Hi there , Happy New Year! A week of
February in the books, Punxsutawney Phil has declared six more weeks of winter. Well, he's from PA and that doesn't apply in NC - it's 60 today and I saw my first flowering tree in Chapel Hill this weekend. I'm starting to feel rejuvenated, partly from the weather, but I think it also probably has to do with fresh coats of paint. Over the past month, while I've been
wintering, my paint brushes have found a lot more use; in broad sweeps, and tiny details. Through those acts, and other self care, I've been pulling away the veil of illness and brain fog, towards clarity and focus. My intention for this year is slow, compassionate expansion in my art and work. I'm embracing slow growth, trying to continue to make work while taking care of myself in a loving way, listening more to my body and mind, rather than
pushing through to be consumed by productivity. I'm curious in what way you might be using a fresh coat of paint, metaphorically or literally? Creatively, |
Available at the Durham Art Guild
Durham Art Guild 2023 Member's
Showcase On exhibit through March 4, 2023. Positive Seat at the Crossroads is currently on exhibit and available for purchase through the Durham Art Guild. I haven't had a chance to get to the show yet - but plan to prior to March. If you've been, send me photo
of the exhibit! ABOUT THE WORK: This particular piece began in West Orange, NJ, prior to my move to Durham, NC. While you may not notice any particular defining landmarks, the crossroads depicted
are two streets I spent most of my time on - either driving into and out of our neighborhood, or walking the kids to and from school.
SIZE: 14.5" x 16.25" MEDIA: Watercolor, Gouache, Image Transfer, Watersoluble Crayon, & Tea Staining on Watercolor Paper FRAMING: Float-mounted on an archival, Concrete-colored mat
board. Framed in a solid wood, maple shadow box frame 20.25” x 22.5”. Glazing is UV, museum-grade plexiglass. PRICE: $800 (shipping / applicable taxes extra) Interested in collecting this work? You can buy directly through the DAG
online, in person, or you can contact me directly to ask questions or negotiate the purchase through the DAG. |
Select Art at Casa Bella Market, NC
Casa Bella Market is a new retail space in Durham that is woman - owned, and aspires to offer sustainable, locally made and curated homegoods, fine crafts and art. Sara Mannone, the owner is growing from a background in home styling and staging into retail and just opened the space this week. Saturday, February 11th, from 10 - 6pm, she's holding a grand opening. Let me know if you'll be stopping by; I'll be there hopefully at some point in between kiddo activities. What you can find by me: A selection of my TeaScapes and Take a Seat works (seen above) will be available through her store - in person and online. I will also be bringing her a collection of note cards featuring my work. FIND THE SHOP: In Person - 3604 Witherspoon Blvd, #105,
Durham, NC 27707 Online - www.casabellamarketnc.com (currently under construction,
and inventory being added.) |
February Virtual Residency
Last February, I participated in the Artist / Mother virtual artist residency. It was a month
spent focused on pairing two goals: running and creating ideas for work that was related to the places where I ran. Unfortunately, following the month of intensive running, I injured myself and simultaneously invested myself in intensive self care due to ongoing health challenges. This February's Goal: As part of my year long theme of slow, compassionate growth, I'm focusing on tying up a commission that has been in progress and starting new work that will build upon the sketches I created last year, pulling the ideas out of the sketchbook and onto a wall. The residency is now being hosted by the Thrive Together Network, a global community of female-identifying artists, of which I am a member.
Speaking of walls: Remember a year ago my husband built me a floating wall in my studio? Well, maybe you don't, but we had intended
to drywall it ourselves. A year later - it was still unfinished, so I finally hired a drywaller and they came and finished the wall in a day and a half. I spent the end of last week using up some paint from my son's bedroom to finish the newly drywalled wall, and repaint the end wall of the studio. Now I can use that wall to make more artwork - larger paintings or tack of drawings to work on a larger scale, explore series - and it's brightened the space. I guess the ideas are
endless! In case you're curious, the color is Looking Glass, by Behr. It's a light gray, and is brighter than the Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray on the rest of the walls, and feels more spacious - has a little undertone of greenish blue. I love
it! |
Commission Progress - A Moment of Quiet
Hope you enjoyed that little bit of painting, and moment of quiet. This painting has been progressing slowly and I'm building momentum towards completion. |
|
|