A Late Bloomer

This is Anna Mary Robertson. You may know her as Grandma Moses. Anna died in 1961 at 101 years of age. Do you feel like it's too late in life to take on new pursuits? Or maybe that now things are complicated and fast paced. Picking up a new hobby or talent is impossible. Please read on!
This is a piece of art Anna created around the 1940's. At 75 years of age she found her arthritis made her needlework impossible so she started painting. In 1938 her rural life style paintings were displayed in a drugstore window. Soon a collector saw her work and she was off to exhibit her work in New York. She went on to paint around 1,600 works and was quite popular right up until her death. Wow, way to go Anna.

I have to admit a twinge of jealously when I meet a 20 something artist who already is making progress in the art world. I think how successful they can be in 20 years. In 20 years I might be struggling with arthritis! But can I really complain? Absolutely not! I am doing what I love, what I always dreamed about as a kid. I will take a lesson from Anna and keep finding new things to learn and discover.

Success at Failure

This is a drawing from Jules Feiffer. He has done many illustrations, plays and books. He just published his memoir which landed him on the pages of Smithsonian Magazine. That is where I found him.

I recognized his art. You would too if you Googled his name. The interview in September Smithsonian magazine was a question and answer style. One particular comment got my attention. He said, "Success is nothing to sneeze at, but failure too, offers great possibilities." Hmmmm, curious. Failure to me is just plain....ouchy!

He goes on to say that our negative notions about failure often limits us. We don't take chances and we stay in the bounds. But often if we try something and fall on our face we figure out what went wrong and we try again.

Do I try again when I have a big art failure? I don't think so. I hate the way it feels to have a vision in my head that I CAN NOT bring out onto paper or canvas. I usually put it in the dud pile of artwork and move on never to visit again.

Jules has over 50 years of success with his art. Maybe he is on to something.

Art Supplies

My friend Vi sent me an image of this sculpture made entirely of paper. The artists are Allen and Patty Eckman and they use inspiration from the American Indian culture. Allen made the comment that he felt paper allowed for unlimited detail. When he touches paper that proves to be true. I am not use what impressed me more. The hoops, the fringes or the fabric of his clothes.

Maybe fruit is your art supply. I have to admit never looked at this piece of fruit and thought....hmmmm it looks like a dachshund. This artists saw, created and successfully completed his vision.

Recently at our local farmers market a vegetable carving competition took place. I was anxious to go see what people came up with. I mean once you have done the flower radish and the watermelon bowl what's left? I had no idea a yellow squash could look like art. I mean art in the truest sense of the word. Not clever, not cute but really artistic carved with designs.

(Now you're asking yourself, where is a picture? Good question. My camera wondered the same thing. It sat on the table by the door as I hurried out so as to not miss the judging. )

There really is nothing that can't be transformed into art. So next time you bite into an apple think art. There could be a monkey lurking there. Next time you wad up a piece of paper think of a galloping stallion.

Bold Ideas

In my last few blogs I have been talking about creative inspirations. The challenge of thinking with the art side of your brain and letting the detail side take a break. My mom sent me this comic and I thought it would wrap up this discussion nicely.

I wonder how often this scenario rings true. All artists have those,"it's just crazy enough to work" ideas. BUT the real test of those moments is having the guts to pull it off. Having the confidence that if it is a miserable failure you can shrug your shoulders and walk away. Does that describe me?

I am an art sissy. There, I said it. I don't want to be but I am. I have had many a bold and brilliant idea. I try to explain them to my husband and he slowly shakes his head yes but all the while his eyes are saying , " maybe something she's saying will make sense soon". Okay, that probably isn't fair to say, he always encourages boldness in my work but he is quick to remind me that the wilder the idea the longer it will take to sell.

I will become a bolder artist. I have a bold idea for my October show that I am currently working on. It could be a flop but I am GOING FOR IT. Oh, and I won't be dipping my cat in paint anytime soon.

My Brain On Art

Here is my right side of the brain on art. Ahh, doesn't she look happy, all engrossed in her creation. Good for her just letting the ideas and creativity flow. It won't last for long though. Why? Meet Mrs. Left Brain.

Yep, it's all about the numbers. Will this idea sell? If you mess up this 'creation', how much money in art supplies did you waste? This is a big painting, when it goes unsold for a year where will you store it? Sure you've done 'said' painting style a million times but your customers like it. Stick with what we know and don't step on my register tape!

This battle gets a bit exhausting. I have decided it could be the reason many artist drink. Can you see the right side with a bottle of wine? WOOOhooooo, let the ideas flow. Outta my way, my brush and I got some work to do! My left side would be whimpering in self pity on the couch in the corner. Probably hugging her adding machine.

Soberly, I will try to make the two meet. Neither side feels there can be a balance. One moment I am partying with the right side and the next I am fretting numbers with the left. Meanwhile the easel is having his own insecurities due to lack of attention.

There are definitely too many opinions in my studio these days.

Imagination Food

As an artist you hope for this, a bright light of inspiration over your head. You eagerly reach for it hoping you can recreate the vision as clear on canvas, sculpture etc. Sadly, many days there is no light. Just a lifeless bulb annoyingly positioned over your head. What do you do?

I don't have the answer to that, not yet anyway. Some artist have routines that they fall into when the bulb has been unlit for too many days. Maybe it's journaling or sketching. Maybe it's a tour of art galleries or the museum. That can sometimes work for me but often the brilliance of others makes me feel even more insecure and colorless. Journaling just becomes a rant of my inadequacies as an artist and sketching just reminds me of how lousy I really am.

Sometimes an idea comes but your can't seem to execute it. You draw and redraw. Yeah, that's it. Smile. You look longer....no, it's cheesy, cliche, been done many times before. The bulb goes out.

The challenge is to keep challenging yourself while still being true to your strengths. You want each show to impress those who are kind enough to travel to your opening. Yet repeat customers want to see a consistency of sorts. Where is that perfect idea that encompasses all three?

If I could just find that elusive light switch.

Creative Cardboard

It all started with a mom having a conversation with her 5 year old son. Shanelle was sharing memories of how her and her sister would do box car races every year. Box as in cardboard box. The sisters loved working on their cars in preparation for the big race. She beams as she finished the story. Her son, following along with rapt attention, says, "Why would anyone want to race with a cardboard box?" Time for an object lesson. On a rainy Saturday we all gathered to enjoy the First Annual Box Car Race.

Aubrey stands ready, complete with accessories for the start of the race.
Here I am with my favorite to win. Breaux had a little design work help from his dad and was a bit of a cheater with a little electric car under the cardboard. We can cut him a little slack. At 18 months he is a bit new at the whole walking thing. The concept of heading toward the finish line was a bit unclear. Wherever he turned his head, that is where the car went.

Here is Katlyn and Brianne who didn't let the theme 'kid's' car race deter them. Actually the adults were donning kids cars by the end to try their hand at the race. My husband has already planned out his vehicle for next year. I best not give away his secret but it will be out of this world.

Ricco was more interested in the ice chips dumped on the ground than the race. Too cute in his car but again not really interested in the finish line.

Laya has us all rolling with her ice cream truck. Her mom actually downloaded bad ice cream truck music onto an ipod. The ipod, on a speaker, was in Laya's backpack. Laya's mom is pregnant. She admitted that when she bought all the ice cream for the truck advertisements the cashier commented on her intense cravings. She just smiled and laughed. How could you explain the cardboard car race competition.

I will be honest. On a cold and rainy Saturday I had no interest in standing around getting wet watching cardboard get soggy. But I promised my friend Adabell I would go to cheer on Breaux. And I loved the idea of creative, fun, family activity and wanted to show my support. Was it worth it? When 8 year old Bricyon was running his race he fell. His arms were inside his box and for about 8 seconds there was nothing but a cardboard car with flailing rubber boots sticking out. He did eventually right himself and finish the race.

I had a great time and forgot all about the rain.

Barnes and Noble Pajamarama

With a few butterflies in my tummy I walked up to Barnes and Noble ready to be the featured author of the evening. "If We Hopped on Our Bike..." was making it's first author signing bookstore debut. I couldn't stop the broad smile that appeared as I saw posters on the front window advertising my signing.

Since the reading event of the evening is called pajamarama some of my audience came in their P.J.'s. Barnes and Noble helped me get into the spirit of things by providing me with a fun robe. I quickly learned this was very important to my listeners. When I showed up in my 'book signing' clothes a bit of a riot broke out. The quick donning of the robe saved my reputation.

Here, Brooke, in her Strawberry Shortcake P.J.'s and break up boots helps me show the group where Alaska is located. My group had a lot of enthusiasm. It was really a lot of fun. When the reading time was done I headed back to my author signing table. There, employees told me they could hear the 'adventure' all the way at the front of the store. Oops.

Tuesday night was a huge moment for me. For many years I have dreamed of illustrating and authoring my own children's book. Standing in the bookstore, visiting with young and old customers, being invited to the reading night was honestly a dream come true. I apologize to those I might has disturbed on Tuesday evening. But you really should have joined us. We had a great adventure!

Jackson Pollock Gimmick

Yeah! I loved this comic. Apparently I am not the only one out there that is confused by the popularity of Jackson Pollock. I have cardboard acrylic palettes that look exactly like his paintings. Did you see he has a stamp out now? Oops I spilled a can of paint....I mean, WOW I created art. Sheesh.

But I digress. The comic did give me a good belly laugh, mainly the Pollock part,but the gimmick comment did make me pause.

My character Signore Greve has been very popular. I did cautiously branch out into bookmarks and small drawing pads with his image pedaling across. The question is at what point does it become over the top. It is art and I don't want to lose that but the little items help pay the bills. That is more important then ever. The economy has forced many of my artist friends to get cubicle, Dilbert jobs. (shudder,shudder) Greve has helped me squeak through month after month.

It was good for me take a step back and think this through. Greve makes people smile and I love that about him. His character really has no limits, he will never run out of places to go and things to enjoy. I guess that's my answer. Keep the gimmicky items to a minimum but keep Greve and Celli moving. They fit perfect on a drawing pad and bookmark. On school folders, bedsheets and little boys underwear....not so much.