fruition.

A couple of summers ago, I shyly showed the lovely Cyr some writing I had been doing that went along with the collages I had been working on since 2008.  I wasn't quite sure what to do with them, but I had an idea, and it kept rolling around the back of my brain (perhaps it was a marble I lost).  I slowly began piecing these things together into a form that was more than just scribbles and notes.  They aren't really short stories, they aren't really poems, they aren't explanations. Last summer, in one of the poetHouse crit groups, I brought them to the table, and got some valuable feedback (thanks to Tom Monson and company for being so encouraging).  Almost a year later, I felt like it was time to just complete this already, so I recruited my lovely sister to be my editrix.  I found an easy-does-it website with a downloadable, no brain program.  I arranged and re-arranged, and changed fonts twelve times.  And then...

I wasn't expecting this to be at my door until late next week...

A Story (so far)

Granted, it is what I am considering a proof, and it is self published, and it is kinda melodramatic on the inside, and it is tiny, and who knows what I will do with it now, and it is all those things: but also it is kinda cool to see a project come to fruition.  And the fact that I am typing this while sipping on a Jubelale, which is another thing that has come to fruition, is kinda rad.

Not much to speak of. But some to show.

"go and find the people that you know (nothing happens here that doesn't happen there)" 

March got away from me.  It feels like every time I went to update this little bloggity-blog something else pulled me away. Still- I have a bit to show for it (though the viewfinder in my camera is now a lovely abstract bit of cracked lcd screen).    

         

From the top: a bit of Cara Thayer and Louie Van Patten's amazing collaborative work that hung at Lone Pine during the month of March.  The progression of a collaborative painting I did with Mr. Tom Monson, which is now in the hallway of TBD Loft.   Detail of one of Jo Lundberg's  pieces from her solo show(Something to Sleep On).  Detail of "if I'm lost it's only for a little while" by Tom Monson, from his solo show(fake it 'til ya feeeeel it)  currently up at the PoetHouse. 

Tools of the Trade/ smoke 'm if you got 'm

Tom Monson presented a solo show at the PoHo this Friday, entitled "Smoke'm if you Got'm." Before the art hop started, Tom preformed for an intimate group of friends and peers.  Not only is Tom a painter, he also sings and writes lovely songs.  The seven song or so set was achingly beautiful, full of imagery that complimented his work, which balances simple line drawings that are complexly emotional and autobiographical.  

These two are my favorites from the set- the upper is entitled "brutha" and the painting below is entitled "eyes should be large and contain no lies."  Tom described this latest work in his artist statement as not cohesive besides that he created them, that each piece came and existed in the small moments of every day, which essentially is all we have.  

My photography obviously does not do it justice. My apologies.  

 

The other excitement of this weekend came in purchases of tools for my work.  I found a tiny iron and a new pair of scissors at a fabric store, the iron (and it's blue!) will allow for deft maneuvering with less risk of second degree burns.  I have several sets of scissors already, but these are gold and imprinted with a crane.  They are kinda magical and amusing to me, it doesn't take much.

"if everyone ate flowers"

And suddenly, there is a whole series of new collages waiting for me to build them.  After spending a week lakeside in Minnesota with my family, the muse decided that I have had enough R and R.  It is time to work.

I read quite a bit by the lake: the Little Prince, Ladders to Fire, and just finished Life of Pi when I got home.  It was a passage in Ladders to Fire that opened the gates.  One of the characters, Djuna, describes how her brother went crazy when the second world war began.  He started eating flowers, believing that "if everyone ate flowers, peace would come to the world."  

And then there was the Newport Folk Festival.  NPR has amazing coverage, downloadable podcasts of live sets by Neko Case, Iron and Wine, Gillian Welch, The Avett Brothers.  Listening to the live sets of songs that have been my background music for the last several years, with accents on different verses and nuanced choruses, brings a brand new perspective to the simplest things, it's like looking through Cyr's photos and seeing how she composes photos with a different eye.  

It seems like everyone is in the studio, which is another encouraging sign.  Tom Monson hangs a solo show on Friday.  Jo has begun a new painting as well.  The PoetHouse at its best.  

Mean Mister Monson (just kidding, he's anything but mean)

Besides steadily covering large canvases with oranges and earthy greens, I've been conversing with my artist friend and studio neighbor, Tom.  I had initially done an interview with him in early February, but the profile just hit the stands this week... his work is rad.  And he's one of the nicest guys on the planet.

Tom grew up in Minnesota, but he also lived in East Tennessee for a short while.  We enjoy talking about Dollywood.  

One of my favorite of pieces of Mr. Monson's, and I hope I have a photo of it somewhere- is a self portrait.  It's tiny, and painted on a square plaque.  It is basically a bright aqua background surrounding a simply drawn octopus.  The quiet charecter wears a red scarf, grey baseball cap, and a bandage around one of it's eight arms.  It is covered in a layer of resin, so it has a shiny preciousness to it.  It's a comforting little piece, and it makes me smile.  

I really enjoy being surrounded by so many talented and giving souls.  I don't think I say that enough.

The Sparrow Chair Continues.

The Sparrow Chair is coming along nicely....  Yesterday it looked like that.

And now it looks like this:

Kelty is a good studio apprentice.

I thought I would also add some photos of my fellow artists- Lori and Tom hard at work.

I am also very pleased that my friends Old Man and Boot (Ryan and James) are back from their adventuring in Mexico.  They climbed some Very Very Tall Volcanoes. I'm talking like 17K feet plus.  I am glad to have them back, because they cook for me.  Last night, they made tortas and showed me photos of the trip.  

I'm a lucky, lucky girl to be surrounded by such creative and wonderful friends. Especially considering the Owl left Connecticut this morning for Basic Training in Fort Knox, Kentucky.  

Officially a soldier, I'm officially a military wife: I got my military ID yesterday.  Never thought that would happen, did you?

Etsy Updates, Events Upcoming, Everything Unusual

Back in the Studio, after a restful holiday, hit the ground running...

I spent this beautiful, very un-Decemberlike day working on all things internet.  

I am hoping to soon get back to actually discussing the creative process instead of just updating on goings on, but Until that happens- How about a List-

• Several Artists I know are gearing up for Red Friday... Including my friend Christine over at DuBuhDu who has made some lovely ornaments...  Check out my Etsy Shop as well (the link is over that way---- to the right and down)
  
• The PoetHouse has started a new fundraiser to pay the rent, so the artists don't have to.  The resident artists donated a piece of artwork to have reproduced and sold locally, with all proceeds going to the PoHo.  They look lovely.  
• Good Things Come in Small Packages opens this Friday, at Bohemia Gallery in Ashland.   
• First Friday this week at the PoHo will feature the work of Tom Monson- Check out his work if you are in town, his site is super cool too.

One of my pieces in the Small Packages Show.