Sunday, April 25, 2010

The Hands of the Artist

Our hands are one of our most basic tools. We use them, in all areas of our lives, to feel temperature, texture, hardness, wetness, weight...and on & on...so many uses for these little tools. They have a sensitivity to them that is indispensible. They have a dexterity, strength, and ability to be controlled. So, as an artist, we are especially attached, (in more ways than the obvious) to our dear hands. For the most part, our hands do what our brains instruct them to do. We are happy to be able to mold, paint, wipe, smoosh, dab, pick at, scrape...so many tasks we artists give to these little guys.

Sometimes, we are delighted to just let our fingers and palms move over a completed piece, to feel the texture...we are texture lovers, aren't we? How delightful to feel the old lace, the metal keys, the rough sand, the cool smoothness of an embossed surface, the stickiness of drying glue, the warmth of cooling UTEE, the bumps of the brads, the wrinkles of the flowers. All these items hold meaning for us. We perceive where in the process of creating our art we are as we feel over our piece. Sure, we can look at it, but it's when we feel it that we are also assessing it, weighing our decisions to add more, or stop now.

I know that I feel very connected to my artful process when, at the end of a project, I look at my hands and see the assorted stains from alcohol inks, Distress inks, acrylic paints, glitter, assorted glues, and chalks. I want to protect my hands from burns (who hasn't touched the UTEE a bit too early?) and from cuts-craft knives and awls -and especially from super glue! I need these tools to keep safe so I can continue to do what I love.

Hands are also a wonderful iconic image, like hearts, crowns, wings, birds, keys, numbers, and so much more (but I think that covers a lot of my personal favorites.) It is very alluring to see a large hand model, especially one that has had some sort of "art" happen to it. It reminds me of the quote, "A mother holds her child's hand for just a little while, but she holds his heart forever." (Make appropriate gender substitutions as needed.) Which brings me to the final note on the Artist's hands. We hold on to things. All of our art tools and supplies pass through our hands, but we also hold on with our heart to so much of what we love. Hand and heart, together in so many activities..we are so lucky when we can have these two elements working together in our lives. Because of my ability to make my own art, in my own way, at this time in my life, I consider myself incredibly lucky. Leaving a comment?...would love to hear what other iconic images you all like to collect, use, dream about, etc

Here is a photo of this week's free give away to a randomly chosen commenter . Leave me a comment at the end of this post to be entered to win a pink Slice apron from Making Memories, a red rubber unmounted phrase set, and a paper pack which includes stickers, shapes, etc.

15 comments:

  1. My hands are currently covered in green felt tip from where I touched a piece of vellum before it was dry :) My husband thinks I'm crazy :) :)

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  2. Hi,
    I love bedazzling projects. My hands, face, and everything also get it. I'm shinning brightly with my art. lol

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  3. I am still finding apple green glitter in my bathroom from a project last year. I cannot tell you how many times it's been mopped but wow. It still is lingering!

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  4. I am always peeling glue off fingers. Have tried solvents but they make my fingers as dry as the desert, but these fingers are the best tools I have!

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  5. hmmm, favorite things scrapping and stamping, ribbons, I love ribbons...especially on cards, I have a HUGE ribbon stash....as for images, well, I have a moose thing, but I love vintage, and love the Graphic45 papers....I want them all, don't know what i would do with them all but I want them all!! LOL!

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  6. I can really relate now to your "artist's" series, Kate! After taking the zen class this past weekend, I so felt like a true artist and seeing what I could do with my hands making those tangles....I don't know...I really felt in 'touch' with the true artist in me! I felt blessed!

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  7. Hands as tool... to smooth paper and ribbons, get that errant speck of embossing powder; just the right amount of pressure to tamp, tamp, tamp ink pads, daub on a bit of chalk... so many ways it is a tool of the heart and soul of our work! Jenny B in Beverly

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  8. When I am being creative my hands are covered with whatever I am using...whether it be glue, glitter, ink...one can always tell what I have been working on !!!!

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  9. my hands also have ink,paint,glue (glitter of course) on them :) hopefully not all at the same time. And when I do beadwork it's all about the feel of the beads....texture feels wonderful to the hands ,feeling the life of your project.

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  10. I love working with floral images. So many to choose from, and so fun to color. My coloring preference at the moment is my Copic markers.... scrumptious colors!
    DeniseB

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  11. Interesting thoughts! I love all things growing outside. Flowers amaze me. The spring colors of the new leaves on the trees... a lime color I believe. I imagine painting what I see as I drive around. Even though I can't paint. Ha! So then I think about paper color combinations from the colors in nature.

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  12. I don't really mind getting my hands covered with ink or glue etc but send me out to work in the yard getting dirt under my nails and it drives me crazy.

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  13. Lovely essay!

    I always love it when my daughter stamps with me and whether she's using markers or ink, she always asks when she gets some on her hands, "it washes off, doesn't it Mom?" :) Makes me smile.

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  14. Some of my friends are getting into digital scrap-booking.....this doesn't do it for me...there is something about playing with paper....and all those associated embellishments that is so satisfying!!!
    I could never give up the paper....the fact that I have enough card stock to stock the shelves at AE may have something to do with it!!!

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  15. I just read Karen's comment, and felt as if I'd found another friend...someone who truly understands. Emails are fine for a quick exchange of information, but notes, cards, and letters open your heart. You are sharing your thoughts, love, talent, and...of course...beautiful papers and embellishments.

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