Creative Endeavors Blog by Bridgette Mongeon

I know it looks like I fell off the face of the earth

2009-06-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

Yes, the posts in my blog have been scarce. I am still here, and have not fallen off the face of the earth. I'm just focusing on getting my chapters into the publisher. That is taking all of my focus and concentration.

Of course I have had other distractions as well.

* Bidding on new sculpting jobs in the studio
* Taking care of jobs in house, or at the foundry
* Visiting with my daughter and new son-in- law, when they came into town
* Taking care of elderly relatives- it seems like that is my other job. Yes, I am at that stage in my life.
* Working on my house, or portions of it that seem to be crying for my attention, and just won't wait anymore.

But mostly it has been the book. Hopefully this chapter will be out this next week and I'll be able to see straight. Of course it will be on to the next chapter.

It is strange but true- My interview

2009-06-13T11:12:00.000-07:00

It is strange but true. I thought I would share this podcast with you. I was interviewed by Strange But True Podcast out of UK. Please note:I ask my Christian friends please don't freak out over my interview. I have prayed over this, and been prayed over. My minister knows and I do consider it a gift. Please be assured, I'm not possessed.

Besides creating fine artwork, most of my blog readers know that I sculpt deceased loved ones. I have written a book titled "Bringing to Life the Spirit of the Deceased- A Sculptor's Journey." Still looking for a publisher. It is about the science behind some of the "strange" things that happen during sculpting the deceased as well as my own experiences. I'm still searching for a publisher for the book. I an also writing another book titled "Kisses from Heaven" based on what others have said about their experiences. Now I am searching for more stories about others having different experiences when someone dies. You can find more information here.

Anyway. It was a fun podcast. If for any other reason it is good to hear that UK accent from my interviewers. You will have to wade through some of the "strange" items before hand. Unless you forward to 1/2 past the hour or move your player curser to 38.40 to hear my interview.

Twitter answers?

2009-06-12T13:18:00.000-07:00

I have been twittering, which is a very short comments on different things that I post through the day. Most people twitter from their phones, I twitter on my computer. People can subscribe to your twitters. I have no idea exactly who subscribes to my twitters, but right now I assume they are anyone that is interested in sculpting, digital sculpting, art, marketing, and the like. My twitter name is sculptorwriter for my fine art and creategodsword for my gift line. Just incase anyone wants to subscribe.
My twitters appear on my facebook home page as well as on my blogs. Some people actually answer me through my twitter posts, giving me resources or answers to questions. This is really cool, but warning, I have no idea how to answer someone when they respond to my twitter post. But I'm not sure if that is really necessary.

When tweeting about my frustration with accounting and Quick Books I tweeted about wishing my accountant offered help with my Quick Books. there are just some things I don't know how to figure out. So instead of trying to pose a twitter question on quick books in only 140 characters,( the max when tweeting) I'll post it here.

QUICK BOOKS QUESTION NUMBER ONE

If I have a vendor- foundry that gives me an estimate on the project. It is awarded to them when I get the job and then I pay them in two installments, but I'm not sure how to set it up. You see right now I have to receive the item in QB before making a payment. That means I have to say " received bronze newsboy cast" even though it may take up to two months and will have a couple of payments. So what is the best way to set up this vendor and the payments in Quick books?

There you have it. I'll let you know what others say.

Wax newspapers!

2009-06-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

One of the things that needs to be prepared for the life size newsboy to go into bronze is his newspapers. I offer, for an additional cost, a change of the masthead and above the fold headline. That means my client can recreate any headline in history. That is really cool when you think about it. What it entails for me is to carve all of these papers. Now it is try I could carve one and make a mold, but frankly that is almost as much trouble as carving the entire paper. Here is the old Texas Press Messenger paper. It will be covered in wax and then the new headline will be hand carved. Now all of this would be o.k. if it were just one paper. But the newsboy holds one in his right hand, a bunch were tucked under his left hand, and there are a pile by his feet. So basically I have to recreate at least three papers.

Of course the rest of the waxes also need to be cleaned. This is usually done by the foundry, but I like working my waxes and adding detail. The waxes are made from molds and where the molds come together there is often a seam of wax. Of course you also need to be sure that all of the pieces go together. It is much easier to put together waxes than it is metal.

Studio is a buzz!

2009-06-05T16:39:00.000-07:00

The contract came in for the new newsboy. I'm not sure I can divulge where it is going. Something to look forward to.

Meanwhile I'm reviewing and learning to use the Next Engine Scanner. Be prepared to see some video coming up on this process in the near future. Yes, the price tag looks hefty, however you must remember that sending one sculpture out for scanning can cost about $1,000.

This tool has so many applications for the studio. I just can't wait to share it with everyone. I'm working on an article for my column at Best of Artists and Artisans website. I'll let you know when it is up.

fooling around- in mudbox

2009-05-31T16:53:00.000-07:00

A very good exercise in traditional sculpture is to set a timer and sculpt something as quickly as possible. It keeps you form getting bogged down in the details. As I begin to work in mudbox I gave myself that same exercise. Of course I always like working from funny photographs and I love people, so here is one I found to work from. It felt good to put "gram" aside and work on something fast. I may do a couple more of this one and then it is on to a little child or baby funny face. the first one was done in 28 minutes( I had to go to church) the others 30 minutes.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

2009-05-30T16:00:00.001-07:00

I thought I would share this with you. As usual maybe you can follow along. This is mudbox. I am working on my first portrait. Here is mom. Yes, the wonderful woman that is found on our podcast, and is known as "gram". Anyway, it is a long drawn out process of sculpting in Mudbox but she is coming along.

This is what all my fuss has been about in the last few weeks, needing more RAM, new graphics card. And now to find the one thing that was bugging me may actually be a bug in OS 10.5.7. But, today I can use mudbox again, and I am thrilled to be able to do so.

Writing a book is more than just writing....

2009-05-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

I"m so glad that things are being solved. My graphics card should come fed ex today. I waited most of the day and missed it at 9:05 p.m. yesterday. How that happen when we work and live in the same place? What up with that fed ex? For those who don't know. I'm trying to write a book about Mudbox. However my graphics card does not work with the new version of Mudbox for the mac. Making it extremely difficult to make my deadlines with the publisher.

I think I am resolving my retopologizing problems. For those of you who don't know what that means it simply is this. When working in mudbox there is a mesh, that is under the clay that you see when you are sculpting. The mesh has to have an appropriate form. If you think of a window screen the mesh that underlies your piece should have quads and not triangles and be all of similar size. So in other words. If I want to scan a mock up lose clay piece. I will Use the Next Engine Scanner, which I am also reviewing and hope to show how to use in a variety of ways. This is a 3d scanner that can scan my artwork and make it into a digital image that I can then either send for output as shown in the latter part of this you tube video that I created or bring into mudbox. However. The mesh that will come out of this is too tight and may have triangles. I will need to change that mesh so that it can be sculpted upon. This is called retopologizing. My problem is that I have not been able to find a retopologizing tool that is a stand alone tool. I hate for artists to have to go and buy and learn an entire 3d program just to be able to retopologize. So I think I have this finally figured out. I'll let you know. So I have graphics card, and retopologizing tool, more RAM and I'll soon be ready to go. It is a good thing because many chapters are due to the publisher at the end of June, and until this point I have not been able to work on the program. Oh sure, I can open it and play around, but then it might flip upside down or backwards, when I am turning the sculpture and studying it, or worse yet. It disappears. All results of a graphics card problem. Never have I sculpted in the traditional studio when a sculpture has disappeared. It feels good to get things together to proceed.

body parts about the studio

2009-05-22T09:40:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is once again time to have body parts about the studio. What you are looking at are the newsboy waxes. It is hard to believe that in just a few weeks these will be put together to look like the bronze below. The next newsboy sculpture in the edition number 3 is being purchased. More details on that later. meanwhile- pass the word more are available and we can personalize the newspaper to represent a newspaper in history. Maybe your newspaper?

For those of you who wnat to see how the newspaper is changed check out this link showing how we did this for the Tabor City Tribune and the interesting story behind the Ku Klux Klan

It is geting moldy around here LOL!

2009-05-19T09:45:00.000-07:00

Molds, molds everywhere. every time I create a sculpture a mold is made for it to go to bronze. usually I have the rights to pour more than one mold and so I end up with many heavy cumbersome molds around the studio. Since we had the accident in the roof in the shed, these will sit right here. And we also need to build a loft to store these on. OH my not something else on my list of things to do.

Mudbox for the Mac!

2009-05-13T06:18:00.000-07:00

I now have Mudbox for the Mac. I'm thrilled and can't wait to see how it works. It will be great to run this in my native operating system instead of on bootcamp. Yes, bootcamp is nice, but when you have to log off and on to do other things that is a pain. Now, lets get busy on writing this Mudbox book "Digital Sculpting with Mudbox: Essential Tools and Techniques For Artists."

I am excited about working in mudbox, but the sculptor in me has a few concerns.

I want to be able to have a blob of clay- push and pull it until I "feel" what I want.
Doing this in mudbox can change the topography to something that is unworkable. So. I either need to learn another program and bring in what I want, or... perhaps retopologize what I create. But where does one find the retopologizing tools? That is the part of the learning curve as traditional sculptor goes digital.

sculpting tools are put away to fix hole in roof. Bummer

2009-05-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

We had a somewhat small limb fall from great heights and make a huge hole in our roof. This was a massive bummer. Especially since it was in the back of the building and I don't get into the shed of the studio to see this sort of thing very often, and so it rained in the shed of the studio.

We did a marvelous job repairing it. Thanks to my dad who used to do roofing and explained in detail the different "tricks."

Saying Goodbye to the PR intern - Hannah

2009-05-09T09:33:00.000-07:00

Hannah has been interning as public relations intern in the office. We will miss her. She is changing directions in her career and we wish her luck. Her position is open, and I'd appreciate you passing the word. However please also let others who are interested know "must love dogs" for every day at our facility is take your dog to work day!

Hannah wanted to have the dogs in the picture and I thought on the deck would be great, however trying to get two dogs to pose, when one of them is Sam - black lab, is not easy. So we said, how about at the pond? Yes, it is true when you work here you have a beautiful pond to visit and a meditative place to gain your center. That is my sanctuary. You can even say hi to the turtles and fish. Anyway. Sitting on the bridge of the pond Sam went for a drink and then we were slobbered by a combination of dog spit and pond scum. IKKKKK. And that is the way Hannah was sent off.

Thanks again Hannah for your wonderful work. I hope I can soon find someone to fill your shoes.

Mother's Day- Aint She Sweet?

2009-05-04T10:18:00.000-07:00

It was the day before Mother’s Day, 24 years ago when the little sweet child was handed to me. Throughout her life my daughter always had a hard time getting out of the house on time, and that first day was no exception. Fourteen hours of labor, and four hours of pushing, I thought it would never happen. It was my wedding anniversary when I went into labor. I delivered her at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. The next day was—Mother’s Day!

I remember that first feeding, it felt so blissful, until...horrors upon horrors—I fell asleep. When I awoke, I remembered I had a baby, I remembered I was feeding her, but there was no baby in my arms. Yes, I actually looked over the side of the hospital bed, each side, and then under the covers. I was terrified, how could I be a fit mother if I would let my child fall on the floor the first day. There was no child. I rang the nurse. “MY BABY IS GONE!” I screamed. The nurse entered frantically, “ It is o.k.” The nurse worked hard to calm me down. “She is in the nursery. When we came in to check on you you were fast asleep, no one could wake you, I think that long and difficult delivery finally caught up with you, and so we brought her back to the nursery.”

I was crying.

I thought the nurse must think I was horrible, How would they ever let me leave the hospital with her? I certainly did not feel much better with her reply. I might not have let her fall on the floor crashing and causing irreparable brain damage, but I did let a total stranger take my child from my sleeping arms. What kind of mother was I? I know the nurse meant well but I was humiliated, and I simply blurted out, “I don’t believe you.” I said, “I want to see my baby.”

The nurse was smiling when she came back into my room, how could you not smile when you are carrying such a beautiful child. She put my bundle back into my arms. I should have apologized to the nurse, but I was still mortified and embarrassed by my own behavior and my apparent neglect.

I examined my Mother’s Day gift again. After the nurse left, I whispered to my baby, “I know you are my baby, they did not switch you.” Why I would think they would switch my baby, I do not know. Perhaps I had seen too many movies. “I know you are, not by the bracelet on your wrist, but because of those horrible marks on your head from the forceps delivery.” I stroked the marks, thankful for their identification, afraid, that adding to my chance of dropping my child, and having a stranger take her away I might also add not being able to recognize her to my list of horrors in those first hours of being a mom. “You sure were stubborn.” She sure was a sight with those red marks. But a beautiful sight. This sweet bundle just looked back at me, assured that I was the perfect mom. She trusted me, and she had this incredible ability to make all of my fears fade. At that moment, the room, the hospital, everything, even my husband, everything out of the small circle of her and I, the entire world simply disappeared. It was the strangest experience that I have ever had, I have never had one like it since. Everything simply disappeared but her and I.

Prior to this delivery I prayed at the church alter. I looked up at Father Lon and said, “Would you please pray for my baby?”

“For a healthy baby and a safe delivery,” He stated.

“Yes, that would be nice, but would you also pray that my baby, and my labrador retriever Conan, will get along? He is really a member of the family and I’m a little worried.”

“Hmmm,” Father Lon said, “I think there is a prayer about the lion laying with the lamb, let me see what we can do.”

We called our new baby and first child Christina. The name was picked by Conan, that same labrador. While reading baby names out loud, Conan’s head tipped to the side with intrigue as we read that baby name from a book. This was probably more due to the fact that the dog’s best canine playmate was named Nina, and this name sounded close to Christina, but the name took.

That first day in the hospital I saved her baby blanket that she had been wrapped in, took another from the supplies under her bassinet and sent the “smelly” one home with her father. “Let Conan smell this,” I said. “They say it might help introduce the baby. Tell him she is coming home soon.”

We were alone again. My favorite radio station played big band. I phoned them, ecstatic that it was going to be Mother’s Day, and it was my first day with my baby. “I’d like to request a song please.”

They asked, “What would you like?” I hadn’t thought of what song I wanted, I just said, “Anything that you want, as long as it is dedicated to this sweet thing in my arms.”

Not long after I heard the announcer. “Here is something for a special little baby that came into the world just in time to make her mommy a mother on Mother’s Day.” I listened intently to what they had chosen for my child.

“Aint she sweet, see her coming down the street. Now I ask you very confidentially aint she sweet.” It was the old song “aint she sweet?” by Gene Austin 1927. My toes wiggled under the sheets. I looked at her beautiful eyes, lips and nose, as I sang her song along with the radio, one of the many songs I would sing to her throughout her childhood. “Just cast an eye in her direction, Oh me oh my, aint that perfection? I repeat, don’t you think that is kinda neat, I ask you confidentially aint she sweet?”

I’m happy to report the lion did lay down with the lamb or should I say that the cherished family pet soon learned that his nose was an equal height to the high chair, and this new smelly, squiggly family member loved to throw food over the side of her high chair and giggle when Conan would quickly retrieve it and then, as if on command, he would put his nose back up, barely resting on her tray and look at her longingly. It caused an instant rapport. Yes, there was a period of time when Conan had a regular diet of Cheerios and baby food.

My baby was married this year, and I’m sure her husband agrees with the song that was played on her “birth” day. I can’t help but think it won’t be long before she is having a baby of her own, and Mother’s Day will become something that she no longer celebrates for someone else but is celebrated for her. Until then, I still find her incredibly sweet, and confidentially, she is still my baby girl and perfection.

By Bridgette Mongeon
Copyright 2009

Mongeon is a writer, sculptor, and speaker http://www.creativesculpture.com
Owner of the God's Word Collectible Gift series http://www.godsword.net
Hosts a woman's podcast called Generations with her mother and daughter http://www.godsword.net/podcastbios.aspx
Subscribe to the Generations poddcast in iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=285628478

This is a free article and can be used on your website or blog. It must contain the byline and links.

I have my song back, and I am very thankful!

2009-05-03T12:14:00.000-07:00

It has been since before October of 08 o that my asthma/allergies were under control enough for me to be able to sing an entire Sunday service. Normally I would cough uncontrollably. Today was the day! Even though I could not take my guitar because of the lower back pain I was thrilled to be able to sing, and not just one song. I sang the entire service. My voice is weak from not having sung in a while, but it is still loud. It was not loud before because I was afraid, afraid to breath deep, afraid to sing. In the service we sang "Stand up for Jesus" I stood, even with a sore back, and I sang loud. It is a milestone and I am very thankful this morning for breathing and for putting the song back into my life. It was missed greatly. I have always felt that singing from the back of the church while playing my guitar was a little ministry. I would like to think that my voice traveled and enouraged others to sing.

Looking over this past year I have seen so many times when I would be kept from praising God. Along with the asthma there was a span of time when my wrist was bad and I had to have the brace on. No guitar playing and no singing. I thought I would die! I would sway, and had the irrisistabel urge to learn sign language so I could sing with my hands. It has been a silent 7-8 months. Or quieter. Anyone who knows me knows that is pretty incredible. I talk, and laugh and I am told it is pretty loud. Thank you God for giving me air, hands that work and a voice. I'll even thank him for the sore back. I know I'll get better. But until then I am extremely thankful.

How does faith reflect in sculpture?

2009-04-30T08:54:00.000-07:00

I greatly enjoyed writing this months article for Best of Artist and Artisans title Sculpture- A Reflection of Faith. I can't help but wonder if these artists feel more of a creative pull because their artwork revolves around a spiritual message. See for yourself.

Biological urges- I just can't stop her.

2009-04-28T17:15:00.001-07:00

I just can't stop her. Sex is on the brain, biology is kicking in. She is aloof, and giving me the cold shoulder just because .... well you know why. I tried to lovingly feed her strawberries, she turned her head and slowly went in the other direction, with something grandeur on her mind.

It is the rain. It aids in giving her that wonder lust.

I'm speaking of course of Tilly. When was it that she wandered off last year? Tilly is the Red Eared Slider ( RES) pond turtle, and my pond companion. I have a strong attachment to her. It broke my heart to see her walk down the side of the house today, and try to push herself between the brick and the wooden gate. Legs just kept going. Of course she could not get out.

Does she not remember last year when she was missing for days and the neighbor found her wedged sideways in her fence. I think she was trying to get back to the pond. Of course that is how she wandered on our property years ago, and found the pond. It is crazy that the lust inside is stronger than what she has here.

I blocked the other holes on the other side of the house between the gate and the dirt. This afternoon I checked, and yes, I tracked a turtle. I was really quite suprised at my ability to do this. And I did so while trying to balance on anything I could to keep from sinking my pristine sneakers into the mud. I could see her shell track, a scrape along the mud and those sharp nails digging in the dirt. She turned a few times at the gate, unable to get through. I worried she might have gotten out, but then...

I did find her, back in the pond and begged her not to leave. My husband wonders if she has eggs, and is driven to have them fertilized? I might try to mulch the area around the pond, just in case, give her something to dig in that is nearby.

She has had babies. Two clutches. I know you are wondering, "how did she do that with no male around?" Apparently according to my research, which I do quite often on these turtles. A can hold sperm up to 3 years one website said 5 years. The first clutch of babies were adorable tiny and bright green. We have to be careful as not to step on them when going back and forth from studio to the house. None of those babies lived. I would suppose they were prey to other things. I fear it is that nasty bullfrog that lives in the pond. I hear him at night, I have seen him several times. I swear he is wearing a leather jacket and has brass knuckles. He is a bully. he too has reproduced and there are baby bullfrogs in the pond. Anyone want a bullfrog tadpole?

One baby actually drowned. It was a dreadful thing fetching it from the water. Who knew turtles could down, but they can.

The only baby that survived is little guy or Toto . Named because I love to say, "Good morning tilly and Toto too." He now knows I bring food and swims hard to get to me when I am there. I scream "Dive, dive, it is faster." As he franticly tries to push past all of the floating plants.
It is comforting to have him there. Actually, I am not sure if it is a "him," it may be a "her," I'll let you know, it is still to early to tell. You can dectect male from female by the claws and the tail, and of course by turning them over, but as some ofyou know who have read my Tilly Tales, I absoultely refuse to invade their privacy by flipping them over. It just is not right!

So Tilly wil remain aloof. Pullled by her biological urges. I hope I don't post that she is missing. I worry so. It is stupid to be attached to a turtle, but as I said we have bonded. She is a pet, but not really she lived probably 6-7 years before finding us, and our pond. Sure we feed her, it is hard not to. Yesterday I found her on the deck outside of the door. She was looking in, so opened teh french doors. I have seen her wander right in the house, but this time she looked the other wasy. Again being strange.

I swore I heard her say last year when she was found and returned to the pond , " if I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard,
because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with." But I am afraid Tilly has forgoten what it felt like to be so far from home. Darn those biological urges.

A recent interview about combining creativity with your business

2009-04-23T13:27:00.000-07:00

The wedding is over and it is back to work

2009-04-23T13:07:00.000-07:00

It took me two entire days to come back to earth after the wedding of my daughter. Mostly because I was in a different mind set being Commander of Wedding Command Center. There were lists and more lists, and to dos and very, very long days. Longer than I am used to. But it is over with. I am delighted with my daughter and the event. I have always thought we were close, but the event seems to have drawn us closer. I am thrilled with her as a person. She is of high quality and it shows in our podcast that we do together. And of course, she is my best masterpiece.

2 days and counting.

2009-04-15T21:31:00.000-07:00

The day has been long as I help my daughter with the wedding. A very creative one, but it is a tremendous amount of work. I'm been making wedding cake all day long, while the mother of the groom ran around the city for supplies and helped with other creative endeavors. We are a work horse team. Wedding command central is written on the paper at the entrance to this apartment and a marker board has the list of things we are trying to remember, with other lists everywhere. Thursday is crunch day with rehearsal and rehearsal dinner folowed by a party/shower for my daughter. Fun. I'm exhausted but so happy for her. More later, must do a few more things before closing down for the night.

There are some things in life ...

2009-04-14T12:25:00.000-07:00

There are some things in life....

that require you to stop and take a breath and do something else besides work, marketing and monitoring employees and apprentices. A daughter's wedding is one of those. My daughter will be getting married on Friday. Or should I say what I have beens saying for the last month, "My baby is getting married." I arrived almost a week early, I thought I would bring work along, just incase there was idle time. I hate idle time. NOT! We have been DOINGG since I arrived. I live to cross things off of the list of things needing to get done.

One of the reasons I arrived early was that my daughter invited me to her bachelorette party. I was flattered to be cool enough to come and dubbed myself (DD) designated driver. The party was titled "wigged out" and I had to find a wig, at the last minute before leaving I was able to find a cool, blonde hippy wig with head band. Funny I remember dressing like this for real-head bands. I have never been a blonde, and no matter how long I wait in between hair cuts, I have had approximately 7-10 in my adult life, my hair does not grow long. We definitely received some looks. Here are some pictures. Our itinerary eat sushi, and then dance at different places. It was interesting to see the "young" places and dances. Of course I could dance anywhere, but I still prefer ball room or jitterbug. That will be for Friday.

Four days and counting. Oh yes, the cake lady bugged out on us, so I guess I'll be creating a wedding cake. Can't guarantee it will turn out perfect, but I'll do my best.

FYI about photos, daughter has pink hair. Photo of me with the peace signs. I look stoned, but I am not. That is what the (MOTB) mother of the bride looks like when she has stays up WAY past her bedtime.

The art of Business and The Business of Art- Video Number 1- The Beginning

2009-03-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

They are ready! Or at least number one in the video series is ready.

Video Number 1- The Beginning

In video number one Bridgette Mongeon talks about the process of
* Having a plan and knowing where you want to go.
* Setting goals
* The importance of the brain, imagination and day dreaming in achieving your goals.
* Stopping negative self-talk

The Art of Business and the Business of Art is a step-by-step, month-by month workshop series consisting of short videos and expanded workbooks. Sometimes when you are embarking on new adventures it helps to have someone to guide you and hold your hand. That is how these workshops are designed.

They are created by sculptor, writer, speaker and entrepreneur Bridgette Mongeon, and are compiled from her many workshops on business and creativity. It was her desire to make her workshops easily accessible and doable.

The series is presented as a month to month workshop. To participate begin with video one and proceed with the steps. The artist sets out a step-by-step, month-to-month procedure for success.

* Individuals wanting to start a business
* Individuals working in the arts that want to make a living with their art
* Individuals who are in businesses, but need to stretch their creative muscle
* Individuals working in a Christian business or ministry

THE VIDEOS
Each video is a portion of the artist's weekend workshop presented to art organizations and small businesses. The videos are free and will be posted on the internet. For a list of videos see the Ms. Mongeon's fine art website http://www.creativesculpture.com/art-... You are welcome to copy the videos and post them on your web site or blog.

THE WORKBOOKS
The workbooks expand greatly on the topics discussed in each video, and offer further reading and resources for the participants. They can be purchased from the artist by following the links below.

THE FORUM
Need help with the workbook or workshop? Want to meet others who are going through the series? Be sure to visit the forum and let us know how you are doing. Questions can be posted there as well. http://www.creativesculpture.com/forum/

What books should every sculptor have on their book shelf?

2009-03-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

Want to know what books every sculptor should have on their shelf? Here is a recent article that I wrote for Best of Artists and Artisans titled "From the Book Shelf of Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon"

I have been trying to learn about twitter and twirl.

2009-03-21T12:01:00.001-07:00

Yes, everyone I know is twittering. Can I really use twitter to inform and gain work? We will see. I have vowed to try and be more serious about twitter and perhaps now that I have Twirl a program for my computer that allows me to post instead of going to twitter, I might be more apt to at least twitter once a day. But, I have to make more work in my life and opened up a second twitter account for the God's Word Collectible gifts.

The first marketing video is almost complete

2009-03-17T20:42:00.000-07:00

We have begun a new project here at the studio. I'm taking my weekend workshop that I have presented to numerous small businesses and art organization and will be presenting it free in online videos. The series of videos is called "The Art of Business and The Business of Art." Of course I can't cover everything that I would like in just these 8 minute videos so we are also preparing workbooks that accompany each video. The videos are free, the workbooks will be sold from my website for $30.00.

Video number one "The Beginning" will be out at the end of the month. I think you will like it. These videos are meant to be a month-by-month, step-by-step process into going into a small business. Of course I also talk a lot about those going into businesses that relate to the arts, but the videos can be used by any small business person. We are thrilled to introduce a wonderful new illustration company called Goat Eye productions. They have committed to working with us on this entire series. This project is a major undertaking that I would never consider without the help of my wonderful new intern Hannah. Can't wait to hear about what others think about the videos and workbooks.