and damaging doubt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unbeknownst to me, she had gnawed at my productivity and pooped on my selfesteem. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her protests were beginning to drown out the barely perceptible singing of my Muse. Something had to be done. I needed to stay this Beast. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No wonder my Muse had been in hiding. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Long long ago I had lured the Beast in with crumbs of, “Can’t I just have clear skin?” or tidbits of, “Why do I have red hair?” Over the years she grew fat munching mantras of, “I’ll never be a good artist with handwriting as horrible as mine.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over time I fed her choice meals too. Like, “I suck,” or “I’ll never get published,” or one of her favorite banquets, “I wish my art looked like blankity blank.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But now she was being deprived. I had been getting rid of the junk thoughts with my Morning Pages and the Beast had begun to starve. She was coming out of the shadows and wanting to be fed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Old habits die very hard. I needed to be proactive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I turned to the book, The War of Art, by Steven Pressfield. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">http://www.stevenpressfield.com/the-war-of-art/ </span>In it he writes about artists who think of themselves as either professional or amateur. Clearly keeping a destructive beast that feeds off my negative thoughts was an amature move. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been feeding her daily and without limit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Words, never spoken, but often repeated got me into this pickle so words were going to get me out. I began and ended each day’s writing with “I Am A Pro.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over and over I fought off any subconscious mutterings with this saying. These words became my sword and shield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Beast grew in her protestations, but I had many more positive words to write and recite and begin to believe. Daily I served up inspired indulgences to my Muse. Over the year the whining and tantrums have quieted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Beast isn’t yet gone, but I will keep her at bay and allow my Muse a safe place to play. And I am the happiest I've ever been in my art making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>kat mcd.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07151765323763437122noreply@blogger.com0