Mixed Media in Motion

I know it takes time for new sources of creative energy to find their way and take hold. That hasn't stopped me from continually getting impatient and frustrated with my creative process and progress. Juggling a full time job with full time artistic aspirations, dreams, and goals leaves my head spinning. It also produces wasted energy, frustration, and delays. 

8"x8" Whim(sical)  Mixed Media Painting on wood panel (Marilyn Grad c@2011)

Going through Indiana recently on my way back to Chicago, there are several fields of wind turbines. If you've ever driven through Indiana there isn't too much to look at. It's boring. As a passenger and not a driver, I was observing these supreme functional art sculptures in  simplistic and powerful motion. I started thinking about ways I can change my thinking and approach. The answer my friend was blowing in the wind.

Wind turbines in Indiana.

Two ways to officially change an approach is to alter a word and modify a font. And last week I did just that. I went from being "Functional" Creations to "Mixed Media" Creations.  You can see it at the top of this blog, on my website and business cards.  Mixed Media is so much easier to describe than functional, believe it or not, which saves energy in the selling and marketing process.

Like turbines, it is going to take time and far more effort on my part for my new found mixed media creative happiness to catch on. Naturally. Organically. Creatively. It is also going to require me to get over some of my show issues, and do more shows. That will be the focus of my next blog post.

 If all you can do is crawl, start crawling.  

Rumi

So next post: a change in approach to doing shows... with some real help from artists that do them and live them. Honest, insightful, and inspirational perspective. (One tease: Melissa Banks of Rapt in Maille)

Taking Advantage of the Summer

New Whim(sical) Mixed Media work in progress; Copyright Marilyn Grad 2011

There is something about Summer that necessitates finding the perfect imbalance between work and pleasure. Because of that, I am taking this moment to tip the scales more on the side of pleasure. It's best to take advantage of it because Summer goes by so quickly.  I have workaholic tendencies. 

So for the sake of imbalance and me, I write another even more Randomly Speaking  post:

One of my favorite things to do is to go to Ravinia Park to hear outdoor concerts and picnic on the lawn. The scenery is so peaceful and serene. I went this past Friday night to hear the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the weather was perfect:

Since my dearest friend Tereza and I both got off from our respective jobs early, we chose to arrive soon after the park opened to the public @ 5:30. This allowed us to secure a nice location, relax, take in the sights and scenery and just unwind. Concert started at 8:00. 

I picked up some "easy to transport" food. Some might find some of this kinda boring. I eat very healthy 98% of the time. Not shown, the wine and ice cream.  We're gonna need it. Trust me.

As I mentioned, one of the advantages of arriving early is to secure your spot. Once you do, it is easy to become somewhat territorial with your space and surroundings. Twenty minutes after we had staked our claim, this couple decides to position themselves a yard (literally) away from us. SERIOUSLY???? A few feet more and we wouldn't have felt intruded upon. But it was still so early and the park had LOTS of wide open space yearning to be occupied. This gets better or worse depending on your perspective. Soon after and straight ahead, this:

Not exactly the "takin' in the scenery" I had in mind. At this juncture, Tereza and I are looking at each other and around at all our too close for comfort neighbors in disbelief. REALLY??? This close??? I get my camera, seeing material for this blog in the making, and all the while laughing so hard it hurt. Great for the abs, btw. Tears were rolling down my face, unfortunately not blinding enough that I could still see the sight ahead. I'm laughing now trying to I write this.

Tereza between disbelief and laughing too! We decided to strategically place bags around our area so the plumber shot was partially obscured. It depended on whether you sat up or reclined. Anyway, the concert was spectacular. 
It was fun.

                    

Next: The DuSable Museum held an African Fine Arts and Craft Fair yesterday. I love African art in addition to Asian and Eastern. I went after work for some new ideas and influences and to see if anything called out to me. It didn't.

:

Summer Reading: Snow Flower and Secret Fan by Lisa See; next: The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Nothing like reading before the movies come out! 

A quote:

 One who smiles rather than rages is always the stronger.

Last but not least, I saw this engraved in the sidewalk across the street from me.  I DIDN'T even do it!! All for the love of wet cement and the name Marilyn. And Summer.

More Randomly Speaking...Signs of Self Expression

It's time again for Randomly Speaking...random and eclectic things I come across that catch my eye, inspire and provide occasional amusement when I'm blocked or feel a tad stretched aka stressed. I haven't been Randomly Speaking for awhile and I definitely feel like writing. So here goes:

Walking down a well trafficked Chicago side street last week, with my mind and thoughts going in several directions, I saw this sign of the times in the window. Yes, we all can use some occasional help. Some are more open and honest about it than others and are willing to ask for it:

Having recently launched my new website and creations, I am in the process of marketing to rediscover my market and establish my audience. I began that process last Saturday at a fantastic cafe, surrounded by other great artists and so appropriately named:

 Some of  my new work is on display and for sale here!
4019 N. Damen (Lincoln/Irving Park/Damen), Chicago

Some quotable words of wisdom, especially in the creative process:

Insist on yourself. Never imitate.  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Never give up on something that you can't go a day without doing.  Unknown

8"x8" Mixed Media on Wood Panel

DAY 1 OF SUMMER!!!!  IT'S OFFICIALLY HERE TODAY!! 
ENJOY IT.

Sending Three Geisha on Their Way

 

I just said goodbye to Three Geisha via FedEx.  This is the first painting sold from my new website. They will have a beautiful new home in Sarasota, Florida. I know they will fit in well and adore their new wall space...and their owners!

No separation anxiety here. Just pride and joy. 

A moment... and a toast:

Here's to more sales, more moments and more wall space wanting to be filled with my work.

Thank you Holly!!

Full Circle and Down the Pike

China Red 3 piece Bangle Set

My new website is up. Five simple and joyous words that took only 5 seconds to type. The website, on the other hand, took eighteen months of arduous mental preparation and five months physical preparation. 

The leap right now for me is putting (okay..allowing) more of Me and my personal influences into my work. It may, and most likely will, draw a different audience than some of my prior work. I don't know for sure. I have to market the "new" and see what happens.

My "plans" are to create more wall art, jewelry and keep a few of the boxes. I'm leaving flex room for different creations down the pike.

"Happiness is Finding Balance" Mixed Media/Collage on canvas

 

With most creative and technical delays behind me, it's time to personally embark on the "new" and cheer. Spring is here...at least that what it says on the calendar. Regardless, I am ready to put the spring back into my hand and blossom.  

I invite you visit the new website: marilyngrad.com.  If you would, please Like me on my Facebook page link that is on the website. I would be so appreciative.

There are still a few more things to do on the site but the foundation is built. My excitement and passion are back making this particular process all worth it. I hope it shows.

Art is illusion of spontaneity.  
Japanese Proverb

Letting Go Of Unsold Art

Edit

You are probably asking yourself WHAT IS THIS and what purpose does this serve? I wasn't sure myself at initial glance when I saw it last weekend at the Artropolis show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. As an artist and someone who appreciates art and shows, and for every artist who is making or trying to make a living from their art and passion, this pile actually says alot. Keep reading and you'll understand.


Artropolis is three shows in one:  Art Chicago, NEXT and Antiques. Art Chicago is an international fair of Contemporary and Modern Art while NEXT is an invitational exhibition of emerging art. This exhibit/booth in question was located in the NEXT section. (Personal note: I enjoyed Art Chicago but I enjoyed the NEXT portion more.)

At first glance, I was curious, lured, and a wee cynical until I started observing and talking to the artists in this booth.  It was mixed media art, performance art, and passionate causal sales pitches all rolled into one. Some of the proceeds from the sold art were going to be donated to PAWS. The more I watched and listened, I got it and it got to me. How long should you hold onto your work if it hasn't sold?

I have earlier work and painted boxes I would love to get rid of as they take up valued space. I would also love/need to sell my new work. (Another personal note: New website is almost done and you will be able to buy from it!) It is so easy to hold on and get attached to your pieces: Personal favorites that haven't sold with the hope they still might; or hold on to see the progress and evolution made. Ha, I sure have improved since 1998. When you take into account the material expenses, time, labor, EGO, rejection, and space it takes up mentally and physically, what are you left with? A sentence ending in a preposition -a no-no.

The artist making his passionate pitch on his work w/ 19 minutes to go before potential destruction.

Should it be preserved, rescued or meet a violent death in front of an audience? You may be able to see alot of picture hooks that once held paintings. Some were sold. There were a few red dots. Many others not. The pile at the top of this post were some of the ones that didn't. This was only a few hours of a 4 day show. Can you imagine? I don't want to.

To all the art collectors: If you connect with a piece of art and can afford it, please buy it. Please don't stand idly by. Time may be running out and it just might not be around. Hopefully it SOLD and has good home.

I'm still undecided how I will let go of unsold work and set up a time line. I do need to let go though, that's for sure. I will recycle and re-purpose when I can.

One last side note: The pile of unsold paintings gets recycled by the artist.

Teasers & Soundbites

A sneak peek of just a few pieces of my new work- not the final versions. Hopefully not too much longer for a total new website unveiling. There's tweaking, cropping, photo enhancing, writing, and some new software to learn in the process. That's always fun. Not really. I'm getting technical help to speed some things up. Then to market to market to sell.

Are we having fun yet?  Talk to me.

Painting with Numbers: 3, 7, 21, 711510

Artists Who Thrive. What a concept! It's definitely a personal aspiration. In real and virtual reality, it is more than a concept. It is a resourceful website and Facebook page that helps artists effectively market and sell their art. I LIKE them on FB. And it inspires me. I welcome any and all assistance to grow and remove obstacles in my path.

My de-Obstacle committee of 3: Deities Ganesha, Buddha, Durga.
I have this in the entry of my apartment. My dabble with a recycled shelf I had, mosaic glass tiles, acrylic paint. 
The photo doesn't do it justice. Shot it my laundry room.  Clean though.

I have not been feeling the artist "thrive." Just the opposite. I am behind in fulfilling the things I said I was "expecting"  and said to have done by now. Website, new work created, shot, and MARKETING.   I'll share a little well known secret about "expectations": DON'T HAVE THEM. For those who know me and those who don't: yes, I can be very hard on myself.

According to an extensive 2010 survey commissioned by Leveraging Investments in Creativity (LINC) and posted on a recent ArtistsWhoThrive FB page, I came across two statistical findings that gave me a sense of belonging and made me feel less like an "outsider" artist:

• Seven in 10 artists hold at least one job in addition to making art. 

 I have a full time job with a schedule that changes weekly. Last year I had two jobs in addition to making art. That didn't last too long. Hooray.

• "Artists who earn less than 21% of their income from their artwork are the least likely to market themselves in any way."

 

Since my art is changing from what I have done in the past, I haven't done much marketing this year or last. There's the 21. It has taken time for me to fully emerge and solidify. I do have a photo shoot scheduled for next week. A professional one! And there has been offline work on the new website.

As for 711510, that’s the IRS code for full time artists.   The ultimate number I aspire to and fantasize about, but don't expect soon.

Whatever, I plan and will continue to be an artist who thrives. That means continue having a full time job, working at creating and marketing new work, and try to control font size when I can (having lots of trouble with this post for some reason -hrumph.) It is a numbers game (and software) and I'm in regardless.

Raghava KK, Ted.com and Me

When I paint, write, ponder my process, or sulk, I tend to have music, television or silence in the background. Lately, I have been pooling more from Ted.com. I find motivation, insight, inspiration from these lectures. I am indulging and sharing one more, even if I do feel quite the slacker compared to Indian artist Raghava KK.  It's not always healthy to compare yourself to others. In this case, it's SOOOO true. After this TED in this space, it's back to sharing my new creations. Have more work to do on them before then but getting close.

 

 

For me, its the power of his passion, cockiness, confidence, reinvention, enthusiasm, talent, vulnerability, honesty and humor that is SO INFECTIOUS. I have admirable envy. Isn't he Wonderful!!!

Art Can Change The World

Pink-turesque Highlights

Living and sharing the Pink life in pictures......words will come in the next post.

The dynamic duo who curated and put this show together and whose Pink passion made this a terrific event, Fernando & Alexandra:

 

 Fernando Mastroianni, Owner of Blackbird Gallery & Framing

Alexandra Jamroz, RAW Board Member and Jewelry Artist

My Mixed Media Pink Geishas on wood,  8"x 8"

My Pink Bubble Gum Bangles

Sunday in the Art with Ravenswood & House Beautiful

A pre-Oscar show compliments of 110 Chicago Ravenswood artists and House Beautiful:

See the latest in art featuring the color PINK!!!

Today noon-5

For details:

http://www.ravenswoodartwalk.org

Stop by Blackbird Gallery, 4428 N. Ravenswood where I'll be showing with 17 other artists.

It will make you feel really good. Everyone is a winner.

All Signs Point to...More New Bangles

One week after the great Chicago snow storm of 2011, I'm still feeling and seeing the after effects. A tad off kilter, even more than usual! The signs are there. I just have to walk down my street and see..............

I'm not going to let this get to me too much, especially with recovery in sight.

I'll modify to say recovery.com-personally speaking.

I have some more bracelets to show and share with you

and a sidewalk that makes it safer and easier to pound the pavement.

To see:

 

 

It's nice to have art to keep me balanced and happy. Mine and others.

New Bangles..No Baubles or Beads

A preview peek of a few of the new bangles. All are made out of Indian Rosewood, acrylic paint, texture paint, non-toxic gloss varnish and 2011 passion.

Tie-Dye

Tigress

Jane Doe #1
Thinking of title-any ideas?

Jane Doe #2

Jane Doe #3

I traveled light to my recent photo shoot due to weather and concentrated on bracelets only. There's more to show,title, price, and get out there. Next shoot will focus on canvas-more to do and paint in that department. But it's coming!!!

If you have any suggestions to what to title the Jane Doe's, I am most receptive. If I use your suggestion, I'll give you a bracelet!! A brain can freeze in Chicago weather.

2011: Ah, To Be Flexible

I was so excited when 2011 rolled in as I had my goals, plans and deadlines written down and implementation had begun. Photo shoot scheduled (and still is) -check, registered to begin 5-week ceramics class at Lillstreet in February-check, attend RAWednesdays artist seminars-check, create 2-3 new pieces a week for photo shoot-um, write a new post for the new year-um, attend more yoga classes -I was- and a few other things in other areas of my life. Yes, 2011 started to look and feel great. I was going to make myself more open and more vulnerable. By golly, I was focused,ambitious and things were falling into place.

What I had not planned was developing a rash that spread and made me very nervous and uncomfortable. I thought it was an allergic reaction to a soap or detergent or something I was using. Went to the doctor to find it was a non-contagious, non-threatening virus,would take a while to get out of my system and there was nothing to do except use hydrocortisone cream along with the my already mega doses of benadryl. Also used more omega oils for healing and raw food. All I'll say is that I felt and looked like a leper. EEEUUWWW. A characteristic of the rash is that it only is on the torso and back and arms and the name of it begins with "pity." I was so distracted by this and felt more pity and less creative. (As of this post, it is all gone :D)

Last week, I accidentally slipped and fell on a wet hardwood floor and tore my hamstring muscle leaving me all eggplant colored (another major EEEEUUWWW) and incredibly sore on my left leg. The knowledge I have gained from yoga over the years helped me so much that I immediately knew what I did and what to do. I almost cried but I didn't. I already had enough "pity" in my system. Two days ago, I lovingly and willingly went to Cincinnati to see my elderly father and help relocate him to a new unit in his FANTASTIC senior living community. An extraordinary love filled and sensitive visit. It went VERY well.

So what I am getting at, as ambitious and excited to get things rolling for the new year,

I am a little behind with my plans. Interference and distractions happen. I have to be flexible so my body and some emotions can heal.

I am writing this so I do have a January 2011 post. Deadline met! I also said I was going to be more open and vulnerable. Not exactly the way I wanted to start the new year but hey....I'm flexible.

Very soon I'll have new work to show!!!! I'll keep you posted.

2010: On this note......

Words can travel across thousands of miles. May my words create mutual understanding 
and love. May they be as beautiful as gems, as lovely as flowers.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Vietnamese Zen Master

May my blog and art do the same next year. 

Marilyn

I'd like to get one more post under my belt before this year is officially over. Oh, and use some unused shots from my August visit to the Chicago Botanical Gardens.  My 2011 calendar is providing the inspiration and words. 
Should I resolve not to plagiarize in 2011?

So on this final day of 2010, and for the New Year, lets:

Embrace Joy

Inspire hope

Cultivate love

Build intimacy 

Celebrate life.

HAVE A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!!!

2010:  It's a wrap.