Check your Pulse

If you haven’t already met him, I’d like to introduce Mr. Seth Apter.  Our first exchange of blog comments dates back to 2007.  Always encouraging and enthusiastic, his remarks were not only appreciated, they became a foundation of a friendship.  In addition to being a mixed media artist, I’ve come to regard him as a curator and collaborator, which you will agree if you’ve frequented his Altered Page.  He regularly presents his own handsome work, as created for himself (like the "making Waves" series above), or as part of a collaborative project.  Some years ago he began presenting The Pulse – an ongoing self-imposed assignment where he surveys artists on a number of topics of interest.  A visit to his blog is always fun and informative and you will find yourself hopping around to the many useful links he provides, to events, exhibits, and sites, while widening your circle of acquaintances.

The online project has now manifested itself in book form.  Seth has once again culled from a community of artists, and invited many to share their art and their perspective by anwering many types of questions.    I am priviledged to be among the spotlighted contributors.  His book will be released this month so he is celebrating by presenting 31 artists in 31 days.  Visit his blog for daily updates, plus a chance to win a copy of his book, HERE. 

Queue the trumpets, sound the drums....

I have observed, both in the book preview available on Amazon, and the posts on his blog, that he doesn’t answer his own questions.  Ok, he did participate in chapter one of the Pulse on his blog a long time ago, but since then we have not heard his opinions.  Don’t you think it’s time we start asking him a few???  Pick up the pen Seth, (or poise your fingers over the keyboard), it’s your turn. 

Later this month I will be one of the guests for the two hour podcast where Seth will be co-host with Mark Lipinski at Creative Mojo.  And then I will join a group of artists for a live panel at The Ink Pad.  Looking forward to celebrating creativity and what it brings to our lives....and finally meeting the man!

March 28: Podcast with Mark Lipinski on Creative Mojo. Seth will be Mark's co-host for the entire 2 hour podcast which airs live from 3-5pm EST (and which will be archived for listening anytime). They will talk all about The Pulse of Mixed Media and be joined by contributors Michelle Ward, Angela Cartwright, Pam Carriker, Julie Prichard, and Lisa Hoffman. Get your questions ready as this radio show has a live call-in feature!

March 31: Live artist panel at The Ink Pad in NYC. Seth will be joined by contributors Leslie Marsh, Karen Cole, Jill Zaheer, Julie Prichard, Roxanne Evans Stout, and Michelle Ward. The panel will be video taped and available for viewing on Create Mixed Media sometime in early April.

EDIT:  HE HAS SPOKEN!  Please continue to join in the conversation taking place in the comment section below.  Seth has been a good sport about taking on the questions above...here are his answers:

1. I have always worked small and enjoy the challenge of having something small make a big impact. By far my largest piece to date was 3 feet x 3 feet and I made it as part of my Graffiti Wall collaboration with Julie Prichard and Lynne Hoppe. My most recent series of paintings, called Interior Angles, was created on 12" x 12" panels - and I have to say that I definitely liked working larger.

2. For my book, I wrote a very, very long list of questions from which I chose the ones that ended up in the book. They were all questions that came to me because I was curious about the answers and I felt that in all cases, the responses would really offer the reader insight into each contributing artist.

3. Autumn is definitely my favorite season in general and the one that is most inspirational too me. It is the combination of the feel of the season, the colors, the weather, the nature, the smells, the food, etc. that really gets me going.

4. One sentence huh? Now I know how my contributors feel when I ask them for only one instance of something. Here goes: Allow what is inside you to be your artistic guide, with a sense of playfulness, a feeling of passion, and not a trace of judgement.

APPLAUSE APPLAUSE!  Thank you Seth.  Hey, while we are clapping, how about the clever title of his sculptures at the top?  "Making Waves"...get it?  Waving hands.  *dies at the geniusness*

Comments

[deb]

So nice to meet you Michele through Seth's blog. I hope Seth answers your questions. :) I thought about your 'particular season' question and no i don't think there is one. Maybe fall and winter as i tend to be inside more and not as physically active. My philosophy ? Learn to create what YOU love not what you think someone else will like. I don't know if its a philosophy or not but its what i struggle with so it becomes something of a mantra. I hope you'll pop over to my blog and say hi!

[michelle ward]

Thanks for coming by Deb, and for taking the time to comment and respond to the questions!
I think fall is a fertile time for me too, but each season has it's own motivation.
I like your attitude in your philosophy...so true.
Mine: sharing your enthusiasm for creativity is more important than what you create.

[Carrie]

Awesome! I've got to check out his blog, and keep an eye out for the book.

[Carrie]

Oops, p.s. I think my most productive season tends to be fall, but sometimes spring. They're also my favorite seasons, so I'm happier then, which probably has some effect on my creativity. And my philosophy is that art should be attractive and make somebody happy (even if it's only yourself).

[robyn]

Hi Michelle, we are off to a great start! Looking forward to hearing the answers to your questions. Autumn and Winter are my most productive art seasons. I work outside so Summer and most of Spring are just too hot for comfort..... but there's something magical in the air in Autumn that just makes me want to create art. A philosophy? .... In the words of Mary Oliver ... "learning to be astonished".

[michelle ward]

Thanks for adding your thoughts Carrie and Robyn.
Carrie - I totally agree with you about the happy seasons, and I'm nodding along to your philosophy.
Love your philosohhy Robyn - great quote! Looking forward to your spotlight later this month!

[iHanna]

Seth is cool. I love his writing over at the mixed media site too, and would love to check out his first book! congrats on being in it my dear!

also, you need to check out lori, who like you has a copy of the walls book (if you don't know about her blog already, I think you'll like it):
http://elviestudio.blogspot.com/2012/03/oh-mr-darcy.html

Take care!

[Chris]

Michelle, I love your visuals in this post.

One thing that I celebrate about both you and Seth, and what makes Seth's choice of you as his first 31/31 featured artist so appropo (of something), is that you both are incredibly supportive of your fellow artists, crafters and writers. You both lift up the community by example and by encouraging sharing and personal accomplishment. I don't think a week goes by on either of your sites where you have not featured another person's talent or achievement, or urged others to shine their lights!

Your idea to ask Seth some questions is a fabulous one! As for my answers to 3 and 4:

3) Spring has always been a time of creative growth for me. The fall is probably my favorite season, but with the crush of the holidays and the cooler weather, I am often storing up nuts in my own squirrelly way. Spring fills me with hope, gratitude, and light.

4) In one sentence? Have I ever confined my thoughts to one sentence? Okay, I'll try a long, run-on sentence... My continual focus and something I work hard to bring myself back to (as someone who thinks too much and can get pretty dark) is this: There is no worry, sadness or self-censure that can win over the sheer joy of and appreciation for being alive and expressing that joy through creativity in all its forms.

There.

shred this when done.

[Lisa Hoffman]

OMG, that Sneek Peek banner is Genius!...you and those mad photoshop skills.
I can't WAIT for my book copy. I'm guessing that it'll be one of those "favorites", all banged up and well worn in NO time!
I just have to comment on your post title too: "Check your PULSE".
Seriously.

[karen cole]

Wonderful intro to this book party, Michelle. It's going to be like opening a gift each day to see what each artist will present.

I look forward to hear what Seth has to say in answer to the questions you presented. Great idea!

Spring into summer, is probably my favorite time to create....I must be wearing flip flops, though anytime I have time away from work, is the best time.

As for a philosophy, just do it, seems to fit. I've dabbled in so many things. It's all about the adventure of discovery.

Enjoy your day.

-Karen

[chrisfondi]

so very cool that you are the first artist in the 31/31 posts by seth. a beautiful post. and so absolutely awesome to be enrolled in both your classes at create nj this july. we will rock the garden state.
chris

[Kathryn Dyche Dechairo]

I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Seth's new book that I have on pre-order from Amazon and am excited to be included as one of the many artists that Seth chose to include. I love that he's introducing us to the 31 main contributing artists through his blog and loved reading about you and seeing your work. Congratulations on your participation in this wonderful project.

[Norma]

Oh gosh the question #4 leaped out at me because I've carried my own answer to it for awhile now and it, when I first realized it [speaking for myself here], it completely and I mean completely unfroze me. I'm still a scare-d-cat often, but I am at least able to put a mark on something to start things going. The realization and now my philosophy is that art is just solving problems, like life itself. You run into a problem, and solve it, and run into a problem and solve it. It's not often that something is completely unsolvable. Now I am off to read more creative inspiring wonderful things! *smiles* Norma

[Jill Zaheer]

Dear Michelle,
What a superb opening act!! Loved reading when and how you and Seth first met, seeing your fabulous intro pics, of course looking at that super banner across your submitted works and those great questions to Seth.
My favorite season for art is the spring- when everything including me seems to be exploding with budding energies. For my descriptive sentence- it would be: "I art, therefore I am."
Can not wait to meet you on March 31 at Seth's live artist panel at the Ink Pad in NYC!

[iamrushmore]

eagerly awaiting the arrival of my copy of the book - enjoyed your profile on his blog today!

[alicia - altered bits]

nice to meet you, michelle. i cannot wait to see your wonderful pieces in seth's book -- congratulations on the invitation! i love that you put the banner across your images as it makes me even more anxious to have that book in my hands. i cannot believe it's so close!

i find that spring is most inspiring to me, when everything feels fresh and new again. thankfully spring is upon us!

[Carol Weiler]

I have long admired both of your blogs and enjoy the challenges on your green pepper street team posts. I wish both you and Seth continued success.

[lyneen]

I have just met you and look forward to following you... the book looks like a must t have!

To answer your questions:

Seasons don't lend to my creativity, late nights do. I am not sure why, but at night I am most creative and get the most work completed.

My philosophy as an artist in one sentence!!! What comes to mind is when teaching classes students sometimes get discouraged and I always say, "All I am showing you is a way to express yourself , there isn't a right way or a wrong way to create." (run-on!!!!)

LOVE "Making Waves! by Seth"

[Julia M. in MI]

I fell like I have more time to create in the fall and winter. Every season holds some special beauty though. As far as pholosophy for my art, I feel like that's still evolving. Looking forward to hearing and seeing more about this book.

[Seth]

Hi Michelle. I love the fact that you "turned the tables" and asked me these questions. I am happy to answer them as well. Thanks so much for kicking off 31/31 with such a bang! Seth

1. I have always worked small and enjoy the challenge of having something small make a big impact. By far my largest piece to date was 3 feet x 3 feet and I made it as part of my Graffiti Wall collaboration with Julie Prichard and Lynne Hoppe. My most recent series of paintings, called Interior Angles, was created on 12" x 12" panels - and I have to say that I definitely liked working larger.

2. For my book, I wrote a very, very long list of questions from which I chose the ones that ended up in the book. They were all questions that came to me because I was curious about the answers and I felt that in all cases, the responses would really offer the reader insight into each contributing artist.

3. Autumn is definitely my favorite season in general and the one that is most inspirational too me. It is the combination of the feel of the season, the colors, the weather, the nature, the smells, the food, etc. that really gets me going.

4. One sentence huh? Now I know how my contributors feel when I ask them for only one instance of something. Here goes: Allow what is inside you to be your artistic guide, with a sense of playfulness, a feeling of passion, and not a trace of judgement.

[Mary Rork-Watson]

What inspiring answers to the questions.

Winter lends itself to my creativity because I like burrowing into my studio during the cold and dark season. The narrowness of the season keeps me focused.

My artistic philosophy is to work. Show up and work even if it's sharpening pencils or cleaning a table. It's too easy to let life distract you and art needs a steady focus.

[Sandi Terry]

Michelle, loved seeing you as Seth's first 31/31 artist!!! I so enjoy both Seth's artwork and his blog. This should be a terrific book, I've been a fan of The Pulse since it began!

If you remember, Autumn is my favorite season, and it definitely inspires me, but my creative juices seem to get going at night time no matter what the season. I think my philosophy is to create what is important to you and don't worry about what anyone else may think about it.

[Cathy Walters]

Love your work, Michelle! Winter and early spring are my most creative times because I have a little more breathing room for daydreaming. :)

[LeslieM]

Brava Michelle! This was a wonderful opening post for Seth's 31 in 31! I agree with Karen: it'll be like opening a gift every day!

[Melva Bates]

Hi Michelle, have followed your blog for sometime. I came upon Seths blog via Danny Gregory's blog. Cannot wait to see the book. It looks great.

[Aloha Kate]

Congrats on being asked to contribute to a book about being an artist! I like to create all around the year. I do have seasonal themes though depending on the season. Definitely different things come up different times of year. Don't know how to define my work in one sentence. Be yourself!

Aloha, Kate

[Carol]

Hi Michelle, so pleased to have found you via Seth. The book looks great, a must have. I enjoyed your post very much, love your art work.

[rivergardenstudio]

Michelle, your art is spectacular, strong and dynamic, and I can hardly wait to see what you have done inside the book and meet you in person!!! Love your idea of posing questions to Seth, and his answers.
Congratulations on your part in the book, and leading this month on Seth's 31 Artists, 31 Days!
roxanne

[Grace]

Hi Michelle, I love how you formatted this so that we learn a bit more about Seth too. Congratulations on being included in the book!

[Darlene K Campbell]

Michelle, Congrats on being a contributer in Seth's book. I love your cardboard work. #4 Question/Philosophy of sorts: Work intuitively with emotion and passion. Go so deep into it that you feel like you're chasing after yourself while you paint.

[Eric Adama]

Great header for this post. Let's wave to Seth!
http://ericadamajournal.blogspot.com/2011/08/making-waves.html#.T1IoE4fa7gc

[druga szesnascie]

strange, my comment didn't show up... :(
what I wrote was that I'm filled with inspiration after visiting Seth's place and yours a couple of days ago. this book is a must-have!!!
(actually, I've been your admirer for a long time - quietly yet faithfully. ;)
as for the questions:
#3 - I smiled today 'cause I gave an answer very similar to Seth's. it's autumn - for its light, the colors, the smells, the flavors, the clothes etc. it's the season when I bloom.
#4 - I'm still working on my one sentence. for today it's: beauty is everywhere, you just need to open your eyes and learn to see it.

[Robert Stockton]

I loved that you asked "the asker of questions" a few questions of his own, and that the answers he gave let us know something more about artistic and blog preferences of Mr. Apter. It's great that the wait is finally almost over, and "The Pulse of Mixed Media" is about to be in everyone's hands! My answer to question #3 is: winter/spring. It always seems that I get more accomplished in the studio when the weather is not conducive to spending great amounts of time outdoors. Also, I live in the Pacific Northwest portion of the U.S., and find the many subtle colors of winter in the natural environment, here, inspiring. My response to question #4 is: I like to think of what I do as creating a glimpse into aspects of the realities and everyday details of a life that may have been lived in another time or place.

Congratulations for kicking-off Seth's "31 in 31" series on The Altered Page, by being the first of his highlighted artists! I love what I have seen of your work, and plan to return to your blog often, to see what you are up to! Best wishes!

[Tammie]

that post was a fun read. Love that Seth answered your questions.
3. Seasons most certainly are my muse... or more truly nature, both with our planet and the spirit of human nature. A favorite season depends on where I am, When i lived in Santa Barbara it was spring when the fills are green and flowers cloak the earth and fungi show their magical faces. Here in NW Montana, spring is my least favorite season with gray, rain and mud daily.... the other three seasons are awesome!

4.I love that art brings me present, ignites a spark of life within and offers something of a touching the magical spirit in life.

you are right, your comment section is a good read too!

[elle]

Thanks for asking Seth the questions. Congrats to you both on the book!

[Susan]

I love True Colors and your work there and here. lovely segment on Seth Apter's blog. Great interview too.

[SHANE MILLER]

#3....In the depths of winter my mind is constantly creating and coming up with potential ideas....and then in the spring those ideas burst forth as reality.
#4...THE ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE.

[Barbara I.]

I am fascinated by your art Michelle. I love using stencils in my art and layers and am inspired by your work! Congrats on being included in Seth's book.

[Melva Bates]

Been following your blog for sometime. Congratulations for the entry in Seth's book. Bathe in the glory....... You deserve it.