What Would I Do if I Weren’t Afraid?

    Monday, I was watching TV and a question was asked that has been  parked in the back of my head ever since.  “What would I do if I weren’t afraid?” This question really fired me up. How many things do I not do because I am afraid? Did I realize that most of the things I’d love to try, I have put on the back burner because I am simply too scared to put myself out there in new ways? This is so intriguing and fascinating to me. If I asked myself this about each of the ideas that parade through my head daily before I wrote them off, how varied and interesting could my projects be? If I pursued a handful of these ideas, how much more exciting and satisfying would my life be?

 I am someone who has 50 ideas/day that excite me and thrill me. But that little voice in my head puts a stop to most before I even think of the possibilities. In order to shut that little mouth up, I am going to start, time permitting, pursuing one here and there. It’s a challenge of mine to take an idea and put it out there before I’ve designed and developed the concept. I need to practice, create, have a line, a collection, a business name, photos…. the list goes on. When I put that type of expectation on myself, I make it so big, so early that it becomes unattainable. I throw it out before I start. The truth is though, when I look back at the jewelry I first created, It wasn’t that great. It needed time & a reason to develop. It took years for it to be something that I felt was really me and that I felt deeply proud of.

 I’ve been painting with my daughter for a few weeks. I’ve had a little practice with painting in design school, but honestly this is something new to me. Through casually painting with her, my passion for color was stirred. I realized  I have a unique view point and  style that I would like to develop.There is a quality to water colors that is so loose, flowing, changing, ethereal that I’ve been drawn to for years. I love to see the gradation of color as the pigment runs out. I love how the color absorbs into the paper. I love the imperfection. So, I think I’m going to do some painting. And since I’m an entrepreneur at heart,I I’m going to post them in a new Etsy store and see how it goes. I am going to do my very best to not worry what others might think. If I sell them great! If not, I just put myself out there in a way I never would have before. What’s more exciting than that?

Today’s painting:

I am excited to see where this goes!

Thank you for reading!

Have a great day!

Mandy Benoit

Stay at Home Business Mom A.D.D.

Don’t get me wrong. Most days I love being home, but there are days like today when I just can’t figure out how to accomplish anything. My brain is like a ping pong ball bouncing all over the table. This is my “break” today. My “me” time:

   Putting my 5 month old son to bed… ‘Read Article: 5 Steps to Stand Out from the Competition, thinking: Who is my customer?’… Coaxing my toddler into her bed. ‘Research: Social Media to promote Etsy business’.. Placing my toddler on the potty… Getting my toddler back into bed…  Attempting to quiet my toddler so to not wake her brother.. ‘Should I start with Facebook?’ … ‘How do I get people to like me’…  Freaking out because she won’t be quiet and for fear of combustion I just NEED this time to create/ produce, something. . ‘I wish I could hire someone to promote my business’… ‘Checking my Etsy store to see how my new earrings look’. … ‘Oh man! I need to retake all my images. The new background does not compliment the other images’… ‘That turquoise & silver necklace I had in mind would look great on that new background’ …’When could I start taking my new images’… Baby is awake..

Following my Bliss.

Today is the first time in a long while that I didn’t have a list of 10 things that I had to accomplish. It was like my soul was freed for the day.  I took the opportunity to get lost and let my inspiration lead me up and down unknown paths in and out of open windows and wrap around me as I leap through the air and spin in circles over and over again.

 I decided to sift through my likes on Pinterest and came across a handful of images of art journals that stirred my soul. This page was my original inspiration.

 

I love the imperfect perfection. There are mistakes made I am sure, but the page is complete and whole.

This is a journal/dictionary by artist Nick Cave. I completely naive about who this person is. However, his journal shows such depth and honesty.

I stumbled upon this pin of a sketch book of graphic artist Molly Jacques and I was floored.

Her work is displayed in the blog below:

http://mollyjacquesillustration.blogspot.com/

I am so drawn to handmade typographic perfection on her pages. Again though, it shows it’s human quality by showing it’s flaws. It’s hard to even call them flaws, it’s waviness of line and minute inconsistency of spacing build its intrigue for me.

My love affair with this type of journaling began 10 years ago.  I began making my own books, because I wanted my work to be handmade in its totality. I’ve since realized I can’t do it all. Some things are better done by experts. I’ve decided to give art journaling a try. I love it for all the reasons I stated above but also because it’s something for me, to do when I am inspired to do it, not because I have to. It’s following my bliss. I will do it until no my soul is no longer moved by it. With this said, I have to buy a journal. I’ve decided to explore my second favorite place to be inspired: Etsy!

I am not sure of my choice yet, but this journal is in the running.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/101081158/handmade-rustic-leather-journal-dark

 

I will post my attempts as I go!

Thanks for reading!

Have a great night!

Mandy

Getting back to me.

 I’m back, from an unexpected month long hiatus. I’m 13 weeks pregnant. Very close to my second trimester. With my pregnancy arrived an unexpected guest, exhaustion. As I’m writing this, I feel like the cause and effect relationship between exhaustion and motivation, seems obvious. Lack of motivation - loss of energy. At the beginning of my pregnancy, I lost all drive. I quit everything that had interested me. I quit photography, I quit taking online classes, I quit developing my paper company, the list goes on. I almost had an aversion to working on anything that had previously inspired me.  I experienced it as a collapse. I was stunned by it. I felt betrayed by it.  I felt all inspiration leave me, and long naps filled the space. 

 I am now starting to feel myself again, but I am still having trouble committing to time in my studio again. I feel that I am being melodramatic. However, I still feel the need to talk about this, so I know it’s really bothered me on a deeper level. I’m hoping I can get this all out and move on. I think that I feel a deep bond to what I create. I feel that it’s a deeper part of me, and that it just was yanked away.  I think it can be compared to the way a close friend can hurt you so much deeper than an acquaintance. My energy left, my inspiration went out the window, It hurt. 

Now, I feel that I’m on the mend. I hope to be writing regularly again! I have some big projects coming up!

Thanks for reading!

-Mandy Benoit

Kony 2012

  Facebook and I have a luke-warm relationship. To be honest, I use Facebook, to checkout photos of friends and as a free marketing platform to promote my business. Until I saw the 30 minute video “Kony 2012” on Facebook, I’d never realized Facebook’s true potential.I was amazed and moved by the power of Facebook to unite people for a cause much bigger than themselves.

In the video activist, Jason Russell, sheds light on Joseph Kony, the guerilla group leader of “The Lord’s Resistance Army. His mission is to “purify” Uganda through mass murder. Kony has killed thousands of people by creating a child army. He takes the boys, and forces them to mutilate the faces of other children, and then trains them to be in his army. He uses the girls as sex slaves. He makes these children kill their parents. Villages throughout Uganda are scared of Kony’s army and have fled their homes and now sleep in a warehouse together to remain safe.

I must admit that I don’t watch the news. I feel guilty that I did not know this was happening in the world. I hope in my own little way posting this will let more people know about this horrible man’s mission.

 Russell’s attempt is to make Kony famous through social media. His goal is to raise awareness and support for his arrest. His methods are brilliant. He is trying to create a new model for international justice. I watched the video for the first time last night on Youtube. It had over 66,000,000 views. Today, when I signed on to watch it again it had over 71,000,000 views. What a way to connect people for the better of mankind.

Please take a look at the video I’ve posted a link to below and support the cause. It is fascinating, terribly sad, and hopeful all at once. It will shed much more light on the cause than I have. If the link does not work. Please search youtube.com for “Kony2012”. You will find the video worthwhile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc

This is a graphic for a poster that is intended to be hung up everywhere to raise awareness for this cause.

Thank You for reading!

-Mandy Benoit

Week in Photo - Week 7

I haven’t felt myself this week. I’ve been trying to get over this cold/cough thing for weeks and it’s just exhausting me. It’s amazing to me that inspiration has so much to do with energy. Once, I my energy is gone, I can’t come up with anything. Over the week, I committed to working on an assignment for my “Photography-Essentials of Composition” course. We had to take the most basic geometric principle “the point” and combine it with the first 4 principles of composition: clearly defined subject & background, balance, point of view, and simplicity. I worked and worked to come up with something inside our condo. My pictures were uninspired and completely embarrassing to look at! Not even worth printing! On the 16th this week, the weather was decent and my husband suggested Lucy and I go out for a walk! What a genius he is, and Lucy is the best photo shoot partner! I had a day of complete focus and plenty of ideas. I finally found a subject that completed my “point” assignment! Hallelujah!

February 13, 2012

Poor Lucy had a week of sickness. I think this photo says it all about how she was feeling!

February 14, 2012

This photo was soo mediocre, and the only thing I even considered editing. There’s no composition and no interest (Sorry Lucy). The only thing I can say is that I stuck to my original commitment. Even on a day where I had absolutely no inspiration. I have to say it was a nice evening though. Luke and I were supposed to go away for Valentines day. Lucy came down with impetigo, so we had a nice Valentine’s day dinner at home.

February 15, 2012

Here we go again. Another day, that I had nothing I was proud to edit.

February 16, 2012

My Comeback day. I am going to post 2 photos for this day, it was so good!

MY POINT ASSIGNMENT COMPLETED!!!

Lucy loves to play “Water”. She stands on her little potty in the bathroom and plays with cups and bowls and has a grand old time! I love her concentration and complete absorption in what she’s doing.

February 17, 2012

We were lucky enough to go for 2 days of walks. The second day was a bit more fast paced because Luke was with us. He has to get back to nap before he works the night shift, so we’re in a bit more of a hurry.  When it’s just Lucy and I we stop, look around, crouch down, turn around, take all kinds of crazy shots. When Luke’s with us. He’s pushing the stroller and 20 steps ahead. I am always having to sprint ahead after I’ve been dawdling.

One of the bridges on our path.

February 18, 2012

Lucy playing dress up. I love how she can find entertainment in anything and everything.

February 19, 2012 

She made her mess and decided to lay in it!

Thank you for reading!

Have a great week!

-Mandy

Week in Photos - Week 6

This week has been absolutely crazy! One of the most exciting things is that we’ve put a bid in on a house. The exterior is beautiful, the interior needs WORK. Unfortunately, it’s not looking good for us right now on the bid. If it comes through, it would be a great project. Luke and I would make a great rehab team. I am an interiors person and he can fix anything. You might think I would include pictures of the house. However, I didn’t bring my camera! If we get it, you will be seeing a ton of these!

February 6, 2012

Lucy gazing at Mickey’s Clubhouse on the TV.

February 7, 2012

Lucy looking at my mark-up. She’s really sizing up the plans.

February 8, 2012

Weekly lunch with Grandpa.

February 9, 2012

Lucy & Evelyn.

February 10, 2012

Morning Snow.

February 11, 2012

Lucy & Grandma.

February 12, 2012

Lucy eating berries.

I am excited for the weather to warm up to motivate me and my camera to get out of the house. I have a project from my photography class to focus on this week. It’s taking pictures of a point. So far, I am not finding any inspiration. Although, I love taking pics of Lucy. Some interesting compositions would be exciting for me to come up with. I feel like I am lacking creativity on this front. It will come. 

Thank You for reading!

Happy Valentine’s day!

-Mandy

Savannah, Part 2, Graphics.

 My original idea of Savannah did not include their rich layers of graphic design, specifically signage. I think it is true sign of the love one feels for something when they adorn it. Savannah is rich with beautiful details added to the small parts of everyday life that made me feel that the citizens appreciate the small things in life. I had such a feeling of really drinking in and cherishing life there. It felt great.

I’ve personally never thought riding the bus was that exciting or important enough to take the effort of creating a sign with such punch and spirit. Where I live the bus stop signs are very utilitarian.  However, my days are the best when I make my every day occurrences special. I think it show so much about the city that even the most mundane and routine parts of a day are represented with flair!

Gryphon is a place to have lunch. Their sign alone made me want to eat there!

The Lucas theater has nothing to do with George Lucas. I think Savannah had its own famous Lucas. The Lucas Theater was in Savannah’s theater district. I think this sign is exquisite!

I love this sign!

Another Theater District Sign. The beauty of the ‘SCAD’ sign is that is for the Savannah College of Art and Design. I loved hearing the locals talk about the school. They began as a small design school and have grown very large. They’ve purchased several local buildings that might have been torn down, and they’ve made them their own while respecting Savannah’s innate character. The natives of Savannah appreciate the energy of the school and all its brought to Savannah.

Citywide, their street signs have the same, shape, ornament, & type. I love to see unity of design in a place. To me this is another sign of the pride the locals have for the city’s character. I feel that in a city this type of consistent detail is another detail that shows the respect the locals and government feel for the city. Often this type of detail is considered expensive and unimportant and is therefore overlooked.

Speaks for itself.

A parking spot identifier in a Cobblestone lot. 

Each square in Savannah had a plaque describing its history and given name. This one is my favorite.

Thank You for reading!

Have a great day!

Mandy

Week in Photos - Week 5

This week marks the beginning of my adventures in black & photography. I finished “Foundations of Photography: Exposure” to find there was a black and white course by the same instructor. His name is Ben Long and he’s a wonderful instructor. I began watching my new course and was basically booted out when I was told if I hadn’t taken the lenses course, I need to before beginning black & white. So, I buckled down, got through lenses and I am now immersing myself in this new course. I am thrilled! The photos below are of Lucy and other family members.

Day 30: January 30, 2012

Day 31: January 31, 2012

Day 32: February 1, 2012

Day 33: February 2, 2012

Day 34: February 3, 2012

Day 35: February 4, 2012

Day 36: February 5, 2012

Thanks for reading!

Have a great week!

-Mandy

Savannah, Part 1, The Trees.

 The first thing I’ve always thought of when Savannah, Georgia comes to mind are the trees. They have the most spectacular oaks that envelop you with their branches. The Spanish Moss that the trees wear adds to a very haunted feeling that this city has. 

Hedge rows of mature trees are everywhere you walk in historic Savannah. They add roots to an already exquisite historical city.

This tree really drew me in with its muscular branches.

Savannah is divided into several “squares”. These are the heart of each neighborhood. These beautiful old oaks draped in Spanish Moss anchor most of the squares.

Spanish Moss is extremely attracted to this tree, I believe it is a Crab Myrtle.

This is busy street near the river walk. More monstrous oaks.

An up close look at the enchanting Spanish Moss.

These trees frame the most famous fountain in Savannah in Forsyth Park.

Thanks for reading!

More to come!

Mandy