Salon de Maria Blog

This past year I’ve been so focused on my writing business that all of my other artistic endeavors have been put on the back burner. I’ve made the intention to refocus my energy on my art, photography, jewelry making, and posting to this blog more often. I was browsing through the latest Artful Blogging and was really inspired by other artists. The creative energy was oozing from that magazine.

I went to a bead show a couple weekends ago, which really got my creative juices flowing. I would love to go back to jewelry making. I think I’m more relaxed when I’m making jewelry versus writing. But then, perhaps I’ve put too much pressure on myself when writing. After all, most of the writing I do is for clients, so the perfectionist in me comes out.

Another creative endeavor I want to get back into is graphic design. I’ve abandoned my CafePress shop, so I want to re-open it and create custom t-shirts that have positive affirmations or sayings. Even funny posters would be nice to create - because the world needs laughter right now :)

Continue reading "My Creative Mind at Work" »

Posted by Maria Palma at 10:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Two things that have spurred my creativity this year is chocolate and wine.  I've always been a lover of chocolate, but wine is something that has become an acquired taste for the past couple years.  Little did I know how the two combined could really put a smile on my face and get those creative juices flowing! 

You know when you're growing up and becoming more mature when reading wine blogs or chocolate blogs sounds more appealing than reading celebrity blogs.  But then again, maybe I've just become downright geeky. 

The curious cat and eternal philosopher in me wanted to know if there was a correlation between drinking wine and creativity, so I did a search...and discovered that it is a myth.  

One bead store here in San Diego offers chocolate chip cookies to its customers as they shop for beads and one of the ladies who works there told me that chocolate stimulates your creativity.  I did a search and couldn't find any information or study that would lead me to believe that this is true.  Me thinks that a person just becomes more creative because you become more relaxed and happy as you eat chocolate or wine, thus opening up the creative doors in the mind for the juices to just flow. 

Ok, so maybe wine and chocolate isn't your thing...Check out this post over at Here to Create that offers tips on how to be more creative.

Posted by Maria Palma at 11:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

 

Dr. Ellen Weber of BrainBasedBusiness said something very interesting today:

"Without question,  we all depend on comfort zones – such as dressing before we head out to work.  Addictions to ruts or rigid routines … on the other hand …  will literally shrink the human brain."

I am so not a "routine" person.  Being a creative individual, I can start to feel when I'm getting caught in a rut.  My mind somehow won't let me fall into that trap.  Perhaps my brain is too big from all the reading I do!  I even tried to keep a blogging schedule, but that only last for a few days. 

Is there something wrong with simply following your bliss?  Perhaps I've been called a "mindless wanderer", "Bohemian", or whatever label they have for someone who simply wants to go after her dream and just enjoy the journey.  I think it's part of the artist's Spirit to just go with the flow...and I'm proud to say that I never live a dull moment in my life! 

That's not to say that I don't keep some level of comfort and I don't have goals.  I do keep a routine of waking up in the morning, Thanking The Universe for a great day, brushing my teeth, and meditating. That's about it.  I think it helps that I work from home and can pretty much come and go as I please.  For those who work in the corporate world, it may be a little more difficult to get out of a rut because of all the structure and "rules" there are in the work place.

Are you having a more creative life? 

Posted by Maria Palma at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With Father’s Day just around the corner, I’ve been hacking my brain on what to get for pops on this special day.  Actually, I believe that Father’s Day should be every day and that we should take time out every week – if not every day – to honor our fathers. 

I bought supplies to make Father’s Day cards to sell this year, but for some reason I got caught up in blogging projects that I just didn’t make any time to sit down and make some.  Maybe next year. 

So, today I will venture out into San Diego on the hunt for the perfect Father’s Day gift.  Being that San Diego is a military town right by the ocean and my father served time in the Navy, I’m sure there’s a plethora of nautical gifts out there.  Over at Kobey’s Swap Meet I have also seen vendors who sell ships and airplanes made of carved wood.  Very artistic. 

Speaking of artistic, I did come across these model ships over at GoNauticalGifts.com.  People say that making jewelry takes a lot of patience….I think putting these little ships together would take so much more patience! 

But then again, I could give pops nautical décor for his room by creating a painting…That would definitely be more personal. 

**Sponsored Post

Posted by Maria Palma at 06:41 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

What I’ve come to learn is that many artists think that just because they’re an artist, they have to “starve”.  I’m not sure where the term “starving artist” came, but I think the phrase should be taken out of an artist’s vocabulary.  I completely agree with John Harrington of Photo Business News and Forum when he says:

“Don't live down to this label. Avoid the label like the plague....”

After all, don’t most artists want to make money doing what they love to do? 

Sure, there are some artists out there who create art for the sole intent of spreading creativity and sharing their gifts.  However, for the most part there are many artists who need money to pay rent and eat! 

I talked to someone on this subject and they said that I’m a unique artist/entrepreneur because I don’t follow that starving artist mindset.  If you do believe that you have to starve to be an artist, why not hang out at La Jolla restaurants?  I’m sure you’ll run into somebody who will either A) feed you or B) buy your art.  However, in all seriousness though,  I believe that we were all created to lead abundant lives and I don’t believe that there’s anything wrong with making tons of money by creating art. 

Pictured here is a painting I did back in the days of eating Ramen and thinking I had to live this way to be an artist...

Posted by Maria Palma at 05:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I was reading the Art News Blog tonight and found out about the Post Secret blog.  An interesting concept, to say the least.  If you have a secret you’re dying to just release, why not make it into a piece of postcard art and post it at this blog?  From the website:

You are invited to anonymously contribute your secrets to PostSecret. Each secret can be a regret, hope, funny experience, unseen kindness, fantasy, belief, fear, betrayal, erotic desire, feeling, confession, or childhood humiliation. Reveal anything - as long as it is true and you have never shared it with anyone before.

I can understand how this website can become addicting.  There’s some juicy stuff there.  I’ll keep my secrets to myself, thank you! 

Posted by Maria Palma at 07:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Seth Godin has secretly hijacked my brain and hypnotized me into talking about him at half of my blogs...

First it was at CustomersAreAlways..

Then it was at Online Business Resources...

And now here. 

So, what does marketing have to do with art?  Everything - of course - if you want to be known in the art world! Seth introduces us to Emily, who has beautiful paintings and sells via Etsy.com, a site for artsy-craftsy beings to sell their wares. 

Seth is revealing more of his artsy, creative side which makes me admire him even more :)  For those of you who want to stand out in the art world, I suggest reading Seth's books.  He'll teach you how to be remarkable! 

Posted by Maria Palma at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)