Meet Elexa Dawson

Musician, mother, activist

Elexa Dawson presents a sultry, spirited performance with original music and a "warm honey mixed with prairie dirt" voice. Her newest album, "Music is Medicine" released December 6th, 2019.

The founding member of Kansas' folk homegrown favorite, Weda Skirts, Elexa is a born entertainer and skilled songwriter. Two albums self-produced by The Skirts (Many Moons - 2016, Mother - 2018) present a collection of songs that are influenced by her Potawatomi and Oklahoma heritage, nature, family, love and loss, all with a hopeful and heartfelt tone.

Elexa performs solo, with a blue folk trio and with Weda Skirts at private and public events, gatherings, pubs, and campfires.

1. Where and when did you learn your artistic abilities?

   I've been singing all my life.

2. What inspires you or sparks your creativity?

   Emotional honesty, exploring relationship, historical stories, being in good community.

3. What projects are you working on now?

   I just released a solo album, “Music is Medicine.” I'll be publishing music from another project, “Heyleon,” and producing an album with Weda Skirts this coming year.

4. What is your day like? How much do you sleep? What is your work schedule?

   I'm a mom, so I get up fairly early to get my kid on the bus. In the mornings I like time to just sit with coffee and mentally plan the day. Then I'm typically reaching out to venues for booking or working on promotional materials.

5. How many hours of creative work do you do in a day?

   It depends, most of the songwriting tends to come in clusters. Working on songwriting every day isn't where I'm at right now. Maybe some day I will have that discipline.

6. When you start a new piece, where do you begin? What is the first step?

   Sometimes a melody comes first, sometimes it is lyrics. Typically I have a concept I want to communicate with the song and I work with that concept poetically.

7. How do you know when you’re done with a piece?

   Music is never really in its final state. The songs evolve and change with each performance, depending on who I'm playing with.

8. What is the weirdest object in your maker's space?

   I have various natural materials, lots of bones and plants and stuff.

9. What’s the last thing that made you cry?

   I lost my uncle last week so there have been some tears about that.

10. What are you reading right now?

    “Becoming Native to This Place” by Wes Jackson

11. What’s your favorite artwork by someone else?

    I think my favorite songwriter is probably Mike Helvey.

12. Favorite thing about living here?

    I love the Flint Hills and the relaxed pace of living in a rural area.

You can find Elexa’s music and merch at www.elexadawson.com, www.facebook.com/elexadawsonmusic, www.yoitube.com/pickyhitchhiker, or @elexadawson on Twitter and Instagram.

Day job, side hustle, or full-time gig? What is right for me?

by Rachel Pedersen 

As we navigate through an uncertain time that includes people losing work, losing jobs, and not knowing what the economy is going to look like anytime soon, you may be questioning your job situation or career choice right now. 

Here are some things to take into consideration as you take time to reflect on what the next right job would be or if there will be a career shift in your future. Ask yourself, “What is right for me?”

As a creative, whether you are an artist, musician, or writer, you may have been asked this question a time or two, “how are you going to make money doing that?” 

There is this cultural archetype that looms in the dark corners of our minds during college (and especially in our parents’ minds): that infamous ‘starving artist’ character. We tend to think we need to take on this identity if we want to be successful in our craft. We expect we will have to struggle and eat ramen often as a price to pay to become a respected creative.

Fortunately, that doesn’t have to be the narrative. 

In Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, she squashes the ideas that we have to be a starving artist or it’s more noble to live that storyline. It was so refreshing for her to be transparent about her job and financial life before she hit it big so to say. She admitted to always having a day job while she was writing. She said that she had had three books published by big publishing houses and had even been reviewed by the New York Times, but still kept her day job. 

It wasn’t until her hugely successful book, Eat, Pray, Love that she finally quit and became a full-time writer.  She articulates the reason why she continued to have day jobs so well in her book. Here is an excerpt:

““I held on to those other sources of income for so long because I never wanted to burden my writing with the responsibility of paying for my life. I knew better than to ask this of my writing, because over the years, I have watched so many other people murder their creativity by demanding that their art pay the bills. I’ve seen artists drive themselves broke and crazy because of this insistence that they are not legitimate creators unless they can exclusively live off their creativity. And when their creativity fails them (meaning: doesn’t pay rent), they descend into resentment, anxiety, or even bankruptcy. Worst of all, they often quit creating at all.””

— Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, Elizabeth Gilbert (page 152-153)

Lesson learned: it is okay to have a day job, especially when you are first starting out. 

But what if you want to start a side hustle or take your creativity full-time? 

It was reported in 2019 that nearly half of Americans have a side hustle. So, it is very common! A side-hustle could go a couple different ways. You could have a full-time or part-time job that “pays the bills” and then your side hustle is your creative work. For example, you could be a contract artist, play in a band on weeknights and weekends, or be a freelance writer. Or it could be that you do your creative work more as a main job and have a side hustle to help out financially, such as working part-time at a retail store, drive for Uber, or deliver food. 

What if you want to take your creative gifts full-time? This is where you need to be strategic. I love when Dave Ramsey uses the metaphor of getting the boat (you) as close to the dock (your ideal financial situation) as possible before you hop off (go completely full-time on your own). Everybody is different, so you would need to establish what your dock is in this example. Is it that you want to completely replace your income with your own business before you quit your day job? Is it a specific savings goal such as six months of expenses in the bank and then you will quit? Is it a monthly income goal?

You need to figure out your dock and then you need to hit that goal before anything.

When you work for yourself, you may not have a steady paycheck coming every two weeks anymore. You probably won’t have the same sort of benefits a corporate job might offer like health insurance. You will want to research the costs to run your business and also your monthly living expenses. 

I recommend having separate bank accounts for your business and personal life. You should have an emergency fund for both your business and your personal life as well. This will help keep your finances more organized and lower your chances at making money mistakes between business and personal.

Before you make the leap to a full-time business on your own, make sure you do the research, save the money, and have your systems in place. Do your creativity a favor by putting in the legwork and yourself a favor too so you aren’t stuck eating ramen every night. 

Rachel Pedersen has a day job in the world of social media while building her business, Three Pennies, where she helps you learn money skills you were never taught. You can find her on Instagram at @rachelnpedersen and learn about money at three-pennies.com.

Meet Joel Smith

Tattoo artist, painter, wordsmith

Joel Smith is a tattooer and painter and co-founder of Emporia First Friday. Over the years, he’s worked dozens of jobs around the country, learning new trades and pursuing the goal of supporting himself full time with an art job. Along the way he’s been somewhat successful as a semi-professional mural artist, ceramicist, sign-maker, screen printer, audio engineer, and blog writer while working as a studio painter. He’s much more focused on making graphic, tattooable imagery now, but he hopes to bring some other mediums back into his regular practice in the future. 

His work has largely been influenced by his passion for ecology, psychology, philosophy, and comparative mythology. But in the end it’s a blue collar approach he takes to doing the work that is his credo. Something like Picasso said, ‘inspiration exists but it has to find you working’.

1. What do you make?

   I’m currently best described as a tattooer and painter. Although up until I began tattooing I split my creative time equally between visual art and poetry/music.

2. Where and when did you learn your artistic abilities?

   A lot of it is self taught, but I’ve had a lot of good teachers and mentors over the years. I’ve been pursuing art of some kind obsessively since I was a kid, and dedicating 40 hours a week or more to it since my late teens.

3. What inspires you or sparks your creativity?

   The world is a curious place and this is a weird ride. I just try to grok the mystery as best I can while I chop wood and carry water.

4. What projects are you working on now?

   I’ve got a group show at the Emporia Arts Center in February so I’m working on a whole batch of watercolors to procrastinate the large acrylic paintings I’ve started for that. I also draw for tattoos and tattoo 5 days a week.

5. What is your day like? How much do you sleep? What is your work schedule?

   During my work week I put in about 10 hours of drawing and tattooing at work. Followed by 1-4 hours of drawing or painting. Days off I try to draw and paint as much as possible but probably average 2-8 hours each day. I sleep an average of 5-6 hours a night, ideally I’ll catch a 7 hour night every few days.

6. How many hours of creative work do you do in a day?

   12 or more

7. What is the first work you ever sold, and for how much?

   I have no idea.

8. When you start a new piece, where do you begin? What is the first step?

   Notes. Thumbnails. Notes. Avoid said project with other projects. Start again.

9. How do you know when you’re done with a piece?

   I usually set a couple primary goals and a few secondary goals. Once I hit most of them, I try to call it.

10. What music do you play when you’re making art?

    Doom, sludge, jazz, instrumental hip hop.

11. Is there a meal you eat on repeat when you’re working?

    Nuts and veggies.

12. Are you bingeing on any shows right now?

    “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”

13. What is the weirdest object in your maker's space?

    Probably the couch, even though it’s in the living room.

14. What’s the last thing that made you cry?

    Watching Bill Moyer’s interview with Joseph Campbell a few months back and remembering how much it gave me direction in life at 19 years old.

15. What are you reading right now?

    Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing run, Valiant Comics’ recent Ninja K run, Jared Diamond’s “Guns, Germs and Steel.”

16. What’s your favorite artwork by someone else?

    Charles Willson Peale’s “The Artist in His Museum”, Saul Williams’ “The Dead Emcee Scrolls.”

17. Favorite thing about living here?

    The people.

You can find Joel’s work at joelsmithtattoo.com, @joelsmithtattoo on social media, or at Syndicate Tattoo in Manhattan.

Creative Movement Classes Offered by Kitty Frank

Dancer, choreographer, teacher

Creative Movement Classes for Preschoolers are offered at the KFA Studio at 7 East 7th Avenue, Emporia, KS Wednesday Mornings 10:30-11:15am until March 11. The classes are taught by Kitty Frank, free of charge.

Research indicates that experiences in creative movement build physical development, listening skills, social and emotional development, language and communication skills and body awareness. Music and movement are tools to express ourselves and use our imaginations! The classes will use some of the material from Lavinia Roberts book "A Little Drama." For more information about the author, visit https://laviniaroberts.com/ 

Recommended age level for the class is 2 1⁄2 to 5 years old but all children are welcome. If interested, please sign up for the event on Facebook so we can plan our space.

Kitty Frank graduated from ESU with a BS in Economics. She made her debut in tap shoes at the age of two a half with "Toot the Flute," a patriotic number performed on a flatbed trailer stage at a July 4th picnic. Through the years, she has been involved in dance and creative movement as student, performer, choreographer and teacher. Her most important work arrived in the past decade: dancing in the kitchen with her grandchildren. She performs first person narratives, Chautauqua style, as a member of the Kansas Alliance of Professional Historical Performers. Kitty continues to research, write and publish about Charles Curtis, the first person of significant Native American heritage and first person from Kansas to reach the highest offices in the U.S. government. Kitty is also a Realtor with Bluestem Brokerage of Council Grove, Kansas.

Meet Cheyenne Sorell

Emporia grad, First Friday Intern and Artist

1. What do you make?

   I make canvas and/or fiber wall art out of yarn, thread and misprints from printmaking!

2. Where and when did you learn your artistic abilities?

   I attended ESU and had a lot of support from my advisor James Ehlers and my family and friends.

3. What inspires you or sparks your creativity?

   I hate to waste anything that is made from art, so when making prints, there are often misprints or "duds." I didn't want to just toss them in the bin so I decided to reuse them and turn them into something I would love!

4. What projects are you working on now?

   Right now I am continuing my body of work that utilizes my own misprints and those of my classmates. I take the prints and shred them, then blend them in a blender after being soaked in water. It makes a nice paper pulp which I then "cook" in waffle irons! I use these alongside yarn and other fibers to fill my canvases with colorful, chaotic art!

5. What is your day like? How much do you sleep? What is your work schedule?

   Sleep is for the weak! I would say I get roughly 6 hours a night while I'm in school, but after graduation maybe I will get more. I currently have two part time jobs as well!

6. How many hours of creative work do you do in a day?

   I would say on a good day about 5. A bad day only 1-2.

7. What is the first work you ever sold, and for how much?

   My first piece would be one that was in my recent senior show, it was titled "Espresso over Corral" and I sold it for $35 to my mother.

8. When you start a new piece, where do you begin? What is the first step?

   I kind of just jump right in! I never really have a set idea in mind, rather than a few I pick and choose pieces from. I do decide what materials I want to work with but that's about it!

9. How do you know when you’re done with a piece?

   I just have a feeling, when I place a certain element on the canvas I can step back and say, "This is perfect!"

10. What music do you play when you’re making art?

    I alternate between The Lumineers and Spanish rap! A broad spectrum but it depends on my mood. Each piece I create is done during a different mindset. If I am angry my work is chaotic, or if I'm happy it is methodical.

11. Is there a meal you eat on repeat when you’re working?

    I absolutely love potato wedges if I'm in a hurry, but if I have time to cook I enjoy a hearty meal of soyrizo, rice, corn and beans, and some tortillas.

12. What is the weirdest object in your maker's space?

    I would have to say I have a plaster cat door stopper that is missing an ear.

13. What’s the last thing that made you cry?

    The realization that I graduate soon and I'm the first in my family to do so.

14. What are you reading right now?

    “The Sun and Her Flowers” by Rupi Kapur.

15. What’s your favorite artwork by someone else?

    The classic "Lady with an Ermine" by Leonardo da Vinci.

16. Favorite thing about living here?

    How friendly everyone is downtown at the shops, and how open and accepting they are about artwork for First Friday! I haven't lived somewhere that has something like that.

17. Where can people find your work?

    I am on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat! I do updates frequently on Snapchat and Instagram. I have a link to my portfolio on my Instagram bio, but it is in need of an update! Snapchat shinerenee Instagram & Twitter Caddy__Whompus

Meet Amy Sage Webb

Writer, Editor Teacher

Amy Sage Webb is Professor of English and Director of the Creative Writing Program at Emporia State University, where she was named Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor. She has edited several literary journals and presses, and she directs the Donald Reichardt Center for Publishing and Literary Arts at ESU. She is an active reviewer in writing, literature, and ecocriticism, and a specialist in creative writing pedagogy. She is the author of Save Your Own Life: Kansas Stories (Woodley Press, 2012). Her poetry, fiction, and nonfiction appear in numerous publications, and she has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize.

1. What do you make?

   Poems, Essays, Short Stories, Books, Journals, Chapbooks, Audio Recordings

2. Where and when did you learn your artistic abilities?

   Reading, writing, practice, working with others, school, mentors, professional and informal role models.

3. What inspires you or sparks your creativity?

   Everything! The world is fascinating to observe and be curious about. The natural world is an endless source of inspiration. Also the arts themselves: Art galleries, architecture, films, concerts, dance performances, readings, podcasts, the work of other artists and writers.

4. What projects are you working on now?

   A collection of poems, a collection of essays, and a collection of short stories

5. What is your day like? How much do you sleep? What is your work schedule?

   I rise around sunrise each day and I try to watch the sun rise and set each day wherever I am. I drink coffee and read every morning for an hour. I write an affirmation statement every morning, and a gratitude statement every evening. My work schedule is ever-changing. Some days start early, while others go late. I schedule social time around lunch and coffee dates, and I try to schedule creativity dates and alone time for myself during lunch times as well. I usually try to get some form of exercise in the afternoon or early evening--outside if possible. It's important to me to prepare and eat dinner and relax with my spouse at the end of the day and to spend some time outside if possible. I write a poem every day during the months of November and December. I tend to read, write, listen to music, meditate, or do creative activities in the early mornings before anyone is up, or at night. I usually go to bed around midnight--earlier if I'm tired and later if I'm not. I sleep anywhere from 6 to 8 hours a night. If my schedule allows it, I sleep in two shifts, with a two or three hour sleep during the late afternoon/early evening, and then some hours of sleep between midnight and sunrise.

6. How many hours of creative work do you do in a day?

   I probably spend a couple hours a day on my own work, sometimes more. I frequently spend a whole work day on the creative endeavors of others. (I teach creative writing and literary arts).

7. What is the first work you ever sold, and for how much?

   An essay, for $250.

8. When you start a new piece, where do you begin? What is the first step?

   There's always an image. I keep journals and lists of all sorts of things that interest or inspire me, and I work from an image wherever it takes me. Sometimes I give myself a game or a prompt.

9. How do you know when you’re done with a piece?

   When I no longer find it interesting. When it doesn't seem to be teaching me something.

10. What music do you play when you’re making art?

    Jazz. Hours and hours of it. Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers' “A Night in Tunisia.” Jimmy Smith's “Prayer Meetin'". John Coltrane's “Ballads.” “Red Garland's Piano.” “The Best of Stanley Turrentine.” Miles Davis' “Kind of Blue.”

11. Is there a meal you eat on repeat when you’re working?

    Cereal or granola with fruit. Apples with natural peanut butter, the kind you have to stir and add salt to.

12. Are you bingeing on any shows right now?

    I just recently watched all three seasons of “The Last Kingdom.” Then I was hungry for another epic so I watched both seasons of “Marco Polo.” Every night for the past week or so I've watched an episode of “Underground Marvels.”

13. What is the weirdest object in your maker's space?

    A papier-mâché rabbit

14. What’s the last thing that made you cry?

    A documentary about a young woman in remote, rural Mexico who has won multiple ultra marathons running hundreds of miles wearing traditional dresses and leather sandals.

15. What are you reading right now?

    I stayed up til 2:30 AM finishing Anthony Doerr's novel “All the Light We Cannot See” last week. This week I'm reading Paige Lewis' poetry collection “Space Struck”.

16. What’s your favorite artwork by someone else?

    I couldn't pick a favorite. The poems of Mary Oliver. Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue." Nina Simone's "Sugar in my Bowl." Umberto Boccioni's "Dynamism of a Soccer Player." Art you love just changes you and becomes part of you.

17. Favorite thing about living here?

    Clear open skies. Clean air and water. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Open space. Wildlife. Slower pace. Community. An attitude that we are connected and know each other.

You can find her work at Woodley Press or local or online booksellers, and at Emporia State University Creative Writing Program.

Meet a Rock Band: The Box Turtles

Four

Kansas kids making their own noises

The Box Turtles have been stomping around Kansas for many years now, progressively making more and more noise along their way. Their members include Spencer McConaghy, Chris Siegle, Alex Paul, and Max Byram. Like many Turtles before them, they too enjoy sunsets and tasty beverages at the end of a long day. They play soul-curdling soft jams and heart-knocking/ear-rockin' slams. You might remember them from our 2018 concert series Monkey Jam at the Lyon County History Center.

1. Where and when did you learn your artistic abilities?

   Some school band experience, mainly learned from mentors such as parents/friends and guitar store employees. Most of our accumulative knowledge has been self taught over years of playing.

2. What inspires you or sparks your creativity?

   Kansas culture.

3. What projects are you working on now?

   Diesel Bros. Express Recording Studio!!

4. What is your day like? How much do you sleep? What is your work schedule?

   The band (The Box Turtles) has four members who work too often and sleep too little.

5. How many hours of creative work do you do in a day?

   Outside of regular jobs, probably around an hour individually.

6. What is the first work you ever sold, and for how much?

   Our first CD titled "Slow March," and for $10.

7. When you start a new piece, where do you begin? What is the first step?

   We tend to start with an individual's fleshed out concept, and then bring the rest of the group together on the idea and try to grow each part in the style of the original concept.

8. How do you know when you’re done with a piece?

   Once everyone in the band can perform the piece without notes or questions beforehand, and when the original concept lines up with the groups performance.

9. What music do you play when you’re making art?

   Rock.

10. Is there a meal you eat on repeat when you’re working?

    Spaghetti.

11. Are you bingeing on any shows right now?

    Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Trailer Park Boys.

12. What is the weirdest object in your maker's space?

    Our singer, Max Byram.

13. What’s the last thing that made you cry?

    Laughing to tears during our band's Thanksgiving celebration- Bandsgiving.

14. What are you reading right now?

    Seconds- Bryan O'malley

15. Favorite thing about living here?

    All the amazing people in music scene, helping one another achieve personal bests time and time again.

You can follow The Box Turtles on Facebook @theboxturtles.

Meet an Artist: Sidney Cain of Intuitive Fluid

Color expert, busy mom, Emporia native

Sidney grew up in Emporia and graduated from Emporia High in 2007. She worked as an office manager for her father’s business for seven years and was a photographer for eight years. Now she performs tarot readings online at The Moon and The Hermit Tarot and Oracle while being a stay-at-home mom to her two kids. In her spare time she can be found either in her basement painting, or curled with a cup of coffee and a good book! Sidney has been a featured artist at Emporia First Friday Art Walk, and we love her vibrant pour paintings.

1. What do you make?

   Acrylic Pour Paintings

2. Where and when did you learn your artistic abilities? 

   I picked up the basics of this painting style from Instagram and YouTube, but from there I just allowed myself to be led intuitively!

3. What inspires you or sparks your creativity?

   COLOR. I'm almost always inspired to do a piece by first coming across a color palette that I really love.

4. What projects are you working on now?

   A huge, 4.5 ft by 2.5 ft custom sign for my best friend's new salon.

5. What is your day like? How much do you sleep? What is your work schedule?

   Very busy because I'm a stay-at-home mom to an eight year old and a three year old. It's surprising to me that I've been able to paint as much as I have, quite honestly! I could absolutely go for more sleep, though. Thank goodness for coffee!

6. How many hours of creative work do you do in a day?

   There are times where I simply don't have enough hours in the day to paint, but it's typically around 6-9 hours a week.

7. What is the first work you ever sold, and for how much?

   It was this unnamed little silver, black and gold piece I was really quite proud of! I sold it to a friend of mine for just $15. 

8. When you start a new piece, where do you begin? What is the first step?

   As I mentioned, the colors are always my inspiration. Once I know the colors I'll be working with, the next step is figuring out which technique I'd like to apply and what size of canvas I'd like to attempt it on!

9. How do you know when you’re done with a piece?

   I know I'm done when I take a look at the patterns that the pour has created and I'm absolutely terrified of ruining it!

10. What music do you play when you’re making art?

    Lo-fi hip hop beats, for sure. Though one time I was having a bad day and put on a really angry song, Yuk-Foo by Wolf Alice, and it ended up being one of my favorite paintings I've done. And my day was a lot better after that!

11. Is there a meal you eat on repeat when you’re working?

    Does coffee count?

12. Are you bingeing on any shows right now?

    Currently binging Derry Girls and it's fantastic

13. What is the weirdest object in your maker's space?

    Probably a pair of panty hose. I use a pouring medium called Floetrol and sometimes it can be a bit... chunky. The panty hose is perfect for filtering it!

14. What’s the last thing that made you cry?

    I saw the book "Love You Forever" at the store and decided to show it to my son, who had never heard of it. Couldn't even flip through the pages without losing it!

15. What are you reading right now?

    “Frankly In Love”

16. What’s your favorite artwork by someone else?

    I love the digital art by Danielle Noel

17. Favorite thing about living here?

    The sense of community. I've lived here all my life and I'm sure I'll always live here, but if I were to ever leave it would be the people that I miss the most.

Sidney Cain can be found @intuitivefluid on Instagram and under "Intuitive Fluid" on YouTube, Facebook, and Society6.

Meet a Writer: Curtis Becker

Teacher, Author, Editor

Curtis Becker is a native of the high plains of Kansas where he learned the value of shade, a deck of cards, and telling good stories. In his free time he plays trombone badly and reads at open mic events. Becker teaches writing at Emporia State University and Washburn University and is also a freelance author and editor.

1. What do you make?

   I write short fiction, poems, creative non-fiction. I produce books.

2. Where and when did you learn your artistic abilities?

   As an undergraduate, I studied creative writing at Emporia State. I was also involved in the inaugural issue of Flint Hills Review where I developed a love of layout and design. I went on to earn a Master's degree in Creative Writing. 

3. What inspires you or sparks your creativity?

   I feel compelled to tell stories. Sometimes it is through my own writing; other times, it is through the design of someone else's book.

4. What projects are you working on now?

   I am working on a followup to my first book, "He Watched and Took Note". I am also in various stages of production of five different books. Additionally, I am writing for Flint Hills Traverse and ESU's Spotlight.

5. What is your day like? How much do you sleep? What is your work schedule?

   I teach at ESU and at Washburn University, so my day is dictated by my teaching schedule which changes semester to semester. I work in my creative endeavors between teaching and office hours. Generally, I like to get a lot of sleep; I find myself to be more creative when I am well rested.

6. How many hours of creative work do you do in a day?

   It depends on the day, but I at least make time to write. There are days that I take a break from grading or planning to make sure this happens. I might go to a quiet place on the floor below me or walk across campus. I do my freelance writing and book design as deadlines dictate. 

7. What is the first work you ever sold, and for how much?

   The first work I sold was my book. I get royalties; usually, it's a few dollars each time a copy sells.

8. When you start a new piece, where do you begin? What is the first step?

   When I write, I do lots of free writing that is inspired by my surroundings or a writing exercise. The first step is to get something down on paper, even if it isn't very good. You have to be willing to let go of the need to be perfect and just write.  

9. How do you know when you’re done with a piece?

   I am never done; revision lasts forever. However, when deadlines loom, I have to get to a point where I am okay with a piece and let it go. 

10. What music do you play when you’re making art?

    Here lately, I have been listening to some piano music recommended by a friend. When I am writing, I have to have instrumental music. Lyrics get in my head and fight with what I am trying to write. My Master's Thesis was written to the soundtrack from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.

11. Is there a meal you eat on repeat when you’re working?

    I eat on campus a lot, so I get a good variety. 

12. Are you bingeing on any shows right now?

    I don't watch a lot of TV.

13. What is the weirdest object in your maker's space?

    I have a Kurt Vonnegut plush doll that sits on top of one of my book cases. 

14. What’s the last thing that made you cry?

    I shed a tear having to say goodbye to a friend who is moving.

15. What are you reading right now?

    "On Drums" by Kevin Rabas, "The Collected Poems of Theodore Roethke", "Extravagaria" by Pablo Neruda, and "Where I'm Calling From" by Raymond Carver. I generally have several books going at once. 

16. What’s your favorite artwork by someone else?

    I have such a hard time picking a favorite. Usually, whatever I am reading is my current favorite.

17. Favorite thing about living here?

    Emporia is the right size for me. There is plenty going on, but you can still drive across town in a relatively short amount of time. I live downtown and enjoy walking to campus and events. 

You can find Becker's books (written or published) at Ellen Plumb's City Bookstore and kellogpress.com. Several are in the collection at White Library at ESU. You can also catch him in Flint Hills Traverse and ESU's Spotlight.

How to Write (When You’re Insecure)

by Kate Kreiman

Step 1

Open your laptop, get into your word processing program of choice, and type the three words you’ve had buzzing around in your head for hours that you know will be something good. Just dump them out as the mess they are in your head. Don’t worry about formatting, capitalization, any of it. Just. Get. Them. Out.

Step 2

Sit and stare at your mostly blank screen for at least ten minutes. Longer is encouraged, but not required. Once you’ve convinced yourself those three words are absolute garbage, backspace and begin to write something completely different. While you’re doing this, be sure to keep bugging yourself about your original idea over and over again until you hate it. Really make sure you’ll never type that combination of letters again.

Step 3

Very suspiciously keep your writing away from the sight of any human person. If, say, your friend or significant other or a friendly coffee shop patron walks within a two foot radius, quickly bring up that extra tab with an NPR article about genetic diversity of crops that you keep open at all times. Be very fast and make sure to smile sheepishly as they go. NO ONE can see what you have so far.

Step 4

Make LOTS of weird noises of displeasure while you write. Sighing, cringing, anything will do. Really pull the sounds of discomfort from deep within your soul. Extra points if you include body movements like head shakes, putting your head in your hands, or closing your eyes frequently. 

Step 5

“Hold down the backspace key until it feels right.”

Erase at least 200 words of what you have so far in an angry panic. Hold down the backspace key until it feels right. Don’t worry if you’ve gone too far; the next step will take care of it. 

Step 6

Hit undo repeatedly until all the words you deleted are back. No judgement. 

Step 7

Get into your groove and write something really witty, really insightful, and truly great. You know you can and you know you will. Even with all of the self-doubt looming, taking the words in your head and your heart and putting them on the screen is the thing you one-hundred percent know how to do. Just be brave. 

Step 8

Find an editor. Don’t choose someone who will tell you they love it regardless of the skill (no moms, significant others, friends who are too nice to call you on your crap). Choose the person who very sternly but with care tells you exactly what is wrong with your work. Be real with yourself, and trust that your editor is being real with you, too. This is one of the most important steps. 

Step 9

““You are worth sharing with the world.””

Publish it. Ignore the anxiety. Ignore the fear. Take the final leap and put yourself and your work out into the world. Know that you will have people who hate it. You will have people who don’t even care it exists. But also know you are worth trying. You are worth sharing with the world. 

Step 10

Regardless of the outcome, celebrate with yourself a little. Get some ice cream, tell your friends, buy yourself a new notebook even though you have a whole shelf of unused ones at home. You did it, and the next time it will get a little easier. So don’t give up.

Kate Kreiman is a writer and avid Oxford comma supporter working in marketing and higher education in Kansas. Her hobbies are tea drinking, embroidery, and trying (usually unsuccessfully) to keep her beloved houseplants alive. Kate’s favorite genres, both to read and write, are poetry and informal essays.

Meet a Songwriter: Grant Boesen of Pretend Friend

Singer, Pet Lover, Outdoor Enthusiast

Grant Boesen is a singer/songwriter with Pretend Friend. He is a music, writing, outdoors, and travel enthusiast. Pretend Friend is a string-band dynamo out of Wichita, Kansas. Their songs meld traditional bluegrass and folk with fiery rock and roll zest, and their performances are distinguished by high-energy picking and three-part vocal harmonies.

1. What do you make?

   I write songs for the band Pretend Friend.

2. Where and when did you learn your artistic abilities?

   I started learning piano when I was seven years old and guitar at nine years old. I started singing when I was 16 for the purpose of writing songs.

3. What inspires you or sparks your creativity?

   Music sparks most of my creative processes. Sometimes it's sparked by an album or song that resonated well with me, but it's equally inspired by noodling aimlessly on a guitar. I'm inspired to perform by bands that communicate well and play with enthusiasm.

4. What projects are you working on now?

   I am currently arranging and writing a batch of songs that will likely become Pretend Friend's third album. I can never be sure how they will turn out, but that's the idea for now.

5. What is your day like? How much do you sleep? What is your work schedule?

   I wake up around 6:30am, eat breakfast, and go to work for a while. I get home sometime between 4-6pm. Other than playing music, I spend time with my girlfriend and our dog and cat. I sleep 5-6 hours a night.

6. How many hours of creative work do you do in a day?

   I write or play for about 2-4 hours, depending on the day. It's not always intentional or strict practice. Everything I learn or rehearse needs to be useful for creating something else.

7. What is the first work you ever sold, and for how much?

   The first work I sold was a digital download of Pretend Friend's debut, self-titled album for $10.

8. When you start a new piece, where do you begin? What is the first step?

   Every new song I start is different. My first few attempts are usually bad. I'll write something down or take a short recording, then forget about it, then rediscover it six months later. Somehow it works out.

9. How do you know when you’re done with a piece?

   When it feels right. Some take 15 minutes, some take years.

10. What music do you play when you’re making art?

    I play my own music, but what I make often reflects or hints at the music I've been listening to lately.

11. Is there a meal you eat on repeat when you’re working?

    I eat potatoes, onions, and mushrooms cooked in olive oil in a pan every day if I'm home by myself.

12. Are you bingeing on any shows right now?

    My girlfriend and I have binge-watched “Carnival Row” recently. That's a good show.

13. What is the weirdest object in your maker's space?

    I have a dog and a cat that are both super weird, and they are always in my space.

14. What’s the last thing that made you cry?

    The last time I cried was while watching my cat wrestle my dog. I cry when I laugh.

15. What are you reading right now?

    I'm reading “Jupiter's Travels” by Ted Simon.

16. What’s your favorite artwork by someone else?

    This changes based on my mood, but I always love Paul Simon's album "Graceland."

17. Favorite thing about living here?

    My favorite thing about living in Wichita, or Kansas in general, is the community. Best people around.

Pretend Friend's music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play, YouTube Music, Amazon, etc. It can be streamed for free on Soundcloud or at pretendfriendmusic.com, where they also sell CDs. Follow Pretend Friend on Facebook @pretendfriendmusic or on Twitter @pretendfriendx.

Meet an Up-and-Comer: Shayli Gentry

Painter, Quilter, Student

Shayli Gentry is an Art student at Emporia State University. She has been a featured artist at Emporia First Friday Art Walk, and we love her abstract watercolor paintings. She is also making quilts cool again, which we think is cool, too.

1. What do you make?

   I make lots of things! My favorite things to work on right now are small scale abstract watercolor paintings and quilting.

2. Where and when did you learn your artistic abilities?

   I’ve been interested in art as long as I can remember! My mom credits herself for buying me so many craft sets and crayons when I was little. My earliest memory of creating was probably when I was five. I was alone in my room following along to a scrapbook show on channel 11 with my stamp kit!

3. What inspires you or sparks your creativity?

   Right now my cat, Vanellope, is having a huge impact on my creativity! I’ve been making her little houses and have some future plans for more cat related art! Also, just small daily things can spark huge ideas. It could be something random that I see that sparks a whole string of ideas. My “art ideas” folder in my notes is insanely long.

4. What projects are you working on now?

   More watercolors! Soon I plan on attempting to sew some unique cat toys and possibly some scrunchies!

5. What is your day like? How much do you sleep? What is your work schedule?

   My days are pretty long and crazy. I currently have three jobs and I’m a student at ESU! Two are art related. I work at the Emporia Arts Center as a teacher and front desk assistant, and I also work as a gallery assistant at ESU. Then I work as a bartender at The Lonesome Dove! I don’t sleep much at night, but if I have an hour here and there during the day you’ll normally find me taking a nap!

6. How many hours of creative work do you do in a day?

   Since I’m in school as an Art major currently I would say I spend at least 3 hours a day creating and then if I have the night off and some motivation I’ll get in a few more!

7. What is the first work you ever sold, and for how much?

   A graduation cap! I think they ended up giving me $40 for it!

8. When you start a new piece, where do you begin? What is the first step?

   With watercolor my first step is to tape edges and then I pick a color. Once I get that first color down and dragged across the page I go from there on other colors and details I think would add to the piece. It’s never planned with watercolor what I’m doing. If I’m making a quilt the first step is picking a pattern and then a lot of math for how I want to modify the design. I never really stick to the exact pattern. I like to make it my own!

9. How do you know when you’re done with a piece?

   When I don’t have the “it’s missing something” feeling in the pit of my stomach, I know a piece is done.

10. What music do you play when you’re making art?

    I actually prefer to have the TV on when I’m creating! It’s kind of a way for me to track my time. I will start a show and take note what episode I’m on and then when I’m done it's crazy to see how many episodes have gone by!

11. Is there a meal you eat on repeat when you’re working?

    Pizza. Pizza. Pizza. I eat a lot of pizza.

12. Are you bingeing on any shows right now?

    My go-to shows are Phineas and Ferb, KUWK, Rick and Morty, and Friends.

13. What is the weirdest object in your maker's space?

    Hmmm I’m honestly not sure. Maybe my tissue box? It’s the only non-artsy thing in the area. Lol. I have bad allergies.

14. What’s the last thing that made you cry?

    I was listening to Phil Collins on the way to my 8am Studio class and started to tear up. Lol. I’m highly emotional in the mornings. Lots of feels.

15. What are you reading right now?

    I don't read for fun currently. Maybe after college.

16. What’s your favorite artwork by someone else?

    Quilts by Jean Mitchell (Virginia Jean Cox Mitchell). Insane HAND SEWN quilt tops with super detailed design. Just amazing.

17. Favorite thing about living here?

    I love that there are things to do here that you can get to within 5 minutes or less. Lol. I grew up in Allen. There is nothing to do in Allen. Everything is far away from Allen.

See Shayli’s work on Instagram @shaylis_creations

Meet a Poet Laureate: Kevin Rabas

Writer, teacher, jazz enthusiast

Past Poet Laureate of Kansas (2017-2019) Kevin Rabas leads the poetry and playwriting tracks and chairs the Department of English, Modern Languages, and Journalism at Emporia State University. He has twelve books, including Lisa’s Flying Electric Piano, a Kansas Notable Book and Nelson Poetry Book Award winner; All That Jazz; and Everyone Just Wants to Drum. He is a Roe R. Cross Professor and is the recipient of the Emporia State President’s and Liberal Arts and Sciences awards for Research and Creativity. He is also the winner of the Langston Hughes Award and the Salina New Voice Award for poetry.

1. What do you make?

   Poems, stories, books, films.

2. Where and when did you learn your artistic abilities?

   Some I learned from trial and error--and practice. Other elements I learned in school. I earned my MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College and my PhD from KU.

3. What inspires you or sparks your creativity?

   Viewing and hearing the work of other local and regional artists often inspires me. So, I go to art openings, concerts, readings and open mics.

4. What projects are you working on now?

   I have a novella coming out this February. It's called ELIZABETH'S CITY. It's a love story--and a love letter to a city (Kansas City.) I also have a chapbook (small book) coming out around the same time; it's full of poems about Charlie "Bird" Parker, the bebop genius from KCK/KCMO.

5. What is your day like? How much do you sleep? What is your work schedule?

   I teach and work at Emporia State, 8-5, M-F. I write over my lunch breaks. I write at night. I write and film most weekends.

6. How many hours of creative work do you do in a day?

   1-3 hours each day.

7. What is the first work you ever sold, and for how much?

   A poetry book, BIRD'S HORN, for $10.

8. When you start a new piece, where do you begin? What is the first step?

   I spend time observing something. I dip into memory. I write a quick poetic sketch, and then I focus more closely on craft in the next few drafts.

9. How do you know when you’re done with a piece?

   If it makes sense and says what I want it to say, it's getting close.

10. What music do you play when you’re making art?

    Miles Davis: KIND OF BLUE; Keith Jarrett: THE KOLN CONCERT; etc.

11. Is there a meal you eat on repeat when you’re working?

    Not really. But I drink a lot of water, some of it seltzer.

12. What is the weirdest object in your maker's space?

    Lots of pens and pencils. Nothing too weird.

13. What’s the last thing that made you cry?

    A holiday commercial made on a $150 budget. It was beautiful and poignant.

14. What are you reading right now?

    Kevin Young: BROWN; Aimee Nezhukumatathil: LUCKY FISH; Cary Nelson: ANTHOLOGY OF CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN POETRY

15. What’s your favorite artwork by someone else?

    A painting, "Skipping Skeletons," by Schulnik

16. Favorite thing about living here?

    The community, the kind people, working at Emporia State.

17. Where can people find your work?

    Go to one of our bookstores (Ellen Plumb's City Bookstore), the ESU bookstore, or (if this is not possible) Amazon.com will work.

Meet a Maker: Cory Anderson of Sapphire Son

Musician, nature enthusiast, road warrior

Cory Anderson is an indie folk singer/songwriter in the Emporia area. Locally he has played at venues like Emporia Granada Theatre, Radius Brewing Company, The Copper Top, Finn's Neighborhood Pub in Manhattan, and Strong City’s Ad Astra Food and Drink. Additionally, he was one of the featured bands at the 2019 Halfway to Everywhere music festival in Emporia. We love his acoustic and lyrical track Nostalgia. Here’s our conversation:

1. What do you make?

   Music, linocut prints, digital art, and crafts.

2. Where and when did you learn your artistic abilities?

   Life on the road and YouTube. (haha)

3. What inspires you or sparks your creativity?

   Anything can but mostly people, personal relationships, and nature.

4. What projects are you working on now?

   A new single and holiday cards.

5. What is your day like? How much do you sleep? What is your work schedule?

   It's all over the place. Sometimes I rise early to work on social media and music and sometimes I'm out late playing shows or running sound.

6. How many hours of creative work do you do in a day?

   5-16

7. What is the first work you ever sold, and for how much?

   My first paying gig was a bar where I lied about my age. I played for two hours and made 50 bucks.

8. When you start a new piece, where do you begin? What is the first step?

   Usually a chord progression and a feeling. The lyrics soon follow. And visually I take cues from what I find appealing in natural formations. I like organic matter.

9. How do you know when you’re done with a piece?

   It's never done; you just have to learn how to stop and say... Well... I'm happy where it's at.

10. What music do you play when you’re making art?

    Gregory Alan Isakov, Iron and Wine, indie folk stuff when I'm feeling chill.  But I still love Barenaked Ladies and classic rock. When I'm feeling feisty I turn on reggaeton.

11. Is there a meal you eat on repeat when you’re working?

    Coffee.

12. Are you bingeing on any shows right now?

    Blippi.

13. What is the weirdest object in your maker's space?

    My daughter’s umbilical cord nub.

14. What’s the last thing that made you cry?

    A few days ago I was listening to the Lord of the Rings on audio book and Sam.. Sam made me tear up.

15. What are you reading right now?

    A lot of Pinterest 😂

16. What’s your favorite artwork by someone else?

    I love the work from Alex Pardee

17. Favorite thing about living here?

    There are people here who will always hold a special place in my heart.

You can follow Sapphire Son on social media @sapphireson and on Google.

Meet a Maker: Clara Corn, MS

Oil painter, coffee lover, night owl

Clara Corn earned her graduate degree in Art Therapy here in Emporia. She has worked as a summer arts educator, social media coordinator, professor, and art therapist in the community. In addition, she has been heavily involved in non-profit leadership at Plumb Place, Southeast KANSASWORKS, and most recently Bloom House Youth Services. We love that she has a passion for art and making a positive difference in people’s lives. Here’s our conversation:

1. What do you make?

   I mostly paint with oils, but have been exploring more of what I can do with embroidery and textile arts.

2. Where and when did you learn your artistic abilities?

   I'm lucky in that I grew up in a family where art was encouraged! My mom and grandma were my biggest art inspirations and kept art materials near; a fine art degree in undergrad gave me more opportunity to learn new techniques.

3. What inspires you or sparks your creativity?

   I'm most creative when I have a little quiet time on my front porch with a coffee and let my mind wander.

4. What projects are you working on now?

   A crazy quilt and several, several partially finished paintings!

5. What is your day like? How much do you sleep? What is your work schedule?

   I don't sleep much and I have a lot of things I'm super passionate about so I tend to be doing several things at once most days. I'm a night owl and really love my quiet early mornings before the sun rises.

6. How many hours of creative work do you do in a day?

   Well, I don't work on my own art as much as I should, but I work creatively probably 5-7 hours a week right now.

7. What is the first work you ever sold, and for how much?

   That would be, I think, a self portrait in undergrad for $150.

8. When you start a new piece, where do you begin? What is the first step?

   I start by sketching it out in pencil on paper.

9. How do you know when you’re done with a piece?

   That's hard! I think when I feel like I'm close but I'm not sure I step back and look at it. Then I give it a few days after which I'll have some more perspective.

10. What music do you play when you’re making art?

    It really depends on my mood, but mostly to be honest, it's often murder ballads.

11. Is there a meal you eat on repeat when you’re working?

    I really tend to just drink a lot of coffee or tea.

12. Are you bingeing on any shows right now?

    I'm re-watching Star Trek Voyager right now.

13. What is the weirdest object in your maker's space?

    Oh goodness I don't know! My home is my space, so probably.... the electro shock box from the 1850s I bought at an antique store.

14. What’s the last thing that made you cry?

    Oh I cry so easy.... probably an emotional commercial!

15. What are you reading right now?

    Re-reading Dune by Frank Herbert.

16. What’s your favorite artwork by someone else?

    One of my favorite artists is Frida Kahlo and I have a print of her "Thinking about Death" in my living room. I don't think I can pick a favorite!!

17. Favorite thing about living here?

    The open Flinthills! It's beautiful here.

View Clara’s professional experiences online and connect with her on Facebook or LinkedIn.