1/14/09
11/21/08
Handmade
Some big changes are going on at NWAA, and blog posts may be sporadic for awhile- but for now...
The Buy Handmade movement! Last holiday season, 10,000 people signed the buy handmade pledge. That's 10,000 people not supporting big box chain stores, sweatshops, round the world shipping of goods or mass production. 10,000 people supporting independant artists and craftspeople, and supporting the production of our own culture, instead of the consumption of it. For every handmade item you buy, you are helping out a person, not a corporation. Not to mention that handmade items are unique, and come with the knowledge that someone devoted their time, energy and love to make it. Better yet, make handmade! If you don't think you have the skills- try purchasing a handmade kit, like this japanese bookbinding kit from Erinzam News
11/19/08
Do it because you love it
My newest project is starting to record my ideas, to use my journal/sketchbook on a regular basis. It's difficult to translate mental images into physical ones, and I struggle with not being satisfied with the results, they don't always live up to what I think they should be. The best advice I've heard lately is "all you have to do is something" and something along the lines of "the greatest tragedy is doing nothing, for fear something won't be enough" Do you know the actual quote? I'd love to find it. I have to remind myself constantly that whatever I do is better than nothing. That if I make something, it is what it is. An imperfect drawing is not the same as failure. There was a great discussion in school on Monday about being invested and engaged in what you are doing without being attached to the results. We talked about how we can learn and grow from unsuccessful work without beating ourselves up. Do you journal? What thoughts do you have about making work for the sake of it, because you love it, versus making work because you want results?
The Journey is the Destination: The Journals of Dan Eldon is a great book for inspiration. I saw it in the window of Epilogue Books in Ballard and bought it on impulse. The book is comprised of pages from Eldon's journals- 17 books he filled with collages between the ages of 14 and 22, when he was stoned to death my a Somalian mob while working for Reuters. Eldon was raised in Africa, and set out in a land rover with friends at 17 from Kenya to Somalia to help with the famine there. He chronicled his life as a photojournalist in New York and Africa, and created a legacy and following of those who are affected by his work. 
11/18/08
Artful Home
What inspires you? I'm working on an inspiration wall at my house. I spent last night cutting out images from Sotheby's catalogs, gathering together all my artist's postcards collected at artwalk and looking through magazines. I'm inspired by blogs too, but sometimes you just need something tangible to get your creative juices flowing. I have file folders on my computer of favorite images, but they aren't in my face every morning, reminding me to make something. I think your house/apartment/room/studio/wherever you spend your downtime really influences your thoughts. A dark, cluttered environment leads to a cloudy head. Make some changes this week, clear some clutter, bring some nature inside, buy some candles, do something to make your space more creativity friendly. 
On another note- the holidays are near! I usually don't get into the spirit of things, and normally the season passes me by without affecting me much, but this year I'm actually feeling it. I'm feeling the urge to bake pies and sugar cookies, knit scarves for friends and family and actually decorate my house. How do you celebrate? Do you rush around doing things you feel you must, or do your linger and anjoy the spirit of the season? Enjoy yourself!
11/14/08
Art at Seattle Center This Weekend!
Come see us please! I am headed down there right now. The show goes until 8 tonight, with Children's Hospital and the Presin Kuppe Guild hosting a fundraising event starting at 6. There will be wine and appetisers and lots of lovely things to look at and purchase. If you can't make it tonight, come back tomorrow or Sunday from 10 to 6. No time for a nice post today, so i'll just leave you with some blogs that inspire me.
http://lobsterandswan.blogspot.com/
http://stashstudios.typepad.com/stash_studios/
http://blog.piajanebijkerk.com/WordPress/
http://followstudio.blogspot.com/
http://lafeecoriandre.blogspot.com/
http://nectarandlight.typepad.com/my_weblog/
http://aviewto.blogspot.com/
11/12/08
Sketchbooks
I love looking at other artist's sketchbooks. Theres something about the pure imagination of it, without the heavy concept and hours of refinement and editing, that's raw and beautiful. It it work simply meant to spill an idea onto paper, for it's own sake. Here is a selection of my favorites from the artists at deviantart.com
Click on the images to go to the artists original posting, and to see more of their work,
11/8/08
Weekend Thoughts
Well First Thursday Art Walk was great, and a success all around. The Honky Tonk bar was wonderful, and the Kama Shastra show was inspiring and whimsical. The Red, White and Bruised show, not so much. The pieces were somewhat cliched and not thought provoking.
I've also been admiring the work of Sandra, creator of the Smosch blog. I love images that have a dreamy quality- hazy atmosphere, soft colors, sun spots and loads of bohemian influence. 
Also, thinking about non-photographer artists that use photography as a main component or staple of their work. Sculptors that use photographs, painters that paint from photographs, video artists that use stills. Today in our media saturated, screen driven culture, every artist and art form relies on photography as a way to get images of their work out into the world. Every piece is seen through a literal lens (or two, or three). Next time you see a picture of a painting, think about the photographer. Do you think photographing art is art in itself? Some photographers create sculptures that are only meant to be photographed. How does this change the meaning of the sculpture, the picture?
I've been thinking about photography latley, struggling to produce work for my class, and noticing what photographic art draws my attention. Today, it's photographer Cari Ann- I love this mosaic from blogger Daydream Lily so much I have to use it- 
Also, thinking about non-photographer artists that use photography as a main component or staple of their work. Sculptors that use photographs, painters that paint from photographs, video artists that use stills. Today in our media saturated, screen driven culture, every artist and art form relies on photography as a way to get images of their work out into the world. Every piece is seen through a literal lens (or two, or three). Next time you see a picture of a painting, think about the photographer. Do you think photographing art is art in itself? Some photographers create sculptures that are only meant to be photographed. How does this change the meaning of the sculpture, the picture?
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