Frogging Fiona

I was determined to finish the fabulous Fiona last night, but it was not to be. I started with the attached i-cord trim, got halfway around the top and thought *ewwwwww*. I love the body of the bag, and the pocket fits my cellphone JUST right, but I think I am going to go for a darker trim. Navy Blue or Dark purple will be auditioning this afternoon, as light green has been voted off the island. sigh. Thank goodness I didn't buy the lining fabric yet.
We are going to a Potluck tonight with the other members of the longtime autism social group. Daughter will be taking her famous homemade fudge brownies, and the Boybird will be bringing Chips. I'll have the candidates for Trim, and hope to have a decision made and cord knitting well under way by then. I know not everybody likes i-cord, but I find it oddly soothing. This annual event usually includes a multimedia event (formerly known as the slideshow) so I'll be knitting trim in the dark.
I picked up the framed artwork for my brother's birthday present and had a really *odd* moment. I was standing in the showroom, waiting for the salesperson to bring me my painting. She called from the back room "Last name?" looking through racks "what was it you had framed?" more looking "was it supposed to be ready TODAY?" and then "OH! Here it is, hanging on the Wall!" I didn't think too much about that until she asked me which Gallery I was picking it up for. Hunh? "Well" she said, rather impatiently,as if explaining it carefully to a small child "NOBODY uses that kind of frame except a Gallery. I mean we had to order it From New YORK!" I felt as if I had imposed upon her in some way (not that she actually did the ordering or anything, she seemed annoyed to have had to even LIFT it for goodness sakes) and wanted to just grab my painting and flee. The frame MAKER has a wonderful reputation and the work is impeccable as well as reasonably priced, but the Sales People always freak me out. Then the man next to me (who made it very clear to everybody within a 20 foot radius that HE was waiting for the OWNER) said "OH, I'd love to know more about the Artist. Whose Work is THAT?" I felt my stomach knot. "It's mine" I said quietly, knowing that my overalls and running shoes made me a persona non grata in his head to toe black silk presence. "REALLY?" he said, "Is it Oil?" I replied that it was, but that it needed to be shipped out to the West Coast to a Private collection and I was rather in a hurry. I held the brown paper wrapped parcel to my chest and ran for the door, heart pounding. Sprinted to the truck and locked the doors behind us. The Painting and I were safe. I zoomed out of the parking lot and headed home. Took me almost ten miles and half of the Indigo Girls CD to calm down.
I'll never be good at Selling My Work. I love creating it, and talking about it to other Artists, but as soon as somebody who is obviously interested in talking about Commerce shows up, I cannot wait to find the nearest exit, stage left.

Comments

[Rachael]

Every time, though, you're gaining practice. Someday you'll smile, say, "Here's my card," and then head for ice cream. That day is very very close, might I add.

Proud of you!

(And I have to say that placed on the table like that, Fiona looks like a great big pair of underpants at first glance. Hee.)

[greta]

I almost didn't post this picture because I thought the same thing...ROFL.

[Bliss]

I'm with Rachael. I thought you had knitted a big pair of soakers! Greta dear, you need to have someone handle your art for commerce (a gallery or a trusted individual). It's not at all uncommon for an artist to become "intertwined" with their art making it difficult to discuss, here it critiqued or part with it when a buyer arrives. After all, true art is a part of the soul of the maker - that's what makes it so special.

[Jane]

If you figure out how to let your art go to strangers, let me know. I have two big photos framed with museum glass and double matting that I can't bring myself to part with - despite the fact that they can't fit on any of my walls, and the amount of $$ I have invested in them. But how thrilling for your work to be so admired. You certainly must start handing out business cards (easy to make on the 'puter.)

[Em/Michelle]

I'm sitting here laughing my BUTT off because the very first thing that came to mind when I saw Fiona was "Underpants! Why...why did Greta knit blue undies? I'm sure there must be a rea...oh." And I see I am not alone. Hoo boy, that's funny.

OK, now. Greta. Is the shyness around Commerce out of a need to be protective of what you create? I can understand that--but wow, I do hope Rach is right about the day you hand out cards being nigh. If it helps, last night I went in to get cat food and, as I was wearing the strappy tank, told the pet store owner (with whom I have had a previous conversation about knitting & crocheting), "Check out what I just finished!" First time I've been bold about it like that. Felt pretty good, I gotta say.

[Marcia]

Okay, I'm a week late and 10 bucks short. Geesh, where has my life gone? I'm actually kind of addicted to I-cords. My inner PDD child (I have more tendencies than I will outwardly admit to)fantacizes knitting the never ending I-cord, using up every ounce of my stash. I think it's a freudian poop thing. Thanks for the candy and the mother's day card!

[Kathleen]

It does look like a big pair of purple knickers. :) I thought your response to the sales person was perfect! Enjoy the potluck tonight. I hope you and the kids have a great night.

[Bethany]

Yes, but such an attractive pair of knickers! Eww... imagining warm fuzzy knitted knickers now. That would really not be comfy.

Getting someone else to deal with it sounds good, or maybe you could play games with people. Forget they have money and may buy, and just think of them as fellow artists. Easier said than done, I know. I don't know if it helps, but just talking to you about your art made me want to buy one (but don't you dare think of me as Commerce!).

[annie]

I'm sure it will get easier with time :) Also, it must have made you feel great to have your work complimented. Even if it was by someone in head-to-toe black silk!

[Lisa]

Maybe I missed it in a previous post, but I would love to see the piece you're giving to your brother. Any chance you might post it (again?)?

By the way, I loved the garden shots you've posted lately. Isn't Spring wonderful...

[J Strizzy]

I understand the reluctance to talk with him. I can't explain why, but I would probably react similarly. But oh, I'm so happy for you that your work was received like that!!

And I thought Fiona was a diaper cover, since it has a completely different shape laid out flat like that than in the other photos I've seen. I kept reading, not realizing it was Fiona, thinking even into the next paragraph that you'd explain eventually why you made a diaper cover, but then you started in on Commerce and I knew I must have missed something. Picture palm hitting forehead here.

[susan in pa]

I like i-cord knitting too! The straps for the tank I just finished for my daughter was i-cord, and I was sorry it didn't take longer! I didn't realize you painted too! I took lessons long ago in high school but stopped painting for some reason I no longer can recall. I love the smell of oil paints and often look over the tubes at the craft store just imagining. My girls have a lovely audio taped story of an oil painter called "Auntie Blue" and every time I hear it, I want to paint!

[Kim]

You could market the undies with the tag-line "Is that a cell phone in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?" ;)

How is it that we are so capable in some situations, yet trembling in others? It's got to be horribly difficult to listen to comments made by the We-Don't-Wear-No-Overalls crowd. Ugh. Give me folks in overalls and running shoes any day. Sending prayers your direction!