Thursday, September 23, 2010

Ravenswood Art Walk....Seriously Exciting!!!


Time: Saturday, October 2 11AM-5PM & Sunday October 3 11AM-5PM

My Venue Location: #42 1806 W. Cuyler 2nd Floor in the HPI Building
opposite side of Corridor off Irving Park Road next to the Chicago Mosaic School

I will be featuring my handpainted boxes, wood bangles and new mixed media paintings.



Come celebrate the start of Chicago Artists Month.
Support over 300 local artists, artisans and businesses. Tour galleries.
Visit the Central Gallery (stop #1 on map- 4021 N. Ravenswood) to view my
Three Geishas No. 1 and the work of other participating artists.


Hope to see you there.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Display Your Art, Not Your Insecurity



I went to check my booth location yesterday for the Ravenswood Artwalk after receiving my show packet and promotional material. Hate going into these events blind. Did I mention it is October 2 & 3 from 11:00am-5:00? Oh, no worries. I will post at least one or two more times with details! I'm on a side street, not the main corridor :(, but actually it is pretty good. Spacious studio, lots of windows, brick and dry walls, and hardwood floors.

I am ecstatic about participating in this show and getting back out there. Well.... that was until my booth display insecurity resurfaced. BIG TIME. Displays are not my strong suit. Seeing this space put me in creative overdrive. Not in a good way. I still have some time to figure things out before I totally wig out. I need to de-stress over the display. What shall I do? What shall I do?


Twenty-four hours later....

With little sleep, some comic relief and sore hands,
I had an idea of what I wanted. After work, I went to several thrift stores,Target and Home Depot and eventually found a great shelving unit that will break down easily and showcase my work much better. I knew it was the right thing to do rather than getting another table even though I wasn't excited about the investment. The prospect of not selling anything is worse. The studio wall space allows me to showcase my paintings since I can hang them on the wall or brick. I'll see which works better. Personally, I like the brick. Whatever, I'm inspired and hands down, it will BE AMAZING.



Thursday, September 9, 2010

It Also Takes Time....Seriously.. Part 2.5

Mixed Media Geisha on Canvas

I am getting ready to do my first show of the year, the Ravenswood ArtWalk, Oct 2 & 3 to be precise. Nothing like a healthy deadline to get motivated. Since taking some uncomfortable time off to reorganize and regroup (which I documented ad nauseum and believe I'm through,) I now have some new work to show and much in progress. I am seriously excited. Just need to get them professionally shot!! Really, Seriously. These are much better in person.

Exactly one year ago, I was in the mindset and ready to move to Portland, Oregon. I visited for a week to see if it was my new beginning. I had mentally left Chicago way before that and felt I was just biding time here physically until the time and location felt right. Portland turned out not to be my "it" city. I loved so much of it but in time realized just not enough to move and completely start over.

I took the time, made the essential changes I needed to and made some decisions... like
to stay in Chicago. The love/hate relationship I've had with Chicago over the years has transformed where I am once again feeling love, reconnection and support from and for this city. Since my change in attitude (always helps,) I am engaging and becoming even more involved in the art community here. That feels really good.

Lotus Blossom, Chicago Botanical Garden

I think that will now begin to reflect in my art and the business of my art. I've reined in my scattered energy. I'm attending workshops, exhibits, lectures, experimenting with new materials, taking greater advantage of the vast resources here, and am more comfortable calling myself "artist."


For my apartment.

It's all about Timing. Taking and making and sometimes wasting Time for whatever you feel you need to do.
I will have more to unveil and reveal.
So naturally, please visit again.