Do I dare venture out?

Black Friday has come and gone. I wonder if there are any worthwhile goodies left in the retail world?

As much as I hate to, I am going to have to venture out into the cold to go to the grocery store (at least). There is really nothing that I need "retail wise" - and anything I buy would just be because it was on sale. I am trying hard to steer away from that sort of buying and stockpiling (an admitted problem I have from time to time).

I have been thinking about New Year Resolutions for 2009. I know that many do not believe in doing those - but I actually look forward to setting a mini plan or set of reachable goals in place. It's fun to me - and rewarding to chart my progress (or lack there of).

Last year I had two accomplished two major resolutions. One was to rid myself of clutter (selling, barter, garage sales, ebay, etc.) and invest the profits into my artistic ventures. That was very successful. I condensed everything I owned to focus on the NOW of my life - from appliances, clothing, nik naks, art supplies... you name it! If it didn't fit my life as it is NOW - it went.

The second major accomplishment was my art. I had a very simple goal. My goal was that I would have at least one of my paintings exhibited in a show in 2008. I think I more than surpassed that goal. I guess what I am trying to say is that if I didn't have something in writing to strive for - I very well may have wandered off the beaten path. I just need that "jump point" and I like using the start of a New Year as that spot. So for the next day or two - I will be putting some of those things into writing. I am wondering how many of my friends in blog land will be doing the same?

Holiday Greetings

Once again, I have neglected my blog. My life has been so hectic as of late. I will try to recap a few of the more interesting events over the last couple of months - although I'm sure to miss a few things here and there - but there's always another entry opportunity ahead... right?

My mother in law is now officially living here. It's been about a month since her release from Rehabilitation at the Nursing Center. She's doing much better - physically. We are very lucky to have in home Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Nurse, Foot Specialist and a Nurse Aide. She has a very full schedule (and so do I - as the main caregiver) - but all are necessary. They are really a God send, as they keep her occupied... and also gives me some down time to work on my various art projects.

And YES - YES - YES - I am more involved than ever with my Art. I have many things on my creative agenda for 2009. I'm excited and will blog more on that later. The very last major event was the Emerging Artist Show in November - and soon I will be picking up the paintings from the Heritage News Papers Headquarters - after the Holidays. Currently I'm working on a "Ruby Red" Mixed Media piece for an upcoming show for the DSWPS (Downriver Society of Women Painters and Sculptors) in the Spring. The theme is called, "Ruby Red Invitational" and must be exclusively Reds and Red Tones.

My son painted my living room and kitchen a couple weeks ago. I went a bit darker and love the way the walls came out. I've never went so dark on my walls before. The living room has a darker green on one wall (like a deep Spanish Olive) and the other three walls are a dark Celery green.




My kitchen is a fun dark Hospital Scrub blue!



We have really been hit with the snow over the last couple weeks. We had a good 8 inches a few days ago - this morning we got 2 inches then the snow stopped, only to pick up again as I blog. We should get about 4 inches before the night is through. More snow tomorrow - making it a nice "White" Christmas Eve. This is what my Holly bush outside my front picture window looks like today.



I did not do an enormous amount of decorating this year for Christmas. The space we used to put our Christmas tree is in the way of walk path used by my MIL. Because she uses a walker - the space is just not wide enough. We opted for a small trio of artificial trees that we put in front of the television. It's pretty, and it does the trick for the Now. There are lights on the bushes and the wreath is up and hanging outside. All's well.



Today was a baking day. I made 2 loaves of banana bread, 2 loaves of apple bread, and a trAy of fudge. I'm not quite sure where I'm finding the time... but I am.



We celebrate Christmas Eve with my husbands side at my brother and sister in laws with family and friends. Christmas Day we celebrate with my side - here. It will be a bit quieter this year. My contribution will be hummus, so tomorrow I will be making busy making that and whatever else I can put together ahead of time for my own Christmas dinner. All my packages are wrapped and tied. I'm 99.999% ready!

Wishing all my friends in blog land a "Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year".

xoxo

~M

The Emerging Artist Show - Reception

It's been a little bit since I have updated. My life has been so hectic lately, not to mention that I have been sick with a cold for 5 days now.

First of all, I want to report how wonderful the opening reception for the "Emerging Artist 2008" show was. It was fantastic and absolutely a dream come true. It was a huge success and the guests/visitors just kept pouring in. There was wine, cheese, cookies, fruits... hot cider... just lovely. My family attended, lot's of friends (new and old)... and of course the other artists.

The show featured 4 completely different artists/mediums and it was really a treat for the eyes. Photos of THE EMERGING ARTIST SHOW CAN BE FOUND HERE - CLICKY CLICKY

Postal Invitation - Emerging Artist

This afternoon I brought my work to the DCA. I got a chance to see some of the other artists work and I was thrilled. This will be an awesome show. I am going on Monday to assist with the hanging of the show. I am looking forward to the experience!

Final touches and a new hair cut.

I have been so busy these last weeks. I have finished up the pieces for the Emerging Artist Show next week. Most were completed - but a few still needed more work. I was asked to bring two large 36x36 pieces, 4 or 5 black framed - 18x28 and then 4 - 12x12's. The pieces I have selected have not been shown anywhere (including here) - so it will truly be an unveiling of sorts. The cards for the show came in today, but I didn't have time to go pick any up from the DCA. I'll grab some tomorrow for some personal invitations I am mailing out. I'm excited to see them because I heard that one of my images was used on the card.

Here are a few recent photographs I've done.








I am growing my short hair out - just a little. It's tough going between lengths. This is my goal by winter. It's the "Pob"? I think they named it after the girl "Posh Spice". It's really just a bob with a P. I've got the side bang going on now - and know the longer length of the bang will be there by Christmas. I like the idea of still having the back short. I'll post a pic of me with the new cut in a few days. Meanwhile - this is what I took to the salon. And... NO... I'm not thinking about getting the neck tattoo.

I WAS SELECTED AS "AN EMERGING ARTIST - 2008"

After submitting the required items to the DCA for consideration along with other artists from the Michigan area - I had resigned myself to sitting and waiting (like a good girl) for Saturday the 11th to arrive - to find out who's work would be selected as one of the 3-4 Emerging Artists for 2008.

Yesterday, a friend of mine spent the day and night. We chatted and shared stories and some art time together. As we were having our "late" morning coffee out in the sun room this morning and then - my cell phone rang. I didn't recognize the phone number so I let the call go directly to my voice mail. Something told me to go ahead and listen to the call after the message was left. Rose watched my face as I was listening to the message. She kept saying "What, What"? I told her that it was M at the DCA informing me that the juror had seen my work and that I was selected to be an "Emerging Artist" - and to start thinking about the show! I couldn't believe my ears. I was not expecting to hear anything until the weekend... so this was absolutely a surprise. I was so glad that Rose was here to share the news with me. I called hubby and then my son to tell them. Finally - I called M back and told her how excited I was - and she said that she was sending me a detailed letter and had more information on the comments the juror made during the selection (good ones, haha) - regarding my work. I can't wait to hear them. She will be calling me tomorrow with more show details too. Then I called Karen the owner of the Biddle Gallery - and told her the news. I had to go to the college today to pay for another upcoming Gallery Crawl. Saw my friend Andrea (from girls night out) and told her the news. She showed me her awesome shrine/alter she was making (assemblage) and it was great. I love that sort of work. Then, I told Carl (the WCCC instructor) - and he said - Great! Our first stop on the crawl will be at the DCC so the entire bus will see the exhibit! haha

I have between now and the 20th to pull my exhibit together for this show. There are going to be 3 painters total. I'm so happy... and this is beyond my wildest dreams. Everything I had worked so hard for this last 7 months... is coming together - and I feel so blessed and thankful. I'm excited and nervous - all at the same time.

I'm going to use the rest of this evening to put together a responsible time frame for preparation of this event. I have a few paintings I want to finish up - (two of which are 36x36 - biggies)... and I am hoping and praying for some nice weather. Today was rain!

Emerging Artist Application

It was a challenge to select 7 pieces that I wanted to submit to the Emerging Artist application. I wanted to show a variety of color and style and yet stay true to what I do artistically. I decided on the following seven. With those I sent my Artist Statement and CV/Bio - as required - both found on my main website. The pieces are juried and then the selection is made. Everyone will know the results by the 11th. I know there will be many artists participating in this yearly process. It will be interesting to see the results.

The News Herald Exhibit 2008

Friday...
After 8 months of painting...
I delivered 30 pieces to the News Herald - Heritage Newpaper Headquarters for the 3 month exhibit.

I uploaded the rest of the pictures of my paintings taken throughout the building at my Flickr account HERE

It was interesting to experience the feeling that I felt - "after the hanging" of the work. I really put so much into this project and I was so happy and excited to actually "hang it". I have been wanting to watch Martine (who hangs most of the DCA shows) and never had the opportunity. Today was my chance. I learned quite a bit from just watching her do her stuff. She hang works side by side that I would not have thought to hang. She really knows how to make the format interesting. It is hard to explain. Where I would perhaps go more toward "matching" - she would tend to be more "abstract" - to perhaps demand a bit more of the viewer? I can see where my first thoughts of placement would be more decorative - where as her choice of placement would be more - umm - shall we say, "Interesting"? I also noticed that Karen, the Biddle Gallery owner does the same thing! They are just so darn experienced in that sort of thing... and no doubt - have to be. I learn so much from watching those in this industry.

I was there at 10:30 AM and out by noon. As I walked to my car... I had the most unusual feeling of exhaustion. It was pretty much all I could do to get home and kick off my shoes. I felt I had to lay down and take a nap. I climbed into bed and didn't wake until the phone rang. It was 6 PM! I slept 5 hours. I could not believe it. I think my body must have got the message that it was okay to crash - the work was complete (for now).

My MIL is out of the hospital and now back to the Rehab Center. She is doing better - still some confusion and a bit weak. I'm hoping she will find strength and endurance - to be able to complete her rehab here - and be able to come home in 4 to 6 weeks.

Fall has arrived.

Oh my God. My walls are naked! I had paintings hung all over my house and now 75% of them are down and ready to go to the Heritage Building. Now I have to finish the rest of my paintings or I will have nothing but bare walls to look at. I think one of my least favorite things to do is to put the wire hangers on the back of canvass. Maybe it was the fact that I had to do 20 all at once... idk. 20 of my paintings will be on canvas and 10 will be framed.

My MIL is back in the hospital. She was just getting used to the rehab facility and then she had a little set back and had to go back to the hospital. She has been there 2 days now. We are hoping she will be released soon.


Yesterday, my lifelong friend Rose came over. We average at least a once a week visit. Did a little camera play. Had a glass of wine and chit chatted. We have know each other 35 years. There is a 10 year difference between us. I was 15 and she was 25 when we first met.



Tomorrow, going to a lecture with Andrea and Carol - another ladies day/night out. This time we are going to Ann Arbor. Check out some galleries (lot's to see there) and have a nice lunch somewhere. We are going to hear Cary Fowler speak. The title of the lecture is:

Seed Banks and Polar Bears: The Quest to Save Agriculture's Past and Our Future

Cary Fowler is the Executive Director of the Global Crop Diversity Trust, which recently drew global media attention when the Svalbard Global Seed Vault opened its doors to 100 million seeds for permanent safekeeping in the Artic. The Trust will fund the Global Seed Vault and the work of developing countries and international seed banks to send their seeds for safekeeping. In his presentation, Dr. Fowler will address the history of the Trust and its efforts to secure crop diversity in the midst of global climate change. In 1985 Dr. Fowler was awarded the Right Livelihood Award (the "Alternative Nobel Peace Prize) by the Swedish Government. Fowler has been profiled on CBS 60 Minutes and the New Yorker, is the author of several books on the subject of crop diversity and more than 75 articles.

The University of Michigan - art/design alumni has a great lecture series. We have our eyes on a few. Wangechi Mutu - Collage in December is one I am really looking forward to.

I cannot believe how much the weather has changed just in the last week. Fall is here for sure. I believe that this is my favorite time of year.

For dinner tonight I am making some comfort food. My mother used to make this and I always loved it. Green beans, bacon and potaotes. I wanted to make this a week ago but couldn't find fresh green beans. Yesterday I hit the jackpot.

Update on MIL and recent work

My MIL was discharged from the hospital a couple days ago and was admitted to a sub-acute rehab where she will stay for 6-8 weeks to regain her strength and mobility. Boy was that difficult for all of us. Right now we are in the process of emptying her apartment and packaging/moving items to our home and to family members. I really hope she gets better and makes it home soon.

Meanwhile, between all the running about - I have finished a few more paintings. I still have several more in progress. Next week is the Heritage Newspaper show! I can't believe how time has flown by.


2 - 12x12's - Acrylic on wrapped canvas


2 - 16x20's - Acrylic on wrapped canvas

Another 12x12 - Acrylic on wrapped canvas


A biggie - Acrylic on wrapped canvas 30x40
And another 12x12 Acrylic on wrapped canvas