The Love of the Craft

by Cate

Craft show season is here, and we artists are busy doing what we do. I have bought tons of beautiful new glass, and have been working on my new pieces for the last few weeks, all my new ideas garnered through the winter are being brought to fruition. I am really enjoying working in my new studio here in the Catskills, barring a few kiln mishaps—ha ha!

It’s been a tough few years for marketing art, but I’m hopeful people will have a little extra to purchase that special piece they can’t live without. Or, buy a gift for a special occasion like a wedding or birthday. 

I and my gallery mates will be showing our work in Ridgewood, NJ on Sunday, May 5 at a street fair if you want to come check out our newest work. Details on time and exact location are on our website, http://www.catskillartistsgallery.com/Events.html

So….support your local artists and get out there to the craft shows and art exhibits!

Artists and Their Materials

By Robert

"Flower"-- mixed media wall sculpture

As a contemporary artist, I am faced with a large and exciting choice of materials with which to express my ideas and concepts. As stimulating as that currently is, it has not always been the case.

For centuries, artists had narrower choices. Oil and watercolors, ink, and crayon for picture makers. Sculptors used clay, plaster, carved stone and cast bronze. Wood was the province of humbler folk carvers, not professional sculptors.

At the beginning of the twentieth century all began to change, for which I and many others are grateful. Picasso and other artists in Paris began to utilize elements from ordinary life. Collage, which literally means “pasting” in French, became the new cut-and-paste technique for creating a wide range of compositions on paper. Parts of newspapers, wallpaper

elements and popular illustrations were incorporated.

Later in the twentieth century, three-dimensional constructions followed, using wood, metal, glass, plaster and other everyday materials. The industrial technique of welding was adopted by sculptors, to build spatial constructions, using both linear and solid forms.

Today, artists can freely choose substances ranging from ropes and fibers to plastics, china plates, preserved animals and fabrics—you name it. Possibilities are wide and stimulating. This is a major reason why art today is so exciting—for viewers, collectors and not least of all, for us artists ourselves.

Tiny Worlds to Wear

by Nada Clyne

I've been creating these miniature scenes in a pendant for a year and a half now, and I keep discovering new delights! Lately I've been reveling in one to two inch abstract iridescent landscapes that seem to sparkle and glow as they catch the light.

As you might imagine working in a one to two inch space requires focus and patience.  As I pour the layers of resin over glass and acrylic paint, it creates an underwater feeling. Sometimes I make the little scenes more identifiable, like these.                                                                                                  

I just love that people can walk around with these little creations!  It's great fun to come across friends wearing them on a chain. And yes, I still create larger art and am discovering that what I learn on such a small scale carries over and influences the larger pieces. However, I must admit it has been a big surprise to find myself making - jewelry.  After all, is this ART?  :-)  Well, I'm having too much fun for it to matter!  And I'm looking forward to sharing these tiny worlds at CAG's upcoming art shows and craft fairs.  See you there!

To Give or Not to Give

by Hank

To give or not to give: that is the question. We as artists are often asked to give our work away to organizations as a way of raising funds for them.

I am often asked to donate my art work to raise funds for schools, radio stations, environmental groups and art organizations. At first I was flattered, but over time I have become resentful. I often walk into someone’s home and see my work on a wall.  I ask, “where did you get that picture?”  The response is usually “I bought it at auction.”  I wouldn’t mind so much if the fund raisers gave the artist a small percentage of sales; let’s say 10%. Some organizations even ask that you pay to POSSIBLY have your work published for nothing more than a credit line. I wonder if the printer has to pay to do the printing?

One of the most asked question artists ask other artists is “what do you think my work is worth?” A good way to find out is to put your work in a fund raiser for an art organization, keeping in mind some people are looking for bargains but others may reach further in their pockets to help the organization. It is also a way to support a group without reaching into your pocket.

Remember, just because most of us enjoy what we do, does not mean it’s not work.

Bottom line, it’s up to the artist to give or not to give.

May Apple