self taught artist

orange is the new black...

2009-07-15T16:13:00.004-04:00

Exoplanet II #2/5

Mixed Media, 2009

Total Size 17.5x18(in)

$400

...or something like that. Here we have a nice, smallish piece of metal flashing that I cut and ground to a smooth edge, I then bent it to form a box so the piece isn't flat against the wall. (you know how much i hate flat right?) I also float mounted the photograph onto 1/4" wood. And for newcomers who aren't familiar, I have my photographs professionally laminated onto a beveled MDF board so there is no need for glass and the piece can 'breath'.

I wanted to make a small, simpler work that is also less expensive than my usual mixed media pieces. This photograph is a limited ed. print of five. The piece is lightweight and super cool industrial. I happen to have a long orange/blue piece of auto metal tod found that matches it perfectly, which leads me to suggest anyone purchasing this might like to have another orange piece of art on a floor stand below or near this, it's rather striking that way.

just stuff

2009-07-15T08:57:00.003-04:00

You probably can't see how cool this is, shot this in the garage so you could see it better. Found this last night by the side of the road, actually I've had my eye on it for weeks, a nearby place is doing a lot of tree planting and these things are what the roots were housed in. I'm thinking one day I'm going to make a wonderful hanging light fixture out of it, and until then I'm just going to enjoy it. There are more of them but I don't feel like dragging another one home, and not 100% sure they wont be returned/reused to wherever they came from, so yes, I kind of 'lifted' this. Don't arrest me....

I feel like I have a hundred things going on and I'm all over the place. Etsy...Facebook...art making. Not so much twitter happenings. I could take it or leave it. It's a lonely place twitter, FB is proving to be what I had hoped twitter would be. I feel a real kinship with the artists there and feel like I found the community I lack here in my real life.

psssst

2009-07-13T20:01:00.003-04:00

wanna know where everyone is? ....uh, facebook.
thats right. now i know why some bloggers haven't blogged much lately. now i know where people are hanging out. i'm shocked, and in a good way. people who rarely if ever comment? they are on facebook and let me tell you, they are FRIENDLY there.
i have found a whole new source of support and energy.
aside from feeling like a dolt because facebook is a bit complicated if you want to actually create more than just a page, its a place where artists seem to hang out. they are there....working and doing and living but manage to keep just one eyeball on facebook and instant responses are had. feedback, help, comments, showing off of new work....motivating and inspiring.
it's where its at and i'm just glad i made the leap!

ps if anyone is curious, i just sold a clock on etsy! first 'stranger' (you guys aren't strangers). VERY exciting. i feel like i cracked the etsy code, a fine lined fissure, but a crack none-the-less. And if you joined facebook you would already know this :)

face it

2009-07-12T08:58:00.006-04:00

Facebook is here to stay. And I jumped in with both feet yesterday. And I will tell you, it's changed! I love it even if I still have tons of questions (their help center sucks and now I have to go googling how to this and that).

I get why people like it. For one, there are things to do and it feels interactive and connected and fun. I like having things to do. Twitter doesn't really supply that fix, I compare twitter use as watching a ticker tape go by on the tv screen whereas facebook lets you post things and click things and you get to play. People who normally never comment on my blog are suddenly writing quick things on facebook to me. People who seem to have stopped blogging? ....they are there. On facebook having a blast.

I remember when I started my website, it felt like the hub of life. Then after 2 years I realized I was in an empty room nary hearing echos of pages slamming. Was someone there? Is anyone now? So blogs. Next best thing. More real time at the time. Only problem was people still lurked and you can't blog little tidbits all day without people vomiting. Twitter...too many tidbits from others are overwhelming and unless there are real things to post to help/inform/promote etc. others it feels a little self absorbed.

Facebook is the answer. It has changed since I last used it 2 years ago. For one, back then the pages took FOREVER to load. And if I remember correctly, you had one ugly boring page that looked more like some website email page. Now you have bells and whistles. You can chat in real time. You can be active with others and I think it is a great platform for an artist to show others what they are doing in blips without writing zillions of blog posts.

~~I still have questions that I'm not finding answers to so if anyone knows:~~

1) ~~how do you get a 'blog' tab? I see other bloggers and wordpress people have that~~
2) ~~I dont want 100000 emails telling me when people do things but I want to know, whats best to choose from options?~~
3) I still do not understand how I know what people have written on their walls. at some point you will have alot of friends, to always individually pick them out and click their page and read seems laborious. i know when I first got notified people wanted to be my friend I had an option right there to choose but didn't choose it for fear of being overwhelmed by notifications....now I can't find those options.

I'm sure I will have more questions but those are the basic ones.
thanks!

*found a link that helps big time with adding a blog link here.

facebook is wicked complicated if you want more than just a page...but thats probably half the fun in a really screwed up way.

The Wonder Horse can be yours .....

2009-07-11T13:18:00.007-04:00

I've just listed 'The Wonder Horse' photo on Etsy. This is a limited edition print of 20. So far I have used this size in one mixed media piece. I have also used this image in larger prints of smaller editions. I decided to sell one or two of these as stand alone, laminated prints so this is your chance to get one! For those of you not familiar with the laminated prints, these are Luster C-Prints which are then laminated onto a beveled 1/4" MDF (medium density fiberboard). This process allows the piece to hang on the wall as is, no bother with frames and glass. I have mounted half inch pieces of wood on the back so the photograph 'floats' from the wall.

On another note, I joined Facebook. I'm doing this sort of like I'm doing Twitter....meaning I will go to it occasionally throughout the day but not get carried away with goofy obsessive what am I doing crap. I like using it to promote friends recent work or news as well as my own and perhaps the occassional blip of nonsense. I still think email is faster but people seem to like these sites so I'm following the masses. I hear from Kim Hambric that its valuable for Etsy so I am giving it a try. Whats another hour of my life as I'm already giving Etsy a few hours every day? I have to say, I'm starting to like Twitter as a way to post as it happens happenings. If you just can't wait to find out what I'm doing thats the place to go to find out.

opening

2009-07-11T09:04:00.003-04:00

I thought the opening was last night, and lucky for me I didn't go as I was just too tired. So I have another chance even though I hate going alone as Tod is working. Well see, I could slip in there today and look around. I know I should socialize even though I only have two pieces in this show.

Giovanna has been a staple in the gallery for the last few years now. Her works are usually very bright and full of energy with her 'cell like' structures that have, in the past correlated with her own life happenings and health issues. This latest body of work appears much darker, they are inspired by her visit to the Amazon.

I'm not familiar with Sumru's work but I do like the Asian quality that plays into her work as well. It should be a thoughtful show and filled with plenty of other artists both new and old. Wish you guys lived here and I could go with someone!!! I do like going to these openings as I get inspired to go work on art, this gallery is just gorgeous and even more so since last year's renovations are almost complete. I have to say, the posh galleries I saw on Newbury St. in Boston have NOTHING on this gallery. It's THAT nice inside!!!!

sunshine and hope

2009-07-10T08:49:00.002-04:00

before on left, after on right

Someone actually responded to my craigslist post to de-weed their garden so this week I worked like a mad woman to get this done asap. She didn't want to spend much time or money on it but $15 an hour was my fee so I got to stop before it got completely done, guess she will do the rest this weekend before her guests come. Fine by me, my fingers are raw, my back is as tender as baked chicken. Hard work but good for the brain, good for the bank account. Nearly paid for the car work I had done this week and gave me a break from all the thoughts and things I've got going on.

Now I can get back to looking into MA more. I've done some online looking at more art studio rentals, art shows, art towns etc. Looked at jobs and gigs and art community on craigslist and am getting more of a feeling for what life could be like there. I think I could make it just doing odd little jobs for people as long as I still sold art with some regularity. It could very well be the next step that needs to be taken.

I'm relieved I decided not to do the Lowell Studio rental, going into it with hardly any money would be too difficult. It's exciting to think of some big changes but stressful and I can't jump into everything all at once and keep my sanity. I've pretty much decided this summer I am going to take as many trips to MA as I can. The house owners will be here for weeks at a time and thanks to Tod's mom I will have a place to stay and can fill my days with bike riding, exploring, odd job doing and more research into the art life there.

Tonight the gallery here in Stowe is having their big shebang annual outdoor/indoor opening. They took my recent piece after all since one sold 2 weeks ago as I only had one other piece in there. Tod will be working but I might drop by just to float around, or maybe I can drive the taxi tonight if its busy. All I know is the sun is out today and I feel like there is HOPE :)

to do or not to do

2009-07-07T07:08:00.004-04:00

If there is one thing I know, I know that living life as a full time artist is unpredictable and not anything as set in stone as how most people live. My recent trip to MA was eye opening and I'm left with many questions, and few answers. Take the top 2 photos (hey look tod slipped into one!), these are old mill buildings that are in the south end of Boston, the bottom two photos are the mill building in Lowell MA. They house many artists studios and galleries. Tod and I met a guy in there that doesn't even live in Boston but said he makes enough selling his work here that he commutes. He doesn't even use it as a work studio, he does that in his home an hour away. That had a few light bulbs going on off in Tod's head which then translated into a dimmer bulb going off in my own head....maybe you don't have to live where you work?

We tucked that info away. I had been toying with mill building artists studios for a few months now, making a half hearted effort awhile back to maybe visit one that was being subleased in Northampton MA but backed off when I found out how much they were.

Our last day in MA we stopped in Lowell, I had seen in an art magazine that they had lots of artists studios in an old mill building and wanted to see art, not even thinking I would be looking into renting a studio for myself. We ended up not looking at art as much as being shown available studios for rent. Our drive home ended up in me deciding I would rent a studio space there and somehow make it work.

Two days later the ideas and decisions continue to change. I hesitate to post anything because it is highly possible nothing will happen. The ball is rolling somewhat, I could sign the paper and be in next week and be ready in time for the first sat of the month open studio tours.....the choices are endless. Practicality rears its ugly head though. There are pluses and minuses. Lowell is affordable, I could get a 430sq ft studio for $295 + I would pay for building insurance plus a few other things. Basically for $360 I would have a space to work in and possibly get exposure. If I were a painter it would be a no brainer. If I didn't have to worry about all the stuff I have and figure out what to bring, which is impossible to know what I will need....if if if. I'm wondering if I might be better served to spend more time there this summer when the house owners are here, I can go there and investigate more. Bring little projects and work on them at Tod's mom's house and pay HER studio rent. Get to know galleries, artists....get a feel for things. I know nothing is going to be perfect but there are issues with storage, not having a handy sink, noise and privacy issues to seriously consider.

There are artists studios in Maynard and the work they produce is incredible. The place I would be renting, the work I've seen so far seems to be a little less 'intense' but the support from within the artists and coordinator seems great. Is Lowell close enough to whats happening? Would I just disappear in that space and go crazy having all my life spread out in 3 places? (stowe, sudbury, lowell)

No one can answer that. I know I would have to find work or sell art as well as I did in 2007 to be able to afford this, I can't count on the economy though to be as it was and my sales momentum to come back instantly. The daily commute alone would eat up the bucks not including then driving up to VT every now and then. That I could stay somewhere basically rent free and just pay studio rent is a gift not to be overlooked but there still isn't room to bring it all. Tod would stay up in Vermont and we would have to figure out when/where/what about our lives. The lease is for a year and at that point I would have to move on as Tod's mom needs to finish refurbishing her house and rent/sell it. At some point Tod and I will have to decide if we want to try to live in Lowell or Boston or New Hampshire or all those other places I've talked about in the past.

Bottom line I need to get something moving and going. Just seriously entertaining the thought of this, regardless of if it is going to happen now vs. later, has already done something to me and woken me up. It makes me look at what I have differently too. I am left alone here, true I can't make alot of noise when people are here but when I think about making lots of noise in a studio that isn't completely sealed (the studio walls separate each studio but they stop short of the ceiling by 3 feet or so) and driving other artists crazy I get unsettled. I need to be able to be ME and not feel pinned down. Not watched. Not bothered. I'm a little concerned they said people all work with doors open and every one is family. That's GREAT but I am still needing lots of time for my butterfly to cocoon. I need privacy and the 'safety' if you will of knowing I can go deep into something and not feel exposed. I think a few of you know what I'm talking about. It's a delicate little tissue growing, making art....I'm not one who can sit and have people standing over my shoulder watching what I do next. I'm not like those painters who can sit on a public sidewalk and make a masterpiece.

So as you can imagine, I have a million things to decide and do. Or not.

back from reality

2009-07-06T00:37:00.014-04:00

Well I'm back and I have to say I couldn't have asked for a better get away. What started out as a quick 2 or 3 day trip to visit Tod's mom in Sudbury MA turned into an unexpected 5 days of a great trip. Those of you who know me know I have panic issues and the one thing I've not been able to force myself to do is go to Boston. I live 3 hours from there and I've been too afraid to go because I hear how awful the traffic is and there is no way in hell I'm taking the T there from a nearby town. I remember when Ally McBeal was a popular show I would watch it and fantasize about walking on those streets and being in what looked to be a happening city. I've lived on the east coast now for almost five years and now that I'm an artist, I know I have to get there. As you can see from the dusk photo, I WENT. I SAW. I ROAMED THE STREETS AND TOOK THE SUBWAY AND LIVED THROUGH IT ALL!

I found myself drawn to the obvious.

I saw my first ever 'famous' person, Christopher Lloyd (remember Back to the Future?). Tod and I were doing all the galleries on Newbury Street, and the woman in the Chase Gallery said wasn't that the actor so and so after he left; then we saw him on the street a few buildings down and then again, we were all watching a street performer and there he was. I feel like the only person in the world who has never seen a famous person in real life. So I am satisfied now.

Tod and I drove to Boston on the 3rd, which was Fri., it was dead in comparison to a normal day (meaning no highway gridlock). We zoomed there in my Mazda without a hitch, found ourselves near the world trade center and Tod convinced me to park there and just take the subway over to Newbury Street. I went for it. We had to change trains 3 times and by the last train I was ready to pass out and perform embarrassing bodily movements in public but I made it. It was super hot and I felt hot flashes swarming over me, I couldn't get out of there fast enough. I was overwhelmed the first hour, Tod said I didn't look too good, I was flushed and at that stage of being unsure I could do this but I knew I would hate myself if I wimped out so somehow I focused on being in the moment and paying attention to things and ignoring that stupid voice that asks what if I panic and freak out.

When we landed on Newbury Street I was almost completely overwhelmed by the masses. I've been to Manhattan during Christmastime and this seemed worse. All the sidewalks were clogged with bodies. Boston had a lot of young 'in love looking' couples. Many students. Lots of shopping and cell phone talking about materials items to be had. All the outdoor eateries filled, the shops filled, the streets filled. Amazing. People still do things. People still shop and go out and spend money and buy art! We headed straight for the nearest gallery and although it seemed super stuffy in a snobby way I asked if there were any mixed media art galleries around and to our surprise he printed out the south side art studios map located in old mill buildings and told us that this is the area artists worked and opened up their studios to the public. We decided to go up and down Newbury and then head for the artists studios. It proved to be the highlight of the day. More on that and the trip later.

Steps in front of a gallery on Newbury St.

Pavement

a sign

2009-06-30T08:42:00.002-04:00

I don't mind telling you that I played that game called 'gimme a sign' last week and today I got my sign. For those of you unaware of being quasi superstitious, slightly prone to magical thinking, and constantly bordering on desperation, gimmi a sign is when you look up to the godless sky and say to what you think is perhaps your own perfect self floating peacefully up in the cosmos living life without all the mortal crap you the human self endures, you yell GIMMI A SIGN because you feel stuck and ready to throw in the towel.

Gimmi a sign is a last resort. It's childish and used only sparingly. I use it when completely at my wits end. Last week, that new piece (posted 2 posts below) I finished? I was rushing around taking photos of it and banged the shit out of it and broke off the cold weld. All my hard work down the drain. I was glad it happened in my hands and not a buyers, and chances are it would have never broken unless another moron was banging it against blunt objects, but it hit ME that I just have to learn how to heat weld and I have to expand if I want to keep growing as an artist. I can't expand if I'm not making money. Thankfully I was able to get someone to weld it for me at the last minute (I was in a rush hoping the gallery might take it for their summer show) and I didn't want to have to try and cold weld it again with longer drying epoxy, just too hard to hold and set four sides for 12 hours each.

However, the gallery doesn't want that piece for their big annual summer show because the photo is too similar to another piece they have. So they had the piece above (which I just learned sold and is now my sign answered) and one other. I have nothing else to give them so I will only have one piece in there. Happy to have it. Happy to have sold but wishing I had something new to give them. The high of finishing a piece and low of breaking it sent me into this frantic rage about feeling destitute and stuck financially and artistically.

What was I yelling I wanted a sign for? That if I didn't sell some art soon I was done. (I told you, I'm childish). I look at jobs every day and still don't feel I can handle standing or sitting all day somewhere physically or mentally. No one answers my replies to simple garden work and no one replies to my craigslist posts for weed pulling or garden work. No taxi driving. I wasn't lying when I said I haven't made a dime in months. I just needed to sell something and I did. It buys me another month of living. It keeps the energy moving.

I have often heard that it is useful in the long run for an artist to be 'limited' in their tools, materials etc. For as much as it feels like an impediment it can be what makes you stronger because you are forced to work harder, forced to learn ways around things and through things that you otherwise might not ever do. I think I've had plenty of that and I know it has been a good thing but man o man I feel like I've explored my primitive ways about as much as I can. I feel like a kid who cannot wait to grow up and drive or do this or that. Remember that feeling? When you couldn't stand being a kid and being left out of so many things you wanted to do? Thats how I feel right now. I want! I want! I want! I guess thats good, if I didn't want I would probably be a passionless artist. If I didn't want it would mean I had nothing new I wanted to do or experience.

So today I can feel thankful and glad for a gallery sale. Today I will try to shut my brain up about needing to make more, do more, learn more have more more more more. I'll continue staying away from my studio as I don't really feel like working on art. I do but I don't. I want to make what I want to make but my head tells me 'you know the gallery wont show this' and you wont make money on this so why bother. I'll let my bratty child have another day or week ruling me because I'm tired of hearing it whine. I'm going to visit tod's mom and boyfriend in MA with tod for a few days and get away from it all. Maybe I will find some inspiration in a different setting, walk in new places and feel eager to come back and work!

I sat in a $59,000 chair

2009-06-25T08:09:00.005-04:00

Yesterday I had to go to the gallery and noticed that Johnny Swing's work was there. If you haven't seen his work go take a look. It's beautiful and nearly unbelievable that anyone could put together something so seamlessly, especially out of jars and coins. They had two of his jar chairs and the above coin chair. Google him under images and feast upon an astonishing array of functional art made from coins. Both chairs were comfortable, slick, cool and made me feel like a caveman in regards to my own work.

Of course I had to compare myself. I think about that woodstack table I finished last week, and how I emailed a photo of it to the gallery AS IF. It's hard not to beat myself up, I love my table I made but I know it will never show in that gallery. Guess I should be glad they even take my wall art pieces. I don't know where my furniture belongs. I kind of hate to think it would go into some crafty furniture shop. I feel compelled to keep making tables and given the kind of artist I am, given my tools and space and ability, I'm probably never going to be swinging in the same circle as johnny. His work is museum quality. He is a craftsman to the nth degree. I still struggle to cut a straight line, forget about welding hundreds of small things together to form a perfectly curved chair. To quote Samuel Johnson, Comparisons are odious. Enjoy what we have....who we are. What we do. Otherwise swim in the sea of misery.

In the Damascus Market, Mixed Media 2009

2009-06-22T12:32:00.004-04:00

In the Damascus Market, 2009
Mixed Media Original
Print 12x16(in)
22(in) diameter

anticipation

2009-06-20T08:10:00.004-04:00

Tod sent me the link for this art collector doc. and I cannot wait for the day I get to see this. I have seen tidbits of these two in a Richard Tuttle doc. They fascinated me. They were collecting Richard Tuttle's work before anyone in america had a clue. Just knowing people like this exist gives me hope for us artists. This is screening this weekend for the lucky few who live in big art cities!

Railroad Nut Candle Holders

2009-06-17T13:40:00.004-04:00

I have finished this little series of nut holders. Click photos to go to my website with details and more photos. I might make one more set (of six) later; other than that I'm done, out of nuts and no desire for tedious repetitious work. Time to work on something else!

the steel grass and even more

2009-06-16T12:53:00.006-04:00

I was remiss in linking to the entire installation from the post below. Go to this link and see some more amazing work from trash. Very inspiring!

"Withdrawn from Circulation" by Wendy Kawabata is comprised of books recovered from Honolulu Public Libraries. via Treehugger.

There is a 'tea quilt' by Ruth Tabancay that blows my mind. The slideshow is all wonderful but these stand out as my favorites.

steel grass

2009-06-16T07:24:00.002-04:00

The first few minutes of this don't really interest me, honestly all I can think is if we all had metal instead of grass wouldn't that heat up the world ever more? What I love about this, is how she has this amazing stock pile of supplies and found a way to have others help her on her installation. I'm envious of course and full of admiration.

Harriete Estel Berman's website.

more table and explaining

2009-06-15T07:10:00.005-04:00

As promised more photos. You can see this on my website and get even more/larger images there. I appreciate the comments on the earlier post. I think I failed to communicate correctly what it is that got to me about having made new art and then the 'letdown' I feel. It has more to do with not being able to feel like I can share it other than slapping a photo up here. I'm not looking for everyone to say good job little artist. I just want it OUT THERE. As far as me expecting too much too soon.....perhaps I haven't recovered from the economy. All I know is, I was just starting to come close to making enough to live on and then it all disappeared. I haven't made one dime 3 months. So far this year I have sold maybe 3 pieces of art. I can't expect anyone to feel sorry for me when it seems everyone is struggling, and I can't expect people to remember or know that this is my life right now and I'm too fucked up to work some other 'job' right now. So that has more to do with my frustration than anything else. This isn't a weekend thing for me, it is my life. I'm not angry at anyone but myself.

ps

2009-06-13T21:33:00.002-04:00

thanks for your thoughts, comments on which way to do this and TO even do it.

things that suck

2009-06-13T17:33:00.002-04:00

things that suck:

me on twitter. other than one friend no one ever comments or says boo when i tweet. my links i send...nothing. comments...nothing.

making new art and having no one to share it with, or if i do its a let down. i sent the link to one dear old friend and a relative and no one said a fucking word. tod usually is on it like a pig in mud and even he took a day to see it (geeze does everyone have a life but me?) thank you two the 3 bloggers who commented on my table. i know i need to show more photos, but after working on this for a month it feels like it needs a stellar show. maybe i'm just inhaling too much varnish.

my new etsy blog which is now 2 or so weeks old. it probably sucks because no one cares about etsy or me on etsy.

there. i'm coming down now. see, no happy mood lasts forever. its grouchy bitchy me again.

woodstack

2009-06-12T19:57:00.006-04:00

Woodstack, 2009
reclaimed wood, cut,
stacked & topped with a foundry form.

etsy conceptual style

2009-06-11T19:27:00.001-04:00

I had to do it....

prototype

2009-06-11T17:33:00.004-04:00

Here is a sneak preview of a prototype I just finished. Obviously it is a candle holder made from RR Nuts and a washer. I'm going to make all difference heights and some with or without the washers. It has only taken me 2 days to grind off the rust and prepare the surfaces so I can cold weld them together. I have a bucketful of these, I'll try not to think about all the ones I've given away as I thought I would never use them. I like that they are small and functional. Guess where I'm going to sell them?

what day is it?

2009-06-10T07:23:00.002-04:00

In case anyone is wondering how paula's etsy/twitter ventures are going and what I'm learning or experiencing, here you go:

I will go into detail on my other blog later today about the etsy thing as I know that isn't all that appealing to non-etsy people. I will say that I had my first 'bite' yesterday. Meaning, someone did contact me about a clock but they wanted a discount and I haven't heard back from them after my offer. I don't mind giving a discount when I'm selling it directly and not having to fork over half to a gallery, but on a $225 clock that will cost me $20 to ship across the country as well as the welder and clock costs, I can't offer much. It was wonderful to hear though that they thought my clocks were worth much more than I was charging and they actually 'got it' about them.

I have also met a handful of etsy sellers and bloggers (seemingly everyday I meet someone and have some sort of meaningful conversation/connection) who also like my work. Whew! Hurdle #1 is over as I really didn't think my clocks would be accepted there.

Twitter has proven to be less annoying than on my first go around. In fact I have only been annoyed at a few tweeters who feel the need to tweet seemingly every hour. The remedy for that is to just stop following them and you don't have to see it anymore. I've also had new artists follow me and I in turn can go check them out, their blogs and websites. I am loving that artists are finding me there and I don't even have to do anything! I think it is because I submitted my twitter url to a url site for twitter people.

I haven't had any real connections through that and honestly I haven't had much desire to post many tweets. Mostly I just do @'s. That way it is aimed at whoever tweeted something and I'm not tormenting everyone else. Before all this online stuff I was spending most of my time looking at interesting things on line and I assumed I would be posting that and sharing it, instead I'm busy interacting with real people and not surfing at all. Maybe I'm not cut out to be a big tweeter and it will be used to put the word out about friends or whatever I have going on.

Over all it feels like I am on the edge of something. It's alot to keep up with and it isn't really anything. I guess I'm learning to handle more and juggle more. I'm learning it is a much kinder accepting place out there and people are generally eager to share. I've definitely gained more exposure the last two weeks than I have in the last two years online. I'm not kidding! Having your work on the front page of etsy twice in as many weeks does get you noticed even if its only up there an hour.

I call this stuff 'marketing' because to me it is for now, the only way I know how to get me out there. I don't resent it anymore because I am having feedback and interaction whereas when I would send postcards or packets to places or inquire online to real galleries there was NOTHING. That doesn't feed anyone's soul. So yeah, maybe this isn't going to land me out of state gallery representation, and maybe I'm not going to be raking in the dough anytime soon, but for now it is profitable in that I'm motivated, working more on art and not feeling utter defeat about whether people like what I'm doing. I'm planting my seeds if you will and all I can do is water them, tend to them and keep the weeds out.

ceramic art

2009-06-08T12:43:00.002-04:00

Swimming in Big Creek
serving tray by Lee Wolfe

I got emailed today that Lee posted my RR Clock on her blog as part of her 'is dad an eco-freak?' post. It's always such a surprise when someone out of the blue posts about you! I wanted to share a picture of one of her pieces, I have always loved ceramics, even before I started making art I was drawn to the earthiness and chunkiness of pottery. Lee has a variety of pieces on her etsy site, votives, bowls, trays, goblets and mugs..all different sizes, shapes, and colors. I especially like this tray, it is its own piece of wall art!

sneak peak, a little prattle

2009-06-07T14:23:00.003-04:00

I rarely show anyone what I'm working on, but I decided to post a sneak peak at something I'm doing just in case anyone wonders what does paula do all day?

This could be a failure, its not uncommon for whatever I create to turn into something completely different, and that includes a disaster. I've learned the most when things have collapsed or turned into ugly ruins. Honestly, I don't mind nearly as much as I used to because I know it is in the doing more than the final product. Sure I want this to be fantastic and even sellable or gallery showable, but I will be thrilled if it just turns out and I like it enough to have it for myself. This has proven to be a tedious and repetitive undertaking, lots of sanding, cutting, cleaning and varnishing with an hour or so per layer to dry before I can do the next. It gives me time to scoot off to another project...to tweet, to make etsy treasuries....dare I say I am in SIX treasuries today that other people created? Feels like things are slowly changing, moving, turning around. My learning curve and concentration level is improving and now that I've decided to just try like my life depends on it, I've left the where to move and how will I make it worries behind. One step at a time even if some days you can't find your shoes.