Jeanne Williamson

What's the Point of Art?

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:19:00 +0000

Watch this Stephen Colbert interview with Thomas Campbell, the Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, from November 9, 2009.

There is comedy in this clip, but it's also quite educational. Mr. Campbell discusses tapestries as an art form, and how they were valued in the Middle Ages. Stephen asks if art is only good art because an art critic says it is? Can good art be good art if no one knows it's good art? Can good art exist without an audience? And more...

Weekly Update - Front and Back Yard Installations

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:20:00 +0000

I didn't notice the strong shadows coming from my front yard installation when I took this picture a few days ago. I really like it. Now that the leaves have fallen off the maple tree that was shading this piece all summer, I hope to see good shadows through April when the leaves come out again. It'll be interesting to see the shadows in the snow.

There are no changes in or around my back yard installation in the past week, except for a few fallen leaves here or there. I wonder when the clematis leaves will die off.

Beside here on my blog, you can see a few month to month pictures on my website.

Stand Up and Be Counted: A Survey of Massachusetts Artists

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:31:00 +0000

Artists in Massachusetts and elsewhere should read the report "Stand Up and Be Counted: A Survey of Massachusetts Artists on Their Work Lives, Socioeconomic Status, Access to Healthcare, and Medical and Non-Medical Debt," which was conducted by the Artists Foundation. Over 3,400 Massachusetts artists of all disciplines participated in the on-line questionnaire.

This is a very visual and easy to read report, and it's very well done. Read more.

Opening, Sharing and Thanks

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:45:00 +0000

I really enjoyed the Opening reception of my show "Off the Fence" yesterday. It's not that often that I have the opportunity to have a solo show, and it's been really nice to be able to assemble a collection of my work and share it with others. I am extremely grateful to be able to do it.

I must admit that I was a little nervous about giving a talk last night, but once I started, it felt really good, and natural.

It was really nice to share with those who came last night, and it has also been good to share it via the internet with those who couldn't attend. The good wishes and support are very much appreciated. Thanks to all.

(Thanks also to my son for this picture, and the sweet tweet he made about this piece.)

Off the Fence Opening Reception and Saturday hours

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:45:00 +0000

There are a few things happening on Saturday in regard to my show Off the Fence, which is on exhibit at the Hunt Cavanagh Gallery, at Providence College, in Providence, RI.

There will be Saturday hours tomorrow, Saturday, November 7th from 3-5pm. The Opening Reception is also on Saturday from 5-7pm. I will give a brief talk about my work at 6pm.

  I will be at the Gallery from 3-7pm, and I look forward to seeing everyone who stops by.

This is a partial campus map with the Hunt Cavanagh Gallery/Hall in red.

This is a google street map to help navigate around the college, but ignore the red marker. (Thanks google.)

You can find out more about the Hunt Cavanagh Gallery here and here.

Review

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:04:00 +0000

My solo show has been reviewed in "Gang of four: New work at 5 Traverse and Providence College," in the Providence Phoenix, by Greg Cook on November 3, 2009.

If you click on the link, scroll down to read the part about my show, or read the reviews section on my website.

This is my first solo show review by an art critic and I am thankful for it. Past reviews that mentioned me have mainly been about my work in groups shows in a textile related periodical, and a (now deceased) Boston area Arts newspaper.

The comments in the review are very helpful in making me think about what direction to take my work. The fact that the reviewer liked the piece I cut up (as do I) is also very helpful feedback. I have been thinking about cutting into more work, and also about whether or not I want to keep "quilting" my work or if I want to simply stitch it and hang the fabric somehow, or mount it on board or canvas.

In March I will be in a two-person show at the Narrows Gallery in Fall River, MA with Catherine Carter. I feel challenged to consider the reviewers comments as I plan and create work for that show, all while keeping true to myself and my art.

Weekly Update - Front and Back Yard Installations

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:16:00 +0000

My front yard installation is surrounded by fallen leaves.

Yesterday we had a bulky waste pickup ready in front of our house, and I was a bit of concerned because the pile of stuff to be picked up was REALLY close to it.

Because I wanted to make sure the DPW (Department of Public Works) knew it was to remain, I tied a sign to it. It also didn't hurt that I was home when they came for the pickup, so I went outside to make sure they saw the sign. I love our DPW. They assured me that they knew it was not for the taking. That was nice.

My back yard installation has some fallen leaves around it, and the grasses behind it are turning brown. The clematis leaves on it are still very green. I expect that to change shortly since cooler weather is upon us.

Beside here on my blog, you can see a few month to month pictures on my website.

Wonderful Post

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:57:00 +0000

Fellow artists, please read Joanne Mattera's post, The "Adjective" Artist, on October 26, 2009. It's wonderful!

Paragraphs include:

- Love the Work, Hate the Adjective
- Avoid the Typecasting
- Acknowledging our Commonalities, Limiting our Limitations

I love this quote: "I've come to this point of view over time: The more narrowly we define ourselves, the narrower our opportunities will be."

Amen!

Thanks Joanne!

November JeanneMail Prep

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:29:00 +0000

I'll be sending my November newsletter, called "JeanneMail," out in a few days. It will have info on what exhibits and art events I'm in now, and what's coming up in the next few weeks.

If you would like to be on my mailinglist, please sign up here, or write to me at jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com.

Thanks.

12 x 12 x 12 October 2009

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:56:00 +0000

Better late in the month than never. I finally had time to create my 12 x 12 x 12 October 2009 piece, after spending most of the month prepping and participating in Open Studios, and prepping and hanging my solo show, all within the past few weeks.

Except for working on my 12 x 12 x 12 September 2009 piece, these are the only works of art (not including my sweaters) that I have had time to do since August. This is rather unusual for me, and I must admit when I finally got to work on my October piece, I felt a bit rusty and unsure of what to do.

This work is created with leftover strips/scraps from previous work. I sewed them together to create a 16" square-ish shape, added more paint, did some stitching, cut them apart, sewed them back together again in a different configuration, and then did some more stitching. To be perfectly honest, when I was working on it in the beginning, I thought I had a disaster going on, but I think I saved it.

If you want to know more about this series, you can read past posts about my 12 x 12 x 12 series here on my blog, or see all of the completed work on my website.

Before Hanging My Work

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:57:00 +0000

Before I hung my show, I asked a local museum curator how she decides on the height when hanging work. Her response was:

"We usually hang anywhere from 58-60 inches for the midpoint of each work. ... I measure the height of the piece. This number is divided in half and then I subtract the length of the top to where the hanging apparatus is from this number. Then, measuring from the bottom of the wall, I mark the remaining number and locate it in the midpoint of the piece. Then I can hammer in the nails according to this height and placement."

My husband and I calculated it a little differently, but we did used the 60" height, and then added half of the height of each piece. I brought a tall stick to the Gallery that had 60" marked on it but we ended up using a measuring tape instead.

The process of hanging my work didn't take as long as I thought it would. We arrived at the gallery with a map of what work was going to go where in the gallery. It made the whole process run smoother and it saved a lot of time thinking (and obsessing?). I did vary a little from the map, but very little. After one set of pieces was hung, we knew what to do next, and we both thought it went smoothly.

It took us less than four hours to hang 17 large pieces, 9 small pieces, take photos and video, and also clean up. I though that was pretty good.

One of the other things I needed for my show was the sign. This is the type for the sign my husband helped make. I love that we were able to use a construction fence pattern as a fill for the typeface.

Weekly Update - Front and Back Yard Installations

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:54:00 +0000

There are no noticeable changes to either of my front and back yard installations. The only thing that's changed is what's around them, the color of plantings as they die back for winter, and the fallen leaves. There's still a lot of green here in eastern Massachusetts, and I'm interested in more surrounding color changes in the weeks ahead.

In my back yard is Fence Installation Series #1/16 (above).

And, in my front yard is Fence Installation Series #1/22.

Beside here on my blog, you can see a few month to month pictures on my website.

Off the Fence

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:50:00 +0000

As promised, here are pictures of my solo show, "Off the Fence". Most people familiar with my work have seen a few of my pieces here or there. Most of the larger work I've been creating since 2007 are really diptychs and triptychs, and not singular pieces.

The reason I'm making diptychs and triptychs is that I really like what both sides of the fabric I've painted looks like. Creating two similar pieces gives me the opportunity to create work that can show one of the sides without cutting it. I'm very glad to have the opportunity to show this work in a gallery setting.

Off the Fence is on exhibit at the Hunt Cavanagh Gallery, at Providence College, in Providence, RI, from October 26 - December 4, 2009.

There is more info, including the names of each of the pieces, here on my website.

You can find out more about the Hunt Cavanagh Gallery here and here.

Off the Fence Show Hung

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:28:00 +0000

Yesterday, with the help of my wonderful husband, we hung my solo show at the Hunt Cavanagh Gallery, at Providence College, in Providence, RI.

I will be posting pictures from my show hopefully tomorrow. I have many, but they need organizing and resizing.

Today's the Day

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:27:00 +0000

I'm hanging my solo show at the Hunt Cavanagh Gallery, at Providence College today.

The picture above shows what I'm planning on hanging where. It's not to scale, but I did the math, and it's close enough. Not shown on the map are the 10-12+/- 12 x 12 x 12's that I'm planning on hanging on the wall shown at the bottom of the paper. I am curious to see if my plan will work when we actually start hanging. I figure that the worst thing that can happen is that I brought too much work, not that I brought too little. I've been advised by a few friends not to over hang my show.

Yesterday My husband helped me make a sign and the labels for each piece. He breezed right though it because he's a Word whiz. Not me. If I had done it it would have taken me a few days. Thank you JO!

I made a list of everything I need to bring today:
monthly 12 x 12 series
Fence series
sign w/ name of show
stickers w/ names of pieces
list of work in show w/ prices and contact info (can be emailed)
book with PR, resume, list if work in show/prices, artist statement, etc
business cards
show postcards
calculator
step ladder
pencil/pen
hammer, nails
sticks for Fence series and hangers for 12x12
curtain rod for the cut Fence piece
measuring tape/yard stick
guest book
iron and a towel
large bed sheet/roll of plastic sheeting
scissors
snacks, water
camera
husband

Solo Show Final Prep

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:41:00 +0000

I'm hanging my solo show at the Hunt Cavanagh Gallery, at Providence College, in Providence, RI tomorrow.

I'm making my final preparations, today. Final thoughts/decisons about what pieces will get hung where in the Gallery. I'm making labels for the walls, a sign, attaching hangers to my 12 x 12 x 12's, cutting sticks for hanging my Orange Construction Fence Series. I've already made a book with my artist's statement, my resume, and other info about me and my work.

I have totally outgrown my home studio, which is a small room in my house. I have a lot of larger work laying on the double bed in our guest room, AKA my son's old room. There are also 8+ 12 x 12 x 12's leaning against the wall at the entry way to my bedroom because I ran out of space for them to dry after glueing them to stretched canvases.

The picture at the top of this post shows the top of the pile of work that is currently laying on the guest bed, Orange Construction Fence Series #32/71 which is on top of Orange Construction Fence Series #68. This gives me SO many ideas for future work. One full piece hung on the wall, with a cut piece hanging in front of it. I really wish there was more time in the day so I could get more work done. I have so many ideas and not enough time.

12 x 12 x 12 October?

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:08:00 +0000

Ugh, this is the second month that I've been SO busy that I haven't had time to work on my 12 x 12 x 12. Last month I forgot until mid-month. This month I haven't forgotten. I've just been really busy with Open Studios and getting ready for my solo show at Providence College, which I'm hanging this weekend. I have to create a piece by the end of October. I really can't work on it this weekend. Next week I will/must grab the time.

I've been making one 12" x 12" piece each month since 2007. If you want to know more about this series, you can read past posts about my 12 x 12 x 12 series here on my blog, or see all of the completed work on my website.

Sweaters ...

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:44:00 +0000

I'm not sure what to do next with the sweaters I made (recycled, repurposed and redesigned). I did pretty well with them in Natick Open Studios but there are plenty more. I need to find new venues to show/sell them. Any suggestions or advice are encouraged and appreciated. Please don't hesitate to write to me at jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com if you have any ideas.

Thanks.

Disappointing News

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:44:00 +0000

Many artists have been following the Shepard Fairey copyright lawsuit with AP. There was new news announced on Fairey's website on Friday, and this article sums it up: "Artist Admits Using Other Photo for ‘Hope’ Poster," by Liz Robbins in the NY Times on October 17, 2009.

Quoting from the article:

"Shepard Fairey, the artist whose “Hope” poster of Barack Obama became an iconic emblem of the presidential campaign, has admitted that he lied about which photograph from The Associated Press he used as his source, and that he then covered up evidence to substantiate his lie." Read more.

And in the article "‘Hope’ Poster Artist Defends Himself, " by Stephanie Goodman, also in the NY Times on October 18, 2009:

"Mr. Fairey said the issue had been weighing on him, The Post-Gazette reported. “I’m very disappointed with myself over this," he said during an hourlong Q. and A. session about his career and influences." Read more.

He's not the only one who is disappointed.

Weekly Update - Front and Back Yard Installations

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:33:00 +0000

When I got home after doing Open Studios yesterday I rushed to take pictures of my two installations in their first snowfall before it got too dark. These pictures are a little blurry because my camera was a bit wet from the large falling snowflakes.

The top above shows better contrast of the white snow surrounding my backyard installation than the one below does, but I did want a straight on picture too.

I have lived in Massachusetts for most of my life, and I do not think we have ever had accumulating snow in mid-October. We have in mid-November, but not October as far as I remember. Yesterday's snow was the result of a fall Nor'easter and unusually cold weather.

The front yard installation is under a maple tree that still has most of its leaves, so there was no accumulating snow, but there are some fallen leaves and it was wet.

I really like the colored leaves surrounding this piece. It fits in very well. Very color coordinated. I look forward to more leaves falling around it in the coming weeks, and hopefully I'll get some good, not blurry, pictures in my documentation.

Beside here on my blog, you can see a few month to month pictures on my website.

Natick Artists Open Studios

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:55:00 +0000

Today, from noon-5pm, is the last day of Natick Artists Open Studios.

Yesterday was a lot of fun. I enjoyed showing people my Orange Construction Fence Series and Recycled Multi Fence Series, and explaining a little about my process and inspiration. I also got a nice response to my sweaters, and my calendars did well. Some friends and neighbors who stopped by didn't know anything about me except that I'm an artist, so it was nice to share with them.

Remember, if you're coming to visit, please don't come to my house. I will be in Virginia Fitzgerald’s studio at the Winchell Building, on the 2nd floor, 25 Washington Ave, Natick, MA. To see directions and a map of how to get there, please check yesterday's blog post.

I'm looking forward to seeing whoever stops by today, and also getting to spend more time with Virginia and her work.

Natick Artists Open Studios

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:24:00 +0000

Today and tomorrow, from noon-5pm, are Natick Artists Open Studios.

If you're coming to visit, please don't come to my house. I will be in Virginia Fitzgerald’s studio at the Winchell Building, on the 2nd floor, 25 Washington Ave, Natick, MA.

If you're driving from Route 9W, turn on to Route 27S, and about a mile (?) later, turn right on Washington Ave, or take a right on Cochituate St as you approach Natick Center. The building is at the corner of Washington Ave and Cochituate St. There is a parking lot behind the building, which is also where there is the most direct entrance to the 2nd floor of the building.

The artist who has a studio is next door to Virginia's studio, Ruth Claff, gave me a large wall in her studio to hang some of my work. I am very appreciative of this opportunity. Below is a picture of my work on her wall:

If you come to Open Studios, before or after you stop by to see me and Virginia, do stop by Ruth Claff's studio and look at her beautiful paintings (and see some of my work too). Don't forget to visit the rest of the artists in the building.

I'll have brochures with maps if you want to go to see the other artists around town, or you can download one off the Natick Artists Open Studios website.

Set Up

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:08:00 +0000

I'm ready for Natick Artists Open Studios. Yesterday I loaded all of my things in my car, and brought them over to Virginia Fitzgerald's studio which is in a building with many other artists. My studio is in my house, and too out of the way for any Open Studio traffic.

First step was piling as much as possible on my antique hand truck, well it's not really an antique, but it was acting that way.

I figured out that the reason it was so hard to move is the small wheels are screwed up. Bummer!

When I finally was able to get the hand truck to the elevator, my next struggle was opening and closing the 'industrial' elevator doors. Yikes! Calling them heavy is an understatement. I managed two trips up and down and then decided that using the stairs was a lot easier than using all of my energy managing the elevator doors.

Note: I was an elevator operator for two years when I was in art school. It was the best paying job at school, and I was able to convince school administration that a woman elevator operator would not be a building security risk in center city Philadelphia in the mid 1970's. The manual elevators I ran had very heavy doors, but nothing compared to the doors I opened yesterday.

I am borrowing (using?) this corner of Virginia's studio. This is what some of her work looks like.

This is the rack of sweaters all set up, with Orange Construction Fence Series #63 hanging above.

Here are some 12" x 12" and 6" x 6" mounted pieces from various series, hanging with a 2010 calendar. Not shown is a table with more 6" x 6", as well as many 3" x 3" pieces, my book, some greeting cards, and postcards for my solo show at Providence College (which I'm hanging in a week).

I will be hanging more Orange Construction Fence Series pieces, which are quite large, on the walls outside of Virginia's studio, and in the studio of the artist next door. She was most kind to offer me some wall space.

Natick Artists Open Studios are this weekend, Saturday October 17 and Sunday October 18, from noon-5pm each day. If you're nearby, stop by. It's supposed to rain all weekend. Come see some art and brighten your day!

Open Studios Set Up

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:12:00 +0000

I am dropping Recycled Multi Fence Series #5 off at Gallery 55 in Natick, MA today, for the Natick Open Studios Group Exhibit. The Gallery is small, and there are 60 artists participating in Natick Open Studios, so I decided to show a small (6" x 6") piece instead of a larger one. The reception for the Group Exhibit is tomorrow night, and serves as a kick off celebration for Open Studios.

Also today, I'm moving my work in, and setting up my space, at Virginia Fitzgerald’s studio at the Winchell Building, on the 2nd floor, 25 Washington Ave, here in Natick, MA. I'll post pictures after I'm all set up.

I'm looking forward to assembling the garment rack I purchased, and hanging all of the 35 sweaters on it, so I can see them all together. If there's enough time and light, I may photograph all of them in Virginia's studio because there's not enough light in mine. At least not enough for the darker sweaters.

All of the Recycled Multi Fence Series, are 6" x 6" and mounted on canvas. I will have many of these pieces at Open Studios, many other smaller and bigger pieces from various series, as well as calendars, sweaters, my book.

Natick Artists Open Studios are this weekend, Saturday October 17 and Sunday October 18, from noon-5pm each day.

New Book

jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com (Jeanne Williamson) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:49:00 +0000

Wow! I got my copy of "Quilting Art: Inspiration, Ideas & Innovative Works from 20 Contemporary Quilters," a new book by Spike Gillespie (Voyageur Press).

I know I'm a bit biased because I'm one of the artists featured in the book, but I'm very impressed! I haven't had time to read the whole book yet, and will soon, but on first glance, the photos look great and I love the advice sections! I've never seen an advice section in an art book before, and it's really insightful reading what my contemporaries have to share. Nice!

Here is the book description from Amazon.com:
"Quilting is a craft, rich with tradition and homespun, practical applications. But it’s also an art--which, with needle, thread, fabric and an idea, can give us a new way of looking at, and wrapping ourselves in, the world. This book profiles twenty American practitioners of that art, quilters whose fascinating, innovative work takes the craft one step further and makes it into something new. These remarkable quilters describe their inspiration and methods and show us several examples of their best work. Quilting Art serves as an idea book for quilters, as well as a gorgeous representation of the quilter’s art."

I always shy away from using the "Q" (quilt) word because my work is more about the printing and painting, but so do many of the artists in this book. If you see the work in this book, and read what the artists have to say, you'll understand why, because the boundaries are being pushed way past just quilting.

Pictured above is: Orange Construction Fence Series #41, 2006, 28.5" x 47", mixed media, which can be seen on page 13 of Spike's book.