Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Artist Statement

What is it about writing an artist statement...one's own artist statement...that is so incredibly daunting? Paralyzing even? Last week Fiona wrote about composing hers. How timely her post was because I too needed to update, well...let's be honest...write a whole new artist statement - one about my mark making rather the oh-so-out-of-date-one that was for my weavings. 

Sunday morning, the painful process began. I kept going back to Fiona's post to review the points that Alyson B. Stanfield of Art Biz Coach suggested one consider when writing one's artist statement. 


Soon enough, two pages were filled with what my inspiration is, what gets me in the studio, what it is about rust that excites me, etc. The lists were easy. Taking those lists and turning them into a cohesive paragraph or two was anything but.

Monday morning found me at the computer, alternately staring at the blank screen and the lists, trying desperately to write...something...anything. An artist statement was needed, like NOW. Really. Today in fact. 

All the while, a comment Pam made during our usual Friday Skype session kept flitting through my mind...that I am good at writing stories. So why not write my artist statement as a story? And so it began...

You know that person you see every now and then who looks both ways to make sure no cars are coming, then steps out into the street only to bend down and pick something up before continuing along their way? That would be me. What I just retrieved from the road is a rusty bit – a washer perhaps – that caught my eye.

And then the little urchins woke and came shuffling sleepily into the studio to say good morning. The moment was lost. 

Later in the day, I found myself with a bit of free time and decided to go to the mall. Walking through the parking lot, something on the ground caught my eye so I bent to retrieve it, making sure to look both ways to insure no cars were coming...and a small laugh escaped remembering the words I'd written earlier


This morning, facing a 5 pm deadline, I continued the story and finally...FINALLY...finished my artist statement.

Rust has a quiet power, a vibrancy and mysteriousness that draws me in and begs to be explored, to be played and experimented with. Mark making with rust is unpredictable and complex yet the marks themselves have a simplicity that allows the quiet power to come through while the many textures and layers left by the rust hint at stories yet to be told. 
 
My current work combines mark making with rust and hand stitching with my love of Japanese boro.


22 comments:

  1. Bravo!
    I need to do this too
    will settle into it in due time
    yes - you are a wonderful storyteller
    you must keep those twins spellbound
    at the P.O. yesterday I found a rusty bull clip
    thanks for reminding me...

    xox - eb.

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    1. Thank you! Good luck with the writing when you settle in to write yours. It's downright painful to do, but worth the effort.

      If only I possessed the power to keep the little urchins spellbound... Alas, telling them a story is, well, difficult. They keep asking questions - at the same time - and my brain has finds it nearly impossible to think in three directions simultaneously...unless it's about art, that is.

      I'm loving your tags. More please.

      HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

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    1. Oooh! I like the sound of that. Thank you very much Ronnie!

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  3. I am so jealous that you have got around to doing, redoing, your Artist Statement. Since Fiona posted about Artist's Statements many of us having been thinking about making our own the best it can be. I don't know you Jennifer, but i know rust and what you have written about your response to it is quite beautiful.

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    1. Oh Susan...I had no choice but to write the rusty artist statement. My Rust Boro #1 had to be dropped off for an exhibition yesterday by 5 pm. A resume and artist statement were required so... Nothing like a deadline to get one working.

      Glad you like the new statement. And you do know me...I'm the one you see stopping to pick up rusty bits off the ground.

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    2. I do know you ...... you are like me, and Fiona, and Barry ..... rust junkies amongst other delightful traits! Feel like I am getting to know you through this world of blogs, but also because Fiona and Barry have now met you and I know them ..... and so it goes. Personally, I find that when I meet another creative person there is an immediate bond, quite unlike any other, almost as though you are from the same family. It would seems through blogging and on tumblr that everyone in the world is creative but the truth is, in any community there are not so many per population. And they all think we are a little odd or different. It is sooooooo nice to speak to artist who just get what you say without having to explain.

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  4. Love your statement especially the part about the unpredictability of the rust and it's simple quiet power - and love hearing your process in writing it! Good luck with your exhibit too!

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    1. Thank you Judy! I'd like to say writing the statement was a fun experience, but...well...it wasn't really. I am very happy it is written and am enjoying readying everyone's comments.

      By the way, your sketchbook for 2012 is wonderful! I signed up last April, but never managed to do anything. Maybe for the 2013 tour...

      Enjoy!

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  5. That says it all and nicely too! hope a jillion people come to see the exhibit and read that statement! well, just to see your delightful work!

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    1. You are far too kind Lyle. But I have to admit that having a jillion people read my statement and view my boro piece would be fantastic! I'll let you know how it goes. Enjoy.

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  6. your storytelling draws me in.
    what an elegant way to portray
    why you do what you do.
    hope the exhibit brings
    heaps of blessings!

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    1. Your comments are always a bit of poetry.
      Thank you ever so much!

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  7. I love it! I think it says it all so well. I feel I know the mesmerising attraction rust has for you and I know why you want to delve and explore, and the magic you feel when serendipity happens! Well done you. I have had a look at mine again once, and hope to turn my mind to it again next week. I hope I can get it as succinct and perfect as you!

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    1. Perfect? Mine? Oh...it's far from it, but it warms my heart and soul that you think so.

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  8. I love the beginning of your story and how it flows into why you love rust so much. Lots of effort to write but hopefully you won't have to write a new one for quite a while.

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    1. Thanks Julie! You know...I still need to write a statement that is about mark making - regardless of whether I'm doing so by discharging, rusting or printing. That one will be excruciating to compose. Think I'll wait as long as possible before tackling it.

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  9. Well written and really supports your work as I understand it from your blog. Oh geez, now I have to get busy....

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    1. Thank you Hollis! Just took a look at your blog and saw that you live in the same town as friends of mine. I've only been there once, but loved it. Good luck with Etsy. I keep procrastinating about it. One day...

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  10. Jennifer, this is a powerful statement. Congratulations, it is so difficult to write something that doesn't sound or feel fake. This sounds really real, and really natural.

    I read recently about Yeats - the poet - who's aim was to just be natural when he wrote. To let the reader or listener think and feel at the same time, like he was. I'll have to look for that reference...

    But also, while I'm here. I enjoyed your whole story of the struggle.

    And where is your exhibit going to be?

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    1. It's a shame that we all find it so difficult to put into writing what is in our souls as far as our art is concerned, but it is. That you think managed to make mine sound real is a very dear compliment. Many thanks!

      The exhibition that prompted the statement is Silvermine Arts Center's 90 Anniversary member exhibition here in CT. I juried into the guild the year before we adopted our daughters and haven't been very active. Those who remember the weavings I juried in with 5 years ago will be very surprised [hopefully pleasantly] to see what my rusty work.

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