When it rains, it pours … always. Not that I’m complaining of course, I just wish for a bit more …erm… BALANCE (Universe are you listening?!?)
So three things…
- Patricia Anders (aka Tricia to me) graciously invited me to include a doll in her Raining Art Dolls show being held for the month of September at the Ten Women Gallery in Venice CA. Here’s mine – being sent out “Get there NOW” post as we speak – I hope it doesn’t freak out the clientele!
- The always amazing Seth Apter is creating another edition of The Pulse that will start on Monday, August 18 first with the participants (me! me! me!) and then our answers to his 7 questions. His questions are always thought provoking and provide a wonderful insight to how we as artists think, create and live. Be sure to check it out!
- And finally, as I’m quickly running out of “month” to do an August challenge, I thought I’d throw the ball into YOUR court. What would you like to see from this fall’s challenges? Techniques? Projects? Guest Challengers? Does it matter if there’s a prize at the end or are you content just to participate? Do you like it when I participate too? I want to hear your thoughts. All of them. And just in case that isn’t incentive enough, I’m giving away some of the projects that I made in June’s Challenge … 6 of them to be exact, so there’s opportunity for lotsa winners. To whet your appetite here’s what you’re playing for …
 Chain Necklace - Detail |
 Cast & Cuff - detail |
 Project 5 - Mini Book Back |
 Project 7 - Toggle Necklace |
 Project 2 (amended) |
 Brass Cuff |
So, same deal as a regular challenge, you have until August 31, 2008 to post in the comments below. You can post as many times as you want. I’ll be choosing my favourite responses and hopefully, some great ideas for challenges to come.
Okay. Let the games begin!
What would you like to see from this fall’s challenges? Techniques? yes Projects? yes Guest Challengers? yes
But I am also happy with themes, sizes, mediums and other small contraints that will help me focus.
Does it matter if there’s a prize at the end or are you content just to participate? I am not really into the prizes. I have some art from you already although I love all the stuff you do…well not the clowns…but pretty much everything, I don't need more art, I have no room to display it. So this is not a motivating factor for me.
Do you like it when I participate too? One of the more motivating parts is seeing what you will come up with. I like to see little hints or progress through the month (now that it is monthly not weekly..which is fine) because that spurs me on.
I want to hear your thoughts. All of them
that's all my thoughts for now…
But I also like seeing what other people have posted, I always look at all of them, and I like the traffic I get to my blog from yours…
I am going to be doing the monthly bead/fabric journal pages starting in Sept. So my work will mostly be focused around that. But I like the idea of blending in other challenges and whatnot.
I have enjoyed the challenges even though I do not participate in them all. Your site came to me through a friend from my local doll club. The challenges really help focus our thoughts on a specific technique or concept and I like that. As a matter of fact, I showed your web site to my coworkers and they promptly suggested we do a monthly art challenge inspired by your idea. I work at an art supply store in Cincinnati and my coworkers are all artists of one sort or another. So, these exercises really get the creativity going. THis has been especially good for a few who do not create art on a regular basis.
I like the idea of themes, as that is what we do at my work. We wrote down a whole bunch of themes and ideas and put them in a drawing bag. Each month we have someone pull a new theme from the bag. That way it is random and unbiased. I think your idea could make a good thing for art groups to do too.
Tehcniques are another great tool for inspiration or even creating in a different medium.
Great piece you created for the Raining Art Dolls show. And thanks for the link to my blog and The Pulse!
To me, there is no prize or reward needed. I love the idea of working away from a comfortable medium and trying something new. And certainly it is important to me that you participate, that is why I tune in. Guest hosts would take some pressure off of you and perhaps stretch your own talents even further.
I think alternating between techniques and themes would be fun and keep things interesting. Or you could have it more structured in doing a technique one month and apply the technique to a theme the following month.
Since you have participants who love your work and would love to have a chance at owning one of your pieces, why not have a surprise random drawing every once in a while.
I agree with Michele that a guest host occasionally would definitely take some of the pressure off of you.
I don't care whether there is a prize or not – I just LOVE participating. I have one of those "all of the above" answers – anything is fine with me. I just look forward to the challenge. Even if I don't complete them, like last month's, I probably will at some point, I have a new idea, just haven't gotten around to it. That is what is great about the challenge – getting an idea/challenge with a time frame. Because I lose focus all too easily. Currently I've just been playing around with (ok – organizing) my new Daniel Smith Grand Voyage (love to say Grand Voyage).
I look forward to seeing what everyone creates, always fascinating – and participants lead me to discover artists I would otherwise not know of. I enjoy receiving comments and support from other artists.
Just please keep up the Challenges – and keep creating! You do great out of the box works of art. That doll is going to set a few people back on their heels, no doubt – but just might open a few perceptions as well. That's art.
I love all your challenges, even if I haven't participated in everyone of them. It's always fun/educational/interesting to see what other people come up with and how their minds work. And I also love what you come up with…keeps us all going I think.
I think I'm being "pushed" by you and your challenges to be more creative and to try new things and new techniques. Sounds corny? Naah, it's the truth!
So whatever you suggest, I'm more than likely to give it a try.
Thank you for the wonderful challenges, though I have not participated yet. I love seeing how everyone interprets what is written. Your work is so inspiring, I love that you participate also.
Looking forward to the next challenge no matter what the theme or suggestion.
Are those real bird feet? My cat just left me one foot from a bird he ate. I felt drawn to keeping it but decided not too. Wierd that I would then see them used in such a cool piece of artwork. Ah, well, I am sure the elements have caught up to the one I tossed.
Oh, I thought I'd let you know of a creative project I've assigned myself for September. I've dubbed September "The Month of Trees". Not because there is anything particular that celebrates trees in September (the start of autumn might fit), the trees don't change color here in Florida much. But just because I've been meaning to get around to trees for months now and haven't done it yet.
I thought I would take pictures of trees and practice some local tree identification. Gather some leaves, bark and twigs and make a nature collage. Practice painting trees -there are lots and lots of lessons out there on how to paint various trees in various styles…..fit in as many as I can. I have a couple of books about trees like "The Meaning of Trees", and "The Tree" that I have been meaning to read. Create a Month of Trees Art Journal / Diary. Create a tree/meaning of trees collage. Yeah, I already have a fascination with trees. And I always have a way of biting off more then I can chew.
Not that this exactly helps any, but I thought I'd share.
Aah, what a lovely creative buzz there is on your blog. I followed you back here from Seth's, having read your reply to the collection question and am not disappointed.
Hey Jen,
I just read your responses to seth in the pulse and had to come straight over. I collect bones too. The hardest part is waiting for them to become bones and not dead something..oh and keeping them away from my hound. I have some great kangaroo bones if you ever want to swap! Cheers, Dneese/grrl+dog
Hi Jen,
Any challenges are awesome….Techniques are terrific…I love a good project idea…anything having to do with you and art is great! Please participate, it is so inspirational. Prizes are fun, but not necessary..everyone loves to win something..and hopefully they pass on the goodness…helps make the world a happier place.
Keep sharing your heart…
brenda bliss
by the way….
your doll face bracelet is INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!! Makes me want to get out my book and get to work on that project–I was going to wait–I'm supposed to take her class in Portland but don't think I'll be able to make the trip…see how inspiring you are…….
brenda bliss
What would you like to see from this fall’s challenges? Techniques? yes Projects? yes Guest Challengers? yes
I have loved your challenges that you have on your blog since i first discovered it. While i do love the added possibilities and excitement of a prize, i find that the true reward of the challenges are the projects that are created. I love the inspiration that is created by the challenges as they help to look at things in a new way. I also really enjoy seeing what it is that you, and others create with the projects. It is wonderful to see what you create from the inspiration you post, as it is like seeing the challenge as you intended it, however i do understand that sometimes life gets busy and in the way. It is also gratifying to see what others create, and to see the variety of ways the challenge can be interpreted.
As for what I like to see in the challenges, I like seeing a mix of things. I love projects, techniques, styles, mix and match type challenges, guest challenges…. i love them all!!! My favorite challenges are the ones that are rather open to interpretation, but not too open. I like the ones that have much direction but still inspire projects that are different in so many ways.
Your projects that you are showing here are absolutely stunning. I am in awe of what you are creating!
Oh I really love your piece for the doll show! Truly wonderful!
I have to say, Jen, that I really like seeing you participate in the challenges – I like to think that this is something we're in together, that I'm getting some insight into how you think as an artist, as well as getting the opportunity to stretch my own self . . .