Well my mind has been sufficiently blown for you day.  These photographs are stunning.  Stunning.  Chris Friel is a British painter who picked up a camera in 2006 and never turned back to painting.  The camera is his brush.  And if that’s not amazing enough, Chris is color blind.

I love the way Chris Friel uses layers and the textures of the landscape to create his images.  They are so complex and intriguing.  For a man who can’t see color, his work is rich and well balanced.  There are brilliant moments of intense color beside neutral, quieter scenes.

So, take a moment to refresh your eyes, take in all this beauty, and prepare to see your the scenes around you a little differently.  We live in a beautiful world!

If a poem could have an image, I think many would look like this.  Beautiful, mysterious, and dynamic.  Chris Friel showcases the stunning majesty of creation perfectly.
Well, I suddenly feel like taking my camera outside getting a little creative!  Care to join me?

Pattern….  I really love pattern.

Patterns are so important to our day-to-day lives.  We like to feel that everything has a “place”.    Symmetry and order help everything in life fit into place, giving us some sort of security and belonging.  Rhythmic consistency (aka, patterns) allows us to enjoy the many things in life that are asymmetrical; things that have no mold, and certainly don’t fit into our preconceptions of “balance”.
The same is true for design.  However, not all patters are organized and pixel-perfectly o

rdered.  Some are lose and almost erratic as they can be!

Right now, my eyes are very much enjoying the drama and unexpected order in tribal patterns.  They are organized just so, and I’m always surprised by the arrangement and design.

I’m planning a new collage and would love to add a white-on-wood tribal design in the background.  It in my head and it just has to come out!
Do you know the feeling?

What is you favorite type of pattern?

 
1. Going Hunting, Hand Printed Pillow by Bark Decor  |  2. Jacinto Pillow, Anthropologie  |  3. Going Hunting – hand printed circle cowl scarf by Bark Decor  |  4. Kaia Bangle from Gorjana Griffin  |  5. DIY Geometric wallpaper boarder by deko

Hello!

Well this is a rare occurrence!  A blog post on Saturday?  Crazy.

You may remember that on Monday we talked about multitasking and how horrid it can be for your creativity (based on the research of Clifford Nass)  and I decided to put that theory to the test.  Each day I worked in my studio I separated myself from my phone, iPad, and laptop.  I still had my two little girls with me, and of course, I still played music.  So it was certainly NOT a distraction free zone, by any means.  But that’s my life right now, and I love it!

As I mentioned on Monday, I am prepping for the renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn, NY (come see me, June 22-23!), which really means my fingers are working non-stop.  I have about four weeks, and so, so much to get done.   I figured this would be a great time to step it up into hyper-creative-mode, and if that meant divorcing my phone, so be it.

The biggest pro I experienced in my week of “mostly-single-tasking” was freedom.  I let go of the idea that I must be present everywhere at all times.  It was exciting and wonderful.  I was free to forget about everything but my work (and children, of course!)

The biggest con was that I often got completely lost in my work and forgot everything besides what I was working on.  Letting go of the online world was easier than I expected, but the online community is one of the most valuable assets I have in running this blog and my creative business.  I felt that I neglected that amazing support structure too often.   I get so lost in my creative head-space I lose track of time far to easily.

Total honesty: I am going to start multitasking again.  There.  I said it.  Dr. Nass is going to have a fit.
My business is developing too much for me to risk delaying, much less altogether, forgetting something of great value because I am too absorbed in my creative work.  I found it very difficult to make time for simple tasks like posting a photo, replying to comments, and sending emails.  There were days that I actually forgot about social media entirely. While this is a good thing at times (and I’m super glad to know that I actually can disassociate myself from my iPhone without a panic attack) it’s not good to neglect my readers, customer, friends, and colleagues because on my one-track-mind.    So from now on, my goal will be to multitask in moderation.  This “single-task” week has opened my eyes to the bondage that distractions had been on my life (on and offline).

All in all, I had a fantastic week.  It really was super productive.  The images you’re seeing are a little snapshot of the things I created this week.

Busy fingers, busy brain, happy life.

Not pictured:
- The spilled coffee… all over my work table. The tiny (two year old girl) fingers dipped in India Ink, finger painting on my almost completed landscapes
- The trial and error gild leaf experiments
- The hours of inventory (trust me, you don’t want to see me think through that)
- The fun times order more supplies
- The cutest studio mates in the whole world
- Their fresh stack of library books
- The spontaneous dance sessions
…and my sister!!! (She visited me this week and I might not ever let her leave.  Plus, she’s very good at polishing tiny jewelry parts.)

What are your thoughts on this whole multitasking/single-tasking concept?  Have you ever committed to not multitask?  What was your takeaway?  Any tips for the rest of us?

Have a happy weekend!

Hello!

Check out Freshly Picked website, facebook page, and the always exciting instagram feed! 

Ok, short story:  I have fairly big art show coming up in oh, like, a month!   I’m not freaking out (yet), but I am working very, very hard to get all the artwork completed and a full collection of jewelry ready.

So, Friday, I’m in the studio, my girls are napping, my table is covered in work, I am instagraming photos to keep people informed and excited, sending out a tweet or two, reading emails as they pop-up on my phone, thinking through replies in my head, checking facebook, drinking coffee, switching art projects constantly… and listening to NPR.
This is a totally, totally normal afternoon for me.

There was an interview on NPR with Clifford Nass.  He has studied the affects multitasking has on people, and especially on their creativity.

Well that got my attention real quick.

Wait, aren’t creative people wired to be amazing multitaskers?  I know I am.  right?  Can’t our minds divide and follow multiple patterns at once?  I mean, I can clearly do at least 3 things effectively at the same time… right?

Clifford Nast studied students at Stanford University (where he also teaches) and discovered that people who multitask consistently have a hard time filtering out irrelevancy, can’t manage their working memory, are always distracted, and, (the part that got my attention,) they are far worse at the creative thought process because they have trained their brains to be scattered.

Creativity is all about following a unique and intricate idea through to the end; finding relationships and combinations all along the way.  As an artist, this means being present in all phases of the process, from the conceptualization to the tiny last details. 

So, being the testy soul that I am, I decided to put my iPhone on the other side of the room, I turned down the screen to my laptop, and set to work.  I really thought I would see very little difference in my productivity.  Unfortunately, he was right.  By getting rid of extra distractions I became free.  My mind was able to focus.  I was able to create.  I didn’t feel that I had to check anything, I didn’t feel bored, and I accomplished at least 30% more work than typical.

But, how does this fit into life in 2013?  We are so connected and many of us have to be very present online in order for our businesses to survive!  Dr. Nass suggests taking a few moments thorough the day to hone in on those aspects of life.  If you are going to check your emails, then do that.  Twitter? Do that.   You get to decide what is worth your time.  Purposefully allocating that time lets you be focused, sharp, and in control of your mind.

I am going to be trying this all week and I expect to see amazing results.  In fact, to hold myself accountable, I will do a follow-up post on Friday.  I’ll share my thoughts, struggles, and show what I have accomplished.

I know this is an unusual concept for our highly “connected” society.   I know it’s going to feel weird and I’m going to have to work hard at focusing, but I really think that controlling my mind will help me become a more effective communicator AND creator.

Care to join me?  Maybe we will even take over the world with our super-focused-creative-minds…..

Confession time:  I actually didn’t have a “purse”.  I kind of feel like less of a woman for having admitted that!   With two kids I just carry a huge all purpose, mammoth bag that holds everything on earth.  Literally.    It’s big, is cute, it’s super handy, but it’s not really an “Emily” fashion statement.  I really wanted to find a large, stylish, and useful bag for my upcoming NYC trip.  So the hunt began.

Requirements: Large (able to hold my ipad, 400+ business cards, and everything else needed when attending a super stylish blogging conference followed by the Renegade Craft Fair,) minimalistic and well designed (really, I shouldn’t need to explain this one)…  and under $50.  Ha! Good luck, Emily!

I really wanted a gold triangle on the bag.  Don’t ask my why, it was just in my head and had to become reality.  So I bought a bag at Target for $34, some gold leaf for around $12 and set to it!

Gold Leaf on leather handbag DIY:

1. Tape design to act as your guide
2. apply adhesive – let dry until it’s clear and tacky (15-20 minutes on leather)
3. carefully place the gold leaf – Gold leaf is incredibly delicate, but you can patch holes easily.
4. gently press the gold leaf into the leather.  Gently.
5. remove tape
6. brush off all excess gold flakes
7. seal with 2-3 coats of gold leaf sealer (allow each coat to completely dry in between coats)
8. look like a million bucks & carry your new designer gem wherever you go!

SO EASY!  The whole DIY took about 90 minutes with the waiting times and my constant state of distraction + project hopping.

I can’t wait to see what you come up with! 
Other ideas I’ve seem floating around pinterest and other design blogs: gold tipped shoes, gilded notebooks, leather + gold triangle necklace, and gold speckled coaster.

Have fun gilding everything you own, now.

Mothers day is coming! This is my new favorite holiday…. ; ) and the perfect chance to show your momma that she is special and wonderful. To do that, you might need to look outside of the kitchen isle and flowers-to-go section of the grocery store. Don’t get me wrong, those are fantastic and I love posies and pans as much as the next girl, but a thoughtful, creative, individualized gift is always a beautiful option.

Here are few lovely items to inspire you (follow the links to check out the shops and sites!)

1. One of these little paintings by Annie Koelle would completely delight any lady. | 2. Beautiful fine art throw pillows by Garima Dhawan for an instantly artistic living space. | 3. Add some graphic elegance to your mother’s look with this Chevron Necklace by Moorea Seal | 4. A monthly gift box fitting your momma’s interests. My faves: Olive Box (perfectly designed paper goodies), Gourmet Spotting (new fancy foods to try), and Umba Box (handmade beauties created by independent artists)

Take a moment to let your mother know that you love her and that she’s appreciated (mom’s can never hear that enough)

Have a beautiful day!

Gilded, find art, jewelry.
I’m so happy to introduce you to a new mini-collection I recently created (and will certainly be expounding upon soon.)  This collection is very minimalistic and shiny (two things I love so very much).
Of course, the original ink paintings are the star of the show, but the gold leaf adds it’s own rustic, organic shiny touch to each piece.  The combination makes me feel like a million bucks!

You can find these pretties in my shop
{and don’t forget about your mother!  Use the code “ArtsyMother” for 20% off all fine art jewelry!  All gifts come charmingly wrapped and ready to amaze your momma.}

Mother’s deserve a lot.  I’m a mom now, so I know.  Thank your mom for all the wonderful things she has done for you (big and small) and give her a piece of jewelry that is meaningful, beautiful, and memorable (without totally breaking the bank!)

Each necklace and earring is handcrafted and features a tiny original painting.

Check out the collection of fine art jewelry in the shop (or have me make a custom piece!) and enter “ArtsyMother” at check out to get 20% off.  All necklaces will arrive packaged beautifully, ready to wow your lovely momma.

www.EmilyJeffords.com

Welcome to Dapper Ink Custom Outfitters!  This locally owned, super creative small business is doing awesome things in Greenville, SC.  Dapper Ink is owned and operated by Matt and Jenny Moreau (good friends of mine from our college days).  They have taken this business from the basement of the fine art building at our university, to their home, and as of a few years ago, to this beautiful, fresh, modern, creative shop.

(This photo by TJ Getz of GetzCreative Photography)

They have spent the past few weeks freshening the design of the shop and had a post-renovation-relaunch-party last weekend.  It was awesome to see so many people from the community come together to celebrate what Matt and Jenny have created.

Dapper Ink offers silk screen printing and letterpress beauties, as well as pretty much any other custom printing or embroidery you can imagine.  These people are seriously committed to quality and snazzy design.  To prove my point, my (somewhat picky) husband has purchased at least 10 of their custom t-shirts!  I mean really…

If you find yourself in Greenville, SC, be sure to stop by and enjoy this warm and hip shop!  Matt will probably invite you into the back where the real work happens so you can enjoy the action for yourself, and Jen will make you feel right at home with her warm personality.  You’ll walk away with some snazzy new gear and maybe even a few new design ideas.  They always seem to come to me there…

If Greenville is too far, you can find Dapper Ink on Facebook and Twitter.  They have clients across the nation, so be sure to check them out next time you need to print something amazing!

PS. That awesome Long Live Print string art?  There’s a DIY video here!  Yes, you too can put huge string words on your wall.