Art Touches the Soul

Wall at Marigold Elementary school- artist Meredith Timpson

   
     One of the things I struggled with when I was first coming to the realization and decision that I was "an artist", was the question of, "What good will any of this bring?" I wanted to know that all the time and energy I was putting into my pieces was going to result in something other than lack of sleep or being a garage hermit. (My mosaic studio is in the garage. I spend a lot of time in the garage.) Peace and assurance came to me one day when I noticed just how much I am affected when I see a piece of art that reaches my soul. When I see a piece of art whose textures and colors are richly varied, unexpected, and come together with a sort of harmony that was always meant to be, there is a moment when my heart skips a beat, my breath is taken if but briefly, and I am reminded once again of the beauty found in this life. For me, many mosaics, some oil paintings, certain watercolor paintings, and all sunsets (artist's name: God) move me in that way. When I am reminded of beauty, I commune once again with the Maker of beauty, and, for me, that brings me back to my place of rest. Art is a big deal.
    I have been immensely humbled a few times by being on the artist-end of the soul-touched viewer of one of my mosaics. You can see it when someone is moved by a piece. They linger. They study intensely as if they couldn't believe their eyes. Sometimes they talk outloud to themselves and yet, it is as if they are having this conversation with the piece itself. Almost like the art understands who they are as a person and they have just made a new soul-mate. I know it has nothing to do with me. Yeah, I made it. But 100 people before that person walked right past that piece and did not react that way. The planet has 7 billion people, all uniquely different. It is a good thing there are so many artists creating so many different kinds of art because not one of those 7 billion people are identical. More art means more people will have a chance to find beauty, comfort, inspiration, and healing.
   My mother is an artist and I can use her as an example to make my point beautifully. My mother, Linda Smith ( http://www.lindacsmithfineart.com/ ) is also a mosaic artist (and painter, sculpter, writer, photographer, cook, green-thumb....the amazing list goes on). She was asked to do a commission of two large mosaics for the ICU floor of a new hospital wing in the Bay Area in California. Some months after the installation she received an email from a man who had had a family member in the ICU there at that hospital. It seems that during the time he spent pacing the floor waiting for word on his family member who was in the ICU, he had noticed her mosaics. In particular he stopped in front of one titled "End of Day". Here is what he said in his email to her:

"…I was immediately taken in and felt such an amazing sense of peace rush over me. It was perfect timing. The colors and the depth of the tiles were so captivating and I couldn't stop staring at all the individual details of the piece…." 

  The man was moved. His soul was touched and the art helped him to have peace during a stressful time in his life. Of course my mother was touched. I interviewed her for this blog and she shared her response to what this man had told her,

"My response to this person's email was an emotional thing for me! I've always thought that if my artistic work helps just one person to see the wonders of the colors and immensity of 'Life' then I've done my job. I'm also a person of faith and believe that the work I do is what God means for me to do…to share the colors and wonders of Life through my art."

Now you want to see her work don't ya! A little about the pieces first: They are both 30 inches in diameter and were made using hand-glazed Morrocan tile imported to the US through  http://www.tinytilemosaics.com/ . But here's the thing. The tiles she used range in size from 1/2 inch square at the largest down to 1/8 inch. They are tiny. But the effect they create is breathtaking. Think "painting" with tile. Think "pointelism" with tile. I've included photos and descriptions of both her pieces at the bottom. Perhaps you will be moved as well.

Art touches the soul. Does art touch everyone's soul? I actually believe that for every person alive there is a piece of art that would speak to them specifically. Some people don't look at art or seek it out. Some people, like the man at the hospital, come across it during their lives. Just think- if Linda would not have made those pieces, someone else's art may have hung in that spot and may not have spoken to that man's soul the way her art did. When I create my art now, not only am I grateful for my own bond with the piece, but I think about the people that will see it and hope that someone else connects with it and is made happier because of it. And my number one highlight would be if the beauty of my work caused someone to contemplate the Source of beauty and be brought to of God. To me, that is a worthy purpose.

 "Rise of Day"  The design gives the hope of a new day dawning. Every day the sun rises on our planet and the promise of each new day is yet to be written. -Linda Smith

 

"End of Day" This design gives comfort. Whether the day has been long and difficult or short and sweet, the setting of the sun indicates that the gathering darkness will fall as a warm blanket giving comfort through the night until the sun rises again. -Linda Smith

How to Promote Yourself Locally As An Artist

     We create. Art is born. Then what? As an artist, we have some choices to make. We can decorate our own homes from top to bottom with our creations. We can give our art away to everyone we know as gifts. We can store our artwork in the garage, or...we can get it "out there". The truth is, that being an artist can involve the need to know how to market yourself and your work, if you wish your art to be viewed and bought by the public. Now, I did not earn a marketing degree in college. I would venture to say that many, if not most, artists do not have a marketing degree or much marketing experience... at first. In this month's blog, I am going to share how I have gotten my name and my art out into my community. Perhaps you may try some of these things in your community!

In a nutshell here is what I suggest:
1. Join your local community art center or group (or the one in the nearest town to you if yours does not have one)
2. Enter art shows and go to art shows
3. See if you can show and/or sell your work in local businesses
4. Teach art classes in your medium through community rec programs or your art center.
5. Have business cards, a social networking account dedicated to your art, and a blog!


#1

Join your local community art center.
Check out my local art center to see what one has to offer, at
www.chicoartcenter.com

Being a member of the Chico Art Center has provided me with many opportunities to get my name and my art out there. I have been in art shows held through the Art Center. I teach mosaic classes through the Art Center. I have run the kids craft booth during our Friday night concert-in-the-park program during the summer. I have done art demonstrations at the art center during special art awareness nights. Because I have made connections with the people who work and volunteer at the art center, they think of me when a local business or organization is looking for an artist to come and do a demonstration or to hang their art in their local business. I have also been featured in our group's email newsletter. Join your local art center because it is one of the best ways to get your name known as an artist in your community.

 

#2

Be in an art show! I am going to be
in this outdoor art show in May.
http://chivaa.org/art-fiesta/

I remember the first art show I entered I was so nervous because I did not feel like an artist. I felt like I had no business entering my art alongside all these local pros! There are two kinds of art shows: Shows where you pay and you're in, and Shows where you send in your money and photos of your work, and then are either invited or rejected. This second kind of art show is known as a juried show. My local art center has a members show every January. If you are a member you can have a piece shown in a bonafied art show! This is the place to start. Entering a piece of art in juried shows can be a gamble because they almost always cost money (usually $20-$40) and you may not even get your piece in the show. You do not get your money back if they do not accept you. I most certainly have been rejected for multiple art shows, but that doesn't discourage me from trying again. I usually set a yearly goal to be in two or three art shows where you pay and you're in, and one or two juried art show attempts. One major reason I enter art shows, besides to try to sell my art, is to motivate me to finish an art piece. There are deadlines for entering shows and these deadlines help me finish pieces that perhaps otherwise would've sat for weeks (ok-months). I also recommend going to art shows even if you are not showing work in it. You can meet other artists and often, through talking with others at art shows, can discover opportunities and relationships that will help you promote your own art! This is called "networking" (those of you who are experienced in all this are rolling your eyes now...).

 

#3

Sell or show your art in local businesses
http://www.madeinchicostore.com/

My town has a wonderful, amazing store called Made in Chico. Everything for sale in the store was made by someone in Chico. Local artists and artisans consign their creations here. I have had great success selling my mosaic creations here over the years. Not every town has such a store. You may have to go out and create your own opportunity. Go to a local florist or locally owned home decor shop and see if the owner/manager would be willing to sell some of your pieces on consignment. A fair consignment deal would be that they get one-third of the retail selling price and you get two-thirds. If you can not find anyone who wants to do a consignment deal, perhaps a local doctors office or restaurant will show one or several of your pieces for a period of time. Perhaps they could display your art near the receptionist or hostess desk, or in the waiting room or main dining area. This benefits you because you can have a nameplate with contact information  and sale information on it below each artwork, and it benefits the local business because customers enjoy local art and will think favorably of the business that they, too, appreciate and support local arts.

 

#4

Teach an art class in your medium.
Check out my local rec program's art class listings:
http://www.chicorec.com/Classes/Art/index.html

I am a teacher by nature. As a young girl I would come home from school and teach my younger sister what I learned in school that day. I have a music education degree and teach music. So, teaching, for me, is natural. Teaching, for you, may be far from natural. That does not mean you should not do it! Perhaps you can team up with a friend or an experienced teacher and begin by offering a one day workshop in something very basic in your medium. Or you can teach a children's class in some form of your medium. For example, I taught a one day mosaic workshop for children and we did a mosaic using glass gem drops. The students did not have to use nippers or tweezers or deal with sharp edges. They just glued on smooth, round glass drops and then we grouted. It was great! And, by doing that class, my name was out there. These places like my local CARD, and the Chico Art Center I mentioned in #1, publicize their classes and people will see your name. The more places you have your name mentioned as an artist, the more credibility it gives you in the eye of the public as an artist. Any students that come to your class will meet you and recommend you (hopefully!) to their friends. Offer deals like, "bring a friend and save $5". This will help even more people come to your class and then get to know you as an artist.

 

#5

           

Use social media to help locals learn more about you as an artist.
Check out my Facebook page to see an example:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/KimFinlanMosaics

Here is my business card.
Get free business cards at
www.vistaprint.com

Get business cards so you can hand them out to anyone you talk to about your art. People love receiving an artist's business card. You can get free business cards (you pay for shipping) at www.vistaprint.com . You can also use social media to promote your art. I have a Facebook page. I make sure I post something about mosaics at least once a week. I post photos of works I am doing, I post links to cool mosaic blogs, I post art show openings. I even post about thrift store finds like dishes I will break up and mosaic with. With a Facebook page (different than just a regular FB account), you can have fans or "Likes" and whenever you post it'll show up on their Facebook. Then, it is possible that your post can spread to hundreds of other people as your fans share your posts with their friends. Usually, most of your Facebook friends are locals, and your friends' friends are locals. I recommend getting a FB page if you are an artist. Another great tool for getting your name out their as an artist? A blog! Hey- you're reading my blog aren't ya? ;)

 

  I am definitely not an expert in how to promote yourself as an artist, but these five things have helped me become known in my community as an artist. I believe they can help you too!  

 

 

Getting Down to Business

   I am a mom. I drive a minivan. I am a stay-at-home mom who cleans and cooks and volunteers in my son's kindergarten class once a week. I personally struggle a little with being a stay-at-home mom. I know there are some mother's out there who are working and would love to stay home. I do love being a mother but I have such a drive in me, such a passion, such a thirst for accomplishment and making a difference in the world that I sometimes feel like I am wasting my life each and every day. Now I know that for my two children, my daily involvement in raising them will be fruitful in their lives. But the funny thing about people is that even if a kid is raised in a daycare they can still turn out to be a very awesome person! Where am I going with all of this?
    Well, I was recently forwarded a website that is dedicated to a documentary called "Who Does She Think She Is?" I have not yet seen this documentary, but the clips I saw on this website have been enough to inspire me to get down to business! First let me say that the documentary focuses on 5 women artists who are also mothers. Two of the artists in particular still have kids living at home but are very successful, working artists as well. Check out the website for yourself! http://www.whodoesshethinksheis.net/
   So what exactly do I mean when I say I am going to "get down to business"? I am going to treat my art as if I were going to a job. I am going to set studio work hours and, with my husband's support, will work in my studio every day. Some days it may just be one hour. Other days I may be able to do up to five hours. I already work in my studio but I treat it like a last-thing-on-the-list-to-do. So most weeks I only work in my studio one or two days per week for about 2 hours each time.
   The biggest encouragement I received from the clips I watched from the documentary is that I do not need to feel guilty about creating my art. I have been given this gift. Everywhere I have tried to turn as far as other career paths go, have been shut down...except my art. My art has been blessed and I sell everything I make. So, instead of searching desperately for a "job" so I can leave my mark, I am going to embrace my art, along with my stay-at-home-mother status, and leave an even more beautiful mark than I could anywhere else at this moment in time. If you need me, I'll be in my studio!