The Artist's Eyes by Jenn Lee

This is off topic compared to my usual jibber jabber, but as I forewarned you readers…this blog is my place for general gibberish in the day to day life of an artist, so with that being said, I have come to notice how dependent I have become on modern technology lately. The things we take for granted as luxuries are becoming quite numerous as time goes by. I am sure a lot of us say we are not dependent at the least, but think carefully about that answer…

We have computers, cell phones, TIVO, DVRs or GPS systems, amongst the many other things I could list. I can remember when I didn’t have a cell phone. It was something you saw on television or movies. Now I cannot seem to leave the house without feeling slightly naked without it. I grab the keys, my purse and yes…my cell phone.

How many of you TIVO or DVR your favorite television shows? How upset are you when you don’t remember to set the record function before you leave for the day or evening? I bet more than most would like to admit! Gone are the days of BETA or VHS, now every home has a DVR or TIVO recorder, indeed gone are the days of brick sized ribbon format media storage.

Who has a paper map in their car? Alright, let me rephrase that, when was the last time you looked at one? It doesn’t count if you have one and you don’t open it up for reference! In my SUV, the computerized voice of Darth Vader boldly instructs me on my trips as of late via my GPS. “Prepare to make the jump to hyperspace”…sounds off as I enter the expressway. I look to that pocket sized virtual map to lead me on the correct path…gone are the fold up maps that if I remember correctly…sometimes caused some close call accidents while driving and navigating!

How about that trusty computer? I can remember my first computer. In fact I can remember putting together my first computer….okay I will even confess I remember first taking apart then putting back together my first computer he-he. What can I say? I wanted to know what was inside and how it worked! I did learn what I needed to know…eventually…and as the members of my household can attest to, I can build, rebuild or repair the computers in my house. *Sigh* speaking of which, I will be doing some repairs to my own computer in the very near future as well.

Back to topic though…I use my computer, err let me rephrase that, the internet for my go to place for just about anything I need information on. I can’t recall the last time I used a phone book, a dictionary or an encyclopedia. My children use the internet for educational references as well as entertainment. If I need a recipe I Google, if I need a DIY project explained I Google it, if I need information about prescriptions, cars, computers, clothes etc I Google it. Yes I love Google! But seriously…how much do you rely on your computer/internet? It is where you are reading my blog too isn’t it?

Modern technology has gone from luxury, to things we seem unable to go without in our day to day lives. I have to wonder where we will be in another decade? what will be the new inventions in technology? What will our children or our childrens children be…unable to go without in their day to day lives? Modern technology is a giant unstoppable  wave of human creativity that knows no boundary…in this artist’s eyes.

My eldest daughter is about to become a mother herself. With the impending due date coming in a few months, John asked Jess if she was ready to pose for some maternity portraits. We had a great time with the shoot, mind you, how could you not with such a beautiful mother to be?Over the years as I was creating my own family, I have often been amazed at the entire process of pregnancy. Okay not the morning sickness, back aches or excessive bloating as the babies pushed all my internal organs around to make room for themselves. But honestly, the process of something so minutely tiny to be seen only under a microscope, forming into a complete little person…simply amazing.

In a way…it’s not unlike an artist’s sculpture. You start with something so basic and unshaped and over the gestational period, see arms, legs, hands, feet, etcetera create an amazing mix of mommy and daddy. Natures sculpting can be seen through everything around us from the growth of flowers and plants, to the birth of animals as well as babies. How amazing life is in it’s ability to sculpt such beauty. Life and the creation of new life, is truly art…in this artist’s eyes.

As a mother of four, I have been a mother for almost 21 years. Watching over each child, trying my best to guide them into adulthood. I would say I love Mother’s Day, but honestly, I enjoy Mother’s Day every day of the year. Raising ones children well, my children show me they love me in many little ways throughout the year.

In America, Mother’s Day became an official national holiday in 1910 after several attempts to create it as an official holiday since the late 1800’s. In 1910 West Virginia was the first state to officially declare it a holiday and not too long afterward, the rest of the United States followed suit.

On May 8, 1914, the United States Congress passed a law declaring the second Sunday in May Mother’s Day, requesting it to be a proclamation. President Woodrow Wilson issued the proclamation the following day. It would spread through the following years to become an International holiday.

The Carnation (flower) has become the flower that represented Mother’s Day since it’s beginning. A red Carnation was worn if your Mother was alive, a white Carnation if she had passed.

In closing, I hope you enjoyed this little bit of trivia knowledge about this Internationally celebrated holiday and wish all the Mother’s across the world Happy Mother’s Day!

~ warmest regards,

The Artist’s Eyes

As a freelance artist, sometimes your own home is the last place you bring your creativity. You spend all your time and creative energy producing art for your clients, forgetting about your own home.

When we bought our home in October of last year, I had so many ideas of things I wanted to do for our home, but as Murphy’s law always shows up unexpectedly and uninvited, the house has been the last on the client list.

I have painted throughout the house, yet it seems I haven’t completed any of the other projects. Being your own client definitely is a challenge. The childrens rooms have their base coats, yet the murals haven’t been painted and the kitchen renovation has been sitting in a state of partial completion.

I took a moment to sit back and think about this and came to the conclusion, hey…my family is a client too. Children definitely can grow their creativity through their environment. Whether it’s the functionality of their space, the decorating of their space or the creative and unique murals added to bring out their interests or personality, it all aids in growing our children through inspiration.

With that being said, it’s about time management again. Shifting some time for the family clients into part of my time spent on my business clients. A happy home, is a functional home, is a place you can motivate and inspire…in this artist’s eyes.

Recently there has been some changes made to the United States health care on all levels including business owners and their employees. With these changes the government is trying to implement nationwide health care. It seems like there are a lot of questions still unanswered as well as answers that are not pleasing everyone. In a time of big change, it’s been a shocking and concerning issue for many. Hopefully this video will help some of my fellow small business owners to understand the changes to the health care system and their tax credit and how it affects us.

This has been an issue of rising concern amongst many small businesses. It brings into play costs that exceed what some can afford. Will this cripple some small businesses? Will it become a benefit for the majority? Hopefully this video will help some of you get the answers you are looking for.