BIRD SYMBOLISM

http://www.brigids-haven.com/bos/info/birds.html

For those of us who use the computer to manipulate and make art, then reading the book "Landscape of Dreams" by Maggie Taylor, this beautiful book is a must. The ISBN number is ISBN: 321-30614-7. Maggie Taylor, uses vintage images, anthropomorpology, bird nest, eggs, wings, masks, rabbits etc. in her work.

The American Artist Joseph Cornell often worked with birds in his assembelages. He was, in my opionion, one of the great artists of the 20th century. His work was considered "Outsider Art" - and outside the realms of the art establishment. The second image above is called Hotel Eden.

Portrait of the Artist/Maker as a Bad Character

I spent much of yesterday warding off emails from a group of fellow image makers/artists on Etsy and Flickr. Even though my images have been in "cyber space" for a couple of months, I have suddenly been accused of plagiarism. My immediate reaction was to retaliate, which I did, albeit, briefly. However, the debate of plagiarism has gone on since men/women were drawing on cave walls. However, one's natural instinct is to defend... who am I defending myself from? Faceless, virtual bullies... Is there such a thing as original thoughts/ideas?

Going forward, if my work appears on this blog or on another internet site, please feel free to ask questions about my work. I believe I have been open about my sources, if you read my previous blogs from last week, you will see where the idea for the image Peek-a-Boo came from. The original idea was from a vintage photograph, as is my image "Twilight Oz Fairy" - I have shown before and after images. As my tag is Valentine's Attic - I use the symbol of the heart, both in my image making and also in my jewellery (jewelry) making. The heart is a motif that transcends time and will be used after the trace we leave have gone.

I have debated about intellectualising my work, as my aim when starting a blog and trying to sell my images was purely to make a little pin money from Etsy and other internet platforms and possibly bring someone, somewhere, a little joy through my image making. Sometimes simple intentions have a way of backfiring. As you will see from my Etsy shop - I have sold 3 images in 3 months - hardly a roaring success!

I have given a lot of thought to how fairy tales, folklore and myths, are interpretated in contemporary art and to how in the 21st century we use iconographical motifs vis-a-vie birds, masks, horns and dolls etc. to tell a story. Over the coming weeks, I intend to "refocus" and do further research on this subject and by doing so, hopefully share some of my findings with you. Looking at not only how but also why we use these universal symbols.

I have taken solice from my degree work entitled "Look at Me". Two of the images are above.

Cynthia Ozsick, who wrote "Portrait of the Artist as a Bad Character" - see the irony. One of my favourite quotes is from her:

"What we remember from childhood we remember for ever - permanent ghosts, stamped, inked, imprinted, eternally seen."

Some further reading:

http://www.artsjournal.com/aestheticgrounds/2007/04/public_art_plagiarism_vernacul.html

http://quote.robertgenn.com/getquotes.php?catid=228

http://publication.nodel.org/Utopian-Plagiarism

An Open Letter To Internet Bullies

I have been making artwork on and off for over 30 years. Today, I logged into my Etsy account and was accused of stealing another persons ideas. I have also been left malicious content on Flickr and a spiteful email on Etsy! I am an honest person, and to have my integrity and reputation sullied is hurtful and sad.

The iconography of the work I produce is woven into the fabric of fairy stories, mythology and surrealism. I grew up near Rochester, Kent, the home of Charles Dickens. From an early age I collected, objects, wings, bugs, and all manner of emphemera - I catalogued and I stored. I collected and remade. I could list a dozen artists whose work is similar to mine. In academic terms yes, the SIGNIFIERS (SIGNS) or reference points as described by Fernand de Saussure, that I use and thousands of other artists use are similar, however, they codes are imbedded in our culture, they are not unique to me or any other art producing imagery on ETSY, FLICKR or anywhere else for that matter.

TO ALL OF THOSE SPITEFUL PEOPLE - WHO THEMSELVES PRODUCE BEAUTIFUL; BUT NOT UNIQUE WORK. YOU DO NOT NEED TO FEEL THREATENED BY ME. REST ASSURED, I AM NOT GOING TO BE BULLIED OR STOPPED FROM PRODUCING THE IMAGES I MAKE.

I will not answer anonymous comments, if you feel that strongly, you should have no qualms in leaving your details. Enough said. My final word on this is - REALLY - my god, there are awful things happening is this world, step down from your ivory towers and take a reality check. Shame on you.