AEDM and Art on the Farm

Saturday Morning Just After the Doors Opened

This weekend was Art on the Farm and boy did the gorgeous weather bring people out!   My sales were still less than I’d hoped for, but it was still a good weekend.  I had people who had bought cuffs from me last year tell me how many compliments they’ve received, and one woman bought another cuff after having bought two last year!

I didn’t take too many photos as I was working there this weekend, but I did keep up with my doodling.  Here are the next five doodles for the month.  I’ve noticed that I’ve been really into abstract and geometric repeating patterns so far.  I thought that I would be doing more sketching, but that’s not how it’s turned out.  We’ll see how this progresses.

On Friday I was Feeling Red

 

I worked on these during Art on the Farm

 

Today's doodle was inspired by yesterday's.

Foo Fighters, Neil Diamond, and How to Keep Your Inspiration Flowing

The other night I was driving home from my other, non-jewelry job and I stumbled upon Jack Black interviewing the Foo Fighters.  I only listened to 15min worth (I had to walk the dog when I got home) and even though 1/2 that time was spent listening to “Wheels” and “My Hero” (two songs I like) the part I did hear really struck home.

Jack Black asked the Foos if the well ever runs dry.  Did they ever pick up a guitar and it just wasn’t there, no songs would come out?  They answered “no.”  Dave Grohl said that if they took guitars into the studio for a week they would come out with songs every time.  They probably wouldn’t all be the best songs, but when they try to write they always end up with something.

Then they blew my mind by bringing up Neil Diamond.  They mentioned talking with him about songwriting and he talked about it like exercising.  Writing is like a muscle that needs exercising, the more you write, the easier and better it gets.  The longer you spend in between writing sessions, the harder it is to start back up again.  The Foos also mentioned that their best songs tend to be written near the end of album cycles.  They’re written after having thoroughly warmed up the writing muscle.

This analogy quickly went downhill at this point in the interview, but these points really hit home with me.  I began to think about how hard it is for me to get back into the studio after taking time off.  I feel like there’s more pressure and less inspiration.  Usually I try to just force myself to work on something, knowing that I’ll get in the mood if I just start working on something.  (Unless I injure my thumb of course.  It’s healing quite nicely BTW.)  My AEDM project where I do a doodle a day is one way I’m trying to keep the juices flowing.  Even when I can’t get into the studio, I’m still thinking creatively.

How do you feel if you can’t work on your art/job/passion as often as you’d like?  How do you spark your inspiration or keep it from running dry?  And can you believe the Foo Fighters ever hung out with Neil Diamond?!  Leave a comment and let us know, then get back to working on what you love!

AEDM – Going OK So Far

AEDM - first four days' worth of doodles

Here’s my first real AEDM post.  I’ve been doodling everyday so far, and I’ve mostly remembered to bring my camera with me when I go out.  I did get a cool photo of a smokestack near me that I wouldn’t have since it was on my way to work.

Cool Clouds Yesterday

Mostly I’ve noticed that I’m just outside taking more pictures in general.  Yesterday I was taking photos of clouds that came out pretty cool with the sun behind them.  I’m getting ready for Art on the Farm this week, so I haven’t been doing much of anything else, so this challenge has at least kept me thinking about being creative in small ways.  Next week I hope to get back into the studio and then we’ll see how the challenge affects that.

Cloud Trail

November Artist of the Month – Koldo Barroso

The Song of the Sea Goat ©2009 Koldo Barrosso

It’s November and it’s a little creepy out and dreary, so I decided to choose an artist whose work is a little creepy in a whimsical kind of way.  It was on Essential Prose where I first saw his work, she was talking about his album cover designs.  Koldo Barroso is an illustrator whose work reminds me of Edward Gorey or Pan’s Labyrinth.  The line detail is exquisite and the fun he has with the pieces is evident and always makes me smile.

He’s designed pieces based on poems, music, and also illustrated children’s books – the good kind, if you know what I mean.  Here’s an excerpt from his about page:

Art and Illusion: these are the keys to my work. I believe that we are all surrounded by a supernatural world of creatures and living forms. They co-habit with us, they influence our thoughts, feelings and actions and are present in the most important moments of our life. Sometimes we notice these energies with our minds, other times we can sense them with our spirit and even see them with our physical eyes. My passion is to make visible this invisible world to your eyes.

On his website you can buy Koldo’s prints and original drawings, as well as hire him for your illustration needs.  Check out his blog and his website for more information.

Art Every Day Month 2009

My Day of the Dead card from last year's AEDM

You may remember that last year during November I participated in Leah Piken Kolidas‘ Art Every Day Month project.  It was so much fun (and challenging) that I’m doing it again this year!  Once again, I’m focusing on non-metal creative endeavors, but instead of doing one big project (like last year’s Inspiration Cards), I’m doing daily projects.

I’ve decided to do two daily thins to boost my creativity.  First, I’m going to take my camera everywhere. Yes, everywhere.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in the car or on a walk and I see something and think, “If only I had my camera!”  Just last week it happened at least three times.  I don’t know what I’m going to do with all these photos, but that’s the great part about digital.  DELETE.

Second, I’m going to do a doodle a day.  I have a stack of index cards that’s been sitting around for years now that needs a job.  Each day, preferably in the morning, I’m going to do a doodle, sketch, or full on drawing on one of these cards.  It might end up being a quick line drawing, something I’ve been thinking about for my jewelry, or a pointillist masterpiece (OK, probably not that last one, but I can dream!).

Both of these ideas came about because I actually went to art school not to be a metalsmith, but for drawing or photography.  I ended up being neither, though I do take my own photos for submissions and I still like to take photos.  I just wanted to get back to my roots and focus on doing something completely different than what I do in the studio.  I’m hoping that it will help refresh my metalwork somewhat, and in general just get me more in the habit of creating.

What do you think of my project?  Do you want to join me?  Go check out Leah’s site and sign up.  It’s totally no pressure, but you can also get her Art Every Day Month Survival Guide if you want a little extra push.  You can choose anything that you want.  Go ahead, you know you want to…

The Batman Guide to a Metalsmithing Career

Australian Bat courtesy of dooderose

1. Start Out Rich – Bruce Wayne was born into money.  He’s not just a little bit rich, he’s the richest guy in Gotham.  Most of us aren’t as rich as Bruce, but it helps to start off with some capital.  This might mean you have a trust fund, a savings or investment account, you apply for loans, or simply work another job while starting your metalsmithing career.
2. Have Friends in High Places – Bruce was also well connected.  Sure, no one really knew that he was Batman, but rubbing shoulders as Bruce Wayne gave him insight into the city’s inner workings.  As a metalsmith, visit arts events and schmooze with your community’s arts elite.  You’ll make connections and learn about any current trends running through your local area.
3. Surround Yourself With Cool Gadgets – Batman would be just an angrier, more frustrated version of the rest of us without all those gadgets he uses.  It’s always great to have the right tool for the job, even if you have to invent it.  This is one of the areas where being rich helps, but you can also be creative and find your own tool solutions Macgyver-style.
4. Be a Vigilante – Batman saw a city plagued by criminals and bogged down in corruption and lack of funds.  He didn’t just complain or move somewhere else, he decided to do something about it.  If no one is promoting your art, go out and promote it yourself.  If the same old answers aren’t working, find new solutions.  Get creative with it, surprise people, know their moves before they do.  Start your own guild, networking group, or salon if your town doesn’t have one.
5. Dress for Success – Bruce had two wardrobes – the classy, business savvy wear he showed the world, and his hooded, easy to move fast in, tool-belted bat suit.  In the studio it’s fine to wear torn jeans, a leather apron, and pickel-holed t-shirts.  At arts events, guild meetings, conferences, or any other time you’re out with your public face on, dress to impress.  You don’t have to look like everybody else, just be distinguishable from students and street people.

The Horror

Saturday I was all set to go into the studio and whip out a few cuffs.  OK, I actually was all set to do it in the morning, but after doing some chores, making lunch, and the weather changing, I wasn’t all that into it anymore.  This has happened

Here is a mugshot of the offender. The toothbrush is for size comparison.

before.  I just force myself into the studio and start making and then I get in the mood.  Well, this wasn’t the case this time.  The Universe wanted me to know that Saturday was most definitely not my day to work in the studio.  While texturing silver, the piece slipped and my thumb found itself the victim of my big old sledge hammer.  I cried like a girl as soon as I was able to get up and move to the bathroom and wash it off.  NOT A GOOD DAY!   Here are some photos of what happens when good hammers go bad.  (Unfortunately for you, I didn’t take any photos directly after the incident when blood was all over my hand.)

The nail is cracked almost the whole way across

The side is cracked and bleeding

Double Giant Bloodblisters!

The moral of this story is, get focused before busting out the sledge hammer.  If this does happen to you, decide whether or not you need to go to the ER or a doctor and get stitches.  Do this if there is any doubt!  Or if you thing you broke a bone!  I could move my thumb even though it had a lot of pain if I put any pressure on it, and the bleeding stopped once I washed it and put some band-aids on it, so I chose to stay home.  I iced it the entire rest of the day, and was able to avoid most of the swelling.  I also took some ibuprofen for inflammation.  Surprisingly, I only got the blood blisters and no other noticeable bruising.  Today  finally feel like I can put a little pressure on it, so I’m hoping to be able to have a studio day on Thursday.  Cross your fingers for me (because I sure can’t ;^)

The Fear

In general, I try to be someone who conquers her fears.  I’ve stayed in other countries by myself for 4-6 weeks at a time.  I’ve eaten chicken feet.  I ride roller coasters.  But the stupid little fears are what get me.  I’ve had to make a couple of choices lately, and I’ve realized that my fears are holding me back.  Maybe they are justified, (probably not) but I’ve had to face them anyway.

One thing that I’ve been putting off was joining the board of my local chapter of the PA Guild, the Lancaster Designer Craftsmen.  Now I’m not a member until I’m voted in, so the choice was just to stand for office.  I was putting this off because of my fear of overwhelm.  I don’t want to have too much on my plate, I don’t want to put off doing what I really want to do, and I’m afraid everything will suffer.  These are all justified reasons not to do this.  But I know that the guild needs some new blood to energize it and the same people who have been on the board for years have other things they’d like to focus on too.  I can’t complain about the guild needing younger active members if I won’t put my money where my mouth is.

Another option I’ve been thinking about is teaching a workshop.  A number of people have approached me about this, but my fear of teaching has always stopped me.  Eventually, even I could see that my excuses sounded lame.  I’m impatient with people, I’m afraid of speaking in front of a class, I’m still learning myself, I’ll make stupid mistakes, no one will listen to me.  Maybe some of these things are a little justified, but mostly it sound like a load of hogwash.  I still haven’t completely decided about this, but I have to make sure my choice isn’t based on fear rather than real reasons.

Of course, I even had a fear of writing this post.  I have a fear of showing weakness.  Maybe I read too many werewolf books, but I’m afraid that if I show fear or weakness, no one will take me seriously.  Or I’ll look whiny.  I don’t want to disappoint people or inspire pity.  But then I realized that you can’t be brave if you have no fear.  Bravery is facing your fears and pushing through them.

What are you afraid of?  What fears have you pushed through?  What’s holding you back?

As an Added Bonus…

Recently I posted a thread on LinkedIn asking a collectors group what sort of extras have artists given you that really resonated with you.  So far I’ve gotten one response (so put your two cents in either there or in the comments here).  This is a subject that keeps coming up for me recently.  One of the newsletters I get (I think it was Robert Genn’s, but I can’t seem to find it now that I go back) was talking about adding a nice certificate to the back of your works.  Alyson Stanfield mentions providing extras or gifts for your collectors in both her book, I’d Rather Be in the Studio, and in her Cultivating Connections class.  And everywhere I look people are talking about the book, Free: The Past and Future of a Radical Price. (I haven’t actually read it yet though.)

Square One's French Roast

I’ve given away some things here on the blog and through a mailing list promotion that I did last year, and I’ve been thinking about it again, but I haven’t decided how to do it yet.  (I’m thinking about a treasure hunt format.)  I know that I always enjoy getting free stuff.  Last night I bought two pounds of whole bean coffee from Square One in Lancaster, and they gave me a free cup of coffee (Thanks guys!) and that really made my day.

What are some things that you’ve given away to your patrons/collectors/clients?  What are some of the best free things that you’ve received?

Good Stuff

Well, this weekend it was cold and rainy, uncharacteristic for October in PA.  The folks at the PA Guild and Montgomery County Community College rallied though, and were able to offer us some spaces indoors.  Thanks guys!

I’m still unpacking, so I’ll give you a brief list of some things I’ve overheard (or been told directly) from patrons at my past shows.

• simple, but not too simple
• strong pieces
• sophisticated and modern
• good design
• now that’s real art
• it shows that I went to art school
• subtle
• striking
• does things for the eyeball
• edgy
• looks like leather
• looks crushed

What do you think of my work?  What are some good comments people have said about your work?