The only Art Show I do, is less than a week away. It is time now to look up from what I have created, price my art and start getting organized to show.
There is a big difference between doing art, showing art, and selling art.
I love getting lost in new ideas, in playing with colors and fabrics, and this year new mediums.
It is like each new idea gives birth to another idea - a cascade of inspiration.
These faces were so much fun to play with, they captivated me for weeks!
These are inspired by Freddie Moran. They are way too fun - I can't know if they will sell - but my joy has already happened.
If you try these, I am pretty sure you won't stop with one.
I then saw these scrappy trees - made from Fabric Twine.
Oh my gosh. I LOVED making the twine - great for at the end of the day - keeping my hands busy while I watched my latest binge on Netflix.
Another addictive activity - I loved the twining and I love the tree making and I love the final trees. They filled me with joy and happiness - while I worked on them.
That led to scrappy cards. These were way too much fun. I had a packet of blank cards and envelopes from many years ago. I used what I had. It was interesting to sew on paper - and so much easier than actual quilting. I will play more with this medium.
Those inspired Gift Tags. Smaller and I had to cut the paper etc. I kept them all trees. I didn't want to put too much time into these - this close to the show.
I would love to play more with fabric, inks and even paints on cards - no time now - but this has fueled a new avenue to explore.
I inherited a boat load of old jewelry and so I began to recycle it. What fun this was. I found out I am pretty much a bohemian sorta girl. I loved the imperfection of it all. I got a few made for the show - but will continue to explore this after as well.
And, those led to Fiber Beads. Oh My Gosh who knew there was even such a thing. In researching if you will - what to do with old jewelry I happened upon the fiber bead.
Again lots left to explore. An endless road of possibilities. This new art also filled me up with new energy, ideas and joy.
In the midst of my own art journey my daughter came home - she wanted to do projects while here - one was to play with clay. What fun we had.
My girls did a much better job than I - handling the clay. But, I was still joyful in what I had made. So these too will be part of my display at the show.
So, I have expanded my art - I have tried new things and had a ton of fun playing.
Now the business side of the art is here. Pricing and anticipation of showing what you made.
A part of my soul is in each piece or for sure a my signature expression.
I am now tasked with pricing what I created.
Putting a value on it.
There is a place where it honors the art, me and the customer.
To all the artists who are in the show - this last week as you sit surrounded by your art - you look outward now to how others will receive it. You start looking more critical or at least I do. This is the hardest part of being an artist, show yourself in public.
In this process the head takes over from the playful confident artist.
This is where the judgement comes from - and the self-conscious part.
If you give it free will, the head will convince you you are worthless - and so is your art.
I am thinking that doing art allows me to live away from my head and all its rubbish.
I also know that the energy I experienced while doing my art - it is what is in my art - not the false words of my head.
So, I just wanted to put this out there, for I know I am not alone.
To all the artists that show and sell art - you are badass for taking what you created in private and put it on display for all to see.
What I love is to see new art, to witness creativity in action. I LOVE art, the artists and the shows.
A friend reminded me, that by being in a show, it makes you more creative. I believe this to be true. Without a show on the horizon - I don't believe I would have played so much.
See my play on display on November 12 from 10am until 4pm at the Houghton High School - Keweenaw Art Affair.
