Friday, May 28, 2010

Bouncing back from the big drain of 2010...

After many long discussions with multiple artist friends I have realized how taxing negative people can be to me and therefore my artwork. I'm exceptionally sensitive and put a lot of energy out in my relationships, job(s), and artwork. My frustration stems from the fact that I don't receive back half the energy I give out. Whether intentional or unintentional certain relationships in the past year have really left me drained. My work ethic for studio time has been slim to none as has my creativity. The big shift in priorities came one month ago when I found out my grandma was in hospice. Two weeks later she passed away. She was a tremendous person and amazing artist. In losing her I feel that I need to get back to what is important and not let outside forces affect my creativity. In fact I feel best when I'm making artwork. In the past three days I have put my energy towards the positive and in that small span of time I have a new gallery that will be carrying my work and I think I might get into a show that is very important to me. If that took only three days, can you imagine what will happen by the end of summer? I'll keep you posted...

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Trends.

I'm in the midst of gathering gallery names to send my portfolio to in the next month. As I leaf through the potentials I can't help but get frustrated that everything is the same. There are definitely some ceramics galleries that show the range of work out there. However the trends are hard to ignore. I have already been shot down from some sites because my work doesn't fit the aesthetic. Its frustrating when the quality of the product is there but "the look" doesn't fit. Right now everything is white and stark with the occasional contrast of color. There are some artists who just naturally have that aesthetic while others are just shamelessly knocking off that style. After all, style should be individual, right?!

My work is the opposite of the white on white look. Its not shabby chic, modern or sculptural. Its black. Very, very dark. With pops of color and cherry blossoms or stripes. Nothing subtle about it. Its a direct reaction to my landscape. In Cleveland we have little sunshine. The skies are gray with lots of rain and snow. But when the sun is out its beautiful and green. We also have a contrast of many green spaces in the suburbs with a skyline of downtown and industrial settings throughout. The landscape is definitely a huge influence in my work.

Now the question is when I send out these portfolios will people get it? And if they do will they be open minded that my work does sell because of the color palette. I can't keep anything with cherry blossoms in stock. Its my current project to churn out as much as I can in anticipation for this year's shows. I'll keep you posted...

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

As many of you know I teach for Art House. Check out this opening Friday night with proceeds from some of the artists going towards Art House!

Altruism Wall Eye image

Wall Eye Gallery
5304 Detroit Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44102

216.640.7769
www.walleyegallery.com


Two Receptions
Friday, May 28
6:00 - 11:00 pm
with live music by
John Kalman


Saturday, May 29
6:00 - 11:00 pm
A Group Benefit ExhibitionEight Northeast Ohio artists have selected a nonprofit organization close to their hearts to benefit from their sales. Each artist will donate a portion of their proceeds to their selected organization, to be matched by Wall Eye Gallery for a total donation of 30% of sales.

The Wall Eye Gallery resident artists - Lower Level
Joe Ayala, Linda Ayala, Stephanie Ayala, Stephanie Lipscomb, Dante Rodriguez
30% of all Lower Level proceeds to benefit Art House

Featured artists and respective organizations - Upper Level
Dan Corrigan - Village Reach
Emily A. Deeken - Autism Ohio
Ben Haehn - Surf Rider Foundation
Dan Miller - ChildSave
Carmen Navis - Oceanic Preservation Society
Melissa Oberdoester - Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Elise Schiemann - Providence House
Anna Tararova - Prevent Child Abuse America
Hildur painting             Hildur painting

Monday, May 24, 2010

One Percent.

I was encouraged by a friend to take a personality test this weekend. I have always known I was an introverted personality. This friend was in the 1-6% of the population. I then find out another friend is as well. Then I take the test and guess what? Yep. I'm in the same group. I feel somewhat comforted to know we have all found each other. Apparently I have the most rare personality type which I think explains why I experience so much conflict both internally and externally.

INFJ: "Author". Strong drive and enjoyment to help others. Complex personality. 1% of the total population. These are serious students and workers who really want to contribute. They are private and easily hurt. They make good spouses, but tend to be physically reserved. People often think they are psychic. They make good therapists, general practitioners, ministers, and so on.

"INFJs are gentle, caring, complex and highly intuitive individuals. Artistic and creative, they live in a world of hidden meanings and possibilities. Only one percent of the population has an INFJ Personality Type, making it the most rare of all the types." 

creative, smart, focus on fantasy more than reality, attracted to sad things, fears doing the wrong thing, observer, avoidant, fears drawing attention to self, anxious, cautious, somewhat easily frightened, easily offended, private, easily hurt, socially uncomfortable, emotionally moody, does not like to be looked at, fearful, perfectionist, can sabotage self, can be wounded at the core, values solitude, guarded, does not like crowds, organized, second guesses self, more likely to support marijuana legalization, focuses on peoples hidden motives, prone to crying, not competitive, prone to feelings of loneliness, not spontaneous, prone to sadness, longs for a stabilizing relationship, fears rejection in relationships, frequently worried, can feel victimized, prone to intimidation, lower energy, strict with self 

favored careers: psychotherapist, artist, art curator, bookstore owner, freelance writer, poet, teacher (art, drama, english), library assistant, professor of english, painter, novelist, book editor, copywriter, philosopher, environmentalist, bookseller, museum curator, opera singer, magazine editor, archivist, music therapist, screenwriter, film director, creative director, librarian, social services worker, art historian, sign language interpreter, photo journalist, makeup artist, photo journalist, homemaker

disfavored careers: airline pilot, race car driver, businessman, information technology consultant, executive, administrator, supervisor, bartender, lab technician, restaurant owner, strategist, ceo, bar owner, marketing specialist, business consultant

Monday, May 17, 2010

The Glamourous Life of An Artist...

I thought I would run down a typical week in my life. Granted I usually teach once a week but I think this is a good example of what to be prepared for if you wish to follow art as a career path. Its hard to make a living soley as a potter therefore I have a day job and I teach. I have noticed many career potters are married therefore another income in coming in. I don't have a husband. Its hard enough to get a guy in Cleveland to even commit to dating, but alas that's a whole other blog :) Therefore here is a week in the fabulous life of a single 30 year old artist...

Monday: Day job as an Assistant at an art center. Then straight off to work at my other job for Art House. I usually have to be organized and plan ahead since I don't get to eat any meals at home on Mondays. Come home and have a snack and watch bad acting on CSI: Miami.

Tuesday: Day job. Then taco night. Or another cheap happy hour. I'm broke and this night out with my friends keeps me sane.

Wednesday: Day job. Come home and have 15 minutes to eat dinner then head to the studio to teach.

Thursday: Day job. Then teach a kids' class at Art House. Gym.

Friday: Gym. Studio. Day off until 4 when I go teach at Art House again. Maybe hit a gallery opening. More likely have drinks with friends. Or back to the studio with some Great Lakes if I'm feeling anti-social.

Saturday: Gym. Studio. Grocery shop. Treat myself to a Gypsy Bean Mocha for surviving the week with out killing anyone. Go out or stay in? Depends on how exhausted I am and if I have any money.

Sunday: Gym. Studio. Clean House. Do Laundry. Cook a meal to last the week because I know that Mon-Wed there is no time to cook anything. Catch up on Vampire Diaries and Fringe. Yes, I watch Vampire Diaries. Its my guilty pleasure and the hot guy from LOST is in it so don't hate.

What's missing from this schedule? That's right, a day off. And don't forget that I have even less time if a Saturday and/or Sunday is filled with an art show. Occasionally I take a day off to do something fun but this means no studio. There are definitely times when I can afford to not go to my studio. But frankly I work very hard to afford it and I enjoy spending time there.

And note gym in the summer is often replaced by a bike ride :)

Thursday, May 13, 2010

New Ceramics Classes!

I have some new classes starting...
First next week my wheel throwing class begins again at Art House. You need to register with them for the class. Call 216.398.8556 or visit their website for more info.

Then I have a hand building class starting in June at my studio.
Session 1: Wednesday Evenings from 7-9pm

June 2, 9, 16, 23
4 SPOTS LEFT!

Email me at artzy_grl@yahoo.com for registration or visit my site for all the other info. 

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The Orange Art Center will be hosting a Cleveland Handmade Market on Sunday, June 27th. Apps are up for both Cleveland Handmade members and non-members. Check it out here.

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Blog Abandonment

Let's be honest. Keep up with a blog is hard to do. And its finally warm out in the Cleve which means I would rather be on my bike then behind my laptop. While I hope to have some updates this month they will be hard to come by. Its been a long month for better and worse. I participated in a workshop and art show then I headed off to NYC to visit Natalie and see the Tim Burton exhibit at MOMA. It was amazing and awesome. Alas, I have yet to get any photos of the trip downloaded. Then I came home to an open studio, an ailing grandmother and ended my week be spraining by foot.

This year I set out to do less festival shows. They are a time suck and a soul suck sometimes. I will only be doing a few Cleveland Handmade shows, the Lakewood Arts Festival (my first time!) and maybe a show in Pittsburgh if they deem me fancy enough to get in (wish me luck). I have one exhibit proposal out and this weekend I begin work for an exhibit. It will be all cherry blossom motifs on the work and I can't wait! Expect less posts and hopefully some photos here and there of the new work.

In the meantime enjoy the beautiful Cleveland weather despite its intermittent nature.

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

My studio is more fun than your studio. 

The open studio went smashingly. And we proved to be the loudest and rowdiest studio in the building. This may be due to the mimosas and 1 in the afternoon. In plastic champagne flutes no less. What can I say? We are a classy bunch. Thanks to everyone who stopped by.