Inspiration.

Happy monday everyone! I have to first say...WOW! What a weekend I've had! I was featured on ETSY's homepage, and I will tell you, I have made so many great friends and met so many incredible people because of it! I heart ETSY!!! It's like this amazing art gallery shop full of incredible products, but even more, really cool people! I love that ETSY encourages so much communication between artists for support, advice, etc. So, thanks to all of you who popped in to say hello! I have loved looking at your shops, and hearing your experiences! I have tried to reply to most all of you, but if I haven't replied, I will be soon. In the mean time...know I have loved meeting all of you this weekend! I love the internet, but honestly, I would much rather throw a BBQ and meet all you in person:) You are all an inspiration! Speaking of inspiration, I have been thinking "what made me want to become an artist." There is never one single answer to this, and the one that I gave in the interview is the most true to experience. I don't remember a time that I wasn't an artist. But there are always supports a long the way, and I wanted to share one of mine (there are many).

My Grandpa Knell was an artist. He was an architect professionally, but I think that a lot of architects start out as artists. He loved design and the functionality of design. But he also had a big imagination. He died almost 3 years ago, but he instilled in me a great love of drawing and somehow gave me the confindence to pursue my talents. I often remember him at the kitchen table sketching out designs with his sons, or drawing with the grandkids. This weekend, we had a family reunion and my aunt had brought some drawings grandpa had made on paper lunch bags who knows how many years ago. How precious! Not only because he is gone now, but also because they are doodles on lunch bags which to me represents that a true artist will draw on just about ANYTHING!! His caricatures were always so artsy/funky. I love it!!

My grandfather was one of my many inspirations, but something about being his grandaughter gave me permission to live my dreams.

So, I would like to know...who has inspired you to do what you love? Family? Fellow artist?

First time for everything.

Well, I am typing right now with butterflies in my stomach. My work has been featured in my first ever magazine, and I am kinda speechless! The Utah Valley magazine (whose cover this month boasts the famed Ann Romney) does a fabulous job featuring women entrepreneurs, and this season's issue, they stumbled upon Yours Truly. Geeesh! I had an interview last month, and really had no idea what to expect. (Note to self... be prepared next time for a photography shoot!) But they really did a fine job!

The article focuses on what it is like to be a stay-at-home mom while still doing what you love and making a business out of it. You can see the online spread here and if you squint your eyes, you can read the whole thing:) But, really. I am blushing. I am really so glad that there are women out there who love being moms and who are still following creative dreams. I cannot profess to be a master at this oh-so-crazy balancing act, but what I do know, I am happy to share. Thus my blog, and thus this article...I guess. Ashley (the editor) did a fabulous job capturing the inside life of 5 women. Check the others out here. Most of them I have met through Startup Princess (my favorite stop for business tips and mentors) and they all have so much to offer. So, if you are in Utah, pick up the July/August edition of Utah Valley Magazine, or you can view the magazine online here.

I haven't even put my hands on the paper copy yet, but before I do, I think I need to take a deep breath! Seeing my studio in print makes it all just seem too REAL. Isn't this just something I do during naptime? Oh, yes it is...and speaking of which...it's naptime! Gotta go!

xoxo,

Sarah Jane

Welcome!

Hello, Hello! It is so exciting to have a more personalized space here. I hope you can come often, pull up a chair, and have a chat. Here you will find the latest on being a mother of two lively toddlers and the newest designs and illustrations for Sarah Jane Studios. Come as often as you like!

The month of July is filled with lots of fun surprises, so come back soon. You will notice a few new features, including the option to add your email to my monthly newsletter. Sign up for the latest updates in the shop and in the news!

Thanks to all you readers for your ideas, support and friendship! Being a mom and being an artist and business owner make for a lot of adventures, and I am happy to share the ups and downs. Thanks for sharing your stories as well! Stay for more blogging fun and lots of new designs coming soon!

Thanks for stopping in, and feel free to invite your friends! I'll put the kettle on, and hope to see you soon!

xoxo,

Sarah Jane

7 things you really didn't want to know about me:

Ok..tagged again. Thanks Jaime and Vanna for letting me delve into my random/quircky side:

1) I get car sick if I am in the back seat

2) My first CD I ever owned was Basia: Time + Tide (Don't watch the video...it's dumb. Just listen to the song) I was 9 years old.

3) I cut my own bangs when I was 9. I have (had, I should say) really curly hair. But being a product of the 80's I wanted those stiff "fly catcher" bangs. So, I cut them on a diagonal, sprayed straight up and walked out the door to school thinking my own mother wouldn't notice. Um, ya. Dumb. About both: cutting my own hair, and thinking I had an unobservant mother.

4) I was accepted to the University of Maryland on an acting scholarship, but declined. (Good thing, since I met my husband on the first day of my freshman year at the school of my choice.)

5) I hate anything with malt or malt flavor.

6) I spent my middle childhood years living on Winslow Road in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

7) The first day I met my later-to-be mother in law, I stabbed her in the elbow with a kitchen knife. (short story: we were putting dishes away together...but it was a rather dramatic and embarrassing moment).

There you have it. I can't think of anyone to tag right now...so maybe I will be back later. I never was a "game" person.

Gotta get back to drawing....

All in a days work.

Have you ever just needed chocolate and it's only 10 am? It's been one of those mornings. Addie didn't go to bed until 10:30 last night (she is a stubborn little thing) and yet still managed to get up at 5 min before 7am. Needless to say, this morning has been a drama. In some ways, not too different than most days. I guess I just notice it more.

But already: the Floor has broken pieces of pretzel all over it, the table is covered in Addie's spilled morning fruit shake, the sink is full of dirty dishes, the counter is covered in this morning's breakfast preparations, there are blocks and cars all over the floor, Addie's clothes are strewn all over the couch, the highchair is covered in oatmeal and I am craving a shower. It's amazing what two little monkey's can do. It's amazing, cause most of the mess was created by one while I was taking care of the other. I wonder what else could happen if I was out more!

So, today is a cleaning day. The crazy thing though, is that every day is a cleaning day. I sweep at least 3 times a day, mop 3 times a week, vacuum every other day, wipe down counters and do dishes about 5 times a day, straighten up the family room about 4 times a day, and do laundry once a day. It's all a part of the day's routine. With having two, esp two so close to eachother, sometimes there just aren't enough hands to catch the spilling fruit shake when you are changing the other's diaper. Though the cleaning is never ending, so are the tickles and the kisses! I have to always remember that!

It's been a while...

Ok, so I haven't posted in a bit, and I miss it! truth is, life happens, but more impartantly, I have been painting again, and that takes so much of my creative brain, that blogging has been put on hold.

While I was out....

* Addie learned how to open doors

* Ian signed for 'more' finally!

* Addie stayed up for 3 1/2 hours past her bedtime...in her crib...saying things like "Addie play with TOys" and "mommy, commear" until 10:30pm when she finally conked. We did go in there a few times, but that just aggrevated things!

*Ian babbles a lot more now, and will pretend to talk on the phone, and will tell you all about the toy car he is playing with

So, I am here again, and we'll see if I can keep things up! Until then, happy Tuesday!

You are my sunshine

Well, the past couple days, my little sunshines have been gloomy and sick. It is so hard to see their little bodies go through this. We have caught a really nasty cough, and cold, fever, and headaches. Poor little things. Life is just survival right now. Addie thankfully will lie down to read stories or watch a movie, and Ian is willing to be held and read to as well. I just wish that I had more arms! Well, in the mean time, I am just loving these hot snuggly bodies. I love that they love to be snuggled! I don't ever want that to go away! so, rain or shine, I will take what I can get!

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