Recently I was honored to be interviewed on the Trade Movies Podcast to speak about the behind the scenes creation of my new (and first ever) short, stop-motion film The Mystery of Eve! We discuss why and how I made the film, how ai is effecting filmmaking and art, as well as all the fantastic filmmakers in the stop motion world. I hope you’ll check it out!
August 22, 1878 - Eve's Diary #6
Dear Diary,
Mother was awake today, barely. Her hair unbrushed.
She said, “Your grandmother collected them once too.” I didn’t ask who.
She wept into her hands and whispered,
“Be careful what you shine. They like to collect light!”
Eve
Music by the very talented Douglas Edward
August 3, 1878 - Eve's Diary #5
August 3, 1878
Dear Diary,
Mother’s powder is working!
I wore it to Tea & caught all the boys staring!
But tonight when I looked into the mirror, I didn’t see myself!
It looked like water and something moving underneath it!
It Blinked!
I’m frightened!
-Eve
Music By Douglas Edward
July 16, 1878 - Eve's Diary #4
July 16th, 1878
Dear Diary,
I found mother in the window again, staring at the roses. The mirror on her dresser was turned towards the wall. She says grief ages women faster than time, and that the roses only bloom for me now.
Eve
Music by the very talented Douglas Edward.
July 4th, 1878 - Eve's Diary 3
July 4th, 1878
Dear Diary,
Jane had three callers today. One brought a blue velvet ribbon. The other brought strawberries. Plain face, muddy boots. No powder, no rouge. They say she is kind but kindness is not what they write ballads for. They circle her like bees!
Eve
Music By: Douglas Edward from the film: The Mystery of Eve
June 27, 1878 Eve's 2nd Diary Entry
Dear Diary,
Mother once whispered that her powder box held more than crushed pearls and rose clay. It held illusions of youth. I dusted my cheeks with it today. The mirror did not blink, but I swear my reflection turned to watch me walk away.
Eve
Music by the talented Juliana Chahayed
June 21, 1878 - Eve is 17 - The 1st Day of Summer
Dear Diary,
This shall be the summer I am remembered.
I have arranged my hair just so.
If I stand still, I could be a painting.
They watched me this morning.
Jane said nothing, of course. She never does.
Her beauty is the kind that fades with sunlight.
Mine was made to last.
Eve
Music By Douglas Edward From the film: The Mystery of Eve
Making Progress
Journal Entry — May 19th
I had hoped to share a video update, but until then, here’s a note from my creative journal.
I’ve finally finished the rough cut of my short film, The Mystery of Eve. This film tells the backstory of one of the characters in my upcoming novel, Alchemy, which also debuts this fall. Eve lived in the House 60 years before my protagonist arrives at its front gate, and this film explores her tragic wound that binds her to the House. I felt she was the perfect character to create a short film around because her family is who originally built the House. The short stop motion film is also full of Easter Eggs that I hope will make for a fun interactive experience between the reading book and watching the film.
Venturing into the world of filmmaking has been a thrilling new chapter for me. I wanted to explore what it would feel like to bring my art into a different medium. What an incredible, humbling adventure it’s been! I’ve never felt more creatively challenged, and I absolutely love it. This process has taught me so much about myself, which, to me, is the true purpose of art: self-discovery.
It’s long been my dream to turn Alchemy into a feature film. Creating this short (literally from scratch in my attic) has been a deep dive into the reality of that dream. I’ve discovered both my strengths and the areas I want to grow in. The film blends paper mâché and articulated paper characters, which feel nostalgic and wonderfully fantastical to me. I hope that magic will translate on screen.
More to come… :)
November Studio VLOG is Live on YouTube
Creating art - good art, for me, anyway - takes time, and that is the challenge. In a world of lightning-fast scrolling for dopamine, taking the time to write and illustrate a novel, sculpt dioramas, and shoot a short (stop motion - no less) film, seems insane.
But here I am.
The latest update is on my YouTube. Thanks for listening to my inner dialog.
Writing Vlog Update - Draft 4 & How To Create A Fairy Be
Hello! Welcome back. I just updated my YouTube channel with the latest progress on my Alchemy project. I promised to document everything to hold myself accountable and to make sure I get her done. This video explains where I stand today, December 2023. Although I thought it would be complete by now, this project and the world keeps expanding, but I have surrendered to letting myself flow with that. This said, I do believe 2024 will be the year my debut fairytale novel will finally come into the world. I’m beyond excited about it and can’t wait to share it with you! I also think my husband will be happy to see the kitchen table again.
So as we come to the end of 2023, I wish you peace and magic, and thank you for supporting me on my creative journey. May you be sprinkled with love and fairy dust throughout the rest of the year and beyond!
Episode 55 - Interview with Artist - Marina Sole'
I met Marina this past March when I was exhibiting my art at Superfine Art Fair in San Francisco. Her booth was close to mine and had a steady flow of art buyers. It was no surprise because her quirky art is undeniably fun and she also has a positively infectious personality!
On today's Episode we learn more about Marina's journey from Catalan, Spain to the City by the Bay, San Francisco and why she left the fashion design industry to launch her business as a full time artist.
We had such a great time at Superfine that I asked her to come on the podcast and share her advice on this topic as well. Preparing for a large Art Exhibit can be a daunting task but we break it down with a ton of helpful tips. We also discuss our review of Superfine as well as some things we would have done a little differently.
LISTEN & WATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE
To Follow & Support Marina Sole':
Website: Marina Sole
Instagram: @marinasole_art
Photos provided by Marina Sole' Copyright ©2022
Superfine Art Fair - Fort Mason - San Francisco! March 3-6, 2022 It's Happening!
Happy New Year! Exciting NEWS! I was accepted to exhibit at the San Francisco Superfine Art Fair back in 2019 and I’m super thrilled to announce that, 2 years later, it looks like it’s actually going to happen! Tickets are on sale now on the Superfine website HERE
This is a very unique and special exhibit for me. Not only do I love San Fransisco but the collection I’ll be offering is based on a screenplay I just finished writing. It’s a fantastical story about claiming your personal power by embracing your fears and painful experiences that takes place in a magical house. So they are more than just paintings they are energetic pieces of an enchanted story!
Prints will be available too as well as other originals.
Please come by and visit me at Booth 29, Fort Mason Center, as well as all the other AMAZING exhibiting artists! xoxo Mari
Interview with Christine Mason Miller - Episode 52
Today’s Podcast Interview is with the multi-talented Christine Mason Miller, author of Notes from The Rocket. You may know her work as Swirly Girl as she is also a very accomplished artist. Notes from The Rocket is her 6th published book and it’s a true gem!
During the interview we talk about the importance of supporting independent creators and why she decided to sell her book only through her website. One of the incredible benefits of purchasing from her is how each book is hand embellishment and completely unique! This is Vol. I of three intended books from this beautiful series.
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Christine for more than two decades and I am constantly delighted and inspired by her creative work and beauty as a human being. I know you will be too!
LISTEN & WATCH THE EPISODE HERE
Follow & Support Christine Mason Miller Here:
Christine's Website: http://christinemasonmiller.com/
Christine's Instagram: @swirlygirl18
Order Christine Mason Miller's New Book: http://christinemasonmiller.com/notes-from-the-rocket
Interview with Sam Goff - Recruiter for Netflix Animation - Episode 5
Today’s Podcast Episode is with the very talented Sam Goff. Sam is part of the Netflix Animation family as an Outreach & Engagement Coordinator. Her focus in the department is working internally with productions and cross functional departments to make sure early career individuals at NAS have a comfortable and enriching professional growth experience.
Additionally she is working on creating programming to further break down the barriers to entry for the animation industry. She is also a freelance surfacing artist which makes today’s Episode a ‘Must Listen’ for anyone interested in what it’s like to work in the animation business. Check out Sam’s Episode on my YouTube channel and make sure to follow her @samg_anim and also over on TikTok where she offers weekly advice as an Animation Recruiter!
You can listen to the Full Episode HERE
To Follow & Support Sam Goff:
TikTok, Twitter, Instagram: @SamG_Anim
Website: http://slewis-portfolio.com/
Netflix Animation Outreach & Engagement Coordinator
My Living Lavishly Interview :-)
It’s truly an honor to be featured in this months Living Lavishly magazine and to have the opportunity to talk about my passion for supporting the arts as well as my creative journey. I remember having coffee with Lani brainstorming the idea for the magazine years ago and I have been humbled and grateful to be a contributing writer for the magazine ever since. I have to admit, this took quite a bit of arm twisting because I prefer to be behind the camera - ALWAYS - but I am very grateful to have the opportunity to discuss why it’s so important to support artists. You can check out the entire issue and read the full interview HERE.
Art & About San Luis Obispo - MYLR Gallery
Few! I’ve been meaning to post here for weeks but it’s been bonkers! Things started to open up and it’s back to busy, busy! I’m not quite sure how I feel about it but it has been busy with really exciting and fun things!
The past few weeks have been full of photoshoots, writing, creating and preparing for my art exhibit at the New MYLR Gallery! Stop by and see me this Saturday, July 3rd, 5:00-7:00pm! I’ll be sharing several of the paintings from the new fiction novel I just finished writing, Alchemy. Lots of other new art too! Happy Summer! Here we go!
Interview with Animator & Songwriter - Kevin Temmer -Episode 51
In today’s Episode I’m speaking with Professional Animator & Songwriter, Kevin Temmer. We talk about what it takes to become an animator and songwriter for the film industry and also the gaming industry. Kevin started his career working at Blue Sky Studios, a very well-known and respected studio known for creating Movies like; Ice Age, Ferdinand, and Spies in Disguise. Blue Sky Studios was later acquired by Disney and unfortunately just closed down this year (2021) but before the Disney acquisition Kevin had left to work in the gaming industry for companies like Sony Interactive and Jam City. He has worked on games like Frozen, Marvel, Concrete Jeanie and Wild Things to name a few. Currently he is working at Squanch Games creating animations, editing, and song creation.
Kevin also has quite a following on TikTok where you can see short versions of his animations & music. You can find longer versions on his YouTube channel; Kevin Temmer Tunes! Overall, for someone so young, he has had quite an impressive career so far and it was an honor to get to interview him. So if you are wondering what it could be like to work in the world of animation, Kevin is sharing tons of helpful advice! I hope you will enjoy! Please share with your creative friends and subscribe for more awesome interviews with creative artists and entrepreneurs! LISTEN & WATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE.
To Follow & Support Kevin Temmer:
Website: Kevin Temmer Portfolio
Instagram: @kevtemz
TikTok: kevintemmer
YouTube: Kevin Temmer Tunes
All Photos provided by Kevin Temmer Copyright ©2021
Episode 50!!!! Interview with Internet Film Maker - Madelaine
This is a super exciting Episode today for two reasons: One -Today’s interview is with the incredibly, talented film creator, Madelaine Turner. I’m obsessed with her short, clever, creative films! & Two - It’s my 50th Episode!!! Woohoo!!!
When I reached out to Madelaine I was not expecting a reply, she is literally famous in the world of film creating with close to 300k followers on TikTok but that is just the beginning, as she reveals some exciting news during today’s interview! Madelaine is a young and creative powerhouse! She is just at the beginning of a very big career and once you hear how sweet, lovely and funny she is, you will be a huge fan like me! We talk about how she got into film making and screen writing. Obviously we talk about TikTok and how she creatively used that platform to showcase her incredible talent. We also get into some of the technical aspects of it, monetizing, and the speed of how technology is changing the world of internet film makers. All of it, is so, so good!
These episodes are all about helping other creators - You - with advice from successful artists and creative entrepreneurs. My hope is that by listening to their creative journeys you will be inspired to create your own unique magic in the world.
YOU CAN LISTEN & WATCH THE EPISODE HERE
Follow & Support Madelaine Turner Here:
Website: MadelaineTurner.com
TikTok: @MadelaineTurner
Instagram: @TurnerMadelaine
YouTube: Madelaine Turner
Twitter: @TurnerMadelaine
EPISODE 48 - Interview with Writer & Actress - Diane Wagner
I was fortunate to meet author & actress, Diane Wagner, through a mutual friend of ours, Tug Rice. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to interview her about her new novel, The Almighty Father. As with most of these episodes, as I do a little research on the creator, I always find that they are incredibly multi-talented, and Diane is no exception. Diane has had quite an impressive career as an actress. She has been in featured films as well as writing, acting in, and producing her own pilot series, ‘Goody Goody’. She is also the Director of Theatre at The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts since 2004.
We talk about it all on today’s Episode as well as her new book; The Almighty Father. Such a good read if you are looking for an intriguing book to curl up with this winter!
LISTEN & WATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE
Instagram: @DianeWagnerAuthor
To Purchase The Almighty Father: https://amzn.to/37phlen
The Magic of Stop Motion - Interview with Jen Jardim - The Animated Blogger - Ep 47
Ever wonder how those really cute animations on your feed are created? Well I did, and it led me to discover the super talented, Jen Jardim @the_animated_blogger. On today’s Episode, we are discussing her journey from high-end fashion model (Yes, Hello cover of Cosmopolitan magazine!) To a 2-D stop motion paper animator!
We talk about what it really takes to make animation a business. Another fun part is that I live in California and Jen is just outside of London, thank you technology! Her voice is just as charming as her animations! So pour yourself a cup of tea, grab a biscuit, and check out this fun Episode over on my YouTube channel!!
LISTEN & WATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE
Other places to follow and support Jen Jardim:
WEBSITE: The Animated Blogger
INSTAGRAM: @the_animated_blogger
Animation below created by the wildly talented Jen Jardin of The Animated Blogger!