Urban Sketching and A Collage Kinda Day

Photo Credit: Rene Wojcik

This past Saturday I had a all day art day. I started by re-connecting with my Urban Sketcher’s group. I was glad to see old friends while making new ones. We met at the Domain and it was a great place to sketch and people

Photo Credit: Rene Wojcik

watch. As we spread out to find our spots, I was able to find a bench near the fireplace where all the children play. I was able to sketch and enjoy the sunshine which appeared through the clouds every now and then. It was so much fun. I’m not a big outdoor person, so spending time outside really felt good.

Photo Credit: Rene Wojcik

My art is improving. I still have a lot to learn and discover. I want my art to reflect me and not compare myself to others. Members of my group was very supportive and gave me positive feedback but I got to be happy with what I produce because that is why I joined. Thanks to everyone.

My Art Bag

Photo Credit: Brittany Stracke

I went to my Art Attacks meetup at Jerry’s Artarama. It was all about collage. It was a large group and boy was it fun. I thought it was going to be collage on paper (I read the specifics wrong, plus I only knew of paper collage) but it was done on a panel. I started mine but will have to show you another time because I haven’t finished it. But I will share some photos anyway.

I really enjoyed my day of art. If you are interested in any of these two groups visit the following sites to join.

Austin Urban Sketchers-http://www.meetup.com/UrbanSketchers_Austin/

Art Attacks Meetup at Jerry’s-http://www.meetup.com/ArtAustin/

Damita

Be Creative Everyday!

Leaving The Isolation At Home

Photo Credit: faredzedulot.blogspot.
com

When I started my business six years ago, I worked three days a week at a coffee shop. It was the perfect setting for me to have coffee and muffins and interact with people. I loved it. I didn’t’ even mind driving across town because it was such a great place. When the owner had to shut the shop down, I was really sad. I then got the opportunity to lease some office space. I stayed in the office space for two years. I gave it up because I was going back to coffee shops to meet with people and I stopped going daily to the office. That was a waste of money.

I have since been working in my home office. It’s nice. My desk sits in front of a big window that I can look out onto the street. But after sitting in there day in and day out I go a bit stir crazy. I love my dogs but they don’t talk to me. 🙂 The isolation interferes with my focus and my ability to get my work done. I have started looking for ways to be around people and get back to working at a coffee shop.

I have known about Co-working for a while. At the time, I looked into it, the ones available in my area had a cost, which I was not willing to pay. But I have recently come across a co-working meet-up in my area I have joined. I haven’t attended yet, but I plan to in the coming weeks. I will tell you about my experience but it is at a coffee shop and I get to meet new business owners.

Just in case you are asking what are the benefits of being a part of a Co-working program or meet up? I found a great article that will give you some insight. I hope it helps and let me know your experience with co-working and if you found it to be helpful. I know it will help me not feel so isolated and alone.

Link: 5 Benefits To Coworking by Laura Neiser

Austin Co-Working Meet-up: http://www.meetup.com/South-Austin-Coworking/events/218910389/

Video: CBS News Coworking Space Trend

@ujimamagazine, #coworking, #beingaentrepreneur, #noisolation, #focus, #creativity, #productivity, @mlinnen, #vitalityoptimizer, @paigeturna, #meetup, @lauraneiser

Damita Miller-Shanklin

Damita@Ujimamagazine.com

Managing Your Business and the Holidays

Photo Credit:
http://www.digitaljournal.com

Now that the holidays have are here, the one thing I work on is keeping my stress level down. I know I have to keep my business running while taking care of family and the holiday fun.

While doing research on this topic, I found these seven tips on how to kick the small business stress habit during the holidays. The story was written by Matthew Toren with iSmall Business (ismallbusiness.com). I find the tips to be practical and things we can do throughout the year, but they are especially good practice during the holidays.

7 Ways To Kick The Small Business Stress Habit During Holidays
How do you handle your holiday stress running a business and being a part of the holiday celebration?

Hope the tips are helpful to you and let me hear from you on how you handle the holiday stress.

@mlinnen, #stressfree, #holidays, @paigeturna, #balance

Damita Miller-Shanklin
Damita@Ujimamagazine.com

A Little Bit Of Friday Heaven

Originally written on 12-5-14

I finally made it to Starbucks after working at home most of the week. If you work at home, you can imagine how isolated you can become before you go stir crazy.

I’m so happy to be out, around people chatting, the coffee machine humming as it makes lattes and mocha’s, the door opening and closing… what beautiful sounds.

I’ve been taught heaven will be quiet but I thank God today for my noisy heaven on earth!

I also ran into my good friend @Shelley Kaplar with #vitalityoptimizer. Thanks for the laughs. See ya soon.

Have a wonderful Friday Everyone!

Be Creative Everyday!

@shelleykaplar, #vitalityoptimizer, #ujimamagazine,

#starbucksheaven, #fridayfreedom, #socializing, #coffeebreak

Damita

Be Creative Everyday!