why hello…. i have decided to do a Q&A blog post on some of the most asked questions. I am NOT an expert at ANY of this stuff. I am just sharing from what i have experienced as a creative person striving to make a living doing what I love. If you have anything to ad to this OR you know more than i do please let us know in the comment section. i hope this helps.

1. Diane says: “I am a sophomore in high school and seeing your work inspired me to do what you are doing. What inspired you to do this? what classes did you take in college?”

I have always loved creating, drawing, coloring, building silly things etc… ever since I was little. In junior high and high school I really took advantage of art classes and AP art and learned a lot during that time. I did a lot of painting and drawing and realized my love for art. I was one of those weird kids that would hang out in the art room at lunch.. You knew those kids right? haha.

There was a representative from an art college that came and did a presentation of how to succeed with art as a business. The presentation really opened my eyes to see that I don’t just have to TEACH art to have a career in art… But that everything in the media world needs to be designed and created in some way, even the labels at the grocery store. Haha. Ever since after that presentation i knew i wanted to go to art school. I didn’t even take the S.A.T.s. haha.

The school I went to was an excellerated program that went through the summers as well. I double majored in Graphic design and fine art and got a BFA in 3 years. The summers were brutal. But you can do anything in 3 years. I worked REALLY hard and had lots of late nights. HAH.. yay.

Here is a quick list of some of the classes I took while in college:
Art history 1,2, & 3, business planning, communications, creative writing, cultural survey, English, philosophy, psychology, public speaking, web design, typography 1&2, photography 1&2, painting techniques, media, internship, digital art, illustration 1,2 &3, graphic design 1&2, advance graphic design, nude figure drawing, drawing, design production, color and form, ceramics and sculpture, career seminar, art & ideas, advanced painting techniques, advanced figure drawing, senior thesis, etc. I WOULD ADD MORE BUSINESS CLASSES AND WEB DEVELOPMENT CLASSES IF I COULD.

School really helped me see small details in craftsmanship that I think I would have overlooked if I hadnt had gone to school. Some designers… I can tell… havn’t had training. That shows in how they space certain elements, lay out their typography, hierarchy information, etc. Learning some of these key principals is what gives design that extra POP, if you know what I mean. There are some great artists that have learned this on their own and by studying other people’s work. But i know I wouldn’t have been one of them. hhaha.

The salsa image below is a class project that I did my senior year. In short, our assignment was to brand a salsa company. The other photo was some of the students in my college. haha. we had a lot of fun together. Everybody was SOOO different.

2. Maggie says ” I love photography, painting, building, pretty much anything that has to do with creating something new and innovative. I just started a small website and it’s slowly coming along. I am curious as to how you got your foot in the door? How do you make connections?

In regard to getting my “foot in the door”. I hate to disappoint you but I am not sure that I have done that. haha. I am not even really sure what that is or what that looks like. haha. But I think my advice would be to consistently produce art, keep your online portfolio updated, surround yourself with friends that push you & encourage you, and take advantage of online networking (twitter/blogging/facebook) Most of my work has come from word of mouth and friends recommending me to others.

3. Beth says “i am so inspired by your blog. Any advice for newbies to get views of my portfolio/blog? i am desperate.”

I am not an expert at blogging. Nor do i have millions of followers. I am just sharing from what i have learned. I have learned that people love to read honest, heart felt blog posts. Even if its just a little craft or something if you write from your heart people are interested. If you are writing only to get people’s attention.. they will see through that. I would say you definitely have to have a passion for people, for sharing information, and have an interest in community, and seeing people succeed in what they are aiming to achieve.

I know personally I enjoy posts that are RAW not perfected like a presentation. Thats the fun part about blogging, it’s intimate mind rambling. I would also add that consistency is important.. As well as commenting on other people’s blogs. I have been blogging for about a year and a half now. It for sure takes time and dedication. but its SUPER fun. Below is the blog i started on. http://www.promisetangeman.wordpress.com

.

4. Cody says “I’ve been really impressed at how well lit your subjects are and how much the color pops, im wondering how you achieve that look. Do you use on camera flashes or any off camera strobes?”

AHHH. To be honest with you…. lighting is my weekness as well. hahaa. I dont really like to use it… in fact I NEVER do. I usually position my subjects in the shade and facing the natural light (in a doorway, inside in front of a window, etc) or I use the reflections from light colored walls or reflective surfaces. I enhance colors with photoshop, and lighten the midtones as well. I use and mix some actions together. Below is an example of what goes on.

5. Ashley says “I love your hairstyle and in the process of trying to grow my long. As we were talking, we were debating as to whether you put dark/red highlights in your hair? Also, I personally am interested in how you do your hair! (Or how you do that thing you do!)”

I naturally have really thick, corse wavy frizzy hair. haha. I have been “growing it out” for years.. literally…. since 2005. I think my hair grows slowly but surely. haha. I have it highlighted ALOT in chunks. We did it gradually.. but not on purpose. I just kept wanting more blonde. haha. blondes do have more fun. I am naturally a medium brown color. I have a lot of layers near the top back of my head, that helps distribute the volume in the right places. I use bed head products. rootboost is a favorite, after party by tigi bed head is a favorite and i use the bed head hair spray. SO fun. I also use psssst. it’s found at walgreens. It’s a dry shampoo that you spray in your roots so you don’t have to wash your hair everyday. hehheehe.

Did you find this helpful at all? Should we do this again? Feel free to ask most questions in the comment section if this spurs on any other questions. I am sure people reading this know more than i do SO PLEASE pipe in you people. I will also keep some of these questions in the que for the next Q&A blog post.