At the beginning of this year, I made myself a promise. It was time to stop compartmentalizing all of the various pieces of me and my work and to try and bring in all together into one integrated self. It was also time to put my personal artwork out into the world and not just keep it for myself.
This has been hard to do and there are still a few pieces I can't seem to jigsaw together (yet). It's coming though and I'm hopeful, inspired and excited. I did submit work to galleries and faced rejection. It hurt and I'm guessing rejection always will to some degree. I've made some big moves too. I relocated my studio and joined forces with an artist friend of mine in another studio venture. Change and integration are coming, slowly but surely.
This new collage that I have made is a HUGE step toward my integrated self and I am so proud of it that I can hardly stand it! It all started here, with this image. That image became this collage, which inspired this one of my sweetie pea, Einin. The first image is of me when I was pregant with her and this is her bright and shining face at 2 months old.
When the framer came by to drop it off today, I was giddy. This is absolutely the beginning of something new- a new direction for my work and I'm ecstatic about it.
"I love you to the moon -and back again"
I put all of my love for Einin into this collage and I can feel it vibrating back at me when I look at this.
This has been hard to do and there are still a few pieces I can't seem to jigsaw together (yet). It's coming though and I'm hopeful, inspired and excited. I did submit work to galleries and faced rejection. It hurt and I'm guessing rejection always will to some degree. I've made some big moves too. I relocated my studio and joined forces with an artist friend of mine in another studio venture. Change and integration are coming, slowly but surely.
This new collage that I have made is a HUGE step toward my integrated self and I am so proud of it that I can hardly stand it! It all started here, with this image. That image became this collage, which inspired this one of my sweetie pea, Einin. The first image is of me when I was pregant with her and this is her bright and shining face at 2 months old.
When the framer came by to drop it off today, I was giddy. This is absolutely the beginning of something new- a new direction for my work and I'm ecstatic about it.
"I love you to the moon -and back again"I put all of my love for Einin into this collage and I can feel it vibrating back at me when I look at this.
The birds are significant. Her name means little bird in Gaelic.
so true, so very true!
I can't wait to start on the next one! Thanks for following along with me on this journey. Your comments and feedback are so inspiring.
so true, so very true!I can't wait to start on the next one! Thanks for following along with me on this journey. Your comments and feedback are so inspiring.
Karen from Chookooloonks says:
Oh, Farrah. This is *stunning.*
(04.12.12 @ 11:11 PM)
Darcy says:
Your Integration pieces are absolutely amazing, beautiful and inspirational. Your words are very clear to me and the most wonderful reminder "to thine own self be true" (shakespeare). Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your work and inspiring me.
(05.08.12 @ 03:25 PM)
Darcy says:
Your Integration pieces are absolutely amazing, beautiful and inspirational. Your words are very clear to me and the most wonderful reminder "to thine own self be true" (shakespeare). Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your work and inspiring me.
(05.08.12 @ 03:26 PM)
It's becoming clearer...it's as if, with each little step, one more tiny cloud dissipates and my work becomes more ME.
I have been chasing this idea of integration for a year or more now. I wanted to stop compartmentalizing all of the different things that I do and try to blend them together into one. While everything may not truly become one thing, I do want the various parts to inspire each other and make what I do more cohesive and unique.
This piece was step one. I promised that when I had it completed, I would come back and show it off. Thanks for reading and following along with me. Your comments always make me so happy and inspire me to keep up with my chase.
the top left:
The top right:
I have been chasing this idea of integration for a year or more now. I wanted to stop compartmentalizing all of the different things that I do and try to blend them together into one. While everything may not truly become one thing, I do want the various parts to inspire each other and make what I do more cohesive and unique.
This piece was step one. I promised that when I had it completed, I would come back and show it off. Thanks for reading and following along with me. Your comments always make me so happy and inspire me to keep up with my chase.
the top left:
The top right:
I also made a companion piece to this one. It's a portrait of Einin done in the same style. I'll post that here as soon as I get it back from the framer. I'm not usually one to pat myself on the back but, I have to say, I love this piece and am so excited to share it with you.
What's next? I want to bring this work into my studio and offer to my clients. What do you think?
What's next? I want to bring this work into my studio and offer to my clients. What do you think?
Allison Rodgers says:
LOVE IT!!!!!! I've been wanting to do this for years... maybe this will push me. I know you had so much fun and you so treasure this. Can't wait to see the other piece! :) Allison
(04.02.12 @ 03:25 PM)
Christina says:
I've been seeing bits of this through instagram and have gotten more and more excited as it's progressed. I always loved your collage/printmaking work back in High School. This piece is wonderful! I think we all spend a lot of time trying to integrate our loves. It's sometimes awkward, and a bit scary but I think you've done a fabulous job. :)
(04.02.12 @ 03:57 PM)
Sharon Chandler says:
Just beautiful, Farrah! I think you have found it your place.
(04.02.12 @ 04:13 PM)
Kerin says:
Fantastic piece of art and love, Farrah! Thanks for sharing with us!
(04.02.12 @ 08:20 PM)
Alison Jefferies says:
I love it. So unique.
(04.02.12 @ 10:27 PM)
Tynan says:
beautiful farrah! do you still offer collage classes? i think i saw that you had in the past..
(04.03.12 @ 10:26 AM)
Danny and I have a new pet project called The Bird's Nest. It's an art space that we are sharing over at Winter Street Studios. The new space is all about art for art's sake. It's not about clients, expectations or selling. No, it's a place where we can work on art, get messy and experiment with new projects. There's isn't an internet hook up or a phone. There is, however, an awesome record player and a burgeoning collection of rad vinyl.
I'll be working on my quilting and sewing projects, collage and my fine art photography. Danny will be screen printing, painting and working on fine art photography. Together, we'll be mixing it all together and coming up with cool ways to collaborate.
We want to share our new space with you too! Check your calendars and save the date because we'll be having an open house at the new space on Saturday, February 11th. Winter Street Studios and Spring Street (where my photo studio is) have open houses every second Saturday. On those Saturdays, the artists open up their doors, show and sell their art work. Walking from space to space is a fun way to spend a few hours and a great way to support local Houston artists. We're in space B-12 at Winter Street. Come visit us and check out what we're doing. Look for the cool sliding iron door and, of course, listen for the high fidelity sounds from our new record player.
See you there!
(picture is of me at about 4 years old, taken by my Dad)
I'll be working on my quilting and sewing projects, collage and my fine art photography. Danny will be screen printing, painting and working on fine art photography. Together, we'll be mixing it all together and coming up with cool ways to collaborate.
We want to share our new space with you too! Check your calendars and save the date because we'll be having an open house at the new space on Saturday, February 11th. Winter Street Studios and Spring Street (where my photo studio is) have open houses every second Saturday. On those Saturdays, the artists open up their doors, show and sell their art work. Walking from space to space is a fun way to spend a few hours and a great way to support local Houston artists. We're in space B-12 at Winter Street. Come visit us and check out what we're doing. Look for the cool sliding iron door and, of course, listen for the high fidelity sounds from our new record player.
See you there!
(picture is of me at about 4 years old, taken by my Dad)
I made a promise to myself this year that I was going to put my art work out into the world. I also made a goal for myself that I was going to try and integrate my studio work with my art work. While it has been hard to put my art out there for people to pass judgment on, the second goal has actually been so much harder. Despite my efforts, I still feel split in two when it comes to my art.
The work that I do at my studio looks so much different than the collage work that I create. Recently I went to a photography workshop and, during a one-on-one with the instructor, she asked me about it. She said that she wished she could see more of my personal art work showing through in my studio portraits. I just looked at her, agreed, and said "but, how?".
So, that is the big question that I have been going back and forth with for a week or so now. How do I take the hand-crafted look that you see in my collages and merge it into my portraits? Can I take my handmade things and drawings and blend that into the work I make for clients? Truly, I don't know but I'm very inspired to try it out. My first experiment is with a maternity image of myself. I used some of my handmade items as props and photographed myself. The next step is going to be to collage onto the actual print that I made.
I am going to share my process with you from start to finish. I'm a little nervous about this because I have no idea if it will turn out like I hope it will. So, here goes, this was step one. I photographed myself and printed out the image. I used a quilt top that I made as the backdrop (the back of it actually) and these little crocheted flowers that I have been obsessively creating for the last couple of weeks. The next step is to draw, paint and collage on top of it and see what happens. OK, integration, here I come.
As always, your comments are very much appreciated. I love to hear what you guys are thinking. Thanks for following and reading!
The work that I do at my studio looks so much different than the collage work that I create. Recently I went to a photography workshop and, during a one-on-one with the instructor, she asked me about it. She said that she wished she could see more of my personal art work showing through in my studio portraits. I just looked at her, agreed, and said "but, how?".
So, that is the big question that I have been going back and forth with for a week or so now. How do I take the hand-crafted look that you see in my collages and merge it into my portraits? Can I take my handmade things and drawings and blend that into the work I make for clients? Truly, I don't know but I'm very inspired to try it out. My first experiment is with a maternity image of myself. I used some of my handmade items as props and photographed myself. The next step is going to be to collage onto the actual print that I made.
I am going to share my process with you from start to finish. I'm a little nervous about this because I have no idea if it will turn out like I hope it will. So, here goes, this was step one. I photographed myself and printed out the image. I used a quilt top that I made as the backdrop (the back of it actually) and these little crocheted flowers that I have been obsessively creating for the last couple of weeks. The next step is to draw, paint and collage on top of it and see what happens. OK, integration, here I come.
As always, your comments are very much appreciated. I love to hear what you guys are thinking. Thanks for following and reading!
Monica Danna says:
I think this is fantastic. I've always felt that knowing the influences and passions of my favorite artists and photographers, makes me more interested in the work they do.
(09.12.11 @ 05:39 PM)
Alison Jefferies says:
Looks neat!
(09.12.11 @ 05:42 PM)
Julie says:
Farrah: this picture is simply beautiful. I can't wait to see what you do next. Your such an inspiration!
(09.12.11 @ 05:43 PM)
Kerin Mayne says:
Wow. I love it! I'm looking forward to seeing the next step!
(09.12.11 @ 06:17 PM)
Rachel says:
Ahhhh I love this photo of you!!! Oh my goodness, so perfect I cannot wait to see what comes next!
(09.12.11 @ 07:42 PM)
Jenny says:
Love this. Keep going, you are on the right track.
(09.12.11 @ 09:16 PM)
Lea Ciceraro says:
Lovvvvve it!!! Run with it! It's amazing! The photo has such depth and perfect colors. The light and dark on your body is spot on. The unique handcraftedness (is that a word!? haha!) of each item is beautiful. Nice work.
(09.13.11 @ 10:02 AM)
Sarah Vasquez says:
Go get 'em, girl! This photo is beautiful and will make a lovely starting point for whatever journey your creativity decides to take. Can't wait to see what you do with it!
(09.14.11 @ 08:00 PM)
Rima Berzin says:
It is a great goal you have set out to accomplish. Here it so wonderfully fits with the image,I love the gesture in this photo and the crop. Your open hand the hand touching baby and the "falling flowers" like petal raindrops. It is so beautiful.
p.s. just finished listening to your talk on joy of marketing. It was great and inspiring. Off o find some babies - and moms. The very best of luck on your next little one.
Rima
(10.06.11 @ 03:52 PM)
I've been seriously MIA to be exact. I haven't blogged in almost an entire month! It seems like ever since we returned from California, I've been swamped. When I'm not busy, I'm distracted. When I'm not distracted, I'm miserably hot and not sleeping well. On most days, I have that overwhelming feeling of not knowing where to start. Lastnight (while being awake for almost 2 hours in the middle of the night) I promised myself I would blog today!
While en route to California, you all know that I discovered Instagram and fell, well instantly, in love. If only they would make an action set for Photoshop and let you save full res images, but I am digressing...While I was away, I took pictures of the Pacific whenever I could and created a little Insta-set of ocean images. Today I grabbed some of my favorites and made a collage of them. Even better, I added a limited edition of this print to my Etsy shop! It measure 18"x12" and looks like this (the final print does not have my logo on it by the way). It's printed onto a lightly textured, matte watercolor paper.
Whenever I get off track and start floundering, I just have to thrust myself back into my routines and it tends to be the best medicine. Making art is one of the very best things for my head. So, despite my restless night, I am happy to be making some new art today and to be here blogging about it. Hi friends, I missed you.
While en route to California, you all know that I discovered Instagram and fell, well instantly, in love. If only they would make an action set for Photoshop and let you save full res images, but I am digressing...While I was away, I took pictures of the Pacific whenever I could and created a little Insta-set of ocean images. Today I grabbed some of my favorites and made a collage of them. Even better, I added a limited edition of this print to my Etsy shop! It measure 18"x12" and looks like this (the final print does not have my logo on it by the way). It's printed onto a lightly textured, matte watercolor paper.
Whenever I get off track and start floundering, I just have to thrust myself back into my routines and it tends to be the best medicine. Making art is one of the very best things for my head. So, despite my restless night, I am happy to be making some new art today and to be here blogging about it. Hi friends, I missed you.
I also added created single enlargements from my Insta-set and am going to make some card sets too. That will be posted later next week when they are ready. I also added this image to my Etsy shop because it so perfectly illustrates how I'm feeling at the moment.
I've been thinking about Santa Barbara a lot too. I really need to remove SB from my iPhone weather app because seeing that it is 59 degrees there right now while it's 93 here is just plain depressing. I did go through my images from our trip again and found a few little gems that never got posted.
This next one of Sayer is just pure joy. He was waiting for the jet of water to spray out. It would spray and he and Finn would run away screaming only to come back and wait for it again. Simple pleasures...
This is the trail leading from Knapp's Castle. I think I blogged about Knapp's a few summers ago...I'm going to need to check on that because it's a very cool place. I just love how this trail bends around and send you through this little cave of trees and out into the great wide open on the other side.
I've been thinking about Santa Barbara a lot too. I really need to remove SB from my iPhone weather app because seeing that it is 59 degrees there right now while it's 93 here is just plain depressing. I did go through my images from our trip again and found a few little gems that never got posted.This next one of Sayer is just pure joy. He was waiting for the jet of water to spray out. It would spray and he and Finn would run away screaming only to come back and wait for it again. Simple pleasures...This is the trail leading from Knapp's Castle. I think I blogged about Knapp's a few summers ago...I'm going to need to check on that because it's a very cool place. I just love how this trail bends around and send you through this little cave of trees and out into the great wide open on the other side.
Rachel Lillie says:
so glad to have another post, I love the pictures of Sayer. He just steals my heart
(09.06.11 @ 09:25 AM)