Notes from the studio

I can’t remember a year in my lifetime where we have welcomed the turn of the calendar page more than end of 2020. January always brings the hope of new beginnings and fresh starts and this is definitely the theme for everyone that I hold near and dear. I no longer hold myself to New Year’s resolutions, but rather try to set new goals and garner fresh ideas.

This year with my new and simplified (hopefully not over my head) website, I hope to share ideas and processes not only from myself but other creative artists as well. Being fairly new to the market and craft show circuit, I have learned much about customer and vendor perceptions. I am finding my way in an interesting world that balances innovative artistic ideas and smart business tactics in order to make a profit. Who knew using both sides of your brain was such a challenge?

The biggest takeaway I have is the fascination of customers to know about the process and techniques that go into the art we sell. As artists, we tend to muddle our way; experimenting, reworking, practicing and fine tuning to achieve an end result that we feel proud to present to others. We are so focused on that ultimate goal that we are often perplexed to find that people are interested in the dirty, messy and unorganized side of our craft. Of course I have always known it is human nature to be curious about how things are made and what makes things work. I often see my teenage daughter watch endless videos of frosting cookies (she says it is soothing and relaxing). I just have forgotten that anyone would be possibly interested in my eraser crumbles.

At markets and shows, I often get asked “Do you draw these?” This usually takes place with my ink pen in hand as I sit behind an easel working on a current piece. Recently, I had a fellow vendor ask what application I use to trace my drawings with. After the initial urge for a snarky response, I had to admit in the digital age how easy it is to blur the line between computer generated images and original hand created ones. I’m not here to knock digital artists, as they are category in their own right, but rather hope to share some of the ‘old school’ techniques and ideas. Anyone with a smartphone that has connection to a good app store can make a photo resemble a drawing or even a painting. To me a pencil and paper can never be replaced as that is where my happy place is. The curiosity of how an artist or craftsman works is not limited to two dimensional mediums. My blacksmith brother-in-law shared with me that onlookers will often ask him “Do you make these? as he pounds on molten metal fresh from the fire. My seamstress sister gets asked “Do you make these by hand? as her needle pulls thread through the fabric on her lap.

So instead of shaking my head at the confusion of the people that are kind enough to stop by my booth, engage in my social media or even visit my website, this year I will try and share more about what makes us weirdo artist people tick. Letting people see the messy first drafts and even unsuccessful attempts (honestly that one makes me sweat the most). I achieved a lifelong dream at the end of last year by publishing my first illustrated children’s book. I kept it mostly under wraps until it was complete due to a fear of failure. A dear artist friend reminded be that art is never a failure, just a practice copy or a first draft. As we head into 2021, sharing our practice copies in all parts of life will just make the successes that much more sweet and you just might find your fellow weirdos along the way.