Art and Hours

If you missed the reception for What Remains at Seminary Arts, but you still want to see the show, don't fret. You can swing by any time it's open for classes which is:

Tues 3:30 to 8 pm 

Wed 2:30 to 5 pm

Thurs 3:00 to 8 pm 

Saturday 10 am to 2pm 

or by appointment (802) 253-8790

 

To be honest, I am a bit overwhelmed by the tremendous response the show has had already. It has gotten quite a bit of press and  I have sold quite a few pieces already.  I am so grateful for all the people who have helped me get to this point. I could not have done this without any of you.

Jim and I went out this past Friday to check out the Art Walk in Downtown Burlington. If you are not familiar with this. Many businesses and galleries open their doors to the public on the 1st Friday of the month to celebrate the art exhibition they are showing. The Art Map Burlington, prints a great monthly guide to exhibition in and around Burlington. They also have an informative website with links to different artists blogs/websites. I am not an art critic so I won't even attempt to judge any show. I will leave that those who are far better versed and eloquent than me. I only have my opinions and observations, so I will share those with you.

Our first stop was The SPACE gallery, to see their new show:  Make Art, Repeat. It was great to see Christy and other artists in the show at their opening reception. I'm always impressed by Ashley Roark's shadow and light work. This installation did not fail to astound  me. The work seems simple, she creates patterns with  pins, (and now large nails) in the wall, but the effect when she applies directional light is wonderful. It simply needs to be experienced to be understood,

Tarrah Krajnak

Then we headed downtown, in search of dinner and more art. Following the recommendation of a friend we saw at the SPACE gallery, we stopped at the Firehouse Gallery. We checked out two exhibits there: Homunculus and An Inch of dust.

Homunculus, by UVM professor, Steven Budingtonn is a Dali-like exploration of the human body and technology. A fantastical  interweaving of fleshy parts, i-pods, artificial hearts and cosmetic surgery. Beautiful, yet slightly gory and monstrous, his painting and drawing are surrealistic and provocative.

On the second floor we saw An Inch of Dust by Tarrah Krajnak, who also teaches at UVM. Krajnak takes archived photos and projects them onto sculptural paper pieces and then re-photographs them. The result is a distorted  image laced in mystery and memory. 

Jon Gregg

Our last stop was at the Amy E. Tarrant Gallery, where we saw the work of Vermont artist Jon Gregg.This show, simply titled “Recent Works on Paper”, consists of  50 works of oil pastels on paper, all untitled. His work is very moody and abstract. Landscapes, villages, horses and come into view through his scratchy silhouettes of images that look more like paintings than drawings. 

Ghost Stories-Mixed Media Shrine Workshop at Seminary Arts

Ghost Stories-

Creating Mixed Media Shrines from found objects

Saturday October 30^th 9 am to 4 pm

Seminary Arts in the Center

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

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.
 

 

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.

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....

Abandoned Inspiration

Recently, I have been obsessed with abandoned buildings. It amazing me how beautiful dwellings can be forgotten along old roads and left to ruin. On our way to Pennsylvania, we drove through the Catskills. When you drive along the back roads, you see all the glory of days gone by. It seems that people no longer vacation in these mountains or along the small lakes and ponds that abide here.  Almost every town we drove through had crumbling cottages and broken down old hotels that mark a time of previous opulence.

My latest work, has also been about dwellings. A collection of small houses and boxes have been taking up residence on my work table. This new series of what I call "soul houses" will be on display in October for my show at Seminary Arts, but I wanted to share with you a sample of what's to come.


The discarded house forms, some as small as 3" tall and others as large as 2 feet wide, are being transformed into a chambers that capture the sadness and beauty of a lost moment in time. Like the stately hotels and camps along those old back roads, these little houses might be a little haunted and beckon you to find out more.

Altered Books Class Returns to Waterbury Center

Saturday May 2nd
1 to 5 pm -
One more time at Seminary Art Center!­­Altered Book Workshop -Giving new life to the page

For many the idea of marking up a book to make it into a piece of art seems almost sacrilegious. It is widely held that books, being the key to literacy and knowledge should be well read and then kept, for all time, on a shelf for others to enjoy. The unfortunate reality is that tons and tons of books end up in landfills.

This introductory workshop will teach you the basis skills you need to create your own altered book and offers an opportunity to explore your muse and to give new life to a discarded object.

Cost is $40.00 and $10 for materials - click for more info in a previous blog post or email for details!

ALTERED BOOKS CLASS COMING TO WATERBURY CENTER

NEXT SATURDAY
APRIL 4, 2009

Come and play as we giving new life to the page.
This introductory workshop will teach you the basic skills you need to create your own altered book and offers an opportunity to explore your muse and to give new life to a discarded object.

Cost is $40 plus $10 for materials.

materials list for this class

1 or 2 old hardcover books- something that fits comfortably in your hand. Spine should be in good condition, inside and out

Adhesives:
Uhu glue stick (or similar acid free brand)
Golden Regular Gel Medium (Matte)
Clear Liquid Nails or similar heavy duty glue (like E600)
PVA glue (optional)
Double sided tape
Cutting tools: Scissors
Utility knife/craft knife with new blades
Hole punch (optional)
Bonefolder or old credit card (for smoothing sheets)
Ruler
Paint brushes
Assorted favorite paints and glazes (I really like Golden products)
Embellishments (such as)
Rusty things
Buttons and beads
Fabric scraps
Old paper and other ephemera
Assorted images and old photos for collage
Rubber stamping materials

Other Optional supplies to bring if you have them
Eyelet tool
Pliers
Wire
Texturing materials (waxed paper, aluminum foil, sponges, bubble wrap)
Heat gun

Seminary Art Center
201Hollow Road‎
Waterbury Center, VT
(802) 253-8790‎

The Seminary Art Center offers: ceramic courses & private lessons; mixed media courses & workshops; art themed parties; local artists art gallery; retail sales. Formerly Schoolhouse Pottery of Moscow. This beautiful building is the one remaining of three built in the 1800's to be the Green Mountain Seminary. It has been historically and beautifully rehabilitated.
Email‎: SeminaryArt@gmail.com

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