Saturday, May 25, 2013

News, Post-Show

Guys, my art show last night was the most exposure I've had!  There had to be at least 500 people waltz through those doors, if not more. I met a wide-range of individuals and after many friendly exchanges, I found myself quite overwhelmed with positive responses!  I wasn't expecting that at all.  You know those artists that don't think any of their work is good so they never expect anyone to say much about it?  Yeah, that's me.  So when numerous folks surround me with accolades and well wishes, I get a bit overzealous....humbly overzealous to be exact.  It feels really great that I had this opportunity to create a large amount of work and share it with hundreds of people.

I sold a small handful of things; a few magnets, a piece of handmade paper and a framed piece I had hanging on the display.  It wasn't my original plan, which consisted of selling out completely and going home with just the display and my personal belongings, but I'm happy with the hand that was dealt. A new art collective introduced themselves to me and would like to have coffee in the near future to discuss an opportunity with them.  I'm game for this.  After the 2 or 3 commission inquiries I had, I do admit last night was a success overall.  I would do the Raw Events again, definitely!

Photos coming soon!

Next on the list:

Axiom got into the St. Claude Main Street's night market on June 8th!!  We are absolutely stoked about it however, it is suggested that we obtain an occupational license.  Bleh!  Now I have to deal with City Hall?!  I have to look all of this information up, especially how long it may take to get one.  The market is TWO WEEKS AWAY!  As Raw's Showcase did with my prints, I'm hoping this little market will launch the jewelry line in a positive direction.

Summer may be slow in some local industries, but I'm finding myself to be quite busy over the next 4 months.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Day Before the Show

My display is built!  Yay for that!  However, I have decided not to paint it.  There is no time and I kinda like the rawness of the wood anyway.  I purchased the hardware for it yesterday.  I hope it all works out.  The little things, such as lighting, any fabric/cloth for "environment" decor, price lists.....all being done today.  I am functioning on 4 hours of sleep and an apple.  Also still trying to finalize transportation of everything.  My car is too small for an 8 foot piece of pegboard.

I added 10 sets of marbled greeting cards last night.  They will be for sale as well.  They are also the reason I am sleep deprived today.  It is all worth it though.

A little snippet of the display.
Marbled cards on a dry line.






My contact cards came in this morning and they look pretty good.  I am excited to hand them out to people.  Unfortunately, I only ordered 100 of them. I may have underestimated.  Eek!

My anxiety level is through the roof this week.  With drama at work on top of my art show deadlines, let's just say that I have been biting my fingers A LOT over the past four days.  One of my back muscles has been in spasm mode for almost two weeks now.  After all this craziness is over, I think I need to visit my yoga mat.  I could also really use a trip to the spa.  

Keeping fingers crossed for a smooth Thursday!

               

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Playing Catch Up.....Again

Out of sight, out of mind?

Some people just aren't cut out for blogging.  I love doing it, but I cannot seem to find the time to fit it into my schedule.  Many things are shaping up in 2013!  With any luck, I can enjoy the fruits of my labor in the near future.

My best friend, Darcy, and I started a jewelry line a few months ago!  It really came out of nowhere.  I've been making these paper beads for about a year now and after stringing them together, admiring them, showing it all off to friends and family, and then discovering Darcy's love and fascination with wire jewelry!  It seemed only natural to go in that direction.  We've both been trying to figure out how to work together doing something we can mutually dedicate ourselves to.  I guess we found it!  We applied for a booth at the St. Claude Night Market on June 8th and we're hoping to hear from them soon.

Currently, we have some of our lovelies are over at Bon Castor Gift Shop in the Bywater neighborhood.  Great place!  If you haven't been, I highly suggest it.  Amy, the owner, is a wonderful conversationalist (I must admit) and if you find yourself a little overwhelmed at the amount of creative talent in the shop, feel free to strike up a "what to do?" round of dialogue with her.....or even some of the other customers!  I mean, chances are they are regulars and know exactly what to suggest.  I like it there.  I think we'll stick around.

Bon Castor is located at 3207 Burgundy Street in New Orleans.

I have another art show coming up, on Friday!  Raw Artists: New Orleans is an indie arts organization which promotes underground talent and introduces them to an international, networking system of other artists.  They have shows every month and I am in the May installment.  I've been working on some marbled pieces and a few prints (along with things I've done in the past).  It is proving to be a challenge because not only do I have to create and frame my work, I also have to build out a display as well.  I've never had to worry about this aspect of an exhibition so it is definitely something new.  We are about 3 days out and I still have yet to frame two large pieces.  I'm stressing about it, yes.  I have my display sketched out down to the inch so I hope I can get those pieces finished.  Otherwise, it messes up the flow of the display and I have to come up with another plan.  There is a tiny part of me that cannot wait for this to be over...........so I can breathe!!

Yes, it's hard to see, but trust me......a lot of mathematics went into this!

I have one or two more things I'd like to do before Friday's chaos.  The plan is to have work for sale, but span the pricing scale....really cheap to not-so cheap.  We'll see what happens.


 

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Late Night Ramblings

I'm having to set some priorities.

Comic Con is out.  I simply do not have time to commit to it.  It's ok though.  I went earlier this year and had a blast! 

priorities...

December show is coming along......slowly, but it's happening.  I'm on a tight budget right now so my projects took a left into Cheapville.  There has been an exchange.  "Cheap" takes a back seat to "time consuming" so it all evens out in the end.  In conclusion, I believe the show will be a great time. 

(P.S., the show is December 8th)

I'm creating a lot of paper sculpture lately.  My desire for something 3D is finally rearing its head.  I'm ok with it. 

What could it be?

Good grief, I'm exhausted!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

October: Artistic Blocks & Costumes

Tis the season for haunted houses, costumes, glitter, candy.........and art!!!

Yes, it is Halloween......in New Orleans no less.  Besides Mardi Gras, this is the place to be and after all the years I've lived here, I wouldn't want it any other way.  Even if costumes aren't on the agenda, there is still a good time lurking around the corner. I don't really have solid plans for this evening.  For some reason, this is the holiday that most people either flake on me or don't participate in much with me so I've made peace with staying at home, if it comes to that.

It is also high season for selling art.  The holidays bring the potential customer to the forefront so artists are making friends with insomnia, trying to get their work out in the public eye.  It isn't easy.  With all the parties, shindigs, potlucks, and costume contests, there's hardly any damn time left over.  That's where I'm at right now.

Next is putting a costume together for Wizard World Comic Con, here in NOLA late November.

I also have a show in December to get ready for.

In the deep thick of it all, where is the money gonna come from?  (le sigh)

I've decided not to stress myself out too much over the upcoming exhibition.  It's a dual solo show with a good friend so I don't have to pull my hair out trying to fill up the whole gallery.  I am only 90% sure of what I'm going to put on the wall though.  My desire to be in twenty places at once has left me overwhelmed and mentally blocked.  Instead of just pushing through it, I'm just staring at it.  Not good at this point in the game.

I submitted a bid for a screenprinting commission last week.  I feel really good about it, but since I haven't heard anything yet, my confidence is dying a slow death.  I can only hope this company will let me know their  decision, whether good or bad.  I can't stand the hit and run approach.

I'm doing a small, short art market this Friday, November 2nd from 5pm - 8pm.  Harrah's Casino started this First Fridays thing on Fulton Street (one of the many things they own in the downtown area) and the arts organization I work for is one of the featured vendors.  I get 100% of the profits, which is a deal for me...although it is possible I won't sell anything (all five of us artists have come to the same conclusion).  It's worth a shot though.

In summary, I just need to get through this week.


Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Catching Up

August.

This whole summer has been a blur!  Between summer camp and dealing with a ridiculous amount of drama at work, I am exhausted.

My friend's wedding invitations were put on hold.  As a matter of fact, the wedding was put on hold.  So obviously, that did not get accomplished.

The magnets I haven't addressed yet, but I have decided to go forward on a book project with a friend.  We are almost ready to launch a Kickstarter campaign, just missing the music to accompany the video.  More information on that later.

I decided to give up my table at PhotoNOMA.  At the time, I just had too much going on.  It was a wise decision I believe.

A vacation has not materialized yet either.  My progress is like a hot New Orleans summer, slow.

Note to self: update this thing more often!  Geesh!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

On the Horizon

The planning stages of something big.......

It is challenging to take on an adventure that is potentially life-changing, especially if you have a day job.  Struggling with the energy to be productive after working 7 to 8 hours is my biggest hurdle.  I leave work, get home and after changing clothes, I am just done.  I know I have to stop this sabotaging behavior.  My goal will never be reached if this continues. 

Now, don't get me wrong, I am motivated.  A ton of sketches for projects and lists of supplies and things I have started already fill my studio and have recently bled into my bedroom.  I guess I just feel unorganized in my space although by looking at it, one would think there is a place for everything.  It is hard to work from home.  It is hard for me to be creative in a place, where I associate the words "peaceful" and "relaxing" and "meditative".  Sounds like a nice place to do yoga.  Actually, it is a nice place to stretch out and meditate.  But I do not feel inspired to create things in my home.  Guess I do need a studio space, away from my apartment.  It will come with time.  Meanwhile, I need to figure out a way to juggle everything efficiently, without stressing myself out.

I'm creating wedding invitations for a friend right now.  These are much different than the design I made for Tom and Becky's wedding.  I'll post photos as it all comes together.  Gathering paper and color samples today.

I also have a handful of magnets to make, high resolutions scans to create, postcards to lay out, a fundraising party to plan for a book we're trying to get out, meetings to have with my business partner......it goes on and on.  Not really stressing out about it (yeah right!), but I'd love to do most of this during the day.  I am afraid that until money rolls in more smoothly, I am a prisoner to my day job.

I signed up to participate in PhotoNOMA again this year.  Basically an open portfolio review to the public, I've had a positive response from the past two events.  Referring to my previous mention of having too much on my plate, I consider backing out and handing the spot over to a photographer who has the damn time to prep for this thing.  It is a decision I don't take lightly and will have to make by the end of the week.

All of this said, I am desperately trying to find some time this summer to get out of here and relax.  A friend and I want to do this together, but like I keep saying, finding the time to discuss it and make plans.......we're finding it difficult.  This.......will.......happen!!!!