Finally!!! The TalkTalkConvo Mini Doc
My new mini doc!
This documentary documents my TalkTalkConvo experiential piece that took place in several Jacksonville area libraries. I used the library as an artspace for several reasons; chief among them being art access. So often potential art viewers don’t necessarily feel comfortable in gallery and museum spaces. I most wanted to present this piece in a space that welcomed everyone. Minus the setup and breakdown time, loading in and loading out, I had so much fun doing this. My Mom who is like my art show roadie was amazing. I am also sure she was ready to kill me by the end of this experience. This was also a test of a Mother’s love!
This film is just a snippet of what I did for TalkTalk Convo but it means so much. I love the way everything came together in the end. Documentation is such an important component of the art process. It was actually the primary focus of the grant I received from Community Foundation. Though documentation is an important part of the process, it is often thought of last and in an unenthusiastic and perfunctory way.
So here it is. My whole-hearted and intentional documentation of my project. TalkTalkConvo. Thanks again to Isaac of Jellyfish Smack Productions who did the filming and Emily Connor who suggested him. He’s amazing. Take a look at the rest of his work too while you’re checking things out.
I Just Recently Received a Grant to Do My Project TalkTalkConvo!!!!
Grants Make the (Art) World Go Round…
Grants Make the (Art) World Go Round.
I remember when I was in college. I honestly knew nothing about the world of being a professional fine/exhibiting artist.
When I truly began to understand that talking to others about my work as well as talking to other artists about their work, was the true path to being a working artist. Then, if you choose to talk to those who fund work about your work, well, it opens doors…in this case grant funding doors. I just recently received the good news that I’ve been awarded a Community Foundation Art Ventures Grant for my project TalkTalkConvo. Yaaaayyyy!!!! I love my work and believe in it and it is also an amazing feeling when you’ve convinced someone else of it’s value. I’m so excited to get started.
4th Times the Charm.
So this year was my 4th time applying for the Art Ventures grant.
Thinking back, I didn’t really believe being an exhibiting artist would be part of my personal journey. I went into the Peace Corps after college and when I finished I thought I’d be working primarily as a graphic designer. I then decided to at least dip my toe into things a little. After hearing that a friend from college received a grant and fellowship,I was fascinated. I asked her how do you do it? How do you enter this wondrous world where people will give you money to do the work you’re simply passionate about that isn’t client based. How do you begin? I asked. She simply said: '‘Just answer the questions.” Ha! What an oversimplified evasive maneuver of a question answer. Over the years I found out she was kind of right but mostly wrong. Answering questions about your artwork is mostly about leaving the fear of talking about your work in the past and being in the present to write about future work you want to create. Simple right? That’s why it took me four times. If there is any advice I’d give someone about grant writing at this point, it would be to give your proposal to someone who knows no details about what you plan to do and see if they get it. Because I so badly want to complete this project I, myself, had to move beyond my fear of allowing someone to help me help others fully understand my vision. It helped.
So What Is TalkTalkConvo About Anyway? And What’s This With You Repeating Words In Your Titles?
My in progress project TalkTalkConvo put simply is about my passion for talking an connecting with others. I read once that to read a book is like connecting to someone else’s dreams, just imagine how I feel talking to people. I truly believe that each of us has these deliciously interesting and invigorating idiosyncrasies just waiting to be discovered. Who doesn’t want to be discovered and understood?
So someone asked me recently why I repeat words in my titles. I swear I didn’t think anyone else had noticed. My last traditional show, PlayPlay, uses a phrase that I and other kids used to indicate that if something wasn’t real, (meaning not having real world consequences) it was playplay. For me the phrasing, just as it is with TalkTalkConvo is about the music and rhythm of conversation and communication, call and response, a refrain, and another opportunity. These words strung together are interacting. Interaction is required for talking as well as for play.
All of that being said, I’m so excited to embark upon this new adventure and new facet to my work. I’m also excited for you to join me. Let’s talk :)
TalkTalkConvo Proposal
We communicate at every moment. Whether or not we say a word. The bigger question: what arewe saying? Take a look at the proposal for my upcoming project.
Let's Break The Wheel!! For Reals This Time.
What we can all do to break the wheel.
Photo Credit: Katie Awad
An Artist By Any Other Media.
Last summer after I finished up my last show, Play Play, I came across an announcement for another visual art show. It was a group show. Many people doing several different kinds of work were included. Group shows are always interesting at least for that reason alone. I was caught off guard when I saw they were charging a $10 entry fee. Ten dollars? Who pays to get into a visual arts show? There’s no performance right? I checked the announcement again and saw that there wasn’t. Even though I wasn’t planning to go, I was annoyed.
First I was annoyed at the audacity: Charge for a visual arts show ? Pffffffft!! (Imagine me doing this with a dramatic flick of my hand.) Then I was annoyed with myself: why shouldn’t a visual artist charge to see their work? Musicians do. Dancers do. In various places and spaces they even have tip jars present. Why shouldn’t a visual artist charge for the privilege of seeing their work? I commend these artists for not only banding together to show their work, but also asking to be compensated in a way that visual artists aren’t usually. I can admit when I”m wrong. I was.
Though I’m pretty sure it wasn’t necessarily their aim, but they should also be acknowledged for their efforts to break the wheel.
What’s This “Break the Wheel” Nonsense?
''Break the wheel” is a Game of Thrones reference. Though the show has ended there is still so much that has been learned from it! So good! But I digress. Just in case you’re not into GOT I will spare you a long synopsis of the show by saying the phrase is shorthand for changing a broken, ailing, and corrupt system that benefits only a few. Especially if it isn’t working really. I can definitely say that artists not being compensated for their work but still expected to do it for free and with a flourish is not even a real system at all. It’s not just artists that have to work to break the wheel but anyone who loves art and wants to support the artists who make it.
But It’s Not My Fault, Is It? Actually It Is.
The same society that teaches us that artists should be poor, that artists should be starving, and still have 5 jobs to cobble together an income is the same one that tells us there is no reason to compensate an artist for their work. More often than not we pay to see work in museums. I paid to get into individual shows when I attended Art Basel a couple years ago. Why shouldn’t gallery shows or any other type of show where you see work on the walls or sculpture in the room charge entry? I freely admit I had been brainwashed by the same system. I’d participated in the system that said I don’t need to get paid because I love my work. Shouldn’t we all love our work though (a topic for another day!)?
Though it’s scary, I’ve decided that I am changing the way I think about my work. It’s about to get a little crazy probably. But that’s ok right? We are breaking the wheel!!! I want you to join me for the ride.
I Want You, Yes YOU!
I LOVE MY WORK!!!! Sometimes it’s like being in love and I want to shout it from a rooftop. I want everyone to be a part of it. I want my own art tribe. I want to be able to talk to people about my work. Share what I’m up to! All of the facets of my work and know I’m sharing with my crew, people who care!
Patreon (a site that houses the space where you can support me directly) and creating an opportunity for fans of my work to become a member of my tribe is one way I am working to change things. Fans of my work who want to see me finally finish a project I’ve been working on for the past two years can support me directly and mark my progress on various projects. This is a part of me breaking the wheel. This could be the first step for a lot of us. Take a look at my page here. Become a member of my art tribe.
Let’s Do This!
Storyteller Story #3: Wind & Leaves
“I like long walks on the beach, horseback riding, and deep conversation…” No. Scratch that. “Stimulating conversation.” Crap. I hate writing these stupid things. You can’t sound too smart you’ll scare someone off. You can sound like an idiot and you might get a date. Then they are disappointed when they find out you are smart. If you are physically attractive and smart, well…then their head might just explode. Ok. Let’s try this: “Multi-faceted individual. Looking for someone to grow with…” That sounds like a resume. Ok. “Must love nature. Must love hiking or at least walking. I love seeing the emerald green of my surroundings and feeling a cool breeze on my skin after working up a good sweat…” Hmmm. No. Too cheesy. Well…wait. I don’t want to sound all ‘hippy dippy’ but that’s kind of who I am. Right? I’ll leave it. Oh, who am I kidding? “I love horseback riding and long walks on the beach. Looking for someone to be my ‘plus one’…”
Storyteller Story #1 - Do You Hear The Drums?
The most important component of my most recent show Storyteller was the stories that accompanied each piece. Some are long, some are short. Some are more like poems others monologues. Each, though, says a little about the person that I imagine would wear each piece.
The most important component of my most recent show Storyteller was the stories that accompanied each piece. Some are long, some are short. Some are more like poems others monologues. Each, though, says a little about the person that I imagine would wear each piece.
People at the showing told me how much they enjoyed reading the stories that accompanied the work. I thought it would be a shame if the only place people really read them was at the show so I decided to post them again here. I will post one a week here until they are all up.
Story One: Can You Hear the Drums?
Can You Hear the Drums?