When All Is Said and Done

1/30/10

I've always wondered about process as art. Do the artists get grants? Is the commercial value in the documentation, say photos of the happening being sold? Or maybe tangible pieces of the project sold off after an event? Not that an artist's goal is to always be commercial, but an artist's gotta eat. And when a gallery hosts/houses the event, there's a cost involved. How does the gallery make it worth their while?

I guess I'm still figuring all this out. If I were doing something in this vein, I'd worry that artifacts documenting the project would be so out of context.

Then I read about Lee Mingwei's The Mending Project in the latest ArtNews. There's a intimate feeling to this project, which celebrates trust and the idea of art as an exchange. People who brought in garments for him to repair with brightly colored thread of their choosing (and perhaps a small toy/trinket of his choosing) became true participants.

A collector has purchased the table and chairs, plus spools with the threads used (mounted on the walls during the project) that are now connected to a rock. For me, the addition of the rock pulls these tangible remnants all together. In the article, Lee notes, "The rock acts as an anchor." Nice touch.

You too can look this cool

1/26/10

While supplies last, Utrecht is offering a cool hat with purchases of $75 or more. I love Utrecht, which is why I'm not ashamed to post these goofy photos of myself.

Opening Sunday @ UMUC

1/26/10

I have a piece in this show - feel free to drop by Sunday! There's also an online exhibit.

Mind, Body, and Spirit: Celebrating Regional Artists is a culturally diverse exhibition of works on paper to celebrate, examine, and exemplify the role and impact that regional women artists have had on the arts. Co-Curatored by Harriet McNamee and Robert Donovan.

Opening/Meet-the-Artists Reception
Sunday, January 31, 2010
3 p.m.–5 p.m.

Exhibit Dates
January 18–March 14, 2010

Gallery Hours
9 a.m.–9 p.m. daily

Location
Arts Program Gallery
UMUC Inn and Conference Center, Lower Level
3501 University Blvd East
Adelphi, MD 20783

There's an RSVP process here.

Acceptance: Exposed

1/23/10

Found out today that two of my pieces were accepted in a juried show back in my old stomping grounds, Norfolk, Virginia. I'm really excited about being a part of this for other reasons as well... I enjoyed writing a statement that explored my work in relation to the theme:

The chosen theme is "EXPOSED," meant to explore our common sense of exposure, insecurity, and feelings of vulnerability, stemming from stresses financially, physically, relationally, or spiritually.

And the exhibit is at The Mayer Fine Art Gallery, which is representing some awesome work, with several artists being DC-based. Work was chosen by a selection committee from the show's sponsor, Trinity Presbyterian Church, then Lenny Campello will serve as juror for prizes. I've learned so much about the DC art scene (and more) from following his blog. Oh, and there was no fee to enter and no commission on sales. How cool is that?

When I fix my virus-infected computer, I'll share the statements for the pieces selected. Here's what got in:


Self-Portrait with Bird Mask
Acrylic on Paper
17 x 22 inches
2010


Landscape with Poppies
The Russian Soldier's Story
Acrylic on Acrylic Sheet, Bolts
30 x 36 inches
2009


Landscape with Poppies
The Russian Soldier's Story
Detail

Not Sure What Happened

1/12/10

There are quite a few shows I want to enter, so I've been busy getting messy in the studio. I re-created Lilac & Ashes, which met its untimely demise when I dropped it down the stairs after shooting images outside. Went wide with it instead of narrow.



Lilacs & Ashes
Acrylic on Acrylic Sheets, Bolts
48 x 24 inches
2010

But this weekend, I decided to try my hand at a self-portrait for a competition in NYC. Not sure where this came from -- especially from this not-very-figurative gal.



Self-Portrait with Bird Mask
Acrylic on Paper
17 x 22 inches
2010

Then, for the Lust at Lustine Show in February, I did a mood self-portrait:



Self-Portrait in the Moments Before Wanting
Acrylic on Paper
17 x 22 inches
2010

Stephen thinks I should keep messing with the portrait/figurative stuff. I wonder what will happen. Of course, that's part of the fun :) The jpgs aren't quite right; I'm going to try to retake them.

Around Town: The People's Choice Show @ artdc

1/05/10

The artdc Gallery is introducing a new show inspired by their group curatorial project developed through the artdc.org home page exhibitions, entitled People's Choice.

Opening reception: January, 17th 2009 4-7pm

Artists:
Mary D. Ott
Ed Bises
Jill Hackney
Alexandra Zealand
Mathew Best
Kerri Sheehan
Ellyn Weiss

Address:
artdc Gallery in Hyattsville
5710 Baltimore Ave.
Hyattsville, MD 20781

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The only work I've seen in person from the above is Alexandra's. Gorgeous, lovely installations. I look forward to seeing the others' works.

Interference

1/03/10

Friday, I wrapped up a larger piece (compared to what I've been doing these days) for the Howard County Center for the Arts call for work dealing with environmental interference. I was hoping to start a new piece right after, but the furnace went out late yesterday, which made for crappy sleep last night and aching joints today... thus "interfering" with my ability to get anything new started.

I think I'll start calling the pieces that include words textscapes. I thought about using wordscapes but a 12/09 article in ARTnews shared that Graham Gillmore uses that term. Textscapes could also refer to texture, so I kinda like that. Hopefully it's kosher for me to use.


Documentation of the Final Sunset
Acrylic on Acrylic Sheet
48 x 36 inches
2010


Documentation of the Final Sunset
Detail