April Newsletter

April Newsletter

"Art is a step from what is obvious and well-known toward what is arcane and concealed." Khalil Gibran

Welcome Creative Souls to the latest installment of your newsletter - your monthly portal on all things Creative, at Creative Souls.

As many of you may have noticed while visiting CS, we have been undergoing a number of exciting changes and are exploring several new avenues at this time. We are glad to have you here and are pleased that you will be joining us at this time of fresh beginnings. I can think of no better time for new adventures than wonderful, glorious Springtime!

Izabella, our amazing founder, has added several people as Administrators to assist her with the overall operations of the site: Kimmie Draper, Judy Keefe, Stephanie Voss (Joy Uslion) and yours truly, Peggi Meyer Graminski, have volunteered their services, and are here to help answer any questions or discuss any issues you might have. Please feel free to contact any of us at any time.

Admins - Creative Souls

creativesouls.ning.com
  
FEATURED ARTIST
 This month's featured artist is Bernice Wagnitz. Congratulations Bernice! Bernice is a multi-talented artist, residing in Clawson, Michigan. Her artwork is brightly coloured and highly energetic. Here is a little bit about her, in her own words ...

I've done art and crafts all my life. It wasn't until I had to have my first back surgery and the gals at work bought me my first set of oil paints. I was off and running. I had always sketched, I call it doodling but now I was hooked. I just started to do digital art in 2009 and just like with oil painting I fell in love with it.

Art is my life saver, it's why I get up in the morning and stay up all night. I try and learn new things all the time and grow everyday.

I have an artist page on Facebook if you would like to see more of my art. Thanks and keep creating

The Gothic Garden, art by Bernice (Hodges) Wagnitz

Here is a sample of Bernice's lovely art:

If you are interested in being a Featured Artist at Creative Souls please visit our Featured Artist Thread

Le Mer

Come to me my love
into this sea you have woven within me
the bright and florid depths
filled with salty issues i have wept.

Come to me my love
and sing sirenically
of shores not yet spoken
and dreams not yet broken
of an oceans rhapsody.

Come to me my love
in the sway of each ebbing tide
shot with loves light
the arrows of our sweet delight
illuminating all the world inside.

Come to me my love
leap upon the bow waves of this rolling flame
the ever living play of passions fervent game
two dolphins swept upon each other
to slide in languid motions
through the depths, my silken lover.

Come to me my love
the swirling maelstrom of your grip
born between the tidal constancy and rip
shorn of every tether you have known
blown into the stormy heart that we've sown.

Come to me my love
sway in languid lengths of bliss
the delicate dance of your lovers kiss
to tangle dulces limbs desire
entwined within each other's fire.

Come to me my love
and i will sing to you of sea's
the shanties that do mermaids please
of pirate chests and crackens roar
the dragons rests, and fathoms more
in dulcet tones of evening breeze.

Come to me my love
upon a mirror's surface
and watch the flash of green
disappear into the depths unseen
Apollo in his resting place
and we on sands in sweet embrace.

Come to me my love
and never be apart
gambol in our playful waves
my one immortal heart
then we shall swim eternally
into this loving sea
in elegance and beauty
True Love entwined and free.

Richard Michael Parker

CREATIVE SOULS MAGAZINE
 Our new Creative Souls Magazine will be coming out soon! A creative team has been organized to put the magazine together, and they are now awaiting your submissions. If you have artwork or articles that you would like to submit for consideration please don't hesitate to send in your submissions now!

CREATIVE SOULS PUBLISHING

To announce some very BIG NEWS here at Creative Souls, here is a note from Richard Michael Parker, CS Admin

I want to welcome you all to Creative Souls Publishing Ltd, the Publishing arm of Creative Souls. In the coming weeks I hope that you will share in the experience of the workings and construction of a new form of publishing, using an innovative Business Model, that has not as yet been seen in the free market. This is the dawning of a brand new day, and a brand new way of doing business, Creatively. Welcome!

In the Next couple of weeks, we will have our own Publishing arm, and a shop front from which to sell our creations. It is hoped that we might be able to tap into the vast creative storehouse we have available together, to create something special, from which everyone can benefit. A full team of professionals have been employed to make this a successful venture, and a Limited Liability company has been set up to ensure its smooth running.

The model should allow for a generous royalty to be paid to contributing members in each of the projects, along with a profit sharing scheme of 9% of net profits, for those involved in each Creative Souls project. A modest contribution of profits of 1% will be retained from net profits for Creative Souls Publishing, with 90% of net profits being donated to Charity. The running costs of the Publishing company will of course be taken into consideration before net profit is calculated.

There is so much Creative potential here for Ebooks, Books, and other arts and crafts 'How too's', that it was about time we spread our wings a little and allowed Creative Souls to fly a little. Other sites, authors, workshops, and events will also be able to advertise and sell products through the shop for a modest fee, or in most cases simply a modest cut of the sale price of the items. So given the business model, with 90% of CSP's net profits being donated to Charity, it is hoped many artists and authors will find this an attractive opportunity, not just ethically, but also financially.

We look forward to working with everyone in a Collaborative and Creative manner, to make Creative Souls a community of true creativity that puts the Soul back into the Marketplace.

Please take a moment and stop by our new Creative Souls Publishing BLOG. See you there!

REMINDERS

Stay in touch with Creative Souls and Creative Souls Publishing on Youtube, Twitter, or Facebook. We also have our newly-created Creative Souls Community Blog for more general news. We have a full spring and summer planned, and our new shop will be opening very soon ~ more information will be available on the site and these links regarding selling items through the shop in the very near future. So please stay up-to-date by visiting our links :)

PROMOTE YOURSELF!

Our first Self Promotion Tuesday was a great success! Many new and inspiring artistic creations were seen by your fellow artists, so mark your calendars, and remember that every TUESDAY is the chance for you to self promote your work on the Creative Souls Fan Page. You can still promote your work on the main Ning site, on the Self Promotion Discussion Section. Many of our artists are taking advantage of this, and it is a great way to show others what you are doing and what you have to sell and share... so don't be shy, be seen!

MORE EXCITING EVENTS

Thanks to everyone who took part in our monthly Soulful Self Portrait Challenge, "You and Your shadow". We had some incredible entries, and are looking forward to receiving more entries in our 6th challenge 'Soles for Souls', come join us in this creative and fun event.

Heads up for CS member Michael deMeng's newest class offering. Creative Souls members will receive a special discount when enrolling for this class. Visit this link for all the details - Michael's classes are always informative and lots of fun!

http://creativesouls.ning.com/forum/topics/micheal-demeng-newest-online

Micheal deMeng newest online class!!! Art Laboratory issue#2 - Creative Souls

creativesouls.ning.com

Here is a slightly more comprehensive list of upcoming events
Take a look and see what's happening in the Arts community ~ don't miss out!

Announcements:

 If you would like to make an ARTS announcement to our community of 3000+ artists, please visit the Announcements message board. Remember, you have to be heard to be seen! :)

Wishing everyone a very Happy Springtime! Your friends at Creative Souls

Flying Again...

Welcome to the Creative Souls Flyer, a weekly 'whats on' event reminder for members.
-3000 members!...yes thats right, we passed the 3000 members mark this week!...Congratulations are in order to all of you for being part of such a vibrant and creative community! Together we are greater than we could ever be alone.
-The Newsletter:
Should be out this coming week, with any luck, with in depth news on whats going on at creative souls, and a new featured artist. If you wish to be a featured artist, please POST your art!, for no one ever appreciated art that was never seen, so be bold, show us all what you've been up to, and share the creativity :)
- Creative Souls publishing Ltd has a new BLOG.
You can also catch up with what is happening with CSP on Youtube, Twitter, or Facebook, and there is also the Creative Souls Community Blog for more general news about what is going on with Creative Souls these days. We have a full spring and summer planned, and the new shop will be opening very soon also, and more information will be available on the site and these links regarding selling items through the shop in the very near future, so keep an eye open, or follow us at the above links, this is YOUR community after all :)
-Self promotion Tuesdays:
Was a great success, and many new and inspiring artistic creations were seen by your fellow artists, so don't forget, TUESDAY is the chance for you to self promote your work on the Creative Souls Fan Page, It might be worth mentioning that you can also self promote your work on the main Ning site, on the Self Promotion Discussion Section, many folks already take advantage of this facility, and it is a great way to show others what you are doing and what you have to sell and share... so don't be shy, be seen! 
- Some Magazine News:
Yes the Creative souls magazine will be coming out soon, we have assembled a creative team to put the magazine together, and now await some of your artwork, articles and submissions. DON'T HESITATE, because if you do it will be too late! If you want to be seen in Print, send your submissions in now! :)

-EVENTS:
Thanks also to all those who took part in our monthly soulful self portrait challenge, "You and Your shadow", we had some incredible presentations, and look forward to the new entries in the 6th challenge 'Soles for Souls', come join us in this creative fun event. Speaking of Events, here is a slightly more comprehensive list of upcoming events

Announcements:
If you wish to make an ARTS announcement to the community of over 3000 artists, please visit the Announcements message board. You have to be heard to be seen! :)

Have a creative weekend, and a great week!

Creative Souls Network

We at Creative Souls Publishing believe it is important to be fully linked in to the community, and to this ends we have created a network of fully integrated social media avenues, that allow each and every one of you the chance to participate in what is happening at Creative Souls Publishing each and every day.

For those that wish to join in the fun whilst being mobile there is the Creative Souls Twitter feed which allows you all to follow what is happening at CSP, instantly and all day.

For those wishing to view some of the Video productions we have already produced, and the ongoing Audio Visual experience that will encompass Creative Souls Channel broadcasts, along with Audio Books, and various workshop experiences in the future, there is the Creative Souls Youtube Channel.

Finally for a more leisurely view of what is happening at Creative Souls Publishing, you may wish to join the ever growing community at Creative Souls Facebook Page.

All of these linked in, and online experiences of course would be nothing without the community of which we are a part, and to take a look at the exciting artwork that is being produced on a daily basis, and what projects may be up and coming i urge you to visit our community of over 3000 artists at the Creative Souls Community.

BUT WAIT... there is more!

Coming very soon, Creative Souls Publishings very own Store, where you can purchase items specifically designed for you by the Artists at Creative Souls, and affiliates.

The marketing and company model is like nothing the free market has ever seen before, and will allow Creative Souls Publishing to put back 90% of its net profits back into the community by way of Charitable contributions... yes thats right 90%...

So, stay tuned...
http://creativesouls.ning.com

Flying

"It was your Heart within your Art, that flew upon those airy wings into my own, enjoining souls that once alone, resound now in blessed unity, and sing in soulful raptured harmony..." RMP Welcome to the Creative Souls Flyer, a weekly 'whats on' event reminder for members. -The Newsletter will still be out each Month, with more in depth information and featured artists, but to fill the gaps for members in the intervening weeks, here is a brief run down on whats happening this week at Creative Souls. So come get involved, and together let us shine a bright Artistic and Creative light for each other and those that seek inspiration. -We have a New group of Administrators on the site to help Izabella with the ever increasing demands, events, and projects that are taking off on the creative souls site. Peggi, Kimmie, Judy, Richard, Melissa and Joy will now be available for the site, and should help things run easier. -Creative Souls publishing Ltd is an exciting edition to the site, and we look forward in the coming months to seeing a number of collaborative projects published, both in Ebooks form and Books. We will be looking to expand this part of the site gradually in the next year, SO, Look out for whats happening with this exciting new venture. http://creativesouls.ning.com/

something new Creative Souls Publishing Ltd

We are a collective of over 3000 artists, and this is our Publishing arm. In the coming months we hope to change the face of the artistic community, and the business community to boot, with an innovative business model that seeks to give back to the community, by way of charitable contribution, that which the community has given to us. We will be producing Books, Ebooks, Audio visual presentations, 'How to' books, Children's Literature, and a plethora of Publishable prints and artistic works, all of which will be available through our SHOP. An innovative Business model has been designed by creative business minds that allows us to give back 90% of our Net profits to charitable causes of merit, to support artistic and community efforts world wide in there efforts to give future generations of young artists the chance to produce even greater creative opportunities and works. We hope that you will join us in making Creative Souls Publishing, the watch word in the business community, and charitable communities, not to mention the Arts world as we seek to explode upon the scene with Creative and artistic verve and vigor. http://creativesouls.ning.com

Lily Elsie, le Belle Epoque Beauty no.3 in my series Beauties of le Belle Epoque

Lily Elsie had a flawless face, true perfection in my estimation. She was one of the most photographed women of le Belle Epoque. She was born Elsie Hodder on April 8, 1886 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. On her birth certificate, her mother, Elizabeth Hodder, was listed as a dressmaker. There was no father recorded. Then in 1891 her mother married William Cotton and Elsie took the Cotton name at that time. William Cotton gave his occupation as a theatrical baggage master. By the 1901 census Elizabeth Cotton the dressmaker was listed as an actress. Elsie herself began acting as a child and soon the precocious yet painfully shy child became known as Little Elsie in the world of music hall and theatrical entertainment. She traveled from theater to theater throughout England as she grew starring in many popular shows of the period including, The Arabian Nights, Little Red Riding Hood,  King Klondike,  as Aerielle, the Spirit of the Air, McKenna's Flirtation, Dick Whittington, The Forty Thieves, Blue Beard, The Silver Slipper and the Three Little Maids. From about 1900 she adopted the name "Lily Elsie", not too different from her previous Little Elsie. Having grown into a beautiful young woman, Elsie joined a company at Daley's Theater in London as a chorus girl. Soon she was acting again appearing in fourteen musicals from 1900 to 1906.

Real success did not come to Elsie until she appeared in the starring role in The Merry Widow at the operetta's London premiere in June 1907. The hit show ran for 778 performances at Daley's Theater. The show was a triumph as was Lily Elsie. Overnight she had become a legend. Her face was soon featured on many products  and advertisements from chocolate and biscuit tins to cosmetics. Magazines produced special supplements about her. Clothing designers sold more when their garments were associated with Miss Lily Elsie. Every fashionable woman of the time wanted the plumed hats she wore in The Merry Widow so much so that they became an extraordinary fad. After The Merry Widow, Elsie appeared in 16 more shows always receiving many accolades.

Many of the most prominent, wealthy would-be suitors, mostly from the nobility of London, were met with a casual and elusive disinterest that just fueled her beguiling sense of mystery and nevertheless, did not stop them from sending her the most exquisite gifts of jewelry emblazoned in diamonds and rubies and more. Elsie was quoted as saying, "I have never been fool enough to give my heart to one of them, and so they think it must be worth having!" and "I'm always rude to men. And the ruder I am the more they like me!"

After just a few short years of fame, Elsie married Major Ian Bullough, the twenty-six year old son of a millionaire textile manufacturer in November 1911 and relished spending time out of the public eye. She did return to the stage periodically for roles inMalvourneen, The Admiral Chrichton, and Pamela. She appeared in 2 films, in 1918 a cameo in The Great Love with Lillian Gish, and in 1919 in the silent movie Comradeship. Then in 1920 she and her husband moved to a village in Gloucestershire for a number of years away from the stage enjoying social events and fox hunting. In 1927 she appeared in The Blue Train and in 1928 her last show,The Truth Game. Her health was said to have been poor throughout her life and she reportedly had several operations during her life on stage. She found the eight performances a week of The Merry Widow especially grueling and found excuses for not appearing in matinees. She was said to have become "difficult". Speculation exists about possible problems with anemia and/or an early onset menopause at age 22. Her husband had problems with alcoholism. She and her husband divorced in 1930.

In her later years she was said to have become a hypochondriac and spent much of her time in nursing homes and Swiss sanatoria. She was said to have become so quarrelsome that even her most devote supporters left her. Luckily, she had the finances to be cared for in style for the rest of her life. Her mental health seriously deteriorated to the point that she underwent brain surgery, a frontal lobotomy, a practice common at the time but since then considered barbaric. She spent the last two years of her life living at St. Andrew's Hospital in London happy in her anonymity. She died December 16, 1962 at age 76 of heart failure and bronchopneumonia.