Creative Bliss spelled........ VIOLETTE

I feel very lucky in my life when special people cross my path....Due to my menopause brain dates are eluding me. Once upon a time i followed this very creative artist on the internet her name is Violette...I so loved her walk and talk about creativity i felt connected as she lived out loud and proud as an artist and made no excuses. Time passed and divine intervention came to be in which we met in the parking lot of an Art Conference that she was attending where i took my chance to introduce myself and the rest i say is herstory!!!

How lucky am i today to be able to ask for u to all give a big shout out to Violette on her dream coming true of writing and publishing her book JOURNAL BLISS....Congratulations Violette u Rock!!!

1.What are your fave top three creative books and why?

My top 3 creative books...........now that's a tough one Rhonda......you know how many books i have??? A kajillion. Anyways i guess my first would be Julia Cameron's Artist's Way, Sark's Inspiration Sandwich and The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women by Gail McMeekin. Julia Cameron's book - if you haven't already read it - run don't walk to the nearest bookstore to buy this Quintessential book on Opening up yourself creatively, moving through blocks.....and so much more - The Artist's way is like a bible for so many creatives. Sark's books have been so impactful to my life - she gave me permission (even before i met her) to be creative, Live outside the box and bring more colour, art and craziness in my life. The first Sark book i read was Inspiration Sandwich so it will always have a special place in my heart even though Succulent Wild Woman is her biggest seller i believe.

2.Describe a creative day for you?

My creative days vary. Not all of them are spent creating unfortunately - some might be doing bookkeeping and self-promotion - networking etc. On the creative days such as when i make a Video or PDF for an online class it is full of creating - at least 4 hours. Usually though i get up before 8, then check e-mails, answer them. Then it is on to blogging- either i create a drawing for my blog or take a picture or alter one in Photoshop to get it ready for my blog. Sometimes i post messages on Twitter or facebook, answer messages on my messageboard. Most mornings are taken up with blogging and checking out social network sites. The afternoons are for creating, making art or shooting videos. I really enjoy getting messy in the studio or in my backyard. I like to go walking in my neighbourhood to clear my head and come up with new ideas or solutions to problems. There is no real typical day - it really varies. Sometimes i teach a workshop so i'll be away at a Women's Center all afternoon. The evenings are often spent on website stuff, learning new programs like INDESIGN, drawing or reading creative books/magazines.

3.Do u feel that the internet has influenced your creativity?? In what ways and what suggestions would u give to other creatives regarding their art and the internet as well as being out there faceto face with people

I think that the internet has opened up my world - it's easier to be found if you have a web presence. It's a great way to connect with other creatives, form groups, forums etc. It makes it easy to reach out and let people know what you are about and what you love. I think many more artists are getting book contracts, magazine projects etc. because of the internet. People are getting discovered much more easily. It's important to get a blog or create a website if you would like to get known or simply to share your art with others of like mind. One thing though about the internet is that we often do not have face to face connections with folks - its important to make that a priority otherwise the connections are not as real or as authentic. Try and get to conventions or form groups with REAL LIVE people if you can. Nothing can replace face to face contact.

4.Now that u have written a book is there a sequel in the future?? what does it look like?

I'm thinking if there is a book in the near future it will be more about living a creative life........as an eccentric......and being authentic rather than strictly a how-to book. I will never say never to anything else though - right now i can't think of it since i'm still into promoting this one and creating workshops based on it.

5. Describe your creative business....things that u are doing now or want to pursure in the near future.

My creative business? Well i would like to revamp my website and have it reflect more of who i am today - so on the front page there will be a place to buy my book, e-book (to come), online classes, etc. I need to make some passive streams of income - increase my income as i've been spending way too much money getting my Creative business going. I guess getting back to your question - i do a variety of things - promote my books, i do the occassional magazine project (haven't in a while), teach at Women's centers and in my studio and do the occassional illustration job. I would like to give talks on Creativity so i'm going to Toastmasters to overcome my fear of public speaking. Like you i'm a gemini so need lots of variety to keep me entertained. Oh.....one more thing i plan on doing is "renting my brain" or being a Creative Catalyst.......sort of like a coach. People are often e-mailing me for inspiration or talking to me on the phone or coming by the house. Naturally i can't keep doing that for free and still survive so i would like to share my expertise in a more formal way.!

Thanks so much for being on the Virtual Blog Tour Rhonda. I appreciate it.

Love,

Violette

www.violette.ca
"Joyful art that feeds the soul!"

My book is released - Journal Bliss: Creative Prompts to Unleash your Inner Eccentric