you come too

She has learned that her body is precious and it mustn’t be offered carelessly ever again, as it holds a direct connection to her heart.

Shopgirl, Steve Martin 

Mirabelle Buttersfield moved from Vermont hoping to begin her life. And now she is stranded in the vast openness of LA. She keeps working to make connections, but the pile of near misses is starting to overwhelm her. What Mirabelle needs is an omniscient voice to illuminate and spotlight her and to inform everyone that this one has value, this one standing behind the counter in the glove department and to find her counterpart and bring him to her.

Shopgirl, Steve Martin

One Artist to Another: Sol LeWitt and Eva Hesse

I recently unearthed old materials and sketchbooks. I came across a tattered copy of this letter from Sol LeWitt to Eva Hesse, tucked away within the pages of an old sketchbook I used for my first sculpture class at Skidmore. Eva Hesse has always been my favourite artist and main source of inspiration because she constantly questioned and pushed herself. When I felt myself questioning my art, I took solace in reading excerpts of her journal entries. I’m especially delighted to have re-discovered this letter. Quite amazing how meaningful it still is. 

Dear Eva,

It will be almost a month since you wrote to me and you have possibly forgotten your state of mind (I doubt it though). You seem the same as always, and being you, hate every minute of it. Don’t! Learn to say “Fuck You” to the world once in a while. You have every right to. Just stop thinking, worrying, looking over your shoulder wondering, doubting, fearing, hurting, hoping for some easy way out, struggling, grasping, confusing, itchin, scratching, mumbling, bumbling, grumbling, humbling, stumbling, numbling, rumbling, gambling, tumbling, scumbling, scrambling, hitching, hatching, bitching, moaning, groaning, honing, boning, horse-shitting, hair-splitting, nit-picking, piss-trickling, nose sticking, ass-gouging, eyeball-poking, finger-pointing, alleyway-sneaking, long waiting, small stepping, evil-eyeing, back-scratching, searching, perching, besmirching, grinding, grinding, grinding away at yourself. Stop it and just DO!

From your description, and from what I know of your previous work and you [sic] ability; the work you are doing sounds very good “Drawing-clean-clear but crazy like machines, larger and bolder… real nonsense.” That sounds fine, wonderful – real nonsense. Do more. More nonsensical, more crazy, more machines, more breasts, penises, cunts, whatever – make them abound with nonsense. Try and tickle something inside you, your “weird humor.” You belong in the most secret part of you. Don’t worry about cool, make your own uncool. Make your own, your own world. If you fear, make it work for you – draw & paint your fear and anxiety. And stop worrying about big, deep things such as “to decide on a purpose and way of life, a consistant [sic] approach to even some impossible end or even an imagined end” You must practice being stupid, dumb, unthinking, empty. Then you will be able to DO!

I have much confidence in you and even though you are tormenting yourself, the work you do is very good. Try to do some BAD work – the worst you can think of and see what happens but mainly relax and let everything go to hell – you are not responsible for the world – you are only responsible for your work – so DO IT. And don’t think that your work has to conform to any preconceived form, idea or flavor. It can be anything you want it to be. But if life would be easier for you if you stopped working – then stop. Don’t punish yourself. However, I think that it is so deeply engrained in you that it would be easier to DO!

It seems I do understand your attitude somewhat, anyway, because I go through a similar process every so often. I have an “Agonizing Reappraisal” of my work and change everything as much as possible = and hate everything I’ve done, and try to do something entirely different and better. Maybe that kind of process is necessary to me, pushing me on and on. The feeling that I can do better than that shit I just did. Maybe you need your agony to accomplish what you do. And maybe it goads you on to do better. But it is very painful I know. It would be better if you had the confidence just to do the stuff and not even think about it. Can’t you leave the “world” and “ART” alone and also quit fondling your ego. I know that you (or anyone) can only work so much and the rest of the time you are left with your thoughts. But when you work or before your work you have to empty you [sic] mind and concentrate on what you are doing. After you do something it is done and that’s that. After a while you can see some are better than others but also you can see what direction you are going. I’m sure you know all that. You also must know that you don’t have to justify your work – not even to yourself. Well, you know I admire your work greatly and can’t understand why you are so bothered by it. But you can see the next ones and I can’t. You also must believe in your ability. I think you do. So try the most outrageous things you can – shock yourself. You have at your power the ability to do anything.

I would like to see your work and will have to be content to wait until Aug or Sept. I have seen photos of some of Tom’s new things at Lucy’s. They are impressive – especially the ones with the more rigorous form: the simpler ones. I guess he’ll send some more later on. Let me know how the shows are going and that kind of stuff.

My work had changed since you left and it is much better. I will be having a show May 4 -9 at the Daniels Gallery 17 E 64yh St (where Emmerich was), I wish you could be there. Much love to you both.

Sol

Weekend Warrior

“Follow your heart, stick to your guns, and you’ll have what you want.”

Once again, I had the great pleasure of being part of Artists & Fleas this past Saturday. With markets, it’s always hit or miss. Sometimes people buy things you’ve created and sometimes they don’t. In a sea of talented designers, it’s tough to stand out. Beneath layers of excitement and accomplishment, I sometimes feel quite nervous. While I believe in the work I create, as an artist putting yourself out there is putting yourself on the line. Thoughts of failure, rejection, whether or not people will like your work are always lurking. If you aren’t careful, those thoughts can get the best of you.  With that in mind, my main goal for Saturday was to talk to people about my work; get the word out so to speak.

Though I was nervous, the day was quite fantastic! Molly, the market manager was great as always and I was set up next to very talented designers. Almost everyone who stopped at my table appreciated my work and loved my “very original” display (foolishly, I forgot to photograph the table, but this is the butcher paper from the day. The pieces are laid out and I handwrite the information about each one. Once sold, a heart and arrow are drawn through the space where the piece used to be):

The highlights of the day included one lovely woman who immediately understood that each piece was a “thoughtfully made art object”. She observed that a lot of love had gone into each one and that it must be hard to part with them. Indeed it is! Many pieces are one of a kind so it makes me happy when they find homes with people who connect with them. Before leaving my table she said “You’re going to be big. Your jewelry is beautiful and different; people will just eat you up!” What a nice thing for a stranger to say!

Another highlight was right at the end of the day as I was walking out of the space. Georgia Varidakis, whose work I have admired and adored for quite some time saw this piece on the delicate neck of Tamar Builder of Little World Designs and said ”Every time I see your work, it just gets better and better.” Georgia’s work is innovative and ethereal and she is so incredibly talented. That she would compliment my work meant the absolute world to me. 

It was amazing to have visitors appreciate my work and notice the effort and care that goes into each piece. Even observations like the use of different materials, the dichotomy between the natural and industrial made me feel like I was in moonlight. It was also a gorgeous feeling to have designers I admire like my work and it made my day to have friends visit me, especially toward the end when Prema, Lauren and Dee were there. I’ll be at the market again in December. I’m very much looking forward to it and this time around, I think I’ll be a little less nervous and a little more confident in myself and the work I create. 

Artists & Fleas

I am very excited to be back at Artists & Fleas tomorrow (one of my favourite places!). Check out my Facebook page for a special reminder video I made!

Materials, Materials, Materials

Adventures in crystal breaking/filing, metal work and polymer clay. I bought some of the clay for the younger kids I teach and in giving them a lesson about the qualities of clay, I was inspired myself. 

The awesome plate was a purchase a few years ago from this Etsy seller.