EVERYWHERE I LOOK

Lately it seems that everywhere I look I see some kind of interesting texture or pattern. They are all around us...ivy growing up a concrete wall...the butt end of round hay bales...the inside of a security envelope. The little voice inside my head is always asking, "would this etch". Thanks to the age of digital photography I can now easily capture snippets of texture. I keep these visual treasures in a digital file in my computer where they accumulate just waiting to be dragged into photoshop and messed with. I often troll through this file looking for just the right image or background for a narrative art box or a piece of jewelry. Not everything translates or is easily etched but more and more I am able to determine that before I totally trash a good piece of metal.


On Wednesday my friends and art buddies, Linda Jarvis and Helga Winter, went with me to Olympia, WA, to deliver our work to Childhood's End Gallery for the upcoming show, STORIES, MYTHS AND LEGENDS. One advantage of being slightly late in delivering is that we got to see a preview of the show. Many pieces by other artist were leaning against the walls just waiting to be hung or arranged on pedestals. The opening is tomorrow night and it will be fun to see how all the art work will be displayed.

On the way home we stopped in Tacoma to check out some galleries. While walking around we noticed these wonderful grates in the sidewalks. I'm sure there are many other patterns scattered throughout the city and it will take another trip to discover them all. I can hardly wait to see how these might show up in my work.

THE PRESENT MOMENT

This is the time of year when artists are getting their acceptance or rejection notices from art shows around the country. We offer up our money and our ego to be juried by our peers. We are either accepted or not based solely on the taste of a handful of strangers and on the quality of our images...not necessarily our work. When we are accepted we wonder how on earth we will get it all done ...meet the deadlines...find a balance...have a life...and get the grass mowed. When we are rejected we walk around repeating the rejection mantra...it's not personal...it's not personal.

I have three shows lined up for August and I find it interesting how NOT in the present moment I am. My eye is already on the goal...focused on the golden carrot right in front of my nose. I'm thinking about August...counting the days left between now and August...if I get up an hour earlier how many work days would I gain between now and August. I have so looked forward to spring and summer and now I find myself overlooking those glorious months and focusing on August.

So I'm writing this post as a reminder to myself to breathe deep and often...to notice how the light is changing...to take a few moments to watch the chickadee carry nesting material into the birdhouse just outside my window...to enjoy the company of dear friends when the opportunity is there...to soak up a little sun and collect some vitamin d...to trust that the work will get done...and to find contentment in the present moment.

STORIES, MYTHS AND LEGENDS

I'm working hard preparing for this group show. It's being a fun challenge coming up with narrative boxes that have a story, myth or legend embedded in their metal surface. I'm feeling like a writer without words. I'm challenged by how to tell the story without revealing too much...how to avoid making it trite...what is the hook...how to be a narrator instead of an illustrator. Sometimes I grumble through these challenges but in the end I know it is good for my spirit and my creative juices to get stretched. I'm pleased to be part of this show with my friends and fellow art sisters, Linda Jarvis and Helga Winter. I can hardly wait to see what delicious pieces they have created. Stay tuned for future postings to see some of my boxes.