Tuesday, April 01, 2008

March Is Fired!


my wall
Originally uploaded by m.Lee
What a terrible yet fitting end for a terrible month.

This was my wall of art before I destroyed them last night. Now I just
see empty nails on a wall. Last night an anonymous person took the
time to point out that my collages are too busy and it hit a little
too deeply.

It has been a long time since I have destroyed work other than to use
them in something else. The tree was spared since it is not a collage and therefor doesn't
fall under the umbrella of being too busy. But it does have a lot of
dots on it so maybe. I am starting to question everything about myself
right now. I wish I could just stop making art.

So last night, I took these collages and left them out in the rain to be destroyed over night. I will remove them from Etsy later today-not that they're in any danger of selling anyway.

What was I thinking trying to break out of printmaking and trying new
things? With everything going on right now I just can't handle this.
I'm going to have to take a break.

17 comments:

Amity said...

Marissa. :(

This is so uncool. You're an artist. That's why it's called an artistic license.

Some people will love your work, some people will hate it.

That's the beauty, no?

High Desert Diva said...

I'd say the person who left you an anonymous comment was insanely jealous of your artistic ability.

Branching out and trying new things is all part of the artistic journey. I personally really, really liked your latest work.

Michele Maule said...

Don't ever be afraid of experimenting and trying new things. I know printmaking is a different world than painting, but there is no reason for you to be so hard on yourself.

I have a BFA in print, and I understand how difficult it is to translate your print ideas into paintings.

Being an artist doesn't always mean that work is going to turn out 100% awesome all the time. There are going to be some challenges, and there are going to be some critics.
The only thing that matters is how you view your work, and what you learn from your work.

Your paintings are lovely and beautiful!! And sometimes we all do need a break to find inspiration and gather ourselves and our thoughts.

I hope your day goes a little bit better today. :)Sorry for the long comment...

Unknown said...

I'm so sad for you Marissa. I love your work and so do countless others. Read the lovely comments here and on flickr if you need a reminder of the love.

March has been so tough for you, I really hope you have a better April x

Marissa L. Swinghammer said...

I don't have the stones to keep this up.

April Fools!

(yes the comment happened and yes I was upset, but I got over it.)

sorry for being a trickster this morning. I think I prefer it when April Fools doesn't work.

love you guys!

Kasie @ ~The Art of Life~ said...

OH My Goodness!! I'm so relieved that you were just playing a joke! (You got me good!) I got sick to my stomach at the thought that you'd destroyed your work.
And BTW, your collages are beautiful. Who cares if one person doesn't like them. :)

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness your got me good too!! I was gutted at the thought of any artist destroying any of their work!!!! My father used to do oil paintings but one day took an axe to the lot - I have never quite got the courage to ask him why - it makes me sad as I would have loved to have one of them in my home today.!! Don't listen to others - constructive criticism is great and an important part of our development - anonymous comments are just a waste of our time and energy - I am so glad this was just a joke!!

becca.elpy said...

ROFL! haha!
You got me, too...until I read the comments. Man, I'm gullible like my mother.

Happy April Fool's!

Amity said...

lmao!!!

Thank god for that!

Mwahahahahaha

Anna Dykema said...

MAN! What a trick! I'm so glad you didn't destroy your work because I just found you and I can't wait to see more!

Ha Ha! That was a good one. Whew!

Anonymous said...

Oh, my, I didn't even consider what day it was. I was frantically going WAIT, don't trash any of it, I WANTS it. Well, I won't be buying an original, but I might get a reproduction. Seriously, though, yes, the collages are busy, but the overabundance of detail is part of the style and it works wonderfully well.

Marissa L. Swinghammer said...

They aren't busy, they are active! ;)

Really, it is okay to be busy I know this. And I am aware that I am teetering on the edge sometimes but that is part of the fun.

My work has always been about drawing the viewer in to find more and more. I guess one could say that being busy is a big part of my overall style. And I am not about to change that because of one comment from a coward that wouldn't even show him or herself.

Also, I need to get better at listing reproductions on my Redux shop. Thanks for reminding me. If there is anything in particular just drop me a convo/ email and I should be able to accommodate.

Unknown said...

Oh goodness, I'm relieved but still cross about the anon comment.

Guerilla Embroidery said...

I got a dodgy comment on my blog too, there must be a rash of bastards going around! Whatever you do, don't listen to them, what do they know? Your work is beautiful, and you shouldn't let the small minded comments of other people (who are obviously jealous) get you down! The comment I got said '.....you make some nice things...maybe you should try something else'. (I paraphrase but you get the idea)Nice. Like I give a frap what they think!

Marissa L. Swinghammer said...

Hmmmm on the you make nice things maybe you should try something else comment guerilla received. Trying to think positive maybe it is just somebody trying to say that they would like to see more from you. Replace should with could and it doesn't sound so bad. Like maybe they want something with your style that you aren't making.

And you do make pretty things.

The Mincing Mockingbird said...

Dang it! And here I thought I was going to get through today and not be April Fooled.

Nice one!

Anonymous said...

I am so happy you did not destroy your work! I love it~reminds me of the art of Colin Johnson!

Treet