the big idea

Hello! My name is Kristen and I am currently working on my MFA in photography.

After beginning my studies in art in undergraduate school several years ago, I started slowly removing certain types of wall "art" from my humble collection. After my first photography class, out went those "classic" black and white photo posters that I thought were so hip at age eighteen, and it was all uphill from there. Soon I felt narcissistic, though, because the only things I had left for the walls were things I had made myself! I've tried to collect bits and pieces from fellow art students over the past few years, but it can be difficult, because everyone always seems so pressed for time.

Then, I had this Big Idea.

I'm creating this project as an experiment. I want to see if I can accumulate one new print per week for the entire year of 2011. Of course, if I had already made my famous break as an artist, instead of asking for trades, I'd offer to pay you a lovely sum for that print of yours. Instead, this is what I'll do. I'll post one new print per week, and the first person to leave a comment saying they'll trade me for a print of theirs, gets it. Here are the rules:

1. You must be proud of your print, no second rate art. It doesn't have to be recent and you don't have to be a professional, but you have to stand behind it.
2. Prints should be relatively close in size. They don't have to be exact, just do what you can.
3. Use good quality materials.
4. Sign and date your print. I want to be able to prove what I have when you're famous!
5. Mail within a week of claiming. I want to show the readers of this blog what prints I receive, without too much of a lag in time.
6. You don't have to swap a photograph. It can be any kind of print. I make other kinds of art too and I am likely to feature drawings and such as time goes on. You can also feel free to send me original art rather than a print, I won't argue with that one bit. And if you make 3d work, well that would be just fine too. No limits on media.
7. Surprise me. Be creative!

And what do you get in return? Well, you get a print from me. It will be of good quality materials, signed and dated, and mailed to you promptly. I'll post a picture of your print on the blog when I receive it, with a link to your blog or website, and a little paragraph about how much I love it. I'll probably hang it up in my apartment too, because the point of this thing is to decorate my home in new art!