The Essence of a Gift

While many bloggers are writing about the year-end and what is to come in 2012, I have been pondering something ever since Christmas Day. The question I have been pondering is, "what is the essence of a gift?" As an artist, we often desire to create something for our loved ones as a gift. Where I get hung up is in the fact that art work is something to be displayed. As a homemaker I know that many people are very particular about what they display on their walls and shelves. To make something for someone that is of the caliber of fine art, or highly skilled craftsmanship, takes a lot of time, energy, and sometimes materials on the part of the artist. For the gift receiver they will no doubt feel flattered and touched that you made something that obviously involved a lot of time and skill, but there may be another emotion that they are hiding. We all know the saying, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". What if the gift receiver does not like the artwork you have given them? What if they are thinking, "Where am I going to put this?" Because you are a loved one, they will most likely feel obligated to hold onto the art you created. They may even display it just because you made it and they do not want to hurt your feelings. Do I sound paranoid? Am I over-thinking this? I personally know three individuals who have been given gifts from an artist, and they do not like it, but they feel obligated to display it.
    What brought this all about was that this Christmas, I decided I would make mosaic picture frames for some of my family members. Now, a picture frame is something small, and, in my opinion, more of a "craft" than fine art. But, I still wanted my family members to like their frame. I considered their individual homes, their personal style, and each of their personalities when I was choosing the look for the frame. However, when it came time for me to make the frame for my mom I was stumped. You see, my mom is also a fine artist. She has been an artist as long as I can remember. Her taste is more complicated because, as artists, we tend to have a different "eye" for things than non-artists. I wanted her frame to be more artistic. I did not want her frame to be "cliche" or kitschy. So, Christmas day, I was pretty self conscious when she was opening her gift I made her. Of course, she said she loved it when she saw it. Because she is my mom, I was honest with her after she opened the frame. I told her I had trouble choosing the design for the frame because I wanted her to like it. But she told me that the essence of a gift comes from the motivation behind it. This is what I have been pondering since Christmas Day.
     To make a gift for someone out of love for them should be enough to make the gift beautiful to the person, but I know this is not always the case. I think that to put the gift receiver in a position where they may have to fake liking something is very uncomfortable. I almost think it would be better to say to my loved ones, "I would like to make a gift for you. What would you like?" To treat the gift-giving almost like a commission might be a better approach. This is an issue I am not completely settled on, and, I imagine I will face it again in 2012.

Saying goodbye

I am pleased to announce that I sold something in the art show I am currently showing in! Pictured above is just one panel from the triptych I titled, "Primarily, It's About Me", which is the piece that sold. I have sold many things I have made over the last four years that I have been a mosaic artist, but this is my first "fine art" piece I have sold. In the past, things I have made and sold have been things like picture frames, signs, mirrors and tables. I have to say that selling a piece of art, or even functional art like a picture frame, is a bit bittersweet. Let me explain. The process of creating something from nothing but your own imagination almost feels like giving birth to something. Your little creation came from you. It is a part of you. You want others to see it and to find their own enjoyment from it. So, you put it out there in hopes that it finds a new home. At times, your creation is rejected- not accepted into the art show, or sits on the shelf for over a year, even when you've marked it down 20%. This is not a pleasant feeling. So, one would think that the creator would only feel elation when a creation is accepted into loving arms and sold. But what actually happens is you begin to wonder who this person is that has taken your art into their home. Is it a good home? Will they care for the art piece and place it in a prominant space on a well-lit wall, or will it sit in a garage? Do they see the deep meaning behind your piece and the care and detail you, as the creator, put into the piece? Will they end up selling it someday in a yard sale or throw it away? Saying goodbye to a piece of art when it sells is bittersweet because often times, the artist does not get to meet the person who is taking in their "creation". There is no chance for explanations, care instructions and goodbyes. But, these feelings are passing, as new feelings of happiness over monetary gain flood in, as well as a sudden need to create something new in place of the art that sold. So, to whoever bought "Primarily, It's About Me", I wish you and your new art piece all the best happiness together. And please be gentle with it... 

Add "Art Curator" to My Title

Yesterday, I had the new experience of hanging and placing five pieces of art in the Chico Art Center gallery. I was placing my own art in a space that I had rented. For the month of December, the Chico Art Center has rented out spaces to artists for the artist to hang as much art as they wish in their designated space. Some of the artists have only taken up the middle of their space. Some have utilized every inch and have works spanning from floor to "ceiling" (well, the "floating" wall ends before the ceiling.). As I am expecting a baby in just 6 weeks, I took my wonderful husband along with me so he could be the one to climb on the ladder and drill holes and hang my heavy mosaic pieces. I had the job of standing back and checking out how centered things looked, and how aesthetically pleasing my space was. What do you think? Check out the photo above and let me know in the comments section what you think of my job as "art curator"! In the meantime, the show opens in two days and I am excited to have people see my art!