Taking a Break

It's been a long time since I've posted because I'm in the throes of moving...yet again.

I'll be back in September or October with new paintings, ACEOs, and gorgeous felted wool bowls.

Happy Summer.

Robert Rauschenberg dies at 82

© Robert Rauschenberg / Adagp, Paris, 2006Robert Rauschenberg (American, 1925-2008). Untitled, 1955. Combine painting. 39.3 x 52.7 cm (15 1/2 x 20 3/4 in.). Jasper Johns Collection

segment from the New York Times
May 14, 2008

Robert Rauschenberg, American Artist, Dies at 82

By MICHAEL KIMMELMAN

Robert Rauschenberg, the irrepressibly prolific American artist who time and again reshaped art in the 20th century, died on Monday night at his home on Captiva Island, Fla. He was 82.

The cause was heart failure, said Arne Glimcher, chairman of PaceWildenstein, the Manhattan gallery that represents Mr. Rauschenberg.

Mr. Rauschenberg’s work gave new meaning to sculpture. “Canyon,” for instance, consisted of a stuffed bald eagle attached to a canvas. “Monogram” was a stuffed goat girdled by a tire atop a painted panel. “Bed” entailed a quilt, sheet and pillow, slathered with paint, as if soaked in blood, framed on the wall. All became icons of postwar modernism.

A painter, photographer, printmaker, choreographer, onstage performer, set designer and, in later years, even a composer, Mr. Rauschenberg defied the traditional idea that an artist stick to one medium or style. He pushed, prodded and sometimes reconceived all the mediums in which he worked.

Happy Etsy Anniversary to me!

So I've been on Etsy for one year. How do I feel about it?

Well, there were a handful of times that I wanted to close up shop - spending more on listing fees than sales. But then a couple sales happened and I changed my mind:) nothing like validation to keep ya going.

Now I plan on keeping it open indefinitely. Having this cyber store has kept me from going bonkers as a WAHM (work at home mom). The flexible commitment of running such a shop is perfect for me as a parent (uploading pics at midnight) but also as someone who moves frequently. Alas, another move happening this summer. Here I come upstate New York.

Besides the flexibility, having this shop has forced me to reflect and avow who I am as an artist. I network, I market, I create as an artist of abstract art and fiber art. No need to get the ok from galleries or brick and mortar stores to justify my work. Since joining Etsy I've entered a couple juried art shows, made friends with many more artists worldwide, and learned what I don't want to do as an artist and as a crafts person.

Yay for Etsy!

photo from EtsyLabs.etsy.com
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11529784

RME - Revolution Money Exchange

There is an alternative to Paypal now - RME. (To find out more, click the green button to the right) When you sign up you get $25. yep, "free" money. Make sure you read the fine print.

Here are some artist who accept it RME:
http://arttherapy.etsy.com/
http://superimposium.etsy.com/
http://glassdiary.etsy.com/
http://whatseatingyin.etsy.com/
http://sunraven0.etsy.com/
http://dragonfairies.etsy.com/
http://apdesignz.etsy.com/
http://redmoonarts.etsy.com/
http://thegildedpomegranate.etsy.com/
http://dribsndrabs.etsy.com/
http://whimsypics.etsy.com/
http://agdesigins.etsy.com/
http://imagesbyaileen.etsy.com/
http://huckleberryarts.etsy.com/
http://anteris.etsy.com/
http://tinyartbyjmullin.etsy.com/
http://dippylulu.etsy.com/
http://areyouanartist.etsy.com/
http://giftsetc.etsy.com/
http://www.zephi.etsy.com/
http://butterflychic.etsy.com/
http://lisasshop.etsy.com/
http://heidiherrerastudio.etsy.com/
http://shellvergel.etsy.com/
http://littlethings1.etsy.com/
http://www.sarah1974.etsy.com/
http://livefunky.etsy.com/
http://thecreatorspalette.etsy.com/
http://www.rwgraphics.etsy.com/
lifeisart.etsy.com
http://goodbloom.etsy.com

Entry #2 for small works juried art show

Entry #2 for Manifest Gallery's small works juried art show, called MAGNITUDE SEVEN. Entries must be 7 inches or less in all directions.

Click on picture to see it larger.




Kinetic Black
acrylic
4.5" x 4.5"
2008

Interesting story about this piece. One of biggest fans is my husband but his reaction to this piece was, "eh, I don't like it much." Thus, self doubt crept in. I wasn't going to enter it. I pondered what I could add to it to make it "better." After a week of searching...nothing. I attempted to add yarn, a metal hearty thing, some shiny jewels, etc. But nothing felt right. Because the need to alter the piece wasn't coming from inside me, but from an outside influence.
I'm happy with it - as is.

My dear artist friend, Heather Pilchard, had this sagely response to my lapse of confidence - "Don't worry about what anyone says about your work because think about, why do you make art? The urge to make art is like a door bell going off inside you. Are you going to answer the door or are you going to allow someone else to answer it? It is so invasive to your personal space if you do! Everyone is allowed there opinions but only we let it effect us the way we do."

Entry #1 for small works juried art show

My dear friend and wonderful artist, Heather Pilchard
and I are entering a juried art show at Manifest Gallery (love the name) called Magnitude Seven .
The work has to less than seven inches at any point.

This is one of two pieces I am entering. The photo is of a lotus flower I took while in India.

About this piece:
Mellow Yellow
mixed media
6"x6"
2008

so so soft felted wool bowls

so i've thrown myself into making felted wool bowls. i think following a pattern helps mollify some of my anxiety and uncertainty about the recent news of yet, another move.

thus counting stitches helps ground me. working with the soft texture of the wool soothes me.

see, art/craft therapy happening! i practice what i preach:)

this awesome bowl was created with a pattern by
timaryart.etsy.com
which is appropriate for beginners.

now, of course, i didn't follow it exactly. if you check out my paintings, it's no surprise that i had to break loose and do a little of my own thing.

here it is before i felted it.

i plan on selling these on my etsy shop too. but probably after the move. well, you never know.

These Photo Paintings I do

Funky Custom Photo Paintings

I take someone's photo, turn it into a black and white image, then make a painting with it.

Whaddya think?

I think these would be great for Mother's Day, Father's Day, anniversaries, showing off a beloved pet, so many options!

I love making these.

A Happy Thought on Tax Day

luckily, i got our taxes done a few weeks ago so no scrambling over here. phew.

so my happy sharing today is: you gotta try a child-sized toothbrush.

due to an unfortunate accident (which i will spare you the not so lovely details), i had to use my toddler's toothbrush for the night. and i gotta tell ya, i LOVE it. the small head shape allows for detailed, thorough cleaning and gum massage. i don't think i'll ever go back to an adult-sized toothbrush.

i know this isn't an art-related posting but i feel it is an important one!:)

The Debut of 3 Custom Artwork Series

Yesterday, April 9th, I debuted my three custom art series on Hyenacart with the Enchanted Realm Congo. This online handmade goods shop offers mostly baby/child-related items such as cloth diapers, clothing, and toys. I decided to try it out as a guest vendor because I thought with Mother's Day and Father's Day coming up, this audience may want the custom work.

The new series are:
Beloved Work of Art (c)
Photo Highlighting
Photo Paintings


Here is one painting from the Beloved Work of Art(c) series




Beloved Work of Art (c) #14
The image on the little canvas is what is customized. The buyer would send me a digital photo of their loved one. Then I'd get it on the little canvas. Background of yellows already complete.

I've been working on this idea for close to a year!

Center for Touch Drawing

ever hear of this? sounds interesting, i'd like to try it one day. i think i'd really enjoy using my fingertips and forgoing the brushes for a bit.

Touchdrawing.com
Touch Drawing is a simple yet profound process where the fingers take the place of pen or brush. Paper is placed over a freshly painted surface and, wherever it is touched, an imprint is made on the back side. Impulses from within take form on paper through the movement of the fingertips on the page. A multitude of drawings can be created in one session, each a stepping stone to the next; guiding progressively deeper into the self.
Check out the video demo!

Best Companies Supporting the Arts?

Do you know one of the Best Companies Supporting the Arts in America? Give them the recognition they deserve.

Nominate them for THE BCA TEN: Best Companies Supporting the Arts in America.

THE BCA TEN is a national list created by the Business Committee for the Arts, Inc. (BCA) to recognize businesses of all sizes for their exceptional involvement with the arts that enrich the workplace, education and the community. These companies set the standard of excellence and serve as role models for others to follow.

Don't miss the deadline: Monday, March 31, 2008
For more info To nominate a company for THE BCA TEN - 2008, go to http://www.bcainc.org/thebcaten.asp.149.html.

For more information about nominations, visit http://www.bcainc.org/thebcaten.nominations.html.

I'm not a tv watcher but this could be a very interesting show. hmmm.

Sarah Jessica Parker to Produce Art-World "Project Runway"
By ARTINFO.com
Published: January 30, 2008

Sarah Jessica Parker's Pretty Matches production company and the reality show producer Magical Elves are planning to create a Project Runway for the art world, Variety reports. The television show would feature artists competing to produce projects in various mediums, from painting, photography, and sculpture to industrial design. Like on Project Runway, the pieces would be evaluated by a panel of judges. Both Pretty Matches and Magical Elves, which produces Project Runway, had been working on art-based reality shows and decided to combine their efforts. Magical Elves' Dan Cutforth admitted that creating a show about the art world is "risky creatively," but so was Project Runway, which is now a hit, he argued. "Art is a much more inclusive world than people think," he told Variety. "We really feel there's a way to show people how much they care about art in the same way Runway showed people how much they care about clothes. That accessibility is why we think the show can work." Parker most likely will stay off-camera as an executive producer, but she could make an on-screen appearance if the occasion calls, Cutforth said.

I'm In

well, I finally did it. a blog. Wow. the cyber big leagues. why did it take several years for me to make this decision? not sure. somethin' to do with time. or somethin' to do with "who will read it?"

what pushed me today, March 26 2008, to commit? my excitement about launching 3 new art series and my website! so I thought I'd blog about it all and also use this venue as an artist's journal about new ideas, marketing ventures, other artist's work i like, and other art-related news. i've never been good at keeping a written journal so maybe this will help preserve the journey memories.

the three art series will be posted over the next few weeks. they focus on custom work.

i'm currently, trying to make a final decision on where to go for my website:
foliolink
foliosnap
finartstudioonline
artspan
yessy
boundlessgallery

believe me, I've been thinking about these and researching for close to a year.