Why Do You Create Art?

Why Some People Create Art?
First you really have to love what you are creating.  I don't mean you have to love every piece you create, but you have to love the process, of actually, "doing it".  It is work. It can be challenging, but you can't imagine not doing it. There may be some aspect of the process you enjoy the least, but the end product is worth it.  You'll here people say if you're being true to who you are, your work will be authentic.  I agree with this.
      Thankfully, I don't  have to depend on my art work to fund my living expenses.
This is freeing to me.  If I had to depend on it to make a living, I know I would always be thinking..."what will sell?"  what's the next trend I can hop on to make money. I would then be creating for sales, letting the sales dictate what I create.  "I am just speaking for myself here"  Don't get you panties in a bunch if you make a living off of your art.  Good for you, many of us out there would love it, if we could too.

A perfect example of creating for sales, is an artist who shall remain nameless, makes the most wonderful pieces, when you see the photos online, they tempt you to want to make a purchase.  So I did, when I received the piece, it was exactly what I saw in the photo.
What was kind of disappointing was all the short cuts they took in the process, less than quality workmanship, you could tell, it was put together quickly.  The price was right, if I had paid more for the item, I would have been upset.  Do I like the item, yes.  But I would love it, if I saw that much care was taken to make sure  care had been put into the detail and you couldn't see glue.  It's like how I used to fix my hair when I was a teenager,  I just fixed the front, I couldn't see the back, so I didn't bother.

I do try to make a quality piece.  I work on improving my skills.  It's certainly not perfect to be sure.  You won't see me at  NIADA asking for a critique,  I KNOW where I need improvement.  I do my very best, I take my time.  I feel a connection to the doll. many artists say that when we create dolls, it's an internal expression of ourselves.  I find that so very interesting.
Sometimes, after spending hours online, admiring the doll artists on Art Dolls Only and Cloth and Clay Dolls,  and Etsy.  My inner critique creeps up and says, "Oh my goodness, they are all so good, why do you even try"
 And I gently remind myself...

because I want to. 

And that's enough of a reason.   

                                             How do you Feel about your Art?                                    

I'm Late, I'm Late, for a very mportant Update!

Looking closely - Curiously

He said..."You don't look much like her...

You've lost your muchly" 

Here's to hoping you have not lost Your Muchly!

Classes & Glasses, and eyes Oh my

Took another class at Maureen Carlson's Center for Creativity.

This one was with International doll Artist, Diane Keeler.

We made a baby (mine is a fairy) only because she didn't look like a real baby!

I used a magnifying visor and my reading  glasses.

Golly, it was hard!

So frustrating to know in my head what to do, 

and using tiny tools, unable to get the clay to do, what I want it to do.

Darn it!

It's all hand sculpted from polymer clay.

This is Fawn.  She's a fairy.

She is awaiting her wings.

She is a good fairy, belonging to a long line of warriors.

Her 16" hair is used as a weapon, she uses it as

a lasso, a web, and a whip to entangle evil.

Her secret weapon along with her beauty,

is her endearing calmness, and innocent look.

 

       Fawn is hand sculpted from paper clay, wired armature,

silk strips of fabric, 

polymer clay boots.

Below are polymer clay beads, 2"- 3 1/2" long

Who Do Boo Do beads-that's what I call mine!
 

While at Maureen's, she did a short demo/follow along-
She has created an awesome new class on how to sculpt face beads.
Maureen loves faces-
in the grocery store she will point out particular features on some innocent bystanders.
In good fun, the folks actually like it!

She will be teaching this new class at Fandango (Orlando, FLA polymer clay guild)
puts on a really cool event, called Fandango.

It was so amazing for me to watch Maureen "play" with her finished beads.
She had them all displayed in front of her, choosing a variety of other beads she made
to go with the focal bead (the Face Bead)

I loved watching her experiment, with different ways to display the beads.
Really great FUN!

Well, I will be busy for a while, getting ready for a local show
called RiverFest in Anoka, MN
July 10 th
So until, next time,
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
-may His face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
may He lift up His countenance upon you, 
and give you peace.