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I'll be reading Growing Up with Tamales for story time at Blue Willow Bookshop, in Houston, on Thursday morning, May 15. Tell everyone you know with kids in the Houston area. How do you find and support local indie book stores like Blue Willow? By going to Booksense.

On Saturday, May 17, I'll be in Dallas, reading and signing at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, for the 13th Dallas Children’s Book Fair & Literary Festival.

On June 22, here in Houston, I'm going to do a poetry workshop. It's free and open to the public, y'all, and they're having one every Sunday in June, taught by local poets I love and respect. So come on down.

Monday, April 07, 2008
Talking with Artists about Art

Something's in the air around me lately such that I keep finding myself talking with artists about problems and issues related to the actual act of doing art. Over the past month, I've thought about the particular concerns that come up when you collaborate with another artist on a long-term basis. I've commiserated with others over the different kinds of artist friends you can have. (Those you can count on to do work and to support your work, and those you can only count on for drinks, basically.) I've talked with a lot of people about the need to promote one's art and how that differs/detracts from creating it. The two main art-related subjects I focus on, habitually, are art for profit vs art for art's sake, and finding inspiration vs forcing yourself to work.

While talking about this stuff with other people, I began thinking about famous dead artists and what we know about their work habits. Do we know anything? I haven't read any biographies on famous dead artists lately, but nothing in popular culture comes to mind. I know that Van Gogh cut off his ear, but I don't know if/how he used caffeine while working. I know that Dali was obsessed with breasts and fruit-picking devices, but I don't know if he ever said, "Don't invite that jerk Man Ray to exhibit with us. He's always late and he never chips in for wine and cheese."

I read most of Stephen King's memoir and wished he'd talked more about his cocaine use. How could he write, while addicted to coke? How did he physically, mentally do it? How'd he do it before he used drugs? What did he think of his contemporaries? When he played in that rock band with Dave Barry and his other writer friends, did switching mediums inspire them to write more, or was it just a necessary break? I don't know. Doesn't say. Maybe I need to go to the library.

There are live, not even so famous artists I admire a lot, and I always want to ask them intrusive questions about their creative processes, but I refrain. I know that kind of stuff is hard to talk about, and there might not be that big a market for it, anyway. It's just shop talk, maybe, only interesting those in the industry. Guess I should say, then, that I'm greatful to the artists I know, for their willingness to talk shop with me. Because otherwise I'd be lonely. (Lonelier.) :)

My Least Accomplished Accessory

I've never been one for wearing belts. That began, most likely, because I grew up poor, and belts aren't really accessories that poor women buy. They don't buy belts, scarves, or trouser socks, I don't think. Instead, they buy costume jewelry, cheap bags, and knee highs, because those things give you more look for the money.

So then, I became un-poor, but also fat. And fat women don't wear a lot of belts because the only ones that fit are the ones at Lane Bryant, and those aren't very exciting.

So... This story sounds like I'm trying to get sympathy, but I'm not. I'm just telling y'all that, for one reason and another, I've never really worn belts, and therefore I don't feel comfortable accessorizing with them.

And now I'm not poor, and I'm less fat, and I subscribe to Lucky magazine. And, as all of you who read Lucky know, women are supposed to wear belts with every single outfit they own. You have to wear a pair of pants with a dress on top of it, then a cardigan wrapped over the dress, then a belt tied around the whole thing. Or, you can just wear a dress by itself... as long as you wear it with a belt. Or you can put the cardigan with your jeans, as long as you have a leather or canvas belt in plain sight on top of that. Or you can wear panties and a bra and a big, thick neutral belt. Or you can be naked, with a thin, metallic double belt.

You see what I'm saying? You're supposed to wear belts.

Not that I follow Lucky's advice. I don't -- especially not as far as layering and color matching are concerned. I don't know how it is in New York City, but here in Houston, we can't get away with wearing dresses on top of other dresses, one in yellow and one in maroon. That's, like, against our laws. It's too hot for that many haphazard layers. Also, we're still working the Three Color Rule here, as far as I can see. "Don't be wearing more than three colors at once," that is. Some people count neutrals with that, some liberal people don't.

See what I'm saying? I'm not about to go overboard and buy anything that Lucky calls luxe, lush, or louche. But I do feel the need to buy belts lately, and I do wish I knew which belts went with what. Because the black suede number with the star-shaped rhinestone buckle? That I got from Torrid four years ago? I don't think that works with anything in my closet anymore, and it's too big now, anyway.

That's all for now, y'all. Talk to y'all later. I'm gonna go Google "belts" now. Either that, or I'll actually go back to my office and do some work.

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12:02 PM #

Comments:

 I have no idea how to accessorize with belts. I have one black leather belt I wear to keep my pants from falling down. Belts were always just a utilitarian device to keep clothing in place, not an "accessory." There is one girl in my office, though, who knows exactly how to do what you are talking about and she always looks frickin' adorable. I want to grab her by the shoulders and beg her to teach me the secrets she knows.


# posted by Blogger lumenatrix : 1:34 PM  

 I only just now started wearing belts, for the same sort of reason - I was never comfortable wearing belts at my previous weight. I was also not comfortable wearing jeans designed for ladies. Wearing men's jeans probably did not help my issues with how I looked.

But anyway, I've started wearing them now due to a cascade effect regarding womens' jeans. These jeans are often low-rise. I have a generous behind. Without a belt, these things combine to give me plumber butt if I sit down while wearing the jeans.

I highly recommend checking the Goodwill for belts. I never thought to do so before, since I mostly go there for jeans and dresses, but this weekend I found a truly awesome riveted belt and an awesome sundress! (Despite Lucky's exhortations, I refuse to wear these two items together.)

Thrift stores: they are made of love. I know you already know this.


# posted by Blogger Ali : 1:37 PM  

 Oh good, I'm not the only one who doesn't know what to do with belts. And somehow they never, ever, look as good on me as they do on other people.


# posted by OpenID pudding-monkey : 2:55 PM  

 Now that I've lost 50+ lbs, I have to wear belts because I can't afford to keep buying pants every time I go down a size. Belts allow me to wear stuff a lot longer. But I'm still uncomfortable belting tops and dresses because it highlights my much-smaller, but still visible fat roll. I just tell myself that those models in Lucky look crazy anyway.

I've had good luck getting cheap and cute belts at Torrid. I'm not sure if you're still in their size range, but it's a thought. My other favorite method for pants-keeping-up is to make belts from vintage scarves or fancy trims from the thrift or fabric store. You can sew, right?


# posted by Blogger Kaijsa : 3:24 PM  

 Hi, love your site Gwen, have been lurking for a while and always enjoy what you have to say, especially the little rants! Belts often look good I think but I've had to live with the realisation that maybe I'm a jewelry kinda accessoriser and not a belty person, nothing wrong with that! Also (hope I don't sound like an asshole) it was Van Gogh who cut off his ear....Anyway, good luck with the writing, looking forward to reading your new stuff!


# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 4:09 AM  

 I just want to point out that it was Van Gogh who cut off his ear, not Da Vinci. I've been reading about Jackson Pollock lately, and even though he was an alcoholic, he couldn't paint unless he was sober. His wife figured this out and took him away from the New York scene to a farmhouse. Those were some of the most productive years of his life. He had a studio in a building separate from his house and he went out everyday to paint.

As an artist wannabe, the first question I ask anyone is "how do you do it?" I suppose it is a little intrusive, but I've never had anyone say, "I don't want to talk about it." I get the feeling sometimes that they want to talk about it, but are also afraid that if they talk about it, it might stop. Does that make any sense?


# posted by Anonymous CJ : 6:49 AM  

 You might check out the book "Creators on Creating" it's not just artists but all kinds of creators on what they need to tap into their creativity. Not quite the same as sitting down with people, but it was a pretty good read.


# posted by Blogger Lizthefair : 8:02 AM  

 [Fixed the Da Vinci/Van Gogh eff-up. Thanks, y'all.]


# posted by Blogger Gwen : 8:54 AM  

 Have you googled it? "How famous artists could do it? :-)
Also I have to apoligize for being such a prik yesterday. I didnt congratualate you on your Fellowship. I must admit to being captivated by your flicker photos and I just didnt say it.
What does this allow you to do? What IS a fellowship? Is this something you coveted and just recieved? I didnt realize you wanted to be a published artist. Ok did that make sense?
I'm contrite. sorry. I am so proud once again of you. To know of you, to be inspired by you.


# posted by Anonymous Pixielyn : 9:06 AM  

 Wait, wait. Fellowship? What did I miss?


# posted by Blogger tina : 10:06 AM  

 I branched out and got a couple of wide-ish belts at Target that I could put over things a la Lucky -- you know, those kind of flowy unstructuredy tops and dresses -- to make a waist. And empire waist? I've been watching too much What Not To Wear. And even though I have received compliments on the trendy appearance, I still feel all weird about wearing them, because I'm not a belt-y person. I have a brown belt to hold up my jeans and that's about it.

And re: artists -- it would be interesting to know how many artists whose work we consider "Art" these days created most of their work as "art for profit" rather than "art for art's sake." I am no artist or art historian, but didn't a lot of those guys work on commission and produce a lot of stuff because they were paid to? Which would seem to blur the line between the two -- at what point does "art for profit" become "art for art's sake", or if it starts out as one, is it forever precluded from becoming the other? Can it not be both at once?


# posted by Blogger jam : 12:47 PM  

 I love it when you can find other artists that are interested in the same art as you. It's rare and even more rare when you can both collaborate. I envy those musical "duos" who work together on projects. In the real world, I find that most personal art is a lonely place.

I'm a man, so belts as fashion accessories aren't a big a deal. In fact, it's expected to see men with belts, especially with work attire. Honestly, I only wear a belt if it's for work or if it's to hold up my pants. Otherwise I don't accessorize.

- Datty


# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 10:41 AM  

 That slide show is really funny. BELTS!

I love magazines like that, but I had to stop buying them because it just made me want to spend money on clothes or feel bad for not spending money on clothes. And everything is so expensive that I was starting to think really high prices were actually reasonable.


# posted by Anonymous CarlyM : 12:37 PM  

 Must confess to having gone out yesterday and buying the "Lucky" magazine to see what all the belt fuss was about. I'm so outa the loop!
They even have a belt on a swimsuit model!! Its a bow belt but by god! its a belted swimsuit! Whats the dealio? You were right! Lots of belts!
*sigh* I'm short waisted and dont partake of the belted pleasures.
*sigh*
I own one fake white (duh!) snakeskin skinny belt from like 1984 and one shiny gold western looking belt buckle type braided belt from like 1992 and one canvasy belt that came on some bants and I immediatly threw it to the bottom of my closet.
I wore that shiny gold belt at one skinny period in my life when stirrup pants with big blousy blouses over them was in style.
Maybe like 4 times.
Im gonna suck at the trendy belt look I can tell...........


# posted by Anonymous Pixielyn : 3:56 PM  

 I have many thoughts on art making and artists. I think you're correct in that the process of art making is not of interest to most people, but it is also too personal for many. A lot of artists I know just don't want to talk about process. One question that I get asked a lot is, "what do you think about when you work". I am never going to answer that question with anything more than everything/nothing. Too personal. In terms of art and commerce, I have been lucky enough to live off of my art for three whole years (no kids or mortgage) and I sort of use the market as market research. I feel like a big part of what I do is connecting with others. It's fun to see what people respond to and why. Does it dictate what I do? I'd be lying if I didn't say a little. I don't think that's necessarily bad though. On the flip side, I'm the one that has to sit in a room alone 12 hours a day, 6 days a week even when I don't feel like it, so there has to be a lot of pleasure in it for me, first and foremost. I'd rather go back to the day job than make work I didn't believe in. Whew that was long. Also, I really enjoy your blog because you talk about this stuff and belts (cinch it!)


# posted by Blogger autonomy as a guiding principle : 8:21 PM  

 Lumenatrix: You should beg her, then come back here and share your new-found knowledge.

Ali: Word. Low-rise = plumber crack. And word on the thrift store stuff, too. I haven't yet found a good belt at ours, but belts have been on clearance at Target and Kohl's, so it got me thinking.

Pudding M: I suspect it'd be the same case for me. :(

Kaijsa: I can still wear Torrid. They start at 12, and I'm barely reaching 14 in pants, so I'm good. :)
Scarves as belts -- good idea!
Sewing stuff -- no! No time!
Congrats on your 50-lbs off. You rock.

Anon: You're not an a-hole. Someone had to tell me. I knew it was wrong as I was typing it, but barrelled ahead, anyway. Thanks for reading. :)

CJ: Yes, it makes sense. Very good point.
Someone once asked me "Where do you get your ideas?" It didn't feel intrusive, exactly, but I couldn't think of the answer and *that* made me feel weird. "From my brain?"

Fair Liz: Thanks! I'll put that on my library list.

Pixie: Thanks. You're sweet. And don't feel bad about yesterday.

Fellowship, in this case, = grant, or a big hunk of cash to spend while I'm working on my next novel. In exchange, I agree to do a public reading and give HAA props in the novel's acknowledgments. It's relatively stress-free, and therefore another reason HAA is awesome.


# posted by Blogger Gwen : 10:24 AM  

 Jam: The proof is in the pudding. You got compliments, so you must be doing it right.
And very good point about artists originally doing stuff for profit more than for art's sake. And that stuff becoming "real" art eventually. And then that begs the question: which were happiest? The commercial artists or the broke "artsy" ones?

Datty: I know what you mean. But I hardly ever envy duos. Sometimes I think I want to collaborate, but then realize I'm too proprietary about my own work. I R ART BICTH.

Carlym: Right?? Me, too. I got the subscription for free, and every time I read an issue, I feel a blazing need to run to the mall and supplement my ailing wardrobe. They do evil!

Pixie: Oh, no! We started you on the Lucky habit!
Your white snakeskin belt actually sounds cool. You could probably totally pair that up with a swimsuit, or even a jumpsuit made of purple vinyl. And green shoes. Lucky always dictates that your shoes aren't matchy-matchy.

Autonomy: Thanks for sharing. And congrats on making a living on your art. Dude.
No, you're right... the process is too personal to discuss, a lot of times.
Sometimes I think I just want to hear that other people get sad, lonely, frustrated. And for some reason, we're not supposed to. Unless we're stereotypically drunk, and we've died young, and someone else is explaining it in a movie...


# posted by Blogger Gwen : 10:33 AM  

 I never wear belts.I hate belts. Stop obessing about belts. lol
Tracey in The Woodlands, who looks at lots of rich women wearing ugly belts


# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 1:36 AM  

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