@JoelECarlson – Hi everybody! It’s time for Twitterview No.2 today, and our guest is @inkblotsart. Lets get this started!

@inkblotsart – I’m doing this via iPhone so I apologize for any delays!

Q – #1    No worries. iWon’t get mad about an iPhone. :) So to start @inkblotsart, tell us where you grew up and where you went to school?

A: I lived in St. Paul until I was 5 then lived most of my childhood in Little Canada, a St. Paul suburb.

I went to Roseville HS for high school, spend 4 years at the U of M and graduated from Globe College (now Globe University).

*Spent 4 years…yay iPhone auto correct. :)

Q – #2    So how did you get to become a digital artist, and please also explain what your art form is?

A: I went to school for graphic design and absolutely love working on computers. I’ve always been somewhat artistic so it was a good fit

Digital art is art created using a computer as your medium. Whether it’s painting, collage, fractals, etc.

I became a digital artist because I was rejected from interior design school. I failed my portfolio review b/c I used too much color!

Q – #3    Failure brought you to a good place! :) So explain what your collages are about and where ppl can see them now.

A: Well I have 3 different facets of work: location collages, mixed media collages and custom work.

The location collages are based on a city, neighborhood, college or event. I go out and take all of the photographs for them.

The mixed media collages are mostly focused around vintage themes & use advertisements from old magazines.

The custom work is collages that are created for individuals or businesses using photos & other items that they provide me with.

Q – #4    You now have a gallery opening up where people can see your work. Where is it, and when does it open?

A: People can find my work at retail stores around town and at art fairs during the summer.

The gallery is called Studio at 795 and is located at 795 Raymond Ave in St. Paul. Right down the street from Keys Restaurant.

The grand opening is tonight!! From 7-10. Live music & cupcakes!!

It’s a collaboration with my boyfriend Karl Johnson, who is a photographer. He’ll be here tonight shooting portraits for $25.

We’ll be open tomorrow from 10-5 for a more family friendly event. Hot cider & cookies & balloons for kids.

Q – #5    Cool! Now to you personally: what are you FAVS – restaurant, store, winter activity, tech gadget & color.

A: Favorite restaurant: Cecil’s Deli. Fave store: toss up between Ikea & West Photo. Fave gadget: my iPhone!

I just learned to snowboard so I can’t say it’s my absolute favorite winter activity just yet, but it’s getting there. :) #jectv

And as my Twitter profile says, I’m a chartreuse fanatic, or any kind of lime-ish green color. My dad now calls it “Giesla green”.

Q – #6    Funny! :) So to end, what is a thought of the day or a mantra that you would like to share with everyone?

A: I have a print behind my desk that says “you’ve gotten this far, keep going.” It reminds me that you have to keep moving forward.

@JoelECarlson – Very good! It was a pleasure to meet you and all the best to you and Karl on your new studio. Thanks for your time.

@inkblotsart – Thanks so much, Joel! It was great chatting with you.

PHOTO – Karl Johnson of Scape Photography – www.scape-photo.com

@JoelECarlson – Hello everybody! Welcome to the Twitterview 2.0 of @ericamayer today. She’s ready to rock-n-roll! :)

Q – #1    @ericamayer, you were Twitterview #18 on March 26th, so we have some catching up to do. How was your Summer & Fall? Traveling?

A: lots of fun traveling :) NYC, LA, DC, San Fran -took time to catch up w.old friends. loved it!

ps. that was possible because of the unlimited flight Sun Country deal :) also hit Vegas w/the hubby!

Q – #2    Wow! NY, LA, DC, SF and Vegas. Maybe share 1 new/neat/interesting thing you got to do in each location?

A: NYC: visited @charitywater :) . DC: visited @defactosound @Genlack @thenuwanda at Discovery Channel.

Vegas: met @everywheretrip and saw Cirque w/the hubby, SF: stay with @bigcib and re-lived college memories. :)

Q – #3    Lots of activity! Now you also do “side projects” (i.e commercials, videos), have you done any lately?

A: yes :) just finished a project w/ @pleasefindthis and @dan_rodriguez -a music vid: http://youtu.be/UZJDW3PY5TI

@pleasefindthis is from South Africa…it’s great to work w/him-and see he and @dan_rodriguez create a touching song <3

Q – #4    Nice sound! In you’re “free time”, you also do photography work and are a founder of #jmu612. Talk about both of those.

A: yup, “puke rainbows” photo: http://on.fb.me/ahFFcs -started by taking avatar pics for ppl to raise $ for @charitywater

re: photo—> so busy I’m taking a bit of a photo break until 2011, hubby misses me, and @Wcco is super busy -no time :(

#JMU612 is a marketing/technology meetup. Yes, I’m a cofounder but @maikelvdm and @Joelecarlson make it easy to run :)

Q – #5    You do at least 1/3 of the work for #jmu612! :) Now locally, any new stores or restaurants that you’ve tried lately?

A: Went to @namastecafe with @maikelvdm awhile back-loved it! mmm. also, @commonroots and Broder’s Pasta Bar -favorites!

and of course everyone should check out @urbanbeancoffee where we hold #JMU612 :) rockin’ place!

Q – #6    Besides spending more time with the hubby, do you have some personal/professional goals that you’ve set for yourself?

A: Yeah, I think taking time to breathe…may sound silly. Sometimes we get so caught up in helping we forget that if we

are run down/burnt out/exhausted…we are worthless to the ppl we are trying to help. Trying 2get more than 2 hrs/sleep

also, to use my new camera to start exploring video more. I’m a producer/director by trade -love to improve shoot skill

Q – #7    Sleep is always good! Now are you coming up on an anniversary yet for your time working at @wcco?

A: Also, I’ve notice the @wcco website goes to what looks like a micro-site of @CBS, when did that happen?

I’ve officially been at @WCCO over 5 years now. Time flies :) the website switched this month. A big change, indeed.

Q – #8    You must be getting tired by now. So to end, what thought for the day or mantra would you like to share?

A: well, I’m a quote junkie. I’m going to share a few, if that’s OK? haha.

@JoelECarlson – Only if it’s something that @GRLitman has said. :) Go ahead.

A: “When u change the way you look at things, the things you look at, change.” (Dyer) -we can always control our reactions

Also, handouts don’t exist. If you want something, manifest it. The only person who can stop you…is you. ;-)

@JoelECarlson - Good thoughts to reflect on! Thanks so much @ericamayer for participating in your 2nd Twitterview. Have a great weekend!

@ericamayer – thanks a bunch, for all you do Joel :) You are ‘da bomb dot com.

@JoelECarlson – Hello and welcome to Twitterview No.2 today, this time our guest is @lgmelcher. Lets get rolling!

@lgmelcher – thanks, @JoelECarlson. coffee in hand and ready to go

Q – #1    So @lgmelcher (Lauren), please share where you grew up, what you did after High School and what lead you to where you are today?

A: I grew up in an Air Force family – dad was stationed in Texas and California, and I came to Minnesota for college (@StOlaf)

I took some time off to travel, then studied journalism in Wash. DC before coming back to MN and getting an English/Management degree

My first “real” job was with @AliveMagazine – managing editor – which was an awesome experience. loved the mission and the community

…and then two years ago I took a new job in strategic communications and marketing, which I also love.

Q – #2    Cool. So what is your role, what type of clients/customers to do you work with and is SM part of what you do?

A: My role changes for each client, but I’m generally in a project manager / content strategist position for #highered clients

I also work on our technology team, building internal and external systems (including web dev processes, etc) so that includes SM

Our firm doesn’t specialize in any particular area, but I’ve been lucky to work with lots of nonprofits and colleges/universities

Q – #3    Neat. What kind of things do you do to stay caught up with the latest platforms, systems and processes?

A: I read all the time. Blogs, yes, but also magazines and books (!). That’s always been a habit, and it serves me well in my job.

I also write for @TECHdotMN, which leads me to meeting tons of great people – I learn a lot from talking to and writing about them

I should say, too, that while I like staying caught up with the “latest & greatest,” I make an effort for it not to control my life

Q – #4    Good for you! So in addition to work, what other kind of hobbies or activities are you involved with doing?

A: Well, last year I splurged on a DSLR camera that I love, and spend a lot of time outside of work on personal & volunteer photo prjcts

I’m also the proud new owner of a 110-year-old farmhouse in Minneapolis, which has been a blast to work on the last few months

really, I’m a sucker for a good home improvement or cooking blog and love DIY projects.

Q – #5    Wow!  A 110yr old farmhouse. Hopefully it’s warm inside! Now to your FAVS: restaurant, store, winter activity and gadget.

A: very warm :) that thing was built back when people really built houses well, I’m telling you.

hmm. favorites. restaurant: Northeast Social Club in Mpls, but my all-time fav is a BBQ dive in San Antonio. Rudy’s. mmm.

store… Hunt and Gather (50th and Xerxes) is great for vintage finds. But I’m a Williams and Sonoma girl at heart.

winter activity… downhill skiing, for sure. I grew up skiing at Lake Tahoe and that’s the thing I miss most about California

gadget… my mom’s iPad. sigh. I love that thing. also, my bluetooth b/c I’m always driving and talking on the phone

Q – #6    So what kind of professional or personal goals have you set for yourself for the next year or so?

A: great question. I like goals when they relate to business, but I don’t have a lot of personal/professional goals set out right now…

… I feel that I’m lucky to have already gotten to do many of the things I dreamed of as a little girl.

so my goals are to be challenged in my work and have the freedom to volunteer my time to causes I feel strongly about

Q – #7    That sounds fulfilling. :) If you could have any 1 person (dead/alive) over for dinner, who would you ask and why?

A: I’ve always imagined that Indira Gandhi would have some amazing stories to tell.

Q – #8    Final question, what life advice or mantra would you like to share today?

A: I used to be a cautious person. Still am in some ways, but the phrase “feel the fear and do it anyways” really resonates with me.

and the quotation behind Alive Magazine has been hugely influential for me …

“don’t ask what the world needs. ask what makes you come alive and go do that b/c what the world needs is people who have come alive”

@JoelECarlson – Thank you @lgmelcher today for your time and sharing some of your thoughts. Have a great afternoon and have fun.

@lgmelcher – thanks, @JoelECarlson. take care.

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone and welcome to the Twitterview of @assistantlist. Lets get started shall we?

@AssistantList – Yes.. Good Morning Joel

Q – #1    So @assistantlist, where did you grow up and how did you get to  doing what you do today for work?

A: I grow up in Chicago and have a BFA in photography from Columbia. @assistantlist is a side project of my company @flashlightmpls

Q – #2    I see. So how did you become interested in photography?

A: I think I was just born a visual person. Do you want me to tell you what @assistantlist is and what it has value?

Q – #3    Yes, what kind of service is @assistantlist, and how has it been used?

A: Most of our @flashlightmpls clients are from the coasts and they are always in need of some productions help.

We would get a couple of people every week asking if we knew any photo assistants.

This happened a lot and all of our people were booked. So I decided on a Monday to built a small site.

I talked with my friend @epmd73. He built the site and I shot the portraits. The site was live in 4 days from the idea.

The beauty of @assistantlist is that its a free service for any one to use. Its a community building platform.

Q – #4    How many folks do you have on @assistantlist, and have you seen it being effective?

A: There are 48 people/companies on @assistantlist and its is growing everyday. It’s very effective! People are working.

Q – #5    So what does somebody need to do to get on the list of available people?

A: We have a @tubes designed postcard campaign and aggressive email campaign that 8000 photographers across the US

It is a fee based subscription service for working professionals in the photo industry.

@rickharing @aphotoassistant @kern2d @PeterHunner @jbBRDNKCHR @TWEAK @AndersonDT are some twitter people on the list.

Q – #6    That’s great. What kind of feedback have you received since it’s launch?

A: We received 2500 hits to the site within the first week and a nice mention on @aphotoeditor We launched 07/23/10.

To date, We have received over 10k unique visitors to the site. Next year we are going to do a series of events.

@JoelECarlson – That’s great! Well all the best to you on this endeavor. Thanks for participating in today’s TwitterReview.

@assistantlist – Thank you.

As 2010 nears it’s end, it might be a good time to reflect on activities of the last year and determine what were the biggest branding PR nightmare stories that happened.  You first might think of the BP Gulf oil spill. Some may think of the Toyota recalls due to bad and known design defects. Others may think of the Gap logo redesign. Would you have taken on any of these as a person in PR to try to fix repair damage to the brands image, and what would you have tried to do to repair them?  Please submit your ideas for Global, National or Local PR nightmare stories.  A follow up post will be made later.