I met Karen and Victor Ruddy my first evening of the SAMA 2011 conference – that was Tuesday evening after registration training. They were sitting at a table outside watching folks come and go. Victor spoke to me as I passed. I smiled and responded. Within moments I was seated at their table and we were deep in conversation about the conference and all the upcoming events.
Victor and Karen are snowbirds from Iowa wintering in south TX. Karen had heard the conference was being held here in Austin and they made a spur of the moment decision to attend. We talked about the various workshops still available, great places to eat and things they should see and do while in Austin. I left them discussing the possibilities. The following week was a blur and I saw Karen only once over the next few days. We both attended Sonia King's Substrates, Adhesives and Materials workshop.
Saturday afternoon I ran into the Ruddys again just as they were getting in their car for the drive south. They were “conferenced out" and ready to get back to normal. Victor told me that the Austin SAMA conference was one of the best run conferences of any kind he’d ever been to and that we were all just the nicest folks. He insisted I tell “whoever runs this thing” and I did pass it along to Dawnmarie.
The conference was a major achievement in more ways than one and we should all be proud of our individuals parts in it. We never know who is watching or when we'll have an impact on someone. The Ruddys left here with pleasant memories and excellent impressions of SAMA and Austin and the wonderful people that make up both. I'd say it was definitely a success!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Preparing for Martin Cheek
I'm still somewhat giddy over yesterday's opportunity to help pack smalti for Martin Cheek's upcoming smalti classes at Artisan Stained Glass. He will be teaching a beginner class this coming weekend - Feb 12-13 - and an intermediate/advanced class Feb 20-22. Yes, I got to fondle all the gorgeous smalti and drool over the wide selection of colors! Ah, the golds were just stunning and the vintage ones were so cool. WANT!
We poured different colors into buckets, mixed them pretty thoroughly then scooped the mix into 1 lb bags. It was fun and we all daydreamed about the mosiacs we'd create using these wonderful tiles. A particular vintage gold made me think of Erté and his long, lovely ladies. I can't begin to describe the old rich look or that bumpy texture but you'd get it if you saw it. Very art deco! Makes me wish I'd have taken some pictures of it all while it was spread across that 4' x 6' table.
Martin also sent a bunch of his fused glass creations over for use in those upcoming classes. I did take a few pictures of them. Mainly because I'll be taking his class this weekend but I have absolutely no idea what I want to make for myself. Everything I've ever made has been for sale, or it's been a gift for someone, but this one I'm keeping. Oh yes, this one's just for me! So, now I'm stumped for a design concept because I'm not used to thinking in terms of what I like. I do know that I like butterflies. They make my heart and spirit soar! But I don't know if I'm ready to tackle something that difficult in a short 2-day class. OK, I have to stop worrying about it or I'll get nauseous; I'm so not prepared. I'll probably just go with the flow and pray for divine inspiration.
Yes, I have a plan!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For Martin Cheek:
http://www.martincheekmosaics.com/
For Artisan Stained Glass:
http://www.artisanglass.us/home.html
For Erté:
http://www.erte.com/
We poured different colors into buckets, mixed them pretty thoroughly then scooped the mix into 1 lb bags. It was fun and we all daydreamed about the mosiacs we'd create using these wonderful tiles. A particular vintage gold made me think of Erté and his long, lovely ladies. I can't begin to describe the old rich look or that bumpy texture but you'd get it if you saw it. Very art deco! Makes me wish I'd have taken some pictures of it all while it was spread across that 4' x 6' table.
Martin also sent a bunch of his fused glass creations over for use in those upcoming classes. I did take a few pictures of them. Mainly because I'll be taking his class this weekend but I have absolutely no idea what I want to make for myself. Everything I've ever made has been for sale, or it's been a gift for someone, but this one I'm keeping. Oh yes, this one's just for me! So, now I'm stumped for a design concept because I'm not used to thinking in terms of what I like. I do know that I like butterflies. They make my heart and spirit soar! But I don't know if I'm ready to tackle something that difficult in a short 2-day class. OK, I have to stop worrying about it or I'll get nauseous; I'm so not prepared. I'll probably just go with the flow and pray for divine inspiration.
Yes, I have a plan!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For Martin Cheek:
http://www.martincheekmosaics.com/
For Artisan Stained Glass:
http://www.artisanglass.us/home.html
For Erté:
http://www.erte.com/
Friday, January 7, 2011
A New Year and a New Dilemma
Business, especially the financial aspect, is something that mosaic artists don't really talk about in public. Or even really quietly to each other. We all keep it very confidential. Art isn't like being a plumber or mechanic where there's an industry standard; cost of the part + $xx/hr for labor = THE BILL. Art pricing is based on the vision in your head, the design process to get it out of your head and onto the substrate; plus all the various materials to be used and then, there's the labor, which can be very intensive but it also encompasses your skill level. A first year neophyte isn't going to command the same price as an experienced artist with 20 years behind her. Which mechanic would you rather have working on your car? OK, so we tend to think our work is worth more because of all the bits and pieces that get added up. I don't think that's a wrong assumption exactly but it makes it difficult for a beginner to determine pricing on their work. I've been struggling with this myself for months now and it's not getting any easier.
We've already determined that my work is not going to fetch Sonia King, Lynne Chinn or Martin Cheek prices. For that matter, my work won't fetch the same prices as the majority of the members in the Austin Mosaic Guild. I'm just not at their skill level; I've only been doing this a year and it is what it is. However, I have set some very reasonable prices for my work but didn't get that either, which led to some "Rejection Depression." I've gotten over it, too. Let me just say that I've learned a considerable amount in the last year. As much as it irritates me to say so, Location is Everything. It's also just as important to know your market demographics, especially in your chosen location. That applies to all types of items being sold from stepping stones to belt buckles and jewelry. Location is more important than pricing because if your work isn't in the right location, you might as well give it away. More on this later...
With limited financial resources and the economy in the toilet, I'm doing my best to eke out a living. Last summer I rented booth space in a local gift shop. Rent wasn't much and the space is nicely sized. I chose an aisle end-cap so I didn't have to share wall space with someone else. It's much easier to showcase my art when there's nothing on either side to distract or detract from the art itself. It's been an enlightening experience and run the gamut of emotions. In a antique/gift shop, people expect to pay Wal-Mart and Hobby Lobby prices for hand-made custom art unless it's really old or signed by Grandma Moses or both and that's completely unreasonable. I did sell some well-priced stepping stones this past summer but my other artwork, the wall art, didn't sell there at all. I removed every last piece of mosaic artwork from the gift shop and moved it down the street to Sol'stice Garden Expressions. The booth is now devoted to vintage and general home decor items. The year long lease ends in April.
My art is much happier at Sol'stice because the place is chock full of paintings, sculptures, furniture and every other conceivable kind of art you can imagine. It's all very beautiful and all very expensive. Last year when I moved everything to Chris's shop, his commission was at 70/30, the best anywhere around, AND there was no lease to sign either! The new year has brought new a commission at 60/40. I do realize this is typical for virtually all consignments shops. I am NOT complaining about Chris or any other consignment store; I want to make that crystal clear. I've helped run a small business and know all about the expenses incurred while doing it. It's also one of the reasons why my partners and I sold the company. It's an expensive prospect to run a business and make it profitable enough to support yourself. However, I am complaining about the consignment system itself, and that's for ALL items being consigned anywhere. There is a real lack of options for budding artists like myself. I want to help others learn from my mistakes and to help myself become a better artist, which will help me become a better business person, too. Besides, I'm just like everyone else and want to keep more of the money in my own pocket. With commissions and booth rental, it's been sad how little I've made on my own artwork. Prepare yourself for that aspect when you choose to walk this broken glass path. It's slow going and you just might starve.
So now, I'm looking at other ways to sell my artwork. I've taken a quick look at Etsy and I'm waiting for responses to the queries I've sent out to my friends. Doing my best to research before I leap these days. eBay is not the best place to sell expensive artwork unless it's signed by Monet. Local fairs are another way to make some money and I'll be checking into the ones that are held in my area; Founder's Day, Wimberley Trade Days and the huge Pecan Street Festival in downtown Austin. Plus, there's the allure of having my very own website. I do have one but there's nothing on it yet. It requires me to pick a free template and design it myself, pay for a nice template and design it myself or pay to have someone else do it for me. My head is spinning, my hives are itching me to death but most important of all, I really need a nap!
I'll keep you posted on my great art sales adventure. It's bound to be entertaining and fraught with wrong turns but hey, the journey is half the fun, right? Sure! So just follow me but not too closely so I don't lose you in a pitfall.
We've already determined that my work is not going to fetch Sonia King, Lynne Chinn or Martin Cheek prices. For that matter, my work won't fetch the same prices as the majority of the members in the Austin Mosaic Guild. I'm just not at their skill level; I've only been doing this a year and it is what it is. However, I have set some very reasonable prices for my work but didn't get that either, which led to some "Rejection Depression." I've gotten over it, too. Let me just say that I've learned a considerable amount in the last year. As much as it irritates me to say so, Location is Everything. It's also just as important to know your market demographics, especially in your chosen location. That applies to all types of items being sold from stepping stones to belt buckles and jewelry. Location is more important than pricing because if your work isn't in the right location, you might as well give it away. More on this later...
With limited financial resources and the economy in the toilet, I'm doing my best to eke out a living. Last summer I rented booth space in a local gift shop. Rent wasn't much and the space is nicely sized. I chose an aisle end-cap so I didn't have to share wall space with someone else. It's much easier to showcase my art when there's nothing on either side to distract or detract from the art itself. It's been an enlightening experience and run the gamut of emotions. In a antique/gift shop, people expect to pay Wal-Mart and Hobby Lobby prices for hand-made custom art unless it's really old or signed by Grandma Moses or both and that's completely unreasonable. I did sell some well-priced stepping stones this past summer but my other artwork, the wall art, didn't sell there at all. I removed every last piece of mosaic artwork from the gift shop and moved it down the street to Sol'stice Garden Expressions. The booth is now devoted to vintage and general home decor items. The year long lease ends in April.
My art is much happier at Sol'stice because the place is chock full of paintings, sculptures, furniture and every other conceivable kind of art you can imagine. It's all very beautiful and all very expensive. Last year when I moved everything to Chris's shop, his commission was at 70/30, the best anywhere around, AND there was no lease to sign either! The new year has brought new a commission at 60/40. I do realize this is typical for virtually all consignments shops. I am NOT complaining about Chris or any other consignment store; I want to make that crystal clear. I've helped run a small business and know all about the expenses incurred while doing it. It's also one of the reasons why my partners and I sold the company. It's an expensive prospect to run a business and make it profitable enough to support yourself. However, I am complaining about the consignment system itself, and that's for ALL items being consigned anywhere. There is a real lack of options for budding artists like myself. I want to help others learn from my mistakes and to help myself become a better artist, which will help me become a better business person, too. Besides, I'm just like everyone else and want to keep more of the money in my own pocket. With commissions and booth rental, it's been sad how little I've made on my own artwork. Prepare yourself for that aspect when you choose to walk this broken glass path. It's slow going and you just might starve.
So now, I'm looking at other ways to sell my artwork. I've taken a quick look at Etsy and I'm waiting for responses to the queries I've sent out to my friends. Doing my best to research before I leap these days. eBay is not the best place to sell expensive artwork unless it's signed by Monet. Local fairs are another way to make some money and I'll be checking into the ones that are held in my area; Founder's Day, Wimberley Trade Days and the huge Pecan Street Festival in downtown Austin. Plus, there's the allure of having my very own website. I do have one but there's nothing on it yet. It requires me to pick a free template and design it myself, pay for a nice template and design it myself or pay to have someone else do it for me. My head is spinning, my hives are itching me to death but most important of all, I really need a nap!
I'll keep you posted on my great art sales adventure. It's bound to be entertaining and fraught with wrong turns but hey, the journey is half the fun, right? Sure! So just follow me but not too closely so I don't lose you in a pitfall.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Under the Weather
The wings were done and I had moved on to the grass and twigs and the flowers. Just started placing them, too. This was a dragonfly commission for my stepsister Deborah's Christmas present. On Friday, it fell and broke into pieces. It was heart-breaking but knowing I couldn't salvage it helped so I didn't spend time agonizing over how to fix it. Emotionally, I moved on from this in relatively short time. I'm so glad I started it early in case of problems. Now I still have time to make another one. But even that disaster hasn't managed to completely break through a general malaise I've been suffering with for weeks/months.
Considering all the symptoms, I don't believe it will be difficult to come up with a diagnosis of Lupus. I didn't put it together until the hives just started driving me crazy with the itching. They always start in my ears, too. What is up with that??? Anyway, the hives coupled with this progressive worsening of light sensitivity was what finally sealed the deal, in my mind anyhow. Went over to WebMD (great place, btw) and looked at the list of possible culprits. I figured it was just a stress thing until I saw the photophobia. Yep, I dislike bright lights because I do know that they're going to cause me to have a migraine. I HATE to get behind someone with a rear windshield that slants just right. It's like it beams the sun directly into my right eye piercing my head with a railroad spike. In moments, I've got a killer migraine. Wish my sunglasses were darker and wrapped around the sides! Now, I just need a formal diagnosis so I can get whatever medications will get this under control. Maybe it will give back my energy and enthusiasm that I've been seriously lacking in recent weeks. I sure hope so. I'm tired of being tired. The lack of focus has made it difficult to stay on task, too.
As I pull myself out of this dark hole I've been living in, I'll try to get back into the blogging mode as well. Everything has just sort of stopped in its tracks - me, in particular. I'll try to do better from now on. I think knowing, or suspecting, will make it easier for me. We'll see. Wish me luck and I'll let you know when I get more information.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tired and Uninspired
I haven't been sleeping well and waking up extra early has left me tired and out of sorts; also, I've been uninspired. So, I've been taking pictures and hoping one of them will inspire me to create something beautiful.
The other night I was putting the trash bin out and nearly walked face first into a huge orb weaver web. Spiders don't particularly bother me and long as they don't "bother" me. This guy was huge! His body was the size of a quarter; he had really hairy legs and was creeping me out just hanging there upside down. I came inside grabbed the camera and took a couple of pictures. Then I had to known if he was a good spider or a bad spider. If he was fatally poisonous, then his life was forfeit. He looked like he might be so I had to know. I googled nocturnal spiders and discovered he's an orb weaver and non-toxic to humans. Cool, he got a reprieve, unless he came in the house.
I had noticed the over-abundance of webs in the trees around the house lately and these orb weavers seem to be responsible. After taking multiple photos, I finally got inspired to create my own interpretation of an orb weaver web.
I love the iridescence of their webs in the morning sunlight. It looks so fragile but I read that their webs are quite strong; I believe it. I hope I can do it justice. Mother Nature and her creatures kick some serious butt in the art department!
The other night I was putting the trash bin out and nearly walked face first into a huge orb weaver web. Spiders don't particularly bother me and long as they don't "bother" me. This guy was huge! His body was the size of a quarter; he had really hairy legs and was creeping me out just hanging there upside down. I came inside grabbed the camera and took a couple of pictures. Then I had to known if he was a good spider or a bad spider. If he was fatally poisonous, then his life was forfeit. He looked like he might be so I had to know. I googled nocturnal spiders and discovered he's an orb weaver and non-toxic to humans. Cool, he got a reprieve, unless he came in the house. 
I love the iridescence of their webs in the morning sunlight. It looks so fragile but I read that their webs are quite strong; I believe it. I hope I can do it justice. Mother Nature and her creatures kick some serious butt in the art department!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Dealing with Disaster
My beautiful "Life's a Beach" GOG landscape cracked on me the other night. I was devastated and it left me seriously depressed. I've put so much work into this piece and for it to be ruined in a heartbeat like that made me want to cry. It's not a masterpiece but it is truly gorgeous. I've used some wonderful textured stained glass in a variety of colors. Now to be clear, this is made from scrap stained glass. This glass is leftover scrap from various projects and is what remains after the artist cut pieces she wanted out of the original sheet. Usually a ring saw is used to cut out specific pieces to complete a design. Scrap glass is sold by the pound at my favorite glass store in north Austin, Artisan Glass. The store is run by Linda Oliveira and when she can, Dianne Sonnenberg. Sunday, August 1, 2010
One Thing Leads to Another
July was a very busy month for me. My brother-in-law business partner and I worked our butts off to get our joint venture off the ground. We haven't chosen a name for that business yet but we're creating a whole range of outdoor lights, including lighted stepping stones. I haven't been slacking; I was just more involved with that portion of my life.
For awhile, we couldn't get anything to work out the way we envisioned it. We experimented with resins, polymers, cement mixtures, tints and mold compounds. Things finally started coming together in a more cohesive manner and appear to work the way they're supposed to. We'll see...
Now you might wonder what an outdoor lighting system business has to do with creating mosaics in general. Well, all that experimenting with the various materials got the blood pumping to create my own clay polymer & tinted resin beads, basic molds (for stepping stones, crosses, concrete outdoor planters, bird baths and garden spheres) and anything else that comes to mind. Thanks so much to Sherrie Warner Hunter for sharing all her knowledge and experience in her books Making Concrete Garden Ornaments by Sherrie Warner Hunter
and Creative Concrete Garden Ornaments for the Garden: Making Pots, Planters, Birdbaths, Sculpture & More by Sherrie Warner Hunter Those books have been invaluable. I've learned so much this past month and want to put that new knowledge to use. Yesterday, I spent quite a bit of time creating simulated "smalti" with clay bits. Some tinted, some not; painted a few but they leave something to be desired; so next, I'll be experimenting with nail polish for a glossy finish. These clay bits will be used on a terracotta frog planter I'll be mosaicing in the very near future.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Happiness is a Grouted Damselfly
Grouted the damselfly last Thursday night (July 1) and I'm very pleased with the way he turned out. The grout was exactly what it needed to bring out the best in this piece. I'm so glad I didn't give up on him or allow my attitude to drown out everything good about the piece. Although I know every fault with the wings and every other little thing that I know I did wrong, I have grown to love it precisely because of all those imperfections. Also, my eyes focus on all those mistakes while others only see the beauty. This has become my favorite stepping stone and I'm quite proud of him.
A post I read in the MAO group this morning and my response to it prompted me to come make this post. And Solana, if you happen to make your way here, just take a look at my Flickr page and you'll see that I'm just a babe in the woods with this mosaic stuff and make all kinds of mistakes. But I learn more that way and I'm OK with that; I just do my best. Well, I do have fun, too!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
When is a Dragonfly not a Dragonfly?
When it's a damselfly. I've spent the last few days working on my newest project, a damselfly, that I've wrongly and repeatedly referred to as a dragonfly. Simplified, a typical dragonfly's eyes are close together and appear to touch; their rear wings are smaller than their fore wings. A damselfly's eyes are separated; their fore wings and rear wings are similar in appearance and approximately the same length. So now we both know the basic differences.
My damselfly is based on a typical blue male but I haven't done his colors justice. And I seem to have reversed his wing structure when I made the pattern and glued the pieces on the stepping stone. arrrghhhh... I HATE when that happens!
The flat plane of the wing is on top and the bottom side of the wing is fuller and more curved. Nothing I can do about it now, of course, but lesson learned. Next time I will get it right. Also, instead of the solid piece of mirror glass, I will break it down and incorporate smaller pieces into the wing detail. I changed direction in the middle of this project and did so with unsatisfactory results; at least as far as I'm concerned anyway. Because I know the faults in this piece, I'm not thrilled with it but hope that the final results will turn out better than I expect.
My damselfly is based on a typical blue male but I haven't done his colors justice. And I seem to have reversed his wing structure when I made the pattern and glued the pieces on the stepping stone. arrrghhhh... I HATE when that happens!
The flat plane of the wing is on top and the bottom side of the wing is fuller and more curved. Nothing I can do about it now, of course, but lesson learned. Next time I will get it right. Also, instead of the solid piece of mirror glass, I will break it down and incorporate smaller pieces into the wing detail. I changed direction in the middle of this project and did so with unsatisfactory results; at least as far as I'm concerned anyway. Because I know the faults in this piece, I'm not thrilled with it but hope that the final results will turn out better than I expect. Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Quandary
The Key to My Heart project is nearly finished but I'm not sure that I'm satisfied with the way it's turned out. I added the last touch to it last night and it's had all night and day to cure. It just doesn't seem secure and I'm afraid that it will come apart with very little handling. After this newest round of glue and another night of curing, I'll take pictures tomorrow to show the potential problem with the piece. In the meantime, I'll be thinking of other ways to secure it. I've already considered grouting it but I'm thinking that maybe I should've used thinset to start with. One of things that makes you go "hmm..."
Regardless, I'll have to figure something out because the more I think about it, the less content I am with it. I've learned very quickly if you're not happy with something - do it over. If you don't, you'll pick it to pieces in your head and kick yourself for not doing it "right."
Excuse me, there's something I need to go do...
Regardless, I'll have to figure something out because the more I think about it, the less content I am with it. I've learned very quickly if you're not happy with something - do it over. If you don't, you'll pick it to pieces in your head and kick yourself for not doing it "right."
Excuse me, there's something I need to go do...
Monday, June 14, 2010
Looking for New Inspiration
When you're at a loss for an idea and you see someone's mosaic dog, cat or pink elephant is it considered "inspiration" or "theft" if you decide to make one as well? You know full well that what you create isn't going to be anything like theirs. It's the concept that you're inspired by, not the actual pink elephant itself. Sometimes I feel a tad bit guilty for taking another person's concept and creating my own vision of it. Original concepts or ideas are difficult to come up with, though. Most of the time, you'll find it's already been done, a quick search and you'll see what I mean.
Speaking of... I often spend hours looking at pictures on the image search page. Even if someone has already used my idea, I still look through the pictures to see if anyone came close to what I visualized. Other times, I'll plug in a word - summer, for instance - and then start combing through the pictures for something that jumps out at me that I can turn into a mosaic. Saturday afternoon was Rose Window day. I saved copies of some of my favorites and I'll study them for a while. There's no rush; I have a long way to go before I could even attempt a Rose Window of any kind.
Inspiration is wherever you find it. Just be inspired!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Paint Wash on Grout
I've been working on a project that just begged for a tinted grout - red grout - specifically. OK, so I tinted the grout and it came out a lovely light PINK! Not exactly what I had in mind. I did have pictures but seem to have deleted them all - oops! All right, so now what? Unhappy with the color, I decided to try a technique that a Flickr friend uses with good results - paint washing on grout. First, let me just say that Mary creates phenomenal work so I'd be happy to make something that looks half as good. I looked around for some detailed information on how to mix up the paint. I found various formulas saying to mix the paint with water in a 2:1 or 1:1 ratio depending on how thin or heavy a coat you desire. I wanted to do a light wash in case I hated it or it came out looking like it had been painted. For me, that would be the equivalent of slapping a coat of paint on a brick wall. Yes, it serves a purpose but it looks like crap.
I mixed the paint and water in a 2:1 ratio so it would be somewhat thin. It looks fine but it's still pink, just an intense, darker pink now. I'm going to go over it again with a 1:1 ratio and see if I can get the color right this time. If not, I'm going to call it good and let it go. That's harder for me to do than it sounds because I'm so critical of my work and I tend to be harder on myself than anyone else ever could be. Don't know if that's because others don't want to hurt my feelings or if I've got higher expectations of me than they do.
All right, I tried a second paint wash but couldn't see a difference from the first attempt. At that point, I called it done and painted the outside of the heart a candy apple red. It will take a couple of days for the paint to thoroughly dry and harden before I can add the finishing touches. Here's the most current look at work-in-progress Key to My Heart:
It's very personal to me so I'm anxious to see it completed. I'll post pictures later this week.
My friend Mary over at Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/poppins/
All right, I tried a second paint wash but couldn't see a difference from the first attempt. At that point, I called it done and painted the outside of the heart a candy apple red. It will take a couple of days for the paint to thoroughly dry and harden before I can add the finishing touches. Here's the most current look at work-in-progress Key to My Heart:
It's very personal to me so I'm anxious to see it completed. I'll post pictures later this week.
My friend Mary over at Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/poppins/
Mary's GOG (glass on glass) works are absolutely beautiful and I promise you won't be disappointed. Go on, have a look!
Friday, June 11, 2010
From Mixed Nuts to Mélange Art Glass
Not all change is bad. Yes, I realize that Mixed Nuts was supposed to be an assortment and that mélange means assortment or mix; so, in a way, things really haven't changed that much. I've just narrowed the focus a bit from everything to art glass. Now I'll be talking about what I'm learning (sometimes on a daily basis), trying new techniques and showing the results of my efforts. For example, the Log Cabin Sun-Catcher at the top of the page is a recent creation of mine.
I hope you won't be disappointed in what you find here now. This is only another stone in the path on the way to the future.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Quote for the Day
"The road we walk is built with the stones that scar our feet." ~~~Tamoe Gozen in Riverworld
Heard this in the movie "Riverworld" as being said by a nun near Kyoto. I searched for the author and couldn't find one. It's a good quote, though, and makes you think about where you've been and where you're headed; I have no idea. Presently, my feet are set upon a path of independence from the rat race. I figured if I was responsible for myself and my livelihood then I should take on that responsibility fully. I've begun telling people that I'm self-employed, a small business owner. I am sole proprietor of my business and I make pretty things out of stained glass and other bits and pieces of the world around me. On Monday, I move my small inventory of finished handmade, custom artglass into a booth space I've leased. I have no idea how it's going to work out but I'm tired of my future and my life depending on others. This is just the beginning and I look forward to the future for the first time in a very long time.
Heard this in the movie "Riverworld" as being said by a nun near Kyoto. I searched for the author and couldn't find one. It's a good quote, though, and makes you think about where you've been and where you're headed; I have no idea. Presently, my feet are set upon a path of independence from the rat race. I figured if I was responsible for myself and my livelihood then I should take on that responsibility fully. I've begun telling people that I'm self-employed, a small business owner. I am sole proprietor of my business and I make pretty things out of stained glass and other bits and pieces of the world around me. On Monday, I move my small inventory of finished handmade, custom artglass into a booth space I've leased. I have no idea how it's going to work out but I'm tired of my future and my life depending on others. This is just the beginning and I look forward to the future for the first time in a very long time.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Blech... I Have Been INFECTED!
A couple of days ago I was in the company of my brother-in-law who somewhat gleefully informed me that he was sick with a stomach virus that had gone through his family like grease through a goose, as my grandmother used to say. Then he had the unmitigated gall to touch me. It was only the pointy end of his pointing finger but I swear it was enough to infect me with germs just looking for fertile ground in which to breed. Today, I have a headache; I'm sort of fuzzy around the edges and my stomach has declared war on the rest of my body.
Although my survival is questionable, I do have a goal. If I live, I'm going to give this crap back to him - just as soon as I can lift my head off my pillow. For now... shhh! I want to be able to hear myself suffer in peace.
Although my survival is questionable, I do have a goal. If I live, I'm going to give this crap back to him - just as soon as I can lift my head off my pillow. For now... shhh! I want to be able to hear myself suffer in peace.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Emotional Chaos meets Elbow Macaroni and Glue
I slammed face first into a wall today. Metaphorically speaking, that is; so physically, I'm fine. Settle down with your beverage of choice and enjoy the ride. Remember, it's not you.
This is not the first time I've experienced these lost, directionless feelings. But right now, I'm so out of sorts because I've got a mixed bag of emotions running rampant through me and I'm doing my best to acknowledge them and "own" them. I want so much to be a success now that I've chosen the path I want to follow. But after looking at those I greatly admire, and want more than anything to be just like them when I grow up, I realize that I'm such a neophyte. Maybe I shouldn't have looked at their work right now when I'm feeling so overwhelmed with choices and media to play around with but also feeling so underwhelmed with my own ability to produce something half as beautiful. Everything I do now is being scrutinized for flaws and errors. I'm not enjoying myself but that's why I decided to create art glass in the first place. I wanted to work with buttons and beads; ribbon and paint; and colored glass tiles, mirrored tiles, stained glass and anything that caught my fancy. But right this moment, I feel like a kindergartner gluing macaroni to sheets of construction paper and all the while, DaVinci is across the room creating the Vitruvian Man.
Putting it all "out there" seems to have loosened that band around my chest choking the life out of me and making it difficult to breathe. Yes, I know it was a panic attack and that blogging is cathartic. But once in a while, I need to say these things out loud, or write them down for the world to see, because it keeps me grounded, focused and in touch with my inner child that still needs approval and to have her work validated. Today she was throwing a temper tantrum.
I'm going to share a few of my favorite mosaic artists with you now and hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
http://gnomenclaturestudios.com/ - Dianne Sonnenberg, a local Austin artist
www.chrislongart.com Be sure to check out his Facebook page as well
http://carolblakecoolart.com/index.htm Carol Sackman and Blake White are doing the fun stuff
You'll find many more wonderful artists over on the mosaic group at Yahoo. Share your favorites with me. And if you're creating something wonderful, I'd like to know if you had your own moments of self-doubt and how you got through them.
This is not the first time I've experienced these lost, directionless feelings. But right now, I'm so out of sorts because I've got a mixed bag of emotions running rampant through me and I'm doing my best to acknowledge them and "own" them. I want so much to be a success now that I've chosen the path I want to follow. But after looking at those I greatly admire, and want more than anything to be just like them when I grow up, I realize that I'm such a neophyte. Maybe I shouldn't have looked at their work right now when I'm feeling so overwhelmed with choices and media to play around with but also feeling so underwhelmed with my own ability to produce something half as beautiful. Everything I do now is being scrutinized for flaws and errors. I'm not enjoying myself but that's why I decided to create art glass in the first place. I wanted to work with buttons and beads; ribbon and paint; and colored glass tiles, mirrored tiles, stained glass and anything that caught my fancy. But right this moment, I feel like a kindergartner gluing macaroni to sheets of construction paper and all the while, DaVinci is across the room creating the Vitruvian Man.
Somewhere inside I know I'm better than this but right now, at this very moment, I'm literally terrified that I'm going to fail as an artist; I'm paralyzed with self-doubt and can't for the life of me turn around and finish a piece I started a couple of days ago. Fortunately I found some resources that have been, and will continue to be, invaluable. One major resource is http://grouplyahoo.com/group/mosaicartistsorg/ They have a wonderful database of information with tips, hints and tricks to make my life easier and a links page where I found the amazing Dianne Sonnenberg, who teaches classes at Artisan Stained Glass http://artisanglass.us and I'm going to take a couple. I need a support group that can give me encouragement and immediate feedback. It will also help tremendously for me to get out of the house and meet people with similar interests. I've been informed that I need to start dating. And now I have a headache, too.
Putting it all "out there" seems to have loosened that band around my chest choking the life out of me and making it difficult to breathe. Yes, I know it was a panic attack and that blogging is cathartic. But once in a while, I need to say these things out loud, or write them down for the world to see, because it keeps me grounded, focused and in touch with my inner child that still needs approval and to have her work validated. Today she was throwing a temper tantrum.
I'm going to share a few of my favorite mosaic artists with you now and hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
http://gnomenclaturestudios.com/ - Dianne Sonnenberg, a local Austin artist
www.chrislongart.com Be sure to check out his Facebook page as well
http://carolblakecoolart.com/index.htm Carol Sackman and Blake White are doing the fun stuff
You'll find many more wonderful artists over on the mosaic group at Yahoo. Share your favorites with me. And if you're creating something wonderful, I'd like to know if you had your own moments of self-doubt and how you got through them.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Closing the Doors of the "Dollhouse"
One of my favorite shows of the last 2 years has come to an end tonight. I find that sad because I've grown to really like these people, even if they don't exist. It's a little late to give you a cast of characters with a brief life story so I won't. Maybe if I'd done that sooner, Dollhouse wouldn't have ended its short-lived run tonight; however, I've discovered that I don't like the same mainstream shows that everyone else seems to be crazy about. What makes that unfortunate is that my favorite shows tend to get canceled while everyone else's shows continue to plod along, business as usual. Kudos, though, to the studio execs for giving a head's up so Joss Whedon could wrap up the series for the fans and give us closure. That's more than we got when TPTB pulled the plug on my all-time favorite TV series, Firefly.
I'll be looking for these actors in new shows in the coming year and hope they land somewhere wonderful - maybe a new Joss Whedon creation. I'm a fan, not just of the characters, but of the actor's skill that made me love them all; Adele, Boyd, Echo, Paul, Topher, Victor, and Sierra. The love extends to recurring characters as well; November, Alpha, Bennett, Whiskey/Dr.Saunders and all the others that passed through the doors of the Dollhouse. I'm so sorry to see you go and look forward to seeing you again - soon.
I'll be looking for these actors in new shows in the coming year and hope they land somewhere wonderful - maybe a new Joss Whedon creation. I'm a fan, not just of the characters, but of the actor's skill that made me love them all; Adele, Boyd, Echo, Paul, Topher, Victor, and Sierra. The love extends to recurring characters as well; November, Alpha, Bennett, Whiskey/Dr.Saunders and all the others that passed through the doors of the Dollhouse. I'm so sorry to see you go and look forward to seeing you again - soon.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Holiday Hangover
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and was fortunate enough to share the day with loved ones.
Today, though, I'm suffering from Holiday Hangover. I've got many things that I need to do but don't have the energy or the motivation to get up and do. Due to an unexpected incident, my cable needs to be repaired; I need to exchange a Christmas present and Ryan needs to do some shopping for himself and his girlfriend. Caffeine has not helped my lack of desire to move from the recliner and take of business.
Is there a cure for Holiday Hangover? I should look into that but for now, I'm just going to think about it for a while longer...
Today, though, I'm suffering from Holiday Hangover. I've got many things that I need to do but don't have the energy or the motivation to get up and do. Due to an unexpected incident, my cable needs to be repaired; I need to exchange a Christmas present and Ryan needs to do some shopping for himself and his girlfriend. Caffeine has not helped my lack of desire to move from the recliner and take of business.
Is there a cure for Holiday Hangover? I should look into that but for now, I'm just going to think about it for a while longer...
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving, Friends & Family
I hope everyone had a happy holiday filled with food, fun and laughter.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Changing Seasons, Changing Color Palettes
In the spirit of changing seasons, I've decided to change the colors of my blog. I'm unhappy with the limited color palette offered but this will have to do for now. It's about as Autumn as I can make it. I really need to learn html.
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