Saturday, March 19, 2011

WHY BUY ART?

The following is an article by Suit Yourself(tm) International, Inc.

WHY BUY ART?

OK, so the economy is lousy. Why buy art?
If you're asking, you're missing the point.
Art's power and usefulness isn't solely on a conscious level.
Art is like gravity; it works on you whether you understand it or not
and your belief isn't required either. Art can be practical and useful; art helps you.
Art is meant to be interactive; it is meant to be USED
and is not just something mindlessly decorative.

Because art affects us primarily in a subliminal way, through symbols,
we can use art to help us make constructive changes.
For example, how many of your New Year's resolutions did you keep?
Art can help. For example, think symbolically and buy a pink piggy bank.
Chubby pig symbols help you conserve, on money and calories.
The piggy helps because it is already chubby;
it is symbolic of the RESULTS of having enough. As a symbol, it reminds us of bounty,
and subconsciously, when we are around it,
we have less need to indulge, either by spending too much or eating too much.
Remember, belief is not required.

That's one example of how artistic symbols can work as reminders.
Art can be also used in OPPOSITION to any situation that is blocking you,
in a COMPLEMENTARY way, and thus it can help you solve problems.
Artistic symbols have been known under many names, some of which are totems, guards, and spells.
By consciously buying art that reminds you of your goal's reward,
and keeping that picture hanging in front of you,
in your face, where you can see it all the time,
helps you stay focused on your goals and on your rewards
every time you look at it.

A useful fact is that looking at art forces your mind TO BE SOMEWHERE ELSE.
Even if you only look at art for 10 SECONDS, this is often enough to completely
change your present orientation.
Looking away from anything for a full 10 seconds, no peeking,
can rest your mind sufficiently so that when you look back, you immediately see
what you missed before.
Changing your orientation , even for 10 SECONDS, helps you see what you missed,
can head off depression, help break bad habits,
calm your temper, help you feel better and help you see and think more clearly.

Buy art that makes you feel a little uncomfortable.
Pieces that "stretch" your comfort level won't bore you in a couple of years
because they symbolize future progress.
By comparing where you are now to where you're headed,
you may feel a little uncomfortable around the art, at first.

Likewise, you may be tired of a painting after only a couple of years.
But it's a good idea to wait before selling it. Why?
Think: are you the same person now as when you bought it? Changes
in you, and in your life, likewise change your need for symbols.
Pieces need rest, just like us. If you're tired of a piece, put it away
for a couple of years, and give it time to rest.
Surprisingly, the piece can often appear fresh again, after a time.
It's not that the piece grew boring; it's more likely that you grew, into a new perspective.

Choose art images that inspire, calm, captivate and intrigue you,
confuse, offer escape, and above all, choose images and symbols that ARE NOT BORING.
Keep them around you and use as needed.
In seconds, art can change your attitude for the better , flood you with energy, and free
up your psyche to find new solutions to old dilemmas.
A picture is worth a thousand words; it doesn't require a prescription,
and is healthier than sugared java.)

Thank you for reading our guide!

Suit Yourself(tm) International, Inc.
PowerSeller ID: suityourselfinternational
suityourselfDOTorg

Saturday, March 12, 2011

New Medium





Having been a painter for so many years I am having a blast exploring the new medium of clay. I had taught art for a few years but my ability with clay was always limited to hand building. A few months ago, my daughter began taking painting lessons with a friend of mine at the Art Studio in New Castle, De. I knew that another friend of mine taught clay there but since it is about 1/2 hour away, I didn't have the to motivation to go over there until I started taking my daughter. Now I am learning to throw pots on the wheel, some of which I have posted here-my humble first attempts. I so enjoy the getting out to be with other artists and the warmth and camaraderie of the studio. Everyone is so helpful and friendly and I am really enjoying the challenge of learning something new. I think I might be becoming addicted :0) These are just a few pictures to introduce you to the studio.


Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Artist Salon Evening at Home


I Broke the Chains

Mother: Saint or Sinner?

My newest couch painting "Nashville Skyline"

Telling the stories of my paintings


Future couch painting?


Playing "Karen's Art Game"

Last Saturday, I had such a wonderful evening. Encouraged by my daughter's piano teacher Sara Samuel, I hosted a "salon" evening with a small group of ladies in my home where I showcased and talked about my painting and life as an artist. I collect work from other artists and usually hang my daughter's amazing art along with my own, but for this evening, the walls were covered "salon" style with my paintings, from my most recent to my earliest family paintings in black and white. I even devised a game to occupy the ladies while I tended bar making apple martini's. I gave prizes and talked about my life as an artist and the inspiration and stories behind my paintings. Much of what I showed was work that rarely sees the light of day as it is more personal than the cow and "people on the couch" paintings that I am known for. Some are memory paintings (Mother:Saint or Sinner?) some were couch paintings with deeper stories in them such as "I Broke the Chains" which depicts myself on the couch with my parents in black and white, each of us wearing the broken chains of dysfunction on our wrists. I got a lot of wonderful feedback, comments and suggestions for future work and feel inclined to start re-entering older pieces in gallery shows. It was also great because as I talked about each painting and reflected on what I had done, I was able to step outside of myself a little bit and see what others might see in my work. We had a lot of fun, yukking it up for the camera and taking turns snapping "couch" photos- future fodder for more paintings perhaps. Several commented that I had also inspired them to open up more and explore new medium or work. All in all, it was a fun and inspiring night for each of us.