Artists, serious artists do not choose to be so, they have to be. As much as I would love to romanticize it, I can't. I knew I was an artist when I was forced to do other things (still am) but wake up with that hunger to create. Life gets in the way most of the time, money is always an issue, one cannot just wake up with a finished piece or even a concept and it can take a long time before anything really happens. It's a constant struggle and very little positive outcome. I tend to laugh when I hear art students talk of getting a Brooklyn apartment with 8 other people and how cool it will be to just get a shitty job and make art all day long. I laugh because I thought that at one time. We all do. Then reality sets in. Many people end up getting teaching degrees leaving no time to make art, or get so involved in having to make money to survive, that it takes time away from art making as well. I am there. I know what that is like!
The other problem is that making art and doing something with the final product are almost 2 entirely separate entities. Galleries are businesses. They are out to make money. They are only interested in what the clients are interested in. Most of the clients don't even know what art is so they look to the gallery owner for advice. Gallery owners are not always rich with art history knowledge just what the trends are. Many of them are only interested in the numbers or how to help clients match wall colors.
Having said that, one can't fault them for that - that is their goal....and once in awhile there may be one that is genuinely interested in promoting art of all kinds. Generally, though, those are the university galleries and some museums.
However, when it gets so bad that galleries have to look to gimmicks, then I throw my hands up and just step away from the whole scene.... Case in point -
http://www.tillamookcheddar.com
I have a turtle now (along with my dog and 2 cats) and if I put Romaine lettuce on the canvas with some water, maybe he can make some leaf imprints......
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Residency in March!!
I was just offered an artist residency for next March of which I accepted. The East End Arts Council asked me to teach a 2-day workshop on acrylic image transfers that we hope will run. After the coordinator and I spoke about it, she went to my website and fell in love with my work and called me back offering a week-long residency. The Council gives me an apartment and I have a week to print in their brand new darkroom, paint in their painting studio, have a mini exhibit at the end of the week along with an artist talk! The only downfall is that I don't get a stipend but if the workshop runs, I get paid well enough that will cover the time I will take off work. Either way, it is an AWESOME opportunity! I am so excited!!!!
Monday, November 2, 2009
New image
I make no apologies for the fact that I love romantic, mythological imagery. This might be boring for the contemporary art world but it makes me happy.
Since it's nude, I will just include the link to it that apparently, you must copy and paste because the "link" option is not working:
http://www.annmarietornabene.net/miscellany/satyrnymph.jpg
Since it's nude, I will just include the link to it that apparently, you must copy and paste because the "link" option is not working:
http://www.annmarietornabene.net/miscellany/satyrnymph.jpg
Monday, October 19, 2009
Childhood memories of cameras
I was on Facebook earlier and ICP (International Center of Photography) asked of its members "what was your first camera?" I wrote that when I was about 10 years old, I used a Kodak 110 camera and remember getting film for it at the local film shop. I remember complaining then how small the negatives were. I also remember a Polaroid at that time and then somewhere down the line I had a 35mm plastic camera with a manual rewind. I remember that rewind well because I couldn't figure out what direction I had to wind it and so, again, I asked the local film shop for help - which direction to rotate the crank and was frustrated with it.
In the 7th grade, I took my first photography course. I was terrified and intimidated of the twin-lens reflex that we used (I think it was a Yashica) and worse - the analog light meter that, to this day, I could never understand (Thank goodness for digital meters!). I remember the teacher not being much help either and after some other art and music classes, I set photography aside for awhile until I graduated high school...
But then, when I picked up my next first camera - the Pentax K2 for the first time when I was 21 years old, I was in love.
In the 7th grade, I took my first photography course. I was terrified and intimidated of the twin-lens reflex that we used (I think it was a Yashica) and worse - the analog light meter that, to this day, I could never understand (Thank goodness for digital meters!). I remember the teacher not being much help either and after some other art and music classes, I set photography aside for awhile until I graduated high school...
But then, when I picked up my next first camera - the Pentax K2 for the first time when I was 21 years old, I was in love.
Monday, September 14, 2009
2009
Before I copy and paste the post I have here, I want to let those of you know that I WILL be updating my website as soon as I purchase the new version of Adobe Dreamweaver. That should happen in about a month or so. My apologies but money has been tighter than usual as of late.
Onto the post:
Only a few months left until it is over and I am hearing a lot of people talking about it. It's definitely been an important year for me - I didn't say good or bad, I said important.
- I turned 40 years old. I don't look nor act it which I sometimes think is good, though I sort of feel like I need to be making a lot more money than I am. A 40 year old is supposed to be financially independent to some extent, shouldn't she?
- On that note, I can't help but wonder what would happen if, God forbid, The Husband couldn't work anymore, of is he goes before I do. I certainly could not take on the financial burden of a house in my current economic state. His response to that is that he is going to live forever. I do love that man.
- I've lost almost 100 pounds. That is a change all on its own. yes, I have more energy. Yes, I can fit into smaller sized clothing, which in itself is good because I have cuter options. I still don't get it though. I look in the mirror and I have no idea WHO I am looking at most of the time.
- The Weight Loss has affected my art positively. No longer is my work about society's idea of beauty, and body image. I have been able to move on from that topic since I feel it is somewhat resolved (I mean in my work).
- This was THE year that The Husband and I went in circles over the idea of having a child. It was probably one of the more important decisions we've had to make. Without getting into the whole reason, we've decided it best to just have our four-legged ones and not introduce another human into this world.
- And most recently, the death of my father. That change is still happening. I think back on my father though and have made some realizations.I guess I will just have to wait and see how much of his death changes the course of my life, if at all.
These days have left me with a feeling of malaise. I don't have the desire to do a whole lot outside of work and housework, which are obligations. I wouldn't go as far to say it's depression, but there is definitely a drained feeling. The one thing that makes me feel alive is the Autumn season coming upon us. It is my favorite time of year. I love the smell of the leaves, the early morning sun and the crisp coolness in the air. I also have to mention the love of not having the neighborhood children around as they go back to school!
I hope to return to the body of work in progress shortly. In the meantime, I have a title for the series - "We're Not in Wonderland Anymore".
Onto the post:
Only a few months left until it is over and I am hearing a lot of people talking about it. It's definitely been an important year for me - I didn't say good or bad, I said important.
- I turned 40 years old. I don't look nor act it which I sometimes think is good, though I sort of feel like I need to be making a lot more money than I am. A 40 year old is supposed to be financially independent to some extent, shouldn't she?
- On that note, I can't help but wonder what would happen if, God forbid, The Husband couldn't work anymore, of is he goes before I do. I certainly could not take on the financial burden of a house in my current economic state. His response to that is that he is going to live forever. I do love that man.
- I've lost almost 100 pounds. That is a change all on its own. yes, I have more energy. Yes, I can fit into smaller sized clothing, which in itself is good because I have cuter options. I still don't get it though. I look in the mirror and I have no idea WHO I am looking at most of the time.
- The Weight Loss has affected my art positively. No longer is my work about society's idea of beauty, and body image. I have been able to move on from that topic since I feel it is somewhat resolved (I mean in my work).
- This was THE year that The Husband and I went in circles over the idea of having a child. It was probably one of the more important decisions we've had to make. Without getting into the whole reason, we've decided it best to just have our four-legged ones and not introduce another human into this world.
- And most recently, the death of my father. That change is still happening. I think back on my father though and have made some realizations.I guess I will just have to wait and see how much of his death changes the course of my life, if at all.
These days have left me with a feeling of malaise. I don't have the desire to do a whole lot outside of work and housework, which are obligations. I wouldn't go as far to say it's depression, but there is definitely a drained feeling. The one thing that makes me feel alive is the Autumn season coming upon us. It is my favorite time of year. I love the smell of the leaves, the early morning sun and the crisp coolness in the air. I also have to mention the love of not having the neighborhood children around as they go back to school!
I hope to return to the body of work in progress shortly. In the meantime, I have a title for the series - "We're Not in Wonderland Anymore".
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Nicholas Tornabene - R.I.P.
My father has passed away. He had been ill for quite some time. Well, he's been tormented all of his 72 years...He was physically abused, verbally abused and suffered with paranoid schizophrenia. He tried to be a father to the 3 of us, but wasn't truly capable of that. I didn't have much of a relationship with him, though I wish I had. He had an artistic side that was never nurtured. He did have kindness in him and I know my love for animals came from him.
He died in his sleep, though I don't believe it was peaceful. He was peaceful, however, when I saw him in the casket and I know he was at peace when he was laid to rest in the cemetery. While the priest was reciting the last prayers there, a strong breeze overcame us. I truly believe it was caused by the great wingspan of the angels flying over to collect his spirit and take him up to the Heavens.
I honestly didn't think his death was going to affect me as it has but it made me realize that deep inside, I did have love for this man.
Daddy, you can now be at peace.
He died in his sleep, though I don't believe it was peaceful. He was peaceful, however, when I saw him in the casket and I know he was at peace when he was laid to rest in the cemetery. While the priest was reciting the last prayers there, a strong breeze overcame us. I truly believe it was caused by the great wingspan of the angels flying over to collect his spirit and take him up to the Heavens.
I honestly didn't think his death was going to affect me as it has but it made me realize that deep inside, I did have love for this man.
Daddy, you can now be at peace.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
the whole world
Of course I realize that some of these new images seem goofy in theme. I don't really care. Honestly, there should be some amusing elements. "The Frog Prince" was a perfect example and perhaps, this new one is as well:
This weekend, I will be making my way to Coney Island. I doubt I will be looked at twice in my get-up and maybe that is a good thing. I don't fit in but no one cares either....In any event, I just hope the weather gets a little cooler. I just want Summer over.
This weekend, I will be making my way to Coney Island. I doubt I will be looked at twice in my get-up and maybe that is a good thing. I don't fit in but no one cares either....In any event, I just hope the weather gets a little cooler. I just want Summer over.
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