Many years ago I spent a day wandering around the streets of Amsterdam. I turned down a little sidestreet beside the famous Rijks Museum and there I spotted a small cube van. I am not normally drawn to cube vans as a rule but a little sign sitting in front of it called me to investigate. The door on the back of the van was open and inside was the most amazing little art gallery I had ever seen. I paid a woman two guilders and stepped up onto the platform. The work on display was quite magical, little painted house-like sculptures. But what I was most fascinated with was the gallery itself. The artist had made use of what was at her disposal, a van and her talent. She found no reason why she couldn't show her work anywhere and everywhere. Even right next to some of the worlds most famous painters, namely Rembrant, Van Gogh. The daring of it all made me grin.
I am reminded of folk artist Maude Lewis who put her paintings out on her front lawn with a sign saying "art for sale $5". As her work grew in popularity her price remained the same. (She once got a letter from President Nixon asking her to send a painting for his collection, she sent a kind reply requesting that he first send a cheque for $5. And really why should you have special treatment just because you are the president?) Take a little tour through the painted house of Maude.
When traveling I have always been enamoured by those who pack art pieces into a little suitcase and sell them on a side street to random passers-by.
These things remind me that there are no barriers to getting our work out into the world (whether logistical, financial, or technical). We are limited only by our own minds.
Posted by kerismith at March 23, 2004 08:17 PMThank you for the beautiful inspiration....
Posted by: kat on March 25, 2004 12:12 PMthank you Keri for sharing this lovely story with us! How wonderful to have stumbled upon a magical moving gallery! I have often wanted to buy a wooden gypsy caravan , paint it up bright and funky and travel Canada and the States showing my work and teaching visual journaling! That would be so much fun! But it does take a certain amount of bravery doesn't it?
thanks for you uplifting story!
Love,
violette
what a lovely post! yes yes yes - to letting go of that box that we so often place our art in. I was trying to tell my mom about my own blog and what it meant to me and how it fuels me and she stopped me and said: oh, so you aren't getting paid for this? And I relaized in that moment that it is that attitude that stops so many of us - art must happen in This place at That time for Such amount of money and it just isn't true! I read an article at salon.com a couple of days ago where an author talked about how hard it is to make a living writing and I thought about how art is 1) for ourselves to set us free and 2) available for others to use to help set them free. Not every artist is going to be useful to every person. So how can someone complain about not making a living writing? And one of the things I love so much about your site: you always treat art as something that has moved something within you and then offer it up for us to be moved . . . or not :) Thank you Keri . . . as always :) K
Posted by: Katherine on March 24, 2004 11:41 AMI love maude lewis...i am trying to get info on her to do a poetic study of her life. she rules hard.
and so do you sugar cube
r
What serendipity in a little art van. I enjoyed this entry in your journal, it reminds me that sometimes all it really comes down to is bravery and a willingness through creative representation.
Posted by: Jen on March 24, 2004 07:40 AMIt was too late...before I realized my mistake...KERI...Own it own it own it!*:)
Posted by: pt*:) on March 23, 2004 09:46 PMHa! That is funny about Maude Lewis & the President! I love that! The things you know, Ms. Kerry!
Posted by: pt*:) on March 23, 2004 09:45 PMyou got that right sista... i get in my own way waaay to much!!
Thanks for this great post :) I too am always so inspired to see other artists going for it in any way, shape or form. Creativity abounds!
Posted by: willo on March 23, 2004 07:33 PMGoodness! What a perfect time to read your posting! I have been thinking about organizing my own "little show" or open house...I'm totally inspired! THank you from the bottom of my heart!
Posted by: mabelle on March 23, 2004 04:58 PMI love this idea!
I'm heading down to NYC next week. Maybe I'll set up my own puppet MOMA next to the MOMA.
Ha!
Thanks for the story. Here's to the limitless, spacious imagination.
Lani
And don't forget embarrasment. I thank the heavens on my bare knees for the internet. Being able to show my work without having to face spectators. I'd die before I show my work in a van or a garden, brrrr. But it pleases me that you were in Amsterdam.
Posted by: eliane on March 23, 2004 03:27 PM