sarah likes to make things

Sprinkles Gigglegear - gnome bard (Taken with Instagram)

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 18:58:28 -0400

Sprinkles Gigglegear - gnome bard (Taken with Instagram)

Color variants!

Sat, 11 Aug 2012 21:27:37 -0400

Color variants!

Working on a logo!

Sat, 11 Aug 2012 20:09:02 -0400

Working on a logo!

I’m just here sketching a geisha. (Taken with Instagram)

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 19:06:01 -0400

I’m just here sketching a geisha. (Taken with Instagram)

Website Time!

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 20:08:13 -0400

http://www.sarahspencerart.com/

It is here! Please check out my new site redesign and let me know what you think. I hope you enjoy it!

And here’s another website preview! I’m still...

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 18:17:26 -0400

And here’s another website preview! I’m still working on setting up the tabs on the side. This isn’t a full centered shot either. It’s coming along!

Here is a website gallery preview! I’ve just gone through...

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 22:04:45 -0400

Here is a website gallery preview! I’ve just gone through ALL of my images adding labels and titles to each one. One of the most tedious jobs is complete!

Its here! (Taken with Instagram)

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 18:58:53 -0400

Its here! (Taken with Instagram)

Just a preview of the site…. I’m still tweaking it a...

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 20:42:50 -0400

Just a preview of the site…. I’m still tweaking it a bit. I’m working with Joomla and learning about it as I go. It might take some more time to get the site up and running again but I think it will be worth it.

I’m up to my elbows in color variants for this logo. Which...

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 09:58:14 -0400

I’m up to my elbows in color variants for this logo. Which ones do you like?

Working on logo related stuff!

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 12:47:10 -0400

Working on logo related stuff!

Toolbox: pt 1

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 10:57:41 -0400

So my busy, busy week is over and I’m currently resting up after some really long workdays.

However, as promised, I wanted to share a book with you that I’ve been reading to help me with working on my art.

I’m currently reading The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin and it’s really helping me to get inspired. This book is full of great ideas on selling your arts and crafts both online and out in the real world. I’ve been reading it and taking notes like a crazy person. I’m still not all the way through yet but I wanted to share it with everyone who doesn’t already know about it because it is a very helpful resource!

Also the illustrations by Emily Martin and Jen Shelley are totally adorable!

What books do you consider to be essential for your studio?

This weekend I’m going on a supply buying trip, working on a logo, and hopefully redoing my website!

On Scheduling

Mon, 28 May 2012 16:36:27 -0400

So, as part of getting back on track I thought that maybe I should balance out my schedule to where I set aside some specific times for working on my art. I’ve already took the option at work to work through lunch and leave 30 minutes early - letting me drink a Slim Fast at my desk around 12 and avoid the urge to pick up a combo from the nearby Taco Bell / Pizza Hut. The week I started that I was able to use those 30 minutes exercise at home. Of course now I’ve slipped and maybe this is the start of my 3rd week without exercise. Whoops…

I’m thinking of getting up a little earlier to have an extra 30 minutes of painting, drawing, or catching up on art related social networking. And then after my 30 minutes of exercise in the afternoon, I could spend the time between that and going out again on art related stuff as well. Of course all of this depends on the apartment being clean enough for me to focus on other things and not being super exhausted. Usually, around 6 or so Noah and I are headed out the door.

It’s pretty ambitious and I was pretty geared up towards starting the schedule this week. However… since today is Memorial Day and I don’t get paid for it, I’ve gotta make up all of the hours I can. Which means I’ll be at work a lot this week. I’m not looking forward to a lunch-less 7:30 to 6:00 workday tomorrow. So pretty much any plans I have of getting anything done this week are dashed on the rocks. I think this week I’m going to concentrate on just making it through the week, and then try again next week.

Next time I post, I’ll share links to books and apps that are helping me along with keeping organized and inspired.

Let's Do This!

Sun, 27 May 2012 10:13:39 -0400

So the past few months have been extremely busy, so please excuse my lack of updates lately. I can make all sorts of excuses as to why I’ve been so busy, but that’s not the point of this post.

We’re going to get back on track!

I say “we’re” because this is a journey that I’m inviting you along for. I have a lot of goals that I want to complete in my artistic life as well as my personal and professional lives too. I’ll be posting about my progress and plans here as well as sharing information for any resources and tips I pick up along the way.

Of course I’m willing to accept any suggestions anyone out there in the internet is willing to give me as well and I will pass along that information here and credit you.

I’ll still be posting things that I make (because Sarah likes to make things) to this Tumblr since that is the over all theme and I’ll have a lot more to post.

Since this is kind of an introductory post, I thought I should share a little about myself. I know that strangely enough, we make all of these weird but lovely internet connections via social media without even knowing what we’re really like as people.

I’m 28 years old and I’m living in Virginia. I was born and raised in West Virginia. Those are basic facts. I worked very hard throughout school and ended up with a Masters in Fine Arts (picking up BAs in Graphic Design and Studio Art along the way.) I always felt like I was good at making things with my hands and never really wanted to do anything else. Of course, now I have a temp job and do a bit of freelancing on the side. Landscapes and still life paintings were never for me. Cyborgs are currently my thing - although I can do normal portraits too and I’m kind of excited about drawing D&D characters.

As far as making things, I like to paint, watercolor, draw, sew, knit, crochet, cook, and bake. I get antsy at work a lot if I’m getting good ideas and can’t work on them. I need more hours in the day. I stress out a lot.

My boyfriend and I are busy people. We love our friends and after work activities. We’re usually always up to something - lately that something usually involves a lot of D&D which is a great creative outlet. We now have an adorable kitty living with us.

De-stressing and worry-free creative time usually involves some video games. Maybe too many video games. I seem to cycle between World of Warcraft, Minecraft, and The Sims. I know a lot of people can be pretty critical when it comes to time spent on games, but I’ve found that they really are an important part of allowing me to disconnect for awhile. I know that creating art should take on this role more often but after years and years of being in school for it, it feels more like an extra job sometimes.

I like cats and dogs, hugs from my boyfriend, visiting my family, nail polish, sweets, laughing with friends, bad Kung Fu movies, anime, Doctor Who, makeup, podcasts, ghost stories, music, super hero movies, cute shoes, dancing with video games, jean days, and comfort foods.

I can’t think of a lot of things that I flat-out dislike. I guess snooty or stuck up people. Definitely bad drives.

I cry or get misty eyed over silly things. The mere mention of The Rainbow Bridge will send me into tears no matter what mood I’m in.

Some people use this to their advantage.

Now that that’s all out there… these are my goals:

- Work more on my art

- Work on setting up my art business and trying to make a profit from my work (don’t judge - remember I’m a temp worker)

- Find a steady job so that I can have some benefits

- Exercise more and eat better

- Keep a clean and organized living space

Since this post is long enough already, I will post my first plan of attack later in the evening.

Hey all!

Sat, 19 May 2012 09:28:43 -0400

I know its been awhile since I have posted anything… but trust me! Some good things are coming! Life has been busy - with a lot of working and moving, but I have some plans and I’ll be posting again soon. My plans will take a little work and a lot of time - but I plan on writing about it the whole way through.

We will be adventuring together soon!

Reds (Taken with instagram)

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:38:05 -0400

Reds (Taken with instagram)

Still moving stuff around! (Taken with instagram)

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:18:32 -0400

Still moving stuff around! (Taken with instagram)

D&D (Taken with instagram)

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 21:43:11 -0400

D&D (Taken with instagram)

I haven’t had a lot of time for art lately. I’m...

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 20:26:06 -0400

I haven’t had a lot of time for art lately. I’m currently arranging things in my apartment to make room for my boyfriend who is moving in by the end of the month. Its fun to move my studio space around. (Taken with instagram)

Bubblecake! (Taken with instagram)

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 15:47:39 -0400

Bubblecake! (Taken with instagram)