Yesterday, I spent a few hours taking myself out on an Artist Date. If you've read Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way, then you know what I am talking about. An Artist Date is time spent on something "out in the world" that serves to renew your creative spirit and gives you inspiration and possibly ideas for your work. For my Artist Date, I spent the afternoon at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond's Craft + Design Show. It's a higher-end show held as a fundraiser for the Visual Arts Center, and it is really fantastic. I have to admit I had never been to the show, even knowing about it and living in Richmond for just about eight years. This year, being in the position I am in with my artwork, and trying to develop myself artistically, I knew I had to go.
It was all that I expected, and more. I saw some extremely fine works of art from an outstanding variety of artists, including one of my very favorites, Joseph Craig English, a printmaker whose work I first saw when he created the piece that would be the poster for the Washington International Horse Show in, I think, 1993. I owned a copy of the poster, and I think he had signed it, but as with a number of my things, it was lost when Kira's dad and I split. I think the poster might be in the barn, but who knows? Anyway, I love his work, and if I'd had the money, I would have bought one of that print. As with all his work, he produces a number of prints and when they are gone, they are gone.
There were a number of fine jewelry artists, and beautiful wearable art, glassblowers, potters, and woodworkers. I chatted with all of the glassblowers, of course, and most of the jewelry artists. It was wonderful to see how so many people took ideas and turned them into beautiful artwork. I thought the jewelry-maker who showed a line of work that was based on renewable energy sources was really interesting, as well as the silversmith whose jewelry was made of cabochons of felted wool. I spent a long time talking beer, Upstate New York, and the fun of going to college in the pre-internet era ("college kids these days!") with Allie Dryer of Pistol-Stitched, who makes the coolest funky handbags. She sews them and makes the wooden handles, too, and I loved them all! Very cool. And a fun person to chat with as well!
Then I discovered the only lampwork artist at the show, Jasmine Keen, who works out of her home in Quincy, Massachusetts. Her work was fantastic, and I think I spent about a half an hour talking to her about glass, getting her recommendations for glass to buy and torches to consider, and sharing my suppliers for silver and copper wire. I had on one of my new necklaces, and she admired it, so I took it off for her to look at. She was amazed by my wire-wrapping and asked if I'd consider doing some wire-wrapping for her if she sent me beads. !!!!! Of course I would!!!!!! I gave her my card and hopefully we will be able to connect again by email and be long-distance glass buds. One of the things I like best about her work is the clear, clear bright colors she uses. She also has a line of earring that are similar pairs, but not identical, and that si something I have wanted to do too. Of course, Richmond is a funny place....very conservative at times, but also very funky, so I don't know if that would go over very well. I'm going to try it though. The conversation Jasmine and I had was outstanding, and I felt SO much better about my own work, the direction my work is going in right now, and what I want to do in the future. She urged me strongly to upgrade my torch setup so that I could expand my working possibilities -- work smarter, not so hard. I have to get the cash together and get my torch and oxy concentrator. I. Have. To. The things I could do with a fast, hot torch...oh, the possibilities!
On my way out of the show, I stopped to complete a survey, and the woman at the exit noticed my necklace. She asked me where I got it and when I told her I made it, she wanted to know why I wasn't an exhibitor. That alone made me feel good, and I gave her my card so she could look me up. Wow.
Oh, this was the necklace I had on. It's called "Gaslights" and it's one of my Industrial Revolution series.
It's a quick and dirty picture, so I didn't catch the focus on the beads. Here's a better picture of the beads:
They are hollow, and the wirework is all copper with a dark patina. And no, it doesn't turn your neck green.
I finished up my day with a quick trip to Barnes and Noble for a new magazine, and then spent the evening in comfy clothes, looking at artist websites and drawing my new ideas in my sketchbook.
All in all, a really fantastic day. Like I said, really validating for me as an artist. I needed the shot in the arm, so to speak, and now I am redoubling my efforts to get my work out there.
I need a better webpage, and a better online shop, and I need to take better pics of my work so I can apply to better-quality shows. Much to do...

