Archive for Art
Pulse NYC
Posted by: | CommentsPulse New York
This past week was all about the The Armory Show at the Piers in NYC. It’s a pretty famous show with lots of different offshoot exhibits all over town now, so I thought I’d find everyone some inspiration.
The only “offshoot” show I went to was downtown at Pulse NYC. I actually enjoyed it much more than main event, which I found kind of pretentious, but I always have lots of ambivalence about the art scene. The gallery owners at Pulse were more open and welcoming and seemed truly excited by the artist’s works they were displaying.
The pulse show has more emerging artists in general. Overall, it was probably more uneven in quality than the Armory Show, but I liked the energy and genuine enthusiasm that I felt in the artwork I saw.
Here’s a few photos and thoughts below:
I thought this fur life preserver by Andy Yoder was an interesting political sendup about the economic downturn–especially in New York City, where the uber wealthy are more uber than other places:
I loved these woven rattan Buddha sculptures by Cambodia artist Sopheap Pich. Airy and open with a certain monumentality:
Megan Greene did some really lovely drawing/collages on top of pages of Audubon paintings from a book. Some people might think, “Oh, been there, done that” but I thought she really integrated her own skillful drawings wonderfully with the initial images, creating something fresh and well executed. She wasn’t really relying on the Audubon prints as much as carrying them somewhere else. My group picture doesn’t really do it justice. Check out her site for better photos.
I thought these mythic taxidermy creatures by Enrique Gomez de Molina were very cool, but some people around me were kind of grossed out. I guess I convinced myself he found the taxidermied pieces and then altered them with his own created bits, but really, I have no idea. They’re so imaginative and phantasmagorical to me and they have a lot of presence . Check out his site to see more and better images. (The walrus is covered in beetle wings!)
Laurent Craste had a wonderful piece that was a mix of video art and porcelain, but I couldn’t take a picture of it. He’s a porcelain artist, and most of his work (at this show anyway) is a commentary on decorative arts.
His piece that I really liked had a porcelain plate in a cabinet with a classic image of roses on it, but the image was digital, and he had the petals and leaves gradually fall off the decorative pattern to form a kind of heap at the bottom of the plate and then start over. Very witty, I thought–and well done video art, which I find kind of rare.
Here’s a few more of his porcelain commentaries:
Emil Lukas had a wrapped thread, piece that was positively luminous. Of course, my photo makes it look opaque and kind of awful, but it was really great and I wanted to include it here. I notice the other images of his work online don’t do much better either, so I think it’s kind of hard to photograph his work:
I liked these witty little paintings by Michael Dumontier and Neil Farber–from The Royal Art Lodge:
I really enjoyed Megan Whitmarsh’s soft sculpture installation of her dream studio–it was very positive and actually kind of joyful. It really brought back memories of the soft sculpture rage in the 70’s:
So there was lots more that I liked, but I’m having a hard time deciphering my notes and my to-do list is a mile long this week! I’ll write about The Armory Show next with lots of pictures as well. Please share any thoughts you have about any of the art, I’d love to hear from you!
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Creative Breakthroughs
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Have you seen a head rolling by? Mine fell off this afternoon sometime–let me know if you see it.
So many thoughts fighting for attention in there and suddenly, it couldn’t take it anymore and off it went.
All because I’ve been frantically getting the site for my studio done–you know, the local NJ/NY Metro outpost for Make Great Stuff: Jackson Street Studios.
And now, it’s finally, officiiiaaaalllllllly………………………….Done-Ish! 
What do they say–don’t let the pursuit of the perfect get in the way of the good? Right–so that’s what I’m doing. I mean, not doing….Er, one of those–the one where I’m okay with the “good”.
So as you can see from the above sentences, I’ve worked my head off and am officially fried, but I must say that I’m getting rather fond of my little site–it’s improving every day.
And I AM super excited by the class I’m teaching. Will you please take a look?
The Creative Breakthroughs Technique–A Collage Workshop
That’s what I’m calling it. Because it’s such a fabulous way to break out of a rut and ditch the self-censorship. With just enough structure to support you if it’s been a while since you made anything, but with plenty of room to express yourself.
This isn’t a class where you just copy a technique, make something nice, but secretly still doubt your own skills. It’s a way of helping you re-connect to your own creativity again. For finding your voice (again). I mean, there’s no point in your finding my voice for goodness sakes.
What was it Oscar Wilde used to say… “You might as well be yourself, everyone else is taken…”? This class is all about that.
Everyone in the February workshop marveled at how different each person’s work looked at the end, which made me ridiculously happy. Same technique, many visions. How right is that? So right.
And I must say that I have some kick-ass art tools and supplies as well as an extremely cool collection of wooden Indian fabric stamps (which everyone really loved). Plus a lot of weird bits and neat vintage paper and embellishments. Cool supplies are half the battle.
I teach a new technique each time before we get started, and last time I shared my secret stamping and embossing trick–something very, very simple that no one ever does, but makes the process soooo versatile. And almost everyone tried it. Yay!
But what’s really great about this workshop is that you don’t have to make space, own supplies or have ideas. Just show up! Yes–let’s re-ignite that creative fire!
And even better, when we’re all done and the studio looks like a truck just ran through it, you get to go home and not worry about it. No clean up required. Admit it, that’s awesome.
I’ve got all the details at Jackson Street Studios–including a 2 minute video to give you a taste of what happens at the workshop. I’ve included it here: (If you’re reading this in an email, you’re going to have to visit the site to see the video. Aw, c’mon, It’ll only take a sec.)
Neat right?
My next class is on March 26th, with a screamin’ good deal available for those who sign up by March 19th. Won’t you join me?
If you live in the NJ/NY area and could use a creative breakthrough or three, this class is the perfect thing.
If you don’t live in the NY/NJ area but need an excuse to come to New York for a long weekend, now you’ve got one. Sign up for my Friday night workshop, create and take home a beautiful matted work of art (flat–easy to fit in a suitcase), and then spend the rest of the weekend hobnobbin’ around the city. Good times.
In addition, I’m offering the workshop monthly because participating regularly can build you some great momentum and catapult your creativity forward. Take the workshop once, thrice or every month like clockwork, it’s up to you! To get you started, I have a special price for your first visit.
We had so much fun at the February workshop–everyone learned, took chances and surprised themselves. I’d love to see you there.
If you can’t come or live far away, could you do me a favor and forward this to someone who you think could benefit from participating in a workshop like this? I appreciate it!
What do you think? Are you ready for a creative breakthrough? Are you creating like mad already? Please leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you!
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2 Words: Work Bigger
Posted by: | CommentsToday I thought I’d share some images from a series of charcoal drawings I’m working on–mostly because I’m enjoying myself so much making them. They make me want to run through the snowy streets imploring the world to work bigger. So I have 2 words for you my bloggy friend: Work Bigger! It’s very liberating.
All these drawings are works in progress. At least, I think they are. I’ll keep looking at them and decide over time. It feels good to make them and all kinds of thoughts/feelings/images/experiences are coalescing as I work on them–but more on that at a later date.
What’s nice about working on something that feels right is that it doesn’t really matter what anyone else thinks of it. These drawings are a path I’m on for a while, and I figure I’ll just keep making them until I’m done and see what I’ve got at the end.
In the meantime, here they are. They all measure approximately 3 1/2′ tall x 4 1/2′ wide–except, of course, the square one which is as wide as it is tall. (Click on any image to view it bigger. And thanks for looking.)
New Site! New Workshop! New-New-New!
The other thing I’m doing is scrambling around like a mad woman trying to get a new site up and running–a site just for my studio–kind of the local outpost of Make Great Stuff where I’ll be teaching classes and workshops as well as making my own artwork. I’m an excited/nervous duckling.
I had fantasized that I’d be sharing this new site with you here today, but it’s all been more work than I anticipated–nothing unusual there. My brain never ceases to be unrealistic about how much work I can get done.
(I come from a family where work is a highly prized activity–you can pretty much get out of anything, even a funeral, if you say you “have to work”. Not that I do that, try to get out of funerals, but I’m just sayin’. So I’ve inherited a great work ethic, but mostly, it’s kind of a drag. Except for my bosses. Every boss I’ve ever had loved me for it. So, now that I’m my own boss, I’ve kind of a got a conflict of interest thing going. I’m working on it.)
Anyway, in addition to the new site, I had my first workshop in my studio last Friday night. It’s called The Creative Breakthroughs Technique Workshop and it was a big success if I do say so, and I’m dying to share all the details with you about that as well.
Alas, that’s a big part of the new site, so I’m still not done dotting my i’s and crossing my t’s on that either. But I’m hoping to do a big “taaa-daaa” thing here on the blog about all of it on Monday or Tuesday next week. I’ve even got a little video going. Please stay tuned.
So picture me writing and uploading and editing and adapting and pay-paling my weekend away. And taking breaks to work on my big drawings.
(Did I say I’m trying to do a drawing a week? Next week I’m hoping to dedicate a whole blog post to the ease-of-being-creative-when-you’ve-got-a-work-in-progress-going strategy. Kind of a P.S./ Part II to my Magic Spell post the other day.
What are you doing this weekend? Are you snowed in like we are here in NY/NJ? Would you like to share links to some artwork you’re working on? Please leave a comment and share what you’re doing, whatever it is, I’d love to hear from you!
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Why You Love to Create
Posted by: | CommentsRemind Yourself What You Love About Creating
Sometimes when we get lost in our worries that we have no talent or that our creativity has disappeared, we forget one of the main reasons we make things in the first place.
It’s fun. It feels good. And we love to do it.
Today, I want you to remember all the reasons that you love to make things and write them down.
Tack it to the bathroom mirror or slip it into your wallet. Pick one reason every day and meditate on it–even for a minute or two.
Just close your eyes and say the first part of the sentence when you breathe in, and then say the second part of the sentence when you exhale: (Breath in–”I feel most like myself” Breath out: “When I’m creating.” Breath in–”I feel most like myself” Breath out: “When I’m creating.”)
Lather, Rinse, Repeat.
Ready? I’ll start!
25 Reasons I Love to Make Things
- I feel most like myself when I’m creating.
- I feel connected to everything and everyone when I’m making things.
- It feels good/right to use my hands.
- I like that it feels like a physical activity somehow–not so ‘in my head.’
- I’m very visual and I love looking at things.
- Creating feeds my aesthetic emotion.
- I love the feeling of “building” something when I’m creating.
- I love the feeling of “listening” to my artwork.
- I love how it feels when what I’m creating turns out the way I want.
- I love how I feel when I am okay when it doesn’t turn out the way I want.
- I love feeling excited about making things.
- I love learning new techniques and acquiring new skills.
- I love integrating new techniques into my projects.
- I love solving design problems and thinking about formal elements–like line, color, composition, etc.
- I love pulling different parts of myself, my thinking, & my sensibilities together into one work of art.
- I love feeling like an artisan.
- I love making things I use everyday.
- I love feeling connected to the objects I’m making.
- I love the hum of my sewing machine.
- I love how I feel when I’m completely immersed in my projects.
- I love talking about art with other people.
- I love getting inspired by art in museums and galleries.
- I love giving things I make to people I love.
- I feel grounded when I’m creating.
- I like making sense of the world through my creativity.
Okay–you’re turn! (And please share your list or portions of your list in the comments section below!)
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5 Ways to Mix it Up
Posted by: | CommentsSometimes you can really make headway with your artwork if you just break a few patterns and get out of your comfort zone.
Here’s a few suggestions below to help you get started–if you think of any others, please share them in the comments–I love trying new techniques!
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Scale
Get Bigger! Or get smaller, but go in the opposite direction from what you usually make. (My hunch is probably that your work could get bigger–women especially tend to keep our work small.)
It might feel hard or embarrassing to take up space like this, but it can also be very liberating. I’m working on a series of large drawings right now–all around 42″ x 48″ and I’m simply amazed at how great it feels to work big like this.
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Color Palette
Let’s face it, we’re all drawn to particular color combinations. Line your work up (or photos of your work) and take a look at your palette. Could you go to the opposite side of the color wheel? Could you introduce or replace a color in your normal repertoire?
Or keep your palette, but change the value–try pastels (or brights) instead. Flip through art and fashion magazines for fresh color ideas that might inspire you and try on someone else’s favorite color combos for size.
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Art, Poetry, Imagination, Memory
Creative Spark
Posted by: | CommentsElizabeth Gilbert wrote the wonderful memoir Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
Last winter she gave a fantastic Ted Talk and I thought I should share it here in case you haven’t seen it.
It’s a great talk on creativity, “genius”, success, fear of failure, and the cultural stereotypes of the “unstable artist” and how we might rethink that. I hope you enjoy it–she’s very engaging.
(If you’re reading this in an email, you’ll have to click here to view the video.)
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Automatic Drawing–What IS it?
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I realize that in my last post, Expressive Drawing, I forgot to explain what “automatic drawing” is.
Maybe it’s obvious, but in case it isn’t, here’s a bit more information and how to do it and why it’s a great way to let loose and free your creativity.
Liberation
The Surrealists embraced automatic drawing as way to incorporate randomness and the subconscious into their drawings, and to free themselves from artistic conventions and everyday thinking.
This technique, they felt, was a way in to access meaning and information unavailable through tradition and the conscious mind.
Surrealist wackiness aside, it also lets you sink into the quality and experience of making marks and developing the relationships between them which in turn lifts you out of your logical brain’s desire to make something that’s “good” or “accurate.”
It lets you tap more easily into your intuition, emotions, and the physical experience of drawing and painting.
So if you judge your own drawing ability, this technique can be very liberating because it’s so physical, there’s no wrong way to do it, and it improves your drawing skills in the process.
Most importantly, it gets you out of your head. Read More→
My name is Sarah Bush and this is my blog dedicated to helping busy artistic people like you weave creativity back into your life again.
