We are still alive and that is grand! I will enjoy every bite of the cheesecake!
So, yesterday, as it might have been the last day, I went to our local Art Gallery to pick up a couple of steel and copper wall panel "paintings" that have been there for the month of December. I had plans,
because I thought the Mayans might be wrong, to give these as Christmas gifts.
It is a big gallery with one great room and several adjoining rooms all full with over 300 pieces, all the works of local artists who support this particular gallery. It is not a juried show. Each December, for the members, we can hang our works for the public to see and with luck purchase items for Christmas. There is some good work represented there and some average and some downright beginners kind of art. It is a mish mash of styles and talents all professionally hung with little placards
naming the piece with the artist's name and, of course, the price. The gallery takes a third which is reasonable for their work and all the bills they incur. Prices were all over the board, beginning at the low end of $65 and all the up to over $2,500. There was a relationship to the price and how much oil paint was on the canvas and I suppose a beginning artist always charges less. For those that might have no interest in paintings there was an entire room for ceramic artists. Bowls and dishes and clay statues and paperweights aplenty. There was also a wooden section, furniture and cutting boards and modern art pieces in all price ranges. Practical gifts and whimsical, some to gain value and many useful. Some clearly Art.
All of these pieces were locally made. American made. Artist made in small studios and on kitchen tables. Made from the soul.
I didn't go to the "Opening Night" and I regret that. I am inherently lazy and don't seek attention.
I wonder now if there were a crowd there? What people came and who were they? Yesterday, the day before the last day (today it is still OPEN) I was the only person there. This was great in that I had the place to myself and could wander around at my leisure examining and studying and learning. Each artist was allowed only two pieces so there were about 150 artists represented and all were displayed beautifully. Even crap displayed on a gallery wall looks pretty good and most of it was far better than that. It was sad too that I was alone, had the gallery to myself. I think of the lines at Walmart, the Christmas rush at the Big Box Stores, people buying junk that won't be around next year and I am saddened.
Red Dots on the display card with the artist's name mean that the piece has sold. In the entire gallery there were fewer than a dozen. I know this means something. We complain about the loss of American industry and like moths to a flame we are driven to foreign imports. We complain about shoddy work and buy stuff that will fall apart the day after Christmas. I just don't know. Lil' Abner had it right: "We have met the enemy and he is us." We also have local craft fairs and farmer's markets. I hope they did better.
Red Dots? Yes, I received one. I am happy that someone liked my creation and in someone's home this Christmas it will be given as a gift and hang on their wall. I am IN someone's home! An invited guest.
Merry Christmas!
My daughters will be home today! For a short week. They live on the other side, 3000 miles away and that is far too far away. I am lucky they are healthy and employed and have a life and lucky they choose to visit this time of year when there is a whole world to explore. It will be a great week.
So, yesterday, as it might have been the last day, I went to our local Art Gallery to pick up a couple of steel and copper wall panel "paintings" that have been there for the month of December. I had plans,
because I thought the Mayans might be wrong, to give these as Christmas gifts.
It is a big gallery with one great room and several adjoining rooms all full with over 300 pieces, all the works of local artists who support this particular gallery. It is not a juried show. Each December, for the members, we can hang our works for the public to see and with luck purchase items for Christmas. There is some good work represented there and some average and some downright beginners kind of art. It is a mish mash of styles and talents all professionally hung with little placards
naming the piece with the artist's name and, of course, the price. The gallery takes a third which is reasonable for their work and all the bills they incur. Prices were all over the board, beginning at the low end of $65 and all the up to over $2,500. There was a relationship to the price and how much oil paint was on the canvas and I suppose a beginning artist always charges less. For those that might have no interest in paintings there was an entire room for ceramic artists. Bowls and dishes and clay statues and paperweights aplenty. There was also a wooden section, furniture and cutting boards and modern art pieces in all price ranges. Practical gifts and whimsical, some to gain value and many useful. Some clearly Art.
All of these pieces were locally made. American made. Artist made in small studios and on kitchen tables. Made from the soul.
I didn't go to the "Opening Night" and I regret that. I am inherently lazy and don't seek attention.
I wonder now if there were a crowd there? What people came and who were they? Yesterday, the day before the last day (today it is still OPEN) I was the only person there. This was great in that I had the place to myself and could wander around at my leisure examining and studying and learning. Each artist was allowed only two pieces so there were about 150 artists represented and all were displayed beautifully. Even crap displayed on a gallery wall looks pretty good and most of it was far better than that. It was sad too that I was alone, had the gallery to myself. I think of the lines at Walmart, the Christmas rush at the Big Box Stores, people buying junk that won't be around next year and I am saddened.
Red Dots on the display card with the artist's name mean that the piece has sold. In the entire gallery there were fewer than a dozen. I know this means something. We complain about the loss of American industry and like moths to a flame we are driven to foreign imports. We complain about shoddy work and buy stuff that will fall apart the day after Christmas. I just don't know. Lil' Abner had it right: "We have met the enemy and he is us." We also have local craft fairs and farmer's markets. I hope they did better.
Red Dots? Yes, I received one. I am happy that someone liked my creation and in someone's home this Christmas it will be given as a gift and hang on their wall. I am IN someone's home! An invited guest.
Merry Christmas!
2 comments:
Wish you Merry Christmas, with your family!
Glad to know your daughter's are visiting, so lots of fun time in store for you.
Rama, thank you so very much!
Merry Christmas to you and your family, I hope you are all well and safe and together!
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