AMP: Artists' Meeting Place and Resource Collective

We do make films you may call it videoart, experimental video or film, what's in a name, they're are the fruits of our memories, thoughts, stimulations and sensations of our past or present.
But why aren't we paid for our work ? ok, it's not a painting you can buy,.... But why are there entry fees for festivals ? Why do festivals claim they have no funding etc ? I'm not talking about the mainstream here. But the underground circuit and festivals. Do we already have to be happy that they show our films ? That's it ? What about the equipment we need ? Collaborations with other people isn't always easy. If I want a certain actress or dancer in my movie, they ask to be paid. With what ? And funding from councils isn't always an easy job, you may be sponsored for one project or so, but if you make experimental films all the time, short or long,...., I have to sponsor myself. Mostly there is incest in the artworld, there are always the same names who are getting funding from gouverments. I'm getting sick of it.

Since joining the AMP I have just about read everything on this site and the main thread throughout is one of the positivity that art, in all of it's diverse forms, brings to all of our lives and this site shows the eagerness to share our positive vibes with others. So I would like to thank each and every memeber for showing that.

This morning I was reading the posts about the Art Matters Conference and the CAC Residency Grants Program, Artists in Schools. These programs must be supported and attended with maximum effort all round. These posts have made me think of our own situation here in Norolk, UK.,which has a very vibrant arts scene and an arts festival every year. But, with respect, the arts are definitely for the 'priveleged' and little evidence of using art to build self-esteem and worth for the 'disaffected' in our society and so this has greatly moved me to raise local awareness of this issue by starting a campaign. So I say, "Thank you AMP".

Good morning (this side of the Great Water anyway).
This is just a quick peice of information for anyone interested in selling their works online. Try esnips.com. You can show your art there and they have a 'paypal' service. (No, I do not work for eSnips). But it may be worth you checking out the possibilities and it is free.

Skip.

Greetings again to one and all. I thought that you might like to see where I work in my home studio.

The grey slab on the table is a mirror I am etching with my metaphysical montage, for a gift. The mirror backing is extremely hard to scratch through and my excitment in working on it is heightened by the fact that the mirror could crack at any time. I love the creative process and I often feel a little sad when a piece of my work is finished.

The plants growing from seed in the baskets that are hanging from the clothes rail, next to the patio door, are cherry tomatoes. I also have sweet peppers and chillies in pots below the baskets. Not only do these bring nature indoors but they are also delicious.

to be found here:
www.salonbruit.blogspot.com

I have a great love and respect for the natural because it is the only true and incorruptable power that we have on this Earth (and everywhere else). I have mused that this is why I have an aversion to painting anything man-made.

I have had no formal art training since leaving secondary (high) school. I was made redundant in Truro, Cornwall, from Wheal Jane Tin Mine when the Government withdrew it's subsidy. Anyway there I was in tiny Truro with another 300+ men. There was no way I was going to get a job quickly and I had a young and growing family. So I learned how to acid etch and made my own etched jewellery for sale. It was going great, as I started from 'scratch' and without any real budget. But it came to an end when I had to sell everything because my wife wanted to move to Norfolk, to be near her mother. (Long story break). Since then I have returned to art and I have created works in leaded glass, etched glass, painted glass, and acrylic paint.So I can only create from my own mind and experiences. Maybe that is why I create the images that I do, because I admire Nature and I have had no other influences.

"The Clay Knows What To Do." I remember Joe saying that when he was helping me learn to sculpt. It's proven that over and over again. I rememmber the pregnant goddess who refused to let her hands be placed where I wanted them. When the buyer received it, she wrote and said that her friends were always teasing her about the way she rested her hands on her belly - exactly the way her goddess did. I made a blessing bowl this past week for a friend, and it came out of the oven with an air bubble that wasn't there before, in the position of the third eye. Looks like she has a natural bindi. Another that I made about a year ago came out with a perfectly shaped heart on her hip from variations in the clay. Amazing. It took me a long time to learn to put the clay down for a while when it wasn't cooperating. I also learned that I had to yield to it rather than forcing it to yield to me. When I let it go, it creates itself.

Good day good people. I hope and wish that all is well with you all right now.

I have just found a fault with the link to my Opera page (Opera's fault) and so I am now in the process of getting it fixed. If they can not resolve it, I will be ditching opera and moving my own links directly onto my site here. (Why don't I do that anyway?).

See you later, for an update on this issue.

(1704 BST): I have now sorted my Opera link myself and it now works (phew!). Oodles of joy.

Hi ALL!
I have been a bit busy adding my new creations to my website...so feel free to check it out www.shahravarbellydance.com
I wanted to post a few pic's in the jewelry gallery but I can only find one folder...my performance gallery??? I don't wan't to just post them out there...? so check out my pic's if you are interested...?

What a wonderful website! I love it when people come together with a common bond, especially when it is positive with so much creative energies communicating and supporting each other.