Mending Bobbi

I found out last night that someone broke "Bobbi's Last Ride". It was of course by accident, they bumped into the piece and broke one of the boots. When I asked the girl working if she could salvage any pieces she said that it was shattered. The boot was made out of either porcelain or terracotta so it isn't the easiest to replace, and it was a found object. The last time I went to the reuse place, they didn't have any left. The news was given to me while I was at a friends dinner party. My buddy Anne Pinkowski was there so I asked her about what she has done in the past when this sort of thing happens. It's one thing to break a piece that isn't sold.. but this piece is sold. She advised me to be honest with the person that bought it and try to fix it if I can. I know shit happens but what a total bummer. It would be easy if I could go out and just pick up a new one.. but I can't. I guess this is a learning process and it is all part of the whole picture. Nothing is perfect and maybe the "Bobbi" hasn't seen her last ride yet... On a bright side to this sad little situation, I have an extra doll part with a cowboy boot on it. It is totally different from the one used in the original piece but it might work and who knows.. it might be better. I am going to try and fix it today.

About Anne, I just met Anne at a friends house about a month ago (give or take). You should definitely check out her work. She is a very established and talented artist who has been compared to Joseph Cornell. I admire her work and am so thrilled to know her. It's fun to meet people that do similar work, it is very inspiring.

Valentines day was yesterday, ugh, sigh, ugh.. I'm so not about Valentine's day. I found this lovely picture on Passive Aggressive Notes. and thought it summed up how many people feel about the commercial lovey dovey holiday.

A friend of mine said it seemed like something I would make, which I think makes it even better. I know you might be sitting there thinking to yourself.. "that is so rude and crass". Yes, it is and that is why I like it. My favorite heart is "eat crotch". Speaking of hearts..

I sold the piece "Mended" this week. I am so thrilled that someone else got this piece. The woman that bought it said it made her feel melancholy and sad, and that it intrigued her. I knew then that she got what I was trying to say. I know that I have posted the pictures of it before, but here they are again.

I love this bottom picture. When making this box it was important for me to put an image of a woman with her back turned. This picture is just perfect, I found the image in a 1940's Life magazine, the issue was about women's fashion. "Mended" was made to depict a very somber, sad and alone feeling you get after either you are left in love or that you are far away enough from it to know the reality (even if painful) of that love. The mended hearts hang almost in a mocking fashion of the future growth one must take. Many of the hearts are mended with words taken from a erotica novel, things like "our tongues" and "my head went back in ecstasy". There is also a box inside the box with the mended hearts and words flowing out of it, this goes along with the idea of our inner secrets. Most of my boxes are talking about inner secrets and this just fits right in with it. I love "Mended" and am thrilled about my friend who bought it! I could go on and on about the meanings of this piece for me but don't want to taint your view.

Writing all of that just made me think again about how I believe that this series of work will spark many other spin off series. I'm very excited to journey into this.

Until next time..

My cup runneth over.. literally.

The opening went very well except for me. I was a nervous wreck before the show and during the show. I got myself one glass of wine at the beginning and that one glass never seemed to end. A couple of dear friends of mine brought nice wine and kept making sure my glass was nice and full. There I was talking to someone and the glass would be empty and then suddenly a miracle would happen and the glass would be full again. My whole plan for the evening was not to drink too much... yeah that didn't work out so well for me. I ended the night being trashed and stumbling, so classy! I spent yesterday feeling terrible and embarrassed about the whole thing. I'm still trying to get over it but I think it will be a while.

On a positive note, so many great people showed up and I got some tremendous feedback about my work. A lot of people loved it and that made me feel so justified and wonderful. I thank everyone who made it and apologize to you if I drooled on you, said terrible crass things to you, or fell on you toward the end of the night.

I hope I will stop beating myself up about the whole thing.. it really isn't that big of a deal but.. man am I the worst critic and super obsessive. It's all a learning experience in the end.

Some advice for people who are thinking of doing a show/opening. Try to remain calm and take everything in moderation and good stride.

It's hard work! Emotionally and physically. I have spent a lot of time lately battling with the anxiety that comes with putting myself out there. It is a fine balance game of emotions once it is finally out there. Yesterday was one of my hardest days through this whole process. After the opening, not only was I hungover but I was very down in a sense. How I would describe it is like this: you spend several months anticipating this event and getting worked up about the whole thing and nervous. You hang your show and you have mixed feelings about the work. You love your work but can't stop starring at it wondering what it is and who did it. I basically felt like someone was taking over and I was on auto pilot, I'm looking back wondering what happened. Then the big opening day comes and you are so nervous you feel completely out of your skin.. I felt proud of myself and sort of felt like hiding away from it all to protect myself. The love I felt from people at the opening was great. The days to follow are quiet and contemplative. I just wish that I didn't drink as much so that I could truly enjoy the moments thoroughly. But.. it is what it is.

I hope I shake it and learn from it.

just a quick update.

Nope, this isn't one of those creepy period commercials for Kotex. The dot that you see is to denote "sold" on my artwork. I sold another piece yesterday!!! Yay!!

I sold "Triptych"! That was one of my favorite pieces and it took me the longest time to make. I explain more about it here. The couple that bought it are some of the most creative people I know, and they are so nice, great, wonderful, interesting, and there aren't enough adjectives to describe them. If you frequent Lanesplitter you know about the action figures that are made for the employees (technically for the pub, but they are made about the employees). These dolls are made by this couple and some upper management Lanesplitter people. I don't want to put their names down because some people may not appreciate that.

Here is my action figure from a bazillion years ago:

Pretty cool eh?

My opening is tonight and I'm super excited and nervous. I know I shouldn't be nervous but I am. As social as I am, I'm also nerve wrecked easily. With that said.. I think it will be great and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone!

off to work I go..

My first commission

yep.. the title is correct. Someone was interested in buying the wood book "Be Pushy". The only catch is that if you recall, the books aren't for sale. After seeing her face fall downward with a large frown, I quickly offered to do a commission for her. The frown was gone and a very big smile took over. She gave me $100.00 dollars and I immediately started asking questions about what she would like the book to be based on. "Gratitude" was the answer, I actually like this and I find that this will be a good challenge.

The book is a gift for her girlfriend, I then started asking questions about the person getting the book: What is she like? What do you two share? What does she do? Tell me more about her?

Some really great ideas came to mind and I started taking notes. I'm very excited about this!!

I have sold two works in 3 days!

I was thrilled to have a 100.00 dollars in my pocket and went out to celebrate. When I got home later I pulled out my journal and started to sketch some ideas. There was no time limit put on me to finish this book but I think I will do it fairly quickly. I am so thrilled and part of me a little nervous.. but I know I will do the best I can. The woman even said that she was interested in have 6 books made for a genealogy project for her family. *gulp* I said "why don't we wait and discuss that after your book is done".

Wish me luck!

A couple images of some pages in "Be Pushy" for example sake. As you can see this book is a little personal and I think that the new book will be more generalized since I'm making something for someone to give as a gift. You get the idea.

my artist statement

Emily Coker
Artist Statement

Collage and Assemblage art has always intrigued me and is a major influence in my work. “Synapses” is a deconstruction of thoughts, feelings, and particular moments in life. I wanted the viewer to look into each box and see themselves, either from the outside or the inside.

Medicine cabinets hold stories, mysteries, and secrets; one can’t help looking in them. I chose to use them as my main medium because of that very idea. As the viewer, you are opening the door to someone’s secrets. Each vanity holds a different story, moment, or feeling. The lights are to signify the synapse that takes place in your brain during the thought process. The bulbs light up randomly to resemble the brains movement from these particular images of thought. I put a heavy emphasis in linking our past with our present state of mind so that one can move toward what's to come next. In a sense, the medicine cabinets have been therapy or a way for me to explain my thought processes and emotions.

My artistic expression started with making “Artists’ Books”, I enjoy making books in a non-traditional way, I want the reader to engage and become a part of the story or visuals. Four of my books are displayed in this series; they are in the wood wine crates. These books helped inspire me to create shadow boxes or dioramas that display a bigger scene that the viewer absorbs.

Thanks:
I would like to give a very special thanks to Christy Carter for being the best power tool goddess alive. Christy is an established carpenter and is currently studying at Mills College in hopes to rule the world. If it weren't for C.C., I couldn’t have done my show and would probably be missing some fingers. Many more thanks to: Mike Rice and Val Esway for helping me hang the show and tolerating my moods. Even more thanks to my family, friends, and my muse who have always believed in me and pushed me.

If you are interested in purchasing the art, call: 510-xxx-xxxx or visit: http://www.ecoker.blogspot.com/

and then it was hung.

Phew.. Sunday was the one of longest days of my life, not really but it felt like it. After the devastation of my sweater being stolen, I pulled my head up, loaded the car and anxiously drove to Lanesplitter to hang the show. The night before in my very OCD fashion I pre-packed all the essentials in case something went wrong.

Things I packed:

Hot glue gun

Super glue

scissors

zip ties (i love me some zip ties)

light bulbs (in case I broke one)

2 masonry bits

anchors and hooks, oh my

hammer and nails, pliers

wire nuts

rope

glue stick

tape (3 different types)

and I think there is more but my head can't recall all the details.

I arrived at Lanesplitter and got all the boxes moved in just as Mike (an old friend of mine) showed up to help with the drilling. I love power tools! The only thing I didn't love is that I had the wrong drill bit sizes. Thinking quickly, I called Val to have her pick up a 1/2 inch masonry bit so we could hang the heavy boxes in brick. You are probably wondering who Val is?? Val can be found here , she's my buddy and she was there to support me (the frantic artist).

One wall in Lanesplitter is brick and the other wall is just your standard off white wall. While waiting for Val, Mike and I started to hang 5 boxes on the white wall. We were pretty much done with the white wall by the time Val came in with her hero cape blowing in the wind and bit in hand. The mounted anxiety I was experiencing was slowly subsiding... phew. Deep breath in and deep breath out, and in, in, in.. oh yeah and OUT!

The pub opens at 11 and by this time it was already past 10:30, I was worried about customers coming in and not being done. "Er.. can you mind that cord", "sorry about the brick dust in your pizza". "oh this.. yeah, it's my art". So as you can see I was trying to be timely about the whole thing.

We finally got all the boxes hung and that started the wiring process. Ugh!!! 30 extension cords, 4 timers, 2 power strips, and a shit ton of zip ties later.. I had the wiring done or so I thought. In my frantic frenzy I did the wiring wrong, not only once but twice. I had the whole thing mapped out on how it all should go down and of course I forgot that crucial piece of paper at home. (palm hits head, or as the kids call it "palm head" is that right?) So the set up wasn't supposed to last that long, um yeah that didn't happen. I arrived at 9:30 and finished at 5:30, holy hell. I worked around the lunch rush, I worked around the beginning of the dinner crowd and finally, finally finished. By the time I was done, I was alone, tired, and worn out but it worked and it looks great!!!!

Less writing and more pictures:

Not stressed at all, not one bit.. see.

The open box is "Toxic Thoughts"

warm blue glow of "Triptych"
Old fashioned glow of "Well isn't that just Swell".

"Bobbi's Last Ride" Already Sold!! That is the above picture.

"Second-Hand Souls" looks so pretty on the brick wall.

oooh.. "Triptych"

"Mended"

Detail of "Mended". One of the lights doesn't work.. but I'll fix it later.

Yay!!!

P.S. I'm not so great with my writing and grammar.. so you sticklers out there BEWARE!.. just saying.

Nervous thoughts and my sweater, oh and nerves.

I just realized in my panicked state that someone stole, or I lost my most favorite sweater. It's not a fancy sweater, it's acrylic and a v neck and I'm bummed.
I was slowly waking up this morning and getting mentally prepared to hang my show when it dawned on me... my sweater?? it's gone. I didn't see it while I was folding laundry... not at the laundromat, home, or any place?

I wonder is someone took it?? I'm going through suspects now in my head.. there were three people there, one woman that took up about 17 washing machines, the man that was singing to his reflection in the fire extinguisher case, and one woman who was cleaning out her purse with latex gloves on... I bet you if it was stolen, it was her. She was very, very, very strange and didn't really look like she was doing any laundry.

I don't know why I'm posting this other than I'm just super nervous and have to hang my show soon. I may have wanted to wear that sweater and that's why I'm thinking of it.

Wish me luck today!