The Artful Gypsy

Gypsy Blog Party....Bohemia and The Art of the Gypsy

Welcome to Bohemia!  What is Bohemia?  It's a state of mind, a way of living, and an aesthetic that embraces a footloose and fancy free attitude!  Bohemia is a place where we let our hair down, run barefoot, embrace creativity and commune with nature.  It's not a destination, although it certainly could be....but rather it is the art of living life with joy and abandonment. We live in a world that is 'switched on' 24/7!  We have too much to do and never a enough time to do it.  And we're faced with an an 'out with the old....in with the new' attitude that fosters ever-decreasing attention spans.  We've lost touch with the wisdom of our ancestors.  We forsake the life-giving sustenance of Mother Nature.  And we are forgetting how to unleash our creativity to better our quality of life.  In our quest for newer, better and more, more, MORE....we've begun to undervalue the need for relaxation and replenishment of the soul.  But rejuvenation of the spirit is paramount to health and happiness! 

So we are beginning to see a much needed shift towards filling our lives with more quality and less quantity!   Bohemia embraces the importance of 'quality living'!  We learn to appreciate and draw upon our talents as artisans and free thinkers.  We strive to bridge the gap between the olde world and the new.  We endulge in the need for respite from an over-demanding world.  And we are eager to live the beautiful life....a life that is lived fully and appreciated on a daily basis. 

Bohemia celebrates creativity, individuality and the kaleidoscope of colors and rich details which surround us.  It celebrates the beauty and inherent mysticism of nature.  But most importantly, Bohemia celebrates La Joie de Vivre! 

In celebration of The Gypsy Dreams Blog Party, please come along on a Gypsy Ride and celebrate the Art of the Gypsy!  And if you have the time to linger, then you must come and dance with me "Under a Gypsy Moon".  And please feel free to look around my blog for many more Gypsy/Bohemian inspired posts, images and stories!  

~ Namaste....The Artful Gypsy

 

 

iCreate

Sometimes I wonder if 'creativity' is more than just a gift that one is born with.  I was always told it was my gift, it was that certain thing that made me special and unique....and I do believe that.  But then sometimes when I've been up for two days straight, because I am on what I call "a creative bender"....well then I can't help but wonder if creativity is also an 'illness' or an 'addiction'.  Because when I am in that 'creative zone', I really can't stop.  I will forgo food and sleep just to finish whatever creative project I am engrossed in, almost as if the world is in immenent danger of collapse if it does not receive my finished art project.  And honestly....that's just a bit insane!   But 'creativity' can also be 'therapy'.  When I am feeling low, I often have a great need to lose myself in a creative project.  This submersion into the creative realm is my 'zen' place.
It acts as a means of 'catharsis'...and is very healing. 

But then think about that for a minute....the 'gift' of creativity, morphs into a  curse of 'addiction' while also being the very same 'catharsis' that soothes the spirit so that it can overcome 'illness' and return to the place where its 'gifts' are fully functional.  Wow!  That's really mind bending!  But then again...that's just what creativity is supposed be right....Mind Bending!!  :o) And speaking of creativity....this is my latest project!  As a new iPhone owner and creative soul....I just could not bear to protect my new phone with a generic case that everyone else has.  So I did what any good creative person would do.....and set about designing one of my very own.  I used one of my favorite art pieces called 'Autumn Equinox', and pulled from it to create a customized phone case that showcased some of my favorite things....color, autumn, owls, changing leaves, the moon and the night sky!  I wasn't sure how the case would look in person...but when it arrived I was absolutely delighted at how great it turned out!  Here's to originality, creativity
and the impending return of Autumn! 

 

La Boheme Inspiration

I absolutely love a Colorful, Eclectic, Funky, Bohemeian Decor, and I try to infuse these ideals into my own work, lifestyle and home decorating.  But here's the thing....there are SO many thingsthat spark my imagination and get my creative juices flowing, that I sometimes find myself completely overwhelmed by all the visual stimuli.  So I've found that one of the best ways to focus in on a project, design idea, or photo shoot, is to create a 'Vision Board'!  I LOVE VISION BOARDS!  Not only do I love creating my own vision boards, but I also love to view other people's visions boards as well.  I simply love to get inspired!

If you haven't created an Inspiration File or Vision Board before, no worries....they are really quite simple to do.  There are many ways to group ideas and images on a vision board.  And in all honesty, grouping really helps you to focus in on what you're hoping to create.  My favorite methods for grouping items on a vision board are by Color, Season, Holiday, Theme and Concept.  Lucky for us, with the advent of technology, we are now able to make digital versions of our Vision Boards.  There are even websites that you can join like Pinterest, We Heart It and others, that give you your little space on the web to 'virtually' pin photos from the internet right onto your own little 'virtual' bulletin board.  How cool is that?!  But you can also achieve the same thing in a video format as well, at sites like Photobucket and Slide.com.  And again, it's as easy as creating an account and loading up your files.  Plus, they give you lots of ways to personalize your slideshows and share them with others.

So today I want to post my own virtual Vision Board in a slide show format.  I've been collecting images of Bohemia over the last few years and keeping them in a file on my computer so that I could look back for ideas when decorating, designing, shooting or throwing parties.  So this vision board is titled "Bohemian Inspiration", because that is exactly what it provides for me....INSPIRATION!  It inspires me to live creatively and to follow my dreams.   All I have to do is sit down at my computer with a nice hot cup of coffee and let it play.  And by the time it's over, I am happily filled to the brim with a plethora of creative ideas and colorful dreams.  This post was made with you on my mind Celia...I hope you enjoy it!  And I also hope it inspires others to follow their bliss and live creatively! Namaste!

 

Easter Greetings at Pingg.Com!

 
 

Well it has been a crazy year!  Busy, busy, busy...and that's an understatement!  I did want to share some news however.  Remember the days when we sent PAPER cards?  Well I do, and honestly, I am a stationary fiend....so I still love the look and feel of paper cards.  But there is no use denying that we are full force in the technology age and paper does mean we have to cut down trees.  So what's a gal (or fella) to do these days when they want to send a greeting or sentiment to someone special, or where does a hostess (or host) turn when they need to send out invites for a large event?  Well I'll tell you where they go....they go to Pingg!  Pingg is....well only the hippest and most creative On-line Invitation Station on the world wide web!  Here is Pingg's Vision in their own words....

"Our vision is a world where online invitations & announcements can exist in the same sentence as "cool" and "awesome" (or if you're British, "wicked awesome"). The time has come to elevate the online experience--yes people, to RAAAAAISE the bar artistically and technically-so that online and traditional postmarked invitations can live together in peace, harmony and celebration... like yin and yang... like Cheech and Chong."

So why am I introducing you to Pingg you ask?  Because yours truly is one of those crazy, hip artists that contribute over there, that's why!  And I am honored to announce that I was selected the Pingg Plus Spotlight Designer of the week today....woo hoo!  (Can I get a hi-five?)  Hooray!  I started with Pingg last summer and won an honorable mention in their Summer Design Challenge.  Of course I was all over the Halloween Cards and Invites back in October, and now I have a new batch of Easter designs ready to be E-Mailed or Snail-Mailed to all your favorite peeps.

Pingg...Artist Designed Invitations and E-Vites

So help me support the 'Artists Movement' by sharing the news, posting a link, twittering or better yet....sending out some cards and invitations today!  Spread the word and help a sista out!  Here's wishing everyone a very Happy Easter!!

The Artful Gypsy's Bohemian Marketplace on Etsy

  

So I haven't posted here since the winter holidays because I've been busy with an assortment of different things that have taken up all my time.  Spring in Florida has all but come and gone in the blink of an eye.  It was too cold, then it switched to being too hot just like that.  There was no long stretch of perfect Spring weather like there was the year before, and that has been disheartening.  I do have lots of photos and images to post, but it seems that I never have enough time to do all that I want to do.  Is it me....or does time seem to have sped up in recent years?

I know they say that it speeds up as you grow older.  But I mean it feels as if it has sped up for real....for everyone young and old.  Remember being a kid and the days seemed to drag on forever?  School seemed as though it would never get out for the summer, then the summers seemed to drag on endlessly.  I thought I'd never reach 16 so I could drive, or 21 so I could drink legally....but they did eventually come and then they screeched away at the speed of light.  But my children agree...they feel that time is short and that days, weeks and months speed by.  How come they feel it too?  Could it be a real phenomenon? 

There are some articles about it that say that our days are actually shorter in time than they used to be due to some change in the earth's vibrational rate.  I suppose there are any number of theories, but there is no denying that time is one of the most elusive substances we have (or don't have in my case).  Of course when you are an artist, time seems to work differently than it does for others.  Making one piece of art can take hours, days, weeks....even a month if the circumstances are right.  What seems to others like time you've wasted loafing on your computer....is actually you working diligently on your next creative manifestation.  And sometimes we give up sleeping just to buy ourselves some more time.  I can always sleep tomorrow I tell myself.

 

One of my latest projects that I've been working on is a place online to sell my art and photography.  I have several websites of course, but I do not sell my work from those sites.  And I have several stock agencies that sell my work for me, but they only have selected pieces.  Writing two blogs, aside from taking up another chunk of my time....has put me in contact with people who have inquired about purchasing my art, photography and poetry.  So I finally stole some time away from other things and created my Etsy store.  Etsy is an on-line marketplace for all things handmade or vintage.  Having no place previously on the web to showcase my art, I thought it the perfect environment.  I've been telling people that I create art, but I think they may not have believed me since there is no place other than my blogs for them to see it.

I just started this weekend, so I don't have nearly everything in there yet.  But I started with simple 8x10 graphic art illustrations because it was easy to get them listed.  I continue to add things every day.  So I am asking all my friends, family and fellow blog kin...to please help me get the word out.  If you can forward the links to others, or tweet it or blog about it, please do....as I would be eternally grateful.  If you know anyone who loves Halloween or Arts and Crafts, please let them know since Halloween art is one of my specialties.  And keep it in mind in case you need unique hand crafted gifts for giving.  I've included a few images with this post and I'll post more, but there's plenty in the store and more being added everyday.  Please help me spread the word.  Thank you!  :o)

My Etsy store is called The Artful Gypsy's Bohemian Marketplace and the address is:  

http://www.etsy.com/shop/artfulgypsy

The Circle & A Very 'Gypsy' Yule!

Well I must admit that I am a little out of my element here.  Of course I was honored when my friend Beth from 'The Windesphere Witch' and the 'Perfume Smellin' Things' Blog suggested I join in a wonderful Advent Blogging event, hosted by her dear friend Roxana Villa of Roxana Illuminated Perfume!  Just to be in such phenomenal company was a gift indeed.  And at first I fretted that I am a visual artist and photographer, not a Scent Expert, and therefore perhaps not qualified for such an invite.  But Beth assured me that if I would just blog about my own personal connections to the holiday season with it's sights, sounds and scent....that it would certainly fit right into the spirit of "The Circle"!  So in honor of the season, I will attempt to share with you my 'Gypsy Christmas/Yule'!

Most of us equate the holiday season with traditions.  Traditions are an important part of the human experience and at no time are they more on display than during the holidays.   And like most people, I do love traditions.  But 'traditionalism', is the belief that traditions should be followed, while change should be limited.  And that is where I tend to part ways with the 'concept' of 'traditions'.   After all, change can be a wonderful way to keep things fresh and exciting.  And everything in our lives and world is always in a constant state of flux.  So for me, that means taking 'traditions' and molding them a bit.  As an artist, I enjoy putting my own unique spin on everything around me.  From my clothing to my photography to my living environment...I like to imbue my surroundings with things that make me happy, like COLOR and SCENT.  And I infuse them into all areas of my life and home, especially during the holidays. 

 

Being somewhat of a 'Bohemian-Lite' at heart, I decided that the 'traditions' of the holiday should be melded to fit my own eclectic sense of style.  If pressed to specify my personal aesthetic, I guess one would describe it as 'Moroccan-Gypsy-Boheme!  I like to mix the old with the new, and contrast textures and materials to create a style fusion.  No rules, other than filling my space with things that delight my senses.  So there is nothing 'traditional' about my sense of style, but I prefer it that way.  Colorful Moroccan lanterns, gypsy scarves, celestial sun and moons, Buddhas, and exotic spices and incense, mingle peacefully with an old Hoosier cabinet, antiques, newer furnishings and hand crafted items.  The result is an atmosphere as varied and eclectic as I am.  And when it comes time to decorate for the Winter holidays, I seek to mold my family's traditions to fit our bohemian style.

My love affair with the colors, textures and scents of Asia, especially in India, as well as Morocco....has been the driving inspiration in my decorating.  So instead of the traditional red, white and green, you will find a multitude of bright colors throughout our home and on our Christmas tree.  A Buddha sits happily next to glittered reindeer and Indian jewelry boxes.  Our tree has a 'Gypsy' theme with a variety of different ornaments.  Suns and Moons, Owls, Jewels, Mandolins, Feathers and Moroccan Stars sit atop a fresh fragrant Spruce.  The dining table is set with mix-matched Indian print plates and the chandelier is also 'Gypsified' with an assortment of baubles, beads and jewels in a rainbow of colors.  Glass beaded garlands flank the mirrors and gypsy rings and incense gifts are used to accessorize instead of the classic Santas and Snowmen.  It's certainly not a traditional Christmas theme...but when thrown together, it is colorful, festive and fun!

And the scents you ask?  What scents accompany a 'Gypsy Yule'?  Wafts of Incense coiling up through the air such as the traditional offerings of Frankincense and Myrrh, which are in tune with the story of Christmas, and well known as valuable gifts from the Middle East.  But we also enjoy the traditional hippie favorites like Patchouli and Nag Champa as well.  Which begs the question...is there really any such thing as a 'Traditional Hippie'?  Rich spices abound in the Indian Spice Markets, and they accompany the resinous incense so very nicely.  We enjoy how their enticing aromas make the holiday season more 'Scent-ual' and festive.  Clove, Cardamon, Anise and Cinnamon brewing on the stove top in some Apple Cider is a welcoming scent to family and friends as they enter our home.  We also enjoy the succulent sight, taste and smell of fruits such as Pomegranates, Figs and Oranges. And lastly, it's always a special seasonal delight to unwrap a bar of Madagascar Spiced soap, richly fragrant with the scent of clove!  It's a splendid excuse to enjoy a warm Winter's bath with some almond or champa oil mixed in to help soften winter's drying effects on the skin.  But more importantly, it's also  the perfect time to relax and soak in the fragrant water, while taking stock of the various gifts that life has blessed us with throughout the past year....as we come full 'circle' to the holidays once again, and look forward to the promising new calendar year ahead.  :o)

Happy Holidays & Namaste!   

~ Wendy

Creative Concepts

~  "Live life with passion, and have a love for all things fun and creative!"  ~

~  "The creative adult, is the child who survived."  ~

I learned a great deal of what I know about photography from my mentor.  He was a fabulous teacher who really taught us how to 'see creatively'!  And some of my favorite assignments were when we were instructed to use our photography to illustrate a concept.  For instance he would tell us to illustrate the concept of "loss" or "isolation."  This is a method that is used very frequently in the advertising and marketing fields, who also happen to be large buyers of 'stock' photography. 

I got my first taste of how to relate through images and words in college.  I majored in Advertising/Public Relations, and often we had to present marketing campaigns with both written and visual elements included.  We had to 'communicate' to our clients and their marketing demographics.  I always loved those classes, especially the photojournalism classes.  And the  'concept' idea in photography just naturally appealed to me when it became an assignment.  So during one of my fun, colorful, tropical periods...I decided to take a very fun, colorful prop that I just happen to love...and attempt to use it to illustrate some concepts.  My prop of choice was the beloved, yellow 'Rubber Duckie'....and I wanted to share with you some ideas of what you can communicate photographically through the use of a fairly inexpensive prop like a rubber duck.

First up are a few concept shots.  So I'll show you the image, and directly above each shot, I'll share with you the intended concept.  You can decide for yourselves if you think I successfully accomplished the connection between the image and the concept.  Concept shots are a lot of fun!

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

 

GO YOUR OWN WAY

 

GOING AGAINST THE FLOW

 

TAKING THE LEAD

 

STAND OUT IN THE CROWD

 

BE UNIQUE!

 

The ideas are as limitless as your own imagination.  My personal favorite is the last one.."Be Unique"!  Actually most of those concepts are ones that I relate to on a personal level.  It took me a long time to learn to appreciate my gifts and relish how I was different....rather than bemoan the fact that I was not the same as everyone else.  So these are important concepts that I try to instill in my children and encourage in others every chance I get.  :o)

Additionally, I've posted a  few other images that I thought might make for good greeting cards.

The 2 images above and below, would make great Anniversary cards, Vacation, Love or Valentine's Day cards.  They basically speak of love...but it just happens to be between Rubber Ducks instead of people.

 

And this last one was just an out-take from a regular photoshoot.  But it also turned out beautifully, and could be used as a Shower Invite/Card, Baby Congrats or Expecting Parents card.

 

And any of these would look great framed and hung up in a kid's bathroom, playroom or nursery.

Seeing creatively, can sometimes mean exploring concepts and thoroughly working your subject matter.  So look around to find an object that captures your eye, and see how many ideas you can generate from it.  The end result may be pleasantly surprising.  But more importantly, it allows you to enjoy the creative process along the way.  And your photographs can be more than entertaining or aesthetically pleasing....they can also tell a story, make a point or convey a message or sentiment..

Have FUN and do something CREATIVE today!

The Bohemian Way

What is Bohemia?   I will quote and paraphrase a lot here from a book I love, titled "The Bohemian Manifesto", by Laren Stover, because I don't think I could possibly explain it any better than she did in that book.  And I will attempt to illustrate my vision of 'Bohemia' through photos.  But I preface this explanation with the understanding that there are no hard and fast rules that govern Bohemia, so this is merely a glimpse into what is first and foremost, a state of mind, and a way of living life beyond convention.  It is also more than just an attitude. It's a freedom of ideas, clothing and behaviors that lay gently outside the norm.  

And just who are the Bohemians of the world?  Well, we are artists, gypsies, philosophers, dreamers, vagabonds, mavericks and yes, even radicals and deviants.  I consider myself to be a bit of a Bohemian.  Maybe not quite the vagabond type that likes to wander from place to place, because I rather enjoy having a place to call home.  But I'm a Bohemian just the same, for many reasons....perhaps a 'Bohemian Lite'.  Oft times, Bohemians defy definition due to the unmistakable quality of being 'free spirits'.  But it's usually those same 'free spirits' who set the trends, invent the art, start the movements and break the rules.  Bohemians creatively integrate ideals, clothing and philosophies into everyday life with a certain "je ne sais quoi" all their own.

A true Bohemian is a connoisseur of texture, color and sensation. 

We experience exhilaration by....

observation, creation and the experience itself. 

We find poetry and art in everyday things....

like the form of silhouettes against a sunset....

the hunt for vintage treasures at an antique fair.....

the succulence of flowers in the rain.....

the play of light on colored glass.....

the art of random objects.....

or beauty in the contours of a face.

We see enchantment and infinite possibilities all around us.  We love to create an 'effect,' and we cherish the 'presentation'.  We dislike authority and loathe the status quo.  And our idea of hard labor is selling poetry, art, photographs, music and plays.  We live in splendor...the splendor of the creative mind....and it requires free thinking, ingenuity, and moxie! 

To delve a bit deeper, Bohemians have an aesthetic that is sometimes misunderstood by mainstream society.  We enjoy mixing antiques and flea market finds into our homes.  One man's trash is another man's treasure.   We surround ourselves with things we love and that have sentimental value, as well as things that inspire us creatively.

Candles, incense and eclectic music are staples in a Bohemian abode, as are art supplies and animals....possibly all intermingled in a creatively chaotic way.  Since we often keep unconventional hours...we also tend to prefer unconventional forms of lighting, such as sunsets, twilight, street lamps, star light, neon signs, moon light and candles.  Many a musician, writer and artist has stayed up all night....choosing the manifestation of his creative visions over food and sleep. 

And our clothing can sometimes be as unconventional and free flowing as our attitudes and ideals.  Whether we style ourselves like a Gypsy, a Dandy or a Beatnik....it is usually put together randomly and creatively, but far from the sensibilities of the fashion police.  You almost always see Bohemians wearing hats of every kind and jewelry, scarves, or flowers in their hair.  Long hair, facial hair, unkempt  hair, tattoos, piercings...it's all game for exploration.  For Bohemians take great pride and delight in being different and unique.  Not for attention...but rather for distinction or rebellion.  And we thumb our nose at being defined,  refusing to conform to others' expectations. 

 

We are quite content in our eclectic, creative, vibrant worlds of art and poetry and imagination.  In fact, it's quite possible that no one other than, 'other Bohemians',  really understand us at all...and that's the way we like it!   It's a fact that Bohemians have been around since the beginning of time, and they'll be here until the end of it.  And it is this Bohemian lifestyle that remains a harbinger of something mystically lacking from today's corporate-fed society.  I encourage you all to do something creative (anything at all) and embrace the Bohemian within today.  Namaste!

Who is the 'Artful Gypsy'?

My name is Wendy, although I'd prefer to go by Gypsy Moon or Madame Zelda perhaps. That's because of the 'GYPSY' in my soul. Hence the name of my blog, "The Artful Gypsy"! Note here, that I said 'in my soul,' NOT, 'in my blood'! Unfortunately, I cannot lay claim to having any real genetic connections to Gypsy ancestors that I am aware of....as my heritage is Nowegian Viking and Scotch-Irish as far as I know. But I won't rule out the possibility of being a Gypsy in a past life perhaps....if there is such a thing. I'm also not talking about the true, hard life of the wonderful Rominy people, but rather a fanciful notion of an Artistic, Bohemian, Gypsy, Witchy, Hippy Chick. I like to draw bits and pieces of inspiration and style and ideals from all of these foot-loose, fancy free, magical archetypes, and then I fashion a completely unique vision of myself to let loose on the world.

As for what I do (besides daydreaming), I am a professional Photographer and Graphic Artist. I specialize in Lifestyle Stock and Portrait Photography. As an Artist, I tend to enjoy almost ANYTHING that is creative in nature....from crafts, to interior decorating, to poetry, to party planning, and most artistic things in between. All of these things satisfy my soul's purpose...which is to CREATE. My biggest and most fantastic creation to date however....is my 2 wonderful children. And of course I must acknowledge my fabulous co-creator on that project...ha! Having these children allows me to continue to perpetrate my own personal brand of wonder, whimsy, magic and fantasy on the world through their young and curious minds. Minds still capable of believing in the unseen.

It is my personal mission in life to help keep the magic alive in the hearts and souls of mankind. It seems as though we have collectively turned our mortal backs on all things magical and mysterious. We take ourselves far too seriously to suspend reason long enough to really appreciate and enjoy the excitement and wonder of BELIEVING! But for those incapable of believing...I hope to succeed in at least luring them into IMAGINING the POSSIBILITIES!

And that is what my blog will be about...always imagining the possibilities, always believing and never losing our sense of wonder and magic. I will share photos and art and stories and poems and ideas and dreams and discoveries and creations.....in the hopes of imbuing the world with the joys of 'Enchantment'! I wish for this blog to serve as a written record of the eclectic, fanciful, playful Gypsy that I was while here in this earthly realm. And I hope it adds a ray of hope and positivity to someones day along the way.

 

I also endeavor to share the bliss of living life in the NOW....completely submerged in the moment. And of the ability to find joy and beauty in everything, even the smallest and simplest of things....like color and pattern. To pay attention to the subtle nuances and the slightest details that so often go unnoticed by the masses. We must all follow our bliss and find our own joy...even when others may not 'get' us. I believe we each have the ability to create our own happiness, and that is a wondrous gift indeed. Which reminds me of one of my favorite sayings....."If you don't like something...change it, and if you can't change it, then change the way you think about it." That speaks to me of CHOICE. My choice, is to be happy, and I stay happy by always operating out of gratitude. It's an easy and satisfying choice available to us all. As is the willingness to just IMAGINE and BELIEVE!