Aisling resumes podcasts by talking about failure and success in art, and why your emotions and passions must be involved in your artwork.

Link: Aisling.net (under renovation, but there's still plenty to see there)

Music: The Moods of Man, written and orchestrated by James Underberg

In this five-minute podcast, artist's journals expert Aisling D'Art talks about the most important archival issues when you begin keeping an artist's journal.

First, there is the paper you use in your journal.  It's great if it's pH neutral and archival.  If it's not, there are products that can neutralize the paper so that it's more archival.

Then, there is the glue.  Generally, the glue or adhesive that you use is slightly more important than the paper's archival qualities.  Great glue and yellowing, brittle paper can be a problem, but archival paper with regular rubber cement can be tragic.

So, start with a good glue.

Because we often include "found" paper, ephemera or mementos, many items in our journals probably won't be archival.  That's where a neutralizing spray product can be handy.

Listen to this podcast for more tips.

Take photos! That's the message of artist's journals expert Aisling D'Art. 

In this five-minute podcast, Aisling shares tips and prompts for photos that will make your journals and illustrated diaries even more memorable.

What are the rules about art journals (or artist's journals, or illustrated diaries)?  There are none.

In this five-minute podcast, artist's journals pioneer Aisling D'Art talks about the kinds of journals you may want to keep, and how to organize them.

Letterboxing is a great excuse to combine art, hiking and a treasure hunt.  In this five-minute podcast, artist Aisling D'Art takes the mystery out of carving rubber stamps, and suggests some easier alternatives.

Related links:
Aisling's previous letterboxing podcast
Letterboxing.org

Aisling D'Art shares ideas about what to put into your own illustrated journal or diary.

Start with the everyday... the things that seem mundane to you.  They're often the most interesting when you re-read your journal in later years.  Your descendants may especially enjoy these kinds of insights to your daily routines, errands and recreation.

Aisling resumes her weekly podcasts with a quick review of the top three questions from beginning journalers:

1. Do you write text first, or create the art first?
2. What glue should I use?
3. What can I put into my journal?

This podcast was originally timed for the relaunch of Santa Flamingo as resource for original art, digital art and whimsy.

However, on second thought, Aisling delayed it by one week in favor of a 'green' themed podcast for Earth Day.

This week, we're celebrating Earth Day at Santa Flamingo.

In this podcast, Aisling talks about a few 'green' aspects of artists' journals.

Then, she shares one of her favorite hobbies that combines art plus the green outdoors: Letterboxing!

Links

Letterboxing.org
Letterboxing, described at Wikipedia
AtlasQuest.com, international letterboxing
SantaFlamingo.com

There are three ways to approach your art:

1. Forget about the audience.  Just make it. 
If this works for you, continue!  This podcast isn't for you.

2. Plan everything carefully with your audience in mind.
This works for almost no one, but everyone seems to lapse into it now and then... including me.

3. Increase the drama, internally, and then express it.  Or just visually shout.  Or... well, that's what I'm talking about in this podcast: Reaching your audience across the distance (mental or physical or both) while retaining authenticity.

[And, oh yes, if you're wondering where the paintings are, you may want to see Eileen Morey, Fine Artist.]

Need inspiration?  Need to recharge your creative batteries?  Go to an art gallery or museum, or anywhere that inspires you with awe and beauty.

Are you "stuck" as an artist?   Is your life too busy for art? 

Consider this quotation:

"When a disliked task needs to be done, any more enjoyable activity ranks a higher priority." 

In this podcast, I'm trying to explain an art technique that--in lieu of illustrations--may need some trial-and-error experimentation.  Then again, that's the whole point.

You'll need three things:
- a drinking straw
- some watercolor paint mixed with water
- a sheet of drawing paper (anything that won't absorb the paint too quickly)

Here's what to do:

1. Put a blob of paint + water on the paper.
2. Position the drinking straw close to--but not touching--the paint.
3. Blow through the straw so that the paint is forced forward in a line.
4. Follow the paint as it progresses across the paper.
5. When you need another breath of air, position the straw so that the line will go in a new direction with the next breath.
6. Continue until that line runs out of paint.
7. Repeat with the original blob of paint until it runs out.
8. Put a new blob of paint, maybe in a new color, near the original blob.
9. Repeat until you decide that your drinking straw painting is done.

Here's another suggestion:

Paint a nice, thick line from the bottom edge of your paper to the middle (or so).  Put the blob of paint at the top of it.  Follow the instructions, above.  The thick line is the tree trunk and the individual, blown lines are the branches.  Add leaves, and it's a painting!

This is a great project to do with kids.  (It can also be hilarious fun at a party, if everyone's in a carefree mood.)

It is so important to make childlike art, at least now and then.

In this podcast, I recommend playing with big fat crayons or the simplest watercolor set. 

No matter what your art medium, it's vital to dismiss the inner critic or censor and make art just to make art.

In today's podcast, I talk about accepting that some of your art might look ugly to you.  Keep making art anyway.

Please note that I didn't say that some are will BE ugly... I said that it might LOOK ugly to you.

Don't judge the art as you're making it.  Don't even judge it when it's finished... not right away, anyhow.

Just make the art.  Really.  Just make the art.

Today's message is simple:  Don't postpone making art, because you have to buy the supplies or tidy an area in which to create art.

Work with what you have.

I've heard that Matisse, the famous painter, developed severe arthritis as he aged, and he could no longer hold a paintbrush.  So, he created art with kiddie scissors, cutting out big areas of construction paper. 

Gluing those areas of color in interesting patterns, he launched an entirely new period in his art.  Today, many people are more familiar with those works than his paintings.

If you don't have acrylic or oil paints, work with watercolors.  If that doesn't make you sing in the shower, try working with cut-up magazine pages... or even torn paper collage, as I created in some of my artists journals.

The point is:  Don't put off creating art.  Express yourself with something "artistic" today!

One of the worst things that an aspiring artist can do is attempt to draw before learning to paint.

Drawing requires eye-hand coordination, skill with line and the ability to get proportions right.

Painting only requires the ability to see colors and shapes, and put corresponding blobs of paint on a canvas or paper.

Start with painting!  That's today's message from Santa Flamingo, where every day is a great day.

admin note: My Odeo Channel (odeo/513c94b3e49b84e4)

Whenever you're using paint, an underpainting (another layer of paint that you'll cover with other color/s) can make a huge difference.

In this podcast, I talk about ways to use Cadmium red.  That's a vivid red with a tinge of orange in it.  I've used it successfully in my paintings and in my art shrines.

That's today's brief podcast from Santa Flamingo, where all the sunsets are vivid and the stars always sparkle at night.

The silent "e" in names, a dot of Chinese red, or some carnations in the corner of your office or living space... all of them can make a big difference.

That's the latest message from Santa Flamingo, where all the sunrises are colorful and all the conversations are interesting!

Visit our Santa Flamingo shop for digital art supplies.

Have you ever had a tune stuck in your head?  Often, the best solution is to find a copy of that tune, play it, sing along with it, and gradually erase it from your brain.

If you're having a grumpy day and you need to make art, maybe you should start with some good, grumpy art!  Express yourself and your deepest feelings in art, even if it's art that nobody will see.  Get those feelings out of your head!

Never try to "fake it" with art.  Art only works when it's authentic.  Instead, put your emotions into your art, and see if that helps you move beyond a case of the grumpies.

Links:
SantaFlamingo.com - The very new hub of all of my work as Aisling D'Art

There are two ways not to shop... and not to make art. 

The first is when you're in a grumpy mood.  Don't make art when you're not feeling inspired at all.  Or, if you do, make deliberately grumpy art!

The other is when you have, in your mind's eye, a photographic image of the finished art.  When you work that way, the art is already completed.  Putting it on paper or canvas or whatever...?  That's just copying, and there's not much positive energy in copying. 

So, find the inspiration deep within you, and work from that.

Important note: This channel will now become Views from Santa Flamingo, and get back to whimsy, artist-to-artist chats, and all that good stuff.

The new URL is: http://www.ViewsFromSantaFlamingo.com

This was re-recorded as I change the podcast name to Views from Santa Flamingo (previously Miles Away from Mundane).

In this new podcast series, I'm shifting emphasis to adding creativity to daily life.  This will include tips about making art, but also about the smaller, everyday things that we can to do live more inspired lives.

Today, I talk about the importance of seeing things, not just looking at them from an intellectual viewpoint. 

Homework:  Look at the sky tomorrow morning.  Really see the colors in the sky, the clouds and the landscape around you.  Every morning is unique... appreciate it!

Links from the previous version of this podcast:

Zen Seeing, Zen Drawing by Frederick Franck
43 Folders' Productivity podcast compilation with David Allen
43F Podcast of Inbox Zero talk at Google
EibhlinMorey.com (under construction)

If you read my blog, there's nothing new in this.  But, it's what's on my mind as I'm getting ready to launch the next step in my art career.  It's a stream-of-consciousness podcast, not especially edited for clarity.  What can I say..?  Listen at your own risk.

Related links:

Lesley Riley's art: http://www.lalasland.com/
Jane Cather's dolls: http://www.janecather.com/
Nancy Halpern's quilts: http://sheinstein.addr.com/Nancy.html

Update:  After trying some new podcast styles, I'm changing this podcast's name to Views from Santa Flamingo.  It's also becoming more frequent, less structured, and generally more zany.

Sometimes, do you need to get unstuck?  Whether you're a visual artist who can't seem to get moving again, or a writer with writer's block, Aisling's advice may help.  Hear her chat about the creative process and her inhale/exhale theories of inspiration. 

In this completely unscripted podcast, I ramble about new magazines and books, and what's inspiring me... both in positive and (ouch) negative ways.   I also talk about current and upcoming projects including my art zine, and--yes, I'm blushing--yet another website.

Links:
Aisling.net
ArtBooksReviews.com
My Cafe Press shop: Santa Flamingo

Let's take a step back, before you even clear a space to work on art.  Do you have the creative vision yet?  If not, start with what I call "Step Zero" and establish the mental space you'll need to come up with brilliant, original and creative ideas.

In this podcast, I share tips for welcoming the Muse, and creating the inspired state of mind where artistic ideas can flourish.

Links: 
Jaime Brockett, singer/songwriter

Recorded 3 Nov 2006
Recording time: 5 min, 5 sec

Are you ready to make art?  Let me rephrase that:  Is your work area ready for you to make art?  In today's Miles Away from Mundane podcast, I talk about the importance of having a clean desk or workspace before you start setting up your art supplies.

Recorded 26 Oct 2006
Recording time: 3 min, 45 sec

This Miles Away from Mundane podcast is about using a dream and an awkward memory to spark ideas for art dolls and figures.  My imagery includes the "hear no evil..." monkeys as well as vintage faces and the movie Pleasantville.

I talk about both one-of-a-kind mixed media figures and  "production line" figures (created in a sort of mass-production style, not exactly one-by-one).

Links and resources:
40 Faces for figures - My Cafe Press CD with doll and figure faces that you can use.
Pleasantville - This is a great "background movie" when I'm working on art. I just plain like this movie, anyway.
Tyson Emanuel provided the background music for this podcast.  It's his original work, Divided Beliefs.

You can subscribe (it's free!) to this podcast series at Odeo, among other podcasting services.

Recorded 9 Oct 2006
Recording time: 7 minutes, 35 seconds

A sample Feng Shui podcast, featuring decorating notes for Halloween: 
Black is a career color and orange is ideal for fame/reputation.  So, Halloween is perfect for upgrading your Feng Shui luck!

Avoid excessively scary, tacky or repellant images.  Think about creative and original holiday decor. 

Remember: This is the one time of year when you have an opportunity to let people glimpse inside your home.  Use your fame area (directly ahead when anyone looks in your front door) to make a strong and favorable impression.

Links and resources:
For more show notes and book recommendations, see Shui To Go!
Background music by Tyson Emanuel; it's his original composition, "Touched by Fire."

Topics: Why podcasting?

Also, the creative process, using stencils, window wax, and art cars as an example. 

Here are some of the links that I mention during this five-minute podcast:

Stencil Street Art
Plastic Radios dot com
The Vermont Country Store - window wax stencils
Music by James Underberg
Aisling.net (my primary art website)
and, of course, www.MilesAwayFromMundane.com, the site that hosts my creative podcasts

If you'd like to call me with a comment*, our message line is  206-600-4278.  Be sure to mention that you're commenting on this podcast.  And, remember that I may use all or part of your comments in a future podcast.

*Please be kind.  I know that there are pops and snaps when I'm too close to my microphone.  And, there are silences & "ummms"... and a few times when I clearly lose my train of thought, mid-sentence.  I will improve with practice!

Welcome to my new podcasting blog!  I'm planning to add a new art-related podcast at least once a week.  Here are a few basics, if you're looking for more info:

For more information about my current projects, see my new hub website, SantaFlamingo.com

My first totally-art website was Aisling.net, which still links to my many art-related websites and projects.

Comments are individually approved by me before they appear here.  (If I'm working crazy hours on a project, I may not get to this for a few days.)  Generally, I won't approve posts about gambling or dating websites, pharmaceuticals, financial opportunities with deposed Nigerian officials, and so on.

You can leave a comment by phone at 206-600-4278.  (That was supposed to be 200-600-4art, but then I realized that it might look like "fart" instead of "for art.")  Remember that, if you leave a voice message, you automatically give me permission to use all or part of it in an upcoming podcast.

If you have suggestions for future podcasts, email them to podcasts at aisling dot net.  Thanks!