Hi everybody,

Wanted to let you know that I will be on the radio this coming Wednesday, October 14th. I will be answering listener questions about copyright on WAMC/Northeast Public Radio's VoxPop. The air time is 2-3pm (EDT) and if you are not in the WAMC catchment, you can listen live at wamc.org.
I organized the Copyright Forum 5 years ago and asked Bill Westwood, a medical illustrator chum, and Paul Rapp, an IP lawyer and drummer for the pop band Blotto, to join in on the fun. We answer questions, argue amongst ourselves (usually Bill & I versus Paul) about copyright issues and generally have a really good time.
The idea for the Forum came out of my over 30 years of involvement with the Graphic Artists Guild and the resulting interest in and knowledge about copyright.
So, to lift a line from Charles Osgood: "I'll see you on the radio."

I have almost finished the piece entitled "Honey" but have decided that I need at least 3 more bees. Then build the frame. I make my own box frames to accommodate the dimensional depth of the artwork, and also to save money. I started to build my own frames when I was preparing to show "The Word Project" for the first time in 2005. I realized that there was no way I could afford to commission almost 100 box frames.(The WP is now well over 125 pieces.) And I have to admit, I saw the frames as part of the work so I felt I shouldn't have someone else make them- yeah, I'm from the mid-west... So I invested in a chop saw and made frames. The frames are usually made with 3/4"x3" or 4" whitewood stock, window glass and paint. My joinery is not going to impress Norm Abrams but it is serviceable.
I also want to do some work to enter in 3 other shows accepting entries this month- all have to be done by Tuesday of the coming week. Don't know where the time or the inspiration will come from but once again, I toss myself over the artistic cliff and see where and how I land.
Thank you all again for your support.
Here is "Honey" so far:

In the previous update, I was pondering how to make bees for a piece I am working on entitled "Honey." I've come up with something that satisfies my bricoleur's heart. They don't look exactly like bees but then they do in a strange way when they are placed in context. I love context.

is up on my page. If nothing else, I have learned how to do a video- or not, as the case may be.

I am also working on a new piece for a special show at the Woodstock Artists Association & Museum. The problem I am tackling for this piece: how to make a bricolage bee... If I was a collagist, I could merely cut and paste a photo of a bee; if I was an assembleur, I'm sure I could find a pre-made bee in a crafts store scrapbooking section; but no, I have to be a bricoleur. Pondering making bees late into the night. ("Always a godmother, never a god." Fran Liebowotiz)

Continued thanks to all of you who have pledged. Please tell your friends, thanks.

Nothing like a positive response to get a girl to burst into tears... A mere 6 hours elapsed between reading the article in the NYTimes and posting my project. I was gobsmacked that I was accepted so quickly. I was floored when 5 minutes after sending an email blast to my mailing list, I got my first pledge. I am ever so grateful to you all for your support so far.
I am especially gratified by those funders who are not on my email list and hope that bodes well for the future.

I did get a question from a potential backer about what I meant by a proposed schedule and I can see where that is a bit vague so here is a clarification:

I chose my goal amount to allow me 4 months of support, still working one part-time job but dropping the others. There are 2 solid goals of getting my work seen at galleries outside of this area, and getting my book proposal to more publishers- both of which I will commit to a schedule. Gallery representation: One day a week spent in NYC going from gallery to gallery with my work (this also includes burning DVDs with images & making color prints, bio sheets, Artists Statements and price lists to be dropped off.)

Book proposal: it means spending $$$ and hours making duplicates to send to agents- since most publishers will only work with agents. Making calls and mailing packets. I will commit to spending 5 hours per week on that project. I will also commit to making at least 4 new pieces for the Word Project over the project time period.

The other goal is more abstract but funding would enable me to stay in my studio and make art instead of running around working jobs just to pay the rent. This ties in with the gallery goal because gallery owners want to see that an artist is producing work on a steady basis. I have not had the time or energy to make any new pieces for several months.

The overall goal is 4 months in which to focus on my art career, to take the chances and make some connections. Can I guarantee that I will have a gallery in the big city showing my work at the end of the 4 months? Or that I will have sold The Word Project book to a publisher? No, the results are out of my hands, all I can do is take the necessary actions.

As a further clarification, I have included some examples of the original art for the higher incentives.

Thanks so much! Tell your friends! Buttons Rule!