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.

Write of Artistic Passage

When I applied last year to the Ravenswood Artwalk, I did so with several "goals/objectives" in mind. I wanted, and honestly needed, more show experience. After taking an 18 month hiatus to find and connect to a new voice, challenge my artistic ability and emerge, RAW was the perfect venue for me. A wonderful and gracious artist community, it presented itself at the right time as did their acceptance into it. I had no idea the full impact or after effect doing RAW would have on me until now, a year later. 

Copyright 2011 Marilyn Grad

This show raised the bar for me. It gave me my new direction, a personal and competitive challenge, focus and clarity. It rewarded me on many levels. I had to get rid of the mental and physical clutter first. Doing so has made me a tad calmer, more determined and a tad more confident. (I say that now. Wait until my next show.)

Copyright 2011 Marilyn Grad

Actually my next show is coming up. It is this weekend. And proudly again, it is the Ravenswood Artwalk 10th Annual Tour of Arts and Industry.  Click here, or preceding RAW link, to find artist locations (alpha by first name) and more details about the show. I'll have some of my Geisha, Inspirational and Whim(sical) mixed media wall art, and bangles to show and sell. I'll gratefully be wearing my RAW Artist 2011 button and a smile at 4611 N. Ravenswood, 1st floor. # 18 on show map.

Click here for show map.
 
Come celebrate Chicago Artists' Month!! Give my art a new home!

Help remove Clutter so I can make more.

Homage to Outsider Art and Other Stuff

Ever since I decided to go from painting boxes to wall art, I've been going through all kinds of liberating stuff - inside and out. I am, for all in tense (well, this process can be intense ) and purposes, a self-taught artist. Translation: not degreed in Art. To confidently and comfortably reinvent and call myself an "artist" took time and much appreciated acceptance and validation. A work in progress...still.

One of the styles of art that has helped me grow and liberate me is Outsider Art. I relate to the name alone. I have always had an attraction and appreciation for Outsider Art. The creators of outsider art just create. They feel and may hear things, perhaps of a religious or political order. They are not caught up in perfection or so it appears (like someone I know.) They re-purpose and recycle. There can be poor grammar and misspelled words. But Outsider artists have purity of intentions.

Last year I went to see the Stranger in Paradise exhibit (3x) which highlighted the works the late Reverend Howard Finster and even more recently the Outsider/Folk Art exhibit at the Milwaukee Art Museum two weeks ago. (I have links that describe Outsider Art and the works of Rev. Howard Finster, so please look.) Both exhibits opened me up. 

In my quest to free my creativity up and loosen up on the perfectionism, I'm enjoying some of the qualities of an Outsider artist:

Copyright @2011 Marilyn Grad

This is a work in progress. The finished version will be on my website next week. I cluttered it up a bit with more writing. 

 

And in less than two weeks, I will be participating once again in the Ravenswood Artwalk.
A show!!! An indoor show!!!  :))))) I am preparing for that now. You might just see some of my Outsider influenced art there.  More on that next time.

One Day+One Exhibit=Happy

I took a replenish, "get outta here" and inspire "me" day yesterday to go to the Milwaukee Art Museum to see The Emperor's Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City exhibit. Need I remind you how much I love Asian art, furnishings and artifacts? I needed a drool cup viewing this exhibit. I was blown away.

It featured art, murals, objects, furnishings, all made with exquisite beauty and craftsmanship, from Qianlong Garden. This was a secluded compound of pavilions and gardens the Qianlong emperor designed in the 18th century in anticipation of his retirement. Lots of Buddhist shrines and some videos. This was the third and final stop in the world before these treasured artworks are returned to China. I made it just in time.
The show ends September 11 and a link: Milwaukee Art Museum.

No photos of the exhibit were allowed but I'll share what I could from this exhibit and then some other things. 

Well, this is it. Can you find moi in this pic?

But what I can visually share is the calm, serenity and magnificence of this museum. This was my first time here, ashamedly. It is a gorgeous museum architecturally with a fantastic art collection along the lakefront. Just what I needed.

After China, I went to see all the other exhibits/collections. Paid my respect to Picasso, O'Keefe, Leger + many more, and then an extraordinary thing happened. Roy Lichtenstein called me over to one of his Pop art paintings and he spoke to me. He said "kid (beats Ma'am), I know how much you love art, want to make it as an artist, so how would you like to be in one of mine? (Really? Ya talkin' to me?) See what it is like to have your work in a museum."  So I took him up on it and got several shots. Hard to do trying not to look at the camera when taking a shot. Here's one:

See, when I told you I needed to get away, I meant it!

It was such a great day. I learned a lot, made a new "friend,"  and tried to write a shorter, less cluttered post. Four hours to go until September.

August is officially a wrap and so is my short time off. Back to work tomorrow.