#402 - 06/30/07 10:25 PM
Feathers-in places they shouldn't be!
|
beth
newbie
Registered: 05/16/07
Posts: 33
Loc: Warrenton OR
|
Offline
|
|
I was accepted to a magnet school in New york at 12 but my grandparents wouldn't let me go. (My uncle was gay for heavens sakes!) I left behind all my art at that point except 2 designs which I've drug with me for 30 plus years. One of them was a pink purse with feather boa trim and a feather boa handle. I just did it! Mind you there are feathers every where and big holes in my fingers but it is just like my design! MY OWN DESIGN! (I took a class this past weekewnd that helped.) So much fun! I'm using it for the art show in Portland in July!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#403 - 07/01/07 08:15 AM
Re: Feathers-in places they shouldn't be!
[Re: beth]
|
scottreuter
tiresian visionary
member
Registered: 03/10/07
Posts: 138
Loc: astoria, OR
|
|
Offline
|
|
Well done Beth. It is an amazing thing to visualize something and then try to actually make it. I know that this sounds goofy, or corny, or like something too simple to bother wasting words on, but it's not.
It can be completely consuming, especially in a situation as you're describing, where you've been thinking about making this thing for a long time, but are not quite sure how to get started, or you don't quite have the rigt materials or technical ability, or you don't have the time or space needed to do it.
I think of Joseph Cornell, who made some of my favorite art in the world, and that he actually made most of them working every night at the kitchen table after his family had gone to bed, and I think how the art was not just the final pieces that we see on the wall today, but the art was in the collecting of the objects from the street, from the five and dime, the photographs from the New York Public Library that he obtained photostats of and hoarded for years, the magazine cut-outs he collaged, his searching through piles of discarded film for material to make his film collages, some to please his surrealist friends, and some put together just to please his brother with Downs syndrome, just to make him laugh.
The art was as much the collecting, storing, thinking about how these objects could come together to create a new story, and to share it, as it was about presenting a finished object.
So now you come to the time when you can begin the doing, the making and sharing it with us. That's very exciting. Thanks for doing that, and thanks for writing about it here. I hope more people will be inspired to tell their stories here. I know that for some, art making is very personal, and not everyone wants to talk about their process, but I've always found it helpful and inspiring to hear how others work, so for those who do I thank them.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#404 - 07/01/07 07:34 PM
Re: Feathers-in places they shouldn't be!
[Re: scottreuter]
|
beth
newbie
Registered: 05/16/07
Posts: 33
Loc: Warrenton OR
|
|
Offline
|
|
Thank you for your reply. Believe it or not, it is now in my inspiration notebook. I left the meeting tonight feeling a bit overwhelmed. All of you seem like such gifted artists and I'm 46 and just starting out again. And, of course, my art is diffrent and to top it off I wondered if I shared too much. I've never fit in well at my present job and, and, and... More than anyone needs to know but I got home and read your reply and it put things "right". In fact it and the surrealism of Mr.Cornell and the discussion at the meeting has inspired me to design an orange purse (wearable art seems to be my passion) using hoarded fabrics and trims! Now, if I can clear out the feathers to find the ribbon!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#405 - 07/01/07 10:34 PM
Re: Feathers-in places they shouldn't be!
[Re: beth]
|
scottreuter
tiresian visionary
member
Registered: 03/10/07
Posts: 138
Loc: astoria, OR
|
|
Offline
|
|
And thank you for coming to the meeting, and for participating in the group. You all had great suggestions, and I hope you aren't too overwhelmed to keep coming back.
I'm no gifted artist, just a person who enjoys working with them and being involved, but I know what you mean. It can be overwhelming when talking with people who know so much.
I remember feeling exactly the same way when I first began working in a museum at the age of 20, (almost) right off an Indiana farm. So many people with art degrees! But I listened, learned, and came to realize that although there are a lot of talented people that know a lot more about art than me, none of them know more about what I find to be beautiful, or what art I'm drawn to, and each of us can bring something new to the table for discussion, blending our own experiences, continuing the conversation with our own unique point of view.
I've enjoyed learning about art by simply seeing what I like, reading about it, or talking to the artist if they're around. Who are their favorite artists? That inevitably leads to the next few things that you like or are interested in, and more learning. Then talking about it with people that you enjoy talking with always leads you to even more, and pretty soon, you'll perhaps know more than you ever thought you wanted to.
It's also important to realize that there's no one way to make art. That's the great thing about reading about artist's lives - you learn that each person has done it differently depending on their circumstances. The one thing that seems to be central to all is that drive to find a way create.
Am I making any sense? I guess what I'm saying is that art classes, art history and all that are great, and I look forward to the day when i can get back to school and take those (I've had some art history, but not in-depth study of specific periods in a classroom), but even art experts generally specialize, choosing an area of interest and focusing intensely on what they love most. It's a great way to learn. We can do that too, even without a degree.
And we are so lucky to be surrounded by artists in Astoria - lots of people who enjoy talking about art, making it. There's so much that can be learned just by listening to them.
Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to respond and encourage you to not get overwhelmed, and to get involved as much as you like, and if we start trying to pile you up with too many tasks, just tell us. We don't want to burn anyone out, but we could sure use the help if you want to volunteer some time.
Thanks again,
Scott Reuter
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#406 - 07/02/07 08:48 AM
Re: Feathers-in places they shouldn't be!
[Re: scottreuter]
|
beth
newbie
Registered: 05/16/07
Posts: 33
Loc: Warrenton OR
|
|
Offline
|
|
Once I posted and settled a little last night I began to focus on the great energy at the meeting even if I was feeling overwhelmed and a little lost. I started a plan for the social protest show in October, created a recipe for surrealist punch for the surrealist show (don't know if it will work but I'm going to try it out) and even came up with an idea of a juried wearable art show next spring! What a response to overwhelmed!
I know what you mean by being around the artists. Phil helped with my camera but he also gave me information about composing peices and that really helped as I worked on my purse last night. And then I see other peoples work and hear them talk and it is so inspiring.
I'm taking a leap in my life right now. I've started my own business selling my art and I plan to leave teaching (which I never enjoyed)and being with the AVA and your posting are really helping me move forward. My dad died at 70 plus and he loved his job but he was profoundly unhappy in life and I don't want to do that!
Thanks for responding with such great advice! I'm enjoying it!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: Jamie Boyd, slackaff
|
1 registered
(upperleft)
and 0 anonymous users online.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
21 Members
15 Forums
93 Topics
440 Posts
Max Online: 8 @ 09/09/07 11:19 PM
|
|
|
