I made a little something with an image I took this week. I wish I took more images that look good with text. Hmm, maybe that could be a new project series.
All posts by Kristi
Art Laguna Prize Book
I don’t think I mentioned this, but last week my ALP book arrived from Venice, Italy! All the winners of this competition received a book. It was really cool to see my information written in another language. It does have an ISBN so it definitely isn’t a self-published book by the organization and could end up in a bookstore somewhere… But yay! My first official publication and art book!
Video from Mayfair Festival
Artist Receptions and How to Make the Most Out of Them
I have been going to artist receptions for my work for about a year now, and I have learned a lot about putting yourself out there. Networking becomes easy when you see these events as social events but in a business setting and always have a business mind-set entering them. Sometimes people freeze up at the word, “networking” and while I don’t blame them, a bit of a change in perspective helps in these situations. I’m going to share with you what I learned and to get the most out of your artist reception.
1) Thank and Introduce Yourself to the Juror
If the juror happens to attend your reception as well (sometimes they don’t, shame on them!), go ahead and introduce yourself but also remember to thank the juror for selecting your artwork. You’ll make a lasting impression and may lead to something else down the road. It’s always a win for being polite.
2) If you strike up a conversation with a fellow artist or member of the event board don’t forget to give them your information
You have business cards right? In this day and age, it’s so easy to reconnect with someone you meet at an event. Not having networking, social or business cards handy can mean that you may miss a really important opportunity down the road. I don’t always give out my information but if I end up liking the person and/or their work, then I give them my business card.
3) If your reception has a celebrity attending, introduce yourself.
Sometimes major fine art competitions and conferences have celebrities to help attract more patrons. At the my Capitol Hill reception I met our Congressmen and while at the time I didn’t have time to give Joe Kennedy my business card, as I was first in line to be called up for my award, that would’ve been the perfect opportunity. At the Harvard Leadership Conference, I got Jason Love’s attention because I treated him like an individual and not someone who was in the spot light – unlike the other Harvard students.. he happily took my information.
4) If alcohol is served, have a glass or two!
Some of the best receptions that I attended are those when I had a glass of alcohol. The alcohol helped calm the nerves and helped me socialize better with the people around me. Obviously, if you have issues with drinking, than this one can’t be done. But I’ve had some of the best evenings when some alcohol was consumed, it helped me relax and have a good time!
5) Mingle!
Obviously, the most important part of making the most out of your artist reception. Back at a reception for the Boxcar Gallery I met another gallery owner which led to another exhibition later in the winter. The same thing happened this past April when I went to the EcoArts festival in Provincetown, MA. If I hadn’t gotten to know the gallery owner where the Art and Meditation workshop had taken place, I wouldn’t have been invited to another exhibition later in June in Provincetown at the Gallery.
There you have it! These are my five top activities to do at an artist reception. Some receptions will not be a fulfilling and it could depend on weather, location, marketing, etc. So if there aren’t many people, don’t feel sad just make sure you take in the art and take away at least one thing if the reception didn’t live up to your expectations (and sometimes they won’t!).
Mayfair Festival Part 1
Wednesday, I left Longmeadow and I drove 7 hours to Quarkertown/Allentown, PA to drop off my artwork for the Mayfair festival. During my time here I’ve been visiting as many friends as possible. Tonight I saw my friends Samantha and Will and we ate dinner at a sports bar. It was so good to see them again and catch up. Being 6 hours away its difficult to come up often and see them. I’m staying with my friend Richelle in Quakertown as it’s a half hour drive to Allentown.
I haven’t had the heart to go back to this area since my falling out with Kris but I happy to say that I feel like I have mostly completely moved on from that. It just hurts to think I’ll never know what really went down for sure with that.
Tomorrow I’m planning on going to the Quakertown Farmer’s Market and taking a drive around the town and take a few pictures. Later in the evening, I’m attending the Meet the Artist receptions at the festival opening tomorrow and I’ll be taking my friend Richelle on Saturday and then leaving on Saturday evening. I’ll write up a second part after I come home on Saturday!
It’s Not Everyday You Meet a Soothsayer
Saturday evening I came home from my whirlwind trip to Santa Barbara, CA for an interview at Letter Perfect & Paper Ink. The interview went really well and there was a lot of positive things from it. SO, I feel pretty good about it. The interviewer had me do a 15 min test – design a business card under 15 mins and she like the overall design as well as everything else I presented to her.
The morning of my departure (I left in the evening), I had taken out scrapbook paper that had a handmade feel to it and printed my resume on it. I went the extra mile and printed on nice stationery since it is a stationery company. For the Minuteman Press position I had made my resume into an 8.5 x 5.5 booklet.
The evening after I received the invite, I learned my friend Gwen that I visited last September was going to be in the same proximity as I was in Santa Barbara. She was camping and was staying at the top of the hill where I was staying at the bottom. Thursday was SO hot that I slept late and got breakfast at Beachbreak Cafe and just walked the beach a little bit and then went home. Too hot to do anything really that day. The day of the interview was gorgeous and it was a lot easier to do things.
I met up with my friend Gwen at Sambo’s after the interview for mimosa’s to celebrate. We were comparing tarot notes as she is a reader too and at the end of the lunch the lady behind me turned around and asked if we could read her. We decided at 7 pm that evening that we’d meet and give her a reading. Afterwords, Gwen and I went deck shopping and I picked up Tarot of the Old Path as it was one of two decks that spoke to me for this particular reading. I don’t always buy a new deck for a new client, but Gwen wanted to go deck shopping anyway so I figured why not. It ended up being a 2 hr reading and walked away with $200 that Gwen and I split. I never had done a duo reading (two readers for one client). But it worked really well! Gwen knows a lot more about the systems than I do, and I just used my ability and experience with the cards and the knowledge that comes through. I’m not sure how much our client got out of the reading as she had been drinking and since alcohol shuts off my ability we couldn’t drink with her during the reading. Though I had a glass of wine or two afterwords and left for home. The whole trip was so synchronistic it made me wonder about the mojo bag I had blessed before I left on Tuesday evening for Wellesley.
A few weeks ago I performed a spell for the intention of finding employment before May 12th (the date that I was invited to the interview). For me, spells bend the light that is around you (as science has proposed that matter can be created from light) and help you attract the light that works best for you. That is my definition of spells and magick. As such, working with shapes and colors really work with this theory of magick because nature communicates through symbolism and archetypes. Anyway, in the mojo bag from the herb blend I had created previously for the spell I put:
– Alfalfa Leaf; money, prosperity- Benzoin: purification, soothing, dispelling anger
– Bergmot: money, prosperity, protection from evil & illness
– Meadowsweat: Increases chance of getting a job
– Pine Bark: clean breaks, new beginnings, prosperity, success, strength
And for crystals I had used the specimens that were in my crystal garden at Minuteman and then cleansed in my pyramid under the full moon…
– Citrine : Merchants Stone, Money energies, increase self-esteem, protect from negative energy from someone else’s abuse, open the mind to new thoughts, promote clarity of thought, attracting wealth and prosperity, promoting generosity, sharing good fortune, assists in fast money ventures, strengthens inner light and creativity, etc.
– Malachite : protection, absorbing negative energies, clear electromagnetic pollution and heals earth energies, a stone of travel and overcoming fears of flying, helps with jetlag and encourages smooth business travel, a stone for support for airplane and airline workers
– Tiger Eye : enhance our own personal power, release blocked creativity, and to bring good luck, prosperity, wealth and success.
– Quartz : harmony, balance, healing, releasing negative energy
– Carnelian : increase ambition, drive and confidence, protection from negative emotions, warmth, sociability, creativity and happiness, restore self-esteem, abundance
I definitely think the herbs + crystals worked their magick this trip. Especially powerful during the full moon which I believe was in scorpio which was all about death/rebirth and new beginnings.
Relationships
May. Wedding season… and I have had a few more friends become hitched this month than ever and a few more who are engaged. I have a friend who is getting married today and while I am over the moon for her, I can’t help but feel a little hurt that I wasn’t invited. We had the same mutual friends in college and while I didn’t constantly skype or talk online with her I still considered her a friend. But I guess things are different now… I get that weddings are expensive and they probably couldn’t afford more than what they did invite. But it still stings because I see all of our mutual friends attending the wedding and updating their facebooks and seeing them together… and I’m just still sitting here…
All these marriages around me have made me question about my relationship history. All of my potentials ended before they began leaving me heartbroken… or they are spiritual relationships that while love was felt was never meat to be physical. My heart has been broken, and re-broken many times before and it just makes me question who would take a chance on a bruised and beaten heart?
Then, I see my brothers’ relationship and how well he’s treating his girlfriend.
I am just at the point in my life where I am done feeling alone. There’s nothing that I want more than a companion who would be there for me and me for them.. someone who I could share my life with, take on my adventures, be at peace with and enjoy life with. I love my friends and support but I just need something a little more, a close bond…
Access Gallery – Denver, CO
The third leg of my National tour with the In/Finite Earth collection opened this month at the VSA Colorado chapter – Access Gallery. Previously it was installed at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky and Volkswagen Headquarters in Herndon, VA after finishing it’s three-month long exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution.
Denver,CO – In/Finite Earth is the 12th exhibition in VSA and Volkswagen Group of America’s annual Emerging Artists Program. This longtime collaboration provides 15 selected visual artists who are living with disabilities, ages 16 – 25, with an unprecedented opportunity to receive national recognition at the start of their careers. Culminating in a national tour of the winning artwork, including exhibitions at the Smithsonian Institution and other venues across the country.
This year’s theme asked the artists to showcase work that illuminates innovative viewpoints at the intersection of environmentalism, creativity and disability. The winning artwork presents each artist’s distinct and compelling responses to their environment, personal history, and, at times personal disability.
VSA Colorado/Access Gallery is proud to host this exhibit for the second time. This year we are also pleased to have a VSA Colorado/Access Gallery artist AJ Kiel in the show. AJ has worked at VSA Colorado/Access Gallery and by being one of the winners AJ was able to go to DC for the unveiling of this exhibit.
A Month
So, it’s been a month since he let me go… and has it been a long month.
What have I done since Minuteman?
– Concluded my participation in the Cambridge Science Festival
– Traveled to the Cape to see my artwork that was apart of the Appearances ’14 EcoArts Festival.
– Had two interviews for entry-level graphic design positions in the surrounding area
– Began making more kirlian photograms again in my basement studio
– Composed more music
– Began the third leg of my Infinite Earth tour at the Access Gallery in Denver, CO
– Began preparation for my solo show at Groundings, LLC
I’ve been doing OK. Just taking each day as it comes. I create because it helps me deal with loss as I create something from nothing. While I may not have been treated right at Minuteman I was put in a position doing what I loved in a professional environment and was getting paid for it… and so naturally I’ve been feeling sad because I am not in that position anymore. My artwork is what gives me my confidence as an individual and if you undermine my artwork you undermine me as an individual.
While that chapter in my life has ended, I left the door open for my supervisor to establish a connection to me. Because he was just one of those people who did a whole lot for me even if he didn’t intend to. The partnership we did have while I worked for him helped heal me from a past relationship and I couldn’t be more grateful. I just hope that he will establish something so I don’t have to go through loss all over again.
My former boss at the Tearoom did something to me when I designed something for him and he realized what my strength/weakness was. He told me that what I designed for him wasn’t very good and while I didn’t understand what he was doing at the time by telling me that (it wasn’t true because when we concluded the project he told me that it was good), he was trying to prepare me for what was to come (meaning my experience at Minuteman). He was able to figure out what my weakness and strengths were and for that I am grateful. Sometimes I don’t see things about myself and now when I’m feeling low, I create something – because damnit, look where my artwork has taken me, how can you not feel good if you’ve been through that!?
Photography: Merry Meet
Collection: Merry Meet
Year: 2014
A black and white, photographic triptych of bleeding hearts.
Conversations with my Heart
I meditated for the first time in awhile. My brain desperately needed it.
I listened to the Beauty Everywhere by Marina Raye and it took me to a fantastic place.
I drifted away into the drones of the flute and the sounds of the incoming tide. And I just let the music let me ride the waves of my emotions.
It took me to what my heart was feeling, I was able to see my emotions and feelings as vividly as a movie on the big screen. I relaxed.
I was able to live in my meditation and discover what my heart truly wants. Closeness.
It allowed me to see how close I was to you despite you not being near me or in my life at the moment. It allowed me to see possibilities of my relationship to you. But I felt something else.
Fear.
Because of the circumstances and of how we met the type of relationship we both want is difficult to initiate.
I am not surprised that we feel this. As this happened once before with you.
I have learned my lesson from that relationship which is why I let you know that it was OK to contact me after this experience.
I saw what our hearts really wanted. And it made me so pleased to see that we both want the same thing.
Fear from me because the thought of a meaningful relationship makes me sick to my stomach sometimes.
Because of what I’ve been through previously with you. I’m over the desire. I’m over the longing.
Fear from you because of your position of power and authority. But did you know?
This type of relationship may exactly be what you need to grow and become the person you want to be.
And I’ll be more than happy to help guide you, just trust me.
Round-Ups of Awesome #1
I’m going to be starting a new series called, ‘Round-ups of Awesome’. I surf the internet a lot, like most of my generation and find cool objects and pieces of information and such. I usually just cross-post them to my K Glyphics page but thought I’d post them here too. So below is just a round-up of things that I generally thought were awe inspiring, or just plain awesome!
This team of researchers who developed conductive paint:
“The best thing about the material and our approach is that it provides for engagement of multiple kinds of intelligence. We go to a trade fair and an electrical engineer picks this up and starts asking detailed questions. But then someone else comes who knits for a living and they want to make their knitting responsive and their skills and intelligence are engaged at the same point,” said Johnson.
This photograph of a magnified droplet of seawater containing plankton, crab larva, eggs, and other microscopic sea animals.
2) Magnified droplet of seawater (source)
This kinetic wind sculptor, a facebook friend mentioned that this is how she visualized life-force energy:
3)
This center for photography in India:
4) Center of Alternative Photography
Goa Center for Alternative Photography is the only organization in Asia region which experiments and practices alternative photography. Goa-CAP is also committed to providing an ecosystem for research as well as R&D leadership in photography.
This beautiful Portuguese word that describes my feels in one word:
5)
This album by Lindsey Stirling:
6)
This research forum on ecology and art:
7) SoilCulture