Brush Dance

Interview with Cynthia Louden (Part 1)

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:53:00 +0000

Before we get started with the interview, some important information and links:

Save 20% on the entire Butterfly Wings Collection at Brush Dance

Cynthia Louden's Blog: A Shimmy in My Spirit

On a personal note: It was difficult to limit myself to just a few questions for Cynthia - and when I read the answers to the few that I asked (we did this in email), I found myself wanting to sit with her and chat for hours. I've known for years that Cynthia is diverse, multi-faceted, oh-so-talented, and really - she has done, seen, and experienced so much. Mmm..yeah, and she's a little bit geeky, too - that always gets bonus points in my book.

On to the interview . . .

Tell us about a day in your life. Do you schedule time for creating or is your schedule more free-flowing?

My most creative time is in the morning. I usually wake up with ideas and am eager to get to my computer, cameras and other creative tools. I would love to create every day, but some days are just filled with "to do" lists...the kinds of things you have to do as a free-lance artist - invoicing, shipping, answering emails etc. I try several days a month to set aside time to go out photographing and I photograph a lot when I travel. I'm also a gatherer of inspiration. I carry a camera and notebook just about everywhere I go so I can collect ideas, words, colors, music, texture...whatever inspires me.

I know you love to travel. What was your most exciting trip? Where have you not been that you want to see? Where could you go over and over and never get enough?

I don't know how to take a vacation from my work. Traveling gives me a break from my daily routines and all those to do lists. Yet I always travel as an artist/photographer. I would feel naked not having a camera along on the trip. Gathering inspiration while traveling is a huge part of the fun for me. When traveling I'll get caught up with how light is hitting something or I'll stop to photograph color or texture on a wall, or a reflection in a window or will take a picture of my breakfast. My family and friends are used to it and just keep on doing what they're doing, knowing I'll soon catch up with them.

I would have to say that my most exciting trip was going on a small boat up the Amazon River in Brazil. It was so hot, and the jungle was so dense and there were snakes and scorpions, and caiman and piranha in the river. It was such a different geography and life from what I was used to. My senses were on overload. Everything I smelled, heard, touched, ate and saw was new to me. I was traveling by myself and I was literally trusting strangers who owned the boat with my safety and life. I am glad I had the experience. I have been fascinated with the tropics ever since. But I don't think I would want to do it again...not alone anyway. It may have been the most exciting trip, but it wasn't one of my favorites. I'm really more of a latte or glass of wine at an outdoor cafe kind of person. I think a lot of my favorite traveling moments have been in small towns, villages or neighborhoods watching the local life go by.

I have a long list of places I would still like to visit and photograph. Although I have visited England's small towns and country gardens, the only thing I have seen of London is Heathrow. I would love to spend time exploring London's neighborhoods. Also on my very long list is Venice, Holland, Costa Rica, & Montreal as well as return visits to France, Cuba, Panama and Switzerland. I would love to take tango lessons in Buenos Aires.

I think my favorite places to photograph, no matter what country or city are farmer's markets. I like to get there early so I can enjoy a cup of coffee and watch the vendors arrange their products. And then the action begins. . .neighbors greet neighbors, buyers bargain with sellers, women stroll stall to stall filling up their market baskets. No matter where I’ve witnessed this scene - it feels like abundance. And there's so much to photograph and get inspired by.

How long have you been keeping a Journal? Do you have any advice for someone just getting started with journaling?

I've kept various types of journals for many years. What works best for me is to carry around a small moleskine all the time to collect snippets of ideas, conversations, compositions, quotes and thoughts. I like gluing pictures into my journals and writing on them, especially my iPhone polaroids. I also write down ideas for my blog and web site. I am journaling less since I began my blog and miss it a lot. I am determined to get back to spending more time with my journals.

For someone just starting to keep a journal, I would suggest making the journal just for yourself - at least at first. If I know all of my notes and snippets are only for my eyes, I am much freer. If I think there is any chance I might be sharing it on my blog or with someone I begin to censor myself and my journaling becomes more controlled. It stops doing the work I need it to do and that's to be a safe place where I can dump good and bad ideas that I can sort through later.

That's it for today. Stop back next week for more of our interview with Cynthia.

Butterfly Wings on Sale

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:45:00 +0000

Everything in our Butterfly Wings Collection featuring the artwork of Cynthia Louden is on sale.

Save 20%

Remember, Brush Dance shipping is just $8 - no matter how large your order.

Return tomorrow for the first part of my interview with Cynthia. She is such a creative, fun spirit.

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:12:00 +0000

This week's Tuesday Special is our Thich Nhat Hanh illustrated journal. Today only, this journal is 50% off!

Click here to see it, and use coupon code BLOG050 at checkout!

Courage Doesn't Always Roar Interview

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:03:00 +0000

Earlier this year, Mary Anne Radmacher appeared on KATU's AM Northwest to discuss her book "Courage Doesn't Always Roar"

Click here to see the fabulous Mary Anne

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:01:00 +0000

It's time for another Tuesday Extra-Special! Today only, take 25% off your entire order at www.brushdance.com with coupon code BLOG049!!!

Winner!

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:32:00 +0000

Our latest winner of autographed copies of Mary Anne Radmacher's Journal and Book is Laura Aiken! Laura, I'll drop you an email with details and information!

Have a great weekend, everyone. To see what I'm up to this weekend, see my personal blog: Witt + Wisdom.

We regularly have product giveaways on the Brush Dance Facebook Page, too - become a Fan to enter.

Interview with Mary Anne Radmacher (part 2)

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:28:00 +0000

This is the conclusion of my interview with Mary Anne Radmacher. All of her items are on sale right now - save 30%.

Your calligraphy style is unlike any others - are you self-taught? How long does it take you to complete a piece?

i did take a quarter of calligraphy in 8th grade. beyond that, I’m self taught. i created this lettering style over a period of five weeks in which i sequestered myself in a property overlooking the pacific ocean and lettered each letter of the alphabet thousands of times until I created a lettering approach that I felt uniquely represented my writing.

writing original material is a pleasure to me. it often can come quickly. lettering, depending on the quality of my “hand” can be good in a first take or it can take dozens of versions to get it right. art work – is like hatching an egg. (okay: confession. i’ve never hatched an egg..but i imagine it would be difficult.) there are some pieces i work on for weeks, some for months.

Give us a peek into your daily schedule - do you get an early start? Stay up late? How do you split your time between writing and art?

I occasionally get up early. that means I get up early and then stay up late. I’m a late night person. my most alert, best thinking times are early morning. my most creative time after after 4 in the afternoon until after midnight.

split my time? split. defined,- “break or cause to break forcibly into parts, esp. into halves or along the grain.”

in the afternoon, my time isn’t so much split as it is, spilled. one thing moves to another often naturally and then rolls back to the place it started. in the morning, I easily work to identify tasks and cleanly and purposely complete one thing before moving on to another. I attempt to lay out my day to best utilize the natural tendencies of my personal clock.

What new projects are you working on?

i’m completing the lettering and art for my third gift book called, THE MOST IMPORTANT PROMISES. and the research and interviews are moving forward for my next non-fiction work, THE SERVICE HABIT. both of these pieces are for RedWheel*Weiser*Conari Press. I’m looking forward to the release of my second gift book, MAY YOUR WALLS KNOW JOY and my co-authored with Jonathan Huie book, SIMPLY AN INSPIRED LIFE in september. (also with Conari Press). (Note: SIMPLY AN INSPIRED LIFE has been released.)

Mary Anne included this as a P.S. to her letter to me:

i love meaningful mail. i love sending mail and receiving mail. in fifth grade i did a research project on the u.s. forestry service just as prompt so i could write letters to rangers in those look out towers.

when i was a youngster i would spend my allowance on greeting cards and cover up the words on the inside and write my own.

i’ve designed greeting cards with brushdance for almost twenty years. it thrills to me to think that my words and art, translated through the language of the brilliant designers at brushdance, partner with people all over the world in their effort to communicate and connect. someone asked me just the other day what i do when i need cheering up. as a practice, i write a friend a REAL note in a card at least once a week. when busy lifting another person’s spirits, my own are drawn up as well.

Gift Cards

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:53:00 +0000

Looking for the perfect gift? We are now offering Gift Cards on our website. Starting at just $15, this is the one-size-fits-all holiday gift!

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:11:00 +0000

This week's Tuesday Special is our Bible Inspirations flex journal. Our Bible Inspirations collection features spiritual art paired with words from the Bible. Today only, this flex journal is on sale for 50% off!

Click here to see it, and use coupon code BLOG048 at checkout!

Enter to Win!

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:03:00 +0000

Enter to win signed copies of Mary Anne Radmacher's latest book "Simply an Inspired Life" and Brush Dance's "Live Boldly!" Flex Journal.

Simply leave an inspired response to this post in the comments by Thursday at 11:59 pm (Eastern time). A winner will be randomly chosen from all of the entries. One entry per person. Must be in the US or CAN to win.

It doesn't get much better than this!

Interview with Mary Anne Radmacher (part 1)

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:56:00 +0000

Mary Anne Radmacher is powerful. In her art, her words, and especially in her presence. She is someone who shares herself with you and in doing so invites you to do the same.

Several months ago, I had the opportunity to ask Mary Anne loads of questions about herself and her art. This is part one of that discussion.

Which came first for you - calligraphy, other art, writing?

as a tot, I experienced repeated hospitalizations. in an effort to curb my sense of isolation, hospital staff spent time with me by shifts. interns read their work out loud, nurses – their reports. doctors asked me to repeat for them the most recent announcement on the floor loud speaker. I was wrapped in the magnificence of words in this way.

declared well and sent home – my fascinating with words continued. I fancied that I had much to say and even more taken with the form and shape of the words themselves. discovery of my father’s stash of permanent markers in his home desk prompted my first foray into performance art and exploration of calligraphic form. the yellow “pages” of the family breakfast nook were the perfect format, I thought. standing on the bench I started at the top of the wall and worked my way down to the molding. very pleased with my work I thoughtfully returned my fathers markers, and went searching for my mother.

i recognize this event as a significant lesson in my life as a writer. i quickly came to realize that not all reviewers are going to share my opinion of my work. this lesson has served me well.

Have you had other careers in the past? If you weren't an artist, what career would you choose for yourself?

I picked berries and beans each summer from 4th grade through my freshman year. i was an office assistant for my grade school secretaries. i’m pretty sure I passed sophomore science with a B by earning extra credit grading my teacher’s quizzes. the summer after my mom died I worked in the kitchen of an “old folk’s home,” providing table service, cleaning dishes and reading to the elders if I had extra time.

my junior and senior year in high school when I wasn’t in a play, performing with one of my music groups, competing in speech or meeting a deadline for my journalism school paper role…I worked as a clerk in a local drugstore.

a school pal’s dad hired me into my first formal office job. his assistant, Lynne, taught me almost everything I would ever need to know about running anything. ever.

i cleaned hotel rooms, worked at a hospitality desk, shucked crabs and was a fish monger; I was a store clerk in a variety store; I ran an eight chord 1930’s switchboard for a college, I worked my way up to director of public relations in a private school, I consulted non-profit organizations as an independent consultant.

and then I turned twenty four.

before I started my own company I worked in the personnel department at Freightliner parts manufacturing plant. and then I worked in various capacities for people who were like family while I took care of my dad who had alzheimer's disease. one of my dearest friends fired me from the last job I ever had working for someone else. i’m so grateful to her for that…it took my art/writing career from a haphazard activity I did when I wasn’t working for someone else to what I did FOR work. full time. at that time I wrote, “the jump is so frightening between where i am and where I want to be. because of all i may become I will close my eyes and leap.”

i’d be an artist no matter what career i would choose for myself.

Thich Nhat Hanh in New York City

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:12:00 +0000

I've posted about the Thich Nhat Hanh speaking engagement last weekend on my personal blog.

Click here to read about it. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience.

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:15:00 +0000

This week's Tuesday Special features our Thich Nhat Hanh flex journal. Today only, this journal is on sale for 50% off! With spot illustrations and the words of Thich Nhat Hanh throughout its 120 pages, this journal is a must-have!

Click here to see it, and use coupon code BLOG047 at checkout!

Live Boldly! Save 30%

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:37:00 +0000

Save 30% on our entire Live Boldly Collection by Mary Anne Radmacher.

Live boldly.

Laugh. Risk love.

Continue to learn.

Appreciate your friends.

Lead or follow a leader.

Do what you love.

Live as if this is all there is.

- mary anne radmacher

Powerful words, yes? Here's more from Mary Anne:

Courage doesn't always roar.

Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,

"I will try again tomorrow."

Mary Anne once told me that she's looking to change the world with her art and words.

I believe she is doing just that.

Shop and Save 30% on our entire Live Boldly Collection

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:12:00 +0000

This week's Tuesday Special is our Imagine flex journal. Our Imagine collection of products features images of the Buddha and mindful quotes that will inspire you. Today only, this journal is 50% off!

Click here to see it, and use coupon code BLOG046 at checkout!

Holiday Cards Are Here!

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:06:00 +0000

Shawna has just put a selection of our holiday cards on our website.

A few to tempt you:

This one (above) is new from Mary Anne Radmacher. Such festive, fun colors!

From Sharon McCarthy - an updated look on a classic scene.

Completely modern, full of color and energy. This one is already one of our best selling cards.

And, finally, Blessings and Joy from Jeannine Roberts Royce. Such detail in the artistry.

See our Holiday Collection including Gift Tags.

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:04:00 +0000

This week's Tuesday Special features a square magnet from our Floral Expressions collection. Today only, this magnet is on sale for 50% off!

Click here to see it, and use coupon code BLOG045 at checkout!

Mary Anne Radmacher

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:51:00 +0000

This past spring, Mary Anne Radmacher had the opportunity to address students from Little Rock Central High School involved with the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program. Brush Dance made a donation of Flex Journals featuring Mary Anne's art and words.

Following the event, Mary Anne emailed me to let me know how it had gone. I asked her if I could publish that email here. (Mary Anne writes and types in all lower case letters, "except when i must not.")

when i talk to kids, in any size group, i don't validate myself or give historical information. i leave that to the person who introduces me or i just leave it out.

i just dig right in to my message. really, most of the time, they have no idea who i am or what i do. and most of the time, it doesn't really matter.

so it was with the kids in the AVID program at little rock's central high school even though they'd been studying out of LEAN FOWARD INTO YOUR LIFE and LIVE BOLDLY since last fall . . . they really did not connect me, the woman in a suit recovering from pneumonia, and covering her mouth each time she coughed, with those books.

3/4 of the way through my time there, i asked nancy rousseau, principal, and connie fails, creative director, clinton museum store, to pass out the brush dance journals that you had contributed.

oh. the surprise and delight. disbelief. a brand new journal? for me? it registered on almost every face. they started flipping through it: touching the very nice paper. the silence in a room of 65 very active kids was evidence of their pleasure.

we continued in our work: their first writing exercise. i showed them how to properly break the spine of a new book so that it wears well instead of splitting. we did it together. front to back. gently creasing the pages. the room, for the second time, was quiet. they were so excited they were silent. focused.

when it was time for questions a young woman asked, "what's your name?"

had nancy told them my name? of course. but then it didn't really matter. i was just one more adult getting ready to blah blah blah.

but then, when she asked, it mattered. because i'd just given them a skill set that allowed them to access their best thinking in a way that was new to them. and they'd used the skill to work in a group and create a 60 second speech. GOOD speeches, too. they all surprised themselves. i was NOT surprised. i know their greatness.

so. i said my name. and the whisper went around the room, "it's her."

their teacher couldn't contain herself. "YES. it's her. of course it's her. this is the WOMAN we've been studying for months." she named the books. and had the sound in her voice like a gentle, "c'mon people. pay attention."

one of the more animated boys said, "so THIS is really you, then?" pointing to the brush dance journal and pointing at me.

"yep. that's me. just the cover and the illustrations, though. all of the rest of it is going to be you." and then we continued the writing process.

afterwards i had a thrill that doesn't come really often to me: i felt like a rock star. i was thronged by those kids all shoving their journals at me with open pages and a pen in hand. they wanted an autograph.

each page got my name and a drawn heart.

because that's what those kids really got that particular day. and me, too: their faces autographed in my heart. thanks for the fits of dozens and dozens of journals, for the support and helping made an AVID difference.

My reply to Mary Anne: "Damn, Mary Anne . . . you are a rock star."

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:08:00 +0000

This week's Tuesday Special features our Journey to Wings illustrated journal. Today only, it's on sale for 50% off!

Click here to see it and use coupon code BLOG044 at checkout!

Clearance Sale

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:17:00 +0000

We're having a clearance sale. All of the items in our clearance section are available at 60% off the orginal price.

Amazing savings on absolutely beautiful items. Perfect for those people like (like me) who like to get an early start on holiday shopping.

As always, we offer flat-rate shipping: just $8 no matter how many products are ordered.

Annnnnd (as if that wasn't enough to tempt you!) every magnet on our site is currently available at 20% off original price. You can see our collection of magnets here.

That's all I have for you on this almost-autumn morning. Have a wonderful weekend.

In True Dialogue . . .

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:42:00 +0000

In true dialogue, both sides are willing to change.

-Thich Nhat Hanh

This quote from Thich Nhat Hanh truly speaks to me. Compromise and change are parts of our daily existence, aren't they?

At Brush Dance, one of our goals is to help foster communication - to bring people together. The Mindful Living Calendar has quickly become one of our most popular titles. Featuring serene images and the wise words of Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, we are reminded that we are all connected - all a part of the same world.

In the spirit of true dialogue, we are going to add some features to our blog postings. We want to share more with you: artist biographies, in-depth product profiles (and images), more wise and thoughtful words.

We are posting more on Facebook these days. Contests and giveaways are common there and I hope you will join us. (Did you know that if you become a Fan, we won't be able to see your personal Facebook page or postings? We'll just see who you are and you'll be able to post on our Fan Page. I love Facebook because they really seem to care about all of those privacy issues.)

Brush Dance is on Twitter, too. Meeting our customers in live-time has been amazing. We've also met some incredible artists who have submitted works for consideration.

And, finally, I have always been a bit uncomfortable about posting personal things here. I know some people are perfectly ok merging their home and professional lives and giving all of the details of everything. I'm not quite there, but I do want to share more of myself with everyone and am doing that on my personal blog. You're all invited to join me there.

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:02:00 +0000

This week's Tuesday Special is a square magnet from our Imagine collection, featuring an image of the Buddha and the words of Gandhi. Today only, this magnet is on sale for 50% off!

Click here to see it, and use coupon code BLOG043 at checkout!

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:12:00 +0000

This week's Tuesday Special at www.brushdance.com is our Perennial Grace Flex Journal. Today only, this journal is on sale for 50% off!

Click here to see it, and use coupon code BLOG042 at checkout!

Life is a great big canvas...

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:23:00 +0000

"Life is a great big canvas and you should throw all the paint you can on it."

This is one of my all-time favorite quotes... it's a new take on living life to its fullest. This inspiring quote and beautiful watercolor artwork can be found on our 2010 Working Spirit Calendar.

See it here!

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:10:00 +0000

We're having another extra-special Tuesday at www.brushdance.com! Today only, take 25% off your entire order! Enter promotional code BLOG041 at checkout.