The Finishing Touches...

She's crafty... and she's just my type!
Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Exactly one week to go! Unbelievable... I can't believe we're finally in the home stretch. Still a bit of work to do, but it has been fun... 

Today we stopped by the wedding venue to have one last meeting to go over things before our rehearsal. A lot of details to consider, things to look out for, and a few new ideas... As we walked outside, near where the ceremony will take place, we were pleasantly surprised to come across some new landscaping... we could not believe it... the site has built a mini-waterfall! It looks beautiful, and will tie in perfectly to one of the themes of our ceremony. I have to think that this was built just for us... right? Now if we can be assured that's the only water to fall on this (hopefully) outdoor event.

Here we go!...

Learning The Craft

What stands in the way of creativity?...

Filmstrip lamp created by
Erika M. Klein. All rights reserved.

I would say time and self-confidence. For a career in TV/film production, it gets a little more involved... I was talking to a filmmaker today, who just moved from Los Angeles, and she said that it is who you know and how much money you have that determines how fast you advance in this business.

I have been working hard this year to advance on all fronts. I try and keep my eyes open to see how other artists make a go of it. 

In my soon-to-be extended family, I have relatives who are doing quite well. Last Saturday Sarah's sister Natalie and cousin Erika held a joint crafts fair, and it was cool to see the various ways that they can express themselves through the art of crafting.


I was immediately struck by the colorful lamps created by Erika. She takes film trailers and turns them into lampshades. The idea started with a dress made out of filmstrips, which is also very cool. I first saw her creative use of recycling at a fashion show last year−it's very interesting.

Owlrey Jewlrey created by
Natalie Klein. All rights reserved.

Natalie has been creating jewelry for some time, and this year has started using an owl theme (inspired by her college). The work is elegant and whimsical−no doubt fun to wear.

The two ladies obviously spend a good deal of time focused on their creative work. I am envious, but determined to find a way to make art my sole concentration as well. I guess dealing with limitations can force you to be more creative and focused.

Perhaps I need to spend more time checking out galleries or exhibits... getting involved in functions where I can meet other creative people. 

There is a lot of good work being done, and I think I am entitled to share a space in that artistic community. Maybe I'll just have to start hanging out with my relatives more often...

Links: 

www.emkpainter.com

owleryjewelry.etsy.com

Creative Partnership

So this past weekend Sarah and I were busy designing our invitations and a website for our upcoming wedding. It was fun, and struck me that my romantic partner might also be a promising creative collaborator in the future-- it hadn't really dawned on me before that!

Yup. Sarah painted this. She interned at the
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum during college,
and the artist has been a big influence.
Me jealous?... Artwork by Sarah Klein.
All rights reserved.

You see, as many similarities as we have, we can also be quite different. I tend to be the "ham," while she gets absorbed in great books; Britpop and classic soul caught my ear, while she was raised on folk; I tend towards design and keeping organized, while she is more craft-minded and likes things where she can reach them. We're both artists, but we have different approaches. This became all too clear to me when we attempted to carve a pumpkin together one Halloween. Wow... now that was a "challenging" exercise!

But we are still artists in temperament, and that is a common bond that is hard to ignore. We met on the dance floor, and sometimes have to remember the "give and take"that is necessary in a partnership. The fact that we are getting married proves that ultimately we realize how good we are for each other. In fact, Sarah has been great for my perfectionistic streak. I remember a few years back when we took our easels up to Olana State Historic Site, the former home of Hudson River School founder Frederic Edwin Church; we took advantage of a beautiful summer day to paint "en plein air" in the style of the artists that came before. We had a stunning view of the Catskill Mountains, but I was a little intimidated-- more about the process than the scenery. Sarah was inspiring to watch as she emptied her oils on to her palette, and just began painting... effortlessly! Maybe I have been hanging out in "Norman Rockwell world" too long, because I was much more methodical about my process, and was not really enjoying it as much as I should have. It was only when I started to follow my painting partner's example that I loosened up and could enjoy the day. I may be a little too hard on myself, as oil painting is something I haven't really done too much... but I sure did admire Sarah's approach-- it definitely made an impression on this ambitious soul!

Sarah has made me slow down a bit, and not be so concerned with having all the details in place.

Pumpkins in love (I'm pretty sure this is how we looked
when we met)!

I can already feel the great potential that we have as a couple. How nice then to also realize that "creativity," which is so important to me, can also be shared. This past Halloween we bought two pumpkins, but had each of our carvings relate to one another-- "pumpkins in love," Sarah's mother commented. The seeds are certainly there... here's looking forward to my life blooming in many new and unexpected directions.

Process

We had a great time in the city yesterday. Sarah and I met with a woman we have been considering as a rabbi to co-officiate our wedding, and she seems quite warm and accommodating. Things are coming together, but we are aware that there are exactly six months until the big day--there's quite a bit more to do.

round and a round and a round
we go... where the world's heading
nobody knows...

During our visit we stopped at the Museum of Art and Design. Located near Columbus Circle, the museum explores the blur between art, design, and craft. We were impressed with the variety of objects they had on display--everything from jewelry, metals, wood, fiber, and videos documenting many of the artists' process.  It became clear that this was the main focus of the museum--to showcase the skillful development of art in its many different forms. To further drive home this message, the museum offers visitors the chance to observe and even interact with a live artist set up in one of their studio spaces. Both being artists, we appreciated the creativity on display, and admired the presentation.

Afterwards we ducked into an Irish pub, further courting luck (this time of the Irish), on Friday the 13th. Dinner hit the spot, and the impromptu Irish folk singing by some customers was a welcome surprise--you could tell that their hearts were really into it.

Later that evening we met up with one of Sarah's college friends, whose husband was showcasing some of his own video production work during a networking salon being held at a bar in Greenwich Village. There were some real characters there, as well as people with a variety of creative talents. We were treated to filmmakers, actors, singers--some of it was hit or miss, but it was cool to see what people were developing.

Breik, Kim Hyun Soo, 2008. Human hair, oil color,
waterpaint, epoxy, steel. 61 x 59 1/16 x 36 1/4"
Courtesy of the artist, and Museum of Art and Design
website. All rights reserved.

I believe that this was the through-line of the day, and what made it so enjoyable--we were witnessing the process of creating work, from both visual and performing artists. Even if I was not completely won over by all of the artists work, I still must respect the time and effort they put into their own creative exploration-- you can't fault someone for that, and must appreciate that there are true moments of beauty found along such journeys. Yes, it is worth it--and so was our trip.

Happy New Year...

...that's an understatement-- I have high expectations for this one!

We had a good time last night-- a relatively low-key evening with friends, at home in the Capital Region. The evening consisted of good food, drinks, playing Catch Phrase (addicting!), and watching Dick Clark's Neon Rocking Eve (seriously, what is up with the self-tanning lotion?). We were out fairly late, but I still woke up early. As I mentioned in the last post, I have a lot planned for this year... and I guess I did not want to waste any time.

I continued some work in preparation for a show I am involved with in New York City at the end of this week (more in tomorrow's post), and made some edits to other projects I am working on. U2's "New Year's Day" was in my head following Friday night's stellar karaoke outing, and so I just had to YouTube that! The rest of the day was spent doing some cleaning (which always makes me feel better... and more creative), and helping Sarah look at some ideas for our wedding.

I think we're both learning how much work is actually involved in planning for the big day (7/15 to be exact). I was surprised by how long it took to figure out our venue, and the date was tricky too... since this will be an interfaith ceremony (my Christian to her Jewish). Things are coming together though. I think we're finally entering the stage where it will be both fun and creative to start planning.

Sarah is very artistic as well. I know she is excited to do some D.I.Y. crafting projects to share with our guests and liven up the wedding venue. I am also interested in contributing some of my own creativity, but this will be different than what I have been accustomed to sharing in wedding ceremonies I have been a part of in recent years...

First off, I'm usually the videographer-- in fact, that was one of my first jobs I landed out of college. I used to film weddings and receptions for a Rochester-based production company, just about every weekend in the heady days of 94/95. I enjoyed it, and have since helped out many friends and family in documenting their own weddings through my video and photography. I always like giving it a bit of a personal touch: interviewing guests, filming the little moments, definitely covering the excitement of the reception.

Sarah and I actually met out dancing, so that will be a must to have documented! Having said that, I realize that I am going to need to turn the creative reins over to our videographer and photographer. I know I wouldn't have wanted someone else hovering over me while I was doing their job. However, we will take our time in figuring out who to choose... and don't get me started on the DJ... that will be important too!

In terms of my own creativity, I am thinking of doing something with video projection. Maybe some old family footage, or something more abstract. Waterfalls are also important to us, so we will probably do something to represent that (bring a raincoat). What creative ideas have you seen at weddings? Please share your thoughts here-- we would appreciate it. Of course, I am a bit of a ham... the "art of throwing a party!" That will be a fun way to express myself as well.

The attached photo is from our friends Liz and Adam's wedding a few years ago (which, incidentally, I also videotaped). I love this shot-- it pretty much perfectly captures the chemistry Sarah and I have. Maybe we'll have to look into this photographer, whose name unfortunately escapes me.

Above all, it should be fun... keep the expectations high, but the creativity loose.

For auld lang syne, my dear 
For auld lang syne, 
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet 
For auld lang syne!

Here's to 2012... Cheers!