BrandonArtists- Wendi Brandon

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BrandonArtists 

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This Sunday our first Salute is Wendi Brandon of BrandonArtists, Here is her interview:


1. A little about yourself, what you enjoy, places you would love to visit, and any words of inspiration for others or a quote you love or live by.
I don't love my day job and I am trying to change this. A dilemma following my entire working days, except back when I was a lifeguard-loved that job...(:

I also don't hold a whole lot of stock in day job-My life is 1st. 2 kids, Eileen is 11 and Max is 7 (both are pictured on my blog. Both are amazing artists. Max likes abstract best. Eileen likes animals, dragons best. Husband is an artist, too-works as a fireman-so we've both struggles with "have art degrees and what do we do with them?'

I enjoy running, living a balance life, I practice yoga and read about it. I'm searching for a teacher local ( ): not much luck w/ that-the one person that taught the teacher certification course for yoga alliance local has stopped doing that to focus on belly dancing.) I came across yoga, or really, yoga found me while I spent the week in the hospital with my daughter when she was 18 months old. She was there for the croup, yep, the croup...needless to say it was pretty horrible-we both got horrible sick with fever on top of her croup...so much drama, I will spare you that nightmare. It was one of a string of many life changing experiences for me. About 2 years before this experience I had started hanging around very positive women who really saved my life-who showed me a new way of living in gratitude.

I enjoy hiking and camping-being in nature. I love visiting everywhere. I have a dear friend in California (we were neighbors in Tennessee). 3 years ago my family moved to Kentucky from Tennessee, and she moved back to California after leaving the company which moved her to TN in the first place. My sister is my twin (not really, we are 6 1/2 years apart-I am oldest)-I miss her lots. So when I visit someone, it is to Indianapolis I go.

Words of inspiration I'd like to share: If you are doing what you love, don't stop, don't let anyone talk you out of it, don't ever doubt what is in your heart. Stay close to the bigger than you that is in you, trust that voice and be happy. Take it easy. Live and Let Live.

Here is a link to my favorite song: www.dailymotion.com/video/x2xm88_dobet-gnahore-issa-2007_music
here are the words in translation by Dobet Gnahore from her album "Na Afriki"

don't be so hard on yourself
you can stop seeing black
you can still take a step towards the light
a single step that changes everything
it's never too late
stop not hearing anything
you can still listen
don't say that you are alone
your parents do everything to reason with you
they advise you every day
you prefer to profit from life as you hear it
without doing anything with your existence
you do nothing to be appreciated
we can all succeed in life, don't forget
don't lower your arms, God is beside you
you just have to seize the moment
don't wait any longer, the years will pass
open your eyes to see in front of you

2. Give a brief description of your crafting style, how you learned it, and why you love/enjoy crafting/creating.

A dear friend who taught me how to use my antique Singer says I have an amazing natural Salvage Eye. Attached photos of purses and baby quilts and pillowcases show my "salvage eye" utilizing odd and recycled material combos.

Started drawing before writing-I believe I thought they were the same thing. My grandma was in the official Dr. Suess Beginner Book Club and I loved reading these. I was heavily influence by the illustrations-not all were Dr. Suess, but many were, Berenstein Bears, and others. I copied these when I was a kid. My grandma also got me this giant set of conte pencils from this enormous art store in Bismarck, North Dakota. I still have them. One of the first paragraphs on my Etsy profile states why I love to create: I love to make art objects. Something about the process soothes...like an intimate conversation appearing quiet on the outside, stirring all the cells inside to dance to their favorite melody in harmonious bliss. fromwww.etsy.com/people/BrandonArtists

3. What or whom inspired your creative journey on Etsy?
I first heard of Etsy when I was taking a break from work after having my second child. I was working at a bar and this girl who was a regular was selling these Renaissance style dresses she was sewing. Etsy looked way different back then. I've been struggling with making art and creating and raising a family and making a living for a long time. In the fall I was invited to work a bazaar and I had tons of jewelry stuff, so I made a bunch of jewelry. I began making jewelry for gifts in college and then when I worked Michaels Craft Store after college I had lots of exposure to crafting. In 2003, I lost a baby in the middle of the pregnancy and I really beaded for therapy--beaded and wrote. We all have challenges in our life that add to the tapestry. I love Carol King, too.



4. Where do you look for inspiration? Books, movies, music, ect.

I find inspiration everywhere. I really really love reading about history (2nd major in college, painting and art history BFA and BA). So I guess I get real inspiration from people I meet, people I can learn a little about and from. When I find art work I love, I want to know the person, I want to have a connection with that person. I am very spirit driven and believe we can all be connected and when we are, amazingness occurs. I read and write and watch some movies and listen to music. Another favorite song is:



I am a classic rock junkie, and I love this song because of the man who wrote it you can hear it how broken he was-he is singing this bedridden with his band sitting with him and singing with him. I have known and lost people who have this kind of feeling inside that is so intense.

I love Billie Holiday and Blues, too.

5. Describe the items currently in your shop.

I have jewelry in my shop.

6. Where else can we find you?

www.facebook.com/BrandonArtists
twitter.com/BrandonArtists
wendibrandon.blogspot.com/

Wendi was nice enough to add some videos and links in her interview feel free to check out Wendi's art as well as her interests, Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back next Sunday for more Salutes!