2010

What do you see when you pause and look around your art studio?  Mess?  Chaos?  Neat and Tidy?  Creation? Potential?  Do you see yourself?

I do see myself, and it is a messy creation full of potential.  I have some of my artist’s books on a shelf and stack of glycerin/gelatin,  and now since I have started teaching online, the ever present studio lights and video camera.

I am very lucky to have space in my family’s machine shop.  My dad makes stitching attachments for shoe, handbag and mattress manufacturers.  I share my space with a retired chemist, who is building an experimental aircraft!  On weekends my nephews visit and we build stuff, paint things and let out our inner kids.

What do you see when you “look” around your studio?

Yesterday, I went to the Peabody Essex Museum to see Future Beauty: Avant-Garde Japanese Fashion.  I was so pleased as soon as I stepped into the exhibit.  I was greeted by huge fashion silhouettes with mirrors.

I have often thought about reflections in art exhibits.  Generally the glare and reflection from the glass is not part of the exhibit, but I would like to do an exhibit where it is an integral part of the experience.

We pick and choose what we see.  And often we choose not to see ourselves in the art, reflection or space.  Did I lose you?  Try it next time you are admiring a framed and glass covered piece of art.

Can you see yourself?  It is important? Does it matter?  I don’t really know.  Does it affect how you feel or your experience of the art?