Now go eat some Chocolate!

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I am so excited to be profiling for this month’s “Favorite Things” series a woman who I think is quite simply – AMAZING!  Monica Lee does it all – artist, talk show host, creative business strategist, mom, wife, etc….  the list goes on, AND she does all this with a smile on her face and an infectious laugh that makes you drawn to learn more about her and all that she is creating and doing.  I first came to know Monica when I was paired up with her for Cindy Ann Ganadan’s Ornament Exchange.  I was lucky enough to receive some beautiful hand-glittered Monica Lee artwork-turned ornaments ~ and I love them! Many of you may know Monica first as an established and prolific artist, creating art for products of all types, but this year she has added talk show host to her menu of talents with her much loved and popular website and vlog interviews on Smart Creative Women. One minute of watching Monica’s interviews, or reading her blog, and you will witness her immense energy for life, gregarious personality, and all around cool chic persona. It is this goal of putting out support and encouragement into the world that is catapulting her to the top of the list of motivational cheerleaders for creative women!  

Thanks Monica for taking the time to show us your “Favorite Things”!

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ABOUT MONICA:

I write. I have been blogging for what seems like 100 years and have discovered that I am the most satisfied when I introduce people to each other and introduce ideas into the hearts of receptive souls. (A bit touchy feeling, I know…but trust me being open is where it all begins.)

I interview. On Smart Creative Women tune in to hear big ideas from the most charming, fresh women in the biz. We talk about their business models, balance, and yes, we even talk money. I am an unabashed people person and love nothing better than hearing their stories.  I am an illustrator turned talk show host. I am loving Smart Creative Women and somehow feel like I have found my sweet spot doing this. My natural curiosity has led me to what comes the most naturally to me, talking! haha!

I am an intuitive, creative business strategist.  Helping other creatives get out of their own head, out of their own way and monetize their creativity is my passion. Streamlining ideas and breaking through stuff that might hold you back is what I am all about. With a little cheerleading kicked in for good measure.

I create. I owned and operated a cottage greeting card business that turned out to be not so cottage. I started out as a sales rep and then jumped right into manufacturing greetings cards. 100k cards on the first run! Suddenly I was the one hiring sales reps! Several years later I decided I wanted to stop packing orders (that was a lot of packing tape) and illustrate full time. So I got out my paintbrush, beefed up a new portfolio and I started showing my illustrations to editors without even knowing how to write a freelance proposal! I learned everything ON THE JOB. I had to learn computer programs, file delivery, social media all while I was workin’ it! I attended trade shows, showed at trade shows and started licensing my artwork. I have met fabulous people along the way and I can’t get enough of creative minds. I had one friend tell me that she liked my “been there, done that” story. I have honestly enjoyed every minute (did I mention that during a large part of this story I was flying all over Europe as a flight attendant, talk about jet lagged)! All of this has led me on the perfect path to this point, helping you draw out your best and most authentic self as a creative person in business.

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FASHION & FASHION ILLUSTRATION:  I am influenced by fashion and fashion illustrators and sometimes feel like I was born in the wrong era! Although, I couldn’t  have survived without stretch fabric! 

Find Monica Lee at:

Website: SMART CREATIVE WOMEN    –    FACEBOOK        

Website: MONICA LEE STUDIOS     -    FACEBOOK      

BLOG    

TWITTER 

Happy Mother’s Day!

(Artwork by Cole – First Grade)

Every morning I take my dog out for our walk. I say “our walk” because it’s as much for me as it is for him. It’s my favorite time of the day, and I’m pretty certain it’s Shamus’s too. I take a variety of routes for these morning journies, but I always try to end up at a particular open area where I can let Shamus off his leash to run. He likes to chase bunnies and birds, and the other day, when it was exceptionally hot, he decided to lay down in a pond of very mossy water (yeah, that was gross).  This is his time to be free.  No leash, no fence, no boundaries. Just freedom.

This morning while Shamus was strolling along the path, it occurred to me that we all need some time off leash. No matter where you are in the world we all exist in controlled environments, whether it is social confines or economic boundaries … the leash is there. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I love all the resources and security the world provides me, but alternately it is very easy to let ourselves become bound by our life as we know it.  

How many things do you feel tethered to? I know for me I have a pretty long list, but if I were to pick my greatest challenge it would be time. Some days time and I are the best of friends, but more days than not we’re mortal enemies. It’s really hard to approach life living in the present moment when you’re enemies with time. 

As much as I am grateful for the order in my world, it is easy to forget to expand and reach out and unlatch the leash of comfort, security, and control, and just run free for a little bit. Free to explore new things: take a class, learn a new skill, read a book, take a trip, do something completely out of your comfort zone.  I’m seeing from experience that it is in these moments of free fall that creativity and  inspiration set in and redirection is given. 

I found two quotes that sum up this idea:

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The creative process is the most terrifying part because you don’t know exactly what’s going to happen or where it is going to lead. You don’t know what new dangers and challenges you’ll find. It takes an enormous amount of internal security to begin with the spirit of adventure, discovery, and creativity. Without doubt, you have to leave the comfort zone of base camp and confront an entirely new and unknown wilderness.  

~   STEPHEN COVEY, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

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Now – get on out there and run free!  You never know where you’ll end up.  

A teacher friend of mine recently re-introduced me to the art of Quilling.  It was an artform I’d seen before but completely forgotten about until she showed me what she was creating with her 4th grade students!  I was immediately hooked and have been slowly researching about the craft with the hope of one day integrating it into my own art.  The pictures above and below are some of her students’ work!  Amazing, aren’t they?! 

If you’re like me and enjoy learning a little history along the way, here’s some info on Quilling you might find interesting: 

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Quilling is the art of coiling thin strips of colored papers and shaping them to form patterns and pictures. Over the years this craft has been called PAPER-ROLLING, PAPER-SCROLLING, PAPER FILIGREE, MOSAIC, AND QUILLING; today you will know it most readily by the name QUILLING.  This craft is believed to date back to Ancient Egypt, and over the centuries quilled art has matured into many forms.  In the 16th and 17th centuries nuns in the monasteries of France and Italy perfected the craft, and later the genteel ladies of Europe built an even greater range of technique to the artistic possibilities of quilled art. Nuns decorated reliquaries and holy pictures, adding gilding and much ornamentation to the coiled paper making it difficult to tell that it wasn’t real silver or gold filigree.  Ladies of leisure in the 18th and 19th century Europe enjoyed creating panels and coats of arms, as well as ornamented boxes, frames and even tea caddies. In the past century quilling has continued to grow in popularity.

At its infancy this artform was reserved for the church or the elite and “leisure class” crowd,  but now it is an art readily available to everyone.  There are many places you can purchase supplies, books, and kits to get you started and I’ve included some links below.  

Happy Quilling!

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Quilling Resources:

Check out Cecilia Lorett’s wonderful creations on her ETSY site.

Where to get Supplies:

Quilling Paper Superstore

Quilling ~ Lake City Craft

Book recommended by Cecilia Lorett

Reference & Research: HERE,  HERE, and HERE

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I have been following Danielle LaPorte’s blog for a long time now.  I’ve watched every web talk she’s ever done and have waited with bated breathe for her new book THE FIRE STARTER SESSIONS to come out (April 2012). Since I received my copy last month, I’ve poured through the book and have purchased 5x more copies for my nieces and friends. It is an amazing read and I can’t recommend it enough to all my creative and entrapreneurial friends out there!  If you want to get a little taste of what’s in the book, check out her “30 day Fire Up Your Creative Genius” videos on the Huffington Post.  It’s sure to spark your inspiration fire!

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Here’s a description of the book on Amazon:

After days of dirty finger nails and aching muscles our garden is finally done and ready for summer!  We celebrated with a little impromptu garden party. Now we can sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of our labor!  Happy Spring!

The sets are painted (a mini sneak peek above at my contribution), the costumes are fitted and pressed, the rehearsals are winding down, and the nerves are winding up … it’s SHOW WEEK!  My younger son’s big “Grease” debut begins tonight and I have to admit I think I’m more nervous than he is! I know it’ll be wonderful and I couldn’t be more proud of all the kids! One thing for sure, this production is sure to turn into a sing-along! I don’t know anyone who doesn’t know all the words to at least one of the songs!  

Here’s one to get you started for the day ~

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