Friday, July 30, 2010

More & More

Sending out thanks to everybody who responded to my last post regarding the comment from Anonymous. The theme seems to have struck a nerve as there are over 65 comments that have been left. I also want to thank Anonymous because his/her comment started this lively discussion to begin with. Whatever your thoughts may be regarding this issue, and their seem to be many, the fact that this conversation has taken place is nothing but positive.

Given that Making Waves, my hand assemblage series, and Headliners, my head assemblage series, were at the basis for this discussion...I thought it only fitting to continue the series and post the newest members.


Orpheus: Greek Father of Song


Available for purchase in The Altered Page on Etsy

Sold. Thank you!


Headlight...humorous, cheeky, a bit of a daredevil, and always brings brightness to wherever he goes.


Available for purchase in The Altered Page on Etsy

Sold. Thank you!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

A Frank Discussion

Grab a mug of coffee...this is a long one.

I received a comment on my recent post Hand to Mouth from an anonymous reader. It said...

"Finding your hands and now heads getting a bit stale. I assume you produce for resale on Etsy and as long as there are buyers you make what you can. I imagine a more impactful work would be a collection of many hands/heads in one piece but then you would have to charge more and it may not be as profitable. Aren't you getting bored? Please forgive my frank opinion, I only happened upon your blog due to book reviews. I haven't researched your bio, other work, and only see what you post here. Enough said, everyone has to make a living."

While I do not imagine that the person who wrote this comment is likely to be back to my blog reading this post, I do feel compelled to respond. While I absolutely do make art to sell, I am not the least interested in the philosophy "as long as there are buyers you make what you can." Those of you who have followed my blog over time know that I have had very good success with my Etsy shop. I feel extremely lucky about that and do not take it for granted. If in fact my motivation was as "anonymous" suggested, I would still be making the exact same pieces that originally sold well in my shop when it first opened back in 2008.

My work is often based in series. The number of pieces in each series has varied greatly. I do not stop or start a series based on how well or how poorly it sells. When my creative energy and interest in an idea runs dry, I stop. When I have said what I need to say through the artwork, the series ends.

I thank "anonymous" because this comment gave me the opportunity to review the different series I have created. And because I cannot seem to put up a post without images, I get to share them with you too. So take a walk with me down memory lane...

Solstice Series


Revolution


Hearts


Mountain Series


Desert Series


Iconduits


Book Marks


Text Tiles


Zen Series


Melts


Making Waves


Headliners


Anonymous asks "aren't you getting bored?" No way, no how! I am still passionately inspired by these hands and the Making Waves series. And I feel excited about the shift in direction that has become my Headliners series. Hands and heads...they are a big part of what makes us who we are, both as people and as artists.

This comment also has me thinking about "blogland", which I see as a very unique and special world unto itself. It is a place filled with support, reinforcement, compassion, and positivity. This world is often far removed from the "real" art world, especially in NYC where I live. All anybody has to do to get a sense of this is to watch the critiques from one episode of Bravo's "Work of Art."

Needless to say, I think most comments we all receive can be characterized as positive. That is true for myself too. I have on occasion read comments left on a few other blogs that were mean spirited and personally insulting and usually the blogger responds with a post. I will admit that I was initially taken aback by reading the above comment left for me, as it is so unusual for comments to be critical. However, I do not consider it negative at all. "Anonymous" has every right to feel that my work "is a bit stale." This is just one person's opinion. And in fact, that this comment has led to this posting and an opportunity for discussion is nothing but a good thing.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

The Book Guild - Chapter 16


Welcome to the fourth edition of The Pulse -- The State of the Art -- a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community. Nearly 150 artists have answered a list of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses will be presented as a series of online and print projects. Secret Sunday was the first project and the links to all the secrets can be found on the sidebar of my blog. The Book Guild is the second project and Chapter 16 starts right now!


All artists participating in The Pulse were asked to name their favorite art books. The Book Guild will present this list, along with links, book reviews, giveaways, and interviews with many of your favorite authors. And as members of The Guild, I am hoping YOU will participate by leaving comments related to the books in each post - for example thoughts, book reviews, personal experiences, or a link back to your own blog posts that include artwork based on a project in the listed book.
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Chapter 16: Angela Cartwright

Mixed Emulsions: Altered Art Techniques for Photographic Imagery


Becky New selected Angela Cartwright's Mixed Emulsions: Altered Art Techniques for Photographic Imagery as one of her favorites.

Angela shared the following thoughts about her book...

When I was asked to write my book "Mixed Emulsions" about my altered photographic techniques, it really opened my eyes. I realized just how much photography and art was integrated in my life and how embedded it was in my heart. I also realized how miserable I would be if I could not make my art. In my journey to be artistically authentic to myself I have discovered... you have to feel free to listen and to learn, to experiment, and to fail... to be patient with the process and be willing to not second guess yourself when your soul comes calling.... I call that being unruly... and that was at the very core of this book...take from it what you will...and run....

Angela also shared two of her favorite books...

Cyclops by Albert Watson

Cyclops

Unwrapped by Carolyn Quartermaine


You can visit Angela at her website or her blog
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GIVEAWAY


Along with sharing her thoughts, Angela has also shared a copy of her book Mixed Emulsions for a giveaway. To participate, please leave a comment on this post. Comments will close next Saturday July 31. The winner will be announced Sunday August 1 as part of the next post for The Book Guild. Good luck!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Hand to Mouth


HAND...

I am continuing to add to the Making Waves family. The newest member of the crew is...


Felicitas...the Roman Goddess of Good Luck.

Available for purchase in The Altered Page on Etsy.

Sold. Thank you!

TO MOUTH...

And introducing the first member of my newest family of mixed media assemblages from the series called Headliners...


Headstrong...always motivated, full of confidence, determined by nature, and never lacking in opinion.

Available for purchase in The Altered Page on Etsy.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

The Book Guild: Chapter 15


Welcome to the fourth edition of The Pulse -- The State of the Art -- a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community. Nearly 150 artists have answered a list of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses will be presented as a series of online and print projects. Secret Sunday was the first project and the links to all the secrets can be found on the sidebar of my blog. The Book Guild is the second project and Chapter 15 starts right now!


All artists participating in The Pulse were asked to name their favorite art books. The Book Guild will present this list, along with links, book reviews, giveaways, and interviews with many of your favorite authors. And as members of The Guild, I am hoping YOU will participate by leaving comments related to the books in each post - for example thoughts, book reviews, personal experiences, or a link back to your own blog posts that include artwork based on a project in the listed book.
_______________

Chapter 15: Off the Beaten Path

Alicia Caudle chose Mysterium Fidei as one of her favorites.

Mysterium Fidei
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Land of the Flying Masks: Art and Culture in Burkina Faso by Christopher D. Roy and Thomas G.B. Wheelock was selected by Chris Gray as her favorite.

Land of the Flying Masks: Art & Culture in Burkina Faso, the Thomas G. B. Wheellock Collection
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AnitaNH chose Optic Nerve: Perceptual Art of the 1960s by Joe Houston as her favorite. She adds, "I was too young to fully appreciate the movement when it originated but I am so attracted to it today."

Optic Nerve: Perceptual Art of the 1960s
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Stephanie Brouwers selected The History of Beads by Lois Sherr Dubin, noting that "it’s a must have if you are into beads."

The History of Beads: From 100,000 B.C. to the Present, Revised and Expanded Edition
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Gothic Art by Alain Erlande Brandenburg was chosen by Theresa Martin as a favorite.

L'Art gothique
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Rainey J. Gibney selected The Life and Work of Harry Clarke by Nicola Gordon Bowe as her favorite.

_______________

Hi-fructose Collected Edition by Annie Owens was picked by Patricia Anders as her favorite.

Hi-fructose Collected Edition
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Marie Otero chose as her favorite art book Street Sketchbook by Tristan Manco.

Street Sketchbook: Inside the Journals of International Street and Graffiti Artists
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Lisa Renner selected Dustcovers: The Collected Sandman Covers by Dave McKean as one of her favorites.

Dustcovers: The Collected Sandman Covers 1989-1997 (Sandman)
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Linda Moran said "I have so many art books, I’m not sure I could point to one particular one. What do I go back to? Anything by Joen Wolfrom, who takes design principles and applies them to quilts."

Color Play: Easy Steps to Imaginative Color in Quilts
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Jane Royal chose Painting People in Watercolor by Alex Powers as her favorite. Jane adds "His work is solid, yet imperfect: a bit scratchy and un-finished. I find his is portraits to be very compelling and emotional."

Painting People in Watercolor: A Design Approach (Practical Art Books)
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Debra Eck described Non-Adhesive Binding Books Without Paste or Glue by Keith Smith as her "absolute bible of bookbinding."

Non-Adhesive Binding Books without Paste or Glue
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Sarah Fishburn selected Social Realist Painting by Matthew Cullerne Bown as her favorite. Sarah says "At 7 pounds, 528 pages, and including 346 full color plates, this is a book to be reckoned with. See, it even makes me forget all the grammar I ever knew. Yes, it's on my wish list, but at $350.00 for a used copy, I will continue to peruse (and drool upon) my brother-in-law's indefinitely."

Socialist Realist Painting