Ellen "Ellie" Benfatti's Art Reception and Wine Tasting at "The Wine Spot" Feb 27, 2010

image © 2010 Ellen Benfatti

A unique art reception and wine tasting event on Saturday, February 27, 2010 featuring 2010 San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Vice President Ellen "Ellie" Benfatti.

Here is more information about Ellie and her event:

Ellen Benfatti was born in the United States and resides in North San Diego, California. Several years ago she experienced a life altering event while visiting the spa of a luxury cruise line. Ellen was invited to experience a Reiki treatment. Shortly after her experience she began to have a strong desire to paint. She went on to become a certified Reiki Master Teacher and Artist. She was recently featured on San Diego public television for her brilliant use of color and its connection to increased health. She has spent the last several years studying the affects of color on the human body. Ellie’s studio is located at the New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad. She’s a full time Artist and Pain Management Consultant.

She’s currently a featured artist for the Banners lining Pacific Coast Highway in Leucadia.

She opens at “The Wine Spot” on Feb 27th her exhibit will run from Feb 27-March 30th.

Feb 27th Art Reception and Wine Tasting 7-10 pm
The Wine Spot 2917 State St. Carlsbad
Complimentary Wines and Cheeses served from 7-8:30pm

Ellie will be raffling one of her gorgeous pictures and she'll be serving complimentary wines for tasting from 7-8:30.
RSVP on her Facebook event page or just come on down!

To learn more about her you may visit her portfolio at:
www.angelicmanifestations.com

Support local independent artists!
~ Jaime Lyerly, 2010 President of San Diego Women's Caucus for Art

Open Art Studio at Silverton Business Center in San Diego - RESCHEDULED to March 13, 2010

3.3.2010 update: EVENT RESCHEDULED to March 13, 2010.

Want to see artists in their creative space? Go to an open art studio!

Since I create on my balcony (for encaustics), in my house for other projects, and at the SDSU classrooms, I don't really have my own studio. So it is a privilege to be able to come into the studio space of others and see how they work their magic.

Here is upcoming open art studio not to be missed featuring 6 artists including former San Diego Women's Caucus for Art member Anna Stoa. Information provided by Grace Matthews.

Silverton Ave Open Studios Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 1 – 4pm

Please join us for the first open studios of six artists at the Silverton Business Center in Mira Mesa.

7949-7955 Silverton Ave San Diego, CA 92126
http://art-studio-events.blogspot.com/

Artists:
Rafael “Fallo” Mareyna
Becky Guttin
Gail Liebig
Anna Stoa
Grace Matthews
Sarah Tippit

I am going to try my best to go to this event to peek into these active artist's studios.

Happy studio visiting! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Video from smARTist Telesummit alumni

I have been eagerly anticipating the smARTist Telesummit which starts TOMORROW, Thursday, January 21, 2010!

The free preview calls are still available for any artist who is interested. You are able to listen to the speakers for the conference all without spending any money. Last year, the preview calls are what hooked me to sign up for the full session. This year, I barely hestiated to sign up, even before the first preview. Last year's conference was amazing and I am excited to listen and take action again.

Ready to jump start your artist career but not sure how? Still not sure what all this talk about smARTist Telesummit is all about? I am here to help again. You may have read my testimonial on my blog post about last year's smARTist. Facilitator Ariane Goodwin shares a video from Artist Amadea Bailey with her smARTist video testimonial.

Embedded videos work for blogger, but will not show when this blog is imported into Facebook, so check it out through this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uYnZmpGoGQ

Feeling compelled to see more about this smARTist Telesummit and maybe take the leap and sign up? Wonderful! I will be right there with you.

Learn more about smARTist and register through my affiliate link.

Click Here  http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=887631 (Jaime Lyerly's affiliate link)

My college classes start the same day as the smARTist Telesummit, so I am not sure how much blogging I will get to do while it is going on. However, I will be writing all about it and giving you tips that you can use. The sessions are dense with information, and I am glad this year I signed up to have the transcripts in paper format. Listening later via the internet and downloading the MP3s is the best way for me to be able to attend this conference AND still attend classes. 

To your art career success!
~ Jaime Lyerly, President San Diego Women's Caucus for Art

Back from the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Retreat!

Encaustic painting set up at home © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

See my encaustic paintings here.

Just a short note to let you all know that I am back from the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Annual Retreat, which was last weekend, November 13 - 15, 2009.

I have lots of pictures and stories to tell (don't worry - nothing embarrassing for the wine-drinking ladies,) but this is a super busy week for me with something scheduled everyday and I won't get to them until probably Sunday.

Since this retreat is for women only (because of the close sleeping quarters), it had an abundance of feminine energy, which is similar to my monthly San Diego Women's Drum Circle. However, I have never spent a weekend devoted solely to making art, meeting new people and being out in nature before. Usually, I am trapped inside with my school books (Japanese is killing me....) and spend what little time I have outside of that with my partner Chris and almost 13 year old son, Xen. I couldn't even tell you the last time I had been alone, which is a sad fact in itself. Although I did attend Ellen Benefatti's Healing Family Constellation Workshop on Friday, I have to admit that I left early during Judi Burnett's Portrait Painting Workshop so that I could be alone outside in nature. I sat on a fallen tree branch and wrote in my journal for a hour, before heading off to lunch and then to teach my afternoon workshop. More about these workshops and pictures later.

After a relaxing lunch of mushroom risotto, I came back to set up to teach Encaustic Painting Technique on Saturday afternoon. My workshop went very well, although I am not sure how many people I converted to ways of the wax, yet. We set up the stations outside to keep the smell away from the more sensitive members, and to be outside. What I wasn't counting on was how quickly the sun would go down and how cold it would get! The pictures look like I gave this workshop in Alaska, instead of Julian, California in November. The winter gear and people huddled around the heat guns will give you a hint of the weather change for all of us.

It was an amazing weekend and I look forward to sharing more about the workshops and activities, as well as the stories and general fun we had this weekend. Missing this year's retreat? You can come next year! It is an annual retreat, and while this was my first year going, I know it will not be my last.

Until then, why don't you join us in the WCA/SD Facebook Group page? I am trying to get all the members, prospective members and people who just want to know what we are doing to join this group. You can post your events to our wall, and know that you have an audience that is active in the San Diego Arts community. Share with your friends! They need to be a part of this too.

Happy art-making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Art Marketing tip - Facebook fan pages: what, why, and how

Studio working photo that was only on my Facebook Fan Page until now, © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Facebook Fan Pages got you confused? You are not alone. Get all the details about Facebook Fan pages by Artist Lisa Call forwarded from the Art Biz Coach in this informative and easy to read article.

Facebook fan pages: what, why, and how

Posted using ShareThis

I have a Facebook Fan page for my own art, but as the article states, it doesn't show the notifications if anyone posts on the fan page. Therefore, I have to remember to check and see if anyone commented on my work. I have been promising pictures of my wood project as a work in progress, and now it is almost complete. I just need to add some hardware to the back of the piece, and finally call it done. So you may not get a work in progress, but you will get to see start to finish on it via pictures. I also post more pictures of studio working shots on my fan page than I do on my blog or personal Facebook page.

There are not clear and distinct lines drawn for my personal Facebook page and my Fan page. I post lots of calls to artists and art marketing tips on my personal page. My blog feeds to both pages. The reason to have a Fan page for me is that it is the only place on Facebook that is ONLY about my art and art related activities. I also run a Fan follower drawing just like I do on this blog.

I do complaining about my schedule, talking about life, silly quizzes and general chit-chatting on my personal page. I talk about my art and interact with people interested in my art on both pages. But only on my fan page to I do fan drawings and post more studio pictures. So to paraphrase the article, become my fan to learn more about my art; friend me on my personal page to see the whole me.

Your Turn:
Do you already have a Facebook Fan page? If so, how do you distinguish it from a personal page? Drawings? Special for fans only drawings? More pictures? Video? I would love to hear your ideas on what makes a Fan page special. When you have created a Facebook Fan page, send me a request to become your fan!

Until then, Happy art and Fan page making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

First 4 Steps towards Selling your Art - from the Art Biz Coach

For those of you who not my Twitter follower or Facebook friend or fan, you may have missed all my posts about these steps. So, I present to you the Art Biz Coach Alyson Stanfield's "First 4 steps toward selling your art." They are wonderful and a great reminder that it takes more than just work in the studio to make it as an artist.

It is because of the Art Biz Coach's book "I'd rather be in the studio" and newsletter that I even started my blog and all this social networking. Knowing the steps and learning how to follow through with them is a must for artists at all stages of the game.

Here are the steps:

Step #1 is Devote yourself completely to a studio practice

Step #2 is Create your mailing list

Step #3 is Connect with other artists

Step #4 is Start writing about your art (and never stop)

I have steps #3 and #4 down. I love to write, blog, tweet, and connect with other artists. I write for my own blog, Art Making is a Journey and the Women's Caucus for Art Blog. It is even more fun to write about other artists than my own work. Over the past year, I have written about other artists such as Lisa Bebi, David Fobes, May-Ling Martinez, and events such as the workshops at the Escondido Municipal Gallery, the Women's History Museum's "Herstory" show, and Dance, Vocal and Drum Workshop led by Kat Fulton and Draza Jansky. Granted, most of these events I was somehow involved in, but what better way to write about something than to experience it firsthand?

Step #1 is simple, yet hard to manage. Devoted studio time. Do I have that? I spend lots of time making art, but I recently have been making art in hours of creative energy. When my college classes start again at the end of the month, I will be back on a normal routine of making art almost everyday. Then I will be back to devoted studio time.

Step #2 is the most difficult for me. I am just starting my mailing list, but am not sure which is the best service to use. I signed up for a free trial of Constant Contact email marketing service. I also have downloaded a free trial of Flick! which is a program to manage my art and my contacts in the same place (more information about software programs for artists on the Art Biz Coach Blog). I want to be able to send out art newsletters to announce my art and pass along the great information that I find on the web. If you want to be on my email list, please fill in the box on the right of blog post. Yet, I am still confused on which comes first. Do you have any tips?

So check out these first steps, and let me know what you think. If you have any tips on software programs, email programs or keeping up with studio practice, I would love to hear about it. Put it in the comments here to share with everyone.

Until then, Happy Art-Making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Artist Trading Card (ATC) Workshop Photos

Artist Trading Cards at the Escondido Municipal Gallery, Before the Workshop swap

photo © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

We had so much fun at the free Artist Trading Card (ATC) Workshop led by Renee Richetts and Lisa Bebi last Saturday, August 8, 2009 at the Escondido Municipal Gallery! It was great, and I have plenty of pictures to share. Plus, I finally met some of the wonderful artists that I have been connecting with on Facebook. It was an inspirational day!

Artist Trading Card (ATC) Workshop, Renee Richetts and Lisa Bebi standing

photo © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Most of the workshop time was spent creating the cards using whatever materials wanted. All materials were provided, and we could use anything or everything there. The only criteria to be an Artist Trading Card or ATC is that the card has to be 2.5 inch by 3.5 inch. So stay in that size and let the creativity flow!

Artist Trading Card (ATC) Workshop, Participates working
photo © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

My son, Xen, immediately started cutting and gluing cards together. My friend, Starry, took out tiny pieces of tissue and glued them onto a card. Her daughter, Pan, drew anime with pencils. Without much thought, I ripped up some book pages and started gluing them down to the pre-cut card. Grabbing some Golden fluid acrylic paints and brushes, I started to put color down on the cards. I had not worked in acrylics for at least a year, ever since I fell in love with hot encaustic wax. It was wonderful to be able to lay down color and not have to fuse every layer! I forgot how easy and intuitive it is to work in acrylics.

Here are some photographs of some of the cards we did at this workshop.

Artist Trading Cards by Jaime Lyerly, © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Artist Trading Card by Xen, © photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Artist Trading Card by Pan, © photo 2009 Pan

Artist Trading Card by Pan, © photo 2009 Pan

Artist Trading Card by Starry Wizdom, © photo 2009 Starry Wizdom

Artist Trading Card by Starry Wizdom, © photo 2009 Starry Wizdom

After we created the cards, and they dried, it was time to swap them out with the other ATC's available on the wall in the back of the gallery.

Xen and Starry checking out the ATC's available for swap,
© photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Starry laying out her ATC's,
© photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Starry and Pan deciding which ATC's to swap,
© photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

When we made out choices of what which card we wanted from the board above, we switched it out with one of our own. Here are some of the cards we made in their new homes (for the moment!)

Artist Trading Cards by Starry Wizdom in their trading cubby holes,
© photo 2009 Starry Wizdom

Artist Trading Card by Xen in its trading cubby hole,
© photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Artist Trading Card by Jaime Lyerly in its trading cubby hole,
© photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Finally, here is a photograph of the ATC's in their cubby holes after the workshop. Most of the original cards had been replaced by ones made by the artists at the workshop. The swap will continue for the duration of the ATC exhibit will be on display until September 3, 2009. If you are in the area, feel free to stop by Escondido Municipal Gallery and trade one!

Artist Trading Cards at the Escondido Municipal Gallery, After the Workshop swap
photo © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

The workshop did more for me than just a few hours of fun. I was so inspired by working in acrylics, that later on that same day, I did more painting. I painted for five hours straight and started 28 paintings in acrylic on 6x6 inch board. Yes, I know 28 paintings are a lot; but when I'm on fire, I go with it! I will have some pictures of those coming up this week.

Until then, Happy Art Making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Try Twitter - for Artists

For those of you who haven't figured it out yet, I think I love Twitter.

Sometimes it makes me angry (like when it suspended my account for suspicious activity yesterday - all fixed now); sometimes sucks away all my time; and sometimes I wonder why I am still on it. But most of the time I find it to be a effective tool to promoting my art, blog, workshops and other art related activities. You can too!

Check out this article Try Twitter by Art Biz Coach Alyson Stanfield. While you are there you can subscribe to her weekly Art Biz Coach newsletters which come every Monday.

I know you are saying to yourself "but I already have a Facebook account, why do I need Twitter?" Facebook is wonderful, but it can be overwhelming with pictures, applications, "friends" from high school and many more things. Twitter strips it down to the bare bones. Read a "tweet" (post) or make a tweet yourself.

Sure, you can get fancy and post pictures on Twitter. But in general, it is a simple way to make connections with people who have similar interests and may be interested in your art. I have found some of the best artists and connections through Twitter - and then found them on Facebook!

Try Twitter. It is a tool for your art. Use it.

When you get on Twitter, come follow me! @jaimelyerly I will help you make sense of it all!

Happy Art Making! Jaime Lyerly

San Diego Women's Art Caucus Member Show at 8Teen Art Center - July 5 - July 18

Our biggest fan - my son, Xen, relaxing with a soda and a book with
my "Forbidden Fruit Series" behind him at 8Teen

Our last minute blog post to San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Members worked! We have a show and we want you to come see it!

Thanks to all the San Diego WCA members who came today to drop off and hang your work. You made my job easy and the show looks great. See, I told you we could do it!

Here is a sneak preview of the Women's Caucus for Art Member Show held at 8Teen Art and Culture Center from July 5 - July 18, 2009. The photographs do not do these works justice, so you must stop by to see them in person.

Opening reception is from 3 - 6 pm on July 5, 2009. The show will be up until July 18, 2009 and there will be a closing reception on that date (times unknown).

Paintings by Ellen Benfatti and (bottom) Laura Jean Thompson

Paintings/Collage left to right by Jaime Lyerly, Midge Hyde, and Laura Jean Thompson

Paintings by Ellen Benfatti

Paintings left to right by Jen Bottoms and Midge Hyde

Encaustic collage/Paintings "Forbidden Fruit Series" by Jaime Lyerly
(click link to learn more about the "Forbidden Fruit Series")

Encaustic collage/Painting - detail "Forbidden Fruit Series" by Jaime Lyerly

I hope this has whet your appetite and you will come have a look!

Your Turn:
Like what you see and you are a women artist in San Diego? Why don't you join us! The San Diego Women's Caucus for Art accepts membership applications all year round. With my help, the WCA is getting connected on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Please check us out on any of these sites to see what we are up to. WCA members are active in their communities and want to share with you. You can even sign up at an event. There are member shows, opportunities to network and an annual retreat to Julian in November where you can learn art techniques and get away from it all.

This year's WCA retreat is going to be super fun! I am teaching a workshop on Encaustic Painting; and there are two other workshops by local artists. I believe that Cynthia Gott's Inner Archetype Workshop has been replaced by Ellen Benfatti who will be giving a Reiki workshop. Judith Burnett will be giving a workshop on Portrait Painting in Oil. Space is limited and the deadline is rapidly approaching (August 15, 2009 for full payment) - so if you want to get in on the fun, email to Retreat Coordinator Jen Bottoms today!

Hope you can make it to one of our events.

Happy Art Making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Women's Caucus for Art, San Diego is Social Networking!

Women's Caucus for Art - San Diego is READY for Social Networking! I know they are because I am getting them set up.

Together we can expand the WCA blog from one that hadn't had a post in two months, to an interactive environment where artist members and the art-loving community can see what we are doing.

We can only do this together.

Artist members, do you have a blog? Great, start posting on this site too!

Contact Laura Jean Thompson for access to this blog and you can post on here too. If you have a Blogspot blog this is easy to do. Just copy the HTML code from your post in the edit post field and paste it into a new post on the WCA/SD blog. Yay! Double exposure for you for free!

Don't have a blog? Go start one now! I recommend Blogspot because it is free and easy to use. Make a blog and just start posting. Post your art, your life, your awards, your gripes - whatever - just start posting.

When you have a blog, contact me, Jaime Lyerly, to get the Blog listed on the WCA/SD and my own blog. More promotion without much effort. Good for you, good for your fans.

Art-loving non-members. Thanks for visiting this blog! We promise to make this a place where non-members can see what is going on with this very active chapter of San Diego community-based artists.

Connect with us!

WCA/SD is now on Twitter. I made this account for any member who wants to try out twitter but doesn't know where to start. Contact me for the password.

We are also a group on Facebook and LinkedIn. A little bit for everyone!

Feeling overwhelmed? Just start with the blog and go from there. I will be running a workshop on Social Networking and Blogging for Artists after I return from my study abroad trip to Japan and China.

Until then, happy art-making and social networking! ~ Jaime Lyerly