Tis the Reason and Season

As 2011 comes to a close, my last post in this space is going to be somewhat of a hodge podge. The reason: this time of year is not one of my favorites. That said, I was not sure  what to put in this space without being a killjoy. I finally decided on some music, some artistic self-promotion, a goal, and some inspiration to take into 2012. 

First, a Christmas carol brought to you by the brilliant cast and writers of Shameless on Showtime (it takes place in Chicago; fun that I got to meet some of the cast):

Next, some new wall art. And with lots more shameless self promotion, I aim to gain more traction and audience in 2012 and beyond:

Marilyn Grad Copyright 2011

And finally some inspiration and a bit of unsolicited advice. I've been reflecting on 2011 and putting together my goals and plans for 2012 (some new, some still to be met). Tis the season. 

I was watching the 2011 Kennedy Center Honors on television this week, which I do every year, and was incredibly moved by every honoree and performing tribute. Artists are a beautiful species. One of this years honorees was cellist Yo Yo Ma. He can move, inspire and motivate with his music, passion, presence and words. There were two things he said in an interview that gave me the courage, comfort and reassuring "me too", "it's OKAY to feel this way", continue on the artistic path, along with a new resolution:

"I'm not brave. I'm actually pretty scared a lot of the time but I must like being scared because I keep doing things that scare me."

"Every day I make an effort to go toward what I don't understand."

                                                                                                                                          Yo Yo Ma

SPEND LIFE WITH PEOPLE WHO MAKE YOU HAPPY, NOT WHO YOU HAVE TO IMPRESS.

                                                                                                                            - unknown

WISHING YOU A HAPPY, PEACEFUL, HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS AND ART FILLED LIFE 

IN 2012. 

NOW RAISE YOUR GLASSES TO THE NEW YEAR!!!! HERE HERE.

Learning the Art to Staying Afloat

Every year Chicago kicks off the holiday season with the Magnificent Mile Festival of Lights Parade that goes down Michigan Avenue. I generally try to avoid this parade like the plague because it makes me feel very claustrophobic. It attracts soooooooooooo many people and it is near impossible to get anywhere, like home. This year I had a change of heart. Last Saturday I volunteered to be a participant as a balloon handler with some of my fellow coworkers. Can scratch that off my bucket list. Only 999 more to go.

Upon being introduced to The Nutcracker, I wasn't sure who was dreading this more, me or him. He was huge and required at least 12 people. From the looks of this behind the scenes prep picture, he was. I was getting a little nervous but excited. We were given instructions and had several rehearsal drills. Very fun.

 

We all reassured him it was going to be okay, buoyed this spirits, inflated his huge ego several times with more helium and carried him through until the end...literally. He was deflating from the waist down and had to be supported by fellow handlers from start to finish. I was off to the side of his right arm. I was able to use some of what I learned from sailing. We were hysterical the entire time and getting supportive and sympathetic cheers from the crowds.

We were on television and if you click here and fast forward up to 7 minutes you will see what I mean. Give it a moment to load. I am the third or fourth person on the left side of the screen with black pants & white gym shoes near 8-9 minutes. We were behind two American Idol singers and in case you were curious or had ANY doubts, they lip synched to their pre-recorded song and not very well I might add.

So what is the art to staying afloat? Especially this time of year. Is it A: uplifting drugs,  B: laughing when things go awry, C: surrounding yourself with supportive, experienced  people  D: not taking things too seriously.  You can answer that for yourself. :) 

The entire behind the scenes parade process was so fun and interesting. I really did learn a lot. I am a much better participant than spectator for this parade. Now to apply that same approach to art shows.

After we crossed the finish line, we deflated what was left of The Nutcracker and headed off to the Fairmont Hotel for drinks. We earned it.

Thank you Bill and Babs for signing me up and for sharing some of your pictures! It was also great to laugh and be around coworkers outside of work-Sharma!! and Jeannette!! I would definitely do this again. 

Seeing Red

"Paintings need company and companionship. You need to get your work out there, get it off these walls, out of the studio and out on the streets."
Actor/Artist Mark Rothko from Red, the play, to his studio assistant, an artist

No sooner had I heard these well intentioned words literally SHOUTED from a stage last month, a highly sensitive nerve was struck.  So much that I started wiping away tears and said to myself Oh, actor portraying Mark Rothko, I know, I know, you're right, I know. Sob. Sigh. I must do that and will. This medium and this play was the message I needed and at that decibel too! I learned a lot from Red. (If you click on Red, you can see a little from youtube.)

Marilyn Grad Copyright 2011, Mixed Media

With the holiday season officially here, and holiday shows in abundance on every scale, location and cost, I'm sitting this out unless a miracle happens. A sensitive and guilty issue, but a thought out business decision, nonetheless. My work does not do well at holiday shows unless I create other things that aren't all me. I've witnessed it. I was invited to participate in several church sponsored benefits again this year but I felt Jesus was getting the better deal. Please no offense. I didn't do as much research this year on shows as I could have and should have either as my work was still taking on it's new shape and colors.

Marilyn Grad Copyright 2011 Mixed Media

When I think, feel and see the color Red, I want it to be passion, love, cheer, anger, laughing embarrassment, life and drive and less in the form of fear and debt. Maybe I can still find and eke out one or two venues that might be a good fit. I am continuing to paint my wall art like the new ones you see here and we shall see. I would love to see, feel and throw some green into the mix.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember to support Artists this holiday season and always!

MORE Faves From SOFA CHICAGO 2011

Since I was close to maxing out my space and going into visual overload in my previous SOFA CHICAGO 2011 post, I decided to give two of my absolute favorites their own space and due. Of course, there was just a hint of Asian influence in my picks.

When I first entered the show, I immediately was drawn to a wood turning gallery/booth that had wood sculptures. They were all stunning but two especially caught my eye. They were by a Vietnamese /Active US artist by the name of Binh Pho. As I continued to walk the show, I saw even more of his work represented by other galleries/booths. IF ONLY I had an extra mid-4 figure$ to 5 figure$ to spare. His work is so gorgeous. Here are just a few more. This wasn't even everything. See how easy it is to get overloaded. I wouldn't mind just being loaded.

I was up close and admiring this next work when the artist came up to me, introduced herself and we started chatting away. My picture does not do this much justice but this was stunning too. The artist is Tanya Lyons and my other fave piece is titled Sasayaki (Whisper):

It was hard to narrow all my faves down but I did. I sure do know what I like. I do have great taste, so I've been told. I believe it.

SOFA Chicago 2011 and so INTUIT

Having just completed eight hospitable work days in row, I can't think of better way to spend part of my day to restore my inhospitable thoughts than at the SOFA (Sculptural Objects and Functional Art) and Intuit shows. I try to attend SOFA Chicago every year and this year was no exception. I love the art, the inspiration AND to torture myself with art I can't afford. This post runs a little long so be sure to click on Read More at the bottom.

Some of my favorites from this years show are (drum roll please):

.

And from the Intuit or Outsider/Folk Art Show:

It's Only Temporary

It's nice to have outside influences to help reinforce and remind me that events and situations are temporary. Healthy, too. Those influences and reminders can come from anyone, anywhere, anything. For example, lets take a sacred ritual, a season, and a situation. 

The Sacred Ritual: Last week I went to watch and hear the Tibetan Monks of Drepung Gomang Monastery recreate a mandala for Medicine and Healing, followed by some chanting. Mandalas are created whenever a need for healing of the environment and living beings is felt. No better time like the present!

The Mandala, Tibetan sand painting, is an ancient art form of Tibetan Buddhism. They are carefully constructed from dyed sand particles to represent the particular esoteric and textual traditions of Buddhism. It is a transient art form. Upon completion to symbolize the impermanence of all that exists, the colored sands are swept up and poured into a nearby river or stream where the waters carry healing energies throughout the world. Perhaps they chose Lake Michigan- it was pretty darn feisty (25 ft waves) while they were here. I was so engrossed watching them create this. I think I might have the patience for this, but on a very, very small scale. Just a temporary thought.

A Season: Today was the last day of the Farmers Market at the Museum of Contemporary Art. This is actually the last weekend for ALL farmers markets here. I tend to go to different markets for different items. I have my faves. There is one grower here, in my opinion, that grows the best honey crisp apples. I stocked up and hopefully that should keep the doctors away for longer than temporary. Until next year...a temporary.

Lastly, A Situation: Also today, I said a temporary good-bye to one my best friends in Chicago who had to leave today to go back to Brazil, where she is from, due to immigration policies. We all hope and believe it is temporary but that doesn't lessen the emotion behind it.

We stayed positive and hugged as we said good-bye outside her apartment. No tears allowed. Okay, some temporary tears then back to smiles.

Tereza finishing up some last minute work before leaving for the airport.

After she got into the cab, this little friend went wee wee weepy all the way home.
But it was temporary. Thanks to her, I now have a reason and know how to Skype.

IF ONLY THE SITUATION WITH THE CHANGING FONTS WERE TEMPORARY!!!

RAW: The Magical Artistically Tour.. Part 2

In part 2 of RAW: the Magicial Artistically Tour, we'll go inside and I'll highlight some events that went on before, during and after the show from a personal perspective. 

Before we do that a quick detour and digression: I have to begin this tour by saying how much I love being an artist-now. I am incredibly happy that I stuck with it after many many just "throw in the brush" and some semi-serious "give it up" conversations in my head. This venue, and my first show of the year, was the introduction of my new work and my voice in a public setting. Need to say, I have put the fire extinguisher on the "give up" dialogue and put the fire back in my belly instead. All from two days, and eighteen months preparation.

Now back to our previously scheduled post:
 

Marilyn Grad Copyright @2011

The show started at 11:00am. I arrived and set up early before some of the other artists  to minimize the stress. I possessed the keys to the space! I'm glad I did. I had thought I would hang my work on brick having checked out my assigned space two days earlier. Change of plans the day of: didn't work and used the wall instead. It was much easier and I had more fun hanging the mixed media wall art than arranging and displaying boxes. I had a clearance/sale table for that:

The Director of HR of The James Hotel Chicago and Affinia Hotels and her husband came to say HI and check out my "other work." I was definitely surprised and most flattered.

Relaxed and excited I twas....until.... 25 minutes before showtime.....fellow first floor artist Pam Seatter and I looked and FINALLY ACCEPTED that the other two artists who were assigned the space upfront at the entrance were a no show. We couldn't leave this space barren. Who would even bother to come in? 

The RAW #18 artists banded together and quickly. Second floor artist Miki Shim-Rutter of 2frogs ceramics brought down a small spare table to display all of our business cards at the entry. Pam and I started spreading out our work down the hallway along the barren walls.

 

Since I didn't live too far away and had extra unsold paintings (imagine that!) at my apartment, second floor beaded jewelry artist Annette Jackson drove very quickly so I could get them. Another digression but amusing: On the way there, Annette and I were talking about all sorts of interesting things, when I realized and interjected "BTW, my name is Marilyn." I had no idea what her name was either as we were definitely on a mission. We laughed so hard, she told me hers, continued our conversation and made it back in 20 minutes.

Start hammering. There are people coming:

 

Added my 3 Geisha as greeters at the entrance. Marilyn Grad @Copyright 2010

As the day progressed, with a great traffic flow, some sales and stellar feedback, I observed these two women from the sideline. They were smiling, giggling and admiring my whim(sical) art. I was eating it up.

 

Linda Conway, on the right, saw me and asked me if I was the artist? YES! They thought so and she bought my Outsider Art piece:

 Silence is a Gift Marilyn Grad @Copyright 2011

A show is not complete without having the support and appearance of DEAR friends, personal artist heroes, and coworkers past and present, showing up. Metal sculptor/welder artist, humorist and spirit raiser Jennifer Meyers (I introduced you to her an earlier post), drove two hours to see and support me. She relieved me so I could take a break and sold a box for me in my absence. I was tempted not to come back. BUT I DID.

I'll let you decide which side of Jennifer is more photogenic. At least she has one.

This post is a long one and I don't want it to take on a sappier tone which it is starting to do. It is also giving me lots and lots of font problems-true to form. Frustrating. Where's the magic now?

SOOOOOOO with Part 2 of the RAW 2011 Magical Artistically Tour coming to an end, I will close by personally speaking, this show was magic. My fears and doubts disappeared from all the great response and reaction to my new work. I am no longer working in the dark. I am starting to see my audience. I still have one fear however to overcome: 

I have a little window before next years' show season begins and I try applying: Until then and for now.. I'm staying indoors. TOUR OVER.

RAW: The Magical Artistically Tour.. Part 1

By now, you must know that I participated in the 10th Annual Ravenswood Artwalk this past weekend. Where were you if you didn't?  Not to worry. I will share some visuals in Part 1 and some personal experiences in Part 2.

Let's begin with the recommended first stop:  The Central Gallery. This is where some of the 200 participating artists could showcase one piece of work along with their show location and other details.

 

 My Mixed Media Painting:  3 Geisha No. 2   Marilyn Grad copyright @2011

Along the Ravenswood corridors and side streets, every venue was marked by a flag and number. Maps were provided listing all locations, artists, businesses, entertainment - indoor and out. Trolleys were also available to help get around.

 Continuing up the corridor, we arrive at my location (side view): 

This building is mostly occupied by businesses not artist studios. We displayed our work in the hallways on the first and second floors. I shared this space with wonderfully talented, fun, friendly and unselfish artists. A great team and spirit we were and are. That in Part 2. 

Here are just a few of them. I apologize. I thought I had captured everyone and realized  I didn't. I shared the first floor with oil painter Pamela Seatter.

Pamela Seatter

Marilyn Grad:  one wall of Geisha/Inspirational paintings

Ardit Dizdari, a fellow self-taught oil painter

Annette Jackson, glass bead, wall art and jewelry maker 
(and like me, doesn't like pix of themselves )

Also in the #18 group: Miki Shim Rutter, Carol Fletcher and Ronald Stec.

There was sooo much to this show that I didn't see or capture. I was definitely all participant and less spectator. As it should be. I was excited to have my new work and mixed media identity out there and receive such GREAT feedback and response. Yes, there were sales. It felt really, really good.

More about that in RAW: The Magical Artistically Tour Part 2.