Magazine
R HODE ISLAN D
vol. 4 issue 5
2
nd
Annual
Alpert Medical School Arts Exhibition Please join us for an evening of inspiration and creative expression! March 11, 2016 6:00 - 9:00 PM Admission $7 Purchase here
Alpert Medical School 222 Richmond Street Providence, RI 02903
Rhode Island Creative Magazine is excited to partner with The Alpert Medical School Arts Council to bring you the 2nd Annual 2016 AMS Arts Exhibition featuring student, faculty and staff artists from all biomedical divisions within the Alpert Medical School of Brown University. This year’s themes (Impressions; Margins; and Inheritance) will be represented across various media including sculpture, painting, wooden print, photography and laser etchings.
The event will include musical performances from student artists, light hors d’oeuvres and wine for guests 21 years and older. Attendees over 21 must show a Governmentissued ID. Purchase your tickets online here.
The
RICM’s Milissa DeFusco, D.I.Y. Crafter. Photo taken by RICM’s Jorge Leon.
CREATIVE In You
innovative imaginative experimental original educator ingenious productive inspiring motivating daring passionate entrepreneur maker gifted mentor unique inventive leader imaginative19 Vol. 4 Issue 14 |
The official publication of KS Designs, LLC
from the founder The official publication of KS Designs, LLC The year 2016, also known as the Year of the Monkey, has begun! My animal sign in the Chinese Zodiac is the monkey, so I am looking forward to this year being the my best year professionally and personally. Here’s to another year of growth and accomplishments! I hope you will continue with me on this amazing journey to make a difference in our industry and in people’s lives.
Founder and President Kimberly Sherman Leon
Kim
I developed Rhode Island Creative Magazine back in 2012 to fill a huge void that I saw here. There was a need to showcase our rich communities of creatives and tell their stories. The wealth of innovation and creativity we have here is unbelievable. It deserves to be seen and be known by our local communities, as well as by those outside of Rhode Island to show everyone what we’re made of! I strive to teach our readers that creativity is limitless and to encourage each of you to find that creative side of yourself. And I have been doing just that. The response has been amazing and effective, and I am passionate about continuing to fulfill that void and need for our community.
Since February is the month of amour, Kim Celona, our very talented writer and prolific artist has written a great piece on the “Power of Love; Bonds We Live and Love By.” She has also composed the cover phrase for this issue, “We are what we do, creating and being. Passion, the fire igniting creativity.” Love is a bond; it’s a passion for whatever drives us. When you have that, you never want to let it go. This is how I feel about this magazine. People describe me as passionate, and I am —I love what I do. When you love what you do, it shows in your work and throughout your life. It shines through. And it keeps those creative juices flowing! We have gathered a nice variety of topics for this issue, from the history of typesetting to our downtown revitalization. We also showcase an amazing illustration done by my intern from Bayview Academy that is called “Space,” an illusory atmospheric perspective that she created to express her emotions. As you can see, creativity is found in everything we do. Open your mind and find the creative spirit in yourself — in what YOU do and love. Surround yourself with amazing people, warmth, and inspiration. Sincerely,
Kimberly Sherman Leon KS Designs President & CEO Founder & President, Rhode Island Creative Magazine Connect - Communicate - Collaborate = Cross-pollination = Greater Awareness, Appreciation and Understanding of our industry.
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| Rhode Island Creative Magazine
Assistant to the President Pnina Pressburger Assistant Editor/Writer Kate Strassel Assistant Secretary/Designer Regina Hogan Assistant in Creative Communications/Designer & Writer Joseph Shansky Design Manager Lisa Malm Designers Panhia Lee Kate Hanley Michael Ricci Amy DeSantis Lillian Ferranti Anthony Cormier Contributing Writers In this Issue Kim Celona Patricia Raskin, M Ed. Devon Landis, Esq. John Prothero Sheila McElroy Paula Mottshaw Milissa DeFusco Ronald G. Shapiro Ph. D.
Rhode Island Creative Magazine Cranston, Rhode Island 401.440.3911 kim@ksdesignsri.com
c 2012-2015 All rights reserved. Rhode Island Creative Magazine is a KS Designs, LLC production. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.
facebook Online twitter @ricreativemag ricreativemagazine RICREATIVEMAG.COM
contents 2
From the Founder
3
In This Issue
4
Contributing Team
8
The Power of Love; Bonds We Live and Love By
10
More Law Myths Debunked
11
Networking in Rhode Island
12
Just My Type
16
5 Ways to Stay Focused and Limit Distractions At Work
17
Displaying Love - DIY Project
22
I {heart} Rhody
24
Enjoying the Winter Months
25
Website Design Projects - Step 4: Building the Site
28
Creative Calendar
featured articles 14
Winter Wonderland
18
Creativity and Downtown Revitalization
20 “Space” Is An Illusory Atmospheric Perspective
on the cover “We are what we do, creating and being. Passion, the fire igniting creativity.” This month’s cover represents the passion we thrive on for our work, for our lives, and for those surrounding us. The cover image sums it all up with a hand-crafted mosaic heart pendant created by Lisa Calabro of Crooked Moon Studio. Read her interview with our partner I {heart} Rhody on page 22, to learn more about her love for her work and all the unique one-of-a-kind pieces she designs and creates.
Vol. 4 Issue 5 |
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contributing team writers and designers in this issue
Ron
Kim Kim Celona
Paula
Ronald G. Shapiro, Ph.D.
Prolific Artist &Writer
Independent Consultant & Speaker in Human Factors & Ergonomics Writer
Paula Mottshaw Writer & Designer
e
a
ci Patri
John
Patricia Raskin, M.Ed.
Award Wining Radio Producer, Coach, Trainer & Author Writer
John Prothero
Mik Michael Ricci Writer & Designer
Prothero Press Writer
n Devo ssa
Mili
Devon Landis, Esq.
Arts & Entertainment Attorney Writer
Milissa DeFusco
Sheila McElroy Writer
| Rhode Island Creative Magazine
Lillian Ferranti Designer
ony
a
Sheil
Whimsicial Wishes & Delightful Dreams D.I.Y. Crafter
4
Lily
Anth
Anthony Cormier Designer
“The team of creative contributors. Each and every month, they provide our
Lisa Lisa Malm
Design Manager & Designer
Pnina Pnina Pressburger Assistant to the President
readers with amazing business tips as well as creative and unique articles and designs which perfectly capture the inspiration of our very talented makers here in Rhode Island. Page by page, they take content and bring it to life using their own style of artistic expression, helping to build a stronger foundation and maintain the creative flow from one issue to the next.
Kate
a Regin Regina Hogan
Kate Hanley
Assistant Secretary, Designer &Writer
Designer
They stand behind me, fully support the hard work this publication entails, and believe in my mission for Rhode Island. I am grateful for all of the new relationships and the positive results that have come from RICM.
Together,
we make this happen…
we bring the vision to life.
Panhia Lee
ia Panh
Kate
- Kimberly Sherman Leon
Kate Strassel
Assistant Editor &Writer
Designer
You can learn more about these amazing and talented individuals on “The Team” page at www.ricreativemag.com.
Amy Amy DeSantis Designer
Joe Joseph Shansky
ShanskyWorks/Founder & Creative Director Assistant in Creative Communications, Designer &Writer
Vol. 4 Issue 5 |
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SUPPORTING THE
OF Rhode s Island Craftsmen and Artisan
SUPPORTING THE
SAVE THE DATE Saturday, June 25, 2016 5-10PM Park Theatre
Rolfe Square 848 Park Ave • Cranston, RI
TOGETHER WE WILL... EXPAND YOUR REACH & GROW A DIVERSED AUDIENCE through our websites, newsletters, online radio stations, print & digital publications.
CALL FOR ARTISTS! Submit Your Interest Here
BEING PART OF A COMMUNITY OF MAKERS
Maker & Vendor Booths • Fashion Show Networking • Local Food • Cash Bar • Music Rhode Island Creative Magazine’s Annual Makers Event is brought to you this year in a collaboration with TOJ Design Studio, LLC and Sponsored by Ocean State Printers.
LEARN MORE WWW.RICREATIVEMAG.COM
love
;
The Power of
Bonds We Live and Love By
Layout Design by Panhia Lee
By Kim Celona
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Since it’s February, the month of amour, and being the hopeless romantic, it becomes most relevant to speak of love. The love I’m discussing, every true creator is aware of, since it runs and pumps right through our veins, straight into our hearts. This cycle or rhythm creates a kind of totality residing within the passionate artist. It is virtually impossible to sever the strong bond between the artist and their art. It’s a relationship as true and definitive as any other, not to mention a critical one, to be nurtured and revered always. We should show gratitude, for this special gift is one to be shared with the world. To love and be in love with our creativity is super important since it defines and confirms our essence as artists in a very deep and meaningful way. It is precisely this ongoing passion and respect that drives creativity. Since art is self-expression, each time we engage in the act of creating, we are infusing a piece of our soul within our work, whether it is
manifested in the forms of visual art, dance, music, theater or the written word. A part of us goes wherever our art does. This is sharing and spreading ourselves in a unique and amazing way. Like sprinkling ones ashes into the sea, you become part of something bigger and greater. It is profound. Conversely, the connection between the creator and creation is the reason why artists are sometimes so sensitive to criticism. Since the bond is fluid, meaning you are your art and your art is you, the love is intense. When one feels the strength and power of this relationship, it is very easy to view them as one, not two entities. The problematic issue arises when this type of interpretation becomes the only way of seeing, hence the ego can get in the way of clarity and the ability to discern between the art as object and the artist as person. When this occurs, the artist is his or her own worst enemy because they cannot disconnect when it is healthy to.
This beautiful and pure relationship needs to work hard to work well. We can’t get lazy and let things slide, believing that our art will pick up the slack. Also, we can’t be so enmeshed that the relationship has no autonomy and becomes suffocating. We must learn to balance the integral elements that embrace, love, respect and nurture our valuable relationship with our art. By doing so, the perfect mixture of ingredients is realized, making all the difference in this unusual and multi-faceted relationship. It’s both odd and interesting to think about its special dynamic, yet as you understand it for what it actually is, this can be treated like any other healthy relationship with another human being. That is the challenge and the glory of love. If, in fact, you would like it to flourish and withstand the hands of time, then I believe the Golden Rule “treat others how you would like to be treated.” becomes one of the best rules to live by. www.linkedin.com/in/kim-celona
Your art will love you for it. Vol. 4 Issue 5 |
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MORE LAW MYTHS
DEBUNKED By Devon Landis, Esquire RI & MA Attorney
In the September 2015 issue, I addressed some longstanding art and entertainment legal myths that have been raised by past clients which I sought to correct. However, there is a lot of misinformation that still passes for truth. Below are additional myths which apply to both business owners as well as artists:
Having an Incorporated Business Will Always Protect Me: This is partially true. Incorporating through particular legal entities (usually through the popular Limited Liability Company or Corporation) generally protects the business owner by considering the business’s assets and debts as separate from the owner’s personal assets. It offers a distinct layer of protection for your own personal assets because if a lawsuit is filed due to an issue relating to the business, they generally cannot go after your personal assets. The reason that having an incorporated business doesn’t fully protect you is because you can lose liability protection if you don’t maintain certain formalities. To maintain protection there are several rules you must follow: do not ever mix business and personal assets; maintain and keep separate records; properly capitalize the business; pay all the required taxes; file any required annual report; and if it is a corporation, then the corporation usually must have a board of director(s) and have annual meetings with corporate minutes kept. In cases of fraud, and in certain instances of negligence, a court can find that the protection shouldn’t or doesn’t apply. Incorporating your business is accomplished by filing the corresponding paperwork with the Secretary of State. The actual fees to incorporate vary state to state, depend on whether it is being filed online and which incorporation method is chosen. It is surprisingly affordable and can offer important protection when formalities are kept.
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*It is advisable to talk with an attorney and accountant to discuss the advantages/disadvantages of different business structures and the required formalities for your particular business, as each is different.
I WANT TO COPYRIGHT THE NAME OF MY COMPANY: Copyright applies to protecting a work of authorship. What this client really needs is to be covered by a trademark or service mark - although many refer to both as trademarks. A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, and/or a design that distinguishes and identifies goods from one source, as opposed to another. A service mark is similar, but refers to owners who use that mark to identify the services (intangible activity) they offer to others. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (found online at www.uspto.gov) provides a searchable trademark database and allows for filing an application to register marks for federal protection. Additionally, there are also trademarks registered at state level, as well as trademarks that have not been registered at either the state or federal level, but have protection via common law. Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and not exhaustive of all aspects of the law on this topic and it is not to be considered legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances, you should contact an attorney for advice on specific legal problems. www.devonlandislaw.com www.linkedin.com/in/devon-landis-esq Layout Design by Amy DeSantis
Career
Communities
Contacts
Relationships Internet
Connections Meet
Artists in Rhode Island may wish to meet members of the business community in order to learn about potential new opportunities for sharing their art work. Fortunately, this is relatively easy to do in Rhode Island.There are numerous business networking events before business hours, during business hours, during lunch, and after business hours. It is also very easy to find out about these events… once you know how.
1st you may wish to receive an email or two at the
beginning of every week listing numerous networking opportunities occurring during the week (and into the future). Richard Austin and Jay White each publish such a newsletter, and it is free to subscribe. You may subscribe to Richard’s Speaking of Success newsletter by sending him an email at info@speakingofsuccess.us. You may also wish to subscribe to Jay White’s Uncle Jay’s Network Newsletter by sending him an email at jaywhitebiz1@cox.net. Rhode Island Small Business Journal (RISBJ) also publishes a listing of events. To subscribe to the RISBJ listing, send a note to info@risbj.com.
2nd as an artist you may wish to attend Rhode Island’s Out of the Box Networking Event (OOB) dedicated to “bringing the Business, Arts, Events and Wellness communities together” on the first Tuesday of nearly every month at various locations in Rhode Island. To keep informed about OOB events, simply “LIKE” the Out of the Box Networking Page on Facebook. Similarly, Pat Cruz sponsors networking events to connect local business professionals. For more information, follow Pat
Success
Business Cards
Networking in RHODE ISLAND By Ronald G. Shapiro, Ph.D. Layout Design by Lillian Ferranti
Paolino Cruz on Facebook. Richard Austin and Jay White also sponsor networking events which may be of interest.
3rd nearly all of the Chambers of Commerce host numerous networking events every month. Some have special events for young professionals. Some chambers welcome visitors as well as their members by charging both members and nonmembers the same (or nearly the same) low rates to attend. Some chambers charge a much higher fee for non-members. Check out the websites for each chamber which you might be interested in visiting. If you would like to network with people from both Rhode Island and Massachusetts, check out Fourth Monday Networking. For more information on Fourth Monday, email bob@4thmondaynetworking.com. Finally, always be prepared to network. Have some business cards with you. Meet and talk with people everywhere you go. You will never know what opportunities you may find, just speaking with people you meet by chance, unless you take the initiative to say hello. I would like to thank Dr. Margarita Posada Cossuto for helpful comments. www.linkedin.com/in/drronaldgshapiro
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Just My Type written by John Prothero
designed by Michael Ricci
In the 21st century, what with word processing programs that allow us to select fonts or line spacing, or more sophisticated page layout applications that allow us to adjust line leading, kerning and tracking, we often forget how type used to be set - by hand. It really wasn’t until the 19th century that hand-setting type was replaced by other methods, progressing as technology found new ways to increase the speed of how type was set. So, let’s take a look back at the ways type used to be set, which will give us a unique perspective on how type is done today. 12
| Rhode Island Creative Magazine
Hand Set Typ Ee
Phot Oo typesetting
When I was in high school, I had to learn how to hand set type. Back then we didn't use litho presses yet, but we did use letterpresses, sometimes called platen presses, to print business cards, or anything that our teenage minds could think of (many of which our instructor had to tell us to toss in the trash, due to their dubious content!) The 2nd semester we learned about camera work and litho film, stripping, platemaking, and running a simple press. But hand setting type stuck with me.
In the 1960's, as astronauts orbited the earth and the Vietnam War started, phototypesetting became the preferred way to set type, and the hot metal and Linotype machines became obsolete. The process used either glass or thick plastic discs (which eventually became strips of film) which contained the fonts you would wish to use.
We had to learn the California Job Case, where each letter, space and line leading was, so we could hand set the type quickly. From the Chinese who invented movable type blocks from wood, to Johannes Gutenberg, who developed the first printing press, up until the 19th century, type was set by hand and run through letterpresses. You would select a font and size in a specific case or drawer, and select each letter oneat-a-time, placing them into what was called a composing stick. You would add m-spaces, or n-spaces, and various line leadings to either flush left, flush right or justify the copy. When you had a section done, you placed them in a frame called a chase, and using blocks of wood, lock it into place with a quoin lock. Then that chase was placed into the platen or letterpress, and you'd print away. A bit of trivia, lowercase letters were kept in the "lower" case, and upper case letters were kept in the "upper" case. Copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were done by setting the type by hand. I think it'd be interesting to find a copy that has a typo - something that I think was quite common in the mid-18th century.
Hot Metal Typese Tt ing During the 19th century the process of setting type took a major step forward with the invention of hot metal typesetting. The process used a keyboard, like the typewriter, where the operator (or what we'd call a typesetter) could produce the desired text. In the 1880's, the Linotype machine used the same process to create what were called "casting matrices", which could cast an entire line of type. This way, instead of hand-setting one letter or space at a time, the entire line was created as a single piece of lead. They still needed to put the line into a chase and secure it with quoins, but the laborious step of hand-setting each letter was now supplanted with this more "automated" method.
These would spin rapidly in front of a light source, exposing photo-sensitive paper, which could be processed and then pasted onto art boards. To switch fonts, the typesetter simply opened up the machine, and removed the disc or strip, replacing it with a new font. Typesetting was a great skill, since the typesetter needed to be able to determine font size, leading, spacing, kerning, tracking, and returns in order to fit the desired space called out for by the graphic artist. They may have had visuals that would require them to measure the area so they could configure the type. This was still much faster than hand-set or hot metal typesetting, but it still required skill and knowledge to make sure the type fit the desired space and formatted around photographs or illustrations.
Desktop Publi Ss hing During the 1980's, while Ronald Reagan was helping with the collapse of the Soviet Union, two guys in the San Francisco bay area created the Apple Macintosh, and desktop publishing became the new way to set type. It wasn't just setting type, though. It was assisted by the creation of programs such as PageMaker and Quark Express, which allowed a typesetter to now become a graphic artist. Typesetters could select fonts and manipulate size, kerning, spacing, tracking or leading to wrap around graphic elements on the screen. They could create blends or vignettes, drop in screens, scan photos and place them on the page, with the type wrapping around the image. Eventually, Adobe established the suite of programs that we know today as Creative Suites, which allowed for integration across all the programs. And graphic artists, limited by artboards and rubylith, now had freedom to design works of great artistry and intricacy, never attainable with handset type, or even typesetting machines.
www.linkedin.com/in/johnprothero
Typesetting has made significant changes over the decades, and is quickly becoming a lost art. However, with the resurgence of letterpress, many artisans are returning to hand-set type as a means of creativity and self-expression. Look for some of these on Instagram – it’s worth it. Vol. 4 Issue 5 |
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Photo taken by Dana LaRose February 5, 2016 Sunset after the snow storm Echo Lake, Pascoag, Rhode Island
| Rhode Island Creative Magazine
ways to stay focused and limit distractions at work. by Kristin MacRae
We all have interruptions and distractions in our day. You may have a co-worker calling for answers to a question. Your emails may be piling up by the minute. People are standing over you dropping items into your inbox. You may get pulled away from your desk while you are in the middle of completing an important task. These distractions and interruptions will not only allow you to lose focus but will decrease your productivity.
Here are 5 ways to stay focused and limit your distractions in the workplace: 1. Declutter and get organized. Visual clutter leads to mental clutter which will in turn cause you to lose focus and decrease your productivity. You should only have on top of your desk what you need on a daily basis. Remove the horizontal flat filing trays. They are a breeding ground for paper.
2. Have a system and a process for everything. Have a process to handle every piece of paper or information that arrives at your desk. Create working filing systems so that when you need to search for an item, you will be able to find it at a moment’s notice, with no time wasted. Remember, the simpler the system you create, the easier it will be to maintain.
3. Work on your time management skills. Organization and time management go hand in hand. You can’t work on your time management skills until you have decluttered and organized. Create blocks of time that you dedicate to projects you are working on. Prioritize your tasks. Take some time to think about how you are functioning in your day. What changes can you make to become more efficient and productive? Layout Design by Anthony Cormier
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4. Create a working organized system for emails. Can you develop a system where you check emails only certain times of the day? The minute you pull yourself away from what you are doing to check an email, you’ll get distracted and lose focus on the task at hand. If you are working on an important project, stay away from the email for that time period.
5. Be mindful. Pay attention to when you start to get distracted. What is distracting you and how can you avoid that distraction from happening? Can you notify your co-workers to not disturb you during certain hours of the day? Concentrate on the task at hand and don’t allow yourself to get distracted and switch to a different project. If an idea pops into your head, write it down and then continue with the task at hand.
Take some time to think about how you are functioning on a daily basis. What are your biggest distractions? What causes you to easily lose focus? Once you can identify where your issues are, you’ll be functioning efficiently and productively and will be amazed at how much you can get done. www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-macrae
Love Displaying
by Milissa DeFusco
purchased a basic banner from a local craft or 1 Idollar store
items I used for this project: 2 The• Decorative art and craft book paper
• Paper white and red flowers with pearl centers • White and black mini paper doilies • Felt hearts with flowers and Jewels
This DIY was something I had always wanted to try. I thought to myself: why not create a Valentine banner that I can put some additional love into? I purchased a basic banner from a local dollar store and brought more depth and beauty to it by adding paper flowers and doilies to give it a traditional Valentine look. Valentine›s Day has always been a special time for me and my family. We always shared love while celebrating life and kindness throughout the holiday. I wanted to put my creativity into this project and add a unique way to display my love for them during this holiday of LOVE!
3 I cut decorative paper to size, then corner-rounded
the rough edges. I then placed the white mini doily in the center of the decorative paper and added the flower along with letters to spell out L O V E.
4 In finishing, I added felt hearts along with flowers with stone centers to add a touch of bling.
Layout Design by Kimberly Sherman Leon
www.linkedin.com/in/milissa-esposito-defusco
Vol. 4 Issue 5 |
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CREATIVITY AND DOWNTOWN
REVITALIZATION By Sheila McElroy
PROVIDENCE
You know it when you are there - when you walk down a street or turn a corner and say, “let’s turn back” or “let’s go further”. Every place each of us has ever been to has elicited these thoughts, yet what is it that pulls us toward or away from somewhere?
In urban neighborhoods and town centers alike there have been hundreds of studies, presentations, and a lot of head scratching, to answer just that question. Over 30 years ago communities across America had the realization — and the resulting "uh oh" moment — when facing the disastrous results of urban renewal movement. Since then, numerous groups and organizations have wrestled with finding the solution to a perfect alchemy for downtown revitalization.
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Yet, it is not rocket science. People want to live in, work in, and visit places that are clean, welcoming, and have that certain zing that engages our being. These are the neighborhoods and communities where we feel safe, entertained, and connected. We also need to feel that we've gotten what we came for. Goods and services that go beyond just our basic needs will also instill in us a feeling of wanting to return.
So what is the “secret ingredient� of a successful neighborhood?
Creativity. Creativity may be seen in the "creative financing" of private/ public partnerships that is necessary for rehabilitation of underutilized buildings, and sensitive infill construction of vacant parcels. Or in "creative thinking" that is required when seemingly divisive groups come together to form like-minded goals and objectives for the greater good of the community. But it is undeniably the "creative people" who put it out there for us to experience with all our senses, that allows a place to reach and sooth the subconscious. Since 1980, the National Main Street Program has utilized a comprehensive "Four Point Approach" to revitalization: Design, Organization, Promotion, and Economic Revitalization. The design aspect of the program strongly emphasizes consistency and high quality of standards in all its applications, from proper rehabilitation of historic buildings to signature in-store graphics. More recently, the Creative Communities movement has defined a successful creative community as one that capitalizes on "... the vital linkages between art, culture and commerce... to meet the challenges of the rapidly evolving post-industrial, knowledge-based economy and society". Here in Rhode Island, we are literally fulfilling this movement. In 2009 Providence rebranded itself "The Creative City" and backed up that hubris with efforts to retain artistic talent cultivated at such schools as Rhode Island School of Design, Brown University, and Johnson and Wales. Successful cultivation and retention can be credited to the state's 1998 initiative of tax-free arts districts that encourages artists to live and work in select communities and neighborhoods. Layout Design by Lisa Malm
As such, the venerable AS220, a non-profit arts center and housing complex, has successfully rehabilitated significant historic buildings, and in doing so, has transformed a despondent downtown Providence into the Downcity Arts and Entertainment District. Since 2000, the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative has been nurturing artistic talents and creative awareness and has recently completed rehabilitation of the historic Lorraine Mills buildings. Synergistically, promotions like the ambitious Gallery Night Providence event series has been attracting over 10,000 people to explore, socialize and be inspired. Historically, all neighborhoods were composed of makers, storytellers, builders, fixers, singers, bakers, tailors, etc. They lived among and depended upon the average consumer to appreciate, need and purchase what these talents had to offer. Today, by recognizing creativity as a commodity, we infuse economic health into communities that also nurture history and humanity, and therefore cultivate uniqueness of place. The Providence Preservation Society recently facilitated a symposium "Beyond Buildings: Preserving the Livable Neighborhood,� where national experts came to Olneyville to talk about healthy and successful urban environments. During an energized panel discussion, Jay O'Grady of ONE Neighborhood Builders proposed that it is not enough to just attract people to neighborhoods; we need to have neighborhoods that make people want to stay.
With equal parts inspiration, aspiration and creation, that's a recipe for success. www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-mcelroy
Vol. 4 Issue 5 | 19
Growing up surrounded by urban areas, those blocks of buildings and fields of skyscrapers have been ordinary scenes of my life. Since I made the decision to study abroad, summer became the only time of year to go back home. However, things have become unfamiliar since I have gone. Every time I fly back from half a world away, I notice there are often old structures disappearing into ruins and dust. At the same time many new cranes and noises overwhelmingly catching my senses. But after just weeks, there they stood so perfectly straight right up to the sky, new groups of shiny skyscrapers! At first I was just amazed by how peculiar it is to witness the whole project going so efficiently and organized. Then I heard the city government had citizens relocated to brand new households to make room for the skyscraper projects. Things turned oppressing as more and more news reported “skyscrapers cause global warming,” “skyscrapers cause light pollution resulting in birds losing direction,” “skyscrapers cause ground subsidence” etcetera. And my own grandma started worrying about her mansion getting torn down— the place full of nostalgic memories. That was the time I started to rethink all those gilded skyscrapers. It became a greedy urbanization trying to craving all the old houses, and it never gets satisfied. I have never felt so strongly; it was like almost a skyscraper being built in my chest. I have come to realize those jungles of new architectures are taking over the space the city used to share with the residents. “Space” is an illusory atmospheric perspective. I created an illustration to express my emotions. I decided to keep it black and white since I want to create a feeling of peace and tranquility. I outlined them with pencils first and then filled in marker ink around the pencil marks erasing the pencil to create an illusion of white outlines, which creates a more unrestrained texture than using white ink directly. In order to achieve this collapsing motion of the white figure and the oppressing sensation from the blocks, there are two human-ish figures made totally by black marker-outlined buildings, which are squeezing into the dark blocks. The ornate pointillism creates value of the sky as a light yet effective texture, and the coinciding texture was also used on the bridge laying across the bottom half of the piece. As an artist I found it beautiful to express my own creative vision. This piece is only one example of how art can stretch observation to the ideas by using specific elements and techniques. Art is my quiet power. Written and Illustrated by Sihan Xu RICM Intern Senior at Bayview Academy
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Vol. 4 Issue 5 |
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stone and from there design as I go for my buckles and jewelry, For my larger pieces, like the guitars, I usually start with the color palate, then pick the tesserae I want to use and then come up with a design that I will draw out on the guitar.
4. What’s your favorite item to create? By far my belt buckles are my favorite (see opposite page to your right)! I sometimes work on several at once. I get so many ideas in so many styles it’s great to have those mini canvases to get them out on! They are all one of a kind which makes them very special to the buyer because they know they are the only person who is going to have that buckle, ever!
I {heart} Rhody interviews Lisa Calabro from Warwick
5. What’s your best seller?
Shop name: Crooked Moon Mosaic Studio onlinE Crookedmoonstudio
PINTEREST Crooked Moon Mosaic Studio
FacebooK Crookedmoonstudio
twitteR @MoonMosaics
6. How long have you been in Rhode Island?
I make one of a kind modern mosaic accessories, jewelry and art for your home. I use stained glass, glass tiles, semi precious stones, African Trade beads, metals, found objects, vintage jewelry, and vintage jewelry components.
With the exception of about 8 years when I lived in Mass, I have always lived in RI! Born and raised here! Grew up in East Greenwich and now live in Warwick.
2. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter/ designer?
7. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?
I’ve always been into art in one form or another. From drawing and painting to basket weaving, home and garden design, stained glass and everything in between! My father was a sculptor who studied in Italy and a jewelry designer. I definitely get my talent from him.
The art scene, the amazing restaurants, the coast line and the farm lands, the eclecticism of the people, cultures and styles. The infamous as well as the famous celebrities here! I was very homesick when I lived in Massachusetts!
I started mosaics in about 2005 and was instantly addicted to it! I couldn’t stop making things and decided to try a small local craft show. I was pleasantly surprised at the acceptance of my work and decided to get serious and make it a business. I still wait tables at night to help support myself but I’m working towards concentrating full time on my art.
8. Please include anything else you’d like to add:
1. Tell us about your work.
3. Where do you draw your inspiration? Other mosaic artists inspire me just to keep at it and push the envelope on what people consider “mosaic” Some of the work they create is just mind blowing! For my own work and designs it is mostly the materials (known as tesserae in the mosaic world) that inspire me. I’ll start with one little
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My belt buckles for sure! Recently though, I designed a rainbow micro mosaic pendant which is VERY popular! My guitars are very popular and social media LOVES them but unfortunately I don’t have the time to make many .
| Rhode Island Creative Magazine
I now have a little studio in the Conimicut part of Warwick. People are more than welcome to stop in to watch me at work, to make a purchase or just to say hello. I participate in a few different shows throughout the year such as the Scituate Art Festival, The Foundry Show, and The Block Island Artisan Show. I have a great group of friends who are fellow artisans and I encourage everyone to shop local and handmade. As artists, we put our heart and soul into our work and would love when we can share that with others.
Connect with I {heart} Rhody
Photos courtsey of Crooked Moon Mosaics
twitter @iheartrhody
facebook iheartrhody
online iheartrhody.com
Layout Design by Kimberly Sherman Leon
Best Seller! Belt buckles by Lisa Calabro of Crooked Moon Studio
Vol. 4 Issue 5 |
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Enjoying the
Months By Patrica Raskin The cold weather is upon us, and this becomes an emotional challenge, particularly for those of us who thrive on outdoor warm weather activities. The emotional challenge of staying indoors can develop into a real problem which is called Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly known as winter depression. According to the National Mental Health Association, (www.nmha.org) “SAD is a mood disorder associated with depression episodes and related to seasonal variations of light. January and February are the most difficult months for those affected by SAD, and younger persons and women are at higher risk. Symptoms include excessive eating and sleeping and weight gain.” In addition to the NMHA’s recommendations of phototherapy or bright light therapy, I have some of my own creative ideas: undle up and walk on the beach – if it is not too B cold, the sounds of the waves will bring sunnier thoughts; Drink hot cocoa, tea, cider, or a hot toddy; Light up your fireplace, sit by it and read a great book or magazine like Rhode Island Creative Magazine; Do some writing or create a bucket list - put your thoughts in a journal to refer back to; Get organized - Clean a drawer, shelf, or closet; Sort through your things and pack up what you are not using to give to friends, a consignment shop, a shelter, etc.;
Go to the gym if you can get out; Socialize - Meet with friends, attend workshops and networking events; Produce some artwork, create your favorite dish or begin a new hobby like adult coloring books; Poke around on Pinterest for things that really interest you - this may just motivate and inspire you to get creative and start a new project; ance your heart out to loud music and sing D along too, no one is watching! Patricia Raskin, M.Ed., is an award-winning producer and host of “The Patricia Raskin Show” on Saturdays at 4 PM on WPRO, AM630/99.7FM, beginning its ninth year on WPRO. She is also an author, speaker, and coach specializing in change and transition. She is a recipient of the 2015 Rhode Island Small Business Administration Award. www.patriciaraskin.com www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-raskin
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| Rhode Island Creative Magazine
N
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C U R
MARKETING RAMBLES Paula Mottshaw Website Design Projects Step 4: BUILDING THE SITE
R E D
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Staying organized is the secret to a (nearly) painless website build. It will save you a lot of headaches. Review your project plan on a regular basis (at least weekly) to be sure all deliverables have been met, including deliverables that you need to deliver to your contractor such as content, images and your comments and feedback.
You have two choices when it comes to imagery — original photography or stock photos. Whatever you choose, be sure that the images work together with the text to tell your story. Someone who isn’t familiar with what you do should be able to read and easily understand what you and your company are all about.
Part of your job is creating top-of-the-line content for your web project. Creating content is hard work and time consuming, so start by taking a look at what you have written for your company (e.g. PowerPoint presentations, business planning documents and other Word documents, etc.). It might be a matter of editing and re-formatting for the web. No one knows your business better than you do, and creating your own content will help you to keep control of your budget. If you have an existing website, you may want to keep some of that content, but be sure to ditch what you don’t need.
Take the time to test the site throughout the building process, and test as often as time allows. The last thing you want to do is wait until the site is built and then test it, only to discover that some things need to be re-worked.
Keep in mind that you are writing for the web. It’s different than writing for a print publication. Tips: Writing for the web Since website visitors scan web pages, write in chunks that can be read and understood quickly. Use heading and subheadings to organize your content. Use bulleted lists when it makes sense. Don’t use jargon unless appropriate to your audience. Use active voice. Keep it short. And, most importantly, provide content that is of interest to your audience. If you’re not sure about something, just ask your customers.
Here are some things to look at before you launch: Check spelling, grammar and punctuation. Forms. Fill out the form(s) and submit. Are the instructions easy to understand? Does the completed form get sent to the right person? Site speed. How long does it take the page to load? Links. Do all of the links work? Fix any dead links and 404 page errors. Site navigation. Does the organization of the website make sense to potential customers/clients? Is it easy for them to find what they are looking for? Actually ask a few to take a look. Give them some information to find and ask them about their experiences. Responsive sites. Review your site on different devices such as phones, tablets, laptops and desktops. Your site should look good on all these devices. Paula Mottshaw specializes in web design and graphic design (print materials) for healthcare and nonprofits. She can be reached at pmottshaw@ mysimpledesignsolution.com. @pmottshaw www.linkedin.com/in/paulamottshaw
K SS
Vol. 4 Issue 5 |
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Saturday, April 9, 2016 7PM - 10PM The Pawtucket Armory 172 Exchange Street Pawtucket, RI
Celebrate great food and fine wine at An Evening Uncorked! It’s our 15th annual party and auction to benefit Rhode Island PBS. Savor small bites prepared by chefs from Southern New England’s top restaurants. Taste fine international and domestic wines from local purveyors and private cellars. Meet celebrity guest chef Sara Moulton, host of the popular public TV series, Sara’s Weeknight Meals. Plus, silent and live auctions offer boutique wines and unique gift packages. It’s an evening of food and fun you won’t want to miss!
Event Sponsors
For information and tickets, call 401-222-3636 x381
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or visit ripbs.org | Rhode Island Creative Magazine
Cross-Platform MARKETING with RICM will CONNECT you to your audience.
The official publication of KS Designs, LLC
What's happening creatively in Rhode Island? RI’s Comprehensive Arts & Entertainment Calendar
A rtsNowRI.com An easy-to-use calendar that covers all
art related events statewide. You can view the many different artists and events that our creative state has to offer. It’s also where you can submit any events you may be having. Make this your go-to calendar to see what is going on creatively in RI! 1/31/16 House of Cach 326 Carpenter Street, Providence 2-6PM; Event Info here
2/10/16 AMP RI Guest Speaker: Jeremy Duncan of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of RI Red Stripe 465 Angell Street, Providence 5:30-7:00 PM, Appetizers & Cash Bar $5 members, $10 non-members RSVP at ampri.info@gmail.com or call 401.861.7200 Bring a friend and your business cards! 2/11/16 Valentines’s Type Better Off 168 Broadway, Providence 6-8PM; $5 www.werebetteroff.com 2/12/16 Artist Salon: Jazz In Rhode Island History & Culture Providence Athenaeum 251 Benefit Street, Providence 5PM; FREE
2/06/16 Shen Yun Providence Performing Arts Center 220 Weybosset Street, Providence 7:30PM - Buy Tickets
2/12/16 Sweetheart Soirée with Paperworks + DWRI Letterpress! PAPERWORKS 73 Dorrance Street, Providence 3PM; FREE 2/16/16 DesignX RI Clambake Aurora 276 Westminster Street, Providence 6-8:30PM Tickets at eventbrite.com
2/06/16 - 2/21/16 Providence Children’s Film Festival Schedule and Tickets here providencechildrensfilmfestival.org 2/10/16 Portals: Cut-Paper Animation Workshop Providence Public Library 150 Empire Street, Providence 6:30PM - Buy Tickets
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| Rhode Island Creative Magazine
2/18/16 - 2/21/16 Rhode Island Spring Flower & Garden Show Rhode Island Convention Center One Sabin Street, Providence Buy Tickets www.flowershow.com 2/18/16 Rhode Island International Film Fest: Third Thursday Shorts of Love Jamestown Arts Center 18 Valley Street, Jamestown 7PM; $10 www.jamestownartcenter.org 2/19/16 Sprout Opening Celebration Rising Sun Mills, Providence 2:30-5:30PM; Register here 2/19/16 Twiddle Fete Ballroom 103 Dike Street, Providence 8PM; Buy Tickets www.fetemusic.com 2/20/16 Providence Preservation Society’s Winter Bash 2016 - A Steampunk Soirée The Steel Yard 27 Sims Avenue, Providence Buy Tickets 2/23/16 - 2/27/16 StyleWeek Northeast Providence G 100 Dorrance Street, Providence www.styleweeknortheast.com 2/25/16 - 3/03/16 Rhode Island French Film Festival Cable Car Cinema 204 South Main Street, Providence www.cablecarcinema.com
2/17/16 The Artists Loop Memory Quilt-Collage Series with Martha Jackson Restored by Design 128 N Main St, Providence 5-7PM; FREE & Open to the Public
2/27/16 FirstWorks Present: Urban Bush Women “Walking With Trane” The Vets - Veterans Memorial Auditorium Avenue of the Arts, Providence Buy Tickets
Check out the full calendar online! www.ricreativemag.com
creativeground.org CreativeGround@nefa.org
Dig into New England’s free directory of creative enterprises and artists Wikepi Baskets
Studio Echelman
Lida Winfield
AVA Gallery and Art Center
CreativeGround spotlights the creative people and places at work in New England, including cultural nonprofits like libraries and theaters, creative businesses like recording studios and design agencies, and artists of all disciplines such as performing arts, visual arts, and crafts.
What Cheer? Brigade
Photo credits (L to R): Theresa Secord (Penobscot); Ema Peter, Courtesy Studio Echelman; Gene Parulis; Gary Hall Photography; Sean Hafferty
Visit CreativeGround.org today to: Promote your work, activities, and services. Log in and manage an informative and engaging profile visible to a broad audience of arts and non-arts invidiuals and enterprises
Find potential collaborators and resources in your cultural community. Browse 30,000 profiles offering a wide range of services.
A project of the New England Foundation for the Arts, CreativeGround is brought to you through partnerships with the National Endowment for the Arts and the six New England state arts agencies.