March 17, 2021
While my Shopify store @PenJarProductions is closed I’m watching how technology is changing fashion and décor. Here’s what it would take for me to start selling my custom-designed pillows and totes again.
Sources:
• Unmade
• Looop Recycling
• Akqa
February 22, 2021
The internet is a wondrous tool for learning new skills.
When I decided to set up an online classroom to teach my way of making art, Google presented me with the perfect teacher: @ClaraLieu. Clara is a visual artist and former prof at the Rhode Island School of Design, and the Founder of @Art.Prof, a free website for learning visual arts.
I found @ArtProf at a point when I was stuck. Hovering my iPhone over my desk wasn’t working. I needed some serious videography equipment. Clara generously shared her set-up and now I have a Softbox light, a streaming webcam, a Snowball mic and an extra tall light stand to hold my webcam (Clara’s hack: affix the webcam with a thick elastic).
I used my new set-up earlier this month to lead an art class with some alumni from @RotmanCommerce. When you have a class of 20+ it’s actually easier to demonstrate techniques online because each student has an intimate view of my drawing board and hand movements.
Now the possibilities are endless!
Thank you, Clara!
Alison
January 11, 2021
My latest book is for kids, big and small. ~ Love, Alison
[dflip id=”16580″][/dflip]
That was fun. Now, page by page:
December 25, 2020
Environment Canada is calling for a macroburst of sparkle and fairer winds in 2021. (Abstract illustration by Alison Garwood-Jones)
December 9, 2020
I’ve pointed my drawing horse at all of these classic life drawing poses (back when it was possible to attend pay-as-you-go art classes).
During Covid, to prevent rust buildup, I’ve sought out figure poses in Google image searches and YouTube channels, including “Draw This.” But none of these classic stances have inspired me to get better at depicting human proportions. And I want to get better. I can’t draw faces forever.
Then I discovered that drawing models in yoga gear from clothing websites — featuring real women, not human chop sticks — felt more relatable than said gnarly dude throwing the javelin. The thought, “He’s getting paid $15/hour to show us this,” always distracted me from the drawing challenge at hand.
It’s the small changes that can point you to open fields of discovery.
Thanks internet,
Alison
November 30, 2020
I’m Lio and my mom asked Alison to draw me for my upcoming birthday.
I’ll be one on December 19th.
If I understand the family chatter correctly, I’ve helped everyone get through some ups and downs lately.
Everyone keeps saying it’s bad out there, but I feel great. Nothing’s gonna get me down.
Stick with me and you’ll be fine.
October 20, 2020
CUSTOM HOME PORTRAITS make a unique holiday gift.
I like to plant the seed in October to give me enough time to complete your one-of-kind drawing.
HOW IT WORKS: I create the high-res art in PhotoShop, and you take the digital file to your favourite local printer/framer.
That way, we avoid sending original art through Canada Post/US Mail, both notorious for their seasonal backlog.
Feel free to email me for more details: alison (dot) garwoodjones (at) gmail (dot) com
Alison
October 14, 2020
When Nargiz asked me what change I wanted to see in the world, my thoughts turned to women.
Nargiz grew up in Azerbaijan, one of many countries now in political turmoil.
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The following clips are from my interview with Nargiz Mammadova, the co-founder and CEO of the Destin AI app, an AI-powered virtual guide that simplifies the immigration process to Canada.
Nargiz and I met a few years ago after I delivered a talk for IABC Toronto. She came bounding up to me.
It turns out, while building the Destin AI app with her team, she was simultaneously filming a web series of interviews with creative entrepreneurs, both as a way to fuel and encourage herself through the day-to-day challenges of building something that didn’t yet exist, but as inspiration for her friends, also trying to make their way through disrupted workplaces and the evolving technological landscape.
Our conversation was shot pre-Covid.
You can check out all of Nargiz’s full interviews (including this one) at Insights With Nargiz.
Produced by Nargiz Mammadova • Videographer: Gary Chen • Video Editing: Elnur Valiyev • Extra photos and text added by Alison Garwood-Jones
October 8, 2020
As a University of Toronto (SCS) instructor in #DigitalStrategy, I like coming up with different ways to explain what it takes to build a commercial relationship with your audience, without being obnoxiously salesy or transactional. #AdBlockers
When you want something too much … it doesn’t happen. #Desperation
The art of persuasion is about laying down a string of breadcrumbs with your stories and ideas, and letting your readers come to the conclusion: “I need what they are offering.” #LightbulbMoment
It’s kind of like a marriage: sometimes you have to let the other person think that your idea is theirs in order to get what you want.
In this cartoon, I’ve drawn an imaginary conversation between Virginia and Alice. two persuasive storytellers.
Inspired by the teachings of Ann Handley, CC Chapman, Gini Dietrich, Marcus Sheridan, and Jay Baer.
