ART BUDDIES

What's an Art Buddy?

Art Buddies are pairs of SCWCA members who agree to support and encourage each other with their art making. Having an Art Buddy can provide a wonderful structure for feedback, encouragement and inspiration. For some art buddies, checking in with each other regularly is the perfect support to prioritize their art making in the midst of many demands on their time. For others, it provides a sounding board for creative decisions. Each 'Art Buddy' pair structures their own relationship - how frequently they meet, whether they meet by phone or in person and what projects they undertake.

Art Buddies Potluck Brunches

Every six months the Art Buddies come together as a group to share our artwork, practice thinking big and share our Art Buddy adventures great and small. New people are always welcome to come hear about Art Buddies and maybe even find one themselves. Email Cathy Salser cathysalser@scwca.org for more information.

How We Started

At our January 2005 studio visit with powerful and exemplary artist, June Wayne, she wondered aloud why more women artists didn't create a personal support system for themselves. She spoke about how valuable it has been for her to have a steady group of friends, or "art buddies," to talk to about her art and strategize with as she worked on various projects over the years.

That set our prior President Ann Isolde thinking. She decided that, as an artist working a full-time job, she could use some real support around her art-making. After a recent SCWCA Plan Fest meeting, she brought up the idea of being an "art buddy" to a new member, Laurie McKinnon, who is getting back to making art. They now talk on the phone once a week for 30 minutes, taking turns listening to what projects they are contemplating and what they've managed to accomplish. Occasionally they meet at a gallery and see a show together. Ann has found that sharing what each of them is doing has made her feel more centered on her art. It also encourages her to make more time for it because she can report back to someone who cares. This creates a "framework for commitment."

Perhaps a relationship with an "art buddy" could help you to dig into your work, set goals for sending out slides and resumes, or see more art. Remember that SCWCA events are a great place to meet other artists, talk about art, and find a buddy to help you prosper as an artist. After all, it worked well for June Wayne and her artist friends Judy Chicago and Rachel Rosenthal.

Reflecting on What It's Like Having an Art Buddy:

From Yvonne: "One of the things we share in terms of mutual encouragement is the experience of discovering new meaning and aesthetic content in the reinterpretation of a subject through a different medium. Changes made in scale, color, texture, line, composition, focus, etc., lead to a new and different art experience. It is an example of lateral thinking as opposed to linear thinking and reflects the influence of Eastern philosophy."

From Marie: "I was surprised to find that we had so many common points of interest...philosophy, interest in perception and technique, historical perspective, appreciation of constructive criticism....talking and listening with Yvonne in our mildly structured get togethers has had a much appreciated positive effect on my art."

Back row L-R: Laure McKinnon, Marie Cenkner, Hani Shafron, Yvonne Beatty, Erika Kletzin

Seated L-R: June Edmonds, Cathy Salser, Mahyar Nili, Nancy Lissaman, Jacqueline Gadois

Front row L-R: Ann Isolde, Diane Destiny, Annemarie Rawlinson