On Friday, I co-facilitated training for frontline staff working with autism. One of the things I came across through being recommended by my collegues on the challenging behaviour team was this video made by Amanda Baggs. Amanda has autism, and made this video to communicate how she feels about the way she can be viewed.
Its amazing, and made me cry at the end.
If you are watching it, bear with it. The first part of the film will initially be strange, perhaps you might find it amusing, or difficult to watch. But the second half of this film simply MUST be watched in the context of the first section. There is not much more I can say, as the film says it all in a way much better than I ever could. But if anyone ever doubts why I do the work i do, watch this film. Or just watch it anyway.
ITS IMPORTANT
Sunday, 18 November 2007
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Validation
Had the best kind of validation of my artwork today.....
Michelle spoke to me about the effect seeing my exhibition has had on members of the groups she runs. The first one came with one woman who told her she was inspired to create something similar to "white noise" as she had been so interested in it. The second was a woman who apparently was really struck by the 2 paintings entitled "Dissociative Episode", both the paintings themselves and the titles.
It particular woman has had a label put on her of having a dissociative disorder, to it is easy to see why my work resonated with her! Apparently, the woman was never terribly expressive in her art therapy sessions, doing lots of glass painting and making cards. Her art therapist told Michelle of the change in her since she saw my work. She spoke about the two paintings at length, and then went on to create lots of free and expressive paintings that explored her personal stuff.
WHAT AN AMAZING FEELING!! There has been loads of artists work in the past that have inspired me or made me admire them, but to think that I have done the same thing for other people? To be on the other side of this? They are not feelings that can easily be put into words, but is an incredible validation. All I ever wanted was to move someone with my work, to provoke strong emotions, rather than just have them think my work "pretty". And I have done it.
I HAVE DONE IT! The painting bug is now well and truely alive! And its all down to what happened at the beginning of the year. I had to really look hard at myself and work to create a life I wanted.
Its happening......
Michelle spoke to me about the effect seeing my exhibition has had on members of the groups she runs. The first one came with one woman who told her she was inspired to create something similar to "white noise" as she had been so interested in it. The second was a woman who apparently was really struck by the 2 paintings entitled "Dissociative Episode", both the paintings themselves and the titles.
It particular woman has had a label put on her of having a dissociative disorder, to it is easy to see why my work resonated with her! Apparently, the woman was never terribly expressive in her art therapy sessions, doing lots of glass painting and making cards. Her art therapist told Michelle of the change in her since she saw my work. She spoke about the two paintings at length, and then went on to create lots of free and expressive paintings that explored her personal stuff.
WHAT AN AMAZING FEELING!! There has been loads of artists work in the past that have inspired me or made me admire them, but to think that I have done the same thing for other people? To be on the other side of this? They are not feelings that can easily be put into words, but is an incredible validation. All I ever wanted was to move someone with my work, to provoke strong emotions, rather than just have them think my work "pretty". And I have done it.
I HAVE DONE IT! The painting bug is now well and truely alive! And its all down to what happened at the beginning of the year. I had to really look hard at myself and work to create a life I wanted.
Its happening......
Rising Star.....
Got into the studio today and Lucy came straight up to me. She told me that Nick had phoned first thing as he wanted to thank me for the success of the Making It Up workshop. He was apparently thrilled it had gone so well and wanted to thank me in person, so I was a bit sad I missed the call!
But then Lucy said this to me.......
"Your star is rising Karen! Its so great to see, and you are amazing!!
What a fantastic thing to hear, and coming from someone who I admire and think is fab, even better!
But then Lucy said this to me.......
"Your star is rising Karen! Its so great to see, and you are amazing!!
What a fantastic thing to hear, and coming from someone who I admire and think is fab, even better!
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
Made it up
WHAT A BUZZ!!!
The workshop went fantastically! We were at capacity, and were well supported by members from the studio, which meant a great deal to me. Have been in the studio today, and have had lots of positive feedback, which, on the back of all the positive feedback from the exhibition feels wonderful!!
Had a really nice moment with many when we were coming out of the Arnolfini after the workshop had finished. We were laden up with stuff, and you could see people looking at us, thinking "ooooo, they must be artists!" We laughed at it at first, and then we both agreed that that IS what we are! The "artist" label that I have struggled with achieving and then using to describe myself is sitting easier and easier these days......
The workshop went fantastically! We were at capacity, and were well supported by members from the studio, which meant a great deal to me. Have been in the studio today, and have had lots of positive feedback, which, on the back of all the positive feedback from the exhibition feels wonderful!!
Had a really nice moment with many when we were coming out of the Arnolfini after the workshop had finished. We were laden up with stuff, and you could see people looking at us, thinking "ooooo, they must be artists!" We laughed at it at first, and then we both agreed that that IS what we are! The "artist" label that I have struggled with achieving and then using to describe myself is sitting easier and easier these days......
Post Exhibition Musings
We took the exhibition down on Sunday. It was weird, it came down so quickly, and then it was all over. Felt a bit sad I guess. The exhibition had been such a massive part of my life (if only for a month!) and it felt like the gallery was not my territory anymore once the walls were blank and empty again..... I feel i need to keep my connection with the gallery though, as who knows where it could lead me in the future.
Overall, the exhibition was a MASSIVE success. I ended up selling 11 pieces, the best sale being to a stranger who ended up buying not one but TWO paintings. That always feels like major validation when your work is appreciated on its merit alone. I also had my 15 minutes of fame with lots of local press coverage. Apparently my interview was broadcast on Star radio (althought, thankfully, I never heard it!) and this picture appeared in the Weston mercury with a write up.
SO am now wondering where the next exhibition opportunities and sales will come from, and what direction my work will take now..... literally watch this space! And I must remember to put together my visitors book/scrapbook.....
Overall, the exhibition was a MASSIVE success. I ended up selling 11 pieces, the best sale being to a stranger who ended up buying not one but TWO paintings. That always feels like major validation when your work is appreciated on its merit alone. I also had my 15 minutes of fame with lots of local press coverage. Apparently my interview was broadcast on Star radio (althought, thankfully, I never heard it!) and this picture appeared in the Weston mercury with a write up.
SO am now wondering where the next exhibition opportunities and sales will come from, and what direction my work will take now..... literally watch this space! And I must remember to put together my visitors book/scrapbook.....
And where to start? With a Wedding?
As I said, these last few months have been huge! Some major events have happened, and I guess I am only just beginning to reflect on them. So what better place to reflect than here?!
Mums wedding took place on Thursday 25th of October. I must admit that I had lots of mixed feelings leading up to the wedding, not because I don't like Phil, but just because I was experiencing lots of stirred up emotion connected with my Daddy..... but thats another story and one that I won't go into here as the emotion is private. But put it this way, i managed to exorcise a lot of this feeling the night before with a large glass of vodka!
And then the day came..... and it was wonderful. I thought Mum looked beautiful and radiant, and all the photos show just how happy she is! I thought I was going to lose it during the music when the West Side Story track was played, and I did a little, but managed to hold it together enough to do my reading, which, again was lovely and very emotional.
You are my husband
You are my wife
My feet shall run because of you
My feet shall dance because of you
My heart shall beat because of you
My eyes see because of you
My mind thinks because of you
And I shall love because of you.
The day proved to be cathartic in terms of welcoming Phil into the family. I think he is great, but it has also been a period of adjustment having someone new around.
I also managed to do a speech at the reception, where I was able to say all of these things too. It felt good.
And here are a few of my favourite snaps from the day......
Mums wedding took place on Thursday 25th of October. I must admit that I had lots of mixed feelings leading up to the wedding, not because I don't like Phil, but just because I was experiencing lots of stirred up emotion connected with my Daddy..... but thats another story and one that I won't go into here as the emotion is private. But put it this way, i managed to exorcise a lot of this feeling the night before with a large glass of vodka!
And then the day came..... and it was wonderful. I thought Mum looked beautiful and radiant, and all the photos show just how happy she is! I thought I was going to lose it during the music when the West Side Story track was played, and I did a little, but managed to hold it together enough to do my reading, which, again was lovely and very emotional.
You are my husband
You are my wife
My feet shall run because of you
My feet shall dance because of you
My heart shall beat because of you
My eyes see because of you
My mind thinks because of you
And I shall love because of you.
The day proved to be cathartic in terms of welcoming Phil into the family. I think he is great, but it has also been a period of adjustment having someone new around.
I also managed to do a speech at the reception, where I was able to say all of these things too. It felt good.
And here are a few of my favourite snaps from the day......
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
