More Exciting News!

There is a new cafe on Piedmont ave in Oakaland. Cafe Crush- a smoothy cafe- opened about a month ago and they have asked that I be the first person to show my work there! They would like the opening to be the day of the merchant's fair during the tulip festival, April 22, 2011! Side note: did you know Peidmount had a tulip festival? I didn't know either, but this year I will be there with smoothies on!
They have some large empty walls, and I am thinking about trying out some new groupings. We shall see, the walls are not white so the space might lend it's self well to new combinations. Also, some of my new, smaller paper work might go up. Right now they are framed, which I am still not very excited about, but I am going to try experimenting with some thicker paper. Maybe I can find a way to hang them that doesn't need a frame. turn them into objects. Having something new to show would also be nice. I am going to try and work hard to get a new painting finished in time, maybe two. Who knows? Spring 2011 here I come.

Exciting News

The first month of 2011 is already pleasantly eventful. The Rare Bird on Piedmont ave in Oakland is featuring my work for the month of January. It is a whimsical shop full of delightful clothes and nick-nacks. My colorful paintings fit right in. They are hosting a party on January 27th from 6-9. come check it out! http://therarebird.com/


I also have four small drawings art the Cozy Art Club in Oakland. I am particularly excited about this show because this is the first time I will have shown a group of drawings. I am excited to both of these opportunities. And grateful that I live in such pro-art city!

Christmas Gifts

Before I started working on gifts I took a picture of the materials. I am happy to report that everyones gifts are finished, and turned out rather well. I will post photos of the actual gifts after Christmas.

Labor of Love. A Side Effect of Loneliness

This years Christmas projects are labor intensive, and time consuming. I don't mind most of the time. I can settle in with some tea and just work. However, I find as we approach Thanksgiving, and more holiday gatherings are coming and going, these projects are keeping me form going to the social activities I am used to attending. These projects are fun and easy to work on, but if I don't spend at least a few hours at a time working I don't get anywhere. On sunday I spent 7 hrs sitting in my orange crushed velvet chair sewing. The result of my 7 hrs was one gift completed. I turned down two invitations from friends to complete this gift, and I have not spent much time with my friends since I started them. Sacrificing social interaction is not a big deal, but in about the 5 hr I do get a bit lonely. I think it is because I know that the next evening I will be back in my orange chair.
Lately I have been feeling like a bit of a bum when I am in my studio. I fumble around, and work on small studies but haven't been able to commit to making a larger painting for a while. Once, Christmas is over and I am back from my vacation I plan on spending a few nights a week in the studio, and I imagine that this will also cut into my social calender. As a result I am hoping to advance my work. I am sure that the side effect will again be loneness.

Late Start

Normally I am well on my way with my Christmas gifts by this time of year, but I was distracted by one thing or another and have gotten a late start. Finally, yesterday I started making my first set of gifts. I didn't get as far as I wanted to but I am trying not to get discouraged. I just keep reminding myself that as long as I stay focused I will be able to finish in plenty of time. In the past, I have kept tract of my projects on a calender. When I use the calender I have a visual representation of exactly how much I need to do, and the amount of time I have to complete it. Just like a school project. This year, I haven't do that yet, maybe I should start. Also this year I am going to be participating in my first holiday craft fair. On top of these things I am going to be trying to keep my paintings going, and increasing my work out. Add it to the pile! I am excited to be busy.

window coverings

This project is a bit further along that the picture show. So far I am happy with the result I am getting from these plastic weavings. There is a noticeable difference in temperature when I move my hand form one side to the other. Moreover, I still have plenty of light to work with during the day, and the light in the evening isn't glaring. Mission soon to be accomplished.

Plastic bags

The widows in my studio are currently covered with paper drawings. The drawings are masking taped on, and are mostly sketches of projects I am working on. It's not a large space-to say the least- and I like that about it, but lately I have been wanting to clean up the way it looks. While sketching about a week ago I came up with the idea of making window coverings out of white plastic bags. These bags would serve two functions: First, they continue to obscure the window, so people who pass on the Freeway won't be able to see in. Second, the while plastic will block out some of the hash light in evening, but still let in enough so that I will not have to turn on a light.

I have tried a few projects with plastic bags, and they never turn out the way I planned. Actually, most of my planned projects fail. This time I am working with an idea, and trying to make something that serves my needs. Thus far it looks like a weaving, and the first square of woven plastic bags has turned out better than I expected. Weaving them seemed natural because, curtains are fabric. I am interested to see the end product. More to come..