What tha??

There are times when I think I overextend myself. Adding on to my plate over and over again until suddenly, I can't keep up anymore. I forget to do things, stay on track and if I don't make a list....well.....you can probably bet your ass it will not get accomplished.

My November show was nice. Everything came together just as I planned it to, with a little help from an absolute wonderful friend of mine. Did Isell anything? Nope. That's the only downfall to all that time I spent on it. However, the little magnets I've been making over the last two years seem to find their way into the homes of New Orleans. I'm ok with that. I'm currently working on a new stock and there will be new images to admire, in addition to the best-selling marbled paper magnets. I need to get into a production mode. I will admit, it's easier said than done, especially when finances do not allow you to stock your supplies up in preparation for mass production. Bleh!

My friend, Melissa, and I had a little holiday card-making workshop in December. The whole thing was a wonderful idea, but we think it needsto be arranged for an earlier time, say October-ish. The cards came out well. Melissa letter-pressed the inside of the cards and people decorated the outside. We had a lot fun!

I decided to take some time away from art and focus my mind more on myself. I don't pay attention to myself much. So, I signed up for a 30 day yoga challenge. Oh I finished it and finished it good! I feel great. I feel mentally rejuvenated. So, maybe I can start working on something that will put some money in my pocket. After all, it is Mardi Gras season in The Big Easy!

Taking a Break for Banter

Show is less than a week away and I don't think I'm halfway done with everything.  The problem:  money, or lack of it.  I'm trying to come up with time AND money-efficient ways of framing and presentation.  Thank goodness I'm not showing any of my photos!  Paper and canvas are much easier for me to wrap my head around as far as creative problem solving.  

I made a big mistake as I started marbling last night.  I forgot that I've mixed inks instead of paint.  So when I dipped my first canvas into the marbling vat and looked to see what the result was.........the colors were running all over each other.  Mission: FAIL!  I rinsed it off, BUT there's this pretty cool ghostly image on it now, like the ink simply stained the canvas.  I thought about just leaving it that way, but it really needs something else.  I ended up marbling the paper-half of my show instead.  

I ordered my postcard flyers for this thing at least 2 weeks ago. I just got an email notice today 

that my order's been shipped. Today!??? It's Monday and the show is SATURDAY! WTF!? I

guess I'm going to have to hustle out those things as soon as they get here.

I have to get through this weekend. LOTS going on and I'm ready to move on to the next creative

adventure (more on that later). I also plan on taking plenty of photos of my work so I'll post them

on here......................eventually.

Production Update

I believe following through with an art project is like taking up a yoga practice. You have to be consistent and try to stay on some kind of schedule.

I'm failing miserably!

It is now the end of September and all I have accomplished is stretching two canvases. Well, scratch that. A friend of mine built three frames (which, by the way, are beautiful!) as well as the canvas frames....but that's about it. I'm supposed to have my wonderfully huge marbling vat by this weekend (fingers crossed) so I can get started with that phase of production. I'm playing around with the idea of screen printing on some of them. So many ideas.....I really need to sit down and decide instead of running around with a cluster of them in my head.

Photos to come. Now, I'm off to plan a baking venture of about six dozen cupcakes. Hopefully, it will put a few bucks in my pocket.

Up and Comings...

I have a show over at my friends' coffee shop in November. I've decided that I don't have anything ready for it....and that's fine. I'm starting from scratch, developing a "theme" and running with it. I've been playing around with the idea of marbled paper being the dominantly played force during the exhibition.

Along with hand-made paper..........



I have until November 10th to get everything done, start to finish, concept to framing.

Wish me luck!

A Little Selfless Promotion.....

I got an email today from 4over4.com, an online printing company. They started a campaign in the name of trees! I'm jumping on board because....well....I care about trees. Yeah yeah, I'm a printmaker and papermaker so why would I give a hoot about trees? Well, these giants of the forest are what keep my artwork in business. I also love to admire them when they're standing tall in all their glory. I'm also a firm believer in the whole "take one down, plant another" concept, so yes, definitely jumping on board.

It's simple really:

For every click on this link

http://www.4over4.com

A tree will be planted in that click's honor.

So, click away my dear friends!!!!!

Oh, I also posted this link permanently on my sidebar (to the left) so if you're ever in the mood......

Pet Peeve of the Week.......

....Sell-outs - I have no time for them.

You know, those people who stand beside you, struggle with you, hold conversations about how pretentious the art community can be and express gratitude they are not in that percentage of haughtiness? Then, after making a few bucks and landing a show on Julia Street.....all bets are off. Their attitude is different. They believe they are "better". They have no time for you or your silly little art projects. A show in the Bywater? Nah, I'd rather stay on a "professional" level. What the hell is wrong with you? What exactly are you saying about EVERY artist who lives AND works in that part of the city, MY part of the city? Hey, I had my work up in an Uptown gallery, but you'll never hear of me believing I'm too good to exhibit anywhere. My theory is this: a show is a friggin show. Exposure is exposure. I'll take whatever card is dealt. You really just never know whose wallet will show up.

Those people piss me off.

Either you are a part of the revolution or part of the establishment, you choose, but don't expect me to have any respect for you if your blood runs thick with contradiction.

Slow the Clock Down! Geez!

What?

It's July already!?

Where the hell did all the time go?  What have I been doing?  Who am I again?

The past three months are a blur.  Let's see if I can properly execute an update:

I had some work up in a print show at Louisiana ArtWorks a couple months ago.  The show was nice.  Met some great people.  Ran into others whom I haven't seen in a long time.  My work didn't sell....bummer.  (but it is still for sale....fyi)  For the most part, it's really all about networking.  Yeah, I had this print up in a group show but........I made new contacts and better acquainted myself with a new facility.  I really can't complain about that too much, if at all.

I've attempted two open studios at my house.  No dice.  Let me rephrase that:  Friends showed up, that's about it.  My apartment is inside the building, not outside.  It's much easier to access an open studio from the outside.  That is how patrons access our gallery.  Makes sense.  I need to come up with a better plan.

I participated in Tipitina's annual fundraiser, Instruments A Comin.  Darcy and I had a table set up along with 15 other artists, roughly.  Not a big success, but I sold a few things.  Works for me.  Darcy donated a piece of her work for their silent auction and we got some great photos of the marching bands battling it out on Napoleon Ave.  This event was my FIRST experience in an art market-type environment.  Trial run.....successful.

Speaking of Darcy, we both shared a table at PhotoNOMA this year.  Our portfolios shined and Ms. Dar Dar even received big kudos from Coup D'Oeil Art Consortium on Magazine Street. The guy gave her his business card!  Yet another wonderful evening.

I am experimenting in the ancient craft of paper making.  Now this is fun stuff!  My partner in crime and I have no end product in mind (other than the paper of course) so we're just producing.  When the muse speaks, I will listen.

Currently, I have a piece up at Du Mois Gallery on Freret Street.  Their print show, Cold Drink, is a breath of fresh air.  Everything on those walls is fantastic!!  If you haven't made a stop, you should.  And while you're there, check out Jesse Shaw's relief prints.  I don't ever say this, but O.M.G.!!!  This artist definitely inspires me to be a bit more ambitious with my block printing. 

Summer camp started at GlassWorks in June.  I'm trying to keep up with the students because I'd like to set up a student show this year......a REAL one.  Wish me luck on that.......

May be collaborating with a friend of mine on some art for White Linen Night.  The plans aren't completely solid yet, but I'm looking forward to working with him.  I guess I'll keep you posted as things progress.  

Annndddd, I think that's it for now.  

I recently fell into a strange mental block.  Depression?  Hot weather?  Exhaustion?  Lack of money?  BP?  I don't know.  Whatever it is, I hope it goes away......and fast!  I'm supposed to increase my inventory over the summer and I'm slacking.  I sit in my studio and just stare at everything.  My mind is a blank canvas.  Where's my damn paint??????

Goodnight, World!  We start anew in the A.M.

Cheers!