Tomorrow I'm going to submit my application to the Portland Art Museum Rental Sales Gallery. They accept apps only once a year from new folks, and I happened to find it a month before the deadline. The worst that can happen is that they say no. And I still get my work and name under more people's noses. Chuck's recently been accepted there, and one of the questions on the app is whose collections are you in. Well, he & I exchanged paintings a couple of years ago, sooooo, I'm in the collection of another artist in the gallery- ha!
I *accidently* started another collage this weekend. I was just going to put down some layers of texture so that when I decided what it would be, I could jump in with some good stuff. For texture, I added some leaves, which lead to dandelions, then some moss, and pretty soon I realized that this will be about our garden- not even an idea that was on the list. I dug up years and years worth of seeds in various bags, so I've bordered it with seeds packs- peas from 1995 and radishes from last year. Jim's really pleased that these old seeds are getting such a dignified retirement:-) Now I'd added invoices from Seeds of Change orders, ads from the Sunday paper on plants, grills, and hoses; and bits cut out of books- sketches of plants, and descripitons of species. It's all I want is to work on it:-)
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
cap auction
I'm pleased as punch that my piece was accepted, for one- and even happier that it SOLD!! I would have been content with a single bid but there was a battle between 2 bidders for a total of 7 and the final price was $190! 3 people wanted to by my painting, and one liked enough to pay almost $200 for this little piece of my brain. I'm just tickled!!! They like me!
AAAND... I sold one of my bikey linocuts on etsy!
I didn't get into Froelick's Oregon at 150 show, but I'm glad I had the chance to submit my work to them.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
critics
We just watched an interesting and amusing show on Showtime that was all about critics, the actors they criticize, comedians, their hecklers, and how they deal with them. As for movie critics, I've never paid attention to them because if they like or hate a movie it doesn't mean that I will agree with them because we're different people with different tastes. And so what if one guy's opinion is in the paper or online? Doesn't make a damn but of difference if I'll like something or not.
Jim made the connection between these critics and ones that I may face as an artist. This is no new concept to me. So far, I haven't received any criticism, but that's only because my work has not been widely shown. I expect criticism around every corner- I know it's coming sometime. I know that not everyone will like my work- and that's ok. To be honest, I kinda look forward to the first ding I get- it will make me feel more... real. Right now, I've received nothing but positive feedback (in small, personal ways)- and that's appreciated more than anyone can know- but when someone takes the time to have a negative opinion of my work and make an effort to express it- that means that to that person, my work is big enough to merit a proclamation of their opinion. If you see something you don't like- say, online- and you just think it's lame, you'll move on to the next thing and not say anything- why bother? If you find something you have a negative reaction to and make a point of writing or blogging about it, then the critic must think that not only there's an audience for their voice, but also an audience who can understand and appreciate the subject. Why rant on something that irritates you if no one is going to see/hear your opinion, and if someone does, may not know what you're talking about, and if they do, may not care? Art criticism comes with the knowing that someone thinks their opinion will be heard and that it matters because the subject matters. And- not everyone will agree. Which means that someone could read or hear something negative about my work and think: Well, that's harsh. They're completely on the wrong track. Which means that they like my work. Which in itself is praise- even if it's silent.
I'm sure I'll disagree with this once I've been panned, but for now, it seems reasonable. As it stands, I'm much more humble about my work than people know. I'm grateful for each kind word anyone gives me about the work I produce. I make things because I love it and if people like it- that's wonderful!! I'm humbled by the enthusiastic responses I've received from the etsy site, and folks who have seen my work first, then meet me. It really makes me happy. It's a great reinforcement, and is untellingly satisfying.
Someday, the time will come that I'll submit my work to a gallery, show, auction, etc, and I'll receive a resounding "NO." What's the worst than can happen when I apply to Froelick Gallery's Oregon at 150 show, or to be an artist represented by the Portland Art Museu, in their rental gallery? No- we think your work is crap. Which is the same as a simple No. Which does no harm to me for having tried. I'll just get to laugh when someone in a similar positions says Yes! We love it!
Jim made the connection between these critics and ones that I may face as an artist. This is no new concept to me. So far, I haven't received any criticism, but that's only because my work has not been widely shown. I expect criticism around every corner- I know it's coming sometime. I know that not everyone will like my work- and that's ok. To be honest, I kinda look forward to the first ding I get- it will make me feel more... real. Right now, I've received nothing but positive feedback (in small, personal ways)- and that's appreciated more than anyone can know- but when someone takes the time to have a negative opinion of my work and make an effort to express it- that means that to that person, my work is big enough to merit a proclamation of their opinion. If you see something you don't like- say, online- and you just think it's lame, you'll move on to the next thing and not say anything- why bother? If you find something you have a negative reaction to and make a point of writing or blogging about it, then the critic must think that not only there's an audience for their voice, but also an audience who can understand and appreciate the subject. Why rant on something that irritates you if no one is going to see/hear your opinion, and if someone does, may not know what you're talking about, and if they do, may not care? Art criticism comes with the knowing that someone thinks their opinion will be heard and that it matters because the subject matters. And- not everyone will agree. Which means that someone could read or hear something negative about my work and think: Well, that's harsh. They're completely on the wrong track. Which means that they like my work. Which in itself is praise- even if it's silent.
I'm sure I'll disagree with this once I've been panned, but for now, it seems reasonable. As it stands, I'm much more humble about my work than people know. I'm grateful for each kind word anyone gives me about the work I produce. I make things because I love it and if people like it- that's wonderful!! I'm humbled by the enthusiastic responses I've received from the etsy site, and folks who have seen my work first, then meet me. It really makes me happy. It's a great reinforcement, and is untellingly satisfying.
Someday, the time will come that I'll submit my work to a gallery, show, auction, etc, and I'll receive a resounding "NO." What's the worst than can happen when I apply to Froelick Gallery's Oregon at 150 show, or to be an artist represented by the Portland Art Museu, in their rental gallery? No- we think your work is crap. Which is the same as a simple No. Which does no harm to me for having tried. I'll just get to laugh when someone in a similar positions says Yes! We love it!
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About Me
- apriloconnor
- I had Dilbert job, but this blog chronicles my journey from grey cubicle to productive studio