Massachusetts Artists Rock

Okay, maybe this is preaching to the choir, but a new study released by the National Endowment for the Arts found that Massachusetts has the third highest percentage of artists per 10,000 people. We’re number three, behind New York and California.

And, we’re number one when it comes to the number of architects and designers per 10,000 people.

The study, “Artists in the Workforce: 1990-2005,” is considered the first of its kind and was compiled using US Census figures. The study is meant to show the “largely unrecognized role that artists play in the economy” and could be used “as a tool to argue for increased support for artists.”

In 2003-05 Massachusetts had 54,852 artists. Though this is below the totals in states like California, New York, and Texas, the ratio of artists in the entire state bumps us up to the ranking of number 3. Boston ranks fifth among US metropolitan areas (38,885 artists).

Over 49% of Massachusetts artists are women.

And Governor Deval Patrick this month appointed Jason Schupbach the country’s first Creative Economy Director, whose mission is to help everyone in the arts, from visual artists to videogame makers

According to Anita Walker, executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, “we are on the road to recognizing the fact that they (artists) are a part of the economy, and the mere discussion of something called the creative economy, the recognition that it exists, is starting to elevate our artists into the economic discussion.”

So consider yourself elevated!

-Posted by Amy C.

No Limits

I have a small book with many, many karmic sayings. When I picked it up the other day, I read “give up something that limits you”. I have decided to stop saying to myself “I’m not really an artist” and instead be the artist that I am and can be. I am even an artist with a philosophy – That each new day brings a new beginning which we can shape to create our own destiny. New thoughts feel so good.

A new adventure

I have put away my beads. My table is covered with clay tiles waiting to be cooked. I have experimented with stamping a pattern on the tiles – celestial bodies. I have cut squares, oblongs, etc. I have use pearlex to color some of the items. I have to purchase baking tins so that my tiles can be baked. Then I will try painting, and laying out to see what can be made. I want to go faster and faster, and put picture images on the tiles, and put all kinds of old printing. Most of all, I have fairies on my mind, I think I have to make something with fairies so that I can move on to other things.

When I start something new, I often have really grandiose ideas of what I want to do, and often get frustrated because I have not learned all the steps that I need to approach grandiosity. So let’s not do that this time. Let’s start simple and build on it.

Am I making things for me, or am I making things to sell? catch 22. We’ll see.

Brenda 

May 6th a fairy tile has made itself.

The Slump

Alyson Stanfield discussed artist slumps her newletter this week.  I can certainly relate as I’ve had an on-again/off-again slump for the past few months.  I’ve noticed this happens each winter, typically in February or March or both.  The more I’ve become aware of it, the shorter it seems to last and the better I am at accepting it.  I now refer to it as my “rebirthing” time; a time of regeneration and of gathering new ideas.

Here is what Alyson recommends to emerge from a slump.

1. Wallow; it is okay to wallow a little bit.  Honor your emotions.
2. Plan something with a deadline to get the juices flowing.
3. Get out of the studio; walk, run, go to a museum.
4. Talk to other people; meet friends, visit a gallery; goes hand in hand with #3.
5. Create an escape path; continue to make your art even if it isn’t great.
6. Write; journal about your emotions, your dreams, whatever is inside your head.
7. Read inspirational books or biographies about other artists.
8. Listen to CDs or audio downloads that motivate you.
9. Watch movies or documentaries to remind you of your connection to art and the art world.  (Don’t watch stuff that will depress you, make you sad, angry, etc.)
10. Purge and clear out stuff that you don’t need.  Lots of clutter = negative energy.  I’m a strong believer in this one.  When I have too much clutter in the studio, my muse practically disappears.  When I clear things out, the energy flow is much better.

 To read more of Alyson’s recommendations visit here.  To listen to her podcast on this topic, go here.

Posted by Amy C.

Snore, Snore, Snore…

It’s 2:37am and I’ve been awakened by the musical notes of snore, snore, snore…  I turn and give a jab, jab, jab at my hubby’s arm, he turns over and the snoring stops.  5:11am the snoring starts again and I get out of bed – get a glass of water and some frozen chocolate donettes and go up to my studio.  What better way to start the day than to blog.  This is my first and hopefully not my last.  The early morning hours are when my most creative thoughts start flowing.  I had started a needle felted rendering of your house last week using my new technique of creating a wet felted background with the basic colors of the yard, house, etc. and will needle felt the finer details.  I haven’t been inspired to work on it probably due to knowing that it’s supposed to represent our home and I guess I may or the family may be critical of the outcome.  I’ll get over it but it’s sometimes hard to be creative knowing that there are critics (me being the worst) out there.  I feel great joy from the positive reviews I receive and yet feel greatly injured from the non-responsive or negative remarks.  I try not to let this impact future endeavors and tell myself that everyone’s different and it’s ok to not like my art.

 

Dedicated to our Art

Blogs are so easy to create that it is no sooner said than done. Welcome to Bolton Artisans Guild Blog.

This blog is for sharing our goals and dreams about our art.

Let’s share every quirky little feeling of artistic delight or utter frustration, or not as the fancy takes you.

I’m sure there will be humor and zaniness, and maybe a tear or two.

No doubt the color spectrum will be magnificent, and the design beyond imagination.

We can use it to soar into the unknown, and should we occasionally plumb the depths, that’s alright too…….  

If you would like to comment on this invitation, just click on the word comment below, and it will open up for your comment.