Showing posts with label being an artist AND a mother. Show all posts
Showing posts with label being an artist AND a mother. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Deconstructionist Art




Going back to the "challenge myself" mantra, I've decided to challenge myself to do a "work a week"; a mixed media piece, mostly of the 2D variety. (I plan on doing more helmets also, but it takes a while to make the forms, and I couldn't do one a week...maybe one a month though.)




So I got myself into the studio, more or less at the promised time yesterday, even after reading a blog post by Lisa Call about the perils of keeping set studio hours. She makes a good point about...well, I can't remember her point, you'll have to read her post here. (While you're at it, read her next post about the "resolution revolution" and courage.) For me, it's a decidedly good thing, because, for the rest of my day, I'm not anxious about getting in there: "Will I?" and if I do: "Can I go back later too?" I would just be in the studio all day, or at least thinking about being in there!

Anyway, the point is (yes, there IS a point) I started my first weekly piece. Actually, I started by deconstructing an existing piece that I never liked. The first photo shows the big ugly old piece. The next photos show the elements I plan to use to create two new, smaller pieces.



And lastly, to facilitate uninterrupted studio time, I put up the sign at right to serve as a reminder to my kids that they are NOT to interrupt Mom unless the circumstances are dire; ie: "Any blood? bones? No? Go away." I know, kind of cruel, but being a mom and an artist is about being able to set some boundaries. There is a "YES" on the other side, which is what I see when I'm working. And I can turn it over, if I'm in the mood to be interrupted, or if I feel the need to have somebody sing "Jingle Bells" to me in an annoying voice. So you see, there are options.


Sunday, December 2, 2007

Absurdity and Balance



I put on a hat this morning, to go load up my car for the Open Studio at B.'s house...I've never worn this hat before; my husband finds alot of things by the side of the road (at Caltrans they call it "shoulder shopping") and he'd found this GAP hat. I put on the hat. I took off the hat, because there's an itchy label inside. It says (I am not making this up) "REMOVE BEFORE WASHING OR WEARING". That's all. What is the purpose of this tag? I ask you.


Anyway, the car is loaded up with the boxes, and I'm ready to go. Just a quick post first...

with some pics of the earrings I finished up last night. I had a great helper... my younger son was hanging out with me, happily popping every single bubble on a piece of bubble wrap, but was available for consultations when needed. I trust his taste. And I was really grateful that he was there with me. I've been feeling that I'm not spending enough time with my kids. It's such a hard balance!


Okay, must run....

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Artist Mom


I've looked. There's not alot on the web regarding life as an artist AND a mom. It's such a difficult juggling act. I had a mother who was an artist, and I'm beginning to understand alot about the difficulties she faced, and how it impacted our relationship. Good and bad.

I'm going to begin writing with that in mind. (And if it's not THE focus, then it'll be one of them.) Because every day, I am dealing with my personal needs, my children's needs, and trying to find a balance that I can feel okay with. Maybe it's my personal struggle; with an introverted artist for a mother, I felt like I got the short end of her stick. And as an introverted artist myself, with two kids, I really REALLY try hard not to let things get out of balance, in either direction. (We also homeschool, so that adds another dimension...)

Now I've got to get into the studio for a couple of hours, so I can get some work done before I go to Griffin's baseball game...