#artists anonymous

[kidarwolf]

Is there such a thing as Artist's Anonymous meetings? I might need them. I have a whole built-in closet filled with art supplies, and all my paper still needs a huge shelf to store it all on, and that's still without any space for canvasses.

[annie-thyme]

it's 6 am and probably a shitty idea but hey, whatever, let's do one of these AA things here I'll go first: hello, my name is yana, I'm an artist, and I've got anxiety and insomnia because I can't make a living off my art

[radsadweebtrash]

(artists anonymous)

[otherenglishskies]

Ahoy!

I did a thing for an arts project in Leeds: the group ‘Artists Anonymous’ are hosting an online publication of responses to the idea ‘Lie Back And Think Of England’ - visual, sound, video, writing, poetry, anything. Mine turned into a song, as my ideas often do, here’s the link and my brief commentary on it:

https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/Alice%20Nicholls%20Music/Think%20Of%20England.WAV?_subject_uid=20439452&w=AADQ7i0fI0LObKK3M8eBxdKKTknrp5-0fuh7WJQv3RIDZA When faced with having to respond to the idea ‘lie back and think of England’s various themes for a song ran through my head. What to centre it on? Patriotism? Immigration? Tradition? Love? Sex? But none of these topics on their own seemed enough to encapsulate ‘thinking of England’ – a county with flexible borders, wildly fluctuating politics, a country with relative amounts of privilege where those with privilege sometimes don’t see or notice those beneath them. As an English musician, and an English woman and a feminist, the notion of my downtrodden country was not a difficult one to conjure, and the idea came into my head of England characterised as a woman. And so the song began to take shape: the first verse depicting a rose-tinted view of an idyllic, stereotypical England; the second its repressed people, especially the country’s attitude towards women and female sexuality, and things we don’t like to think about so instead we concentrate on its beauty (‘think of nothing/except what lies beneath our noses’…flat skies, everlasting fields, and so on and so on.) I then turned to this idea I had of England personified – and as such, the last two verses could be an unnamed woman, or England herself speaking: both sometimes repressed, both ill-treated, and both staunchly carrying on. It’s often how I feel as a woman in England – and to think we are so much better off in this country than women in so many other places…

[patpendleton]

Artists Anonymous: Local Artists Gather with Karen Finley at Hallwalls

ARTISTICALLY AFFLICTED?

Do you have a problem with art? Buffalo artists were recently invited to participate in Artists Anonymous groups facilitated by Karen Finley. Known for her performances, visual and conceptual works, the New York-based artist has appropriated the self-help model of 12-step programs to create this new work. She had just completed hosting a series of such groups during the NYC Makers Biennial at Manhattan Art & Design Museum when she visited town last month to join the 40th anniversary celebration for Hallwalls.

An Artists Anonymous meeting is open to those who feel that their lives have been affected by artmaking, the art world, and the troubles of maintaining a creative life and career. Finley began offering these groups after a difficult time when she was looking to rekindle her own sense of joy as an artist. Modeled after the well-known Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program (AA) developed in 1935 by Bill Wilson, the steps for recovery from alcoholism were outlined in his handbook, referred to as “The Big Book.” People maintain anonymity at these meetings by using first names only with one another. The AA format helps people to connect with others facing similar struggles.

“Find your tribe,” encourages Finley. One of the foundations of the original AA is the act of turning one’s life over to a higher power. While Finley’s version does not require this, many artists view their pursuit of art as a kind of religion or an alternative to it. Often an obsession, artmaking can veer off into the territory of addiction, a term that is casually tossed around to define any out-of-balance activity. Traditionally, addiction implies powerlessness. Most 12-step groups guide a person into their individual story to ask “How did you arrive at this place of powerlessness? While recovery in the original AA model implies “giving up” the use of alcohol or other harmful substance, Artists Anonymous is not asking anyone to give up as artists. Instead, recovery is more a case of recharging and rediscovering the passion for creating and engaging with art.

Finley suggests that artists find the joy in what they do. She has reimagined the twelve steps as thirteen thought-provoking ideas to ponder: 1) We are powerless over art; 2) The power of art is greater than ourselves; 3) Turn our will and our lives over to the care of art; 4) Admit we are artists; 5) We are addicted to art; 6) Ready to make more art; 7) Get out of the way--we are making art; 8) Whatever it takes--make the art; 9) Art is all around us--we make art available to others; 10) Continue to make art despite the consequences; 11) Give of ourselves with our art to others whether they like it or not; 12) Hope to provide a spiritual awakening with art and maybe some cash; 13) Life is more important than art but life is meaningless without art.

I gathered on a Sunday morning with thirty artists in chairs circling the main gallery. Anticipating the event to be part spoof, part performance, and not entirely serious, I discovered a fairly no-frills support group.The meeting began with introductions and small group discussions to arrive at personal additions to Finley's list of thirteen steps. Some of these were shared with larger group: 1) I express, therefore I am; 2) Don’t rush it--art tells you when it’s ready; 3) People do not have to understand your work; 4) Fake it 'til you make it; 5) Make art from your personal struggles; 6) Art is a process; 7) Lack of time or funds for materials should not be a deterrent; 8) Be sure to play; 9) Fail and fail again.

A second round of small group discussions addressed how the spiritual enters into art as a maker and a viewer. Many recalled the first time a work of art impacted them. More than one person mentioned influential moments that occurred at Albright Knox during childhood visits. Books, teachers, wilderness adventures, travel, foreign places, meeting experienced artists—all translate into fuel for the creative fire. Experience the largeness of the world. Find connections.

Someone asked the question that comes up over and over again in conversations about art: “Hasn’t everything already been done?” Always a good conversation starter that always come to yes and no. It hasn’t been done by you in your voice through the filter of this particular time and place in history. The need to make and express is much like an itch that must be scratched. Artmaking offers a therapeutic aspect that can have an immediate reward. Finding that connection can keep an artist from drifting away. Harnessing the gods and goddesses of creativity is fraught with possible troubles, as well as joy. Getting snagged in the angst of the process is the affliction of the artistic. Only the addicted stick around.

Observations on the perils and gifts of an art practice are plentiful in the book, Art & Fear, by David Bayles and Ted Orland. They demystify the pursuit and arrive at the realization that those who continue to make art over time are simply those who have learned not to quit. “Making art is dangerous and revealing,” they explain. Therefore, the artist will face doubt and failure repeatedly, but finding a way back into the work takes it to the next level. Each of us is living out a modern-day heroic journey. We may not be slaying dragons and walking through fire, but our complex world is no easier. Making art is chancy and it does not mix well with predictability. Those who cannot tolerate the uncertainty will not endure. Artists Anonymous is a place to address these kinds of concerns in community with others.

The original AA group model includes a testimonial presentation by a group member who stands at the podium to tell their tale. Every artist has a story. One painter bravely stepped up to the front to speak. The two-hour session was just enough time to uncover a small slice of story from all who attended, but it was a worthwhile experiment. While the meeting did not conclude with the traditional AA Serenity Prayer, we were asked to stand in our circle holding hands for a good length of time—a powerful moment for an artist group not inclined to touchy-feely gestures.

Artists are often introverts who express themselves best through their art. Some may not find the appeal of an interactive group, yet the mood upon leaving was energetic and people seemed generally pleased. Thank you Karen Finley (and Hallwalls). Watch for future “Friends of Karen” Artists Anonymous groups at www.hallwalls.org.

November 2014

* * * * * * * * *

patpendletonstudio.com

[theartistsanonymous]

Super crawling

It's Saturday! I hope you've had your share of wind and sunshine today.

If you can remember seven days ago, the weather was much wet, such cold but that did not stop hundreds of people braving their way for a taste of Hamilton's Supercrawl.

To coincide with the art-full event we have a new zine published and distributed during the crawl! After a year of rest and buzziness working on our own life projects, we present thee, the return zine. Do check it out and if you discovered us through our distribution ~ heey ;)

Yer AA peeps are here to show you some of what we've encountered at that chilly night.

So it was like the regular every second Friday night of the month James Street Art Crawl but much bigger-longer in duration and coverage- hey its a fully weekend, closing vehicle access to much of James South.

It's Hamilton's big money maker street event filled with music; both local and international; food it's a food truck fest; vendors and booths, littering the street; art that are thoughtful and some are actually commissioned and the most awaited circus and dance perfomances.

A cold rainy slow start of the day turned into a fun night of exploration.Your ArtistAnons were sneaky in avoiding crowds and reinforcing the buddy-hold my hand or else we'll lose you guddamit system!

PS. If you haven't seen sexytuna's vlog on our trip check this link ! and again, check out our Blogger if you want to view our latest zine +other updates at http://my-owntime.blogspot.ca/ 

[theartistsanonymous]

James Street Supercrawl 2014

Artists Anonymous went to the annual James Street Supercrawl this past weekend and it was amazing! There was a lot to see (so much art, exhibits and music), eat (so many food trucks) and do! 

Street vendors sell their handmade merch all over James St.: soaps, treats, clothes (vintage too), crafts, art...there was so much to see that I couldn't fit everything in my five minute montage.

Galleries open up to the public and you can meet artists face-to-face in their studios. You can also find street artists and exhibitionists all over the crawl. This year, we saw graffiti artists in action!

The James Street Supercrawl happens once a year in Hamilton, Ontario, starting Friday night to Sunday night. The Art Crawl, which is a one night version of the Supercrawl, happens all year every second week of the month.

From its humble beginnings in 2009 (although not so humble because attendance was still tremendous in their first year), the Supercrawl has grown so much! Artists Anonymous is so lucky to see this event grow from its early years into one of the most successful art and music festivals in Ontario.

Visit: http://www.supercrawl.ca/

Love,

Joy San

[theartistsanonymous]

Just a quick video before Valentine’s Day/Singles Awareness Day from Artists Anonymous to you!

Artists Anonymous is our small art group based and born in Hamilton, Ontario. We like to get together and create, talk, and share art-related things! This short video is a compilation of a few snippets taken during our pre-Valentine’s Day party. We ate a ton of home-made sweets, watched silly movies, talked, and made cute clay jewelry and figurines. We’ll be blogging a lot more in the future!

Here’s a quick list of foods and DIYs we made at the party:

Snacks and things (some of the snacks were not shown in the video, unfortunately):

Baby pink and teal cake pops

Crêpes

Crazy rainbow coloured muffins (accompanied with different colours of icing for a DIY cupcake session)

Melted chocolate decorations

Hot dog hearts

Red and black quinoa with stir fried vegetables

Homemade sushi

Gourmet applesauce (courtesy of our friend, Alex)

Heart-shaped pasta with basil tomato sauce

Apple cider (yum!)

DIYs:

Dollar store Valentine’s Day decorations

DIY earrings, figurines, and magnets made with Sculpey Oven-Bake Clay

DIY cupcakes!

We hope you all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day/Singles Awareness Day! 

It's a beautiful day to celebrate love!

Thanks for watching/reading!

~ Joy