Reading · Don't Murder the Fun-ness

I found these wood letters at Michaels. I really shouldn’t be allowed in that store! I always find something I never knew I needed. Then it gives me an idea and makes more work for myself. It goes something like this… maybe you can relate.

😀 “Hey self, you know what I think we should do?”

-What’s that?

😀 ”We should make a “Flower Shop” sign for the studio?”

-Sure… but remember Liz suggested that calling it The Flower Shop might be confusing for people since you don’t sell flowers.

😀 ”Oh right! Good point… We’ll call it ‘The Lysa Flower Shop’!!!”… as I scramble to check they have all the letters I need.

-Fine as long as I get a nap.

😀 ”Hey should we put the ‘THE’ part on the L of the Lysa?”

- Sure

😀 ”Should we put the ‘SHOP’ sign down the side?”

- We could, but how are you going to attach it?

😀”Hmm… Good point you. I mean me. This is confusing”

-You’re always confusing to me.

😀”Okay, I’ve thought about it and I’m going to attach the letters to the board.

‘The’ will be attached to L of Lysa.

The shop part will be attached to the bottom of the board!”

- Okay, I’m going to go lay down while you do that. You go girl.

😀”TA DA!!! Behold!”

- Um. you’re missing two letters. The O and the P😀… 😟Noooooooo!

😀… 😳What?! 😩Noooooooo! 😟WHERE are they?

- Found them! Over here!

😟What the?

- I think you hit them on your way out of doorway

😳Okay let’s take a break and go have a nap.

- Finally.

We’re getting ready to go camping. Last year, I packed the HEAVIEST supplies known to mankind—and we're not even talking about the books I brought. This year, I’m going with acrylic markers. No brushes, no paints. Acrylic inks are my absolute favorites but 110% not practical for packing to the beach and back. So it’ll be these bad boys instead!

Heidi Gerrits, the creative force behind Fat Cat Mango and a dynamic member of the Fun-ness Factory Studio: Artist Mastermind.

Our paths crossed thanks to a mutual friend who recommended Heidi to help bring my Dressew mural to life. She brought her signature clean lines and steady hand. It’s fair to say Heidi infuses joy into every canvas & loom she touches.

Heidi: The three colours I would choose as my die-hard, last colours on earth, would be pink, pink and pink! Also, yellow and green… and pink! To pink or not to pink, that is not the question.

Heidi: Come a little closer, I know you want to touch me…

Heidi: Since I spend A LOT of time tying rya knots, a weaving knot, to create my sculptural works, the power of replication would be my super power. As in, when I make one knot, it actually makes multiple knots at a time. It would literally save me thousands of hours. And then I could make alllllll of the many things that I want to make, cause we all want more time to make, am I right?

Heidi: Smells are my kryptonite… stinky ones. I won’t stop until I find the source!

Heidi: Oh, my loom is definitely alive! Her name is Minerva, or at least that’s what I call her. In roman mythology, Minerva is the goddess of wisdom, strategy, and handicrafts, fibre arts, and weaving. She is considered the ultimate master of practical intellect and skill with one's hands. Minerva’s getting on in years, but still has what it takes to get the job done! She’s no nonsense, a little shaky in the frame and creaky in the bones, but she never backs down from the challenge of another complicated woven shape!

Her show is on at the Fun-ness Factory Studio Gallery until the end of August.

Make an appointment to see the show and stop by!

Curiosity got the “mango fat cat”? Here is Heidi’s: WEBSITE / ETSY SHOP / INSTAGRAM

Overthinking kills consistency. Grab three distinct pink colours in whatever medium you use. For example: a cool blue pink, a delicate light pink and a warm yellow-pink. Set a 15 min timer and make something fast:

THE PALETTE: Use only your three selected pinks. No black, no white and no background colours.
FOCUS ON CONTRAST: Play with how the warm yellow-pink interacts with the cool blue-pink.
STOP THE BELL: When the timer rings, you’re done. The goal is simply to make something today!

Let me know in the comments below so we can keep each other accountable and inspired!