Upcoming New Series: Interviews with Young Professionals and Designers

So I have been listening to some really cool podcasts about creative business owners, and they have some wonderful ideas about how to make your blog more interesting and how to really tell your story online. One of their ideas was to have a blog series and I have chosen to feature some interviews with some awesome young professionals and designers. Since I am in the process of conducting "interviews" (not as serious at it might seem), I won't give away who all I am working with, but I WILL tell you that I will be sharing the work, ideas and talent of some pretty AWESOME people. I can't wait to share with you what great (and diverse/unique/creative) things they are doing! It truly shows the possibilities available with a little equipment, training, natural talent, will-power and SOCIAL MEDIA. These kids are making their dreams possible by doing what they absolutely love, and therefore are successful! One of my interviewees-to-be just said it best when he said "I love what I do and it doesn't seem like work to me." So true. It's an awesome feeling to talk to my friends and know not only that they're like me, but that we can share our ideas and help each other grow. I have discovered over the past two years that I don't like being boxed in, and that I thrive on endless creativity and collaboration. With that being said, I can't WAIT to share with you the fabulousness that are these young and talented people! My first interview feature will be with my friend and fellow graphic designer, lover of social gatherings, and a good laugh: Andy Jordan. I've known him for a few years and he just recently accepted a graphic design position at a firm in OKC. I'll be posting his interview in the next few days! I hope you are all as excited as I am!

SPOILER ALERT!!! (not really) Here is a sampling of what is to come with my interview series:

• A new professional graphic designer and funny guy (Andy Jordan, mentioned above)
• A southern social media guru specializing in digital communication 
• A sassy fashionista on the West coast with some exquisite taste and a thing for jelly fish 
• A self-taught photographer and designer who has an impeccable eye and love of horses

Alrighty fans and friends, I have to go pack. I am travelling for a few days for work!

Have a beautiful evening!

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P.S. If you or someone you know want to be a super cool interviewee, hit me up! I'd love to talk to any of you!!!

My cat the painter

So I was going to make this really cool post displaying all my must-have art and craft supplies...

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But as you can see quite the distracting feline took charge. I had this colorful idea in my head that I'd do a display of tubes of paint, cans of sealant, spools of ribbon, containers of brushes, piles of scratch paper, and stacks of canvases and coolers. But as usual, my nosey little cat Penny got in the way of my blogging project. Don't get me wrong. I love this little ball of black, white and caramel fur...but she is just such an attention hog that I couldn't resist a photo shoot.. So ladies and gents, may I present to you: my cat, the painter. (ok, so she didn't really paint anything...but hey, she tried)

P.S. Up there you saw some images that show some of my must-have supplies and how I organize them! I bought a cute bamboo silverware caddy at T.J. Maxx (you should go) -- it's probably one of my favorite stores and guiltiest pleasures. Anyway, it was like 7 smackers and it's the perfect organizer for my paint pens! I use paint pens on almost every project. They are my #1 must-have supply! You will also see paint brushes, sparkly acrylic paint (a fun accessory paint!) and the always important and useful, scrap board (or paper)...I usually find some cardboard to doodle on, clean brushes or pens, or to protect surfaces from a paint mess! 

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Picture Plug - Featured Photographer

So I am proud to say I am collaborating with an awesome girl, Tara Johnson, who happens to also be an awesome upcoming photographer and designer! She is an undergraduate student in my program, Agricultural Communications. She has an awesome portfolio already and can do just about anything! We decided we wanted to start working together on some projects, mainly just to bounce ideas off each other, learn, network, etc. She's a great gal and I want to give her some added visibility (what little I can) through my blog! Hopefully I will be able to feature some more of her work soon, and our goal is to add her to my facebook page soon too. She is currently developing a portfolio of "alphabet photos" - which she will lay out, print, frame, etc for customers! So cool! She is quite talented, self-motivated and unique! Check out her photography blog to see some of her work, quirky style, and inside her brain.

Hats off to you, TJ!

Self portrait 1, Tara Johnson