Shop Swap & Blog

Hi Folks,
I just signed up for this, and I am super excited! I am going to swap something from my Etsy shop, with a fellow yet-to-be-determined artist!
Thank you Ruthie!!

Internalizing My Actions & My Thoughts, or visa versa

Carole, of a rumble in the distance, has gotten me thinking lately. I really love her blog and her work, and the way she thinks and talks and writes about art. I think it's maybe the best place for any non-artist to read about "artsy" ideas. An open-minded non-art person, that is. Any way, I was thinking about the Golden Bumble just now, and I was wondering how I came to making it. It is the first thing I have made in months. I used something I was making during the week of thesis, the golden bumble as well as a small pot of paint I mixed up in Color and Design last fall. Does this have any relevance? Of course, if I had skipped Color and Design that day, I wouldn't have ad that exact color laying around. So what color would I have chosen? I think it still would have been a green, because the tassels that inspired me in the first place are red. And in my mind, it's not Christmas all year, nor do I love those year round Christmas shops, but red and green were made for each other. They are married to each other. I love how they vibrate off of one another, and the fresh, clean, crisp feeling they exude when next to each

other. So either way it would have been a green color. But if I hadn't made the gold bumble thesis week....I know exactly how the piece would have come out. I would have dipped the tips of the red balls, as they hung, glued to the canvas, into white paint. My obsession with dipping things in white paint is similar to my marriage opinion about red and green. So I have this small piece of art work that I am very very pleased with, but no one to talk with about it. I am left with my own thoughts. I am left thinking about what Betsey might say, or what Abbey might say, or what Cait might say. Or better yet, what a grad school application review board might say.

Does it look tacky? Maybe. Why? Because any piece of art can look tacky if it not being viewed with the right pair of eyes. Maybe that is a false statement. I think it is clever, and adorable, and I love the golden bumble. But I am the maker. So my opinions really don't count. It'd say maybe they count when I am being questioned by my audience and peers. But even then, isn't that the beauty of the art world? That you can say anything, and have it legitimize your work? Or maybe that is all backwards.

I know I am learning a lot about my process. I visualize something, usually after finding something that sticks me so deeply that I just have to make what is in my mind. And then I make. Usually in a shorter amount of time than longer. As Carole says, "taking about work before it is done kills it." If I am moving and creating too quickly to judge or think, then only honest actions happen. Back to visualization. For me, visualizing something, rather than setting something up and mimicking it on canvas is a fast path to frustration. While creating the Golden Bumble, I can honestly say I only spent about 7 minutes actually making it, spending time on it. I painted the first green, walked away, let it dry. I painted the stripes of the second green, walked away, let it dry. Then I cut and glue on the red tassels with hot glue. Talk about a fast adhesive. No, I do not have tons of super glue lying around. Yes, I have tons on hot glue lying around. So I finished the canvas surface work, and I looked at it. It could be done. I turned it upside down so the tassels sort of stood up, instead of resting on the canvas. I liked that even better. Should I dip it? I might have walked around. I spotted the golden bumble. Either mentally or physically, I don't remember. I grabbed the canvas and strategically placed it under the bumble. That was it. That was right. It was done. And what do you know? It's a golden bumble sleeping in a bed of roses.

Photo via The Feather Circus

New Studio, New Work

Here is my work space, also known as my studio. It is small, but not too cramped. The photos are via photobooth. I don't know where the back up camera battery charger is. So, I dragged the Book downstairs, steadied it and pressed the little red button. They are grainy. Enjoy!

Work table.

The first piece of work I created in my new studio.

The Golden Bumble Sleeping in the Roses

3 x 4"

Bumble Bee, gold spray paint, red thread,

stretched canvas, acrylic paint, hot glue and pre-fabricated tassels

I have been thinking a lot about layering things, in a reptilian, scaly fashion. I have to get more tassels....

Family Dinner In Connecticut - 9.11.09

Only four pieces of Polish Pottery on the table?

Look closely. It is the reflection of the kitchen in the fish tank.

True enough.

The blonde sister and the brunette sister.

Ruined streak.

She's got the thirst.

Mother

BAKED STUFFED SHRIMPS!!!

Yum.

He's had enough.

Busy in the kitchen.

Mom, Beato and myself.

Beato's new glass. Don't you love them?

Becoming an Artist - Post College

Laying in bed last night, I had a small revelation. Here I am, thinking "what am I doing with my life", almost everyday since graduation. Yes, I have this degree, but I kept telling myself I can't "do" anything with it. What the hell does that mean? If I want to be an artist, why should I be sitting around second guessing my degree choice? I love what I do, and I have the opportunity to do it every day of my life. Everyday, I can make something beautiful (or not so beautiful). Everyday, I can learn something new about myself or my work. I think the most exciting and scary parts about being an artist is learning about yourself.

As classes are starting up again at Arcadia, I had a deep sense of loss. The same feeling I had when my studio mates and I moved out before thesis. All summer I had myself almost completely convinced that my creating days were over. I had to realize that I do not have to be in class to think about art, make art, or talk about art. I had to realize, that I can make more work than I ever did in college - that now, the year before I anticipate going to grad school , is the best time ever to make the most work ever.

Part of this ridiculously late-coming revelation, is the beginning of grad school application process. I have asked Betsey, Jamar and Abbey for letter of recommendation. Don't you think a killer portfolio would go great with some killer letters? Yeah, me to. So off to work I go.

I BOUGHT A BOOKSHELF FOR THE STUDIO!! I am siked. It is great, and a definite step towards having a great little organized studio. I am giving myself until the end of the week to be all unpacked and ready to create. Pictures are coming. I promise, Abbey. Better late then never.

Ruth, I saw my little button on your blog, and I love it!! I was so excited when I first saw it. Please make one for you, for my blog! Because I know I can't. Missing you.

Michael and Ed

Wedding Weekend

I was recently in Connecticut for a wedding. Sadly, my dinky camera died after the ceremony, so I don't have that many pictures. Here is the blushing bride and the ceremony:

Val and her father

Val's train, as she processes in

Maids of Honor, Kelly and Michelle Tooker

Bride and Groom, Val and Chris Dieterick

Best Man, Michael Aviles

Groomsman, Greg Mrutha

Vowes

Rings

Kisses

Michael gives his Best Man speech

My lovely table number 2!