I'm Onto Somethin'!

In my first post, I voiced my thoughts on how I feel that more fulfillment is received when others can appreciate what we have made than when the product of meticulous efforts is stored away in a corner. In exploring some of my favorite blogs that talk about crafty collections, I found that I really am onto something with this. One of the most recent posts from Jeremy Larson, a musician and the fiancée to the author of another staple blog (A Beautiful Mess), has a similar opinion. You should read his post for yourself that he wrote in regards to his newly released album and gives an affirmation of my assumption that it is a shame for an artist to never witness what their art may inspire in someone else. While he comes from the perspective of a musician, it is still the same concept. He does not feel fully successful as an artist until sharing his creation, establishing a communicative relationship between himself and the receiver.
Satisfaction from finding that agreement really has fueled my desire to see even more art culture in College Station. Fashion week was great and all but I feel a more unique, local feel could be achieved. Yes, this aspect of our community seems to be lacking but the more the creators here are put on display, the more I think that culture will develop into an increasingly distinct part of our area as people's thoughts become more conducive in this area. This means we need more "Jeremy Larson-minded" people for the crafty ones to get to shine brighter in this college town!

Fashion Forward Steps

I like to include fashion as a prominent feature of artistic culture as many use it as an outlet for their creativity and as a means to express themselves. Across the country fashion is distinctive to its region. As a general observation, the clothing tends to be more cutting edge in urban communities and simpler in smaller communities. Up-to-date or not, many smaller towns like to follow suit of major cities like New York City in which there is a whole week devoted to the glorification of designer clothing and those who facilitate the inspiration behind it. Here is a glimpse of what a typical day during fashion week consists of: Fashion Week Spring 2011/Day1. Also check out this week's cover page and main story in the Maroon Weekly paper. Understandably the festivities are not up to the same extravagant level as what the booming metropolis of New York City produces, but believe it or not, BCS (Bryan/College Station, TX) puts on their own toned down rendition that even the papers are noticing. This is the first instance since starting this blog, that someone had actually heard that an local creative event was going on before I mentioned it.

You got it! This week is Fashion Week everyone! Kicked off yesterday and continuing until Saturday, BCS is hosting an art, fashion, and music show for local designers to participate in. When perusing last week's edition of Maroon Weekly, I noticed the colorful ad promoting it. Here is a link to a video spot about the event: Fashion Week BCS. I feel as though there is still a great deal of room for the more artistic outerwear to be made and appreciated in College Station, but I find Fashion Week to be a noteworthy step in the right direction.

If you are like me and would like to check it out, the schedule of the week's festivities can be found by clicking on this link: FW Schedule

Creator Underwraps

Attention all art seekers! My first personal discovery of a College Station local trying to place their creations on display has been made. The pleasant surprise was stumbled upon in an unexpected venue. Joining the multitude of Aggies in Spence Park pre-kick off on game day, I arrived at a tailgate that my sorority, Sigma Phi Lambda, was doing with our brother fraternity, Kappa Upsilon Chi.

While making the rounds to ensure that I said hello to everyone that I knew, I nearly trampled on a small blanket resting under a tree that was decorated with happily colored vintage fabrics formed into various geometric shapes and aesthetically pleasing floral designs perfectly placed on headbands and hair clips. Not far from the collection of pretty accessories sat a girl holding a notebook and wearing a smile. I was thrilled to see well-made adornments on display at a public function. However, it confirmed my accusation from my earlier post that the opportunity to sell and show art is minimal in the Bryan/College Station area if an artist is having to resort to the grass beneath the shadows of a crowded tailgate full of football fanatics.

The artist, Tyne, was able to find those like myself in this populated location that were relieved to find a unique product, but it would be ideal and exponentially more beneficial for her work if seen in front of an audience that comes in eagerness of obtaining that type of craft and not for free food before a football game. So I now have proof that there really are people crafting artsy pieces, but it seems as though it is a secret society just waiting to be unveiled in the Bryan/College Station community.

Check out Tyne’s cute creations

Where are all the artsy folk at?

According to popular belief and maybe some actual scientific study, people utilizing the left side of their brain have a more structured, systematic way of thinking and gravitate towards subjects like math and science that involve logic and reason. However, there are those leaning more towards the right. I am not referring to the politically conservative, but to those using a more out-of-the-box way of thinking. Many of you probably have been asked at some point in your life whether you are right or left-brain dominant, or maybe you have just seen a pop-up ad online for a quiz that will reveal which category you fall under.

Well folks, I have taken the quiz and the results are in. I operate predominately through the right side of my noggin, alongside the other doodle-drawing note takers and all the rest of the unconventional artsy bunch. With that way of working comes the urge to create something that will bring life to the otherwise mundane. We can paint canvases and make jewelry to our hearts content, but I feel that creating is more satisfying when there is an outlet in which what you make can be displayed to inspire and be appreciated by others.

Realizing this, my search for my own outlets while I attend college at Texas A&M University has begun. Regrettably, it has made me acutely aware that craft fairs, art shows, and workshops for making and showing off creations are not easy to find in College Station. I would go as far to say that the culture for such things simply does not play a significant role in the culture of this college town. I am on the look out, hoping to be proved wrong. Maybe the crafty culture that seems to be sweeping the nation is bustling under the surface of happenings in the College Station/Bryan area too, just waiting to be brought into the limelight!