Writing at the age of 12, drawing at the age of 13, photographing at the age of 17, and graphic designing at the age 21, Mis Smith balances her work with motherhood everyday. "It's not always an artist's life-- it's a mom's life, with art on the side," Mis says humbly. Art is so important in Mis' life that she has encouraged her children "to take pictures, draw, and read." Because her children are encouraged to do those things, Mis says she is living a "momma's life, with art on the side." Mis and her family live in Missouri.
Faten: How did you get started as an artist?
Mis: I really just needed a creative outlet, so I tried a lot of things. Luckily, a lot worked out for me.
Faten: Does your family support your work? Explain.
Mis: Yes, most certainly. First, Derek has bought all my equipment. He suggests shots, critiques and really encourages me to do what I want to do. You can't ask for much more than that really.
Faten: What kind of work do you create or produce? 
Mis: I mainly do photography and a lot of playing with Paint Shop Pro, making "siggies" and lots of fun stuff for emails, websites, myspace, etc.
Faten: What do you want people to know about you as an artist?
Mis: others look at pictures, they all see different meanings, and that's one of the things I want people to know that every picture I take, means something to me, personally. When things that makes me love working on my art so much. My art can branch out to anyone, and a piece of art can mean whatever you want it to mean. It doesn't only relate to the artist. Also, I want people to know that ANYONE can be an artist. All you need is ambition, and imagination.
Faten: How do you plan to grow as an artist?
Mis: Well, new equipment would be nice. I want to grow as an artist. I think that I would like to be able to travel more to shoot. I think it would help me in learning new tricks with photo manipulation, learning angles and how to use certain lenses. I'd love to be able to do more wildlife shots.
Faten: What do you hope to accomplish from your work?
Mis: I'm not really sure. I'd like for someone to see one of my shots or read one of my songs, and notice it. It would be really neat. I would like my art to be appreciated and enjoyed.
Faten: How has your product or work been used by others?
Mis: My work has been used by others many times. I allow usage of my work (after written permission) for email stationary, siggies, and other non profit things. I sell prints and have sold calendars with my art on them.
Faten: What kind of advice can you give to a budding or aspiring person in your line of work?
Mis: If you are into photography, take your camera everywhere--even to the grocery store. You never know what will come into your line of sight. If you are a writer, write what means something to you, otherwise, its an empty outlet for your creative juices. 
Faten: Any finals words of wisdom before we wrap up the interview?
Mis: Just be creative. If it looks neat or cool to you, it will to others. Always have meaning behind your work. Let it have a story. If a picture is worth a thousand words, it shouldn't be too hard. Don't always be ordinary. Do things that you don't see often. Be experimental.
Mis runs the following websites:
I have postponed this week's interview because of life getting in the way. I apologize for those waiting to read this week's interview. Everything is scheduled to be back to "normal" (whatever that is) next week.
Thanks for understanding!
Wednesday's Word is off this week again due to the holidays, and I was late sending questions to the artist of the week. I will post more about her next week!
Happy Holidays!
Wednesday's Word is taking the day off this week
0 comments Posted by Faten Abdallah at 12/19/2007 12:29:00 AMI will be resuming Wednesday's Word next week, December 26, 2007 due to being this a religious holiday for me today.
It is Eid al Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice.
I will be celebrating with family and friends today! For Muslims around the world: Eid Mubarek!
On July 19th, 2005, Michelle Shepps' 15 year old son ran away from home. He had chosen to live with his biological father. "To make this story short, I started custody proceedings the next day, and my son was back home with me three months later," Shepps said.
d put the lyrics together with the picture, printed it out on photo paper," Shepps said. She then framed it in a plain black frame.This was just the beginning for Shepps' business: Framed Expressions, http://www.framedexpressionsonline.com/ . She was even featured in the Lebanon Daily News.
Michelle: Although, I started this more than two years ago, Framed Expressions became official Septemeber 2006. I stated making business cards and brochures. I began participating in craft shows.
Faten: What is your artist life like?
Michelle: It gets hectic at times--trying to juggle family life and building up my business. Somtimes it seems like I'm getting nowhere, and then all of a sudden, I get two or three orders at a shot.
Faten: How often do you work on your art?
Michelle: Between working outside the home, family life, and trying to promote my business, and then working on orders when they come in, can be frustrating. So, no. I don't do my crafting every day.
Faten: Does your family support your work?
Michelle: My family, especially my husband, supports my passion very much. When I was in one of my slumps, I asked him if he thinks it's worth me trying to continue, and he asked me if I like doing what I do. Of course I love it, and so he said for me to just keep going!
Faten: What do you want people to know about your work?Michelle: I feel very passionate about what I do. I love to see the smiles when I give one as a gift, or when I give a customer their order. I love the feedback when I ask the customer "did they like their gift?" You can read a lot of the responses on both my myspace and my website. My business was born from a passionate love for my children. When I am working on a frame, I sort of become immersed in it, and I pay attention to every little detail. I check over it quite a few times before I'm satisfied and I seal it closed. I take great pride in what I do.
Faten: What do you hope to accomplish from your work?
Michelle: Personally, I hope to be able to be a SAHM mom, or at least be able to work only a few days a week outside the home. Professionally, I have chosen an agency here in Lebanon, called the Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center of Lebanon County, to do
nate a certain percentage of my profits to. April is National Child Abuse Awareness month, and so every April I will be donating 10% of my earnings from throughout the previous year to this agency. I would love to, someday, (if I can overcome my fear of speaking in front of people) be a motivational speaker for either this group, or the Domestic Violence Intervention in our county, or both! I hope to accomplish letting other women know that they can overcome their hardships. There is so much you can accomplish when you put your mind to it and not succumb to circumstances.Faten: What kind of advice can you give to a beginning crafter?
Michelle: Keep your chin up! Network--join groups, be an active member in those groups, participate in shows. SMILE! Enjoy what you do and others will too. "Get your name out there" everywhere you can. Be patient. Listen to other's advice. You don't necessarily have to follow everyone's advice, but listen! You might overlook some very good advice if you don't listen.
Faten: How do you plan to grow as a crafter?
Michelle: I know it's going to take a lot more patience to grow as big as I want to get, but so be it. I will keep working at it, and I WILL make it. Follow my own advice!
Michelle, a member of Moms United In Business, participates in different groups and associations. She is part of Cafe Mom . Locally, she belongs to http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/LebanonCountyPASmallBusiness/ and Community of Lebanon Association. Her myspace is www.myspace.com/framedexpressions feel free to add as a friend!
If you would like to receive news updates and special offers by email, please let me know. Write to Michelle at shelly012670@msn.com
Christie Silvers, a mother of three, has more than 170 web-content articles between Associated Content and Ezine.com, one parenting book and one paranormal romance currently available. I had the pleasure of interviewing Christie on her writing career.
Faten: What project are you currently working on now?
Christie: I am currently working on Book 2 Two to the A Midnight Infatuation series. It is titled A Birth at Dawn and centers around the same two main characters as in Book 1. After you finish book 1 you will definitely want to check out book 2!
Faten: What was your favorite project and why?
Christie: My favorite is my paranormal romance, A Midnight Infatuation. This book was definitely a labor of love. It's full of vampires, werewolves, action, thrills and even the hot sensual scenes that make your heart pitter-patter (or at least mine did while I was writing, lol).
Faten: What genre do you write in/about and why?
Christie Most of my web-content articles are family/parenting related topics. I also have one parenting book. But, my passion is the paranormal/supernatural genres. Vampires, werewolves and witches are what I enjoy reading about, so it was no wonder that I would jump into writing about the same.
Faten: How long have you been writing?
Christie: Well, I've been writing on and off since the age of sixteen. But, I didn't start getting serious about it until the summer of 2006.
Faten: How did you get started in writing?
Christie: A friend of mine suggested that I check out a web-content site called Associated Content. It was a good place to make some quick cash and help out the family income a little. It turned out to be the turning point for my writing career. I used Associated Content as a jumping-off point and have just grown from there.
Faten: Do you write everyday, a few times per week, etc.?
Christie: I write everyday in some way, shape or form. It's not always articles or my books, but I am always writing something.
Faten: Does your family support you in writing?
Christie: My children think that it's "cool" that mommy is a writer. My husband would prefer that I didn't spend so much time with my fingers flying across the keyboard. My mother tells everyone she knows that they should buy my books. LOL! All in all, my family is very supportive with my chosen lifestyle (being a writer really is a lifestyle).
Faten: What do you hope to accomplish from writing?
Christie: I never really went into this hoping to accomplish anything. Sure, fame would be nice; money would be fabulous, but in the end I just enjoy doing it.
Faten: How do you plan to continue to grow as an author?
Christie: I plan to keep writing. Practice makes perfect... Or though they say. I wouldn't care if I sold another book (well, I might care a little), I just enjoy what I'm doing and will keep at it for as long as I am physically able to do so.
Faten: What do you want people to get from your writing?
Christie: I want them to be entertained, informed and want to read more when they are finished.
Faten: Give advice to an aspiring author. 
Christie: My best advice to anyone considering taking on the challenge of writing, is to keep at it. Don't expect to just write something and have an instant fan-base. Writing takes lots of practice, rewrites,advertisement , rewrites and, well, REWRITES. Rejections are a way of life for writers, so don't take them personally. Well, it will sting either way, just try not to take them too personally.
Faten: Any final words of wisdom before we wrap up this interview?
Christie: Writing is contagious. Once you start, it's very difficult to stop. And that's the way it should be with anything that you enjoy in your life. It should become an addiction, of sorts. Something that you look forward to doing -- even when it's not going the way you want it to go.
Don't be afraid of letting your story take off. Some of my best stories ended with me looking at the screen and thinking, "Wow. Did I just write that?" because it felt like the characters just took over and went their own way. I was just taking dictation. That is a great feeling!
You can find some of Christie's other works and projects at http://www.christiesilvers.com;and in her author's forum at CoffeeTimeRomance.com Readers and fans can also join Christie's monthly newsletter at http://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=1003219z.
