Artist INC Kansas City Class of Spring 2015

(Photograph came from Artist, Inc Facebook Page.)

On Monday April 27th, I finished my nine-week Artist, INC class in Kansas City. Here's what Artist INC is all about. 

"Artist INC is a cutting edge training seminar that addresses the specific business needs and challenges artists of all disciplines face every day. Limited to 25 participants per session, artists gather for one night a week for eight weeks to learn business skills specific to their art practice and apply those skills cooperatively with their peers. Using an innovative class design, artists learn and grow together through artist facilitator mentoring, small group application activities, as well as large group discussion and multi-media lecture. Now in its seventh year, the Artist INC workshop has been completed by more than 300 Kansas City artists. "

This was extremely beneficial for me in many ways. The last time I was in a classroom setting was when I was attending KCAI in 2003-2007. Most of you know that my husband and I found out we were expecting our first daughter, Cora, right before my senior year. She was born at the end of December in 2006. So when I graduated with a four month old daughter, I made a decision that I wanted to find a balance everyday to be a healthy wife, mom and an artist. It has been extremely hard sometimes but extremely rewarding at the same time. I would't have it any other way. The beauty in my children help inspire my work on a daily basis. And the balance of working when I can find time in between naps and while they are at friends and my parents house, and at night, helps me to not take studio time for granted. Owning and running my own art business can be exhausting while balancing motherhood. I am in charge of not only creating but marketing and selling my artwork. So, this class helped me in areas of my business and art that I have needed help with for years. It was a pleasure to also meet other artists and be encouraged and inspired by their stories, art, struggles and success. I will miss my Monday night classes and classmates.  

Down below are the list of artist I got to spend the last nine weeks with. 
Elaine Buss www.elainebuss.com
Morgan Cooper www.vimeo.com/cooperfilmskc
Betse Ellis www.fiddlebetse.com
Emily Evans Sloan www.images.taffyfoto.com www.traileroftruth.com
Noor Higley
Brian Huther 
Camry Ivory www.camryivory.com
Jesse Kates www.sexyaccident.com
Michael McClintock www.michaelmcclintockmusic.com
Sydney Pener www.sydneypener.com
Danielle Prestidge www.theblackbirdrevue.com
Cydney Ross www.cydneyross.com
Michael Schliefke www.schliefkevision.com
Calvin Scott www.calvinarsenia.com
Brandon Segelke www.brandonbo.com
Phil Shafer www.sikestyle.com
Anson the Ornery www.ansontheornery.com
Jen Watson www.jen-watson.com
Paul Wenske 
Casey Whittier www.caseywhittier.com
Don Wilkison 
Clarke Wyatt 
Cody Wyoming www.Philistineskc.com

The soothing sounds of weaving......Debbie Barrett-Jones Textiles

Some may find this sound annoying...... and I would totally understand that. It is not for everyone. But for me, I could fall asleep to this sound. I just might make an app for that. The soothing sounds of weaving. ;)

Artwork In Truman Medical Center; Part 1

YAY!! I dream come true. My piece is up at Truman Medical Center in their Radiology Hallway. Without going into too much detail right now, my work being in this exact location means a lot to me. Right after Emma, my five year old daughter was born, I started a two year long journey of chronic daily headaches. And during that time, I had four MRI's taken of my brain that came with unanswered questions, lots of fear and a whole lot of anxiety. Fast forward now, ( I will write more about that time in my Healing with Weaving Section soon. ) I am doing a lot better. I still deal with lots of headaches but I know now how to manage them better. And I am trying everyday as a gift. So, to have my work in a place that could help patients like me, scared and fearful of the "would if's" and the unknown, means so much. I hope my work will help some people find a little more peace and comfort.

My sweet Cora came with me to visit the hospital. 

Debbie Barrett-Jones' Artist Inc. Elevator Speech

**WARNING** Totally getting out of my "comfort zone" and showing everyone this but I am thankful for all your support throughout my years of making and would love your feedback. For my Kansas City's Artist, INC​ class I had to create my Elevator Speech. An elevator speech is a 30-second commercial about yourself.  It should include:
*Who are you?
*What do you do?
*Something to differentiate you from others or to peak interest in the people you are speaking to.
*Tell People why they should be interested in what you do.

Here's my go at it for the first time. :)

In loving memory of my friend, Bryan Kristofer Dale

In loving memory of my friend, Bryan Kristofer Dale

May 30, 1985 - February 27, 2015

A week ago from today, on Sunday March 1st, my husband and I received terrible news that one of our friends passed away. His name was Bryan Kristofer Dale. He was only 29 years, 8 months and 28 days of age. For years I called him Dale..... I still have in my contacts as Dale. I met Bryan Dale when he started hanging out with my younger brother, Paul, in middle school. They quickly became best friends that did everything together. So, Bryan or Dale was like a brother to me.

Bryan had such a love for life, creativity, art, nature, music and beauty. When he graduated from high school he commissioned me to make him one of my paper mosaics. His mosaic is the photo above. Before I learned how to weave during my sophomore year at the Kansas City Art Institute, I was cutting up little pieces of colored paper and making collages and mosaics. In 2003, I was pretty shocked that I got accepted in to art school and got scholarships all with a portfolio of these paper creations. Bryan's commission meant so much to me because I remember I had a hard time believing in myself and my creative abilities and here was this 18 year old that paid me to make him something. He was always so encouraging throughout the years before textiles and after.

Before Cora was born, Bryan lived with us for a short time. Brandon and I just bought our first home and I remember how excited I was to decorate. I hung up in our living room three large weavings and this one was the one was the middle piece. 

Bryan was so encouraging of my art making and talked about my weavings a lot. For years he talked about someday having enough money to buy one of the three weavings for his mom. He loved his parents dearly. 

Six years ago, Brandon and I were expecting our second baby. While 13 weeks pregnant, we were up in Marshalltown, Iowa visiting family for Christmas along with celebrating Cora's second Birthday on the December 28th. That same day was my parents' 35th Wedding Anniversary that I was planning a surprise party for. The day after Christmas I had to go to the ER due to spotting. Bryan's dad, Allen Dale was my doctor that helped me through the tragic news that we lost our pregnancy. Sadly, two days later, I passed out due to blood lose and I had to go back to the ER on the same day we were celebrating Cora's birthday. My parent's anniversary party was cancelled. That time in my life sucked. But to have Allen be my doctor when we found out our lose meant a lot to us. 

Months later Bryan was visiting us and found out that we wanted to finish our basement to move my studio from the third bedroom to downstairs. Brandon and I still wanted to try for a second child and needed my studio to move. But because of all our medical bills there was a hold on the addition. Bryan told his dad about our plans and Allen being the kind and generous man he was, offered to help Brandon finish our basement for free. Such an incredibly generous act. So for a couple of months Allen traveled down to Kansas City on his weekends off and helped Brandon finish our basement into the weaving studio that I have enjoyed for more than five years. 

During those weekends that he came down, I was kind of stunned by his generosity. I remember still working through a lot of my grief from my miscarriage. It was the most traumatic experience I had gone through. So, I knew I said thank you but I kind of kept to myself when he visited. For five plus years I have enjoyed and am grateful for all that Allen did for us. I am so thankful that I get to work from my home in such a safe and peaceful space. In my studio, I have worked through not only my healing process but I have woven several pieces for Truman Hospital and Children's Mercy's. In the Lisa Barth Interfaith Chapel at Children's Mercy I made three woven textiles that are hung next to each other on the wall in the hospital's only hospice room where family and friends can share their last moments with their little precious loved one. Having artwork in hospitals has been a dream come true. Many times throughout the five years I have thought about wanting to give Allen and his wife a gift to say thank you. 

Last Sunday, soon after hearing the horrible news about Bryan leaving this earth, I started reflecting on how much Bryan and his dad, along with his wife, did to impact our life. I just knew that this was the time I needed and wanted to let Allen know how much I appreciated him. I had sold two out of the three weavings that were on my wall while Bryan lived with us. I still had one left, the middle piece. On Tuesday I cut the piece in half. The top half was for the Dales and the bottom half a gift for my brother and his wife. I cannot imagine the pain and sorrow Paul is and will continue to go through.  I have probably cried a years worth of tears in one week but seriously, with the sadness and pain, comes thankfulness. I am so grateful to God for the gift of Bryan and his family have been in my life and my family's life. Bryan wove his life, passion and beauty into so many people in his young life, including mine. I wanted to gift the weavings as a dedication of Bryan's inspirational life. It was an such an honor to know him......

Doing this was incredibly healing for me. Sadly, something I wanted to do for years, came out of loosing a precious friend and for the Dales, their son. But I know as Brandon and I talked to his parents at their house after Bryan's funeral and celebration service, my friend would have been so happy if he was there. It was so freeing to look at Allen and Judy and talk to them in person about the impact Bryan and they made on our lives. 

The night before his funeral, Brandon wrote in a card to help express our gratitude towards the Dale family. Here are his words;

"Dear Allen and Judy,

It would be impossible to express all your family has meant to us over the years. In fact, you probably don't even realize most of the incredible ways you have impacted us. First and foremost, your son has meant the world to us. He was always so genuine, encouraging, challenging and kind whether it was discussing African rhythms in modern jazz or the overwhelming encouragement toward Debbie's art, he loved and cared deeply.

Furthermore, you will never know the impact those days in the ER and working in our basement had on us. your family has been paramount for Debbie's development as an artist. Please accept this gift of Debbie's weaving as a small token of our gratitude. It was on of Bryan's favorite pieces. He was always so encouraging of Debbie's development. May it remind you of his beautiful soul and the positive impact he made on all who met him. 

Love, 

Brandon and Debbie Jones"

Thank you my dear friend for all that you gave. Your life was an inspiration. In your young life you persevered through much pain to touch so many peoples' lives.  You accomplished more in your life than most people twice your age. You were a true Gift from God. I love you Bryan and will always miss you.....but your inspiration and spirit will be woven into each new textile I create. 

Photographed on the left is my brother Paul with his arm around is best friend Bryan Dale. This photo was taken on January 9th 2015. 

New Woven Scarves

You I put three new warps on my loom this week. Throughout the weeks I will post on here images of the scarves from my loom. 

This gray warp is 10 yards. I will be able to weave four scarves from this round. 

#1 Woven with silver interrupted by bands of khaki. 

Took some time off weaving to reflect and grieve over the lose of a friend. Check out the blog post above to see how special Bryan was. 

Finished and posted on 3/22/15 https://www.etsy.com/listing/227202277/gray-to-khaki-with-silver-tencel 

#2 Woven with black bamboo interrupted by bands of silver and khaki tencel yarn. 

Finished and posted on 3/22/15 https://www.etsy.com/listing/227194944/gray-to-khaki-with-black-bamboo-boo

#3 Woven half with bright orange and the other half with sky blue. 

It's been a long few days with EmmaJ having the flu, then passing it onto Cora. So, it's been nice to retreat to my weaving studio downstairs, watch House of Cards with my husband.  Weaving this a new scarf while the girls are peacefully sleeping upstairs. 

Finished and posted on 3/22/15 https://www.etsy.com/listing/227200650/gray-to-khaki-with-bright-orange-and-sky

#4 Woven half with golden yellow and half in celery green bamboo.....I really love working with bamboo!! 

Finished and posted on 3/22/15 https://www.etsy.com/listing/227155015/gray-to-khaki-with-gold-and-celery-green

New round of warp threads in silver gray striped next to a hand-dyed gradation  warp. 

#1 Woven half in eggplant purple and half in spice red interrupted by bands of gray.

Finished and posted on 4/9/15

https://www.etsy.com/listing/229346429/silver-and-purple-to-red-with-purple-and

#2 Woven in silver interrupted by bands of red and orange. 

Finished and posted on 4/9/15

https://www.etsy.com/listing/227201181/silver-and-orange-to-red-with-silver

#3 woven with Blue Ming bamboo interrupted by bands of silver and bright orange 

Finished and posted on 4/9/15

https://www.etsy.com/listing/229380949/silver-and-orange-to-yellow-with-blue

#4 Woven half in silver and half in turquoise tencel. 

 

Finished and posted on 4/9/15

https://www.etsy.com/listing/229363456/silver-and-golden-yellow-to-green-with

#5 Woven with golden yellow bamboo yarn interrupted by bands of silver tencel.

Finished and posted on 4/9/15

https://www.etsy.com/listing/229377988/silver-and-green-to-teal-with-gold

Taking a Break.....from Social Media Part 1

(maybe a little cheesy)

A couple of days ago, Monday February 23, 2015, I logged into my Debbie Barrett-Jones Textiles Facebook account and was notified by FB, that I could boost or promote my posts for as low as $5 a day. They let me know this EVERYDAY at least once.  For only $5 a day I can get an estimated 4-17 new likes PER day. And for only $30, I could get 26-103 new likes. WHAT A DEAL!!!  The pressure of getting more views and likes on Facebook is a daily occurrence along with showing me my "data" or "stats" for the week. So many page Likes, New Page Likes, Total Reach, Post Reach and People Engaged this week compared to last week.

   

And Etsy just the same with the constant stats and wanting money for more views........

This annoys the heck out of me and reminded me of a post that I wrote but didn't publish last year around this time, explaining why I was taking a break from on social media. I wrote this on my first day into my two week long break, but never wrote a response about how good it felt. Well, now a year later, I am feeling some of the same things I felt last year and have decided to take a break again. I am thinking at least two weeks......or longer. Within that time I might still post on this blog how I am doing during my break......or maybe not. I am not going to pressure myself too much. I will play it by ear and see how it goes. I just know it will be healthy for me again.

Here is what I wrote last year. I will admit, that I am kind of embarrassed letting people into my thoughts that I am not too proud of. But here they are.


******Post Written on February 27, 2014*****( Please don't judge my writing. Was just writing down my thoughts at the time. :) *******

I have to be honest with you. It can be a little hard to be a small business owner and CONSTANTLY have to promote yourself on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I have a love/hate relationship with social media. I appreciate that it is free advertising and a great way to network. And it is a easy and free way to document my work. I just grab my iPhone, take a photo with my camera and within a minute I can show the world what I have made or what I am up to...BUT it can mess with my confidence on so many levels that I am embarrassed by. Not to mention, I hate the thought of my posts annoying people. "Oh, not AGAIN, Debbie is posting something about HER work"....Arg!!!! :((( I know this might sound completely silly to some people but I am just trying to be honest here.

Oh, and I have Not mentioned that I run and help run
way too many sites online including;
BillySue Textiles Etsy
BillySue Textile Twitter
BillySue Textiles Facebook
DebbieBarrettJones.com
DebbieBarrettJones Instagram
DebbieBarrettJones.Blogspot.com
RockToSleepDesigns.Etsy.com
WeAreGoingToFrance.Etsy.com
and
WeAreGoingToFrance.Tumbler

(I am pretty sure I didn't leave any out. Probably by the time this is posted I will have another site;)

If I have to be really honest with you, I struggle with my confidence almost every time I post something on social media. It is awful!!! Once I post something, I find myself constantly checking my iPhone to see if anyone viewed it, liked it and best of all, wrote a comment. If it is my lucky day and I will get a sufficient amount to views, likes and comments. This builds my self esteem and I will feel really good about myself as an artist and as a human. BUT if I don't get enough "likes" ....I find myself being totally insecure and start feeling like a failure in many areas of my life.  It's like I am back in grade school desperately wanting people to like me...

I know, I know it is totally ridiculous and if I had a friend tell me what I am writing right now,  I would TOTALLY tell them the truth. I would tell my friend, "YOU are NOT your Facebook status updates! YOU are NOT the amount of 'likes' or 'comments' or 'views' that day on your facebook fan page or the photos you post!!

I totally know this but I can struggle with the truth of who I am especially when looking at and posting on Facebook or even instagram has become such a habit in my life. Facebook is first thing I look at when I wake up and the last thing I look at when going to bed. I have my phone on me most of the day. And have a panic attack when I cannot find it.  While in my studio, my smart phone allows me to update people on social media with the new work I am making so easily that maybe posting has become a habit. When you are someone like me, I am a part-time stay at home mom, trying to make somewhat of a living doing the thing I love and passionate about. So, I rely on and am thankful for Facebook. So many people can find out who I am and check out my online shops through social media. I know I don't want to not have my account but something has to change, when it can effect me in negative ways.

I sleep next to my iPhone so it is always close to me.....for what reason? What is even the reason why I get on there so much? There once was a time that I didn't have a smart phone. haha.....about two years ago. There once was a time that I didn't have a Facebook account.....oh my, what did I do way back then....call my friends....email or even write them a letter!!!!Because getting on facebook has become such a part of my life, a habit. What kind of person have I become, trying to find my confidence and I guess self worth in my STATUS UPDATES!!!

**Pausing right now to tell myself the truth again*** I am NOT my social status update! I am NOT the amount of 'likes' or the amount of viewed posts.**

And let me just say, how annoying it is at times to have a "fan page" on Facebook. Facebook constantly shows me the status of views I have on my post, how many views I have today compared to yesterday...... and for just $5 a day I can pay for more views. They do a great job with putting a panic in my that I am not doing enough. Etsy does it too....... I kind of get tired and weighed down by all the pressure to do MORE. And more always comes to a cost with Etsy and Facebook. Is this all worth it. I must take a break......not sure what that break looks like, but I know it is necessary.