Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Up to Us In

Up to Us, 16 1/2x 17x3", mixed media assemblage, 2010

Guess what? I've still got "it". I had a piece selected for an upcoming Biennial! I think I keep submitting to these juried shows so I can see if the juror (who Knows) will like anything, and if so, what. This particular work, Up to Us, is pretty meaningful to me on a personal level due to its concept, which is taking care of and respecting our planet. I was overjoyed about finishing it--it was a work in progress for probably a year!--and I think it taught me a lot. You would not have recognized it in its earlier stages (and there were many). Now that it's no longer on my "torment list" (pieces that don't want to get finished), I have even begun to like it. Why is it that some works come right out, bam bam bam and others are practically impossible? So I guess this really is a triumph.

8 comments:

  1. what i love about this piece is that you have worked on it for SO LONG and yet it is simple. not overdone. it doesn't look worked to death. it has a fresh easy feeling about it which is refreshing. its a compliment.
    it is a blunt piece, blunt in that it is making some sort of visual statement to me that makes me feel like i've hit the end of the road and this sums it all up.
    its good :)
    and i'm so happy to hear you got it 'in'!
    what a great feeling eh?
    congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  2. Congratulations on getting in! The next time I enter a juried show, I will think about the juror who "Knows". It is so obvious that I don't know.

    Also like the name of the torment list. I kind of have one, but just didn't know what to call it.

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  3. Thank you both for the congrats--it's important to celebrate these positive events. hold on to that feeling!

    Paula, it's extremely gratifying to me that you feel something from this piece and that it doesn't look belabored. love your feedback!

    wych(may I address you like this?),you are welcome to use the torment list. I was going to wish you not a lot on it, but maybe a fuller torment list leads to growth.eeek

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  4. Congratulations on getting in! That's such a nice high! Beautiful piece!

    I love your phrase "torment list." I have a piece right now in my studio on that list that mocks me every time I go in. I have it out prominently because I keep thinking that if it's out, and I stare at it enough, I'll know what to do next. I'd rather put it in a drawer and never look at it again -- but unfortunately it was commissioned by a very patient person! ;-D

    Congratulations on persevering with this piece -- certainly worth the torment!

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  5. Hi Cynthia, it's got to be scary being stuck on a commission. What do you do when it's a watercolor and you can't paint over it?

    Next time I get some studio time, I'm hoping to attack a couple other pieces on "the list". You just never know what's going to happen...

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  6. Well done!! This piece grabbed my attention on Paula's FaceBook. Love it!

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  7. Thanks Robyn, I'm really flattered you like it--your work and blog are both favorites of mine!

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  8. Hi Deborah. This piece just jumped out at me. Fabulous!

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