Artist Spotlight: Janet Echelman



Two words: Breath taking

To say that I am a fan of Janet Echelmen's work is an understatement.  To create work that is imbued with such beauty, power, and delicacy is the trifecta that I strive for in my own work.  Organic yet technologically engineered, ephemeral yet durable, these installations bring the idiosyncrasies of nature into the densest of city scapes.  I am equal parts in awe and jealous.  And to think she never went to art school!





Year of the Dragon

So, I'm not usually one for superstitions and such, but this year is year of the dragon in the Chinese zodiac. I'm a year of the dragon baby and I can't help but feel a little excited about the year to come.  I feel like the universe is finally on my side sayin," Ok, Spring I got your back."  And that feels pretty great.  My optimism is boundless: my determination unyielding. It feels like this is gonna be my year, but does that mean it's time to buy lotto tickets?  Well, maybe not, but more importantly its time to enter shows, make some great art, and get my name out there.  For 21 years, I have been pursing my craft: learning, reading, experimenting in relative solitude.  It has been nice and safe.  But tomorrow I will sign up for my first gallery show.  Yes, it's at school.  Yes, it's long over due.  But for me it will be a milestone that I have looked forward to for a very long time.  I'm excited and terrified.  I really don't wanna suck.  But first, I have to wait in line and fight it out with other students just to wrangle the spot.  I am told that the line for gallery sign-ups is something like the line at Walmart on Black Friday, in Oakland.  So common dragon don't fail me now!

Taking the Plunge

As I type this first post, while sitting on my sofa in my pj's, I am wondering about the road ahead.  Trying to make a go as an artist, crafter, entrepreneur, or what ever you want to call it, seems crazy and perfect at the same time.  Yeah the economys in the toilet.  I know, I know, consumer spending is way down.   That's right, unemployment is high.  But sometimes you got nothing to loose, and everything to gain.  Either way, I'm in it all the way. 

What do I expect from the future? Lots, and lots of hard work to get the ball rolling, a general reduction in the number of hours I sleep, long hours in the studio, countless hours marketing, many trips to the library for new book on blogging, twitter, online sales, and plenty of self promotion.  But first, I better get those dishes done.

Bye