Art Blog: Process vs. Product

I have always been one to try to keep up with the times. I keep my nose in the news so I am aware of trends no matter how silly they might be. I am always buying and using the lasted techno gadget. I pride myself on being knowledgeable in all facets of contemporary life. Yet, there are some things that I don’t care about in this world right now. It seems that there is a changing mood about art, its purpose, and why it is made.

For the past few years, I have noticed an increasing number of art marketing websites, art marketing coaches, and more art sales everything. Even many artists I meet online tout and hawk their newest art “products”. There is nothing wrong with this. I have sold art. I have seen my own work as product many times before. However, the primary goal for me is the process. If someone buys work from me, it then becomes a product.

My first priority is the creative thinking, collecting, and sorting of concepts and ideas. There is the push and pull of materials. There is the angst and pleasure of bringing to resolution a new creation. I guess I am truly “old skool” when it comes to this philosophy. I am more concerned and dedicated to the act of making the art. I am interested in the creative process first. Making of the art is of paramount importance. If the work turns into a product after the process, that is secondary to me.

This is a very heady topic and anyone of us could write a thesis about it. For me, I think this is an issue of the purpose of art. I see art as being an intensely personal endeavor. I don’t make art which aspires to be a part of home décor. To me, art is not about matching the color of anyone’s walls or couch. Art shouldn't be just pretty pictures. Art is an expression of the artist. Art should speak about life. Art should reflect the artist and the society in which she lives. Art should have content which is expressed by the artist and interpreted by the viewer. I can’t imagine cranky out gewgaws for the pure sake of selling internet junk.

This topic has made me irritable lately. I didn’t realize how uncomfortable I was until reading so much about the new, art reality show being developed by Sarah Jessica Parker. I am a fan of many reality shows. I couldn’t figure out why this show concept raises the hair on my arms. I think it is because it fans the flames of the “art as product” idea to a new level. I see it as promoting not only the art as commodity, but the artist as a product too. It denies the purity and essence about which being an artist should be.

I don’t want to sound like a naïve, Pollyanna. I am very aware artist's need to make a buck too. Maybe I am behind the times in this area of our lives. However, I think too highly of art and artists to ever accept this new way of thinking about the creative process. This is ok for me. I don’t want to think of ART on any other level. If I do, it makes me feel dirty. Now I realize this is why I have recently felt annoyed.



No matter how hard I try, I know for sure I will never change this one part of me. In regard to ART, I will always view process over product. To me, art is not about making widgets or creating, new hipster art celebrities. Art and creativity should be seen as far more important than this in our world.

Art Blog: Psychedelic!!!

Oh yes! I am so jazzed and freaked out right now. You know I love to make videos. I have had a Flip Video camera (and others) for years. I love my Flip the best! However, I had a first generation Flip. It had batteries and you could only delete one clip at a time!!! It was a dinosaur!! LOL

Well, today the UPS man came to my door. I have joined the 2009 version of Flip videomania. Yes. I bought one that is Psychedelic! It is so befitting for a crazy, oldish, hippie lady like me. YEAH! :-) !!!!!!!
Can you tell I am happy??



Whoopee!!
My new FLIP VIDEO Mino HD!!
Who-HAA!!!

Art Blog: The Human Being

One thing I don’t like about the world right now is the ever present buzz of media mania. Everyone has an opinion. Those opinions are shouted continually via television, blogs, news/gossip websites, Twitter, etc. etc. There is a continual barrage of screaming voices that has come to resemble a 21st century, technological Tower of Babel.

Unless you have been living under a rock this past week, you have experienced too many yakking beaks commenting on Michael Jackson’s life and times. His death was the spark and there are millions of people standing around fanning the flame. Now that the burn has reached far beyond three alarm status, people scurry and scream “FIRE, FIRE!”. It is a spectacle of self induced mass hysteria.

I have never been a Michael Jackson fan. I think I might be the only person on earth who has NEVER bought one of his records. This is weird because Motown is my home town. I appreciated his work. I remember watching the Jackson 5 when I was a little girl. I just never collected any of their songs. I thought the Thriller video was stupid. I did appreciate his style of clothes. It is undeniable he was a great artist. I was in awe of his ability to write, sing, and dance.

One thing I have thought about for days is how celebrity distorts our vision. As I watched MJ clips, interviews, and memorial telecasts this week, I was reminded that even though Michael was a superstar, he was first and foremost a human being. He made mistakes just like all of us. He had dreams and wishes. He felt the pains as well as the joys of life. Every time I saw Michael on TV, I always noticed the sorrow in his eyes. He didn’t really need to wear that surgical mask. All his plastic surgeries masked his true identity long ago. His sadness and emotional confusion was always so apparent and obvious to me.

One of the most chilling things I heard this week was a radio interview with MJ. In his own words, he described how the music industry is so destructive. He mentioned all the young musicians who succumbed to death via alcohol and drugs. He reminded listeners to take care of themselves and their bodies. In light of Michael’s early death and the mysterious details surrounding it, I find these statements so tragically prophetic and ironic. However, it reminds me Michael struggled with life just like the rest of us “normal” human beings.



Good-bye Michael, R.I.P.

Art Blog: Dead Horses

One thing that is on my priority list right now is clearing out some of this deadwood work lying around. I decided not to start anything new until I find a resolution to some of the work I have already started. I work on many paintings at once. I alternate between those in progress in my studio. Sometimes, I lose interest in one or the other and put them aside. I might get back to them eventually. Sometimes, they sit there for months (years?). This is just fine with me. I call these discarded pieces “Dead Horses”.

I rarely throw these pieces out. Usually, I stare at them, swear at them, and then think what I will do to them if I ever get back to them. One such painting is “FRANTIC”. I worked on this painting for a long time last year. I hated it from the beginning. I have no idea why I kept working on it as long as I did. It was awful. Besides looking very ugly, it didn’t fit its theme. A few months ago, I started to paint over it. Then it sat for a while again. Last week, I got it out again. I finally resolved it. I really like it now!

“FRANTIC” is part of my “States of Being” series. These are paintings that have one word that would follow the phrase: “I am ….” I have included a brief time lapsed video of the transformation of this painting. I am glad I got this done!




“FRANTIC”
By Sheree Rensel
CLICK pic to view video
CLICK title to view webpage

Art Blog: Treasure Map Series

Ordinarily, I shun artist statements. I have always had the feeling, I make the art. I don’t need to explain it. LOL The downside of this habit is many people viewing my art say things like “I don’t get it!”

Well, I am turning over a new leaf. I have always made art that is narrative. The problem has been I am the only one who knows the story. I am now going to start telling the stories behind my art. This will help me understand my path, as well as help my audience “get it”. Here is an explanation of my new painting series “Treasure Maps”.


Click pic to see video

Art Blog: Herding CATS

I have been an artist all my life. However, I felt like a REAL artist when I sold my first oil painting when I was a teenager. As I think back, I realize it was an awful painting. It was a landscape with trees, a pond, and two swans floating under the sun. Yes, it was very cliché, but I was only 15 years old! A real estate agent was visiting our house. He saw me working on it and bought it on the spot for $50. That was big money back in that day and it was the start of my official career!

As life went on, I learned a lot about being an artist. I did the bohemian, hand-to-mouth thing. I worked hard to keep the art fires burning. If I have anything to be proud of it is longevity. I have never given up.

There was one period of my life when I got tired of being so poor and decided to sign on to teach, but I definitely kept my art career. I entered the strange world of education. Since I didn’t have a clue as to how to deal with this system, I needed to educate myself. I went back to school and got all kinds of new foreign credentials. Being the overachiever I am I became super teacher. I was a part of every online teacher group, message board, education website, etc. It was like an obsession. I even ran multiple teacher support groups and websites.
After a few years of that, I stopped. I had lost my ART self in the fervor of trying to be great at something I didn’t care about in the first place. However, I learned a lot in those years. It was a good experience. I am thankful for the new perspectives.

One of the things I learned is teachers work together. They are very social. They have a collaborative spirit. For example when I ran teacher email groups, the lines were buzzing. Every day, there were bunches of emails, new discussions, and new ideas. Teachers share. When I stopped trying to be a teacher extraordinaire, I started running artist groups. I did the same things as before, but instead of working with teachers, I chose to focus on my people, the ARTISTS.

Every artist group I have ever tried to moderate ends up being lethargic. There is rarely discussion. There is little camaraderie. As I sat back and watched these groups happen, it was like watching a poker game with everyone wearing sunglasses and holding their card hand close to their chest. Nobody trusted anybody! The groups seemed sullen and all too serious. The members were quick to judge others or fade into the woodwork. It is kind of sad really. I know artists tend to be loners, but not taking advantage of social opportunities online is very bizarre, albeit interesting to me.

In recent months, I have been trying to coordinate a Twitter art show. The show’s name is Twitter: 140. The deadline is today. I have worked so hard to put this together. Yet, there have been many ups and downs. In my frustration yesterday, I tweeted a follow artist and spoke of being exasperated. He said something like “You know Sheree. trying to organize artists is like trying to herd cats!” At this point, I agree wholeheartedly. In fact, I believe they are “FERAL” cats at that!

I am not going to think about why. I am ready to settle for “It is what it is!” In the meantime, here is the piece I made for our Twitter:140. I love it!




“Twingo”
"TWINGO is the unique and original tweet
language of the Twitter Tweople."
Sheree Rensel
11.75” X 11.75”
Acrylic, copper, mixed media, on wood
CLICK pic for detail view

Art Blog: The GREEN People

A few weeks ago, I was using Twitter and I was having a hard time seeing who was whom. My eyes aren’t very sharp these days. I struggled to distinguish one tweeter from another. Finally, I tweeted something like “What is with all the green icons???” Almost immediately, I got a response. I was told all the green overlay icons were showing support for Iran. Oh…….I see. Thank you for letting me know and understand this.

I did not change my avatar. I left it bright pink. I have this thing about being honest and not coming off as a hypocrite. I mean, why would I put green all over my face to show I support Iran? Of course, I support Iran and the rights of the people there. I want the very best for all of them and they are in my prayers. However, I am not booking a flight to go over there and fight in the streets for them. I am not in it that way. I guess I am not a true GREEN person.

Of course, I am being facetious. However, I can’t help myself here. I am outraged and feel very uncomfortable about the GREEN icon people. I see it as fake. It is like a fad or fashion. I believe too many of those with color overlays, did it for no other reason than to be a part of the crowd. They want to be seen as cool or part of the current trend. In other words, it is pure B.S.!

When I started to rock the twitter boat tonight, I got called on the rug. There were words like patriot and phrases like dying for your country thrown here and there. I will be brutally honest. I would not die for my country. I just wouldn't do that. Of course, I would fight to the death if someone invaded my own home. However if I was told to go to a foreign country and start shooting at people, I would not do that. Nor would I pretend to know what is going on in a country full of civil unrest and injustice. I certainly wouldn't believe turning my photo green would help those in such a state. Yes, we see and hear the news, but putting GREEN all over your photo isn’t changing anything. If you want to make a true impact, spend your GREEN and go there and fight in the streets!

Like I told someone tonight, I can’t help the way I think. I am of the Vietnam era. I know about senseless strife and political unrest. I know about the idiotic decisions and opinions of decades of misguided leaders. I know about tragic wars. Also, I know about the 21st century tendency to have a world driven by media and trends. This is my thesis. I am asking if your icon is GREEN because you are really working to change things in Iran or are you just GREEN because it is the thing to do right now. Let me know. The comment section is waiting for responses.





“Patriot”
Sheree Rensel
Digital Sketchbook, 7” X 5.5”

Regardless of my opinions and stance, I am very patriotic. I love America. I am thankful I am American. In fact, this position is exactly why I am allowed the privilege to ask the questions posted here.

P.S. Not to make light of the magnitude of importance of this topic, however one of the funniest tweets I read this week had to do with the GREEN people topic. The tweeter asked something like "So now that Michael Jackson has died, what color do we overlay our avatar?" I laughed and laughed. The reason I laughed so hard is because like any good humor, there was a biting grain of truth.