The Pulse of Mixed Media Continues---She Said- He Said And See What YOU Said!!

IT's TiME!!

In my last post- we turned the tables on Seth Apter and asked him two questions -much like he asked the participants in his The Pulse of Mixed Media book to answer:

 Now See what he said:

She SAID:  You've indicated that your meeting with Patricia Larsen was the cataclysmic event that started your life to become the artist an author that you are today. Looking back to that time, do you think  you'd have eneted the field of art if you hadn't seen her work and visited her gallery? If so, what other event or person do you think would have taken you into the world of art? And if your answer is no, do you think that there would have been another passion that you'd be engaged in now other than art?
   
 HE SAID:  It may seem like I am not answering your first question but truly I am. I think that my meeting with Patricia was meant to be. The right place at the perfect time. It almost feels as it were my destiny, so I cannot really even contemplate my entrance into the world of art as happening in any other way than the way it actually did. In fact, it is almost impossible to imagine art not being a part of me in this period of my life.

SHE SAID: Can you also tell us what triggered you to create your infamous The Altered Page blog?

HE SAID: My frame of reference for making art has been related to community since the very beginning.  In a sense, the mail art relationship that developed immediately with Patricia was social in nature. I belonged to several Yahoo art groups back in the early days where the art was always collaborative. And I was a blog reader long before I was a blogger myself. I believe that the creative energy that was and is always brewing in the blog world is a much needed part of me being an artist. It just seemed like the natural next step to start my own.

We're all wondering...

 And 

Here's what all of YOU have said to  this question- what inspired you to create your website or blog:

---I felt like a blog was a much more friendly way to post recent work (vs. a standard website) as it provided the invitation for readers to participate in the conversation. I've met so many wonderful people through this platform! 

---My blog started as a weightloss blog. After i lost the weight i wanted to show there was more to me than a number on the scale so i shared more of myself including my artwork.  

---The reason I started my blog was because I wanted to "play" in Seth's first Disco collaboration!! He has been an inspiration to me ever since. 

--- I've only recently joined this great party, & it's why I started my blog, to join the party & not stand outside,  finding friends & focus.  ;) 

--- why did I start my blog now 5+ years ago? my blog functions as a kind of studio - virtually mess-free- I live in a quiet natural environment and I wanted a way to be here, share my work and connect with a larger community...

----Started my blog back in January 2007, when some of the wonderful people I met at a Michael Demeng workshop in Italy were starting one. It was a great way to stay in touch.....be inspired and create new and lasting relationships with artists all over the world. 

--- I started my blog to keep my beginning weaving students informed and encouraged and to stay in touch with textile friends around the world - it has grown into so much more. I will be back. 

---As for the art of Blogging: my wonderful pal Michelle Ward gently tugged at my pant leg and "encouraged me" to start!...I was always sending her links and photos, so she offered to get me started as a birthday gift. I've found it a fabulous way to push out the Creative Energy into the World. Who knows if anyone's listening?...I'll just keep doing it.  

----I started my blog as a way of making me accountable to myself, as an artist... and taking myself seriously. I also see it as a way of keeping a record of my process and evolving style.

----As to what inspired my blog - I guess I was kind of lonely. I felt kind of let down after finishing my master's thesis. Even though I was with my a great art students, I was missing my own kind. I found them again online. And that inspired me to make my own community right where I was.

 ----I started blogging to get a 'web presence' for my art... but it has become so much more. Love the connection between artists worldwide and the chance to see their work and communicate with them. It's all good. 

----  I started my site about a year ago as a way to show what I create so I don't feel so much in a vacuum. I didn't know if anyone but me would read the blog or see what I create, but since I don't sell my creations yet, I felt the need to "put it out there". What I found was an amazingly supportive and encouraging community - I've learned SO much. 

     And...

To everyone who has been following Seth's fabulous Pulse of Mixed Media magical book extravaganza, who previously knew of me or just learned about me from the 31/31 tour or perhaps from your copy of the book- please know I am humbled and honored to be a part of this wonderful blogging and mixed media

 art community. 

The Pulse of Mixed Media- Day 8 and a SUPER ARTWORK GIVE AWAY!

I'm thrilled and honored to be a part of Seth Apter's new book, The Pulse of Mixed Media, Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed.

(The Banner  above was created and affixed to my paintings  by the incredible artist- Michelle Ward.)

It's day 8 of the book's theatrical reveal -

To tell my story of its magical, magnetic, and dynamic  appeal.
 Containing heartfelt words, deep emotions and insightful thoughts-
With gorgeous original paintings and artwork so excitedly sought.
  It’s an artistic explosion- a collaboration of fun and finesse -
It's now time to celebrate
The Pulse of Mixed Media's grand success!!

   As a contributor, I was asked to create a self portrait  Here's a 

glimpse of my work titled "Essence of My Smile"!

Below is sneak peek of  "Creating Wonder from Within",   another mixed media artwork created for the book - filled with a tapestry of hidden and subtle secret meanings.    

It may be a surprise to some, but Seth and I go back a long way. In fact, I'm tremendously excited to announce that a special art and poetry collaborative project of ours titled  "The Gift" will be published this spring in the inaugural  edition of a new quarterly Art Magazine FEATURING,  founded by the amazing Marit Barentsen.

  In celebration of  The Pulse of Mixed Media, 

 And as part of the  kick off of the book-

 I'm  having  a  big GIVE AWAY!

One lucky winner will be able to say they are the very proud owner of 

 Elemental VII-a Seth Apter original work. 

 In Seth's own words,  "It is a  'one-of-a-kind'.. created on cold press watercolor paper, handmade in Montreal at the Papeterie Saint Armand."  Measuring 10" x 7 1/2", it's one of the largest pieces sold in his Etsy shop and can be seen below! This fabulous piece was originally highlighted and on exhibition at the Virtual TART site, an art website organized by artist Dale Copeland and based in New Zealand.

        All you need to do is leave a comment on this posting- and at the end of our 31/31  March book  party, I will choose one  lucky winner at random. Please make sure that I will be able to identify who you are so I can  make contact and send you this precious gift!

Seth: Now that I'm giving away one of your stunning pieces of artwork- I hope you will answer the following question for your readers:  You've indicated that your meeting with Patricia Larsen was  the cataclysmic event that started  your  life to become the artist and author that you are today. Looking back to that time, do you think you'd have entered the field of art if you hadn't seen her work and visited her gallery?  If so, what other event or person do you think would have  taken you into the world of art?  And, if  your answer is no, do you think that there would have been another passion that you'd  be engaged in now other than art.... Can you also please tell us what triggered you to create your infamous The Altered Page  blog? And for those reading this post, I would love to  hear     what inspired you to create your website or blog.

        

In conjunction with the book's release,  Seth has scheduled events across the country.  I am so excited to be part of the New York City book release  on March 31, 2012 from 10:00AM- 12:00 Noon  at the Ink Pad   along with other contributing artists including Michelle Ward, Leslie Marsh, Karen Cole, Roxanne Evans Stout and Julie Prichard!  We will be discussing our creative processes and contributions to the book, answer audience questions, show samples of our work, and sign copies of the book.  The event is free and open to the public but you must contact the Ink Pad in advance at (212) 463-9876 as seats are limited.

 With very special thanks and tremendous appreciation to everyone who has joined this amazing book tour!