Everything Old is New Again

Industrial Layered Studies in Texture

I tend to move quickly.  An idea strikes, and if I have time in the studio, I execute it.  Often I'll play with a concept for weeks or months. (Or sometimes mere hours!)  And then, when the next commitment interrupts my flow, I'm off and running again.  When I return to my bench, it's generally with new inspiration, and I  move in a different direction. 

 

A little ADHD ?!?  Maybe.  It serves me well in many ways; but a recent visit with friends caused me to reexamine some of the projects, concepts, and techniques that I've abandoned through the years.  These include the earrings shown, and I'll share other similar pieces as I discover them.  They serve as a visual timeline of my professional life as a maker, and they remind me to pause occasionally to appreciate and fully examine what's in front of me in the moment.

Texture and Cold Connections
Still Steal My Heart

Beginning Again... and Again... and Again

Jean Skipper during a recent ReMe Retreat.

I was talking with several friends recently about the power of the written word in our lives.  Without exception, each of us loves our journals, diaries, and blogs; although some of us are definitely better than others about the practice of writing.

I fall into a category of one who loves the idea of writing regularly.  My follow through however,  is a bit weak.  I periodically try to alter this course by declaring, "Today is the day!  I will write a page or a post today, and every day for the rest of my life!"  And I mean it; I really do.  In the moment I'm eternally optimistic that this time will be different from all of the others, and that my collection of barely used journals will become a thing of my past.  Alas, so far this hasn't been the case.

So today I'll begin again in a kinder gentler way.  I will write everyday, one day at a time.  My posts need not be witty, riveting, or even coherent; they just need to exist in some form.  As anyone who's met me in person knows, for better or worse, I have a lot to say.  Today I will begin again to say it.

Business Marketing for Creative Entrepreneurs with Jean Skipper

With a fifteen year career in banking and financial services, fourteen years as a full time working Artist, six years as a gallery owner, and five years as the owner and host of ReMe Retreats; my background gives me a unique perspective on the business side of art, retail, and marketing.  In  many ways I'm self-taught by years of trial-and-error, and I've also benefited by the generous nature of others along the way.  I've learned from my mistakes...and I make them frequently and with abandon!  I love sharing my experiences with others, and I'm passionate about helping them reach their full potential as artists and as business people.

This casual *helping* through the years has evolved into a more formalized method of delivering my unique brand of assistance.  Officially titled as "Marketing for Creative Entrepreneurs with Jean Skipper", a few of the ways in which you can participate in this process follow.

Art Marketing Sessions at ARTworks Vass

Several times each month we gather in a group setting to discuss creatively marketing our businesses.  Participants in these groups act as a sounding board for each other as we discuss our progress, challenges, and successes.  We serve as each other's Board of Directors, and the most amazing things happen when we connect and harness the combined power, knowledge, and experience in the room.  Each week's meeting also includes a goal setting component and a relevant marketing lesson, based on the current needs of participants.

You can live the life that you're imagining!

We meet from 3:00 until 5:00 on Tuesdays.  Cost to join us is $20 per week, and I request that folks plan to attend regularly... be it weekly, every two weeks, or monthly.  Please visit the ARTworks Vass Website to view our current schedule and reserve your space. 

If you're a professional artist, a small business owner, or if you're longing to be one, the other or both...  Marketing needs to become a part of your daily routine.  There's no easy fix.  It's a process, and the goal of our weekly meetings is for each of us to develop a regular marketing practice.  

Guests with all levels of experience and interest are welcome to join our group.  

You may register for these sessions online here, or if you have questions about participation, please email me at jeanskipper@jeanskipper.com or call me at 910-528-1109.

Seminars and Group Work Sessions

By special engagement, I'm available to travel to your location to work with your group.  Past sessions have been conducted with community groups (Small Business Owners ARE Creative Entrepreneurs, and many of the practices that we discuss with artists apply to them too.), arts organizations, and educational institutions.

The possibilities are endless.

During our time together, the format of my presentations is extremely interactive.  No lectures here!  I enjoy working in small group sessions so that each participant's individual needs are sure to be addressed.  These small group sessions also lay the groundwork for an ongoing marketing practice for individual participants and for the group's members collectively.

The topics that we address in these sessions cover a wide range of timely marketing concerns, and each session is tailored to address the unique needs of the participants and the community in which they live and work.

Cost for these sessions is based on the location of the event and the number of participants.  I'm happy to discuss scheduling and your group's unique needs, and I may be reached at jeanskipper@jeanskipper.com or 910-528-1109. 

One-on-One Private Marketing Sessions

Now is the time to pursue your dreams!

For those who desire a more intensive approach to their marketing efforts, I'm available to conduct One-on-One Private Marketing Sessions.  These will be designed to address your most pressing needs, and past topics have included intensives on Product Photography, Establishing an Online Presence, Social Media Marketing, Show Participation, and Designing Printed Marketing Materials.

Private Marketing Sessions are available at a cost of $50 per hour, with a three hour minimum commitment, and they may be scheduled by contacting me at jeanskipper@jeanskipper.com or 910-245-4129.

Design Service

Do you need product photos, a head-shot, business cards, brochures, banners, or other online or print design work AND do you have absolutely no desire to do it yourself?   If so, then this may be the service for you.  

After an initial meeting to set the course for your project, I'll proceed with designing and even ordering these items for you.  Cost is based on the scope of your project.  Please contact me at jeanskipper@jeanskipper.com or 910-528-1109 to discuss your specific needs.   

I am thankful.

In Gratitude

I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to be a full time working artist.  

I'm humbled daily by the love and support that I receive from family, friends, and so often from the most unexpected of people.  

And I'm grateful to be able to help others to achieve the satisfaction that comes from making their living doing what they love. 

Photos of the mixed media hearts in this post are part of the 

"When Hearts Take Flight" collection of collaborative artwork created with the talented, Jodi Ohl.

Snow Days Then and Now

4114 Highgrove Road in Winter

As many of you know, I'm a Pittsburgh Girl at heart.  I was born in Pennsylvania, and I spent the first thirty-eight years of my life there.  During that time, winter often began with an early snowfall in October, and it ended as the last holdouts of blackened snow finally disappeared with the spring rains.

We shoveled.  We blew snow.  We salted.  We made snow balls, and snowmen, and snow forts.  We wore snow pants, and mittens, and stocking caps.  (In fact, and to our embarrassment, our Mother used to tie plastic bread bags over our socks, and we wore them inside of our boots, to keep our precious feet warm.)

When it snowed, almost without exception, we went to work, and school, and on with our daily lives.

An Angel Making An Angel

Here in North Carolina, winter is different, and I love it.  When the word "snow" is whispered here by weather forecasters, we all run to the grocery store for bread and milk.  (Why bread and milk?  I'm not sure; but my native husband swears that it's for milk sandwiches.)

And when the snow actually arrives, schools, businesses, and other activities are canceled.  (Whatever your position on this, and folks debate it at great length, we just don't have the infrastructure to effectively remove snow and ice from our roadways.)

During times of wintry weather, my hero husband and his fellow first-responders go off to protect us, while we hunker down at home and enjoy the unexpected break in the action.  Days pass.  The snow melts.  And life goes on as if it had never happened.

I happily embraced this routine without too much deep thought, and then I opened ARTworks Vass.  The challenge of deciding when and if we should close or remain open during these times is one that has been thrust upon me, and my position is this.

Could she possibly
be any cuter?

Safety first.  In all things, the safety of my artists, employees, customers, and friends means more to me than business-as-usual or the possibility of a random sale.  (I promise.  If you have a true art-emergency, call, text, or email; and I'll snowshoe my way to the gallery to meet you!)

Our public schools will be closed today.  I've made the decision to follow their lead to close too, even though the temperature is predicted to soar to almost fifty degrees.  Why?  Because our secondary and tertiary roads are still iffy; our parking lot is covered in inches of snow and ice; and our sweet shady sidewalk just doesn't look safe to me.

Is this a good solid business practice when January is historically one of the slowest months for retail sales?  That's debatable.

Is it one that I can live with when I safely lay my head on my pillow at night and you do too?  Absolutely.

Be safe.  Stay warm.  And I'll see you on the other side.

My Backyard Today

Art From The Heart of North Carolina - Dreams Come True at ARTworks Vass

Yesterday marked the one month anniversary of the dream-come-true that is ARTworks Vass.  The month flew, and we're enjoying the entire experience even more than we'd ever imagined. 

We love the classroom.  

We love the gallery.  

We love the special events.  

We love creating here.

We love our Artists in Residence.

We love the ART in all of its forms - Visual, Musical, Performing, Written, Culinary.

In fact, we love being even a small part of this wildly creative community!

Thank you to each of you near and far who have supported this dream.  To those who have listened, encouraged, laughed, cried, planned, supported, painted, built, created, displayed, worked, volunteered, cooked, attended, collected, promoted, performed, served, and generally loved us through our first month; thank you.  

We couldn't have done it without you, and we're looking forward to all that the future holds for us in this magical place.

Thank you for supporting ARTworks Vass.

Thank you for supporting ART from The Heart of North Carolina! 

I Am Home.

North Carolina's State Tree,
The Long Leaf Pine

Yesterday as I returned from a week away at our ReMe Retreat on Ocracoke Island, my heart began to fill as I passed the familiar farms and the beloved Long Leaf Pines of my hometown.

A small town whose city limits exist in the shape of a perfect circle, Vass, North Carolina, has been my home for thirteen years.  In Vass, we have two traffic lights, a Piggly Wiggly, and a precious old time hardware store.  Our population hovers at about a thousand people, and the areas that surround us have grown exponentially in recent years due to expansion on nearby Fort Bragg.

When I pulled into my driveway, I noticed that my husband, Ken, had been busy while I was away.  He'd cut and trimmed
our lawn multiple times, and unexpectedly arranged our yard art and planters.  He knows my heart and my quirky sense of humor in ways that still surprise me.

In the house, I was greeted by our geriatric dogs and cats... Penny, Coco, Gracie, Clark, and Patches.  We ate a light dinner on the couch, and I fell asleep soundly as soon as my head hit the pillow.

This morning I woke with the fondest memories of Ocracoke and the amazing individuals who graced me with their presence last week.  At the same time, I became keenly aware of a sense of comfort that had sunk into my bones.  This is Home.  At this moment, in this place, with the ones I love; I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

2017's Major Creative Goal Is ...

My mystery response to this prompt
will soon be revealed to... both of us!

"The major creative goal that I want to achieve in 2017 is..."

Last night, as I continued to formalize my goals and plans for the year, this prompt became part of the process.

I had no problem coming up with a lengthy list of creative goals for the year.  Big and small, my creative dreams are always on my mind.  The challenge enters the picture when I'm asked to narrow them down to one major goal.  I've always been a girl who wants it all.  I dream big, and so much of the wild and wonderful ride that is my life's adventure has been a direct result of that single trait.

As I reflect in midlife, with the hope of self improvement and new beginnings, I recognize that my capacity for considering and pursuing huge numbers of hopes and dreams during every minute of every day has left me exhausted.  My attention has been divided in ways that don't always serve me well.

I suppose that the solution lies in the balance of all of it.  I'll continue to dream big, often, and

sometimes crazily; it's too much a part of who I am to ever stop.  I'll also work toward narrowing my focus, in dreams and in life, so that I can give my full attention to accomplishing my most imminent goals while still moving toward those that are dancing enthusiastically in the background.

I'm going to contemplate my response a bit longer, and I'd love to know what's on your creative horizon too.

What is the one major goal that YOU want to accomplish in 2017?  

Please leave your response in the comments below or email me directly at jeanskipper@jeanskipper.com.

Look at all the bright shiny colors!

As Debbie Keen proves, a bit of order
doesn't diminish their beauty.

Here's to a Heartfelt New Year!

New Year!

2017 is going to

filled with

I'm going to 

to the occasion.

Enjoy the

have

each step of the way.

and

Join me?

****************************************

Each of the pieces shown above is from 

"When Hearts Take Flight"

an artistic collaboration between 

Jean Skipper and Jodi Ohl.

Watch for more collaborative efforts and exciting news and announcements from Jean, Jodi, and ReMe Retreats in 2017!

Jean Skipper's Creative Marketing - July 2016 at MATTIE Arts Center in Swan Quarter, North Carolina

MATTIE Arts Center in Swan Quarter, North Carolina is one of my favorite hidden art gems.  It's hidden in that Swan Quarter itself is off-the-beaten-path in the best possible way.  It's convenient in that it's located in the center of town, beside The Hyde County Government Center, and anyone lucky enough to be arriving or departing The Swan Quarter Ferry to or from Ocracoke Island will reach its front doors with little to no extra effort at all.

MATTIE is an acronym for Mattamuskeet Artisans - Teaching, Training, Instructing, and Educating, and MATTIE Arts Center lives its mission one class, event, artist, and student at a time.  At Mattie Arts you'll find a gallery, classroom, and a passion for art, artisans, and the community that can barely be contained in its walls.  Today I'm exceedingly grateful to announce that I've been invited to contribute to MATTIE Arts' economic development efforts by leading my Business Marketing for Creative Entrepreneurs Workshop on July 30, 2016 from 9:00 until 12:00.

Please call or email MATTIE Arts to register for this free event!

   

To register for this event, please call MATTIE Arts at 

252-943-8991 or email MATTIEArtsCenter@Hyde1854Courthouse.org.  

Space is limited, and early registration is recommended.   

The cost of Business Marketing for Creative Entrepreneurs is being funded by The Beaufort Community College Small Business Center.  As a result, there will be no cost to individual participants. 

The Small Business Center Network (SBCN) now has over 60 sites throughout the State.  Its known as the most expansive state funded technical assistance program in the United States, having locations within a 30 minute drive of virtually every North Carolinian.  The objective of the SBCN is to increase the success rate and the number of viable small businesses in North Carolina by providing high quality, readily accessible assistance to prospective and existing small business owners which will lead to job creation and retention. 

************************************************************************************************

I'll also be leading a metalsmithing class during my time in Swan Quarter.

Details to follow soon!

Inspiration in Living Color

Since our studios are side-by-side, how could I
my Critters and Creatires not find some inspiration in the
expansive color palette of Jodi Ohl's work?!?

I tend to find creative inspiration all around me everyday.  Often, I'm inspired without even thinking about it consciously, and I almost never find the need to articulate why or how something strikes a cord with me.  

Recently I was asked, "What inspires your work?"  This question caused me to pause, and it set me on a more conscious path toward identifying the sources of my inspiration.  "Color" is an answer that I return to again and again when I'm seeking inspiration.  Often it's the colors in nature that inspire me...the greening of trees in Spring, the blue of our Carolina Sky, or the palette that surrounds me while near the ocean.  

Man made cacophonies of color inspire me in a completely different way.  A few photos from my archives follow.  I find that these images are especially inspirational to me.

Glass in Debbie Keen's Lampworking Studio

Fresh veggies prepped and waiting to be transformed.

A collection of buttons at Creative Studios NC.

While inspiration from bright colors isn't always apparent in my collection,

It's hard to miss it when the mood moves me!

In my jewelry, and in Wanda's Folk Art.

Pattern and texture definitely inspire me as well; but I think I'll save that discussion for another day.

What inspires you?  If it's color, what are some of the images that move you to create and how is this inspiration reflected in your work?

Business Marketing for Creative Entrepreneurs with Jean Skipper

I'm beyond excited to be traveling to Ocracoke Island next week! 

Thanks to Beaufort Community College's Small Business Center, Hyde County North Carolina, and Open Source Ocracoke, I'll have the pleasure of working with a group of Creative Entrepreneurs there.  

The fliers shown below provide basic information.  This post will provide more details about our time together, and a description of my business background. 

Part I - Small Group Sessions

Part I of our program will consist of a series of small group work sessions.  These will be held at The Magic Bean; each participant will select one session to attend; and a maximum of eight participants will participate in each session.  

In this part of our program, we'll begin with the basics, asses each business' current level of expertise, and set realistic measurable goals for each participant.  We've strive to identify ways in which participants can support each other in achieving success, and an underlying theme of increasing year-round income will be woven throughout our time together..

Please Note: Because we've had an unexpected interest in meeting in the evenings, we'll be adding one additional small work group on either Monday or Wednesday from 5:00 until 8:00.  If you're interested in attending this session, please contact Kim Meacham at 252-588-2205 or milkstreetsoap@gmail.com with your preference.

Part II - Collaborative Group Session For All Participants

On Thursday, from 12:30 until 3:00, all of those who participated in the Small Group Sessions will gather at The Ocracoke Community Center.  Lunch will be provided, and newly developed marketing plans will be discussed, as will the the manner in which collaborations can be developed for the benefit of all involved.  

Cost

The all inclusive cost for attending one Small Group Session AND The Collaborative Group Session For All Participants is just $35, and this includes lunch on Thursday!  

Registration

To register, please call Kim Meacham at 252-588-2205 or email her at milkstreetsoap@gmail.com with your preferences.  Space will be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis, and several of the Small Group Sessions have already reached capacity.

Personally- A Bit About Me

Beginning at thirteen years old, I held one to three jobs at a time at various restaurants and retail establishments.  At the ripe old age of twenty-three, I applied for a job as a bank teller.  My biggest goal at the time was to be off from my job on weekends.  This single step led to that and so much more,

I was hired by a community bank on a part time basis, which led to a full time teller position, and then a customer service position.  Simultaneously, as a benefit of my employment, I began to attend Westminster College in pursuit of an accounting degree.  

I entered the banking industry at exactly the right time; I worked hard; and my hard work was rewarded.  As the years progressed, the bank was acquired numerous times, and my career developed and grew along with it.  This led to positions as a Product Development Manager, Marketing Manager, and eventually a Corporate Cash Management Officer.  

When I moved to North Carolina in 2004, I worked for a single year in the financial service industry.  Then I jumped into a career as an Entrepreneur and Artist.  It was the single best career decision of my life, and I'm grateful for it every day.

As an artist and entrepreneur, I owned and operated a teaching studio.  I've sold the work of my hands online, at retail shows, on a consignment basis at galleries, and as a wholesale provider to boutiques and stores.  For five years I owned and managed Artist Alley, voted to be Moore County North Carolina's Top Art Gallery.  Today I market my work as Jean Skipper Originals.  My studio is located at Creative Studios, NC, and I also co-own and operate ReMe Retreats.    

My career has taken many twists and turns through the years to bring me to exactly this place.  My background is unique in its combination of Business, Art, Entrepreneurship, and Community.  I've learned from the best and the worst of my experiences, and some of my greatest joy comes in sharing all of this with others to help them further their own businesses and careers.  

I'm passionate about what I do.

I love to help others.

And I hope that you'll consider joining us on Ocracoke.

Recycled Critters and Creatures on Ocracoke - First Grade

On Thursday, the fun on Ocracoke continued as First Graders joined us in our classroom at Deepwater Theater.  I'm reasonably sure that Mary and I had more fun than the kids!

Next post...Sixth Grade!