SouleMama Sponsor ~ Tea and Ink Studio ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor,Tea and Ink Studio. In artist Brenda's words:

"My shop, Tea and Ink Studio, houses original woodblock prints, some gouache and watercolor paintings and the occasional seasonal woodblock cards.  I sometimes have Christmas ornaments around the holidays as well.  I don't sell reproductions as I like to keep it pure, original art straight from my hands to yours. 

I have a studio blog that focuses on what I'm making as well as mulling through ideas and inspiration.  It's a mish mash of the seasons, travel, family and the comedy, sucess and mishaps of my adventures in art and quiltmaking.

The blog also gives a lot of information about the many stages of woodblock printmaking.  Including drawing the design, carving it in wood, doing test prints on the etching press, reworking the image and inking up the wood for a final printing.  After the ink dries, I paint the prints with watercolors.   Each print is a new adventure!"

SouleMama: Tell us about a typical day.

Brenda: I get up early, carve, paint, print or mull ideas and prepare new drawings and designs.  I get the kids up and ready for school.  Then, off to yoga, the gym or a walk.  When the work-out is done, I dive right into the studio with a plan for the next few hours until pre-school pick up at 11am.  This fall will be very different with both kids in school all day.  There will be more time to make art and I'll be getting my feet wet in social work again. 

SouleMama: Tell us about your background. What path led you to the work you do today?

Brenda: I grew up in a small town on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State surrounded by mountains, beaches, tidepools, sandbars and animals.  I spent a lot of time singing, drawing, reading and painting.  Also, there were many hours of hanging out with the horses, sheep, cow, cats, dogs and chickens. Our family took many weekend ferry rides across the Straits of Juan De Fuca to Victoria, British Colombia - a beautiful, cultured city as well as shopping and concert trips on the ferry to Seattle.  There was much to do and see in those cities, including art museums and old architecture which had an early influence on me.  

After travels and adventures in my early 20's, I finished college and became a social worker.  I married my husband and worked for several years until we moved to Portland, Oregon.  Being in a new city was a fork in the road for me and I decided to put social work on the back burner.  I began a B.A. program in Drawing, Painting and Printmaking from Portland State University, graduating in 2001.  Since then, I've been a studio artist, have two children and two Welsh Corgis.  It has been a wonderful fit.  Our kids have totally inspired me to chase my dreams and I've been able to do that as a stay at home mama.  I don't get as much sleep as I'd like, but the art making time is worth it.  It feeds my soul.

 

SouleMama: What inspires you?

Brenda: This is going to seem crazy and all over the place... but inspiration happens to be that way.  It can come from anywhere.  Here are some current obsessions:  our kids, trips to the beach and museums.  My husband and I are opposites and he introduces lots of things I wouldn't have looked at closely.  I also am drawn to old machinery of any kind, people's stories, animal behavior (ie migrations) and the psychology behind relationships.  The ocean is endlessly mysterious and inspiring.  Also, crows, shipwrecks and rock stars.  Fashion, the Depression Era and the strength of a person who gets through difficult times (thinking of Dickens' and Austen's characters).  I come up with a lot of ideas from my dreams and also while taking very long weekend dog walks.

SouleMama: How do you balance work and family in your life?

Brenda: Balance of family and work is harder as the kids get older.  They are busy doing more things and have their own agendas. They are also consumed after school activities, likes and dislikes which is great.  It was easier to work when they were babies and took naps!  I did a lot of large paintings on canvas back then.  Now, woodblocks are the best choice because I can start and stop easily since the groundwork of drawing and design has been done. 

When my first child was born a few years after graduating from art school I had a real sense of urgency to paint and make art.  It is very important to me to be both a mom and an artist.  I thought, 'if not now, when?'  My kids come first but it's essential to have something of my own.  My work that I do.  If it means getting up while the house is still quiet or staying up late into the night, I'll do it to keep going as an artist.

 

I think motherhood and family life has influenced, deepened and made my work much richer and layered than I could've ever expected.  Sometimes housework and cooking suffers but ultimately,it's important to be living your passion.  Our kids see me making and doing all the time.  I want them to be exposed to that kind of life.  Hard, constant work does pay off.  'The only rule is work'  ~Sister Corita Kent, teacher and artist.

 

For today's giveaway, Tea and Ink Studio is generously offering the following to THREE winners: 

~ one of the above woodblock prints -  Midnight Bath, Afternoon Rehearsal, and Pupil of Turbine

In addition, Tea and Ink Studio is offering readers 20% off purchases through the end of September. Use discount code "Soulemama" at checkout.

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To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on  Monday, and announce the winner(s), chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. Comments closed!

Thank you to Tea and Ink Studio! The winners are...

Midnight Bath -
Love these prints - especially midnight bath which captures one of my favorite daily moments I get to share with my little girl! Thanks for the opportunity!
Posted by: Amy 

Afternoon Rehearsal ~
How neat! I love your work. I admire and respect the process so much!
Posted by: Megan

Pupil of Turbine ~
Wow! What work. She is a very good artist. The black and white one is my favorite. I think it is very interesting. Thank you for the giveaway!
Posted by: birdsofafeather