An Occasional Update

I have spent so much time shooting, I have had no time to update my feeds or blogs. My photog class demands so much time this semester; what is left goes to my Comp 2 class. Both classes have portfolios due next week. Are we there yet?

I had a photog essay assignment due this week; write about a photog who inspired you, blah, blah, blah. This is the shot I created as an interpretation of the product shots the photographer I emulated produced.
Frankly, I'm not sure I actually fulfilled the assignment but I like the way the shot turned out anyway considering I do not have studio space. The original inspiration can be found here at Davis Photographic.

Yes, these are the same boots I use as props for the jewelry display on occasion.


To prove the point, a shot of the photog working, taken from the reflection of a glass block wall.

For the most part, I will be off this summer. I am ready for a break, having decided not to take summer classes this year for the first time in three years. Then I thought better of it and signed up for one class just to preserve momentum. I have an agenda for the summer; put my jack loom back together and weave something worthy of use in my studio apartment. Decide how much I love wire jewelry and either commit to it or not. Clean out my closet and donate the clothes I never wear to charity.

I am planning one road trip but may end up making two. I will either be an independent vendor during Art Walk this summer or volunteer to help out. Seems like I just filled my agenda but not really. Art Walk is once per month, class will probably be three mornings per week. Cleaning out my closet has already started. The rest of my summer will be divided between weaving, wire jewelry and the camera.

None of that will happen if I do not get these portfolios done, so back to work I go.

Six Months Ago . . .

. . . I wrote about leaving 2008 behind and this is the first time I have had the time to update since then, blame it on a heavy class load.

I took an Art for Elementary Education class; the work load was intimidating but I am very glad I took that class. Long story short, it parlays into a once per week art workshop volunteer teaching gig.
I had resigned my full-time volunteer IT position after five years, recently due to the demands of a heavier class schedule; I like the once per week commitment.

I became interested in Artist Trading Cards [atc] recently as well. I find the ATC & ACEO [art cards, editions & originals] format great for trying ideas, making use of my photography & doing studies. ATCs are the same format as any other trading card; 2.5 x 3.5" and according to tradition; not for sale, only trading. However; like most indie artists, I sell to suppliment my college student poverty, so I also researched ACEOs. ACEOs are editions and original cards specifically for sale. The philosophical thought process goes something like this; If we only trade art cards, the buying market is cut out of one of our media therefore; call them something else and sell them. Purists, art card traders sniff at this "other" form of trading, I however like to eat real food once in a while, I choose to do both. You can find my photographic cards @ http://www.artcardswanted.com/giypsy

But What Happened to your Jewelry?
Thanks for asking. I am still twisting wire, mostly copper. I love the mysterious process of patination & find copper to be more satisfying than brass. Brass has become somewhat problematic in that it reacts to humidity very fast. Copper also naturally acquires patina but it is much easier to clean up and retains a lovely warm glow even after some wear. The last large piece I produced was the copper belt which is still posted on my Flickr.

Resources:
I found a relatively new site for marketing my work, ArtFire. Unlike Etsy & EBay, there are no selling fees. Basic members are allowed ten free posts of their work, can upload their own banner and there is a "no-account" purchasing option for your customers. Sweet! If you would like your own account, use this link: www.artfire.com Verified membership currently is $12.00 per month, ridiculously reasonable. My shop will be upgraded shortly, when I do, I will be adding the wire jewelry.

If you decide you need a banner and are clueless as to how to acomplish it, drop me an email.

That about covers the last six months, unless you want to see my art portfolio from Art for Elementary Education, Art Cards or my Wire Jewelry. In that case; visit Heartside Art Gallery during the next ArtWalk; Saturday July 17, 2009 from 4-9 pm.

Jewelry: the latest obsession

So last winter I took a jewelry class for credit; I have been fiddling with metal ever since. June 14 the ArtWalk on Division Avenue commenced. I destroyed a lot of hard work by accidentlly spraying the jewelry with white enamel instead of clear coat. [sheesh!]

I frantically scrubbed the jewelry with hot soapy water so the paint would not cure; then with acetone; panic! Next I soaked all the jewelry in mineral spirits for over two weeks in an effort to salvage some of it. No avail. Now it just stinks of mineral spirits. Even my teacher/mentor David Huang could not think of anything other than burning the paint off. Finally I dumped several of my copper cable pieces into a patination process. I salvaged three pieces. Better than nothing, live and learn.

BTW, I have gotten behind updating but . . .
for you Grand Rapidians out there; don't forget the ArtWalk Season is underway!

Dates: July 12, August 9 & September 13 2008 from 4-9 p.m.
Where: Division Avenue between Weston & Cherry.

My jewelry is on display at: Heartside Gallery
48 S. Division Avenue

See You There!