Sunday, October 24, 2010

Ghost Stories-Mixed Media Shrine Workshop at Seminary Arts


Ghost Stories-
Creating Mixed Media Shrines from found objects
Saturday October 30th 9 am to 4 pm
Waterbury Center, VT
Workshop fee: $75 (plus small materials fee)

Whether it’s an old family photo or grandmother’s rocking chair, we’ve all felt the presence of someone long gone when we encounter their things - the imprint they leave behind after possessing an object for a long period of time…the aftereffects that are left behind in and around the objects of our daily lives. It may be just a fleeting memory, a faint electric impulse that jolts us into thinking, into feeling that person’s wordless presence, but it is there. The ghost of a person, left behind in the yellowed paper, the cracked leather, the worm-eaten wood.

These objects, these things once had owners. They were bought and sold, made and broken. Some of them were kept and treasured, while others were forgotten in attics. Each has a story to tell, whether it is in the voice of young girl or the whisper of an old woman.

This workshop will lead you through the process of creating a unique work of art from artifacts. You will learn to gleam the story from found objects and create a unique work of art. Explore your own imagination to find the ghost in old things and bring forth their tales in a 3 dimensional form.



 
Materials

The most important thing you bring is a hinged, closeable box, like a cigar box, jewelry box, old tin box or something similar- the top should be able to stay open. This will be the foundation for your shrine, so make sure it is something you are willing to work with.

The rest is the filler:

Old photos, something personal to you or complete strangers, just some that strike you. (Make color copies of your old photos at Staples if you don’t want to alter the originials)

Ephemera, Old photos, postcards, cards, letters, etc.

Fabric, lace, ribbon, trim you find interesting –

Small picture frames, found objects, like clock parts, gears, typewriter parts.
Small figurines, dolls parts, game pieces, toys, household items, etc. Bring things that you are drawn too.

Also bring:
Any Acrylic pants you might want to use
Paint Brushes (a couple small detail brushes, and some cheap brushes (1/2 inch to 1 inch in size)
Basic Tools like pliers, scissors







Friday, October 22, 2010

What Remains -October 22 to November 20 - One woman show in Waterbury Center






I was able to take some pictures of the exhibition this afternoon as the sun was setting. The natural light the main room where my work is hanging is simply wonderful. The old seminary building is the perfect location for me to display my 1st ever solo show. I am so grateful to Mame for encouraging me to put this together and to my friends and family who have supported me and cheered me on through this process. I am overjoyed with how great the space looks. The photos don't do it justice. You will just have to swing by to take a peak.
 


 










Wednesday, October 20, 2010

The Show is Hung!

Yesterday, I went over to Waterbury Center to hang my solo art exhibition: What Remains.

34 pieces: assemblages of various sizes, mixed media collage, and altered books. Almost all of them new work.

I have put together other art exhibitions and been involved in group shows, but this endeavor is my 1st solo show. I feel like I am growing up as an artist. Perhaps it's a coming into my own.

I have to admit that it's a bit scary to put yourself out there and exhilarating as well.

I've been working hard at getting the word out about the show. Writing press releases, making postcards, tweeting, and talking it up on Facebook. Now, with it only three days away, I have no idea of what to expect. I don't know how many people will make the trek to Waterbury Center to celebrate achievement with me on Saturday.

I'm headed back there tomorrow night, after work, to move things around a little and start tagging everything.  I've still have a ton of stuff to do, but feel so very accomplished at this point. And so very thankful for all the people who have supported me and cheered me on.   This is something that I have pushed myself to do, but could not have gotten here without all of you.

So, in this quite moment, before settling off to slumber I thank you for that. And, reflect on what it is all about.

The one thing I know, the one thing my art is reflective of, is the reality that "this moment" is fleeting. That no matter how hard I try to hold on to it, Sunday will be here sooner than I know.  So, to live each moment, with fullness without regrets is all I can do.  Embrace the now, for tomorrow will be only memories..... but great memories that I will have for a lifetime.








Monday, October 11, 2010

Michael deMeng comes to VT!

(finally... yeah!!!!)
 
(c) Michael deMeng
About two years ago, I drove down to Topsfield MA, to take some classes with Michael deMeng at Absolutely Everything. What happened to me that weekend was equivalent to taking a can opener to the top of my head and just cranking away.  It was the catalyst to the art that I am making now. The point of no return. The beginning of my transformation. 
 
Now fast forward to the present, I have my work up at the S.P.A.C.E.  gallery and opening my debut Art Exhibition,, "What Remains" in about 2 weeks. There are so many opportunities are unfolding in so many strange and wondrous ways. And for the icing on the cake, Michael is teaching here, this weekend in Vermont! and only 15 minutes from my house at Shelburne Arts Center!  In addition to teaching to classes, Pandora's Box and Angels and Demons, he is showing some of his recent work in an Exhibition in the SAC gallery. How's that for luck. I am so excited to be taking a class with him again. I can't imagine where this weekend will end up taking me creatively. We will just have to see.

(c) Michael deMeng
I know there are some spots open for his class, contact SAC @ (802) 985-3648 for more info or check Michael's website for details. He's a terrific teacher, with a great sense of humor and creative insight. He is also a huge inspiration to me as well as a lot of other mixed media artists I know. If you get a chance to swing down to Shelburne, stop by the reception on Friday Night from 5-8pm, check out Michael's magical assemblages and say hi! It's going to be a ton of fun!









Sunday, October 3, 2010

What Remains - Opening Reception October 23rd



The few last month has been so productive for me. I feel like I have finally hit my slipstream and getting into the flow of it all. I am so blessed to be able to be moving forward this way, creating art almost everyday. Art that seems to touch people deeply and personally.

Now it is October. The leaves have started to fall and the days grow colder and shorter.Halloween is right around the corner and I am reminded that this is the time when many people believe that the veil between the living and the dead is  the thinnest.  We allow ourselves to be spooked and to think of ghostly things in this darkening time of the year.

So it is auspicious that I am a part of two very "haunting" shows. The The Art of Horror, which opened this  Friday, October 1. The reception, which was part of the Burlington Art Walk,  was simply terrific. I met so many wonderful people and had an amazing time! Thank you Beth, Kevin and Christy for putting together this event.

And....

In just about 20 days, I will be hanging my own work at Seminary Arts in Waterbury Center.  The show is called, "What Remains" and is a collection of work from the past two years that deals with the essences, the aftereffects that are left behind, in and around the objects of our daily lives. The things that I pull together to create my art is "What remains." The stories I weave together are ghost stories, moments that are remembered if only in our dreams and vague recollections.

Whether it’s an old family photo or grandmother’s rocking chair, we’ve all felt the presence of someone long gone when we encounter their things - the imprint they leave behind after possessing an object for a long period of time. It may be just a fleeting memory, a faint electric impulse that jolts us into thinking, into feeling that person’s wordless presence, but it is there. The ghost of a person, left behind in the yellowed paper, the cracked leather, the worm-eaten wood…

By sifting through these disparate objects,  I have found the compatible bits and pieces of others’ lives and woven their faint and ancient energies together until they sing together in one voice. These new pieces not only speak to the sadness of these lost and forgotten things, but they remind us that their owners have been lost and forgotten as well.

And if them, what of us?

Join me on October 23rd as we celebrate the past and the future and where "when lingers" at Seminary Arts in the Center.  I will be posting more info about the show and the workshop I am going to be teaching on October 30th. Stay tuned....