Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Erin Currier


Diane Nash



Q'orianka Kilcher



School Pen

I like Currier's work because her materials support the message that she is trying to make. Her work is composed of "trash" and found objects combined with really gorgeous imagery. And I love her artist statement. It's very bold and opinionated- and a little wordy but I think that it works well for her purpose.

The Statement:

"Today’s globalized, multinational, international, multilingual, on-line, on-the-grid, for-profit, fuel-driven, free-trading world of satellite-dished-out telenovelas that force feed fast food, Kevlar, Teflon, Zoloft, Botox, Perdue Roasters, and tomato sauce, is one of increasingly fierce conflicts of interest and interest rates, between the conquerors and conquered, dominators and dominated, capitalists and workers, employers and unemployed, overdeveloped and underdeveloped, overweight and underfed, first-class and so-called Third World, oppressors and oppressed, and the blessed and the damned. As an artist born into a system which represents the former, I consequently seek to know and to make known the plight of the ill-understood latter: the nameless, faceless, voiceless, and marginalized, who, as Eduardo Galeano so eloquently puts it (We Say No), “Make history from below and from inside rather than to continue to suffer history from above and from outside.”

As a medium for my work, I have chosen materials that are readily available: the refuse and the packaging of products produced and consumed by every nation, for every nation, and translated in every language, on the planet. I travel the world’s streets collecting the discarded with which to portray the discarded: the women, the mothers, the martyrs,the mothers of martyrs, barrio dwellers, day laborers, forced laborers, slave-wage laborers, shoeshine boys, lady boys, schoolgirls, gang girls, cholos, guerilla poets, Sandinistas, Zapatistas, Chavistas, the indigenous, the indigent, imprisoned, objectified, nullified, vilified, unfortified, unrecognized, silent, forgotten, and ordinary. I especially attempt to lend voice to those who fight for human rights, social change, and who resist unjust established orders. I thus seek to discover humanity and to transform reality by humanizing it through art."

Well put.

Jum Nakao

"We bare ours souls to reveal the ability to be light, dreaming of
unspeakable, impossible, inexplicable, indefinable. There is a possible still
invisible in the real."
- Jum Nakao

Jum Nakao is a Brazilian Fashion Designer, living and working out of San Paulo. Originally, Nakao envisioned himself working in a field with computing and electronics, but quit after he realized these things were too far away human sight.

His website is written in Portugese so its a little hard to understand after being translated, but pretty much I think the images speak for themselves...because these garments are made out of paper!







linn olofsdotter.

Linn Olofsdotter is a Swedish-born artist who works in many mediums, but most frequently illustration. She is educated in both advertising and graphic design, and worked for networks like Fine Living, MTV and Anime network early on in her career. Olofsdotter is currently living in Brazil and working as a free agent for clients in the fashion, advertising and editorial fields.

I'm really attracted to the color compositions in Olofsdotter's work. She has a darker, slightly muted palette that makes some really beautiful work.




Perfume Flowers


Predator, Self Portrait


Oilily, Octopus

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Ulrike Hamm.


Ulrike Hamm is a German-born artist who creates absolutely gorgeous jewelry out of parchment (skins of goats, sheep or calves...that part's kind of gross, but the work is beautiful.) She was originally trained as a goldsmith and later attended Germany's College of Design (Fachhochshule fur Gestaltung) to study Jewelry Craft and has since been working as a freelance artist. I'm really attracted to the vibrant colors and organic shapes that Hamm uses in her pieces.







And I really love the way that she talks about her materials and the process that goes into making her work...

“It is a stubborn, mysterious, vivid, precious and unpredictable material that wants to be explored and conquered. Its inspirational appearance and characteristics allow me to constantly discover new aspects and possibilities, which I trace within it.

In order to fully understand parchment I research and explore its features. Various influences such as heat, cold, moisture or acidity bring parchment to its mechanical limits. I develop three-dimensional forms out of a flat surface and test different dying and printing techniques on it. I dye pre-cut parts in various stages in a colour bath, and while they are still elastic I shape and assemble them into jewelry.

The parchment shrinks during the drying process and shapes itself according to its inherent growing patterns. By partly interacting with the process, I achieve an interplay between its natural formation and my active interference.”







Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Ryan McCourt


The Helmet of Laocoon


Ryan McCourt is a Canadian artist and the winner of the Headdress category at the 2009 Wearable Art Awards in Port Moody, British Columbia.

The winning piece was The Helmet of Laocoon (brass, aluminum, lead and tin), which tells the legend of the Trojan priest Laocoon from Greek mythology. Laocoon was a priest of Poseidon, God of the Sea. Laocoon warned his fellow Trojans against the wooden horse presented to the city by the Greeks. I like that the work has a strong narrative quality.


The helmet "features a nose and cheek guards in the form of the feathers of a sea bird, a brow of crashing waves, clamshell ear pieces, a fish at the forehead, the pate covered by an umbrella, a rearing orca, and more seashells on the back, with hinged strands of seaweed streaming down around the neck. A pair of candles placed in sockets on the front improves night vision." So cool.

McCourt does a lot of various sculptural work but his headress/wearable pieces are by far my favorite.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Lauren Kalman













Lauren Kalman is an odd little bird. She creates art for the body by applying bejeweled accupuncture needles to her skin to look like dazzling rashes, blemishes or other skin conditions. Using her own body as her primary focal point, the work has an element of performance. The photographic record of the work is only for the viewer that is unable to see it in person- it is intended to be seen on the body. Now, I'm pretty sure accupuncture is supposed to be painless, but if you look close in some of the photographs you can see the redness and irritation surrounding the jewelry.

Although I'm still a little confused as to why anyone would want to recreate such conditions as Herpes or Syphilis, I'm intrigued by Kalman's juxtaposition of the beautiful and the unsightly. She refers to her work as "transgressions of the body." I like the fact that she's bedazzling things that we would normally think of as disgusting and try to cover up. And in doing this, she's calling into question both why we have a natural aversion to these things, and why making them sparkly makes them more beautiful.


One writer Gabriel Craig stated that " By beginning with actual bodily experience and moving back to the self-image, Kalman places the primary importance on the body, thereby challenging how we relate to our bodies in an image-dominated culture." I'm intrigued by this reverse process of dealing with jewelry and bodily adornment.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

everyday junk: tara donovan.

Tara Donovan is a New York-based artist who creates intricate, large-scale, installation sculptures out of everyday materials (styrofoam cups, scotch tape, drinking straws, etc...).


One thing that I find extremely fascinating about Donovan's work is that she chooses her materials before she decides what can be done with them. I think that working in this order, the materials are the most important part of the work because they define the direction that the work will ultimately go in. I'm also attracted to her seemingly meaningless materials- things that you can see everywhere, all the time. I like the idea of something simple and practical morphing into something complex and delicate.


Untitled, Styrofoam Cups & Hot Glue ( 6'x20'x19'2")
"It's not like I'm trying to simulate nature. It's more of a mimicking of the way of nature, the way things
actually grow."
-Tara Donovan

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

nel linssen: paper jewelry

Nel Linssen was in the book that Jen was reading in class today (thanks Jen!!). She is a Dutch born artist who creates very intricately designed bracelets and necklaces out of folded paper. What I enjoy most about the work is that it takes something incredibly common place like paper and turns it into something to be admired (not to say that paper itself isn't fantastic but, you know what I mean).

The Scottish Gallery wrote that "the relationship between wearer and viewer is the essence of Linssen's jewelry." This statement really catches my attention because I think that it is a relationship that I haven't figured out yet in relation to both the jewelry that I wear and the jewelry that I would like to make. I also like that the work is made to highlight the body and change appearance with light and movement.

Another writing described her work as "simultaneously minimalist and complex." I'm curious about things that can be two things at once.



Paper & Acrylic Bangles


Long Yellow Necklace





Monday, November 2, 2009

rhinestone annie.



"A labor of love is always a pleasure to see but a passion, well that can and often does leave us breathless."

Anne Collens is an artist from British Columbia who essentially turns ordinary looking objects into spectacular creations using collected bits of jewels, beads, etc. What makes the work even more fascinating is that the pieces are custom fitted to follow the grooves and curves of the objects. Collens worked in theater until the 1960s. When she left, she decided to make an "exotic skin" for her mannequin. This work alone took over 1,000 hours to complete!


Collens' work appeals to my tendency to collect odds and ends of various types and also to my interest in decorating things. I'm captivated by the idea of creating these incredible works by simply putting something over top of what is already there.







Unfortunately, this is where the trail ends. Her name doens't turn up in a search engine other than in the article that I read. But the article did mention the mannequin appearing on television and being on display in a museum so I guess I'll just have to keep looking!

I think I may have found my new idol.

Friday, October 30, 2009

kari byron.

Yup! The Mythbusters chick makes some pretty cool art when she's not blowing stuff up on television. I "bing"ed her the other day for some unrelated reason (I wanted to see who her baby-daddy is because I've always thought her and Grant had a thing for each other...I was wrong) and came across her art website.

One of the most impressive things I found on her sight was the artist statement. Two sentences.

"My work quarantines the world into a more manageable space. The focus is the process, each
piece is a meditation in my desire for a simple understanding of the daily white noise."

How great would it be to say everything you need to say in two sentences?!

I can't figure out how to get the images off the site to put on here. That's probably on purpose. But anyway, she creates a lot of small sculptural pieces using found materials, wood, metal. Little shadow box-looking ones, portraits. Some of them are really great! So check out the site!!

What I like about the work is that it's very personal. And that it serves a purpose for the artist as she uses art as a form of meditation. I'm also interested in the use of found objects.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the site just because I've only ever heard of Byron on television. I like to think that everyone has an artistic side, even if it's not the side that we normally see.

Byron has a BA in film and sculpture from San Francisco State University...but I would never have known that.

Other random note: She was only originally put on the show because they needed a butt model. Nice start.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

some initial(somewhat random) thoughts on jewelry

I don't have answers to a lot of the questions about why I'm so attracted to jewelry and decoration. Probably because I've never needed them. So here's where I'll try to explain, figure out, uncover the reasons for the attraction. This is the first part...


I tried to remember what initially attracted me to jewelry, but I don’t really think it was my decision at all. I’ve been wearing jewelry since before I can remember. My ears were pierced when I was a baby. Both of my parents have always worn jewelry so I guess it was natural for them to put it on me as well. Putting on a necklace or earrings was just as much a part of getting ready as putting on a jacket or shoes was. It’s not anything I ever even considered questioning until now.

When I was small my dad would always buy me little rings, usually with my birthstone in them. For some reason that seemed important to him- maybe because it’s something we have in common. I remember when we’d go to the back counter where he would purchase my rings and I would get to choose what pretty little box I wanted to take the ring home in. It was in the back of some sort of drugstore, but that part never seemed strange. Sometimes I got to choose the pieces that I wanted, other times they were a surprise.

I still have the small, heart-shaped crystal charm that has “Macie” engraved across the front. I don’t remember what the occasion was anymore, I just remember that it was one of my favorite things at the time, and somehow it’s survived various moves and remained part of my collection. It's never in any special place, it's always just somewhere. I'm usually surprised every time I discover it. Although I can't seem to recall its importance, I know that it was. And so, in a way, it still is.

For me, the processes of collecting and decorating go hand in hand. In my house (mainly my room and my mother’s room), the jewelry is very much a part of the décor, and therefore the environment. When I was younger my mom used to keep all of her dangly earrings on large doilies that were hung on the wall next to her bed. There were three of them; one giant one in the center with a smaller one flanking either side. I remember how beautiful they looked with all of the beads and metals against the lacey backdrop of the doilies. The pattern would change ever so slightly when she removed a pair to wear, and again when she put them back or got something new. My own earrings now hang from a piece of lace fabric that’s draped over one side of my dresser.



part of the earring collection


Over time, I’ve found my own style. I don’t necessarily wear the same sort of jewelry that either of my parents do. I’ve probably even acquired different reasons for wearing jewelry along the way. But if I had to guess, I’d say that in the same way the display of my jewelry mimics that of my mother’s; my parents are where the obsession started.


Katie's room (my mom)

my room

Monday, October 26, 2009

what try's a charm? artist statement #4

A project always begins with a general sift through the contents of my archive of objects- an ever-evolving collection of everything from photographic images to fabrics, books, paints, beads, ribbons, papers, broken bits of things and everything in between. Sometimes I have an idea in mind and can search through the materials to see if anything fits the idea. Other times it’s the reverse, and the materials that I have on hand inspire the idea and a starting point is created that way. I use what I already have and seek to find what I don’t, and in that way my resources are constantly being altered and added to.

My fascination with creating started out in the form of arts & crafts projects when I was a young child and the interest grew as I did; I’ve been attracted to art in one way or another for as long as I can remember. Growing up, there was always a spot in my house that was dedicated to all the artsy sorts of materials. The “craft closet,” as it was cleverly coined, was a space that I would go to at the onset of boredom to see if I could turn the contents into something fantastic. As I explored these materials I discovered that I could create objects to define my own space- a painting for my room, a bracelet for my wrist.

I’m interested in the ways in which art and objects can define us or our space; what we choose to wear on our bodies, what we decide to display in our homes, and what we create for ourselves or for other people. I’m currently exploring the functionality of jewelry. What it might be, or if it even has one. I am creating pieces that are designed with a specific purpose in mind, not to be only decoration for the body. If jewelry could serve a purpose, what would it be? Is jewelry, by definition, purely ornamental? If these objects become functional, do they cease to be jewelry?

Sunday, October 18, 2009

artist statement, third try

My fascination with creating started out in the form of arts & crafts projects when I was a young child and the interest grew as I did; I’ve been attracted to art in one way or another for as long as I can remember. Growing up, there was always a spot in my house that was dedicated to all the arts and crafts materials. The latest of these spaces was cleverly coined “The Craft Closet.”

The craft closet probably started out as a single drawer or maybe a box of some sort...somewhere where all of the "crafty" materials in the house could be kept all together. When I was younger I would investigate the contents of the craft drawer/box when I was bored to see if I could turn them into anything fantastic.

I am captivated by jewelry and decoration. As I explored my materials, I discovered that I could create my own things to define my personal space- a painting for my room, a bracelet for my wrist. I’m interested in the ways in which art can define us; what we choose to wear on our bodies, what we decide to display in our homes, and what we create for ourselves or for other people.

I have a tendency to pick things up and put them back down on a whim. I don’t necessarily always finish the pieces that I start. For this reason, I like things that can be worked on in stages or on the go- things that can be stashed away in a drawer with the possibility of being unearthed some time later with fresh potential- or things that may be completed over a short period of time so that I might move onto the next. My favorite pieces are probably the ones that can do either.

I’m interested in exploring the possibilities of what is already at hand. Pretty much anything that looks like it was or ever could be something of interest makes its way into an ever-evolving collection of everything from photographic images to fabrics, books, paints, beads, ribbons, pretty papers, plain papers, broken jewelry and anything in between. A lot of these items will probably never be turned into anything else. But I find myself holding on to them anyways because I can never be sure.

A project always begins with a general sift through the contents of the archive to see if there is anything that can be used to support whatever it is I’m working on. Sometimes I have an idea in mind and can search through the materials to see if anything fits the idea. Other times it’s the reverse, and the materials that I have on hand inspire the idea and a starting point is created that way. I use what I already have and seek to find what I don’t, and in that way my resources are constantly being altered and added to.

I’m currently curious about the functionality of jewelry. What it might be, or if it even has one. I am creating pieces that are designed with a specific purpose in mind, not to be only decoration for the body. If jewelry could serve a purpose, what would it be? Is jewelry, by definition, purely ornamental? If these objects become functional, do they cease to be jewelry?

As a whole, I view art as a form of expression and individuality. It is not something that can be explained in terms of wrong or right like math or language or science so it becomes particular not only to the person creating it, but also to the people that are interacting with it. The possibilities are infinite because the dynamics are altered with each person that encounters a certain piece of work. Art is something that doesn’t necessarily have boundaries because it doesn’t depend on words to define it, but rather individual experiences and points of view.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

anthony gormley: one and other.*

I ran across Anthony Gormley's most recent project while browing the GOOD website (which is something pretty sweet all by itself.)



One and Other is a piece that has been going on since July, and will continue into next week (100 days total). The basics of the piece are that every hour, a different person is brought to a platform above Trafalgar Square in London. For exactly one hour, that person is allowed to do whatever he or she wants to do. Some people make art, some sing, others campaign for their favorite organizations. One man dressed in a ninja suit and knitted during his hour. This has been going on all day, every day since July 6th. At the end of the hour a cherry picker raises up to retrieve the last participant and drop off the next one. Random selection chose who would take part in this project. 2,400 participants were chosen out of over 32,000 applicants.


Other works of Gormley's include large-scale public sculptures which focus on explorations of the human body and the relationships between "self and other." According to Gormley's biography his work "has revitalised the human image in sculpture through a radical investigation of the body as a place of memory and transformation, using his own body as subject, tool and material."





Bodies In Space, 2001






Clearing IV, 2005




Flare, 2007




For this work Gormley aimed to create a “portrait of the U.K. now” that offers “the chance for you and I to have a look at the world from the point of view of art.” To ensure that the events are accessable worldwide, there is a live feed that shows what is happening hour by hour. You can also read about the people that are participating and their own interpretations of how they spent their hour.


I could prattle on about how cool I think this project is, but it's probably better if you all look for yourselves...




The roof of Sage is flat, no?




"I, I, I..." am not a fan of artist statements*

It started out in the form of arts & crafts projects when I was a young child and the interest grew as I did; I’ve been attracted to art in one way or another for as long as I can remember. I’ve always enjoyed the art classes that I took in school as well as visiting museum and art shows. Eventually I started to make art for myself as well, without needing to be told to do so.

I’ve always been fascinated by jewelry and decoration. Eventually I discovered that I could create my own things to define my personal space- a painting for my room, a bracelet for my wrist. I’m interested in the ways in which art can define us; what we choose to wear on our bodies, what we decide to display in our homes, and what we create for ourselves or for other people.

I have a tendency to pick things up and put them back down on a whim, and bounce from one thing to another rather than having any sort of clear cut goal in mind. For this reason, I like things that can be worked on in stages or on the go- things that can be stashed away in a drawer with the possibility of being unearthed some time later with fresh potential- or things that may be completed over a short period of time so that I might move onto the next. My favorite pieces are probably the ones that can do either.

I’m interested in exploring the possibilities of what is already at hand. Pretty much anything that looks like it was or ever could be something of interest makes its way into an ever-evolving collection of everything from photographic images to fabrics, books, paints, beads, ribbons, pretty papers, plain papers, broken jewelry and anything in between. A project always begins with a general sift through the contents of the archive to see if there is anything that can be used to support whatever it is I’m working on. There usually is- and then I try to figure out the rest from there. I use what I already have and seek to find what I don’t, and in that way my resources are constantly being altered and added to.



The measure of “good” art and aesthetics is subjective so I strive to create work that is general enough to be accessed by others, but specific enough to relate back to myself. As a whole, I view art as a form of expression and individuality. It is not something that can be explained in terms of wrong or right like math or language or science so it becomes particular not only to the person creating it, but also to the people that are interacting with it. The possibilities are infinite because the dynamics are altered with each person that encounters a certain piece of work. Art is something that doesn’t necessarily have boundaries because it doesn’t depend on words to define it, but rather individual experiences and points of view.

the illusion.

the latest play from todd theatre opens tomorrow @ 8 pm & runs until october 17th. you should all check it out!!




Sunday, October 4, 2009

elizabeth andrews.

Elizabeth Andrews is a Roycroft Renaissance Artist who shows year-round at various festivals and galleries around New York State and a few surrounding areas.



"The Roycroft Arts & Crafts colony was established in 1895 by Elbert Hubbard in East Aurora, New York. It was established to reform manufacturing in America by preserving age-old crafts skills of both Europe and America that were dying a rapid death in the face of Industrial Revolution factory production. The Roycrofters were concerned with how things were made; prizing the infinite variety found in hand hammered, chiseled, tooled, and wrought artistic goods. Most of all they were concerned with the welfare and preservation of the craftsperson, knowing full well that people content in their work are happy, active, and positive participants in society. Over one hundred years later, this American Arts & Crafts institution is still alive. "


She is an etching and print artist who writes and illustrates stories. I love the way the colors in the work create a scene that is reminiscent of a memory or a dream. I like the fact that although the images usually accompany a story, they stand on their own as individual pieces.

The images are drawn on copper and zinc plates and handprinted using oil-based inks. Each individual inking yields a single print, which "enables me to make multiple prints that are all originals."

Andrews' website includes a lot of personal information and stories which is something that I'm attracted to because I'm interested in the personal connection that people have to artwork. I also like that she keeps an archive of "retired" plates so that there is always a running record of all of her work.
















From top to bottom:
*Ogre Baby
*Elephant
*Saturady Night? Oh, I'm Sorry, That's the Night I Wash My Hair
*Sea Escape Seascape
*Toad Race

Friday, September 25, 2009

philippe faraut.

"La fille du Marin" (The Fisherman's Daughter...huge!)



Philippe Faraut is not an artist that I found. He’s an artist that found me. Literally. During the winter before last he came into the restaurant where I work and asked my boss to talk to me about sitting for him. I was a little apprehensive at first. I had no idea who this guy was so I was a little nervous about going to his house for whatever reason. But my boss had worked with him and assured me that he was really cool so I agreed.

Faraut was formally trained in the arts of woodcarving and furniture construction in his homeland of France, but eventually settled on recreating the human head in clay (or sometimes bronze stone). I had been recruited for a sculpture for Faraut’s second sculpting instruction book: Mastering Portraiture: Advanced Analyses of the Face Sculpted in Clay. This book is dedicated to demonstrating the effects that age and race have on facial features, and how to capture them in clay (Faraut is also an expert in forensic reconstruction). He works as part of a team with his wife Charisse who helps with everything from book writing & finances to artistic decisions.

For the next few weeks I spent a couple hours at a time at the Faraut household in the attic studio while Philippe worked away (it was far too cold to work in the larger studio in a separate building on the property). I would sit while he told me stories about his work, which includes portrait sculpting from several different materials. We’d chat about town happenings and everyday kinds of things, and every once in a while Charisse would come in and admire/study/critique the sculpture. All the while Norah Jones sang in the background. I was pretty much in love with the place. After the session, he would set up the lights and snap some pictures so that he could work on the piece while I wasn’t there and then we’d decide when I should come back.
"Dormancy"



Just looking at Philippe’s work I was impressed with the detail and skill that can be seen in his pieces. He is an amazingly talented individual who not only creates clay sculptures and writes books, but also teaches sculpting across the country as well as out of his family's home and even runs forensic workshops for federal agents to learn about reconstuction.
Being a part of the process made everything seem that much more incredible. Seeing the work being made, being welcomed into the home, getting to know the artist and his family was an amazing experience.

Faraut’s work space will be open to the public on October 3rd & 4th as part of the Naples Open Studio Trail this year. So if anyone finds themselves in the area it’s well worth the trip! There will be a ton of other great artists throughout Naples & Honeoye, NY opening up their studios and people are free to walk through, see demos, chat with the artists, etc. Pretty sweet.
This one's me! "Tangled Roots"

Monday, September 21, 2009

drooping glory.

Drooping Glory

I was first attracted to Sadie Gerbic's work when I saw a piece of hers at Artizann's in Naples, NY. Drooping Glory was a piece that I would have taken home and hung on my wall if I'd had the money at the time. I didn't. But I wrote the name down and took that with me so that I could look at more of her work later.






































Bugman


I'm captivated by Gerbic's use of color. Most pieces show subtle hints of more vibrant hues. For me, the limited use of color makes the ones that are actually there stand out even more. What I loved about Drooping Glory was the contrast. The rich red tone that you would expect to see in the flowers was instead used in the flowerpot and table. The flowers themselves are virtually colorless. The black of the shadows stands out against the sketchy quality of the stems and buds.

Sadie Gerbic is a printmaker and textile & garden designer. She lives in Chicago now, but is originally from the Finger Lakes Region which is probably why I found her work in a local artisan shop. What I like most about her work is it creates an instant reaction for me, even though I'm not entirely sure what that reaction is at first. For me, the fact that I wanted to have that piece for myself almost instantly says a lot.










On top of everything else, she seems a little weird in a very cool way and I like that. I think I'd like to meet her.

the craft closet.


The craft closet probably started out as a single drawer or maybe a box of some sort...somewhere where all of the "crafty" materials in the house could be kept all together. When I was younger I would investigate the contents of the craft drawer/box when I was bored to see if I could turn them into anything fantastic.

Over the years, the craft drawer/box has morphed into a monster; taking over (and spilling out of an entire closet space in the laundry room of my house. It has also spread into a couple of dressers, a number of shelves and even into a bathtub.

What started out as a small area devoted to glue sticks & glitter, cotton balls & crayons has become an ever evolving collection of everything from photographic images to fabrics, books, paints, beads, ribbon, pretty papers, plain papers, tie-dye kits, broken jewelry and everything in between. Pretty much anything that looks like it ever was or ever could be something of interest makes its way to one of these spaces. Or it sits on my bedroom floor with the intention of one day making it to one of these spaces.

To this day, I always start a project with a general sift through the contents of the closet/dresser/bath tub/bedroom floor to see if there is anything that can be used to support whatever it is I'm working on. There usually is- and then I try to figure out the rest from there. I use what I have already and find what I don't, and in that way the "craft closet" is constantly being altered and added to.

Monday, September 7, 2009

I like art.

It’s difficult to say exactly what it is that I love about art, but I’ve been attracted to art in one way or another for as long as I can remember. It started out in the form of arts & crafts projects when I was younger and grew as I did. I enjoyed the art classes that I took in school and visiting museum and art shows. Eventually I started to make art for myself as well, without needing to be told to do so.

Over time, art has also served as an outlet. It was something that I could do to counter the stress of school or work or whatever else was creating tension at the moment. Usually I was more active and productive during the night time when everyone else in the house was sleeping. My projects became a way to pass the time whether it was working on a painting for a class at school, or covering my dresser top to bottom, in sequins. I could work for hours on end without disrupting anybody else and without being disturbed as well.

Academically, art has always been an example of freedom. There were a limited number of art courses that I was required to take in high school. The only way that I could take art classes in later years of high school was if I had met my other course requirements. Signing up for art classes was like a special treat and a well-deserved break from the test-taking and essay-writing that was involved in almost every other class.

I’ve always been fascinated by jewelry and decoration. Eventually I discovered that I could create my own things to define my personal space- a painting for my room, a bracelet for my wrist. I’m interested in the ways in which art can define us; what we choose to wear on our bodies, what we decide to display in our homes, and what we create for ourselves or for other people.

In the upcoming year, I would like to become more focused in my work because I think that is something that I’ve never been. I’ve always enjoyed the act and process of making things, but have always been lacking in consistency. I have a tendency to pick things up and put them back down on a whim, and bounce from one thing to another rather than having any sort of clear cut goal in mind. Having only recently declared my major, I'm new to having art be the core focus of my studies, but I'm excited for the challenges and opportunities that I'm sure it will bring.

As a whole, I think I view art as a form of expression and individuality. It is not something that can be explained in terms of wrong or right like math or language or science so it becomes particular to not only the person creating it, but also to the people that are viewing it. The possibilities are endless because they change with each person that encounters a certain piece of work. Art is something that doesn’t necessarily have boundaries because it doesn’t depend on words to define it, but rather individual experiences and viewpoints.

I’m not 100% sure what I’d like to do for a career, but I would hope that art would in some way be a part of it because it is what I enjoy. I like looking at art, making it and learning about it. My mother has worked as a secretary since before I was born and my father worked in a factory for 35 years before retiring. I don’t think that there is anything wrong with either of these jobs, but after watching them for as long as I have I don’t think that sort of profession is right for me. I don’t want to end up doing something that is basically the same thing day after day. I’m attracted to the arts because they are ever-changing. If you get bored with one thing, you can just make something else.