On The Radio, On Your Television

That's right, I'm invading your homes via radio and television.  I just have to tell everyone about this solo show!

Last Friday, I was live on 30A Radio's "Our Coastal Arts Scene" with Claire Bannerman.  It was a 45 minute show and it was a lot of fun.  They invited me to bring some music selections to play in between interviewing, so not only was I the interviewee, but I got to be the DJ, too!  You can listen to the whole thing here.

Today I was live on TV.  WMBB News 13 had me on their morning and midday show.  I even did some paper-cutting on air.  Here is one of the segments from the morning show.

And here is a shot of me and Greg Sherrod from the midday show.

 This year I made some holiday cards to send to a few people.  What did I make? Why, hand-cut paper cards, of course!

Happy Winter Solstice!

And finally, here is a sneak peak of the last new paper-cut until the opening:

It will be somewhat large (for a paper-cut) at 15"x30."  The image is just of a small detail, taken of the back of the piece, from an angle.

The opening is one week from tomorrow!  ACK!  WOO!

Self-Promotion in Blogland

I have been promoting my solo exhibit at Studio b. so much lately I'm quite sick of talking about myself.  I can't wait for the opening, but it will be nice when it's over and I can shut up for a little while and just make art.  They say in order to make a living off of your art you should spend half of your time making the art and HALF of your time promoting it.  That thought is very scary to many artists, including myself.  "You mean I have to talk about myself?  To... people???"  It makes sense, though.  I suppose we can't expect to just make art all day long and have it magically sell.  We have to make people actually AWARE that it even exists in the first place.

So here I am, blogging so that you are aware that I am here, making art, that could one day belong to you.  I have enjoyed blogging for more reasons than just mere self-promotion.  It creates a connection between myself and people interested in my art.  I can give a further understanding of the thought process and technical process that goes into each piece of art.  I'm always so interested to hear people's thoughts on my blog posts.  People I don't even know check the blog regularly and will walk up to me and we can have a real conversation about art.

Basically, the blog helps in the connection between artist and viewer.  It is so easy to just create art and forget about how people will receive it.  Or maybe I'll assume it will be interpreted one way, only to find out that there are other very interesting interpretations that can help to feed my future concepts.

Of course, nothing beats a one-on-one, but the blog can be the beginning of that conversation.

At the beginning of the opening at Studio b. I will hold an Artist Talk and then a Question and Answer segment.  Come to the opening and join in on the conversation.

I created a Facebook event for the opening.  All the info is there.  Check it out and click "attend" if you plan on coming!  

And last but not least, here is another teaser of a paper-cut I finished yesterday.  The whole piece is 11"x14" but this is just a tiny part of it.

Start a conversation: leave a comment.

How to get to Studio b.

For those of you who have never been to Studio b. but would like to attend the opening ("I Cut Paper: Art by Heather Clements" at Studio b. Opening December 30, 7-10pm,) I will give you...

Directions to Studio b:

*UPDATE* Studio b. is in the process of moving locations.  It is no longer located here!

Coming from Panama City/Panama City Beach:

• Head West on Highway 98.
• Not long after you pass Phillip's Inlet Bridge and St. Helen State Park...
• Turn Left at the light onto Highway 30A.
• Pass Rosemary Beach and Seacrest (and possibly some other small towns)
• Once you enter Alys Beach you'll see:

 

• White towers and the road lined with Egyptian Palm Trees.
• Turn right onto N. Charles St.
• You'll see Fonville Press, and a parking lot behind it.
• Studio b. is across the street from Fonville Press and the parking lot.
• The address is 30 N. Charles St., Alys Beach, FL. 

• (I must warn you, it is not easy to find this address on the internet, so don't rely only on your smart phone or GPS!)

Here is a map of 30A towns:

 And here is a map drawn by yours truly to help you find Studio b.!

*UPDATE* Studio b. is in the process of moving locations.  It is no longer located here!

Paper Jewelry

This past week I have been working more on paper jewelry.  I gotta say, I never thought I would be making jewelry.  I simply don't care much for most jewelry.  I have 2 or 3 necklaces and one bracelet that I may wear on a fancy occasion, but that's about it.  But the idea to make paper jewelry was just too tempting.  After making a few necklaces and earrings, I can't wait for a fancy enough occasion to wear some.  There's something about that crisp white, and the transparency of the open areas that is just so appealing to me.  Of course, I am just plain in love with paper-cutting, so I guess this comes as no surprise.  I do think that these would be appealing to others who may not have quite the same paper art obsession.  I'll be selling some at the opening at Studio b. so we will just have to wait and see!  After that I'll most likely have some available to sell at my etsy shop.

(No, I am not obsessed with myself, I'm simply the most available and convenient model.  But I promise some day I will get someone much better suited for this to model some paper jewelry!)

The necklaces have clasps in the back.  The "chain" (for lack of a better word, maybe someone could help me out with that) is made out of a crocheted line of upholstery thread.

People who buy these must be aware of the fragile nature.  It is PAPER, so try not to wear any in the rain, try not to bend them (as in, don't throw them in a jewelry box to be smushed by everything else,) and try not to touch them in excess as the oils from your fingers may yellow the paper over time.  Jewelry is often very fragile, so the extra fragility of these paper pieces, I think, adds some to the appeal.

Would you wear paper jewelry?

A Sneak Peek and a Visitor Map

December has arrived!  My opening at Studio b. is less than a month away!  Last night I finished a small paper cut.  The day before I finally finished my large 30"x40" paper cut.  And I just can't wait to get to cutting again.  Here is a little sneak peek detail of the latest 5"x7" paper cut.  To see the whole thing you'll just have to come out to the opening!

The latest Panama City Visitor's Map has come out.  I have created the painting for the cover for 5 years now.  That's amazing because I haven't even lived here 5 years... I'm not sure how that makes sense, but oh well!  I have also been painting the cover for the Beach map for the past few years.  These babies are in most stores in the area, featuring, as they call it, the "shortcut to the good stuff."

This month I'll be working extra hard.  Here's what will take up most of my time:

• Making as much new art as possible for the solo show.
• Promoting the solo show.
• Hand-making all holiday gifts for friends and family.
• Hanging the show.

So if you would like to learn how you can help me promote, please feel free to contact me!