Opening Night was Abuzz with Energy!

What a joyous evening to celebrate art, friendships, and the culmination of a beloved project! "Honey from my Failures" had a most successful debut at Gallery on First on Saturday, July 15. 

I have many people to thank in person for their time, energy, and support to help me produce this show. It takes a hive! It will be a pleasure to sit down and write thank you notes to so many who supported me with a purchase of original art for their homes. 

If you'd like to hear the stories behind the making of the show (inspired by a poem), please join me for an Artist's Talk on Saturday, July 22.

Artist's Talk

Saturday, July 22

11:00am

Painting/Printing Demo (drop-in)

12:00 -2:00pm

Gallery on First

211 East 1st Street

Sanford, FL

Honey from my Failures

This show has been percolating for more than 10 years....all from a poem that was shared with me in 2006. The memorable imagery from Antonio Machado has taken hold in my psyche. The four stanzas of the poem describe dream sequences that are vivid and mysterious. 

In November of 2016, I created a body of work inspired by the aqueducts in the first paragraph. Since  January of 2017, I have been creating work inspired by the beehive and honeycomb references in the second paragraph. 

I will be sharing this body of work at Gallery on First in Sanford, Florida from July 15 to August 6. I am excited to be collaborating with paper artist Suzanne Oberholtzer who is creating a heart shaped honeycomb in her paper-making studio. 

If you are in Central Florida on Saturday, July 15, please stop by the gallery for the opening reception from 6:00 to 9:00pm, coinciding with Sanford Art Walk. 

100 Days of Bees

"Every day a whole new universe is born." Henry David Thoreau

I'm calling April a really big deal - I committed to the #100dayproject and I also booked my next solo show for July at Gallery on First in Sanford, Florida. Big leaps!

Across the globe, people are sharing images on Instagram from their creative projects. If you're curious about The 100 Day Project, read more here.

Since I had already decided that the theme of my next series would be inspired by the poem from Antonio Machado, bees were swirling in my creative head space. When I discovered the 100 Day Project, it was a natural fit to sign on with the purpose of creating bee themed artwork. While committing to doing anything consistently for 100 days is daunting, I am feeling very positive about investing in my art wheelhouse.

Hop over to my account on Instagram and see what I've been up to! 

Hatching a New Series: Bees

What's the buzz?  Bees are, of course!

I'm diving into a new series, inspired by the words of Spanish poet Antonio Machado. His words were the impetus to my Aqueducts Rising series that debuted in November 2016. Here's a link where you can read the full poem.

My next series will focus on the second paragraph of the poem....where the golden bees are making honey and sweet combs from my failures.

My research on bees has led me down many fascinating trails. I have spent hours studying the anatomy of bees and doing my best to create a likeness with my X-acto knife and some card stock. These intricate cut outs become repeating images in my layered collages.

If we're paying attention, life gives us golden opportunities to make honey from failures.

Encouraging Words Shared

So, here's where kitchen table activism ends up: on the streets of our nation's capitol. I've just returned from the Women's March on Washington DC and am grateful to have shared Encouraging Words along the way.

After a lunch break at the National Portrait Gallery, I distributed over 80 written messages from my cohorts in Florida to many weary, but smiling faces in the courtyard. The group at the table next to me was from Minnesota, I believe ( I wish I had written it down).  And the woman standing with the banner is from Arizona. It was a melting pot of people.

Sharing words of encouragement to fellow marchers was my way of contributing to the greater good. I would much rather foster positive energy than throw stones at others or engage in futile arguments.

This event was a meaningful introduction to political activism and I have much to learn about civic engagement. For now, I am just happy to know that many people returned home with some encouraging words from Florida in their pockets. I do hope they will help us sustain energy for the work to be done ahead.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Encouraging Words...on their way to DC

Kitchen table activism. Powerful stuff. In January 2017, many folks gathered around the table in my home to write down their encouraging words to send to the Women's March on Washington. I am honored to bring their words, their hopes and dreams to share with other marchers who are compelled to act on behalf of women's rights and others. 

Mother Theresa's words ring true for me: "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."

It is a shame that our differences on the political front tend to divide us. It doesn't have to be the case. We can and should learn how to disagree on principals without disrespecting one another, mongering hate and fear, or stooping to name-calling and bullying. 

In his farewell address, President Obama said "If you're tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try talking to them in person. If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and get busy." 

I'll be doing my part to make some ripples with these encouraging words.