masks I love

sick nasty = I love this

new and not always welcome

We close on our house Tuesday next week. Its very exciting. We have had some serious trials with this one so far. Fingers crossed that the closing will actually happen! I want to take the chain saw and start clearing the property surrounding the house. I want to nest!
Unfortunately all of this newness comes with added responsibilities. I have not applied for any juried shows this year and I've just barely been able to keep up with the invitational shows that I've been participating in. Being the only visual art teacher at my school means the entire health of the program rests on me. That's a huge responsibility (which I like) but it is very time consuming. My dad's health being so poor doesn't necessarily take up time but I do feel emotionally drained. Add to that a new house that is in complete disrepair (no electricity, plumbing and some of its exterior walls missing!) I'm excited and FREAKED!
I suppose that this is the way life is...

My teaching experience at Arrowmont

Although it was a very brief weekend the cold connection workshop at Arrowmont went swimmingly.
My students were eager and enthusiastic learners. It was such a positive experience! Mitch was my assistant and did a perfect job. He was completely helpful. He even managed to snap a few pics in between all of the running around I had him doing.
He also drove the entire way there and back. It was the first time we've spent more than 2 or 3 hours together in months. It was a fantastic, relaxing and fulfilling weekend.
check it out!

the lovely assistant

The number of obligations that I have in the upcoming months has taken a toll. I am exhausted.
I have finally hired an assistant to come and work with me in my studio. So far its been great. My only issue stems
from not having adequate time to schedule and not having a consistent schedule.

I have two pretty major works due to different shows and I'm definitely in need of some inspiration. No time for a trip to shoot images or draw...
Lately I've been revisiting my old sketch books and the works of some of my favorite artists: Lee Bontecou and Albert Paley.

How can I reenergize and find inspiration despite the fact that I barely have time to shower regularly ? Hopefully this weekend I will be able to carve out some time to work.

adventures

labor day weekend was full of adventure. Mitch and I drove to a wedding of two of our close friends from college. We went and visited his parents and grandparents in Vicksburg and Louisiana, too. We spent a lot of time talking out our ideas for the future while we drove the 7 hours (each way)
I did drop off work at the Attic Gallery in Vicksburg and have big plans for the upcoming weekend.
Of note: I hired a production assistant to help me in my studio twice a week. So far so good!

fyi

This chick is amazing!
These are photos of people that are painted

http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/hyperrealistic-acrylic-body

inspiration

I've decided to design my own t-shirts alongside my design students
Rather than just do some random designs I've decided to look at adornment from other cultures
for some inspiration - http://petergasser.info/a_visual_journey/index.html
I'm not making any promises for the outcome but these pics are where I'm going to begin my design process.

Time to get back to work!

Our bank loan has been approved and we will be able to start construction on our studio and hopefully the renovation of this house which will be located in front of the studio - we could break ground any day now!

This coming October is going to be a busy month for us with lots of professional opportunities like
A collection of work due to Lede Gallery in Wake Forest NC
(check them out here:
http://www.ledestudiogallery.com/

I'm showing a collection of earrings at the Quirk Gallery in Richmond VA for the 6th annual Sparkle Plenty show
www.quirkgallery.com
I teach a cold connection workshop at Arrowmont this October
www.arrowmont.org
Mitch has been invited to exhibit work in Chicago - opening Oct 8th.
He and I will also be featured artists at the Princton Arts Council for the month October
The University of Southern Mississippi Art Department has invited us to put work in the alumni show in the Woods Gallery in October.

Having all of these artistic opportunities is awesome but clearly my time management will need some improvement.
Its time for me to start hitting the studio hard-core and making lots of new work!

These earrings are what I've been working on for Sparkle Plenty

Looks like its time for me to start planning some more pieces like this?

I am not the best blogger

Clearly this has been a futile effort.

I resolve to improve my blogging efforts for the sake of my students.

I shall blog or I shall fail.

For my AP students and for my artistic health; I blog.

Arrowmont Workshop

I will be teaching a cold connection workshop at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

October 17-19.

Its a great beginning skills class- perfect for all artists interested in putting things together in a permanent way without using glue! I will also discuss the necessary steps to take for setting up an inexpensive studio in your home.

I hope I see you there!

http://arrowmont.org/registration/commerce.pl?page=2010-shandstamper.html&cart_id=7661501_2863

Paducah Quilt Museum

Mitch and I went out for an adventure this Valentine's Day weekend.

We went to the Quilt Museum first. Admission is $8 a person for adults and it was well worth the money spent. There are lots of quilts. LOTS! Antiques, modern, minis, and student work from the quilt block challenge.

The large gallery is expansive and all of the quilts are exhibited individually - visually pleasing that they aren't crowded. Many of the antiques are exhibited with a history and sometimes pics of the makers. An especially sweet extra for me. The modern national winners are exhibited with information about the artist or the design of the quilt. I felt both inspired and humbled by the artistry of these monumental collages and lessons in color theory and basic design principles. The hand stitching on the mini quits is truly perfection.

There were two docents available to give tours and answer questions. They also host groups. I can't wait to take my art club kids over for a tour. Educational groups get in free and we are even going to get to do a hands on activity (hello fabric printing!)

I highly recommend anyone check out the Quilt Museum. It was well worth the money.

above water

I have been getting really good about keeping my head above water. There are several shows that I would like to apply to. Lots of other things out in the distance that I want to do - need to do - hope that I have the energy to do. Currently I feel like I am only able to accomplish what is necessary to keep my head above water but not enough to move forward. Summer seems like it will bring relief and with it an opportunity to finish unpacking and settling into my office, a must for me. I spent long and good quality hours in my studio over break and have recently enjoyed some acrylic painting - a first for me. I miss having these creative times more often although in some ways they are much richer as they are more prized and harder won.

Welcome

Part of a half witted new year's resolution of mine is to blog.

I suppose making it is half of the battle.

here is to new - and trying it.