TalkTalk Convo | An Art Encounter
The show is happening!!!
It’s happening! Nothing has gone as I’ve planned and I’ve learned to say “that’s ok”… I’ve enjoyed making the artwork for it. It is so much fun to play.
Here is a little of the design work I did for it. Once I love an image I have to experiment with it in different ways…
Please come if you can. I do understand that having these encounters at the library at different times of the day is an unorthodox way to have this type of art event…which is honestly the point! It makes it that much more fun! So stop by when you can. Maybe on your lunch break. Check out the events page for places and times.
Established Establishment
Oh. Hey.
Hello there.
Maybe I’ve taken a wrong turn somewhere.
I thought I was applying for funding alongside those who are emerging and established artists that hadn’t yet been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Obviously I took a way the f**k left instead of going the way I was supposed to…whatever way that was.
Well.
Since I’m here. Can you tell me if it’s truly possible not to be biased in favor of someone putting in a grant app right next to me who’s already done a show at Carnegie Hall and a group that made a movie with Spike Lee?
Me? Oh. No movies yet or documentaries. Or articles published about me by BBC or New York Magazine. Yet.
Ill just keep working on that grant app…
On Trend.
I apply to many art and grant opportunities throughout the year like thousands, if not millions of other artists around the world. Happily. We all apply hoping that our proposals will be accepted. Interestingly enough, I enjoy the learning process that is necessary to understand how to respond to each opportunity. I change as an artist each time, or at least have a better understanding of how to present my work to others. It’s a healthy exercise if you care about the art sharing portion of the business and world that is art.
It’s become more obvious to me that organizations and entities doing the choosing are doing so based on what is on trend. On trend in terms of politics and culture, what people post about on social media the most. Not that these current events shouldn’t be highlighted or that a response to them can’t be profound or nuanced but… Isn’t the purpose of art (most of the time) to push us forward? To bring things to our attention or into view that weren’t even on our radar?
To me it would seem you (an art entity or money giving organization) aren’t creating the next wave of art artist or even predicting it/them but simply riding a wave (of safety) someone else has created which might ensure sales or positive feedback. Of course show attendance and money are important factors of how art is chosen to fund and show. Having assurances in relation to these factors makes the investment of art a little safer. Safety is the exact opposite of art isn’t it?
Just a thought…
Sketchbook Sketchings
“Sketching is the breath of art: it is the most refreshing of all the more impulsive forms of creative self-expression and, as such, it should be as free, and happy…”
“Sometimes the very best of all summer books is a blank notebook. Get one big enough, and you can practice sketching the lemon slice in your drink or the hot lifeguard on the beach or the vista down the hill from your cabin.”
The Sketch Book Isn’t Always Full.
I can’t remember the last time I was really with out some type of sketch book. Even when I was 8 or so I had a steno pad I drew in. I didn’t keep anything, I just gave the drawings away. I also would put them in envelopes and decorate them; give them as gifts. I had (still have) a thing for receiving mail. Receiving mail is like a surprise gift, hopefully… (“What’s in the Box!?!?!” Forgive my movie reference. I couldn’t resist.)
Dont think I don’t ever use my phone for notes and such, I do. I have 600 pictures and 100 types of notes and lists. I am just the type of artist that also needs to touch things: a pen, the paper, smear things with my fingers, rip some paper… It can’t be replaced.
Books, Books Everywhere.
I keep books kind of everywhere these days. In my purse I always have a book. In my car I have a book for notes and thoughts since I listen to audiobooks and music all of the time. They are all a combination of thought/idea books or word sketches (since I can totally make up my own things here) with sketches for work or design layouts. I have a book specifically for my community work. That was a gift. I keep ideas, meeting notes and such in it. I make my own books too but also buy books. I just bought 2.
Playing Favorites.
My favorite of all is to sketch on tracing paper. I overlay and combine previous sketches plus I love the way the paper sounds…all crinkly. Makes me feel like I’m doing something. It’s also nice to use in collages. It allows you to layer with transparency. I usually make it more transparent by adding an oil.
I just did these collage sketches last night, adding to a sketch book from college actually. I realized recently as I was going through it mining for ideas (best reason to keep a book) that I still had space in it. I do this type of sketching when I’m going through an artistic transition of some kind and need to work through it.
The first is a tiny canvas about 2 inches x 2 inches the rest are in my book. All components are recycled.
