skygrazer.com

I came across this article on kaleidoscopes at a local fair.

It’s a great experience to share your art with the public, especially kids. I’ve done a couple workshops at my local library – one on kaleidoscopes, and everybody loved it.

Colorful character

Nobody among the dozens of exhibitors at the fair enjoyed opening day more than Will Smith, 52, of Sacramento, also known as Captain Kaleidoscope.

He brought to the fair his exhibit of huge cylindrical mirrors that produced an ancient form of light show for kids and parents alike. People swarmed the kaleidoscope exhibit.

“It’s so much fun for people, a big change in this electronic age,” said Smith. “Just about everyone is fascinated by it.”

“It’s their favorite exhibit,” said Rick Thompson, 55, a retired machinist from Battle Ground. He was talking about his granddaughters, Sidney, 9, and Lauren, 5, who peered into kaleidoscopes and grinned.

“It’s so cool,” said Sidney.

Smith explained that the 1,000-square-foot exhibit that he and his wife, Cheryl, created is an outgrowth of their 20-year-old business. They spend most of their time creating art kaleidoscopes that art galleries sell for hundreds and even thousands of dollars. Smith said he sells to about 50 galleries in the United States. His work can be seen at www.kaleidowave.com.

His upscale models are built of wood and each is unique. For example, his Hawaiian model is a seven-point image encased in plantation-grown Koa wood. Beach glass and semiprecious stones are displayed.

Smith said he is among about 200 artists in the world who make kaleidoscopes for a living. Many of the artists are members of the The Brewster Kaleidoscope Society, an international organization. Their Web site is www.brewstersociety.com.

The Smiths are working to franchise their business, so one day there could be Captain Kaleidoscopes around the country.

“The public’s reaction has been phenomenal,” said Smith. “Children’s eyes light up with the discovery, and the senior crowd reminisces over memories of their favorite childhood toy.”

At the fair, Smith was showing his wares and also selling souvenir kaleidoscopes and kits so kids can make their own.

“We do a lot of science museums and assemblies at schools,” he said. The Smiths do only do a few fairs each year, he said.

“Primarily, it’s our high-end art that we do,” he said.

My mother lent me a good book called “Coaching the Artist Within: Advice for Writers, Actors, Visual Artists and Musicians from America’s Foremost Creativity Coach” by Eric Maisel.

It hit a few chords. It’s about developing your creative life – whatever that may mean to you – and learning to honestly, objectively look at any issues that may get in your way and work through them. And that may include being tough with yourself and not letting yourself get away with excuses because you’re afraid to do something. It mentioned that most people never take the risks to achieve their dreams. They may have some secret, unrealistic dream buried in their hearts, but they make the safe, sensible choices and never even acknowledge them.

Even if you never quite reach the star you were aiming for, you’ll get alot closer looking up and flapping your artistic wings, than by pretending the star doesn’t exist.