06 September 2010

Dear Blog Readers

It's Labor Day in New England, the day that we typically think of as the end of summer even though technically it isn't. The nights are cool, some of the leaves are gaining a rosy hew, the thousands of college students that live here in this valley are returning, and I find myself evaluating my life and my projects as I always do at this time of year, noticing the projects I didn't begin or complete and figuring out the ones I want to commit to before the end of the year.

Okiie Hashimoto, 1967
In that spirit, I want to let you know that I feel a blog change coming on. I started Woodblock Dreams five years ago as a diary of my learning process, a place to record my experiments as I grappled with trying to master moku hanga / Japanese woodblock techniques. Up until now the blog has been very tightly focused on woodblock and only woodblock. Because of that focus, I know that many of you, my most loyal readers, are printmakers yourselves. I love that about you :)

So I want to reassure you that I will still be making woodblock prints and I will still be recording my process. But at this point in my development, I find myself also becoming interested in other art forms, interested in learning about the broader so-called art world, and interested in the artistic process in and of itself -- what it means to be not just a printmaker, but an artist.

For those of you blog readers who come here from the Baren Forum discussion list, what this means is that you will see only the posts that are about and are tagged "woodblock." If you would like to see and participate in the other posts as well, I'd suggest that you "follow" the blog by clicking the "Follow" button at the bottom of the right-hand column.

No matter how often you visit, and however you arrive here, thank you as always for following along with Woodblock Dreams.

xo Annie

11 comments:

Anita Thomhave Simonsen said...

Annie...this sounds interesting and makes me happy...and curious...and you are right about art isn´t depending on sticking to what you can and do well...art is also jumping into new stuff...so I wish you my best and I´m looking forward to see what you are into in the future...
I´m hanging on here..

Celia Hart said...

I'm looking forward to reading about your creative adventures... I sometimes muse about dividing my blog into separate blogs - prints/garden/walks/inspiration...

...but in reality with me everything is inter-related so that's how it'll be on the blog.

BTW I love the Okiie Hashimoto print you've shared with us.

Celia

Kim Rosen said...

This is exciting Annie- I can't wait to keep reading!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

I look forward to your artistic exploration!

Kit said...

Sounds exciting, Annie. I look forward to reading on!

Melissa said...

How exciting! I'm looking forward to reading about all your artistic adventures. Change is good!

Ellen Longo said...

Yeah...I'm so happy. I've been looking for wisdom about what it means to be an artist, making some forays into that world myself. I look forward to keeping up with you and I'm going to give your book as Christmas presents this year! Great idea, huh?
Love,
Ellen

Annie B said...

Thanks, friends.

Celia, I agree that all of life is related to art making. I'm not sure yet how broad I'll let this blog become, but anything directly related to art will be fair game!

Ellen, giving my book as Christmas presents is a brilliant idea! Thank you.

Ryan MCFC said...

I love blogs that reveal people's journey as they explore art. They are extremely educational for the reader as well as the blogger. My favorite right now is by a guy who designs the incredible Criterion Collection covers but blogs about all of the lessons he learns through his forays into all kinds of art. http://sevencamels.blogspot.com/

I look forward to yours as well!

d. moll, l.ac. said...

Whatever you want to do, rock on, Annie :)

Steve Emery said...

While I have not commented often, I have been following your blog for years... and I do so via a link on my personal home page, with a handful of other blogs I cherish. I'm a painter, but I learn a lot about process and artistic vision/message from your posts. I'm looking forward to what you discover in other artforms.