Artsy Fartsy

So, now I have finally taken the Promote yourself as an Artist class and I learned a lot. The most interesting part was at the beginning when she informed us (surprise, surprise) that first we had to define ourselves as Artists and decide what kind of career we were shooting for...ie, Museum Artist, Gallery, craft show, Laguna, etc. That has sort of been my quandry anyway. I have been thinking it over ever since I left the class. I keep getting back to the craftier approach...furniture, dog beds, etc...maybe a canvas here and there with new ideas...but, the idea of creating a body of work with an eye to being in a museum or gallery is truly off-putting to me. I guess I just cannot stand to get in that line and wait to speak to the window person. Stupid, I guess...but when I am pressed to produce work to address a particular audience and it has to be a certain size and say a cohesive thing and all hang together, it makes me feel like not an Artist..makes me feel like I am typing with my paintbrush again...which I got used to as a Faux Finisher...but I hate the idea as a real Artist. Maybe I misunderstood...but I am pretty good at understanding what is said in classes. Also, she seemed to think that my 23 years as a decorative painter were something to hide and not refer to because galleries etc. would tend to look down on it...IF she is right, I cannot stand it. I do not want to be ashamed of the process that I have taken to get where I am today as an Artist...It seems to me that it should be all about the work, and only the work...and I feel myself rebelling from the things that the class taught me. I am sure of her sincerity and also her general knowledge of how the gallery system works. As always, in every occupation I have had, I feel stubborn about not performing for an agenda..I understand the necessity of the performance and how it is used to excel in your field...I just do not want to do it...ever. This may be a stellar trait of mine or a disaster. Still, I do not want to do it...stubborn. I came home and viewed all the work I have been doing with new eyes and based on the class it all may as well go into the trash...not a good feeling. I have to think more on all of this and get some more feedback from other sources but, right now, I feel like just chucking the whole thing and getting a job at Home Depot. Boo"_______"Hoo, as Andrew is fond of saying. I will just go somewhere and sit poutily and think this all over and lunch on worms. Tomorrow is another day.

September, and the year is going, going , going...

It is already Sept 10 and I have been productive, but the time is flying away. I have spent days working on lesson plans for classes, mostly new ones and I submitted them to Otis...Haven't heard back, nor have I heard from SMC which I submitted last month...we'll see. It was a lot of work, but it helped me get my mind around what I think I can really do for students and also for myself in terms of teaching. All I can do is the footwork and then see what comes from it...did the footwork. I have also been working off and on on the books...gluing pages and cutting out windows, etc. I made a nice one for Melly's Birthday and I think she liked it...hope so. I am also working on one for Janet and one about my cousin Gloria for her daughter and granddaughter. I still mean to write some stuff about the past...especially Gloria...I think that the family would like that. I have written a little about the Crows..think about it a lot. Started my Art Furniture class at Otis and I am excited about this class...have a feeling we'll have a good time...the people seem very nice. So, I seem to be productive in a nice steady way and this is a good thing. I have to remember what Ghandi said about the fact that there is more to life than increasing its speed...also Andrew just sent me a quote that competition is for Horse races...since I am many things, but not a horse, I will take that as a mantra for my life at present. More later...I intend to make a piece or two for each class that I am pitching, so that should keep me busy for a while...also, I want to walk more daily and get back to riding my bike...have to be careful not to bite off so much that I cannot bear to chew. More later..no race, no speed...but more.