What a week! In addition to the usual calendar involving canine, feline, juvenile, domestic, classroom and studio activities, this week also found this suburban artist Out and About in Norfolk, participating the Plein Air Paint-Out sponsored by Karen Kinser and her Studio at Monticello. I tell you, that woman sure knows how to put together a show- 66 artists from all over hit the streets, alleys, waterways, rooftops, etc. of Norfolk and proceeded to paint the town. The weather was gorgeous this year, couldn't have asked for better, the sponsors were generous (over $5000. in award monies plus many folks who did their part for art by adopting artists), the spread at the reception glorious. Check out Karen's website at www.studiosatmonticello.com for a list and pics of all the winners and their work.
Some really gorgeous work to be seen- I marvel at those who can turn it on for a Paint-Out; I must confess that I remain outside of my comfort zone in that venue, and it shows. Still, the experience has done me a world of good, and I really and truly believe that it's important for artists to be seen working. I'm looking forward to seeing how Out and About will evolve the next go round, as well as to continued participation.
Next, Sunday afternoon marked the opening of "Small Works" at Charles H. Taylor Art Center in Hampton. James Warrick Jones juried this invitational that featured close to 500 works by 177 artists; it's really an eyeful. There was a great turn out for the opening, and James and his band of helpers did a wonderful job of hanging the myriad of work- no small task given the breadth and depth of these tiny pieces. It's truly wide open. I have three pieces in the exhibit, and one, "my inner child(is playing with matches)" took a first in the mixed media category. That makes me almost as happy as putting the piece together; I was really and truly gleeful while in process. (Note to self: gleeful process is a clue.) Another one of my small canvases sold during the opening, so all in all a fine way to end the week, but I am looking forward to a peaceful new week with Megan in the studio.
my inner child(is playing with matches...mixed media.
at the end of tunnel. in the garden, Megan's hair. This will be the last progress report- the next time I post the painting it'll be complete. See you in a few!
Slowly but surely- I'd love to be doing the "fun stuff" but the background has been the order of the last week and change is incremental.
What with teaching, the plein air paint out, Megan, prepping for the portfolio show (I am determined!), Small Works at Charles Taylor, and getting organized for Norfolk Collegiate and Nansemond Suffolk's shows, I just need to keep moving. Six hours in the studio evaporated today and now it's time to attend to the domestic (including the stuff I should have attended to before going to the studio- ugh- consider yourselves blessed not being able to see it.) Before I go, tho'- here a progress report on Megan. She's about half way there.