Plugging "O" for Art

In the name of art, art in the home, and jealousy, I am officially plugging the August issue of O Magazine. Yes, That is O as in Oprah. There is a featured article, entitled ArtHouse, that profiles art patron Peggy Cooper Cafritz's home. She is an influential Washington arts and education activist and cofounded D.C.'s Duke Ellington School of the Arts. An inspiration on so many levels. I went to Oprah's website to try to establish a link and unfortunately, the article and pictures are not mentioned. Please go to your neighborhood bookstore or newsstand to check it out.

The following quotes and concepts, albeit out of context from Peggy Cooper Cafritz, highlight and reinforce the importance and value of art. Making it. Selling it. Sharing it. Displaying it. When you see one piece or a collection in a home, it inspires and enriches.

• Art must be an integral part of society. In the absence of other things, like money and power, art has been the one thing that we can be enriched by, cling to, support, and celebrate.

• On how or where to place art in the home: No one can tell her where to put her art; she listens for that silent conversation. (I love that!-mg)

• On how she chooses her art: She is governed by her gut; what she loves, what she thinks is amusing; what she thinks is beautiful. She never buys anything because it matches something else.

When you view her collection, it is warm, fun, colorful, honest, eclectic, and brilliant. Especially in the home environment.

How do I envision my work and art in the home? My personal challenge now is to apply the same approach of how she chooses and places her art to how I create and what I make.

I read and look at a lot of interior design and art magazines for style and decorating ideas. This particular article resonated with me. I encourage you to check out the Art House in the August O issue with banner on the cover: Eat Better! Live Happier! I truly was happier after reading even if I was, and still, am jealous!

Diggin' the Buried Treasure

I am participating in Seth Apter's Buried Treasure AGAIN because 1) it was a such a phenomenal high to be part of such a wonderful project and 2) to actually meet the REAL deadline. I mistakenly missed the collaborative launch by one day; the date blocked somewhere in my brain. Perhaps from too many outside distractions. If it wasn't for the gracious email reminder from Seth, I would have missed out entirely. AHA, not this time. Through the wonders of technology or my stroke of genius, technically speaking, I am pre-dating this so that it posts on time. I refuse to have anything burst my Bubble.

As a true Gemini, I am re-posting two: Blahs, Blocks and Bubbles and What's My Function? The first offers some learned discipline and inspiration that helps my creative process and the second to re-introduce to the intended focus of my blog.

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Blahs, Blocks and Bubbles

Originally posted : March 3, 2009

So much for my goal of writing once a week. It has been almost a month. I had lost some of my groove, my momentum, only to have it be replaced by BLAHS and BLOCKS. UGH. I can attribute some of it to the uncertainty, insecurity, and instability of the economy, the time of year, and the PAST EIGHT YEARS. It is hard keeping my spirits up at times, not to feel angry, defeated and pessimistic. I talk to other artists, retailers and read artist blogs and I know I am by no means alone.

"Every smile is a direct achievement."

'Mazing design, acrylic paint, glitter, on business card box.

I do think it is very important to keep informed and abreast of current events. I do watch, read and listen to alot of news and political programs. My favorite and loyal watching habits include Countdown with Keith Olbermann
and The Rachel Maddow Show on msnbc. By doing so many, I recognize it does become a distraction.

Enter The Bubble. I am not encouraging anyone to live in a vacuum, but there are benefits to living in a protective bubble if you create it right. It can insulate, filter and cushion the self-defeating emotions. It can, and should, keep you on your chosen path, offering inspiration and focus.

I live in an even more controlled bubble since my hours at work were cut and retail sales are down. Even less disposable income than before. I digress for a moment. Ever feel like you're living in a leaky boat? Once you got one leak under control and you're still afloat , you've taken necessary precautions, and then another leak shows up?

Anyway, in my bubble, I attend art venues and exhibits. I recently saw the Edvard Munch exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago. His Scream was my scream. Cathartic. I attend world, jazz and classical concerts by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since I work nearby and attend for free. I paint, read, and watch shows like a bio of the choreographer Jerome Robbins on American Masters on PBS. In my isolation bubble I also try to come up with new ideas of things to paint, recycle, repaint; find a new job. I have registered at etsy and Facebook and am getting that up and running soon. I also find additional outlets for my work or they find me.

My new favorite book is The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp. The following are just a few resonated thoughts about bubbles quoted from her book:

"When I look back on my best work, it was inevitably created in what I call THE BUBBLE..... Being in the bubble does not have to mean exiling yourself from people and the world. It is more a state of mind, a willingness to subtract anything that disconnects you from your work. It doesn't have to be antisocial.

So for now, I am going to work and live in The Bubble to get me through this and continue to create in and think outside the box.

"When creativity has become your habit; when you've learned to manage time, resources, expectations, and the demands of others; when you understand the value and place of validation, continuity, and purity of purpose- then you're on the way to an artist's ultimate goal: the achievement of mastery."

Twyla Tharp

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What's My Function?
originally posted: Janurary 2009

Creating a blog, like any work of art, is an expression of who you are. I have given a lot of thought as to how I want to fill this white space. Like my work, I want it to be eclectic, inspirational, flexible, and have a function. I also want it to be interesting, fun and effective; used as another vehicle to promote and market my work and others.

When I looked up the definition of function, I found the two definitions that helped clarify my blog objective: 1a: an activity proper to a person or institution and 2a: a social gathering, esp. a large, formal, or important one.

So that is what this blog will be. I made a promise to myself that I would make a blog entry once a week, for now. I also made a promise to you, and myself, technically speaking, that I would incorporate art, visuals, links, and my logo. I promise that will happen and I will continue learning.

See you next week.

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THANK YOU SETH FOR A SECOND OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A VERY REWARDING AND ENLIGHTENING PROJECT. AND TO ALL THE AMAZING ARTISTS AND BLOGS WHO ARE NEW OR PARTICIPATING AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR SOOO MUCH INSPIRATION AND FOR SHARING YOUR TALENT. I AM ENJOYING EVERY LAST TREASURE. :)Marilyn

THERE IS MORE BURIED TREASURE, NOW GO FIND IT:

Treasure Found in Buried Treasure

My Rainbow

Your rainbow is shaded violet.

Visualize a spectrum of colors here

(technically speaking, graphic didn't copy)

What is says about you: You are a creative person. You appreciate beauty and craftsmanship. You are patient and will keep trying to understand something until you've mastered it.

Take the Rainbow test yourself

I just received a comment from an art blogger, who like me is relatively new to blogging, and who also participated in Seth Apter's collaborative art blogger project, Buried Treasure. I visited the commenter's blog to discover a little more about this artist and her blog. What a fun treasure to find!!! I want you to find her too so I will provide a clue: priti.lisa.

In the guise of personal growth and self-awareness, I am an admitted target and gullible for the Color of My Rainbow test. Back in my 20's I used to go to psychic parties with friends from college and usually believed what was told...for the most part. I have matured and rely on my intuition now.

I think my rainbow results are accurate. Who am I to quarrel with technology? At least in this case. I personally added the violet color to the text.

The artist blogs that I have read, all the new art and artists I have been exposed to, as a result of the Buried Treasure project, along with some personal research, have been extraordinary, inspiring and empowering.

Needless to say, I am very pleased with my trove. I am excited that I am violet, having just received further validation to stay on the artist path. If it would only now show me to the pot of gold
.....personally and financially speaking. :)

Calling all psychics. Kidding.

Comment to Lisa: Thank you!!

Past Present Full Circle

You can usually find hidden treasures should you take the time to look. I am participating in Seth Apter's BURIED TREASURE online collaborative project that invites art bloggers to revisit a post from their past. Being relatively new to blogging (January 2009), I chose to re-post two:
PAST, PRESENT, FULL CIRCLE AND NO ARTIST LEFT BEHIND ACT..., which was my very first entry. I have come a long way technically, artistically and personally speaking.

I INVITE YOU TO CLICK ON THE LINK AT THE BOTTOM TO FIND PARTICIPATING ARTISTS WHO ALSO CHOSE TO SHARE THEIR ART, THEIR WORDS AND THEIR GROWTH. IT IS A TRUE TREASURE.

Past, Present, Full Circle was originally posted: May 2009


Sheesham wood reversible bangle set, acrylic, texture paint, non-toxic polyurethane gloss varnish

Transitions at any stage of life can be stressful, challenging, exciting and welcome. The "ol' out with the old in the with new" syndrome. The rewards usually result in personal and professional growth. Many of those rewards have yet to reveal themselves. There's only so little I can control!

I am presently in the process of phasing out one place of employment for another, with much overlapping and crossover between the two until June 6th. That is when I leave the "old" for good. My art has taken a temporary backseat :( . One location is ALL new, alive, and exciting while the other is seeing a rapid decline. This scenerio is not new to me. My past experience has prepared me well to recognize warning signs. I am SO incredibly grateful that the new position came when and WHERE it did.

I have observed and learned so much about myself and the collective of seeing the new restaurant, Terzo Piano in the new Modern Wing at the Art Institute, take form and shape since opening 10 days ago to the public. I am applying those observations and knowledge to grow my own business. Some things I already knew and other concepts I humbly needed to be reminded:

• Remain flexible because some of the initial systems and ideas may not work
  
• It does take a village; don't be afraid to learn, delegate or ask for assistance
  
• You can please most of the people most of time and please some of the people some of the time, you can't please everyone
• Like an errant brush stroke, there are just some things you can't control
• Continue to work and push toward your goal especially when you are utterly EXHAUSTED
• I am not perfect
• Pace myself and do not bite off more than I can realistically handle
• There are always solutions
• ALL in due time
  

It has been surprising and fun to see friends and relatives who I haven't seen since childhood, former employers, and acquaintances from my past enter my new "present". It is also exciting to meet new people and make new connections.

I have come full circle with my past and present. I look forward to future creations.

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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

The No Artist Left Behind Act

Technically Speaking......

I started 2009 with a goal and a Blast Off. Actually, many goals but one that really needs to be met...SOON! TECHNICALLY SPEAKING @#*!?#, I am not good. And because of that, my lack of skill and knowledge is impeding the growth of my online presence. It was no truer that a few minutes ago. I accidentally deleted my first blog entry going through and deleting the drafts. Scream.

The title, To be a Functional Artist ...and the decision whether to continue was about my coming off the 2008 One of a Kind Show Chicago. This was my second year doing a show of this magnitude and quality. I had been an Emerging Artist in 2007. I was wiped out from the show on every level but what better time to write when the emotions are raw. I was really questioning and doubting whether I wanted to, or could, continue creating functional art and do everything it takes to make it grow. How bad do I really want this? With the looming recession and not making my all my expenses this time, I was disappointed and somewhat discouraged. Breathe.

The artist lifestyle is HARD work, long hours, lots of sacrifice, not much money- at least in the beginning. But it can be fun, rewarding and very fulfilling. I spoke of the beautiful, passionate, and talented artists I had met (my new heroes); the overwhelming respect, awe and inspiration I felt being surrounded by them and by the incredible art they produced. I listened and spoke to artists who could not pay their bills, had their utilities turned off, had not sold anything the entire show. They offered words of encouragement, and insight with regard to booth layout and design, respecting the process, that it takes time to really grow. Anyway, it was really good and it ended with an astounding YES!! I will continue to paint, create, grow, learn and market my art. The riches I took away were not in my checking account this year, but instead with the people, the experience and artists I met.

Now that you are caught up and I'm not crying anymore, I will begin No Artist Left Behind... technically speaking. Because technically speaking, no artist or any business can afford to not understand, be up to date, literate, skillful, and technically adept in this day and age. It is necessary and I do not want to be left behind. That is one of my goals for 2009- to have greater vision, motivation, organization, and promotion, remove blocks and have confidence to grow my art. Grow from part time to full time.

So how am going to do this? Well, first, I signed up for Alyson Stanfield's Blast Off online class at artbizcoach.com. Technically speaking, I would create a direct link to her site but don't want to take any chances...The course assignments are all online, provides you with online insight and marketing tools and venues, you post comments and are accountable. Technically speaking, how perfect is that? I am in Day 6 of the course and so far so great.

I am a little embarrassed about what happened. But just think, pretty soon, in the not too distant future, you will see beautiful and fun pictures of my work and others, links to other people's websites (ARTISTS! and retailers) and maybe a few technically speaking #@@?!$. O.K. I am going to post this. Who's laughing know?
Please let it be me.
Thanks for reading!

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FIND MORE BURIED TREASURES AT
http://www.thealteredpage.blogspot.com/2009/07/treasure-chest.html

Twitter-ly Speaking

Do not go where the path may lead;
go instead where there is no path
and leave a trail.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

I signed up several days ago to begin yet another new relationship with technology. This time it is with Twitter. A challenge, not in technology, but with content and intention. I read tweets and think, REALLY? Growing up, I was taught to believe, and/or strive, to be a leader (your own person) rather than a follower. With Twitter, I really need to follow to lead. I realize, much like brussel sprouts, if you keep on eating, or in this case tweeting, you'll grow to love it, IF you have the right seasoning. I hopefully can achieve both.

I have truly embraced the blog, a website, and have the rudiments of Facebook and Etsy (have more to do on both.) I truly understand and read about the necessity and value of all. I will do it, follow it, and like it. So, I hope you will follow me. I promise to grow my following list. I will try to make my tweets news worthy,fun and interesting. My tweets also appear on my blog.

Twitter-ly speaking, one tweet, two tweet, three tweet,....MORE!

P.S. From most recent tweet: I woke up to a REALLY BAD HEADACHE from the fruits of the earth, but I will not tweet or even blog about that. REALLY!!

Did You or Didn't You Know?

Summer is a fun time... a little lazy, a little hazy. With that in mind, I offer another youtube video, not to show off once again my technical ability, or even cover up my current writer's block. You probably know that is not entirely true - I really am :). You also probably know that art and inspiration comes from many sources and resources. Right now I am into videos.

This time I want to share some fun facts, technically speaking, that I discovered. You know, you are free to share this information at your next summer outing or cocktail party, you know, when the art of conversation has hit a desperate low. So for fun's sake, or art's sake, let's suppose you didn't or........

You know, when all is said after viewing, thank heavens for art!!! I feel much calmer now.