Big talent in modest packaging at www.fecher-gramstad.com

In 2005 I discovered the work of an amazing artist, Debbie Fecher-Gramstad, in (of all places) a shop in Downtown Disney. Watching me drool in delirium, my husband was none too subtle asking which piece I liked most, the favorite of which I received as a Christmas gift that year. To my dismay, I found the shop gone the next time I was on the hunt for another piece of her work. I found her website and sent an email inquiring about where else I might find her work. She replied with two lengthy emails filled with information, and thus began a long distance friendship with the most wonderful creative spirit and mentor. I can say this now because I asked her permission to post info regarding her site and she said yes, but that she wanted to be able to read this. :-)

There should be more Debbie Fecher-Gramstads in the world. I sit here truly at a loss for words to describe what it has meant to me personally to have someone like her in my life, particularly because we've never had the pleasure of a face-to-face meeting. I have three years (!!!!) of emails filled with evidence of her incredibly generous heart, words of encouragement like none I've ever received before, that have made me smile from ear to ear and cry with tears of gratitude at the same time.

As I read other "wanna be an artist" web sites, blogs or magazine articles, I know I'm not alone in my feelings of inadequacy. Art is so incredibly personal. Some people are compulsive about keeping a clean house, others about being the team-mom-of-everything-for-all-kids, or fastidious about entertaining like Martha Stewart. For me, my compulsion is creativity. Since leaving my office job last year, I've struggled with the response to the question, "So, what do you do?" when I am with my husband's gang from work. These people are former ambassadors, mountain climbers/college faculty, or published authors. How do I reply, "I am an artist?" I often feel like such a phony. I've received some odd comments about my work - people are so comfortable criticizing art! - and have not yet developed the requisite thick skin. I'm working on it!

Then there's Debbie. She has offered to have me come to her place in Washington to work with her as if we have known each other since childhood. She has encouraged me without being patronizing or condescending, and reminded me the importance of art to the spirit. She has actually (gasp!) asked my opinion about the topic for art classes for newbies like me. It is because of her that I put together my studio and have one of her pieces hanging right smack in front of my nose where I work to inspire me to move ahead, be bold and give it a whirl.

Debbie serves as a constant, "Pass it on!" messenger for me. Everyone should have someone in their lives to make them feel good about their passion. I am encouraging my son to take art classes with me this summer so that he remembers the joy of being creative and resists the urge to be self critical when it comes to his art. I will work with my niece this summer on art projects to encourage the same creative spirit in her.

Thank you, Debbie. You rock!

For anyone other than Debbie and I that may look at this, please check out her website and remember the amazing artist behind the work: http://www.fecher-gramstad.com

Is "Self Taught" the kiss of death for an artist???

As I'm wrapping up the studio and actually getting it into a condition that will allow me to work, I'm busy sketching and jotting down ideas for future projects. I like looking at Etsy to see what other artists are doing and to get a sense of whether or not there's any market left given this stinky economy. On the one hand, I'm as intimidated as hell with the artists' bios that go on at length about their MFA from this fabulous university, followed by gallery shows all over the globe. Then I stumble on web sites or printed articles about people who are, in my opinion, great artists and describe themselves as "self taught." I dread the conversations with my husband's work associates (he's a senior administrator at a large university) when they ask (if they bother, because I AM just the wife), "What do you do?" I feel as if I must first apologize for no longer having an office job (it was a great job at a hospital, but then they ask if I am a nurse or doctor, to which I must justify my life and responsibilities for all radiation safety, contracts, etc. and watch their eyes glaze). When I explain that I have "retired" from the world of suits and pantyhose to follow my passion for art, they start asking questions about where I studied or with whom. Some of these people collect the real thing - they have Picasso hanging in their home, among other "real" artists' works. Now I want to change the subject.

I twitch in discomfort and reply that I have learned on my own after years of playing, expirimenting, enjoying inspiration provided by knowing other artists or following their work. Do we have to have permission to use the label artist because it was not bestowed by an institution of higher education? I went to high school with John Lasseter (Pixar) and can tell you that I remember distinctly attending a show of art work by the students, particularly two of his huge paper mache sculptures. I remember thinking that this guy was a seriously talented artist, and he was only a senior in high school. I never even took art in high school, but can't imagine my life without being able to release the creative drive that I can't explain to people who just don't have that compulsion to create something out of bits and pieces.

Perhaps I just need to relax about answering the dreaded question. I am self taught, and I'm not too lousy at it all if I do say so myself. Even if it is privately or anonymously here on the web.

Time to sketch.