For this weeks third degree Thursday, I have decided to ask my audience questions. I would love to hear from each and everyone of you, but I realize that may be asking too much. So, here is a list of questions for you to answer in the comments.

1. What is a short summary of your blog?

2. What would you like to see more of on my blog?

3. Would you like to participate in my Showcase Sunday series?

4. What is your favorite blog post of mine (check back as I have been doing this less than a year)?

5. If you could ask me one question, professional or personal, what would it be?

Thank you for your responses in advance. I look forward to hearing your feedback in the comments below!

How do you come up with your drawings?

I know it sounds crazy to think that I just wing it, but I rarely map out any piece I do. I just put pen to paper and sometimes something really cool comes out, and sometimes I am just not feeling it. When that happens I find myself putting the drawing away until a day when I am looking to finish something I started previously.

Most of the time when I do finish a project that I previously hated, it ends up being on of my favorite pieces. My advice to you is if you ever come across a point in your art where you just aren’t “feeling it” Don’t be afraid to put it to the side until a later day. Sometimes I returned a few hours later and I have some pieces that have been sitting aside for several months that I haven’t returned to yet. But do not throw away anything away, you never know when you will see exactly what you wanted at the start.

I look forward to answering any questions you may have in the next Third-Degree Thursday post! Please remember that you can ask me anything, if I don’t know the answer right off, I love researching.

This week I thought I would tell you a little bit about myself and answer a fun questionnaire I found online here.

1.What is your greatest strength as an artist?

I believe that my greatest strength is my perfectionism. I take a lot of time and pride in every piece that I do. Some of them take upwards of a week to complete because of the details, and some of them, like in my Lunch-time Doodles, only take 45 minutes.

2. What is your greatest weakness as an artist?

I think that my greatest weakness as an artist is also my perfectionism. Sometimes, I am just not happy with the lines and I end up restarting, which is horrible. When I was in elementary school, my mother was my teacher. When I would turn in my school work that she thought wasn’t my best handwriting, she would rip it up and I would start all over again. This practice has followed me my entire life. In high school, the teachers would ask if someone who was absent could copy off my notes because they were always the most neat, and colorful!

3. What is holding you back from supporting yourself on your art income alone?

Well, to be honest, I have no art income, therefore, I can’t support myself. Although it is something I am striving towards, I do have many kids that also need supporting right now too. I know sometimes it is hard enough to support yourself on an artists income, much less kids as well.

4. What is the hardest thing about being a working artist?

The hardest thing for me is finding time. With four full-time kids at the house, and working a full-time job, It is very hard to find time to just sit and create. Often times, I don’t get to sit down until after the youngest have gone to bed, which is usually after 8 or 9pm.

5. Have do you use social networking the most to promote your art?

Well, I have several social media networking sites found here. I use these sites to bring my art to people who don’t use every social media. I feel like it puts it in front of many more eyes to post on them all. My mother only uses Facebook. In my mind, one day it will get in front of the right eyes and someone will want to take on this adventure with me!

6. What is one unique thing you do to promote your art?

Well, I have begun to take tattoo suggestions and I will begin promoting my art through permanent ink of the beautiful bodies who request them. I have 4 in the works right now and I can’t wait to post about them on my blog.

7. How do you feel is the best way to get people to buy your art?

I think for me, the best way to get started is with a coloring book. Eventually, I have some full color books that I am working on, but for now, the first step is publishing a coloring book.

8. Why would you buy your own art?

I would buy my own art because it speaks to me. My most favorite theme is the mandala I do. They are relaxing to draw and very pleasing to the eye. Once I get more comfortable with color, I want to start experimenting with different mediums.

9. Do you sell reproductions of your art?

Currently I do not, but It is something that I am looking into. Typically, I have been giving them away as gifts to friends and family that have either requested them specifically or have a certain appreciation for it.

10. What are your thoughts on going to art school? Worth it? Too expensive? Quality of Teachers? What don’t they teach you in art school that they should?

This is a really great question. I, personally, have never been to art school so I can’t comment on whether or not I believe it is worth the cost. I believe that there are a  lot of great sites out there that offer free courses that help with color theory and other studies. I do, however, believe that going to art school does not make you a better artist if you don’t already have the basic skill in your life. BUT, I do believe that art school does help you refine the skill you already have.

I hope that you have learned a lot about me and I look forward to answering any questions you may have in next Thursdays Third-Degree Thursday post! Please remember that you can ask me anything, if I don’t know the answer right off, I love researching.

See you NEXT THURSDAY!!

Do you know any sites that provide daily/weekly prompts/inspirations/themes?

This is a great question. First of all, looking for prompts can be as easy as searching on google. But if you want prompts that inspire and are unique, you have to look at little further. I will give you three sites for a few different subjects that I have used on my blog and in my personal journals.

Art Prompts –

1. I am the Diva – On this blog, you will see that she does weekly challenges that teach you Zentangle techniques as well as provides interesting ways to use them. I have been looking at her challenges for a while and I always love what she comes up with.
2. MadebyJoey – On this blog, you will also see weekly challenges. Her challenges are very interesting and typically run in series or themes. Right now she is going through the alphabet choosing a Zentangle pattern to go with each letter.

Bullet Journal Prompts –

1. Pageflutter – This link will take you to ideas on how to build and section off your bullet journal for the year. She shows plenty of pictures so that you won’t have questions on how to do what she is trying to share.
2. Bullet Journal – To be honest, I couldn’t possibly chose a place for Bullet Journal ideas without including this site. This is a very detailed site on ideas, themes, how-to and reviews. It was the first site that I visited when I was learning about the idea of Bullet Journals.

Journal Prompts –

1. Daring to live fully – I have to say that I actually happened to stumble on this site, but it looks to be a very very detailed list of prompts that is sure to keep you busy for a long time!
2. Creative Writing Now – If you need a little push in the right direction, or if you need an idea that sparks your creative writing, this is the place to go. She has a lot of information that is crucial to anyone who wants to write better.

Blog Prompts –

1. Digital Marketer – Go to this site and save the page so that you can read it even when you are offline. This page is pretty thorough. Don’t read unless you are very serious about kicking your blog off to a very unique start. This list is extensive and will keep you blogging.
2. Lostgenygirl – This is a lifestyle blog that helps you write about yours. It is very intense and personal, but in a really great way. Give it a try to see what you come up with.

Blog Help –

1. Postach.io Blog – This site is dedicated to helping your blog become more successful. The blog has several article that will guide you to a better blog.
2. Heather Buchman – This wonderful lady has all the steps to lead a successful life. How do you fit in everything you need to do? She gives so much insight on this topic.

I want to challenge you to take one prompt from one of these sites and put it to use in your own blog. After you have completed this challenge, link it in the comments below so that everyone can learn more about you and your blog.

So just like this week, I am asking for questions that you have. They can be about me, about my art, about art supplies or methods. Practically, any question you have I will do my best to get an answer for you by next Thursday.

I look forward to hearing and researching for you!

Here are the questions from last week.

How do you organize and store your art supplies?

This question can only truly be answered with pictures. YAY! Everyone likes pictures right? So, the first thing I want to say is that I have a TON of pens and pencils. Seriously, I have accumulated way more than my share for sure. But I wanted them to be at my fingertips. So, I decided I would get crafty and make some canisters for them to sit in.

All I did was take some 12×12 scrapbook paper I had lying around from my years of scrapbooking and cut them to size in order to go around old formula cans I used to get for the babies. These canisters work perfectly, in the beginning. I now have so many that I can’t keep them all in canisters anymore. I have purchased a case from amazon that allows me to hold all 120 of my gel pens that I recently purchased there as well.

All of my paper I keep in plastic drawers that are 12×12 and 8.5×11. I like to keep my paper flat as opposed to keeping it in hanging folders or file folders on my desk. I feel like it keeps them flat and crisp.

How do you store your completed projects/artwork?

Because my artwork varies in sizes I have two ways of keeping these taken care of. First off, let me say that keeping your artwork out of the light, does help them keep longer. So, I have started using this box to keep my artwork in. It measures 14”L x 16”W x 8”H. This box allows me to keep my artwork inside. Currently, the largest paper I have is 11”x14” so it all fits.

Another solution that I have for my artwork is for my smaller pieces. The Zentangle or Artists Tiles that I have been known to work on I keep in a photo book. This works out great for me and I got this photo book from Hollar for $1.

I just thought my zentangle art fit so well in this book and it keeps all my lessons in one place. It is definitely a fun way to keep your art at your fingertips without framing it all. I highly recommend it.

So just like this week, I am asking for questions that you have. They can be about me, about my art, about art supplies or methods. Practically, any question you have I will do my best to get an answer for you by next Thursday.

I look forward to hearing and researching for you!

Here are the answers to your questions from last week.

1. What is your absolutely favorite go to art/craft material?

I would have to say that my favorite art/craft material is paper. The reason behind this is because I have been scrapbooking for years and years. I have done everything from scrapbooking, card making, wedding invitations, bookmarks, birthday banners and now my drawings. There are so many uses and types that I will never be able to explore them all, but it wont stop me from trying.

So just like this week, I am asking for questions that you have. They can be about me, about my art, about art supplies or methods. Practically, any question you have I will do my best to get an answer for you by next Thursday.

I look forward to hearing and researching for you!