“Art Works”

The new slogan for the National Endowment for the Arts under its new chairman, Rocco Landesman, who was confirmed Friday.  According to yesterday’s New York Times article, “Someone who works in the arts is every bit as gainfully employed as someone who works in an auto plant or a steel mill, ” Mr. Landesman said. “We’re going to make the point till people are tired of hearing it.”

Read the entire article~

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/08/arts/08rocco.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Summer Spot

Spot relocates poolside for summer. ©Joan Waters 2009

Rose leaves

All original art on this blog ©Joan Waters, unless noted otherwise.

Rose Johnson…Rose!

I was saddened to hear just recently of Rose Johnson’s recent passing, June 1.  I did not know Rose personally, but admired the strength of her vision, and commitment to her art.  She was part of Phoenix, and Bisbee, before it had an “art scene”. It’s very sad to hear what happened…a senseless incident on the beginning of her new adventure. I admire the strength of her work and commitment…may we all be inspired to do so much better. In honor and respect, my sincere sympathy and gratitude. Thank you, Rose.

A memorial at the Icehouse this coming Saturday, June 20 begins at 10 pm.

Here are some links to more information.

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/search.php?tag=memorial%20ceremony%20for%20Rose%20Johnson&blog_id=21

http://charlenemitchell.blogspot.com/2009/06/rose-johnson-bisbee-artist-rest-in.html

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25579687-2703,00.html

http://www.theicehouseaz.com/AboutIcehouse/calendar.html

So what are you selling?

Personally, I call it the Tupperware syndrome. Suddenly your friends, everyone you know, becomes a target for your selling yourself, your product, your art… ugh

Call it ’social networking’ or whatever. It’s just gross when your friends and your world become all about selling. When an idea has merit, it will resonate with others. We weren’t born to sell…really. And it’s not so great to be texting and twittering and bergibbering, when you don’t even have time to say hello to the person next to you in the grocery store line.

This blog aims to be about ideas and concepts that come across the artist’s day-to-day. Things I may have not even considered or known about until recently (given the secretive nature of the art world). Forget about the sales pitch…this is about ideas and possibilities from a visual artist’s perspective.

Transfiguration ©2009 Joan Waters

Okay…

So, I’ve selected my clip art design, and am ready to blog…wow.  This is exciting.

In contrast to blogs about words, this blog will explore the world from a visual perspective.