Since last fall with the chaos of life, I've been working hard to get "unblocked." I'm working a lot and making pieces... not feeling totally stalled out, yet there are piles of sketches that I haven't even addressed. Sometimes it's easier for me to tackle production rather than enter that squirmy realm of making something new... pulling the ideas out, engineering them, letting them take shape. Then there's the reality of setting aside that kind of exploratory time in the studio, but play is important and some of my best pieces over the years have come from these moments.
And then there's the photography and possibly fear of showing something new... and the sometimes sadness when everyone else doesn't love what you did. Or maybe they love what you did but no one bought it... making it a tough business decision to keep pursuing it.
Anemone Brooch, photo by Larry Sanders, © 2012 Kathy Frey. This brooch is in my private collection because the engineering on it isn't quite perfect. And it's also weird. I've tweaked the pin stem so it works better, yet never remade a brooch for sale because everyone thought it was so strange... which is exactly why I love it so. I would love to see some out in the world, though! So this is one to put on the "revisit" list.
Or maybe you sold a couple of pieces from a collection but never continued flushing the ideas out fully to make them more marketable.
Black Gold Anemone Necklace, photo by Larry Sanders, ©2012 Kathy Frey. This photo is one of my favorites. I loved exploring the gold against the oxidized pieces. This necklace is now in a private collection... hopefully being worn!
Black Gold Double Anemone Strand necklace, photo by Larry Sanders, © 2012 Kathy Frey. This necklace is one of my favorites for how it lays. It has an interesting drape that is slightly off center. The branching pieces are really special on this one, and I love the sprinkling of 14k gold. I still show this piece... it is still available if you are interested. I'm wondering if I need to revisit the clasp to make it more secure... some people are afraid of the little tiny hook... I just like how it blends in with the design.
Who knows, it's nebulous to think about yet most artists know how it feels. One year not so very long ago, I got really hyped up about my anemone series... pushing my pod forms to be asymmetrical, weirder... playing with the ideas of "growth" and "emerging."
This mis-matched pair of anemone earrings just sold at the end of 2011. They are one of my favorite pairs of earrings ever! Many comments put me off of making mis-matched earrings, but I really do want to explore more... they are so fun, playful, and intriguing to me.
Due to the way the pieces are made, each one is totally one of a kind, which also raised my price point. When I showed them, sometimes the negative comments hurt, especially when I loved them so.Yet mostly the feedback was positive... not sure why the negatives sunk in so much.
Anemone Ring, photo by Larry Sanders, © 2012 Kathy Frey. This ring never sold because many people were daunted by the idea of wearing something so tall, yet the attention it has received got my work in numerous magazines and books... and most importantly it was fun to make! Sometimes you just have to let your inner workings as an artist show... not everything has to be about sales.
Now that I'm looking back over this series, I'm so happy to see all the good things that did come out of it. Publicity, sales, and design... that's why it's time to revisit it as well as some of those other ideas I've shelved.
Gold Anemone Double Strand Necklace, photo by Linda Savitz, © 2012 Kathy Frey. This was one of my efforts to combine the weird with the glamorous. It's my "from the sea" piece where I've mixed in Tahitian pearls and natural keishi pearls around the chain. I chose pearls that were naturally weird and organic, much like the shapes I wrapped to mix in. There are also raw diamonds in the mix for sparkle and a sandy texture... I liked making that connection with the pearl/ocean theme. This piece is also available and currently on show at Rare Gallery in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Many people comment on it trying to find a recognizable form (like a shoe, the most common comment)... I'm hoping it will reach out and speak to the right person who likes the organic oceanic feel.
Last year I got a custom order for a pair of anemone clip earrings... it's taken me almost a year to face them. And now I'm jazzed again and want to make more pieces in this series! Artistically I felt like it was a strong direction for me because it's so hard to wrap and construct the asymmetrical pieces... I like that challenge for myself. And with the earrings I'm working on engineering different ways to join the branches together that doesn't feel so cumbersome. I will have to charge what I have to charge... which is something all artists have to reckon with. Yet I'm lucky to have a supportive fan base.
Proof that a new piece in the anemone series is underway! Thanks to my special client for pushing me back in this direction.
you bring up so many good points here... i, for one, am glad that you keep with the anemones - they are stunning visually and are incredibly interesting... i appreciate the way you explore the color variations and the inherent flowing shape... i happen to be an asymmetrical earring person myself so keep with that too! some of your show stoppers may be that for you - pieces for beautiful big exhibits... that is good... i love the ring... a universal lament is about selling art - and i think that is so very sad... there is a sculptor i follow the work of and she recently said something like she should turn her work into candle holders and chandeliers to make sales... but it isn't where her heart lies... you are doing beautiful, imaginative, inspiring work - keep with it... the shire is sure to inspire!
oh, and i love the brooch - never underestimate the power of a good one - i know a woman who had one in an exhibit at the v&a... sorry this sounds rambling, you really struck a chord here...
Posted by: mary jane dodd | February 02, 2012 at 05:58 AM
Mary Jane, thanks so much for your comments! I'm glad it struck a chord, and I've had some similar comments on Facebook as well. We as artists have to stick with what speaks to us, yet it's such a juggling act to make it all financially work out at times. Your comments are so supportive.
Posted by: Kathy Frey | February 06, 2012 at 02:34 PM