May / June 2018 Newsletter
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I try to create baskets that preserve the beauty of the materials and create a renewal or continuance to the cycle of life. I feel that more than ever in a world of high technology we need to be connected with the miracles of nature and life.
Jan Hopkins, Basketweaver
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Dear Readers, Every two years the Los Angeles Basketry Guild has held a conference at beautiful Camp Stevens in the Julian mountains in southern California. These retreats offer a special time to learn in a unique environment, be away from responsibiities at home, and just focus on learning and having fun. This has been a fabulous location for our retreats, many trails to hike, deer and wild turkey to spot foraging in the woods, delicious healthy food. But alas, many of the members are having more difficulty climbing into the upper bunks and we are looking for a new location. I have to admit, this would have been the last year I would have wanted to climb up the steep ladder!
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I took a workshop with Jill Robinson learning how to weave a ribbed antler basket. I have to admit when I consider a selection of basket classes, I never select ones that appear to be extremely hard work either physically or mentally. I like to enjoy my retreats without having to work too hard! It's my chance to have fun, relax, learn and reconnect with my weaving buddies. This was the perfect project. Not too difficult to learn, and the teacher pampered us by already drilling and installing the initial 3 ribs into the antlers. There were ample materials to choose from such as a large assortment of dyed reed and natural materials such as pygmy date stem, philodendrum sheaves, and twisted sea grass. Jill is a patient and sweet teacher. Everyone received all the attention they needed to do their project successfully while also having a great time. The students ranged from brand-new basketweavers to highly experienced, and everyone came away with a beautiful basket.
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If you haven't ever attended a local guild meeting or weaving conference, I recommend you give it a try. It really rejuvenates your creative juices in addition to seeing old friends, making new ones, and learning new techniques.
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Many years ago an art collector, Sonny Kamm, had seen my work at an art gallery and commissioned me to weave a teapot. At the time he had so many teapots he was renting an apartment for them! Recently I decided to look him up and learned his teapot collection now numbers around 10,000 and are made of ceramic, glass, basketry and other materials. Thought my readers would enjoy seeing the basketry selection and I know you will recognize the names of many of the basketweavers. Have fun looking at the fiber/basket page, and perhaps all the others mediums too!
http://kammteapotfoundation.org/product-category/collection/fiber-works/
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Sunday, May 20
Weaving & Fiber Festival (WeFF)
10 am – 4 pm
Southern California Handweavers Guild members’ weaving exhibit & sale, demonstrations of fiber crafts, gift boutiques, fashion show, silent auction, raffle, diverse range of vendors offering tools, supplies, and books for weaving, spinning, and other fiber arts as well as finished hand-crafted items.
Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3341 Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA
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I HIGHLY recommend my readers look at the blog by basketweaver Carol Eckert
http://contemporarybasketry.blogspot.com/
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She posts images every day that will truly astound you! Massive basket installations in natural settings, baskets of every technique, style and color. Without text or narrative, just names identifying the maker, along with amazing images. Enjoy!!!
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My husband noticed an upcoming tv show called The Business of Life and recorded for me the segment entitled The Business of the Art Market. There were some interesting issues covered. Unfortunately the show was severely edited to fit in 30-minutes and I think the responses of the panel were cut short. However the following questions answered by James Fuentes, gallery owner, I thought my readers would find of interest since they are questions that every artist must ponder.
How do you determine the price?
(I think he had a lot more to say but unfortunately the scene was cut short).
“Pricing is established by looking at concrete things like production costs (fabricating, etc.) as well as factoring in all the intangibles. Ultimately the way a lot of people price their art is ‘what do I think I can get for it?’
What is the gallery commission?
“50/50 is standard. It’s indicative of the fact it’s a partnership between an artist and a gallery. The gallery has tremendous overhead and if they’re doing their job properly on behalf of the artist, they are doing public relations, archivist and storage.”
I agree about the 50/50 split. I know a lot of artists resent handing over half the proceeds of sales. But the gallery has a lot of overhead – leasing space, employees, insurance, marketing plus the risk of operating a gallery. If it weren't for galleries, many artists wouldn't have a venue to showcase their work for the public.
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During the Summer months there's several fabulous events happening in Laguna Beach, California:
June 29 – September 2, 2018
“52nd Annual Summer Sawdust Festival”
The Sawdust Festival will feature the fine art and craft of over 200 Laguna Beach artists. Media include hand-blown and fused glass, painting, jewelry, surf art, ceramics, clothing, textiles, wood and metal sculpture, scrimshaw, photography, and much more. Check out the website for more information and entertainment schedule.
Laguna Beach Festival of Arts
July 5 - September 1, 2018
The festival’s prestigious juried art show includes a wide variety of media such as paintings, photography, printmaking, sculpture, jewelry, handcrafted wood and furniture, ceramics, glass and more, all by 140 of Orange County’s finest artists. Also demonstrations and art workshops, art tours, live music, special events, on-site restaurants and more.
https://www.foapom.com/
Pageant of the Masters
July 7 – September 1, 2018
This truly unique 90-minute theatrical performance where famous works of art are brought to life onstage as members of the cast take the roles of people in the paintings, accompanied by a full orchestra and narration. Everyone needs to go at least once!
https://www.foapom.com/
Also in the same county in nearby Irvine is a 1-day art show.......
“23rd Annual Studio Arts Festival”
June 2, 2018
The Irvine Fine Arts Center hosts this annual art festival which showcases more than 100 Southern California artists and their original works of art, including ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, painting, photography, textiles and glass.
May all my readers have a beautiful summer filled with plenty of time to enjoy life, art and family.
Happy weaving,
Nadine
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Nadine Spier
Contemporary Pine Needle Basketweaver
Basket Weaving Classes and Basket Art for Purchase
1084 N El Camino Real Box B184, Encinitas CA 92024 (760) 533-1000
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