Artist friends

[Susan Hosken]

I have a lot of artist friends on line but only two friends who are artists in real life. I miss being able to share my art and my studio with like minded creative souls. Do you have artist friends in real life as well as on line. Do you have any suggestions for me as to how I can get to know some artists?
lots of love from susan in australia

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

Hi Susan,
Do your two friends who are artists participate in any art workshops or classes with other artists? Doing volunteer art work in the community can be a good way to meet other artists.
The places where you buy your supplies may have some tips on groups. Many bead stores have classes in jewelry making, for example. Maybe going to art and craft shows and talking to the vendors of things that are of interest to you, could lead to a friendship or two. And if there is a buy and sell site online, such as Craig's List, there is usually a category or two for art and art supplies, which could be another way to meet other artists.

[Susan Hosken]

Barb, Thanks so much for commenting. Goodness so many great ideas. Aren't you wonderful. You are such a wonderful cyberspace friend and inspired me to make my bracelets and necklaces.
lots of love from susan in australia

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

And you inspire me with your beautiful pen and ink designs and collage works, Susan ... and your journaling, and in lots of other ways, too :)

Do you ever go to Google.com? They are having a vote for doodles to appear on their home page, choosing from doodles made by 28,000 children. I don't know if it's only in the USA ... if you look, let me know if you can vote on Google in Australia, okay?

[Susan Hosken]

Barb, Don't know how to go to home page of Google here. You'd be able to go to google.com.au though.
WOuld love to see the kids doodles.
I'm so glad you are inspired by my ink designs. I was quite surprised a few years ago when I first started to draw how simple I did things not complicated at all. i hope to keep my style.
lots of love from susan in australia

[jane]

hi susan - i am lucky to have one or two arty friends - but really only one that i am able to share things with and enjoy the process, so i dont think you are alone in that. As dan writes in some of his articles, its always a dilemma to find people who share your passion and can understand how important it is to you - and as a result one sometimes feels trivialised by it.

My dilemma has always been - what do i do with the things i create! I only have a little house, i dont NEED all the things i wanna make - aaargh... I am being encouraged to think about selling online through etsy... but not sure that is for me either.

Barb has great ideas for meeting more people - but i think it really has to be through local groups mainly.

[Susan Hosken]

Jane, Thanks for responding to my query. I need to be grateful for the friends I do have that are creative, one in particular. I certainly am grateful for CCS and a couple of yahoo groups. Very grateful.
I am the same as you as to where to put my creations. I am getting into 3D things and at the moment I have room but wonder for the future. I will probably need to take photos and replace them with new ones. I did that when I left my last big house and downsized. i couldn't bring all my basket wear. i have photos but they aren't the same.
lots of love from susan in australia

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

Opening an online shop for your creations is a great idea! Both of you could do well on etsy!

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

Yes, if you want to make friends locally, looking at local stuff is the way to do it.

Is there anything like Craig's List in the U.K. or in Australia? In the one for Bend, I learned about and went to a bead and gem show I wouldn't have known about otherwise, and a new flea market that will be starting up Memorial Day week end.

[MARY]

Susan!!!!

http://www.meetup.com/The-Melbourne-Artists-Way-Meetup-Group/

There is an ARTIST WAY meetup group starting in Melbourne in the next couple of weeks. You could meet real time with other artists. There are 10 people..and a waiting list...I'd say get on the waiting list..you never know!!!

They said "Would like to hold this in a bar/cafe in the Bayside area of Melbourne from Elwood down to Mentone. "

You might want to check out other Meetup groups or even start an Artist way group of your own meeting real time.

blessings,
mary

[Susan Hosken]

Mary, Thanks so much for introducing me to meetup.com. I have put myself on the waiting list for TAW group. How tremendous. There are a whole lot of people wanting a collage group and I am thinking about whether i should start one. i am so busy and spend a lot of time keeping my mum comapny. I am thinking now isn;t the time but TAW group would only be for 12 weeks.
lots of love from susan in australia

[Susan Hosken]

fiona, Thanks so much for your suggestions. You've given me lots to think about.
lots of love from susan in australia

[Jean]

Hi Susan! I have one artist friend that I've been getting together with on Monday nights. She is going to be moving at the end of July which will be very, very sad for me. I have some other artist friends, but I don't see them near as much as I'd like to! I'm hoping that when my summer vacation starts, I'll pick up that phone a little more!!

As for meeting other artists...is there some type of an art guild or art league that meets near your home? There are some groups in our area that meet once a month at a local bank. Your town's chamber of commerce may have some information for you (or you could try an internet search for "australia art guilds.") Let us know when you find some local art friends!!