Hey all! The lineup for Portland’s October 5, 2019 Drunken Discourse has been announced! Help get the word out and RSVP to the event page.
Month: September 2019
Pop up installation by Calvin Skaar
{When your cat has a better chance at landing a MOMA exhibit than you do.}
Artist bio:
Calvin Skaar was born in the roof of the MSM Deli in Tacoma, Washington. A few weeks later, he and his brother, Hobbes, were adopted by two artists. Having grown up in the artists’ studio, he had easy access to supplies and resources. His early works were in shredded computer cables and various loose bits of hardware (screws, nails). His largest work to date has been the performance art piece in which he dragged a bag of steaming hot malai kofta around a 900-sq foot loft, dying himself and surrounding furnishings orange in the process (2009).
Since the addition of a human child to the household more than seven years ago, he has branched into other reclaimed materials: from children’s toys to high heels and USB sticks, he likes to place his art in unexpected locations (kitchen, living room, hallway, etc.). While these pop-up installations are not marketed or promoted in advance, witnesses have reported hearing a series of yowls as the artist is depositing his work to alert those who may be in the area at the time.
Inquiries may be sent to nominestudios@gmail.com, subject: “Calvin!”
Flash Mob
In January of this year, I got back into Argentine Tango classes at Tacoma’s Studio 6 Ballroom. As a result, I have had the chance to meet and learn from some really awesome dancers. Last Saturday, I tagged along and documented the West Coast Swing dance students and coaches preparing for then doing flash mobs all over Tacoma.
Thank you, Natasha Thayer (and crew), for making this event happen and for the invitation! It was a fun day, and I now permanently have the following song seared into my brain.
If you’re up for something new, check out their classes! For more of my photos, click here.
Happy Friday!
Suzanne
Write Anyway
I took a break from working on projects this morning. I was really motivated, but I forced myself to take a break for health reasons. Then the doubt seeped in. I caught myself questioning myself, and I knew the self-criticism was without merit. But I lost a little steam.
I dawdled on Facebook, when a post sparked a need to look through some old belongings I hadn’t touched in years. In the process, I found my copy of On the Road by Kerouac, which I had thought was lost. Inside the book, there was this postcard from my writing mentor, Ray Kelleher. He wrote it in 1996 explaining he would be gone and when he would be back, and ended the card, “Write Anyway! Be-bop lives.”
Postcard from my writing mentor, Ray Kelleher, to our high school writing workshop. 1996. It was hidden in my copy of Kerouac’s “On the Road.”
Postcard from my writing mentor, Ray Kelleher, to our high school writing workshop. 1996
He died several years back. I didn’t learn until well after the fact. Sometimes signs from him pop up. Like this.
I’m back at the computer. I’m sharing because there’s probably others who need a kick from the other side to get back to working on what you love, too.
Be-bop lives,
Suzanne
Social Media Updates
A long time ago, I locked my Twitter+Instagram accounts due to trolls. The problem with this approach is it makes it really hard to promote my work. So I’ve set up second public accounts on each platform: @nominestudios . (Brand new!) Feel free to follow me there; thank you for your support!
Geek Girl Con 2019 Details
Hi friends,
Moderator and Panel Creator Symantha Reagor just confirmed that I’ll be speaking with other amazing (and hilarious, and insightful, and …) creators on the Chronic and Creative Panel on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at 3 p.m. We’ll be addressing maintaining creative practices for individuals with chronic conditions/ disabilities. As a Certified Disability Management Specialist who has been diagnosed with migraines, arthritis, and glaucoma, this is a very important topic to me. This will be the second year I have contributed to this panel, and I can’t wait.
GeekGirlCon is held at the Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle. Get your tickets soon!
Cheers!
Suzanne
Weekend Illustrations
On Saturday I trekked around town with my favorite local dance studio and took pictures. Due to concerns about copyright infringement/ intellectual property theft based on recent experiences, I am being more cautious about sharing photos. So on Sunday I began working on some new watermarks for my images. From doodles to digital versions, here’s some of what I came up with. {Considering a lot of my work is typically serious in nature, I have a few more designs in the works as well.}
Cheers!
Suzanne
Update: Standing up to Santa
I don’t know how permanent this is or if I will have to fight this fight again, but as of this morning, this:
changed to this:
Thank you to those who took the time to write on my behalf. I’m not sure whether the link was taken down by Facebook or the Knights of the Pythias. If it was the latter, it’s sad that the individual was so bent on retaliation against a woman he dated that he’d rather erase any trace of her contributions from a nonprofit organization than credit her and get permission to use photos before posting.
I am still waiting for the KOP leadership to get back to me with an apology for making a volunteer jump through so many hoops for her own intellectual property, and to confirm what steps will be done to protect others should they be sexually harassed. It’s 2019: historical societies shouldn’t still be treating women like it’s the Dark Ages.
Standing up to Santa
I stopped volunteering with two non-profits this year due to the bad behavior of men that was recognized and pointed out by others, but not appropriately addressed.
With one, I was able to wipe my hands and go. I had dedicated two years to the organization and had already trained others in media matters along the way. I’ll find out in December if the Chair actually figured out how to remove my credit card information from the website provider. (Joy.)
The other is still actively using my intellectual property without proper attribution and permission. I brought this up again about two weeks ago to a few members of the organization, one of whom said they would try to help me. Ironically, their efforts were thwarted by Santa.
Literally.
To keep a long story short, here is a copy of the letter I sent to the Tacoma Knights of the Pythians’ Chancellor after I found out my request for assistance was blocked:
August 30, 2019
To the Leadership of the Knights of the Pythias Commencement Lodge #7:
On December 15, 2018, I helped create signs and took photos of the Pythian Sisters’ Children’s Holiday Party. I had borrowed [redacted]’s camera with the verbal assurance that I could get the files from him after the party.
Without permission or credit, [redacted] posted my photos on the Knights of the Pythians Temple’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pg/TacomaPythians/photos/?tab=album&album_id=948089761981410&ref=page_internal). While the women who put together this event were not credited (despite my request), he made sure to add the following line to the album description: “The lodge got a visit from Santa thanks to the Sisters’ annual holiday party. Gosh, that dude is awesome.” For those unaware, Mr. [redacted] was the one wearing the Santa suit.
He asked me in writing via Facebook Messenger on December 18, 2018, if I wanted credit for my photos, to which I responded that I did. He had already posted them on December 17, 2018. As of August 29, 2019, there is no photo credit, and despite asking other Knights and the Chair of the Pythian Sisters [redacted] to fix this on my behalf, he is refusing to correct this. Even more insulting is that the photos shared included my child. As both the photographer (intellectual property holder) and the mother of a minor in the pictures, it is well within my rights to expect that photos be shared within the context I allow. I had encouraged that the photos be shared in the secret Knights of the Pythias group so that the other parents could have pictures of their children. I did not give permission for my photos to be shared on the Knights Facebook page without attribution.
As a non-profit, the Knights of the Pythias Lodge is liable under Intellectual Property laws. Per the Washington State Nonprofit Institute: “Intellectual property law grants the creator of intellectual property exclusive rights for exploiting and benefiting from their creation” (https://www.wanonprofitinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/LGL-Kit-Intellectual-Property.pdf). As such, my original request that I be able to retrieve the photos from his camera should have been honored. As far as the Temple is concerned, my work should not have been used for the majority of a year by the organization without attribution.
I am asking that the Knights of the Pythias correct this oversight and for a public apology for the misuse of my property and of Temple resources. In addition, I am asking that the organization review appropriate consequences for sexual harassment (retaliation).
I am willing to meet with the leadership of the Tacoma Temple and, if necessary, the Grand Lodge to discuss this matter further.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Skaar
This is literally the dumbest argument to be had ever. With a “secret society.” With Santa no less. There were witnesses (members of the organization and visitors) that I took these photos. He has recognized in writing that he is aware that I might want credit for my work. And yet, here we are.
I have been assured by others in the organization that this matter is being taken seriously but that it will take some time to resolve. Personally, it took me less than half an hour to create this post, so I’m not sure why it would take almost a year to either give credit for work as is the norm or remove work for which permission has been rescinded. Considering the social media coordinator worked in journalism for years, he is expected to have an above average knowledge of these issues. Maybe some guys just aren’t as tech savvy as they claim to be. If it’s ineptitude, then the organization should consider why they’re having troubles attracting and keeping volunteers with social media/ website knowledge and non-profit experience. If you would like to support me in this fight for rights to intellectual property (especially images of my minor child), please email a quick message to: chancellorcmdr@tacomapythians.org . A simple “I support Suzanne,” “respect intellectual property rights,” or something civil would be awesome.
Cheers, and thank you for your support. Feel free to share this.
Suzanne
No, Mine! Studios 