My Current Favorite Magazines

I promised you a follow up to this post, and here it is.

I hope that no one took my post as an assault on the artists or their artwork. I don't care if you use wings, hats, birds, or whatever in your work if that's what you want to do and it's what makes you happy. I wasn't picking on the artwork, but on the publisher itself and what they choose (or rather don't choose) to publish. There's so many amazing artists and different styles out there, it would be nice to spice it up with some variety.

My other big gripe is the lack of respect shown to artists in our field. Why is it that (for the most part) an artist can only publish a book on book arts, collage and the like only if it's published as a how to book? Sure, technique matters and is important but that's not the only thing that should matter. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm not interested in the how but in the why. Why do you want to make art? What calls you to it? What inspires you? Who inspires you? What is it about this particular art form that calls to you above any other? Why can't people ask serious questions (you know I'm not talking about someone like Ricë Freeman-Zachery as she does ask the serious, GOOD questions) that give a nod of respect to the artist? It goes along with the idea that we are just crafters and don't deserve the name/label artist and what recognition and respect it brings. You know yourself damn well that we do.

No one would only ask someone like Rauschenberg, Truffaut, or Galeano questions only about the techniques they used to create their work but more importantly, they would ask them why and what made them passionate about the work they created.

Why shouldn't our art treated the same way?

My two cents.

*****

Here are the magazines that I have been buying on a regular basis and my commentary on each:

Anthology: Living With Substance and Style

I searched high and low for this magazine and finally found it at Anthropologie at the Grove. Score! I also subscribed online (starting with issue 2). I think what I like most about the magazine (besides the high quality look and feel of the issue) is the subject matter: life in all forms, many stages and different ways that people approach it. It's not solely an art, style or fashion magazine. It's interesting. It's inspiring. It doesn't make me wish that I lived in someone else's home but rather gives me ideas for things that I can do to my own home and a different approach to or way of seeing my own life. I can't wait for the second issue!

See a sneak peek of issue one here.

*****
Oh Comely
Oh Comely, you had me at hello.

I saw you on the newsstands (Centerfolds on Fairfax) for the very first time on New Years Day, 2011. You jumped off the shelf at me and into my hot little hands (how could you not with a cover like the one above). I bought you because of your images that I thought I would cut up and collage with. Later when I started reading you, I smiled with delight. Me? Cut you up? Oh no, dear one. You are a gem and one that I will be revisiting for many years to come. I love you so much that I subscribed. I'm looking for a copy of your second issue as well. I just purchased issue four at the local newsstand. I couldn't wait.

Seriously in love,
Kelly

*****
Uppercase

Let's put it this way, if Uppercase publishes it, I buy it. Plain and simple. I. Love. This. Publisher. I own every book that they've ever published. I've bought book bundles of books that I haven't even seen yet knowing that they will be amazing. I've been a subscriber to Uppercase since they announced it.

Uppercase is my favorite art magazine, my favorite living magazine, my favorite inspirational magazine, my favorite everything magazine. If I could only subscribe to one magazine, this would be it. Why? Because this magazine talks about anything and everything. They have articles on artists (undiscovered and old favorites) to odd things that I never thought were interesting or even worth thinking about, let alone reading, until I read about them in Uppercase. Really? Axes? Who would have thought that you could get me to read about axes or, hell, shaving? Seriously? Seriously. I love this magazine. Janine posts a preview tease for each issue. This really is the most inspirational magazine around right now. They also have one of the most amazing blogs on the planet. I'm eagerly awaiting the next issue.

*****

Other guilty favorites:
MaryJane's Farm
I'm not a farm girl but I love, savor and keep every issue of MaryJane's Farm. She lives a life that is one of my many dream lives.

*****

Selvedge

Oh dear, Selvedge, your former price tag would induce me into sticker shock. I would purchase an issue here and there and treat each volume like it was a precious new book, instead of a magazine. Your color, your quality, your depth. I love your new price tag much more. I buy your magazines to relish and treasure.

*****

I hope that you've enjoyed this post. I'd love to hear what magazines inspire you and what you are buying to read, savor and enjoy!