Plant, tend, harvest, repeat. This mantra was going through my head recently as I tore out the last of our summer beans, which were so prolific this year I had to spend a day canning dilly beans back in July, or face being totally overwhelmed by more beans than me or all of my friends could eat. I'm just learning how to garden in the past couple of seasons. After years of planting a bunch of stuff in my yard that quickly died of neglect, I finally figured out how plants thrived with a bit of attention and consistent watering. It's become my habit to check in on the garden daily and make sure everything is coming along, and I'm rewarded with flowers and good things to eat. In the winter, when the garden is basically fallow and rains take care of the plants that are there, I make plans for next year's garden, and always hope for better results.
Gardening is really not much different than being an artist and running a studio. You come up with your ideas, you run with them for a while and make work, you (hopefully) sell it off or place it in loving homes, and then you start all over again. Plant, tend, harvest, repeat.
Of course there is the fallow period, the time where you are ready for new things, new ideas, new work, but it's not quite there yet. If you're like me, and I tend to think I'm like most artists, I get a bit anxious when I'm in that fallow time. I start copying myself for lack of anything better to do, I question why I'm even an artist, and I have dark thoughts about my longevity as a creator. It's can be a challenging period of time, and I have no quick fixes. I try to feed my brain with inspiring art, get lots of sleep, and don't get too invested in any one thing I may be working on in the studio, but treat it all as practice until I find that vein of gold again. Practice is all we're doing anyway, nothing is really done or final in our work until we can simply no longer make it. What do you think?
Happy Fall!
Whitney
Showing posts with label letter from the president. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letter from the president. Show all posts
Monday, September 19, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Letter From the President
I want to say "thank you" to all of our exhibitors and support staff who participated in the Clay and Glass Festival in Rinconada Park this year. Special recognition goes to our Festival producer, Mary Lou Atkins who made the transition to the park seamless, and to our publicist, Sharon Poyner, who drummed up press attention for our group and individual members. Any remaining skepticism that they show would suffer from being in a new, temporary location was vanquished by strong sales for many exhibitors, and good attendance by our loyal customers. I think everyone agreed that the park was a wonderful place to hold the Festival, and many attendees did not even notice the new location!
So, what's next? As I'm writing this we are in the waning days of summer, which always brings mixed feelings of sadness and dread, a holdover from the many years of attending school and the loss of freedom it brought every September. Even to this day I cannot look at a yellow school bus without feeling anxiety. Maybe it's time for me to get over that. Now that I run my own life without much interference from outside authorities, September is a time to feel a renewed sense of energy after summer vacation. There is the holiday season coming up, which always holds promise for lots of sales and an opportunity to introduce the new work I've been rolling around in my brain. Then, there's also the recognition that I was just here, a year ago, and the holiday season is going to be over before I know it, as will the next year, and the year after that. Maybe that's what fall does to all of us. It reminds us that everything is temporary, even 12 years of school, time goes by so fast, and it's all going to be over before we know it. Dang, can I have just one more month of summer... please?
So, what's next? As I'm writing this we are in the waning days of summer, which always brings mixed feelings of sadness and dread, a holdover from the many years of attending school and the loss of freedom it brought every September. Even to this day I cannot look at a yellow school bus without feeling anxiety. Maybe it's time for me to get over that. Now that I run my own life without much interference from outside authorities, September is a time to feel a renewed sense of energy after summer vacation. There is the holiday season coming up, which always holds promise for lots of sales and an opportunity to introduce the new work I've been rolling around in my brain. Then, there's also the recognition that I was just here, a year ago, and the holiday season is going to be over before I know it, as will the next year, and the year after that. Maybe that's what fall does to all of us. It reminds us that everything is temporary, even 12 years of school, time goes by so fast, and it's all going to be over before we know it. Dang, can I have just one more month of summer... please?
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Letter from the President: The ACGA Jury
Before I became president of the ACGA, I was on the Board of Directors for many years. One of the many persistent, ongoing issues that are brought up from our members and from the Board itself is the jury system. Everybody knows jurying into the ACGA as an exhibiting member is a tough process. Prospective exhibiting members have to haul their work to San Francisco, hang out for a few hours while the jury considers their work, and then drive home late in the evening. It's trying, and nerve-wracking. Most people in any group of candidates do not get in. Many exhibiting ACGA members have had to jury two or three times to get in.
The jury's judgment about work is subjective, but it is not capricious. I've been on the jury several times over the years and I've always been impressed by the seriousness of purpose the jury members bring to the process. The ACGA's mission statement is to establish and maintain high standards of craftsmanship and design in clay and glass, and as the jury considers each person's work, that standard is held first and foremost in each juror's mind. Matters of personal taste are put aside as the work is evaluated. Long discussions ensue when the jury is split. Work is held and examined from different angles. Jurors step back and examine the body as a whole. And then, when everybody has had time to formulate and opinion about the work, there is a vote, and the majority rules.
Even with this careful process, there is no doubt that it is imperfect. Most members of the jury do not feel happy to turn away so many. I know as a former juror that I walk away from the process feeling a bit deflated that it is not perfect, worried that the people who get turned down will not be willing to try again. I think it is always worth a second or third shot, even more if it is important to you. But I hear from people, and I know that there are people out there who are not willing to go through the process again. I often wonder of there is a more perfect way to jury work, of making sure that people do not fall through the cracks.
I like to hear about people's experiences with the jury, whether good or bad. Members, both associate and exhibiting, should know that the jury process has been refined over the years and changes made in response to feedback. There are certain things that cannot change, we cannot lower the standard. But there are always tweaks that can be made, ways to make the jury process more perfect. What are your ideas?
Whitney
The jury's judgment about work is subjective, but it is not capricious. I've been on the jury several times over the years and I've always been impressed by the seriousness of purpose the jury members bring to the process. The ACGA's mission statement is to establish and maintain high standards of craftsmanship and design in clay and glass, and as the jury considers each person's work, that standard is held first and foremost in each juror's mind. Matters of personal taste are put aside as the work is evaluated. Long discussions ensue when the jury is split. Work is held and examined from different angles. Jurors step back and examine the body as a whole. And then, when everybody has had time to formulate and opinion about the work, there is a vote, and the majority rules.
Even with this careful process, there is no doubt that it is imperfect. Most members of the jury do not feel happy to turn away so many. I know as a former juror that I walk away from the process feeling a bit deflated that it is not perfect, worried that the people who get turned down will not be willing to try again. I think it is always worth a second or third shot, even more if it is important to you. But I hear from people, and I know that there are people out there who are not willing to go through the process again. I often wonder of there is a more perfect way to jury work, of making sure that people do not fall through the cracks.
I like to hear about people's experiences with the jury, whether good or bad. Members, both associate and exhibiting, should know that the jury process has been refined over the years and changes made in response to feedback. There are certain things that cannot change, we cannot lower the standard. But there are always tweaks that can be made, ways to make the jury process more perfect. What are your ideas?
Whitney
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Letter from the President: Here we come Rinconada!
I'm assuming everybody knows we are not holding the Palo Alto Clay and Glass Festival at the Art Center next year. If you didn't know that, well: we are not holding the Palo Alto Clay and Glass Festival at the Art Center next year! The Art Center will be undergoing some long-planned renovations and will be closed at the time of our show in 2011. We will be holding the 2011 Palo Alto Clay and Glass Festival at Rinconada Park, conveniently located right across the street from Palo Alto. If you take a peek at Rinconada on a satellite map, the show will held in and around the tree covered area West of the Fire Station, and in the big tear-drop shaped grass area a bit north.
I am really excited about having our show at Rinconada Park. I walked the grounds last week with our promoter, Mary Lou Atkins, and other members of the PACG sub-committee, planning where and how booths would be arranged. I am happy to report that any fears I had about the park not being big enough or an otherwise inappropriate venue have been laid to rest. Mary Lou easily placed all of the booths, so there is no issue with some artists getting shut out due to space. We will not have an indoor area, but we will be renting a large tent and placing it on the cement splash pad that is tucked away in some trees just South and West of the Rinconada Pool for our artists who are usually in the Studio area. Being under a tent is not exactly the same as being indoors, so for those artists usually inside, please think about the potential problems you may have ahead of time and let us know what we can do to help create a solution.
The biggest problem with changing venues is educating our customers about the location of the new show so we don't lose potential sales. We are working closely with the staff at the Art Center on this issue and they will be helping us with volunteers to direct patrons, and of course we will have plainly visible signage to help people along across the street. Fortunately Rinconada is easily seen from the Art Center and a quick hop across Newell Road, so I think the confusion will be minimal.
The application for 2011 will be coming out soon. Please take the extra time you will need to thoroughly read the application and understand the adjustments everybody will have to make to participate in the show and make it go smoothly for all concerned.
Questions? Ideas? Concerns? Please write to me via email or post a comment under this article on our blog.
I am really excited about having our show at Rinconada Park. I walked the grounds last week with our promoter, Mary Lou Atkins, and other members of the PACG sub-committee, planning where and how booths would be arranged. I am happy to report that any fears I had about the park not being big enough or an otherwise inappropriate venue have been laid to rest. Mary Lou easily placed all of the booths, so there is no issue with some artists getting shut out due to space. We will not have an indoor area, but we will be renting a large tent and placing it on the cement splash pad that is tucked away in some trees just South and West of the Rinconada Pool for our artists who are usually in the Studio area. Being under a tent is not exactly the same as being indoors, so for those artists usually inside, please think about the potential problems you may have ahead of time and let us know what we can do to help create a solution.
The biggest problem with changing venues is educating our customers about the location of the new show so we don't lose potential sales. We are working closely with the staff at the Art Center on this issue and they will be helping us with volunteers to direct patrons, and of course we will have plainly visible signage to help people along across the street. Fortunately Rinconada is easily seen from the Art Center and a quick hop across Newell Road, so I think the confusion will be minimal.
The application for 2011 will be coming out soon. Please take the extra time you will need to thoroughly read the application and understand the adjustments everybody will have to make to participate in the show and make it go smoothly for all concerned.
Questions? Ideas? Concerns? Please write to me via email or post a comment under this article on our blog.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Letter from the President
The Palo Alto Clay and Glass Festival is almost here, and I hope you are feeling the anticipation and excitement. I'm a little jaded when it comes to "craft shows", but I think the Palo Alto show is special and I look forward to it every year. I love Palo Alto for two reasons: I get to hang out with my favorite clay and glass pals and sell side by side with them, and the audience at Palo Alto are just as high quality as the work you see there. If only every show had customers like the Palo Alto show: people who love clay and glass, who are interested and educated about the medium, and are willing to spend the money supporting the artists whose work they love.
"Educating the customer" is a common theme when artists are learning how to sell and market their work, and thinking of clever ways to do that without feeling like a used car salesman can be a challenge to artists. I used to be a big fan of the "mellow sell" which comes down to, "You like it? Then buy it. You don't like it? Don't buy it." Not a lot of room there to tell the story of my work and get people interested in what I do. But educating the audience is key to creating a smart and appreciative customer, people who will not only buy from you, but buy from other artists. Creating a culture of buying handmade, locally crafted art is essential for our future as makers and artists.
As I've become more comfortable selling my work, I've gotten better at engaging the potential customers who walk in to my booth, and educating them about the what and how of my work. I have my own style and way of doing it which is still reflects my mellow approach, but my goal is to make sure that if the person can manage to resist buying a piece of my work, they are going to walk out of my booth with a shred of new knowledge about ceramics. This year, I'm going to create fresh postcards that have more than just a pretty picture on them, but also some words about my story as an artist, part of my education campaign. A high quality audience takes maintenance, so take some time to think about your own ways of educating your customers before Palo Alto, or any show you may be doing this summer.
See you in Palo Alto!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Letter from the President
Hello all ACGA members,
Spring is always a busy time of year for me and for any artist gearing up for summer shows and the Palo Alto Clay and Glass Festival. In the best case scenario, us artist types are inspired by the upcoming shows and are working hard creating our best work. But being an artist is an extremely challenging job, and finding inspiration can often be the most difficult aspect of our work.
I realized a long time ago that I am at my very happiest when my work is going well, and I'm at my lowest when my work is not going well, which usually translates into a lack of inspiration. Earlier this year I went through a few months of absolutely hating my work, and resisting the work that needs to be done on my production pieces, which pay the bills. While I was wallowing in my dark little place, I kept returning again and again to thoughts about what it means to be inspired, how you get inspired, and why inspiration is so elusive. I believe that one simply cannot be inspired to create all the time. In fact, it is essential to go through unproductive periods so your creative "well" can be replenished and you can fight your way back to that happy, inspired, productive place.
Still, knowing all of these things doesn't make the dry, uninspired periods any easier to suffer through. And there is no cure, other than to just get through it. Finally, after weeks of dragging around, I lit on an idea that made me excited to get into the studio, and I've been happily cooking along since. Here are a couple of things I came away with from this experience:
Spring is always a busy time of year for me and for any artist gearing up for summer shows and the Palo Alto Clay and Glass Festival. In the best case scenario, us artist types are inspired by the upcoming shows and are working hard creating our best work. But being an artist is an extremely challenging job, and finding inspiration can often be the most difficult aspect of our work.
I realized a long time ago that I am at my very happiest when my work is going well, and I'm at my lowest when my work is not going well, which usually translates into a lack of inspiration. Earlier this year I went through a few months of absolutely hating my work, and resisting the work that needs to be done on my production pieces, which pay the bills. While I was wallowing in my dark little place, I kept returning again and again to thoughts about what it means to be inspired, how you get inspired, and why inspiration is so elusive. I believe that one simply cannot be inspired to create all the time. In fact, it is essential to go through unproductive periods so your creative "well" can be replenished and you can fight your way back to that happy, inspired, productive place.
Still, knowing all of these things doesn't make the dry, uninspired periods any easier to suffer through. And there is no cure, other than to just get through it. Finally, after weeks of dragging around, I lit on an idea that made me excited to get into the studio, and I've been happily cooking along since. Here are a couple of things I came away with from this experience:
- It's okay and normal to be uninspired at times, and being angry at yourself about it is a waste of energy.
- Taking time away from the studio when things are not going well in there is a good thing.
- Complaining to yourself and others about how uninspired you are is not helpful; doing something completely different with your creative energy is. (I took an 8-week writing class and a paper cutting workshop.)
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Letter from the President
Hello ACGA members,
Don't let the weather fool you, summer is on its way, and with it the Palo Alto Clay and Glass Festival! It's not too early to start making plans to make this a successful show for yourself. Now is the time to start thinking about the exciting new work you would like to make, any changes you need to make to your booth set-up to make it more enticing and inviting, ordering business and post cards promoting your work, and planning your marketing campaign. And by marketing campaign, I mean sending out your postcards and emails to your customers and fans.
I've been known to send out postcards just a week ahead of time, which is probably not very effective in giving my customers time to clear the date and make a plan to go to the Palo Alto Festival. I've learned that planning is the best way to get myself to do things in a timely way, and yes, I learned that all by myself. Nowadays, I mark the dates on the calendar when the postcards and the email needs to go out. I add to my calendar any other thing that I need to do to prepare for Palo Alto, like repainting my display shelves, making special signage, ordering extra bags and tissue, and making sure my drape and curtains are not covered with spots and stains from whatever last event I dragged them to.
Next to making your best work, a beautiful booth design is probably one of the most effective ways to bring in new customers. A great booth with well-displayed work takes time and effort to create. If you aren't 100% comfortable with the way your booth is functioning, spend some time using your creativity to solve some of the issues, and don't be satisfied with the same old same old. Think about what you like to see in a booth, what draws you in, and apply some of that magic to your own space. The creativity that you apply to your clay or your glass can definitely be utilized in a 10' x 10' space. It's your space, you paid for it... make the most of it!
Whitney
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Letter from the President
Blogging, and Facebook and Twitter... oh my! This trifecta of social media has become ubiquitous in our culture over the past 18 months, and ACGA has joined in this networking revolution with our own Facebook Fan Page, a Twitter feed, as well as a regularly updated blog. While it may seem like a lot all of the sudden, it's actually just a first small step in making the ACGA a more easily accessible resource for our members.
So what can blogging and Facebook and Twitter (oh my!) do for you? While all three portals are going to be sources of new information for our members, the ACGA Blog is a great place where you can comment on posted topics and have your voice heard. There is also regularly updated bits of new information on shows opportunities, short member profiles, and of course, the letter from the President every month. The Facebook Fan Page is a great place for our members to post bits of their own news and useful links related to clay or glass. And our Twitter postings will have a lot of overlap from what you can already find on the blog and Facebook, so it's more useful for what you can find from the people we follow, such as the Archie Bray Foundation and Craft Magazine who are posting their own "tweets" and links.
So please, take some time to get familiar with the ACGA social media presence. Your participation and feedback is vital, so let your voice be heard... people are listening!
Whitney
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