INSPIREMS

Made in Mississippi, a Podcast from BlueSky Studios {Life}

3/9/2018

Today we wanted to feature a native Mississippian who is working to highlight the incredible innovation and entrepreneurship present right here in our state. We got the chance to talk to Casey Combest, the founder of BlueSky Studios, about his podcast series Made in Mississippi and what the growth of BlueSky Studios means for our community.

{Tell us a little bit about yourself.}
I grew up in Vancleave, down on the Coast of our state. It was really a wonderful place to learn and grow. After High School, I studied Sociology at Mississippi College. Like most college students I did not have a strong hold on how I wanted to spend my life. After college I had several jobs, but nothing really resonated with me until I realized I could be an entrepreneur. I could build something.

{What is BlueSky Studios?}
From High School until College I recorded my music at a lot of different studios. But, I never really had anyone produce me. Never someone to walk me through finding a sound that is both unique to me (so I could stand out), and still familiar to the current market (so I could build a career). I eventually began to recording myself out of frustration. While it was efficient, sitting in front of your computer by yourself with a guitar for hours is super boring ha! Over time, I really began to see the joy of working with others. Helping them get their vision for their music out of their heads. Making their dream a reality. After 3 years of running the studio part-time, I made the jump to full-time. That was 5 years ago now.

{What is the story behind your podcast series, Made in Mississippi ?}
While studying sociology was a blast, it’s not super helpful for running a business ha! Podcasting was the way I educated and inspired myself while I was starting the studio and building it into what it is today. At some point, you sort of become numb to the 1000th story about an amazing entrepreneur in NY or Silicon Valley. From this listener fatigue came one one of those light bulb moments. Why not create my own podcast where I tell the positive stories of our entrepreneurs? After Season 1, C Spire graciously approached us to be the title sponsor. We launched Season 3 in early February 2018. We’ve had entrepreneurs like Joel Bomgar (Bomgar), Will Primos (Primos Hunting), Stephen Johnston (Same Kind Of Different As Me), and 15 other amazing entrepreneurs on our show. Mississippi is truly a wealth of experience and amazing men and women who build stuff.

{What does the future of BlueSky Studios and Made in Mississippi look like?}
As Made In Mississippi grows, I want to establish it as the place that tells the stories of our entrepreneurs. When people think of inspirational and positive business stories, I want them to think of Made In Mississippi. I think there are plenty of platforms that tell stories and news of business in our state. Yet, our agenda is to tell those stories in a way that other Mississippians feel courage and excitement about their business, whatever stage it is in.
There’s a lot of potential with Made In Mississippi. We’ve already begun producing podcasts for amazing clients like C Spire, Morgan White Group, BankPlus, and Navitas Wealth Management. And we have several exciting podcasts for other brands launching over the next few months.

Blue Sky Studios is experiencing its own growth as well. It will be in its first stand alone, dedicated music space in a few months. It will have lodging for out of town bands, and a studio B that will be perfect for writing, co-writing, rehearsals, and recording overdubs. Making the early stages of the recording process financially accessible and creative.

{Where can people listen to episodes of Made in Mississippi?}
People can listen to Made In Mississippi on any podcast app, or stream on the web here: https://goo.gl/RoJ6LM
We currently release 2 episodes a month. In the past we’ve taken breaks between seasons, but we’re really hoping to move straight from season 3 into season 4 in the summer. I feel very confident I could easily do 10 seasons of Made In Mississippi. There’s so many amazing entrepreneurs in our state.

You can find out more about Blue Sky Studios here: www.blueskystudios.org

Mississippi has a wonderful and bright future. I’m so excited to play a small part in it.

Whitney & Patrick {Weddings}

3/7/2018

We are in awe of how beautiful this December wedding turned out. The perfect combination of a vibrant color palette, personal details, and incredible lighting left us speechless! Keep reading for details on this stunning, southern, winter wedding!

Whitney James and Patrick Davis knew they wanted a December wedding, but didn't want a trace of Christmas at their wedding. The colors of wine, gold, and blush were perfect for the occasion held at The Venue in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. "The Venue is an old industrial building with so much charm and character. It was the perfect backdrop for an intimate gathering of family and friends," said Whitney.

{Inspiring Details}
Personal touches made this day even more special. "Around my bouquet, I had handkerchiefs and brooches from my grandmothers that made it extra special for me and them," smiles Whitney.
Another special detail was including Whitney's Yorkshire Terrier, Kaydee, in some of the pictures. "We chose to do our 'first look' so that we could have our wedding portraits completed before the wedding. Patrick brought my 'furbaby' Kaydee, to join in our first look pictures."

Event Venue & Lighting: The Venue at the Bakery Building | Photography: B. Flint Photography
Event Planner & Florals: Adrienne Garanich, Blooms, A Garden Shop| Dress: Maggie Louise Bridal
Hair & Makeup: Haley Mayo, Blush Salon | Catering & Bar: Lagniappe Catering- The Depot
Cakes: Monkey Kisses | Rentals: Celebrations | Print Material: The Bridal Corner | Band: Jamie Tucker & the VIPs

The Bay Bed & Breakfast {Insider Inspiration}

3/5/2018

Venture through downtown Hattiesburg and you'll find nestled on a quiet street The Bay Bed and Breakfast, a warm, inviting B&B and event venue. The birth of The Bay is unlike any other. Built in 1903, the colonial was part of the Polk and Jones families for more than a century and remained untouched for years. In 2014, the home, complete with original architecture and wallpaper was sold to Joyce and Adrienne Hicks of Blooms Garden Shop. The revival project was a huge leap of faith for the mother-daughter duo. "The house hadn't been touched in ages," said Adrienne Hicks, "But the moment we walked in, it was like we could hear music and the bustle of entertaining." They knew it was going to be a huge undertaking, but something kept pulling them in. "We didn't choose the house. The house chose us."

After months of construction, the charming residence was ready to welcome guests from all walks of life. Complete with three guest rooms with private baths, two guest rooms with a shared bath, centralized library, beautiful house-length porches, private garden, patio, and an outdoor fireplace; the Bay serves as both the perfect bed & breakfast and event space. The venue also features a grand ballroom, a music room, dining area, and beautiful gardens that allow for small events and spaces for guests to socialize.

"We want you to feel like you're at home from the moment you step through the door," Adrienne gushed. When you enter the space, you are instantly met with a sense of comfort and family. Antique furniture fills the rooms, the familiar scent of breakfast swirls around your nose, and the sense of tradition meets you at every corner."We've had people from all over the world stay with us," Adrienne continued, "and we feel like we're a part of something bigger." What started as an abandoned five bedroom colonial is now home to one of Hattiesburg's top event venues. Overflowing with southern hospitality and historic charm, the Bay Bed and Breakfast is perfect for a weekend getaway or hosting your next event.

For more information, please visit The Bay Bed & Breakfast website.
Article written by Hilary Ravick
All photos courtesy of The Bay Bed and Breakfast website gallery.

Christie Farese {Life}

3/2/2018

With spring right around the corner, we wanted to highlight the wonderfully bright work of local artist, Christie Farese. Christie was born and raised in Mississippi, attending Brandon High School and later graduating from Ole Miss. Christie Farese has always loved artwork, but unlike some artists she didn’t begin to explore this passion until both her children were young. Farese began taking art lessons from local artist Julie McCartney for fun, and from there her passion absolutely bloomed. Continuing her training under California plein air artist Camille Przewodek and Mississippi artist Sammy Britt, both studied under renowned colorist Henry Hensche, Farese quickly learned how to bring nature’s colors onto the canvas. Christie adds, “Hensche taught his students to carefully analyze nature’s light and color, and often had them paint with a putty knife to ensure they were concentrating on color This is how I learned how to paint- in fact, I didn’t pick up a paint brush for that first year or two!” Christie is still developing herself as an artist, traveling to Atlanta as much as possible to train with Nancy Franke.

Not surprising given the brightness of her pieces, color is the main source of inspiration for Christie’s artwork, “ Color inspires all my paintings! Since training in the Hensche tradition, I see color EVERYWHERE. The light and shadow comparisons in the trees, on a house - even on a pile of dirt - are striking and beautiful when you take the time to notice them.” She goes on to add, “my work is also very much inspired by the human figure. I have always been drawn to painting children and families, especially children on the beach. There's just something about that subject matter that will always stir my heart. I have recently been painting the female figure, which is something I've wanted to do for a while. I have been excited about the response this series has received!”

Mostly working with oils but beginning to dabble in watercolor and sumi ink, Farese works out of a light- filled studio in her own home, “it's my happy place! Even if I'm not painting, I like to spend quiet time there and read or sketch. I am most productive with music playing, a candle burning and a cup of hot tea - oh, and my King Charles Cavalier, Franklin. He loves to sleep in my cozy chair while I work (his sister, Holly, is too busy playing outside to come sit with us). I keep many of my old color studies in my studio so I can refer back to them when I haven't painted in a while and feel rusty. My studio door opens to my backyard, and on nice days I leave the door open - and that's my ideal work environment!

Christie relishes the wonderful aspect of being a part of the artistic community here in Mississippi. “What I have come to love most about painting is the connections I make with people. I have made countless new friends through painting commissions, traveling to workshops and hanging my work in local shops and galleries. Participating in the Double Decker Arts Festival in Oxford, MS was an enormous highlight for me in my art journey! I absolutely loved talking with people who also love art and who are touched in some way by what I create.”

Christie’s artwork can viewed in galleries around the state including, Courtney Peters Interior Design in Jackson, The Caron Gallery in Tupelo, and Gifts by KPEP in the Renaissance. Christie is also very active on Instagram and we suggest giving her a follow! Her Instagram handle is @christiefaresefineart.
You can check out more of Christie's work here, on her website.

All photos feature original artwork by Christie Farese.

Forward>>

Made in Mississippi, a Podcast from BlueSky Studios {Life}

Whitney & Patrick {Weddings}

The Bay Bed & Breakfast {Insider Inspiration}

Christie Farese {Life}

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