jenifer altman : artists who blog

Jenifer's blog: Nectar & Light
Jenifer's website: jeniferaltman.com
Jenifer's shop: fieryeyed.etsy.com

Why did you decide to start a blog?

I had been writing a blog some years ago called "Athena Says" that served as my digital inspiration board - clothing, jewelry, household goods, art - the pieces that moved me most all found their way to Athena Says. But at some point I started to feel that my blogging experience needed to become more personal - that I was losing myself at Athena Says. After a break, my friend Matt Armendariz told me to get back out there and do something that spoke to my soul - Nectar & Light was born.



How did you come up with the name of your blog?

My first thought was Sweetness and Light - it is actually a term of endearment that I use with my girls. But the url was taken. So I started to play with the word sweetness - and Nectar seemed a perfect fit - it has so many meanings to me and the fact that it can be associated with food - and "light" with my photography seemed a perfect match.



How has blogging affected your work as an artist/designer?

Not only have I loved simply being apart of the community of art and design bloggers - it has afforded me some opportunities that I otherwise may have missed. I discovered Flickr through the blog world and became an active member of the Polaroid community there - it was that experience that led to my first published book, For the Love of Light. And it was a highly respected design blog that ran a recipe and photographs of mine that led to my first job shooting a cookbook for Chronicle Books. I think that I have also learned so much from the community - to share, to be open about process and to support one another - SO important.



What are your favorite artist/designer blogs? Why?

My favorite is Pia's blog. Not only is it beautiful, fresh, full of inspiration - it is like nothing else right now - a true reflection of the artist.

I also adore Susan's for her personal aesthetic and flawless eye.

The Americana Film Project has captured my heart and soul.

and I am expecting spells laced with stardust from this newcomer.



Do you have any advice for artists/designers who are starting a blog?

I think the most valuable piece of advice I was given and that I continue to follow is to be true to your vision as an artist. Do not compromise yourself or the look and feel of your blog - or even what you blog about. Being unique and standing apart is what will grant you a devoted readership. There are so many design blogs out there right now I can imagine it would be overwhelming for someone new to this world. But remembering to create something that is a direct reflection of your heart and soul is imperative; you need to focus on the road ahead as well as the right-now and creating a branding and look that executes a professional image as well as your "self" as an artist.



What has been the most positive and inspirational aspect of having a blog for you?

The people. I have made so many friends through blogging - women and men alike who are good, honest, creative, amazing people - who inspire me everyday. I feel incredibly blessed in that respect.



What do you find the most difficult/most rewarding part of having a creative profession?

Balance. It is something I struggle with daily and that I write about often. Balancing my life with my family with my creative life. I try to create intersections as often as possible - but there are moments every day when I must remind myself that responding to an email is less important than sitting with my daughter and reading a book or drawing. But as much of a challenge as it is - it is also rewarding in a way. It is a daily reminder about what the important things are - this leads to wonderful family experiences that I photograph and/or blog about. So balance is key.



Other than your blog, what has been the most effective way for you to promote your art/design?

Really - everything has come back to my blog. All the connections that I have made over the last several years are because of Nectar & Light and the way people have responded to my journey. Keeping those connections alive is important - supporting each other is important. Flickr was great for awhile - but I found my work being taken on a regular basis and reposted elsewhere without permission. So now I use it more of a social network - though I will post new work in my shop there as well. I have just started using Twitter as well - we shall see how that goes!



How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

Oh now that is the challenge - especially with three little ones. But I try and maintain a blogging schedule - this does not always work for me, but I know it does for others. I also do not allow myself to feel guilty when I need to take a break.



What would you like to accomplish this year?

More sleep. That is all the more I need in my life - truly. Just more sleep!



Thank you Jen! Your beautiful photographs and words inspired me today!

Monochromatic painting

You need:

1. white drawing sheet A3 size
2. tempera paint
3. brushes
4. black marker

Children choose a geometric shape and draw this overlapping and in different sizes on their sheet.
Then they choose one colour tempera to colour their shapes. Mixing is only allowed with white and black, because the painting has to be monochromatic.
When ready, outline everything with black marker.

more interviews coming soon!

Hi! A few of you have emailed wondering why there haven't been any new interviews lately...

Well, unfortunately we've been held up by various colds and flu and snow during the past few weeks. But I promise, there are several artist interviews already lined up in my mailbox waiting to be posted very, very soon!

I appreciate your patience, and I hope you are staying warm and well :)

xoxo
Stephanie

Winter through my window

Made by Silke, 10 years old

You need:

1. brown paper strips from 2 cm wide
2. light blue drawing paper
3. oil pastel
4. tempera paint
5. brushes
6. glue

Draw a winter tree and a fence that gets smaller in the distance. Colour tree and fence with oilpastels. Paint snow on the ground, the tree and the fence using white tempera paint. Paste the brown strips on the drawing as if it's a window frame.

Nameplate

You need:

1. white drawing paper A4 size
2. black markers (fine and wide)
3. colour pencils or markers

Children have to draw their name in big letters with a wide marker. Around this name they draw little pictures of anything they want.

The drawing can be coloured, with colouring supplies or with a computer program like Paint or Paint Shop pro (see examples below).

Olympic athletes

You need:

1. scissors
2. glue
3. white drawing paper A1 size
4. cardboard in Olympic colours
5. download athlete
6. compasses
   

Start this lesson with the symbol of the Olympics: the coloured rings. What do these rings mean? What colours do they have? How are they placed together?

Ask one or two children to take the position of an athlete; an iceskater, a skier or another Olympic winter sport. Look carefully to the position of the student: what is the position of the legs, arms and body? Ask some other children to show another position and discuss it againt.

Children are going to work in a group of five students. Every group gets a big white sheet, five sheets of coloured cardboard (in the colours of the rings: black, yellow, red, blue and green) and at least five copies (don't worry about misusing one's work; it's the website of my school!) of the athlete.

Step one:
Each group member cuts an Olympic ring, using compasses and scissors. Paste this five rings on the big white sheet. Look carefully which ring has to be pasted in front or back, and which ones have to be pasted through eachother. Be sure the little cutting line is pasted underneath another ring. Step two:

Every student takes a copy of the body (download) and cuts out every part of it. Then these bodyparts have to be pasted around, in, behind and in front of the Olympic rings.

Carnival portraits

You need:

1. a shelf
2. balloon
3. newspaper strips
4. wallpaper paste
5. toilet rolls, bottle caps, polystyrene etc.
6. toilet paper or paper towels
7. acrylic paint or tempera paint
8. brushes
9. glitter
10. confetti
11. black marker

Blow the balloon. Paste newspaper strips on the half of the ballon. Be sure you have at least eight layers. Let the work dry.

Take the balloon uit. Cut the edges and lay this half balloon on the shelf. Use costless things like toilet rolls, bottle caps or polystyrene to shape the face. Fix these parts with newspaper strips and wallpaper paste. The last layer has to be toilet paper or paper towel. Let the work dry again.
Paint the portrait with acrylic paint or undiluted tempera. Give the face a body. Sprinkle glitter or confetti in the wet paint.

This lesson and photographs were sent to me by Ghislaine Aarts.