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| Picture frames and 10" x 10" mirrors... |
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| More picture frames and 10" x 10" mirrors... |
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| Some holiday stuff... |
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| Some fun stuff... |
Back to the studio...
Lorrie
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Paper Mosaic Frenzy
In anticipation of the Handmade Paper Guild Holiday Sale this weekend as well as the month-long Signature Gallery Shop I've been in a paper mosaic frenzy...
Most prices range from about $10 to $50. I will have larger stuff available too but I don't have pictures of it all yet.
Back to the studio...
Lorrie
Back to the studio...
Lorrie
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Robert Genn Post and My comment
Two posts from me in one day? Unheard of, I know. But I'm all worked up about something and wanted any new visitors from Robert Genn's site to see the amazing variety of artwork possible with handmade paper (some of which was created in workshop settings). Anyway, I welcome you and hope you'll look around!
Ok, back it up a bit...
Today in his weekly newsletter artist, and all-around-good-art-guy Robert Genn, responded to Tom Bennick, a paper artist who asked why his work, that was partially made in workshops, could not be included in a show. It starts:
Recently, Tom Bennick of Mountain Home, Idaho wrote, "I'm a paper artist belonging to a small art group that puts on a couple of shows a year. Some of our members are adamant about not showing work that is done in a classroom. Much of my work is partly done in a workshop or class setting and because of this I'm not allowed to show. I completely understand that work needs to be juried, but what's this classroom thing all about?"
Robert's reply to the "What's this classroom thing all about?" was:
Tom, your exclusion from shows is a function of your group and not a reflection of your processes. You can urge change within your group--or you can get out and take your paper and equipment with you. If you still want to be a joiner, I'll bet there's another group who will welcome you. You may have to drive down US 20 to Boise. It's an unfortunate fact that some art clubs and guilds, including both big city and small town ones (Mountain Home, formerly Rattlesnake Station, has an Air Force base and population of 12,000) can be downright draconian and inhibiting, often loaded with outdated attitudes and shibboleths.
The enemy of growth is dogma. Groups should be classrooms of free energy and joy, where all flags may fly, and even sketches done in the back seat of a jet trainer may be juried "in."
Best regards,
Robert
Most of the comments so far are disagreeing with Robert on this one. I think it is because they are primarily painters and fear that all students in a workshop will be painting the same still life and then the possibility crops up of having several of those paintings appear in a show. What's more, the paintings will be in the style of the workshop teacher, not the painter. I know this happens, especially as the whole copyright boundaries continue to blur. I'm not denying that it can be a sticky issue.
However, I felt that I had to speak up for all the papermakers out there and here is what I wrote in the comment section:
Please make note that Tom is a paper artist, not a painter. This means that he probably uses some fairly specific equipment in a workshop setting that, perhaps, is not available to him in his studio or home. Yes, workshops are teaching venues, but they are also opportunities to explore, share, stretch and do some great work. This is especially true in the paper arts where you can have 20 people in the workshop making paper but doing 20 completely different things with the result. We're not talking about a situation where all 20 participants are doing a pastel portrait of the same person.
If you'd like to read the entire post by Robert Genn and learn more about his helpful and interesting newsletters go here.
If you'd like to read the post about the most recent Handmade Paper Guild exhibition, and see additional pictures, go here.
And, I'd be curious about your stance on this issue. How do your groups handle it?
All the best.
Lorrie
Ok, back it up a bit...
Today in his weekly newsletter artist, and all-around-good-art-guy Robert Genn, responded to Tom Bennick, a paper artist who asked why his work, that was partially made in workshops, could not be included in a show. It starts:
Recently, Tom Bennick of Mountain Home, Idaho wrote, "I'm a paper artist belonging to a small art group that puts on a couple of shows a year. Some of our members are adamant about not showing work that is done in a classroom. Much of my work is partly done in a workshop or class setting and because of this I'm not allowed to show. I completely understand that work needs to be juried, but what's this classroom thing all about?"
Robert's reply to the "What's this classroom thing all about?" was:
Tom, your exclusion from shows is a function of your group and not a reflection of your processes. You can urge change within your group--or you can get out and take your paper and equipment with you. If you still want to be a joiner, I'll bet there's another group who will welcome you. You may have to drive down US 20 to Boise. It's an unfortunate fact that some art clubs and guilds, including both big city and small town ones (Mountain Home, formerly Rattlesnake Station, has an Air Force base and population of 12,000) can be downright draconian and inhibiting, often loaded with outdated attitudes and shibboleths.
The enemy of growth is dogma. Groups should be classrooms of free energy and joy, where all flags may fly, and even sketches done in the back seat of a jet trainer may be juried "in."
Best regards,
Robert
Most of the comments so far are disagreeing with Robert on this one. I think it is because they are primarily painters and fear that all students in a workshop will be painting the same still life and then the possibility crops up of having several of those paintings appear in a show. What's more, the paintings will be in the style of the workshop teacher, not the painter. I know this happens, especially as the whole copyright boundaries continue to blur. I'm not denying that it can be a sticky issue.
However, I felt that I had to speak up for all the papermakers out there and here is what I wrote in the comment section:
Please make note that Tom is a paper artist, not a painter. This means that he probably uses some fairly specific equipment in a workshop setting that, perhaps, is not available to him in his studio or home. Yes, workshops are teaching venues, but they are also opportunities to explore, share, stretch and do some great work. This is especially true in the paper arts where you can have 20 people in the workshop making paper but doing 20 completely different things with the result. We're not talking about a situation where all 20 participants are doing a pastel portrait of the same person.
Tom, I'd suggest you make your group aware of the type of workshops you are attending so that they understand the difference. Then, if your group is not amenable to change then the advice is good: find another group. For example, The Handmade Paper Guild, Kalamazoo, MI is one of only two Guilds in the country specific to handmade paper. We have not limited our two annual shows by excluding work done in a workshop. And, guess what? I've never seen two things at all similar or anything included that is sub par. Join our group! However, the commute for the monthly meetings, might be a bit tough!
Since pictures (although these aren't necessarily great pictures) are more telling than words, I'll get on with it.
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| by Lorrie Grainger Abdo |
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| by Vicki Berglund |
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| by Liz Faust |
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| Setting up the recent show. |
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| by Alice Breese |
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| by Dale Menz |
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| by Eve Reid |
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| by Judy Finnegan |
If you'd like to read the entire post by Robert Genn and learn more about his helpful and interesting newsletters go here.
If you'd like to read the post about the most recent Handmade Paper Guild exhibition, and see additional pictures, go here.
And, I'd be curious about your stance on this issue. How do your groups handle it?
All the best.
Lorrie
Handmade Paper Guild Holiday Sale - November 18, 19 and 20
The annual Handmade Paper Guild Holiday Sale is fast approaching. We always have lots of wonderful artwork and gifts available at a variety of prices. You can find journals, cards, stationery, Christmas ornaments, jewelry, lamps, picture frames, mirror frames, gift boxes, scrap packs, and artwork all made from handmade paper. It's quite an assortment!
Some good news this year:
* We are once again showing our work along with the Kalamazoo Weaver's Guild! This makes for a wonderful opportunity to see and purchase work by area weavers, as well as by papermakers, potters and a variety of area artists that display with Art Etc., all under one roof. Plenty of parking too.
* To accommodate the four groups, we're at a new, larger location. Come find us at the Kalamazoo County Fairground, 2900 Lake Street, Kalamazoo, MI.
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Some good news this year:
* We are once again showing our work along with the Kalamazoo Weaver's Guild! This makes for a wonderful opportunity to see and purchase work by area weavers, as well as by papermakers, potters and a variety of area artists that display with Art Etc., all under one roof. Plenty of parking too.
* To accommodate the four groups, we're at a new, larger location. Come find us at the Kalamazoo County Fairground, 2900 Lake Street, Kalamazoo, MI.
The show is Thursday, November 18 from 5 to 8; Friday, November 19 from 9 to 8; and Saturday, November 20 from 9 to 4.
Here are some pictures from past sales...
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Hope to see all you locals there!
Lorrie
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