Saturday, August 27, 2011

Contributing

I received official word this week that an image of one of my assemblages plus a bit of commentary I wrote will be included in Seth Apter's book, The Pulse of Mixed Media. The book - a real book - is due out March 2. Seth seems to be a popular guy in the mixed media world - besides creating some cool and interesting mixed media art pieces he is a mixed media promoter extra-ordinaire.

Now...some of you might be thinking 'wow, she must have a certain amount of prestige in the alternative art world to get published'. NOT SO. I have found that getting your art published in magazines and books involves chutzpah more than Master Artist status. If the idea of being published is enticing to you - make art and then go out an promote it. Promote it by proposing an article you can write for a magazine on a subject or technique, promote it by connecting with other art world people via the internet and live shows, promote it by honestly talking with other people about their art and sharing your thoughts and experiences and, finally, promote it by being what makes you an artist in the first place - by using your creativity.

I live in the Hudson Valley of NY. Hurricane Irene is breathing down our necks this weekend. Should prove interesting.




Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Perelandra

Many of us have lives inside our minds that don't reflect much of the real world or actual situations but are gee-normous indicators of our internal wishes, wants, desires, and - well - souls. As I create an abstract I know that what evolves as the painting unfolds is from deep within these recesses and is part of the essential makeup that is me. Some of the best abstracts are not consciously created - the energy flows from the body and spirit. The paint is only a vehicle.



Monday, August 15, 2011

Construct or De-construct



Night photos being The Worst aside....this is the finished sculpture that was glazed and then fired over the weekend. If you click on the photo it will get larger and you can see some of the detail. Have I told you I love glaze? And the carbon that is created and fired into pieces when you place them at the top of the kiln? I do believe I will be making more clay assemblages....have an idea for one with a bottle....oh my...the brain is on over load!






Sunday, August 7, 2011

I have a new art friend, Lynn Isaacson, who makes some great pottery. I am especially taken with her 'lizard' (her words) glazes. I went to her tricked out studio last week and came home with clay, books and tools and an assignment. The assignment was to make stuff so I could join in the firing and glazing that will be going on at week's end. Soooo...I went home with not much of a clue...and started messing around. The wall in the back will have antique, rusted nails secured to it after it's glazed and hopefully - if they don't blow up in the kiln - the front left pieces will become pendants for necklaces. The curved piece on the bottom right...well I'm not sure what direction that will go in....it was my first attempt at being a pottery artist. If these pieces don't turn out too bad I'll post 'after firing' photos. Maybe I'll post 'em even if they turn out horrific.