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. 

Dresses: Objects of Art

I'm thrilled to be participating in the Dresses: Objects of Art show, produced by Donna Dowless. Opening reception is set for Thursday, Sept. 18 from 6 to 9pm at Gallery at Avalon Island in Orlando, FL. 

An Artists Talk is scheduled for Sat. Oct. 11 at noon. 39 Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL. 

A few of my favorite dresses...

You never know when a seed planted will come to fruition. Two years ago, I contacted Donna Dowless, the curator of the Dresses show to inquire about participating. She already had a full roster of artists, but she gladly put me on the "will call" list. And then, due to unforeseen circumstances, the show had to be cancelled entirely. 

Instead of shelving my dream, I happily spent time creating a body of work around the Dresses theme.  I find that having a target helps focus my rabbit like attention. 

So, I find myself incredibly lucky to be included in this year's show, Dresses: Objects of Art, opening on September 18, 2014. 

The silhouette of the girl with a ponytail is an idealized image of the female form. There is an innocence to her. I have enjoyed pairing the silhouette with more complex dresses that have depth, texture, and a bit more womanly form. 

Fourteen artists will display their interpretations of the Dresses theme at Gallery at Avalon Island, 39 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, Florida, September 18 - October 11, 2014.