Creative Community: A Need

This past weekend I had the very wonderful experience of seeing my sister read poems from her collection, MAMMAL ROOM.  It was an adventure, driving to Brooklyn and finding the funky little bar/bookshop, but I had my trusty navigator and fabulous friend, Monica, to help me out! Monica and I were fascinated by Kristen and the two other poets reading that night because, as visual artists, the poetry world was one we had not yet discovered.  It makes me happy to know there are these little pockets of poets and writers, a small community of creative people who make events like Triptych Readings happen!  It makes me happy to know that happens outside of the craft world. As part of my adventure to the big city, Monica took me to Brooklyn Metal Works, where she has a dedicated bench for making her jewels.  Right now, though, she is preparing new work for an upcoming show at the Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston.  We happily pushed cast parts and pieces around the table as we brainstormed and problem solved.  It was a bit like grad school again, only way more fun and with a better doughnut shop near by.

Seeing my sister read, spending time with Monica in the studio, and of course my visit to Contemporary Craft a few weeks ago has me longing for a creative community.  I did not realize how important that type of community is to me as a maker and artist because, until recently, I had not been without one.  I enjoy the energy and buzz of a studio; it encourages me to make.  I enjoy attending artist lectures and gallery openings; they encourage me to explore, read, and think critically.  And I enjoy speaking about and exhibiting my own work; it encourages me to connect with people I may not have otherwise.  Each of those points may only be scratching the surface of a larger issue for me because it is less about enjoying these aspects of community and more about needing them.  With that realization, finding a new community is something I am working toward.

In the mean time, I've been feeling like I needed to get my hands working on something new without my brain getting in the way.  A jump start project, RJM (Radical Jewelry Makeover) style, was in order!  I recombined components of a broken bracelet to create miniature pendants in gold with oxidized silver chains.  It was a good project for me: necklaces (or, not brooches), multiples (or, not just one piece), salable (or, not emotionally attached).  This may be expanded upon...but that is another post for another time.

If there is one thing I know for sure, it feels good to make, and I'm going to keep on doing it!

KLE

MAMMAL ROOM Cover!

Here it is, folks!  An update on MAMMAL ROOM, as promised!

"LOOOK!!!" was in the subject line of an email sent to me by my sister, Kristen, a few weeks ago.  What we were excited to see was a few potential designs for the cover of her debut collection of poems, MAMMAL ROOM.  Knowing about this has been one of those just-too-exciting bits of information that wants to bubble right out of me.  I'll admit, and my family will attest to it, I can be a bean spiller about these things.  But with the book sent off to the printer earlier this week, I can finally let it out!

The work my sister and I create takes different forms.  In some ways, though, I think it comes from similar places.  Kristen's words about my work have always pushed me forward with a reminder of why I make.  I can never seem to accurately articulate what or how I feel, but with every object I create, I come closer to representing, capturing, and evoking those emotions.  It feels incredibly special to have my lack of words support those that she has so carefully crafted.

I sincerely hope you take a look.

KLE

MAMMAL ROOM

My older sister, Kristen, is a reader and a writer.  To be specific, she is a poet.  Collaboration has been on our minds for years, but it wasn't until last February that it finally happened.  I picked her poem, Who Needs A Stomach Except To Be In Love With A Man, and made an object to accompany it.  Here's the exciting part: Kristen's collection of poems, MAMMAL ROOM, was selected to be published by SpringGun Press!  Another exciting part: she showed them an image of the piece I made in response to her poem and they are interested in using it!  It is all very much in the works right now, but I'll be sure to update with more exciting parts as I hear about them!  And if you're on Twitter, follow Kristen at @paperalphabet.

KLE