Written on June 9, 2011 at 11:46 pm, by Helen
“The making of beauty and of art says that we are alive and we have this beauty within us.” Ann Schaffer, artist
Categories: Activist Art, Artist Resources, Beauty, Biographical, Fablous Artists, Feminist art, Inspiration, Political Art, Watercolor, Women Artists
Written on May 2, 2011 at 2:50 am, by Helen
Activist art is, by definition, historically specific. It aims to address particular cultural, political and social concerns with a view to producing concrete social change. It is interesting to me as an artist and an educator how seldom we find an analysis of what makes effective activist art a part of what we teach and learn, especially since we need it now more than ever.
Categories: Activist Art, Artist Resources, Diversity, Fablous Artists, Feminist art, Fiber arts. Fabric design, Inspiration, Political Art, Teaching Art and Creativity, This and That, Wisconsin Arts, Women Artists
Written on April 17, 2011 at 2:56 am, by Helen
Accepting my limitations takes on a enjoyable sense of victory when I remember to treat those limitations as intellectual challenges that require me to find creative alternatives.
Categories: Ability, Artist Resources, Biographical, Disability, Fabulous Artists, Inspiration, Uncategorized, Women Artists
Written on October 24, 2010 at 5:53 pm, by Helen
I spent a rousing evening with the Arts Matters folks discussing the difference between using social media for ‘marketing’ your art and using it to build creative community (I’m an advocate for the latter).
Categories: Artist Resources, Biographical, Career Development, Promotional Materials, Teaching Art and Creativity, This and That, Uncategorized, Women Artists
Written on September 8, 2010 at 4:19 am, by Helen
Listed are artist residencies in Wisconsin, the US, and abroad, as well as some key major grants, exchange programs and exhibition opportunities for artists. This post also includes a discussion of moving through the paralysis of inaction toward our goals as artists.
Categories: Art Residencies, Artist Resources, Career Development, This and That, Uncategorized
Written on August 24, 2010 at 3:04 am, by Helen
The Feminist Art Movement profoundly influenced contemporary art practices. It introduced feminist content and gender issues; nonhierarchical uses of materials and techniques; and the idea of a multiple-voiced, fluid subject. The women’s art movement has championed the idea that gender is socially and not naturally constructed; validated non-“high art” forms such as craft, video and performance art; questioned the cult of “genius” and “greatness;” and placed an emphasis on pluralist variety rather than concepts of totalizing universalism.
Categories: Artist Resources, Diversity, Feminist art, This and That, Uncategorized, Women Artists
Written on August 16, 2010 at 9:47 pm, by Helen
I’m a firm believer in using several kinds of art cards as visual reminders of my artwork with my contact information attached to get my art out in the world. Sometimes it takes a while for people to be in a position to purchase a piece and I want to make it easy to find me when the time comes. I’ll talk about the many kinds of art cards and their uses.
Categories: Artist Resources, Biographical, Career Development, Charity, Fundraising, Promotional Materials, This and That, Uncategorized
Written on August 10, 2010 at 10:35 am, by Helen
Its wonderful to see students new to art learn that “creating art makes you more aware” of all there is to see and to come to understand that one of the major jobs an artist does is to notice and document this amazing world so others can see it too.
Categories: Artist Resources, Biographical, Career Development, Inspiration, Teaching Art and Creativity, This and That, Workshops and Classes
Written on July 25, 2010 at 4:16 am, by Helen
We are focusing on art making as a way to think and draw upon what we already know about what we need to survive and prosper as artists and as balanced human beings.
Categories: Artist Resources, Biographical, Career Development, Inspiration, Teaching Art and Creativity, This and That, Uncategorized, Workshops and Classes
Written on July 19, 2010 at 4:58 am, by Helen
My art making is a process of visual exploration of ideas or concerns. The resulting artworks document my creative and critical thinking. After a process of editing I choose the best of the visual texts to share with the world.
Categories: Artist Resources, Biographical, Career Development, Teaching Art and Creativity, Watercolor