New Work: the Old House

I started working on this piece during the hurricane Irene. The piece evolved as the weather changed. As the news reports came in about the flooding the house took on it's own significance for me.

Here in Vermont, hundreds of miles away from the coast, devastation and destruction was raining down on many towns and cities in the southern half of the state. A town that I used to lived in, Waterbury, was extremely hard hit. Homes were swept down river, roads were washed out, and families stranded or left to live in make shift shelters in church rectories and school cafeterias.

No other event comes close to this except for the the Flood of 1927 which stands as the greatest disaster in Vermont history. Devastation occurred throughout the state, taking place on November 3rd and 4th when 1285 bridges were lost as well as countless numbers of homes and buildings destroyed and hundreds of miles of roads and railroad tracks washed out. The flood waters claimed 84 lives, including that of the Vermont Lieutenant Governor at the time, S. Hollister Jackson.

History almost repeated itself, as Hurricane Irene (actually downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it got this far north) pounded Vermont with heavy rains and winds. I am grateful that our current home was spared. In comparison to our neighbors and friends to the south, we saw very little damage. 

You will notice the shovel handle, meant to symbolize the digging out of the mud and debris that settled in homes and basements, the feet, that represent the firm footing the community has, the driftwood, the yard sticks and the Virgin Mary on the second floor, who is prays intently for the storm to end. 

This piece: the Old House, is dedicated to Vermonters, old and new; who have seen nature's scorn and survived. 

I would rather not go
back to the old house
there's too many
bad memories
too many memories....
here began all my dreams....
and you never knew
how much I really liked you
because I never even told you
oh, but I meant to...
Are you still there?
or have you moved away?

I would love to go
back to the old house....

 but I never will- The Smiths

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....

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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