New Blog Site

Making my way over to wordpress…

Click here for new blog site

and then eventually to a blog incorporated into a new website. It'll be a while… but should have everything up prior to Open Studios June 7-8 and 14-15. Such a huge step for me. I've always enjoyed viewing other people's studios and now it's my chance to show off mine. I can't wait to see my studio's transformation!

Giving back

I'm inspired to write. I love the story of Another Girl at Play and the idea of giving back to the creative community. I'm compelled to create community… to give back…

Talking with a neighbor recently, she was talking to me about how she used to be creative and her husband is an artist… I'm not retelling the story well but I held such emotional pain for her. I just listened, there wasn't much I could do.

My heart goes out to the one who has lost touch with their creativity. Picasso said "All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." It is a struggle but it's worth the fight.

Emotional Turbulance

I've been drinking Starbucks lately with a gift card. That's been a treat. The second time I got my coffee I noticed the "The Way I See It" quote on the side. I couldn't believe I missed out on the one the day before. I went scrambling through the trash to find yesterday's cup and to my surprise it was the same one! Oh to feel that emotional range. I don't know why I was surprised but I had read one quite awhile ago and it was a good one. I wanted that experience again. So funny to watch my emotions go up and down…

I'm enjoying Seth Godin's blog on a daily basis. This post in particular was inspiring, but there are definitely many more!

I started Toastmasters again. I'm very encouraged. I gave my first speech last night and am looking forward to writing my next one. I'm going to do a bit of research on how physical movement effects the voice and art. I'll be looking into Anna Halprin and theater movement.
Tom and I've been enjoying Slings and Arrows on Netflix.

FREE Art Marketing Salon

Nine Tuesdays evenings: 7:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.

April 7, 21, May 5, 19, June 2, 16, 30, July 14 and August 11

Meetings will be held in Oakland and possibly in Alameda
(meeting address will be given upon registration)

Are you serious about marketing your art?

Alyson B. Stanfield has created a free 9-week program that guarantees each and every participant a complete art marketing plan. Click to find out more about the program. Art Biz Connection art marketing salons provide a structure to help artists work together and support one another. Plus, Alyson B. Stanfield's book I'd Rather Be In the Studio is a great read and valuable resource!

I have two people interested already. Come join us and make promoting your art fun!

About the coordinator: Leah Virsik is an artist with a passion for bookbinding, painting and repurposing everyday objects. She brings a marketing degree, a wide variety of resources and a love of research to this art marketing salon. You’ll also find her on the Alameda Women Artists board. Learn more about her at www.leahvirsik.com.

Interested? Contact me to help create this art marketing salon by replying to this post or by calling 510-418-9383.

Happy Inauguration Day President Obama!

We all sat around the TV at work today watching President Obama's Inauguration. What a special moment. I was touched by many words and phrases but a couple of things that really stood out for me in Obama's speech were possibility…

"This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."

practice…

"Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use;…"

and the importance of creating…

"Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom."

Source

The Scottish Play by the Shotgun Players and Musings about Local Theater

Guest Theater Critic: Tom Virsik

Leah and I recently saw Shotgun Player's Macbeth. We can recommend it — but not appropriate for children. Overtly carnal (but tasteful) in parts and LOTS of well-placed stage blood. Audible gasps from the audience at certain scenes of violence.

(Actor playing Macbeth: Craig Marker. Photo Credit: Jessica Palopoli
Source: Shotgun Players)

The leads are great, as is the one witch/weird sister. Director Mark Jackson changes a small part of the plot (but not the lines!) that works well in this version. It is not his best work, though, and a few of his signature techniques are, in my opinion, overused. (And I suspect Jackson recycled a throbbing soundtrack used for a party scene from his American $uicide production). Very stylish and hip throughout and thoroughly understandable. You will remember this production of Macbeth and never confuse it with another. Macbeth has been extended through February 1, 2009.

Leah and I also saw a special one-night performance of Beowulf — a sort of rock opera "song play" based on the epic poem. We first saw it during its premiere run in Berkeley some months back. it is now headed to New York City. I noticed that among its cast is an actor I had originally seen in a Woman's Will production a few years back. (I need to disclose that I recently was invited to and am presently a member of the Board of Directors of Woman's Will). This same actor I next came across in a leading role in a different local company after. Now the actor is headed to NYC! If you are in NYC in April, check it out!

I am a strong proponent of local theater for a variety of reasons. The above tale is an example of one reason — being a part of something bigger. I — with many others — played a small part by reaching into my wallet for tickets and donations to keep local theater companies alive and prospering. That support translates into seeing those companies, the actors, the other professionals, excel and create work that is (in my opinion) beyond mere entertainment. One need only look at the titles of what is playing at small theater companies in the Bay Area to realize that political, ideological, and social themes are being debated and explored on stages almost nightly. Macbeth is, after all, a tale of an unquenchable thirst for power and no fewer than three small companies staged three very different versions of Macbeth within the last year. Coincidence or a thoughtful product of the political climate?

I am aware that especially in this economic climate, the arts in general are facing challenges. I know local theater in the Bay Area is under the gun, including the one organization of which I have personal knowledge, Woman's Will. I encourage you to go see a show at your local theater. Volunteer, make a donation if you can. If the small theater companies perish for lack of support, we will have only ourselves to blame.

Lots of thoughts

Oh so much… in my head… I have had some really great time off… so many ideas… my head is bouncing and I don't know where to start. When I wrote my 100 memorable experiences I initially entitled them 100 accomplishments and then I had issue with that word so I changed it… I want to add one more thing… I had an incredible day teaching on my birthday and I came home and Tom surprised me with birthday candles, cake and sang me Happy Birthday. He also gave me a really great card with a drawing of his. It was so sweet. I really enjoy his thoughtfulness. Just something I want to add to my memorable experiences of 2008. I'm very lucky to have this man in my life. Smile.

I had a really great day today taking Carolee Gilligan Wheeler's class: Personalized Daybook: Fresh Start for the New Year at SFCB. I learned a lot and it was definitely a highlight to meet Carolee. She's very down-to-earth, patient, has lots of great ideas, willing to share and is excited about what she's teaching. I really enjoy and highly recommend her. Check out her upcoming class called Upcycling: The Transformation of Trash. More photos on her website.

On my way home tonight, I got super excited about ideas of making more books. We recycle a ton of direct mail pieces at work and I'd like to figure out ways to incorporate more of those direct mail pieces into my books–a way to make friends with the direct mail, to actually transform my relationship with it maybe. An interesting thought. My work mates already save aluminum cans for me.

On Carolee's about page, she has a link to Joan Didion's article "On Keeping a Notebook". The following part of that article brought up so much for me that I want to make full notebook on my reaction. "…I think we are well advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not. Otherwise they turn up unannounced and surprise us, come hammering on the mind's door at 4 a.m. of a bad night and demand to know who deserted them, who betrayed them, who is going to make amends. We forget all too soon the things we thought we could never forget. We forget the loves and the betrayals alike, forget what we whispered and what we screamed, forget who we were."

I'm on a mission–obsession maybe, to find my "tribe". Searching out and finding people who are doing what I'm doing. Connecting and creating my creative community. It's happening… with the blog, with the books I'm buying, with classes I'm taking… it feels really exciting to be part of a bigger community. I could also view it as a way of showing up to the community that's already surrounding me.

I met my mom yesterday on BART and we were going to go to the SFMOMA but she had enjoyed the YSL exhibit at the de Young so much that we went back. It was really enjoyable for me to see my mom so passionate and excited. She can talk me into anything. The YSL exhibit is pretty incredible. I was very curious about Haute couture and the statement that it was common for YSL to present 100 looks per collection. He sounded pretty prolific.

Maya Lin's work is also on exhibit at the de Young. I was really touched by her work and her process. Listening to her speak about her process on headphones, she states: "…if we know what it is we actually aren't looking at it anymore…" I've been trying to look at things differently. I finally got NetFlix and am looking forward to seeing the documentary, "Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision."

While I was having my wedding ring sized at The Gem Gallery (Tom and I had a great experience here!) in Berkeley, I walked into Village Shoes in search of a pair of slippers. Great service and great shoes. I walked out with a pair of handmade felt Stegmann slippers and they are the most comfortable slippers ever. When I come home, I cannot wait to put them on. Seems weird but I wish I could wear them everywhere.

100 Memorable Experiences of 2008

Lisa Call's blog post: 100 Accomplishments of 2008 inspired me to write my own. Whew! I didn't think I could come up with 100 but Tom helped.

1. I experienced an incredible wedding with Tom, the man of my dreams. When things just click, you know it and it feels right… I knew this was possible but hadn't experienced it before.
2. Tom and I spent a fabulous two-week honeymoon in Savannah, Georgia, Durham, North Carolina and Florida.
3. Saw an incredible exhibit of William Christenberry's work at the Telfair Museum in Savannah, Georgia.
4. Joined Alameda Women Artists and became a board member.
5. Accepted into Frank Bette Center for the Arts Alameda on Camera exhibit.
6. Threw a summer party in our home.
7. Visited my sister and her partner in San Diego and ate lots of wonderful food.
8. Conceived and led Artist Business Circle at Frank Bette Center for the Arts.
9. Started yoga at at Loka Yoga.
10. Inspired by Kelly Rae Roberts to begin blogging.
11. Ran across the Golden Gate Bridge and back on New Year's Day 2008.
12. Spent weekend in Napa with Tom.
13. Took care of my mom's dog. Learned a lot about myself and how my life would need to be different if we were to have a dog.
14. Learned coptic sewing and long stitch link stitch binding via Keith A. Smith's Non-Adhesive Binding Books Without Paste or Glue. If you buy this book or any of his books which I recommend, buy them through him, he'll send you a thank you note!
15. Bought a Vivitar Polaroid Instant Slide Printer and learned how to make emulsion lifts.
16. Started working with scrap aluminum.
17. Bought a modern sewing machine from a garage sale.
18. Lost weight through Weight Watchers and kept it off.
19. Took emergency preparedness courses through Oakland's CORE program.
20. Saw a great KFOG Concert for Kids featuring the Pretenders and Amos Lee at Oakland's Paramount Theater. (Incredible eye candy!)
21. Discovered great ginger snap recipe. (Tom calls them Ginger Slaps.)
22. Conceived, planned and executed our first lawn art sculpture: Hammie with Tom.
23. Planted our first tree.
24. Cleaned our gutters. Tom reminded me of this. Such a great workout!
25. Created more art than I've ever created.
26. Worked outside of my norm and created works in pastel colors.
27. Paid off debt.
28. Bought digital camera.
29. Planned Christmas meal with Tom and didn't suffer from the lack of abundance feeling that I get at times, "Is this enough?" It was enough.
30. Finally painted my lamp my mom gave me years ago.
31. Worked with Tom to design placement of ART letters on studio door.
32. Bought our first gas BBQ.
33. Bought outdoor furniture from the Alameda Flea Market.
34. Ate Southern BBQ.
35. Experienced fried pickles. Yum!
36. Went to the Salvador Dali Museum and then later found the pencils he used at the Alameda Flea Market.
37. Discovered Key Lime Pie and that it's not green!
38. Discovered the Daiso.
39. Took a really great AIA home tour via bikes. Nineteen miles round trip!
40. Stayed up til 3 a.m. with Tom and made art.
41. Discovered lynda.com.
42. Attended a LEGAL same sex wedding.
43. Voted for Obama.
44. Asked Michele Pred to speak at my Artist Business Circle. She said yes!
45. Bought an original Michele Maule.
46. Was incredibly inspired by Cay Lang's Taking the Leap.
47. Took a class with Lisa Kokin and discovered what great things you can do with books and dictionaries.
48. Attended an Oakland City Council meeting.
49. Took a tour at S.F. Recycling.
50. Witnessed my sister's defense for her Ph.D. from the University of Washington.
51. Letterpress printed our wedding invitations at SFCB.
52. Saw the Cowboy Junkies in Napa.
53. Went on a women's retreat to Occidental.
54. Discovered Graton and had fabulous food at Willow Wood Cafe.
55. Bought a great jacket from Mr. Ryder and Company.
56. Saw Chihuly's In the Hot Shop video. This is a great example of "artist as director".
57. Saw the Joseph Cornell exhibit at SFMOMA.
58. Sold more artwork than I ever have.
59. Bought a Royal typewriter and Tom named him Roy.
60. Discovered how yummy frozen grapes can be from Carol.
61. Discovered the Food Mill and their super ginger bars.
62. Discovered radish sandwiches.
63. Ate wonderful turnip soup Tom made.
64. Spent an exhilirating day planting with Tom, my mom and Warren. We planted the plants my mom bought for us for our wedding.
65. Put political signs up in our yard.
66. Asked for trees from the city of Oakland.
67. Bought house numbers.
68. Sumitted work to Rock Paper Scissors.
69. Submitted work to Rhythmix Cultural Works.
70. Changed my name.
71. Exhibited work with AWA at the Alameda Library.
72. Exhibited work with AWA at the Alameda Museum.
73. Sold several handmade books.
74. Got my lip pierced.
75. Wrote letter to my city council representative.
76. Letterpress printed thank you cards.
77. Exhibited at Frank Bette Center for the Arts in "Vision and Revision".
78. Heard about Francis Bacon's studio from Julie Alvarado.
79. Wrote 46 blog posts.
80. Began reading Lisa Sonora Beam's The Creative Entrepreneur.
81. Wrote to Lisa Sonora Beam and told her that I would like to host a class of hers.
82. Created my first visual journal.
83. Experimented with different types of frames including a window.
84. Began reading Kelly Rae Robert's Taking Flight.
85. Wrote a note to Carol C. Parks.
86. Bought LK Ludwig's Mixed-Media Nature Journals on Carol C. Park's recommendation and really enjoy it.
87. Imagined idea of running a non-profit for artists.
88. Bought Jean-Paul Sartre's Nausea.
89. Bought and used ideas from Alyson B. Stanfied's I'd Rather Be In the Studio.
90. Introduced to the concept of "teaching what you need to learn".
91. Read Rainer Maria Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet.
92. Celebrated Julia's 60th birthday with her and extended family.
93. Was treated to a fabulous day in San Francisco by my mom, sister and sister-in-law for my wedding.
94. Met incredible people of Tom's past on our honeymoon.
95. Asked Dona Turner to speak at my Artist Business Circle and she said yes!
96. Gently reminded of connectedness and introduced to the Oakopolis creed of "No separation between art and living".
97. Reminded by Dona Turner of the importance of enjoying one's creativity. She shared an incredibly cute dog she created with my Artist Business Circle.
98. Introduced to an exciting new gallery in Alameda: Autobody Fine Arts.
99. Experimented with solvent transfers.
100. Organized garage and studio.