She Lives Creatively Spotlight: Denise Allen Incao



Denise Allen Band in Dreux France

"Just go to your creative space every day and write, paint, sculpt,
whatever you do, and just enjoy the process and do it."
~ Denise Allen Incao

In the spring of 2013 I received an email from an art gallery in New York City. They gushed about how much they loved my paintings. And they made promises that they could help me take my art career to new levels – if I was willing to pay thousands of dollars to have them represent me. Not afraid to invest in myself and my work, I replied to the email with a few questions. But the fancy NYC art gallery didn’t get back to me for weeks.

In the meantime, I received an email from Denise Allen Incao and her business partner Barbara Allen. They were starting a new online art gallery. An exclusive virtual venture that would help hand-selected artists gain more exposure for their work – at no cost. The contract they sent me was completely transparent. And all of my questions were answered promptly.

By the time the gallery in New York City finally got back to me, Gallery24seven.com had launched and I was proud to be one of their Flagship Resident Artists. My involvement with G247 has given my art more exposure and given me more credibility as an artist. In the fall of 2013 my writing also received more exposure when I was invited to write a monthly creative lifestyle guest blog post on their site.

I’m grateful for my partnership with G247 and that I didn’t go with that gallery in NYC. So this month I’m delighted to feature Denise Allen Incao, co-founder of Gallery24seven.com, in the She Lives Creatively Spotlight!



Marcella: You are a co-founder of Gallery24seven.com, an online art gallery that represents artists throughout North America. What inspired you and your business partner to start your own gallery? 

Denise:  I’m an artist myself and know how much time and investment is involved in exhibiting in galleries and doing art shows and festivals. I wanted to have a place to show my own artwork and reach a much larger audience than who might walk in to an art gallery or visit my booth at a show.  So my partner Barbara Allen and I, and our other co-founders, had the idea to offer an online venue to artists who are looking for alternative ways to get their art seen by a much larger audience. 

 

M: What appealed to you about starting an online art gallery, as opposed to a traditional brick-and-mortar gallery? 

D: What appealed to me was the possibility of creating a place where emerging and established artists can reach a very large number of viewers who might just be looking for that perfect piece of artwork (their artwork!), but wouldn't find it hanging on a gallery wall in some other town on the other side of the country. We want to connect people with great art and the artists that create these works. And our goal has been to offer the opportunity for artists to exhibit with us, with no sign up fees or monthly dues.  We want there to be very little risk or investment on the part of the artist. I've managed several art galleries over the years and also shown in quite a few, so I myself wanted to be involved with something cutting edge and with limitless possibility. 

Denise's masks left to right: "Shaman," "Peacock Dancer," and "Spirit Hunter"



M: You are a visual artist who specializes in sculptural ceramics. How do you balance creating your studio work with running your online art gallery? 

D: It's not always easy. When there is a lot happening with the gallery, my studio time has to wait.  But I love the work I do with Gallery24Seven.com, so it's not a problem for me.  I try to stay on a schedule as much as I can with both things, and that helps a lot. Otherwise, I may flounder around and that's not a useful way to spend my time.   

Denise Allen Band

M: You’ve also been the front woman for the Denise Allen Band for the past 10 years! What came first – your love for singing/song writing or visual arts? 

D: I was a visual artist long before starting to perform with my band and write songs.  I graduated Auburn University with a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art, with a studio emphasis in Sculptural Ceramics in 1984. I've been working as a studio artist and teaching kids and adults ceramics classes and workshops since then.  It was my first love as far as a creative outlet. I have been very active with music and my band over the past 10 years. There is a natural flow back and forth between the two that has happened to just work out great! 

M: I read that you were born in the South and raised on rock, blues, and gospel. Who have been your biggest musical influences? 

D: I've had so, so many influences over the years and it changes as time goes on. But if I had to name a few early influences they would be Bonnie Raitt, Joan Osborne, the Black Crows, the Pretenders, Patti Griffin and more.  I also love Pink, Katie Perry and Taylor Swift, but I guess that's another thing altogether.

M: How have you and your band made the time to record 6 albums and tour Europe every summer? What are your time management tips? 

D: I try to make schedules for myself and work with deadlines. That keeps me on track. I am usually more productive and consistent if I always have that next goal on the horizon to work toward. The most important thing is to put the time in every day, and whether I'm getting paid for it or not (or at least not yet), I consider it my work.  I can't speak for the rest of my band, but for me and my family we've made it all happen because it feeds me and that feeds our family life.  The European Tours with the band are quite a stretch because they are usually very packed and it's tiring. But my daughter loves to travel and the experience is great for her (and me too) so it’s worth it! 

M: You’re also married and mentioned that you have a daughter. How do you balance being a wife, mother, and a multi-passionate artist? 

D: My family is involved with all that I do and very supportive. I think it all works because of that and there is a natural ebb and flow to the creative projects that I'm involved in.  When one comes to the forefront, others fall back a bit. And I have to be careful to religiously keep to my designated family time. I can push things too much sometimes, not always knowing when to quit. My daughter is a good barometer of that. She lets me know when I'm spreading myself too thin.   

M: What are your self-care practices (nutrition, exercise, etc.) that support your health and vitality, to in-turn support your creativity? 

D: I am a walker and hiker, not just for the exercise, but for the time out in nature. I'm lucky because I live out in the country very close to National Forest Lands and other beautiful places to explore. I also Kayak whenever I can. I meditate and eat a mostly raw vegetarian diet. I also know that creating artwork and music is absolutely necessary for me as a whole woman, a soul.  It sounds corny maybe, but if I am not putting my time in and honoring my creative self, I feel out of touch with God. It's just that simple for me. I make sure I make time to always be creating because it's necessary for my health and well being.  

M: What advice do you have for aspiring and emerging visual artists and singer/songwriters? 

D: It's good to have schedules, but sometimes you do have to go with the juice and stay up till the wee hours of the morning when the muse strikes. And deal with the consequences the following day.  It's usually worth it though, in my experience.  That being said, if you're serious, make your creative work your work, as in job. Put some time in every day. Create something every day. And don't judge your own work. What you think is garbage, might totally light up someone else’s life. I've learned that from experience. If you aspire to write a hit song, a best selling novel, or a million dollar painting right off the bat, you might never even get started. Your expectations may be too high. Just go to your creative space every day and write, paint, sculpt, whatever you do, and just enjoy the process and do it. Don't think about how great or crappy it may be. Just do it. That's what's important for you, as an artist… the creating itself.  It's good for your soul!   

M: If people want to learn more about your visual art, and the Denise Allen Band, where should they go? 

D: For Music, they can visit deniseallenband.com. Our newest album, "This Heartbreak," is the best, in my opinion. For Artwork, they can visit Gallery24seven.com and visit Denise Incao's gallery page. 

M: Thank you Denise! 

D: Thank you Marcella! For all that you do to inspire and encourage other people, women and artists. I always enjoy reading your newsletters. They inspire me!

Before You Say Yes

Guest blog post for Gallery24seven.com:

Some days I feel that even if I live to be a centenarian, a person who is one hundred or more years old, that this lifetime will not nearly be long enough. There are so many things I would like to learn, experiences I hope to have, travel adventures I dream of going on, and so many paintings and books I feel wanting to be expressed through me.



An infinite number of possibilities and opportunities present themselves to us on a daily basis! How do we choose from amongst them all in this short lifetime?

I invite us to go within, to ask our higher-self for direction, and then listen for the still small voice to guide us. I'm the first to admit that I suffer from FOMO - the fear of missing out. Symptoms are...

Read the rest of the guest blog post here.

Create More Time to be Creative

Guest blog post for Gallery24seven.com:

Is a never ending To Do List getting in the way of your creative productivity? Often we think we don’t have time to be creative. But I’m willing to wager that many of the things on your To Do List don’t really need to be done today, by you, or, at all!

Following are 3 easy steps to transform your To Do List. It just might transform your life!

Step 1: Reframe your Shoulds into Coulds

There are always unavoidables on our To Do List, like making the car payment or buying the cat food. But often things on our list don’t really need to get done. They’re more like good ideas and nice intentions. Or worse, they’re someone else’s idea for how we should spend our time.

Start by reviewing your To Do List and cross off anything that was not your idea. Your sister might think it would be great for you to start online dating. But if the thought doesn’t excite you, let it go.

Next, separate the Shoulds, like paying bills, from the Coulds, such as cleaning the bathroom. Once you’re done, you’ll have two lists. The first are your Big Rocks, the things you really should do to be a responsible adult and manage your life. The second is a Could Do List, the things you feel you should do… eventually.

The beauty of a Could Do List is that it reminds us that we’re at choice. How delicious would it feel to wake up tomorrow morning and ask yourself, “What could I do today?” Or say to yourself, “I could do this… or could do that…”

A Could Do List leaves room for inspired creativity and  invites in possibility. So the next time your best friend invites you to join her on an all-expenses-paid trip to Cozumel, or just for a cup of coffee around the corner, you can say, “Yes!” Your Could Do List will allow for the freedom of spontaneous choices, instead of just guilt-ridden obligations.

Read 2 more easy time creation tips at the Gallery24seven.com blog here.

Win Support for Living YOUR Creative Life

Guest blog post for Gallery24seven.com:

Over the years, as my art business has grown and my writing has taken off, fellow and aspiring Creatives have often invited me for coffee so they could “pick my brain” to learn the secrets of my success. I have enjoyed these heart-to-heart connections SO much that I have integrated coaching into my business!

After more than a decade of practicing the art of honoring my creativity, years of building my successful art and writing business, and committing to cultivating my Live Creatively philosophy and lifestyle, I am excited to offer my Creative Life Coaching services!

Read the the rest of the guest blog post, here.





5 Tips for Recovering from Post-Painting Blues

Guest blogger post for Gallery24seven.com:

I found myself feeling post-painting blues during the days that followed the gallery opening of, “Choice Points,” my new abstract painting series. The weeks leading up to the show were long and intense. I spent 12-18 hours each day painting the series and preparing for the exhibition.

Taking a break to fuel up on my favorite organic energy
drink while I hang my show at Sync Gallery

 

Once the opening artist reception was over I thought I would finally catch my breath and find balance in my life again. Instead, I felt anxious and sad, found myself crying, and had trouble sleeping – some of the symptoms the Mayo Clinic describes as signs of postpartum depression.

As a childless female artist, I often describe my painting process as a birth and affectionately refer to my paintings as my babies. So it should have come as no surprise that my excitement and anticipation for the new works, and their unveiling at my first gallery show, would be followed by an emotional crash similar to what new mothers experience who have recently given birth.

To recover from post-painting blues I gave myself lots of self-care: 

1.       Sleep. I only had 3 months to prepare for my new art exhibition so I kept strange hours to ensure I met my deadlines and honored my commitments. As the opening drew closer, and my to-do list seemed to grow longer, I worked harder and slept less. So after the opening, catching up on sleep was my priority. After months of an insane schedule, it was not easy to fall asleep at a reasonable bed time. But after a few nights of consistently winding down and turning out the lights at a set bed time, I was finally able to fall to sleep when I wanted to again. A cool bedroom temperature, an eye mask, and ear plugs help.

 

Read 4 more tips at the Gallery24seven.com blog here.

Living TAW - Chapter 11 - Autonomy

5 weeks into living as a full-time working artist and 11 months into Living The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, chapter 11, “Recovering a Sense of Autonomy,” is the perfect prescription. In this chapter, “We examine the ongoing ways in which we nurture and accept ourselves as artists.”

Julia begins chapter 11 by discussing the importance of not getting stuck in our past success. I couldn’t agree more! In the following video I share how I’m breaking out of my habit of painting spirals by painting pure abstractions for the Sidewalk Series and going from a brunette to a blond to shed my old 9-5 office job image:

In chapter 11 of The Artist’s Way, Julia goes on to discuss the importance of sports (she recommends walking meditations), having an artist’s altar, and says, “Small rituals, self-devised, are good for the soul.”

 

These days I’m working 50-60 hours/week as I work on 3 commissioned paintings and get ready for 2 large upcoming art shows. So I don’t have much time for walking meditations. But I do try to squeeze in a few at home workouts into my schedule each week to keep my body limber and strong so I can reach across 48” canvases. My favorite workout DVD’s are Trudie Styler’s Warrior Yoga and Cindy Crawford’s Shape Your Body.

The alter in my studio is always changing. Currently it is home to photos of my parents and one of my spiritual gurus Louise L. Hay, along with feathers, stones, and other treasures I’ve collected on my journey.

 

My Artist Alter

December will be the last month I post a video blog on Living The Artist’s Way, but I will continue to write a monthly creativity blog for Gallery24seven.com. Read my first G247 guest blog post, Honoring the Creative Call, here: http://blog.gallery24seven.com/honoring-the-creative-call/

Until next time, remember we are all artists – the artist of our lives. What are you creating today?

Honoring the Creative Call

Guest blogger post for Galllery24seven.com:

For some, the creative call is experienced as a feeling, an actual physical sensation felt in the body. For others, the creative call is experienced as a knowing, a conscious understanding that something is inviting them to live life larger than they have yet to imagine.

How ever you receive the call, it is a divine invitation to honor that which your soul is yearning to express through you, as you. Once you have heard the call, there is no going back. Following any other path will be met with resistance and suffering. The only option is to...

Read more at the Gallery24seven.com blog:
http://blog.gallery24seven.com/honoring-the-creative-call/




Working on "Rise"

Sleep and Solo Artist Dates

In this week’s Living The Artist’s Way blog series video I discuss the importance of sleep and share my favorite sleep aid. It’s a follow-up to my last video when I mentioned that I’m not sleeping as much these days because of all the creative projects I’m working on. I can’t stress enough how important sleep is (or how much I should follow my own advice)!

As promised in the video, today I went on a solo artist date. It's my first official one since I started the 12-month Living The Artist’s Way blog series 5 months ago! I walked a couple miles to pick my car up from the repair shop instead of using their shuttle service. Along the way, I snapped a few photos of my beautiful neighborhood.



 

 

Before I even made it out of the parking lot, I found this cute dresser/desk discarded at the dumpster. It’s proof that the Universe supports me! Once it’s cleaned up, it will be a great addition to my art studio for organizing the ephemera I use when creating mixed media pieces.

 

Other updates:

I signed a 6 month contract with gallery24seven.com. I’m super excited to be partnering with them! The new online art gallery launches in June. More details to come!

My first 3 recycled flowers got accepted into the recycling show at 40 West Arts! Details can be found on my Events page.

I’m working on four more recycled flowers. They’ll be available for purchase through my new etsy shop soon!

I registered for Flora Bowley’s next “Bloom True” intuitive painting e-course. It starts Monday, May 27 (Memorial Day). I’m SO excited I could pee my pants! You can learn about Flora’s awesomeness and register here.

And I read Jessica Swift’s e-book, Jump Trust Repeat. It’s an art business book FULL of inspiration and information for creative entrepreneurial types. One of my favorite quotes from her book is, “Do the things that scare you, and you’ll be shocked and amazed at what happens when you do!” Jessica’s book can be purchased here. While you’re at her site, check out her cute rain boots!

Phew! I’ve been a busy artist…

June is the 6th month (and it’s almost here!) so I’m starting to read Chapter 6, “Recovering a Sense of Abundance,” in Julia Cameron’s classic, The Artist’s Way. Until my next post on Wednesday, June 5, merry art making!