2012, the review: install #1

2012 was a full year - personally and professionally.

during that year I embarked on . . .

new artistic adventures, such as my 'birds of poetry' for the Attleboro Public Library; 

exhibited my work in prestigious venues, such as the Attleboro Arts Museum and 

finished some major sculptures, such as, 'dear jeff'.

The idea of summing all of 2012 in one blog post felt like a daunting and very lengthy task ~ this past year was full of many noteworthy events. Also in all my recent social media research - the word on the street is that NO ONE scrolls down, not even your mother!!! (Catherine Weber, Weber Media Partners)

So to make it more palatable for you the reader and me the author I am going to break it down into smaller bits as well as reference past posts.  

So with no further delay - installation#1 of '2012, the review' ~ 

with this installation, a visual review. (you'll still need to scroll if you want)

The above image is a mosaic of some of my projects from 2012.  An idea I saw on artist's Bridgette Guerzon Mill's blog, contemplating the moon. I am a visual person so this was right up my alley.  However when I shared my mosaic with some piers, they mentioned that they wanted to see more - so the full images are images below, with a bit of a description.  A good way to start the year in review.

Bird by Bird: 12 x12 panel for Fountain Street Fine Art

new work: mixed media on panel

new work: 'raw', organic crocheting, representing the first year of my separation.

detail from 'lilith in blue' : acrylic paint on plaster

new work: "lilith in blue' acrylic paint on plaster

'birds of poetry' detail

installation of over 100 'birds of poetry in the library's atrium

new work: kids gloves

new work: 'pocket full of pretty green' part of series of mixed media collages

new work: 'dear jeff' commissioned sculpture made for man who lost his fiance in 9/11

new work: 'time to take flight'

new work: 'le chat' ~ part of series created for FSFA's CSArt program

new work : commissioned drawing

new product line: dressmats

going back to my roots ~ painted furniture

another flashback - stilllife painting

Going out with a BANG!!!!

As the saying goes all good things must come to an end.  And so it is for "Upon Further Consideration: what tells a story", my exhibition with David Lang at the Carney Gallery, Regis College, Weston, MA.  But we are not going quietly :) 

Tomorrow afternoon David and I will be conducting a gallery talk which will then lead to a closing reception.  So we would love to have all come and help us toast out our latest creative endeavor!! 

artists' talk ~ 4:00pm

reception to follow

Also some pieces have been added since the opening AND some pieces will be going back to their private homes.  'dear jeff', which is the commissioned by a man who lost his fiance in 9/11, is now part of the exhibit at Regis, for all those who could not make it down to Attleboro Arts Museum.  Another new piece that was in Attleboro's 8 Vision is 'kid gloves'.  And 'in memory of . . .' will be heading back to her owners, who kindly let me show her for this exhibition, thank you Bill and Joe!! 

peace

a Quick Peek at 8 Visions

Here are a few 'quick' shots of my pieces in the 8 Visions show at the Attleboro Arts Museum. 

'black widow' greets you at the door

My camera has a funny time with the lighting in the space so the color is off a bit - something I 'should' be able to fix. . . but alas. For now here is a little taste of the show.

'happily ever after'

The opening reception was a lovely evening - the museum's staff is so wonderful.  And it was such a treat to be able to show a group of my dresses in such a beautiful space and to debut a few pieces.  

'dear jeff' 

One of the pieces shown for the first time is 'dear jeff'.  Last night was especially special because Jeff Gonski, the man who commissioned 'dear jeff',  came to the opening.  

'dear jeff' is a sculpture made from the letters and correspondences that Jeff received from his then girl friend/ fiance and all the cards of sympathy and condolences that he received after he lost his fiance in the events of 9/11.  

This is a hugely emotional dress and this was proven last night as I watched as different people responded to the dress. I am truly thankful to Jeff for giving me the opportunity to work with these memories and for his bravery to share his memories with the world.

'kid gloves'

Also it was nice to be back talking to the gallery visitors about why I do dresses and why I chose the materials that I do, and all those fun questions.  

On that note, the gallery talk for this show - on Sept. 8th 2-4pm.

'lilith in blue'

And an extra perk of last night was that the two final jurors were at the opening as well ~ Seth Rainville,  curator at the New Bedford Art Museum and Bob Totaro, Director of J. Todd Galleries in Wellesley, MA. It was such a pleasure to meet them and talk to them about the jurying process.

'new york diner' dress 

 So this is a quick perusal of my part of 8 Visions ~ more to come (hopefully).  

Thanks to all that came to the opening - it was truly a special evening. 

And thank you to the other artists that were exhibiting last night ~ 

I am honored to be part of such a creative group!

(be sure to check out their websites - their names are links to their sites) 

2012 “8 Visions” Artists:

Patricia Berube – Cohasset, MA

Brenda Cirioni – Stow, MA

Susan Denniston – Scituate, MA

Virginia Fitzgerald – Natick, MA

Sand T Kalloch – Malden, MA

Niva Shrestha – Franklin, MA

Mary L. Taylor – Marshfield Hills, MA

Felicia Touhey – Portsmouth, RI

'provocative'

peace

grant application submitted - CHECK

Any other artist out there feeling like the business end of being an artist is exhausting?!? 

Once again I am racing to get a grant submission in before the deadline (today), and each time I do this remember my desire to get better pictures of my work?!??!

This was the first time that I needed to prepare a powerpoint presentation so hopefully I dotted my i's and crossed my t's. 

Below are the 'slides'.

Now off to the next task . . . or maybe a nap?!?!? 

peace to all.

8 Visions delivery ~ CHECK!

The day I deliver pieces for a show is usually a bittersweet day for me ~ so excited and relieved that the pieces are safely at the gallery, and yet I am also sad that the creating is done, at least for a time. Now is the time I must turn my attention to other matters that I have been ignoring, like, publicity & press for the show, and everything else in my life!!! 

http://attleboroartsmuseum.org/index.php/exhibitions/

The days and weeks before a big show I get so focused about what I need to do that the rest of my life goes on hold (nice).  In fact for last 4-5 days I basically lived in my studio, spending long and late hours working & I LOVED it.  Every so often I would start to worry that I am becoming a true studio hermit ~ but then I could see no down side of that life :) (though, my girls might!)

delivered dresses waiting to be set up

'happily ever after' set-up at the South Shore Art Center, last year

During this crunch time I also get a billion of other ideas that I want to make for the pending show ~ crazy I know!!! This time I had a great friend counseling me away from the 'edge of starting all these new wonderful project' and to just finish the pieces that are almost done and need to be finished.  And for this friend I am truly grateful!!!

'lilith in blue'  with panel painting behind

So now these babies are out of my hands and into the world. 

Three of them will be debuting at 8 Visions & then there are some old faithfuls.   

Many of the pieces have 'stories' that I plan to share here in later posts, 

but for now I must attend to the matter of telling people about the show and getting them to come.

So feel free to spread the word!! :)

'kid gloves' ~ a small dress made out of broken eggshells sitting in a nest made of white/cream ribbons and being 'held' by old kid gloves that David A. Lang found for me on his endless travels.

'provocative' (rope dress)

'black widow' vcr tape dress

So on that note, here is the 411 about the show ~ 

8 Visions – Work from 8 Juried Member Artists

Attleboro Arts Museum

Exhibition: August 21 – September 15, 2012

Opening Reception: Wednesday, Aug 22nd from 7 – 9pm. Free and open to the public.

Saturday, Sept 8th: Gallery Talk, 2-4pm.  Free and open to the public. Kindly reserve your space by Thursday, September 6th. 508-222-2644  

- peace - 

http://attleboroartsmuseum.org/index.php/exhibitions/