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 #2: I Never Want Summer to End

“You are like my soul, a butterfly of a dream…It sounds as though you were lamenting, a butterfly cooing like a dove. Her eyes were the color of faraway love. Sus labius se cortaron en la luz del coral…”

We read Pablo together everyday. On the beach, in the sun, in the shade. He read it to me in Spanish (Spanish is so romantic!). I would get something like little butterflies fluttering or giant fish flip flopping in my stomach whenever he talked. Off in the distance I could see Mrs. Talbot with her 3 crazy kids. They only really listened to me. Mrs. Talbot said I was the best babysitter they’d ever had. No more babysitting for me! And now there is only Pablo and Emmet. I asked My mom if she’d ever heard of Pablo Neruda. She said no. I told her how romantic it was. She didn’t think I saw, but I saw her roll her eyes. It’s not my fault she’s all dried up inside. Emmet says it’s not our parent’s fault they can’t remember love. That we have to help them to remember what it is like to be young. I decided I agree with Emmet: getting old is kind of like a disease and we have to help the people that are sick. I told my mom one of my favorite lines from Pablo: “Love is so short, forgetting is so long.” She just looked at me. I don’t think she gets it.

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.

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?

Boom Ba. Boom de boom bop bop! Thump. Thump. Thump…I can feel it in my chest. In my heart. That whole rhythm is in my body. My mama said I came out dancing! Popin’ and lockin’. Break Dancin’. Tap. Jazz. Modern. Even a little ballet. I don’t discriminate. Definitely a little African. Positively Brazilian. I threw a little capoeira in there. Do that sweet side flip that drives the girls wild and stops those boys in their tracks. Only men here. They don’ know who they messin’ with! They don’t know in the battle it’s not with me they fightin’. It’s the beat. It’s the rhythm. It’s the drums. It’s the bass. It’s the passion. It’s the color. It’s the light. It’s the heart. It’s the music. It’s the love. And everybody knows you can’t fight the love.

TALENT: An Interview with artist Teresa Annabelle of Artefact Redux

 

This month I talked with Artefact Redux artist, Teresa Annabelle about her romantic jewelry confections. Full disclosure: Teresa and I have had a couple of really great conversations concerning the awesomeness of all that is jewelry at one of my favorite local jewelry supply shops Bead Here Now. Teresa, too, is an assemblage artist like myself. She appreciates the history and unique stories that vintage and antique components have to offer. Listening to (in this case reading about) Teresa talk about her use of historical items helps one to realize it’s not about a history that is recognized by a large group of people that has been edited and compiled in a book that matters. It is our personal histories, our family histories, our love histories, our ‘everything’ histories that truly matter.

Urban Atelier: Talk about Artefact Redux a little and how it got started.

Artefact Redux:The name and cohesion was born of my husband and I, sometime in ’06. I still have the napkin from IHOP where we doodled up names and logos one too-late night. He was an artist and musician. I’d been creating jewelry since grade school. We had this shared love of the rusty and dusty and old and it wasn’t enough to simply place the items on a shelf.

Urban Atelier: Artefact Redux uses vintage and antique items in its creations. Why are these types of items your media of choice?

Artefact Redux:  Jewelry has always fascinated me. The older, the better. My grandmother had a lifetime's worth of fantastic pieces that lived in a tall jewelry wardrobe. I would sit on her bed and stare at the sparkling rhinestone brooches and stroke the pearls, treasured for their stories and history as much as for their beauty.

So I was well groomed for a lifelong love affair with the grand and romantic designs of the past. But…I grew up dirt poor, the kind of poor that isn’t cute or funny. My folks were super and did everything they could. We never wanted for the necessities and I still haven’t found anything to beat my mother’s cooking or the taste of a tomato straight from the backyard garden. But there certainly wasn’t any money for the expensive jewelry my classmates were wearing. So I started looking around me for different places to find pretties: thrift stores, yard sales, the cast offs of others. When that wasn’t enough – because even in middle school creating jewelry is addicting  – I got inspired by doll furniture, origami and other small non-traditional trinkets.

As I got older and learned more about crafting in general and jewelry specifically, the massive scale of consumption by the average hobbyist flew in the face of the sparse, “waste not, want not” way that my creating had evolved. So decreasing my “footprint” became a core tenet.

Urban Atelier: I know that you have strong ties to the local arts community having a space at Fans & Stoves [a local antique|vintage|artist mall] as well as working at Bead Here Now. Have these relationships influenced your work in any way?

Artefact Redux:  I don’t feel very connected to local arts, especially since my husband’s passing. But I wonder if everyone, even those I view as being in the thick of things, don’t feel the same way. It is so hard to stay focused sometimes on the creating and I recognize that I’ve become quite the recluse so I usually choose the less draining option of sitting at home and creating.

But, in answer in to your question, having the space at Fans & Stoves is a symptom of the jewelry, as I was a customer for years (decades?) before I became part of the crazy family that is that place. It is a great place for supplies, and being able to touch and see things in person beats etsy or ebay any day. Bead Here Now was such a serendipitous blessing. The day I landed the job I wasn't even looking, but that’s how the best ones happen. I love working in such a welcoming and creative environment and discovering other local creatives. And thankfully, because my work is driven by vintage and antique elements, I am not nearly so tempted to blow my entire paycheck on the beads as others might [be].

Urban Atelier: What are the biggest influences on your work?

Artefact Redux:  Man, so many! It really fluctuates. Five or six years ago, all I wanted to see was Mucha and Lalique. I wanted to drown in those lines and colours. Right now, my lifelong passion for Egyptology and my husband’s Kemeticism are really driving me to create simpler, more spiritually inclined pieces. Textiles inspire me constantly as little-girl me dreamed of being a fashion designer and I still dabble in a bit of reconstruction. Feminine strength, whimsy and darkness seem to be the prevailing themes on my Pinterest boards.

Urban Atelier: Recycling various items to create artwork is a popular trend right now. Do you think it's a trend that's here to stay or a passing fad? And why?

 Artefact Redux:  Like yourself and other artists who reuse and re-imagine probably have, I've pondered this at length. I suspect it has already begun to wane in some parts of the country. But that’s the thing about trends – they’re fickle and by the very nature of today’s society “what’s trending” isn't supposed to last. And if that means that Michael’s and other big box stores and their manufacturers move on to another aesthetic or principle to co-op and subvert for their gain, I am okay with that. In the meantime I’m going to keep doing my thing and if every one of us inspires just one other person to shift their perspective on what non-couture jewelry “should” be constructed from, our planet will be a little bit more awesome.

Urban Atelier: What type of impact do you believe or hope that you have by doing the type of work that you do?

Artefact Redux:  I hope that myself and other artists with similar principles and aesthetics can bring exposure to the rich history and resources that are so readily available. I hope that we can inspire others to look beyond the mass produced and utilize the wealth of unique and history-heavy elements that surround us. So much is tossed aside and ignored to languish in the shadows, in favour of cycling faster and faster through the new and bland. I wish more people would risk a glance into those shadows, and find the stories and pasts that should be revered and learned from.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my thoughts on this thing we do. While there are many assemblage artists in the area who are focused on non- wearable sculpture, every chance to highlight us jewelry artists is a blessing.

If you want to see or find out more about Teresa's work you can make it happen here:

https://www.facebook.com/ArtefactReduxOriginals

https://www.etsy.com/people/artefactredux

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TALENT: An Interview with artist Jo DeSerio Jones

Right now ‘recycled art’ is a trend that can’t be denied. There are many artists making the move toward incorporating recycled components into their artwork…for now anyway. More than likely a large number of them do it because all of the other cool kids are doing it. But what separates those artists who say they recycle because it tugs at a potential customer’s heartstrings from those who recycle because they care? I talked a little to artist Jo DeSerio Jones about what separates her from the pack and how she's saving the planet one piece of art at a time.

Atelier: What type of work do you do? What's your favorite media?

JO:  I'm a mixed media artist making mostly jewelry. I find inspiration in many forms. At this time I am particularly fond of metal, fossils, concrete and leather.

Atelier: How do you incorporate fossils? Do you use a special process to prep them?

JO:  I'm currently making molds from fossils, then casting in concrete or resin and adding many patinas until I get the look I love. So I'm creating new fossils that look old!  I later incorporate them into my jewelry as layered components. 

Atelier:   What inspires your work for Jomama? I've noticed a number of influences; steampunk, nature... What influences you the most?

JO:  My biggest inspiration is from nature in the form of materials such as wood, pods, shell, and fossils, [also] patina from weathering and rust; as well as shapes that only nature could create.

Atelier: I love that you incorporate nature into your work. Is there a deeper meaning when adding it into your pieces? Spiritual or otherwise?

JO:  I've always said I feel a connection with the earth. It may come from childhood where I spent a lot of time outdoors where I lived in Northern New Jersey. I look at items that nature offers as a gift, not a byproduct. 

Atelier:  Right now there seem to be lots of artists incorporating eco-friendly components into their work, what separates you from the crowd and makes your work different?

JO: Being an environmentalist is a way of life for me first. I'd have to say that my work is a byproduct of my lifestyle. I'm not just creating eco products, I'm living it. Not only do I recycle items and work with found objects, but I also search for products that have the least environmental impact as well as buying things that are local or made in the USA. All being important aspects of sustainability.

Atelier:  That's awesome that you take all of those things into consideration when creating your work. Do you feel like it might be only the job of a few of us (artists) to incorporate eco-sensitivity into our work while others focus on other things? Or can we all do our part?

I think we can all incorporate eco-consciousness into our work, but your eyes have to be open to the opportunities around you, no matter what form they come in. 

Atelier:  So you do commissioned pieces as well. Talk a little about what goes into completing pieces for clients.

JO: Typically when someone commissions me it's because they like the uniqueness of my style. So going into a project I know that I can be me. However, I ask questions pertaining to their likes and style, such as colors, a feeling they want it to reflect, or incorporating personal items or family heirlooms into the piece so it is a part of them as well.

Atelier:  Which do you prefer doing, work for others or your own personal projects and why?

I'm an artist, so I definitely prefer working on personal pieces that don't have limits. There's satisfaction in that freedom and it shows in your work, making it more desirable.

Atelier:  What do you feel is our responsibility as artists in educating the public about recycling? Do we have a responsibility specifically as artists? I know this is kind of a repeat of my earlier question, but can you talk a little bit more about your perspective?

JO:  I feel we have a responsibility as humans. I have come to realize through the years that there can be a lot of unnecessary waste in the art world that every artist should try to be aware of. I think if you are an environmental artist that you should most definitely educate people about the ways of your work and items used. That is how we educate, inspire and open people's eyes to new ways of thinking. People are amazed by some of the things I reuse. I see the intrigue in my work all the time when I do shows and it's very rewarding. I love when I inspire others and get them to think outside of the box!

Atelier:  Any projects you working on at the moment?

JO:  I am currently working on more steampunk ballerina sculptures for and art exhibit I will be participating in this fall called "The Lucky Ones". 

Atelier:  Tell me a smidgen more about the show. What's it about?

JO: The exhibit will be curated by an artist who is very involved in the community. Last year's event was covered by PBS and the local cultural division [where I live]. The common thread amongst selected artist seems to be color and texture, including photography and paintings.  

If you want to find out more about Jo and her work check out her site www.shopjomama.com

 

Storyteller - An Art Show

One of the most well known images of the storyteller hails from West Africa. There, griots are honored for their talent in maintaining the cultural traditions of poetry, music and storytelling. But storytellers have been around since the beginning sharing the stories of how we began. From the time we spent our nights telling stories around the fire and drawing the lives of ancestors on cave walls, storytelling has been integral to our human existence. The most important part of our stories is that they are all connected.

How we clothe and adorn ourselves is one of the most fundamental ways that we tell our stories. Do you have one tattoo, none, or ten? Do you wear a suit to work everyday or shorts? Do you have a diamond necklace around your neck or cowrie shells? Though these choices might seem benign, they tell others a little bit about your background, income, interests, and passions. We adorn ourselves to impress, frighten, and seduce on a daily basis.

The newest collection from Urban Temple Jewelry (The Urban Atelier) is Storyteller. This collection explores the stories we tell others and the stories we tell ourselves. Fancy yourself a beach goddess? Are you a king or a ladies’ man? A teacher? A leader? Storyteller poses the question: What do you want to say to the rest of the world?

The collection will make its debut at Violet Ray Vintage in Neptune Beach, August 21st 2014 during the North Beaches ArtWalk.

To celebrate the collection every week leading up to the show I’ll be sharing great human stories real and imagined from history, tv, books, and everywhere.

If you have a great story or know a great story feel free to share!

The Sky Above My Head, the Ground Beneath My Feet.

My time in the Peace Corps has greatly influenced my artwork. Several of these pictures have become prints, book covers, and collages. See some of the images that were the catalyst for other pieces of artwork.

Share Some More. For Real This Time.

Share Some More. For Real This Time.

So, one time, I was talking to this other artist who'd become wonderfully successful. This person did really great work and I was wondering what their secret was other than having great work. It seemed like sourcing funding was a big part of their success. At the time I didn't know much about finding my own funding and such things were foreign to me. As most of us artists have probably said at some point in time to each other longingly: “I wish I’d been taught grant writing in school…”

That Razzamatazz That You Do So Well.

So, I said (to this artist who was also someone I felt was a friend): "How do you do that grant and funding razzamatazz that you do so well?" (Nah, I didn't really say 'razzamatazz' but how can I pass up using that word?) So I asked what I believed was a relatively benign question. I was blown away by their response. Want to know what their response was? Dead air. Blank space. Silence. Zip. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Rien. And I quote: “I just look around.” That was all I got. So I pushed a little for more detail and still I got nothing.

Keep in mind, I didn’t ask this other artist to write a grant for me or hop onto Google and search on my behalf. None of that. I simply wanted a little direction. A smidgen of assistance. See, I had no idea where to start. Up to that point I’d felt that I was floating out in the middle of the great huge ocean that is being a ‘professional artist’. Deciding that you are going to be a professional artist is a frightening enough choice, but to then have a friend ignore a plea (a really desperate one) for help. I was heartbroken…and I was also confused.

Friend or Fear?

Why would my friend not want to help me? As pitiful as it sounds, that is exactly what I asked myself. Just add tears (I’m really sensitive.). It took me a little while to figure it out, but eventually I did. Sadly, after that initial experience, I ran into other artists who exuded the same sentiment: fear. The fear that there isn’t enough to go around is pervasive within the arts community. It stops us from sharing with other artists. There won’t be enough money. Someone is going to take my spot at the show. The judges might think their work is better than mine. I don’t need the competition. All excuses. Fear is an ugly, horrible, corrosive beast (check out my other posting What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid). Don’t get me wrong; I understand where the fear comes from. It can be tough to be an artist and earn a living; not to mention lots and lots of work. Every break you get helps. And I agree that resources are finite. I’m also not saying that my work is so fabulous that it strikes fear into the hearts of other artists, I’m just saying this person would’ve been afraid to share their experience and golden information with anyone.

All The Cool Kids Are Sharing.

If you decide not to help a fellow artist here's what you miss:

• You miss the opportunity to mentor someone.
• You miss the opportunity from stopping someone from going through the same pain and anguish you had to go through to learn your lesson.
• You miss the opportunity to create a sense of community among artists.
• You miss out on the opportunity to be nice and helpful.

So share. Then share some more. I’m not saying become a Wiki for someone trying to bleed you dry of all your knowledge. Sharing should be a two-way street. Just don’t be afraid to help someone obviously in need. You will feel better when you share even just a little bit. Promise.

I'd be interested to hear what you think.

What Are You Waiting For?

As artists it seems like we are always waiting for something... for someone to buy our work, for someone to recognize our talent, for someone to give us the job we've always wanted. To be the independent thinkers that we are, it sure seems like we do a lot of waiting for others to give us what we believe we deserve. Furthermore, the people we are waiting on tend to be corporate entities and organizations (in general not purveyors of independent thinking and creativity) holding our futures in their hands...or do they?

For a long time after being out of school I looked and looked for a job in Graphic Design. I looked in Jacksonville. I looked in Philadelphia. I looked in San Francisco. I was looking for other jobs too and had worked other jobs, but what I wanted was a job doing what I loved: being an artist. I'm not sure why it took me three cities and several years to understand that when no one is offering what you want, even if you've really worked for it, maybe you have to create it for yourself.

How does one get something that only another person can give them if they don't want to give it to you? Good question. I'm not talking about them though, I'm talking about you. Create the opportunities you want for yourself. 

How do you create opportunities for yourself? Here's a couple suggestions:

1. Waiting on a job? Create your own. If you didn't know, there are freelancing and contracting sites for artists as well. It's not all Monster and CareerBuilder out there. Carbonmade is one example but there are many portfolio hosting sites that also make your work accessible to those looking for artists for temporary or contract assignments.

2. Want to build your rep? Offer to work for free (for a trial period) or volunteer. I know it seems counterintuitive, but providing your services and to a non-profit or an organization that needs them might put you in the right place at the right time. If you are offering a trial period for your services make sure you are proactive and specify an end date. In both of these types of situations don't forget to protect your work and ask for testimonials and/or letters of recommendation in exchange for the work.

3. Want to participate in a show/exhibition? Organize your own. Sitting around waiting for the perfect time, opportunity, and people to align so that you can be in a show is sometimes like waiting for a unicorn to appear. I know I make it sound super easy... because actually it is. It is just a large amount of work and organization. I've done it. I looked for other artists to show my work with and they disappeared or just didn't follow through. I ended up doing the show alone. But it was great. Stressful and a whole lot of things went wrong, but it's one thing I've done where things weren't anywhere near perfect and I was still very proud of the experience I gained.

I've just given you three examples, But there are many situations in which you can create your own opportunities. You just have to look for the way out of what you feel is a room in which you are trapped, there's usually a simple way to solve your problem--usually it just involves making your own exit.
 

Art Clique. Art Crew or Art Cruel?

 I think clubs are great. Not the dancing, loud music kind (though those are awesome! Who doesn’t love dancing??), but the ones where like-minded individuals who have similar interests get together and bond. This doesn’t mean that you all think exactly the same things and execute your artwork in the same way. It could be something as simple as you are all writers or sculptors; or it could be nothing at all except your desire to share a space. Whatever has brought you together has the potential to be a great partnership.

The Rise of the Collective…Again.

Over the past few years there has been a steadily growing trend of artist collectives and cooperatives for various reasons. Artists coming together and forming communities is nothing new though.

Sometimes ‘more’ is just ‘more’, but in the case of artists combining their assets, so to speak, ‘more’ can definitely beneficial.

The More We Get Together…

Not all cliques are bad. Artists get together to share studio space, do collaborative projects and performances, panel discussions, and create educational programming. All events and situations can go just a little bit smoother when working ensemble. When we as artists come together we can exchange ideas, be inspired by one another and have the opportunity to create so much more.

Throughout history artists have also come together as a response to being excluded from the more mainstream and conventional fine art circles.

A few examples: The Eight was a group of artists (mostly) associated with the Ashcan School; The Anonymous Society of Painters, Sculptors, Printmakers etc. organized a showing of art that eventually became the Impressionist Movement. Afri-Cobra was an artist collective that came about as a response to the turbulent and revolutionary 1960s and 1970s. They were a group of artists bound together by their political and social commentaries. See? As groups and collectives these artists ended up being much stronger initially than going solo.

Here Come the Cons…(the Opposite of Pros, That Is)

As the universe would have it there is a yin to every yang. There must be an opposite and opposing force. So just as getting your own art crew together may have its benefits there are also possible side effects or crappy circumstances that develop. Sometimes we are absolutely oblivious. So here’s are a few hints that your once super and supportive art crew has gone art cruel:

When Your Art Buddies Have Gone Bonkers.

1. When You Are No Longer Allowed to Be an Individual. Just because you are a part of a group it doesn’t mean you are supposed to do exactly the same thing as the artist next to you does. If you are being pressured to copy someone else’s style or technique. You aren’t being allowed to develop organically as an artist. No chemical fertilizers necessary ;) 

2. When Other Artists Spend More Time Bad-Mouthing Other Artists Instead of Producing Work. High school and various non.elective work situations are toxic enough! Why would you choose to subject yourself to negative gossip fests about other people who are more than likely…wait for it…working!? Plus talking bad about other folks makes you feel yucky inside. We don’t want yucky insides do we?

3. Is This an Episode of “The Young and the Artless”? If there is drama in your workspace or every time you and your crew get together this could be a drain. When you are drained you aren’t focused. When you aren’t focused you don’t do your work. When you don’t do your work you aren’t happy. When you aren’t happy you make other people miserable. Don’t make other people miserable.

4. You Feel Less Creative. Who wants to be a part of an art group that makes them feel less like creating new work? Working with others has the potential to infuse new energy into your work and career, especially if you’ve only worked solo. So if you no longer want to make anything or do anything while associated with your group, maybe you should rethink the group thing.

5. When Being Apart of the Group Yields More Negatives Than Positives. This art collective/cooperative thing should be good for you. It should be a positive thing to say the least. If dues or rent have become a strain, you are pulled into secrets and intrigue (Who really wants to live in a Clancy novel? Read yes. Live no.), or if you are plain old unhappy, let it go.

Here I Go Again On My Own.

All of this talk about groups making you feel lonely? No need. If you work best on your own there’s nothing wrong with that. A lot of us artist types love to go off and do our own thing and that’s great. Just keep in mind there’s a whole other world of collaboration out there. You just have to know when it works for you and when it doesn’t.

I’d love to hear what you think. Are you a part of an art crew? How do you feel about it?

Encourage someone else to ‘get reincarnated’! If you liked what I wrote feel free to pass it on. Thanks for reading.

The Fear Factor. What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?

The Fear Factor. What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid? 

Though I haven’t read Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg’s book Leaning In yet (it is on my reading list), one of the main ideas central to the book that I’ve been hearing about has resonated with me: fear. Fear of what people think of you. Fear of what you cannot do. Fear of what you haven’t even tried yet. Fear of taking a first step. Fear of trying something never attempted before. Fear.

It is amazing how something intangible can control us and mold us. It is impossible to believe that it isn’t a walking and talking entity isn’t it? Physically holding us back and blocking our way. 

Oh, the Things You Could Do….

There is a quote: “To get something you’ve never had you must do something you’ve never done.” How is it possible to do anything with fear standing in your path? What would you be able to do if you didn’t allow all of those silly things you are afraid of get in your way? The answer honestly is not much if you allow it to stop you dead in your tracks. What I’ve found is that the root of most fear grows from thoughts of what someone else is going to think about you. My question is why do you care so much about what someone else thinks about you? Attempting to read someone’s mind is a tiresome exercise and rarely yields the results that you hope for. Why not care more about how you will feel knowing that you missed a great opportunity because you were scared to take a chance?

What would you do though? Would you take those tango lessons?  Would you talk to that chick in Accounting? Would you start your own business? Would you sleep later? Would you wear a hat? I’ve been amazed at the things that people have told me they don’t do or wouldn’t do all out of the fear of it ‘looking stupid’. Really? It’s a little sad when you limit your life and your possibilities in that way; all reduced to how something will ‘look’.

A BA Degree In Fear.

When I was in college I was known for hanging out in the library. Before every graphic design project I would go and gather around 30 books. It was my ritual; my research…or at least I would tell myself that. Don’t get me wrong. I did and still do adore books, but I would spend over half my time ‘researching’. Then I would finally come up with my idea and then get started executing it with much hesitation. I never had enough time to finish my work so therefore many of my design projects sucked more than they should have. Looking back I realize I was scared. Scared my work wasn’t going to look as good as Ali’s, not be as well thought out as Maria’s, and my exacto knife skills wouldn’t match Isobel’s. I was pretty frozen and left undone by comparing myself to others and being afraid I wouldn’t match up.

I realize now how silly that all was. It is sad to think I wasted so much time being scared. It has definitely made me a little more of a risk-taker when it comes to trying new things with my artwork. I know it sounds dramatic but I’ve vowed to not allow my fear to stop me from creating or being creative. No matter how coocoolicious others believe me to be. Doesn’t matter. I’m being true to myself. That’s more important.

There are some pretty serious repercussions to allowing your fear to take control. Here are a few:

Five Consequences of Fear Ruling Your World.

1.  You Over-extend Yourself. Simply put, you don’t know how to say no. You are scared that others will believe you are mean, so you say yes…to everything. But does saying ‘yes’ to everything really make you nice or simply scared to say no? 
2. You Don’t Dream.  You are scared to dream for fear of what you consider ‘eventual’ disappointment. You have to dream. Hopes and dreams are what strengthen our spirits when it seems like the chips are down. They are our light at the end of the tunnel, the silver lining of that cloud, the sun that comes out tomorrow, the…well you get the picture.
3. People Don’t Know Who You Really Are. If you are afraid to share your feelings and thoughts concerned others with have a problem with them, how will others know how or what you really think about things? 
4. You Don’t Fall In Love. Don’t need to say much here do I? Love of anything or anyone leaves you vulnerable. Most of us don’t like to be left that wide open. But I know if I hadn’t fallen in love with art at such a young age I wouldn’t be the person I am today…and I definitely like me.
5. You Can’t Reach Your Full Potential. Fear leaves you in such a weakened state; it compromises your potential to succeed. Using up so much energy worrying about problems that don’t exist and cowering in corners leaves you pretty spent and a little too tired to follow through when it comes to getting things done. 

I’m not saying that you aren’t ever going to be scared. Of course you are. Fear is a natural reaction to challenges that we sometimes face. It is what you do in spite of your fear that can define you today, tomorrow, and for a lifetime.

How Do You Make Yourself An Artist That Stands Out From the Crowd?

By Being You, That’s How.

Going through my teenage years, otherwise known as the ‘awkward time’ for most of us, was to say the least…awkward for me. Not because I hit some odd growth spurt, or because of my horrific acne (which was crazy bad), or because I was uncomfortable around my peers… It was because I felt so ‘unteenager-like’.

What does that even mean?? Unteenager-like. Well, I didn’t mind following rules. I saw the logic in them. I liked doing homework because I liked solving problems. Never used a drug because I thought they were stupid and dulled the senses.  Needless to say I wasn’t invited to many parties being the adult trapped inside a child’s body as I was. Most probably thought I was some sort of narc. I was a little too different for most people’s tastes. My mother used to (and still does) tell me that, “I didn’t fit the mold”. Those most important to me have always embraced me as I am and all that makes me different and special. It has been I who has needed the time to come around.

I Have to Admit It…

As a teenager I never thought much about what made me special. I was who I was. I did what I did. It was mostly my mom who talked about how special I was but don’t most moms say that type of thing?

Now not only as an adult, but also as an artist, what makes me different makes me that much more valuable. And…I have to admit that my mom was/is right. Which means your mom/dad/whoever told you is right as well.

What Makes You Special?

So first of all to all of those awesome people who told us we are special we should all say a very loud “thank you!”  But honestly they were all a little vague probably on what exactly makes us great. So now it is time for us to fill in the blanks. Let me ask you some questions:

• Are you multi-talented? Use more than one medium?
• Paint with your mouth? Do ceramics with your feet? Draw blindfolded?
• Make your own paint? Make your own beads?
• Volunteer? Do some of your profits go to a special organization?

I could go on and on. You get the picture: maybe a personal assessment is in order.

You Don’t Have to Be a Stereotype.

All artists don’t paint. All artists aren’t crazy. All artists aren’t disorganized. All artists don’t do the same type of work.

Quite often people who aren’t artists have preconceived notions about them. Just because someone feels that as an artist you are supposed to be the physical manifestations of their personal opinions doesn’t mean that you have to comply.

Dare to Be Different. Be Yourself.

It is great when your skills, story, and passions don’t exactly match up with another artist’s or someone else’s idea of what an artist should do or be. Remember the goal isn’t to be as much like other artists as possible, it is to be you. You live in Arizona where all of the other artists are creating desert themed artworks but you really like the beach? Why not show your love for the beach? Tell stories about your summers on the beach as a kid.

You are a jeweler and everyone else seems to be making earrings because they are small and easier to sell but you like statement necklaces. Make statement necklaces. Tell people about how your pieces can complete an outfit.

Reincarnate yourself…as you.

Reincarnating oneself and becoming new person is great, but sometimes a situation is more about dropping the façade, no longer pretending to be someone you aren’t, and reincarnating…as your true self.  Your true artist-self in this case.

Look at yourself a little closer and discover what’s amazing about you that you can tell others about. 

If you don’t toot your own horn who will?  More than likely your mom isn’t going to be at your next show telling everyone how special her baby is.