I am not going to talk about the funny side of me, so I apologize to any of you who grabbed your coffee and pulled up a chair to get a few laughs. No, today I am going to talk about keeping my brain focused and the great pains that I have to go through to do so. I used to think that my welbutrin helped, but lately, I don't think that is the case. I used to think it helped with weight loss too, but lately, that is not the case either. So, I am stuck with trying to give myself the brain power needed for....... oh, how I hate this word..... production.
Yes, that word makes my head dizzy. I have had to accept it to a certain degree if I hope to retire one day and make beads and jewelry for the next 1/3 or my life after that happens. I would like to say next half, but if I retire 5 years from now (hopefully, three, if I win on one of my cash word scratch off tickets), if will make me 58, so I am quite certain that I will not make it to 116. And, if I do my dear friends, do not let anyone put my smiling face on the Smuckers jar on Saturday mornings with Willard Scott. I try not to worry too much about that since I have spoken with my family and friends, and I am pretty sure Willard will not be around either.
I don't think I have to go into any more detail about my brain bouncing, since I am sure yours is right now after reading the first three paragraphs!
I am, now, officially in a very nice gallery called Gallery 54 in Skaneateles, NY. I am in there as a consignment artist. I was flattered that I was invited. What I have learned, however, is that I need to pick up the pace. I am changing my way of thinking when making beads. I am trying to think "design" rather than fun beads that I sell to others, so that they can come up with their own designs.
I'm done talking..... time for pictures. Instead of trying to organize this, I will just show you what I have been doing. What I won't show you is what my kitchen table looks like, despite the fact that I have a studio. lol!
Wait! One more thing! I also tend to be a bit obsessive about certain things, but I am working on that and will not be changing the the sideways pictures that would normally drive me nuts! I call that "progress!" So, there, I said it.... I will accept that there are pictures that are sideways and I will not let it bother me. And, if there are not even spaces between each of the pictures, I am going to be okay with that too. Once, I hit "publish" I will not go back and obsess. Am I exposing too much at once?
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| patinas from Shannon LeVart of missficklemedia |
And, I will conclude with that I know I cannot change the way my brain works. It is what it is. I learned many, many moons ago that you just have to be true to who you are. This gallery work is a learning experience for me and I know that like anything in life that you practice, you will get better. I am still trying to find out who I am when it comes to being an artist. I think it is the brain bouncing thing I've got going on.
The one thing that I do know is that I am who I am and I cannot design like the others that I admire so much. I think what I admire in some of my favorite artists is that their work shows me who they are.
Thanks for reading. I feel better now after getting some things off of my chest! Off to the medicine cabinet!
And.....
I am consistent with this closing if nothing else....
Thank-you for supporting artists who create handmade with handmade.
MaryAnn
I will now hit "publish" and not turn back......
That will be easier said than done.....
14 comments:
i agree whole-heartedly that the work should reflect the maker. i love these beads you are making for design purposes. and i had to smile, i had started using shannon's patinas after doing enamel work - the two ways of creating color are so complimentary. have fun with it. and best of luck -
Thanks, Maire! It's funny how one thing flows into the next. I just got two new colors from her that I want to try out.
Thanks for sharing. I hope you can keep creating at a reasonable (not rushed!) pace because what you have shown us is beautiful!
Gorgeous beads! Especially that last pair of earrings and the display card too!
So by design beads you're meaning more of a series of components for people to incorporate as a larger piece of the design than say, a focal bead with tons of personality? And that you need to be in more of a production mode rather than doing OOAK pieces?
I am finding that the component making is taking a certain kind of focus for sure ( as in my headpins) where the creativity lies in inventing something novel and unique yet not so out there that it my own personality would overtake the piece although those are the fun pieces you may be talking about, Did I get that right?
Funny that your writing about this didn't seem near as scattered as you may have imagined, must be that my brain could link up with how you express yourself just fine.
Oh and BTW I haven't forgotten your requests for some more info from me, I am almost centered enough to get to it. Thanks!
And i forgot to mention that I find all of these pieces both components and finished jewelry extremely pleasing to my design sense. Beautiful and very they exude calm to me.
Lovely work! Good wonderful wishes for your new gallery venture. I know you'll work it out: the pace, the designs, the focus! Love these beads and pieces, though. Gently organic beauty~~
I wish you much success at the Gallery! The jewelry...and beads for that matter...are just beautiful!
Con permiso, pero ... I think that some of those photos may have been sideways =).
I'm not sure about the sideways part, but ALL of them were lovely.
Congratulations on the gallery, AND for being real!
I can explain your brain... my HS teacher explained mine to me, once, and I have embraced it as who I am. Ready? You're a "schizophrenic thinker." Yup! That's what most artists are. You get an idea and start working it over and then your brain gets another idea from that and starts down another rabbit trail which gives you another idea and PURPLE!
Wait.
But you get the idea, eh? Just enjoy it, we can't change it ;)
Thanks everyone! Yes, Kim, that is what I mean. When I am just making beads that I do not necessarily plan to use, I want to be creative, yet also make them so that many people could envision something themselves while using them. I have now been trying to "think since I never take notes" what might be a style that I could make into a simple, yet creative piece. I am much better with my earring making since I have made so many and it comes easy to me for the most part. Necklaces and bracelets, however, have been another story. I am envious of those who can put together many different beads of different mediums and make a piece work. When I do that, it comes out looking something like I might lend to Bozo the Clown for an evening of entertainment! lol! So, I am sticking at what is coming natural to me right now and that is to make creative beads, yet uniform kind of. You know what I mean!
Pam, yup, that's it! I am a resource teacher and I always tell my students who have adhd, that it is not a curse, but a gift and you just need to learn to make it work for you not against you! I've actually accepted it at 53 years old..... I think I was even lots younger when I realized it was a good thing. :o)
MaryAnn, you know how obsessed I an with your enamels, so I shouldn't need to tell you how fabulous I think your work is. I know how hard it can be to find your " voice", create work you feel truly reflects who you are as an artist... you're doing it, girl!
Can't believe I missed this blog when it posted!!! Mary Ann, these pieces are gorgeous!!! Hope you're VERY successful at the gallery. It can be stressful, but it's OH such a good feeling when the checks start rolling in! :) Mine always seem to call for more inventory, when I'm trying to crank out pieces for a show.
PS If you find the pill for "schizo thinker", see if there's a bottle next to it for "procrastination" and give me a call!! :)
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