Flashlight Theory

I devised a theory a while back after watching a jury pool decide who was going to be in an art exhibit and what wasn't.

I call my theory the "flashlight theory", it starts by thinking of the process as, a dark room filled with people. A bright light suddenly comes on and the people in the beam of light are the ones selected to exhibit/acknowledged as artists and the others are not even seen or considered.

This process has helped me understand how impersonal this exhibit process really is. It makes it a little more understandable when artwork you personally thought was mind blowing gets left out of a show.

Art is really subjective and often what is loved by one is never even seen by another.

The process of picking up a work of art that you labored over and feel such a personal connection to is a painful one. Like someone doesn't love you or you are not really worthy of the title artist. It is at times like this that I find solace in my theory.

I often think of the Mona Lisa as a really great example.

Years ago the Louvre had her hung in a fairly small room (small by Louvre standards) and people flocked to see her. When I saw the crowd in front of this painting behind thick glass, poorly lit and overwhelmed I started looking at the paintings that were hung next to her and around the room. They were amazing works by Di Vinci and his peers, I would even go so far as to say, more interesting than Mona. No one was looking at this work...

It was the Flashlight theory at work in the middle of the day!

Here are my works that missed the light this weekend in a juried competition....

Google me

I was talking with a fellow artist at the studio last night and she mentioned that she "Googled" me.
It was a funny idea but I have worked really hard to make myself easy to find.
I came home and did the same thing, wondering what I would see , and what was out there on me.
I came across an article written about a show I was in. I was part of a very large exhibit that the Santa Barbara museum of art held; "A History Of Women in Photography".
I was personally selected as a contemporary example of women in photography, it was also my first real review, and I survived the critique, just barely:
http://articles.latimes.com/1997/jul/24/entertainment/ca-15622

It is amazing to think back on what I have done so far in my life.

Art Opening

I have just returned from a wonderful art opening!


Sea Breeze Art Gallery and Studios just hosted their fourth annual Dia De Los Muertos show.


I had submitted three pieces for consideration into their juried competition. Much to my surprise all three pieces were accepted.


Much more to my surprise, two of the three got front wall space at the show!

There is a lot of wonderful artwork on display and it has a warm and welcoming feeling.

Show is up until November 29th 2008

Sea breeze Art Gallery:

http://www.seabreezeartgallery.com/dynamicdata/Dia_de_los_Muertos.asp

Exploring new media

I have never made a woodcut before...the idea is a bit intimidating, so I went for the easy starter version of block printing.

Using my Pop's 20+ year old speedball set, I carved my first two blocks yesterday in the studio.

I used the easy carve blocks, they are essentially giant rubber erasers...so carving is a breeze!

I took a couple drawing with me, hoping to copy them onto the rubber blocks easily, but the carbon transfer paper does not work on them. So I re-drew the images and started carving.

After making this first block, I began to realize how to think of black and white and vary the lines and shapes...

the second block went a little better and made me realize that I want to make more of these.

New workspace and new work

Well it has been quite an exciting time for me, creatively speaking.

I have been accepted to a local printmaking group, Inkspots.

This exciting news allows me a place to print on a flatbed press and work with other printmakers in a creative and supportive environment.

Super exciting and a big personal step for me, as this now means I am an artist with a workspace! Aside from my kitchen table!

I took this photo of the work area yesterday when I signed the papers of rental agreement.

As for other news, I am currently working on some new images for solar plates; class has started again, giving me the ability to use the press in Santa Barbara as well as experiment in a classroom setting and not be afraid of "wasting" valuable art supplies.

Here I am working on one of my newest ideas:

One of my solar plates was even featured on a website!
Here is the link:
http://photographersofetsy.blogspot.com/2008/09/welcome-new-team-members_24.html

New images coming soon to the shop and some of my photographs will be for sale REAL soon.
Honest!

Thanks for stopping by

Artwork for sale

Artworks are for sale in my Etsy shop!

I am currently working on my Black & White work. Scanning my negatives and using the digital darkroom when needed.

I have contacted a professional lab to assist me in printing long life, archival prints.

My black & white work available soon.

In the meantime, take a look at my zenfolio site for images, and feel free to contact me if you see something you would like to own.

www.monicawiesblott.zenfolio.com

In the review of these thousands of images, I have found that my "in camera work" was quite successful in making images of great contrast and composition. This leaves very little need for further manipulation, much to my delight.

If I choose to alter these original images, then that is another path, but for now the reintroduction of the images to myself and others is pure bliss.

Art images are now up!

My Fine art site is now up and at'em!

Come check it out:http://www.monicawiesblott.com

Items will be posted into a shop soon!
Check back soon