@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone and welcome to today’s Twitterview of creative artist @grandciel. Get your brushes & CS5’s out to begin. :)
@grandciel – Hello everyone. I’m here, just trying to keep sandwich mustard off the keyboard.
Q – #1 To start off with – Where did you grow up, and what are some of the steps that got you where you are today?
A: I grew up in Morris, MN. My dad was a founding art professor at UMM
I always knew I was and artist. I drew on everything and even designed books at age 5
In college concentrated on fine art, art history, heavy dose of biology
When I moved to the TCs, I chose to work for smaller companies. I got to wear a lot of hats.
Most of my design experience and education has been on the job. I did take courses at MCAD, though
Q – #2 Nice! So what kind of projects and jobs have you been working on recently?
A: I design print and for web. Lately I have been working on a direct mail campaign + revamping a city newslettter
Then there is ongoing website updates for clients
Sprinkle in an ad design requests and I’m pretty well rounded
Q – #3 Got you. So what kind of things do you get your creative inspiration from?
A: Other people’s design work — I love seeing how they solve problems in a creative way
Writers I team up with bring out the best in me creatively
My husband is great at generating ideas — we have a good time brainstorming everything for serious to silly
Q – #4 How have you been able to use Social Media in the work that you do, and what tools do you use?
A: Design tools: good ’ol paper and pencils, my Mac + CS
Twitter has actually generated project leads for me
Q – #5 Good to know! So name 5-15 people that you follow on Twitter for inspiration, humor or education.
A: That’s a tall order. Like I said everyone on Twitter is my teacher.
My social media gurus are @socialnicole, @JenKaneCo, her CLO @KaryD. Also @irishgirl, @nlyons. Those two could host SNL
For all things web and then some: @drawer, @jasonlynes, @JansonSpeaking, @jophillips
Oh, and I can forget you! I enjoy your Twitterviews daily.
Q – #6 Thanks! Now for the FAVS questions – Favorite: restaurant, online store, art/supply store & summer activity?
A: Favorite resturant @sajiyasushi Had my first date with husband there. He took in too much wasabi & could hardly talk
I miss @sajiyasushi little bridge and waterfall. Love sushi!
Fav on-line store. Amazon. I know super boring pick, but I love books.
Don’t get me near an art store. You’ll never get me out! Favs: @ArtMaterialsMN and @WetPaintArt.
Fav summer activity: Anything on, by or in the water. I can’t imagine living in a place without so much fresh water
Next Fav summer activity: Gardening. I get better at it every year.
Q – #7 Very nice! So do you have any personal or professional goals for the next year or so that you’d like to share?
A: I’d like to have/working on getting clients in alternative healthcare, book publishing, green energy
I’ve been working on writing and illlustrating children’s books. Getting one published next year would be huge!
I also do watercolors. I’d like to get a body of work ready to have a gallery be interested in showing them.
It should be a busy year if I can accomplish all that.
Q – #8 To end with today – What final thought or mantra would you like to share with everyone today?
A: The Four Agrements I try to live by. Be Impeccable with Your Word; Don’t take Anything Personally (that’s a hard one)
Don’t Make Assumptions and Always Do Your Best.
Act courageously even when scared. Remember that everything you need is inside you.
@JoelECarlson – Thanks for your sharing some of your insights and your life with us today @grandciel. You have a great afternoon!
@grandciel – It was delightful. Happiness and good fortune to you!