AMP: Artists' Meeting Place and Resource Collective

Here is one of the postcards that sold in Ottowa recently.

I have been asked to make a fabric postcard for a prestigious fundraiser event in Switzerland. I have no objection to doing this, but hey, if I put the price asked by charities on my own work I would never make a sale. Guess just to get out there and get my name known is a benefit, as well as supporting an important charity.

A lot has been happening with me this week. I am still pecking away at the back of the mirror (it will look nice when it's finished, hee!hee!). Seriously, I have found that working on it in short bursts is good for me. In the meantimes I work on my other projects (and the housework). The best news is that I am improving myself by the day. Doctors are not a patch on Mother Nature herself.

I hope that all is well with everyone. As I have said, I like reading and seeing such wonderfully diverse talents pouring out of you all.

I read my first copy of the AMP newsletter (thank you for that) and I concur that our little AMP site is getting as big as the world. I think that common resect and friendship will see us grow as our world should grow - together. Art is a positive dialogue that crosses all barriers. We prove that ourselves.

I've often found it ironic that my Master's in Social Work is in Administration and Community Practice, yet I've yet to find a job where the opportunity to develop communities hasn't been thwarted or completely nonexistent. In my current job, the administrators have seen fit to choose (with no formal hiring process) individuals with no professional training to fill positions such as Volunteer Coordinator. They've done absolutely nothing over the past year and when I've stepped in to help and gotten immediate results, I've been received with resentment. I will give them some slack in that they've been asked to fill these roles in addition to their other full time positions.....I need to stop writing this stuff down because it makes it very clear that I need to look for another job! Anyway......If you don't know where I'm going, you might want to stop reading now because this is going to be one long-ass blog

(this is a sign that was anonymously posted on a building in Spain)

This building was designed by an unknown architect in an
irrelevant epoch and never belonged to an important person.
The complex does not show any original architectural solutions,
nor does it conserve any important works of art within.
No memory is kept of any significant historical events occurring
on this site. No known personality was born, lived or died here,
nor is any excellent artist or sublime poet still working here.

I'll be performing at 12 Galaxies http://www.12galaxies.com on Friday, Oct. 13th and at the Kinky Salon http://www.kinkysalon.com on Saturday, Oct. 14th!

This will be our San Francisco debut and we're very excited to come play with you!

You can find a few more details on my website: http://www.verotica143.com

Hi Everyone

We will be playing at Velvet Jones in Santa Barbara on 10/20/06 and at 924 Gilman St in Berkeley on 10/21/06

See you there

Pod

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.