AIGA Connecticut Presents A New Morning Series: Breakfast Epiphany - Creative Inspiration and a Cup of Joe.

We are pleased to announce a new morning series by AIGA Connecticut. Breakfast Epiphany is an open, intimate morning get-together with a top level graphic designer, creative or thought leader, and 10 new friends. Topics are designed to stimulate imaginative thinking and inspiration and will traverse the boarders of creative and business industries, and nonprofit organizations. Attendees can be assured of some eye opening discussions.

With an industry professional leading the way, these mini-events are hosted in prime locations throughout the state once a month. To keep it intimate, events are capped at a maximum of 10 guests. This is not a lecture series. Nor is it a workshop. This is an opportunity to start your day with inspiration and lively conversation.

Love. It’s what makes your heart sing. It’s rapturous moments of complete joy where everything seems perfect and the stars are all aligned. If we are creatives, we yearn to design, write, draw or paint with love too . . . but in the course of our days, the creative juju can get lost. We run our businesses, find ourselves more involved with paperwork, administrative tasks and a never-ending stream of meetings. We forget what it’s like to be deeply involved in the process of creation just for the love of it.

Sharing design love is the mission of founder, Troy Monroe, who along with founding members Rich Hollant, Constanza Gowen-Segovia and Brian Grabell created Design is Love.  With a gorgeous site design and welcoming language, Design is Love invites you to help share and shape a unique creative community with heart. But DIL isn’t just a meeting place for designers. If you are a non-profit, Design is Love can help you too by matching your needs and goals with a creative who believes in what you do.

There is an awful lot of talk about design for good.  As designers and creatives we can volunteer our services to any number of worthy causes with the hope of making our world a better place. There are notable organizations such as Design for Democracy, Arts Advocacy, The Living Principles, Design Ignites Change and so many others.  Additionally, much has been written and discussed about the unique thought processes of designers and artists, and how creatives can bring renewed and out-of-the-box problem solving to a number of issues for both private and public concerns. This is all good and true. I support Design for Good . . . but somewhere I think we are missing a link. Somewhere along the line, we have forgotten and neglected the essential elements within ourselves that are required before we can truly give to others. Stress has left it’s mark on all of us.

For as long as I can remember I’ve been a list maker.  Journals, agendas, Moleskines and Ecosystems rule my day, my week and my month.  I love everything about these little books … the paper, the covers and all the assorted tools, pens and pencils that go into creating the dairies of my life.

My “To-Do” list has been an important part of keeping me organized and on track but several months ago I looked at my list and it was just sad, “There’s no way I’ll finish all this.” The truly self defeating part of the whole thing was that I knew once I checked off one task it would only be replaced by two or three more.  This method was flawed and completely unsatisfactory.  So how does one change this seemingly fruitless situation?

This article was created for this last weekend’s Career Strategies for Visual Artists Workshop presented by Greater Hartford Arts Council.

Every artist should have an online portfolio. Many artists however are either too busy making art or simply just don’t know how to get started. If you do have an online portfolio this article will help you make it the best it can be. If you don’t yet have one, the tips and resources here will help you as you begin to develop your artistic showcase.

I recently rediscovered my local library. I can’t imagine why it escaped me the last 5 years, but it’s a wonderful environment in which to work.  My library was recently remodeled and now comes equip with sloping ceilings, exposed beams and floor to ceiling windows.  I have a favorite spot.  It’s tucked in back with a comfortable chair next to a window that receives sunshine all afternoon. It’s quiet, of course.  While working at the library, I find I can complete entire thoughts, work through solutions, plan, organize and get work done in a peaceful setting.  I’m incredibly productive there and I come home feeling happy and refreshed.  The library makes me feel like I’m hiding out.

Caravaggio - Super at Emmaus

I wanted to be a lawyer. Constitutional law, in fact.  So, in 1993 I went back to college as an adult with two small children at home and all the many responsibilities of a grown-up.  Attending college as an adult was certainly challenging. I remember saying “How much harder can this be than a full time job?”  Let me tell you…it was a lot harder.  I attended Middlesex Community College, in Middletown, Connecticut. I worked hard at my studies because like a bad credit report, I had to reinvent myself.  I had attempted college once before right out of high school and, rather than study, I found partying more to my liking.  My failure at college was, of course, documented on my transcript and my past worked against me.