Winds of Change Re-dux
What a mutant I am, I made a really stupid mistake with my website update – it just goes to show what pain can do to the brain.. anyway, all fixed now. Check it out and let me know what you think!
Back I go again…
*sigh* Hello Square one! I’ve missed you. *sigh* My swelling is up so high I feel like I am lying on a hot water bottle. It sucks, I was doing so well too! I thought I managed to get through this show unscathed but no dice. I wouldn’t mind but I am already planning my next one and I have ideas pouring out of my.. ears and virgin canvasses waiting to be defiled.
I don’t know what I would do without my little sketch book, when the pain gets so bad I want to cry I pick up my book and pencil and escape for a while.
That and eBay, Damn you eBay!
Tags: Art, artist, CRPS, Pain management
No No Nanette: No Girls in the Guggenheim?
Where The Girls Aren’t by Jerry Saltz:
The programmatic exclusion of women is partly attributable to the art world’s being a self-replicating organism: It sees that the art that is shown and sold is made mainly by men, and therefore more art made by men is shown and sold. This is how the misidentification, what Adorno called a “negative system,” is perpetuated.
I have been watching the trends on this with alarm, it is a true fact that women are under-represented in the art industry. The reasoning seems to be automatic response as mentioned in this article, but I wonder if there might be something else involved. Something at the core of womanhood.
Art is incredibly personal. women, generally being more in touch with our feelings, tend to create more personal art with less detachment than a male artist. That means that there is more invested emotionally, making it hard to then put a piece up for others to see, it is like being naked in a way, it’s very exposing.
Some of you have heard me refer to my paintings as babies. This is not an uncommon sentiment. the creation process is borne from deep within and lovingly created over time. It makes us laugh and cry and grow very attached. I do this that there is a reluctance sometimes among women artists (myself included) to sell their babies.. I mean pieces – will it go to a good home? will it be treated well and loved? and what is that curator doing with my baby?
Women are by nature just as competitive as men (and I will challenge anyone who says otherwise!) but I wonder if our personal attachment to our paintings may be creating some of the issues. I don’t think this is a bad thing, it creates a both and an empathy to the works that really comes across to the viewers. maybe we need to set aside our fears and worries about our babies and send them off to the galleries with a packed lunch, cry and then be proud that something we gave birth to is doing so well.
The Winds of Change Mark II
I’ve done some further changes to my template to make them work a little better and I definitely think I will be buying CSS editing sometime soon.
Mostly however, I have started the changes for my website – my gallery is completely different, with sorting by series rather than topic. I have also done away with the random landscape pieces and stuff to present a more cohesive collection. Please let me know what you think!
Soon, I will be adding in descriptions and adding some more SEO (buzzword buzzword). My traffic is still suffering from my site being down for so long. I wouldn’t have minded so much but I got no feedback on progress or estimated times it would be back up. And I had built up some pretty good traffic and rankings and everything! (grumble grumble)
The Winds of Change
It must be spring, because I feel like changing things around. My blog has undergone a new look with a clean layout and a three column template. I feel as if two long columns meant that things were getting lost so hopefully this is a bit easier to use. I would love some feedback as to what you think of the all new-look Jennie’s Palette. I miss my custom header, but I think this is all a bit cleaner and more professional. I also like the image handling, the block quote formatting and the comments options better.
I am also re-arranging my website gallery. it is getting a little confusing to find specific images and my nude gallery is looking a little eclectic and large. so I am going to be sorting the gallery by series I think. rather than basic subject I am going to sort by individual collections – it should make it all look a bit more cohesive.
I will be rolling these changes out over the next few days but I would love to hear from you all about what you think of these changes. feel free to post a comment below or email me.
Brr! High Vibes? more like high Vibrates!
Ok, so that was bad.. but I’m so cold I cant really think! The High Vibes festival was dampened slightly which sucks but there were still quite a few people around. It was very neat, such a cool, free festival with hippies dancing in the street – pure expression everywhere and my work on display for all to see – a pretty cool feeling 
It reminded me how far I am from my corporate career and how happy I am to be back in the world of art and expression and freedom. While watching Jimmy Clinkerfield performing in front of my paintings I kept pondering the painting free. and how I am now, truly free.
It was a very cool feeling indeed.
Tags: Art, exhibition, painting
Sculpting Sexuality
Telegraph | Entertainment | How lust shaped the art of Rodin
To eyes accustomed to the conventions of beaux-arts classicism, the sculpture was shocking because it peeled off a layer of artifice to show the human body as it really is, not as his viewers expected to see it. From now on, Rodin would translate as directly as possible into clay what his eye saw and, in the sensuously tactile surfaces of his work, what his hand felt when he caressed the bodies of his female models.
Many of you know by now that I am a fan of Rodin’s work. I thought this was a fascinating look into his processes and thoughts behind his work. I never realized how much we had in common! I think that Rodin’s work is the type that evolves as you look at it, as though the piece is an organic structure. I find something new to love about them.
It’s funny, there is a lot about artist sexuality out there. Like religious leaders and rock stars, artists generally fall into one of two abnormal sexuality levels – too much or too little. Another famous example example of extreme sexuality would be Dali and his notorious sex parties.
Technorati Tags: art history, artist, nudes, Rodin, Sexuality
Opening Post Mortem
Last night was so great, the show looked fantastic, it had a great vibe. I think the main difference, for me, was that I felt much more confident in my collection. Seeing my paintings up there, the results of all my work, made me feel so good. I knew I had done my best, each work stood on it’s own, and made a cohesive collection. That confidence in my work, and myself, enabled me to talk to people, and schmooze. From there, the passion for my work just took over really.. It was an awesome night everyone really seemed to like the new series – which is good, because I enjoyed doing them! David Golding has written a wonderful review – Thanks Dave!
I am exhausted now, very sore, but I am looking forward to Sunday.
Don’t forget, if you missed the opening last night there will be the big music festival on Sunday. I will be there at the gallery between 1 and 3 or stop by any time over the next 3 weeks.. it’s all good.
Technorati Tags: Art, artist, exhibition
It’s here!
I am so excited about tonight, I can’t believe it’s all here, and done and ready! yet, I don’t feel as panicky, or stressed or worried as the last one. I feel good about the work I’ve put in, and the prices, and everything. It feels right somehow.
Today I am going to be disgusting and I am going to have a long and luxurious bath, do my nails and hair and relax and feel really special. I’ve earned it.
Technorati Tags: Art, artist, exhibition, Nude
How to Bring Art to the Unwashed Masses
One of the things I like to focus on is keeping my art accessible for everyone. Art doesn’t need to be obscure, just for artists, it can be something that speaks to everyone.. even good old joe on the corner. So, how do you bring art to the lowest common denominator?
This works on the principle of putting said denominator in the vicinity of art that will appeal and capitalize on the power of the internet to make sure it keeps coming up to maximize exposure to the art-forms.
See if you can guess the magic ingredient..
- Find something that appeals to Men and Women both, a subject that speaks to them both (even for different reasons).
- Write about it on your blog. Write about things related to it, eat, sleep and breathe it! get your pagerank on, write news, reviews and everything that relates – relate it back to your work.
- Make sure when people search for it, they are going to find your blog
- Generate interest in yourself by alluding to it constantly, make sure when people think of that – they are thinking of you!
- Try to work reference to it in conjunction with celebrities for extra points.
- Finally, add some art to every post to create a link – Don’t underestimate the effect of pretty pictures on the unwashed masses!
Have you guessed the magic subject yet? It’s the yellow brick road of the internet, It’s the most searched for thing.. Porn!
for me it all boils down to one thing. Nudity! I paint nude, I paint nudes, I discuss nude art news and philosophy, I post nude paintings, ideas and I disappoint many many hopeful surfers to my blog every day. They do get nudes, and lots of nudity, they just don’t get the sort they were after. but, for that brief time they are exposed to art (or it is exposed to them) and they stop for a moment, and think, neurons firing in different ways.
What hook can you find to appeal to the great unwashed?
This is my response to the latest ProBlogger Group Writing Project – ‘How To…’
The painting above is for sale at BoundlessGallery.com
Technorati Tags: Art, artist, blog project, blogging, Nude, nudes, problogger
Well Hung
Well, the hanging is all done, the paperwork is signed and all that remains is for me to chill for the next few days. It’s a good feeling, everything is organized and finished up.
On Saturday, I added hanging hardware and varnished the pieces. on Sunday we all met and arranged the works for hanging. Woud you believe, that after all my stressing – I did too many pieces? I probably could have made it a solo afterall. but oh well! I save more moneys this way. This piece didn’t make the cut. I dropped it to create more space and because it just didn’t fit in with the rest, I love the colors though. I’ve added it for sale at BoundlessGallery.com.
I am so glad that I now have time to relax. I don’t think this will be as physically taxing as the last one because it all feels so organized. I’ve learned so much from the previous show, it’s made a huge difference. Having this one follow so closely on the tails of the last one has really helped cement the learning process.
Technorati Tags: artist, exhibition, painting
It just goes to show…
When inspiration is on your side you can do anything! I did the sunset. it looks pretty good I think! It isn’t realist so much as impressionistic but I think it works. it’s now the backdrop on my phone because I still can’t believe I did it!
I did a mad slog last night. I was absolutely on a huge roll, I was in the zone! I don’t count time so much as musicals so I painted through Drowsy Chaperone, Little Women, March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland. oy vey! I could hardly move when I finished, but it was all for the good because now I’m almost done! I have a bit more to do on my two latest and then i need to sign them. Tomorrow is allocated for adding hanging hardware, Sunday is bump in and then I am set.
I have even picked out my outfit and everything (if it arrives in time! mm eBay), so I will have a lovely long relax before the opening. I will be able to let out a huge sigh and let the feeling of a job well done wash over me. Unlike the last show I really feel like I have done my best. It’s a good feeling.
Edit: the colors look a little muted, it looks much better in real life!
Technorati Tags: artist, exhibition, painting
yipes!
Suddenly Sunday is looking a LOT closer.. Yesterday, I had plenty of time.. now? no time! but I think I will be done anyways. even if it kills me. I want these works to shine, they are looking like a great group and I really want them to look polished and finished.
oh ye gods! panic!
it’s a good thing I don’t feel pain, sickness or fatigue when i am painting… after, not so much.. I will have to pay it back with interest, but hopefully not until after all this. Am I insane for taking this on? probably, but it’s too good an opportunity to pass up! the same thing could be said for an art career 
but I just gotta and this feels so right!
Technorati Tags: artist, exhibition, painting
Dilemma
I have been thinking about this piece a bit.. I did it a few days ago and it is very interesting, but I don’t know what to do for the colored highlight.. My heart says sunset.. but I don’t have time! this is almost 1 meter squared.. if it was a light suggestion of a sunset.. maybe? what do you guys think?
Technorati Tags: exhibition, nudes, painting, Sunset
Attack of the dreaded Lurgy!
Well, I lost the long battle with the lurgy. it has invaded my system and is making me do sweet FA. I am in pretty good shape for the show and the amazing power of painting that helps me to ignore my pain also helps me ignore being sick. I am trying not to abuse this new power, I must use it for good, not evil
anyway, it’s all coming along really well. I want to do two more new paintings, but if I don’t get them done it wont be a drama. I am finishing up the details on a few paintings and I feel so excited about them, and the show – it’s coming up so fast! In addition to finishing my paintings, I need to add hanging hardware, finalize the lineup and work out pricing and titles for each one. about half are titled currently but I need to resolve that pretty soon as the plaques are getting done soon now. I can’t believe it’s next week! luckily, we are hanging on the weekend so I will have some time to rest up before the opening. everything is shaping up so well! I am getting very excited. 
Technorati Tags: art news, exhibition, painting, lurgy
I just got a Cheap Thrill!
Whee! my first magazine article! check out Cheap Thrills magazine to read about me and my latest show. or read it online at Cheap Thrills
Cheap Thrills is a free magazine in the city advertising stuff to do. Apparently I am something to do! wait.. that didn’t come out right.. If any of you melbournites know where to pick one up, I would appreciate a copy or two for my scrapbook.
Tags: art news, artist, Cheap Thrills, exhibition
How do I know when a piece is the right one?
I was thinking, last night as I was painting, about art sales, confidence and the nature of art sales.
It’s impossible to know what any given person is going to like. You never know which work is going to speak to whom, or why, or how. It occurred to me that I am not creating art just for me, I am creating art for that one person out there that this piece will speak to. Therefore, I don’t have the right to judge one of my pieces, or scrub it out because I don’t like where it ended up.
I think art is a lot like love. you don’t know when it will hit or how, you don’t know why it happens and I don’t think you can force it, it just has to happen.
Some pieces I’ve sold I’ve thought – Why? what made this piece the one for you? a recent big sale was of a piece I didn’t particularly care for. a lot of paintings I’m proud of have had some lukewarm responses.
I think the key is to create, with less fear for the consequences. canvas isn’t that expensive, and you never know what is going to pop out to a particular person. what if one of the paintings I scrubbed out was a true match for someone? I need to just paint, not to think about where it’s going to sell, or who it’s going to appeal to. I don’t want to release crap on the world, I think I need to still exercise some quality control, if the groundwork is wrong then I need to start again, but no more almost finishing a work and then scrubbing it in a fit of pique – I might be killing someone’s true love.
I was listening to Sunday in the Park with George and pondering the lyrics. “stop worrying where you’re going, move on” “stop worrying if your vision is new, let others decide that, they usually do- just keep moving on.”
Crisis Averted
I was worried that I was running out of inspiration.. but crisis averted! now I have even more ideas. I am very excited again. I can see them blossoming in my head. speaking of blossoming, I laid the groundwork for one today with an enormous flower in her hair. I seem to be gong a little insane on the color details, I am working on new things I have never tried before, bringing in all the stuff I learned doing my Flemish technique stuff. So far there will be eyes, tattoos, jewelry, flowing and richly colored fabrics (including chiffon!) and plant life. I am contrasting a lot of the sketchy nudes with detailed bits and bobs – some of which are bloody hard! do you have any idea how insane it is to paint crystal?
My current setup is to work a couple of days on the nude, then let it dry and slowly glaze up the detail piece. The eye above had about 4 or 5 glazes added. I am overlapping while everything dries, I have about 4 pieces on the go right now. I still don’t know about pricing, I am concentrating on painting right now, the prices will follow soon.
The press releases are going out, I have sent what I have done to the gallery and to Melinda and Frank. I have also sent out the local ones (which reminds me to follow up tomorrow as my email is down still). we will probably sort out the catalog soon, and the invitations are arriving in the next day or so – I am so excited! It’s really coming together.
Technorati Tags: art marketing, art news, artist, exhibition, painting, nudes
The Saga Continues
My battle with the internet is not over.. now my email is down, due to freaky things at dynadot. if you are trying to get in touch with me at my @jennierosenbaum address you have tried in vain! I hope to have it fixed soon but for now please use one of my gmail ones. (jennierosenbaum [at] gmail.com – I can’t be bothered encrypting)
It’s a funny thing missing out on email, I just know that I have missed out on so many important things, the longer it is down the more important they become!
New! from the creator of the Nude Britney Spears.. It’s Celebrity Poop!
Artist Daniel Edwards – the man who also brought us Monument to Pro-Life: The Birth of Sean Preston, a sculpture of a nude Britney Spears giving birth – has now created ‘Suri’s Bronzed Baby Poop’ a tribute to Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ daughter.
David Kesting, director of Brooklyn’s Capla Kesting Fine Art Gallery, said: “A bronzed cast of baby’s first poop can be a meaningful memento for the family. A baby’s first meal of solid food may be a baby’s first meal at the dinner table.”
Suri Cruise’s ‘first poop’ goes on auction
He loves his celebrities doesn’t he? but, it’s a good way to constantly get into the papers or whatever, publicity is every artists friend but I have to say, who bloody cares? It’s baby poop – they’ve been making it forever. it isn’t different if a celebrity’s baby does it. oy vey, I know some parents delight in telling people about color and consistency.. but bronzing it?
This is going to do wonders for raising artist credibility on eBay art sales too..
well, I guess it would be a conversation piece if nothing else..
You can check out the auction here
Technorati Tags: poop, artist, art news, Suri Cruise
Flock
technorati tags:blogging, blog+editors, flock
Painting Constipation
I don’t know what else to call it. I have been painting every night and it has generally been going well up until Thursday night. You see I have had a painting in my mind that has been torturing me, It wants to get out. the first time I tried to do it I gave up after several goes and did a different piece (the one that now appears on the invite). This was a satisfying outcome, a way to turn a frustration around and a good way to move on from a piece that was refusing to evolve.
I tried the piece again on Thursday night. I tried it about five times before I had a meltdown and left it for the night. then I scrubbed the canvas the next day and tried again. to no avail! so I started a different painting on the same canvas (seeking the same success I had last time) and ended up with quite a lukewarm piece.
The techniques I am using are designed for speed as I can’t stand for long. they have evolved around my abilities and they are quite cool- enjoyable and flexible. The issue is that it is easy to scrub out a piece and start again. I work wet so that I have a large amount of flexibility in the creation of a piece. Sometimes I wonder if I am too quick to remove a piece or the germ of an idea without giving it a proper chance. It is already apparent that I have no ability to judge my own work, as evidenced by the fact that my most successful pieces are not the ones I feel comfortable in. I think my original version of this piece was probably the best, but I scrubbed it in a fit of pique.
So, how can I fix this? I think I have to let go of my fear of wasting canvas and let each version sit. give myself some time between creating it and judging it, at least until the next day. I need to do this, afterall, the piece that ended up on the invite was on the scratch out list – and that would have been a shame. I hated it the night I did it, then I slept on it, looked at it the next day, worked out what it needed, did it and now I find it very compelling.
I wonder how many other artists have a problem judging their own work?
Tags: painting, art, artist, painting technique
New Editor
I have been checking out different desktop blog editors to try and streamline my different blogs and posting. I like something with tags integrated and image uploading included. I am currently testing Qumana. which is quite interesting so far. I have also tried ecto and journaler so far.
Problogger has really helped me find different utilities. Testing the different products is interesting. I take my blogging quite seriously so it is important to get the right system for my needs.
edit: grr! I can’t get the image formatted right! ecto is winning so far..
Tags: qumana, blogging, desktop editors
Hot off the Presses
Well, actually hot on the presses. The invites are now at the printers and the design looks awesome – Thanks Melinda!
We got the option for Digital printing and offset printing. Offset is better quality but digital is faster. Well, Melinda visited them and had a proof done in the digital. We then had a touch choice, better quality and substantially cheaper, or much less quality and much more money. put that way the extra 3 days don’t seem that bad!
I am working at other marketing.. online and off. it’s all so much fun!
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