Some of my work is created with intent and with a specific meaning in mind. These pieces are generally about something for which I have strong feelings. Other pieces are created more serendipitously and find their meaning when complete. I hate to admit it, but I do favor the pieces created with intent. Maybe because not only have I put myself into the cloth through the physical creation, I have added emotional energy as well. And I find it affirming and fulfilling when the cloth is used in a manner that enhances it's meaning.
A good example of this is an experience I had this weekend. I had an opportunity to present one of my pieces to an inspiring woman, Reverend Jane Spahr. Reverend Spahr is most well known for her work as an advocate for the LGBT community within the Presbyterian Church. She spoke at a local church, which wanted to present her with a liturgical stole. That's where I entered the picture. The minister purchased a stole from me and I had the honor of presenting it to Reverend Spahr at the service Sunday morning.
The stole (pictured above) was created using a variation of the design from a piece of artcloth
I created a number of years ago. The title of that cloth was We Are One
and my intent was to represent community and connection. As I listened to Reverend Spahr tell her story, I was struck by how appropriate that message is to her journey.
That's what my artistic journey is all about - connecting with other's emotions, hopes and dreams through my cloth. I can create all the pieces I want and enjoy the process, but the true meaning of the cloth comes out when it sparks the interest, imagination and emotion of another.
Last month I participated in an online class offered by Alyson Stanfield called Blast Off. A lot of Alyson's work is focused on marketing, but this class had more of a big picture focus. The course was designed to give artists a jump start by working on their vision, goals, financial reality check and continued learning.
I got a lot out of it and it really has lit a fire under me. Many of the lessons were very useful. One that I particularly like was to make affirmations a part of your daily routine. I have created affirmations in the past and found them to be poweful - in helping me visualize what I want and also in keeping me focused. I just found it hard to make them a part of my daily practice.
Alyson talked about a process of making affirmation cards so that you would have something in your hand to hold and read. After writing out my affirmations, I decided to try it. I used heavy (300 lb) watercolor paper and watercolor pencils. The process of creating them was fun and I've found that holding the cards as I read them is more powerful than just reading my affirmations as a list on a piece of paper. The cards seem to have a sense of energy that I can feel in my hands.
I have been successful at making them a part of my daily journaling/meditation. Let's hope I can keep it up this time!
Do you use affirmations? How have they affected your life?
Over the past few years I have had numerous conversations with other artists who work with textiles about how they describe themselves and their work. Fiber artist, textile artist, art quilter, contemporary textile artist and mixed media textile artist are some of the common labels people give themselves. Some artists are moving away from including the word textile in their description, feeling that many people don't consider textiles to be "real" art or that it is too limiting when entering exhibits with a lot of work in traditional fine art media. Others feel that it is important to define themselves as working in the fiber/textile field, precisely because of its rich heritage.
I removed the term "fiber artist" from my artist statement a few years ago and haven't come up with anything I really like. Which begs the question - do I really need a label? It makes it easier when talking with people about one's work - although even when I called myself a fiber artist, people didn't know what that meant. And even when talking with someone who is familiar with fiber art, one still has to describe the area of focus.
I still haven't decided on the best approach for me. I think it's an evolutionary process. Several years ago, I began to compare my work to other media by saying that I used cloth as my canvas. That I dyed, printed and painted on cloth instead of canvas or paper. Now I say that I create abstract paintings on cloth. I borrowed the term from Kathy Williams, an artist from Memphis. It still isn't completely clear, because people often have an image of what a "painting" looks like. But until I come up with something better, that's my label.
How do you describe yourself and your work to others? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
I've been reading up on photography lately. I have dived into the "photograph your own artwork" waters.I know this goes against the wisdom of sticking to your area of expertise. I would prefer to use a professional, however on the occasions when I did, the photos were not much better than the ones I take. Mine are okay, but they can be improved.
At first I researched cameras, thinking I needed a new camera. After doing some research, I believe the camera is not the problem - its my lack of knowledge. So I'm reading up on f stops and shutter speed, depth of field and white balance. And, of course, lighting. That is always a challenge, especially with some of my large pieces.
Several resources suggested using two 500 watt light bulbs. I decided to try the compact flourescents, because they use a lower wattage to achieve the same amount of light. They are supposed to be much cooler than tungsten or halogen. After seeing the $50 price tag for one such bulb, I settled on the 400 watt equivalent for half the price. They arrived yesterday, and I have never seen such a large light bulb in my life. Here are two photos to give you some perspective on their size. I'm almost afraid to use them - they are so big, they could be dangerous! I'm not even sure they will fit into the clip-on light fixtures I have.
I'm planning a photography session next week, so I'll let you know how it goes.
Are visual artists "type-cast" like actors? I wonder. If we become successful at something or known for working in a certain style, is that all people want to see from us? What if we want to try something new - will it be accepted?
This is on my mind after a presentation by an artist at a local art organization. The artist is very successful, has work in galleries throughout the world and has been known for 30 years for her florals. Her work is in demand and sells for thousands of dollars. She has been drawn to a more abstract style, yet feels some barriers in getting this work accepted into galleries. Because her florals are so successful, that is what the galleries want. She exhibits her abstract work under a different name.
There are so many ways I can process this information. Is she selling out by continuing to do florals? I guess if she likes doing them she isn't selling out. But if she prefers painting abstracts, painting florals takes time that she could be spending on the abstracts. On the other hand, if she can get $5,000-$9,000 for one floral, she doesn't have to make as many, which would free up time for working on abstracts.
And there is also the emotional issue. How does that feel if the work you prefer to create is not valued in the marketplace? It can take a thick skin to deal with that.
I suppose there really are no answers to a lot of my questions. Each of us has to make that decision for ourselves. This does tie in with recurring thoughts I have had about my style. I don't feel that I could work in the same style or the same theme for 30 years. This isn't a negative judgment of those who do, because others may have more focus and be able to explore a concept more deeply than I. But I struggle with how to keep things fresh, and also maintain a recognizable style.
No, I haven't taken up a new sport. This is about juggling priorities - deciding which balls to catch and which to let go. A conversation I had with an artist friend a few weeks ago helped me articulate what I've been feeling for awhile now. I just don't seem to have enough time. (I know, you're saying "join the club"!) I've been feeling that although I am spending a lot of time on my art, I'm not accomplishing what I want to. What am I juggling? Developing, teaching and promoting workshops, studio time, administration (maintaining my website, keeping records of exhibitions, photographing my work), professional development.
As I look back on 2009, I feel a sense of lost opportunity. I was very busy exhibiting throughout the year, but I didn't complete many larger pieces. My last series was created for a local exhibition last spring. The rest of the year I worked on smaller pieces. They are fun and fast, but not really where I want to go with my work.
I think what was missing was a clear set of priorities. I'm feeling I need to really examine each opportunity/obligation that comes my way and ask, "Is this bringing me closer to the life I want or taking me away from it?" Of course, doing that successfully means that I need to know what it is I do want. More studio time is one of the things I know I want. I am tempted to take a semester off teaching to devote to studio time. Of course, I've already got things booked into this fall, so that means I couldn't take that time until next spring! And there's that pesky mortgage to consider.
So, as you can see, I'm still struggling with how to move forward. I'm taking some time this afternoon to look at the year ahead. To review my obligations, my opportunities, my aspirations and try to determine what is most important. I realize that I will have to let some opportunities pass me by. But I feel it is better to do it intentionally - to choose what is most important rather than try to do it all.
"If you can see it in your mind, you can have it in your life." I came across that phrase a number of years ago, in my former incarnation as a corporate training manager. I was very stressed at the time, working 60 hour weeks and doing a lot of business travel. I printed out that sentence with a picture of a tropical beach and taped it to the inside of my briefcase. I knew my life was not going as I wanted, so I needed a new vision for my life. "Success" isn't all it's cracked up to be. At least not the traditional definition of success - moving up the corporate ladder, making lots of money. There are definitely trade-offs to that lifestyle.
So, I envisioned a new life, and now, 15 years later, I am living it. But it took more than just a vision. It took a lot of planning and work on my part, along with a willingness to take advantage of unexpected opportunities that came my way. It also took a leap of faith to quit my job 10 years ago, not exactly certain how I would make my living. I believe that my ability to envision what I wanted was instrumental in my achieving it. That vision helped me remain open to change and gave me the confidence to take the actions that would lead me here.
I have used visualization throughout my life, even before I was consciously aware of it. I remember situations when I used visualization, even as a child. My first memory of doing so was in grade school. I was in the nurse's office at school because I didn't feel well. I remember being by myself in a small room, lying on a plastic covered couch. It must have been April or May, because the air conditioning was going full blast. I was freezing! I pictured a blanket at my feet, and then pictured it moving up to cover me. I know it sounds strange, but I really did feel warmer after that. I had never heard of visualization at that time, and it wasn't something I did consciously, it just came intuitively.
My most recent experience with visualization was just last week. I was thinking about the possibility of winning an award for my work. I thought it would be nice to have another award on my resume. So I pictured myself winning an award in two of the exhibitions in which I currently have work. Last week I learned I had won an award at the Celebrating Our Creative Spirit exhibit in Houston, and at the Fiber Artists of San Antonio Annual Exhibition. I was very surprised and excited at the recognition.
So, did I win those awards through my visualization? There are many people and many books that would say "Yes, you absolutely brought that to yourself through your visualization." I'm not quite ready to go there, however I do think that visualizing opens up possibilities. If you can picture something in your mind, you are better able to accept it as a possible reality. That can lead to more self-confidence and it can keep one focused on taking action to achieve that vision. So winning the awards may not have been a result of last week's visualization. Perhaps it was a result of my having a vision of myself as a successful artist and the many hours of hard work in the studio improving my skills and perfecting my technique.
P.S. If you'd like to see photos of the pieces that won awards, follow the link on my homepage, http://www.lisakerpoe.com/
I've been thinking a lot about how I define success over the past 4 months. As a matter of fact, I have been stressing myself out due to my lack of clarity on that issue. It started when I read the book, "I'd Rather Be in the Studio", by Alyson B. Stanfield. As a precursor to planning, the book suggests identifying what success would look like to me. From the time I first pursued my art, after leaving a career in the corporate world, I have said that I only want to make a simple living at my art. I didn't care about being rich or famous. And I can't really say that has changed. I still don't care about being rich or famous. But, I've been wondering if I have been selling myself short by not striving for more. It could be fear that prevented me from aspiring to more. If I set really lofty goals, then I would look foolish if I didn't achieve them, right?
Clarifying how I define success is important because it impacts the actions I take. I have created a long-range vision for my life, but there are still many paths that can take me there. Do I want to pursue gallery representation, or sell my work through other venues and focus on getting my name out there through teaching? How much teaching do I want to do? Am I willing to travel around the country to teach? What impact will travel have on my lifestyle and my marriage? Do I want to aim for a particular market, such as the interior design or fashion industry? How much money do I really need to support the lifestyle I want?
At this point, I have a lot of questions and few answers. I am faced with balancing the workaholic side of me with the side that longs for more time to enjoy friendships, nature and caring for my home. I don't expect to have a sudden insight that gives me all the answers (although that would be nice!) I expect the answers will unfold, day by day. So, I have decided I will be more gentle with myself as I go through the discovery process. Patience is in order, with a little faith and trust thrown in.
I had the privilege of attending a professional development workshop for artists three weeks ago, sponsored by the San Antonio Office of Cultural Affairs. Forty two artists submitted a proposal to the city, including photos of their work, an artist statement, resume and a statement of why they should be chosen. Twenty-four artists were selected to participate. Each artist prepared a 5 minute presentation of themselves and their work. As I watched the other visual artists, performing artists, film makers, writers and musicians in the group, I was both humbled and honored to be a part of such a talented group. Although later, we were given feedback that indicated the instructors felt that most of our presentations could use a lot of improvement. Oh well, isn't that what we were there for?
It was a great workshop that not only provided tools for planning, but also inspired me to think about my art and my career a bit differently. Goal setting was one of the many topics covered in the workshop.
I'm a strong believer in goal-setting and visualization. I remember a quote I heard years ago that really resonated with me (I don't know the source) - "If you can see it in your mind, you can have it in your life." I have always been goal oriented and I usually achieve the goals I have set. I find that just the act of visualizing what I want and writing it down seems to help bring it about.
I needed a week after the workshop to decompress. There was so much information, I didn't feel that my brain was capable of doing any planning at that point. After I had a chance to let the information percolate, I spent a few hours last Sunday contemplating what I want for my future. Not an easy thing to do. It is very easy to get caught up in someone else's definition of success. I tried to focus on the kind of life I want. It brought back a visioning exercise I used to do in the career development workshops I facilitated. It involves visualizing yourself in 10 years, visualizing all aspects of your life - where you live, what kind of house, what people are in your life, what you do with your free time, how much free time you have, what kind of work you do. I haven't done that exercise in about 8 years, and it was very helpful. If you are interested in trying it for yourself, you can download the entire exercise as a Word document.
The workshop was presented by Creative Capital, a national nonprofit organization that supports artists pursuing adventurous and imaginative work in the performing and visual arts, film/video, innovative literature, and emerging fields. The workshop has been described as a "crash course in self-management, strategic planning, fundraising, and promotion." As artists, we often forget that we are a small business. It's easy to overlook the business aspects of our work, because it's not as much fun as being in the studio.
All but one of the instructors were artists, so we had the benefit of learning from their experiences. It was inspiring to hear how they had used the tools in the workshop to achieve their professional goals. Now, I come from the corporate world, in which goal setting and strategic planning are annual activities. I know what I'm supposed to do. I just needed a little kick start.
Do you need a kick-start, too? A great way to start is to think about what you want in your life. Take 10 minutes to visualize your future and remember, "If you can see it in your mind, you can have it in your life."
