Hills of Erin Studio Tour a success

I had no idea what to expect as this was the first time I have been part of a studio tour. I was crazy busy getting ready for it, but now I have slowed down and am enjoying the beautiful fall. One of the reasons I signed up was to give myself a kick in the butt to get back to my artwork after a couple of years hiatus...it worked. Met some wonderful people-fellow artists, visitors; got good feedback, and also tips on where to get more materials.

I am now thinking about next steps, but have decided that my artwork will be a main focus in my life over this next year. I have started collecting stuff; someone even returned on the second weekend of the studio tour with a box full of electronic junk for me.

Thanks to Wally and my wonderful friends who helped out. You made a big difference; the event would not have been the same without you!!

Deconstruction

Not sure why, but I really enjoy taking things apart...computers, cellphones, other electronic devices, watches, etc. There is something very satisfying for me in opening up a casing and discovering the treasures within.

The amount of human energy and ingenuity required to produce all the little bits for a video camera, for example, is incredible. I imagine engineers and designers figuring out the designs for these products; then many workers, probably mostly in sweatshop factories in Asia, assembling these devices. What if a fraction of that human capital was put to solving some of the nasty problems of our planet? What a crazy world we live in.....but in the meantime I am enjoying using the detritus of our system.

Stuff

I am still reacquainting myself with the stuff I have for making art. Bins, boxes, bags of stuff squirreled away :)  I have a lot given the relatively small spaces that I work in. My fabric palette is fantastic and I think I have enough for years. I am definitely not allowing myself to go to the Textile Museum Volunteer Committee's fabric sales this year.

I have been working mostly with motherboards so far. I have plenty of them too and lots of various types of cables. Fun

Getting started...

I have spent the past few days organizing my workspace and reacquainting myself with all the junk I have collected for my art. I am making a pact with myself not to collect anything else until I have used up some of what I already have...unless, of course, something absolutely amazing crosses my path :)

A lot of my work is inspired by the materials I use; checking out what I have is giving me ideas.

First Post

Hi there....I have resisted starting a blog as writing is not my favourite activity in life, but I think it might be fun to communicate this way; maybe I'll use this as a diary of my art adventure...I'll see.

I pretty well work by myself so making art is a bit of a lonely endeavour. However, I just found out last week that I have been accepted into the Hills of Erin Studio Tour happening this September (in and around Erin, near Everdale where I spend a lot of time). I will be meeting the other artists in April and we will be working together to make it happen. I look forward to meeting some fellow local artists.....

Signing up for the studio tour is now providing me with a goal to get cracking after a long hiatus from doing art..