Brenda Pinnick -news, ideas, events and more...

don't you just hate it when...

you're driving along some road and you see the most incredible scene - but- it's impossible to stop to photograph it or even to slow down so you can enjoy it for a few seconds longer? read on...

Brenda Pinnick-oil on canvas- plein air painting, 9"x12" ©2009

My winding country road dead-ends at a main cross country road which people fly down during their commutes to work. My road also ends at the bottom of two hills so you have to be extra careful pulling out.

When I reach the end of my road, directly across from it is a very large pasture area where white cows roam. It's embellished with a couple of really old small structures, sort of like a single stable. Maybe it's a cattle scale from years gone by. Anyway, the pasture is a gently rolling one with a stream running through it and some small clustures of trees. On any given day, it is a lovely view.

TODAY, however, it was spectacular! It turned really cold here in GA and there was the thickest layer of frost I think I've ever seen. The sun was still low since it was only 8:30 a.m. so it lit the frost up so it looked like diamonds had dropped all over the field, creating a tremendous brilliance. But in addition to that, there was the strangest fog which seemed to start at about 30 feet off the ground, but the sun was shining through it, giving it a surreal effect. Then add to that the white cows which are always beautiful when the sun shines on them.... 

It was breathtaking! It's one of those scenes no-one could paint. If they tried, it would seem trite, like one of those paintings by that guy...you know, what's his name...

The image is burned in my brain and I hope to never loose it. 

I hope you found beauty somewhere today. Sometimes it's just down the road.

My new painting studio surroundings

Have a good weekend and we'll be back on Monday to resume my 7 days of give-aways, when Faber Castell peeps are back in their offices.

Here's a sneak peek at what surrounds my soon to be painting and workshop studio...located one short mile from my home!

I am one lucky girl!!! 

looking for the rainbow

As I was walking Paisley this morning, I realized I was doing it again. I have a habit of always  looking down when I walk. I've had people point this out to me on more than one occasion. I have no idea where or when I picked the habit up but every once in a while, I find myself still doing it. This morning was one such occasion. We were on the most beautiful part of our country road, situated between a meadow and a pine forest. I was deep in thought about the day's work ahead of me, making my mental lists of business chores and what art needed to be finished today. As I realized I was walking with my head down, I immediately looked up to realize there were 3 beautiful deers just a stone's through from me! I almost missed seeing them! 

This makes me wonder - how many times do we get so focused on our daily actiivities that we forget to look up and see the wonder of the unexpected, the new, the different and in this case, the beauty? 

And conversely, how often do we focus too much on what other people are achieving without really focusing and appreciating that which is right at our feet? 

Color Inspiration from my daily walks

What a beautiful week this has been for walking! My country road is filled with vignettes of bursting color, subtle dancing shadows and fleeting spots of sunshine. I love the early morning walks the best, the air is still cool, the damp grasses and pine straw make for perfect "hunting" for my little Paisley. She's a born hunter and I'm not sure which accounts more for her constant pouncing - her keen eyesight or active imagination. Really Paisley, that many chipmunks on the side of the road in 2 miles??? And I managed to see not even one ??? Maybe I was too busy looking at all the beautiful color.

The azaleas are in full bloom and they are spectacular!

And you're not really a true Southerner until you confess your love for Dogwoods, grits and fried green tomatoes.

As always, I'm on some crazy deadlines for work...good thing I love what I do! Recently, in a linked-in forum for art licensing, a friend referred to art licensing as a "bad boyfriend". I love that, it's so very true. Sometimes it's the best, like when a check finally comes in or a new contract finds it's way to you. But sometimes things aren't so pretty like when a deadline is unrealistic or impossible or expectations are beyond what makes the business model work. Anyway, we all have trials in our professional life and we deal with them as best we can...I may need to call in some help on this one, though. Catching big fish requires a big lure, right???

Here's what's coming up in my schedule that I would like you to mark your calendars for:

 

See you there! 

Want to learn more about my BrendaPinnickColorU series of workshops? Visit my website at http://www.brendapinnick.com/color-u

I'm also going to be a speaker at Crafty Con in October, this is going to be an awesome event for crafters with some terrific presenters sharing all kinds of things related to professional crafting. I'm talking about color, of course! 

 

I love the term "Deep South"...

It conjurs up images of women sitting in church fanning themselves as sweat drips from their brow. It means air so thick with dampness you can hardly breath. It means children playing in sprinklers and listening for the bell of the ice cream truck as it makes it's rounds from neighborhood to neighborhood.  So, when the unthinkable happens, it's a big deal - a really big deal! We thought we had left all this behind when we came south. No more snow shovels, no more rust eaten cars, no more owning snow boots!

I'm not complaining mind you...what happened this past weekend was beautiful beyond words. I can enjoy it,  knowing it probably won't happen again for a long while. It was a vision of beauty at every turn as I walked Paisley, who, by the way, finally figured out it was o.k. to "go" on the snow. Poor little thing, she held it for a long time.

Here are some pictures, taken with my iphone so they are a bit blurred. Paisley was tugging me along in her excitement so trying to stand still  even for a second was difficult. Oh, and I was shivering a bit also.

So, this morning, we enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and spring like gusting winds as we walked our daily, morning 2 miles. I noticed spring annuals coming up, many of them wild along the roadside...hmmmm, it seems like only yesterday we had snow...

I love Mondays, it's a new beginning of a new week and I'm looking forward to finishing up some projects. I'm still working on show follow up and got bit by the "make new art" bug on Saturday so I'm in the "in love" stage of my new collection! I hope your week is filled with the magic of creativity, the joy of friends and the love of family.

sunshine makes me happy...

When you’re self-employed, there’s a measure of freedom that you can chose to either control or ignore.

I worked much of last weekend, as I do on more occasions than care to admit to myself.

This last week has given us rainy, cold, even some snowy weather. It happens, even here in Atlanta.

I’m a girl of certain needs. ONE is sunshine on my face. Yesterday I confided to a friend or two that I was way down in the dumps. Holidays do that to me. My parents have long since passed away and my brothers are scattered. Something about missing the kids of your youth…

 Anyway, today brought us weather akin to April. I swear, it’s spring in ATL the sun is shinning, the wind is blowing, and I’m once again finding myself on the front porch working. What a blessing this is.

 The advantages of being self-employed are just this. Okay, Worked all weekend in my cold studio with my measly little space heater and my jacket to keep warm. Oh, and occasionally my dog in my lap. Today, I’m feeling no guilt, (okay, maybe just a bit) sitting here in the sun, dog at my feet, wind chimes playing amazing music to my ears and while I shut my eyes to brainstorm, I’ve allowed myself to feel the moment. Wind is loud. Sun is warm; music is “in the moment”. All is god. I mean, good. What’s the difference? 0.

Happy day my friends, happy day.

Meet Paisley!

I  just had to share...

We have adapted a rescue dog. HOW could we say no to a dog named Paisley??? I mean, really. 

She's so adorable, so sweet and is my new best friend. She follows me everywhere and when she's sitting next to me, she gazes adoringly at me. She likes the cats, although they haven't totally warmed up to her yet...they're still on the fence with all this. Paisley met her cousins, the pugs, yesterday and they are all now fast friends and looking forward to their next play date! Here's my illustration of Paisley ...

Of course, I will be sewing her a coat made with my purple paisley fabric, (Henry Glass & Co.) shown above! Can't wait to get started on that!

Here's another project I made with my fabrics a while back -

Just click on the link below to see what pattern I used and learn how you can purchase scrapbook papers to go with the fabric!

http://www.brendapinnick.com/2009/05/26/opulence-market-bag/

November's color palettes

How has November come and almost gone so quickly??? Holy smokes!

From now on, I'll be posting my ongoing color palette series once per month, or, you can get them delivered into your email box each week by signing up for When Creativity Knocks, here. 

Please visit my website to learn about how your group can schedule a ColorU workshop tailored to your needs. 

 

Download BPCU_5

Download BPCU_6

Download BPCU_7

Download BPCU_8

I'm crazy busy right now, getting ready for the biggest time of year in art licensing. Making art is only a fraction of what takes place in a professional studio. There's scanning, mock-ups, photos, marketing materials and press releases to be done. Trying to juggle everything at once has once again, gotten me frazzled! Of course, there's the holidays, too!!

I hope you're taking some time for relaxing during this busy time of year. Remember to feed your creative soul!

a different point of view

Over the years, I have had many different "creative spaces". These include, of course, the kitchen table, a corner in the bedroom, a work "shed" studio detached from the house, a rented 1000 ft. space in an artist's resource building and now, in my basement. Each space has it's own energy, it's advantages and disadvantages. My rented space was huge, well lit, accessible for drop in business. It was also too cold or too hot, having no hvoc system, just small appliances I used. I greatly disliked having my toys 12 miles from home and the "rawness" of it which translates to unwelcome critters. 

The outside shed hubby built for me also had no heat, water or air and where we lived at the time, we experienced the seasonal extremes of hot and cold. It was away from the house and I often felt isolated. Of course, the kitchen table is a whole different problem and the bedroom corner...totally unworkable for me – I need space!

Right now, I'm spread out in three locations in my house and for the last 3 days, I've added the back porch as number 4. I feel like I'm chasing moonbeams- well, actually it's chasing sunbeams!

 I've got a serious itch for new space...

My friend Kathy Fincher has an amazing studio room which is full of light, is spacious and comfortable, has great views while meeting all of her needs. I'm lusting after this and want desperately to create, or I should say, re-create her space, only attached to my house. So, my goal for this next year is to make this happen, one way or another. I feel that after years and years of creating, it's about time I honor and reward my hard work. 

Here's my inspiration: 

 

 

Kathy's space is filled with authenticity, warmth and positive energy. I think that's what every studio should be, a truly inspired space that reflects the respect you have for your creative energy, your spirit and your business as a professional artist. Watch out, in on a mission!

Here's some additional inspiration on the subject:

 Where Women Create - http://www.wherewomencreate.com/ Inspiring rooms in which artists, artisans, crafters create.

Valley Ridge Art Studio - http://www.valleyridgeartstudio.com/default.asp ( I LOVE this place and hope to visit it this coming year as an instructor and a student)

http://www.bohonus.com/artists/ This is a Photographer's site who went on a creative journey to photograph artist's studios.

Early Morning Calm

I think we can learn a lot from cats.

This morning, Nugget just lived in the moment, laying on the back porch watching the birds at the feeder. When a small breeze would blow, he lifted his nose to the air and enjoyed the gentle scent of honeysuckle. Mondays tend to make me feel a bit overwhelmed, with the tasks at hand mounting into a pile in my head. I decided to sit and quietly enjoy my coffee this morning while doing a little drawing with pen and ink.Do you jump right into your day or do you take a few minutes and enjoy the early morning quiet?