Professional Development, Internet Woes, and Future Arty Parties

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Did you miss me? Haha, probably not. But I did skip blogging last Friday unintentionally. Be sure to scroll to the end for the eye candy.

Summer Voice Intensive Professional Development

I was so pumped because during the week i missed blogging, including Friday, I was taking a summer voice intensive with an instructor who has helped me a lot with some of my vocal students (for free, y’all. So generous. Thank you, Vielka). The instruction was absolutely fabulous, and I was able to use what I learned immediately, also on Friday, to really help a singer who came for a coaching session. I was so happy with how helpful the techniques were! After that mountain-top experience, I just completely forgot to post.

I do offer one-off vocal coaching sessions if you just need a tune up or a bit of help with a specific song. You can contact me below or on any of my social media platforms to make arrangements.

Internet Woes Spur Creativity

The Arty Party was again a very fun experience! The only downside was, again, internet woes. Since then I’ve dug and researched and bought equipment to try to fix the situation…all to no avail. I’ve finally accepted the fact that there is just no good internet service out where I live, at least for now. Might Elon Musk’s Starlink eventually come to my rescue? I hope so, but for now I’m outside the area it serves.

Time to think creatively. Have you every thought to just give thanks that you have an imagination? One that can work toward good things? I’m grateful to the Creator for making me a sub-creator with the imagination to use to come up with solutions to problems.

Future Arty Parties

Anyhow, October Arty Party will probably look different. Strangely enough, the art show itself seems to run ok. Not great, but ok. So I think we’ll stick with that live online format for at least this next Party. However, the Morning Coffee, Demos, and Tea Party will need to take new formats or be done away with.

Demos are easy. I can just film those and upload them. It’s not as fun as having y’all right there to ask questions in real time, but the stress level of having the video turn out awful is just too high. So I am, at this very moment, thinking about my process for filming and uploading more demos. Please let me know by replying to the Magic News or commenting below what you like in a demo…long, or short? Painting or clay? What do you like best in an art demo?

Morning Coffee and the Tea Party are harder. I have yet to come up with an option for that. My question is, are you even interested in those, or are you more likely to skip them? If you’d like to have them, would an audio format work? Maybe we could do a live podcast?  I have no idea if that would work better than live video, but it’s worth a try if we would all enjoy getting together for it. Please comment below or reply to the Magic News.

Art Drops are going to happen. I still don’t have the perfect solution for online friends, but I just love the idea so much…give me some of your thoughts on how I could give away some art in a fun way online!

Clay News

The kiln is currently running a glaze firing. I single fire as often as I can…I don’t see the point in running a bisque fire if I don’t need to.  So I’ll be getting to open the kiln tomorrow sometime, and I am, as usual, pretty excited about that! Kiln “Christmas” is a thing.

For instance…I practiced until I finally came up with a beautiful process and design for making mugs that make me smile. This one is in the kiln, and I can’t wait to see how it turns out!

These Funky planters are in the kiln, too…I hope they turn out. I named the one with eyeballs and teeth “Denny” because he kept losing teeth and needs to go to the dentist.

Soft Pastel News

I have entered paintings in three contests. Just waiting to hear if any of the pieces got in. I’m currently entered in:

The Central Texas Pastel Society Annual Show

     

International Association of Pastel Societies 41st Open Division 2022 Webshow

Dakota Pastel 3rd Quarter 2022 Competition

I think that’s all for today. I’d love, love, love to hear from you. Comments and email replies really help support me and give me feedback I can use to create content you enjoy.

To sign off, here is the finished demo from the last Arty Party. I hope it makes you smile!

May you see the music, hear the colors, and awaken the wonder in your heart. Godspeed,