Friday, November 29, 2013

Christmas Traditions Update


I had a blast today at Christmas Traditions event but quickly discovered that I'd grossly underestimated the scope of the event and how many trading cards I would need.  I have already distributed 300 (in a span of less than 2 hours) and am now printing more.  Just... wow!

In response I still plan to participate on as many days as I can like I first hoped to, but I will only remain until I run out of cards for the day.  So if you want to try to catch me there that would be awesome but I may arrive later and leave earlier than the festivities run.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Thank You!


Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you for following my blog.  I appreciate all of your support, dedication and interest to what I am doing in my art.  I am so very grateful to have so many opportunities to explore possibility, redefine media and push boundaries through my work.

In regards to pushing boundaries, I will be further blurring distinctions between actor & audience by participating as an unsanctioned performer in the historic St. Charles, Missouri holiday Christmas Traditions event, which opens tomorrow.  The 2013 event includes 30 actors & actresses costumed as holiday characters, performing skits and handing out trading cards featuring their likenesses.  (Audience-members of all ages strive to collect a complete set every year.)

During the event I will publicly appear as “The Victorian” Mystery Holiday Guest, handing out “BONUS” trading cards asking, “Who is ‘The Victorian’ Mystery Holiday Guest?... Is she a Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, or Future; an Angel bestowing blessings; a disenchanted Elf Escapee from Santa’s workshop; or a Wild Card Maverick out to wreak some winter mischief?” answering simply, “Nobody really knows."

Feel free to learn more about Christmas Traditions on the web page here.  The event runs from Nov. 29 - Dec. 24 on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays with actors & actresses wandering the streets and engaging in scheduled performances.  I plan to attend as many days as my schedule permits, weather-dependent.

http://www.historicstcharles.com/things-to-do/christmas-traditions/

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Open House

Thank you to everyone who came out for my open house.  I had a wonderful weekend and am so glad you could share it with me.  I now have a new Facebook page for 2ndStory Space.  I will be posting events and pictures there as well as the blog and web page.
https://www.facebook.com/2ndstoryspace

If you didn't make it out but want to see the space, please feel free to check in with me and I'll gladly offer a tour.  And while you're in Maplewood you can even drop by Sunflower Massage Studio and check out my current Little Black Dress show!

Little Black Dress
solo exhibit
hours by appointment only
Sunflower Massage Studio
2104 Bellevue Ave.
Maplewood, MO
Nov. 5 - Dec. 20, 2013

Friday, November 22, 2013

2ndStory Space

Third times a charm!  This is my last post to announce my big open house event at my new 2ndStory Space artist studio, coming up this weekend.  I've also created a new blog for the studio; please feel free to check it out here.
http://2ndstoryspace.blogspot.com/

!!! STUDIO OPENING !!!
Informal Friends & Family Open House
Sat., Nov. 23 & Sun., Nov. 24, 2013
12 - 6 PM, drop by anytime
No RSVP required.

Jennifer Weigel Art Studios
2ndStory Space
2173 A S. Big Bend
Maplewood, MO 63117
Above Paramount Hair Salon
314/ 954 - 9247

Please stop by and check it out.
Light refreshments will be served (including hot beverages).

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Journeying On

"Life is a journey, not a destination."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Creativity is also very much a journey.  Sometimes you can't tell where it will take you.  Although I am not a particularly process-driven artist from a media standpoint, I approach my conceptual art as a process.  I don't always know where an idea will take me or what concepts I will find myself wanting to explore.  I try to be fluid and not judge what I want to say before I've had a chance to express it.  In fact, some of my strongest ideas go against what is traditionally celebrated and presented as art, offering alternative perceptions into what art is and can be that would never have occurred to me if I hadn't been willing to see where those ideas led.

In this practice, I don't tend to self-censor well.  Sure, I make artworks that I consider better or worse than others.  But I also recognize that my judgment of what is "good" isn't always reflective of everyone, as is evidenced by how many works I've sold that I'd thought were sub-par.  And I don't tend to stop myself from trying something before I start because I question the integrity of the idea as to whether or not it is "good".  Going with the flow can be a benefit, and can take me to places I wouldn't otherwise have gotten to.

It can get me into trouble too, though, in both my art and my life.  Being so journey-driven and not apt to focus can leave me at the mercy of the ride, where I find myself a passenger and not the driver.  I struggle with being scattered and disjointed, running all over the board but not really getting anywhere.  I can't always describe how I've gotten to where I am, or even where I've been, which makes it difficult to relate to others.

So the journey can be lonely & isolating - I often feel adrift & misunderstood, and I struggle with censorship by others.  Because I don't self-censor well to question what is and isn't appropriate, I open myself up to harsh judgment & criticism, even bullying and ostracization.  When confronted with things that rattle their cages, push the envelope & reevaluate taboos, some people can become outright vile, especially online where there is a sense of anonymity.  Again, I am at the mercy of the ride.

We live in a very goal-oriented world and people don't always know what to make of someone who doesn't fit into this.  So it can also limit others' perceptions of what I can accomplish.  Not having a specific focus is too often equated with a lack of drive, poor self-discipline, laziness...  Lacking a sense of destination can limit what I am capable of because the expectation is lower, inhibiting opportunity.  And even if expectations aren't lowered, it's easier for others to follow along when you have a specific end in sight.

But it is possible to embrace the journey and still have drive & passion about what you are doing.  Hyperfocus isn't all good - being too goal-oriented can mean not even being aware that there are roses along the way to stop and smell.  Neither extreme is ideal, and I know I need to strike a better balance between the two so I feel more in charge of the trip.  I guess it would help if I had a better sense of where I wanted to go, though.  Many of the common goals presented to me (money, fame, etc.) just don't hold that much appeal...

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Studio Opening

It's almost that magical time...

!!! STUDIO OPENING !!!
Informal Friends & Family Open House
Sat., Nov. 23 & Sun., Nov. 24, 2013
12 - 6 PM both days, drop by anytime
No RSVP required.

Jennifer Weigel Artist Studio
2ndStory Space
2173 A S. Big Bend
Maplewood, MO 63117
Above Paramount Hair Salon
314/ 954 - 9247

Please stop by and check it out.
Light refreshments will be served.
My art is installed throughout the space.
Claude offers up a hearty welcome to the living room.
And Barbie has taken over the bathroom!


Sunday, November 10, 2013

From the Other Side


I couldn't attend my friend Aunia Kahn's grand opening reception for her new Alexi Era gallery in person because I was visiting another friend Jackie Weatherly out of town over Veteran's Day.  So Chuck & I arranged for me to Facetime in via i-Phone.  I decided to Dress for the Occasion as though I was calling in "from the other side" so to speak, complete with Dia de los Muertos temporary tattoos.

Friday, November 8, 2013

2ndStory Space Is Coming!


BIG NEWS!!!  It's official!  I have my own studio space!  I have been setting up my 2ndStory Space studio in Maplewood over the course of more than a month now, and I just got my business license today!

2ndStory Space is more than just my art studio: it's a place where I hope to invite others to share in discussion and create an open forum for thought-provoking conversation.  There is a library of art & other books; an entertainment center to watch art videos & movies about art; supply swap shelves; a dining room forum for open discussions, critique groups; and more.

With 2ndStory Space, I am also offering Creative Clarification Coaching to provide individual consulting services to artists who want help with articulating what they do.  Such services include writing assistance & proofreading, critiques, one-on-one attention, studio visits, small format group presentations & workshops, and more.  Please feel free to learn more on the web page here.
http://jenniferweigelcoaching.com/

2ndStory Space will host an informal open house the weekend before Thanksgiving, Saturday, Nov. 23 & Sunday, Nov. 24, with an official grand opening in January, after the holidays.  More details will be forthcoming.  Claude is even coming out of retirement to welcome everyone!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Sunflower Massage Studio


The Little Black Dress show at Sunflower Massage Studio is officially underway.  Please feel free to drop by the blog for more information and stop in and see the show (remember: there's no formal reception, just call ahead to let them know you're coming).

Friday, November 1, 2013

This Week


I have several things coming up this week.  Little Black Dress will continue with a show at Sunflower Massage Studio in Maplewood in November & December.  This show won't have a formal reception but as an added perk anyone who goes can enter a drawing to win a $40 gift certificate!  So please drop by, check it out, and enter for a chance to win.

Little Black Dress
solo exhibit
hours by appointment only
Sunflower Massage Studio
2104 Bellevue Ave.
Maplewood, MO
Nov. 5 - Dec. 20, 2013

I am also participating in a couple of holiday Gift of Art shows in Columbia & Jefferson City.

Give the Gift of Art
Capital Arts
1203 Missouri Blvd.
Jefferson City, MO
Nov. - Dec. 2013
Reception: Sunday, Nov. 3, 1 - 4 PM

Give a Gift of Art
members' holiday show
Columbia Art League
207 S. Ninth St.
Columbia, MO
Nov. - Dec. 2013
Reception: Thursday, Nov. 7,  6 - 8 PM