When 31 Becomes 11

Today is April 1st, which means the 31 days of March are now part of history. And this means that my series 31 Artists/31 Days has come to an end. Thank you all for the positive feedback you have given me about this project. It has been a pleasure introducing you all to artists that are new to you...and re-introducing you to some of your old friends as well. Of course even though these postings have ended, there is still so much to discover about each of these artists, and many more, on the pages of my book The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed.

If you ever want to visit these posts again, a link can be found on the sidebar of my blog, toward to bottom, where you will also find links to all my other online and live collaborative projects.

As you know, all of you who left comments on my 31/31 posts and/or the 31/31 posts of each spotlighted artist became eligible for my giveaway of 3 signed copies of the book. There were nearly 3,000 comments left in total and the winners have been randomly selected:

Grand prize of a copy of The Pulse of Mixed Media, signed by as many of the contributing artists as I see during my book tour travels, and there will be many, goes to Jo Murray from Jo Murray - Art. Congrats Jo!

Congrats also go out to Tammie Lee from Beauty Flows and Terrie from Creative Explorer, each of whom won a signed copy of the book.

They say "when one door closes, another opens", so now that 31/31 has ended a new series begins. Starting tomorrow and running for 11 consecutive days, I will be sponsoring a traditional blog hop. Eleven bloggers, not connected with the book, will be posting their thoughts and reactions to the book. And, even better, each of them will be answering their choice of survey questions from the book. I will link to each blogger on their assigned day. But here is a preview of the wonderful group you are about to hang out with:

April 2   Rice Freeman-Zachery
April 3   Stephanie Lee
April 4   Ali Edwards
April 5   Ro Bruhn
April 6   Roben Marie-Smith
April 7   Nancy Lefko
April 8   Kelly Kilmer
April 9   Trudi Sissons
April 10 Melody Nunez
April 11 Dina Wakley
April 12 Stephanie Hilvitz

And during this time, I will also be posting about the recent and upcoming events surrounding my book.

31/31: Linda Woods

31 artists...31 days. Spend every day of March with me at The Altered Page to meet the 31 spotlight artists in my book The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed. See their beautiful faces, read their 'quirky' bios written in their own words, see some of their art that led me to invite them to be a part of my book, and hear my story of what they each mean to me. Then click on over to their sites and see what they have to say about The Pulse of Mixed Media.
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Linda Woods

I am an artist, author, and a rule breaker. I eat cookies for breakfast.

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I know Linda Woods from many different places. I think I discovered her books first. Along with her sister Karen Dinino, she has written several books, among them Journal Revolution, that come with a manifesto that all artists should heed. I know her from her blog, where she always tells it like it is in a very engaging and refreshing style. I know her through her participation in the online version of The Pulse. And I know her through eBay, where I bought a piece of her art long before I knew that she was THE Linda Woods.

She has been a good friend to me, supporting my goals as an artist and author from the beginning of my life as an art blogger to today. She is real, funny, soooo talented, and a true pioneer. I am thrilled that she is part of my book because the landscape of the mixed media community would look very different without Linda, her point of view, and her creativity. She seemed to me to be the perfect bookend with which to complete the 31/31 series. Thanks Linda!

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GIVEAWAY

NOW CLOSED

31/31: Robert Maloney

31 artists...31 days. Spend every day of March with me at The Altered Page to meet the 31 spotlight artists in my book The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed. See their beautiful faces, read their 'quirky' bios written in their own words, see some of their art that led me to invite them to be a part of my book, and hear my story of what they each mean to me. Then click on over to their sites and see what they have to say about The Pulse of Mixed Media.
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Robert Maloney

My work focuses on the elements of modern life that often go unnoticed. That hand painted sign on the side of an old building; the pipes that poke in and out of just about every structure we see; the boarded up windows of an abandoned factory; the billboard that advertises a discontinued product; the scaffolding grid-work of an old bridge.

 What history do these structures hold? What lies inside of these vessels? These are the things that go through my mind in a normal day.

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I had no connection to Bob prior to inviting him to be a part of the book. Rather, his art spoke for itself. I had seen his work featured in the May/June 2010 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors and in Lisa Cyr's 

Art Revolution: Alternative Approaches for Fine Artists and Illustrators. The article in CPS included the line "Robert Maloney's evocative collages take his audience on a visual voyage through gritty and ephemeral layers of image, text, and texture." They had me at 'gritty.'

I really responded to his artwork and was thrilled that he responded quickly and positively to my invitation. I was very pleased to be able to have another mixed media 'guy' for the book. The artwork that he provided for the book is everything that I hoped it would be and I look forward to the day when I can see it in person.

Excited to also announce that his work from the book will be featured in an exhibition opening today at 13FOREST Gallery in  Alrlington, MA. Good luck Bob. Wish I could be there.

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GIVEAWAY

NOW CLOSED

31/31: Angela Cartwright

31 artists...31 days. Spend every day of March with me at The Altered Page to meet the 31 spotlight artists in my book The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed. See their beautiful faces, read their 'quirky' bios written in their own words, see some of their art that led me to invite them to be a part of my book, and hear my story of what they each mean to me. Then click on over to their sites and see what they have to say about The Pulse of Mixed Media.
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Angela Cartwright

I am an unruly artist.

 I feel naked without a camera in my hand. When you are a photographer I think it trains you to see life differently.

I can't imagine a world without art.

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Angela Cartwright is a creative inspiration. As I am sure most, if not all of you know, she is Angela Cartwright the actress, of The Sound of Music and Lost in Space fame. And she is Angela Cartwright the artist, working in mixed media, photography and shadows, as can be seen on her blog and website. And she is Angela Cartwright the author of several art books and, along with Sarah Fishburn, the creator of the spectacular zine Pasticcio Quartz. And she is Angela Cartwright the designer of artful clothes and home decor.

She is also a wonderful, supportive, down-to-earth friend. She was a participant in my first online edition of The Pulse, way back in early 2008, and has been part of the later editions as well. She has generously spotlighted by art and my blog in her zine and on her own blog. I have appreciated the inspiration she has provided and look at her as a model of somebody who sets her sites on a goal and a dream...and works to successfully achieve that goal and make her dream come true. Thanks for being a muse to many Angela!

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GIVEAWAY

NOW CLOSED

31/31: Lisa Hoffman

31 artists...31 days. Spend every day of March with me at The Altered Page to meet the 31 spotlight artists in my book The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed. See their beautiful faces, read their 'quirky' bios written in their own words, see some of their art that led me to invite them to be a part of my book, and hear my story of what they each mean to me. Then click on over to their sites and see what they have to say about The Pulse of Mixed Media.
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Lisa Hoffman

After living in close proximity to VERY competent people from all walks of life, my goal as an artist is to do everything that I can to make people raise their right hand and swear to never take themselves or anybody else too seriously...and no, I'm NOT kidding.

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In the dictionary, the phrase 'good people' is defined as:

Noun, 1. Lisa Hoffman

I met Lisa and her blog online way back in 2007. She was already one of my 'True Colors' heros when I started my blog and a few months later when I reached out to her to be part of my first online version of The Pulse. She couldn't have been more receptive, supportive, and genuinely nice. Since that time I have gotten to know her very well and my initial impressions have been solidified. Good people. Funny, warm, friendly, open, creative, talented, intelligent, positive, innovative, spirited, giving, tall. The list goes on and on. To know Lisa is really to love her.

I knew from the get go that I wanted and needed to have Lisa in my book. In addition to her wonderful art - unique and vibrant - I knew that she would bring some wit and humor to the pages as well. And when you read her contributions, she doesn't disappoint. We have tried on many occasions to actually meet in real life. Finally that will happen next month when I travel to her hometown in Colorado. Counting the days...

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GIVEAWAY

NOW CLOSED

31/31: Jen Crossley

31 artists...31 days. Spend every day of March with me at The Altered Page to meet the 31 spotlight artists in my book The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed. See their beautiful faces, read their 'quirky' bios written in their own words, see some of their art that led me to invite them to be a part of my book, and hear my story of what they each mean to me. Then click on over to their sites and see what they have to say about The Pulse of Mixed Media.
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Jen Crossley

Hey I'm Jen Crossley from the Land of Oz (Australia). A woman of many talents, and a master of none I must say. I'm all smoke and mirrors.

Dazzle them with big words and techniques I say, and most importantly have fun with what you do.

Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. Love what you do and it will show in your art and your life.

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Jen's blog is called A Mark in Time and I think that is the perfect name. Her artwork conjures up a sense of history, mystery and intrigue. Each and every piece seems to have its own story to tell and seems to capture a moment in time. Her list of ingredients include pieces of metal, sometimes rusted and sometimes etched by hand, vintage tintypes, assorted found objects, and the like. Her creations, whether miniature books, assemblages or jewelry all call my name.

Timing is everything and with Jen, her timing couldn't have been better. She is from Australia and one of her goals and dreams has been to teach a workshop in the USA. Earlier this month her dream came true. And I was able to meet up with her for a few hours when she passed through NYC. I showed her the book, and her published artwork, for the first time. Priceless. Jen couldn't have been any nicer, any more generous, or any more gracious. And she assured me that when she called me a dag, she meant it in the most endearing of ways. Thanks Jen...you're a dinkum cobber!

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GIVEAWAY

NOW CLOSED

31/31: Gary Reef

31 artists...31 days. Spend every day of March with me at The Altered Page to meet the 31 spotlight artists in my book The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed. See their beautiful faces, read their 'quirky' bios written in their own words, see some of their art that led me to invite them to be a part of my book, and hear my story of what they each mean to me. Then click on over to their sites and see what they have to say about The Pulse of Mixed Media.
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Gary Reef

I am a bower bird, I collect, I recycle, I try to turn the ordinary into extraordinary and discarded things into treasure.

Burning, dropping, plashing, carelessness, cutting, scratching, layering, experimenting would be some words to describe my process.

Random chaos, mess and the chance to create accidents is the key to my secret garden. I care less for images and outcome, my work isn't about that. I live for the moment, the now and if something good comes as a result than I am pleasantly surprised.

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Gary Reef is an artist made for this computer age. If you do not know him yet, head on over to his many online homes. He could be at his blog. You might find him at his You Tube channel, where his videos has been seen over 1,800,000 times! Maybe he will be hanging out at his art and social network Loving Mixed Media. He could be anywhere. He beats to his own drummer and always has his finger on the pulse and that is one of the reasons I wanted him to be in my book.

Gary creates amazing textures and layers in all his artwork, no matter the medium he uses. His work is vibrant and grungy, with just enough 'quirk' to make it really interesting. I mean, how many people do you know that have held a sardine can shrine challenge?!? Thanks, btw, for letting me be the official judge on that one. I have not met Gary but one day, if he heads to NYC or I head to Australia, we just may meet. And if we do, I would like nothing more than to spend a day in the studio collaborating on some art.

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GIVEAWAY

NOW CLOSED

Events of the Week

I have a big week ahead for online and live events celebrating the release of my book The Pulse of Mixed Media.

I hope that you can join me live for some. If not, you can be sure I will sharing everything with you on my blog, my Facebook page and over Twitter @alteredpage.

31 Artists/31 Days continues. Join The Altered Page as I present the remaining 6 spotlight artists from my book through March 31. Leave a comment and you will be eligible for my giveaway of 3 copies of the book, 1 of which will be signed by many (and I mean many) of the artists in the book. Look for the names of the winners on my blog on Sunday April 1.

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Monday March 26

I will be in the Hudson Valley in New York at The Gallery Link within the Ellenville Public Library and Museum. I currently have an exhibition of 12 new paintings and 9 new mixed media works on display at the gallery. Also included within the show is the following interactive piece that will hopefully be filled by the end of the night.

The opening reception is at 6pm and it will be followed by an artist talk and book signing at 7pm. Contributing artists Canace and Denise Aumick will also be attending. Detailed information and directions can be found here.

I will be posting images of the opening and of all the artwork soon. And look out for frequent updates in my Etsy shop, as the artwork from the exhibition will be posted and for sale there soon. 

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Wednesday March 28

Join me at 3pm EST on Creative Mojo with Mark Lipinski, a live internet radio podcast. Mark is dedicating the entire show to The Pulse of Mixed Media and I will be his co-host for all two hours. We will be talking about the book and interviewing live five contributors: Michelle Ward, Pam Carriker, Angela Cartwright, Julie Prichard and Lisa Hoffman. This is a call-in show, so please be ready with questions if you like. And if you cannot listen live, the show can be found archived at any time.

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Saturday March 31

Join me for an artist panel sponsored by The Ink Pad in NYC. From 10am to noon, I will be with Danny Gregory, Roxanne Evans-Stout, Jill Zaheer, Karen Cole, Michelle Ward and Julie Prichard to talk about art and the book. There will a Q & A, a book signing, and an opportunity to see art from all the panelists in person. The panel is free but seats need to be reserved at 212-463-9876. Cannot be there? No worries. The panel will be filmed and shown on Create Mixed Media in the near future.

After the panel, I will be spending the afternoon teaching a workshop, which is now sold-out. If interested, you can contact The Ink Pad to be placed on a waiting list at 212-463-9876.