[Artists-making-art] Artists-making-art Digest, Vol 16, Issue 6
Laurie Porter
free.spirit1 at live.com
Sat Feb 8 23:40:58 UTC 2014
The idea that all children blind or sighted can draw pictures fascinates me.
I was legally blind all my life until 2003 when I lost all my sight. both of
my parents were blind, and I recall them never knowing how to draw anything
However, fundimentally all children, blind or sighted learn basics like
drawing a circle or square then later other shapes. I might have been a
better drawer if I had access to tactual shapes. I was encouraged to use my
vision to do everything but my parents lacked the ability to teach me how to
process things visually which comes to all children at a very early age.
this is a very interesting insight, -----Original Message-----
From: artists-making-art-request at nfbnet.org
Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2014 2:03 PM
To: artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
Subject: Artists-making-art Digest, Vol 16, Issue 6
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: drawing the internal dialogue (Lynda Lambert)
2. Re: drawing the internal dialogue (Sahar's Beaded Creations)
3. Re: drawing the internal dialogue (Patricia C. Estes)
4. Re: Artists-making-art Digest, Vol 16, Issue 5 (Laurie Porter)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2014 08:56:25 -0500
From: "Lynda Lambert" <llambert at zoominternet.net>
To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] drawing the internal dialogue
Message-ID: <2E945A7FA30F4110A726835349F4841D at Lambert>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Patricia, you bring up the most fascinating things. This is another one of
those things that is so enjoyable to think about. Drawing! We do not need
sight to draw, I am absolutely sure of that. In fact, in many of my drawing
courses, I had students draw blindfolded. They had to feel the objects, then
return to the easel to do their drawings. They could walk over to feel it as
often as they liked during the process, but they were not permitted to have
a physical "look" at it with the eyes. The drawings they made were
astounding - so full of livingness and so magical. You are making me
remember those things that I had not thought of for a very long time - and
this is great for me because I am going to be a speaker at a conference on
disabilities and inclusion in March, and this is exactly what I needed to be
thinking about as I prep for that lecture.
If anyone else has some examples of experiences for me, that I could share
with the audience, please let me know. I want to really make my audience
understand that blind people have the same passions for art and art making
as anyone else. We just have to learn adaptive ways of working, but we can
do it, and we love to do it and it brings us great joy.
yes, I used Drawing From the Right Side of the Brain as a textbook for
Drawing courses at the college! I also used "The Natural Way to Draw" by
Nicolaides. I have worked my way through both of these books for years on
end. Drawing is the core of everything we do as artists and without a good
foundation in drawing, it's difficult to move on - it is the structure on
which we build everything else no matter the medium we work with. Drawing
puts us in touch with the internal dialogue and we become more aware and
connected with the object we are drawing.
The interesting thing about drawing, to me, has always been that all
children seem to know how to draw by instinct. How does that "fit" in your
experience, Patricia? I have never encountered a child who did not know how
to draw and make pictures - I have always thought we are born with these
abilities. I think a child born blind would have this same inclination, if
provided with the tools and opportunities early on, but that is a guess on
my part. I would love to know more about this by someone who has had the
experience as a very small child without sight. Drawing is more, far more,
than the thing that is left on the page after the person has made it. It is
a whole body experience - physical and spiritual experience, in my
experiences. So, it seems to me that no sight is needed to make drawings.
I like to say, about my own work, that the "thing that is on display on the
gallery wall is the residue left behind as I was making art." It is not the
art itself, it is the tracks that show I was there. The art was what
transpired within me as I worked on it and the piece in the gallery is the
evidence that I was there.
I have to say that without my extensive drawing background, I would not be
who I am today as a blind person. I have a small amount of peripheral vision
that is enough that I can detect movement. Those movements are "gestures"
and it is through the gestures around me that I navigate the world and that
I identify people and things. It is the essence of everything - gesture.
When I am making my art these days, it is because I am accustomed to using
gesture and can continue to do that without sight. Touch is gesture, and
that is how I understand what I touch. I feel it's internal and external
gesture.
OH, that is so funny about your 5 year old's comment about using his "girl
brain." This is what I found so fascinating when I was reading this book,
that the entire structure of the brain is very different in males and
females. Each individual part of the brain is different between the sexes -
so it is a physical as well as psychological difference. She explored many
different nuances that really helped me as a blind person as well, as I was
reading. It gave me new insight into different aspects we encounter due to
sight loss. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has interest in
learning more about how the brain functions, and it is explored in a way
that a non-science person like me coulnd understand and enjoy.
This is all certainly another aspect of the discussion on difference
between art and crafts thought process and ways of "seeing." Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Patricia C. Estes
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 8:54 PM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Linda, the brain is so fascinating-or is it the mind?? My first real
understanding of it (before I studied holistic psychology and energy
medicine) was when our youngest was caught doing something or other that
five year olds do, and he burst into tears and managed to blurt out
emphatically, "My girl brain made me do it!"
Yes, Luke, I know what you mean! But he didn't go to school, yet, and we
didn't have a TV...I think he just *knew*.
Dr. Christian Northrop teaches about the female brain, too. Her example is
that she and her, then, husband were flying somewhere and she noticed that
she was reading "Enriching the Mother/Daughter Relationship" and he was
reading "How to get the most out of your Band Saw."
To bring art into this, I am sure you are familiar with the book,"Drawing
on the Right side of the Brain." Pretty fascinating, if one has time to
complicate one's life by experimenting with drawing things upside down.
Energetically, if you want to engage both hemispheres, Brain Gym says to
"think of an X." And to relax the mind, think of two parallel lines.
OK, I'm taking my parallel lines and heading to bed,
Patty
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynda Lambert
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 1:48 PM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Patricia, I just finished reading the book "The Female Brain" by Luann
Brizendine, and OH, HOw I wish I had this wonderful information a long time
ago. Raising my brood of children would have been so much easier if I had
known these things about the differences between male and female brains.
And, my goodness, I would have been a much better teacher, too. I would have
a better understanding of my fellow human beings - but at least I do
understand a lot more about it now since reading this book. It was so
enlightening to me and I was telling my husband all about it as we would
ride along in the truck. One day he said to me, "I guess it is like this
conversation we are having right now in this truck." This was his insight
as I was rapidly sharing so much information as he sat quietly
listening...lol I said, "Yes, now I understand this conversation here in
this truck so much better." We laughed.
Of course we are both crafters and artists - one feeds into the other.
We all begin somewhere - and for me, it begins with my mother taking an
afternoon to teach me how to do some embroidery stitches and to creat a
picture on a linen tea towel - I was probably 8 years old. Then, it
continues on with my precious neighbor taking an hour each morning, one
summer, to teach me how to read a pattern and how to sew a blouse, skirt,
and then an entire outfit - I was about 10. We learn from those around us,
and how lucky we were to have them in our life. What I do today, is an
homage to those women in my life so long ago. I celebrate them with every
stitch I make in my art these days. And, I say "thank you" to them for
giving me the beginnings of who I am today, and who I am becoming with each
new day and each new idea I work with.
Lynda
http://www.amazon.com/Louann-Brizendine/e/B001H6RZB8/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1391798400&sr=1-1
----- Original Message -----
From: Patricia C. Estes
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 1:26 PM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Hooray for "outrageous and for all of you for taking the time to
articulate these distinctions.
I absolutely agree and have been an artist and crafter simultaneously.
I am back to my art and love the discovery of it-but I will admit, my left
brain does like rules and instructions-but my Girl Brain is winning! (no put
down to Boy Brains, just a family joke).
Right on! Right on, Linda!
pece out
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynda Lambert
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 11:44 AM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Well, this is an outrageous conversation, I know. lol I better get
back to the studio before I cause a riot, but this should be a good place
for a discussion like this.
That is great, Ann! So true. There is really not a fine line between
the two, it is very clear and distinct. And artist or a crafter can take the
exact same materials, but the mind that works with them is quite different
and the results are quite different. It's really about "ideas" and
"concepts" and what we are thinking about as we work, and where we go with
the materials in our process of working. In Pittsburgh, PA there is a very
fine museum/gallery called the Society of Contemporary Crafts - now, what is
done there, and shown there is high art. So there is crafts and there is
CRAFT, too. There is the "crafter" and there is the "Craftsman." very
distinct differences between them - and as a sculptor you would be very
aware of this, too.
I was so fortunate to teach in a small private college (Geneva
College, in western PA) where I was free to teach across disciplines, as I
have my MFA in painting/printmaking, and my MA in English Literature.
Because of this background, I was very marketable for a good position. I
was able to create multi-discipline courses - alway a combination of
literature and art, as well as studio courses in painting, fiber arts,
printmaking, drawing. It was a dream of a job, working in interdisciplinary
studies and doing so many projects with profs in other disciplines. I was
very active in conferences on interdisciplinary studies. I created an
European experience for art and literature students and we lived in Austria
every summer and then traveled to other countries. I even had an art
exhibition in Austria for my students every summer. They worked so hard in
the studio and out on location every day, and at the end of the month they
had a show - so much fun. I also did this with Puerto Rico, and students
came to PR with me each spring as part of their course in Puerto Rico
Culture - which I have continued to visit every March even though I am now
retired. It bacame how we spent our spring time.
OK, back to my studio where I am working my tail off to get a piece
done today!
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Ann at acunningham.com
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 9:08 AM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Lynda, Nice answer to craft and art. If someone who is reading
this is still torn I wouldn't be surprised though since there are all sorts
of shades in the continuum.
I was talking to my daughter and a friend one day. I went off on a
tangent tangling all sorts of events together rather randomly. They started
laughing and saying something akin to how do you make it from day to day.
And I said you guys are pilots and for you to be a good pilot you know and
follow rules. That is what they pay you for. I am an artist and I am paid to
break the rules. No one wants to hear from me if it has already been done.
What did you teach before you retired? Ann
Ann Cunningham
Tactile Art - a creative way to see the world!
303 238 4760
ann at acunningham.com
http://www.acunningham.com
http://www.sensationalbooks.com
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
From: "Lynda Lambert" <llambert at zoominternet.net>
Date: Fri, February 07, 2014 6:03 am
To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
?
Hi Laurie,
So nice to see you here. I did not start this group though, I
am like you, I just came on to ask a question about something I needed to
know and was so glad to meet Ann who helped me with my question. I am
furiously working right now (oops, split that infinitive!) getting work done
for the opening of a two-person exhibition at a museum - the show is called
_Vision and Revision: Two artists with limited sight, not limited vision_
It is my pottery and mixed-media fiber works, and a legally blind painter.
It opens one month from today, and if I stop to think about what else has to
be done yet, I'll get nervous. So, I won't do that, but just will keep on
working on the details. The show will appear at two locations this year and
will have a video that plays in the gallery with the art works, Braille
labeling, and artist's talks. I will even be teaching in the gallery one
afternoon, for the Women in the Arts course at Geneva College. That is where
I taught when I was a professor of fine arts and humanities, before I
retired. I'll be lecturing on the historical context of my work and where
the ideas have come from when creating it.
To make matters even more difficult, I am scheduled to speak at
a conference at Slippery Rock University of PA for two sessions, the day
before we hang our show. So, I have those presentations to be working on
every day now, too. I officially retired from teaching 5 1/2 years ago, but
I am still very much involved in everything but being in the classroom.
Here is my response to the question you have asked. The gap
between an artist and a crafter is like crossing the ocean, it is that wide.
Some basic things may be similar between the two, but most things are very
far apart philisophically.
Both work with the hands, and both love working with the hands
and most have done it all their life.
Both love the materials, and the handling of them, and the
satisfaction of the finished product that comes out of it.
While the crafter will usually be satisfied with beginning
something and knowing where the end will be, the artist begins with no
notion of where the end will be or even if it will be. the crafter has a
clearly defined path to the finished product. The artist has only some
inklings of possible outcomes, but has to find them as she works.
The other very big thing I see as a difference between them is
that the crafter has 'rules" to follow and seldom will ever deviate from
those rules, as they are set in stone in her mind. On the other hand, the
mature artist has learned that there are no rules at all. They may begin in
the early stages by learning techniques, but eventually with the years of
working, the light comes on in her brain when she discovers one day - she is
free of all rules when making art. Everything can be challenged, everything
can be changed, and everything is fair game, for the artist. Is there any
other profession in this world where there are no rules? It's the most
exhilerating feeling to know that there are absolutely no rules whatsoever
for me. Wow, makes me take a deep breath just to say it. Free, free, free,
at last!
Laurie, the biggest difference between art and a craft is where
the person eventually takes the techniques, I think.
A crafter seldom takes things to a different level but is
usually content to learn something then duplicate it endlessly, then moves
on to learn something else and does that again with it. The artist can take
crafts materials (which is what you and I both do) and techniques, and then
take them far beyond because they will combine their techniques and
materials with the imagination. If you can teach it, it is usually a craft.
If you cannot teach it, it is normally art. Art can begin by learning some
techniques, or using craft materials, but then the person begins to ask the
"what if" questions, and takes lots of risks, failures, and bends in the
road on the way to it becoming a work of art. It is a "mind set" that is
never satisfied with just the learning of something new, but one that
constantly questions, experiments, and never knows where the "end" will be,
or even if it will be. A "crafter" will never understand what I have just
said and will most likely be huffing and puffing and angry with it. An
"artist" is standing and applauding what I have said. It is that simple, and
that complex. The artist thrives on change and making new discoveries and
each work leads to other querstions and more change and more new
discoveries.
One can see the difference when you look at work in types of
environments. One will be setting at a craft show with a table full of
things that are basically all the same while the other will have work on
display in a gallery or museum. Each has decided where they "fit" and each
is very happy with where they are. They are different animals, with
different ideas, and different end results and outcomes. Each one has
decided their own path and each one is comfortable with the decision she has
made.
Lynda
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Laurie Porter
To: Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2014 7:26 PM
Subject: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Hi Folks:
I?d like to introduce myself. I?m a blind person from
wisconsin who is a fledgling and budding beginner artist. my medium is
beadwork. I make pictures and tapestries out of tiny little seed beads sewn
together with thread. but most of my work is in making jewlry, but I have
always looked upon my beadwork as an art form.
so, I have a basic question. What is the difference between an
art and a craft? I do believe that all crafts are forms of art but are all
arts considered crafts? Thanks linda and all of you for getting this list
going as it is something I?ve always dreamed of seeing in our efforts to
bring blind people together who love to both create and appreciate the
visual arts.
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Message: 2
Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2014 09:41:10 -0600
From: "Sahar's Beaded Creations" <sahar at inebraska.com>
To: "'An exploration of art by and for blind persons'"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] drawing the internal dialogue
Message-ID: <024c01cf24e4$31086190$931924b0$@inebraska.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Hello, Lynda,
I remember drawing as a small child, and I really think I would have been
able to develop the skill had that skill been cultivated. I think that the
teachers figured blind people couldn?t draw, so I don?t remember them
involving us in that after Kindergarten. However, that?s not why I wrote.
I wrote because I wondered if you?d ever heard of the totally blind Turkish
painter, Asraf. Apparently, who can paint in vivid detail. I find that
truly fascinating. He might be someone you might want to look up. Take
care.
Warm regards,
Sahar Husseini
For hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry, please visit my Website at
<http://www.saharscreations.com> www.saharscreations.com Find me on Facebook
at <http://www.facebook.com/saharscreations>
www.facebook.com/saharscreations And remember, "Obstacles don't have to stop
you.
If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up.
Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."
Michael Jordan
From: Artists-making-art [mailto:artists-making-art-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Lynda Lambert
Sent: Saturday, February 8, 2014 7:56 AM
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] drawing the internal dialogue
Patricia, you bring up the most fascinating things. This is another one of
those things that is so enjoyable to think about. Drawing! We do not need
sight to draw, I am absolutely sure of that. In fact, in many of my drawing
courses, I had students draw blindfolded. They had to feel the objects, then
return to the easel to do their drawings. They could walk over to feel it as
often as they liked during the process, but they were not permitted to have
a physical "look" at it with the eyes. The drawings they made were
astounding - so full of livingness and so magical. You are making me
remember those things that I had not thought of for a very long time - and
this is great for me because I am going to be a speaker at a conference on
disabilities and inclusion in March, and this is exactly what I needed to be
thinking about as I prep for that lecture.
If anyone else has some examples of experiences for me, that I could share
with the audience, please let me know. I want to really make my audience
understand that blind people have the same passions for art and art making
as anyone else. We just have to learn adaptive ways of working, but we can
do it, and we love to do it and it brings us great joy.
yes, I used Drawing From the Right Side of the Brain as a textbook for
Drawing courses at the college! I also used "The Natural Way to Draw" by
Nicolaides. I have worked my way through both of these books for years on
end. Drawing is the core of everything we do as artists and without a good
foundation in drawing, it's difficult to move on - it is the structure on
which we build everything else no matter the medium we work with. Drawing
puts us in touch with the internal dialogue and we become more aware and
connected with the object we are drawing.
The interesting thing about drawing, to me, has always been that all
children seem to know how to draw by instinct. How does that "fit" in your
experience, Patricia? I have never encountered a child who did not know how
to draw and make pictures - I have always thought we are born with these
abilities. I think a child born blind would have this same inclination, if
provided with the tools and opportunities early on, but that is a guess on
my part. I would love to know more about this by someone who has had the
experience as a very small child without sight. Drawing is more, far more,
than the thing that is left on the page after the person has made it. It is
a whole body experience - physical and spiritual experience, in my
experiences. So, it seems to me that no sight is needed to make drawings.
I like to say, about my own work, that the "thing that is on display on the
gallery wall is the residue left behind as I was making art." It is not the
art itself, it is the tracks that show I was there. The art was what
transpired within me as I worked on it and the piece in the gallery is the
evidence that I was there.
I have to say that without my extensive drawing background, I would not be
who I am today as a blind person. I have a small amount of peripheral vision
that is enough that I can detect movement. Those movements are "gestures"
and it is through the gestures around me that I navigate the world and that
I identify people and things. It is the essence of everything - gesture.
When I am making my art these days, it is because I am accustomed to using
gesture and can continue to do that without sight. Touch is gesture, and
that is how I understand what I touch. I feel it's internal and external
gesture.
OH, that is so funny about your 5 year old's comment about using his "girl
brain." This is what I found so fascinating when I was reading this book,
that the entire structure of the brain is very different in males and
females. Each individual part of the brain is different between the sexes -
so it is a physical as well as psychological difference. She explored many
different nuances that really helped me as a blind person as well, as I was
reading. It gave me new insight into different aspects we encounter due to
sight loss. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has interest in
learning more about how the brain functions, and it is explored in a way
that a non-science person like me coulnd understand and enjoy.
This is all certainly another aspect of the discussion on difference
between art and crafts thought process and ways of "seeing." Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Patricia C. Estes <mailto:pece03 at gmail.com>
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
<mailto:artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 8:54 PM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Linda, the brain is so fascinating-or is it the mind?? My first real
understanding of it (before I studied holistic psychology and energy
medicine) was when our youngest was caught doing something or other that
five year olds do, and he burst into tears and managed to blurt out
emphatically, "My girl brain made me do it!"
Yes, Luke, I know what you mean! But he didn't go to school, yet, and we
didn't have a TV...I think he just *knew*.
Dr. Christian Northrop teaches about the female brain, too. Her example is
that she and her, then, husband were flying somewhere and she noticed that
she was reading "Enriching the Mother/Daughter Relationship" and he was
reading "How to get the most out of your Band Saw."
To bring art into this, I am sure you are familiar with the book,"Drawing on
the Right side of the Brain." Pretty fascinating, if one has time to
complicate one's life by experimenting with drawing things upside down.
Energetically, if you want to engage both hemispheres, Brain Gym says to
"think of an X." And to relax the mind, think of two parallel lines.
OK, I'm taking my parallel lines and heading to bed,
Patty
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynda Lambert <mailto:llambert at zoominternet.net>
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
<mailto:artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 1:48 PM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Patricia, I just finished reading the book "The Female Brain" by Luann
Brizendine, and OH, HOw I wish I had this wonderful information a long time
ago. Raising my brood of children would have been so much easier if I had
known these things about the differences between male and female brains.
And, my goodness, I would have been a much better teacher, too. I would have
a better understanding of my fellow human beings - but at least I do
understand a lot more about it now since reading this book. It was so
enlightening to me and I was telling my husband all about it as we would
ride along in the truck. One day he said to me, "I guess it is like this
conversation we are having right now in this truck." This was his insight
as I was rapidly sharing so much information as he sat quietly
listening...lol I said, "Yes, now I understand this conversation here in
this truck so much better." We laughed.
Of course we are both crafters and artists - one feeds into the other. We
all begin somewhere - and for me, it begins with my mother taking an
afternoon to teach me how to do some embroidery stitches and to creat a
picture on a linen tea towel - I was probably 8 years old. Then, it
continues on with my precious neighbor taking an hour each morning, one
summer, to teach me how to read a pattern and how to sew a blouse, skirt,
and then an entire outfit - I was about 10. We learn from those around us,
and how lucky we were to have them in our life. What I do today, is an
homage to those women in my life so long ago. I celebrate them with every
stitch I make in my art these days. And, I say "thank you" to them for
giving me the beginnings of who I am today, and who I am becoming with each
new day and each new idea I work with.
Lynda
http://www.amazon.com/Louann-Brizendine/e/B001H6RZB8/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1391798400
<http://www.amazon.com/Louann-Brizendine/e/B001H6RZB8/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1391798400&sr=1-1>
&sr=1-1
----- Original Message -----
From: Patricia C. Estes <mailto:pece03 at gmail.com>
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
<mailto:artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 1:26 PM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Hooray for "outrageous and for all of you for taking the time to articulate
these distinctions.
I absolutely agree and have been an artist and crafter simultaneously. I am
back to my art and love the discovery of it-but I will admit, my left brain
does like rules and instructions-but my Girl Brain is winning! (no put down
to Boy Brains, just a family joke).
Right on! Right on, Linda!
pece out
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynda Lambert <mailto:llambert at zoominternet.net>
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
<mailto:artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 11:44 AM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Well, this is an outrageous conversation, I know. lol I better get back to
the studio before I cause a riot, but this should be a good place for a
discussion like this.
That is great, Ann! So true. There is really not a fine line between the
two, it is very clear and distinct. And artist or a crafter can take the
exact same materials, but the mind that works with them is quite different
and the results are quite different. It's really about "ideas" and
"concepts" and what we are thinking about as we work, and where we go with
the materials in our process of working. In Pittsburgh, PA there is a very
fine museum/gallery called the Society of Contemporary Crafts - now, what is
done there, and shown there is high art. So there is crafts and there is
CRAFT, too. There is the "crafter" and there is the "Craftsman." very
distinct differences between them - and as a sculptor you would be very
aware of this, too.
I was so fortunate to teach in a small private college (Geneva College, in
western PA) where I was free to teach across disciplines, as I have my MFA
in painting/printmaking, and my MA in English Literature. Because of this
background, I was very marketable for a good position. I was able to create
multi-discipline courses - alway a combination of literature and art, as
well as studio courses in painting, fiber arts, printmaking, drawing. It was
a dream of a job, working in interdisciplinary studies and doing so many
projects with profs in other disciplines. I was very active in conferences
on interdisciplinary studies. I created an European experience for art and
literature students and we lived in Austria every summer and then traveled
to other countries. I even had an art exhibition in Austria for my students
every summer. They worked so hard in the studio and out on location every
day, and at the end of the month they had a show - so much fun. I also did
this with Puerto Rico, and students came to PR with me each spring as part
of their course in Puerto Rico Culture - which I have continued to visit
every March even though I am now retired. It bacame how we spent our spring
time.
OK, back to my studio where I am working my tail off to get a piece done
today!
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Ann at acunningham.com <mailto:Ann at acunningham.com>
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
<mailto:artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 9:08 AM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Lynda, Nice answer to craft and art. If someone who is reading this is still
torn I wouldn't be surprised though since there are all sorts of shades in
the continuum.
I was talking to my daughter and a friend one day. I went off on a tangent
tangling all sorts of events together rather randomly. They started laughing
and saying something akin to how do you make it from day to day. And I said
you guys are pilots and for you to be a good pilot you know and follow
rules. That is what they pay you for. I am an artist and I am paid to break
the rules. No one wants to hear from me if it has already been done.
What did you teach before you retired? Ann
Ann Cunningham
Tactile Art - a creative way to see the world!
303 238 4760
ann at acunningham.com <mailto:ann at acunningham.com>
http://www.acunningham.com
http://www.sensationalbooks.com
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
From: "Lynda Lambert" <llambert at zoominternet.net
<mailto:llambert at zoominternet.net> >
Date: Fri, February 07, 2014 6:03 am
To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org <mailto:artists-making-art at nfbnet.org> >
?
Hi Laurie,
So nice to see you here. I did not start this group though, I am like you,
I just came on to ask a question about something I needed to know and was so
glad to meet Ann who helped me with my question. I am furiously working
right now (oops, split that infinitive!) getting work done for the opening
of a two-person exhibition at a museum - the show is called _Vision and
Revision: Two artists with limited sight, not limited vision_ It is my
pottery and mixed-media fiber works, and a legally blind painter. It opens
one month from today, and if I stop to think about what else has to be done
yet, I'll get nervous. So, I won't do that, but just will keep on working on
the details. The show will appear at two locations this year and will have a
video that plays in the gallery with the art works, Braille labeling, and
artist's talks. I will even be teaching in the gallery one afternoon, for
the Women in the Arts course at Geneva College. That is where I taught when
I was a professor of fine arts and humanities, before I retired. I'll be
lecturing on the historical context of my work and where the ideas have come
from when creating it.
To make matters even more difficult, I am scheduled to speak at a conference
at Slippery Rock University of PA for two sessions, the day before we hang
our show. So, I have those presentations to be working on every day now,
too. I officially retired from teaching 5 1/2 years ago, but I am still
very much involved in everything but being in the classroom.
Here is my response to the question you have asked. The gap between an
artist and a crafter is like crossing the ocean, it is that wide. Some basic
things may be similar between the two, but most things are very far apart
philisophically.
Both work with the hands, and both love working with the hands and most have
done it all their life.
Both love the materials, and the handling of them, and the satisfaction of
the finished product that comes out of it.
While the crafter will usually be satisfied with beginning something and
knowing where the end will be, the artist begins with no notion of where the
end will be or even if it will be. the crafter has a clearly defined path
to the finished product. The artist has only some inklings of possible
outcomes, but has to find them as she works.
The other very big thing I see as a difference between them is that the
crafter has 'rules" to follow and seldom will ever deviate from those rules,
as they are set in stone in her mind. On the other hand, the mature artist
has learned that there are no rules at all. They may begin in the early
stages by learning techniques, but eventually with the years of working, the
light comes on in her brain when she discovers one day - she is free of all
rules when making art. Everything can be challenged, everything can be
changed, and everything is fair game, for the artist. Is there any other
profession in this world where there are no rules? It's the most
exhilerating feeling to know that there are absolutely no rules whatsoever
for me. Wow, makes me take a deep breath just to say it. Free, free, free,
at last!
Laurie, the biggest difference between art and a craft is where the person
eventually takes the techniques, I think.
A crafter seldom takes things to a different level but is usually content to
learn something then duplicate it endlessly, then moves on to learn
something else and does that again with it. The artist can take crafts
materials (which is what you and I both do) and techniques, and then take
them far beyond because they will combine their techniques and materials
with the imagination. If you can teach it, it is usually a craft. If you
cannot teach it, it is normally art. Art can begin by learning some
techniques, or using craft materials, but then the person begins to ask the
"what if" questions, and takes lots of risks, failures, and bends in the
road on the way to it becoming a work of art. It is a "mind set" that is
never satisfied with just the learning of something new, but one that
constantly questions, experiments, and never knows where the "end" will be,
or even if it will be. A "crafter" will never understand what I have just
said and will most likely be huffing and puffing and angry with it. An
"artist" is standing and applauding what I have said. It is that simple, and
that complex. The artist thrives on change and making new discoveries and
each work leads to other querstions and more change and more new
discoveries.
One can see the difference when you look at work in types of environments.
One will be setting at a craft show with a table full of things that are
basically all the same while the other will have work on display in a
gallery or museum. Each has decided where they "fit" and each is very happy
with where they are. They are different animals, with different ideas, and
different end results and outcomes. Each one has decided their own path and
each one is comfortable with the decision she has made.
Lynda
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Laurie Porter <mailto:free.spirit1 at live.com>
To: Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org <mailto:Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2014 7:26 PM
Subject: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Hi Folks:
I?d like to introduce myself. I?m a blind person from wisconsin who is a
fledgling and budding beginner artist. my medium is beadwork. I make
pictures and tapestries out of tiny little seed beads sewn together with
thread. but most of my work is in making jewlry, but I have always looked
upon my beadwork as an art form.
so, I have a basic question. What is the difference between an art and a
craft? I do believe that all crafts are forms of art but are all arts
considered crafts? Thanks linda and all of you for getting this list going
as it is something I?ve always dreamed of seeing in our efforts to bring
blind people together who love to both create and appreciate the visual
arts.
_____
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Message: 3
Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2014 11:28:45 -0500
From: "Patricia C. Estes" <pece03 at gmail.com>
To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] drawing the internal dialogue
Message-ID: <FBEE8CE951524EB0A97347CAF39B9E92 at Wellness>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Good morning,
Linda, I am glad to be of some "help" in your preparation!! I guess I needed
a Job!
The discussions have been intriguing...in the sense that I am being reminded
of things I already know. Everyone's input has been fun!
About drawing: APH has a tactile board for raised line drawings/math
assignments, etc. This is what I would put in the hands of a blind child-the
stylus can be used for lines and a type of "shading." And of course, it
would also be useful for a blind child to do the same thing as a sighted
child, as you mentioned: feel the object and draw it.
(OK, get ready, I digress a bit: This reminds me of the work I have done as
an Infant Massage Instructor-there are certain, simple strokes that we teach
the parents and the result is calming, of course ...well, unless said baby
being massaged is done!... but one of the many objectives of this massage
stroke is "to help the infant to organize his/her world." In this
case:"These things are part of me...legs, arms...and this is me here and
that is someone else over there." At which point the baby realizes that they
are getting some undivided attention and they get all excited! And with a
blind child, especially, or the newly blinded, this art exercise in
observing one's world would be really helpful in sorting out, organizing and
internalizing. But it would be helpful for *anyone* to do, and for the same
reasons!)
I like that your intent is not to try to get students to experience what
life is like as a blind person!! It is just an art play!
OK...about drawing/sketching, I think that is as essential as learning the
basics of music before playing in an orchestra. As much as we'd love to skip
right over the practice sessions, that just is no other way. And I do think
that there are "work arounds" for blind artists of any age who have never
seen, to learn perspective and to share it. (Ann would know lots about
this). Because of my background in classical sketching with my mom, I could
branch out to design and suggest/gesture the images...like fashion design
and even like impressionistic painting. Reducing the "story" to the most
interesting lines/colors. (which will be different for each artist and
viewer).
Best wishes-
Patty
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynda Lambert
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2014 8:56 AM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] drawing the internal dialogue
Patricia, you bring up the most fascinating things. This is another one of
those things that is so enjoyable to think about. Drawing! We do not need
sight to draw, I am absolutely sure of that. In fact, in many of my drawing
courses, I had students draw blindfolded. They had to feel the objects, then
return to the easel to do their drawings. They could walk over to feel it as
often as they liked during the process, but they were not permitted to have
a physical "look" at it with the eyes. The drawings they made were
astounding - so full of livingness and so magical. You are making me
remember those things that I had not thought of for a very long time - and
this is great for me because I am going to be a speaker at a conference on
disabilities and inclusion in March, and this is exactly what I needed to be
thinking about as I prep for that lecture.
If anyone else has some examples of experiences for me, that I could share
with the audience, please let me know. I want to really make my audience
understand that blind people have the same passions for art and art making
as anyone else. We just have to learn adaptive ways of working, but we can
do it, and we love to do it and it brings us great joy.
yes, I used Drawing From the Right Side of the Brain as a textbook for
Drawing courses at the college! I also used "The Natural Way to Draw" by
Nicolaides. I have worked my way through both of these books for years on
end. Drawing is the core of everything we do as artists and without a good
foundation in drawing, it's difficult to move on - it is the structure on
which we build everything else no matter the medium we work with. Drawing
puts us in touch with the internal dialogue and we become more aware and
connected with the object we are drawing.
The interesting thing about drawing, to me, has always been that all
children seem to know how to draw by instinct. How does that "fit" in your
experience, Patricia? I have never encountered a child who did not know how
to draw and make pictures - I have always thought we are born with these
abilities. I think a child born blind would have this same inclination, if
provided with the tools and opportunities early on, but that is a guess on
my part. I would love to know more about this by someone who has had the
experience as a very small child without sight. Drawing is more, far more,
than the thing that is left on the page after the person has made it. It is
a whole body experience - physical and spiritual experience, in my
experiences. So, it seems to me that no sight is needed to make drawings.
I like to say, about my own work, that the "thing that is on display on the
gallery wall is the residue left behind as I was making art." It is not the
art itself, it is the tracks that show I was there. The art was what
transpired within me as I worked on it and the piece in the gallery is the
evidence that I was there.
I have to say that without my extensive drawing background, I would not be
who I am today as a blind person. I have a small amount of peripheral vision
that is enough that I can detect movement. Those movements are "gestures"
and it is through the gestures around me that I navigate the world and that
I identify people and things. It is the essence of everything - gesture.
When I am making my art these days, it is because I am accustomed to using
gesture and can continue to do that without sight. Touch is gesture, and
that is how I understand what I touch. I feel it's internal and external
gesture.
OH, that is so funny about your 5 year old's comment about using his "girl
brain." This is what I found so fascinating when I was reading this book,
that the entire structure of the brain is very different in males and
females. Each individual part of the brain is different between the sexes -
so it is a physical as well as psychological difference. She explored many
different nuances that really helped me as a blind person as well, as I was
reading. It gave me new insight into different aspects we encounter due to
sight loss. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has interest in
learning more about how the brain functions, and it is explored in a way
that a non-science person like me coulnd understand and enjoy.
This is all certainly another aspect of the discussion on difference
between art and crafts thought process and ways of "seeing." Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Patricia C. Estes
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 8:54 PM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Linda, the brain is so fascinating-or is it the mind?? My first real
understanding of it (before I studied holistic psychology and energy
medicine) was when our youngest was caught doing something or other that
five year olds do, and he burst into tears and managed to blurt out
emphatically, "My girl brain made me do it!"
Yes, Luke, I know what you mean! But he didn't go to school, yet, and we
didn't have a TV...I think he just *knew*.
Dr. Christian Northrop teaches about the female brain, too. Her example
is that she and her, then, husband were flying somewhere and she noticed
that she was reading "Enriching the Mother/Daughter Relationship" and he was
reading "How to get the most out of your Band Saw."
To bring art into this, I am sure you are familiar with the
book,"Drawing on the Right side of the Brain." Pretty fascinating, if one
has time to complicate one's life by experimenting with drawing things
upside down.
Energetically, if you want to engage both hemispheres, Brain Gym says to
"think of an X." And to relax the mind, think of two parallel lines.
OK, I'm taking my parallel lines and heading to bed,
Patty
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynda Lambert
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 1:48 PM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Patricia, I just finished reading the book "The Female Brain" by Luann
Brizendine, and OH, HOw I wish I had this wonderful information a long time
ago. Raising my brood of children would have been so much easier if I had
known these things about the differences between male and female brains.
And, my goodness, I would have been a much better teacher, too. I would have
a better understanding of my fellow human beings - but at least I do
understand a lot more about it now since reading this book. It was so
enlightening to me and I was telling my husband all about it as we would
ride along in the truck. One day he said to me, "I guess it is like this
conversation we are having right now in this truck." This was his insight
as I was rapidly sharing so much information as he sat quietly
listening...lol I said, "Yes, now I understand this conversation here in
this truck so much better." We laughed.
Of course we are both crafters and artists - one feeds into the other.
We all begin somewhere - and for me, it begins with my mother taking an
afternoon to teach me how to do some embroidery stitches and to creat a
picture on a linen tea towel - I was probably 8 years old. Then, it
continues on with my precious neighbor taking an hour each morning, one
summer, to teach me how to read a pattern and how to sew a blouse, skirt,
and then an entire outfit - I was about 10. We learn from those around us,
and how lucky we were to have them in our life. What I do today, is an
homage to those women in my life so long ago. I celebrate them with every
stitch I make in my art these days. And, I say "thank you" to them for
giving me the beginnings of who I am today, and who I am becoming with each
new day and each new idea I work with.
Lynda
http://www.amazon.com/Louann-Brizendine/e/B001H6RZB8/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1391798400&sr=1-1
----- Original Message -----
From: Patricia C. Estes
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 1:26 PM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Hooray for "outrageous and for all of you for taking the time to
articulate these distinctions.
I absolutely agree and have been an artist and crafter
simultaneously. I am back to my art and love the discovery of it-but I will
admit, my left brain does like rules and instructions-but my Girl Brain is
winning! (no put down to Boy Brains, just a family joke).
Right on! Right on, Linda!
pece out
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynda Lambert
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 11:44 AM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Well, this is an outrageous conversation, I know. lol I better
get back to the studio before I cause a riot, but this should be a good
place for a discussion like this.
That is great, Ann! So true. There is really not a fine line
between the two, it is very clear and distinct. And artist or a crafter can
take the exact same materials, but the mind that works with them is quite
different and the results are quite different. It's really about "ideas" and
"concepts" and what we are thinking about as we work, and where we go with
the materials in our process of working. In Pittsburgh, PA there is a very
fine museum/gallery called the Society of Contemporary Crafts - now, what is
done there, and shown there is high art. So there is crafts and there is
CRAFT, too. There is the "crafter" and there is the "Craftsman." very
distinct differences between them - and as a sculptor you would be very
aware of this, too.
I was so fortunate to teach in a small private college (Geneva
College, in western PA) where I was free to teach across disciplines, as I
have my MFA in painting/printmaking, and my MA in English Literature.
Because of this background, I was very marketable for a good position. I
was able to create multi-discipline courses - alway a combination of
literature and art, as well as studio courses in painting, fiber arts,
printmaking, drawing. It was a dream of a job, working in interdisciplinary
studies and doing so many projects with profs in other disciplines. I was
very active in conferences on interdisciplinary studies. I created an
European experience for art and literature students and we lived in Austria
every summer and then traveled to other countries. I even had an art
exhibition in Austria for my students every summer. They worked so hard in
the studio and out on location every day, and at the end of the month they
had a show - so much fun. I also did this with Puerto Rico, and students
came to PR with me each spring as part of their course in Puerto Rico
Culture - which I have continued to visit every March even though I am now
retired. It bacame how we spent our spring time.
OK, back to my studio where I am working my tail off to get a
piece done today!
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Ann at acunningham.com
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 9:08 AM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Lynda, Nice answer to craft and art. If someone who is reading
this is still torn I wouldn't be surprised though since there are all sorts
of shades in the continuum.
I was talking to my daughter and a friend one day. I went off on
a tangent tangling all sorts of events together rather randomly. They
started laughing and saying something akin to how do you make it from day to
day. And I said you guys are pilots and for you to be a good pilot you know
and follow rules. That is what they pay you for. I am an artist and I am
paid to break the rules. No one wants to hear from me if it has already been
done.
What did you teach before you retired? Ann
Ann Cunningham
Tactile Art - a creative way to see the world!
303 238 4760
ann at acunningham.com
http://www.acunningham.com
http://www.sensationalbooks.com
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
From: "Lynda Lambert" <llambert at zoominternet.net>
Date: Fri, February 07, 2014 6:03 am
To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
?
Hi Laurie,
So nice to see you here. I did not start this group though, I
am like you, I just came on to ask a question about something I needed to
know and was so glad to meet Ann who helped me with my question. I am
furiously working right now (oops, split that infinitive!) getting work done
for the opening of a two-person exhibition at a museum - the show is called
_Vision and Revision: Two artists with limited sight, not limited vision_
It is my pottery and mixed-media fiber works, and a legally blind painter.
It opens one month from today, and if I stop to think about what else has to
be done yet, I'll get nervous. So, I won't do that, but just will keep on
working on the details. The show will appear at two locations this year and
will have a video that plays in the gallery with the art works, Braille
labeling, and artist's talks. I will even be teaching in the gallery one
afternoon, for the Women in the Arts course at Geneva College. That is where
I taught when I was a professor of fine arts and humanities, before I
retired. I'll be lecturing on the historical context of my work and where
the ideas have come from when creating it.
To make matters even more difficult, I am scheduled to speak
at a conference at Slippery Rock University of PA for two sessions, the day
before we hang our show. So, I have those presentations to be working on
every day now, too. I officially retired from teaching 5 1/2 years ago, but
I am still very much involved in everything but being in the classroom.
Here is my response to the question you have asked. The gap
between an artist and a crafter is like crossing the ocean, it is that wide.
Some basic things may be similar between the two, but most things are very
far apart philisophically.
Both work with the hands, and both love working with the hands
and most have done it all their life.
Both love the materials, and the handling of them, and the
satisfaction of the finished product that comes out of it.
While the crafter will usually be satisfied with beginning
something and knowing where the end will be, the artist begins with no
notion of where the end will be or even if it will be. the crafter has a
clearly defined path to the finished product. The artist has only some
inklings of possible outcomes, but has to find them as she works.
The other very big thing I see as a difference between them is
that the crafter has 'rules" to follow and seldom will ever deviate from
those rules, as they are set in stone in her mind. On the other hand, the
mature artist has learned that there are no rules at all. They may begin in
the early stages by learning techniques, but eventually with the years of
working, the light comes on in her brain when she discovers one day - she is
free of all rules when making art. Everything can be challenged, everything
can be changed, and everything is fair game, for the artist. Is there any
other profession in this world where there are no rules? It's the most
exhilerating feeling to know that there are absolutely no rules whatsoever
for me. Wow, makes me take a deep breath just to say it. Free, free, free,
at last!
Laurie, the biggest difference between art and a craft is
where the person eventually takes the techniques, I think.
A crafter seldom takes things to a different level but is
usually content to learn something then duplicate it endlessly, then moves
on to learn something else and does that again with it. The artist can take
crafts materials (which is what you and I both do) and techniques, and then
take them far beyond because they will combine their techniques and
materials with the imagination. If you can teach it, it is usually a craft.
If you cannot teach it, it is normally art. Art can begin by learning some
techniques, or using craft materials, but then the person begins to ask the
"what if" questions, and takes lots of risks, failures, and bends in the
road on the way to it becoming a work of art. It is a "mind set" that is
never satisfied with just the learning of something new, but one that
constantly questions, experiments, and never knows where the "end" will be,
or even if it will be. A "crafter" will never understand what I have just
said and will most likely be huffing and puffing and angry with it. An
"artist" is standing and applauding what I have said. It is that simple, and
that complex. The artist thrives on change and making new discoveries and
each work leads to other querstions and more change and more new
discoveries.
One can see the difference when you look at work in types of
environments. One will be setting at a craft show with a table full of
things that are basically all the same while the other will have work on
display in a gallery or museum. Each has decided where they "fit" and each
is very happy with where they are. They are different animals, with
different ideas, and different end results and outcomes. Each one has
decided their own path and each one is comfortable with the decision she has
made.
Lynda
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Laurie Porter
To: Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2014 7:26 PM
Subject: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Hi Folks:
I?d like to introduce myself. I?m a blind person from
wisconsin who is a fledgling and budding beginner artist. my medium is
beadwork. I make pictures and tapestries out of tiny little seed beads sewn
together with thread. but most of my work is in making jewlry, but I have
always looked upon my beadwork as an art form.
so, I have a basic question. What is the difference between
an art and a craft? I do believe that all crafts are forms of art but are
all arts considered crafts? Thanks linda and all of you for getting this
list going as it is something I?ve always dreamed of seeing in our efforts
to bring blind people together who love to both create and appreciate the
visual arts.
----------------------------------------------------------------
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Message: 4
Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2014 14:03:46 -0600
From: Laurie Porter <free.spirit1 at live.com>
To: <artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] Artists-making-art Digest, Vol 16,
Issue 5
Message-ID: <BLU177-DS22E118870BD6FD8E1EEB3AD960 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Linda:
thanks so much for this definition of the difference between art and craft.
I think I am now truly where I belong, and given this explanation, I know
now why I have never been satisfied with just finishing a crafting project.
I've always found it to be decidedly limiting in imagination, creativity and
origionality. .
I have been so impressed with the messages I've read on this list so far.
It sounds like there is some wonderful energy on this listand am looking
forward read ing more.
-----Original Message-----
From: artists-making-art-request at nfbnet.org
Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2014 6:00 AM
To: artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
Subject: Artists-making-art Digest, Vol 16, Issue 5
Send Artists-making-art mailing list submissions to
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When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of Artists-making-art digest..."
Today's Topics:
1. Re: arts or crafts new member (Lynda Lambert)
2. Re: arts or crafts new member (Ann at acunningham.com)
3. Re: arts or crafts new member (Jewel)
4. Re: arts or crafts new member (Lynda Lambert)
5. Re: arts or crafts new member (Lynda Lambert)
6. Re: arts or crafts new member (Patricia C. Estes)
7. Re: arts or crafts new member (Lynda Lambert)
8. Re: arts or crafts new member (Patricia C. Estes)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2014 08:03:18 -0500
From: "Lynda Lambert" <llambert at zoominternet.net>
To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Message-ID: <6FA5C73038C44B4D9FE3E40F647EF6C7 at Lambert>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Hi Laurie,
So nice to see you here. I did not start this group though, I am like you,
I just came on to ask a question about something I needed to know and was so
glad to meet Ann who helped me with my question. I am furiously working
right now (oops, split that infinitive!) getting work done for the opening
of a two-person exhibition at a museum - the show is called _Vision and
Revision: Two artists with limited sight, not limited vision_ It is my
pottery and mixed-media fiber works, and a legally blind painter. It opens
one month from today, and if I stop to think about what else has to be done
yet, I'll get nervous. So, I won't do that, but just will keep on working on
the details. The show will appear at two locations this year and will have a
video that plays in the gallery with the art works, Braille labeling, and
artist's talks. I will even be teaching in the gallery one afternoon, for
the Women in the Arts course at Geneva College. That is where I taught when
I was a professor of fine arts and humanities, before I retired. I'll be
lecturing on the historical context of my work and where the ideas have come
from when creating it.
To make matters even more difficult, I am scheduled to speak at a conference
at Slippery Rock University of PA for two sessions, the day before we hang
our show. So, I have those presentations to be working on every day now,
too. I officially retired from teaching 5 1/2 years ago, but I am still
very much involved in everything but being in the classroom.
Here is my response to the question you have asked. The gap between an
artist and a crafter is like crossing the ocean, it is that wide. Some basic
things may be similar between the two, but most things are very far apart
philisophically.
Both work with the hands, and both love working with the hands and most have
done it all their life.
Both love the materials, and the handling of them, and the satisfaction of
the finished product that comes out of it.
While the crafter will usually be satisfied with beginning something and
knowing where the end will be, the artist begins with no notion of where the
end will be or even if it will be. the crafter has a clearly defined path
to the finished product. The artist has only some inklings of possible
outcomes, but has to find them as she works.
The other very big thing I see as a difference between them is that the
crafter has 'rules" to follow and seldom will ever deviate from those rules,
as they are set in stone in her mind. On the other hand, the mature artist
has learned that there are no rules at all. They may begin in the early
stages by learning techniques, but eventually with the years of working, the
light comes on in her brain when she discovers one day - she is free of all
rules when making art. Everything can be challenged, everything can be
changed, and everything is fair game, for the artist. Is there any other
profession in this world where there are no rules? It's the most
exhilerating feeling to know that there are absolutely no rules whatsoever
for me. Wow, makes me take a deep breath just to say it. Free, free, free,
at last!
Laurie, the biggest difference between art and a craft is where the person
eventually takes the techniques, I think.
A crafter seldom takes things to a different level but is usually content to
learn something then duplicate it endlessly, then moves on to learn
something else and does that again with it. The artist can take crafts
materials (which is what you and I both do) and techniques, and then take
them far beyond because they will combine their techniques and materials
with the imagination. If you can teach it, it is usually a craft. If you
cannot teach it, it is normally art. Art can begin by learning some
techniques, or using craft materials, but then the person begins to ask the
"what if" questions, and takes lots of risks, failures, and bends in the
road on the way to it becoming a work of art. It is a "mind set" that is
never satisfied with just the learning of something new, but one that
constantly questions, experiments, and never knows where the "end" will be,
or even if it will be. A "crafter" will never understand what I have just
said and will most likely be huffing and puffing and angry with it. An
"artist" is standing and applauding what I have said. It is that simple, and
that complex. The artist thrives on change and making new discoveries and
each work leads to other querstions and more change and more new
discoveries.
One can see the difference when you look at work in types of environments.
One will be setting at a craft show with a table full of things that are
basically all the same while the other will have work on display in a
gallery or museum. Each has decided where they "fit" and each is very happy
with where they are. They are different animals, with different ideas, and
different end results and outcomes. Each one has decided their own path and
each one is comfortable with the decision she has made.
Lynda
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Laurie Porter
To: Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2014 7:26 PM
Subject: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Hi Folks:
I?d like to introduce myself. I?m a blind person from wisconsin who is a
fledgling and budding beginner artist. my medium is beadwork. I make
pictures and tapestries out of tiny little seed beads sewn together with
thread. but most of my work is in making jewlry, but I have always looked
upon my beadwork as an art form.
so, I have a basic question. What is the difference between an art and a
craft? I do believe that all crafts are forms of art but are all arts
considered crafts? Thanks linda and all of you for getting this list going
as it is something I?ve always dreamed of seeing in our efforts to bring
blind people together who love to both create and appreciate the visual
arts.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/artists-making-art_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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Message: 2
Date: Fri, 07 Feb 2014 07:08:33 -0700
From: <Ann at acunningham.com>
To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Message-ID:
<20140207070833.c623b2ae39646abf92d04cdf9b47d475.1411573672.wbe at email06.secureserver.net>
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------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2014 11:23:35 -0500
From: Jewel <herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Message-ID:
<CABORmNtm3Wu6C=MnMC68NHdt1eSgDN2T1hyq7dvCWkbROEPn8A at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
I absolutely loved this explanation of arts versus crafts. I was also
wondering the difference, so this really makes it clear to me. I do
polymer clay. While I start with an expectation that it will be some
sort of elephant or a horse or whatever, who knows what twists and
turns will happen along the way. By the way, I'm currently working on
a Harry Potter style house elf holding a tray that can hold business
ccards. The house elf is done, but the tray still needs to be
finished.
Jewel
On 2/7/14, Ann at acunningham.com <Ann at acunningham.com> wrote:
> Lynda, Nice answer to craft and art. If someone who is reading this is
> still
> torn I wouldn't be surprised though since there are all sorts of shades in
> the continuum.
>
> I was talking to my daughter and a friend one day. I went off on a tangent
> tangling all sorts of events together rather randomly. They started
> laughing
> and saying something akin to how do you make it from day to day. And I
> said
> you guys are pilots and for you to be a good pilot you know and follow
> rules. That is what they pay you for. I am an artist and I am paid to
> break
> the rules. No one wants to hear from me if it has already been done.
>
> What did you teach before you retired? Ann
>
> Ann Cunningham
> Tactile Art - a creative way to see the world!
> 303 238 4760
> ann at acunningham.com
> http://www.acunningham.com
> http://www.sensationalbooks.com
>
>
>> -------- Original Message --------
>> Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
>> From: "Lynda Lambert" <llambert at zoominternet.net>
>> Date: Fri, February 07, 2014 6:03 am
>> To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
>> <artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
>>
>>
>> Hi Laurie,
>> So nice to see you here. I did not start this group though, I am like
>> you, I just came on to ask a question about something I needed to know
>> and
>> was so glad to meet Ann who helped me with my question. I am furiously
>> working right now (oops, split that infinitive!) getting work done for
>> the
>> opening of a two-person exhibition at a museum - the show is called
>> _Vision and Revision: Two artists with limited sight, not limited
>> vision_ It is my pottery and mixed-media fiber works, and a legally
>> blind
>> painter. It opens one month from today, and if I stop to think about what
>> else has to be done yet, I'll get nervous. So, I won't do that, but just
>> will keep on working on the details. The show will appear at two
>> locations
>> this year and will have a video that plays in the gallery with the art
>> works, Braille labeling, and artist's talks. I will even be teaching in
>> the gallery one afternoon, for the Women in the Arts course at Geneva
>> College. That is where I taught when I was a professor of fine arts and
>> humanities, before I retired. I'll be lecturing on the historical context
>> of my work and where the ideas have come from when creating it.
>>
>> To make matters even more difficult, I am scheduled to speak at a
>> conference at Slippery Rock University of PA for two sessions, the day
>> before we hang our show. So, I have those presentations to be working on
>> every day now, too. I officially retired from teaching 5 1/2 years ago,
>> but I am still very much involved in everything but being in the
>> classroom.
>>
>> Here is my response to the question you have asked. The gap between an
>> artist and a crafter is like crossing the ocean, it is that wide. Some
>> basic things may be similar between the two, but most things are very far
>> apart philisophically.
>>
>> Both work with the hands, and both love working with the hands and most
>> have done it all their life.
>> Both love the materials, and the handling of them, and the satisfaction
>> of
>> the finished product that comes out of it.
>>
>> While the crafter will usually be satisfied with beginning something and
>> knowing where the end will be, the artist begins with no notion of where
>> the end will be or even if it will be. the crafter has a clearly defined
>> path to the finished product. The artist has only some inklings of
>> possible outcomes, but has to find them as she works.
>>
>> The other very big thing I see as a difference between them is that the
>> crafter has 'rules" to follow and seldom will ever deviate from those
>> rules, as they are set in stone in her mind. On the other hand, the
>> mature
>> artist has learned that there are no rules at all. They may begin in the
>> early stages by learning techniques, but eventually with the years of
>> working, the light comes on in her brain when she discovers one day
>> - she is free of all rules when making art. Everything can be challenged,
>> everything can be changed, and everything is fair game, for the artist.
>> Is
>> there any other profession in this world where there are no rules? It's
>> the most exhilerating feeling to know that there are absolutely no rules
>> whatsoever for me. Wow, makes me take a deep breath just to say it. Free,
>> free, free, at last!
>>
>> Laurie, the biggest difference between art and a craft is where the
>> person
>> eventually takes the techniques, I think.
>>
>> A crafter seldom takes things to a different level but is usually content
>> to learn something then duplicate it endlessly, then moves on to learn
>> something else and does that again with it. The artist can take crafts
>> materials (which is what you and I both do) and techniques, and then take
>> them far beyond because they will combine their techniques and materials
>> with the imagination. If you can teach it, it is usually a craft. If you
>> cannot teach it, it is normally art. Art can begin by learning some
>> techniques, or using craft materials, but then the person begins to ask
>> the "what if" questions, and takes lots of risks, failures, and bends in
>> the road on the way to it becoming a work of art. It is a "mind set" that
>> is never satisfied with just the learning of something new, but one that
>> constantly questions, experiments, and never knows where the "end" will
>> be, or even if it will be. A "crafter" will never understand what I have
>> just said and will most likely be huffing and puffing and angry with it.
>> An "artist" is standing and applauding what I have said. It is that
>> simple, and that complex. The artist thrives on change and making new
>> discoveries and each work leads to other querstions and more change and
>> more new discoveries.
>>
>> One can see the difference when you look at work in types of
>> environments. One will be setting at a craft show with a table full of
>> things that are basically all the same while the other will have work on
>> display in a gallery or museum. Each has decided where they "fit" and
>> each is very happy with where they are. They are different animals, with
>> different ideas, and different end results and outcomes. Each one has
>> decided their own path and each one is comfortable with the decision she
>> has made.
>>
>> Lynda
>>
>> Lynda
>>
>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Laurie Porter
>>> To: Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
>>> Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2014 7:26 PM
>>> Subject: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
>>>
>>> Hi Folks:
>>>
>>> I'd like to introduce myself. I'm a blind person from wisconsin who is a
>>> fledgling and budding beginner artist. my medium is beadwork. I make
>>> pictures and tapestries out of tiny little seed beads sewn together
>>> with
>>> thread. but most of my work is in making jewlry, but I have always
>>> looked
>>> upon my beadwork as an art form.
>>>
>>> so, I have a basic question. What is the difference between an art and a
>>> craft? I do believe that all crafts are forms of art but are all arts
>>> considered crafts? Thanks linda and all of you for getting this list
>>> going as it is something I've always dreamed of seeing in our efforts to
>>> bring blind people together who love to both create and appreciate the
>>> visual arts.
>>> ________________________________
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Artists-making-art mailing list
>>> Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/artists-making-art_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> Artists-making-art:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/artists-making-art_nfbnet.org/llambert%40zoominternet.net
>>
>> ________________________________
>> _______________________________________________
>> Artists-making-art mailing list
>> Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/artists-making-art_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Artists-making-art:
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------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2014 11:44:39 -0500
From: "Lynda Lambert" <llambert at zoominternet.net>
To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Message-ID: <00EE5DF7276148B7B8D3EE072C8258A0 at Lambert>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Well, this is an outrageous conversation, I know. lol I better get back to
the studio before I cause a riot, but this should be a good place for a
discussion like this.
That is great, Ann! So true. There is really not a fine line between the
two, it is very clear and distinct. And artist or a crafter can take the
exact same materials, but the mind that works with them is quite different
and the results are quite different. It's really about "ideas" and
"concepts" and what we are thinking about as we work, and where we go with
the materials in our process of working. In Pittsburgh, PA there is a very
fine museum/gallery called the Society of Contemporary Crafts - now, what is
done there, and shown there is high art. So there is crafts and there is
CRAFT, too. There is the "crafter" and there is the "Craftsman." very
distinct differences between them - and as a sculptor you would be very
aware of this, too.
I was so fortunate to teach in a small private college (Geneva College, in
western PA) where I was free to teach across disciplines, as I have my MFA
in painting/printmaking, and my MA in English Literature. Because of this
background, I was very marketable for a good position. I was able to create
multi-discipline courses - alway a combination of literature and art, as
well as studio courses in painting, fiber arts, printmaking, drawing. It was
a dream of a job, working in interdisciplinary studies and doing so many
projects with profs in other disciplines. I was very active in conferences
on interdisciplinary studies. I created an European experience for art and
literature students and we lived in Austria every summer and then traveled
to other countries. I even had an art exhibition in Austria for my students
every summer. They worked so hard in the studio and out on location every
day, and at the end of the month they had a show - so much fun. I also did
this with Puerto Rico, and students came to PR with me each spring as part
of their course in Puerto Rico Culture - which I have continued to visit
every March even though I am now retired. It bacame how we spent our spring
time.
OK, back to my studio where I am working my tail off to get a piece done
today!
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Ann at acunningham.com
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 9:08 AM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Lynda, Nice answer to craft and art. If someone who is reading this is
still torn I wouldn't be surprised though since there are all sorts of
shades in the continuum.
I was talking to my daughter and a friend one day. I went off on a tangent
tangling all sorts of events together rather randomly. They started laughing
and saying something akin to how do you make it from day to day. And I said
you guys are pilots and for you to be a good pilot you know and follow
rules. That is what they pay you for. I am an artist and I am paid to break
the rules. No one wants to hear from me if it has already been done.
What did you teach before you retired? Ann
Ann Cunningham
Tactile Art - a creative way to see the world!
303 238 4760
ann at acunningham.com
http://www.acunningham.com
http://www.sensationalbooks.com
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
From: "Lynda Lambert" <llambert at zoominternet.net>
Date: Fri, February 07, 2014 6:03 am
To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
?
Hi Laurie,
So nice to see you here. I did not start this group though, I am like
you, I just came on to ask a question about something I needed to know and
was so glad to meet Ann who helped me with my question. I am furiously
working right now (oops, split that infinitive!) getting work done for the
opening of a two-person exhibition at a museum - the show is called _Vision
and Revision: Two artists with limited sight, not limited vision_ It is my
pottery and mixed-media fiber works, and a legally blind painter. It opens
one month from today, and if I stop to think about what else has to be done
yet, I'll get nervous. So, I won't do that, but just will keep on working on
the details. The show will appear at two locations this year and will have a
video that plays in the gallery with the art works, Braille labeling, and
artist's talks. I will even be teaching in the gallery one afternoon, for
the Women in the Arts course at Geneva College. That is where I taught when
I was a professor of fine arts and humanities, before I retired. I'll be
lecturing on the historical context of my work and where the ideas have come
from when creating it.
To make matters even more difficult, I am scheduled to speak at a
conference at Slippery Rock University of PA for two sessions, the day
before we hang our show. So, I have those presentations to be working on
every day now, too. I officially retired from teaching 5 1/2 years ago, but
I am still very much involved in everything but being in the classroom.
Here is my response to the question you have asked. The gap between an
artist and a crafter is like crossing the ocean, it is that wide. Some basic
things may be similar between the two, but most things are very far apart
philisophically.
Both work with the hands, and both love working with the hands and most
have done it all their life.
Both love the materials, and the handling of them, and the satisfaction
of the finished product that comes out of it.
While the crafter will usually be satisfied with beginning something and
knowing where the end will be, the artist begins with no notion of where the
end will be or even if it will be. the crafter has a clearly defined path
to the finished product. The artist has only some inklings of possible
outcomes, but has to find them as she works.
The other very big thing I see as a difference between them is that the
crafter has 'rules" to follow and seldom will ever deviate from those rules,
as they are set in stone in her mind. On the other hand, the mature artist
has learned that there are no rules at all. They may begin in the early
stages by learning techniques, but eventually with the years of working, the
light comes on in her brain when she discovers one day - she is free of all
rules when making art. Everything can be challenged, everything can be
changed, and everything is fair game, for the artist. Is there any other
profession in this world where there are no rules? It's the most
exhilerating feeling to know that there are absolutely no rules whatsoever
for me. Wow, makes me take a deep breath just to say it. Free, free, free,
at last!
Laurie, the biggest difference between art and a craft is where the
person eventually takes the techniques, I think.
A crafter seldom takes things to a different level but is usually
content to learn something then duplicate it endlessly, then moves on to
learn something else and does that again with it. The artist can take crafts
materials (which is what you and I both do) and techniques, and then take
them far beyond because they will combine their techniques and materials
with the imagination. If you can teach it, it is usually a craft. If you
cannot teach it, it is normally art. Art can begin by learning some
techniques, or using craft materials, but then the person begins to ask the
"what if" questions, and takes lots of risks, failures, and bends in the
road on the way to it becoming a work of art. It is a "mind set" that is
never satisfied with just the learning of something new, but one that
constantly questions, experiments, and never knows where the "end" will be,
or even if it will be. A "crafter" will never understand what I have just
said and will most likely be huffing and puffing and angry with it. An
"artist" is standing and applauding what I have said. It is that simple, and
that complex. The artist thrives on change and making new discoveries and
each work leads to other querstions and more change and more new
discoveries.
One can see the difference when you look at work in types of
environments. One will be setting at a craft show with a table full of
things that are basically all the same while the other will have work on
display in a gallery or museum. Each has decided where they "fit" and each
is very happy with where they are. They are different animals, with
different ideas, and different end results and outcomes. Each one has
decided their own path and each one is comfortable with the decision she has
made.
Lynda
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Laurie Porter
To: Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2014 7:26 PM
Subject: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Hi Folks:
I?d like to introduce myself. I?m a blind person from wisconsin who is
a fledgling and budding beginner artist. my medium is beadwork. I make
pictures and tapestries out of tiny little seed beads sewn together with
thread. but most of my work is in making jewlry, but I have always looked
upon my beadwork as an art form.
so, I have a basic question. What is the difference between an art and
a craft? I do believe that all crafts are forms of art but are all arts
considered crafts? Thanks linda and all of you for getting this list going
as it is something I?ve always dreamed of seeing in our efforts to bring
blind people together who love to both create and appreciate the visual
arts.
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------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2014 11:47:54 -0500
From: "Lynda Lambert" <llambert at zoominternet.net>
To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Message-ID: <687BD2626016484AB96E97E715BA11BD at Lambert>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Yes, Jewell, the material does not matter - we can go any way we want to
with it. It is the ideas we work with that determine what will happen along
the way, plus allowing the medium to lead us - finding that "life of it's
own" that is there for us - a surprise or two along the way. Your project
sounds wonderful. Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jewel" <herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 11:23 AM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
>I absolutely loved this explanation of arts versus crafts. I was also
> wondering the difference, so this really makes it clear to me. I do
> polymer clay. While I start with an expectation that it will be some
> sort of elephant or a horse or whatever, who knows what twists and
> turns will happen along the way. By the way, I'm currently working on
> a Harry Potter style house elf holding a tray that can hold business
> ccards. The house elf is done, but the tray still needs to be
> finished.
> Jewel
>
> On 2/7/14, Ann at acunningham.com <Ann at acunningham.com> wrote:
>> Lynda, Nice answer to craft and art. If someone who is reading this is
>> still
>> torn I wouldn't be surprised though since there are all sorts of shades
>> in
>> the continuum.
>>
>> I was talking to my daughter and a friend one day. I went off on a
>> tangent
>> tangling all sorts of events together rather randomly. They started
>> laughing
>> and saying something akin to how do you make it from day to day. And I
>> said
>> you guys are pilots and for you to be a good pilot you know and follow
>> rules. That is what they pay you for. I am an artist and I am paid to
>> break
>> the rules. No one wants to hear from me if it has already been done.
>>
>> What did you teach before you retired? Ann
>>
>> Ann Cunningham
>> Tactile Art - a creative way to see the world!
>> 303 238 4760
>> ann at acunningham.com
>> http://www.acunningham.com
>> http://www.sensationalbooks.com
>>
>>
>>> -------- Original Message --------
>>> Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
>>> From: "Lynda Lambert" <llambert at zoominternet.net>
>>> Date: Fri, February 07, 2014 6:03 am
>>> To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
>>> <artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
>>>
>>>
>>> Hi Laurie,
>>> So nice to see you here. I did not start this group though, I am like
>>> you, I just came on to ask a question about something I needed to know
>>> and
>>> was so glad to meet Ann who helped me with my question. I am furiously
>>> working right now (oops, split that infinitive!) getting work done for
>>> the
>>> opening of a two-person exhibition at a museum - the show is called
>>> _Vision and Revision: Two artists with limited sight, not limited
>>> vision_ It is my pottery and mixed-media fiber works, and a legally
>>> blind
>>> painter. It opens one month from today, and if I stop to think about
>>> what
>>> else has to be done yet, I'll get nervous. So, I won't do that, but just
>>> will keep on working on the details. The show will appear at two
>>> locations
>>> this year and will have a video that plays in the gallery with the art
>>> works, Braille labeling, and artist's talks. I will even be teaching in
>>> the gallery one afternoon, for the Women in the Arts course at Geneva
>>> College. That is where I taught when I was a professor of fine arts and
>>> humanities, before I retired. I'll be lecturing on the historical
>>> context
>>> of my work and where the ideas have come from when creating it.
>>>
>>> To make matters even more difficult, I am scheduled to speak at a
>>> conference at Slippery Rock University of PA for two sessions, the day
>>> before we hang our show. So, I have those presentations to be working on
>>> every day now, too. I officially retired from teaching 5 1/2 years ago,
>>> but I am still very much involved in everything but being in the
>>> classroom.
>>>
>>> Here is my response to the question you have asked. The gap between an
>>> artist and a crafter is like crossing the ocean, it is that wide. Some
>>> basic things may be similar between the two, but most things are very
>>> far
>>> apart philisophically.
>>>
>>> Both work with the hands, and both love working with the hands and most
>>> have done it all their life.
>>> Both love the materials, and the handling of them, and the satisfaction
>>> of
>>> the finished product that comes out of it.
>>>
>>> While the crafter will usually be satisfied with beginning something and
>>> knowing where the end will be, the artist begins with no notion of where
>>> the end will be or even if it will be. the crafter has a clearly
>>> defined
>>> path to the finished product. The artist has only some inklings of
>>> possible outcomes, but has to find them as she works.
>>>
>>> The other very big thing I see as a difference between them is that the
>>> crafter has 'rules" to follow and seldom will ever deviate from those
>>> rules, as they are set in stone in her mind. On the other hand, the
>>> mature
>>> artist has learned that there are no rules at all. They may begin in
>>> the
>>> early stages by learning techniques, but eventually with the years of
>>> working, the light comes on in her brain when she discovers one day
>>> - she is free of all rules when making art. Everything can be
>>> challenged,
>>> everything can be changed, and everything is fair game, for the artist.
>>> Is
>>> there any other profession in this world where there are no rules? It's
>>> the most exhilerating feeling to know that there are absolutely no rules
>>> whatsoever for me. Wow, makes me take a deep breath just to say it.
>>> Free,
>>> free, free, at last!
>>>
>>> Laurie, the biggest difference between art and a craft is where the
>>> person
>>> eventually takes the techniques, I think.
>>>
>>> A crafter seldom takes things to a different level but is usually
>>> content
>>> to learn something then duplicate it endlessly, then moves on to learn
>>> something else and does that again with it. The artist can take crafts
>>> materials (which is what you and I both do) and techniques, and then
>>> take
>>> them far beyond because they will combine their techniques and materials
>>> with the imagination. If you can teach it, it is usually a craft. If
>>> you
>>> cannot teach it, it is normally art. Art can begin by learning some
>>> techniques, or using craft materials, but then the person begins to ask
>>> the "what if" questions, and takes lots of risks, failures, and bends in
>>> the road on the way to it becoming a work of art. It is a "mind set"
>>> that
>>> is never satisfied with just the learning of something new, but one that
>>> constantly questions, experiments, and never knows where the "end" will
>>> be, or even if it will be. A "crafter" will never understand what I
>>> have
>>> just said and will most likely be huffing and puffing and angry with it.
>>> An "artist" is standing and applauding what I have said. It is that
>>> simple, and that complex. The artist thrives on change and making new
>>> discoveries and each work leads to other querstions and more change and
>>> more new discoveries.
>>>
>>> One can see the difference when you look at work in types of
>>> environments. One will be setting at a craft show with a table full of
>>> things that are basically all the same while the other will have work
>>> on
>>> display in a gallery or museum. Each has decided where they "fit" and
>>> each is very happy with where they are. They are different animals, with
>>> different ideas, and different end results and outcomes. Each one has
>>> decided their own path and each one is comfortable with the decision she
>>> has made.
>>>
>>> Lynda
>>>
>>> Lynda
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: Laurie Porter
>>>> To: Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
>>>> Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2014 7:26 PM
>>>> Subject: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
>>>>
>>>> Hi Folks:
>>>>
>>>> I'd like to introduce myself. I'm a blind person from wisconsin who is
>>>> a
>>>> fledgling and budding beginner artist. my medium is beadwork. I make
>>>> pictures and tapestries out of tiny little seed beads sewn together
>>>> with
>>>> thread. but most of my work is in making jewlry, but I have always
>>>> looked
>>>> upon my beadwork as an art form.
>>>>
>>>> so, I have a basic question. What is the difference between an art and
>>>> a
>>>> craft? I do believe that all crafts are forms of art but are all arts
>>>> considered crafts? Thanks linda and all of you for getting this list
>>>> going as it is something I've always dreamed of seeing in our efforts
>>>> to
>>>> bring blind people together who love to both create and appreciate the
>>>> visual arts.
>>>> ________________________________
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Artists-making-art mailing list
>>>> Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/artists-making-art_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> Artists-making-art:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/artists-making-art_nfbnet.org/llambert%40zoominternet.net
>>>
>>> ________________________________
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Artists-making-art mailing list
>>> Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/artists-making-art_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> Artists-making-art:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/artists-making-art_nfbnet.org/ann%40acunningham.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> Artists-making-art mailing list
> Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/artists-making-art_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Artists-making-art:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/artists-making-art_nfbnet.org/llambert%40zoominternet.net
>
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2014 13:26:55 -0500
From: "Patricia C. Estes" <pece03 at gmail.com>
To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Message-ID: <95E84F42EA7F4ADFA9DF888A9D45EA90 at Wellness>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Hooray for "outrageous and for all of you for taking the time to articulate
these distinctions.
I absolutely agree and have been an artist and crafter simultaneously. I am
back to my art and love the discovery of it-but I will admit, my left brain
does like rules and instructions-but my Girl Brain is winning! (no put down
to Boy Brains, just a family joke).
Right on! Right on, Linda!
pece out
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynda Lambert
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 11:44 AM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Well, this is an outrageous conversation, I know. lol I better get back
to the studio before I cause a riot, but this should be a good place for a
discussion like this.
That is great, Ann! So true. There is really not a fine line between the
two, it is very clear and distinct. And artist or a crafter can take the
exact same materials, but the mind that works with them is quite different
and the results are quite different. It's really about "ideas" and
"concepts" and what we are thinking about as we work, and where we go with
the materials in our process of working. In Pittsburgh, PA there is a very
fine museum/gallery called the Society of Contemporary Crafts - now, what is
done there, and shown there is high art. So there is crafts and there is
CRAFT, too. There is the "crafter" and there is the "Craftsman." very
distinct differences between them - and as a sculptor you would be very
aware of this, too.
I was so fortunate to teach in a small private college (Geneva College, in
western PA) where I was free to teach across disciplines, as I have my MFA
in painting/printmaking, and my MA in English Literature. Because of this
background, I was very marketable for a good position. I was able to create
multi-discipline courses - alway a combination of literature and art, as
well as studio courses in painting, fiber arts, printmaking, drawing. It was
a dream of a job, working in interdisciplinary studies and doing so many
projects with profs in other disciplines. I was very active in conferences
on interdisciplinary studies. I created an European experience for art and
literature students and we lived in Austria every summer and then traveled
to other countries. I even had an art exhibition in Austria for my students
every summer. They worked so hard in the studio and out on location every
day, and at the end of the month they had a show - so much fun. I also did
this with Puerto Rico, and students came to PR with me each spring as part
of their course in Puerto Rico Culture - which I have continued to visit
every March even though I am now retired. It bacame how we spent our spring
time.
OK, back to my studio where I am working my tail off to get a piece done
today!
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Ann at acunningham.com
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 9:08 AM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Lynda, Nice answer to craft and art. If someone who is reading this is
still torn I wouldn't be surprised though since there are all sorts of
shades in the continuum.
I was talking to my daughter and a friend one day. I went off on a
tangent tangling all sorts of events together rather randomly. They started
laughing and saying something akin to how do you make it from day to day.
And I said you guys are pilots and for you to be a good pilot you know and
follow rules. That is what they pay you for. I am an artist and I am paid to
break the rules. No one wants to hear from me if it has already been done.
What did you teach before you retired? Ann
Ann Cunningham
Tactile Art - a creative way to see the world!
303 238 4760
ann at acunningham.com
http://www.acunningham.com
http://www.sensationalbooks.com
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
From: "Lynda Lambert" <llambert at zoominternet.net>
Date: Fri, February 07, 2014 6:03 am
To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
?
Hi Laurie,
So nice to see you here. I did not start this group though, I am like
you, I just came on to ask a question about something I needed to know and
was so glad to meet Ann who helped me with my question. I am furiously
working right now (oops, split that infinitive!) getting work done for the
opening of a two-person exhibition at a museum - the show is called _Vision
and Revision: Two artists with limited sight, not limited vision_ It is my
pottery and mixed-media fiber works, and a legally blind painter. It opens
one month from today, and if I stop to think about what else has to be done
yet, I'll get nervous. So, I won't do that, but just will keep on working on
the details. The show will appear at two locations this year and will have a
video that plays in the gallery with the art works, Braille labeling, and
artist's talks. I will even be teaching in the gallery one afternoon, for
the Women in the Arts course at Geneva College. That is where I taught when
I was a professor of fine arts and humanities, before I retired. I'll be
lecturing on the historical context of my work and where the ideas have come
from when creating it.
To make matters even more difficult, I am scheduled to speak at a
conference at Slippery Rock University of PA for two sessions, the day
before we hang our show. So, I have those presentations to be working on
every day now, too. I officially retired from teaching 5 1/2 years ago, but
I am still very much involved in everything but being in the classroom.
Here is my response to the question you have asked. The gap between an
artist and a crafter is like crossing the ocean, it is that wide. Some basic
things may be similar between the two, but most things are very far apart
philisophically.
Both work with the hands, and both love working with the hands and
most have done it all their life.
Both love the materials, and the handling of them, and the
satisfaction of the finished product that comes out of it.
While the crafter will usually be satisfied with beginning something
and knowing where the end will be, the artist begins with no notion of where
the end will be or even if it will be. the crafter has a clearly defined
path to the finished product. The artist has only some inklings of possible
outcomes, but has to find them as she works.
The other very big thing I see as a difference between them is that
the crafter has 'rules" to follow and seldom will ever deviate from those
rules, as they are set in stone in her mind. On the other hand, the mature
artist has learned that there are no rules at all. They may begin in the
early stages by learning techniques, but eventually with the years of
working, the light comes on in her brain when she discovers one day - she is
free of all rules when making art. Everything can be challenged, everything
can be changed, and everything is fair game, for the artist. Is there any
other profession in this world where there are no rules? It's the most
exhilerating feeling to know that there are absolutely no rules whatsoever
for me. Wow, makes me take a deep breath just to say it. Free, free, free,
at last!
Laurie, the biggest difference between art and a craft is where the
person eventually takes the techniques, I think.
A crafter seldom takes things to a different level but is usually
content to learn something then duplicate it endlessly, then moves on to
learn something else and does that again with it. The artist can take crafts
materials (which is what you and I both do) and techniques, and then take
them far beyond because they will combine their techniques and materials
with the imagination. If you can teach it, it is usually a craft. If you
cannot teach it, it is normally art. Art can begin by learning some
techniques, or using craft materials, but then the person begins to ask the
"what if" questions, and takes lots of risks, failures, and bends in the
road on the way to it becoming a work of art. It is a "mind set" that is
never satisfied with just the learning of something new, but one that
constantly questions, experiments, and never knows where the "end" will be,
or even if it will be. A "crafter" will never understand what I have just
said and will most likely be huffing and puffing and angry with it. An
"artist" is standing and applauding what I have said. It is that simple, and
that complex. The artist thrives on change and making new discoveries and
each work leads to other querstions and more change and more new
discoveries.
One can see the difference when you look at work in types of
environments. One will be setting at a craft show with a table full of
things that are basically all the same while the other will have work on
display in a gallery or museum. Each has decided where they "fit" and each
is very happy with where they are. They are different animals, with
different ideas, and different end results and outcomes. Each one has
decided their own path and each one is comfortable with the decision she has
made.
Lynda
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Laurie Porter
To: Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2014 7:26 PM
Subject: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Hi Folks:
I?d like to introduce myself. I?m a blind person from wisconsin who
is a fledgling and budding beginner artist. my medium is beadwork. I make
pictures and tapestries out of tiny little seed beads sewn together with
thread. but most of my work is in making jewlry, but I have always looked
upon my beadwork as an art form.
so, I have a basic question. What is the difference between an art
and a craft? I do believe that all crafts are forms of art but are all arts
considered crafts? Thanks linda and all of you for getting this list going
as it is something I?ve always dreamed of seeing in our efforts to bring
blind people together who love to both create and appreciate the visual
arts.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2014 13:48:48 -0500
From: "Lynda Lambert" <llambert at zoominternet.net>
To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Message-ID: <0C82603A06C14829A1FDF9CA9822F0BB at Lambert>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Patricia, I just finished reading the book "The Female Brain" by Luann
Brizendine, and OH, HOw I wish I had this wonderful information a long time
ago. Raising my brood of children would have been so much easier if I had
known these things about the differences between male and female brains.
And, my goodness, I would have been a much better teacher, too. I would have
a better understanding of my fellow human beings - but at least I do
understand a lot more about it now since reading this book. It was so
enlightening to me and I was telling my husband all about it as we would
ride along in the truck. One day he said to me, "I guess it is like this
conversation we are having right now in this truck." This was his insight
as I was rapidly sharing so much information as he sat quietly
listening...lol I said, "Yes, now I understand this conversation here in
this truck so much better." We laughed.
Of course we are both crafters and artists - one feeds into the other. We
all begin somewhere - and for me, it begins with my mother taking an
afternoon to teach me how to do some embroidery stitches and to creat a
picture on a linen tea towel - I was probably 8 years old. Then, it
continues on with my precious neighbor taking an hour each morning, one
summer, to teach me how to read a pattern and how to sew a blouse, skirt,
and then an entire outfit - I was about 10. We learn from those around us,
and how lucky we were to have them in our life. What I do today, is an
homage to those women in my life so long ago. I celebrate them with every
stitch I make in my art these days. And, I say "thank you" to them for
giving me the beginnings of who I am today, and who I am becoming with each
new day and each new idea I work with.
Lynda
http://www.amazon.com/Louann-Brizendine/e/B001H6RZB8/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1391798400&sr=1-1
----- Original Message -----
From: Patricia C. Estes
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 1:26 PM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Hooray for "outrageous and for all of you for taking the time to
articulate these distinctions.
I absolutely agree and have been an artist and crafter simultaneously. I
am back to my art and love the discovery of it-but I will admit, my left
brain does like rules and instructions-but my Girl Brain is winning! (no put
down to Boy Brains, just a family joke).
Right on! Right on, Linda!
pece out
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynda Lambert
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 11:44 AM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Well, this is an outrageous conversation, I know. lol I better get
back to the studio before I cause a riot, but this should be a good place
for a discussion like this.
That is great, Ann! So true. There is really not a fine line between the
two, it is very clear and distinct. And artist or a crafter can take the
exact same materials, but the mind that works with them is quite different
and the results are quite different. It's really about "ideas" and
"concepts" and what we are thinking about as we work, and where we go with
the materials in our process of working. In Pittsburgh, PA there is a very
fine museum/gallery called the Society of Contemporary Crafts - now, what is
done there, and shown there is high art. So there is crafts and there is
CRAFT, too. There is the "crafter" and there is the "Craftsman." very
distinct differences between them - and as a sculptor you would be very
aware of this, too.
I was so fortunate to teach in a small private college (Geneva College,
in western PA) where I was free to teach across disciplines, as I have my
MFA in painting/printmaking, and my MA in English Literature. Because of
this background, I was very marketable for a good position. I was able to
create multi-discipline courses - alway a combination of literature and art,
as well as studio courses in painting, fiber arts, printmaking, drawing. It
was a dream of a job, working in interdisciplinary studies and doing so many
projects with profs in other disciplines. I was very active in conferences
on interdisciplinary studies. I created an European experience for art and
literature students and we lived in Austria every summer and then traveled
to other countries. I even had an art exhibition in Austria for my students
every summer. They worked so hard in the studio and out on location every
day, and at the end of the month they had a show - so much fun. I also did
this with Puerto Rico, and students came to PR with me each spring as part
of their course in Puerto Rico Culture - which I have continued to visit
every March even though I am now retired. It bacame how we spent our spring
time.
OK, back to my studio where I am working my tail off to get a piece done
today!
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Ann at acunningham.com
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 9:08 AM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Lynda, Nice answer to craft and art. If someone who is reading this is
still torn I wouldn't be surprised though since there are all sorts of
shades in the continuum.
I was talking to my daughter and a friend one day. I went off on a
tangent tangling all sorts of events together rather randomly. They started
laughing and saying something akin to how do you make it from day to day.
And I said you guys are pilots and for you to be a good pilot you know and
follow rules. That is what they pay you for. I am an artist and I am paid to
break the rules. No one wants to hear from me if it has already been done.
What did you teach before you retired? Ann
Ann Cunningham
Tactile Art - a creative way to see the world!
303 238 4760
ann at acunningham.com
http://www.acunningham.com
http://www.sensationalbooks.com
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
From: "Lynda Lambert" <llambert at zoominternet.net>
Date: Fri, February 07, 2014 6:03 am
To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
?
Hi Laurie,
So nice to see you here. I did not start this group though, I am
like you, I just came on to ask a question about something I needed to know
and was so glad to meet Ann who helped me with my question. I am furiously
working right now (oops, split that infinitive!) getting work done for the
opening of a two-person exhibition at a museum - the show is called _Vision
and Revision: Two artists with limited sight, not limited vision_ It is my
pottery and mixed-media fiber works, and a legally blind painter. It opens
one month from today, and if I stop to think about what else has to be done
yet, I'll get nervous. So, I won't do that, but just will keep on working on
the details. The show will appear at two locations this year and will have a
video that plays in the gallery with the art works, Braille labeling, and
artist's talks. I will even be teaching in the gallery one afternoon, for
the Women in the Arts course at Geneva College. That is where I taught when
I was a professor of fine arts and humanities, before I retired. I'll be
lecturing on the historical context of my work and where the ideas have come
from when creating it.
To make matters even more difficult, I am scheduled to speak at a
conference at Slippery Rock University of PA for two sessions, the day
before we hang our show. So, I have those presentations to be working on
every day now, too. I officially retired from teaching 5 1/2 years ago, but
I am still very much involved in everything but being in the classroom.
Here is my response to the question you have asked. The gap between
an artist and a crafter is like crossing the ocean, it is that wide. Some
basic things may be similar between the two, but most things are very far
apart philisophically.
Both work with the hands, and both love working with the hands and
most have done it all their life.
Both love the materials, and the handling of them, and the
satisfaction of the finished product that comes out of it.
While the crafter will usually be satisfied with beginning something
and knowing where the end will be, the artist begins with no notion of where
the end will be or even if it will be. the crafter has a clearly defined
path to the finished product. The artist has only some inklings of possible
outcomes, but has to find them as she works.
The other very big thing I see as a difference between them is that
the crafter has 'rules" to follow and seldom will ever deviate from those
rules, as they are set in stone in her mind. On the other hand, the mature
artist has learned that there are no rules at all. They may begin in the
early stages by learning techniques, but eventually with the years of
working, the light comes on in her brain when she discovers one day - she is
free of all rules when making art. Everything can be challenged, everything
can be changed, and everything is fair game, for the artist. Is there any
other profession in this world where there are no rules? It's the most
exhilerating feeling to know that there are absolutely no rules whatsoever
for me. Wow, makes me take a deep breath just to say it. Free, free, free,
at last!
Laurie, the biggest difference between art and a craft is where the
person eventually takes the techniques, I think.
A crafter seldom takes things to a different level but is usually
content to learn something then duplicate it endlessly, then moves on to
learn something else and does that again with it. The artist can take crafts
materials (which is what you and I both do) and techniques, and then take
them far beyond because they will combine their techniques and materials
with the imagination. If you can teach it, it is usually a craft. If you
cannot teach it, it is normally art. Art can begin by learning some
techniques, or using craft materials, but then the person begins to ask the
"what if" questions, and takes lots of risks, failures, and bends in the
road on the way to it becoming a work of art. It is a "mind set" that is
never satisfied with just the learning of something new, but one that
constantly questions, experiments, and never knows where the "end" will be,
or even if it will be. A "crafter" will never understand what I have just
said and will most likely be huffing and puffing and angry with it. An
"artist" is standing and applauding what I have said. It is that simple, and
that complex. The artist thrives on change and making new discoveries and
each work leads to other querstions and more change and more new
discoveries.
One can see the difference when you look at work in types of
environments. One will be setting at a craft show with a table full of
things that are basically all the same while the other will have work on
display in a gallery or museum. Each has decided where they "fit" and each
is very happy with where they are. They are different animals, with
different ideas, and different end results and outcomes. Each one has
decided their own path and each one is comfortable with the decision she has
made.
Lynda
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Laurie Porter
To: Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2014 7:26 PM
Subject: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Hi Folks:
I?d like to introduce myself. I?m a blind person from wisconsin
who is a fledgling and budding beginner artist. my medium is beadwork. I
make pictures and tapestries out of tiny little seed beads sewn together
with thread. but most of my work is in making jewlry, but I have always
looked upon my beadwork as an art form.
so, I have a basic question. What is the difference between an art
and a craft? I do believe that all crafts are forms of art but are all arts
considered crafts? Thanks linda and all of you for getting this list going
as it is something I?ve always dreamed of seeing in our efforts to bring
blind people together who love to both create and appreciate the visual
arts.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________
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Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/artists-making-art_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
for Artists-making-art:
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------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2014 20:54:43 -0500
From: "Patricia C. Estes" <pece03 at gmail.com>
To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Message-ID: <35AF1D7D30354C14A11963A2A17E797B at Wellness>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Linda, the brain is so fascinating-or is it the mind?? My first real
understanding of it (before I studied holistic psychology and energy
medicine) was when our youngest was caught doing something or other that
five year olds do, and he burst into tears and managed to blurt out
emphatically, "My girl brain made me do it!"
Yes, Luke, I know what you mean! But he didn't go to school, yet, and we
didn't have a TV...I think he just *knew*.
Dr. Christian Northrop teaches about the female brain, too. Her example is
that she and her, then, husband were flying somewhere and she noticed that
she was reading "Enriching the Mother/Daughter Relationship" and he was
reading "How to get the most out of your Band Saw."
To bring art into this, I am sure you are familiar with the book,"Drawing on
the Right side of the Brain." Pretty fascinating, if one has time to
complicate one's life by experimenting with drawing things upside down.
Energetically, if you want to engage both hemispheres, Brain Gym says to
"think of an X." And to relax the mind, think of two parallel lines.
OK, I'm taking my parallel lines and heading to bed,
Patty
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynda Lambert
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 1:48 PM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Patricia, I just finished reading the book "The Female Brain" by Luann
Brizendine, and OH, HOw I wish I had this wonderful information a long time
ago. Raising my brood of children would have been so much easier if I had
known these things about the differences between male and female brains.
And, my goodness, I would have been a much better teacher, too. I would have
a better understanding of my fellow human beings - but at least I do
understand a lot more about it now since reading this book. It was so
enlightening to me and I was telling my husband all about it as we would
ride along in the truck. One day he said to me, "I guess it is like this
conversation we are having right now in this truck." This was his insight
as I was rapidly sharing so much information as he sat quietly
listening...lol I said, "Yes, now I understand this conversation here in
this truck so much better." We laughed.
Of course we are both crafters and artists - one feeds into the other. We
all begin somewhere - and for me, it begins with my mother taking an
afternoon to teach me how to do some embroidery stitches and to creat a
picture on a linen tea towel - I was probably 8 years old. Then, it
continues on with my precious neighbor taking an hour each morning, one
summer, to teach me how to read a pattern and how to sew a blouse, skirt,
and then an entire outfit - I was about 10. We learn from those around us,
and how lucky we were to have them in our life. What I do today, is an
homage to those women in my life so long ago. I celebrate them with every
stitch I make in my art these days. And, I say "thank you" to them for
giving me the beginnings of who I am today, and who I am becoming with each
new day and each new idea I work with.
Lynda
http://www.amazon.com/Louann-Brizendine/e/B001H6RZB8/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1391798400&sr=1-1
----- Original Message -----
From: Patricia C. Estes
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 1:26 PM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Hooray for "outrageous and for all of you for taking the time to
articulate these distinctions.
I absolutely agree and have been an artist and crafter simultaneously. I
am back to my art and love the discovery of it-but I will admit, my left
brain does like rules and instructions-but my Girl Brain is winning! (no put
down to Boy Brains, just a family joke).
Right on! Right on, Linda!
pece out
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynda Lambert
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 11:44 AM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Well, this is an outrageous conversation, I know. lol I better get
back to the studio before I cause a riot, but this should be a good place
for a discussion like this.
That is great, Ann! So true. There is really not a fine line between
the two, it is very clear and distinct. And artist or a crafter can take the
exact same materials, but the mind that works with them is quite different
and the results are quite different. It's really about "ideas" and
"concepts" and what we are thinking about as we work, and where we go with
the materials in our process of working. In Pittsburgh, PA there is a very
fine museum/gallery called the Society of Contemporary Crafts - now, what is
done there, and shown there is high art. So there is crafts and there is
CRAFT, too. There is the "crafter" and there is the "Craftsman." very
distinct differences between them - and as a sculptor you would be very
aware of this, too.
I was so fortunate to teach in a small private college (Geneva
College, in western PA) where I was free to teach across disciplines, as I
have my MFA in painting/printmaking, and my MA in English Literature.
Because of this background, I was very marketable for a good position. I
was able to create multi-discipline courses - alway a combination of
literature and art, as well as studio courses in painting, fiber arts,
printmaking, drawing. It was a dream of a job, working in interdisciplinary
studies and doing so many projects with profs in other disciplines. I was
very active in conferences on interdisciplinary studies. I created an
European experience for art and literature students and we lived in Austria
every summer and then traveled to other countries. I even had an art
exhibition in Austria for my students every summer. They worked so hard in
the studio and out on location every day, and at the end of the month they
had a show - so much fun. I also did this with Puerto Rico, and students
came to PR with me each spring as part of their course in Puerto Rico
Culture - which I have continued to visit every March even though I am now
retired. It bacame how we spent our spring time.
OK, back to my studio where I am working my tail off to get a piece
done today!
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Ann at acunningham.com
To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 9:08 AM
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Lynda, Nice answer to craft and art. If someone who is reading this
is still torn I wouldn't be surprised though since there are all sorts of
shades in the continuum.
I was talking to my daughter and a friend one day. I went off on a
tangent tangling all sorts of events together rather randomly. They started
laughing and saying something akin to how do you make it from day to day.
And I said you guys are pilots and for you to be a good pilot you know and
follow rules. That is what they pay you for. I am an artist and I am paid to
break the rules. No one wants to hear from me if it has already been done.
What did you teach before you retired? Ann
Ann Cunningham
Tactile Art - a creative way to see the world!
303 238 4760
ann at acunningham.com
http://www.acunningham.com
http://www.sensationalbooks.com
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
From: "Lynda Lambert" <llambert at zoominternet.net>
Date: Fri, February 07, 2014 6:03 am
To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
<artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
?
Hi Laurie,
So nice to see you here. I did not start this group though, I am
like you, I just came on to ask a question about something I needed to know
and was so glad to meet Ann who helped me with my question. I am furiously
working right now (oops, split that infinitive!) getting work done for the
opening of a two-person exhibition at a museum - the show is called _Vision
and Revision: Two artists with limited sight, not limited vision_ It is my
pottery and mixed-media fiber works, and a legally blind painter. It opens
one month from today, and if I stop to think about what else has to be done
yet, I'll get nervous. So, I won't do that, but just will keep on working on
the details. The show will appear at two locations this year and will have a
video that plays in the gallery with the art works, Braille labeling, and
artist's talks. I will even be teaching in the gallery one afternoon, for
the Women in the Arts course at Geneva College. That is where I taught when
I was a professor of fine arts and humanities, before I retired. I'll be
lecturing on the historical context of my work and where the ideas have come
from when creating it.
To make matters even more difficult, I am scheduled to speak at a
conference at Slippery Rock University of PA for two sessions, the day
before we hang our show. So, I have those presentations to be working on
every day now, too. I officially retired from teaching 5 1/2 years ago, but
I am still very much involved in everything but being in the classroom.
Here is my response to the question you have asked. The gap
between an artist and a crafter is like crossing the ocean, it is that wide.
Some basic things may be similar between the two, but most things are very
far apart philisophically.
Both work with the hands, and both love working with the hands and
most have done it all their life.
Both love the materials, and the handling of them, and the
satisfaction of the finished product that comes out of it.
While the crafter will usually be satisfied with beginning
something and knowing where the end will be, the artist begins with no
notion of where the end will be or even if it will be. the crafter has a
clearly defined path to the finished product. The artist has only some
inklings of possible outcomes, but has to find them as she works.
The other very big thing I see as a difference between them is
that the crafter has 'rules" to follow and seldom will ever deviate from
those rules, as they are set in stone in her mind. On the other hand, the
mature artist has learned that there are no rules at all. They may begin in
the early stages by learning techniques, but eventually with the years of
working, the light comes on in her brain when she discovers one day - she is
free of all rules when making art. Everything can be challenged, everything
can be changed, and everything is fair game, for the artist. Is there any
other profession in this world where there are no rules? It's the most
exhilerating feeling to know that there are absolutely no rules whatsoever
for me. Wow, makes me take a deep breath just to say it. Free, free, free,
at last!
Laurie, the biggest difference between art and a craft is where
the person eventually takes the techniques, I think.
A crafter seldom takes things to a different level but is usually
content to learn something then duplicate it endlessly, then moves on to
learn something else and does that again with it. The artist can take crafts
materials (which is what you and I both do) and techniques, and then take
them far beyond because they will combine their techniques and materials
with the imagination. If you can teach it, it is usually a craft. If you
cannot teach it, it is normally art. Art can begin by learning some
techniques, or using craft materials, but then the person begins to ask the
"what if" questions, and takes lots of risks, failures, and bends in the
road on the way to it becoming a work of art. It is a "mind set" that is
never satisfied with just the learning of something new, but one that
constantly questions, experiments, and never knows where the "end" will be,
or even if it will be. A "crafter" will never understand what I have just
said and will most likely be huffing and puffing and angry with it. An
"artist" is standing and applauding what I have said. It is that simple, and
that complex. The artist thrives on change and making new discoveries and
each work leads to other querstions and more change and more new
discoveries.
One can see the difference when you look at work in types of
environments. One will be setting at a craft show with a table full of
things that are basically all the same while the other will have work on
display in a gallery or museum. Each has decided where they "fit" and each
is very happy with where they are. They are different animals, with
different ideas, and different end results and outcomes. Each one has
decided their own path and each one is comfortable with the decision she has
made.
Lynda
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Laurie Porter
To: Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2014 7:26 PM
Subject: [Artists-making-art] arts or crafts new member
Hi Folks:
I?d like to introduce myself. I?m a blind person from wisconsin
who is a fledgling and budding beginner artist. my medium is beadwork. I
make pictures and tapestries out of tiny little seed beads sewn together
with thread. but most of my work is in making jewlry, but I have always
looked upon my beadwork as an art form.
so, I have a basic question. What is the difference between an
art and a craft? I do believe that all crafts are forms of art but are all
arts considered crafts? Thanks linda and all of you for getting this list
going as it is something I?ve always dreamed of seeing in our efforts to
bring blind people together who love to both create and appreciate the
visual arts.
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