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. 

Aqueducts Rising opens 11.19.16

Words every artist loves to say....."my first solo show!" This aqueduct series has been incubating for 10 years right under my nose. My inspiration is a poem by Antonio Machado called Last Night as I was Sleeping. You can read it here.

A friend shared the poem with me in 2006 and I was captivated by the imagery: secret aqueducts, golden bees and sweet honey, fiery suns...all set in a dream like state. 

In 2014, I turned out my first aqueduct inspired by Machado's words. This became a triptych that shows the aqueduct disintegrating, as if in a disappearing dream. 

This year, the aqueducts have appeared in my waking life, tumbling out of their own secret spring in my heart. More than 20 at last count. 

You can see this inspired series at Rabbitfoot Record Store Cafe on November 19 during the Sanford Art Walk from 6 -9pm. The show will be up through December 11, 2016. 

So, how's that book coming?

u n s t o p p a b l e !

I like the sound of that. I am surprising myself at the progress on my altered book, Word Songs. It's very satisfying to see the completed pages mounting up. I set my timer to 15 minutes and see what happens. And those 15 minutes added to another 15 minutes and another....you get the picture. I have created over 200 pages! 

This book has some magic paper, in spite of its age. Publish date is 1900. I have treated this 116 year old book with care and am amazed at the quality of paper. It takes wet media very well and I do have to write gingerly when using certain kinds of pens. Only 2 epic fails so far, but I've made them part of the dance. 

A show and tell will be in order once it is all finished. Stay tuned. 

When Art Speaks to Your Heart

On June 12, I was visiting a friend in Washington DC when I learned of the Pulse nightclub shooting. News of the heartbreaking tragedy hung heavy in the air. At the Renwick Gallery, an installation by Gabriel Dawe gave my heart a much needed lift. His floating visage of embroidery thread (60 miles of it!) was a beautiful rainbow in the middle of the room. Check out this article for a description. 

The photo was taken by my friend, looking at me through the rainbow. The adoption of the rainbow by the gay community is fitting in so many ways. It's a symbol of beauty, a hope-filled promise, and a message that diversity enriches us all. 

If only the haters in our world could be outfitted with rainbow-colored glasses. 

Where is this coming from?!

Some kind of wonderful new art-titude has been unleashed! Getting my mojo going in the studio after April's workshop in the woods has been joyful and energetic and downright liberating! 

To borrow a line from my favorite poem, "...along which secret aqueduct, oh water, are you coming to me, water of a new life that I have never drunk?"

It feels like the tumblers of a stubborn lock have all just clicked into place. I'm going with it - I'm riding the beautiful wave of new water, new life, and new art! Can't wait to see what happens next. 

Wanna make art? Ya gotta feed yourself!

Check out that feast....for the eyes, the tastebuds, and the spirit. This was the place setting for my dinner among artist friends at Camp Wannamakeart in the piney woods of Wekiva State Park, Florida. I was swooning! Still am. 

April 22 - 24 was a weekend of marvelous camaraderie, exceptional meals, and the deft and delightful guidance of our instructor, Jennifer Mercede. 

Hosted by Debbie Helton of The Craft Shack Studio this was an ideal getaway experience to re-charge my creative batteries and fill the well of inspiration. 

I am grateful to belong to an art tribe that knows the importance of retreating from the world every now and then. Even when it's right in our own back yard. 

How do you replenish your creative spirit? 

Knock, knock. Who's there?

You never know where inspiration will show itself....knock, knock. Who's there? Your muse, that's who. 

This spiky leaf stencil was inspired by the oddest of muses: a box of Kleenex. What others might have discarded to the re-cycle pile, I was happy to capture and cart off to my art room for closer inspection. I delighted in morphing the organic shape on the tissue box into a streamlined version of the curvy leaf that appeared.

So, keep your eyes peeled for inspiration anywhere....in the pantry, on the roadside, at your library, in your car. You never know.....it only takes a little muse-infused vision to make it happen. Invite your eyes to the party. 

Auditions and UFOs

Oh, Gelli plate, how I love you! For me, the mono-printing process is a joyful exercise in happy accidents and spontaneous discoveries. I prefer that approach over precise and measured planning, although I do have to call on those skills from time to time. 

These dots on dots are all made from Gelli printed scraps. I'm auditioning the square background shapes to see which color I like for a possible quilt of sorts. I don't sew, but I've long been attracted to the world of quilting arts. My quilt will be a paper one, most likely adhered to a wood panel. 

For now, these auditions haven't produced a clear winner.....more tryouts are necessary. I'm adding this one to my "UFO" pile....Un Finished Objects. 

If you have a UFO pile, what's in it? 

The Speed of Life

The artwork shown is a gift for a friend. She is stuck on the couch, recovering from a pedestrian encounter with a pick-up truck. The truck won. She is making the best of her healing time by doing handwork since her ankle is broken. 

She confessed that she rushes a lot - head down, full steam - at break neck speed. This imposed status of "couch potato" is an involuntary mandate to SLOW DOWN and SEE. Gratefully, her artist's eyes are keen and she can appreciate the small gifts that immobility is giving her, like watching the sunlight move across the window pane. 

When we race through life, we miss things. I hope you don't have to get hit by a truck to get the message.....s l o w   d o w n   and  s e e. You will benefit.

Don't Drink and Paint

OK, I admit it.....I have accidentally taken a sip out of my dirty paint water. Eeegads!! And I'm still alive to tell you about it. In the groove of some serious painting mojo, my hand instinctively reached for the glass and took it to my lips. In that instant of recognition, I spit it back out, no harm done. 

I had to take measures to ensure this would not be repeated. My dirty paint water glass is now appropriately labeled with the big red circle with a slash through it, labeled "Drink Not". It will always sit on my right. The mug or glass that I should rightfully drink from are always positioned on my left. 

Sometimes, mistakes make us better. 

Beyond Words has been born!

It has been two years in the making (long gestation, indeed!) and we couldn't be more pleased to present Beyond Words, an interactive show of poetry and visual art. The Poets & Painters group that I belong to has walked a journey together that has stretched us all into new creative places and sometimes scary emotional places. I would venture to say that all births do that. 

The poem "Last Night as I was Sleeping" by Antonio Machado was the inspiration for my artwork, pictured above in the upper right corner. It is an aqueduct made from torn book pages, a favorite medium of mine. Each of us selected a poem for inspiration and we all made artwork (paintings, dolls, and sculptures) inspired by the four poems. We have produced a marvelous show. And, yes, I'm bragging like a proud mom. 

Please come visit the show in the month of May at Casselberry Art House, 127 Quail Pond Circle, Casselberry. They are open Monday to Friday, 10am - 5pm. 

Our closing reception will be Saturday, May 30 from 5 to 7pm. 

A Tree Takes Shape

How many artists does it take to make a tree? In the case of Poets & Painters, it takes four wonderfully different, enthusiastic, creative, talented artists. Add to that humor, patience, collaboration, communication....and a bit more patience and humor!

We four artists (above from left to right, Shari Sherman, Elle O'Dowd, Anne-Marie Colwell, and moi) have embarked on a creative journey that is taking us places we never imagined. And that's a good thing.

Under the name Poets & Painters, we have spent the last year and a half working towards a common goal: to exhibit our individual work collectively, under the title Beyond Words. We are excited to debut this body of work on May 9, 2015 at Casselberry Art House (Florida). More details forthcoming.

So, where is this tree I spoke of? It's a WIP at present. You can see the trunk taking shape in the photo. A right colorful trunk isn't it? Branches will come soon, and some spreading out roots also. Our tree will be center stage and visitors to the show will be invited to add their words, their thoughts and reflections to the branches over head. We have dubbed it the Poetree.

May 9 is fast approaching and our to do list is long. Count on some more sneak peeks as we get closer. I hope you can join me at the journey's end to see what this collaboration brings forth. Onward!

Spring Cleaning and Gelli Piles

It's March and Spring has sprung in my neighborhood...evidenced by higher pollen counts, radiant sunshine and green leaves bursting forth, plus a healthy desire to CLEAN HOUSE....metaphorically and literally. So on this day, I did a bit of both. I sneak rounds of creative play into my list of household chores to break things up.

My newfound Gelli Plate addiction is the perfect antidote to laundry, dusting, and kitchen duty. After a spell of brayering and layering, I have plenty of collage material amassed. This is one pile that I don't mind adding to.....Gelli on!

And here's a sample of what I do with all those painterly bits and pieces: this journal page was inspired by the dictionary entry for a vesper sparrow, a bird who is most active in the evenings. I have been struggling lately with getting into the studio at night, lured by the insidious television and a comfortable chair. So I need all the motivation this little vesper sparrow can lend me.

How do you motivate yourself to march into your studio?

Hurrah, Hurrah for Blah, Blah, Blah

Talking about your art.....does it strike fear in your heart or make your stomach flip flop? For most folks, yes. For me, it certainly helps to be surrounded by lots of smiling faces, as I was on October 11 for the closing day of Dresses: Objects of Art. Five artists shared their inspirations and processes with friends, family, and art lovers.

As an art maker, the circle of creativity is complete when a viewer takes some delight with what you have produced or simply engages in your work for longer than 12 seconds. As a viewer of art, I find that my experience is enriched when I know more about the artist and how they work or what they are trying to express.

So hurrah, hurrah, for all the blah, blah, blah.....and the next time you're at an art show, ask an artist about their work.

Joy Multiplied

Photo props to my friend Louise for capturing my joy on the opening night of Dresses: Objects of Art. My joy was multiplied by soooo many friends coming out to support my art journey. They dodged buckets of rain and they gave me smiles a mile wide all night. 

The show is up until October 11 at Gallery at Avalon Island in Orlando, FL. There will be a closing reception on October 10 from 6 to 9pm and an Artists Talk on the 11th at noon.