Paint supplies crush

I would totally try to eat this if I were two years old.

You might remember I showed two assemblages in Fraker/Scott Gallery's ICON group show last summer. Although I didn't sell the pieces, I did win a prize -- whoo-hoo! -- a gift certificate to buy all the Golden artist supplies I could get for $100. Guess whose presents came in the mail yesterday?!

When I won the prize, the gallery owners said they wanted to encourage me to keep making art, and to try new ideas.

So I bought several paints I'd seen before, but for which I didn't have a specific project in mind.

I also picked up some coarse pumice gel and gesso, but I think I'll exchange those for regular gel medium (matte) and extra-coarse pumice gel.

Now I want to crunch it between my teeth like hard candy. If you've read this far, I bet you do too.

The extra-coarse pumice gel could really enhance the cave-effect I'm going for in my work. And the regular gel medium I use as a barrier coat on paper, as well as glue for said paper.  Aaaaghghhh! I'm so excited I can barely think straight.

How are you using your own supplies right now? If you use acrylics, what are you using and how? Tell me in the comments or on Facebook. I'm on Pinterest now too: share your boards with me!

Ideas and supplies

Yeah, it's just a glass in a cigar box now. But it's part of the idea stew that's bubbling in my head for the next assemblage. Actually, ideas for my next two assemblages. Aaarrghh...  I do not have the brain capacity AND time for this! [impatient huff] What, I should write the ideas down for each piece as I go? Well, that's just crazy talk. Meanwhile...

... scores for Clarissa Callesen's class at Artfest! Doll chair from Goodwill (which clearly needs a bit of weathering. Too shiny!). Stripey fabric on a clearance table at Pacific Fabrics. I so hope this'll work for the steampunk dolls we'll make.

So many ideas!

"Curated" vs. "selected"

When did the word "curated" become a thing?

I get using the word "curated" to mean "carefully selected," as used by The Jealous Curator. As the sub-title says, it's "a collection of artwork that inspires and depresses me. I know it's good when I'm left thinking DAMN I WISH I THOUGHT OF THAT." But now I'm seeing "curated" on 'membership only' style e-commerce sites.

Yes, the items on these sites are quite attractive, often well-designed, and some are actual art pieces. But come on. Does "curated" really belong on a sales site? What, is "selected" too understandable by the unwashed masses? I'm not the only one asking this question.

Call me literal, but  I think "curated" implies a certain level of artistic training and academic research into the subject. (The Jealous Curator has a BFA and a design diploma, plus several years' experience as a designer and creative director.) Yes, you can earn a degree in marketing and become an expert. I get that.

But it's as if some of the e-commerce sites are trying to convince me marketing items that might be discussed in an art history class is the same as teaching an art history class.

I don't like being manipulated (well, overtly manipulated anyway). Yes, these sites are interesting. But they're not so rare and unique that it's worth begging for an invitation to shop there. [eye-roll] I have to beg to offer you my money? Really?

EDIT: I can think of a couple of e-commerce sites, like Artful Home, for which "curating" makes sense because they're mostly about art and design. But the rest of it? "Our products are Art because we're selling them at such a high price we've decided to call them 'investment pieces.' "

What do you think about "curated" sites? Tell me in the comments or on Facebook.