What's the Meaning of All This?

I just watched a YouTube video of an abstract artist at work. Lots of interesting techniques -- paint spread over huge boards with huge metal spreaders (can't think of a better word). Thin paint splooshed on over artwork. Artwork tilted so paint runs and spreads. Random dabs of paint. More paint spreading.

Voila! Art! While I did enjoy the video and enjoy looking at the artwork, I think that my enjoyment would be short-lived if I had to live with the artwork.

I could not see the meaning behind the piece. Yes, I'm sure the artist enjoyed making it, and from what I can tell, his artwork sells. A photo of a restaurant displaying his work was included.

Hubby and I went to close on our home refinancing the other day. Lawyer's office. Lots of "corporate" art. Hubby suggests I think about this approach to art. Other than an "arrangement" of splotches of color, I could see no meaning behind the work. I guess that in a corporate environment, it is best to avoid meaning in artwork, lest someone be offended.

Something is missing. Meaning, context, story, love, hate, some kind of emotion. Is it just me, or do others want something from their art? I must say that I don't care for art that displays blood, gore, violence, etc. But, there's gotta be something. I've got to connect. Apparently, there is no need to connect with corporate art. Its just there to look pretty as you pass by the lobby,sit in the conference room to sign a few papers, or wait for an empty table.

I don't want to just throw some art materials at a surface, hope something sticks, sell it, and do it again and again. Or do I?

I sure would like to make some money.

What are you looking for in art? What draws you to a piece? What makes you want to own it or visit it over and over again in a museum? If you are an artist, what makes you want to create something?

Help me here. I'm looking for meaning.

Beats Selling Eggs

Of the Sun, 4.5 x 6.5"

Fun day in the studio, now that I have let myself in.  I have been gathering ideas the last couple of days and today they all started pouring out.  My mission was to complete something today.  Anything.  And here it is.  It's small, it's cute (as cute as I get anyways), and it's going to be affordable.

I'll tell you why.

My daughter just finished watching the American Girl Movie Kit Kittredge.  A great movie for young girls!  Anyway, the movie is set during the Great Depression.  Families all over the country are broken up as fathers go to cities in search of work.  The rest of the families do what they can to keep their homes.  Kitt's family, as most of the families in their neighborhood that manage to retain their homes, takes on boarders, sells eggs, and makes clothing from feed sacks.  Life for them ain't easy. 

My family has been fairly lucky during this recession.  The hubby still has employment, and I have not been forced to give up my art to be a Walmart greeter or coal miner. However, I do miss the income I have enjoyed for the last several years.  I use my income for home furnishings, clothing, vacations, books, and ART SUPPLIES.  Darn those things are expensive.

I want to keep on doing as I have been doing.  I like making larger pieces of art.  But they are not selling at this time.  My idea of large is probably not the same as somebody else's idea of large, but regardless, cheaper is selling better at this point.  I think this fellow here will cost $26.00 and $4.00 for shipping.

I'm not sure I want to get into selling prints or doing notecards.  Textiles just look so much better in person.  The idea of my art is to touch it myself, and when I'm done touching it, I want it to go out in the world to be touched by someone else.  So, for now, until I'm forced to sell eggs, I'm sticking with creating originals.  Smaller originals.  With content that I think people will like.

Selling out?!?  I don't think so.  Meshing my interests with the interests of the marketplace?  I think that is how I can best put it.  Birds are hot!  I like birds.  I have put birds into my art for years now, and I'm not about to stop.  So . . . more birds!  Text?  So far, I have not used text in my work.  Possibly because so many others have used it in their work.  But I love text.  I love a letter.  I love a word.  I love a phrase.  And so on.  I have collected a handful of "antique" books for the collages I used to do in the dark ages.  Although, I could never convince myself to cut them up.  I pulled a couple of books out this morning and started ripping and cutting.

One small slip of paper that has been in my idea folder for, uh, 10 years (wow), has finally come out of the dark.  It says, "words for wings."  So now my birds will have words for wings.

So, let me know what you think.  Really.  Whether you like it or not.  Whether you think I'm selling out or not.    Be honest.

Blah, Blah, Blah

This is New Orleans: Languishing Muses II.
24 x 24"
$425.00

I have to do some blah, blah, blah about my work today. I like doing that less than I like putting hangers on the backs of my pieces. I do not hate it as much as speaking in public, but it comes close. Perhaps I would feel better about the whole idea if I called it writing rather than blah, blah, blah.

If I write about my work, I'm writing about myself. And then I will be judged. It makes me weak in the knees. Suppose I sound stupid. Ignorant. Mean and nasty.

I've made 11 pieces in this series so far. I feel I must do 12. I really wanted to do more when I first started, but now other fabrics and colors are creeping out and I'm not sure what to do next. But I know I must write about what I have already done.

Anybody who has tolerated reading this blog for a while, knows that I am a huge fan of New Orleans. I do not live there. Probably never will. But, I really don't like to say "never" if it limits my options too much.

I have lost count of the number of visits I have made. I believe it is 16. It is very unlikely I will get to visit this year, but I am planning on a visit next spring. The crime rate is definitely a deterrent. From what I have been reading, 1994 was one of the worst years for violent crime. Chances are good that I was there in 1994. However, I did not have a child then. I do feel more concerned about visiting now.

There are many places in the city that I have not visited. Like it or not, I am a tourist when I visit. No, I don't go and get drunk on Bourbon Street. But I do ride the streetcars and look at the big pretty houses. I visit the zoo and City Park. I shop on Magazine Street and stay in the Quarter. There is a lot of the city I have never seen. However, I do feel I have seen more than the average tourist.

So, now I must explain why I have made these 11 quilts. Why are these things relevant? Who would really care? How many Central Pennsylvanians would be interested? We're far too worried about the chicken zoning ordinance than the problems in the greatest city in the US. Well, we do have a New Orleans-style restaurant in town. I ate there once.

Hopefully, these pieces will appear on my website very soon. With some kind of explanation. I want to move people to think about New Orleans. I want something good to come out of what I have created.

Naturally, I would love these pieces to sell like hotcakes. I'm going to feel very positive about that. That will make it happen. Meanwhile, if anyone knows of an organization who is doing a lot of good in New Orleans, I'm looking to donate a percentage of my sales from the New Orleans series.

Now, off to write. Ha. Ha. Some of you will receive a comment from me on your blogs in the next few minutes. And hey, the sun is out. The snow (yes really) has stopped. It looks so nice outside.

Now on Etsy

I have finally added new pieces to Etsy. There are four itty bitty pieces. So, my goal of refreshing Etsy has been almost met. I still need to do some blah, blah, blah, for individual pieces. Often, after I make a piece, I'm so ready to do the next, I do not do enough to promote the piece I have just finished.

This piece is entitled Bright Spot. Could I possible be the startled looking orange fish, the bright spot? Or am I one of the group of undistinguished white fish? I don't know. The piece was fun to make. That's the point of this one. Fun.

Today I clean the studio (some more). I wait for the plumber to do heaven knows what to my bathroom, then I go to the dentist. I do not like going to medical offices. I hate spending time there that could be better spent somewhere else. I could read a magazine of my own choosing at home.

Tomorrow I tackle the latest commission.

Then I feel the need to dream up something bigger, better, more profound. Something show-worthy. I'm thinking of a dark brown piece called rejection and a bright orange and red piece called acceptance. We'll see what happens with that.

Sell By Date

This piece is Natural History - 27x8". It is extremely old, having been completed in 2005.

I have entered fewer juried shows in the last few years than in the past when I made collage pieces rather than fiber art. I guess I got caught up in creating the work rather than getting it out into the world. Now that I’m ready to attempt to enter more shows, I find that the vast majority of my artwork is just too old.

For the past three years, I have done several series of smaller pieces (which I feel are not appropriate for "important" shows) and most of the larger pieces I have done have been commissions. There are a handful of medium-sized pieces that I have entered into juried shows. As I only attempt 2-3 shows each year, these pieces only have a couple of opportunities to make it into a show before they expire.

Each prospectus I read states that artwork must have been completed within the last 2 years (some will give you up to 4 years). This means that the vast majority of my artwork has already expired.

Is there a reason for this rule?

What am I going to do with all of my old art?

Does artwork get stale?

Can I file a complaint based on age discrimination?

My artwork looks fresh and new to me. Last time I looked it wasn’t droopy or wrinkled.

Will my pieces turn into pumpkins after so many years? It hasn’t happened yet.

This whole age thing has forced me to look at my art in a different light. Instead of gazing upon what I used to think of as a beautiful piece, I now look at the same piece and think "darned old thing". That’s just not right. Good thing museums don’t kick the art to the curb after a couple of years.

I thought old meant wise. We are taught (hopefully) to have respect for the elderly. Why does this not apply to artwork?

What’s that Science Fiction movie? Logan’s Run? Isn’t that were people are poofed when they get to be 30? Should I do the same with my old artwork? Poof it?

Know No

Do you quilters out there, or any other readers, know the word no? Know it and use it? I sure wish I had a better relationship with the word no.

I'm scared of it. I'm scared of hearing it, and I'm really scared to use it.

Today, I was put on hold while trying to make an appointment for my daughter's annual checkup. I, of course, was put on hold. The recording said I would be on hold for 5-10 minutes. The recording told me 12-15 times that all operators were busy and my call was important to them. After 15 minutes of holding, a real live person came on the line. She asked me if I could hold. My polite little (useless) instincts told me to say "yes". I said yes. Then I was put on hold. A couple minutes later I asked myself "why didn't I just say No." What would they have done to me? Come to my house and shoot me. Blast an air horn into the phone. I doubt it. They probably would have made an appointment for me. I SHOULD HAVE SAID NO.

I did say NO to a friend who wanted me to donate a quilt for an art auction for his organization. I thought about this for a long time. I had lots of reasons to say no. So I said no. Then I felt terrible. SHOULD I HAVE SAID YES?

I have the chance to hang my quilts in a local restaurant. I would probably have to redo the way I hang my quilts, as they use cables from the ceiling and my quilts would bend over from the top using this method. I would also need to attach weights to the bottoms of the quilts. My quilts normally hang from a screw or nail in the wall and hang perfectly flat when attached this way. I fear that my quilts would gather odors from hanging in a restaurant. I also fear stains since many would hang right next to the tables. My every instinct wants me to say no. I don't want to spend the huge amount of time it would take to revamp my artwork when I feel it would not sell (I'm sure that I would get some exposure, though), because people are there to eat not buy art. I want to focus instead on web marketing and other methods of selling. I also want to spend that time creating new works. These works have already been displayed in the area.

I always feel torn between creating and getting exposure. I feel if I'm going to go to all of that work to display my art, then I would prefer to be in a show where the people going to visit the art are at least out to see art. My belief is that people go to art shows to see art (if not buy it) and diners go to restaurants to eat and drink.

Perhaps it is one of those womanly ovarian things. I think many women find it hard to say no. Could this be my problem? Many people think of quilters as those nice little old ladies who sit around in circles quilting, trading recipes and childrens photos and always saying yes.

I want to wear a t-shirt that says NO. I want to get to know the word NO. I want to be able to use it without fear and guilt.

Low-Cal, Lite, and Gallery-Free

This is Autumn Blossom I. It is one of my larger pieces at 30 x 47". Do you think this is taking up space on a gallery wall? No. It is at home. On my wall. This is one of the lucky ones that sees the light of day. I have a large dresser in my studio where the vast majority of my work resides.

I have been wanting to have my work in a gallery. I have had my work in a gallery. Two in fact. But not at the same time. Local galleries. My work has never been displayed far from home. I have tried. Early this year I sent out three portfolios. Through the internet I researched hundreds of galleries to find appropriate places for my work. None of them too upscale, none of them little country shops. I made a list, checked it twice. Then sent out three portfolios. Nice ones. Several pages of color photos. Price list. What I thought was a good cover letter. Quite professional looking. Postage paid return envelopes!!!!!!! Was there a response? Not one! Did they return the portfolios in their postage paid return envelopes????? Not one!! What does that have to say about me? What does that have to say about the galleries I chose?

Why would a gallery give no response? Too busy? Isn't this their line of work, though? Would I want to deal with these galleries in the future? Would I feel comfortable buying anything from these galleries? Certainly not. And I do buy from galleries. Not often, but it happens. These galleries I I will never visit. Are these three galleries representative of all galleries? Could be!

Should I try another round of galleries? Do hours and hours of research? Have color prints made of 15-20 pieces? Put them in a nice folder? Pay to send them out? Pay to have them sent back (ha)? Ooooh, I can't wait. I actually enjoy sticking things under my fingernails and banging my head on brick walls.

If there is a burner way in the back, that is where the gallery idea is simmering for now.

I am going to treat my website as a gallery. I will market it. Give out cards, brochures, postcards. Perhaps I will research online galleries. Has anyone out there had any luck with this? I have seen my Ebay sales drop off, and my Etsy sales are none, but the website sales have improved (significantly). As the old saying goes, "If it aint broke, don't fix it." That shall be my motto for the upcoming year.

I will make what I want, sell it (maybe, eventually), keep 100% of the selling price, thrive and grow rich and strong. I will have all my work around me and won't have to worry about its safety in a gallery. I will overlook the fact that I will have to deal with selling myself, packing and shipping (and associated supply purchasing), overstuffed drawers, and that pesky feeling of gallery rejection. I will continue to visit and purchase at galleries that don't tick me off, although their numbers are getting fewer.

Anybody out there have any positives on not having gallery representation?

Buy This, It's for Sale, Here's the Price

Ooooh, those dirty words. I can't belive I said it's for sale. Did anyone overhear? I would be so embarrased. NOT!

This piece is entitled Planting Seeds V. It costs $110.00 + shipping. I also have loads of smaller pieces perfect for Holiday gift giving. Please see my website.

Is there really anything wrong with a bit of marketing? Is there anything wrong with having a simple and functional website? Is it downright dirty, cheap and nasty to have the prices listed on the website? And is it a sin to provide an internet shopping cart to make it easy for purchasers? I don't think so, but it seems that many artists do.

Often, I really am interested in an artwork. Of course, I do look around just to compare my prices to other's. Yet, I actually do buy from the internet & believe it or not, I might just buy something from an artist from their website. There are many factors that contribute to my choice to purchase: is the photo clear? do I have a place to hang or place it? and that pesky question - can I afford it? I really do appreciate knowing immediately if I can afford a piece. I do believe in that old saying "If you have to ask, you can't afford it." So I get a bit annoyed at having to contact an artist to get a price on a piece.

Recently, I feel in love with a piece during a spell of artist website and blog surfing. Hmmmm, good picture, love the content, can I afford it. I emailed the artist, explaining I needed the price, letting them know I loved their work and informing them of the reason I chose this particular piece -- giving them an idea of what a potential buyer is thinking and how they related to the artwork. The next day, the artist returned my email saying she was off to a show and did not have time to locate the artwork and give me a price. Several days later, I received another reply with the price, an explanation of what the piece was made of . . . and that's it. OK, so I got my info. But that's it. I don't know why my love of the piece diminished. Was it waiting for the price, not getting a cheery reply letting me know why they created this piece and saying thanks that I was interested in their work. Anyway, I did not buy the piece. Would I have felt the same had the price been listed? It was affordable enough. Would I have gone ahead and bought it without emailing the artist?

Some artists want to be contacted. For some, this is the reason they do not post their prices and want to be contacted for them. (If this is the reason, be happy that a potential customer has contacted you and let them know that.) Is this the only reason to not post prices? Are there other reasons? Would an artist get more sales if prices were posted next to the piece and the customer given an immediate way to purchase the piece? I think so. Is it a nasty thing for an artist to actually want to make a sale?

I am an artist. Please contact me if you like. Buy something. Buy nothing and just let me know you like my work. Don't contact me if you hate it. Contact me and let me know about your granny's quilts. Tell me about the weather where you live. Just don't look down on me, reject me, think I'm cheap just because I tell you how much something costs.

Can you imagine if the grocery store did not post their prices? I don't think I'd put something in my shopping cart if I didn't know the price.

Prices as low as $30.00. I do commissions. Please see my website. Have a look at my stores on Ebay and Etsy. Did I mention CafePress? Note the prices.