The Final Day

So here we are at Day 10, the final day of my sharing about what I learned from self publishing my art. It all boils down to the fact that I want to keep going. I am ready to begin another chapter of my e-digest, Reflection and Sparks. (Just not right away.)

If you haven't gotten a copy of one or both issues of Reflection and Sparks, you can get all the information by clicking on the tab below blog banner. Here is the link. 

It is also time for a change at e14studio. This is my last post.

I started this blog in 2005. (683 posts since then!). I moved out of my studio on E14 Street in the Houston Heights and gave up having physical space outside of my home. This virtual studio is where I shared all my ideas, inspirations and mixed media artwork since then.

This summer I am packing it up and moving to a studio loft in Galveston, Texas. I am super excited to have space again for art making, workshops and watching sunsets! While I come up with inspiration for the next Reflection and Sparks, I will also be pondering the idea of starting another blog. (Just not right away.) 

I'm not going away, just moving on. After a short break, I will be back. Please sign up for my newsletter if you'd like to stay in touch.  

Let's keep in touch!

10 day share about self publishing - Day 9

Besides my pitches on social media, how else was anyone going to find out about my 20 page self published e-digest called "Reflection and Sparks"?

In the beginning, it's about distribution and getting the name out there.

Give it away! The more people who see it and know about it, the better.

So here it is, for the next 48 hours, a free digital download of volume 2 Reflection and Sparks.

All I ask is that you let me know what you think and let others know about it. Leave a comment or email me at ArtL8dy-at-yahoo.com. 

---

Due to size constraints with the server, the free digital copy does not contain all 20 pages. For complete copy of 20 pages, it will be necessary to visit the Magcloud site where you can order the printed version and full digital version.

10 day share about self publishing - Day 8

Once I commit to a project, I go full blast and forget to eat. But not everyone shares my enthusiasm. I am learning to be patient with myself and others.

I was listening to an interview Chase Jarvis did with Gary Vaynerchuk. Gary said that you can't drive results. Slow and steady wins the race. 

The process of making art, refining it, finding others who share the vision and making a tangible product can seem too much for some. Impatience can bring on doubts and fears. Bet on your strengths and hang in there!

10 day share about self publishing - Day 7

Take your friends, followers and fans behind the scenes.

Give insights. 

Share how an idea evolved and tell about the inspiration. 

There's always a story behind the story and in the case of artwork, there's always a story about the art that can be told.

10 day share about self publishing - Day 6

Even though it's called "self" publishing, there's no way you can do it by yourself.

I suggest talking to others who self publish. A co-worker of mine who publishes his photography let me "pick his brain" for information. That's really how I started.

Don't forget to buy the books that others self publish. Look for other artists, photographers or writers who create the type of work you'd like to be doing and order their books. That will provide all kinds of ideas and formats.

Creating alone has it's benefits but collaborating with others adds a whole new dimension to the work. 

As for my 20 page e-digests,  I wanted to publish more than a catalog of my art in print or online. 

The premiere "Reflection and Sparks"  provides an excellent tutorial for anyone teaching or taking an art journaling workshop. (All I ask is that I get credit for the material).

In volume 2,  I invited anyone who wanted to publish a poem or essay to pick one of the art pages as a prompt. They didn't have to be "professional" writers either. The idea is to make publishing accessible to all who want to express themselves. I didn't turn anyone away and didn't edit their work. If I can get more writers to contact me, I will publish a 3rd volume. Interested?

10 day share about self publishing - Day 5

When it involves technology it's all about the learning curve and searching for information.

Once I had the artwork, I looked at examples and researched websites for ways to publish, print and sell. 

I am very happy with Magcloud (and Lulu), but there are so many other sites to choose from.

10 day share about self-publishing - Day #4

When the artwork started piling up, I knew I had enough to put in a book or magazine. I made a prototype. I cut and pasted and used photocopies to layout the pages. From there I went online.

10 day share about self-publishing - Day #3

When I began, I didn't have a clear outcome for publishing my art.

What I did notice was how I felt while putting it all together.

Passion. 

My best advice for anyone looking to self publish is to be excited and enthusiastic and that will carry you through the process.

10 day share about self-publishing - Day #2

The following quote provided the inspiration that made me realize I have something to share that others may need. I am not special, we all have something to share that others may need!

"Essentially, the life of expression is the ongoing journey of how we heal each other… for by telling our stories and listening to the stories of others, we let out who we are and find ourselves in each other, and find that we are more together than alone." ~Mark Nepo

Social media connects us in ways that go beyond geographic locations. It's easy to find others in our "tribe" who have similar interests. Most of us create alone, but may need friends and followers to bounce off ideas or get feedback.

Collaborations are good for breaking creative boundaries and exploring new ideas.

In the premiere issue of my e-digest, Reflection and Sparks, I shared step by step instructions for art journaling along with examples. You don't have to be an artist to express your feelings with words and images.

In the second "Reflection and Sparks", I provided art as visual prompts for writers and I encouraged anyone who writes to submit. They didn't have to be "professional" writers.

There's more to learn, to inspire, to share.

... more techniques

... more encouragement

... more possibilities

---

Reflection & Sparks

By Sharon Hendry

20 pages, published 11/20/2014

Reflections and Sparks is a 20 page digest filled with art journal pages from the artist, Sharon Hendry. She writes how she was inspired to find a creative process to free her imagination and express her unique vision. The artwork is meant to inspire others to take a blank sketchbook and fill it with their own "reflection and spark" ideas. Step by step instructions are provided. No artistic experience necessary, just a strong desire create with…

---

Reflection & Sparks, vol. 2

By Sharon Hendry

20 pages, published 4/14/2015

The process of writing, painting and collaging has helped Sharon get to the root of her creativity but her intention to share the work goes beyond self expression. Her vision for this second issue of Reflerction & Sparks is to ignite a connective link between artists and writers. She puts out a "call for submissions" on social media for contributors. The words and images are meant to inspire others to create their own visual and verbal stories.

10 day share about self-publishing - Day #1

I've been celebrating the success of "Reflection and Sparks", and thought I'd post about it for the next 10 days here on my blog. 

It's always fun to celebrate when our work gets published. Unfortunately, not everything we submit fits with every publication we pursue.

Unless we go through the process of publishing ourselves.

I admire many artists and writers. (Right now I'm into the work of Austin Kleon.)

After seeing the art or reading the stories and essays of artists I admire online, poof! it's gone and becomes hard to find again. A book or magazine stays on a shelf or table. Always on hand to revisit and enjoy.

My goal for having my art published comes from the idea that I want to share it with others, not keep it hidden in my studio. (Austin Kleon titled his book, "Show Your Work".  I think he hit the nail on the head!)

But!

Submitting work can be daunting. 

Receiving rejection notices may prevent us from being creative because we might think we are not good enough. Hardly the reason we get rejected.

There can be so many reasons that have little to do with us personally. 

While I continue to submit to all the fabulous publishers (and get rejected more than I like to admit), I decided that self publishing gives me another option to share my art and connect with other artists and writers. 

Many tools and online marketing sites were not available a short while ago. 

I'm all about learning new tricks. 

When one door closes, come in through the window! 

Self- publishing is that "window". 

I'd love for you to have a copy (print or digital) of my e-digest. You can click here or click on the red Magcloud button below.

---

               

   

     

                     Reflection & Sparks, vol. 2                  

     

   

     

         By Sharon Hendry                    

     

         20 pages, published 4/14/2015        

     

   

       The process of writing, painting and collaging has helped Sharon get to the root of her creativity but her intention to share the work goes beyond self expression. Her vision for this second issue of Reflerction & Sparks is to ignite a connective link between artists and writers. She puts out a "call for submissions" on social media for contributors. The words and images are meant to inspire others to create their own visual and verbal stories.