Yes, I wrote one. I feel dirty. Was it truthful. I don't really know. I feel like it sort of leaves me vulnerable to everyone knowing too much about me, like I'm standing naked in front of everyone giving a speech. Now I'm doing the same damn thing again, except in a blog.
We as artists are supposed to have résumé's at the ready, not only our regular work résumé's, (yes, there are two thingy's about the e's) but, we also need an artist's résumé, which describes what shows we were in, anything we were published in, any lectures we gave anyone we studied under or artist's retreat we went to. THEN, we also need to have an artist's statement which is the dreaded thing I had to do tonight. It describes everything you are, who, what, why, how, where, when, anything else you can think of about your work and you, without your saying "Me, I, I'm trying to, I wanted to, I'm hoping I" and to top it off, this one was supposed to encompass my life's work, only show 3 items and describe who I am and what I'm trying to accomplish. WHAT?!?! So, I took a stiff drink, aaaaannnd, started writing.
I don't do this for just anyone mind you.
I'm so desperate to get out of increasingly dark and cold deer hunter's delight, Wisconsin, that I want to do whatever it takes by writing this piece to enter what I call the artist's lotto to Mexico. An all expenses paid trip to do an artist's residency for a full month in the cold of winter here to sunny and hopefully a drug cartel-free Mexico. I just want out of here in the winter.
I'll work my butt off down there as an artist like I do here, I just need to get to a place that would let me be myself, spread out, do my thing and not make me write another artist's statement or perform other acts of vulnerability to be able to stay there for the whole month. I have a feeling though, that's the deal with the devil that has to be made.
Okay, I'll write. I'll do whatever. Please let me go down there!! I can't handle winter up here.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Friday, May 20, 2011
That Handy Dandy Sketchbook!
'Remembering Billy'Pen and colored pencil on paper
Sketching to Keep Busy
One thing I have been doing on a regular basis has been keeping my sketchbook with me at all times! There is no excuse to not have one, that's what I tell myself anyway. Especially when I forget it! :) If I can remember to put one in my scooter, then I'll have one with me at all times.
I have several. One is a tiny little thing, no bigger than an iPhone (which I don't own), and can be taken out whenever I'm in a situation where I'm bored -- which happens too often. The other is a Moleskin Watercolor Notebook which can withstand some abuse and is not too large. This one is my new favorite and the one I have used for my newest sketches.
You never know what you'll end up drawing, it might be worth saving.
I learned that from a very wise teacher, Miss Mularkey, who made me realize that we may as well draw on the good stuff! You can always buy more paper or use the back of it if your work doesn't turn out.
My old favorite is the Canson Field Drawing Hardcover Ringed Book. It has a heavy paper, cream colored but it is a real drawing paper, not sketch paper and holds up to massive abuses. Not that I'm a paper abuser mind you, but I don't want my paper to buckle or rip if I have to erase or do something nasty to it to fix a mistake. I also want good paper if it's something I want to frame or sell later.
Pens and Pencils
I had thrown in my purse a Micron India ink pen, .005 mm, I also have used a Zig Millennium .05 since they are pretty cheap too (look at fabric stores or Michael's), so I can get really fine lines since the book is so small. This is where it is proportionately appropriate to use this small of a pen tip. I also throw in 3 sharpened colored pencils... a light yellow, magenta and a cyan. Later, I ended up adding a few greens and darker colors to make it easier for myself, but actually I was able to get all my range with just those three colors. This is a good challenge though! Three colors acts like a printing press. Throw that black pen in there sparingly and cleverly and you can draw the world.
When I'm sitting there at a park with my kids, or in the Dr.'s waiting room, or even just sitting at the family farm, I haul out that little sketchbook and start doodling. It makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something and puts me in my happy place!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
My Time
Again,
Not doing a lot of posting. Typical! There is a lull here which is good. I have been very busy working most of the year. Lots of freelancing, lots of teaching at the CVA, some private teaching here at the house. It's been a good year!
My Stuff
What I should be doing now is working on MY stuff. First, I need to clear out a space to work, then, I need to figure out the greatest question while I do that...what is my stuff? When an artist works so long on everyone's projects for so long, they lose sight of what their style is and what their voice is. Or, at least it has happened to me.
A friend of mine has my artwork from when I was in college. She is just in love with my stuff and asked me what was my motivation and how did I come up with the colors and ideas? It's actually part of the header on my blog (which I need to resize!)
I had to tell her, it was for my senior show, I had a deadline and I had to crank out some shit as fast as I could... that was my motivation and muse. I don't think she cared for that answer, but it was the honest truth. Sometimes the truth isn't what people want to hear, especially in art.
I do have to say, I think it's good, some of my best work. Art doesn't have to necessarily mean anything, but people want to hear a good story, so we do as artists need to come up with B.S. story sometimes. :)
Green Cutter 2010 Acrylic on Canvas 12"x12"
Where am I going with this?
I think the one thing that I feel is driving me at this point is the farm stuff I'm doing. The rust and equipment from my family farm. That does mean something to me. Too bad I gave my art away. I'll have to recreate some of it and keep it this time.
Well, my husband is home for a good week, I should have no excuses for cleaning up my studio space and at least getting a canvas going. Let's see how far I get. Maybe I'll post before the year is up!
Not doing a lot of posting. Typical! There is a lull here which is good. I have been very busy working most of the year. Lots of freelancing, lots of teaching at the CVA, some private teaching here at the house. It's been a good year!
My Stuff
What I should be doing now is working on MY stuff. First, I need to clear out a space to work, then, I need to figure out the greatest question while I do that...what is my stuff? When an artist works so long on everyone's projects for so long, they lose sight of what their style is and what their voice is. Or, at least it has happened to me.
A friend of mine has my artwork from when I was in college. She is just in love with my stuff and asked me what was my motivation and how did I come up with the colors and ideas? It's actually part of the header on my blog (which I need to resize!)
I had to tell her, it was for my senior show, I had a deadline and I had to crank out some shit as fast as I could... that was my motivation and muse. I don't think she cared for that answer, but it was the honest truth. Sometimes the truth isn't what people want to hear, especially in art.
I do have to say, I think it's good, some of my best work. Art doesn't have to necessarily mean anything, but people want to hear a good story, so we do as artists need to come up with B.S. story sometimes. :)
Green Cutter 2010 Acrylic on Canvas 12"x12"
Where am I going with this?
I think the one thing that I feel is driving me at this point is the farm stuff I'm doing. The rust and equipment from my family farm. That does mean something to me. Too bad I gave my art away. I'll have to recreate some of it and keep it this time.
Well, my husband is home for a good week, I should have no excuses for cleaning up my studio space and at least getting a canvas going. Let's see how far I get. Maybe I'll post before the year is up!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
It's been a while!
Things have been pretty crazy on the home front. Our little guy is now 4 months old and has been a very easy baby. The upside is that I have been able to do some artwork, but I can see that when he's about 6 months, that will come to a screeching halt again as he will be mobile. Not sure how I'll deal with two kids under 3 and do artwork. I do rely on daily naps to get through the daytime so I can work at night. What I won't do for art!
I had to have Maggie go to daycare and have anyone who could watch her take over for a few days while I worked. When it rains, it pours! I was very, very busy last month!
Freelancing!
I had a freelance gig with a Department Store which came and went just as quickly. Lots of late nights and sleepy days, but it was worth it. I should have a line of plates, cups, kitchen towels and placemats coming out next Christmas. I'll have to post how things look!
Just on the last day, I barely got things out. My G4 laptop (6 years old) died on me. It was dead. I couldn't start the computer, the battery was also dead since it was so old. I decided that having a freelance gig was a sign I should just get a new computer and have the G4 as my backup. I also had to get all new software since the new operating system was Intel based and the old stuff won't port over. So, I am excited about what I can do now.
I'm not so excited about why my old laptop died. I didn't realize it was just the power cord until my husband "tested" it with his tongue. So with a new power supply, it's working, though it's not totally reliable. I can't burn DVD's, the cover doesn't shut, the keys are wearing off and lots of other things aren't working due to it's age.
Teaching my first Acrylics Class
I had just got done teaching my first painting class at the Center for Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. It was a basic Acrylics class. I had 5 students, which was a good amount for both of us being beginners! I feel it went pretty well, everyone seemed to learn a lot and gained confidence in what they were doing.
It strikes me how afraid people are to try painting, as if it's so mysterious that they can't possibly do it. When they find out how easy it really is to just apply the paint to the canvas, they blossom. It's not that they don't have ideas on what to paint, it's the actual application of paint that is the scary part. I personally have the opposite problem, it's the idea that is difficult and the paint application that's easy!
As I expected, I learned a great deal on using Acrylics from the students and just my research. It's really opened up a new world on how I approach painting as well. Working with an extremely limited palette has made me realize I really don't need more than primaries, black and white. Even black is optional! We never painted that way at college, I wish we did.
Acrylics class online
I do plan on posting (not sure when) how I went about doing the Acrylics class so maybe other who are thinking of teaching will possibly pick up something. I really couldn't find anything online on how to come up with a beginner's curriculum, how to teach and what seems to be expected of students and the instructor.
Drawing Class in March
I'll be doing the drawing class at the CVA in the spring and as far as I have understood, it's mine if I want it. I'll have to write how I got this class when I have more time. It's a sad story, but I know it was meant to be. I already have one or two students signed up, my Dad and possibly my Aunt. I told them they need to be my guinea pigs so I can develop the class ahead of time!
I had to have Maggie go to daycare and have anyone who could watch her take over for a few days while I worked. When it rains, it pours! I was very, very busy last month!
Freelancing!
I had a freelance gig with a Department Store which came and went just as quickly. Lots of late nights and sleepy days, but it was worth it. I should have a line of plates, cups, kitchen towels and placemats coming out next Christmas. I'll have to post how things look!
Just on the last day, I barely got things out. My G4 laptop (6 years old) died on me. It was dead. I couldn't start the computer, the battery was also dead since it was so old. I decided that having a freelance gig was a sign I should just get a new computer and have the G4 as my backup. I also had to get all new software since the new operating system was Intel based and the old stuff won't port over. So, I am excited about what I can do now.
I'm not so excited about why my old laptop died. I didn't realize it was just the power cord until my husband "tested" it with his tongue. So with a new power supply, it's working, though it's not totally reliable. I can't burn DVD's, the cover doesn't shut, the keys are wearing off and lots of other things aren't working due to it's age.
Teaching my first Acrylics Class
I had just got done teaching my first painting class at the Center for Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. It was a basic Acrylics class. I had 5 students, which was a good amount for both of us being beginners! I feel it went pretty well, everyone seemed to learn a lot and gained confidence in what they were doing.
It strikes me how afraid people are to try painting, as if it's so mysterious that they can't possibly do it. When they find out how easy it really is to just apply the paint to the canvas, they blossom. It's not that they don't have ideas on what to paint, it's the actual application of paint that is the scary part. I personally have the opposite problem, it's the idea that is difficult and the paint application that's easy!
As I expected, I learned a great deal on using Acrylics from the students and just my research. It's really opened up a new world on how I approach painting as well. Working with an extremely limited palette has made me realize I really don't need more than primaries, black and white. Even black is optional! We never painted that way at college, I wish we did.
Acrylics class online
I do plan on posting (not sure when) how I went about doing the Acrylics class so maybe other who are thinking of teaching will possibly pick up something. I really couldn't find anything online on how to come up with a beginner's curriculum, how to teach and what seems to be expected of students and the instructor.
Drawing Class in March
I'll be doing the drawing class at the CVA in the spring and as far as I have understood, it's mine if I want it. I'll have to write how I got this class when I have more time. It's a sad story, but I know it was meant to be. I already have one or two students signed up, my Dad and possibly my Aunt. I told them they need to be my guinea pigs so I can develop the class ahead of time!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
New Web site Launched
Web site Update
www.amyrebella.com
I decided to redo my Web site (again) after I realized how difficult it was for search engines to track it and to add verbal information easily. It originally was more of a gallery, which was easy to update, but it wasn't practical for actually ordering from the site!
I added a form for ordering. It should work for most orders. I will be adding a section to upload pictures directly and for making payments through PayPal. Always more stuff to add!
Hopefully will get more traffic and orders with this version.
I'm glad that I can do my own site and coding, it's not so great that I am so picky!
"Saturday Evening Post Cover - 2009"
12" x 14" Colored Pencil on Bristol Board
This was several years in the making, as it was a Pro Bono for my Father, and was put on the back burner pretty much constantly since I started it. Since I have a limited amount of time right now before baby #2 is born, and wasn't too busy with other work, I should take the time and finish the project once and for all!
It's a cover reproduction of a 1950's Saturday Evening Post. The thing making it special is that I had to replace the original photo of the Harley Davidson with my Father's Indian Motorcycle.
It was interesting to go back and work on something that I started so long ago. My techniques for colored pencil have changed quite a bit over the last few years and I have learned a ton since starting this.
I have been working in colored pencil for over 20 years, but not as intensly and detailed as I have recently. The progress was much faster now than it would have been if I continued when I started it.
Glad to have it done and I will be giving it to him as soon as I can!
www.amyrebella.com
I decided to redo my Web site (again) after I realized how difficult it was for search engines to track it and to add verbal information easily. It originally was more of a gallery, which was easy to update, but it wasn't practical for actually ordering from the site!
I added a form for ordering. It should work for most orders. I will be adding a section to upload pictures directly and for making payments through PayPal. Always more stuff to add!
Hopefully will get more traffic and orders with this version.
I'm glad that I can do my own site and coding, it's not so great that I am so picky!
"Saturday Evening Post Cover - 2009"
12" x 14" Colored Pencil on Bristol Board
This was several years in the making, as it was a Pro Bono for my Father, and was put on the back burner pretty much constantly since I started it. Since I have a limited amount of time right now before baby #2 is born, and wasn't too busy with other work, I should take the time and finish the project once and for all!
It's a cover reproduction of a 1950's Saturday Evening Post. The thing making it special is that I had to replace the original photo of the Harley Davidson with my Father's Indian Motorcycle.
It was interesting to go back and work on something that I started so long ago. My techniques for colored pencil have changed quite a bit over the last few years and I have learned a ton since starting this.
I have been working in colored pencil for over 20 years, but not as intensly and detailed as I have recently. The progress was much faster now than it would have been if I continued when I started it.
Glad to have it done and I will be giving it to him as soon as I can!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Teaching at the Center for the Visual Arts!
Just found out I'll be teaching an Acrylics class at the CVA this fall. It will be a month after having my baby - hope I'll be able to stay awake for the class!
Now, I really need to get some painting done. It's one thing to know how to paint, it's another thing entirely to teach someone else how to do it. I did document my last painting and kept mental notes of what I did to get to where I needed to go, but it wouldn't hurt to do it again. I also don't have any current work and would like to enter the juried show again this year, so I'll have something to show for class and for the show if I get in.
I'll still be working on my colored pencil stuff since it's a lot more portable and it's my first love. I just wish I had more time like the old days, before kids, to get things done.
Life Drawing
Right now I'm also taking an open lab life drawing class. Best $25 bucks I've spent in a long time. It's been about 17-18 years since I drew from life like that. I didn't do too bad, but I can certainly use some more time to get proportions on the lower half of the body correct. I can't remember all my little tricks, but they are coming back to me as I do more and more.
It's a great group of people in there. The difference between this and a regular college class is that everyone wants to be there and are fairly accomplished at drawing, where in college most of the class is inexperienced or don't want to be there.
I hope I can make it to the end of the class. It goes until the end of July, I'm due in the middle of August.
Now, I really need to get some painting done. It's one thing to know how to paint, it's another thing entirely to teach someone else how to do it. I did document my last painting and kept mental notes of what I did to get to where I needed to go, but it wouldn't hurt to do it again. I also don't have any current work and would like to enter the juried show again this year, so I'll have something to show for class and for the show if I get in.
I'll still be working on my colored pencil stuff since it's a lot more portable and it's my first love. I just wish I had more time like the old days, before kids, to get things done.
Life Drawing
Right now I'm also taking an open lab life drawing class. Best $25 bucks I've spent in a long time. It's been about 17-18 years since I drew from life like that. I didn't do too bad, but I can certainly use some more time to get proportions on the lower half of the body correct. I can't remember all my little tricks, but they are coming back to me as I do more and more.
It's a great group of people in there. The difference between this and a regular college class is that everyone wants to be there and are fairly accomplished at drawing, where in college most of the class is inexperienced or don't want to be there.
I hope I can make it to the end of the class. It goes until the end of July, I'm due in the middle of August.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Another Portrait Finished
"Maggie in the Leaves"
2009
8"x10"
Colored Pencil on White Stonehenge Paper
2009
8"x10"
Colored Pencil on White Stonehenge Paper
Got one more portrait done! I'm working as fast as I can before our second child arrives in August. This portrait will be at the Center for Visual Arts in Wausau, Wisconsin for a July show. I need to frame it up and get it ready!
Still haven't heard if I will for sure be teaching an acrylic class this coming fall. This would be a great opportunity for me as I really do love to teach. I'm intentionally doing more acrylic paintings just to be able to describe my process. It's one thing to just do it, another to teach about it.
I am excited about the prospect of taking a life drawing course in the next few weeks. It's a rare opportunity to have an open lab without the commitment of a formal class and that it's right here in town. The only possible problem is that there won't be enough people signing up to take the class and they might not offer it if it's not full.
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