Blog Feedback with a Giveaway!

I was over at Daisy Yellow the other day and she was talking about blogging and why we visit certain blogs, and what we like about them.  Which lead me to do my own little reader survey about Draw, Doodle and Decorate.



So, I’ll start at the beginning with the obvious. 
1-Would you like to see more doodling on this blog?  Zentangles with or without color?



Or…
2- Are you more drawn to the Sketches here.  Do I post too many pictures of the process or not enough?



I could do more with my Doodled Alphabet.  Incorporate a letter or a Word into my posts more often. 
3-Would this be appealing?



Or….
4- Do you like colorful, whimsical and unrealistic type drawings?



I do a few birds a season….
5- Would you like to see more of these?  Less?  Should I offer a black/white coloring book type print made available for your own use?

 

Then there’s the ever-popular Doodle Directory…..
6- Would you like more posts related to the directory?



Just to keep it fair…..

7- Does the changing of the Blog Header make you dizzy or does it add interest when you stop by?
8- I plan on doing some interviews with other Artists/ Art Journalers.  Would this be of interest?
9- Artsy-type Book Reviews are always fun to read.  I think word of mouth in blog land, can really help a new writer.  Do you buy books after reading a good review?
10-  Product reviews are not my fortee…..I like what I like and tend to stick with what works.  But I love posts where I can see Art studios or Art tools.  Would these types of pictures be inspiring to you?



And now the moment we’ve all been waiting for…

I will give one FULL 40 print Doodle Directory to a RANDOM person who leaves a comment here with a Blog Suggest/Criticism or Insight by midnight EST May 11.  There’s no right or wrong answer, and I’ve developed pretty thick skin over the years.  So, don’t hold back!  Change is good and this is the only way I know how to get you guys to say what you might be thinking.  LOL!!
*Sorry, only open to people with a US snail mail address.

Thanks for playing and stopping by :)

Interview with “Tammy of Daisy Yellow”

I am so excited that Tammy from Daisy Yellow, agreed to be interviewed here! I found Tammy almost a year ago via iHanna and then I kept stumbling upon her work at Flickr. Before I knew it, I had my first Blog Crush!!

See below for Tammy’s well thought out answers about her site, her style and her kid-focused Art. Also, some very good links!

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1. How long have you been blogging? Was Daisy Yellow your first blog?

Tammy: This is my first and only blog (Daisy Yellow) and I launched it Summer 2008.

2. It seems you have a theme with your blogging; with your challenges and quotes… Has this helped organize your site? I’m sure any tips here will be appreciated by new & old bloggers!

Tammy: I like having a bit of a framework. For example, the Creative Experiment Challenge and Art Journal Prompts are posted the first week of the month. All my posts have a quote and a photograph. I worked for many years in process redesign, so having a process, a structure, is natural. I usually have about 20-25 posts in various stages of completion, so there’s never a mad rush to post.

I would suggest that bloggers focus on content. Each one of you are a unique person in this world, so write about what interests you. Get a decent point-and-shoot camera so that you can post decent quality photos.

3. You mention rapidograph pens a lot. Please explain them to me and why are they so expensive?

Tammy: Rapidograph technical pens can be filled with India or fountain pen ink. You can switch out different sized nibs and inks. Quality fountain and technical pens are indeed expensive; they are of incredible technical precision. The ink flows consistently and smoothly, which you won’t find in the lesser quality pens.

4. I like how you get your kids involved in your projects. Love your “no rules” approach to creating with your kids. How have you seen this benefit your kids and your relationship with them?

Tammy: My approach was influenced by my kids’ Reggio Emilia inspired pre-school, where art experiences are central to the learning process. For example, the children’s art is documented with photographs and notes; hallways are lined with individual artwork (often different interpretations of a concept) rather than the cookie cutter art that you see in so many schools.

We spend time together doing art. For example, my 8 yr old is immersed in her 5th comic-book illustration. My 10 yr old is refining her fairy drawings and I’m drawing doodle-cityscapes. Even though we are all working on different things, the important thing is we are together. This has benefited my kids because they are very confident in their creativity and we talk about a lot of different creative ideas. It’s more fun and interactive than sitting at a soccer game, for sure.

5. I often go to Flickr for inspiration. Where do you go to get inspired?

Tammy: Inspiration is everywhere. Flickr is fabulous, for both photography and art. Carrying a camera engages me in a search for things to photograph. Like patterns, colors, lines, gardens, flowers, which has helped me become more mindful. Photography, design + art blogs are inspiring. And fabric!

Plus I listen to a few creative podcasts, such as The Creative Mom Podcast. I’ve written thoughts on developing creative ideas in Step #290 Creative Ideas.

6. Can you recommend any good books for people that want to get over a block or be inspired?

Tammy: Danny Gregory’s “The Creative License” is a wonderful place to start. For writers, definitely Anne Lamott’s “Bird by Bird”.

7. Have you taken any art classes? (on-line or real-time?)

Tammy: Just an evening watercolor course 20+ years ago!

8. Your mandala’s are always so beautiful, colorful, detailed and original. What is your favorite feature about them? Do you have an idea of where you want to take them?

Tammy: Thank you! I really enjoy the process drawing the entire mandala…..drawing lines, focusing on patterns as they come to life on paper.

9. Tell us about the camera you use. Do you take pictures everyday?

Tammy: My camera is a Nikon D90. My favorite lens is a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. I take (too many) photographs every day, often in our garden.

10. Do you sell your art?

Tammy: I’ve considered it, but I don’t know what direction that will take.

11. How has your education influenced your art?

Tammy: My education is in Quantitative Analysis, which may have been a roadblock at first when I started drawing a few years ago. I wanted to be so precise. Gradually, I let that go.

12. If you could be an art supply, what would you be and why?

Tammy: What a fun question!!! I might be a set of watercolors in vivid colors!! What about you?

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Ahhhh, I would be pack of colorful markers like the ones your daughter is using!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer all my questions. I’m sure others may have other questions for you and let me tell you, Tammy is very good about answering them!

You can find Tammy at the following places:

Daisy Yellow Site: Here

Flickr: gypsy999 Here

Twitter: gypsy999 Here

Honest Scrap

Integrity is telling myself the truth and Honesty is telling the truth to other people. - Spencer Johnson

My friend Tammy at Daisy Yellow tagged me for this Honest Scrap session. I guess I’m supposed to tell you 10 honest and interesting things about myself that you don’t already know. Then tag 7 more people.

1. I don’t have a romantic bone in my body….but I’m extremely sentimental!
2. I don’t like to wear a lot of jewelry. Can’t stand clunky, chunky or noisy! But I love to see it on others!
3. Confession: My husband does most of the laundry around here. He’s a keeper!
4. I was a H.U.G.E. tomboy when I was little. I’d get very embarrassed if I Had to wear a dress.
5. I used to pitch fast pitch softball in little league. I even pitched a couple of No Hit, No Run games. Whew! Whew!
6. I’m a lousy diver and gymnast. I have very little flexibility, plus I’m a big chicken.
7. There’s hardly a cake I can pass up without eating a slice. But I always pass on the donuts.
8. I have never been able to cry to get out of a speeding ticket. Probably because I’m too mad!
9. I grew up in a family of 5 kids. Our ages for 7 wks out of the year would be like this for example; 7, 10, 11, 12, 13. I was the second youngest with two step-siblings in there. 3 boys and 2 girls! My poor parents!
10. So far….I’ve lived in 6 states. Illinois, Texas, Missouri, Florida, Washington, Kentucky. I think it’s helped to “round-me-out”.

So now, you know more about me than you did yesterday!! LOL!!

I’d like to tag the following people:

1. Sue Doodles
2. Janet
3. Serena
4. Elena
5. Lori Vliegen
6. Dawn
7. Mandy at Messy Canvas