What kind of mall art are you selling?

Why do people collect art? It's one way to connect to the creative process. Collectors are people who realize that without creativity and innovation there is nothing new in our future.

Before I became an artist I sold the work of other artists. In the late eighties I was an art consultant at the newly opened Martin Lawrence Galleries in West Oaks Mall in Houston, Texas. Our inventory included pricey works by artists like Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Picasso.

The lighting in the showroom was specifically designed for viewing original works of art. But it was even more magical in the snug viewing rooms that lined the sides of the gallery. They were each about 8 feet by 14 feet with seating on one end and a place for the art at the other. Once a client selected a couple of pieces, they were escorted into one of the small spaces. The work was then installed at the far end of viewing room for an intimate showing. The controlled lighting made the art vibrant.

One weekend the mall sponsored an arts and crafts fair for a group of Houston artists. Handmade items filled the interior of the mall. Each time I had a spare minute I would slip out to see what the local artists were selling.

I hate to admit it but I was saddened by how pitiful the local art in that particular show looked. The paintings were much smaller than the ones we were carrying. The paint application was stingy. Even the frames looked dowdy. The experience made me realize what it meant to be a professional artist. It illustrated that someone who wanted to make a living by selling her creations had to take the time to craft the best possible work. I also noted that the use of the post possible materials was important.

This brings me to the question "what kind of mall art are you selling?" Are you inside the well lighted gallery showing only the best work from your inventory? Or are you wedged next to the sunglasses and handbag kiosks with art work duct taped into beat up frames hoping someone will notice your greatness?

My creating motto for 2012 is "Bigger, Better, Bitchier and Buckier." I arrived at that theme after art critic Robert Pincus said during his one on one critique of my work that he'd like to see my work "bigger." So I'm making bigger work even if this means I have to produce a lesser number of pieces this year. "Better" means I'm examining the construction of everything I put out for public consumption. "Bitchier" means leaving my "Miss Congeniality" threads behind and moving into the realm of tough confrontational work. And "Buckier" means charging more for my work because it is worth more than I realize. So what kind of mall art are you selling in 2012?

Bird Man's art is hot for Shreveport collectors

Why do we collect art from living artists? Usually because it's cheap. And we're taking a gamble that when that artist dies her or his art will be worth much more than we've invested in it.

The Shreveport area has grown several nationally renowned outsider/folk artists. Clementine Hunter is probably the most famous. "Artist Chuckie" Williams  would paint famous folks and sit the paintings  in the front yard of his house in Shreveport. M. C. "5 Cent" Jones used ball point pen and watercolors on poster board to create his works.

Who is the newest outsider/folk artist in the Shreveport area? I call him Bird Man because he is always making origami birds. Sometimes he will make a rose. He gives these fabulously fun creatures away.

The Bird Man is hard to catch. You can usually spot him at a reception or an event where free food is being served. Take the time to talk to Bird Man and he will tell you where all the best free food is being served that day. This outsider artist man has his pulse on the movable feasts of SB Land. And what's wrong with that? That's why those events and places serve free food. To get people to come.

You luck out when you get a Bird Man origami bird created on the spot. He will give it to you because he doesn't sell his work. Instead Bird Man says "I like giving people the bird."

Don't give me flack for not using Bird Man's real name. He doesn't roll that way. This authentic artist doesn't roll up into a cluster of folks and say "Hi, I'm..." Instead he catches your eye and flaps those tiny paper bird wings. He usually leaves the next step up to you. You can engage him in conversation or run away freaked out because this human being is not following the normal rules of social conduct.

Next time you see the Bird Man tell him I said howdy. It's up to you to decide if you want to collect his work. And I'm telling you if you can prove your piece was crafted by him it will be worth money one day. Then folks will be forging his work just like they do Clementine Hunter's. How many of those fakes do we have living in Shreveport? Good Goddess. The art world is one strange ass place. And almost as cool as a professional wrestling match. Almost.

Louisiana's cultural economy where do you fit in?

             
In December 2004 Louisiana's Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu made this statement "For too long we have separated art and culture from what the business community calls economic development. Our citizens are finally recognizing that we are underutilizing our natural assets and raw talents and we are limiting our own potential to create more jobs and growth. . .  From our uniquely Louisiana historic preservation to our world renowned culinary industry, we must move our state forward by capitalizing on these important assets."

Just four days before Hurricane Katrina made landfall Landrieu's office released a study of Louisiana's potential to develop its cultural economy. Here's the link to the Louisiana: Where Culture Means Business report. It's chock full of good information. It's wise to have these facts and figures on hand when ever you or someone else starts doubting your worth because you've decided to make a career in the creative economy instead of being a doctor, lawyer or rice farmer.

I totally dig pages six and seven with their lengthy explanations of just who qualifies to be considered to be a part of the creative economy. Let's just say the painter with her paints and canvas is going to have to scoot over and make room for "industries which have their origin in individual creativity, skill and talent and which have a potential for wealth and job creation through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property.  This includes advertising, architecture, the art and antiques market, crafts, design, designer fashion, film and video, interactive leisure software, music, the performing arts, publishing, software and computer games, television and radio."

And scratch that about what I said about doctors and lawyers. Page six says they are part of the creative class. "The Super-Creative Core of this new class includes scientists and engineers, university professors, poets and novelists, artists, entertainers, actors, designers, and architects, as well as the 'thought leadership' of modern society:  nonfiction writers, editors, cultural figures, think-tank researchers, analysts and other opinion-makers.  . . . The Creative Class also includes 'creative professionals' who work in a wide range of knowledge-intensive industries such as high-tech sectors, financial services, the legal and healthcare professions, and business management."

New Year fries up and the old year wobbles off

   
The end of the year always slows down my art production. Thank the Goddess the new year has arrived.

My mind is still boggled from the fantastic two day workshop last week from Jack Hollingsworth and the folks at creativeLive in Seattle. Two days of everything iPhoneography. See above for some of my new work shot as a result of the information Hollingsworth shared. Looking forward to seeing what the new year brings.

ADDENDUM: Over the weekend I've been asked numerous times "how do you make those photos using your iPhone 4S?" In an effort to answer that question in a form more folks can access I'm adding some more information to this post.

When I first started shooting with my iPhone I needed to educate myself on the many apps available for the camera and some how I stumbled across a blog called iPhoneography. Glyn Evans is the founder and editor of the blog. I read it daily.

Here's my journey on shooting with a smartphone (I've only been smartphone shooting since the middle of October 2011). First post on using the iPhone 4s camera. Second post shows more examples of my work. By the time the I posted the third one I had shot over 5000 images. If this had been any other time in my life I probably would have blogged more but Charlie just passed away in September 2011 so I've not been in the best state of mind for writing and shooting.

Hope the above information helps you on your journey to become a digital smartphone shooter. Remember the best camera to use is the one you have in your hand and in this modern world of connectivity that usually means the one that is in our smartphones. Have a groovy Monday!

Rockstar Boro Hair Treats

I was looking over all the items I've been making this year. I found the above photos on my flickr stream. Apparently I was doing boro before I knew it by that name. I love the running stitches in the one pictured on the left. I'm a fool for running and double running stitches.

So thankful to have discovered Melanie Testa and her December Rockstar Boro project so I can learn bunches more. Stinky dress is still in freezer. Sniffed it the other night. Smells like all the stuff in my fridge. Hope to get back to stitching today. I've been working on my smart movie making skills so I can produce professional content on my mobile device. WTF? All that means is I'm figuring out how to make cool looking movies using my iPhone 4S.

I have stopped for death

I have stopped for death
it's been three months
when it was all over
you were in a cardboard box
on the dirty top of the refrigerator
perhaps you are on a long shopping trip
it is busy this dark time of year at Walmart
no
you are the dead
short days ago
you sipped coffee
smoked Doral Red 100s in a box
called to ask if I wanted to eat lunch with you
this sadness is not here all day
happy bits fight a way in
the smack down of grief
hits just when I've breathed softly for too long

Artwork Clearance: brainchild of feminist artist Debbie Hollis Buchanan Engle goes global

Debbie Hollis Buchanan Engle (see photo above) is a radical progressive artist, small business owner and feminist. That's a bitchin' combination here in the Deep South.

Earlier this year she created the Facebook page Artwork Clearance as a place to host art auctions. How smart is that? Forget the fees you have to pay to Etsy or Ebay or any of the others. Debbie created an online auction house that is all her own. And she's hosted auctions for other artists and causes.

The creation of Artwork Clearance takes a page from the playbook of  San Francisco based art appraiser, and art writer Alan Bamberger. He said, "In economic times like these, you gotta get creative in order to survive."

The current auction runs through noon Friday December 23, 2011. It's called "Bohemian Bottles." Sixty-six glass and paper pieces make up this collection. The pieces I'm drawn to are the ones that include the cutouts from her grandmother's old sewing patterns. They are paired with quips like "Bring It On" and "Boss Lady."

These are images she's been working with for quite some time. There is a history to this work and that's excellent news for collectors of her art. Centenary College took note of the importance of Debbie's work with these images back in 2006 and featured them in this write up.

Interest in this current auction is global with inquires as far flung as the UK.