Presence

Happy Saturday!

Things got jumbled around this week so I lost my sense of time and day by the end of things. I had originally planned to dive into concepts behind my work for this post but I've decided I'd like a little bit more time with writing that one. For today I'll just run over some current things and further explain where you can follow my work and reach out to me!

Some announcements I'd like to get out there; my Commissions for Cause ends on Monday, my birthday! So far I have not received any orders, which is to be expected for the first time. I wonder to myself if the fault lies in how it was organized, how often it was updated, or if it was too late to do so (if people already donated to the Australian Relief efforts by the time the event started, that's no fault at all). I received some positive feedback mainly from paid ads, but I had some people in my personal friends list who were also interested in the idea. I will try again in the future, most likely with an issue closer to home.

There's still time to donate, so follow the link!: https://www.facebook.com/events/2197153080588836/

I have also launched a new design in my online shops!! “Lonely Hydra” is a vitreograph in the works but once getting the digital rendering done I went to town with colours and orientations. This is the biggest collection I have, which is fun!

You can find the design on my S6 and Redbubble shops, which are now accessible through the sidebar. >>>^

Now, onto social media talk. If you found my blog perchance, unrelated to my social media, that's fantastic! My website acts as a portfolio platform, a central hub for all my work and philosophies. You can see my best pieces under the Work tabs. Lately I've been retouching the site since starting the blog, investing in RSS widgets and refining buttons to make everything as smooth and connected as possible. I have some works I wish to get properly documented so expect some new faces soon. Websites require more dedication when it comes to updating so I usually save it for rainy days.

I try to update regularly on my Facebook and Instagram. They're automated for posts and stories, which I find very helpful. You can see anything I'm working on, including process, sketches, workspaces, and finished items. I also use it for announcements and documentations of events I'm attending as a guest or vendor. They are worth enabling notifications for, since we are in a time where we are constantly bombarded by information. My updates are usually drowned out and hard to come by, so enabling this feature on my pages will ensure you don't miss anything. You can do so on my profile on both platforms. These run under the handle @willowindstudios.

My other handless run under @spicyhoneyheart. I have a personal Instagram with that name but all art, including art done under Spicy Honey Heart, is posted on my business account, Willowind Studios (it's not as confusing as it seems). Spicy Honey Heart is my excuse to play digitally with my existing artwork, as well as illustrate things that don't always correlate with my artist statement. Glass and print are not always readily available to me and my studio space is always in the works. So Spicy Honey Heart keeps me busy and creative. All those times I was reprimanded for being too illustrative in school? Works out pretty fine here. I run some online shops with this name.

Society6 and Redbubble are print-on-demand online shops where I post all sorts of designs for purchase. Some of my more formal pieces get a photo-manipulated makeover for some designs, but I otherwise keep this branch very open. Most of what I sell here are based on my favourite things, such as books, video games, movies, glass culture, and general things I love about life. I have also claimed an account on Art of Where, which is a Canadian outlet. Their design system is quite interesting, and while I do have content on there I'm still working on making them more refined. Unlike Society6 and Redbubble, it allows print on both front and back of items, which is really exciting. 

Tumblr will just mirror this blog. Entries are carried over and posted on the platform as a fishing line, if you will. I had originally thought to post the blog there and dedicate this space to the audio blogs but I thought I might as well utilize both. What's nice about the blog being on tumblr as well is the fact I can also reblog art, craft and concepts that connect with my own, so it's worth swinging by from time to time. Tumblr has changed through the years I've known it and I'm optimistic about its potential, if not a little nostalgic. You can navigate there using the sidebar and give it a follow if you like.

Pinterest is a great place for people to follow my boards for projects, process, and products! Very simple to use and I'm sure a lot of you have experience with it. Currently I’ll be working hard to organize my boards for a better reach of my products. This option is also available in the sidebar.

Finally, something I want to tell all my fellow artists and makers, I'm on Ello! I highly suggest you sign up for this platform. It's like Instagram, deviantArt and Tumblr combined, geared toward creators! They offer opportunity for jobs and collaborations, and they send call of submissions for awards! I haven't been on the platform long but wish to delve into the workings of it all. It seems to have great potential. I have not made a button for the sidebar with this one, so I'll make a quick note of it for my next update. Here is the link instead! www.ello.co/spicyhoneyheart

I think that's where I'll leave off today. The weather looks grim but I still intend to drive up to Oakville for the weekend. A early birthday gift to me! I will still be available so if you need anything, you are welcome to it.

​I hope that you consider commissioning something while my charity page is still running!

Take care,

Gosia