It's Often in the Last Place You Look

     This is a photo of my most recent piece, finished on Feb. 13, right before Valentine's Day.  This collage had been languishing in my studio for a couple of weeks, unfinished.  I had the back ground I liked (leafless trees done with stencil and India ink on green tissue paper), and the vintage images of the two little girls, but I was kind of stuck there.  I stamped words on the girls' dresses and added glitter and sequin accents, but it still wasn't quite right.  The stamped words were too distracting and I wanted something different, but no inspiration was coming.

     "No inspiration" usually means that it's time for me to get out of the house.  I attended a wonderful two day even called Curious Gallery and was deeply impressed by what I saw there.  Many of the art pieces in the Curious Gallery show incorporated natural elements, like moss and dried plants, bones, etc.  I loved the idea of gluing some twigs and moss to my collage to add texture and interest, so I did.  I also was inspired by the Valentine's displays in the local Dollar Tree to cut up some lacy doilies and add them as pinafores to my girls (thus covering up the distracting words).   The Valentine's issue of a magazine had a cute tea set pictured, which I also borrowed.  After a week of nothing, the collage came together into its final form in about an hour.

     When things are going slowly, I have to remind myself to take time to go out and see the world and enjoy some experiences, because this is what nourishes my creative wellspring.   It feels like slacking off sometimes, but I have come to accept that this is a necessary part of my creative process.  I have to take things in and let them steep in my brain for a while before they come out as useful ideas.  Even going to Bi-Mart was an inspirational experience for me today.  I'm not telling, but I've got two words - "cherry blossoms".

New Year, New Endeavors

     I must be one of the worst bloggers ever.  Last post was dated October 2013 - what?!  Here it is February 2014 and I'm picking up again.  Oh well, I always was kind of a late bloomer.  Here is my reason for starting up again - I have decided to pursue my art.  My recent research in How to Be an Artist tells me that one of the necessary components to being a contemporary artist is to have an Art Blog.  So- poof!- voila! - Notorious is now an Art Blog!

    Because an Art Blog should probably contain Art, or at least pictures, here are some of my collage/ mixed-media canvases that I've been working on lately:

     I have more, but boy am I having a hard time uploading these pix from my phone!  Talk about technologically impaired! This is why I make my art the old-school way, with paper, scissors, and paint, instead of digitally.  The problem there is that there are lots of fine details to these pictures, like dimensional accents, glimmer sprays, and glitter that don't come thru on reproductions and can best be seen on the original canvases.  Here's more:

     Well, that took me most of the morning.  I really should keep up with this blog, so I don't have to relearn how to do it every time I post!  I also need to get to work making more art, and getting ready for the Art Show and Tea Party on March 1. More to come, I promise!

My New (Personal) Steampunk Manifesto

 
  I haven't posted anything here in a long while.  Truth to tell, I've been very sour on the whole Steampunk experience, ever since getting removed last year from the Steampunk group I started here in Portland, OR, by my co-administrator and supposed friend.  So I did what I do best - take my hurt feelings and crawl under a rock, away from anyone or anything that can hurt me.  I allowed myself to believe that the Steampunk scene was filled with vicious, narcissistic hypocrites, based on my experience with one ego-driven woman.  Basically, I became a hermit and hid out for a year.

     Then, encouraged by a friend who has recently discovered Steampunk, I attended Steamcon V.  I had a wonderful time!  I discovered that the good, friendly, and open-minded people who I had always associated with the Steampunk community were still there.  They welcomed me to Steamcon V, as they had welcomed me to Steamcons 1-IV, with open arms.  The Steampunk celebrities at the con were lovely, down to earth, friendly, and accessible.  The panels were run by enthusiastic and knowledgeable persons from the community.  My interest and enthusiasm for the genre were renewed.  I felt like I had come home again.

     I have been mulling things over since the con last weekend, and have come to some personal realizations based on my previous experiences.

1.  I will be a free agent.  No more trying to organize a group or club, as this seems to be an open invitation to others to try to "take over" and create an unnecessary power struggle.  I will act strictly on my own behalf.

2.  I have as much right as anyone else to participate in community events.  Others may try to block me from their private "groups" and Facebook pages, which is their prerogative, but public events are just that.  Public.

3.  I am a valued member of the Portland  Steampunk community.  This was repeated to me over and over by the people I ran into at the convention.  Instead of withdrawing from the community due to the negativity and hatefulness of one or two unpleasant people, I will concentrate on cultivating the friendships of the many good, kind, creative folks in the community.

4.  I will do my own thing.  I look back with regret at all the times I had an idea for an event or a way to participate in the community and then didn't do it because I listened to the negative advice of the nay-sayers.

5.  I will pursue my creative path.  A major part of concentrating on and emphasizing the positive in my life will be developing my creative interests in art and self-expression.

6.  I will Steampunk Without Fear.  I will make friends, attend events, create beauty, and participate in the community to the extent that I wish, without seeking approval or fearing the displeasure of anyone else.  I will be the best person that I can be, and will strive always to present that person to the community.

     This almost feels like a New Year's Resolution list to me, but I think that's okay.  I want this to be a new year, a new beginning, moving forward in the most creative, happy, and healthy way possible.  I look to my Steampunk community, both local and national, for inspiration, encouragement, and support, and offer my support, creativity, and energy in return.  It's going to be a good year.