How to live your best life . . .

For me living my best life means surrounding myself with people who have simular passions to me.  My passions are about embracing life and helping others to do the same.  I love art and see it as key to addressing issues of social inclusion.  I endeavour to be compassionate and try to treat others the way I want to be treated.

However that's about me and what I value, this may be very different to what your . . . . . best life might look like.  I am celebrating that this conversation is on the table and people living with disabilities and their families can at least begin to imagine some sunshine coming into their lives as the National Disability Insurance Scheme is now being rolled out across Australia.

I do not think the NDIS will solve all my issues with the world or be ever able to provide me with a even playing field. Besides I like being the odd one out!

Yet! The fact the NDIS finally acknowledges we are individuals and surprise, surprise we don't all want to hang out together; we don't all have the same goals.  I hate golf and putt putt golf, but my friend Helen loves it.  Under the NDIS many people and their families loving with disabilities are being asked for the first time what they want and what the would like life to look like. 

This unlocks a hold range of emotions.  Especially in Queensland, many families living disability, just survive and they will tell you they can not comprehend the freedom that choice provides.  To be given a choice of what time they like a shower will move them to tears, but NDIS choices are far greater.

We're talking choices around schooling and early intervention programs, were talking lifestyle choices, being able to move about the country without fear of losing supports. A choice between living of the coastline or the beach; We're looking at accommodation options and being able to chose who you want to live with or the freedom to marry.  Or a choice to have your own pad without housemates to fight with.  Or your little brother eating all the chocolate cookies.

For some the choices they make will be very simple - maybe their might try a new service provider, for others they are content with life the way it is and its not our roll to judge or question that or any other choices people will make about there own lives.

Now others are bursting out of the skin eager to tackle the world with the energy of an eight week old puppy.  Sure their maybe a few bumps and burses or pieces of humble pie to be eaten. But hey that's what happens when we try new things.  Not everything will be as cool as we imagined or as easy as other make it look.

However now people have the freedom to dream bigger and live bigger too!  People are experts in limiting themselves and others.  We live by assumption, it you use a wheelchair you can't walk or if you have a disability you can't work in the disability sector.

There's part of me that beliefs we do not know what people with disabilities are capable of because we have never allowed them to try.  We as a society have cared for the people, instead of letting them grow and develop and make mistakes along the way like everyone else.  When we limit others we deny them the change to shine.  We assume failure. Failture is success inside out.

In order to enable ourselves and others to live their best lives we need to remove limits and give people the freedom to be themselves.  Outcomes are the result of choices we make. Regardless of the choices their will be consequences.  This is what people with disabilities and families have said the wan

Letting people live their best lives is about giving them the freedom to chose and learn from their mistakes.  My best life will look very different to yours and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!!!

Unraveling Deb's Dribble!

2017 Restructuring

Some are confused by my restricting of my brand name Artisability. I have decided that Ignite Artists is another product that I can offer the Ipswich community. I just want to reaffirm that ARTisability is a arts based program. We have and only will ever offer art based activities.

My personal passion is to assist artists living with disability to access their local community. Those seeking enjoyment or thearphic value from making art, can joying a host of art and craft groups across the Ipswich Region and beyond. Often advertised on Artisabilities facebook page and our newsletter. 

For those living with disabilities there are a number of support services that offer art based programs including AfterCare, CATS inc, ALARA Queensland, CPL, FOCAL community living, Florence and many more.  There are now are now support service programs across a range of artic abilities, from the curious dabbler to professionals working in support art studios (CATS inc & CPL Springfield Studio).

As we know the NDIS changes the landscape of support services as we move to an industry driven by market demand.  The NDIS should open up new players and new services and I hope the includes the arts in Ipswich.

ARTisability will still offer visual arts workshops that are purchased by others such as the Ipswich City Council. Ignite Artists seeks to service professional artists living in the Ipswich region and beyond.  The  Ignite Artists 'arm' of ARTisability is strictly for those working as professional artists and is for artists will all abilities.

Over time we seek to be able to assists those working in the 'arts' in Ipswich to collaborate with other disciplines, for example connecting visual artists with writers. We are deliberately moving away from the disability sector in own endeavour to be seen as artists in own right. 

Please assist us to deliver the message that we are not a disability support provider and our services are for all artists! We are not delivering to market expectation because of a large amount of miss information being circulated by those running their own agendas.   

The NDIS will impact on our delivery of service at ARTisability, due to my passion to assist others in writing their NDIS plans and my desire to inspire other people to take up leadership roles to ensure successful transition to a inclusive community.

We will not deliver programs under the NDIS.  Education and training - which is where our program rightful sits, remains a grey area for funding under the NDIS.  The NDIS will only pay for supports relating to your disability. e.g teacher aids and support workers not the costs of training itself.

Right now I do not see we are eligible to supply services to artists living with disabilities under the NDIS due to the nature of our role. If that changes I will let you know.

Any information I offer on the NDIS and Ignite Artists Fact Sheets are strictly for those needing to write plans to ensure they are given support at the correct level of their artists ability.  Our 2017 Mentorship is the only program on the drawing board. I have shared extensively on what that entails over the last few weeks.  I also have fact sheets available on request.

If you want more information

Come to the mentoring game information session today at 5:30 hosted by Ipswich Arttime Supplies.

For more information on the NDIS and peer support

QDN peer support group meet on the third Saturday of the month

The next meeting is Saturday 17th September 10 am to noon floor 1 in the cafeteria of the Humanity Buildings, South St Ipswich.

Hope this unravels some confusion.  

Setting up for business

So you have some paints, bushes and canvas in the spare room you call your "studio". Some of the canvas are now covered in paint and you're nodding to yourself these aren't too bad. You find yourself standing at a fork in the road . . . What now?

Am I an artist? Or is this a hobby? ???

This is what you want it to be. However if you keep painting and store your work in the studio eventually you won't be able to get in there to paint. Soon or late you need to decide what to do with the stuff? Do you give it to friends and family or do you load it in the trailer and toe it to the dump.  Noooooooooo!

How do you know if it's any good?  What about all the hard earn cash you brought your art supplies with.  The fork in the road might require you talk to other artists. So what do you know about art?  Do you visit art galleries and art exhibitions that are the result of competitions? Do you know local artist's what their producing? Do you know the monetary value of your work?

Artists make very interesting people to talk too. I say interesting because the longer you talk to an 'artist' the penny starts to drop is this a professional artists who has a professional and business like manner approach to their work or is this the new kid on the block trying to work out; whose who? What's hot and what's not?

Like most people new to the arts, there's those around us just wanting to blow their own trumpet's without testing the market place.  If all you want to do is create work this plan, is fine.  However if you're wanting to sell yourself as a professional you need to take a professional approach.

Step one is to listen too and observe other artists. Ask to visit their studio, take note on the tools they use, how the stored. If you see a piece of work you like ask them about the creative process. Where does the creative process start.  On the sketchpad or the computer?  How many drafts?

Fact many artists are self taught. As a self taught artists I knew nothing about canvas preparation and sealing work.  If you want to build your repetition and prolong the life of you artwork then prepare you work careful.  Theirs nothing wrong with being self-taught as long a your prepare to put your ear to the ground and learn trips.

Read! (or watch Utube) Read about other artists, how the set-up their studios, who were there mentors, how did the get started?  It's fine to fake it for a few hours at exhibition openings, but you need to be a professional in training.

Play! Play with different bands (especially if you work in watercolours) different brands behave differently and you should be testing paint reactions. Are supplies can be personal but generally you get what you pay for.  A professional knows how their tools work and how much the costs. Very few artists know their production costs. Then it comes time to price their work.

Accept! Accept that you're not going to live off the sales of your art.  But if you don't know what you're tools are worth, how can you ensure you charge enough.  Forget about hourly rates start by covering your costs.  Otherwise you paying some else for your love of making art.

One for business! If your in business then I assume cash is either going out, and hopefully coming as well.  Most business aim to have more money coming in than going out. As an artists it helpful to calculate your costs. A professional artists has a general feel to how close they are from even.

If you're entering competitions, working with professional galleries and applying for grants you might need an Australian Business Number and a separate bank account (then you know how much money your not making!) At least having the kit out said 'I am serious about my work.'

Then there's the business of telling people your in business.  Highly likely you're working from home. So how do people find out about you? Do you have an online presence and where is your point of sale?

Do you need a business card and at what point to do think of doing a business plan.  Ummm! The stuff the don't teach you at art school (if you went to art school)

For this I find working with mentor and networking essential. Otherwise you're stabling in the dark.  Business is still very much trial and error and try something else but working with others gives me a reference point and a sounding board.  A word of warning you want to whose your sound boards well.  You want people you know their stuff and are going to honest.  Someone who really respects you is going to push you to do your best, not just say what you want to hear.

So how do I spot an artists who's putting up the opening sign.  Simple, there sleeve's are rolled up, the apron is not only on but its got wet paint on it and their got noses in books and ears to the ground.

That's why I am passionate about professional development, because there's always more to learn and those who are eager to learn are generally those who are the most successful. Keep seeking out opportunities to learn from others!

Mentorships with Ignite Artists

Applications

Closing date 30th September 2016

Mentorships provide professional development opportunities for emerging artists. An emerging artist is establishing the own arts practise or working in a group or open studio to progress towards the sale of the artwork.

Applications can be presented in any format.  email us for application form and advice on how to apply,

Successful participants will be notified on 3 rd December and I time arranged to meet your mentor and development an agreement between the three parties.

The number of hours you spend with your mentor will be determine by your goals and/or projects.  You can meet with your mentor weekly, fortnightly or an intensive block of time.  We will then pay you mentor as agreed.

Examples of goals or projects are:-

• Establishment of your art practise.
• Business planning and marketing
• How to make the most of social media
• Working on a commission or body of work for exhibition.
• Setting up markets
• Working with a gallery towards exhibition
• Collaborating with a mentor to produce new work.

There are not up front fees for the mentorship, unless you want to pay up front, meaning you can skip out application process and we will assist you to find the right mentor for your needs.

We have a FREE information session for those wanting to mentor others on Thursday 15th September @ 5:30 Ipswich Arttime Supplies, 203 Brisbane Street, Ipswich. However if you are applying for a mentorship you may also wish to attend.

 

Sezie The Day!

The overwhelming message from the Fresh Futures Market yesterday was that the future is looking brighter under the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The NDIS puts people with disabilities in control of their own lives. However the NDIS is not really about people with disabilities.  The NDIS is about society, and the inclusion with disabilities in the community.

Next week is Disability Action week and our theme is inclusion.  The NDIS is about providing people with the support to be able to fully participate in life.  This includes independence; study; training opportunities, work or community work, politics, arts, sports, travel, and getting married. It is about our lives reflecting those of our peers.

People with disabilities are not sick and do not need caring for or protecting.  These people are often abuse because their control has been taken from them and those in control of their lives have taken advantage of them. Australian society has brought the lie that people with disabilities have nothing to contribute and we are a drain on the public purse.  That is a lie people with disabilities stood up against in the Every Australian Counts campaign.

Whether its in the fields of science, education, transport, arts, television, communication, tourism, or business people with disabilities have skills and wisdom to contribute. Society has allowed us to put people in boxes and define what society thinks their roles should be.

This has meant the potential of tens of thousands of Australians has been limited and resources gone untapped.  As individuals our abilities and skills are as different as our disabilities but it should be our abilities that defines who we are not our disabilities.

My hopes for the NDIS is that being offered choice and control of our supports and the way we are support means new opportunities are created across the community and the bridge of understanding is finally completed.  However now that final step is up to us living with disabilities, we must raise to the challenge and cease this olden opportunity.  We must not give away our power to chose. By making excuses and being lazy.

We must cease the day and claim the life we want!

Mentoring What's the big deal?

I believe James smith not only is the highest achieves in go through the ArtISability program, but has also made the largest strides in developing his artistic knowledge and involvement in the Ipswich community.  This is due to his commitment to his art and his working with mentors to horned his skills.

I think before James commence with us he thought art was just about drawn and painting.  James has discovered many are forms with and workshops through ALARA Queensland including screen printing, community art projects, tie-dying, and his love of ceramics.

James has won a number of prizes for his work in the Ipswich Show.  As James mentor we have explored opportunities to become involved in the Ipswich Arts Community, visited art galleries, commenced shopping for art supplies, painted bottle alley, entered and visited the Ipswich Show and been involved in collaborative art exhibitions together.

As his mentor I do not teach James art.  We talk about art, we visit galleries, we explore art supplies shops and drink lots of coffee together.  I recommend other artist and teachers to him who I think will help him travel a little further on his artistic journey.

I like to describe mentoring as an advisor, coach, teacher and cheer leader all rolled into one.  I am looking for mentors who can bring out the best in the participants of our 2017 mentoring program.

Currently I am being mentored by Nancy Brown, here's her thoughts on the mentoring process.

Artist mentoring sessions are aimed to develop an artist's professional practice by giving feedback and practical help with a developing artist's practice. A mentor will gain an overview of the artist's practice and focus, drawing attention to areas where there are professional opportunities, target audience and placement opportunities for the artist's work or services within the broader arts and gallery communities.

Artist mentoring can help move an artist's practice to the next level, presenting work to a wider audience, and adding practical skills to develop and promote work. Consideration is given to the artist's online presence, social media options, and funding opportunities, advice about the presentation of projects, artworks, and advice about sales and pricing of artworks and services.  A mentor can offer their skills as a practicing artist to the development new work or projects, and can offer encouragement both practical and conceptual to bring work from idea to presentation or exhibition.

Applications are now open for our 2017 Mentoring Program. Applications forms and assistance with the application process are available by emailing us.  Or you can visit us at the Fresh Futures tomorrow, between 9 am and 1 pm.

Fresh Futures Market 2016

Wednesday 7th September

Between 9am and 1pm

Ipswich Show Grounds

Alternatively if your interested in apply to mentor someone on our behalf, then we have a information session

On Thursday 15th September

@ 5:30 pm

Ipswich Arttime Supplies

203 Brisbane St, Ipswich

Mentors can apply by sending us their CV's and a one page statement on their mentoring style and what they have to offer to an artists living in Ipswich.

Coming up!

In the week leading up to Disability Action Week ArtISability and Ignite Artists are involved in the Big Three Events!

Event One

The Fresh Futures Market

Wednesday 7th September

9 am to 1 pm

The place to be if your looking forwards to a

Fresh Future under the NDIS

Information Sessions

NDIS Workshops

Service Providers Stalls

So if you have big plans and goals for the NDIS

make sure you bring your shopping list.

Inclusion is the theme for this years

Disability Action Week

The NDIS will support Queenslanders

with a disability to be included in

community activities.

You will have the choice of

HOW you are Supported

WHEN you are Supported

WHO support you

to DO the things you want to do

The 2016 Fresh Futures Market

is a great place to explore your options.

Including

Ignite Artists 2017 Mentorship Program

If art is your thing stop by to find out your

options and grab a free copy of

MY ART MY WAY & THE NDIS

How to use the NDIS to

achieve you art goals.

GET READY TO

MAKE YOUR MARK!

9TH & 10TH September

Ipswich Community Gallery

Presented by CPL Springfield

Opening is at 11am Friday

and in Darcy Doyle Place

NOON to 3 pm

Come make your own marks

and Saturday 10th

10 am to 2 pm

Snap It!

Mark It!

Paint It!

Glue IT!

Wear It!

The CPL Art Exhibition

Make Your Mark

is sure to be a treat for you senses

work is presented by Studio 8

Artists from Springfield

Music, Colour, Light

and digital images.

Proving disability is no barrier to art!

Take a hop, skip and a jump . . .

To visit our third big event

Spring on Salisbury

ALARA Queensland

33 Salisbury Road

Ipswich

8 am to 1 pm

Once again I am fund raising to enable

artists living with disability and mental illness

to access the arts community at  

professional level.

I will have Christmas Cards for $ 2 each

and Christmas Shirts for $ 20 each

Or check out our online

Christmas Store

Hope see you during the week!