Monday, November 06, 2006

Studio Friday - Interconnected

This week's topic for Friday November 3rd suggested by Nancy Bea: I AM INTERCONNECTED!
" I am not thinking of connections one might feel to other "great artists" of the past or inspiring, high-profile contemporaries, but the connections that help keep you happy in the studio. Artist friends you get together with for critiques or just coffee and supportive conversation.
For instance I am in a group of four women who get together for all of that, plus find venues to occasionally show together, and we encourage each other in every possible way. Maybe you are part of a class or group that gets together to try out new techniques once a month...We are all interconnected and honoring and recognizing that is an immense comfort and inspiration and source of strength for me, and I am sure for others too."

Oh, Nancy Bea, you hit such a chord. Yes, yes, yes. (And you know that you are one of the artist's with whom I've connected recently. Thank you!!)

I have too much that I could write for this, so for the sake of brevity, I will just make a list of some of the most important art connections in my life right now...

1. Debbie Wachel - My most enthusiastic supporter and one of my dearest friends, artistic or otherwise. We get together for artist dates every month or two, which consist of talking, eating, laughing, shopping, critiquing and oh yeah, making art. In between artist dates, we email, at least several times a week, often about art, but also about life and keeping art in life!

2. The Studio Friday artists!! - and all of my online contacts - I have found the internet to be one of the most amazing ways to connect with other artists all over the globe, and I'm sure I won't be the only one to mention this. Through this connection, I have corresponded with artists whose work I've seen in magazines, I've recently purchased a print for my niece from Hungary (from an artist I might never have discovered otherwise), and I've received (and given) more encouraging words and support that I could ever have imagined possible.

3. My teaching venues - Ironically Art Connection is the name of one of the stores at which I teach, and it lives up to the name in so many amazing ways. I love the connections that I make with the students I teach. Their enthusiasm feeds me, and they always have creative ideas that help me improve my methods. It's a totally rewarding exchange and I would feel lost as an artist without it.

4. My creative coach. I've had the opportunity (thanks to my friend Debbie!!) to work with Sheri Gaynor, of Feisty Females, and this connection has helped me to remove obstacles that I continually seem to put in the way of my artistic goals.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, so many great connections! I am honored to be one of them, through Studio Friday. So proud to know you Kerri!

claudine hellmuth said...

hey there! I use Sheri too and she is amazing! xxxox

Debbie said...

Thanks for the kind words Kerri! But you know it works both ways. You get me unstuck when I'm stuck, talk me into doing a blog, etc. You are definitely my most important connection! Sorry I didn't put that on my blog but I'm going out of town, AGAIN, and really needed to get the ATCS done and since I only had time to do one forum this week I picked IF since it requires original art (and I have trouble making time for that in my life so I needed to do it). There, are those enough excuses? ;) Thanks for being such a great connection and dear friend. And just for that you can have the red-hat-lady ATC. LOL

Sydney Harper said...

I've never taught an art class, but I have taught other types of classes. I love the interaction and ideas I get from teaching.

irisz said...

You are so nice Kerri! Thanks a lot!

Debbie said...

Love your new "face". Very dramatic and fun!!

Anonymous said...

I love the new picture of you and your new heading. They are both faculous.

Love you Sisser!

Lil' sisser!

Anonymous said...

I meant to say fabulous. I do not know what faculous means. OOPS!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kerri,

I am embarrassed to say that I just came across this post. I am consumed in all things book and that is not a very good excuse, just not as much time as I would like to stay in touch.

Thank you for the beautiful sentiment. You know how I feel, it is truly a co-creative relationship. You have done all this work yourself.

Look at you now, you are living your dreams and flying high!!!!

Somehow I am not at all surprised.

Hugs and gratitude,
Sheri