Printed Media or Online Media

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What do you prefer? Printed Media or Online Media? If you ask me, I like both.

This week I was interviewed at The Gallery at Elemar for an article in the Milford Mirror. It was a great interview. I love to talk a lot so interviews are a lot of fun for me. It is always intriguing to find out what people write afterwards. Can’t wait to get the printed version this week. I always get this media excitement when I see my name in newspapers and magazines. The same goes for blogs and social media. It is always an honor. It is also very encouraging and inspiring to see that hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. It is a great blessing. I feel like a little kid. Somehow I feel like I’m reading about someone else and then I realize, ‘Hey! That’s me!’ 

printed media

Back in 2010 my name began showing up in local newspapers announcing what was my first exhibit. Of course I was excited about seeing my name printed there. That was very exciting. In 2012 I appeared for the first time in a blog interview published by The Well Written Woman. In 2013 Turner Woods wrote a great piece for the exhibit at Sobobo Gallery. Also in 2013 I was interviewed by Milford Living Magazine for a two page article for the Autumn Issue. I made a poster with it and it is displayed at the gallery. Then again in the winter 2015 issue I was mentioned again. I was mentioned in the New Haven Independent last year in October and November.

I believe online media has the appearance of being ephemeral it is challenging the longevity and accessibility of printed media. Printed media tends to stay local while the online media is reaching the world. Either way I don’t mind appearing in both. I try to keep the printed ones I can get my hands on. I probably missed a few in the past few years. Probably missed a few online ones too. I need to pay more attention. Nevertheless, it is a great and honorable experience to ready what others write. Hopefully there will be a lot more interviews in the near future.

   

Like Singing in the Shower

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blog writingWriting a blog is like singing in the shower. You sing like no one is listening because most probably that’s the truth. Even if people are listening you don’t care. That’s your time to flex your pipes and let it out even if you don’t know how to sing. There is no program either. You don’t plan the songs you are going to sing in the shower ahead of time. Whatever song comes to mind you go with it. If you don’t remember the lyrics it doesn’t matter either. You make them up as you go. You mix up songs just for fun. It is your own private concert where you are performer and audience.

I began writing this blog two months ago because my wife suggested the idea. I didn’t know people actually read this stuff. I just began writing. To my surprise people are actually reading. I am very thankful for almost 10,000 views in two months to this website. I truly appreciate that. It is great to see the comments not only here but also in the social media sites. The e-mail messages are very encouraging and inspiring as well. I never received such good feedback from singing in the shower. I am sure that no matter how bad I write it is way better than my singing. Believe me when I say that you don’t want to hear me sing. It actually hurts people.

What’s the plan? What is this blog thing all about? This blog is a way to communicate the relationship between art, cognitive psychology, instructional design, and life. Which one is my favorite subject? I’ll say ‘experience’. I share what I live, know, and learn in these areas. I also like to write about all the things I don’t know. That makes it easier because I don’t know a lot. Like singing in the shower the plan is to enjoy the process of writing and do it from the heart, and sometimes from the brain. Since there is more hope for my writing than it is for my singing (no hope there) I would like to get better at it. It is a challenge to myself. By the one year milestone, for which I am not even close to almost halfway there, I would like to put together a book. Who knows? Maybe people still read books too.

How to Prepare for Your Show

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Close your eyes and imagine your show. Live the moment. It is like a party. Envision how your art is displayed, how people move around to see your art, what they are eating and drinking, the background music… Visualize every detail. Now, lets prepare to show our work.

I prefer to take care of most aspects of my shows myself instead of putting it in the hands of other people. I do surround myself with people I trust to help me shape the scene and to alleviate my burden. Seek their advice, listen to their opinion, but most importantly understand their support. Make sure is people who can take care of things without prompting. Otherwise you will add unnecessary stress to yourself.

torsos invitation frontI want to share with you my experience and my process to present an art exhibit. I believe that “TORSOS” opening reception Saturday, November 22 is going to be by far, my largest yet. I am not an expert in how to organize an art exhibit but I’ve been learning and I hope to get better at it. I will appreciate your input and experience. On Saturday, I would love to shake your hand and probably give you a hug (I’m a hugger and not sorry for that). You can find the info about the show HERE.

How to prepare for your show? While there are many intricacies in presenting an art exhibit this checklist might help you get started. Before you decide you want to have an art exhibit you need to be ready with a few things.

  • Short biography
  • Artist Statement
  • Description of the show
  • 10-20 pieces to show.

Word of Advise: Make sure the amount of pieces fits the venue. You don’t want your show to look like a flea market.

  • Venue, Date and Time of the show.

I try to have this at least 3 months in advance. That time allows for you to prepare and promote properly.

  • Check the place and visualize your work there, the show, make the initial vision come to life.
  • Write a press release.

There are plenty of examples and templates online in how to write a press release. If you have someone to do it for you is fine. Some people charge to write press releases. I prefer to write it myself then ask other people to edit whatever necessary.

  • Design printed material: invitations, posters, postcards, etc.

Again, if you can’t do it yourself someone else can do it. I design my own printed material. It makes me feel closer to the show.

  • Promote! Promote! Promote! My mom would say: “Invite even the cat.”

Use your printed material, mailing lists, online media, social media, word of mouth, tell your friends to bring friends… anything that can being people to your show.

  • Decide on food and drinks

Keep it simple to the extent possible unless someone else wants to pay for it. You can also ask for sponsors or wine tastings to be present. The possibilities are endless and it all depends on your budget and preferences.

  • Set up ahead of time

Heads up! There will be a lot of stress on getting ready. Go over your plan and check every detail. Pretend you are a guest and go through all of it. Be flexible to changes that won’t change the overall look and feel of the show. There are things not deserving the stress.

Be ready to enjoy the people celebrating you and your work, make new connections, be ready to answer any questions that could be presented, and have fun. It is your party!

Welcome to my brain

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the-artistImagine for a moment that you want to focus a blog based on your experience in a particular field. Experience on a field of knowledge comes generally from academics or work. Sometimes we gain experience in other ways vicariously or intentionally. In my case, I had work in a few different things and loved different areas of my academic fields enough to share from these experiences. My mind map for a blog would probably look like a maze where each turn from one experience in one field crosses over experiences in other fields. Sounds complicated? Imagine you are inside a brain with work experience in radio, tv, graphic design, art, education, technology, bible, motivational speech and comedy. Interestingly, I learn and teach with a holistic vision. If you read my teaching statement you may understand what I mean. In this blog I’ll be writing about many things that may seem random but each thought is interconnected in the way I approach life. It is also reflected in my art, my research, my interest in the human brain and behavior, my way of teaching, and just in my private meditation and contemplation. I am planing to share some of my research, the subject of future research ideas (sounds boring but it is not), experiences in classes and workshops, my thoughts as I approach my art, and my meditations about life in general. Maybe in a few months I could put it all together and make a book.