It's More Than Black and White

The reality of living an artist lifestyle is not easy.  It definitely is a CHOICE, a calling, a passion and my goal. And by no means is it all black and white. 

I am admittedly getting better at learning and doing what it takes to live an artist's life, albeit between a full time job. I continually surround myself with resources and tools to help me understand what is natural, normal and avoidable. 

I constantly work with the truly gray, or I what I consider the real COLORFUL matter in between. (I have a great hair colorist for that other gray matter!!- truth's out now.) I embrace the emotional and financial highs; accept the business, emotional/ego and financial lows (kinda); sometimes/always compare myself to others; always admire, am inspired and learn from other artists; seek creative challenges and strive to work through my constraints and limitations to get me to level I want to achieve.

I work out of my apartment. With my limited space, I am surrounded by the sight of unsold box inventory. It is hard to look and not have it take on the appearance of failure and expense. On the plus side, I can see the wonderful progress I've made over the years and take advantage of what worked. I have the luxury of painting over all that work to create something new. That is precisely what I have done with the boxes shown on this post. I have also managed to finagle my way out of the box with my wall art and mixed media creations. 

What definitely IS BLACK AND WHITE: 

• Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

• Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

• Spend time alone every day. 

• When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

AND these rejuvenated decorative, individually hand painted and very functional boxes:

My Secret Word for 2012

Five days into the new year with my 2012 intentions practically ready to go, I decided I needed a word to hold and help me fulfill what I want to accomplish. I could keep it a secret but I thought otherwise. Ready?  My secret word to help me personally, artistically and professionally in 2012 is PASSION. I want to really live it, feel it, see it,create it, read it and hear it. To think, last years posted word was vulnerability. Yep, I definitely want passion this year.

To help me launch my passion for 2012, AND fulfill a new goal of writing a new post every two weeks at the latest, I again refer to the Yo Yo Ma tribute performance from the Kennedy Center 2011 Honors. The inspiration I got and get from watching and listening  to this particular eclectic gathering is a beautiful emotional high. 

Every time I see or hear artists of any and every medium performing, enjoying and successfully living their passion, I grow a A LOT MORE INSPIRED, a bit more empowered and a tad more jealous- the constructive kind. 

In this particular tribute performance, there are several genres of music-Classical, Bluegrass, Asian (Silk Road Project-a personal favorite), and Pop, many immensely talented and trained musicians of all ages and backgrounds, on one stage, displaying their infectious passion and reverence to an amazing individual.  They love what they are doing, they connect with the music, each other and the audience. I wish the same for my work. Notice how the audience reacts and responds. An artist's dream:

To sum up, I have a quote from Mel Brooks' Robin Hood: Men in Tights which I love:

"Do you believe in love at first sight?"

"Depends on what you're looking at."

(or listening to, or painting, or writing, or personally speaking, pursuing )

Tis the Reason and Season

As 2011 comes to a close, my last post in this space is going to be somewhat of a hodge podge. The reason: this time of year is not one of my favorites. That said, I was not sure  what to put in this space without being a killjoy. I finally decided on some music, some artistic self-promotion, a goal, and some inspiration to take into 2012. 

First, a Christmas carol brought to you by the brilliant cast and writers of Shameless on Showtime (it takes place in Chicago; fun that I got to meet some of the cast):

Next, some new wall art. And with lots more shameless self promotion, I aim to gain more traction and audience in 2012 and beyond:

Marilyn Grad Copyright 2011

And finally some inspiration and a bit of unsolicited advice. I've been reflecting on 2011 and putting together my goals and plans for 2012 (some new, some still to be met). Tis the season. 

I was watching the 2011 Kennedy Center Honors on television this week, which I do every year, and was incredibly moved by every honoree and performing tribute. Artists are a beautiful species. One of this years honorees was cellist Yo Yo Ma. He can move, inspire and motivate with his music, passion, presence and words. There were two things he said in an interview that gave me the courage, comfort and reassuring "me too", "it's OKAY to feel this way", continue on the artistic path, along with a new resolution:

"I'm not brave. I'm actually pretty scared a lot of the time but I must like being scared because I keep doing things that scare me."

"Every day I make an effort to go toward what I don't understand."

                                                                                                                                          Yo Yo Ma

SPEND LIFE WITH PEOPLE WHO MAKE YOU HAPPY, NOT WHO YOU HAVE TO IMPRESS.

                                                                                                                            - unknown

WISHING YOU A HAPPY, PEACEFUL, HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS AND ART FILLED LIFE 

IN 2012. 

NOW RAISE YOUR GLASSES TO THE NEW YEAR!!!! HERE HERE.

Learning the Art to Staying Afloat

Every year Chicago kicks off the holiday season with the Magnificent Mile Festival of Lights Parade that goes down Michigan Avenue. I generally try to avoid this parade like the plague because it makes me feel very claustrophobic. It attracts soooooooooooo many people and it is near impossible to get anywhere, like home. This year I had a change of heart. Last Saturday I volunteered to be a participant as a balloon handler with some of my fellow coworkers. Can scratch that off my bucket list. Only 999 more to go.

Upon being introduced to The Nutcracker, I wasn't sure who was dreading this more, me or him. He was huge and required at least 12 people. From the looks of this behind the scenes prep picture, he was. I was getting a little nervous but excited. We were given instructions and had several rehearsal drills. Very fun.

 

We all reassured him it was going to be okay, buoyed this spirits, inflated his huge ego several times with more helium and carried him through until the end...literally. He was deflating from the waist down and had to be supported by fellow handlers from start to finish. I was off to the side of his right arm. I was able to use some of what I learned from sailing. We were hysterical the entire time and getting supportive and sympathetic cheers from the crowds.

We were on television and if you click here and fast forward up to 7 minutes you will see what I mean. Give it a moment to load. I am the third or fourth person on the left side of the screen with black pants & white gym shoes near 8-9 minutes. We were behind two American Idol singers and in case you were curious or had ANY doubts, they lip synched to their pre-recorded song and not very well I might add.

So what is the art to staying afloat? Especially this time of year. Is it A: uplifting drugs,  B: laughing when things go awry, C: surrounding yourself with supportive, experienced  people  D: not taking things too seriously.  You can answer that for yourself. :) 

The entire behind the scenes parade process was so fun and interesting. I really did learn a lot. I am a much better participant than spectator for this parade. Now to apply that same approach to art shows.

After we crossed the finish line, we deflated what was left of The Nutcracker and headed off to the Fairmont Hotel for drinks. We earned it.

Thank you Bill and Babs for signing me up and for sharing some of your pictures! It was also great to laugh and be around coworkers outside of work-Sharma!! and Jeannette!! I would definitely do this again. 

Seeing Red

"Paintings need company and companionship. You need to get your work out there, get it off these walls, out of the studio and out on the streets."
Actor/Artist Mark Rothko from Red, the play, to his studio assistant, an artist

No sooner had I heard these well intentioned words literally SHOUTED from a stage last month, a highly sensitive nerve was struck.  So much that I started wiping away tears and said to myself Oh, actor portraying Mark Rothko, I know, I know, you're right, I know. Sob. Sigh. I must do that and will. This medium and this play was the message I needed and at that decibel too! I learned a lot from Red. (If you click on Red, you can see a little from youtube.)

Marilyn Grad Copyright 2011, Mixed Media

With the holiday season officially here, and holiday shows in abundance on every scale, location and cost, I'm sitting this out unless a miracle happens. A sensitive and guilty issue, but a thought out business decision, nonetheless. My work does not do well at holiday shows unless I create other things that aren't all me. I've witnessed it. I was invited to participate in several church sponsored benefits again this year but I felt Jesus was getting the better deal. Please no offense. I didn't do as much research this year on shows as I could have and should have either as my work was still taking on it's new shape and colors.

Marilyn Grad Copyright 2011 Mixed Media

When I think, feel and see the color Red, I want it to be passion, love, cheer, anger, laughing embarrassment, life and drive and less in the form of fear and debt. Maybe I can still find and eke out one or two venues that might be a good fit. I am continuing to paint my wall art like the new ones you see here and we shall see. I would love to see, feel and throw some green into the mix.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember to support Artists this holiday season and always!

MORE Faves From SOFA CHICAGO 2011

Since I was close to maxing out my space and going into visual overload in my previous SOFA CHICAGO 2011 post, I decided to give two of my absolute favorites their own space and due. Of course, there was just a hint of Asian influence in my picks.

When I first entered the show, I immediately was drawn to a wood turning gallery/booth that had wood sculptures. They were all stunning but two especially caught my eye. They were by a Vietnamese /Active US artist by the name of Binh Pho. As I continued to walk the show, I saw even more of his work represented by other galleries/booths. IF ONLY I had an extra mid-4 figure$ to 5 figure$ to spare. His work is so gorgeous. Here are just a few more. This wasn't even everything. See how easy it is to get overloaded. I wouldn't mind just being loaded.

I was up close and admiring this next work when the artist came up to me, introduced herself and we started chatting away. My picture does not do this much justice but this was stunning too. The artist is Tanya Lyons and my other fave piece is titled Sasayaki (Whisper):

It was hard to narrow all my faves down but I did. I sure do know what I like. I do have great taste, so I've been told. I believe it.

SOFA Chicago 2011 and so INTUIT

Having just completed eight hospitable work days in row, I can't think of better way to spend part of my day to restore my inhospitable thoughts than at the SOFA (Sculptural Objects and Functional Art) and Intuit shows. I try to attend SOFA Chicago every year and this year was no exception. I love the art, the inspiration AND to torture myself with art I can't afford. This post runs a little long so be sure to click on Read More at the bottom.

Some of my favorites from this years show are (drum roll please):

.

And from the Intuit or Outsider/Folk Art Show: