Artwala Road

An opening tonight at The Arsenal Center for the Arts, home of The Ladies Drawing Club. Fun to see the work of the other teachers. That’s me with Deb Putnoi in front of her amazing drawings and seated together on her painted chairs. Her grandmother gave her the chairs and they needed a little freshening up. She found upholstering too expensive so painted them with portraits of her family. I think we’re actually sitting on her children.

It’s such a privilege to be in a show with Deb and Kaetlyn Wilcox, both very interesting, evolved artists. (Photos of Kartlyn’s amazing work to come.) I couldn’t help but notice they were selling their work for real money and rightly so. I priced mine more in the flea-market range but then they are small. That’s me in front of my work with a frozen smile waiting for Dear A to frame things up. He takes an excellent shot but it can take time. The light was not good for photography but when I put my new site up (coming soon) a lot of these pieces will be there.

I feel awfully lucky to be given exhibition opportunities as I don’t consider myself to be a ‘fine artist’ and haven’t sought them out. So much for goal setting etc. I’ve sold a few things at the center but I think that on the whole people are unaccustomed to spending money on art, even when it’s relatively cheap. BUY!! Now’s your chance! I really think we should all be changing our homes around on a regular basis—changing the art around, buying new pieces, selling stuff that no longer lights us up, trading, keeping the energy bright, stirring it up. When I change things up it reminds me that we’re creating our lives here on the planet! Truly revitalizing. Plus, art is there to take us to higher places, one way or another.
One of the great things about an art center like this, which is large and intended as a regional site for artists of all disciplines, is that you get to meet other artists and share the journey. Artists (I use the term in a general way here) usually just cut to the chase when it comes to chat—we talk about art first and we talk about making a living as artists. When the humor count is there it’s brilliant. We’re stepping into the unknown every single time we create so it’s great to have company at the end of the day. So, many thanks to the art center for providing a convivial place to meet and for hosting this show.

And good news—turns out Deb and Kaetlyn have just launched blogs. I’ll be getting their web addresses and we’ll be starting conversations here sometime in April as Deb has a big show coming up. That’ll be fun.
Meanwhile, if you’re in the Boston area, check out the show. And don’t forget your purse!

March 7th, 2008 | Category: Spotted / Art on the Planet | Comments (2)

We were walking back from the library this morning when Dear A shouted, ‘Look!’ He’s not a shouting man and I confess I jumped out of my shoes. Thought I was about to step into dog do or something. But there they were in full sunshine up against the foundation of a house not far from the road—a brave little cluster of crocuses! What a thrill! It truly makes living in this climate worthwhile when spring arrives with all its great upward energy. This long winter hibernation left us under-exercised and faintly edgy, for sure. The snow melted two days ago, the sun shines and now we’re going on long walks again. So great.

Have to say, despite the hibernation and the snow, this winter has just breezed by for me. It’s serves a purpose—keeps us indoors with hands on keyboard.  I’ve been so busy with work, so engrossed in it that I hardly noticed what was going on outside.  I’m typing, typing, typing, like mad.  It’s good.  Much progress despite moments of doubt which must be put in their proper place.  Winter is good for steady work and our little house is cosy and warm. When spring comes I’ll doubtless want to be outside and there will be other things to do. I see there are still a lot of dank old leaves to be raked away but for now they can wait.

Meanwhile I’m waiting and waiting for the Democratic nominee to be chosen. Please let it be Obama. I didn’t always wish this. I waffled back and forth. But I believe now we need an outsider, someone who won’t play the same old game. It’s good he doesn’t have experience. He’s coming in with the possibility of new thinking. The old thinking got us into this mess—all that fear-based horrific blustery aggression, all the greed and looking out for only one. I’m feeling that again as this campaign gets tough. Enough. Something new is being born! Spring is here.

March 6th, 2008 | Category: Spotted / Art on the Planet | Comments (6)

We just caught just a glimpse of Oprah and Eckhart Tolle online last night because after ten minutes the screen froze and that was that. This morning an email from the Oprah people saying that 500,000 people logged on worldwide and many had the same experience we did. It’s still early days for this sort of thing and they’re going to try to work out the bugs before next week. Who knows if they can be worked out but you can download the podcast today. Still, it’s a brilliant idea. Just think—500,000 people around the world hearing a very positive message all at the same time! And it’s an empowering message especially for those who are unhappy or downtrodden—it points the way forward. So, again—this is art on the planet! Meanwhile, here’s to making  art that resonates with good healing energy so that we can create a good earth.

March 4th, 2008 | Category: Spotted / Art on the Planet | Leave a comment

The brilliance of the internet is that we get to see what we wouldn’t see. Now see this—The Little People Street Art Project. Slinkachu, aged twenty-seven, British, has carved and painted tiny little people and installed them on the roads in London. They are, ooh, so fantastic and touching. Come February we can buy photographic prints of one of these installations. Love the imagination. Brilliant fun. Art on the planet.

January 18th, 2007 | Category: Spotted / Art on the Planet | Comments (2)