“… a crucial function of art is to communicate in a language without rules.”
This just into my inbox today from Culture Hall and it suddenly hit me that when I move back and forth from design to art, literally getting up from my computer, walking 10 feet into my studio, I am confusing the functions of both. No wonder I worry if my art is too messy or if my design is too stilted. I am going to hang a sign over my studio doorway that says “NO RULES” and put a smaller sign on my computer monitor that says”Specific Results with a Determined Need.”
From Feature #78 of Culture Hall:
“Design can be defined as producing specific results that address a determined need, conveyed in the most concise and direct manner possible. The language of design is seductive for its rationality, yet fundamentally lacks the humor, invention, and criticality that distinguishes a painting from an advertisement, or a sculpture from an imposition. In contrast, a crucial function of art is to communicate in a language without rules. Giving speech to the speechless spurs an infinite cycle of creation and inspiration where the limits of accepted terms, familiar and invented signs are constantly redefined. In abstraction the practicality of the grid, visually pleasing patterns, primary elements and the expectations of formalism are a logic to operate with and against. Captivated by this timeless and unending dance, the artists in ‘Logical Conclusions’ borrow and obscure the aesthetics of design to reveal the beauty in precarity.”
I just read Jane Pollak’s blog post “Exaggerate Much?” (September 26, 2011 http://networkedblogs.com/nPuQM?ref=nf) where she points out that many of us exaggerate the work we do, the responsibilities we have through the use of phrases like “I have a ton of emails to answer” when in fact there are 14. She speculates it may be a way to make ourselves feel more significant, that we are pumping up the numbers.
My thoughts while reading this post went to the people who understate their workload. What are they saying and how can they speak truthfully when their truth is that they feel a need to minimize what they do? Phrases like “Oh no, I’m not busy at all, I can help you with that.” When in fact they have 20 emails waiting for them and past due deadlines in front of them? How hard it is for some to say “I am too busy for you right now.”
I have been working with the Vessel image recently and the results are pleasing. All are 12″ x 16″ and all fold into eight sections. Then I am tying them together or in the photo I used white elastics. They carry a sense of diary with them. They feel good in the hand. They are the size of a paperback with the texture of old paper. They have weight and they can be opened at anytime.
Come see me and my most recent work during New Haven City-Wide Open Studios. My studio will be open on Sat & Sun October 22 & 23. 12 – 5 pm
Just got back from a wonderful event where 9 of us sat around a table and listened to coach Jane Pollak for 2 hours. And I came right home to add this to my blog and site. Here’s the story: One day I was in a store looking for a Christmas gift for my Mother. I opened a book called For the Love of Old by Mary Randolph Carter. Her name seemed oddly familiar. As I flipped through the pages, I came upon a photo of a doll that I made and sold years ago. Then I remembered that I had sold it to the author and here it was, full page, in fact four full pages are devoted to it. Listening to Jane this evening helped me see that I have missed an opportunity to reconnect with a loyal patron of my art. So the first step was to put up this post and these photos. Next step is to connect with the author. And third? Maybe make some more dolls?
I really need shelves and I am taking care of that today.
I have to start working harder for my August show. I have the general layout of the work figured out but I need to finish the work. I have to hire the video person and I have to rent a couple of stuffed animals. Tomorrow is the day for that. Also tomorrow I will scout the location for the video.
More postcards!
Attended a great day of workshops yesterday at the Gateway Community College in North Haven CT. Jackie Battenfield was the keynote and talked to us about how it is possible to make a living as an artist without having to be in NYC galleries. She has a new book called “The Artists Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love ” . I just ordered it on Amazon. I also went to the PR session and learned some good stuff as well as the Social Media session. Again, learned some good stuff. Really liked the panelists especially Sharon Butler who’s blog is “Two Coats of Paint.” It was a good day. The audio from all three days of “Taking Care of Business: Career Strategies for Visual Artists” is available at cultureandtourism.org
preparing postcard hand outs
70 postcards tied together and put on a shelf.
32 postcards from the ‘1000 Postcards’ project
36 finished, 964 to go!
Postcard #29
Drawn from a Photo of the Old Leatherman
Leatherman Drawing 4-11-09
As I work on this project I am becoming more and more interested in self-imposed isolation. I am seeing it all around me. I am looking back into my own life to see what the triggers have been for me and how to avoid them in the future. The Leatherman in my mind, not in any documented history, but in my perception of the Leatherman spent a lot of time avoiding human relationships and a lot of time nurturing relationships with nature. This drawing is about that, about the relationships with nature, how rewarding they can be but safe because there is little commitment, just nurturing, and love.
Leatherman with Insect and Animal Friends
Stone Wall with Berries and Bird
LYRICS:
I know about a man to whom I may be related, he’s leatherman.
Died a long time ago in the 1880′s…leatherman, leatherman.
Covered with leather, but it was tight.
Underneath the moon in the woods at night…
Makin’ the rounds ten miles a day,
Once a month they’d spot him, here’s what they’d say…
“Here he comes, he’s a man of the land.
He’s leatherman. Smile on his face, an axe in his pack.
He’s leatherman.”
Comes out of the caves once a day to be fed.
Wasn’t known to say but “Thanks for the bread.”
So modern day I walk my way, my jacket faded,
Just like a man of leather whom I may be related.
Rolled a cigarette, but when he asked for a light,
Appeared to be an animal, yet so polite.
Makin’ the rounds ten miles a day.
Once a month they’d spot him and here’s what they’d say…
“Here he comes, he’s a man of the land, he’s leatherman.
Smile on his face, an axe in his hand.
He’s leatherman.”
Shake his hand he’s leatherman.
Bake some bread he’s leatherman.
Shame he’s dead. I saw his bed,
It’s all that’s left of leatherman.
Give me some skin, leatherman
Susan Tabachnick exhibits her new sculpture at City Lights Gallery in Bridgeport CT. She works with materials that she finds in junk yards or at tag sales. Aren’t they wonderful? Below are a seat and a side table. That’s Susan in the gray jacket.
Saturday (March 14) I went to Dennis’ Gallery to hear 2 artists and a poet. Unfortunately I was late and I missed hearing Marilee O’Gorman speak about her work, her paintings are so rich and bold. I love them. I bought a small piece. I did hear Diana Moore speak about her vessels (in photo) which was very educational. Her vessels are made from a plastic resin which gives them the beautiful surface. And then Marianela read a short story and some poems. Excellent…another wonderful afternoon at Haviland!
This piece is a charcoal that I did a number of years ago, part of a small series of very large faces. I had not intended for it to be n this show but at the last minute, I realized the pieces “OWL” was way too small and did not meet the requirements for the show. This is better and I am happy that the error was made. I want to go back and make more portraits. I have started 2… one of the Leatherman’s back and one of his friend the barn owl.
Struggled with this drawing. I wanted it to be a bare trunk with solid black treatment. Small animals at the base of the trunk but nothing was working so I added the boulders for some type of contrast. The bear is still visible under the boulder. Again this is a Leatherman drawing. One of the trees he walked past.
Two new drawings today, both the same size and both Black and White, both owls. They are both friends of the Leatherman. He would see the barn owl in the New Canaan area, near Mrs. James house.
Does anyone have any info on the Leatherman that they would like to share?
Here are some links on the web but if anyone has any personal info that would be great.
http://www.ghostvillage.com/legends/leatherman.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leatherman_(vagabond)
http://www.kelseypub.com/ct-guide/legends/the-old-leatherman.php
http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=XFA032-057
http://www.makemeknow.com/Regional/USA/CT/Legend_of_the_Old_Leatherman_185.php
http://www.electronicvalley.org/DERBY/quiz/2007/leatherman.htm
My first full sized sketch of Leatherman. There is a spider and a daisy attached to his jacket that represent the friendship he felt towards nature. A lot of my drawings in this series will address the relationship he had to nature.
Actually, I do not know what relationship he had to nature. Nothing has been written on the subject that I can find. Living in caves could have meant he was at odds with nature, protecting himself from predators. I do know he kept to himself so I would assume that he view others as a type of predator.
So I am creating his relationship based on my perception and whim.
Postcards, especially old ones that have been altered before being sent, present mysteries to me. Who sent it, what were they thinking, what did they want to show about themselves..their travels, their emotions, their obligations?
Could it be as simple as recording where they stood for a moment and making sure someone else knew that they stood there?
Leatherman was a loner, he did not send postcards and he did not chronicle his life. My Leatherman postcard series chronicles my life in CT mixed with some of the Leatherman’s life. Mine are built on a truth and legend of my own making.
“Hidden” is a drawing that I did in early spring 2008. I started with the flowers, collaging them with tissue paper but it was so saccharin that I add the black below. Suddenly it became a mass grave. I am not that interested in mass graves but I read a moving book last year written by a forensic scientist who was investigating the war crimes of Slobodan Milošević in Serbia. And there was a recent story about the uncovering of a graveyard in lower Manhattan. And I found the bone in a book so it became a mass grave. I think the contrast of the colorful flowers to the bones and blindfolded heads makes this a very strong piece.
I have been working in a small format for a while. I just finished a mini-series of black and white work that framed are 7″ x 5″. I love the cards that I buy from Italy that are 3″ x 5″. The maker is “Fabriano Medioevalis”. The cards are basically water color paper and take ink beautifully. I have been interested in silhouettes for awhile. It comes out of the immediacy of Sumi Ink and graphite. Also baring things done to the simplest. I also love the look of black and white.
