TAMMY VITALE

Blog

SUBSCRIBE

Get my latest blog posts delivered direcly to your inbox.

Torso - Siren



Siren, one of a kind, ceramic wall torso/sculpture, 25″t x 14″w x 6″d, with one of a kind removeable/wearable necklace, feathers, shards and glass pieces by Tammy Vitale $900.00


So the question for today is:  do you think my putting necklaces on the torsos takes away from the presentation of the torso?


I have been juried into WholesaleCrafts website, and they forwarded along some comments from the jury, one of which was the necklaces take away from the art piece and another of which noted that I’m pricey.


You may remember that when I designed the Sacred series, each piece was to have a removeable necklace for the buyer to wear as a reminder of the characteristic energy of the piece, that energy being described on the website and on an attached booklet.  Very Big Sigh.  The little attached booklets attracted no attention whatsoever.  And now the necklaces are being maligned.


But I was voted in anyways (hey, they’re not going to turn down their fee) and offered a space in ACRE in Las Vegas, which is much like the Philadelphia Buyer’s Market and which offer I won’t take advantage of (Husband says “Thanks – not hanging around in Las Vegas is sure to save me some money!).


So I’m putting the site together, which requires resizing all the photos of work that I want to put up.  Have I mentioned how much detail work makes me itchey?  But I’m the one who decided to try this, based on many recommendations from my shops and from other artists, so I will piddle with it and hopefully have it finished by Monday at the latest.


Tonight am going to an opening at Heron’s Way Gallery for Mary Blumberg, a local watercolorist whose work I really enjoy, especially her women’s sketches.  She does a lot of the usual watercolors (very very well) but those never float my boat.  She has done some wonderful small pieces of women, however, that really spoke to me.  I can’t buy anything right now, but I can sure go and enjoy the work and the folks who come by.


Tomorrow, Body Politics collaborator and artist Heather Bartlett and I are putting our heads together to see what may be next there.  I found a call from the International Museum of Women in San Francisco for original political artwork, essays, photography, poetry, etx for an on-line exhibition.  Thought we might look at that one.


Before you leave today, be sure to click over and have a look at the recycled work Erika Takacs shared in yesterday’s comments…wow!  I’m still interested in seeing what the rest of you are doing making old work into new – be sure to leave a link and I’ll be happy to give you a shout out here.


thought for the day:  My mind is my main problem almost all the time.  I wish I could leave it in the fridge when I go out, but it likes to come with me.  I have tried to get it to take up a nice hobby, like macrame, but it prefers to think about things, and jot down what annoys it.  Anne Lamott, Plan B: Furthe Thoughts on Faith

9 Comments

  • KEEP THE NECKLACES!!!!! okay, sorry, i just needed to shout that out. If you change your art to suit some judge, you take "you" out of your art… and you are why we love your art so much… because it's your vision, and your essence, in each piece.

    But, you did ask for opinions, so… I looked at your Sacred page and saw one piece I thought the necklace was too much for (Jade's Dragon), one that was just as good with or without the necklace (Cybele), a bunch that I loved with the necklaces, and a couple that the necklaces seriously ROCKED, and would not have the same effect without the necklaces (Jade, Hope's Joy, & Prometheus).

    I still say keep the necklaces… your art rocks JUST AS IT IS!

  • This is the first time I have seen anything like Siren I am not an artist just a member of the public who enjoys looking at art (I could never afford to buy a piece)I think siren is absolutely beautiful for me the feathers and the necklace add to the piece the feathers adding a softness to the ceramic and the necklace if worn will make the piece very personal to the owner. I think you should do what you feel in your heart is right for your work and not pay any attention to so called art critics.

    Carol
    Scotland, UK.

  • I am loving looking around your site, you have some awesome work on here… as for the necklaces, it's your work and you should be left to do as you wish, I do so dislike 'prissy' art 'experts' as Wassily Kandinsky said "there is no must in art, art is free"

  • I like the necklace! Especially since it is removable. It's a great concept; stick with it!

  • First, I have to say that Siren is my new favorite, I absolutely love it and can see it hanging in my house-perfect colors, the whole deal!
    As for the necklaces, I think your work can stand alone easily, but I don't agree that the necklaces detract at all. As said before in another comment, it's a brilliant idea. I'd say stick to your vision & leave them on.

  • Tammy, it's a beautiful piece on its own. So my vote goes for stand alone also. The additions are distracting from the wonderful form. But they're nice as a bonus gift I think.

  • My two cents worth. I don't think that the pieces need the necklaces, but I also don't feel like they detract at all either. On a personal note, the jewelry would not particularly attract me, but I am not a necklace wearer. I keep thinking I like them, and I have lots of them around, but they rarely make it around my neck.

    On another note, today I gave you a blog award if you would like to participate. You can see it and the "rules" over at my place.

  • Carissa

    Hi Tammy, I have enjoyed watching your work develop for awhile now. As a ceramic sculptor I am something of a purist. Your work has the strength to stand alone – without the necklaces, feathers or glass beads. I do love the idea of giving the buyer something they can wear or hold in their hand. Perhaps, it would be something to include as a surprise in the take home packaging. Since you asked, I say follow the clay.

  • Tammy, I think your concept of a removeable necklace for the buyer to wear as a reminder of the characteristic energy of the piece, and a booklet explaining it all, is BRILLIANT! And it's removeable, right? So if someone loves it, they leave it on! If they like it better without, they leave it off. It seems to me you have covered ALL the bases and given your buyers something amazing: an extra that is very spiritual, and energetic, in nature. Consider how those who buy your work, rather than those who judge it, feel about this issue. And, of course, there is your own inner guidance, which is always more reliable than anything else.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe