I just joined a cool site called
Beaders Showcase. It's a little like MySpace for Beadists - a place to showcase your work, meet some nice folks, and mix and mingle if you feel like it. I don't have a lot of time for all the social stuff, but if I ever feel lonely, and in need of some good beady banter, that's where I'll go. And it's interesting to me to be going through all my bead photos, and see what I've made over the years. I don't actually own most of my best work anymore, but I do have pictures. I'm sort of sad that the market for great beads has fizzled so badly in the current economy. I'm forced to dumb down my work in order to make it affordable for the average bead buyer. I do hope I'll be encouraged to make the good stuff again someday. For now, I just need to focus on making a living... I'll bet a lot of people don't realize that my beads and I have been supporting my family for years. It's a tricky little juggling act, and sometimes there's just no room for Art.
But, I also just found out about MoveOn.org's
Manifest Hope Gallery Contest. (Thanks
Joyce Rooks!) I decided to enter a necklace, even though I think I have
very little chance of catching the judges attention. One of them is a curator for the Guggenheim... where Real Art is probably
not a string of beads. But
everything is worth a shot. How do we know if we don't even try? Here's the necklace...
I
think even McCain supporters can wish me luck on this one. Don't we all want things like Progress, Hope, and Peace? Man, I sure hope so.
8 comments:
Kim, I love this piece. And don't ever think that your work isn't art - it is, and you are an artist. Hold that thought.
XO
Meredith
WOW...it came out great! Glad you took it on and I wish you the best of luck with it...even if you don't win-many people will see it! fabulous
This necklace is fantastic, breathtaking, so beautiful. I sure wish I could have it for my little self... but I know, I can't have them all, that's OK (but you know me, I'll keep trying!)
I hope this unique piece and yourself get the applause you both deserve.
After all this time, your talent still amazes me!
Kim, the necklace is lovely ~ as always your beads stand out amongst the crowd !
I love that new site too, I think I might get into it a well !
Kim, of course your string of beads is "real art"! Don't ever sell yourself short. Your talent and creativity is obvious in everything you do and that is what real art is about. (I bet Grandma Moses didn't think her little paintings were real art either.) Your work (and especially this piece) is beautiful! Good luck.
Polly Anna
Kim, the necklace is very nice and it says alot about what is happening now. Your beads are the best art I've bought in years, And I get to wear them, every day if I choose, and I usually have on at least one or more every day....Thanks so much... I believe that change is coming.
Kim, your beads are actually more affordable to me now. The new postage to the UK does help with the cost. We also pay 17% import tax at this end if the item is over (in the region of)$40. When you go travelling will the bead making stop?
Well, as I emailed you I think your art is superior to what I have seen in the Guggenheim over the last 40 years; but as a previous responder said, it will be wonderful for people to see what you submit. The message is certainly the right one!
Best to you, always
Norine
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